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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Union Power Minister PiyushGoyal with Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister Andhra Pradesh to launch two schemes in Vijayawada , Andhra Pradesh, In order to make country more energy efficient.
The Schemes namely
- National Energy Efficient Agriculture Pumps Programme,
- National Energy Efficient Fan Programme.
These Schemes will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited under Power ministry.
National Family Planning Summit 2016 held in New Delhi
During the two-day long National Summit on Family Planning in New Delhi Union Health Minister P. Nadda launched the new revamped logo for the family planning media awareness campaign, which if properly implemented, can be a key strategy to reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidities.
- The Summit had New Choices, New Horizons as its theme.J P Nadda has also formallylaunched first indigenously developed natural latex-based female condom.
- The new latex version of female condom is manufactured by Kerala based HLL Lifecare Ltd under the brand name Velve
Cabinet clears pact with Sweden for cooperation in rail sector
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Sweden for technical cooperation in the rail sector. However the MoU signed by the two sides in February.
- The MoU provides for cooperation in areas of benchmarking railway policy and regulation development, exchange of knowledge and technical expertise, freight operations in colder regions and tilting coaches.
- The cooperation is achieved through exchange of information on developments in areas of railways technology and operations, knowledge sharing, technical visits, training and seminars and workshops in areas of mutual interest.
Fastest Train:
The world record for manned passenger trains is held by the Japanese L0 Series, having achieved 603 km/h on a 42.8 km magnetic-levitation track in 2015.
Cabinet approves new oil import policy
Union Cabinet has given its approval to replace the existing policy on crude oil import by Oil PSUs. These companies are authorised to go forward to their own policies for import of crude oil, consistent with the Central Vigilance Commission guidelines and get them approved by the respective boards.
- This decision will provide a more efficient, flexible and dynamic policy for crude procurement, eventually benefiting the consumers.
- Oil marketing PSUs have been allowed to buy crude on a day-to-day basis against the prevailing cumbersome practice of calling tenders two-months before purchase.
Energy Demand in India:
- The energy consumption in India is the fourth biggest after China, USA and Russia.
- The electrical energy demand for 2016–17 is expected to be at least 1,392 Tera Watt Hours.
Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister dedicates 36 new CNG stations in Delhi & NCR
The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan dedicated 36 new CNG stations located in Delhi and NCR to the public. 30 out of these stations have been installed by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL).
- Three stations were by Haryana City Gas in Gurgaon, one by GAIL Gas in Sonepat and two stations by Adani Gas in Faridabad and Khurja have been set up.
CNG Station in Delhi:
- Delhi/NCR is having 347 CNG stations of about 77 lakh kg per day CNG dispensing capacity. All 4 CGD companies operating in Delhi/NCR have planned to augment the existing CNG dispensing capacity to 88 lakh kg per day by developing additional 104 CNG
stations in Delhi/NCR. - The actual CNG consumption in Delhi/NCR is around 25 lakh kg/day.
stations in Delhi/NCR.New Delhi:
- New Delhi itself was not established until 1912 when the British moved India’s capital city from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.
Promulgation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Anatomy Regulation, 2016
Union Cabinet has given its approval for promulgation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Anatomy Regulation, 2016
- This Promulgation with a view to lay down procedures for providing supply or availability of unclaimed of dead bodies to the Medical College for the purpose of studying the human anatomy in all systems of medicine.
Anatomy:
- The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
- Academic anatomists are usually employed by universities, medical schools or teaching hospitals. They are often involved in teaching anatomy, and research into certain systems, organs, tissues or cells.
216 Districts across several States including Bihar, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh will be covered in this phase.
- Under the last two phases nearly 39 lakh children have been fully immunised. The Mission Indradhanush, depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases.
- The diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.
Union Agriculture and farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh laid the Foundation stone of Haryana State University of Horticultural Sciences at Karnal, Haryana.
- The establishment of first Horticulture University in Haryana will fulfill the long pending need of the people of the State.
- A full fledged horticultural university will cater the needs to support the gap between teaching, research and extension activities in the state and will establish the convergence and synergy to disseminate latest technology and horticulture education to our young generation, besides identifying strategies for further development.
- The Horticulture University will be built on 118 acres to disseminate latest technology and horticulture education to the young generation.
- It will help in improving productivity levels by promoting adaptation of appropriate crop diversification to suit the agro climatic conditions of the region.
- It will also act as a skill development centre in order to cater the larger demand for skilled (trained) manpower in the production, post-harvest and processing industries
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Bronze bust of Aryabhatta unveiled at UNESCO Headquarters
A bronze bust of ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhatta has been unveiled at the UNESCO by the HRD Minister Smriti Irani in an international conference on the zero in Paris, France.
- The bust has been sculpted by renowned Indian sculptor Ram Sutar who was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian awards for his contribution to the world of art.
2015 report on “World Military Expenditure” released by SIPRI
In accordance with the report released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been ranked at 6th Position in the 2015 report on Trends in world military expenditure.
- The chart has been topped by the USA as the world’s biggest spender in 2015.
- In comparison with the previous year ranking India has climbed one spot in the worldwide rankings in terms of military expenditure.
- Top 5 countries – USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and UK.
BANKING & FINANCE
Cabinet approves recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission on Fiscal Deficit
As per the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC), Union cabinet has consented the fiscal deficit target of 3% of gross state domestic product (GSDP) for states for the 2015-20 period.
- It has been permitted to the states with adequate finance to borrow an extra 0.5% of their GDP, beyond the 3% stipulated by the 14th Finance Commission, in order to help them to meet their development needs.
- The cabinet approved it with year to year flexibility for additional deficit of about 0.5%.
CCEA consented ATC Asia Pacific & Andrew Yule proposals
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its stamp of approval for the proposal of ATC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Singapore to acquire 51% shareholding in Viom Networks Ltd by method of transfer from existing shareholders.
- The approval would bring in a total foreign direct investment inflow of ₹5, 856.51 crore into the telecom base of the nation.
WTO cuts 2016 world trade growth forecast to 2.8 percent
Global Growth will come to 8 percent this year, lower than a previous forecast of 3.9 percent, the World Trade Organization forecast.
- Genva based World trade organisation forecasts are based on economic growth of 2.4 percent in 2016 and 2.7 percent in 2017.
- Trade islikely to rise to 3.6 percent in 2017, breaking through 3.0 percent for the first time in six years.
- However WTO has repeatedly revised preliminary estimates over the past five years as predictions of economic recovery prove overly optimistic.
WTO:
The World Trade Organization is an intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade.
- HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded: 1995
BUSINESS
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a seasonwise tiltable canal top solar PV plant at Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh.
- This is the first canal top project in Andhra Pradesh and also first such project executed by the company.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
American magazine Forbes has released 2016 “Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen” list featuring business women from 14 countries, including China, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and New Zealand.
- In accordance with the list, 8 Indian women have made their mark in the list of 50 women leaders which is topped by Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani(52).
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Debraj Pradhan appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Norway
Shri Debraj Pradhan (IFS: 1981), presently Ambassador of India to Chile, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Norway. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.
- Mr. Pradhan holds Masters Degree in Political Science. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in August 1981. After Foreign Service training in India he was posted as Third Secretary/Second Secretary to High Commission of India, Nairobi
Key Facts:
- Prime Minister of Norway – Erna Soleberg
- Capital Of Norway – Oslo
- Currency – Norwegian Crone
C.P. Gurnani appointed as Chairman of NASSCOM
C.P. Gurnani appointed as Chairman of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) for 2016-2017.He will replace B V R Mohan Reddy, who served as Chairman of for 2015-16.
- Mr. Raman Roy, Chairman and Managing Director of Quatrro Global Services, appointed as the Vice Chairman of NASSCOM for 2016-17.
- NASSCOM, a non-profit organization is a trade association of Indian Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing industry which was established in 1988.
- NASSCOM Headquarters – New Delhi
Iceland names Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson as new PM
Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, Iceland’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the deputy leader of the center-right Progressive Party named as the country’s new Prime Minster, after former leader David Gunnlaugsson stepped down in the wake of the leaked Panama Papers.
- Johannsson is expected to be sworn in on Thursday, on the same day a new government will be sworn in.
Keys
- Capital of Republic Of Island: Reykjavic
- Currency: Icelandic Krona
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Future Group acquires online furniture retailer FabFurnish for Rs.20 Crore
Kishore Biyani’s Future Group acquires Rocket Internet’s FabFurnish for Rs. 20 Crore. It is the first acquisition of an Internet Store. Future Group will use FabFurnish’s online platform.
- The company will retain a FabFurnish’s brand and will use the online platform to take Home Town online.
- FabFurnish’s management team and about 100 employees are likely to join Future Group.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Low cost and environment-friendly solar lighting device Solar Jyoti launched by Dr.HarshVardhan
Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the Low Cost and Environment-friendly solar lighting device, Surya Jothi the device has been developed under the aegis of the Science& Technology Department.
- This technology would lead to the saving of fossil fuels to a great extent as 1 unit of energy saved is equivalent to 3 units of energy generated.
SPORTS
India wins 2016 Asian Nations Cup Chess tournament
India won the Asian Nations Cup chess team championship defeating Vietnam with a convincing 3-1 margin in the final round in Abu Dhabi. This was the third time that Indian men won the event.
- In the tournament Kazakhstan and Iran took the third and fourth places respectively.
- India finished well against Vietnam with Grandmasters SP Sethuraman and K Sasikiran winning on second and fourth boards while B Adhiban and Vidit Santosh Gujarathi drew on first and third boards.
- India earned 17 points, two more than World and Olympiad champions China, to clinch the title.
Notable Chess Players from India:
- DibyenduBarua
- Koneru Humpy
- Krishnan Sasikiran
- Manuel Aaron
- ParimarjanNegi
- P Harikrishna
- ViswanathanAnand
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Health Day – April 7 2016
World Health Day is marked at this time every year to celebrate the founding of the World Health Organization, the world’s leading health organisation, on 7 April 1948.
- Each year, a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights an area of concern for the WHO.
- 2016 theme: Halt the rise: beatdiabetes
