Election Commission Of India launches ‘cVigil’ mobile app

  • The cVIGIL app is for citizens to report any violation of the model code of conduct during elections.
  • The app will be made operational only where elections are announced.
  • But a beta version (a version for testing) will be made available so that the public and election staff can get accustomed to its features.
  • The app will be made operational for the upcoming Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan.
  • The Android app requires a smartphone with a camera, a good Internet connection and GPS.
  • Through the app, citizens can immediately report incidents of misconduct within minutes of having witnessed such events.

Cabinet approves DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2018.
  • The bill is aimed at using DNA-based forensic technologies for court cases to strengthen the justice system in India.
  • One of the major aims of the bill is to ensure that DNA test results are reliable.
  • It also has in place protection of data from misuse or abuse in terms of privacy rights.

Vishwas Patel appointed Chairman of Payments Council of India

  • The Payments Council of India on Monday announced the appointment of Vishwas Patel as its new Chairman.
  • Patel is currently the Director of Infibeam Avenues.
  • He will succeed Naveen Surya, who has been elevated to the post of Chairman Emeritus.
  • Patel has been associated with the council since it was started in 2013, and has been its Co-Chairman.

Cabinet approves hike in MSP for Kharif crops for 2018-19 season

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of all Kharif crops for the 2018-19 season.
  • The MSP for paddy, the most important of the Kharif crops, will be raised by Rs.200 over last year’s rate of Rs.1,550 per quintal.
  • MSP of jowar has been increased by 42.9%, that of bajra has gone up by 36.8%, and the MSP of ragi has jumped by 52.4%.

Defence Ministry approves construction of 17 New Baffle Firing Ranges

  • The Ministry of Defence has sanctioned the construction of 17 new baffle firing ranges in Military Stations/Cantonments/Training Establishments.
  • The approximate cost will be Rs. 238 crores.
  • The proposed baffle shooting ranges can facilitate firing from 300 to 500 metres.
  • Baffle firing ranges are covered shooting practice areas which prevent possible accidents due to stray bullet injuries.

Piyush Goyal launches CMSMS and ‘Khan Prahari’ app

  • Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched the Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System (CMSMS) and the ‘Khan Prahari’ mobile app.
  • The CMSMS will go towards reducing and stopping the illegal mining of coal.
  • The CMSMS, a web-based GIS application, will help with reporting, monitoring and taking suitable action against unauthorised coal mining.
  • Meanwhile, the Khan Prahari app will act as a companion to the CMSMS, on which citizens can report illegal coal mining.
  • Through the Khan Prahari app, citizens will be able to upload geo-tagged photographs along with text information.

Cabinet approves accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the accession to the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performers and Phonograms Treaty.
  • This is expected to extend copyright coverage to the Internet and digital environment.
  • This will allow those who hold copyrights to secure a return on the investment in creating and distributing creative works.
  • It will allow for international protection of domestic rights holders from possible copyright infringement abroad. (Through the International Copyright order, India already extends protection to foreign works.)

World’s first all-digital art museum opens in Tokyo

  • The world’s first digital art museum opened to the public in Tokyo, Japan.
  • The MORI Building Digital Art Museum allows visitors to enter the artwork.
  • The museum has dark and seemingly empty rooms, with geometric constructions strewn about.
  • The kaleidoscopic art installations are triggered by motion sensors, and are projected on the rooms surfaces.
  • The artworks react to movement and touch, so the experience of each visitor is potentially unique.
  • The art exhibit is titled Borderless.

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