General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

Jan 03, 2024

Modi Govt. Inked One FTA in 2023

Free trade agreements (FTAs) have proved hard nuts for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central Government to crack as of the three trade pacts it had intended to sign before the end of 2023, the government could ink just one with the UAE.
Negotiations for FTAs with Australia and the UK are still a work in progress.
India and Australia have signed a precursor agreement to an FTA. The feeling here is that Canberra has lost steam after its Anthony Albanese-led government began cozying up to China which lowered the punitive import duties it had earlier imposed on some agricultural products.

Jan 02, 2024

Government of India Constitutes Sixteenth Finance Commission with Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman

The government appointed former Niti Aayog vice chairman and Columbia University professor Arvind Panagariya as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission, which will recommend the tax revenue sharing formula between the Centre and the States for the five-year period beginning April 2026.
The Chairman and other members of the Commission shall hold office from the date on which they respectively assume office up to the date of the submission of report or October 31, 2025, whichever is earlier.
October 2025 is the deadline set for the Commission to submit its recommendations, so that they can be incorporated in the Budget exercise for 2026-27. The Finance Commission usually takes about two years to consult stakeholders in the States and Centre and arrive at their conclusions.
The Finance Commissions are commissions periodically constituted by the President of India under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to define the financial relations between the central government of India and the individual state governments. The First Commission was established in 1951.

Sagar Parikrama (Phase X) Event from January 1 to 6 2024

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala along with Minister of State L. Murugan is participating in the Sagar Parikrama (Phase X) organised from January 1 to 6, 2024 at various locations of Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.
Union Ministers will distribute Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to beneficiaries like fishermen, aqua farmers and other stakeholders during the events to progressive fishermen, particularly coastal fishermen and fish farmers, young fisheries entrepreneurs etc.
The Sagar Parikrama Yatra features the interactions of Minister with fishermen, fish farmers and other relevant stakeholders. Campaigns on KCC and other activities are also being conducted across the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. State fisheries officials, fishermen representatives, fish-farmers, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders from across the nation will accompany the events.

India, Pakistan Exchange List of N- Installations

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations between the two countries. This was the 33rd consecutive exchange of lists of nuclear installations between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
The lists of nuclear facilities were simultaneously exchanged through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad in line with the provisions of the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities.
The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991. It stipulates that India and Pakistan should inform each other about the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the pact on the first of January of every calendar year.

Jan 01, 2024

Lt. Governor Inaugurates CRC Samba-Jammu for Person with Disabilities

In a historic event, the Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir unveiled the commemorative plaque, officially inaugurating the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in Samba – Jammu. This momentous occasion signified a significant stride towards inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with disabilities in the region.
The CRC Samba – Jammu, an initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, aims to provide comprehensive support, skill development, and rehabilitation services. The overarching goal is to empower individuals with disabilities and facilitate their seamless integration into mainstream society.

Dec 31, 2023

Rajasthan Cabinet: Rajyavardhan Rathore, Kirodi Lal Meena Take Oath

Nearly a month after the announcement of the assembly election results in Rajasthan, 22 MLAs were sworn in as state ministers for Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's cabinet. Among them, twelve were sworn in as cabinet ministers, five as ministers of state (independent charge), and five as ministers of state.
Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath-taking ceremony for the BJP MLAs at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur.
MLAs inducted into the Rajasthan cabinet: Kirodi Lal Meena, Madan Dilawar, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Babulal Kharadi, Jogaram Patel, Suresh Singh Rawat, Avinash Gehlot, Joraram Kumawat, Hemant Meena, Kanhaiya Lal Choudhary and Sumit Godara.
Those who took oath as ministers of state (independent charge): Sanjay Sharma, Gautam Kumar, Jhabar Singh Kharra, Surendra Pal Singh and Heeralal Nagar.
Five who took oath as ministers of state: Ottaram Dewasi, Manju Baghmar, Vijay Singh Choudhary, K. K. Bishnoi and Jawahar Singh Bedam.

Govt. Sanctions Rs. 1,170 crore for Road Projects in Ladakh

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the government has sanctioned Rs. 1,170.16 crore for 29 road projects in Ladakh.
Moreover, as part of the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme for the fiscal year 2023-24, an additional Rs. 181.71 crore was earmarked specifically for the construction of eight bridges in Ladakh.
One of the primary objectives of these initiatives is to improve connectivity to Ladakh's remote villages. Gadkari emphasised that the approved projects are expected to bring about a transformative change by linking isolated areas, thus fostering socio-economic development in the region.
The infusion of funds into road projects is anticipated to stimulate economic activities, with a particular focus on sectors like agriculture and tourism. Ladakh, known for its breathtaking landscapes and unique culture, stands to benefit from increased accessibility, potentially attracting more tourists.

Lalan Singh Quits, Nitish Kumar Elected New JDU President

Months ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the president of the Janata Dal (United) at the party's national executive meeting held in Delhi, after incumbent president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh stepped down.
Singh had taken over as the party's national president on July 31, 2021.
The change of guard came amid speculation of an internal rift in the party, and a growing distance between Singh and Kumar, though the JD(U) is publicly framing Mr. Kumar's takeover as an attempt to make the party more effective and assertive in its negotiations with allies in the INDIA bloc ahead of the 2024 general election.

Dec 30, 2023

Kerala CM Unveils Board for Transparent PSU Hiring

Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the Kerala Public Enterprises (Selection and Recruitment) Board, a pivotal step toward enhancing transparency and efficiency in the recruitment processes of public sector units (PSUs). This establishment, located at Vellayambalam, would play a crucial role in identifying and appointing capable candidates within state-run entities.
The primary objective of the newly inaugurated board is to streamline the selection process for competent individuals, initially focusing on public sector units under the Department of Industries and Commerce. Moreover, it opens its services to PSUs from other departments, aiming to bolster the overall effectiveness of public sector institutions in the state.

Hemant Soren's Announcement on Old-Age Pension in Jharkhand

On completion of four years of his government, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren announcement that the government has reduced the qualifying age for old-age pension for tribals and Dalits to 50 years from the previous 60 years and 75% of jobs will be reserved for locals in companies that set up offices in the state.

Ayodhya Airport Renamed Maharishi Valmiki Airport

The airport in Ayodhya inaugurated on December 30, 2023, was renamed 'Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhyadham'. The airport was named after the legendary poet Valmiki who is celebrated as the author of the epic Ramayana.
The airport was earlier called the 'Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport'.
The new terminal building, spanning 6,500 square meters, is designed to accommodate 600 peak-hour passengers, with an annual handling capacity of 10 lakh passengers.

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