1. Prologue
  2. Places in News: April 2016
    1. Gujarat related current affairs for GPSC
    2. Maharashtra
    3. Delhi, the den of Evil
  3. Banking-Finance GK: April 2016 for SBI PO/JA
  4. BizGK: April 2016 for MBA
  5. Controversies in News: April 2016

Prologue

  • So far, part 1 and 2 covered the polity, diplomacy, appointment, movies, books, authors and sports related news that happened in April-2016.
  • This third and last part of the series, covers places and controversies in news, as well as banking and business GK.

Places in News: April 2016

Relevance: mostly for state services exams

Gujarat related current affairs for GPSC

  • Raivoli village Balasinor Taluk Kheda District- GSI had discovered dino remains in 80s, it hasĀ  potential to become UNESCO world Heritage site because it is the largest dino- egg hatchery in the world. CAG criticized Gujarat government for not doing enough forĀ  protection and promotion of this site.
  • Nalsaroar- is Ramsar Wetland Site (2012), CAGĀ  criticised Gujarat government for theĀ  rampant poaching in this area.
  • Within General category: 10% quota for Economically backward classes- who earn less than 6 lakhs a year.
  • Ā state govt. passed a bill that provides CM-headed council to control all universities in the state.
  • NationalĀ  food security actĀ  implemented under the name of “Maa Annapurna Scheme“.
  • Imposed 5% Vat on interstate sale of industrial salt- the companies went on strike.
  • Gujarat religious polarization committee under Justice Sethna is winded up because no hearing or progress since 2009.
  • Union government to merge Mahila Samakhya scheme with national rural livelihood mission (NRLM); but Gujarat to continue this scheme.Ā  Gujarat had also started Nari Adalats under this scheme, and that too will continue.
  • New bill by State government to oversee all university affairs through a statutory body headed by CM. Now teaching and non-teaching staff can be transferred among the universities.

Maharashtra

  • Trupti Desai and her Bhumata Ranragini Brigade (BRB) allowed to enter in Shani Singhnapur temple, after court order.Social activist Vidhya Bal had filled a PIL for entry of women in all temples of Maharashtra.
  • New bill to regulate bar dance clubs in the state.
  • Marathwada consists of 8 districts: eight districts ā€” Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Hingoli, Osmanabad and Nanded. In these areas, no new sugar mill will be allowed for next five years.

Delhi, the den of Evil

Gatimaan Express

What next? Shaktimaan Express to connect Kaladoonga Hills with Tamraj Kilvish’s Den.

  • India’s fastest train “Gatimaan Express” to connect Delhi with Agra at speech 160kmph.
  • Odd-even vehicle policy starts again from 15th April, 2016.
  • Only CNG taxis allowed. No more diesel taxis in Delhi- orders SC.
  • Fire broke out at National Museum of Natural History- precious specimens destroyed
  • State government orders Taxi-app operators not to loot customers with “surge pricing” under which, the taxi fares are rapidly increased during the peak demand situations, as in Odd-even time.
Other places in News
Bihar
  • Became the fourth state to impose liquor ban after Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram. Both Desi and IMFL liquor is banned.
  • “Civil consequences of crime”: all civil and criminal convicts’ names will be displayed on government site and they’ll be barred from any government contracts or welfare schemes.
Haryana
  • Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar changed name of Gurgaon to Gurugram- because Pandav had given it as “Guru Dakshina” to Dronacharya.
Japan and Equador Earthquake above 7.0 ritcher scale.
Jharkhand
  • Capital: Ranchi. State government releases with new guideline on domicile.
  • Largest Tricolor at Ranchi, stuck in the flagpole, army called in for help.
MP
  • India’s largest private sector coal mine: @Sasan.
  • World’s largest supercritical ultra-mega power project- @Sasan.
  • First state in India to create a department of Happiness. (UAE- first country to create a ministry of happiness.)
  • First ever auction of Diamond Mines: Panna.
Odisha
  • India’s most poor district – Nabarangpur, will get a first government college.
Punjab
  • BSF to hoist tallest Indian flag (350ft) at Attari-Wagah joint check post.
Uttar Pradesh
  • Mizwan: birthplace of Shabana Azmi’s poet father- Kaifi Azmi.Ā  Shabana Azmi’s NGO faces action for not paying entertainment tax in Maharashtra.
Uttrakhand President’s Rule imposed under Art. 356
W.Bengal
  • Garib Sal- traditional rice variety, contains silver and therefore medicinal properties.

Banking-Finance GK: April 2016

Relevance: upcoming Probationary officersā€™ and junior assistantsā€™ exam in SBI

Axis bank FIPB approved 74% foreign investment in this private sector commercial bank.
DBS Singapore’s largest bank. Got license to open foreign bank in India- it’ll be a “Mobile only Bank” and parter with >500 cafes in India.
HDFC insurance
  • 2000: HDFC ltd + Standard Life = HDFC life insurance – India’s first private insurance company was launched. Now HDFC ltd. Now this company to become first insurance company in India to launch an IPO
Latest monetary policy Ā Covered in this lecture video
RBI
  • As per RTI, Rajan’s basic pay: 90k, DA: 1,01,700 and other allowance is Rs.7,000. Total over 1.98 lakh rupees, but still he’s not the highest paid executive in RBI. Will 7th Pay commissionā€™s recommendations apply to Rajanbhaiā€™s salary? Find out in next lecture.
SBI Loan/credit card defaulters shall be ineligible to apply for jobs in SBI. SBI will use CIBIL score and other records to ascertain a candidates’ financial record.

BizGK: April 2016

Relevance: mostly in MBA admission interviews

Ajay Banga This Indian American is the CEO of Mastercard, Obama appointed him in National cybersecurity commission.
Bookmyshow Will offer customers to buy ticket now and pay within 30 days.
CII New president Naushad Forbes.
F8 Conference Facebook’s annual conference- laid out 10 year roadmap with plans for chatbots, 3d camera and virtual reality.
IIM-B
  • Ranked as top management institute in India, even ahead of IIM-A. As per HRD Ministry’s India Ranking report 2016.
Kris Gopalakrishnan Infosys co-founder, created app “Itihasa” containing 600 videos about history of Indian IT industry.
Maruti Reported quarterly loss because of the Jat Agitation in Haryana and subsequent delays in its production at Manesar and Gurgaon plants.
Mitsubishi
  • Admitted that it was involved in doing false mileage tests since 1991 to increase sales.
MTNL Planning VRS for employees above 50 years age.
NASSCOM
  • Tech Mahindra’s MD C.P.Gurnami became new chairman
NSE Ex-CCI Ashok Chawla to be next Chairman of National stock exchange. Although SEBI approval required for this appointment.
TCS Tata Consultency services has built highest no. of school toilets under Swatchha Vidhalaya Abhiyan.

Controversies in News: April 2016

Relevance: Interviews and some really bogus PCS /clerical grade exams

Bangla Bloggers Hardcore Islamist groups are murdering bloggers -who write against Islam, in favor of atheism or Christianity.
Dilma Rouseff Faces impeachment for masking budget problems.
Dolkun Isa
  • Muslim Uighurs of Xinjiang province have been running a secessionist movement against China since 90s.
  • In Munich, they’ve setup World Uighur Congress. Its chairman Dolkun Isa wanted to visit India to meet Dalai Lama
  • But Indian Government cancelled his visa after pressure from China- that Dolkun Isa is a terrorist.
Iceland Capital Reykjavik, PM Sigmunder David Gunnlaugsson resigned after Panama Paperleak on money laundering.
IITs Increased annual fees for General category -from 90k to 2 lakh. Women and reserved categories exempted.
Inversion In tax administration, inversion is process of moving company abroad to reduce taxes. US Drugmaker Pfizer was planning to merge with an Ireland company to reduce its tax liability by 1 billion dollar each year but Obama administration prevented it.
Iphone FBI wanted to unlock a Pak-American Terrorist’s Iphone but Apple didn’t help despite court order. If wrong password given for 10 times, phone will automatically delete data. Ultimately, FBI bought a third party tool to unlock the device.
Jacob Zuma Ā Pres of South Africa (Capital is Johannesburg).Ā  He isĀ  accused of corruption,Ā  Opposition parties demanding his resignation.
Khalida Zia Ex PM and head of Bangladesh Nationalist party, accused of planning bomb attack on shipping minister.
Kulbhushan Jadhav Indian arrested in Pakistan for spying charges. Interview posted on TV where he confessed spying for India.
Malegaon bombing, 2009 Nine Muslim accused acquainted.
Masood Azhar India wanted UN sanctions on Masood Azhar- who is JeM boss and Pathankot attack mastermind. But China blocked it saying Azhar doesn’t meet UN criteria for terrorism.
Mithun TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP and Bollywood disco Star and flop actor Mimoh Chakrabarty’s father Mithun Chakrabarty is in controversy because in last two years, he remained present in the house only for three days.
Mossack Fonseca Law firm in Panama city, helped in creation of shell companies for Ash, BigB, Harish Salve and others. Indian Express exposed it.
NIT Srinagar Group of students thrashed after defeat of India in ICC T-20 World cup semifinal and outstation students prevented from flying tricolor.
Pakistan
  • Shariya courts: JuD Hafeez Said established “Darul Qaza Sharia” courts in Lahore. He maintains they’re not parallel to judiciary but only meant as “arbitration”, although anyone who doesn’t comply with its summons, is threatened with dire consequences.
  • Chhotu Gang: this and many other “Robin hood bandit gangs” operate in the Sindh-Punjab region of Pakistan. Army started Blue Fox operation to weed them out.
Pankaja Munde Maharashtra revenue minister- she was criticised for taking selfies during drought inspection.
Rajanbhai
  • In IMF summit,Ā  RBI governor Dr.Raghuram Rajan says Indian economy is a “one-eyed king in the land of blinds”. Commence minister Nirmala Sitharamn is outraged.
  • Later he apologized to the Blind, saying they’re also capable.
Retd. Air Marshal SP Tyagi Indicted for bribes in Italy’s Agusta-Westland VVIP chopper deal.
Tata Steel Its steel plant at Port Talbot in Welsh (UK) is making losses, deciding to shutdown, Trade union demanding government to nationalize the steel sector.
Vijay Mallya
  • Non bailable warrant under prevention of money laundering act for IDBI loan fraud case.
  • External Affairs ministry revoked his passport under Passport Act.

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