CURRENT GK
1.Cabinet approves completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval to the proposal to complete the balance works of the North Koel Reservoir Project in Jharkhand and Bihar at an estimated expenditure of Rs.1622.27 crore to be incurred during three financial years from the start of the project.
The Cabinet also approved storage of water in dam restricted at lower level than envisaged earlier to reduce the submergence and to protect Betla National Park and Palamau Tiger Reserve.
2.India beat SL Test Series 2017 :-
India claimed their first ever 3-0 series win overseas, beating Sri Lanka in the third and the final Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele by an innings and 171 runs.
Earlier, India won the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle by 304 runs and the second by an innings and 53 runs in Colombo.
Hardik became the first Indian batsman to score 26 runs in an over in test match and surpassed the previous record of 24 runs which was scored by Sandeep Patil off Bob Willis in Manchester in 1982 and by Kapil Dev off Eddie Hemmings at Lord’s in 1990.
3.Union Cabinet approves new Metro Rail Policy; Focus on compact urban development, cost reduction and multi-modal integration :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved a new Metro Rail Policy that seeks to enable realization of growing metro rail aspirations of a large number of cities but in a responsible manner.
The policy opens a big window for private investments across a range of metro operations making PPP component mandatory for availing central assistance for new metro projects.
4.Government of India extended anti-dumping duty on import of Chinese chemicals for 5 years :-
The government has increased the anti-dumping duty imposed on the import of Chinese chemical compound PTFE by the government for five years. This chemical compound is used for non stick coating of pan and other cookware. The government has taken this decision to safeguard the domestic industry so that the security of domestic industries can be ensured.
The Department of Revenue has issued notification of dumping duty on polytaphyroeethylene (PTFE) from China for $ 2,637 per tonne.
- India Honours Its Bravehearts on 71st Independence Day :-
On the eve of 71st Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind honoured the bravehearts of India.
Kovind, who is also a Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had approved 112 gallantry awards to Armed Forces Personnel and members of Paramilitary Forces which includes five Kirti Chakras, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals, three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Five bravehearts who have awarded Kirti Chakra include Major Preetam Singh Kunwar of the Garhwal Rifles; Havildar Giris Gurung (Posthumous) from the First Gorkha Rifles; Major David Manlun (Posthumous), of the Naga Regiment; Pramod Kumar (Posthumous), Commandant, 49 Batallion, Central Reserve Police Force and Chetan Kumar Cheeta, Commandant, CRPF.
Kirti Chakra is the second highest gallantry award given to armed forces officials in peace time.
6.Modi-Trump decision taken after dialogue; US puts Hizbul on terror list :-
Now the US State Department has declared Hizbul Mujahideen as an international terrorist organization.
The Ministry gave this information on Wednesday. Hizbul Mujahideen’s gang leader Syed Salahuddin has declared US a terrorist two months ago. In 1989, the Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI, formed the Hizbul Mujahideen to open a fierce war against India in Kashmir.
7.North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre to be set up in Delhi: Dr. Jitendra Singh :-
The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that a North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre will be set up in Delhi soon. He was briefing the media here today.
- First plant-based vaccine against Zika virus :-
Scientists have developed the world’s first plant-based Zika vaccine that may be more effective, safer and cheaper than other vaccines against the mosquito-borne virus.
The vaccine developed by researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) in the U.S. works against a part of a Zika viral protein, called DIII, that plays a key role for the virus to infect people.
The worldwide Zika threat first emerged in 2015, infecting millions as it swept across the Americas. It struck great fear in pregnant women, as babies born with severe brain birth defects.
9.Hon’ble President to give away the National Safety Awards (Mines)National Safety Awards (Mines)-2013 & 2014 :-
Occupational safety, health and welfare of persons employed in all mines – coal, metalliferous and oil – all over the country comes under the domain of the Central Government.
Provisions for occupational safety of persons employed in mines are contained in the Mines Act, 1952, and the Rules and Regula-tions framed thereunder.
10.Cabinet approves creation of a single non-lapsable corpus fund for Secondary :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has accorded its approval today for creation of a non-lapsable pool in the Public Account for secondary and higher, education known as “Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh” (MUSK) into which all proceeds of “Secondary and Higher Education Cess” will be credited.
