Daily Current Affairs, 07th August 2018

1) Parliament Passes Bill To Grant Constitutional Status To NCBC

•The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill giving constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has got Parliamentary assent. It will give the institution all powers to safeguard the rights of the socially and educationally backward classes and fulfils a long pending commitment of the central govt to the OBCs. 

•123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill Explained: 

1. It seeks to establish the NCBC under the constitution with authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding OBCs,
2. NCBC will have a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and 3 other members of which at least one will be a woman,
3. The provision for mandatory woman member will be made during framing of rules,
4. NCBC will work as an autonomous institution with powers of a civil court,
5. It will investigate & monitor how safeguards provided to OBCs under Constitution and other laws are being implemented,
6. It will inquire into specific complaints regarding violation of rights of OBCs,
7. It will also advise and make recommendations on the socio-economic development of such classes,
8. Central and state governments will have to consult NCBC on all major policy matters affecting OBCs. 

2) NITI Aayog Identified 117 Districts As Aspirational Districts For RUSA Scheme

•NITI Aayog has identified 117 districts as ‘Aspirational Districts’. These districts have been selected on the basis of composite index which includes published data of deprivation enumerated under Socio-Economic Caste Census, Health &Nutrition, Education and Basic Infrastructure. 

•During the second phase of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), central assistance is provided for opening of new Model Degree Colleges(MDCs) in  ‘Aspirational Districts’ identified by NITI Aayog and in unserved & underserved districts in North Eastern and the Himalayan States. 

3) Bidder Information Management System And Bhoomi Rashi-PFMS Linkage Portals Launched

•The Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari launched Bidder Information Management System (BIMS) and Bhoomi Rashi and PFMS linkage - two IT initiatives of the Road Transport & Highways Ministry. 

•BIMS is aimed at streamlining the process of pre-qualification of bidders for EPC Mode of contracts for National Highway works with enhanced transparency and objectivity. Bhoomi Rashi, the portal developed by MoRTH and NIC, comprises the entire revenue data of the country, right down to 6.4 lakh villages. PFMS is a web-based online software application developed and implemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA). 

4) World’s 1st Thermal Battery Plant Inaugurated In Andhra Pradesh

•The world's first-ever thermal battery plant was unveiled in Andhra Pradesh by the state’s Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Manufactured by the Bharat Energy Storage Technology Private Limited (BEST), the first-of-its-kind batteries will aim to boost renewable sources of energy production and reduce the dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel-based energy generation. 

•The technology, which will help in mitigating carbon emissions, is best suited for grid balancing and stabilisations. It will also be used to store energy for telecommunication, commercial establishments, electric vehicles and highway charging stations. 

5) Ajay Data, 1st Indian To Become Member In ICANN

•The nominating committee of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has selected Ajay Data, Founder & CEO of Data XGen Plus and a global leader in email linguistic services, as a new council member of Country Code Supporting Organisation (ccNSO). 

•Ajay Data is the first Indian to have been selected as a member of ccNSO and will be representing India at a global level. He will be the custodian of Asia, Australia and Pacific Islands as a member of ccNSO. Data has got a two-year term and will take up the position during ICANN 63 Meet in Spain in October 2018. 

6) Indo-Thailand Joint Exercise 'Maitree 2018' Begins In Thailand

•Exercise 'Maitree' is a joint military exercise between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army which  is running on in Thailand. It is a platoon level exercise which comprises of infantry component. 

•The exercise will emphasize to hone the tactical and technical skills in joint counter insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in the rural and urban scenario under UN mandate. 

7) International Conference On 'Sustainable Growth Through Material Recycling' Inaugurated In New Delhi

•NITI Aayog’s International Conference on “Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions” was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi. 

•The day-long conference brought together a host of experts for identifying policy prescriptions for the development and growth of material recycling in India towards creating more jobs, reduce dependence on exports, protect the environment and take steps towards adopting circular economy concepts. 

8) Google Releases 'Android 9 Pie'

•Google's latest Android operating system update, Android 9 Pie, was officially released to customers following a beta testing period that started earlier this year. 

•Android Pie introduces a new gesture-based system interface that's similar to the interface of the iPhone X, with iPhone-like swipes for navigating through the operating system. Android Pie also includes an Adaptive Battery feature that maximizes battery power by prioritizing the apps you're most likely to use next.