Current Affairs 21st February 2018

Current Affairs 21st February 2018 - Important Points

• Methodology for auction of commercial coal mines to private sector approved by -  CCEA
• India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-II missile off Odisha coast on - February 20th, 2018
• World Day of Social Justice 2018 observed globally on - February 20th 2018

Current Affairs 21st February 2018 - Details

Methodology for auction of commercial coal mines to private sector approved by -  CCEA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has permitted methodology for auction of coal minesor blocks for sale of coal to private firms under Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Did you know?

• Supreme Court in its September 2014 ruling had aborted 204 coal mines and blocks assigned to various Government and Private Organizations since 1993 under the provisions of Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1973.
•  Thus, Parliament had passed Coal Mines Special Provisions Act, 2015 to bring clarity and responsibility for allocation of coal-mines by auction.
  More about Process
• The auction will be ascending-forward auction whereby offer parameter will be amount proposal in
  Rupees per tonnes which will be paid to State Government on genuine production of coal.
• There shall be no limit on the sale and usage of coal from coal mine.
• Moreover, the complete revenue from auction of coal mines will accumulate to coal bearing States.
• It will be as an incentive for these states to use this raised income for growth and development of backward areas and its resident tribal population.
  Importance
• The process gives greatest value to clarity, comfort of doing business and making sure that natural
  resources are utilised for national progress.
• It unlocks commercial coal mining for private firms and will aid in increasing the revenue.

India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-II missile off Odisha coast on - February 20th, 2018

Indian Army successfully tested nuclear enabled Agni-II ballistic missile from the Abdul Kalam Island Odisha coast on February 20th, 2018.
The missile test was done by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command with logistic help from the Defence Research and Development Organisation. 
User Trials of Agni series missiles 

• This was 3rd positive trial of an Agni series missile in the past 1 month. 
• In the past, a 5000 kilometres range Agni-V was positively tested on January 18th, 2018 and a user trial of 700 kilometres range Agni-I was also completed on February 6th, 2018.

More about Agni-II Missile

• Agni-II is a medium range ballistic missile with 2 solid-fuel stages. 
• It is 20-metre long, weighs 17 tonnes and can transport payload of 1000 kilograms.
• It has an attack range of over 2000 kilometres.
• It is loaded with modern high accuracy navigation system directed by a novel scheme of state of the earth command.
• The missile can be loaded with extra 150 kilotons of nuclear warheads in combination with chemical and high explosive forms.
• It can be targeted from both rail and road-mobile launchers and it takes just fifteen minutes for the missile to be prepared for firing.

World Day of Social Justice 2018 observed globally on - February 20th 2018

The World Day of Social Justice was celebrated around the world on February 20th, 2018 with an objective to recognise the requirement to promote efforts to handle various issues including poverty, unemployment and exclusion.
As per the UN, social justice is a fundamental principle for wealthy and peaceful coexistence within and between countries. Social justice means picking out barriers that citizens face for ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability and traditions.
Theme of World Day of Social Justice 2018

• The topic of World Day of Social Justice 2018 is Workers on the Move- the Quest for Social Justice. 
• According to the UN, most of the migration these days is connected directly or indirectly to the hunt for decent working options. There are approximate 258 million international migrants. 
• The International Labour Organization assumed that there are about 150 million migrant workers who are responsible for 4.4% of combined workers.

Did you know?

• The World Day of Social Justice was declared by UNs General Assembly in 2007 in agreement with the goals and aims of the World Summit for Social Progress.
• The day was formed to boost efforts of the international community in eradicating poverty; for upgradation of full employment and decent work and for admission to social well-being and justice for everyone.