Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 11 September 2018

::NATIONAL::

Delhi government brings in door step delivery of services

After months of planning, the Delhi government on Monday launched its ambitious project to home deliver public services, starting with applications for 40 different licences and certificates.
From driving licences to marriage certificates, applications for 40 government documents were offered to Delhiites at their homes for a fee of Rs. 50 per service starting from Monday.
The applicant can call up the centralised number, 1076, and fix an appointment with a mobile sahayak, who will go to their home and help with filling out forms, payment of fees and collection of documents.The mobile sahayak would then submit the documents at the government office concerned, which would post the certificate or licence once issued.
The project, which has been outsourced by the Administrative Reforms Department to VFS Global, had got the Cabinet’s in-principle approval in November 2017. Though Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal had raised certain concerns, including about potential security threat, the Cabinet approved the contract with VFS on July 3.
Mr.Kejriwal said the project had faced many obstructions, including from the Centre and the L-G. He added that the AamAadmi Party government had been fighting against deep-rooted vested interests.
Terming it a historic day, Mr.Kejriwal said the move would end the long waiting times at government offices, the scope for touts to operate and increase productivity.

NAMSTP documentation training programme held

Two-day Training Programme on Documentation of Information into National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Portal (NAMSTP) organised by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH commenced here today.
The Secretary AYUSH, during his address, emphasized on taking forward the documentation of Morbidity Statistics across all healthcare setups in the country in a sustainable manner. He further stressed upon the mandatory requirements of AYUSH colleges and institutions funded by the Ministry of AYUSH under various schemes such as Centre of Excellence, Extra Mural Research, and Public Health Institutes etc.
He said that it would certainly facilitate in mass documentation of AYUSH morbidity statistics in an effective manner. He also recommended that the Master Trainers, who are undergoing training, must take initiative to disseminate the capacity building in an effective manner across the stakeholders in different states.
It is noted that the Ministry of AYUSH has initiated efforts for centralized collection of data regarding the number of patients being treated by the various institutions of AYUSH systems located across the country. The centralized portal, developed for this purpose is recognized as National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Portal (NAMSTP).
The key features of the portal includes the Morbidity Codes and Standardized Terminologies of all the AYUSH systems for unambiguous reporting, electronic data submission through individual institution login IDs and also an integrated Electronic Health Records (E.H.R.) system for detailed data collection for individual institutions.

::ECONOMY::

Postal department says Aadhar not mandatory for overseas parcels

The Department of Posts today clarified that it is mandatory to produce an Identity Proof acceptable for important transactions like booking an International Parcel or International EMS (Merchandise) for safety and security reasons. One of the accepted Identity Proof is Aadhaar, along with others like driving license, Passport, Voter ID etc which are also acceptable.
The department said that it appears that the confusion was created by an erroneous message generated from the twitter account of the office of the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle wherein it was mentioned that pasting of ID proof on consignments is in accordance with international guidelines.
Instructions are being reiterated to the post offices to ensure smooth booking of articles taking the convenience and regulatory requirements into account together.
The Department of Posts said that a copy of any ID proof including Aadhaar is required for booking of International Parcel and International EMS (Merchandise) for security purpose based on requests received from organizations like Narcotics Control Bureau and Wild Life Crime Control Bureau. India Post is committed to ensuring safety and security in its operations.

Google seeks more time to meet data storage norms

Technology giant Google has sought two more months from the Indian government to comply with RBI guidelines mandating storing of data by digital payment services providers locally.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in April this year, had directed payment system operators to store all data, including full end-to-end transaction details and information collected, within India. The service providers were given six months till October 15 to comply.
“Google CEO SundarPichai in a recent meeting, informed Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that their digital payments platform Google Pay, will comply with all Indian regulations,” a senior IT Ministry official said.
Soaring data flows generate more economic value and hence the socio-economic impact of restricting data flows must be thoroughly considered while framing any policy. There is a need to find practical and contemporary solutions to policy issues in line with global best practices. we have nothing to add at this point of time,” the spokesperson added.
Mr.Pichai, in a letter to the Minister after his visit, had also pitched for free flow of data across borders. “Free flow of data across borders with a focus on user privacy and security will encourage start ups to innovate and expand globally and encourage global companies to contribute to India's digital economy,” he had said.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

India and Bangladesh extend energy cooperation

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, Chief Minister of West Bengal - Ms.Mamata Banerjee, and the Chief Minister of Tripura - ShriBiplab Kumar Deb, today jointly inaugurated three projects in Bangladesh, via video conference.External Affairs Minister of India, Ms.SushmaSwaraj, and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, also joined the video conference from Delhi and Dhaka respectively.
These include: (a) 500 MW additional power supply from India to Bangladesh, through the existing Bheramara (Bangladesh) - Baharampur (India) interconnection. (b) Akhaura – Agartala Rail Link (c) Rehabilitation of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister began by recalling that he had met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina several times in the recent past, including at the BIMSTEC meeting in Kathmandu, in Shanti Niketan, and during the Commonwealth Summit in London.
He reiterated his view that leaders of neighbouring countries should have a relationship like neighbours, talking and visiting frequently, without getting bogged down by protocol. He said this closeness is evident in the frequent interactions between him and the Bangladesh Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that Akhaura-Agartala rail connectivity will provide another link in the cross-border connectivity between the two countries. He thanked the Chief Minister of Tripura, ShriBiplab Kumar Deb, for his facilitation in completion of this work.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s development goals of transforming Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021, and a developed country by 2041. He said that closer relations and people to people links between the two countries would take our development and prosperity to new heights.

Indo-Mangolian military exercise held

Indo-Mongolia joint exercise Nomadic Elephant-2018, commenced today at Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area, Ullanbaatar, Mongolia with a brief but impressive opening ceremony.
The 12 days long joint exercise will be conducted from 10 Sep to 21 Sep 2018. Exercise Nomadic Elephant is an annual, bilateral exercise since 2006 which is designed to strengthen the partnership between Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces. The exercise will see them improve their tactical and technical skills in joint counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in rural and urban scenario under United Nations mandate.
The Indian contingent is represented by a contingent of 17 PUNJAB Regiment while the Mongolian contingent is represented by Unit 084 of the Mongolian Armed Forces. Major General J.Badambazar, Mongolian Army welcomed the Indian soldiers and in his inaugural remarks highlighted the common shared beliefs of freedom, equality and justice that are precious to both nations.
During the exercise both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in urban warfare scenario. Experts from both sides will also hold detailed discussions to share their experience on varied topics for mutual benefits. Exercise Nomadic Elephant-2018 will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding & respect for each others military and also facilitate in tackling the world wide phenomenon of terrorism.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

LCA Tejas completes successful air-air refuelling

In a significant achievement and a major step towards Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of LCA Tejas, the mid-air refuelling of ‘wet contact’ trial for LCA Tejas MK-1 was successfully carried out today from an Indian Air Force base. The trial was a part of the Air-to-Air refuelling flight tests conducted by IAF.
Before this ‘wet contact’ trial, the ‘dry contact trials’ were successfully conducted on September 04 & 06, 2018 where the Drogue (basket) extended from the IAF tanker aircraft by a fuel hose, was tracked and plugged into using the aircraft refuelling probe without taking fuel. IAF provided all required support to DRDO including the tanker aircraft for the successful test flight.
The Air-to-Air refuelling capability for LCA is a ‘force multiplier’ for the IAF, giving the aircraft the potential to stay airborne for much longer periods of time.
The enhanced range and endurance in air is expected to provide IAF a host of options in exploiting the operational potential of the LCA as well as to participate in international exercises without having to stage through several locations enroute.

::SPORTS::

Djokovic retains U.S open title

Novak Djokovic has been nicknamed the ‘Djoker’: he’s funny, he’s a prankster with a wicked, malevolent smile. But this year, he played like a King. On Sunday, he reclaimed his place on a throne weighted by his recent past and all the chances that slipped away.
In a men’s final that provided spectacular relief from the previous night, Djokovic defeated Juan Martin delPotro 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to lift his third U.S. Open title and his 14th overall Grand Slam title.