Current Affairs 10th October 2015

Current Affairs 10th October 2015

Updated : 10-Oct-2015

Current Affairs 10th October 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 10th October 2015 - Details
Who has been appointed as chairman of Atomic Energy Commission - Sekhar Basu
Among the important appointments, On 10th October 2015, Sekhar Basu was appointed as the chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He will replace RK Sinha.

At present, he is the director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and also the Chief Executive of Nuclear Recycle Board (NRB).
Contributions of Sekhar Basu
- All the back-end operations of the closed fuel cycle for the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) has been developed by him.
- Basu and his associates are mainly responsible for developing strategies for safe radioactive disposal of waste in gas, liquid and solid forms containing various levels of radioactivity.
- He has designed and developed nuclear waste treatment facilities, fuel storage facilities and reprocessing plants.
He was conferred with several awards and honours including Padma Shri (2014), the DAE Special Achievement Award (2007) and Indian Nuclear Society Award (2002) for his contributions to the Indian nuclear energy programme at various levels.
e-Pragati project launched by - Andhra Pradesh Government
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 9th October 2015, Andhra Pradesh State Enterprise Architecture (APSEA) alternatively called as e-Pragati project has been launched by Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Characterstics of e-Pragati
- It includes 72 projects, made into 14 packages for ease of implementation over the next 3 years, at a cost of 2398 crore rupees.
- It realizes the goal of establishing ONE Government, by adopting the best principles of Enterprise.
- It seeks to enhance the Quality of Life by deploying the cutting edge technologies, including SMAC, in various sectors like Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Construction, Skill Development, Urban and Rural Development.
- It forms the basic IT Fabric that supports the 7 Developmental Missions comprising the Sunrise AP.
- Architecture, like establishing shared infrastructure and applications, enforcing technology standards, ensuring interoperability through the use of a SOA-based middleware called e-Highway.
- It aims for a transformational change in the way government services are conceived, designed, delivered and consumed.
- The public private partnership (PPP) has been designed as a tool to provide integrated services to its citizens by adopting a Whole-of Government approach.
Rajasthan Startup Policy 2015 revealed by - Rajasthan Government
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 29th September 2015, Rajasthan Government revealed the Rajasthan Startup Policy 2015 to stimulate the start-up ecosystem in the state and provide them required support to the entrepreneurial talent. CM Vasundhara Raje during the Rajasthan Startup Fest 2015 revealed the start-up policy.

Features of Policy
- The aim of the policy is to establish 50 incubator organizations in next five years.
- It will create create 100000 square feet of incubation space and seeks to support and bear around 500 innovative start-ups from the state.
- In the next five years, it will mobilise angel and venture capital of 500 crore rupees for start-ups. They will be provided with maintainance allowance of 10000 rupees per month for a year.
- Apart from this, a marketing assistance of 10 lakh rupees at launch stage will also be provided.
Other Announcements
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Policy 2015 was also approved with an aim to establish new industries, handloom and handicraft development, MSME clusters, Khadi, cheaper loan, assistance for startups to new entrepreneurs, to provide marketing to products, quality improvement and for rehabilitation of sick industries.
Along with the approval for the amendment in Rajasthan Engineering Service (Building & Road Branch) Rules, 1954, the Bio-Technology Policy 2015 was also released.
The cabinet also cleared Rajasthan Sick Micro & Small Enterprises (Revival and Rehabilitation) Scheme, 2015.
EU launched second phase of Operation Sophia to - fight traffickers in Mediterranean Sea
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 7th October 2015, the European Union Naval Force for Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) launched its second phase of Operation Sophia.
The launch has become necessary as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that the death toll due to the ongoing the Mediterranean Migration Crisis could go up to 30000 in 2015 as around 1 million refugees are set to cross the sea in unregulated and illegal vessels owned by traffickers.
About Operation Sophia
- On 22nd June 2015, first phase was launched by the EUNAFOR MED as part of the European Union's Comprehensive Approach to Migration.
- The purpose of the operation is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers.
- The phase 1 of the operation was limited to gathering information and detecting and monitoring the smuggling networks on the high seas.
- In the third phase that is yet to begin would allow the disposal of vessels and related assets, preferably before use, and to apprehend traffickers and smugglers.
Name the operation launched by Kerala Government to track missing children - Operation Valsalya
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 9th October 2015, The Kerala government launched the Operation Valsalya project to trace, rescue and reunite the missing children with their family.
As per the police statistics of Kerala, a total of 69 children have been kidnapped or abducted across the state till June this year whereas 116 children were kidnapped in the state in 2014, the number was 136 in 2013 and 147 in 2012.
Highlights of the Operation Valsalya
At present, the operation was initiated by Kerala's Social Justice Department on a small scale. Although, after evaluating its success it will be extended across the state.
Cooperation and support of police, childline volunteers and non-governmental organizations have been pursue in this regard.
Expert officials trained in Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Child Rights Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, will carry out searches in locations like bus stands, railway stations, pilgrim centers and so on.
Searches would also be carried out in children homes and orphanages by vigilant squads.
Who has been appointed to Board of Securities and Exchange Board of India - Tapan Ray
Among the important appointments, On 9th October 2015, Corporate Affairs Secretary Tapan Ray was appointed to the Board of capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Ray has replaced Anjuly Chib Duggal on the SEBI board.
In August 2015, he took charge as a Secretary in Union Corporate Affairs Ministry. He has served in various capacities in Gujarat between 1984 and 1994. He has also handled other assignments at the Centre in Power, Science and Technology, Textiles and Defence Ministries.
Retail major Future Group tied-up with - Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved
On 9th October 2015, Retail major Future Group tied-up with Baba Ramdev-promoted Patanjali Ayurved to sell the Patanjali's FMCG products on its stores with plans for joint manufacturing in future.
After this partnership, Patanjali's FMCG products including skin care, dental care, staples, nutrition, hair care and toiletries will now be also sold on Future Group's Big Bazaar, KB's and EasyDay outlets across India.
Kishore Biyani-led Future Group expects sales from Patanjali to the tune of 1000 crore rupees in the next 20 months. The Future Group stores chain is spread across 240 cities and receives 35 crore footfalls a year.