Current affairs : October 30&31, 2016 for all competitive exams
PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel on his 141st birth anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on Monday paid rich tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 141st birth
anniversary.
Vigilance Awareness week
commences from today (31st October 2016)
The Central Vigilance
Commission, as part of its efforts to promote probity in public life and to
achieve a corruption free society, observes Vigilance Awareness Week every
year.
- The week in which 31st October, the birthday of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week.
Employees Online (EO) Mobile App of DoPT launched
The government has launched the Employees Online (EO) App. EO App is a
mobile application of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT),
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- The application would enable its users, which may include officers, media persons and all stakeholders to stay updated on real time basis with appointments and postings approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and vacancies at senior level in the Government of India.
Ease of Doing Business: A.P.,
Telangana top in 2016 all-India ranking
Commerce and Industry
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has released the report on State-wise Ease of Doing
Business rankings on 31st October 2016.
- The rankings are on the basis of 340-point business
reform action plan and their implementation by the States. This covers the
period from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
- Andhra Pradesh and Telengana topped the all-India ranking with 98.78 per cent each, followed by Gujarat with 98.21 per cent
Maharashtra tops NITI Aayog’s
agri marketing index
Maharashtra is the top State
in the implementation of agricultural reforms and offers the best environment
for doing agri-business, according to an assessment by the Niti Aayog.
- Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are in the next three positions in the 'Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index' which is based on a number of criteria identified by Niti Aayog.
Andaman gets training in seaweed farming
The emerging seaweed farming industry in the country will get a major boost
with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) recently
transferring seaweed cultivation technology to the Andaman administration.
- The CMFRI has provided scientific inputs on methods of seaweed farming suitable for the islands as part of the institute’s initiative to intensify its consultancy services.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
launches paddy cultivation in land set apart for airport
Chief Minister of Kerala
Pinarayi Vijayan has launched paddy cultivation in Aranmula Puncha near Cochin.
- The programme, under the Harita Keralam project, is part of the Government’s earnest efforts to revive paddy cultivation at Aranmula Puncha that has been lying fallow for the past several years.
Benami Transactions Act to
curb black money comes into effect
The new law to prohibit
benami transactions will come into effect from 1st of next month (01st November
2016). Parliament had passed the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment
Act, 2016 to curb black money.
- After coming into effect, the existing Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 will be renamed as the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions, PBPT, Act, 1988. The new legislation provides for seven years imprisonment and fine for those indulging in illegal transactions.
World Bank appoints Kristalina
Georgieva as chief executive
Kristalina Georgieva, a
former head of EU humanitarian affairs and vice-president of the European
commission, has been appointed chief executive of the World Bank.
- The Bulgarian, who recently lost out in the race to become UN secretary general, will report to the bank’s president, Jim Yong Kim. Although the title of CEO is newly created, Georgieva will effectively replace Sri Mulyani Indrawati, formerly the bank’s managing director and chief operating officer, who was appointed Indonesian finance minister in July.
Russia ousted from UN Human Rights Council in historic
vote
Russia has lost its bid to retain a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
The General Assembly recently elected 14 countries to the 47-member council.
With 112 votes, Russia lost to Hungry and Croatia.
- This is the first time Russia has not been part of
the UNHRC since the council’s inception in 2006.
- 80 different human rights organizations had signed a petition asking Russia be removed from UNHRC after Russia’s involvement in Syria’s civil war caused many to believe Russia is guilty of war crimes.
Spain breaks deadlock,
re-elects Rajoy prime minister
Mariano Rajoy, Spain's
acting prime minister and leader of its center-right Popular Party, was
re-elected after winning a parliamentary vote. Mr Rajoy has led a caretaker
administration since losing his overall majority in an election last December.
A repeat election in June failed to end the impasse but strengthened his hand.
- Spain has its first fully functioning government since December, when a general election left no party with a majority.
India beat Pakistan in final
to win Asian Champions Trophy
India celebrated Diwali by
winning gold medal in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy by beating arch-rivals
Pakistan 3-2 in the final in Malaysia.
- This is the second time India have won the title of this tournament. India won the inaugural tournament in 2011.
‘After seven years, Jhulan
Goswami becomes world number 1 bowler again
Affectionately known as the
‘Chakdaha Express’ back home in Bengal, Jhulan Goswami is only one of two
women’s national team cricketers still remaining from the 2005 World Cup squad,
that finished second in South Africa.
- Now, seven years after reaching the pinnacle of the sport, the 33year old has pipped England pacer Katherine Brunt to become the world number 1 bowler.
Sania Mirza retains World
Number One ranking in Women's Doubles for 2nd consecutive year
Ace Indian tennis star Sania
Mirza will end the season as world's top doubles Tennis player for the second
straight year. Sania finished this season with seven Women's Tennis
Association, WTA titles, a Grand Slam and a semi-final finish in the year ending
WTA Finals in Singapore.
- The ace Indian tennis star was close to being uprooted by Bethanie Mattek-Sands from the top spot, had the American won the WTA Finals Doubles title. However, Bethanie lost in the final and ensured that Sania will end the year at the top once again.
