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Current Affairs : February 16 2017
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Cabinet Approvals on February 15, 2017
i. The Union Government chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi on February 15, 2017 approved setting up of Food
Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha, Sehore
inMadhya Pradesh for meeting the emerging food security
challenges.
ii. The Cabinet approved the signing of Air Services
Agreement between India and Rwanda which will enable the
airlines of the two countries to operate services in each others‟
territory.
iii. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval
to award contract in 31 contract areas under Discovered
Small Fields Policy 2016 undertaken last year
iv. The Union Cabinet approved the merger of the State Bank
of India with its 5 subsidiary banks namely State Bank of
Bikaner and Jaipur; State Bank of Hyderabad; State Bank of
Mysore; State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore.
Indian Panaroma Film Festival Begins in Port Blair
i. The Indian Panorama Film Festival kicked off in Port
Blair on February 15, 2017.
ii. The five day film festival has been organized by the
Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism, Andaman &
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Nicobar Administrationin association with the Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting and Directorate of Film
Festivals/IFFI, New Delhi, Govt of India.
iii .The festival was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary, Andaman
& Nicobar Administration,Shri Anindo Majumdar at DBRAIT
Auditorium, Dollygunj, Port Blair.
iv. The inauguration was followed by screening of the film
Bahubali (Telegu) directed by SS. Rajamauli.
v. About 15 films of different languages and different genre will
be screened at two different venues including PBMC Auditorium
and ITF Ground during the festival.
vi. The event will conclude on February 19, 2017.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Inaugurates Campaign against
Drug Addiction
i. The Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat inaugurated
a Campaign againstDrug Addiction on February 15, 2017
organized by Shimla Press Club in Shimla.
ii. The campaign aims to make the state drug free.
iii .The Governor has announced to grant Rs 1 lakh to the Press
Club Shimla for organising the campaign against drugs
iv. Through the campaign, the state will make effort to eradicate
drugs that not only affect the physical and mental health of the
addict but also lead them towards increase in crime.
Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh
Manali, Shimla, Kufri & Chail, Kasauli, Kaso
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Kerala cabinet Gives In-Principle Approval for Greenfield
Airport at Sabarimala
i. The Kerala cabinet gave its in-principle approval on February
15, 2017 for setting up aGreenfield Airport at pilgrim centre
Sabarimala located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western
Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.
ii. The state government has also directed Kerala State
Industrial Development Corp (KSIDC) to conduct a study on
the proposed airport.
iii. Lakhs of devotees visits the Sabarimala hill shrine each year
and in recent years the number of pilgrims visiting the temple
had gone up especially during November-JanuaryMandala-
Makaravilakku pilgrim festival season.
iv. Thus the airport will cater to the needs of lakhs of devotees
who visit the famous Lord Ayyappa hill shrine every year
by reducing the traffic congestion. Currently, only road ways
medium is available to reach the hill shrine.
Airports in Kerala
♦ Cochin International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram International
Airport, Calicut International Airport, Kannur Airport, Kollam
Airport.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh Inaugurated 2017 Indian Seed
Congress in Kolkata
i. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri
Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated the Indian Seed Congress
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2017 in Kolkata on February 12, 2017.
ii. The theme of Seed Congress is “Seed of Joy”.
iii. The theme is in line with vision of PM Modi government to
bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of farmers by doubling
their farm income by 2022.
iv. The minister emphasized that to enhance the productivity of
good quality seeds the centre has directed the state governments
to prepare variety wise seed rolling plants to meet year wise,
season wise requirements of quality seeds.
v. These rolling plants would help in improving the Seed
replacement rate along with Variety replacement rate so that
sustainable agricultural production and productivity could be
ensured.
vi. Besides vegetable seeds, the conclave also stressed on the
production of hybrid seeds of maize, paddy, pearl millet and
cotton for export to African countries.
vii. Indian seed industry has the potential to become a major
industry to supply quality seeds in global markets.
International Conference on NexGen Technologies for
Mining and Fuel Industries-NxGnMiFu-2017 inaugurated in
New Delhi
i. Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science Dr.
Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated the three day International
Conference on “NexGen Technologies for Mining and Fuel
Industries” (NxGnMiFu-2017) in New Delhi on February 15,
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2017
ii. Aim : To innovate new techniques, technologies and
applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society,
environment and industries in post-2020 era.
iii. The conference was organised by CSIR-Central Institute of
Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad as a part of CSIR-Platinum
Jubilee Celebration to commemorate 75th year of its
foundation.
iv. An industrial exhibition is also being organised in the Vigyan
Bhawan lawns and will run in parallel with the technical sessions.
v. Eight distinguished luminaries from the mining, fuel sectors,
800 delegates from India and 50 delegates from countries like,
UK, Australia, China, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic,
Germany, USA, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria etc. have
expected to participante in the event.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India Ranked 143 in the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom
Index
i. India has been ranked 143 out of 186 economies in the
annual Index of Economic Freedom 2017 released by top US
based Think Tank, The Heritage Foundation.The Index
measures the degree of economic freedom in the countries of the
world.
ii. Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand are the top three
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nations in the Index respectively.
iii. India has been placed in the category of “Mostly Unfree”
Economies in which the points ranges from 50.0-59.9.
iv. Among South Asian countries, only Afghanistan (163) and
Maldives (157) were ranked below India. Nepal (125), Sri Lanka
(112), Pakistan (141), Bhutan (107), and Bangladesh (128)
surpassed India in economic freedom
UNICEF Makes $110 Million Appeal for Sudan Children
i. The United Nations Children‟s Fund (UNICEF) has launched
a $110 million appeal on February 15, 2017 to help two million
acutely malnourished children across Sudan including
hundreds of thousands living in conflict areas
ii. Sudan is home to around 13 percent of all children suffering
from acute malnutrition across Africa. Two million children under
five in Sudan are acutely malnourished.
iii .They have been displaced due to violence in Darfur, Regions
of South and North Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei while many
separated from their relatives and affected by grave violations.
iv. UNICEF has spent about $500 million in Sudan over the past
five years and increasingly aims to tap funds from inside Sudan.
United Nations International Children‟s Fund
♦ The United Nations International Children‟s Fund is a United
Nations programme that provides humanitarian and
developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing
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countries.
♦ Headquarters: New York City, United States
♦ CEO: Anthony Lake
♦ Founded: 11 December 1946
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI will Reimburse Banks MDR Charges Effective January
1, 2017
i. The Reserve Bank of India has decided to
reimburse banks Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on
debit cards used by citizens for payment with effect from January
1, 2017.
ii .In December 2016, the government had decided to absorb the
merchant discount rate (MDR) charges in respect of debit
card transactions for making payments to it to encourage people
to use digital payments post demonetisation.
iii. RBI has directed the banks to forward their claim for
reimbursement of MDR along with statutory auditor‟s certificate
to RBI‟s Nagpur office on a quarterly basis.
iv .For the quarter ending March 2017, the banks have been
asked to file claim by April 30.
v. Also, the banks will have to certify that MDR charges for
transaction amounts up to Rs 1 lakh have not been collected from
the payer.
Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)
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♦ MDR is a charge to a merchant by a bank for accepting payment
from their customers in credit and debit cards every time a card
is used for payments (like swiping) in their stores.
Citi Bank launches instant chat service for customers
i. Mumbai based Citi Bank has launched instant chat services for
customers named Citibank Online (CBOL) on February 16,
2017. With this India become the first country in Asia Pacific
within the Citi network to have this kind of service.
ii. CBOL will focuses on resolving queries instantly regarding
cards,loans, domestic and non-resident accounts, and online
transactions.
iii. It will features a regular chat facility for generic query
resolutions. It does not require additional verification for the
customer once logged in and authenticated.
Citi Bank :
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: 1902
♦ CEO: Pramit Jhaveri
RBI Doubles Gold Loan Limit for Regional Rural Banks to
Rs. 2 lakhs
i. The Reserve Bank of India increased the gold loan
limit for RRBs (Regional Rural Banks) to Rs 2 lakh from the
current Rs 1 lakh on February 16, 2017 to help the farmers and
artisans have access to credit who are willing to pledge gold as
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collateral.
ii. The limit has been doubled for the loans not exceeding 12
months from the date of sanction.
iii. Besides, the facility will be available with bullet repayment
scheme. Under the scheme, while interest will be charged on a
monthly basis on the total outstanding, it will become due for
payment along with principal only at the end of 12 months from
the date of sanction.
iv. However, RBI has also directed that the gold loans should not
exceed 75% of the value of the gold pledged for taking the loan.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
♦ Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ Founded: April 1935
♦ Governor: Urjit Patel
Name and Shame Campaign of Catholic Syrian Bank Starts
Paying Dividends
i. The Name and Shame Campaign initiated by Catholic
Syrian Bank Employees and Retirees against willful Defaulters
in Kerala have started paying dividends.
ii. As per the bank, of the 30 defaulters identified with dues of
more than Rs. 50 lakh each, about 10 borrowers have
approached the bank with settlement proposals and the bank has
also received firm assurance for payments worth Rs. 25
crore from defaulters.
iii. The bank is now looking at getting these accounts closed
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before March. However, non-availability of adequate cash with
the borrowers post demonetization is posing a challenge.
iv. Through the campaign, the bank is succeeding in spreading
the message to defaulters not to avoid loan repayments.
Catholic Syrian Bank Limited
The Catholic Syrian Bank Limited is an Indian private sector bank
and one of the oldest banks in India. The bank has a network of
over 430 branches and more than 240 ATMs across India.
♦ Headquarters: Thrissur ♦ Founded: 26 November 1920
♦ CEO: Anand Krishnamurthy ♦ Motto: Support all the way
BUSINESS
Tata Motors Signs Strategic Technological Agreement with
Microsoft
i. Tata Motors Ltd and Microsoft India entered into strategic
agreement on February 16, 2017 to collaborate on the
technology front for making driving a more personalized
experiences for the customers.
ii. As per the agreement, Microsoft will make use of its IoT
(internet of things), AI (artificial intelligence) and machine
learning technologies to develop a highly personalized, smart
vehicle for the customers.
iii. The first vehicle showcasing such technological advancements
will be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor show on March
7, 2017.
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iv. The tie-up will act as a new revenue opportunity for the
company as car buyers increasingly look for value-added
services.
Tata Motors Ltd.
♦ Tata Motors Limited is an Indian multinational automotive
manufacturing company in India and a member of the Tata
Group.
♦ CEO: Guenter Butschek
♦ Founded: 1945
♦ Headquarter: Mumbai
MCX signs MoU with Singapore Diamond Investment
Exchange
i. Mumbai based Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)
and Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange have signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore areas of
cooperation on February 16, 2017.
ii. The agreement will to facilitate cooperation between the two
exchanges in areas such as knowledge sharing and research,
standardisation of the product for Indian markets
iii. It will enhancing transparency in pricing, besides exploring
further areas of collaboration.
Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange
♦ Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX),
headquartered in Singapore, is the world‟s first commodity
exchange in physically settled diamonds.
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♦ This is the first of its kind globally, will utilize proven exchange
technology to create a new marketplace for the global diamond
trade.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
AIIMS, New Delhi Wins First Prize for Sanitation & Hygiene
under Kayakalp Awards
i. India‟s premier health institute the All India Institutes of
Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi was awarded the first
prize of the Government‟s Kayakalp Award under theCentral
Government Hospitals category on February 15, 2017 in New
Delhi for maintaining high standards of sanitation and hygiene.
ii .The award was presented by the Union Minister for Health and
Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda and the All India Institutes of
Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi received a cash prize ofRs. 5
crore.
iii. The second prize was received by North Eastern Indira
Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences
(NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, which got a cash prize of Rs 3 crore.
iv. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and
Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, received the third prize of Rs
1 crore.
v. Besides, commendation awards of Rs 50 lakh each were
given to AIIMS, Raipur, AIIMS, Jodhpur and National Institute of
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), Delhi.
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vi. The health minister also felicitated the District Hospitals, PHCs
and CHCs for winning the awards in their respective states and
union territory.
vii. The Kayakalp award scheme was launched in 2015 so as to
improve the culture of sanitation and cleanliness in India‟s health
care facilities.
Indian-origin Shand Panesar Wins UK‟s Bravery Award
i. An Indian-origin Scotland Yard officer Shand Panesar along
with his colleague Craig Nicholson was honored with the 2017
Outstanding Bravery of the Year Award on February 10, 2017
in central London during a special award ceremony of the Total
Excellence in Policing Awards.
ii. The duo were honored the top bravery award in the United
Kingdom for risking their own life to save a family trapped in a
burning house in Hillingdon in September 2016
iii. Although the officers had no fire safety equipment or
protective clothing they still acted in the best traditions of the
Metropolitan Police.
iv. The coveted Total Excellence in Policing Awards recognizes a
host of dedicated police work across14 separate
categories including Outstanding Bravery, Best Detective, Thief
Taker of the Year, and Excellence in Victim Care among others.
United Kingdom
♦ Currency: Pound sterling
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♦ Capital: London
♦ Prime minister: Theresa May
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Edappadi K Palaniswami Appointed as the New Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu
i. The Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar
Rao appointed Edappadi K Palaniswami as 13th chief
minister of the state on February 16, 2017. His appointment is
in acceptance of the letter submitted by Palaniswami on February
14, 2017 that he was elected as the leader of the
AIADMK legislature party at a meeting of the party MLAs.
ii. The Governor has invited him to form the ministry at the
earliest as well as requested him to seek the vote confidence of
the assembly within 15 days.
iii. O Panneerselvam was appointed as the Chief Minister within
hours of death of AIDMK supremo and Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016. Later on February 5, 2017
Panneerselvam stepped down paving the way for Sasikala to be
elected its legislature party leader who was already
chosen AIADMK general secretary.
Vikas Swarup appointed India‟s next envoy to Canada
i. The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Vikas Swarup was appointed
as India‟s High Commissioner to Canada on February 16, 2017.
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He will replace Syed Akabarudddin who is who is moved as
serving as India‟s Permanent representative in the United Nations
ii. Vikas is currently working as the spokesperson of Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA).He had served the country‟s in several
embassies including US and Turkey.
iii. He has penned few books is best known for his novel „Q&A‟
which was later adopted into a movie „Slumdog Millionaire‟.
Canada :
♦ Capital: Ottawa
♦ Currency: Canadian dollar
♦ Prime minister: Justin Trudeau
Government appoints 5 new judges to Supreme Court
Five new judges are appointed to the Supreme Court by
the President Pranab Mukherjee.Now the total number of
judges in the Supreme Court raised to 28 from 23
New Judges are :
1.Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul
2.Rajasthan HC Chief Justice Naveen Sinha
3.Kerala HC Chief Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder
4.Chhattisgarh HC Chief Justice Dipak Gupta
5.Karnataka HC judge S Abdul Nazeer.
Supreme Court :
♦ The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and
final court of appeal under the Constitution of India, the highest
constitutional court, with the power of constitutional review. SC
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consisting of the Chief Justice of India and 30 other judges
♦ SC judge is appointed to the Supreme Court by the President
♦ Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65
♦ Article 125 of the Indian Constitution leaves it to the Indian
Parliament to determine the salary, other allowances, leave of
absence, pension, etc. of the Supreme Court judges.
FIBA Appoints Norman Isaac as its First Indian Technical
Delegate
i. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has
promoted Norman Isaac as theTechnical Delegate (TD) of the
sport‟s worldwide governing body.
ii. He has become the first Indian to be ever appointed to the
post. In 2006, FIBA appointed him as the FIBA Commissioner at
Muscat, Oman.
iii .Isaac has been appointed as the Technical Delegate (TD)
after he along with a select few aspirants from across the globe
successfully cleared a series of tests in Doha, Qatar.
iv. He will be responsible to prepare the preliminary rounds
of matches in the qualifiers to kick off in November 2017 and
then the first ever FIBA World Cup in China in 2019.
v. He will be assigned to any country except his own during his
tenure as TD and will be responsible for conduct of an entire
event, ranging from actual competition management to every
related aspect, from media arrangements to logistics.
International Basketball Federation
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♦ The International Basketball Federation commonly known as
FIBA is an association of national organizations which
governs international competition in basketball.
♦ Founded: 18 June 1932
♦ Headquarter: Mies, Switzerland
♦ President: Horacio Muratore
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Scientists „Unmask‟ Protein Shielding Superbug Against
Antibiotics
i. The Scientists from University of Western Australian have
mapped the molecular structure of a protein that protects
the superbugs from all the antibiotics includingColistin, which is
an antibiotic used when all other treatments fail.
ii. The scientist found that the protein EptA provides resistance
to the bacteria even against last resort antibiotic Colistin.
iii. Using a technique called X-ray Crystallography scientists
mapped the three-dimensional structure of EptA.
iv. The research may help to develop new drugs for antibiotic-
resistant bacteria strains and lead to all new method of
treatment.
v. The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences. It was funded by the National
Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and
involved several other universities and organisations.
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ENVIRONMENT
NASA Scientists Record January 2017 as Third Warmest
January in 137 years
i. According to the Monthly Analysis of Global
Temperatures report published by theNASA scientists at
Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, January
2017has been recorded as the third warmest January in 137
years of modern record-keeping.
ii. As per the report, January 2016 was the hottest month with
a temperature of 1.12 degree Celsius warmer than the mean
January temperature from 1951-1980.
iii. This was followed by January 2007 at 0.96 degree Celsius
and finally January 2017 with a temperature of 0.92 degree
Celsius warmer than mean January temperature.
iv .The monthly analysis by the GISS team is based on the data
acquired by about 6,300 meteorological stations around the
world, ship- and buoy-based instruments measuring sea surface
temperature, and Antarctic research stations.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
♦ The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is
an independent agency of the executive branch of the United
States federal government responsible for the civilian space
program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.
♦ Founded: July 29, 1958
♦ Headquarter: Washington, D.C.