Current Affairs 5th June 2019

24x7 RTGS, NEFT, elimination of all charges suggested by - Nilekani panel

Nandan Nilekani committee has issed some recommendations to encourage digital payments in India. Nilekani panel recommended that RTGS and NEFT facility should be available around the day. Also, it recommends duty-free import of point of sales machines. RBI was prearranged this committee last month and it had submitted its recommendations to Governor Shaktikanta Das.
Major Recommendations

• The panel has recommended that there should be no convenience charges on payments made to
  government agencies by users.
• It has also recommended that payment systems should utilise machine-driven, online dispute
  resolution systems to handle grievances.
• Panel felt customers must be permitted to initiate and accept a reasonable number of digital
  payment transactions with no-charges.
• Reserve Bank of India and the government should put in place an apt mechanism to monitor the
  digital payment systems and make combined information based on blocks, and PIN code, available to all players on a monthly basis, so that they can make the essential adjustments,” said the report
  released by the Reserve Bank of India.

U.S. Visa process now needs Social Media Profiles under - New Rule

Under a new rule, the US has asked all Visa aspirants to must provide information on their social media
usage and declare their social media profiles for last 5 years.
Key Highlights

• The initiative is an attempt by United States to enhance the careful examining of immigrants seeking Visa & to screen out terrorists and other dangerous persons pursuing entry into USA.
• Unlike earlier when only certain applicants whose applications needed further review were needed to provide social media information, now, the social media utilise information is needed as part of all online visa applications including immigrant form DS-260 & non-immigrant form DS-160.
• This new policy of declaring social media profiles is implemented by United States Department.
• Most visa applicant’s including temporary visitors, will be needed to list their social media identifiers in a drop-down menu in addition to their other personal data.
• If in any case, the visa applicants do not utilise social media, they will have the option to report so but if applicant lies about social media usage, they could face serious consequences.  
• Also, in the future, visa applicants will be needed to turn extra extensive information on their travel history.
• The rule covers all applicants apart from those applying for certain official and diplomatic visas.
• The new rule is a noteworthy move to increase surveillance of those pursuing to enter the US and is
  expected to affect about 15 million people yearly.
• With the new proposal in place a high volume of Indian applications is likely to be obstructed.

Elephanta Festival of Art and Culture begins in - Mumbai

The Elephanta Festival of art and culture began at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The festival was initiated by state Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal who lime-lighted government’s
commitment towards boosting Elephanta island tourism in all possible ways.
Key Features
The Elephanta Festival of art and culture was initiated in 2012 and since then is held every year to inspire tourism and culture of Mumbai. It is apprehended on Gharapuri island where Elephanta Caves are situated.
The yearly gala event is held on Elephanta Isl& by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation,
encouraged by Maharashtra government.
More about Elephanta Caves

• These are the rock-cut Caves & were built around the mid 5-6 centuries AD. They are a collection of cave temples primarily dedicated to Lord Shiv along with Buddhist caves.
• The island was renamed as Elephanta from Gharapuri by Portuguese after they found a statue of an
  elephant on island.
• Elephanta Caves is presently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Changes in Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme approved by -  PM Narendra Modi

PM Narendra Modi on assuming his office took the very 1st move of granting major changes in the ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme’ under the National Defence Fund. This move is in line with Prime Minister’s vision for India’s safety, security and well-being of those who safeguard the country.
Changes approved by Prime Minister

• The rates of scholarship have been improved from Rupees 2000/month to Rupees 2500/month for boys & from Rupees 2250/month to Rupees 3000/month for girls.
• The domain of PM’s Scholarship Scheme is now extended to include the wards of State Police
  officials who are or were martyred during terror/naxal attacks.
• The new scholarships quota for wards of state police officials will be 500 in single year. For the execution of it the Ministry of Home Affairs will be the nodal Ministry.
• The move of including police officials’ wards provides recognition to the length of monumental
  contribution of our police personnel who acting their duties with utmost diligence.
• The obtainability of scholarship under the scheme will enable extra youngsters from police families to study and excel in different fields and will also have an authorizing effect on several bright young minds.
• The PM took the move in spirit that it is nation’s duty not only to express gratitude but also do things towards welfare of police official’s and their families.

Who has been reappointed as National Security Adviser ? - Ajit Doval 

Ajit Doval has been reappointed as National Security Advisor of India for another five years tenure. In recognition of his earlier contribution in the national security domain, he has also been promoted to rank of Cabinet Minister for this term. During his 1st term 2014-2019 National Security Advisor was given rank of Minister of State.
About Ajit Doval
Ajit Doval is a 1968-batch IPS officer. For more than 33 years he worked as an intelligence officer during
which he worked in North East, J&K and Punjab. The 74-years old Doval had also done several key
diplomatic operations in Pakistan and the UK.
He headed the Intelligence Bureau’s operations wing for over a decade including serving as Director of IB from July 2004-January 2005.
About National Security Advisor

• National Security Advisor is the chief adviser to the PM of India on national and international security policy issues. He serves at the discretion of PM of India.
• National Security Advisor is now seen as the most powerful bureaucrat in the Government of India.
• This position was formed in 1998 by then government of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Since then either an Indian Foreign Service/he Indian Police Service works for the post.
• Senior IFS officer Brajesh Mishra was India’s 1st National Security Advisor in office from November 1998-May 2004.