18th May CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Guwahati now has India's first solar powered railway station

Guwahati now has India's first railway station run by solar power. The project of installing solar panels was commissioned last year in April 2017.

• Around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of generating 700 kwp has been set up over the roof of the Guwahati railway station. Solar panels have been installed at the roof-top solar power plant.
• The solar-powered station is aimed at reducing carbon-footprint as well as cut down power costs drastically.

2. Environment Ministry Forms 19 Teams for Cleaning of Beaches, River Fronts and Lakes

In the build-up to the World Environment Day 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has formed 19 teams to take up cleaning of beaches, river fronts and lakes in the country. 

• Cleaning up of around 24 beaches in nine (9) coastal states (list attached) and cleaning of river fronts in 24 identified polluted stretches in 19 states (list attached) will be undertaken.   
• Besides the listed rivers, a special cleanliness drives will be carried out at Yamuna riverfront in Delhi.  Certain lakes and water bodies have also been identified for cleaning. 
• An amount of Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked for each stretch of beach, river front and lake.

3. Creation of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in Department of Commerce

Department of Commerce formally issued notification for creation of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister Sh. Suresh Prabhu has given his approval for creation of DGTR in Department of Commerce, consequent upon amendment carried out by Government of India to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 on May 7, 2018 in this regard.
• DGTR will be the apex National Authority for administering all trade remedial measures including anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures.
• The DGTR will bring Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied duties (DGAD), Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) and Safeguards (QR) functions of DGFT into its fold by merging them into one single national entity.
• It will also provide trade defence support to our domestic industry and exporters in dealing with increasing instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries. 

4. Radha Mohan Singh addresses National Conference of Fisheries Ministers of Coastal states

During the last decade, India has attained first position with around 14% average annual growth in the export of fish & fishery products. Fish production in India has also grown by 27% in 2014-18 as compared to 2010-14.

• This was stated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh while addressing the Fisheries Ministers of Coastal states and Union Territories.
• Shri Singh further added that owing to low prospects of fisheries production along the coast, the government has decided to promote deep sea fishing and has introduced a sub-component 'Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing' under the Blue Revolution.
• Advanced and modern deep sea fishing vessels will be built in the country by indigenous technology.
• He informed that in the first year, central funds amounting to more than Rs 312 crore have been released for the implementation of this scheme benefitting fishermen from states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

5. Cabinet approves setting up of a new AIIMS in Deoghar, Jharkhand

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved setting up of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Deoghar, Jharkhand.

• A provision of funds worth Rs. 1103 crore has been approved for the project and the said AIIMS will be set up under the Pradhan MantriSwasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).   

6. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Suriname in the field of electoral management

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Suriname on cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration

• It includes exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical development of electoral process; support in exchanging information, institutional strengthening and capacity building, training of personnel, holding regular consultations etc.
• The MoU will promote bilateral cooperation, aimed at building technical assistance / capacity support for Suriname envisaging cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.

7. Cabinet approves Corpus for Micro Irrigation Fund with NABARD

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today has approved an initial Corpus of Rs.5,000 crore for setting up of a dedicated “Micro Irrigation Fund” (MIF) with NABARD under Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY). 

• The allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore and Rs. 3,000 crore will be utilised during 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
• NABARD will extend the loan to State Governments during this period.  B
• orrowings from NABARD shall be paid back in 7 years including the grace period of two years.
• The lending rate under MIF has been proposed at 3% lower than the cost of raising the fund by NABARD.

8. Yeddyurappa sworn in as Karnataka chief minister

BJP legislature party leader B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka.

• The 75-year-old Lingayat strongman was administered the oath of office and secrecy by governor Vajubhai Vala at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan.
• This is Yeddyurappa's second stint as chief minister of Karnataka.

9. Uttam Pacharne appointed regular Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi

The President of India has appointed Shri Uttam Pacharne, as regular Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi. Shri Pacharne is an eminent artist and sculptor.

• He is a widely respected person in the field of art and has held various important positions.
• Currently, he is Member of Advisory Committee, Kala Academy, Goa and Member of Advisory Committee, P.L. Deshpande State Lalit Kala Academy and Director, Janseva Sahakari Bank Borivali.
• He is the recipient of National Lalit Kala Award 1985, Maharashtra Gaurav Puraska 1985 from Government of Maharashtra, Junior National Award 1986 and Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar 2017 from Prafulla Dahanukar Foundation.
• Shri Pacharne will hold office for a term of three years from the date on which he assumes the charge of his office.
• Previously in March 2018, Shri M.L. Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Akademies), Ministry of Culture was appointed Protem Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi , pending appointment of a regular Chairman.

10. 'Raaya' becomes India's official entry for Cannes

 

A short film, 'Raaya', about an autistic girl has been chosen as India's official entry into the Cannes Film Festival 2018.

• The film is scheduled to exhibit at the 71st Cannes Festival on May 18, second to last day of the festival.
• 'Raaya' has already bagged the 'Special Festival Mention Award' at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2018. Also, it has been shortlisted for other International film festivals in Los Angeles and Romania.
• The film is produced by Rakesh Gupta and written by hypnotherapist Richa Agarwal.