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