Daily GK Updates - 29th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Govt launches Swachh Swasth Sarvatra initiative: Government of India launched Swachh Swasth Sarvatra initiative, aiming at strengthening health centres in open defecation-free blocks. 

2. Cabinet approves ordinance to make possession of old notes penal offence: The Cabinet has approved promulgation of an Ordinance to make possession of a large number of scrapped banknotes a penal offence making holding of old 1,000 and 500 rupee notes after March 31st 2017 beyond a threshold amount a criminal offence.

3.Important Cabinet Approvals:28 December 2016: Cabinet Approves Ordinance to Penalize Person with Scrapped Notes Post March 31. Cabinet Approves Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas.

4. India Signs Agreement with Bhutan for green and sustainable construction: India has signed an agreement with Bhutan for assistance in green and sustainable construction of infrastructure in the Himalayan kingdom. 

5. Former IAS officer Anil Baijal to be next Delhi Lt Governor: Anil Baijal has replaced Najeeb Jung as the next Delhi Lt Governor. Baijal, a 1969-batch IAS officer, served as home secretary in the AtalBihari Vajpayee government. 

6. Centre approves Rs 266 crore investments for Delhi under AMRUT: The Central Govt of India has approved investments of Rs266 crore rupees for improving water supply and sewerage networks in Delhi.

7. Haryana Government to set up country’s first Caterpillar Train: Haryana Government has decided to set up a pilot corridor for an innovative concept of 'Caterpillar Train' that will fly over city’s traffic, in Gurgaon city.

8. SP Vaid appointed as new J&K police chief: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has cleared the appointment of 1986 batch IPS officer Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, Special DG, Coordination and Law and Order, as new Director General of Police. 

9.Rajasthani writer Satya Narayan chosen for BihariPuraskar: Eminent Rajasthani writer Satya Narayan has been chosen for the 26th BihariPuraskar, 2016 by the K K Birla Foundation.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. South Indian Bank has introduced a full-fledged NRI-focused mobile banking app: South Indian Bank has introduced a full-fledged NRI-focused mobile banking application called SIB Mirror+ across major mobile platforms. 

SPORTS:

2.Meghalaya to host National Games 2022: After successfully co-hosting the 12th South Asian Games with Assam early in 2016, Meghalaya has now got the opportunity to hold the National Games 2022 with its 50 years of statehood.

3. Serbian Ana Ivanovic announces retirement from Tennis

OBITUARIES:

4. Veteran BJP leader and two-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister SunderlalPatwa passed away after a brief illness. 92-year-old Patwa, a former union minister, died due to a heart attack. 

5. Vera Rubin, who transformed modern physics and astronomy with her observations showing that galaxies and stars are immersed in the gravitational grip of vast clouds of dark matter, died at 88.