General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2015

Oct 2015

Jul 08, 2024

Jharkhand's Mica Mines Declared Child Labour-Free by NCPCR

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) declared the mica mines of Jharkhand 'child labour-free' at an event in Koderma, Jharkhand. NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo announced this as the first-ever successful endeavour to cleanse a supply chain of child labour in mica mining.
In India, working children up to 14 years of age are classified as child labour.

Digital Bharat Nidhi: Govt. Releases Draft Rules

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released draft rules to operationalise the Digital Bharat Nidhi, in a fresh attempt by the central government at increasing telecom connectivity in rural areas.
Digital Bharat Nidhi would replace the erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which is a pool of funds generated by a 5 per cent Universal Service Levy charged upon all the telecom fund operators on their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).

Former Spokesperson of Jharkhand BJP Unit Resigns from Primary Membership of Party

BJP leader Kunal Sarangi resigned from the party's primary membership, approximately a month-and-a-half after stepping down from his post as Jharkhand unit spokesperson.
A former MLA from Baharagora, Sarangi sent his resignation to BJP Jharkhand unit president Babulal Marandi, citing various organisational and people-oriented issues in East Singhbhum district.

Jul 07, 2024

Union Home Minister Address 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' Conference

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah addressed the 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' conference on the occasion of 102nd International Day of Cooperatives in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Ministry of Cooperation organised 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' conference on this day to mark the celebration of International Day of Cooperatives 2024.
During the 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' conference, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launched the scheme for 50% assistance on the purchase of nano-fertilizer by the farmers under AGR-2 Scheme of the Government for the FY 2024-25. Along with this Shah also initiated the payment for the same to three farmers at the event itself. Shah also launched 'Bharat Organic Atta' produced by the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL).

Sanjay Singh is Chairperson of AAP Parliamentary Party

The Aam Aadmi Party has appointed senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh as the chairperson of the AAP Parliamentary Party. Sanjay Singh also has the responsibility of the party as AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is in jail in connection with the excise policy case.
Singh joined the Aam Aadmi Party shortly after its inception in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the party's most visible and influential leaders.
Sanjay Singh was first elected to Rajya Sabha in 2018 and was re-elected this year (2024).

BJP Replaces State in-Charges for HP, Haryana; Retains Rupani in Punjab

The BJP began its process of organisational overhaul after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, replacing the state in-charges for Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and retaining those in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will continue to be the state in-charge with Narender Singh as his deputy for Punjab. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh was retained as in charge for Ladakh and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
In poll-bound Haryana, former Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia will replace former Tripura CM Biplab Deb as the BJP in-charge, with Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar as the co-in-charge. Former UP Power Minister Srikant Sharma replaced Avinash Rai Khanna as the party in-charge of Himachal, while Sanjay Tandon who unsuccessfully contested the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat against Congress' Manish Tewari will remain Himachal BJP co-in-charge.

Jul 06, 2024

Dhirendra Ojha Appointed Principal Spokesperson of Government

In a move to strengthen the government's communication strategy, senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra K. Ojha was appointed as the principal spokesperson of the central government. This appointment marks an important day in the realm of government communications, as it brings fresh leadership to crucial information dissemination roles.
His appointment came with the additional responsibility of serving as the principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). This dual role positions Ojha at the forefront of government-media relations and public information dissemination.

Jul 05, 2024

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Launches Lokpath Mobile App

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav introduced the 'Lokpath Mobile App' in Bhopal. This app aims to resolve road problems within seven days, ensuring officer accountability. The app was developed by Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation Limited.
The app allows the public to report road issues by taking photos and submitting them directly to concerned officers. The officers are required to fix the problems within seven days and update the status on the app.

Senior (IIS) Officer Dhirendra Ojha Appointed as Director General of PIB

Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra Ojha was appointed as Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB). Ojha replaced Sheyphali Sharan, who was appointed as the Director General of the Publications Division.
The Press Information Bureau, commonly abbreviated as PIB, is a nodal agency of the Government of India under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Based in National Media Centre, New Delhi, Press Information Bureau disseminates information to print, electronic and web media on government plans, policies, programme initiatives and achievements.

Govt. Forms 8 Cabinet Committees; Security, Appointments Panels Remain Unchanged

The Union government constituted eight Cabinet committees, with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) getting three new faces and the two most powerful panels — the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) — remaining unchanged.
Home Minister Amit Shah is the sole Cabinet member to feature on all these panels.
The three new faces in the CCEA are Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Heavy Industries Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan 'Lalan' Singh.
The eight Cabinet Committees are the CCEA, ACC, CCS, Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth, and Cabinet Committee on Skill, Employment and Livelihood.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads six committees but is not part of two — Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

Hemant Soren Takes Oath as Chief Minister for Third Time

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister for the third term. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.
Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31, 2024, however before his arrest, he resigned from the post of Chief Minister and Champai Soren, close to the JMM family, was made the Chief Minister.

Jul 04, 2024

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj Gets Appointed to New Delhi Municipal Council

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the appointment of Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj as a member of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the late BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, currently represents the New Delhi constituency in the Lok Sabha.
This appointment follows Bansuri Swaraj's electoral debut from the New Delhi seat, succeeding Meenakshi Lekhi, who held the position for the past decade.
A member of the NDMC plays a significant role in the governance and administration of the New Delhi municipal area. The NDMC members contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies related to urban planning, including land use, zoning regulations, and infrastructure development.

Dr. Gangadhar Appointed NMC Chairperson

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet appointed officiating chairperson Dr. B. N. Gangadhar as the head of the National Medical Commission (NMC) while appointing Dr. Sanjay Behari as president of Medical Assessment and Rating Board.
Dr. Gangadhar, former director of NIMHANS, was also the president of the autonomous Medical Assessment and Rating Board.

Government of India and ADB Sign $170 Million Loan to Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness and Response

India signed a $170 million policy-based loan with the Asian Development Bank to enhance the country's health system preparedness for pandemics.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the loan will help to consolidate and strengthen India's health system preparedness and response capacity to future pandemics.
The loan agreement 'Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems Programme (Subprogramme 1)' was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India and Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB's India Resident Mission for ADB.

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