Daily current affairs Dated 19 April, 2017

Daily current affairs Dated 19 April, 2017

China names places in Arunachal Pradesh

China has announced its own names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh. China claims the state as “South-Tibet”, while India says Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and is inseparable from the country. The names announced by the China are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoid ngarbo Ri, Mainquka, B mo La and Namkapub Ri.

Petrol pumps to be closed on Sundays

Beginning 14 May, petrol pumps in eight states will be closed on Sundays. Nearly 20,000 outlets in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Haryana would be shut for 24 hours on Sundays, starting 14 May. The decision was made in view of the Prime Minister’s call during his recent “Mann Ki Baat” programme to conserve oil to save the environment.

Sri Lanka to offer India port development

Sri Lanka is now set to allow India to jointly develop the Trincomalee port in North-eastern part of the country. Sri Lanka has readied an MoU for joint development of the project and that it’s likely to be signed during PM Narendra Modi upcoming visit to Colombo. Sri Lanka, however, has backed China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative about which India has serious reservations.

West Bengal Government brings Social Security Yojana

By converging five separate beneficiary schemes for workers in the unorganized sectors and for self-employed people, West Bengal government has introduced the Social Security Yojana. Around 5 crore people will benefit from the yojana, with around 1 crore getting direct benefits. The state government has also started another scheme  called “State Nutrition Mission”.

UN to issue stamps for Yoga Day

United Nations will issue special stamps commemorating the International Yoga Day on June 21 this year. UN Postal Administration will issue the new special event sheet to commemorate Yoga Day that has been marked annually since 2015. The special sheet consists of stamps with images of the sacred Indian sound “OM” and various yogic postures.

A new Film Institute will be set-up in Itanagar

Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu announced that a film institute will be set up in Itanagar Mr. Naidu said that the institute will start functioning from a temporary campus with an introduction  of 10 week short term course from May 15 this year. An investment of Rs 200 will be made for the institute for the students of North-east region.

Large asteroid passed from Earth on 19 April

An asteroid more than a quarter mile wide passed close to Earth on April 19. J025, discovered in May 2014, is the largest asteroid to come this near to the planet since 2004. The approach of J025 is the asteroid’s closest for next 500 years. It flew at only about 4.6 times the distance from the Earth to the Moon, 1.1 million miles.

VIP culture will end this May

The Union Cabinet has decided to do away with red beacons atop officials’ car. It has been announced that only three categories would be allowed to use it – The President of India, The Vice President and Chief Justice of India. The decision comes into effect from May 1, 2017. The Ban applies to the PM, all ministers, bureaucrats and judges of the High court and Supreme Court.

BSF sacks Constable Tej Bahadur Yadav

The Border Security forces (BSF) today sacked Constable Tej Bahadur Yadav after a three-month long proceeding at a summary court martial. Bahadur’s dismissal came after a court of inquiry found that he had damaged the “image of the BSF”. He had uploaded a video clip on the ‘substandard food’; on social media, triggering an uproar.

EVMs that print a paper receipt

The government has agreed to release Rs 3,174 crores to buy new electronic voting machines that print a paper receipt for each vote cast. The decision comes as opposition parties have attacked the machines currently in use as being vulnerable to rigging. The next general election in 2019 is to be run, on the court’s orders, entirely with these upgraded machines.

UP airport to be named after Goraknath

UP state cabinet has decided to name an upcoming airport terminal at Gorakhpur Air Force Station after Mahayogi Gorakhnath. Mahayogi Gorakhnath is known as the founder of the Nath Monastic movement. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math.

India-Russia to hold combat Exercise

In the first such tri-service war games, India will hold a major combat exercise with Russia this year. The Indra Exercise, to be held in Russia, will include assets from the Army, Navy and Air Force. This is the first time India will deploy the three services together for an exercise with a country. Moscow Conference on International Security will be held on April 25-26.

Data privacy rules to come by Aug-Sep

Centre has informed the SC that a comprehensive policy on electronic data transmission was on the anvil and would be ready by August-September. The policy will take care of the privacy controversy involving WhatsApp and Net neutrality. Presently, the Constitution does not spell out right to privacy as a fundamental right nor any judgment of the Supreme Court.