Indian Affairs, October 2nd, 2018, Current Affairs PDF Download

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Govt permitted import of pet coke by the graphite electrode industry
On October 1, 2018, the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) anounced that the government allowed imports of pet coke, used for fuel purpose, by graphite electrode industry.
i. The imports were allowed only four industries so far- cement, lime klin, calcium carbide, and gasification industries.
ii. The graphite electrode industry has been added in to the list as the 5^th industry.

Directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT): 
♦ Shri Alok Chaturvedi .
♦ Under Commerce Ministry.

Niwari inducted as the 52nd district of Madhya Pradesh
On September 30, 2018, the state Cabinet of Madhya Pradesh approved the proposal of induction of Niwari district in the state.
i. It became the 52^nd district of the state.
ii. IAS officer Akshay Kumar Singh has been appointed as the first interim District Collector of the district.

Madhya Pradesh:
♦ Capital: Bhopal.
♦ Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
♦ Governor: Anandiben Patel.

National Parks in Madhya Pradesh:
♦ Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhav National Park, Panna National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park.

UPSC to allow facility of withdrawal of applications by candidates
On October 1, 2018, the Chairman of UPSC Shri Arvind Saxena announced that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will allow the facility of withdrawal of applications by candidates.
This was announced on the occasion of the 92^nd Foundation Day Celebrations in New Delhi.
i. This will be implemented  beginning with Engineering Services Examination, 2019.
ii. The process of conduction of examination would also shift from a “pen and paper” mode of examination to a computer-based mode.
iii. The Commission will also disclose the scores and ranking of the non-recommended candidates in some examinations on its website
iv. Further, the details of the students who was not selected would be linked with the “National Career Services” portal of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

UPSC:
Headquarters: New Delhi

Wage Compensation scheme for Pregnant Women in tea gardens of state of Assam launched in Guwahati, Assam
On October 1, 2018, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched Wage Compensation scheme for Pregnant Women in tea gardens of the state in Guwahati.

Objective:
To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the tea growing areas.

Key Points:
i. For the implementation of this scheme, An amount of over Rs 55 crore has been allotted in the state’s 2018-19 health Budget.
ii. According to the scheme, the pregnant woman would receive an amount of Rs. 12,000 given in 4 installments.
iii. The disbursement will be in the following manner:

• The first instalment of Rs 2,000 will be provided during the Ante-Natal Check-up (ANC) registration within the first trimester,
• Second instalment of Rs 4000 during the sixth month of the pregnancy,
• The third instalment of Rs 3000 during delivery at a government-approved health institution and
• The fourth installment of Rs 3,000during the sixth week post-delivery.

iv. Over 60,000 women are likely to be benefited with 48,000 pregnant women every year.
v. Additionally, at least 500 girls from the tea community will be given free training on nursing in the coming year.

Assam:
♦ Capital: Dispur.
♦ Chief Minister:  Sarbananda Sonowal.
♦ Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.
♦ National Parks: Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park (UNESCO Natural World Herigate Site), Orang National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
♦ Airports: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Dibrugarh Airport, Jorhat Airport, Tezpur Airport, Silchar Airport.

Odisha launched its State Food Security Scheme covering 25 lakh poor people on Gandhi Jayanti
On October 2, 2018, the Odisha government launched its own State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).
i. Under this scheme, 18.32 lakh poor and eligible people will receive 5 kg of rice at the rate of Rupee 1 per kg.
ii. These people were not covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
iii. Additionally, 6.68 lakh people will be added in the list by October 10, 2018.
iv. This is in response to the failure of the central government’s approval against the state’s request to include 25 lakh people under the NFSA.

Background:
A total of 3,26,41,800 beneficiaries were included in the NFSA as per the 2011 census. The government also claimed that the state’s population has been increased over eight years.

Odisha:
♦ Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik.
♦ Governor: Prof. Ganeshi Lal.
♦ Lakes : Chilika Lake, Kanjia Lake, Anshupa Lake, Balimela Reservoir.
♦ Dams: Rengali Dam, Kala dam, Pitamahal Dam, Kansbahal Dam, Tikhali Dam, Deras Dam, Salia Dam, Ghodahada Dam, Kuanria Dam.
♦ Festivals: Kalinga Mahotsav, Chandan Yatra, Durga Puja, Konark Dance Festival, Rath Yatra, Deepabali, Kumar Purnima.