General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2016

Aug 2016

Feb 01, 2023

Nirmala Sitharaman Sixth Finance Minister to Present budget 5 Times in a Row

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman became the sixth minister in independent India to present five consecutive budgets.
Sitharaman's budget for the fiscal year starting April 2023 was her fifth straight since 2019.
Other ministers who have presented five straight annual financial statements are Arun Jaitley, P. Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, Manmohan Singh and Morarji Desai.
After taking charge of the Finance Ministry in the Modi government in 2014, Jaitley presented five budgets in a row from 2014-15 to 2018-19.

Visakhapatnam to be Capital of Andhra Pradesh

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that Andhra Pradesh's capital would be shifted to Visakhapatnam in a few months. The statement assumes significance in the wake of cases on the capital issue pending in the Supreme Court.
He made these remarks at a curtain-raiser programme for the Global Investors Summit, scheduled to be organised at Visakhapatnam in March.

Assam Cabinet Nod for Floriculture Mission

Assam's cabinet approved a state floriculture mission with an initial investment of Rs. 150 crore, covering 20,000 farmers.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in view of the huge demand for flowers in Assam, which is currently met with supply from West Bengal's capital Kolkata and even Thailand, a State Floriculture Mission has been approved.
Under it, the area of flower cultivation will be expanded from 2,200 hectares to 3,288 hectares within three years.

Centre Forms Committee to Draft Rules, Standards for Mediation in India

The Law and Justice Ministry constituted a working committee for the drafting of rules and standards for mediation in India under the chairmanship of former Law Secretary P. K. Malhotra.
The committee would provide drafts of the rules and regulations as envisaged under the Mediation Bill/Act and also to provide suggestions regarding the setting of various standards including, certifications, accreditation, grading, criteria etc, for various stakeholders under the Mediation Bill.
The committee is further directed to refer to the subject mentioned and to say that the Mediation Bill, 2021 through its objectives, promotes institutional mediation provides for enforcement of a mediated settlement agreement, promotes training through Mediation Institutes and emphasizes ODR [Online Dispute Resolution] and community mediation. The Bill also provides for the establishment of the Mediation Council of India, said Centre communication to Committee members.

UPSC Recommends Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as Drugs Controller General of India

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recommended the name of Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as the new Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The UPSC had conducted interviews for the appointment of the DCGI.
In November 2022, V. G. Somani's term as DCGI was extended for three months. This was done for the second time, as he had also got an extension in the month of August 2022.
V. G. Somani was appointed as the Drugs Controller General of India in the month of August 2019.
DCGI heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which is responsible for ensuring the quality of drug supply across the country. It also has the authority to give approval to new drugs and regulate clinical trials.

Jan 31, 2023

Another Mughal Garden Renamed in Capital, This Time at Delhi University

Mughal Garden in Delhi University's North Campus was renamed as 'Gautam Buddha Centenary Garden'.
The garden does not have a Mughal design, was the rationale given by the university behind the rechristening, which was done on January 27.
As per a university official, the coinciding of the name change was a matter of chance, and that the varsity had come to the decision after a prolonged discussion with its Garden Committee.
The Gautam Buddha statue has been standing in the garden for at least 15 years.

R-Day: Punjab Regiment Best Marching Contingent; Uttarakhand's Tableau Best

The best marching contingents and tableaux for the 74th Republic Day parade were announced, with Punjab Regiment being adjudged as the best marching contingent, and Uttarakhand bagging the top prize for best tableau.
According to the Ministry of Defence, separate results -- one by a panel of judges and the other through online voting conducted by MyGov, were announced.
Three panels of judges were appointed for assessing the performances of the marching contingents from three services, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces, besides tableaux from various states, Union Territories and ministries and departments.
The best three tableaux from states and UTs were from Uttarakhand (Manaskhand), Maharashtra (Sade Tin Shaktipith and Nari Shakti), and Uttar Pradesh (Ayodhya Deepotsav), respectively.
The tableau of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Eklavya Model Residential Schools, EMRSs) was named the best among the ministries and departments.

BJP Sticks to 2018 Election Alliances in Tripura, Nagaland

With the Assembly elections in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya just round the corner, the BJP has stuck to the 2018 electoral arrangements in the hope of repeating its performance in the north-east.
In Tripura and Nagaland, the saffron party has retained old allies, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), respectively.
The BJP pulled off a last-minute surprise, sealing a seat-sharing agreement with the IPFT, which agreed to contest five seats as against BJP's 55, a climb down from 2018 when the IPFT had contested nine tribal seats of Tripura and won eight, while the BJP had contested 51 seats and won 35.
The BJP declared all 55 Tripura candidates for the February 16 elections, leaving five for the IPFT with whom it had ended the 25-year Left rule in the state in 2018.
In Nagaland, the NDPP and the BJP finalised the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement, as was the case in 2018 when the alliance had formed the government.

Jan 30, 2023

Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates National Logistics Portal (marine)

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated The National Logistics Portal (marine) in New Delhi.
The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a project of national importance, as envisaged by the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all the stakeholders of the logistics community using IT, to improve efficiency and transparency by reducing costs and time delays and achieving easier, faster, and more competitive offerings of services, to promote the growth of the logistics sector and thereby improve trade. NLP will be a single window for all trade processes of the logistics sector spread across the country covering all modes of transport in the waterways, roadways, and airways along with an E-marketplace to provide a seamless end-to-end logistic service coverage.
NLP Is a one stop marketplace where all logistic stakeholders are integrated for easier, speedier & competitive services thereby promoting trade and growth.

Construction of "Bajrang Setu" to be Completed by July 2023

In Uttarakhand, Asia's second and country's first cable suspension bridge "Bajrang Setu" is being constructed at Rishikesh. This bridge is coming up next to the famous 90-year-old Laxman Jhula.
Laxman Jhula is closed since last year when it was found that it wasn't safe for pedestrians anymore. However, it will not be removed and will be preserved as a heritage.
Superintending Engineer of Public Works Department NPS Singh said that the construction of the new bridge would cost Rs. 67 crore and all efforts are made to complete it by July 2023.

PM Modi Releases Special Rs. 75 Coins

PM Modi released special Rs. 75 Coins on the occasion of completion of 75 years of National Cadet Corps (NCC) at the Delhi NCC event. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan were also present at the Delhi NCC event.
At the Cariappa Ground in Delhi, the NCC rally was conducted to mark the 75th anniversary. Notably, 196 officers and cadets from 19 other nations took part in the demonstration as well.

All Government Vehicles Older than 15 Years to be Scrapped from April

According to a new rule of the central government, from April 2023, all government vehicles that have completed 15 years will automatically lose their right to ply on roads as their certificate of registration will expire.
In an effort to weed out old, polluting and potentially less-safe vehicles from Indian roads, Nitin Gadkari-led Ministry of Road Transport and Highways already rolled out the vehicle scrapping policy. The draft notification of the policy was issued in November 2022.
If the registration of such old vehicles was renewed before they attained the age of 15, such registration certificates will also automatically be deemed cancelled and they will have to retire after a lapse of 15 years from initial registration.
As part of implementing the policy, the Central government felt that the government should show the way by scrapping its own old vehicles.
Such vehicles, numbering in the thousands across India, are to be scrapped only through registered vehicle scrapping facilities as mandated in the policy.
However, special purpose vehicles owned by governments, like armoured and other specialised vehicles used for operational purposes for defence of the country and for the maintenance of law and order and internal security, have been kept out of the ambit of the new rules.

Mughal Gardens Renamed 'Amrit Udyan'

Rashtrapati Bhavan's famed Mughal Gardens were renamed as 'Amrit Udyan'.
The resplendent gardens are open to the public once a year and people can visit from January 31 this time.
President Droupadi Murmu graceD the opening of the gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan - Udyan Utsav.
On the occasion of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the President of India gave a common name to the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens as Amrit Udyan',
The government had last year renamed Delhi's iconic Rajpath as Kartavya Path. The renaming of the stretch and other institutions were in line with the Centre's effort to remove any trace of colonial mindset, it has maintained.

Third Interpol Young Global Police Leaders Programme held in New Delhi

The third edition of the Interpol young global police leaders programme was held in in Delhi with the theme 'Trust' which aims at building trust between public-police as well as trust factors between international police forces in the era of technology.
There were 60 participants from 44 countries. A delegation of Interpol young global police leaders programme visited National Police Memorial and paid homage to the fallen policemen.
The event brings together young police leaders holding vital assignments in their respective countries and helps them develop an international perspective and understanding. It seeks to empower the next generation of International Police leaders through mentoring from experienced officers.
The Interpol Young Global Police Leaders Program (YGPLP) will end on February 2.

Jan 29, 2023

Soren Becomes First J'khand CM to Visit Former Maoist Hotbed 'Budha Pahad'

Hemant Soren became the first Jharkhand Chief Minister to visit the Budha Pahad' once a Maoist hotbed that was freed from the red rebels' control by security forces after over three decades situated near the border with Chhattisgarh.
He is expected launched a slew of welfare schemes in Budha Pahad', located around 150 km from state capital Ranchi, along the Latehar and Garhwa districts.
Security forces managed to free the area from the grip of Maoists through three special operations that were launched since the beginning of April 2022.

Government Extends Tenure of Sangeeta Verma as CCI's Acting Chairperson

The government extended the tenure of SangeetaVerma as the acting Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Ms. Vermawas the acting Chairperson of the anti-trust regulator since October 2022 after Ashok Kumar Gupta demitted office as the full-time Chairperson.
As per reports, Ms. Verma shall act as the acting Chairperson "until the date on which new Chairperson is appointed or till any further orders in this regard.

Visakhapatnam Railway Station Receives 'Green Railway Station Certification' with Highest Platinu...

East Coast Railways' Visakhapatnam railway station received the prestigious 'Green Railway Station Certification' with the highest Platinum rating. The certificate was awarded by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts. It secured 82 out of 100 points in six environmental categories.
Visakhapatnam Railway Station falls under the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway. The railway station performed well in various categories such as – sustainable facilities, health, hygiene, energy and water efficiency, smart green initiatives, innovation, and development.
On the basis of the survey conducted by the IGBC, the following steps were undertaken: setting up of solar panels to conserve power, installation of LED Lightings, providing well-developed passenger amenities, segregation of waste materials by building MRF shed, and operationalization of 500KLD STP for station and colony water.

Jan 28, 2023

Congress Launches Hath se Hath Jodo Campaign

The Congress launched nationwide 'Hath se Hath Jodo' campaign, under which it plans to reach out to people and make them aware about the failures of the Modi government.
The party workers will deliver a letter written by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and a charge sheet against the Central government to each household.
During the programme which is scheduled to end on March 26, party workers will reach out to 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, six lakh villages and 10 lakh booths.
This programme 'hath se hath jodo' will take forward the Congress party symbol and the political message from the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.

India and Egypt Decide to Elevate their Ties to Strategic Partnership

India and Egypt decided to elevate their ties to the level of strategic partnership with Prime Minister NarendraModi and visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisivowing to broadbase the relations in a time-bound manner in areas of defence and security, trade, counter-terror cooperation and culture.
The two leaders also discussed the cascading impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on availability of food, energy and fertiliser, and called for a "coordinated and concerted" approach to deal with terrorism, including cross-border terrorist activities.
Following the talks between Modi and Sisi, the two sides inked five agreements providing for cooperation in areas of culture, information technology, cyber security, matters relating to youths and broadcasting.

EPFO Launches District Outreach Programme

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation launched a district outreach programme as a means to create awareness and reach out to stakeholders.
Called Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, it is a platform for grievance redressal as well as for information exchange between employers and employees and with district level authorities of various State and Central Government departments.
The Nidhi Aapke Nikat is a programme where EPFO stakeholders come to the EPFO field offices for grievance redressal, under the Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, EPFO will reach out to the stakeholders, thereby increasing accessibility and visibility of the organisation, in all the districts of the country.

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