Current Affairs : July 7, 2011

July 7, 2011

Special package for Jammu & Kashmir for the implementation of the Special Industry Initiative Scheme

CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) accepted the execution of the Special Industry Initiative Scheme in Jammu & Kashmir

Central Scheme with 100% Central assistance in partnership with National Skill Development Corporation, NSDC, and the Corporate Sector
The Scheme to cover all districts of the State
Companies will screen and select Trainees and after assessing the Skill Gap, then they will train them as per the requirements
Rs 1000 Crore expenditure proposed to be incurred under the Scheme with an approximate expenditure of Rs 2.50 Lakhs per Trainee
Central Government to make a provision of Rs 500 Crore in the next 5 years
Target of the Scheme is to train 40,000 Graduates, Post Graduates and Professional Degree holders over a period of 5 years
Scheme based on the recommendations of an ‘Expert Group’ set up by the Prime Minister’s Office on August 18, 2010, under chairmanship of Dr. Rangarajan
Scheme launched to enhance the employment opportunities in the State of J&K and to formulate a jobs plan involving both the public and private sectors, especially for the youth

National School Sanitation Initiative Launched

As per the HRD Minister Kapil Sibal it would be made compulsory for the schools to focus on the practical aspects of sanitation, under the National School Sanitation Initiative
Mr Sibal launched the website of the National School Sanitation and also launched an online National School Sanitation Ratings that would be mandatory

DOPING: One Man Committee Constituted

A One-man committee to inquire into issues concerning doping constituted by (MoYAS) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Retd. Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed for the same

Terms of reference of the Committee: –

To investigate the reasons for large scale prevalence of doping and modus operandi involved
To investigate availability of the prohibited substances in and around training camps
Committee to suggest remedial measures also

Mr. Brenard Gousse chosen as the Prime Minister of Haiti

Former Justice Minister, Brenard Gousse chosen by the Haitian President, Michel Martelly to be the Prime Minister of Haiti
Nomination subject to parliamentary approval

Base Rates raised by SBI

SBI (State Bank of India,) raised its base rates by 0.25% to 9.5%
This move by SBI to raise rates comes as a Result of ICICI Bank raising rates by the same percentage last week
To give some relief to the small investors the Savings Deposit Rate was also hiked by SBI across all deposits by 1%
<< Base Rate is the minimum rate at which banks can lend >>

Most favoured Nation Status to each other by India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh to give Most Favored Nation Status to each other in terms of Investment
Agreement signed in order to promote and protect investments in both the countries
Following discussions b/w External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, instruments of ratification signed b/w them
Agreement to be in effect for: 10 years

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Supreme Court holds back committee from opening the vaults

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
SC restrained the seven-member committee from opening the vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
A Treasure trove (i.e. A Treasure of unknown ownership found hidden) worth over Rs 1 Lakh Crore discovered recently in the Temple
SC Bench asked the petitioner Raja Marthanda Varma, the erstwhile Prince of Travancore, and the Kerala Government to come out with apt suggestions in order to ensure holiness and security of the ancient temple
Appearing for the erstwhile prince, senior counsel K K Venogopal, elucidated that the temple was a public property and no member of the royal family claims any ownership or right over the huge property and he told the bench that the property belongs to Lord Padmanabhaswamy
The Trustee of the temple (i.e. the Royal Family) challenged the Kerala Government’s decision to take over the administration of the temple which was earlier upheld by the Kerala High Court
Paramount security to be ensured in and around the temple in view of the discovery of the huge wealth

Scholarship to 1 Crore Minority Students in next 2 years

A target of providing the benefit of scholarship schemes to 1 Crore Minority Community’s Students in the next two years by the Government
So far 60 Lakhs Students of such community have availed the benefit of scholarship scheme run by the Minority Ministry
Minority Affairs Minister: Salman Khursid

Third phase expansion of Private FM Radio Network

The Union Cabinet took the decision for the expansion of private FM networks
The Information and Broadcasting Minister: Ms Ambika Soni
3^rd phase of expansion policy stretches out FM Radio services to about 227 new cities, over the present 86 cities
The private FM channels will also carry All India Radio News bulletins

$400 Million Loan to MP by the Asian Development Bank

ADB (Asian Development Bank) to provide a $400 million loan to Madhya Pradesh
To support rural development and establishment of business and employment opportunities in the state To provide 24-hour electricity to rural households
To generate better Educational Opportunities for the state’s poor
To ascertain inclusive growth and development in rural areas
ADB to provide $200 million to the state in the first stage and besides this it will also provide Technical assistance of $1 Million for the Training of poor Women in target districts as Entrepreneurs