Current Affairs 20th December 2014
Team of 17 lawyers was appointed by Bombay High Court to function as Commissioners of Court
On 19th December 2014, Team of 17 lawyers to function as Commissioners of Court was appointed by Bombay High Court with an aim to help in removing the illegal hoardings. Court also ordered that there should be a toll free number of all civic bodies so that people can register their complaints against illegal hoardings.
This team will be visiting various places and will detect illegal posters, banners and hoardings which are being put by political parties. Then team will be informing to concerned civic body to get them removed.
By the end of February 2015 Commissioners of court have to submit a report in this regard.
8.75 percent interest rate on PF deposits for 2014-15 was approved by Finance Ministry
Among the important banking current affairs, On 19th December 2014 Union Finance Ministry approved 8.75 percent interest rate on Provident Fund (PF) deposits for the year 2014-15. This decision will be notified by Union Labour Ministry as well as by the Income Tax Department now and will be implemented from the date of notification.
It is also important to mention here that for year 2013-14 it was also 8.75 percent, so basically it has been retained by CBT (Central Board of Trustees).
Pakistan became Associate Member State of CERN
On 19th December 2014, Pakistan became Associate Member Sate of CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). A document was signed for same by CERN Director-General Rolf Heuer and the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Ansar Parvez in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan signed Co-operation Agreement with CERN in 1994 and had applied for the CERN associate membership in February 2013.
After becoming a associate member now Pakistan can participate in the governance of CERN, through attending the meetings of the CERN Council and Scientists of Pakistan can now become members of the CERN staff and can participate in CERN's training and career-development programmes.
Vikatan Group Chief S. Balasubramanian passed away
On 19th December 2014, Chief of Vikatan Group S. Balasubramanian passed away. He was 78 years old. He did a great job in bringing many revolutionary changes in the contents of Ananda Vikatan.
Once he was arrested and was jailed for three days by Tamil Nadu Assembly for cartoon on legislators published on the cover of the magazine but later on he was released after the protests in the country.
He was among the most successful and versatile aviculturists of India.
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014 passed in Lok Sabha
On 18th December 2014, Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, it was passed to legalize e-rickshaws by bringing them under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This bill was introduced on 15th December 2014 to amend to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
This Bill brings e-carts and e-rickshaws under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 are defined as special purpose three wheeled battery powered vehicles with power up to 4000 watts.
Resolution recognising Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai as symbols of peace passed by US Senate
On 16th December 2014, A resolution was passed unanimously by US Senate to recognise Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai as symbol of peace. As you are already aware that these two are Nobel Peace Prize winners for the year 2014.Penalty imposed on Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance & Anand Rathi Insurance Brokers by IRDA
Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) Life Insurance Company Ltd will have to pay 31 lakhs rupee and Anand Rathi Insurance Brokers will have to pay 5 lakh rupees within 15 days from the date of receipt of the order.
Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2014 bagged by noted poetess Imtiaz Dharker
On 17th December 2014, Pakistan born Noted poetess Imtiaz Dharker was awarded with Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2014. She was awarded with this prestigious award for her poetry collection Over the Moon. Though It will be presented to her in 2014. She was unanimously chosen for the award by the Poetry Medal Committee at Windsor.SoftBank Corp to invest 570 crore rupees in Housing.com
On 16th December 2014, Japanese telecom & internet giant SoftBank Corp announced to invest Rs 570 Crore in Housing.com. With this investment value of Housing.com has increased to 1550 crore rupees. SoftBank will acquire around 30% stake in the portal for 470 crore rupees.
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