Current Affairs 1st April 2016

Current Affairs 1st April 2016 : Important Points

• Name of Asia's largest optical telescope unveiled by PM Narendra Modi in Nainital - ARIES
• First indigenously developed sonar dome of India was flagged off by - Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
• Who has been appointed as PAC Chairperson of Telangana - J Geetha Reddy
• Which Minister has launched Phase I of Green Delhi initiative - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
• Which state assembly cleared amendments in Land Acquisition Act – Gujarat Assembly
• Which two countries signed MoU to provide 150 boats & fishing equipment to Mullaithivu fishermen – India & Sri Lanka

Details :

Name of Asia's largest optical telescope unveiled by PM Narendra Modi in Nainital - ARIES

PM Narendra Modi unveiled largest optical telescope in Nainital. Name of this telescope is ARIES means Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences.
Important to mention here that it was remotely activated by Indian PM and Belgium PM Charles Michel. It was joint effort by Indian and Belgian scientists. This is situated at a height of 2500 meters so that clear view of sky can be obtained and studied.
Apart from Indian and Belgian scientists, Russian scientists has also contibuted for it. Total cost of this project is about 120 crore our of which 7 per cent has been funded by Belgium.

First indigenously developed sonar dome of India was flagged off by - Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

First indigenously developed sonar dome of India was flagged off by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Do You Know :
This sonar has been designed and produced by DRDO (Defence and Research Development Organisation) lab.

Who has been appointed as PAC Chairperson of Telangana - J Geetha Reddy

Among Important Appointments, On 31 March 2016, J Geetha Reddy who is a Congress senior MLA, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Telangana. She is the first woman legislator to be appointed for the post in India. This announcement was made by TS Assembly Speaker, S. Madhusudhana Chary.

About J Geetha Reddy –

Dr. Jetti Geeta Reddy is an Indian politician belonging to the Indian National Congress party. She is a Minister in Kiran Kumar Reddy's cabinet. She is the only minister in AP Government who was brought into politics by Rajiv Gandhi. She represents Zaheerabad constituency in Medak district. She was also Leader of the Legislative Assembly in K. Rosaiah Government, the first Dalit woman.

Which Minister has launched Phase I of Green Delhi initiative - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

On 31 March 2016, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the Green Delhi Programme by planting more trees at the Triangular Park at the ITO Chowk.
The main aim of this launch is to improve air quality and reduce air pollution in the National Capital.
In December 2015, the Detailed Action Plan (DAP) was submitted by the Delhi Government to the Supreme Court.

Do You Know –
In New Delhi, greening will be completed within three months at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 crores.
Now, the next phase of the programme, which will cover other areas, is all set to begin in July and shall be completed by September, 2016.

Which state assembly cleared amendments in Land Acquisition Act – Gujarat Assembly

The Gujarat Assembly introduces Gujarat Amendment Bill 2016, which is Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

In the absence of the opposition Congress legislators, who were suspended by the Speaker for two days, the bill was passed.
Do You Know -

• The main aim of this bill is to building air base, roads, canals, affordable houses, defense manufacturing units, schools, and many more.
• The Social Impact Assessment will not be carried out for land acquisition for industrial corridor.

Which two countries signed MoU to provide 150 boats & fishing equipment to Mullaithivu fishermen – India & Sri Lanka

On 31 March 2016, Two countries India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide 150 fishing boats and fishing equipment to 300 Tamil fishermen from Mullaithivu in North Sri Lanka.

As a part of India’s development assistance programme in Sri Lanka, the boats and equipment will be provided.

Do You Know –

At the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, The MoU was inked in Colombo.
This project is all about to cost 100 million Sri Lankan Rupees.