Current Affairs 13th December 2018

Current Affairs 13th December 2018 - Important Points

• Comptroller and Audit General Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors
• SC bars media, police from revealing identities of victims of rape, sexual assault
• International Human Rights Day observed on December 10
• Hindustan Aeronautical Limited developed Light Utility Helicopter achieves significant milestone of flying at 6 km altitude
• Shaktikanta Das to be appointed as 25th Governor of RBI
• Home Ministry launches Twitter account, @CyberDost, to spread awareness about cybercrimes
• Economist Surjit Bhalla resigns from Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council
• EU opens India’s first Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in New Delhi
• NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft find evidence of water on asteroid Bennu

Current Affairs 13th December 2018 - Details

Comptroller and Audit General Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors

Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi was designated as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors at its yearly meeting organised in New York. In this meeting Comptroller and Auditor General of United Kingdom was also selected as Chair of Panel for another term 2019. The meeting deliberated various matters concerning audit of UN and the agencies under the UN System. The subsequent meeting will be organised in in Bonn, Germany in November-December 2019.

United Nations Panel of Auditors

It was recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1438 (XIV) in 1959. Its main purposes are to further coordination of audits for which its associated members are accountable and to exchange information on audit methods and verdicts.

It is raised by members of UN Board of Auditors and external auditors of Specialized Agencies of United Nations and of International Atomic Energy Agency. Presently, it is led by Comptroller and Auditor General of United Kingdom and consists of 11 nations including India, Germany, Chile, Canada, France, Italy, Philippines, Ghana, Indonesia, Switzerland and UK.

It may submit to policymaking heads of groups audited any observations in concern to accounts and financial procedures of concerned firm. The executive heads of anticipating organisations may also, finished their auditors submit requests to it for its opinion/recommendation on any issue within its competence.

SC bars media, police from revealing identities of victims of rape, sexual assault

The Supreme Court on December 11th, 2018 instructed the print & electronic media not to disclose the individuality of victims of rape & sexual assault even in a remote manner. 

The Apex Court bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta directed that it was not essential to disclose the individuality of victims of rape & sexual assault to ‘arouse public opinion and sentiment’ as these issues want to be dealt with sensitively.

The Judgement Details

In its judgement, the Supreme Court bench informed that the name & individuality of victims of rape & sexual assault, including those who died, cannot be revealed "even in a remote manner".

The court said that it was unfortunate that such victims were being treated as ‘untouchable’ by the society.

The bench gave the directions while refusing to decide with an argument that in certain issues, the victim's name should be permitted to be disclosed as her name & face could become a "rallying point" to avoid other such sexual offences.

It was claimed before the court that when the victim’s name is disclosed, the victim becomes a sign of protest or is treated as an iconic figure. The bench informed that it is a serious matter dealing with victims of heinous sexual offences & it requires to be dealt with sensitivity.

The bench while mentioning to the infamous December 16th, 2012 gangrape & murder case in Delhi, informed that All of society is fully aware that without disclosing her true individuality 'Nirbhaya' became the most active sign of protest the nation has ever known.

Hence, bench explained that if a campaign has to be initiated to safeguard the rights of the victim & mobilise public opinion, it can be done so without revealing the victim’s true individuality.

The court also informed that the police should make sure that the correspondence exchanged/given, where the name of the victim is disclosed, are reserved in a sealed envelope & are not disclosed to the public.

International Human Rights Day observed on December 10

The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10th to honour adaptation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day in 1948, UN General Assembly, then HQ in Paris, sanctioned Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Of the 58-member states, 48 nominated in favour of the resolution, while 8 abstained and 2 failed to nominate. Celebrations of the day pursues to encourage, support and strengthen measures to be taken by everyone to protect human rights. The theme for present year is “Stand Up for Human Rights”.

Background

On this day in 1948, UN General Assembly had accepted and proclaimed Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. It was accepted as shared standard yardstick to safeguard human rights worldwide. It recognizes intrinsic dignity and the equal & inalienable rights of residents as the foundation of justice, freedom and peace around the world. The Human Rights Day was officially established at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on 4th December 1950.

Hindustan Aeronautical Limited developed Light Utility Helicopter achieves significant milestone of flying at 6 km altitude

Indigenously established Light Utility Helicopter by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited- HAL has attained significant milestone of flying at 6 kms altitude in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The trail was critical need towards certification of Light Utility Helicopter. Its 1st flight was carried in September 2016 and 2nd Prototype was flown in May 2017.

The current flight trial was done under envelope expansion tests and helicopter displayed satisfactory performance and handling qualities. With the achievement of this milestone, Light Utility Helicopter can now undertake high altitude cold weather tests prearranged in January 2019.

Light Utility Helicopter

It is three-ton class new generation helicopter outlined and developed by indigenously Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of Hindustan Aeronautical Limited. It will replace ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters utilised by Indian Armed Forces.

It is capable of flying at 220 km/h, with service ceiling of 6.5 kms and range of 350 kms with 400 kgs payload. It is loaded with Glass Cockpit and power-driven by TM/HAL Ardiden 1U/Shakti 1U single turbo shaft engine with adequate power margins to supply to demanding high altitude missions.

It will complete needs of both military as well as civil operators. It can be deployed for investigation, surveillance roles and as light transport helicopter. Hindustan Aeronautical Limited has in principal order for 187 Light Utility Helicopter that consists 126 for Indian Army and 61 for Indian Air Force.

Hindustan Aeronautical Limited

Hindustan Aeronautical Limited is state-owned aerospace & defence organisation based in Bengaluru. It is administrated under the administration of the Union Defence Ministry. It seeks high-end research & development to form the nation’s future aircraft and aeroengine technologies. Hindustan Aeronautical Limited has already developed 4 highly popular models of helicopters under it.  Its product range consists, Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, multi-role 7-seater Chetak Helicopter, Light combat helicopter Cheetah and Lancer, anti-insurgency, close air support chopper.

Shaktikanta Das to be appointed as 25th Governor of RBI

India’s previous economic affairs secretary and present member of the Finance Commission Shaktikanta Das is to be designated as next Reserve Bank of India Governor. He will be the 25th Governor of the top bank of the nation.

About Shaktikanta Das

Shaktikanta Das is a 1980 batch Indian Administrative Services officer of Tamil Nadu Cadre and a very projecting bureaucrat who worked under both NDA and UPA governments.

He worked as economic affairs secretary from 2015-2017; and was also a significant official in both big economic moves of the government including demonetisation and implementation of Goods and Services Tax.

Appointment committee of cabinet sanctioned Shaktikanta Das appointment as Reserve Bank of India governor. He will work as governor for the term of 3 years.

Background

After the resignation of Urijit patel, Shaktikanta Das has been designated as 25th governor of Reserve Bank of India. Urijit Patel resigned due to his personal motives. His tenure as Reserve Bank of India governor was about to complete in September 2019. Patel has become 4th Reserve Bank of India Governor to step down prior to end of term. Previously, Sir Osborne Smith, Benegal Rama Rau and S Jagannathan had also resigned prior to completion of their respective tenures.

Home Ministry launches Twitter account, @CyberDost, to spread awareness about cybercrimes

Union Ministry of Home Affairs has released Twitter account @CyberDost to widespread awareness about cyber-crimes and general precautions to be taken regarding this. It is intended at enhancing people’s elementary knowledge about cybercrimes and precautions to be taken for the prevention.

@CyberDost

This twitter account will educate people about numerous channels via which complaints about cybercrimes can be lodged and makes people aware of their responsibilities regarding misuse of cyber space by few people in the nation. It will also benefit to mitigate possibilities of distraction in normal business activities or debts due to cybercrimes by forming ecosystem to avoid and control cybercrimes. The data shared on this twitter handle will improve basic knowledge of followers about cybercrimes and precautionary actions to be taken to avoid such crime.

Background

The information & communication technology is being utilised in all walks of public life including banking, transport, airlines, railways, electricity and other sectors. With enhanced usage of technology for day-to-day activities, possibility of cybercrimes is also growing. Capacity building & public awareness are critical mechanisms for avoiding impact of cybercrimes and forming suitable climate for trust-based businesses. Government is dedicated to create ecosystem to avoid and control cybercrimes to lessen the possibility of disruption in normal business actions or debts due to cybercrimes.

Economist Surjit Bhalla resigns from Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council

Eminent economist as well as columnist Surjit Bhalla has resigned as part-time associate of Economic Advisory Council to the PM. His resignation comes day afterward RBI governor Urjit Patel, quit rudely after months-long struggle over policy with government.

Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council

Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council is non-constitutional, non-statutory, non-permanent and independent organisation, formed with the prime and sole purpose to analyse all critical issues, economic, otherwise, referred to it by the PM and guiding him thereon. It is mandate to give suggestion to PM on economic matters including inflation, GDP alterations, export & import changes, creating supporting environment for improved trade & commerce.

Functions

Submit episodic reports to Prime Minister about macroeconomic expansions and issues which will have suggestions of the economic policy. Analyse any topics, matters allocated by the Prime Minister and giving advice to them. Analyse macroeconomic concerns having high significance and present the views to Prime Minister and any other task which is assigned by PM.

Current Composition of PMEAC

Presently, it is led by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy. Economists Rathin Roy, Ashima Goyal and Shamika Ravi are other part-time associates.

EU opens India’s first Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in New Delhi

European Union has recognized India’s 1st Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Department of European Studies at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, New Delhi. It comes with funding of €1,00,000 to seek India-EU interdisciplinary studies in culture, literature, education and society.

Important Points

This is for 5th time Manipal Academy of Higher Education has been presented grants under Erasmus & Jean Monnet initiative. Earlier grants have been utilised for chair, modules and project. Under the present grant, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in India-European Union Interdisciplinary Studies goals to strengthen and improve the educational link between India and European Union. It will host open-to-public workshops on European literature, winter schools for students worldwide and India-European Union Higher Education Meet.

Jean Monnet

He was French political economist and ambassador. He was influential follower of European unity and is considered as one of founding fathers of EU. He also has been known as ‘The Father of Europe’ by those who see his ground-breaking and pioneering efforts in the 1950s as vital to establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of present European Union. He was never elected to public office.

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft find evidence of water on asteroid Bennu

National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer- OSIRIS-Rex, spacecraft has discovered water locked inside asteroid Bennu. Bennu is too small to have ever hosted liquid form of water, but this research does indicate that liquid water was there at some time on Bennu’s parent body, a much larger asteroid.

Important Points

Information obtained from spacecraft’s 2 spectrometers OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer and OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared Spectrometer has discovered presence of hydroxyl molecules, containing oxygen and hydrogen atoms joined together. These hydroxyl groups exist worldwide across asteroid in water-bearing clay minerals, demonstrating that at some point Bennu’s rocky material interacted with water.

OSIRIS-REx

Launched in September 2016 is National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s 1st asteroid sampling mission that will survey surface, collect sample and deliver it safely back to Earth. It had reached its destination Bennu asteroid in December 2018 after travelling through space for above 2 years and travelling more than 2 billion kms. Samples returned by the mission to Earth in 2023 will enable researchers to find new data about the history and evolution of our solar system.