CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH JULY 2014

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1. Government is working on a national food grid similar to that of power grid, which will connect deficient areas with producing regions. It will reduce wastage of fruits and vegetables while ensuring stable prices that can help tame stubborn food inflation. Also, plans would be developed to set up mega marine parks to tap into the potential for marine products.

2. India is having final negotiations with France for acquiring 126 French Rafale fighters under the almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project.

3. The government has accepted the PJ Nayak panel's proposal to split the post of chairman and managing director in public sector banks as part of a restructuring. It will increase the minimum tenure of public sector bank chiefs to five years.

4. Diesel prices may be deregulated as early as December if the current trend in global prices continues. Deregulation will lead to increase in domestic price of diesel in par with international prices and oil companies will be relieved from debt burden.

5. Cabinet will take a decision on mandatory blending of 10 per cent ethanol with petroleum. This move will increase the income for sugarcane farmers and at present it is compulsory to blend 5 per cent ethanol with petroleum.

6. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that under the 'Creation of Management Structure for Hazardous Substances' scheme, government is setting up integrated recycling facility for e-waste. It will facilitate e- waste management in the country.