Important Current Affairs 27th October 2017

Current Affairs 27th October 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

President of India launches Technocity project in Thiruvananthapuram and lays foundation stone for the first government building in Technocity 

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, launched the Technocity project in Thiruvananthapuram today (October 27, 2017) and laid the foundation stone for the first government building in Technocity.
●    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Kerala’s strengths in basic literacy and skills – and the experience of Kerala’s people in the services sector and in consumer driven industries – make this state a natural for an IT ecosystem. 
●    He stated that IT is not just important in itself. It is a force multiplier for the entire services economy. 
●    It has played a game changing role in health-care, education, tourism and many other industries. 
●    These areas are Kerala’s strengths. 
●    He was confident that the development of Techno City will provide new opportunities for the young people of Kerala.
●    The President said that in many parts of the country, people from Kerala are an essential part of the economic landscape. 
●    And such achievements are by no means limited to India.  

First International Conference on Consumer Protection with the theme of “Empowering consumers in new markets” concludes in New Delhi 

The First International Consumer Protection Conference on “Empowering consumers in new markets” for the South, South East and East Asian Countries was held on 26 to 27 October 2017 in New Delhi. 
●    His Excellency Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Conference which was attended by 1600 participants that included delegates from 19 countries, Senior dignitaries from the Central Government, State Governments from India, Presidents of the Consumer Commissions,  as well as private sector, consumer associations and academia. 
●    Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD addressed the conference in the Inaugural session.
●    The Prime Minister during his inaugural speech stated that Consumer Protection is one of the priority areas for the Government.
●    Government’s vision is a step further from Consumer Protection to Consumer Empowerment and to Protection of Consumer Interests.
●    The Conference was chaired by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. 

RM Releases Coffee Table Book on Department of Defence Production 

Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman released a coffee table book on the Department of Defence Production (DDP), titled ‘A journey towards self-reliance’ here today.
●    The first ever coffee table book on the department, it chronicles the post-independence years of development, indigenisation and production of arms, ammunition and defence equipment, with a view to achieve self-reliance for the Armed Forces of India.
●    Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, in her message printed in the book says, “The coffee table book is a noteworthy initiative of DDP to compile success stories of projects of OFB/ DPSUs, transcending from the stage of inception to execution.
●    The contents of the book are a remarkable collection of past and current defence equipment produced in India. 
●    Avid readers will find themselves immersed in a world of illustrations and remarkable photographs, captured at ‘the’ moments, and revealing relevant texts, which will be of interest to the ‘defence technology-savvy’ Indians.
●    The book epitomises the visionary approach of the Government of India seeking to establish India as a global manufacturing hub, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 

Establishment of permanent campus of six new IITs at Tirupati, Palakkad, Goa, Dharwad, Jammu and Bhilai 

The Union Cabinet on 24th October 2017 approved a Rs. 7,002 crore plan for construction of permanent campuses for six new IITs, to be completed by 31st March 2020. 
●    Each campus will have facility for housing 1,200 students, beginning from the academic year 2020-2021.
●    Currently, these institutions are functioning from temporary campuses with a total strength of 1,530 students. 
●    After construction of the campuses, this strength will go up to 7,200.
●    The Hon’ble Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2014-15 had announced establishment of five new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa and Chhattisgarh. 
●    Further, in the Budget Speech 2015-16,establishment of an IIT in Karnataka was announced.
●    In pursuance to the Budget announcements, the academic sessions in IITs at Tirupati and Palakkad started in 2015-16 and in IITs at Dharwad, Bhilai, Jammu and Goa in 2016-17, from their respective temporary campuses.

Power Minister chairs the 4th Foundation Day celebrations of National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram 

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Raj Kumar Singh, presided over the 4th Foundation Day celebrations of National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), at its campus in Gurugram, Haryana today.
●    While addressing scientists, research staff and other guests during the event,Shri Singh said that NISE should aim to establish itself as the World’s leading institute in the field of solar energy through its world class R&D, Testing & Certification and Training and emerge as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.
●    NISE should strive further and set up regional centres for research and development in solar energy, Shri Singh added.
●    “There is no dearth of funds for R&D activities”, Shri Singh said, while complimenting the scientists on the number of innovative prototype projects developed at NISE. 
●    Further, the Minister said that NISE should work quickly and patent some of the products and encouraged scientists to work out strategies for public-private collaborations to reach end-users.
●    Shri Singh also launched the Automation System for Customer Service Cellfor Testing Facilities at NISE. 
●    He was presented with a set of four books on Solar Energy published by NISE.

Piyush Goyal inaugurates International Conference on Green Initiatives & Railway Electrification 

Minister of Railways & Coal Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated International Conference on Green Initiatives & Railway Electrification organised by Ministry of Railways through Institution of Railways Electrical Engineer (IREE) India on 27th October 2017.
●    Minister of State for Railways & Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) Shri Manoj Sinha was specially present to grace the occasion. 
●    Member Traction Railway Board & Patron, IREE, Shri Ghanshyam Singh, other Railway Board Members, Additional Member Electrical, Railway Board & President, IREE Mr. V. K. Agarwal and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
●    Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal said, "Indian Railways is working with a renewed attitude and confidence. 
●    The mindset of Indian Railways has changed. Indian Railways is working with “will do/can do” spirit, for the Government, Development is a positive agenda. 
●    Indian Railways is working in a mission mode and coming up with solutions to the problems. 
●    Indian Railways is working with a commitment to serve in a time bound manner for the common people. 
●    For the common people, Railways is the preferred mode of transport. 
●    1.3 million Railwaymen have dedicated themselves to serve with commitment. 
            

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley launches the mandatory use of Public Finance Management System (PFMS) for all Central Sector Schemes
The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley said that the mandatory use of Public Finance Management System (PFMS) for all the Central Sector Schemes of the Government of India would help in tracking and monitoring the flow of funds to the implementing agencies. 
●    Shri Jaitley further said that due to the monitoring of funds through PFMS, one can know the actual status of utilization of funds by the multiple implementing agencies of the Central and the State Governments. 
●    He said that the ultimate purpose of implementing any Scheme is to ensure that the benefits much reach to the last mile. 
●    The Finance Minister specifically mentioned about the implementation of various Schemes through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism in this regard. 
●    The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley was addressing the senior Officers of the Finance and other Ministries after launching the mandatory use of the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) for all Central Sector Schemes in the national capital today. 
●    These Central Sector Schemes with a budgetary outlay of Rs.6, 66,644 crore covers over 31 percent of the total Central Government expenditure during the current financial year 2017-18. 

Current Affairs 27th October 2017: DAY AND DAYS

Observance of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ on 31st October 

The Government observes 31st October all over the country as a day of special occasion, to foster and reinforce the Government’s dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of our nation, by celebrating it as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
●    In the National Capital Territory of Delhi, celebrations on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. include offering Floral Tribute to Sardar Patel at Patel Chowk by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, followed by administering Pledge and flagging off the Run for Unity.
●    ‘Run’ will take place from National Stadium - C-Hexagon – Shah Jahan Road Radial – India Gate (1.5 km). 
●    A large gathering is expected to participate in the Run. 
●    Ms. P.V. Sindhu (Badminton), Ms. Mitali Raj (Cricket) and Shri Sardar Singh (Hockey) are likely to participate. 
●    The Run will be organized by experienced Coaches from Sports Authority of India. Ministries/ Departments involved in organizing the programme include Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Department of Sports, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and GNCTD and Organizations involved include CPWD, NDMC, DDA, SAI, CAPFs and Delhi Police.
●    All States/UTs will organize State-level functions at respective capitals and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is coordinating with the local administration to organize functions in 623 districts while the Ministry of Human Resource Development is organizing functions in the Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas.