CURRENT GK
1.Union Cabinet approves new consumer protection bill :-
The Union Cabinet has approved the new Consumer Protection Bill. It has been proposed to create an authority to protect the rights of consumers. The new bill provides for imprisonment for imprisonment for adulteration and fraudulent advertisements of companies.
This provision has been made to impose fines and ban for three years on well-known persons involved in misleading advertisements in the new bill. The Cabinet approved the introduction of Consumer Protection Bill 2017 yesterday. After its submission, the bill brought in 2015 will be withdrawn.
2.The Special Court of Delhi acquitted former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 other accused and three companies in a case of 2G spectrum scam and money laundering :-
Former communications minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimoi all other accused and three companies were acquitted by the special CBI court today in the 2G spectrum scam case. The court said that the prosecution has failed miserably to prove the allegations.
The 15 other people who were acquitted were former communications secretary Siddharth Behura, R.K., Private Secretary of A Raja. Chandolia and Swavans Telecom company’s promoter Shahid Usman are also involved. CBI special judge OP Saini announcing her decision in New Delhi today that the prosecution failed to provide evidence against one accused.
This case was registered on March 14, 2011 had come to the CBI court for hearing. The CBI had alleged that the central revenue loss in the allocation of licenses for the 2G spectrum was Rs 3 trillion rupees and 84 billion rupees. The Supreme Court had canceled these licenses on February 2, 2012.
3.Bangladesh accused Pakistan of plotting against Bangladesh in collaboration with Rohinja militant groups :-
Bangladesh’s Minister Obaidul Kader has said that Pakistan Rohingyas are plotting against Bangladesh with militant groups.
In Kolkata, he said that Pakistan does not miss any chance of harassing Bangladesh. Mr. Kader has criticized Pakistan for supporting war criminals of Bangladesh Liberation War. Mr. Kader urged the international community to intervene in the Rohinjya case and leave Myanmar to solve the problem of those who went out to pressurize Myanm.
4.With no proper representation in the UN Security Council, he is unable to deal effectively with the current challenges of the world – India :-
India has said that due to lack of proper representation in the UN Security Council, it is unable to deal effectively with the current challenges of the world. India’s permanent representative Syed Akbaruddin emphasized the need to expand the Security Council of 15 members.
In a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council, India said that due to the failure of this international body formed seven decades ago to deal with the present complex challenges, it is obviously clear. India, with a population of 25 billion, is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In the five permanent members of the Security Council, four member countries – America, Britain, France and Russia have endorsed the efforts of India’s permanent membership, but a member country China is opposing it. Syed Akbaruddin also emphasized the need for reforms in the United Nations.
5.USA expresses concern over the chief conspirator of terror attacks of Mumbai, Hafiz Saeed, in Pakistan :-
The US has expressed concern over the chief conspirator of Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed coming to politics in Pakistan. Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Saeed had earlier said that he will contest from his organization Milli Muslim League.
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Knutter told reporters in Washington that the United Nations and the United States have declared Sayeed as a terrorist. Ms. Heather said that Saeed was released from internment in Pakistan last month and now the news of his landing in the election is worrisome for America.
6.Tamil Nadu’s R.K. Voting for the by-election in the municipal assembly seat and in four other constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal Assembly :-
Votes are being cast for the bypolls of five assembly seats of four states today. These include RK Nagar in Chennai, Pacca Kasang and Lekabali in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikandra in Uttar Pradesh and Sabang Assembly seats in West Bengal.
In Tamilnadu, Chief Election Officer of the state, Rajesh Lakhoni, told that about 24 percent of the turnout was done till 11 o’clock. Polling is going on peacefully for two seats of Arunachal Pradesh assembly by-elections. According to the Joint Chief Electoral Officer, till 11 pm, 28 percent of the permanent assembly constituencies and 34 percent in Lekabali had been voted.
Polling will run till 4 o’clock in the evening. Nearly 20 per cent voting is reported in the assembly bye-election in Sikandar assembly by-election in Kanpur, in Uttar Pradesh. 11 candidates are trying their luck in the elections. Bahujan Samaj Party has not fielded its candidate in this election.
7.34 fishermen trapped in deep sea near Kochi have been detected :-
During the cyclonic storm Okhi, 34 fishermen trapped in deep sea near Kochi have been traced. Official sources said that the search and rescue team had found them and now the efforts are on to bring the fishermen to the coast. Fishermen who were fishing in the sea from Kochi coast were trapped in the cyclone Okhi.
Initially this month, the Ochi cyclone had affected Kerala, Tamil Nadu coastal areas and Lakshadweep badly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on Tuesday. He assured all possible assistance from the Center for the help of the missing fishermen and help the cyclone victims.
8.The thirteenth Gujarat assembly was dissolved :-
The thirteenth Gujarat assembly was dissolved. Governor O.P. Kohli dissolved the state assembly in Gandhinagar yesterday. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will be the acting chief minister till the formation of a new government. The swearing-in ceremony of the state’s new Cabinet is expected on December 25. This day is the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
