Current Affairs 28th February 2015

Current Affairs 28th February 2015 - Important Points

• Who has been appointed the CMD of SIDBI - Kshatrapati Shivaji

• International Rare Disease Day was observed on - 28th February

• With whom did the Gujarat Forest Department signed a MoU for conservation of Asiatic lion - Zoological Society of London

• With whom did the IBM Corporation tied-up to accelerate Global Hybrid Cloud adoption - Tech Mahindra Ltd

• Name the cricketer to hit the fastest 150 runs in ODI - AB de Villiers

• Who has presented the Union Budget 2014-15 in the Lok Sabha - Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley

Current Affairs 28th February 2015 - Details

Who has been appointed the CMD of SIDBI - Kshatrapati Shivaji

Among the important appointments, On 27th February 2015, Kshatrapati Shivaji has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). He was appointed on deputation basis for a period of three years. He is a 1986 batch IAS officer and is currently the Principal Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department in Maharashtra govt. Before this appointment, Shivaji served as the Director of state-run manganese-ore mining firm, MOIL Limited. Earlier, he served as Principal Secretary of Industries at Government of Maharashtra and as a Chairman and Managing Director at Maharashtra State Financial Corporation.

International Rare Disease Day was observed on - 28th February

On 28th February 2015, Eighth International Rare Disease Day is observed worldwide. This Rare Disease Day takes place annually on the last day of February month. Hundreds of patient organisations from more than 80 countries and regions worldwide carried-on awareness-raising activities around the slogan "Day-by-day, hand-in-hand" to mark the day. The day is observed to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families. The main objective of the day is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients' lives. The Rare Disease day is coordinated by European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS).

With whom did the Gujarat Forest Department signed a MoU for conservation of Asiatic lion - Zoological Society of London

On 26th February 2015, Gujarat Forest Department signed a MoU with Zoological Society of London for conservation of Asiatic lion. ZSL Director General Ralph Armond signed the MoU, pledging support to safeguard the future of the precious big cats.

Highlights of MoU

• ZSL will provide technical assistance to forest department in handling rescue operations and treatment centres.
• ZSL will provide specialist veterinary expertise to train forest guards and animal husbandry.
• ZSL and the Gujarat forest department had jointly developed a smart software for tracking the movement of their staff and even the lions.

With whom did the IBM Corporation tied-up to accelerate Global Hybrid Cloud adoption - Tech Mahindra Ltd

On 23rd February 2015, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) tied-up with IT services major Tech Mahindra Limited to build a platform for the development of cloud-based apps for its clients to increase hybrid services adoption. This will help the company to maintain maximum control over client data and in achieving high network performance.

Highlights of the Tie-up

IBM’s Bluemix Dedicated cloud infrastructure will be used to built the platform. Bluemix Dedicated runs on dedicated servers and hardware in an organization’s preferred IBM cloud centre, a network spreading over 40 regions across the globe. Tech Mahindra will train 5000 of its own developers on how to build advanced apps on Bluemix for the hybrid cloud to link core functions like accounting systems with social apps using predictive analytics and data linked to the Internet of Things.

Name the cricketer to hit the fastest 150 runs in ODI - AB de Villiers

On 27th February 2015, AB de Villiers, South Africa cricket team captain, made the fastest-ever 150 runs in one-day internationals (ODIs). He achieved this record in the match against West Indies in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Sydney, Australia. He took 64 deliveries to reach 150 runs and beat the previous record of Australian Shane Watson by 19 balls. He had scored 162 not out from 66 balls.

Who has presented the Union Budget 2014-15 in the Lok Sabha - Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley

On 28th February 2015, Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley presented Union Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha. This was the first full year Budget of the NDA government and the second budget of Arun Jaitley.

Highlights of the Union Budget 2015-16

• Corporate tax was reduced to 25 percent over next four years from existing 30 percent.
• Defence allocation for fiscal 2015-16 is 246727 crore rupees.
• 100 percent tax deduction for contribution to Swachh Bharat Fund.
• Service tax hiked by 14 percent.
• 34699 crore rupees allocated for MNREGA, which is highest ever allocation to the programme.
• AIIMS will be set up in five states namely Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam.
• By 2022 there is plan to produce 175000 MW renewable energy.
• 1000 crore rupees more allocated to Nirbhaya fund.
• Transport allowance increased to 1600 rupees per month.
• Online excise & service tax registrations in 2 working days.