Current Affairs Current Affairs January 2020

 Former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic belongs Social Democratic Party(SDP) won Croatia’s presidential election. He defeated centre-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was the first female president of Croatia.

  The State Bank of India has announced ‘residential builder finance with buyer guarantee’ (RBBG) scheme. The aim of the scheme is to giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers’ confidence. The SBI will issue a guarantee for completion of select residential projects to customers who have availed home loans from it. The scheme will focus on affordable housing projects priced up to 2.50 crore rupees in 10 cities initially. Under this scheme, the guarantee would be given by the bank until the project gets the occupation certificate (OC).

 A Sakthivel has been appointed as the new chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC) for the period 2020-21. He will replace HKL Magu. He is also the first person in the history of AEPC, who is sworn-in for the fourth time as Chairman of the AEPC.

  Jasbinder Bilan has won the UK based Costa Children’s Award 2019 . She has won the award for her debut novel ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’. She will receive 5,000 pounds as prize money associated with the award. Jasbinder’s novel “Asha and the Spirit Bird” was shortlisted from 144 other entries. The Costa Children’s Award is awarded annually in 5 categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book.

  The 5th edition of the Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference (APDRC5) held in Pune, Maharashtra. The conference is being conducted in India for the 1st time.  It is organised by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). The aims of the conference are to promote the interaction of Drosophila researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with their peers in the rest of the world. It will bring together scientists from all over the world who use the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model organism to address basic and applied questions.

  Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will inaugurate “Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020” in Aurangabad. The Exhibition has been organised by the Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA). This Exhibition showcase the growth of Marathwada industries in technology and innovation and the products produced and exported from the region will be showcased in this exhibition. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for businesses and will serve the platform for small entrepreneurs.

  Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year. This year the 16th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated across the country. The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions established in 2003. The celebratory event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs every year. In this occasion, President of India conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to NRIs or PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) or an organization established by NRIs or PIOs, who have made a significant contribution in supporting, promoting and building India’s links overseas.

 India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been listed as the 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020. The listing was done by Eurasia Group in its report. The report states ‘Top 10 Risks’ of the year 2020.
The Top 10 Risks of 2020 are as followed:
  • 1. RIGGED!: WHO GOVERNS THE US?
  • 2. THE GREAT DECOUPLING
  • 3. US/CHINA
  • 4. MNCS NOT TO THE RESCUE
  • 5. INDIA GETS MODI-FIED
  • 6. GEOPOLITICAL EUROPE
  • 7. POLITICS VS. ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
  • 8. SHIA CRESCENDO
  • 9. DISCONTENT IN LATIN AMERICA
  • 10. TURKEY

 The Indian Railways has enhanced security in major railway hubs by installing IP based video surveillance system. The surveillance has been installed in parking areas, entrance and exit platforms, waiting hall and over bridges.
  • Highlights
The surveillance system is to be installed in 983 stations at a budget of Rs 250 crores. The budget is being allocated from Nirbhaya funds. The surveillance is to be extended to other stations and coaches soon. The project implementation is to begin with south Western Railways.
  • Nirbhaya Funds
Nirbhaya fund was announced in the Union Budget 2013 by the then Finance minister P Chidambaram. Rs 1,000 crore had been allocated. The Ministry of Women and child Development prepares the scope and application of the fund. Ministry of Finance is responsible for the application of the fund. For a long time, several entities complained that the fund was kept unutilized. Recently, the accused of Nirbhaya case were sentenced with death by the Delhi High Court.
  • Nirbhaya Fund usage so far
The GoI sanctioned Rs 1000 crores from the fund to implement women help desks in police stations. Also, anti-trafficking units are to be set up in all districts with the funds. A “Safe City Programme” was implemented at a cost of Rs 194.44 crores. SAECK (Sexual Assault Evidence Collection kits) were distributed with Nirbhaya funds. Sakhi centres (One Stop Centres) were set up through Nirbhaya fund under National Mission for Empowerment of women.
  • 1023 Fast track Courts
On January 9, 2020, GoI has begun fast track special courts under Nirbhaya funds. The aim of the courts is to dispose pending cases registered under POCSO act and rape faster. Around 389 courts have been planned where the pendency of cases is more than 100.

  On January 9, 2020, Indian Railways announced that it will source 1000 MW of solar power and 200 MW of wind power to zonal railways by 2021-22. Also, Kashmir is to be linked with the rest of India through railway network by December 2021.
  • Highlights: Solar Power
In order to implement the solar and wind power in Indian Railways, GoI has planned to install 500 MW of solar plants on roof top of Railway buildings to meet non-traction loads. It has also planned to install another 500 MW of land based solar plants whose energy will be used to meet both non-traction and traction load requirements. The South-Central Railways is the first to actively work on solar based projects. In this Zone, so far 8 stations have been provided with solar panels to meet the power requirements of the station.
  • Highlights: Kashmir
GoI has announced the new date for the completion of 111-km stretch of railway link project between Katra and Banihal in Kashmir. The project aims at linking Kashmir with the rest of India. The project will be completed by December 2021. Konkan Railways is the implementing agency of the project. According to Railways, this is the most challenging infrastructure project in its 150-year long history. The bridge, that is part of the project, across Chenab river will be the highest bridge in the world. It will be 359 metres above the river bed. The link is a part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link. The project that aims at connecting Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla was announced as a national project in 2002.


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