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  • Current Affairs 5th August 2014

    Updated : 23-Aug-2014

    Current Affairs 5th August 2014 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 5th August 2014 - Details

    Union Government granted Navratna Status to CONCOR

    Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) was accorded Navratna Status by the Department of Public Enterprises under Union Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises.

    CONCOR thus became 17th Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to achieve this Navratna Status.

    CONCOR gives multi-modal logistics support for the country's exim (exports and imports) and domestic trade and commerce.

    Do You Know ?

    The granting of Navratna status entitles the company boards to do investments up to 1000 crore rupees or 15% of their net worth on a single project or 30% of their net worth in the whole year (not exceeding 1000 crore rupees) without seeking government permission.

    Penguin Language Decoded By Italian Researchers

    Italian researchers successfully decoded the language of African Penguins for the first time and revealed that the birds have a song that caters to every occasion. This was revealed in a study titled The Vocal Repertoire of the African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus): Structure and Function of Calls published in journal PLOS ONE on 30th July 2014. The study was led by Dr Livio Favaro from the University of Turin in Italy.

    British minister Sayeeda Warsi resigns over Gaza conflict

     Among the International Current Affairs, On 5th August 2014, the Foreign Office minister of Britain Sayeeda Warsi resigned from the government in protest of Britain's policy on Gaza. She described the British policy on the crisis in Gaza as morally indefensible. She tendered her resignation to the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

    She was the first female Muslim cabinet minister to serve United Kingdom during David Cameron led government. 

    About Sayeeda Warsi :

    She is a British politician of Pakistani origin and was born on 28 March 1971 in Dewsbury, West Riding of Yorkshire. She was born to Pakistani immigrants. Before entering politics, she worked as a solicitor 

     

    NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma demitted office

     On 1st August 2014 Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Mamta Sharma demitted office after serving the Commission for three years. Ms. Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, Member, NCW would act as Chairperson, NCW with effect from 1 August 2014. Mamta Sharma took over charge as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women on 2 August 2011.

    Do you Know ?

    The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

    Arrested Syndicate Bank chairman SK Jain suspended for allegedly receiving bribe

    On 4th August 2014, Syndicate Bank Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) SK Jain was suspended by Union government after he was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 2nd August 2014 for accepting bribe.

    SK Jain accepted bribe of 50 lakh rupees along with 5 other people for granting credit extension to some private firms involved in Coal Block Allocations Scam. CBI officials revealed that Mr. Jain was receiving payments from two firms.

    Mr. Arvind Gupta appointed as Deputy NSA

     On 4th August 2014, Mr. Arvind Gupta was appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA). The post of Deputy National Security Adviser fell vacant after the resignation of Nehchal Sandhu, former IPS officer of 1973 batch who was appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser during UPA rule.

    Mr. Arvind Gupta is an 1979 batch officer. 

    Mr. Gupta will also be working as Secretary of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), a body that performs advisory functions for Government of India suggesting political, economic and strategic safety concerns. He has been appointed for three years on reemployment and contract basis.

    Mr. Gupta is presently working as Director-General of Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

    Current Affairs August 2014