Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 25 2019
1. Andhra Pradesh CM launched Netanna Nestham welfare scheme for weavers
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the latest scheme in a series of welfare schemes promised during his election campaign. The YSR Netanna Nestham (weaver’s friend) scheme provides an annual incentive of Rs 24,000 for handloom weavers in the state.
CM launched the scheme in Dharmavaram, a town in Anantapur district is known for its handloom sarees and is home to a large community of weavers.
2. CSIR to develop new drugs for global market
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) signed an agreement to develop new drugs and repurposing of drugs for India and for global markets. The team research work is also joined by Cipla.
3. India-Swiss Air Service Pact to be amended, Cabinet approves signing protocol
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Protocol to amend the Agreement between Swiss Federal Council, the highest executive authority of Swiss Confederation and Government of India related to air services, as well as to exchange diplomatic notes with Switzerland for bringing amendments in air services agreement into force. The protocol will allow more number of airlines to start flight operations between two countries.
4. India to get its First Chief of Defence Staff
The Cabinet Committee On Security (CCS) chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the creation of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post that will function as a single point of contact for different branches of armed forces.
CCS also approved the report of a high-level committee headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which finalised responsibilities and framework for operation of CDS.
In the present structure, the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (CSC) is Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Bipin Rawat. However, he does not function in capacity of a CDS.
5. Rohtang pass tunnel named after former PM Vajpayee
On 24 December, 2019, the Union cabinet chaired by PM Modi decided that the strategic tunnel that was constructed under Rohtang Pass will be named after him. This is because the tunnel construction was started in June 2000, during his tenure.
6. NPL scientists develop ink to stop fake passports and currency notes
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Physical Laboratory (NPL) developed an ink to combat the problem of fake printing of passports and counterfeiting of currency notes. The ink has a new security feature o protecting itself against duplicity
7. 24 December: National Consumer Day
Every year 24 December is observed as National Consumer Day, to highlight the importance of consumer movement as well as the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. Theme of National Consumer Day 2019 is- ‘Alternate Consumer Grievance/Dispute Redressal’.
8. SEBI signs pact with Kazakhstan’s AFSA for mutual co-operation
Markets regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kazakhstan-based Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) for mutual co-operation and technical assistance. The MoU was signed by SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi and the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of AFSA Mukhtar Bubeyev.
9. Good Governance Day observed on december 25
Good Governance Day is observed in India annually on the twenty-fifth day of December, the birth anniversary of former-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to honor Prime Minister Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the Indian people of accountability in government.
10. PM Modi unveils statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on those who indulged in violence and arson during the protests against Citizenship Amendment Act. The Prime Minister said, they must introspect whether the way they choose was right and the intention was good.
Mr. Modi asked if the public property which was damaged during protests in Uttar Pradesh was of no use for the protesters’ children also.
11. Hemant Soren to take oath as Jharkhand CM on Dec 29
In Jharkhand, Grand Alliance leader Hemant Soren will take oath as Chief Minister on the 29th of this month. He said this last night in Ranchi after meeting Governor Draupadi Murmu to stake claim to form a new government in the state.
12. Cabinet approves Atal Bhujal Yojana
The Union Cabinet approved the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a Rs 6,000 crore scheme for sustainable management of ground water resources, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said.
The scheme will cover 8,350 villages of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said.
13. Sangita Reddy takes over as FICCI president
Sangita Reddy, joint managing director, Apollo Hospitals Group will succeed Sandeep Somany as the president of industry chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2020. So many is the vice-chairman and managing director, Hindustan Sanitaryware and Industries Limited (HSIL).
14. ESAF Small Finance Bank appoints PR Ravi Mohan as its new chairman
P R Ravi Mohan has been appointed as the new chairman of Kerala-based ESAF Small Finance Bank. He replaced R Prabha, who completed his tenure as the chairman. Mohan comes with a rich experience of top leadership in Indian and international banking sectors and was engaged in providing technical assistance on banking supervision and financial stability to 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
