Daily GK Updates - 6th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet gives not to UDAY Scheme for financial restructuring package for power DISCOMs: Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has given its nod to Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY) for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution companies.

2. Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belgium for Energy: It has approved a MoU which has been signed between Indian and Belgian government authorities at the Federal and regional level for cooperation in development of new and renewable energy technologies.

3. MP Government proposed 1656 crore rupees AMRUT Action Plan: The MP Government proposed to improve basic infrastructure relating to water supply, sewerage network services, storm water drainage, urban transport and parks and green services.

4. CCEA hiked Minimum Support Prices for Rabi Crops of 2015-16 season: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) hiked the minimum support prices for Rabi crops of 2015-16. It was done on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for the price policy for rabi crops. The commission also decided to give a bonus of 75 rupees per quintal for rabi pulses.

5. 21^st INCOFYRA to be organised in Bengaluru in 2016: The 21^st International Conference on Frontiers in Yoga Research and Its Applications (INCOFYRA) will be held from 3 to 7 January 2016 at PrashantiKutiram, Bengaluru. The summit will be organised by the Vivekananda Yoga AnusandhanaSansthana. The theme of the conference is ‘Yoga in integrated healthcare systems’.

6. Rajasthan Government launched the Agro-Processing and Agri-Marketing Promotion Policy 2015: The policy seeks to promote agro-processing and to reduce post-harvest losses at the farm gate.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tanzania’s first female Vice President SamiaSuluhu sworn in: She was sworn in along with the new President John PombeMagufuli at the swearing-in ceremony held in the country’s economic capital Dar es Salaam.

2. Bosnia and Serbian Governments held first joint session post-Bosnian War in Saravejo: The aim of the session was to improve their relations and contribute to the stabilization of the Western Balkans. The two governments signed cooperation agreements on finding missing persons, telecommunications, protection of cultural heritage and sustainable development.

3. Maldives Parliament voted to impeach Vice President Ahmed Adeeb: All 61 parliamentarian present voted in favour of the impeachment and none opposed in the 85-member house. Vice President Ahmed Adeeb is accused of plotting to kill the President Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

4. ‘India in Shanghai’ Cultural Week inaugurated at Shanghai: It was inaugurated at China Shanghai International Arts Festival (SIAF) at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI issued Uniform Guidelines on Internet Banking for Cooperative Banks: The Reserve Bank of India issued revised and uniform guidelines on internet banking for all licensed cooperative banks including Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Cooperative Banks and District Cooperative Banks.

SPORTS:

2. Ashwin fastest Indian to reach 150 Test wickets: RavichandranAshwin’s CV has another bullet point under the achievements column as he is now the fastest among Indian bowlers to reach the landmark of 150 Test wickets in 29 tests.

3. FIFA World Ranking 2015: Belgium topped for first time: The team rose from third to first after overtaking Argentina and world champions Germany.

AWARDS:

3. Veteran Actor VikramGokhale honoured with VishnudasBhave Award: Renowned film, television and stage actor VikramGokhale was conferred with the prestigiousVishnudasBhave Award.

OBITUARIES:

4. French intellectual Rene Girard passed away at the age of 91.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

5. The book titled ‘Rebooting India’ authored by NandanNilekani and Viral Shah has been released.