CURRENT GK
1.Record 275.68 million tonnes Food grains production estimated :-
As per Fourth Advance Estimates for 2016-17 released by Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers, total Food grain production in the country is estimated at 275.68 million tonnes which are higher by 10.64 million tonnes (4.01%) than the previous record production of Food grain achieved during 2013-14.
This is due to very good rainfall during monsoon 2016 and various policy initiatives taken by the Government.
The estimated production of major crops during 2016-17 is as under:
Food grains – 275.68 million tonnes (record)
Rice – 110.15 million tonnes (record)
Wheat – 98.38 million tonnes (record)
Coarse Cereals – 44.19 million tonnes (record)
Maize – 26.26 million tonnes (record)
Pulses – 22.95 million tonnes (record)
Oilseeds – 32.10 million tonnes
Cotton – 33.09 million bales (of 170 kg each)
Sugarcane – 306.72 million tonnes
Production of Sugarcane is estimated at 306.72 million tonnes which are 41.73 million tonnes
(-11.98%) less than the last year’s production of 348.45 million tonnes.
2.PM addresses Young Entrepreneurs at the “Champions of Change” initiative organised by NITI Aayog :-
The Prime Minister today interacted with Young Entrepreneurs at the “Champions of Change” initiative organised by NITI Aayog at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra.
Six groups of Young Entrepreneurs made presentations before the PM on themes such as – Soft Power: Incredible India 2.0; Education and Skill Development; Health and Nutrition; Energizing a sustainable tomorrow; and Digital India; New India by 2022.
3.Upgraded Passenger Terminal Building of Jammu Airport Inaugurated :-
The upgraded passenger terminal building of Jammu Airport was inaugurated by Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir today. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Raju, said, “We believe in augmenting infrastructure of our airports to enhance connectivity.
With the upgraded Jammu Airport, we would be better prepared to give improved services to air travelers visiting this city of temples.”
4.NHAI launches mobile App MyFASTag and FASTag Partner :-
National Highways Authority of India launched two mobile Apps – MyFASTag and FASTag Partner in New Delhi today, to facilitate the availability of FASTags for Electronic Toll Collection.
Speaking on the occasion the NHAI Chairman Shri Deepak Kumar said the cumbersome method of purchase and recharge of FASTags has been one of the major challenges with the ETC project.
The mobile Apps launched today will ease the process, making it possible to buy or recharge FASTags at the click of a mobile button.
5.China to invest in petrochemical complex in Pakistan :-
China is planning to invest for China Petrochemical Complex in the southern part of Pakistan. There is also a plan to build a refinery of 10 million tonnes annually in this petrochemical complex.
This was disclosed by the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Jubair M Tofel after meeting with the Chinese delegation led by Li Jiyal, Director of Tianchenen Engineering Corporation (TCC) on Wednesday in the Federation House.
Li Jial and Tufail agreed to swap investments to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
6.Infosys MD and CEO resigns of big coin, huge drop in company share :-
Managing director and CEO Vishal Sikka of the country’s leading IT company Infosys has resigned from his post. The company has appointed UB Praveen Rao as the Interim Managing Director of the company.
The huge coin will now play the role of executive vice chairman in the company. After this news, Infosys shares broke up to 5 percent in the initial business.
7.Government approval for BCCI for Asia Cup :-
New Delhi, Patra The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will seek government’s approval to host Asia Cup 2018. Earlier, he had to face the hosting of the Under-19 Continental Championship due to the objection of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
A BCCI official said on condition of anonymity, “We wrote to the government three months ago for the Under-19 Asia Cup and we did not get any reply. So the competition was shifted to Malaysia. Now we will write again to the government about the senior event, because India or Pakistan can not have an Asia Cup without.
8.PM Modi to meet start-up entrepreneurs on plans to build new India :-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs starting startups on Thursday. The Prime Minister will discuss with him the plans to build New India and double the income of farmers by 2022.
Apart from this, he will also discuss the necessary measures to promote startup. This is the first time that the PM will hold a meeting with the private sector chief executive officers (CEO) at such a large level. The Prime Minister will also discuss with them on August 22.
