Current Affairs : January 24, 2012

Al-Qaeda takes over Yemen city

• In Yemen, Al-Qaeda militants have taken over the city of Rada in the Southeastern Al Bayda province.
• They have named Tareq al-Dahab, a brother-in-law of slain US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi, who was killed in a suspected US drone strike in September as the new Emir or the Governor.
• The group has taken advantage of year long protests against the Saleh regime to bolster its presence in the region.

PGI tag to boost Darjeeling tea exports

• Darjeeling tea exports are set to increase by volume and value, following its registration as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product from India.
• Darjeeling Tea is the first Indian product to be recognised by the European Union as a Protected GI.

National girl child day Observed on January 24

• National Girl Child Day is celebrated on 24 January every year since 2009. The theme for the National Girl Child Day 2012 was “Declining Child Sex Ratio: Issues and Challenges”

Dutch Teen sailor circles globe solo

• Dutch teen Laura Dekker became the youngest sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world, a year after going to court for the right to try. The 16-year-old completed her solo round-the-world journey when she sailed into harbour on the Caribbean island of St Martin, which is shared by Netherlands and France.

India, European Union join hands for Anti-Piracy Military Operations

• India and the European Union (EU) have joined hands for launching joint military operations in the Indian Ocean against piracy activities. EU has deployed four warships and supporting military ships of EU member-countries and is engaged with the Indian Navy in developing synergy in the region. India-EU summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 10, 2012 where security is going to be one of the key issues of discussion.

RIL approves buyback

• The board of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has approved the buyback of up to 120 million fully paid-up equity shares of Rs 10 each, at a price not exceeding Rs 870 an equity share, payable in cash, up to an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 10,440 crore, from the open market. RIL’s move offers an exciting exit opportunity to shareholders by giving a reasonable premium to the current market price.
• Buybacks are seen as an efficient return of cash to shareholders in a highly tax efficient process. RIL: the country’s biggest company by market value, operates two adjacent plants at Jamnagar in Gujarat which together make up the world s biggest refining complex.

New national permit scheme of goods carriages

• A new National Permit System has been implemented in all states and Union Territories in order to facilitate inter-State seamless movement of goods carriages.
• As per the new arrangement, national permit can be granted by the Home State on payment of Rs 1,000 as home State authorisation fee and Rs 15,000 per annum per truck towards consolidated fee authorising the permit holder to operate throughout the country.
• The new national permit system has also been implemented electronically through a web portal developed by NIC.Under the new National Permit Scheme, the consolidated fee collected by the Central Government through State Bank of India is distributed among the States/UTs on a pro-rata basis as per agreed formula.
• The new National Permit System is being implemented successfully by all States/UTs and has been welcomed by the transporters and States as a significant step towards improvement in road transport system in the country.

Madhya Pradesh Government endorses its Wind Energy Project Policy-2012

• Madhya Pradesh Government has endorsed the Wind Energy Project Policy-2012, which aims at accelerating the pace of setting up 1,200-MW wind energy projects

Khamliana and Abdul Bari share Communal Harmony Award

• Mr Khamliana from Mizoram and Md Abdul Bari from Odisha have been jointly selected for the National Communal Harmony Award for 2011 in the individual category. The Jury headed by Vice-President Hamid Ansari made the selection.
• Mr Khamliana (56) is the founder President of the Mizoram Youth Club, a well known voluntary organisation rendering social service and strengthening national integration in Mizoram and set up in 1990.
• Md Abdul Bari (72) from district Bhadrak of Odisha is a well-respected people s leader and social activist. He is associated with at least eight social organisations and has selflessly helped police and the local administration to maintain peace and communal harmony.

RBI Cuts CRR to 5.5%

• In the latest monetary policy, the Reserve Bank of India cuts 50 Basis Points in Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 6.0 per cent to 5.5 per cent, which was expected to infuse Rs 32,000 crore into the system easing the tight liquidity situation in the country.

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Month: Current Affairs - January, 2012

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs