Current affairs : January 1, 2017 for all competitive exams
PM announces number of
measures for welfare of farmers, small traders, women & senior citizens
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has announced two housing schemes, tax incentives for small traders, interest
rebate for farmers and monetary assistance for pregnant women.
Decide on safety sealing in six months: HC to Centre
The Bombay High Court has given the Union government six months’ time to
take a decision on making safety sealing mandatory for healthcare and hygiene
products.
- The court passed the directive while hearing a
public interest litigation (PIL). The PIL is about pilferage of cosmetics,
child care, healthcare and hygiene products.
BJP forms
Arunachal pradesh govt.
In a dramatic development,
the BJP formed a government in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday after 33 MLAs of
People’s Party of Arunachal, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, joined it.
- Mr. Khandu joined the BJP two days after he was
suspended by the PPA, which triggered another round of political
manoeuvring.
- Overall, Arunachal Pradesh becomes 10th BJP-ruled
State and 14th with BJP alliances.
UNSC endorses
Syria ceasefire brokered by Russia, Turkey
The United Nations
SecurityCouncil on December 31 welcomed a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war.
- A resolution welcoming the ceasefire, the third
truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war, was adopted
unanimously by the 15-member Council.
- The deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling went on in some areas.
RBI sets up
counters for NRI deposits
The Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has opened a new window for non-resident Indian and citizens who were
staying abroad since November 8 to deposit the demonetised ₹1,000 and ₹ 500
currency notes.
- Resident Indian citizens who were abroad during
November 9, 2016 to December 30, 2016 can avail this facility upto March
31, 2017.
- Non Resident Indian citizens who were abroad during November 9, 2016 to December 30, 2016 can avail this facility upto June 30, 2017.
Patanjali among most disruptive FMCG forces of
2016: ASSOCHAM-TechSci study
Patanjali Ayurved, the fast
moving consumer goods (FMCG) venture promoted by yoga guru Ramdev, was the
biggest disruptive force in India’s FMCG market, according to a report.
- Patanjali Ayurved has turned out to be the most disruptive force in the Indian FMCG market...it witnessed a whopping annual growth of 146% in fiscal year 2016 grossing a turnover of $769 million.
BoB unveils
agriculture credit scheme in Rajasthan
State-run Bank of Baroda
said it has introduced an agricultural investment credit for the farmers of Rajasthan.
- The first loan has been disbursed in Sri
Ganganagar.
- Under the scheme, farmers can avail of loan from the
bank’s branches for construction of farm ponds, installation of solar
pumps, installation of micro irrigation, and for any other viable agriculture
and allied activities.
- Bank will help farmers in doubling their income by the year 2022.
Anil Baijal takes over as new Lt Governor of Delhi:
Anil Baijal is the new Lt Governor of Delhi. Baijal is the 20th Lt Governor
of Delhi.
He was appointed to the post by President Pranab Mukherjee last week.
- His appointment came after Najeeb Jung’s sudden resignation from the post.
Sasikala takes
over as AIADMK general secretary
V.K. Sasikala, close aide of
former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, formally took over as the general secretary
of the AIADMK.
- She became the second woman leader to lead the party after Jayalalithaa.
New Army, Air
Force Chiefs assume charge
The Indian Army and the
Indian Air Force got new chiefs on December 31, amidst raging controversy over
the appointment of the new Army chief while ignoring the convention of
appointing the senior-most Army commander.
- General Bipin Rawat, who was selected ignoring the
seniority of Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi and Lt. Gen. P.M. Hariz, took over as
the 27th Chief of the Army Staff from General Dalbir Singh.
- Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa took over as
the 25th Chief of the Air Staff at a ceremony held at the Air Headquarters
(Vayu Bhawan).
British-Indian Professor
Shankar Balasubramanian Receives Knighthood
Shankar Balasubramanian, an
Indian- origin British professor of chemistry and DNA expert at Cambridge
University, has received a Knighthood along with Olympic stars Andy Murray and
Mo Farah among others by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions.
- Balasubramanian, 50, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar
appointed as Chief Justice of Pak
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has
taken oath as the 25th Chief Justice of Pakistan. The oath was administered by
the country's President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House.
- The event was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif and other dignitaries.
- Justice Nisar has replaced Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali who retired after serving as Chief Justice for 15 since his appointment in September 2015.
Imtiaz
Ahmed passed away
Former
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman and captain Imtiaz Ahmed, who played in the
nation’s first Test in 1952 and was its oldest living Test cricketer, passed
away
Andy Murray and Mo Farah
received knighthood
Andy Murray received a
knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours List, recognition for
winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to topping the
rankings. Joining Murray was Mo Farah, who retained his 5,000 and 10,000m
titles at the Summer Olympics.
- Lee Pearson, who won his 11th Paralympic gold in equestrian in Rio.
