DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 31 DEC 2015
(Daily News India)
1. LAXMI RATAN SHUKLA
ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM ALL FORMS OF CRICKET
i. Laxmi Ratan Shukla former Indian
cricketer announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
ii. He had a wonderful domestic career
for Bengal which lasted for around 18 years since his first class debut.
iii. He was the brightest performer as
Bengal won its first Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2012.
iv. He also played for IPL franchises
Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
2. ICONIC
MARATHI POET MANGESH KESHAV PADGAONKAR PASSED AWAY
i. Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar Marathi
poet and Padma Bhushan recipient Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar passed away after a
long illness.
ii. He penned University of Pune's
theme song Punyamayee De Amha Akshar Vardaan.
iii. Some of his famous Marathi songs
are Ya Jaganyawar Shatada Prem Karawe, Bhatukalichya Khelamadhali and Shukratara
Mand Wara.
3. RUSSIA
TIED UP WITH HAL TO MANUFACTURE KAMOV 226T HELICOPTERS
i. Russia's Rostech State Corporation tied up with Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited to manufacture at least 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters.
ii. The Kamov will replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak.
iii. Kamov Ka-226 is a small, twin-engined Russian utility
helicopter.
4. UNION
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2015-2020
i. Union Government has launched
National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020 to establish India as a
world-class bio-manufacturing hub.
ii. It was released by the Union
Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi.
iii. NBDS intends to launch a major
mission under the Make in India programme backed with significant investments
for the creation of new biotech products.
iv. It will also help to create a
strong infrastructure for Research & Development, commercialization and
also empower India’s human resources scientifically and technologically.
6. CIVIL
AVIATION MINISTRY GAVE CLEARANCE FOR FOUR GREENFIELD AIRPORTS
i. The Civil Aviation Ministry gave
clearance for four greenfield airports.
ii. The 3 airports will be located in
Andhra Pradesh and one international airport in Gujarat.
iii. Greenfield Airport means a to set
up a new Airport starting from the scratch in an unused land.
7. RBI
RELEASED REPORT OF DEEPAK MOHANTY COMMITTEE ON MEDIUM-TERM PATH ON FINANCIAL
INCLUSION
i. The Reserve Bank of India released
the Report of the Committee on Medium-term Path on Financial Inclusion.
ii. The committee was formed with the
objective of working out a medium-term measurable action plan for financial
inclusion.
iii. The committee was headed by RBI
Executive Director Deepak Mohanty.
iv. The committee has recommended:
a.
Banks have to make special efforts to step up account opening for females
b.
The Government may consider a deposit scheme for the girl child – Sukanya
Shiksha - as a welfare measure.
c.
Encourage multiple guarantee agencies to provide credit guarantees in
niche areas for micro and small enterprises.
d.
Corporates should be encouraged to nurture SHGs as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibility initiatives.
8. LRSAM
BARAK 8 MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TESTED FROM INS KOLKATA
i. India and Israel jointly developed
Long Range Surface to Air Missile Barak 8 was successfully test fired from INS
Kolkata.
ii. The trial of the LR SAM has been
jointly carried out by the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development
Organisation and Israel Aerospace Industries.
iii. LRSAM Barak 8 missile in Hebrew
language means Lightning.
iv. Barak 8 missile is an advanced,
long-range missile defence and air defence system.
9. REPORT
OF VIJAY KELKAR COMMITTEE ON REVISITING & REVITALIZING PPP MODEL RELEASED
i. The Union Ministry of Finance released
the report on Revisiting and Revitalising Public Private Partnership Model.
ii. The committee was headed by former
Finance Secretary Vijay.
iii. The committee was formed to review
the working of PPP Policy and to suggest measures to improve capacity building
in Government for their effective implementation.
iv. The committee has recommended PPP
model is required for India to grow rapidly and generate a demographic dividend.
v. The committee advised against
adopting PPP structures for very small projects
vi. The Committee recommended the
government to issue guidelines on the applicability of RTI act and auditing of
financial related matters in order to avoid any delays in public asset
provision.
