Daily GK Updates - 16th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 16TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES

I.  Rakesh Sahni appointed as the Chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority.

II. AP government formed one-member panel to probe Rajamundry stampede during Godavari MahaPushkaram: Rajamundry was in news as the Andhra Pradesh Government formed one member committee to probe stampede incident that killed 27 people on the 1^st day of Godavari MahaPushkaram.

III. Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to withdraw MRVTMW Bill 2015: The Manipur Regulations of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) was withdrawn in the one-day special session of the state legislature as people were sceptical about the effectiveness of the bill to protect indigenous communities of the state.

IV. On the World Youth Skills Day, Union Government launched Skill India Campaign: The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship rolled out the flagship scheme ‘PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY). A ‘Model Skill Loan Scheme’ was also launched by PM Modi where loans  from 5000 to 1.5 lakhs will be available to 34 lakh youth of India who seek to attend skill development programmes in the next 5 years.

V. Union Agriculture Ministry launched PGS-India, Soil Health Card and FQCS Web Portals: Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched the Soil Health Card portal, Fertilizer quality control system portal and Participatory Guarantee System-India portal.

VI. Supreme Court termed National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy as unreasonable and irrational: It asked the Department of Pharmaceuticals of Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer to pass a reasoned order on the issue within 6 months after hearing all parties concerned.

VII. Remnants of India’s one of the oldest ports discovered in Goa: Scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography discovered the remnants of a historically important port on Goa’s Zuari River which is expected to one of the oldest signs of human trade on the central west coast.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  World Youth Skills Day observed globally: The day was observed globally for the 1^st ever time on 15^th July with the theme ‘Youth Skills for Work and Life in the post-2015 agenda. The theme is in line with the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

II.  World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published New Guidelines for aspects of Anti-doping programming.

III. As per the recent report by the United Nations, there is 35% drop in new HIV infections.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. RBI constituted Deepak Mohanty Committee on Medium-term path on Financial Inclusions: The 14 member committee headed by RBI Executive Director Deepak Mohantywill work out a 5-year action plan for financial inclusions.

II. According to the Commerce and Industry Ministry, Foreign Direct Investment has increased by 48% after the launch of Make in India Campaign.

III. SIDBI and Snapdeal sign MoU to provide financial held to India’s MSMEs.

IV. Yes Bank has received approval from the RBI to set up IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in Gujarat International Financial Tech-City (GIFT)

AWARDS:

V. Noted Artist H.S Raza Conferred Highest French Civilian Honour: He has been given the ‘Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur’ in acknowledgement of his peerless achievements transcending all boundaries, the lasting ties he has forged between India and France, and his continuing artistic quest straddling nations, cultures, religions and philosophies.

VI. IOC bags top honour at Petrofed Awards 2015: State owned Indian Oil Corporation bagged the Oil and Marketing Company of the Year award, the Human Resources Management Company of the Year award. It also got the Leading Oil and Gas Corporate of the Year award for the 4^th time in 8 years.