9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 3, 2018

G20 summit: India presents 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders News: India submitted a nine-point agenda for dealing with fugitive economic offenders at G-20 summit. Important Facts: Actions included under the nine-point action agenda: i) Strong and active cooperation across G-20 countries to deal comprehensively and efficiently with the menace fugitive economic offenders. ii) Cooperation… Continue reading G20 summit: India presents 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders

Right to know: Now just drop into a govt. office to access information News: Maharashtra government has taken a step forward for citizens seeking data from the government under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, by allowing them to study the relevant files at the concerned office on Monday afternoons. Important Facts: Background: RTI applications… Continue reading Right to know: Now just drop into a govt. office to access information

India maternity laws need serious tweaking Article A study of Maternity benefit act by Teamlease Services highlighted that poor legislation remains the main reason behind India’s persistently low female labour force participation rate. Important Analysis When the provisions of the amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act came into force effective 1 April 2017, it was… Continue reading India maternity laws need serious tweaking

Govt, RBI in talks to allow use of QR code-based ‘offline Aadhaar News: Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are in talks to allow use of ‘offline Aadhaar’ that relies on QR codes, instead of the biometric eKYC, for opening bank accounts, operating payment wallets and purchasing insurance covers. Facts: The step is… Continue reading Govt, RBI in talks to allow use of QR code-based ‘offline Aadhaar

More than 60,000 people visit Hornbill festival in two-days PT Facts News: The tribes of Nagaland celebrated the Hornbill Festival in Naga Heritage Village Kisama in Nagaland: Facts: It is organized at the Kisama Village located at a distance of 10 Kms from the state capital, Kohima Hornbill festival, also known locally as the “Festival… Continue reading More than 60,000 people visit Hornbill festival in two-days

Cloud seeding News: Acting on a proposal from scientists of IIT Kanpur, CPCB had planned artificial rains through cloud seeding in the city. Facts: Cloud seeding is a weather modification technology to help create rain. It includes injecting chemicals such as silver iodide, dry ice and liquid propane in the clouds. These chemicals reduce the… Continue reading Cloud seeding

WhatsApp payment services News WhatsApp is seeking regulatory clearance from the RBI to launch full-fledged payment operations in India. Important facts:   Payment service provider Payment service providers (PSPs) connect merchants to the electronic financial system so they can accept credit and debit card payments. They act on behalf of merchants and are paid by… Continue reading WhatsApp payment services

Polls come and go, but Sahariyas’ plight still poor PT  Facts News: The Sahariya tribal community of Shahbad region in Baran district, Rajasthan which recorded 47 starvation deaths during the 2001 drought, has been waiting for concerted welfare measures that could take them out of poverty, unemployment and malnutrition. Important Facts: About Sahariya tribal community:… Continue reading Polls come and go, but Sahariyas’ plight still poor

Good news on tiger numbers News: A new study offers hope for wild tiger populations across countries by showing that under optimal conditions, tiger numbers can triple in 18 sites across the world, including eight in India. Important Facts: About the study: The study, published in PLOS ONE, was conducted by 49 conservationists of the… Continue reading Good news on tiger numbers