CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY 4, 2018
CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY 4, 2018
NATIONAL
Madhya Pradesh introduces tourism plan worth Rs 100 Crore
Government introduces a scheme worth Rs. 100 crore to ensure better facilities for the tourists visiting the state announced by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Minister Surendra Patwa.
The plan is aimed at providing better facilities for the people visiting the state. Religious tourism is increasing in the state and first priority will be given to all the religious places in the state.
Madhya Pradesh
Capital: Bhopal
Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor: Om Prakash Kohli
NABARD provides Rs 10,000 cr assistance to Odisha
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to Odisha till Q3. During the entire previous fiscal, the total assistance was Rs 14,715 crore. The NABARD has so far extended Rs 4,861 crore to cooperative banks for production of crops by about 3 million farmers in the state.
Since inception of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in 1995-96, the NABARD has sanctioned cumulative financial assistance of about Rs 19,950 crore to Odisha resulting in implementation of about 2.24 lakh projects.
Odisha
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
Governor: S.C. Jamir
Centre Released the Contours of ‘Electoral Bonds’ Scheme
The Centre released the contours of the ‘Electoral Bonds’ scheme, which seeks to ensure the flow of clean money to political parties. Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political parties. Electoral bond was announced in the Union Budget 2017-18.
As per the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the electoral bonds will be a bearer instrument in the nature of a Promissory Note and an interest-free banking instrument. A citizen of India or a body incorporated in India will be eligible to purchase the bond from specified branches of the State Bank of India.
The bonds can be purchased for any value in multiples of Rs1,000; Rs10,000; Rs1 lakh; Rs10 lakh; and Rs1 crore. The bonds will not carry the name of the payee and will be valid only for 15 days during which it can be used to make a donation only to certain political parties.
Largest B2B Travel Event ‘KITE’ in Karnataka
The Karnataka government announced that ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’ (KITE) will be held from February 28. It aims to improve the State’s visibility in the tourism market.
It is the “largest B2B travel event in India”, and it will provide a platform for over 400 registered buyers and media representatives from over 25 countries.The programme will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre.
Minister for Tourism, IT and BT (Karnataka): Priyank Kharge
Capital: Bengaluru
Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
Governor: Vajubhai Vala
Haryana to implement Integrated Solar Based Micro Irrigation scheme
The Haryana state government set to implement the integrated solar based micro irrigation scheme (ISBMI) in all districts of the State.
A committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) chairman.
At present, it is implemented on pilot basis in 14 different canal outlets spread over 13 districts of the state at a cost of Rs 24.65 crore. Solar based micro irrigation system would not only save electricity and water considerably but also prove to be economical for the farmers.
Agriculture Minister of Haryana: Om Prakash Dhankar
Haryana
Capital: Chandigarh
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki
INTERNATIONAL
India cancels Israel’s $500 million defence deal
India cancelled a $500-million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles with Israel. Rafael has received an official notification from India’s Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., known as RAFAEL or Rafael, is an Israeli defense technology company. The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.
Spike is an Israeli fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile.
Rafael
Headquarters: Haifa, Israel
CEO: Yedidya Ya’ari
Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
Currency: New shekel
India and UK inks Pact to Improve Public Transport
The government approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and UK to improve public transport in the country. The MoU was signed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(India) and ‘Transport for London’, a statutory body established under the Greater London Authority Act, 1999 (UK).
The MoU is aimed at improving the overall public transport system, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India. It also strengthens the integrated public transport for all.
Six Countries Enter UN Security Council
Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and the Netherlands formally joined the ranks of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
The UN Security Council has fifteen members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to reject resolutions – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Recently, six countries left the UN Security Council. The countries are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.
India ties up with Israel on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel on cooperation in the Oil and Gas Sector.
The MoU is expected to boost India – Israel ties in the energy sector. The agreement will facilitate promotion of investments in each other’s countries, technology transfer, R&D, conducting joint studies, capacity building of human resources and collaboration in the area of Start-ups.
BUSINESS
HDFC Bank ties up with Rajasthan Government
HDFC Bank has announced a partnership with Rajasthan Government to promote startups in the state. Under this partnership, HDFC Bank will join with the state government to provide end-to-end solutions like current accounts, credit cards and other solutions to startups.
The MoU was signed between Akhil Arora, principal Secretary – IT and Communication, Government of Rajasthan and Smita Bhagat, Head – Branch Banking, Government Business and Ecommerce at HDFC Bank.
HDFC Bank
Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Aditya Puri
Tagline: We understand your world.
APPOINTMENTS
Rajinder Khanna appointed as deputy NSA
Rajinder Khanna, former chief of the country’s external intelligence agency RAW,has been appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser. He replaced Arvind Gupta who has completed his tenure in August 2017.
The NSC, headed by Modi with national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval as secretary, is the apex body on internal and external security matters.
SPORTS
India-South Africa Test series named as “Freedom Series”
The upcoming three-Test series between India and hosts South Africa has been named as “Freedom Series.” A specially designed Freedom Series Trophy Podium will also commemorate the landmark series.
The Freedom Series was felt by both nations to be a more fitting name in recognition of South Africa’s and India’s shared history of winning freedom through non-violence.
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