Morning Current Affairs: 19 September 2017

Union Government names and shames Directors of shell companies
The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) on 18 September 2017 began the process of publicising the list of disqualified directors across the nation as well as those associated with struck-off companies.

The Ministry has identified 1.06 lakh directors of ‘shell companies’ for disqualification under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Some of the prominent names figuring in the list are former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, jailed politician VK Sasikala, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Gulf-based business tycoon MA Yusufal.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath takes oath as Legislator
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 18 September 2017 took oath as Member of the State Legislative Council, a move undertaken to meet the mandatory six-month deadline to get elected to either House of the State after assuming office.

With this, Adityanath becomes the third successive Chief Minister after Akhilesh Yadav (SP) and Mayawati (BSP) to opt for the Upper House.

Besides, two Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were also administered oath by Chairman of the Legislative Council Ramesh Yadav.

Akshay Kumar appointed as Brand Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Uttarakhand
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was on 18 September 2017 appointed as the Brand Ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Mission in Uttarakhand. His appointment was approved by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Akshay was also appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the cleanliness campaign in Uttar Pradesh in August 2017 after the release of his film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" which was made tax free in the state. The movie stresses on the importance of building toilets and ending open defecation.