Category: All Current Affairs

West Bengal becomes 4th state to pass anti-CAA resolution

West Bengal became the fourth opposition-ruled state after Kerala, Punjab and Rajasthan to pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in its assembly. The state assembly had previously passed a similar resolution against NRC in September 2019.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee called the CAA a law that is “a shame to humanity and civilisation” and sought its immediate withdrawal. Congress and Left Front added muscle to Trinamool Congress’s opposition and the single BJP MLA present in the assembly was the lone voice of dissent.

Rs 37 crore Innovation Challenge Fund launched by UK government in India

The UK government has launched 4 million pound, which is about Rs 37 crore, Innovation Challenge Fund in India. The Fund will encourage industry and academia to collaborate and develop tech solutions for social, economic and environmental challenges. The initiative is focused on two major tech clusters: artificial intelligence in Karnataka and future mobility in Maharashtra. Apart from smart mobility, the challenge fund is also looking for proposals in areas of safety and convenience, technology leap, connectivity, and recycling & upgrading.

Banks sanction Rs.40,000 crore in last two months under Mudra loans

Banks have disbursed more than Rs 40,000 crore under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the last two months. There has been a step-up in Mudra loans in the last two months. At the end of November 2019, disbursal was only at Rs 51 lakh crore, while as on January 24, 2020, the disbursal of Mudra loans sanctioned stood at Rs 1,97,816 crore. Which means a little less than one-third of the total loans disbursed was done from December 2019 till date.

India used digital technologies to reduce disparities: UN

A flagship UN study has stated that, India has successfully managed to use digital platforms to reduce disparities among population groups. India’s experience of complementing mobile technologies with the Aadhaar identification system to reduce inequality is likely to be replicated in other countries in future. “India harnessed the potential of digital technologies for more inclusive development”, as published in the The World Social Report 2020, by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

European Parliament to discuss India’s anti-CAA resolution

The European Parliament will discuss the draft resolution on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a plenary session on 29th January. The five-page resolution was drafted by the 154 members, fearing that the recently enacted legislation by India could trigger the ‘largest statelessness crisis’ in the world.

The resolution describes the CAA is described in the resolution as “discriminatory” and “dangerously divisive” and also a “violation of India’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”. The resolution has also called on the Indian government to ensure the right to peaceful protest is allowed and to guarantee the life and physical integrity of those who choose to protest.

1,256 projects financed under J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation

In Jammu and Kashmir, around 1,256 projects worth Rs 2280 crore are being financed under J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, for development purpose. All government departments will have to handover the completed infrastructure development projects, before the third week of March this year for their formal inauguration.

Introduction of African cheetah in India allowed by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has allowed the Centre to introduce the African cheetah to a suitable habitat in India. Since the rare Indian cheetah is almost extinct in the country, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had filed an application seeking permission for the introduction of the African cheetah from Namibia. The apex court will monitor the project and the committee will submit its report every four months. The African cheetah will be introduced on an experimental basis in the best suitable habitat to see whether it can adapt to Indian conditions.

Prime Minister Modi pays tribute to Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to one of the key leaders of the freedom struggle Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary, saying his sacrifice will continue to inspire Indians. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also paid tribute saying that, Lala Lajpat Rai was a fierce nationalist and his remarkable and heroic role during the Vandemataram movement and Simon go-back agitation and his patriotism will continue to inspire every Indian. Popularly called Punjab Kesari, Rai was born in Punjab’s Moga in 1865.

India and France to discuss on collaboration of films and audio visual

India and France in an extensive meeting discussed on ways and means on co-production of films and also collaborate in audio visual exchanges. The meeting was held by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar with a French delegation led by the Culture Minister of France Franck Riester. They agreed to have a joint working group towards implementation of the objectives.