Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.). Above all he is a passionate teacher.

Prime Minister's Office−

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today chaired his twenty-third interaction through PRAGATI

• PRAGATI is a ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.

• Benefits so far from PRAGATI platform

• The first twenty-two meetings of PRAGATI have seen a cumulative review of 200 projects with a total investment of Rs. 9.31 lakh crore. Resolution of Public Grievances has also been reviewed in 17 sectors.

• Focus of twenty-third meeting

• Prime Minister reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to consumers.

• The Prime Minister was briefed on the action taken to ensure speedy and effective disposal of consumer grievances.

• Expressing concern over the large number of grievances, the Prime Minister emphasized on the need for improvement in the administrative arrangements, so that consumers can be benefited.

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• The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of nine infrastructure projects in the railway, road, power, and renewable energy sectors, spread over several states including Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Assam, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

• These projects are cumulatively worth over 30,000 crore rupees.

• The Prime Minister reviewed the progress in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana(PMKKKY).

• He said that funds accruing to the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) should be utilized to strategically focusupon and eliminate major development issues or deficits that these districts currently face.

• He said this should be done in a focused way, so as to achieve the greatest possible, tangible results by 2022, which marks 75 years of independence.

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Cabinet−

• Approved the signing and ratifying of an Agreement between India and Philippines on co-operation and mutualassistance in customs matters.

• The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences.

• The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.

• Approved India's Membership for European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)

• Impact:

• Would enhance India's international profile and promote its economic interests.

• India's investment opportunities would get a boost.

• EBRD's core operations pertain to private sector development in their countries of operation

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• Has given its approval for signing an Agreement on Cooperation between India and Russia in the field of combating all forms of terrorism and organized crime.

• India and Russia have a long history of close cooperation in international fora on matters of mutual interest.

• The Agreement is proposed to be signed during the upcoming visit of Indian Delegation, led by Home Minister, to Russia from 27-29 November, 2017.

• Has given its approval for continuation of the scheme on Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) for another three financial years (FYs 2017-18 to 2019-20) and providing Grants-in-aid of Rs.18 crore to the Institute.

• It will make the Institute self-sustainable by the end of FY 2019-20.

• The training programs, research activities and projects conducted by the Institute in partnership with public and private sector in the niche areas of Corporate Governance will enhance the skill sets resulting in increased employability of students as well as professionals.

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• Approved the setting up of the 15thFinance Commission.

• Article 280(1) of the Constitution lays down that a Finance Commission (FC) should be constituted "...within two years from the commencement of this Constitution and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year or at such earlier time as the President considers necessary...".

• In keeping with this requirement, the practice has generally been to set up next Finance Commission within five years of the date of setting up of the previous Finance Commission.

• The 14thFinance Commission was set up on 02.01.2013 to make recommendations covering the period of five years commencing on 1st April, 2015.

• The Commission submitted its Report on 15th December, 2014.

• The recommendations of the 14thFinance Commission are valid upto the financial year 2019-20.

• In terms of Constitutional provisions, setting up the 15thFinance Commission, the recommendations of which will cover the five years commencing on April 1, 2020, has now become due.

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Ministry of Agriculture−

• Shri Radha Mohan Singh, the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has sent a proposal to UnitedNations for declaring the year 2018 as ‘International Year of Millets’.

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• Millet is a common term to categorize small-seeded grasses that are often termed nutri-cereals or dryland-cereals, and includes sorghum, pearl millet, ragi, small millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, kodomillet and other millets.

• The proposal, if agreed, will raise awareness about millets among consumers, policy makers, industry and R&D sector.

• Promotion of production and consumption of millets through conscious efforts at global level is likely to contribute substantially in the fight against targeted hunger and mitigate the effect of climate change in long run.

• Popularizing millets would benefit future generations of farmers as well as consumers.

• An important staple cereal crop for millions of small holder dryland farmers across sub-saharan Africa and Asia, millets offer nutrition, resilience, income and livelihood for farmers even in difficult times.

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• They have multiple untapped uses such as food, feed, fodder, biofuels and brewing.

• Therefore, millets are Smart Food as they are Good for You, Good for the Farmer and Good for the Planet.

• Nutritionally superior to wheat & rice owing to their higher levels of protein with more balanced amino acidprofile, crude fiber & minerals such as Iron, Zinc, and Phosphorous, millets can provide nutritional security and act as a shield against nutritional deficiency, especially among children and women.

• The anaemia (iron deficiency), B-complex vitamin deficiency, pellagra (niacin deficiency) can be effectively tackled with intake of less expensive but nutritionally rich food grains like millets.

• Millets can also help tackle health challenges such as obesity, diabetes and lifestyle problems as they are gluten free, have a low glycemic index and are high in dietary fibre and antioxidants

• Photo-insensitive & resilient to climate change, millets are hardy, resilient crops that have a low carbon and waterfootprint, can withstand high temperatures and grow on poor soils with little or no external inputs.

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Answers

1. Kalaripayattu

2. No profit no loss

3. Article 34

Questions

1. The great Jain saint who stayed at the court of Akbar for 2 years at Akbar’s invitation and upon whom the emperor conferred the title of Jagat Guru was• Hema Chandra

• Viyaya Suri

• Hir Vijaya Suri

• Jinaprabha Suri

2. The primary purpose for building the Suez Canal was to• Encourage Jewish settlement in the nearby Palestine

• Increase trade between the Middle East, Europe and Asia

• Reduce the time needed for travel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea

• Allow Indian merchants to reach the east coast of Africa

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