Current Affairs 12th February 2018

Current Affairs 12th February 2018 - Important Points

• Auction of 60 Discovered Small Fields of ONGC, OIL approved by - Union Cabinet
• India post will enable which functionality in all post offices by April 2018 - Digital Payments
• Chandrasekhar Rath passed away, he was a - Renowned Litterateur
• India inked six agreements in different areas with - Palestine
• Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological Systems inaugurated at -  INS Garuda

Current Affairs 12th February 2018 - Details

Auction of 60 Discovered Small Fields of ONGC, OIL approved by - Union Cabinet 

The Union Cabinet approved the Discovered Small Fields Policy Bid Round-II of 60 non-monetised discoveries of ONGC and OIL under Nomination and Relinquished Discoveries on February 7th, 2018.
Out of these 60 non-monetized findings, 22 fields relates to of ONGC Limited, five relates to Oil India Limited and twelve are abandoned areas from the New Exploration and Licensing Policy Blocks. 

The rest 21 fields are those, who left behind after Discovered Small Fields Bid Round-l. These 21 fields were kept on offer but could not be granted due to inadequate response from the investor.
The Discovered Small Field Policy was informed by the Union Government on October 14th, 2015.
Highlights of the 60 un-monetised discoveries of fields

• These findings are supposed to have 194.65 Million Metric Ton of oil and oil related gas in place.
• These areas will be formed and monetized faster, thereby increased production of oil and gas ensuring in enrichment of energy security of the nation.
• It is believed that the investments into these areas will guide to generation of more than 88000 jobs through direct, indirect and convinced employment.
• The grant of contract will be proceed by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Union Ministry of Finance, positioned on the guidelines of Empowered Committee of Secretaries.

India post will enable which functionality in all post offices by April 2018 - Digital Payments

The India Post Payments Bank declared that it will allow Digital Payments in Post Offices by April 2018, as scheduled earlier on February 10th, 2018. 

The declaration came post few sections of the media reported revision in timelines of the India Post Payments Bank Expansion Programme.

Key Highlights

Once the suggested India Post Payments Bank Expansion Programme is completed, India Post Payments Bank will be giving the largest financial addition network in the nation, covering both urban and rural areas.

It will give digital payment facilities at the doorstep with the aid of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks.

India Post Payments Bank will also provide over 17 crores active subscribers of Post Office Savings Bank to make digital payments consisting the advantage of RTGS, NEFT, UPI and bill payment facilities.

About IPPB

The IPPB was initiated on August 17th, 2016 under Companies Act, 2013 as a public limited organization with 100% Government of India equity under Postal Department.

Indian Post Payments Bank initiated its divisions in Ranchi and Raipur on January 30th, 2017 and suggested to open total 650 divisions with the aim of being present in all corners of nation.

For now, Indian Post Payments Bank is contributing Savings account with balance of Rupees One Lakh, along with digital payments and rest all kind of payments facilities among individuals.

Indian Post Payments Bank will also provide current accounts and financial facilities like mutual funds, insurance, credit products, pension, forex, and more.

Chandrasekhar Rath passed away, he was a - Renowned Litterateur

Renowned Odia litterateur Chandrasekhar Rath expired on February 9th, 2018 at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar after age concerned ailments. He was 89 years old and is survived by his wife, 3 daughters and a son. 

Rath has written various novels, essays, poems and short stories during his eminent career.

About Chandrasekhar Rath

Rath was born on October 17th, 1929 in Balangir and finished his post-graduation in English from Lucknow University. 

After that, he became member of Orissa Education Service in 1952 as lecturer in English and got ceased from the service in 1987. Few of his praised novels are Asurya Upanivesh (The Sunless Colony), Nav Jatak (Regenesis) and Yantrarudha (The Instrumented).

He had interpreted a biography from Odia language to English and also interpreted some English poems into Odia.  Rath was honoured with various awards consisting Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman for his contribution in literature. 

He was also proposed for the elite Padma Shri award this year.

India inked six agreements in different areas with - Palestine

India and Palestine have signed 6 MoUs in various areas consisting health and education. Post bilateral talks among Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Memoranda of Understandings were signed at Ramallah.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached capital of Palestine, Ramallah via helicopter from Jordanian capital Amman and becoming the 1st Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine. He was presented with Grand Collar of the state of Palestine, the highest order presented to foreign dignitaries.

Signed agreements

• Memoranda of Understanding for forming of India-Palestine Superspecialty hospital at Beit Sahour in Bethelhem Governorate.
• Memoranda of Understanding for building Turathi: India Palestine Centre for Empowring women.
• Memoranda of Understanding for forming of new National Printing Press at Ramallah.
• Memoranda of Understanding for building of school in Muthalth Al Shuhada Village.
• Memoranda of Understanding for building of school in Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate.
• Memoranda of Understanding for building of additional floor to Jawahar Lal Nehru for Boys at Abu Dees.

Bilateral talks of India and Palestine

During the thoughts, both chief reviewed the whole spectrum of bilateral relationships and talked issues of common interest. The highlights of joint press release:

India is bound by assurance to take care of interests of citizen of West Asian nation. Both nations share historic and strong relations which have been maintained for long time. Palestine has continuously shown exemplary support in hard situations and India looks forward to see independent Palestine soon. India exhibits happiness that both nations are moving ahead with progress coordination. India will help building of an Institute of Diplomacy in Palestine.

Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological Systems inaugurated at -  INS Garuda

The Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological System- IAAMS, initiated at INS Garuda, in Kochi, was disclosed by the Indian Navy. It is the 4th air station placed with this united system.

IAAMS is determined task of Indian Navy to update Meteorological infrastructure of nine Naval Air Stations. It is believed to provide correctness in weather monitoring mechanism in the Indian Navy.

Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological System

Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological System is loaded with advanced meteorological sensors including, Transmissometer, Ceilometer, Radar Vertical Wind Profiler and Automatic Weather Observation System. It tackles automatic and continuous recording of related weather parameters that are crucial for precise weather forecasting.

It has an exceptional alarm feature that alerts the duty-staff during unusual change of weather that may hinder safe flying activities. It can also give automatic dissemination of regular weather reports according to guidelines of World Meteorological Organisation to various air stations and Air Traffic Controller tower units without human involvements.

Background

The IAAMS is aspiring assignment of Indian Navy to advance meteorological infrastructure of 9 NASs. Initiation of the system at remaining five stations and is believed to be finished by March 2019.