Current Affairs 2-3rd Mar, 2015

DOWNLOAD PDF

1. Monetary Policy Framework Agreement was signed by the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India on February 20 but made public on March 2. The Framework Agreement says, “the Reserve Bank will aim to bring inflation below 6 per cent by January 2016. The target for financial year 2016-17 and all subsequent years will be 4 per cent with a band of +/- 2 per cent."

2. Commerce and Industry Ministry issued a press note on implementing the government decision to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 per cent from 26 per cent. Union Cabinet approved to promulgate an Ordinance hiking the FDI limit to 49 per cent in December last year.

3. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said loans to sanitation, health care and drinking water facilities and renewable energy would come under the priority sector ambit, as would incremental loans made to exports, with certain ceilings.

4. Centre would amend the RBI Act for the setting up of the proposed monetary policy committee, a key element of the new framework.

5. Namibia’s outgoing President Hifikepunye Pohamba was named winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for “good governance” in Africa, the world’s richest award. Hifikepunye Pohamba is only the fourth winner of the $5 million annual prize since its launch in 2007.

6. Delhi Government is planning to issue e-ration cards to beneficiaries identified under the Food Security Act. The decision will arrest procedural delays in delivering Food Security Cards.

Current Affairs 2nd Mar, 2015

1. Jagmohan Dalmiya is likely to be elected as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mr. Dalmiya had temporarily run the BCCI’s day-to-day affairs in 2013 when N. Srinivasan stepped aside following the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal.

2. Centre is planning to invite ideas from the public for developing a mobile app for Prime Ministers Office. The government would work with the global technology giant Google for selecting the best of the ideas and team would be sent to US.

3. The appointment of a nine-member Delhi Dialogue Commission by the Delhi government has been perceived in the political and administrative circles of the Capital as an astute move to form a “think tank” which will provide policy directions for governance.

4. Peoples Democratic Party leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and his party’s alliance with the BJP is seen as a historic moment.

5. Government disclosed that it will offer a “window” to Indians holding black money in foreign bank accounts to disclose their accounts and assets but categorically ruled out any amnesty scheme for them.