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  • Current Affairs 10th April 2015

    Updated : 10-Apr-2015

    Current Affairs 10th April 2015 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 10th April 2015 - Details

    Relief measures has been announced by PM for - distressed farmers

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 8th April 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced two major measures aimed at providing relief to distressed farmers due to unseasonal weather conditions in the rabi season.

    As per the relief measures

    • If 33 percent of the crop has been damaged due to unforeseen weather conditions then farmers will be eligible for input subsidy
    • Input subsidy will be enhanced by 50% of the existing amounts for the distressed farmers.

    The Relief measures were announced in the backdrop of crop damage due to unseasonal weather conditions in winter in North and Central India. According to an evaluation about 16% or 113 lakh hectares of total crop area in the country has damaged.

    What effort has been initiated to promote Kerala tourism - Visit Kerala 2015

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 8th April 2015, Visit Kerala 2015 campaign has been launched to promote Kerala tourism by Union Minister of State for Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma . Visit Kerala 2015 campaign is a strategy of Kerala's Government to enhance state-specific tourism products including Spice route, Responsible Tourism and Ayurveda.

    Visit Kerala 2015 Campaign

    • The aim of the campaign is to increase the number of tourist to over 1.37 crore in the state in the year 2015.
    • The period from April 2015 to March 2016 has been declared as the Visit Kerala Year.
    • Kerala-Home of Ayurveda, the second phase of Kerala Tourism’s campaign will be launched in selected national and international markets.
    • To market Kerala’s veritable cuisine, food festivals will be organized in cities like New Delhi and Mumbai.
    • A new set of Kerala memento will be drafted and will be sold to travelers with the support of Kudumbashree units.

    Who has suspended Greenpeace India Society (GIS) registration for 180 days - Union Ministry of Home Affairs

    On 9th April 2015, The Union Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the registration of Greenpeace India Society (GIS) for 180 days for acting against public and economic interests of the country.

    The decision of suspension has been made after an on-site inspection of the accounts and records of GIS in September 2014 which disclosed that it has utilised its funds for unauthorised purposes as per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, under which it is registered in India.

    All seven bank accounts of GIS in Yes Bank, ICICI Bank and IDBI Bank have been frozen as per the order.

    About Greenpeace India Society (GIS)

    • GIS is an Indian chapter of Greenpeace International, which is a non-profit environmental organization having presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
    • GIS has been working in India since 2001 on various issues related to the environment.
    • GIS's work is focused on four broad campaigns : preventing another nuclear catastrophe, preserving the oceans, sustainable agriculture and stop climate change.

    India has signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on transportation with - USA

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 8th April 2015, US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in New Delhi for deepening partnership in the area of transport between the two countries.

    Importance of MoC

    • For projects like multi-modal hub and developments of waterways, India will be to make use of world’s latest technology available with the USA.
    • It aims to foster cooperative work on key issues of mutual interest for all modes of transportation and coordinating public and private sector resources and expertise to advance efficient, secure and integrated transportation systems.
    • It covers areas like fuel efficiency, intermodal transportation, vehicle and behavioral safety, highway transportation, urban transportation, rail transportation, maritime shipping and safety and environmental protections.

    Who has acquired mobile recharge service FreeCharge - Snapdeal

    Among the important Current Affairs, On 8th April 2015, mobile recharge service FreeCharge has been acquired in a cash and stock deal by Snapdeal. Snapdeal became the largest mobile commerce company in India after the acquisition of FreeCharge.

    According to the deal, Freecharge will offer many more digital goods in future and will continue to work as an independent platform. Snapdeal has become the company with the highest daily transactions and the highest user base with the procurement of FreeCharge.

    Snapdeal and FreeCharge will together generate more than 1 million daily transactions and have 40 million users on the mobile. Snapdeal has bought four companies over the past six months which includes logistics service company GoJavas, luxury fashion marketplace Exclusively and software provider Unicommerce.

    Which Former Air Chief Marshal of IAF who has passed away - Hrushikesh Moolgavkar

    On 9th April 2015, Former Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) Hrushikesh Moolgavkar passed away at the age of 95 in Pune. The fly-past on India’s first Independence Day on 15 August 1947 and Republic Day on 26 January 1951 was led by Moolgavkar as a Squadron Leader.

    On 30th November 1940, he was selected and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in Royal Indian Air Force and on 1st February 1976, he was appointed as the Chief of Air Staff. Leading from the Cockpit: A Fighter pilot's story is the biography of Hrushikesh Moolgavkar authored by his daughter Jyoti M Rai was published in 2009.

    Who has suspended 1000 rupees minimum monthly pension scheme - EPFO

    On 9th April 2015, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the retirement fund body, suspended the 1000 rupees minimum monthly pension scheme from April 2015. About 32 lakh pensioners will be strucked by the suspesion of the minimum monthly pension provided under Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)-95.

    The decision to suspend the scheme was taken because there was no communication or direction from the Union Government to continue this scheme beyond 31 March 2015, as per EPFO circular. The circular further stated that the pension from the month of April 2015 will be released without minimum pension provision that is at earlier rates.

    On 19th August 2014, Union Government had issued a notification to hike the pension amount to flat 1000 rupees per month for those who were getting less than 1000 rupees per month as pension. The scheme was applicable from 1st September 2014 to 31st March 2015.

    Name the Global Earth Hour Capital 2015 - Seoul

    Among the important International Current Affairs, On 9th April 2015, Seoul city, the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, was awarded the title of Global Earth hour Capital 2015 after it won the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The challenge saw the participation of 163 cities from 16 countries.

    Seoul was chosen as the winner by EHCC jury of international experts for its comprehensive approach to tackle climate change and its determination to ramp up use of renewable energy. Seoul’s approach to radically reduce emissions includes

    • Allotment of a sensible budget for expanding the use of solar energy.
    • Greener fuels are used to reduce emissions through transport.
    • Building more car sharing programs and bus lanes.

    To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million tons Seoul has started an ambitious initiative under which by 2020 it will achieve 20 percent electricity self-reliance.

    Which city is elected as National Earth Hour Capital 2015 by WWF - Thane

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 9th April 2015, Thane, Maharashtra was announced as the National Earth Hour Capital 2015. It has appeared as winner among the three finalists from India are : Pune, Rajkot and Thane in the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

    Pune for its city mobility plan and solar and waste-to-energy initiatives received a special mention from the jury. Rajkot was felicitated for the city’s performance in the field of renewable energy.

    Actions that helped Thane to be the National Earth Hour Capital 2015 includes :

    • Obligatory use of solar water-heating systems for municipal buildings
    • Solar energy is used for lighting and air-conditioning
    • Cities plan for solar rooftop net metering-based power generation and regular energy audits
    • Energy Service Company (ESCO) project like
      • Energy-efficient street lighting
      • Commissioning of a bio-methanation plant to treat municipal solid waste and generate electricity
      • Three cyclic switching units for optimal use of streetlights