Top GKToday’s News Headlines-17 May 2020

May 17, 2020 May 17, 2020

Online dashboard NMIS (National Migrant Information System) developed by NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to monitor and facilitate movement of migrants across states
A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mark IV warship built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) commissioned into the Indian Navy at Port Blair
CSIR-CMERI INNOVATIONS
Scientists at CSIR-CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute) in Durgapur, West Bengal, developed two sprayer units to disinfect indoor areas
The two units BPDS & POMID are designed with two-stage spraying and separate storage tanks
BPDS is Battery Powered Disinfectant Sprayer; POMID is Pneumatically Operated Mobile Indoor Disinfection Unit

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled structural reforms in eight sectors while announcing the fourth tranche of government’s Rs 20 lakh crore economic package.

Govt. will introduce commercial mining of coal by the private sector, ending government monopoly on the sector.

500 mining blocks would be offered through an open and transparent auction process
Joint auction of bauxite and coal blocks will be started to enhance the aluminium industry’s competitiveness
The distinction between captive and non-captive mines will be removed to allow the transfer of mining leases and sale of surplus unused minerals

FDI limit in the defence manufacturing under automatic route will be raised from 49% to 74%.
Govt to notify a list of weapons/platforms banned for imports, such items can only be purchased from India

There will be easing of restrictions on utilisation of Indian air space to reduce travel time and save on fuel
Currently, only 60 per cent of the Indian airspace is freely available.
6 more airports to be privatised
India to become a global hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), tax rates rationalised

Electricity distribution companies in Union Territories (UTs) will be privatised for better service and improvement in operational and financial efficiency in distribution

Rs 8,100 crore will be provided as viability gap funding (VGF) for development of social infrastructure

Private sector to be given a major role in India’s space programme, including in satellites, launches and space-based services.
ATOMIC ENERGY
Research reactor will be set up in public-private partnership (PPP) mode for making medical isotopes for use in affordable treatment for cancer and other diseases

Zubair Iqbal appointed new MD of Jammu & Kashmir Bank for 3 years; R K Chibber to continue as Chairman for next 3 years

International Day of Light celebrated by UNESCO on May 16; day is anniversary of 1st successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist Theodore Maiman in US
International Day of Living Together in Peace observed by UN on May 16