29th JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Pakistan placed on FATF's grey list

 

Pakistan has been placed on the Grey list of countries that financially aid terrorism, in Paris by the Financial Action Task Force(FATF).

• The placement on to grey list could hurt Pakistan's economy as well as its international standing.
• The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

2. Centre to Replace UGC With HECI

The Centre is set to replace the apex higher education regulator body University Grants Commission (UGC) with Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) by repealing the UGC Act, 1951.

• The proposed Higher Education Commission of India would focus solely on academic matters and monetary grants would be under the purview of the ministry.
• Presently, the University Grants Commission (UGC), which came into existence in 1953, provides financial assistance to eligible colleges.

3. Oxytocin formulations ban to come into effect from 1st July 2018

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has restricted the manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use to public sector only from 1st July 2018.

• It has also banned the import of Oxytocin and its formulations.
• From 1st July 2018, no private manufacturer will be allowed to manufacture the drug for domestic use.
• Only Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL), a public sector company, would be manufacturing this drug for domestic use from that date.

4. “Statistics Day” will be celebrated on 29th June, 2018

In recognition of the notable contributions made by Late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics, statistical system and economic planning, Government of India in 2007, has designated 29thJune as the “Statistics Day” in the category of Special Days to be celebrated every year at the National level.

• 29th June, 2017 marked the beginning of the 125th year of birth of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis.
• ISI has held year-round celebrations which will be culminated on 29th June, 2018. 
• The objective of celebration of this Day is to create public awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation, to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. Mahalanobis, and to pay homage to him.

5. Institution of "Home Minister's Special Operation Medal"

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the institution of "Home Minister's Special Operation Medal". 

• Police Officers of States & Union Territories, Central Police Organisations (CPOs), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Security Organisation involved in Special Operations will be eligible.
• The Union Home Minister has also instituted three more Medals, - the Antarik Suraksha Medal, Asadharan Aashuchan Padak, and Utkrisht & Ati-Utkrisht Seva Medal.

6. Fourth National Consultation to be held in New Delhi

The fourth National Consultation Meeting of Ministers of States & UTs, in-charge of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is being held on 29th June 2018 in New Delhi.

• The meeting will be chaired by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, and Food & Public Distribution.
• The consultation will be on measures needed for further improving various facets of consumer protection and welfare including availability of essential food items at stable prices, Public Distribution System etc., and chart a future course of action.

7. Cabinet approves capital infusion in Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the capital infusion of Rs.2000 crore for strengthening of  Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC). 

• The amount would be infused in the three financial years i.e. Rs.50 crore in 2017-18, Rs.1450 crore in the year 2018-19 and Rs.500 crore for 2019-20.
• The infusion would enhance insurance coverage to MSME exports and strengthen India’s exports to emerging and challenging markets like Africa, CIS and Latin American countries. 

Press Information Bureau

8. Cabinet approves a Corpus to National Export Insurance Account Trust

 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved contribution of Grant-in-Aid (Corpus) of Rs.1,040 crore to National Export Insurance Account Trust (NEIA).

• The Corpus is to be utilised during three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.  An amount of Rs.440 crore has already been received for the year 2017-18.  Rs.300 crore each will be given to NEIA for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
• The Corpus would strengthen NEIA to support project exports from the country that are of strategic and national importance.

9. Sonakshi joins UNESCO to promote safe cyberspace for kids

Sonakshi Sinha joins UNESCO to promote safe and secure online environment for children and help empower our future digital citizens.

• Stressing on the importance of education on the safe use of online spaces, the actress said it will equip boys and girls to be prepared to report any type of abuse or exploitation.