Current Affairs April 28-29, 2015

National Green Tribunal imposed ban on burning of waste in open in Delhi-NCR

National Green Tribunal imposed a complete ban on burning of waste in open including garbage, leaves, plastic and crop residues in Delhi-NCR. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed these directions, including asking civic authorities and governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to immediately spread mass awareness regarding ill-effects of burning waste materials in open areas.

Regional Rural Banks ( Amendment) Bill, 2014 passed

Regional Rural Banks ( Amendment) Bill, 2014 passed in Rajya Sabha on 28th Apr’15, the bill seeks to raise the authorized capital of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from five crore to 2000 Crore Rupees.

This Amendment also enables them to mop up funds from the capital market. Dismissing apprehensions that the amendments are a way to privatise these banks, the Minister of State for Finance said that there are enough safeguards in the bill. He said under the present system, the Centre has a 50 percent share, the sponsor Bank 35 per cent and state government 15 per cent shareholding in the RRBs. He said, in no case, the share holdings of the Centre and Sponsor Bank will be allowed to go less than 51 percent.

Russia unveiled battle tank  Armata T-14

Russia has unveiled a new-generation battle tank called Armata T-14 ahead of World War Two Victory Day celebrations on 9 May’15. The Armata tank has an unmanned turret and a 125mm smooth-bore cannon that can fire guided missiles as well as shells. Its computer technology, speed and maneuverability are said to be far superior to those of the T-90, the current mainstay of the Russian army. Russia plans to bring in about 2,300 Armatas, starting in 2020, to replace Soviet-era tanks.

Indian Government  signed ceasefire agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation)

Indian Government has signed a ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation), agreement was signed by Joint Secretary, Home Shambhu Singh and Wangtin Konyak and P.Tikhak co-convenors of NSCN/R. The Ceasefire will remain in force for one year from 28th Apr’15. Government has also extended the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khole-Kitovi) for a further period of one year.

ISRO successfully tested Cryogenic engine

Cryogenic engine was tested successfully at ISRO's propulsion complex at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu that will help India put satellites of upto four tonnes in geostationary orbit.

Delhi state government named farmer compensation scheme after Gajender Singh

Delhi state government approved the setting up of a farmer compensation scheme to be named after Gajender Singh, who allegedly committed suicide during an AAP rally on 22nd Apr’15.

The government has also decided to give job to a member of Gajendra's family and martyr status for him, as demanded by the farmer's kin. According to officials, the government will distribute compensation to rain-hit farmers from next week.

Sri Lankan parliament reduce the power of Executive President

Sri Lankan parliament amended the constitution to reduce the power of Executive President and to put into place a Constitutional Council for making key government appoints. Two hundred and twelve Members of Parliament voted in favour while only one parliamentarian opposed the reform bill.

Raja Rajeswari became the New York’s first Indian-American woman judge

Chennai-born Raja Rajeswari has been sworn-in as a criminal court judge in New York by Mayor Bill de Blasio, becoming the first India-born woman to be appointed a judge in New York City.

Minimum Rs. 1,000  monthly pension scheme continue by the Govt

Government of India decided to continue, Rs. 1,000 minimum monthly pension social security scheme which is run by Employment Provident Fund Organisation. Earlier, the EPFO has suspended the 1,000 rupees minimum monthly pension scheme from this month.

PNB first bank to roll out Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme

Punjab National Bank became the first bank to start opening of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme accounts. The Reserve Bank of India had sent a circular to the heads of all the commercial banks, pelling out the operational guidelines of the Sukanya scheme. Till now no other bank has implement the scheme, except PNB. Post Offices are already successfully running this scheme since it was launched.

World Bank forecast India's GDP growth at 7.5% in 2015-16

World Bank forecasted India's GDP growth at 7.5% in current fiscal. According to the World Bank India Development update report, "India's GDP growth rate expected to increase to 7.5% cent in 2015-16, followed by further acceleration to 7.9 per cent in 2016-17 and 8 per cent in 2017-18. Government of India has projected India's GDP growth rate at 8.5% in this current fiscal.

Nursultan Nazarbayew won the President election for fifth time

Incumbent President of Kazakhstan has won the Presidential election and set to rule the country for the next five year term. He won the 97.5 percent of the vote to win a fifth consecutive term and defeated his competitor Turgun Syzdykov as scoring 1.8 percent of the ballot.

Source: The Hindu, Economic Times, PIB