MArch-5-2015

Maharashtra Govt scraps 5% education quota for Muslims:

Maharashtra government has scrapped 5 per cent job quota for Muslims in the state. In this regard Devendra Fadnavis led BJP-Shiv Sena government has released a Government Resolution (GR). The GR also states that an ordinance to provide 5 per cent job quota had lapsed on December 2014.

Thus, this GR nullifies the previous notification issued by the previous NCP-Congress government granting 5 per cent reservation to Muslims.

India and Spain sign agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information:

This agreement provides the framework for enhanced cooperation in the defence sector between both countries.

The agreement was signed by visiting Spanish Defence Minister Pedro Moremes and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar.

Spanish delegation has evinced a clean interest in participating in the Make-in-India initiative especially in the defence sector of Indian government. Spanish companies are interested to become part in India’s P75I project under six conventional submarines will be built.

Apart from this agreement, both countries also have agreed to work on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

CCEA gives nod to extend PDS Koerosene,Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme and Freight Subsidy Scheme.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its nod to extend the PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme, 2002 for a period of one year that is up to 31st March, 2015.

 This decision was taken by CCEA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 CCEA also gave its nod to extend Freight Subsidy Scheme, 2002 which is for far-flung areas for the same period.

This extension comes after both the schemes ended on 31 March, 2014 and to help Oil Marketing Companies to reduce its under-recovery.

 Under the PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme, Union Government was providing a subsidy 82 paise per litre on PDS Kerosene and 22 rupees 58 paise per 14.2 kg. LPG cylinder.

Union MoS for Consumer Affairs ,Food and Public Distributio Raosaheb Danve resigns:

Raosaheb Danve resigned from the Union Council of Ministers  following the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJPs) one-man, one-post principle after he was appointed President of Maharashtra in January 2015.

Katmandu-Varanasi-Katmandu bus service flagged off

Nepal and India on 5 March 2015 launched a direct bus service linking cultural cities Kathmandu and Varanasi.

 Kathmandu-Varanasi-Kathmandu bus service was launched under the ambit of Motor Vehicle Agreement 

between India and Nepal signed during 18th SAARC Summit.

Sri Lankan Govt suspends China port city project in Colombo:

Sri Lanka’s newly elected government on 5 March 2015 has temporarily suspended constriction work of China’s ambitious port city project in Colombo with immediate effect.

 The decision was taken in Cabinet meeting chaired by Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe based upon the Interim Report submitted by a cabinet sub-committee.

 The committee was appointed by the Sri Lankan Government to review the project. The Interim Report had alleged that this mega real estate deal with China was signed

Without cabinet approval.

Without following procedures. Implemented

without relevant approvals from the concerned institutions.

>> The Centre has outrightly rejected the recommendation of a high-level committee to

Reduce the coverage  of beneficiaries from 67% to 40% under National Food Security Act.

     --The Shanta Kumar-led Committee had recommended the govt to revisit the UPA’s National Food Security Act.

>>PM Modi  today inaugurated the first phase of Singaji Thermal Power Project at Dongliya village

In Madhya Pradesh Khandwa Dist.

   .The first phase of project capacity is 1200 MW.

   .The project will give impetus to the State Govt  ‘ATAL JYOTI ABHIYAN’

     which aims at providing 24 x 7 power supply  across the state.