Current Affairs July 03, 2015

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1.India is now a $2 – trillion economy: India’s GDP crosses the $2–trillion mark in 2014, according to data released by the World Bank in Washington. After taking 60 years to reach the $1-trillion mark, India added the next trillion in just seven years.
2. Integrated solid waste management at Panchayats in Andhra: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to launch works under the solid waste management in 659panachayats across the state. The Panchayats will be allotted Rs. 10 lakh each amounting to Rs. 65.9 crore, for taking up steps to effectively manage solid waste in these villages under the Swachch Bharat Mission.
3. In biggest attachment abroad, ED takes over 1280 acres in USA: Zoom developers a real estate company based on Indore took Rs. 2,200 crore in loans from more than 20 banks and siphoned off the money to European countries and USA. Out of this, they had purchased land of 1280 acres in USA. As a first of its kind the Enforcement Directorate(ED) has attached this land of Zoom developers in US.
4. Supreme Court orders prosecution of US ship crew for carrying weapons: Above 35 crew members, of whom 11 were Indians and remaining foreign nationals, were arrested on October 8, 2014 by Tamil Nadu Police after it was intercepted by the Coast Guard. They were booked under Arms Act and Essential Commodities Act. The vessel was carrying 35 firearms, 5682 rounds of ammunition etc. The Supreme Court has cleared the deck for prosecution of 35 crew members of US ship M V Seaman Ohio for illegally carrying weapons.
5. National Mobile Number Portability (MNP) starts from today: Subscribers will be able to retain their mobile number even when they move to different cities. MNP allows you to change your service provider and also retain your old number. The feature was launched on Jan 20, 2011, but you could change service provider only within the circle. Now you can avail of these facilities across different cities and service providers.
6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit all the five “Stans” of Central Asia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading for Central Asia to visit all the five ‘Stans’ like Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan etc. in one shot. By this India is hoping to obtain their cooperation for Counter - terrorism, export-import, energy and power etc.,
7. Centre clears Rs. 50,000 crore plan to irrigate farms in India: The centre will spend Rs. 50,000 crore over next five years to develop basic irrigation infrastructure and water conversation models in the country under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana ( Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme). The Scheme aims to irrigate every farm in under its motto ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’(water for every farm).
8. British oil company BP to pay $18.7billion for Gulf of Mexico oil spill: The US federal government and the Gulf Coast states have reached a tentative deal with the British oil company BP for it to pay about $18.7 billion, the largest environmental settlement in American history, to compensate for damages from the 2010 Deep water Horizon oil spill.
9. Mobile Banking picks up quickly in India: Top private banks in India expect Mobile devices to be the predominant channel through which customers access their accounts. HDFC bank is largest in Banking space in terms of value of transactions with Rs. 5, 686 crore of transaction in April 2015. In terms of the number of transaction State bank leads with above 78.5 lakh transactions.
10. Gulf Petrochem Plans to set up Rs. 1000 crore Ethanol Plant in India: It has been a decade since the government opted for blending 5% ethanol with fossil fuel to reduce vehicular emissions. But the country is far from reaching the target, managing utmost 2% blending as oil marketing companies say there isn’t enough ethanol available. Hence, this UAE major looking to produce ethanol in India.
11. Aadhaar card is now to be given to children and infant: The Unique Identification Authority Of India (UIDAI)has started an aggressive drive to issue Aadhaar to infants and children below 18 years as it looks to ensure universal coverage by December. UIDAI has issued 87 crore Aadhaar numbers as on July 1.
12. BMW Starts Testing First Fuel-Cell Car: BMW will test a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells on public roads this month as the German automaker looks to expand clean-car offering after rolling out the battery powered i3 in 2013. The company plans “a technically mature, customer-ready vehicle sometime after 2020.”
13. US Authorities Recover Bronze Idol Stolen from Indian Temple : A 12th Century Bronze Idol of Saint Manikkavachakar was stolen from a temple in South India and was worth $ 1 million. It has been recovered by US custom officials.