General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2019

Aug 2019

Dec 31, 2024

Haryana Hikes DCRG Limit by 25%

The Haryana government, under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, made several significant decisions to enhance employee benefits, improve governance, and address public concerns. The decisions were announced after a state cabinet meeting, including increases in gratuity limits, updates to development charges policies, and reforms in public service exams.
The Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) limit for state government employees was raised by 25%.
New limit: Rs. 25 lakh (up from Rs. 20 lakh), effective January 1, 2025.
Judicial officers are also included in the gratuity enhancement.
Aim: To provide greater financial security to employees and their families.

Gujarat CM Launches SWAR Platform to Bridge Language Barriers

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the SWAR (Speech and Written Analysis Resource) platform, aiming to enhance communication and accessibility for citizens by overcoming language barriers. This citizen-centric initiative aligns with the state's continuous efforts to improve ease of living. The platform, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Bhashini Team, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to make government services more inclusive.
The platform utilizes Bhashini, an AI system, enabling seamless speech recognition, especially for citizens facing language or technical barriers.

Dec 29, 2024

PM Modi Chairs 45th PRAGATI Meeting to Review National Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 45th meeting of PRAGATI, an ICT-based platform aimed at ensuring the timely implementation of government initiatives through collaboration between the Central and State governments.
During the session, eight projects were reviewed, including six Metro Urban Transport projects and one project each focusing on road connectivity and thermal power. The total cost of these projects, spanning various states and union territories, exceeds Rs. 1 lakh crore.
The Prime Minister underscored the impact of project delays, citing cost escalations and delays in public access to the intended benefits. He called for enhanced efficiency at both Central and State levels to minimise delays.
The meeting also covered public grievances in the banking and insurance sectors. PM Modi acknowledged the reduced time in grievance resolution but called for attention to the quality of disposals.

Former Suzuki Motor Chairman Osamu Suzuki Passes Away

Osamu Suzuki, former chairman of Japan's Suzuki Motor, died. He was 94 years old. Suzuki led the company for more than 40 years, until he stepped down as chairman in 2021, transforming the Shizuoka-based company into a global automaker.

Arvind Kejriwal Inducts Bodybuilders, Wrestlers in AAP Ahead of Delhi Polls

Several sportspersons, including wrestlers and bodybuilders, joined the AAP in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal, giving a boost to the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls.
Kejriwal welcomed Tilakraj, Rohit Dalal and Akshay Dilawari, who are associated with sports and fitness, at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office and handed party scarves and caps to them.

Dec 28, 2024

Centre Forms Tribunal to Review ULFA's Status

The Centre set up an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to determine whether there is sufficient cause to declare the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), including all its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association.
The tribunal is headed by Justice Michael Zothankhuma of the Gauhati High Court.
The MHA decided to constitute the tribunal almost a month after it extended the ban on the ULFA for the next five years for its role in continuing to work to secede Assam from India and maintain links with other insurgent groups for extortion and violence.

Dec 27, 2024

BJP Got over Rs. 2,600 crore Donation in 2023-24: EC Reports

The ruling BJP received contributions of over Rs. 2,600 crore during 2023-24 while the opposition Congress got Rs. 281.38 crore in its kitty, according to contribution reports of the two parties put in public domain by the Election Commission (EC).
The donations listed in the reports were received till March 31, ahead of the Lok Sabha election. BJP had declared donations worth over Rs. 740 crore ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha poll, while the Congress had claimed to have received over Rs. 146 crore in 2018-19.

IIT Madras and Odisha Government Collaborate for Road Safety Innovations

IIT Madras' RBG Labs joined hands with the Government of Odisha to implement a data-driven, evidence-based approach to improving road safety in the state. This initiative focusses on reducing road accidents and fatalities through strategic interventions and stakeholder engagement.
The partnership is guided by RBG Labs' '5E Model and Transportation Safety Framework' (TSF), which integrates Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy to design impactful road safety solutions.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IIT Madras RBG Labs and Odisha's Commerce and Transport Department, led by Hon'ble Minister Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.

Dec 26, 2024

Manipur CS Named Higher Education Secretary

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the central government appointed new secretaries for higher education, revenue, and the department of personnel and training, among others.
The central government shifted Manipur Chief Secretary and a 1992-batch IAS officer Vineet Joshi to Delhi in his new role as Higher Education Department Secretary.

Defence Ministry Launches 'Rashtraparv' Website, Mobile App for Citizens

The Ministry of Defence launched the 'Rashtraparv' website and mobile app to provide citizens with easy access to information about national festivals organised by the ministry.
The initiative aims to keep the public informed about the events, ensuring they have all the necessary details to participate or learn more about the national celebrations facilitated by the Defence Ministry. The platform will offer a user-friendly experience, ensuring accessibility and real-time updates for users.

Arunish Chawla New Revenue Secretary, Neerja Sekhar Productivity Council Chief

Neerja Sekhar, a 1993-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, was appointed the Director General of National Productivity Council (NPC).
Sekhar was special secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before being appointed as NPC chief.
Arunish Chawla was appointed the revenue secretary in the finance ministry. He was secretary in the pharmaceutical department of the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers. He will continue to hold the additional charge of the secretary in the ministry of culture.
Rachna Sah appointed secretary in the department of personnel and training. She was earlier secretary in the textiles ministry.

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