Daily GK Updates - 23rd March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SpiceJet becomes first Indian low-cost airline to join IATA :  SpiceJet has joined global airlines’ grouping International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a member, becoming the first Indian low-cost carrier to get the membership. The IATA represents more than 290 airlines, including Air India, Jet Airways and Vistara.The IATA membership is significant on account of SpiceJet’s plans for rapidly expanding its international footprint. SpiceJet is the first Indian low-cost carrier to be an IATA member and fifth member of IATA in India.

2. Indian Air Force to participate in ‘LIMA 2019’ : Indian Air Force will participate in Langkawi International Maritime Aero Expo ‘LIMA 2019’ in Langkawi, Malaysia (26th to 30th March 2019). Indian Air Force is participating in the Expo for the first time and it will showcase its indigenously developed LCA fighter aircraft. It will provide an opportunity to air-warriors to interact with their Royal Malaysian Air Force counterparts and foster close relationship between the two services. This will also serve as a foundation for any future interaction with the Malaysian Air Force.

3. Indian Statistical Institute presents a report on VVPAT sample size to EC : Indian Statistical Institute presented its report on the sample size of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slip counting to the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. According to the commission, it had engaged the Indian Statistical Institute to systematically analyse and scientifically examine the issue of VVPAT Slip verification with an electronic count of the Electronic Voting Machines. The report submitted by the expert committee will now be examined by the Commission.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.World Meteorological day :  The United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around 23rd March to remember the World Meteorological Organization's establishment on that date in 1950. The theme of WMD 2019 is ‘The Sun, the Earth and the Weather’.

2. Finland tops Global Happiness Index for the second straight year :  As per UN World Happiness Report, Finland has been ranked tops as the happiest country in the world for the second year. The report was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations on March 20 which was declared as World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012. Indian figures at 140^th place(seven spots down from last year) on this year's UN World Happiness Report.The report ranks countries on six key variables that support well-being: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

3. Google unveils Stadia:a video-game streaming platform :  Google unveiled a video-game streaming platform ‘Stadia’, positioning itself to take on the traditional video-game business. The platform will store a game-playing session in the cloud and lets players jump across devices operating on Google's Chrome browser and Chrome OS, such as Pixel phones and Chromebooks. Google made the announcement at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Fitch cuts India GDP growth forecast for FY20 to 6.8% :  According to Credit rating agency ‘Fitch’, India’s economic growth forecast for the next financial year starting April 1, to 6.8% from its previous estimate of 7%. Fitch Ratings cut India’s FY19 GDP growth forecast to 7.2% from 7.8% on December 6. The rating agency has also cut growth forecasts for FY20 and FY21 to 7% from 7.3% and 7.1 per cent from 7.3%, respectively.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SBI inks pact with Bank of China :  The State bank of India (SBI) has signed a pact with the Bank of China (BoC) to boost business opportunities. Through this pact, both SBI and BoC will gain direct access to their respective markets of operation. Both banks’ clients will be able to use the vast combined network to expand their businesses abroad. According to SBI, it has a branch in Shanghai and BoC is opening its branch in Mumbai.

SPORTS:

 1. Indian Premier League-12 to kick off in Chennai : The Indian Premier League (12th- edition) has begun with Defending Champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led by Mahindra Singh Dhoni and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) led by Virat Kohli in the season's opening clash at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.A total of eight teams will be playing in IPL 2019 (like the last edition). The teams are Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad.The former franchise of 'Delhi Daredevils’ was renamed to 'Delhi Capitals’ for the new season.

2. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 Men's Hockey tournament begins in Ipoh : The Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup Men's Hockey tournament(28th edition) has begun in Ipoh, Malaysia (23rdto 30th March 2019). Indian men's hockey team take on Japan (Asian Games gold medallist) in their opening encounter. Six nations (Malaysia, Canada, Poland, Japan and Korea) are taking part in the 8-day tournament which will be held in a round-robin format Australia (defending champions) is not playing in this edition of the tournament.

3.  FIFA bans former Ecuador football chief for life :  FIFA slapped a lifetime ban on the disgraced former head of Ecuador's football federation, Luis Chiriboga, after finding him guilty of taking bribes. Chiriboga was one of the executives arrested in 2015 amid a massive US-led crackdown on corruption in world football.FIFA's ethics judges banned Chiriboga from all football-related activities for life and fined him 1 million Swiss francs.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Bihar celebrates its 107th foundation day  : Bihar is celebrating its 107th foundation day, a number of programmes have been organized throughout the state on the occasion. Bihar Diwas (Bihar Day) is observed every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. It was on this day when the British carved out the state from Bengal Presidency in 1912.

2. EC appoints Shailendra Handa & Madhu Mahajan as Special Expenditure Observers :  Election Commission has appointed two eminent former Civil Servants Shailendra Handa and Ms. Madhu Mahajan as Special Expenditure Observers for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Shailendra Handa has been deployed in Maharashtra and Madhu Mahajan has been deployed in Tamil Nadu. Both officers have rich experience of working in Investigation Wing of I.T Department and have supervised many successful search and seizure actions unearthing tax evasion in complicated cases. The Special Observers will supervise and monitor the work being done by the electoral machinery.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.The World Water Day being observed :  World Water Day is being observed every year on 22nd March to raise awareness about the importance of water. The theme of this year is ‘Leaving no one behind’.This is an adaptation of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit. there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home.

2. India, Sri Lanka joint exercise 'Mitra Shakti-VI' to commence from 26th March : India and Sri Lanka will conduct a joint exercise 'Mitra Shakti' in Sri Lanka from 26th March to 8th April for the year 2018-19. It is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of two nations. The exercise will involve tactical level operations in an international counter-terrorism environment under United Nations mandate.

3. Mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck becomes 1st woman to Win Abel Prize : University of Texas professor Karen Uhlenbeck (76-year) has become the first woman to win the Abel Prize, a mathematics honour first given in 2003. She was awarded for the impact of her work on “analysis, geometry and mathematical physics”. Modelled after the Nobel Prize, the Abel Prize is presented by the King of Norway and carries cash award USD 700,000. The award was awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo.

4.  Kazakhstan renames its capital Astana to Nursultan : Kazakhstan has renamed its capital Astana to Nursultan to honour outgoing leader Nursultan Nazarbayev(78-years), served nearly 30 years as president of the nation. Mr Tokayev was sworn in as president some 24 hours after Mr Nazarbayev's surprise resignation. He will serve for the remainder of the presidential term which expires in April 2020.

OTHER UPDATES:

OBITUARIES:

1. AIADMK MLA R Kanagaraj passes away :  sitting AIADMK MLA from Sulur constituency, R Kanagaraj (66 years) passed away due to cardiac arrest at Sulur near Coimbatore. He was first-time MLA (AIADMK)from Sulur constituency.Several leaders have offered their condolences to his family for his demise.

Daily GK Updates - 21st March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Parsis celebrate their New Year’s Day, Navroz : Parsis in India & abroad are celebrating their New year's ‘Navroz’ with great enthusiasm. Parsis in Mumbai are visiting nearby Agiaries to offer special Tehveel-e-Navroz prayers on the occasion of Navroz. Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) in the Iranian calendar.

2. Aamir Khan appointed the Brand Ambassador of PhonePe :  PhonePe (UPI based payment app company) has appointed Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as its Brand Ambassador. PhonePe is one of India’s fastest growing payment platform and is based on UPI.  It is headquartered in Bengaluru.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.21st March: International Day of Forests :  The United Nations General Assembly designated 21st March as the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. This global celebration of forests provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of woodlands, trees, and celebrate the ways in which they sustain and protect us.

2. 21st March: World Down Syndrome Day : The World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), (Schrage Day), is celebrated on 21st March to raise public awareness for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. The global theme for 2019 is “Leave no one behind”.

3. 21st March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination : The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21st March to remind people about the negative consequences of racial discrimination. The theme of 2019 is Mitigating and countering rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies. The United Nations General Assembly called for the day in 1966 to encourage people to remember their obligation and determination to combat racial discrimination.

4.  21st March: World Poetry Day :  World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21st March to promote the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry throughout the world. A decision to proclaim 21st March as World Poetry Day was adopted during UNESCO’s 30th session held in Paris in 1999.

Daily GK Updates - 20th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Gauri Sawant becomes first transgender election ambassador : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra. According to the Election Commission, Gauri Sawant's appointment would help in more people from this category getting registered during the final phase of voter’s enrolment. Following the Supreme Court order, transgenders got the right to vote for the first time in 2014.In 2019, 2,086 (2014-918 voters) were registered in this third category.

2. Indian writer Raghu Karnad wins Windham-Campbell Prize :  An Indian journalist, author and chief of The Wire, ‘Raghu Karnad’ received the prestigious Windham-Campbell Literature prize (USD 165,000) for non-fiction category. He is the son of Girish Karnad(actor, film director, Kannada writer). He won the award for his debut book, ‘Farthest Field: An Indian story of Second World War’ published in the year 2015.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pune-based firm developing software to operate the world’s largest ground telescope in Hawaii :  A Pune-based IT firm is developing software for the world’s largest ground-based telescope ‘Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT)’, likely to come up on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The telescope is being constructed jointly by India, US, China, Japan and Canada and is likely to become operational in the mid-2020s.India is building the telescope’s complex optical structure, called the Segment Support Assembly (SSA).

2. International Day of Happiness being observed :  The 'International Day of Happiness' is celebrated throughout the world on the 20th of March. The day was founded by United Nations adviser ‘Jayme Illien’ on June 28, 2012.

3. Kazakhstan President resigns after nearly 30 years in power : Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev (78-year) has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. Mr Nazarbayev had ruled the country since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. GST council approves transition plan for new GST rates on residential properties :  GST council approved a transition plan for new goods and services tax rates on residential properties under which developers of under-construction buildings may either opt to shift to the revised lower rates without input tax credit or stick to the previous rates. For housing projects launched on or after the first of April this year, the developers will have to adhere to the new GST rates recommended by the council last month.

DEFENCE:

1. Indian Army holds Military Exercise with 17 African Nations  : The Indian Army began a 10-day military exercise with armed forces of 17 African nations ‘AFINDEX-19’ at Aundh Military Station, Pune (Maharashtra).A flypast by a set of Advanced Light Helicopters and Cheetah Helicopter of the Indian Army carrying the flags of United Nations, India and the AFINDEX was the highlight of the opening ceremony.The countries participating in the inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) include Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Benin and Botswana.

SPORTS:

1. India won 188 medals at Special Olympics World Games :  India has won a total of 188 medals (50 gold, 63 silver and 75 bronze) at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the women’s singles event, Anu Chennekota’s won her maiden Special Olympics World Games gold in the 16-21 years’ division-3 category, another Indian Sabita Yadav won a singles gold in division-4 category and Reshma Shaikh claimed silver following a narrow loss to Sabita in the final.

OBITUARIES:

1. Famed Economist Alan Krueger passes away : Former White House economist and Princeton University professor Alan Krueger (58-years) passed away. Mr. Krueger served as chief economist at the Department of Labor under President Bill Clinton and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2013 under former President Barack Obama.

Daily GK Updates - 19th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa Chief Minister : BJP leader Pramod Sawant (46-years) was sworn-in as the new Chief Minister (11th) of Goa. Goa Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Sawant. He succeeded Manohar Parrikar, who died on Sunday after a prolonged battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. Mr. Sawant (former Speaker) represents Sankhalim constituency in Goa Assembly. Sudin (alias Ramkrishna Dhavlikar) of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.

2. Santosh Jha appointed new ambassador of India to Uzbekistan : According to Ministry of External Affairs press release, Santosh Jha (Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer: the 1993 batch) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, Mr Santosh Jha is the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Washington.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Recycling into the Future”- Global Recycling Day 2019 : Global Recycling Day 2019 was celebrated on 18th March 2019 to encourage the world to think ‘resource not waste”.The theme of the global recycling day 2019 was “Recycling into the future”.Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet.

2. Cyclone Idai hits Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe : According to the UN and government officials, ‘Cyclone Idai’ has affected more than 1.5 million people in the three southern African countries Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.Cyclone Idai’ killed nearly 150 people, left hundreds more missing and stranded tens of thousands who are cut off from roads and telephones in mainly poor, rural areasHardest hit is Mozambique’s central port city of Beira where the airport is closed, electricity is out and many homes have been destroyed.

3. 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership begins in New Delhi : The three-day 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships have been started on in New Delhi.More than 31 ministers from 21 African countries and business delegates from 37 countries are participating in the event.The discussion revolved around two key themes: digital infrastructure and digital skills.It will pave the way for a whole range of cross-border project partnerships.

OTHER UPDATES 

SPORTS:

1.India's Irfan KT qualifies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics : India's Irfan KT qualified for next year's Tokyo Olympics. He made the cut after finishing fourth at the Asian Race-Walking Championship at Nomi in Japan. Irfan clocked 1 hour 20 minutes and 57 seconds in the 20-kilometre walk to attain the standard qualifying mark for the Olympics. He also ensured a berth in the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship in Doha that begins in September.

2. Bengaluru FC crowned ISL champions for the first time : Bengaluru FC won the 2018-19 edition of the Indian Super League which was also their maiden triumph defeating FC Goa 1-0 in the final. FC Goa's Ferran Corominas (16 goals) wins the Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 Golden Boot Award. Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wins the Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 Golden Glove Award. Bengaluru FC is owned and operated by the Mumbai–based JSW Group and its managing director Sajjan Jindal.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran Journalist Darryl D’Monte passes away : Senior journalist and environmental activist Darryl D’Monte (74-years) passed away in Mumbai after a brief illness.He served as the resident editor of Mumbai editions of The Times of India and The Indian Express.He was the founder-president of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ) in Dresden, Germany, in 1993.Besides a career in journalism, he had a keen interest in environmental issues and took some initiatives for the cause.

Daily GK Updates - 18th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Expert panel to review OBC ‘creamy layer’ criteria after 26 years :  The Centre has constituted an expert committee to “revisit the criteria” for determining the “creamy layer” for OBCs which was laid down in 1993. After 26 years, ministry of social justice, on March 8, set up a panel headed by retired GOI secretary BP Sharma, with “terms of reference” which sound radical in their breadth and scope. The committee will “revisit the criteria evolved by the Prasad committee” and give recommendations for “redefining, simplifying and streamlining the concept of creamy layer” while keeping in view the SC’s observations in Indira Sawhney case.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Guinea PM Arrives In Delhi On 10-Day Visit To India :  Prime Minister of Guinea Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana arrived in New Delhi on a ten-day official visit to India. During the visit, Mr Fofona called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.He also had a meeting with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. Mr. Fofona addressed the inaugural session of 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Partnership Project in New Delhi.

2. 'Vijit' Becomes 1st Indian Coast Guard Ship To Visit Indonesia : Highlighting the close maritime proximity between India and Indonesia, Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Vijit' became the first-ever Coast Guard ship to visit Sabang, Indonesia.  During its maiden voyage, officers and crew of Vijit will hold interaction with officials of Bakamla (Indonesian Coast Guard), Indonesian Armed Forces and the civil administration at Sabang, read a press release from Indian embassy in Jakarta.

3. India & Afghanistan Signed an MOU On Digital Education Initiatives: The Ministry of Human Resource Development has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Afghanistan government to work on digital education initiatives, which include many prominent programs developed by Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The MoU was signed at IIT-Madras. This collaboration hopes to contribute to bilateral relations and beget mutual benefits for the two countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Tata, Reliance And Airtel Emerge Best Indian Brands Of 2019 : Tata, Reliance, and Airtel emerged as the top three Indian brands of 2019, according to a report published by Interbrand, part of the Omnicom Media Group.Tata continued to hold the top position in the best Indian Brands ranking as its brand value grew by 6%, mainly due to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Knocking Airtel off from the 2nd spot, Reliance's brand value grew by 12%, bolstered by the success of Jio. Airtel stood at number 3.

SPORTS:

1. 8-yr-old Diksha 2nd Indian Golfer To Win Ladies European Tour : 18-year-old Diksha Dagar has become the second Indian to win an event on Ladies European Tour after clinching South African Women's Open in Cape Town. Aditi Ashok was the first Indian to win on the Ladies European Tour after clinching Hero Women's Indian Open in Gurugram in 2016.

Daily GK Updates - 17th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Goa CM Manohar Parrikar passes away :  Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar (63-years) passed away in Panaji on 17th March 2019 after a prolonged illness. Parrikar was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment in February last year. Since then, he received treatment at various hospitals across Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and the US.

The popular leader would be remembered for his efforts in infrastructure and education development in the state and bringing the International Film Festival of India to Goa in 2004. for his role as the union defence minister and his dynamism

2.  Former SC Judge Justice PC Ghose to be India's first Lokpal :  Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose is set to be India's first anti-corruption ombudsman of India. His name was finalised and recommended by the Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and eminent jurist Mukul Rohatgi. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who is part of the committee, did not attend the meeting. His was among the top 10 names shortlisted by the Lokpal Search Committee. Justice Ghose's appointment has come nearly five years after the Lokpal Act was notified on January 16, 2014.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival held in New Delhi :  The 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival was held in New Delhi The festival aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and increasing cultural exchange between India and Thailand. Along with the traditional Thai cuisines, the Namaste Thailand festival featured a series of Thai craft activities which include mulberry paper mini umbrella making, fan painting, body paint, and button badge making.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Fresh NPAs to moderate in FY'20-ICRA :  According to the ratings firm Icra; fresh NPAs in the banking sector are expected to moderate to 1.9 to 2.4 perc ent in FY'20.

Icra expects gross NPAs of the banking sector to 8.3 lakh crore or 7.9 per cent for March 2020, as compared to estimated 9.2 per cent as of March 2019. Icra has revised the ratings outlook of four public sector banks from negative to stable including, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab National Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce. It revised upward, the outlook for IDBI Bank from negative to ‘Rating watch with developing implications’.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SBI, ICICI, HDFC Bank to remain as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)-RBI : SBI, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank continue to be in the Reserve Bank of India’s list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) for 2018. The Reserve Bank of India released the list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) on 14th March 2019. As per the notification, SBI, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank continue to be identified as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), under the same bucketing structure as last year.

2. J&K Bank to sell a stake in PNB Metlife for  185 cr :  Jammu and Kashmir Bank said it proposes to sell its stake in PNB Metlife India to private equity player Oman India Joint Investment Fund II for ₹ 185 crore. According to the J&K Bank, bank has executed share purchase agreement with Oman India Joint Investment Fund II for sale of 4.1 crore shares of PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd. Jammu and Kashmir Bank holds 5 per cent stake in the insurance venture.

SPORTS:

1. Dominic Thiem beats Roger Federer to win Indian Wells title : Australia's Dominic Thiem defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final of the BNP Paribas Open in California. He defeated Federer 3-6,6-3,7-5 in the final. With this win he claim his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. With this win, Thiem is set to become fourth in the world rankings on Monday. It was his first win since September 2018.

OBITUARIES:

1.  Former Minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy dead : Former Member of Parliament and State minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy (68-years) passed away in Kadapa. He was the younger brother of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) and uncle of YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He won Pulivendula assembly constituency twice (in 1989 and 1994) and represented Kadapa Lok Sabha in the parliament twice In 2009, he was elected as MLC and given the portfolio of Agriculture after YSR passed away in Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet.