Current Affairs 14th July 2018

National News

1. Ministry of Mines Organized 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals 

i. The Ministry of Mines organized the 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan was the chief guest of the conclave.
ii. For the first time, the conclave had an exhibition in which States put up stalls to showcase their more than 100 mineral blocks which have been prepared to be put up on auctions during 2018-19.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Narendra Singh Tomar is the Minister of Mines. 

2. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Launches 'Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018' 

i. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation launches the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) in the Delhi. An independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts and the results will be announced in the form of a ranking of all districts and states on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters.
ii. The objective of SSG 2018 is to undertake a ranking of states and districts on the basis of their performance attained on key quantitative and qualitative SBM-G parameters. 

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Uma Bharati is the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation. 

3. ASI Lifts Ban On Photography At Protected Monuments 

i. The Archaeological Survey of India decided to allow photography within the premises of all centrally protected monuments/sites.

ii. However, the 3 monuments/sites in which the photography would not be permitted are Ajanta Caves and Leh Palace having paintings, and Mausoleum of Taj Mahal, Agra.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a Government of India (Ministry of Culture) organisation responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. 

·                     It was founded in 1861 by the British Raj.

4. Odisha Government Constitutes Heritage Cabinet 

i. The Odisha Government constituted Heritage Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to preserve the history and culture of Odisha. Its aim is to spread and preserve history and culture of Odisha and enrich Odia language further.
ii. The Cabinet comprises eight members, including the Chief Minister. The other members are Ministers of Finance, Odia Language, Literature and Culture and Tourism, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, SC/ST Development, Higher Education, School and Mass Education and Electronics and Information. 

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Ganeshi Lal is the present Governor of Odisha. 

International News

5. Integrated Indian Visa Application Centre Inaugurated In Bangladesh 

i. A new integrated state-of-the-art integrated Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) was jointly inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan at Dhaka's Jamuna Future Park.
ii. Rajnath Singh is presently in Bangladesh on a three-day visit. He also inaugurated the Bangladesh-India Friendship building in Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah. 

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Bangladesh PM- Sheikh Hasina, Capital- Dhaka, Currency- Bangladeshi Taka. 

6. Sushma Swaraj Embarks 2-Day Visit To Manama 

i. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj embarked on a two-day visit to Manama, to co-chair the second High Joint Commission meeting with her Bahraini counterpart.
ii. During the visit, Mrs Swaraj will inaugurate the new Chancery building complex and address the Indian community. She will also hold meetings with the political leadership.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Manama is the capital city of Bahrain. 

·                     Bahraini dinar is the currency of Bahrain.  

Economy News

7. Haryana Top State In Per Capita Revenue Collection Under GST 

i. Haryana has topped other states in per capita revenue collection under GST and is also the fourth highest generator of e-way bills in the country. The Finance Minister of Haryana Capt. Abhimanyu claimed Haryana has widened the tax base by 82.22% and logged 19% hike in revenue collections.
ii. About 1.12 crore e-way bills were generated in Haryana between April 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018, catapulting the state to the position of 4th highest generator of e-way bills in the country. 

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 

·                     Haryana CM- Manohar Lal Khattar, Governor- Kaptan Singh Solanki. 

Sports News

8. Mohammad Kaif Announces Retirement From Competitive Cricket 

Mohammad Kaif

 i. Mohammad Kaif announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket. The 37-year-old Kaif played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India and will always be remembered for his match-winning knock of 87 at the Lord's during the epic NatWest Trophy final in 2002.
ii.  Kaif was the captain of Under 19 cricket team that won the U-19 World Cup in 2000 against Sri Lanka.