Category: National Current Affairs

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes 6 years

August 28, 2020

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completed six years on August 28, 2020.
• The key features of the scheme included the opening of basic saving bank deposit accounts with relaxed KYC, zero balance and zero charges and the issuance of debit cards with free accident insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh and micro-insurance and overdraft for consumption, micro-pension and micro-credit facilities.

Ministry of Culture announces 7 new circles of ASI

August 28, 2020

• The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (IC), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has announced 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India. These new circles have been formed in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Gujarat. Along with the 7 new circles, the minister also added that the Hampi Mini Circle in Karnataka has been converted into a full-fledged circle.

Govt launches national GIS-enabled land bank system

August 28, 2020

• The Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal on August 27, 2020 e-launched the national GIS-enabled land bank system. It will help investors in getting real-time information about the availability of industrial land and resources.

Centre approves 78 new routes under 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme

August 28, 2020

• The Civil Aviation Ministry approved the 78 new routes under the 4th round of Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). It is a Regional Connectivity Scheme that aims at further enhancing the connectivity to the regional and remote areas of the country.

Government to sell up to 15 percent stake in HAL

August 27, 2020

• The central government has decided to sell up to 15 percent stake in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) through an offer for sale. The offer price will be at a 15 percent discount to the closing price on August 26 – Rs 1,177.75.

Centre launches KIRAN helpline service for mental health rehabilitation

August 27, 2020

• The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot launched ‘Kiran’, a toll- free helpline number for mental health rehabilitation. Kiran helpline number (1800-599-0019) will offer mental health rehabilitation to people across the country.

Mother Teresa’s 110th birth anniversary observed

August 26, 2020

• Mother Teresa’s 110th birth anniversary was observed across the world on August 26, 2020. Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910 to a family of ethnic Albanians in Skopje.

Govt announces Tax exemptions for businesses with annual turnover of up to Rs 40 lakh

August 26, 2020

• The Ministry of Finance said that businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs 40 lakh are GST exempt. Initially, this limit was Rs 20 lakh.

Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020

August 25, 2020

• The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020 which was held in New Delhi, India from August 19 to 21, 2020. He reviewed the innovations by Indian Navy to combat COVID 19 pandemic.

‘Harit Path’, Mobile App launched to monitor highway plantation

August 24, 2020

• The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari, launched the mobile app, “Harit Path” for monitoring plantations and transplantation of trees along the highway.
• The app will monitor the location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements of each of its field units for all the plants under all the plantation projects.