Important Current Affairs 27th September 2018 English

(National News)

Cabinet approves National Digital Communications Policy-2018 
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has  approved the National Digital Communications Policy-2018 (NDCP-2018) and re-designation of the Telecom Commission as the "Digital Communications Commission”.
 Impact:
The NDCP-2018 envisions supporting India's transition to a digitally empowered economy and society by fulfilling the information and communications needs of citizens and enterprises by establishment of a ubiquitous, resilient and affordable digital communications infrastructure and services. 
 The ‘Customer focused’ and ‘application driven’ NDCP-2018 shall lead to new ideas and innovations, after the launch of advanced technology such as 5G, IOT, M2M, etc. which shall govern the telecom sector of India.

NDRF to raise four more battalions
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon raise four more battalions, adding to the existing 12, and will also be modernised to meet international standards, its Director General Sanjay Kumar said Wednesday.
The four new battalions would be stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and NCR Delhi.

Addressing a press conference after attending a Sainik Sammelan of the NDRF 10th Battalion at the Acharya Nagarjuna University campus here, they have also proposed to have exclusive women contingents within the battalions to take care of women during times of distress.

Government launches Financial Inclusion Index
The government has  announced three initiatives to take banking to the last mile comprising a financial inclusion index, geographical mapping of banking services and hassle-free online loans for MSMEs valuing up to Rs 10 million.  

After an annual review meeting of the public sector banks, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched a common online platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) credit which will enable businesses to get loans up to Rs 10 million approved through a completely automated process within just 59 minutes.

HSL to sign contract to build two Diving Support Vessels soon
Shipyard Limited with the stage set for signing of contract of agreement with the Navy for construction of two Diving Support Vessels (DSVs).

The agreement for an order of Rs. 2,050 crore will be signed in a month or two. The yard bagged the contract through competitive bidding last year.

HSL also bagged the order from the Navy for construction of four 50 tonne bollard pull tugs at a cost of Rs 250 crore.

(Science News)
IAF successfully test fires air-to-air Astra missile

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 27th September successfully test fired the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from a Su-30 aircraft.

The missile, tested at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, "successfully engaged a manoeuvring target with high precision meeting the mission objectives".

In the series of trials held till date, Astra has been launched in the complete Su-30 flight envelope.

(International News)
Govt hikes import tariffs on 19 items; ACs, refrigerators, footwear hit

The government has raised import duties on 19 items, including jet fuel and air conditioners, as it looks to check the widening current account deficit resulting from high crude oil prices and the rupee dipping to a historic low.

The enhanced duty rates, which will make these imported goods expensive, will come into effect from midnight of September 26-27.

"The total value of imports of these items in the year 2017-18 was about Rs 86,000 crore,”