Honour for DRDO centre chief
(i). G. Satheesh Reddy, Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), near Hyderabad, was
(ii). The RCI is an important missile-making complex of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Dr. Reddy received the award for his outstanding contribution to the growth of computers, information technology, and his leadership in designing and developing a wide range of on-board mission computers and navigation computers, and miniaturised high-speed computers based on System-on-Chip for a variety of DRDO-developed missiles including the Agni series.
(iii). He led the development of real-time mission software for missiles and initiated important development projects, including high-speed avionics, for them.
Minorities from neighbouring countries now allowed five-year visa
(i). Minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh seeking refuge in India will be granted a five-year long-term visa (LTV) instead of a one-year visa, based on recommendation of the state government or Union Territory (UT) administration.
(ii). Besides, powers have been delegated to the FRRO/FRO to extend a short-term visa for this category of foreign nationals for a period of six months.
(iii). A timeline of one month for FRRO and FRO and 21 days for the state government and UT administration has been fixed for processing LTV applications.
KCR expands cabinet, 6 new mantris sworn in
(i). Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday expanded his 12-member
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(ii). The six new ministers are A Indrakaran Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Tummala Nageswara Rao, C Laxma Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao and A Chandulal. They were administered oath of office by governor Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan.
Yadav, who won from Sanatnagar segment (in Hyderabad) in the elections on TDP ticket, recently joined TRS, and on Tuesday announced his resignation from the membership of the assembly before the swearing-in.
Central universities too told to observe 'Good Governance Day'
(i). Not just schools, HRD ministry had also asked all central universities to observe "Good Governance Day" on Christmas day by holding seminars and oratory competitions.
(ii). However, in the wake of a similar move for schools attracting all-round criticism, the ministry sent another letter on Monday saying that these activities must conclude before the Christmas holidays.
(iii). The earlier letter, dated December 12 and signed by a HRD joint secretary, didn't have any mention of Madan Mohan Malaviya's birth anniversary like the letter to schools. It asked universities and colleges to organize a seminar on "Use of technology and innovations in promoting good governance" and hold a competition on oratory (Bhaashan Shailee) on December 25.
Alibaba founder Jack Ma biggest billionaire gainer of 2014
(i). Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma is this year's biggest financial gainer as the billionaire entrepreneur's fortune has swelled by a whopping USD 18.5 billion this year to USD 29.2 billion, a report says.
(ii). According to private wealth consultancy, Wealth-X, the former English teacher-turned billionaire entrepreneur is the biggest gainer of this year as his fortune increased 173 per cent, largely due to Alibaba's blockbuster IPO in September and the subsequent strong performance of the company's stock.
Existing account enough to avail Jan Dhan benefits
(i). Government on Wednesday said persons already having bank account need not to open
(ii). “A person who is already having a bank account with any bank need not have to open a separate account under PMJDY. He/she will just have to get issued a RuPay card in his existing account to get benefit of accidental insurance,” a Finance Ministry statement said.
(iii). The overdraft facility can be extended in existing account, it said. Accidental insurance of Rs 1 lakh will be available to all RuPay card holders between 18-70 years. They will need to use their RuPay card once in 45 days of receipt of the card to get the benefit.
(iv). The accidental claim intimation should be given to bank within 30 days from the date of accident, it added. For life insurance coverage, one person per family will get a single cover of Rs 30,000 on one card only despite having multiple accounts/cards.
Jaitley to begin pre-budget consultations from January 6
(i). Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will hold pre-budget consultations with different stakeholders, including trade unions, financial institutions and economists beginning January 6.
(ii). Mr. Jaitley, who would be presenting his second Budget in February end, will hold pre-budget discussions with industry and trade groups on January 6, followed by the agriculture sector on January 7 and the social sector the next day.
(iii). He would seek views of trade unions on January 10, and of economists on January 13, sources said. The Finance Minister would meet IT groups on January 14 and banks and financial institutions on the following day.
With Rs 1000 cr in NRI deposits, this Gujarat village gives Kerala a run for its money
(i). Kerala’s nearly Rs 90,000 crore of NRI deposits, which is highest in the country, pales into oblivion when compared to the over Rs 1,000 crore that the members of this sleepy Dharmaj village near Vadodara cumulatively have in their banks.
(ii). The tiny Dharmaj village in Anand district has a population of only 11,333 but has as many as 13 banks. For the past several decades, NRIs in this village have been depositing money in banks and post offices and the kitty today has grown to over Rs 1,000 crore, making it one of the richest villages in the country and with the highest NRI deposits.
HRD Ministry to discuss higher education reforms with states
(i). To discuss reforms in the higher education sector, HRD Ministry will convene a meeting of state education ministers and secretaries on January 6, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
(ii). Replying to queries related to higher education, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said a meeting of state education ministers and secretaries has been convened on January 6 to discuss reforms with regard to higher education.
(iii). The government has already set up committees to review University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), she said.
Boxer Sarita Devi banned for one year
(i). Boxer Sarita Devi, who had refused to accept her Asian Games bronze medal, was on
(ii). India’s foreign coach B I Fernandez was also handed a two-year ban for standing by Sarita during her protest. The AIBA’s ruling was conveyed to Boxing India (BI), who announced the decision at a press conference here.
(iii). Sarita had refused to wear her bronze at the podium ceremony after her semifinal loss to South Korea’s Ji Na Park at Incheon in October, triggering a huge controversy.
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