15 November 2016 Current Affairs

CRPF for first time deploys women commandos for anti-Naxal operations

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the first time has deployed a team of women commandos in anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand. The 135 women commandos belonging to the 232 battalion’s Delta company have started carrying out anti-Naxal operations. Key Facts The women commandos are currently undertaking operations under the close supervision of CRPF’s 133 battalion in Naxal-infested forests on the outskirts of Ranchi near Khoonti area.


Nitish Kumar launches free power connection programme

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar kicked off another resolve of his saat nischay (seven resolves) programme with the project to provide a power connection to every household by 2018 . Keeping up with his another election promise, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a key programme to provide free electricity connection to about 50 lakh households above the poverty line. The chief minister launched “Har Ghar Bijli Lagataar” programme, which was key development thrust for the Assembly polls, at an event here. It aims to supply power to every household in Bihar in the next two years.


India, ADB sign $500 million loan pact to build 9.8-km Ganga bridge in Bihar

The Union Govt and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have inked a $500-million loan agreement to build a 9.8 km long road bridge across the Ganga River in Bihar. It will be country’s longest river bridge and shall provide better connectivity between North and South Bihar and also Patna and its surrounding areas. In addition to the loan, ADB will $900,000 in technical assistance. The state govt will provide $215 million for the project. It is expected to be completed by end of December 2020. The new Ganga Bridge will be located near Patna. It will be first of its kind in India with its height and length customized to deal with climate- related issues such as rise in water levels while ensuring minimum impact on the river. ADB has its headquartered in Manila, Philippines.


Union Budget to be presented on February 1

The government has announced that it will present the Union Budget for 2017-18 on February 1 and the budget session may begin in January. The government had issued the customary budget circular in September. Notably, the Centre earlier approved the scrapping of the 92-year old practice of presenting a separate Railway Budget and merged it with the Union Budget.


DRDO’s combat drone Rustom-2 flies for the first time

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested its unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Rustom-2. The medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) category vehicle met all the expectations during the first flight. The first flight by the Rustom-2, which is developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, was three years delayed than the schedule.


Hunar Haat inaugurated at 2016 India International Trade Fair

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for the first time had inaugurated Hunar Haat (Skill Haat) at India International Trade Fair (2016) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It is aimed at promoting and supporting artisans from Minority communities and providing them domestic as well as international market for display and sell their products. The Hunar Haat exhibition has been organised by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under “USTTAD” scheme In it about 184 master artisans from across the country are showcasing their traditional art and skills at about 100 stalls at the international platform. It seeks to provide an excellent platform to artisans belonging to Minority communities from across nation to display their art and skills before domestic and international visitors.


Union Cabinet approves constitution of Special committee for inter-linking of rivers

The Union Cabinet has approved constitution of ‘special committee for inter-linking of rivers’ in compliance with a 2012 Supreme Court order. Decision in this regard was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The constitution of committee will help in monitoring precious projects to be carried out under its National Perspective Plan, 1980. The special committee will submit status-cum-progress report bi-annually to Union Cabinet to facilitate faster and appropriate decisions in the interest of the country.


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