Current Affairs 8th December 2015

Current Affairs 8th December 2015 - Important Points

• Which Indian state became first to join discom revival scheme UDAY - Andhra Pradesh

• Indra Navy-15 began in Visakhapatanam, this is a bilateral naval exercise between - India and Russia

• Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed in - Rajya Sabha

• Who was appointed as Corporate President of Ola - Joy Bandekar

• Who was appointed as President and MD of General Motors India - Kaher Kazem

• Where was first ever Red Alert on Air Pollution was issued - Beijing

• Which state won Wheelchair Basketball Championship - Maharashtra

• India launched I-LTEO programme to monitor - 8 different biomes

• Name of the company which joined World Bank's Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative - ONGC

Current Affairs 8th December 2015 - Details

Which Indian state became first to join discom revival scheme UDAY - Andhra Pradesh

On 5th December 2015, Union Government's Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) was joined by Andhra Pradesh thus it beacame first state of India to join this.

Important to mention here that this scheme is optional and operationalised through signing of MoU between state governments, state discoms and Union Government. After Andra pradesh, Jharkhand became second while Rajasthan became third state to do so.

As per this scheme respective states will take over 75 percent of DISCOM debt in a span of two years. States will issue non-SLR including SDL bonds in the market or directly to the respective financial institutions holding the DISCOM debt to the appropriate extent. Main objective of scheme is, distribution companies would become sustainable to supply adequate and reliable power, enabling 24x7 power supplies.

Indra Navy-15 began in Visakhapatanam, this is a bilateral naval exercise between - India and Russia

Among Important National Current Affairs, On 7th December 2015, Indo-Russia bilateral maritime exercise named as Indra Navy 2015 started in Vishakhapatanam. This is the eighth edition of this type excercise between two nations and will be end on 12th December 2015. 

INS Sahyadri an indigenous frigate, INS Ranvijay, a guided missile destroyer and INS Shakti a Fleet Support Ship are representing Indian side. 

Do You Know : 

Who is cheif of India Navy (Admiral) - Robin K Dhowan

Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed in - Rajya Sabha

On 7th December 2015, Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed in Rajya Sabha as per this bill filing of cheque bounce cases at the place where a cheque is presented for clearance and not the place of issue will be done.

In Monsoon session this bill was passed by Lok Sabha.

It is ammendment of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. 

Who was appointed as Corporate President of Ola - Joy Bandekar

Among the Business Current Affairs on 7th December 2015, Joy Bandekar was appointed as Corporate President to lead new initiatives by Ola. 

Before his appointment he was working with flipkart for 3 years in capacity of corporate president and before that he was working with ebay as Director and Head of corporate affairs.

Who was appointed as President and MD of General Motors India - Kaher Kazem

On 7th December 2015, Kaher Kazem was appointed as President and Managing Director (MD) of General Motors. He will be succeeding Arvind Saxena who is going to retire soon.

Kaher Kazem who is an Australian executive became GM India's Chief Operating Officer (COO) in August 2015.

Do Yo Know : 

General Motors India Private Limited is a partnership between General Motors and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, in which 93 percent share is of General Motors and 7 percent is of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited.

If we talk about largest automobile manufacturing company in India then it is Maruti Suzuki.

Where was first ever Red Alert on Air Pollution was issued - Beijing

Among Important International Current Affairs, On 7th December 2015, Beijing issued its first-ever red alert on air pollution ordering schools to close due to hazardous air quality as there was a acrid smog enveloped for the second time in December 2015. 

After this alert half of private cars in the city will be ordered off the road during the period with an odd-even number plate system in force and 30 percent of Govt automobiles will be called off the streets.

Which state won Wheelchair Basketball Championship - Maharashtra

On 6th December 2015, National Wheelchair Basketball Championship title 2015 was lifted by Maharashtra. Maharashtra defeated Punjab to be numero uno. This competition opened on the eve of the International Day of People with Disabilities and total of 9 Indian states were taking part in it.

Do You Know : 

Founded in 2014, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India is national body which aims to promote wheelchair basketball sport in the country.

India launched I-LTEO programme to monitor - 8 different biomes

On 7th December 2015, Indian Long Term Ecological Observatories (I-LTEO) programme was launched which is aimed to scientifically monitor eight different biomes or natural landscapes in country.

The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) of UNFCCC in Paris.

Under this programme, students and young scientists will also be trained through sustained long-term support for research in the area of climate change. 

Name of the company which joined World Bank's Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative - ONGC

On 7th December 2015, ONGC joined Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative of the World Bank on the sidelines of Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) of UNFCCC in Paris. After this ONGC became first oil company from India to join the global initiative that is aimed at curbing routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the world by 2030.

Do You Know :

Full Form of ONGC - Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited