Bharat Ratna to Atal Bihari Vajpee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
Among the Important National Current Affairs, On 24th December 2014, Union Government announced Bharat Ratna to Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpee and freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedon fighter and an educationist, took part of the Indian National Movement. He was president of Indian National Congress (INC) for two terms in 1909 and1918 and was among the founders of the Hindu Mahasabha. He also founded Banaras Hindu University in 1916.
Atal Bihari Vajpee is three time Prime Minister of India. He also served as Minister of External Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1978.
Do You Know :
Till date 43 People have been honoured with Bharat Ratna, last year Sachin Tendulkar and scientist C N R Rao were awarded with this highest civilian award.
Deadline for withdrawal of pre-2005 currency notes extended to 30th June 2015
On 23rd December 2014, RBI announced the extended deadline for exchanging pre-2005 by another six months till 30 June 2015. RBI has urged in public interest to deposit old design notes in their bank accounts or in any bank branch.
This is a measure taken by RBI to curb the menace of fake currency as in post 2005 notes additional security features has been added.
Common method of identifing notes issued before 2005 is that these do not have the year of printing on the reverse side.
Largest Missile Warship to Taiwan Tuo Chiang launched
Among important International Current Affairs, On 23rd December 2014, Taiwan launched its largest ever missile warship named Tuo Chiang which is a 500-tonne corvette missile. This ship will be deployed in waters if Taiwan in March 2015. This ship which can carry a crew of 41 is about 198 feet long and 46 feet wide and costed about 66.2 million US dollars.
Jharkhand and J&K Assembly Election 2014 results declared
On 23rd December 2014, Jharkhand and J&K Assembly Election results were declared.
Following are the tally of different parties in states :
Jharkhand Assembly Election results :
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - 37 Seats,
- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) - 19 Seats,
- Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) - 8 Seats,
- Indian National Congress (INC) - 6 Seats,
- AJSU Party - 5 Seats,
- Others - 6 Seats.
Filmmaker Kailasam Balachander died
On 23rd December 2014, Noted South Indian filmmaker Kailasam Balachander passed away following a heart attack at the age of 84. Kailasam Balachander debuted with his Tamil film Neerkumizhi in 1965, he directed more than 100 films in many lauguages.
For his contribution to cinema was was conferred with Padma Shri in 1987 and he was also honoured with ANR National Award and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
National Consumers Right Day observed
On 24th December 2014, 29th National Consumers Right Day was observed across India with an aim to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and consumer rights.
Since the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted on 24 December 1986 so from then this day is observed on 24 December annually.
S Bhattacharya appointed as CMD of Coal India
On 23rd December 2014, Senior IAS officer of 1985 batch Mr. S Bhattacharya was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Ltd (CIL).
He succeeded Additional Secretary A K Dubey who was given additional charge as CMD of CIL on 26th June 2014. There was no full time chief since May 2014 who resigned from the post.
Name of Mr. S Bhattacharya was recommended by Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) in November 2014 and Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared his name. At the time of his appointment he is serving as CMD of Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL).
173 million US dollars order to supply Anti-Retroviral Drugs to South Africa won by Cipla Medpro
Contract to supply Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARD) to government of South Africa for its anti-AIDS programme for the next three years was won by Cipla Medpro. This order is of 173 million US dollars.
These will be produced in Kwazulu-Natal province Plant which will start on 1st April 2015. After winning order of 280 million rupees and other order of 345 million rupees this is third order won by Cipla Medpro from South Africa Govt.
Cabinet clears coal Ordinance
i. The Cabinet on Wednesday approved re-promulgation of an Ordinance to facilitate e-auction of coal blocks for private companies for captive use and allot mines directly to state and central PSUs.
ii. The government had to go in for re-promulgation of the Ordinance as the Rajya Sabha could not take up the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill.
iii. The re-promulgation of the Ordinance will enable the Coal Ministry to go ahead with its decision to give a total 101 mines, including 65 through auction, in the first phase.
iv. As many as 36 blocks will be directly allotted to state-owned companies. The government had increased the number of coal mines to be auctioned or allotted in the first tranche to 101, from 92.
v. Of the 101 blocks to be allotted and auctioned in the first lot, 63 mines would be given to the power sector, while the rest would be for sectors like steel and cement.
Govt approves Ordinance to hike FDI in insurance to 49%
i. Government on Wednesday approved promulgation of an Ordinance to hike Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 per cent from 26 per cent.
iii. The proposed hike in foreign investment limit to 49 per cent in the insurance sector has potential to attract up to USD 7-8 billion (about Rs 50,000 crore) from overseas investors, giving a major boost to the segment.
iv. The 49 per cent cap would include both FDI and foreign portfolio investments.
Snapdeal launched online Agri Store to aid farmers
i. E-retailing firm Snapdeal.com on 23 December 2014 launched the online Agri store offering agricultural products to the farmers. The store was launched on the occasion of National Farmer's Day.
ii. The Agri Store aims to offer wide variety of farm items from seeds to fertilisers, farming tools and irrigation tools. This online store is also accessible through mobile phones, making it convenient for farmers to shop.
A Hindi version of the store will also be launched soon to aid farmers in making an informed decision.
J&K and Jarkhand elections results declared
In Jharkhand BJP fought the election with support to All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), as a result garnering 42 seats out of 81 seats. So BJP is forming the govt here.
J&K Assembly Election results :
- Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) - 28 Seats,
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - 25 Seats,
- Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) - 15 Seats,
- Indian National Congress (INC) - 12 Seats,
- Others - 7 Seats.
J&K witnessed hung assembly as no party was able to claim majority.
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