Euro-2020 football tournament postponed by one year due to COVID-19 threat

1.Ordnance Factory Board foundation day: 18th March

The Ordnance Factory Board are observing their 219th foundation day on the 18th March 2020.The first Ordnance Factory, now known as the ‘Gun and Shell Factory’ Cossipore in Kolkata was established on this day.

From these beginnings the OFB has evolved into one of largest defence manufacturing conglomerates in the world with more than 90% of indigenous content and a strong technological and R&D infrastructure which currently contributes to 25% of revenue.

The highlight of the previous year, the handing over of “Dhanush” 155  X 42 artillery gun system to the Army, was followed this year by the dedication of the upgunned version of the 1950s vintage Russian 130mm to 150X45 calibre known as “Sharang” at the recently concluded DEFEXPO at Lucknow.

2.Govt approves Rs 7,660 cr green highway project in UP, 3 other states

The government has approved a proposal for the development of 780 km of national highways in four states at a cost of Rs 7,660 crore.This project will set new standards for green highway projects in the form of green cover, utilisation of reusable material in laying roads, etc.

The project investment includes Rs 3,500 crore assistance from the World Bank under Green National Highways Corridor Project (GNHCP).

The project pertains to rehabilitation and upgradation of various National Highways covering a total length of over 780 km in four states – Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, UttarPradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

The project comprises components like sustainable development and maintenance of National Highways, Institutional Capacity Enhancement, Road Safety and Research and Development.

3.Supreme Court clears permanent commission for women in Indian Navy

Maintaining that women and men officers should be treated equally, the Supreme Court cleared permanent commission for women in the Navy and asked the Centre to complete the modalities within three months.A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said, there cannot be any excuses for not granting gender equality in the armed forces.

The bench, also comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi, rejected the Centre’s stand that sea sailing duties cannot be granted to SSC (Short Service Commission) women officers in the Navy as its Russian vessels do not have washrooms for them.

4.Lok Sabha passes Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 through voice vote

The Lok Sabha passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 through voice vote.While introducing the bill, the Minister said that the amendments would fulfill the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This will enable the three regulatory bodies in the Civil Aviation sector in India, namely Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to become more effective, which will lead to enhancement in the level of safety and security of aircraft operations in the country.

5.Parliamentary panel reports annual post-harvest losses of Rs 61,000 crore in fisheries

A parliamentary panel has observed that the Fisheries Sector suffers from very high Post-harvest losses.It says that for Marine Fisheries the losses stand at 15,000 crore rupees and combined losses for both Marine and Inland Fisheries, the losses stand at 61 thousand crore rupees.

The possible causes for Post-harvest losses are faulty handling practices, inordinate delay in packing and transportation, lack of proper cold storage facilities, and lack of technological know-how for harvesting fishes.

6.Ravinder Singh Dhillon appointed PFC CMD

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared the appointment of Ravinder Singh Dhillon as Chairman and Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation (PFC).Dhillon has been cleared for appointment as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) in PFC with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post on or after June 1 till the date of his superannuation on May 31, 2023.

Power Finance Corporation Ltd. is an Indian financial institution.

Established in 1986, it is the financial backbone of Indian Power Sector.

7.ECI appoints Hirdesh Kumar new Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir

The Election Commission of India appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the new Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.He will replace Shailendra Kumar with effect from the date he assumes charge. 

Hridesh Kumar, a 1999 batch IAS officer is presently serving as Commissioner Secretary in the School Education Department of J&K.

8.Euro-2020 football tournament postponed by one year due to COVID-19 threat

The Euro-2020 football tournament has been postponed by one year until 2021 because of the Coronavirus pandemic.This was stated by the Norwegian Football Association.

It was decided that the tournament will now take place from 11th June to 11th of July next year.

The tournament was due to take place from 12th June to 12th of July this year at 12 venues across Europe.

9.French Open tennis tournament postponed till September

The French Open Tennis has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will take place from 20th September to 4th October.The Grand Slam event was to have taken place from 24th May to 7th June.

The new dates would mean the tournament would start just one week after the US Open, if that event remains in its scheduled slot.

10.Marathi actor Jairam Kulkarni passes away

Noted Marathi actor Jairam Kulkarni died due to old-age related ailments.Born in Barshi tehsil in Solapur district, Kulkarni had acted in more than 150 films, including ‘Chal Re Laxya Mumbaila’, ‘Ashi Hi Banwabanwi’, ‘Thartharat’, ‘Rangat Sangat’.

His last movie ‘Khel Aayushyacha’ was released recently.

Before embarking on a full-fledged career in acting, Kulkarni had worked in Akashwani in Pune where he came into contact with personalities from the fields of literature, theatre and film.

11.Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa passes away

Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Patil Puttappa passed away due to age-related ailments.Puttappa represented Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha for two terms.

He was also the first president of the Kannada Watchdog Committee and was also the founder-president of the Border Advisory Committee.

Fondly referred to as “PaPu”, Puttappa was the founder-editor of weekly “Prapancha” and also edited “Navayuga”.