1. Union Budget on Feb 28
The General Budget for financial year 2015-16 will be presented on Saturday, February 28. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved dates for the budget session. According to sources, the session will start on February 23 with the traditional Presidential Address to both the Houses. Then Railway Budget will be presented on February 26 followed by tabling of the Economic Survey on February 27. First leg of the Budget session will end on March 20. After one month recess, both the Houses of Parliament will reassemble on April 20 and continue till May 8. One month recess period is used by department related Standing Committees of Parliament to consider expenditure provisions for various Central Ministries/Departments and also the Finance Bill. Though the Government is not bound to accept suggestions given by these committees, the convention is to accept some of the suggestions and amend the provisions of Budgets accordingly.2. NDA government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has entered into Guinness book of World Records.
Guinness book of World Records has given certificate stating it as most bank accounts opened in one week. In one week, 18,096,130 bank accounts were opened as part of the financial inclusion campaign from 23rd to 29th August, 2014. It was achieved by the Department of Financial Services (Government of India).
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every family in the country in less than six months. It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal banking system. It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curb leakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer. Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts by 26 January, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bank accounts. As on 17th January 2015, PMJDY has achieved feat of opening of 11.50 crore bank accounts under it in the short span of 5 months since it was launched against the original target of 7.5 Crore by 26th January, 2015.
3. India’s GDP growth rate set to surpass China’s in 2016-17: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) became the latest organisation to predict that India is on track to outpace China in the next few years and become the world’s fastest growing large economy.In its latest update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the IMF said India is likely to grow 6.5 per cent in 2016-17, higher than 6.3 per cent for China. Reform push: This prediction comes a week after the World Bank said that India is expected to outpace China in 2017-18 with growth of 7 per cent (as against China’s 6.9 per cent) on the back of reform initiatives of the Modi-led Government. However, in the latest update, IMF lowered India’s growth projection for 2015-16 to 6.3 per cent, from 6.4 per cent estimated in October 2014. China impact: The slowdown in China could drag the growth rates of most emerging Asian countries other than India, said the IMF report. India’s growth will not slide with others as it is expected to reap huge net gains from the fall in global oil and commodity prices, according to the IMF report. In India, the growth forecast is broadly unchanged, however, as weaker external demand is offset by the boost to the terms of trade from lower oil prices and a pick up in industrial and investment activity after policy reforms, the IMF report added. World growth to slow :The latest IMF report also said world growth for 2015 and 2016 is projected at 3.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively, a downward revision of 0.3 per cent as against the October 2014 forecast. China’s economy slowed down to 7.4 per cent in 2014 – the slowest in 24 years – missing the official target of 7.5 per cent. The IMF has now projected that China’s growth rate will decline to 6.8 per cent in 2015-16 and 6.3 per cent in 2016.
4. Nabard sets up Chair at IRMA
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Institute of Rural Management-Anand (IRMA) for setting up a Nabard Chair in Agriculture and Rural Development at the institution founded by the late Dr Verghese Kurien, Father of the White Revolution in India. The MoA was signed by Prof. Jeemol Unni, Director, IRMA, and M.V. Ashok, Chief General Manager, Nabard, at Anand on Tuesday. Prof. Rakesh Saxena has been nominated the Nabard Chair Professor at IRMA. The objective of the Chair is to encourage applied and empirical research of a high standard in a bid to promote agriculture and rural development while broadening perceptions and gaining insights into these areas,The Chair Professor at IRMA will collaborate with Nabard on joint activities and engage in policy issues. A lecture series on issues of mutual interest to both IRMA and Nabard is also being considered.
5. CII, Alibaba tie up to provide global platform to Indian SMEs
To facilitate greater economic engagement between Indian and Chinese SMEs, Confederation of Indian Industry has signed an MOU with China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba to build business-to-business linkages through global online platform. Alibaba.com and CII will collaborate and develop various trade opportunities and online promotions to facilitate greater economic engagement between Indian and Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs). CII Shanghai has signed an MOU with Alibaba.com to build business-to-business linkages between SMEs from India and the rest of the world through better utilisation of digital services for cross border and domestic trade, Chief Representative of CII Shanghai Madhav Sharma, who signed the agreement at Hangzhou city last week, said today. CII and Alibaba.com will also work jointly towards providing trainings, promoting Industry clusters for SMEs in some key business sectors. Alibaba will work with CII to run their e-certificates programmes in India, Sharma said. The MoU is a step forward in forging greater partnerships, engagement between Indian and global business especially among SMEs.
6. Twitter buys Indian start-up ZipDial
Leading social networking website Twitter has bought Indian mobile marketing start-up ZipDial. It will be first Indian technology product startup to be bought by Twitter. This deal is expected to cost Twitter around $34-35 million (Rs 215 crore). About ZipDial It is Bengaluru based startup, founded in 2011. It is co-founded by Valerie Wagoner, an American origin entrepreneur who graduated from Stanford University. ZipDial’s mobile marketing platform gives information about businesses to users when they place a missed call. This interaction information is useful in areas where people aren’t always connected to the Internet or can access data only through intermittent Wi-Fi networks Its mobile mobile marketing platform has nearly 60 million users, which includes the world’s leading brands and media companies.
7. SEBI ready to raise foreign portfolio investment cap on corporate bonds
Foreign portfolio investors might be able to invest even more in the Indian bond market soon, over and above the current ceiling of $51 billion. Capital market regulator SEBI is willing to consider raising this upper limit, given the enthusiasm it has seen in the corporate bond market. Speaking at a conference here organised by ratings agency Crisil, UK Sinha, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), said, "We have seen a lot of enthusiasm from foreign portfolio investors in Indian corporate bonds. Exemptions in withholding tax have helped and nearly 60 per cent of the investment limit has now been utilised. So there will be an occasion where this limit can be enhanced." Additionally, he noted that if foreign investors are willing to invest in the domestic debt market, this will help corporates raise money locally. "More participation in the corporate bonds market in India by foreigners also implies that Indian companies won't have to go abroad to raise debt financing. They will be able to raise funds here in the rupee itself." However, he said that the Indian corporate bond market still has a long way to go before it can be fully developed. This, in terms of liquidity, enhanced bond holder protection, better disclosures to debenture trustees and encouraging more and continued retail participation in the bond market even when the equity markets perform well.
8. India ranks 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014
India ranked 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list of 93 countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital. This GTCI list was compiled by INSEAD business school in partnership with Adecco and Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI). GTCI measures a nation’s competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain. Key facts of Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list Top twenty scoring countries in the GTCI 2014 are all high-income countries. While, the top rankings were dominated by European countries, with only six non-European countries in the top 20 which included Singapore (2nd), the United States (4th), Canada (5th), Australia (9th), New-Zealand (16th) and Japan (20th). Rich countries were able to top in the list, since they tend to have better universities and a greater ability to attract foreign talents through higher quality of life and remuneration, making them more talent competitive. Top 10 in GTCI list: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), Luxembourg (3rd), United States (4th) and Canada (5th), Sweden (6th), United Kingdom (7th), Denmark (8th), Australia (9th) and Ireland (10th). India’s lower position indicates acute shortage of skilled workforce. It also ranks at last among BRICS members.
9. Union Government launches monitoring system for skill development scheme
Union Government has launched Management Information System (MIS) to check progress and implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) scheme in different states. MIS aims to check real time progress on skill development and enhancing livelihood opportunities for urban poor under DAY scheme. It was launched by Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Key facts about Management Information System (MIS)
This system is developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) at a cost of Rs 2.24 crore. It enables real time and regular monitoring of the progress of DAY scheme and its seven components which include employment through skill training and placement, self-employment groups, shelters for urban homeless and support to urban vendors. It will help to remove the deficiencies in the present manual submission of monthly progress reports which are submitted by states.
10. Punjab government launches e-stamping project
Punjab government has launched e-stamping project in the state. It was launched by state Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. This project seeks to computarise revenue departments of the state in order to remove malpractices and end leakage of government revenue. It also seeks to make revenue transactions safe and secure.
Key facts
At present, e-stamping has been initiated as a pilot project in five districts of state. They are Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Bathinda. All districts of state will be covered under this project by 31 March 2015. This project will help citizens to pay the exact fee through a wire transfer, a draft or even a cheque for stamp instead of buying it from middlemen at higher cost. E-stamps have various safety features which includes a unique ID generated by computer and could be verified online and also UV, ultra violet, micro film and thermal fixtures besides an encrypted 2 D bar code.
11.Bibek Debroy joins as full time member of NITI Aayog
Noted economist Bibek Debroy today assumed charge as full time member of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). The Government had announced the appointment of Debroy and DRDO chief VK Saraswat as full-time members earlier this month. “No Comments. I am happy..,” Debroy replied when his views were sought on his first day in office.Debroy, who has been a research professor at Centre for Policy Research, is also a heading the committee to suggest ways to restructure the railway board. An economist by profession, he was educated at the Presidency College (Calcutta), the Delhi School of Economics and the Trinity College (Cambridge).
12. EU decides to lift ban on import of mangoes from India
European Union (EU) has decided to lift seven-month-long ban on the import of mangoes from India. In this regard, a European Commission committee unanimously voted to lift the ban. The ban was lifted after an audit carried out by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in India in September 2014. This audit had showed that India world’s biggest producer of mangoes have made significant improvements in the phytosanitary export certification system of mangoes. Background EU had imposed temporary ban on import of mangoes from in 1 May 2014 after authorities in Brussels found consignments of the premium Alphonso mangoes infested with fruit flies. Along with Alphonso mangoes they also had banned import of 4 vegetables- aubergines, bitter gourds, snake gourds and patra leaves. They had imposed ban citing the reason that fruit flies from these consignments may damage European salad crops. However, it should be noted that EU has not lifted ban on these 4 vegetables and will be reviewed at later stage after collecting more evidence.
13. Maharashtra government declares Chandrapur as dry district
Maharashtra Government has declared mineral rich Chandrapur district (in Vidarbha region) as dry district. Thus imposing ban on the sale, purchase, production and consumption of liquor in the district. In this regard, state government has cancelled all alcohol permits in Chandrapur district and henceforth will be shifted to other districts. Chandrapur district is third district in state to be declared dry district. The demand for banning liquor in Chandrapur was made in late 2010, following which a committee was set up by state government. Thus, this decision was taken that in the interest of health of the people of Chandrapur, liquor consumption must be prohibited. Earlier, Wardha and Gadchiroli districts from same region were declared dry districts. Wardha was declared dry district as it is closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi with his ashram situated in Sevagram. While, in the case of Gadchiroli the decision to declare it as a dry district was taken in 1992 owing to a public outcry to ban alcohol in view of growing Naxal movement.
14.Japanese automaker Toyota tops in global vehicle sales
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. has topped in global vehicle sales in 2014 by selling 10.23 million vehicles, beating Volkswagen and General Motors. While, Germen automaker Volkswagen AG is second in global vehicle sales list and has sold 10.14 million vehicles in 2014. Detroit-based General Motors (GM) is third in the list and has sold at 9.92 million vehicles.
Some facts
In 2014, Toyota’s sales grew 6 per cent in the U.S, 13 per cent in China, and 10 per cent in Brazil compared to year 2013. But in 2011, company had suffered a setback in top position rank, when its production was hit by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan but it made a comeback as No. 1 in 2012. It should be noted that, GM was top-selling automaker for more than seven decades. But in 2008, it was surpassed by Toyota.
15. Indian Novelist Vikram Chandra named among the finalists of NBCC awards
ovelist Vikram Chandra on 20 January 2015 was named among the finalists for prestigious National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards. He was nominated for the American literary awards for his work about culture of computer programming and classical Indian aesthetics. Delhi-born Vikram Chandra of 53 is a finalist in the criticism category for his non-fiction work Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty. Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty has been published thrice but with different titles, namely
• In 2013 as Mirrored Mind: My Life in Letters and Code
• In 2014 as Geek Sublime: Writing Fiction, Coding Software
• In the US as Geek Sublime: The Code of Beauty, the Beauty of Code
16. Hindi Novel Farishta authored by Kapil Isapuri Farishta: Kapil Isapuri
Hindi novel Farishta was in news in the fourth week of January 2015 after its author Kapil Isapuri accused the makers of film PK of plagiarism. The book was published in 2013. The novelist Isapuri approached the Delhi High Court and claimed that certain portions of the film like characters, expression of ideas and sequences were stolen from his novel Farishta and was used in the film.
1. Union Budget on Feb 28
The General Budget for financial year 2015-16 will be presented on Saturday, February 28. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved dates for the budget session. According to sources, the session will start on February 23 with the traditional Presidential Address to both the Houses. Then Railway Budget will be presented on February 26 followed by tabling of the Economic Survey on February 27. First leg of the Budget session will end on March 20. After one month recess, both the Houses of Parliament will reassemble on April 20 and continue till May 8. One month recess period is used by department related Standing Committees of Parliament to consider expenditure provisions for various Central Ministries/Departments and also the Finance Bill. Though the Government is not bound to accept suggestions given by these committees, the convention is to accept some of the suggestions and amend the provisions of Budgets accordingly.2. NDA government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has entered into Guinness book of World Records.
Guinness book of World Records has given certificate stating it as most bank accounts opened in one week. In one week, 18,096,130 bank accounts were opened as part of the financial inclusion campaign from 23rd to 29th August, 2014. It was achieved by the Department of Financial Services (Government of India).
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every family in the country in less than six months. It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal banking system. It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curb leakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer. Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts by 26 January, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bank accounts. As on 17th January 2015, PMJDY has achieved feat of opening of 11.50 crore bank accounts under it in the short span of 5 months since it was launched against the original target of 7.5 Crore by 26th January, 2015.
3. India’s GDP growth rate set to surpass China’s in 2016-17: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) became the latest organisation to predict that India is on track to outpace China in the next few years and become the world’s fastest growing large economy.In its latest update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the IMF said India is likely to grow 6.5 per cent in 2016-17, higher than 6.3 per cent for China. Reform push: This prediction comes a week after the World Bank said that India is expected to outpace China in 2017-18 with growth of 7 per cent (as against China’s 6.9 per cent) on the back of reform initiatives of the Modi-led Government. However, in the latest update, IMF lowered India’s growth projection for 2015-16 to 6.3 per cent, from 6.4 per cent estimated in October 2014. China impact: The slowdown in China could drag the growth rates of most emerging Asian countries other than India, said the IMF report. India’s growth will not slide with others as it is expected to reap huge net gains from the fall in global oil and commodity prices, according to the IMF report. In India, the growth forecast is broadly unchanged, however, as weaker external demand is offset by the boost to the terms of trade from lower oil prices and a pick up in industrial and investment activity after policy reforms, the IMF report added. World growth to slow :The latest IMF report also said world growth for 2015 and 2016 is projected at 3.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively, a downward revision of 0.3 per cent as against the October 2014 forecast. China’s economy slowed down to 7.4 per cent in 2014 – the slowest in 24 years – missing the official target of 7.5 per cent. The IMF has now projected that China’s growth rate will decline to 6.8 per cent in 2015-16 and 6.3 per cent in 2016.
4. Nabard sets up Chair at IRMA
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Institute of Rural Management-Anand (IRMA) for setting up a Nabard Chair in Agriculture and Rural Development at the institution founded by the late Dr Verghese Kurien, Father of the White Revolution in India. The MoA was signed by Prof. Jeemol Unni, Director, IRMA, and M.V. Ashok, Chief General Manager, Nabard, at Anand on Tuesday. Prof. Rakesh Saxena has been nominated the Nabard Chair Professor at IRMA. The objective of the Chair is to encourage applied and empirical research of a high standard in a bid to promote agriculture and rural development while broadening perceptions and gaining insights into these areas,The Chair Professor at IRMA will collaborate with Nabard on joint activities and engage in policy issues. A lecture series on issues of mutual interest to both IRMA and Nabard is also being considered.
5. CII, Alibaba tie up to provide global platform to Indian SMEs
To facilitate greater economic engagement between Indian and Chinese SMEs, Confederation of Indian Industry has signed an MOU with China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba to build business-to-business linkages through global online platform. Alibaba.com and CII will collaborate and develop various trade opportunities and online promotions to facilitate greater economic engagement between Indian and Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs). CII Shanghai has signed an MOU with Alibaba.com to build business-to-business linkages between SMEs from India and the rest of the world through better utilisation of digital services for cross border and domestic trade, Chief Representative of CII Shanghai Madhav Sharma, who signed the agreement at Hangzhou city last week, said today. CII and Alibaba.com will also work jointly towards providing trainings, promoting Industry clusters for SMEs in some key business sectors. Alibaba will work with CII to run their e-certificates programmes in India, Sharma said. The MoU is a step forward in forging greater partnerships, engagement between Indian and global business especially among SMEs.
6. Twitter buys Indian start-up ZipDial
Leading social networking website Twitter has bought Indian mobile marketing start-up ZipDial. It will be first Indian technology product startup to be bought by Twitter. This deal is expected to cost Twitter around $34-35 million (Rs 215 crore). About ZipDial It is Bengaluru based startup, founded in 2011. It is co-founded by Valerie Wagoner, an American origin entrepreneur who graduated from Stanford University. ZipDial’s mobile marketing platform gives information about businesses to users when they place a missed call. This interaction information is useful in areas where people aren’t always connected to the Internet or can access data only through intermittent Wi-Fi networks Its mobile mobile marketing platform has nearly 60 million users, which includes the world’s leading brands and media companies.
7. SEBI ready to raise foreign portfolio investment cap on corporate bonds
Foreign portfolio investors might be able to invest even more in the Indian bond market soon, over and above the current ceiling of $51 billion. Capital market regulator SEBI is willing to consider raising this upper limit, given the enthusiasm it has seen in the corporate bond market. Speaking at a conference here organised by ratings agency Crisil, UK Sinha, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), said, "We have seen a lot of enthusiasm from foreign portfolio investors in Indian corporate bonds. Exemptions in withholding tax have helped and nearly 60 per cent of the investment limit has now been utilised. So there will be an occasion where this limit can be enhanced." Additionally, he noted that if foreign investors are willing to invest in the domestic debt market, this will help corporates raise money locally. "More participation in the corporate bonds market in India by foreigners also implies that Indian companies won't have to go abroad to raise debt financing. They will be able to raise funds here in the rupee itself." However, he said that the Indian corporate bond market still has a long way to go before it can be fully developed. This, in terms of liquidity, enhanced bond holder protection, better disclosures to debenture trustees and encouraging more and continued retail participation in the bond market even when the equity markets perform well.
8. India ranks 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014
India ranked 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list of 93 countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital. This GTCI list was compiled by INSEAD business school in partnership with Adecco and Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI). GTCI measures a nation’s competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain. Key facts of Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list Top twenty scoring countries in the GTCI 2014 are all high-income countries. While, the top rankings were dominated by European countries, with only six non-European countries in the top 20 which included Singapore (2nd), the United States (4th), Canada (5th), Australia (9th), New-Zealand (16th) and Japan (20th). Rich countries were able to top in the list, since they tend to have better universities and a greater ability to attract foreign talents through higher quality of life and remuneration, making them more talent competitive. Top 10 in GTCI list: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), Luxembourg (3rd), United States (4th) and Canada (5th), Sweden (6th), United Kingdom (7th), Denmark (8th), Australia (9th) and Ireland (10th). India’s lower position indicates acute shortage of skilled workforce. It also ranks at last among BRICS members.
9. Union Government launches monitoring system for skill development scheme
Union Government has launched Management Information System (MIS) to check progress and implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) scheme in different states. MIS aims to check real time progress on skill development and enhancing livelihood opportunities for urban poor under DAY scheme. It was launched by Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Key facts about Management Information System (MIS)
This system is developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) at a cost of Rs 2.24 crore. It enables real time and regular monitoring of the progress of DAY scheme and its seven components which include employment through skill training and placement, self-employment groups, shelters for urban homeless and support to urban vendors. It will help to remove the deficiencies in the present manual submission of monthly progress reports which are submitted by states.
10. Punjab government launches e-stamping project
Punjab government has launched e-stamping project in the state. It was launched by state Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. This project seeks to computarise revenue departments of the state in order to remove malpractices and end leakage of government revenue. It also seeks to make revenue transactions safe and secure.
Key facts
At present, e-stamping has been initiated as a pilot project in five districts of state. They are Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Bathinda. All districts of state will be covered under this project by 31 March 2015. This project will help citizens to pay the exact fee through a wire transfer, a draft or even a cheque for stamp instead of buying it from middlemen at higher cost. E-stamps have various safety features which includes a unique ID generated by computer and could be verified online and also UV, ultra violet, micro film and thermal fixtures besides an encrypted 2 D bar code.
11.Bibek Debroy joins as full time member of NITI Aayog
Noted economist Bibek Debroy today assumed charge as full time member of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). The Government had announced the appointment of Debroy and DRDO chief VK Saraswat as full-time members earlier this month. “No Comments. I am happy..,” Debroy replied when his views were sought on his first day in office.Debroy, who has been a research professor at Centre for Policy Research, is also a heading the committee to suggest ways to restructure the railway board. An economist by profession, he was educated at the Presidency College (Calcutta), the Delhi School of Economics and the Trinity College (Cambridge).
12. EU decides to lift ban on import of mangoes from India
European Union (EU) has decided to lift seven-month-long ban on the import of mangoes from India. In this regard, a European Commission committee unanimously voted to lift the ban. The ban was lifted after an audit carried out by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in India in September 2014. This audit had showed that India world’s biggest producer of mangoes have made significant improvements in the phytosanitary export certification system of mangoes. Background EU had imposed temporary ban on import of mangoes from in 1 May 2014 after authorities in Brussels found consignments of the premium Alphonso mangoes infested with fruit flies. Along with Alphonso mangoes they also had banned import of 4 vegetables- aubergines, bitter gourds, snake gourds and patra leaves. They had imposed ban citing the reason that fruit flies from these consignments may damage European salad crops. However, it should be noted that EU has not lifted ban on these 4 vegetables and will be reviewed at later stage after collecting more evidence.
13. Maharashtra government declares Chandrapur as dry district
Maharashtra Government has declared mineral rich Chandrapur district (in Vidarbha region) as dry district. Thus imposing ban on the sale, purchase, production and consumption of liquor in the district. In this regard, state government has cancelled all alcohol permits in Chandrapur district and henceforth will be shifted to other districts. Chandrapur district is third district in state to be declared dry district. The demand for banning liquor in Chandrapur was made in late 2010, following which a committee was set up by state government. Thus, this decision was taken that in the interest of health of the people of Chandrapur, liquor consumption must be prohibited. Earlier, Wardha and Gadchiroli districts from same region were declared dry districts. Wardha was declared dry district as it is closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi with his ashram situated in Sevagram. While, in the case of Gadchiroli the decision to declare it as a dry district was taken in 1992 owing to a public outcry to ban alcohol in view of growing Naxal movement.
14.Japanese automaker Toyota tops in global vehicle sales
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. has topped in global vehicle sales in 2014 by selling 10.23 million vehicles, beating Volkswagen and General Motors. While, Germen automaker Volkswagen AG is second in global vehicle sales list and has sold 10.14 million vehicles in 2014. Detroit-based General Motors (GM) is third in the list and has sold at 9.92 million vehicles.
Some facts
In 2014, Toyota’s sales grew 6 per cent in the U.S, 13 per cent in China, and 10 per cent in Brazil compared to year 2013. But in 2011, company had suffered a setback in top position rank, when its production was hit by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan but it made a comeback as No. 1 in 2012. It should be noted that, GM was top-selling automaker for more than seven decades. But in 2008, it was surpassed by Toyota.
15. Indian Novelist Vikram Chandra named among the finalists of NBCC awards
ovelist Vikram Chandra on 20 January 2015 was named among the finalists for prestigious National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards. He was nominated for the American literary awards for his work about culture of computer programming and classical Indian aesthetics. Delhi-born Vikram Chandra of 53 is a finalist in the criticism category for his non-fiction work Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty. Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty has been published thrice but with different titles, namely
• In 2013 as Mirrored Mind: My Life in Letters and Code
• In 2014 as Geek Sublime: Writing Fiction, Coding Software
• In the US as Geek Sublime: The Code of Beauty, the Beauty of Code
16. Hindi Novel Farishta authored by Kapil Isapuri Farishta: Kapil Isapuri
Hindi novel Farishta was in news in the fourth week of January 2015 after its author Kapil Isapuri accused the makers of film PK of plagiarism. The book was published in 2013. The novelist Isapuri approached the Delhi High Court and claimed that certain portions of the film like characters, expression of ideas and sequences were stolen from his novel Farishta and was used in the film.
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