Current Affairs – January 2, 2021 [Today’s News Headlines]

Here are today’s news headlines by GK Today for January to, 2021

India

Prime Minister Lays Foundation stone of Light House projects

On January 1, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid Foundation stone of 6 Light house projects as a part of Global Housing Technology Challenge India initiative. The programme aims to build thousand houses in cities such as Indore, Rajkot, Chennai, Ranchi, Agartala and Lucknow.

Draft of 5th National Science, technology and innovation policy released

The Department of Science and Technology recently released the draught of fifth national science technology and innovation policy. The policy is now available for public consultation. The policy will bring about profound changes by building nurture ecosystem that promotes Research and innovation.

Government staff to get disability compensation

On January 1, 2021 the Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the disability compensation has been extended to all the Central Government employees who get disabled in the line of Duty. These employees are retained in service in spite of such disablement. This will provide greater relief to the central Armed Police Force personnel, border security forces, Central industrial security forces.

Economy and corporate

SEBI fined Mukesh Ambani and Reliance India Limited

On January 1, 2021 the capital market regulator SEBI imposed penalties on Reliance Industries Limited and its chairman Mukesh Ambani and two other entities for actions of manipulate trading in the shares of Reliance Petro Limited in 2007. A fine of 25 crores of Rupees and 15 crores of Rupees were imposed on the Reliance Industries Limited and on Mukesh Ambani respectively

IFSCA becomes member of IOSCO

On January 1, 2021, the International Financial Services Centre authorities has become an associate member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions. The IOSCO works closely with the G20 and financial stability board to set up standards for strengthening the security markets.

 Reserve Bank of India launches Digital Payments Index

On January 1, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India launched the Digital Payment Index with March 2018 as base period. The index comprises of five broad parameters such as payment enablers, payment performance, payment infrastructure – demand side factors and supply side factors and consumer centricity.

Foreign Exchange Reserves declined by 290 million USD

In the week ended December 25, 2020, the Foreign Exchange Reserves of India declined by 290 million USD to 580.841 million USD. The gold reserves decreased by 308 million USD. The foreign currency assets decreased by 253 million USD. The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund decreased by 4 million USD to 1.5 billion USD.

RBI launches Inflation Expectation Survey of Households

On January 1, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India announced the launch of household surveys to capture Inflation Expectations and consumer confidence. The Inflation Expectations Survey of Households aims to capture subjective assessments on price movements and inflation from about 6,000 households based in 18 cities.

Asian Development Bank and India signed 10 million loan agreement

The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India recently signed a 10 million USD project to support the horticulture in Himachal Pradesh.

Dharmendra Pradhan launches missed call facility for LPG refill booking

On January 1, 2021, the petroleum and natural gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the missed call facility for LPG customers. The customers can use single missed call number 845 495 5555 for refill booking.

Government of India allows import and export of covid-19 vaccine without any value limitation

The Government of India recently allowed the import and export of covid-19 vaccine without any value limitation. This has been done to ensure a speedy clearance and distribution of covid-19 vaccine.

Soma Mondal: New Chairperson of SAIL

Soma Mondal has taken over as the new chairperson of Steel Authority of India Limited, SAIL from January 1, 2021.

World

Australia changes word in its National Anthem

The Australian government has changed a word in its national anthem to honour the indigenous population of the country. The words “for We Are Young and free” has been changed to “for We Are One And free”.

India and Pakistan exchange list of their prisoners

On January 1, 2021, Pakistan handed over a list of 319 Indian Prisoners including 270 fisherman and 49 civilians to the High Commission of India as a part of a bilateral agreement. The Indian government also shared the list of 340 Pakistani prisoners in India including 77 fisherman and 263 civilians with the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021