Daily GK Potion – 28th January 2016

CCEA Approves Hybrid Annuity Model for Implementing Highway Projects

To provide better connectivity and attract investment, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model as one of the modes of delivery for implementing the Highway Projects.
The government will provide 40 percent of the project cost to the developer to start work while the remaining investment has to be made by the developer.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that private players were not ready to participate in the PPP-based projects and the government has introduced a hybrid model where we will share the risk with them.

India and Armenia Sign Protocol amending the India-Armenia Double Taxation Avoidance Convention

A Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention was signed by the Government of India and the Government of Armenia here today.
The Protocol will enable the two countries to exchange information related to financial and banking transactions under the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, and thereby facilitate them in addressing tax evasion.
It is also expected to further strengthen the efforts of Government of India in curbing generation of black money.

Cabinet approves hike in authorised NSFDC share capital

The union cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to the enhancement of the authorised share capital of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSCFDC) from Rs.1,000 crore to Rs.1,200 crore.
The increase in the authorised share capital of the NSCFDC, an enterprise under the social justice and empowerment ministry, was made to increase disbursement of funds to larger sections of economically deprived Scheduled Castes population.
The target of the NSCFDC for the year 2015-16 would be to cover 63,000 beneficiaries.

Australian batsman David Warner wins Allan Border Medal 2016

David Warner has been crowned Cricket Australia’s Allan Border Medallist
Warner also won the Test Player of the Year Award with 30 votes ahead of Smith on 24, while Victoria’s exciting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was named One-Day International Player of the Year after playing a starring role in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign.

Indian activist Henri Tiphagne selected for Amnesty human rights award

Indian activist and lawyer Henri Tiphagne has won the Amnesty International Human Rights Award 2016. Amnesty International Germany will confer the 8th award on him in April.
The award and 10,000 euros will be given to him on 25 April at the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin for his “exceptional commitment to human rights”
Every two years, Amnesty Germany gives awards to individuals or organisations fighting for the cause of human rights under difficult circumstances. Tiphagne is the first Indian to receive the Amnesty award

Chennupati Jagadish, Jay Chandra honoured with Order of Australia

Chennupati Jagadish and Jay Chandra, Indian-origin persons has been honoured with the Order of Australia, highest civilian honour of Australia on the occasion of the Australia Day.
They were awarded for their contribution in the fields of physics, engineering and medicine.
Chennupati Jagadish is an eminent professor at Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. He was conferred with the award for his eminent service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology.
Jay Chandra is an eye doctor in New South Wales. He received the award for his significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a clinician and for his service to the international community through eye care programs.

PM Modi, Rajnath pay tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai on his 150th birth anniversary

While paying homage to the the freedom fighter, the Prime Minister tweeted: “Remembering the courageous Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary. He was a visionary whose patriotism & ideals inspired many people.”
The Punjab government has declared a public holiday for today on the 150th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter.

Union Government launched National Job Portal for Persons with Disabilities

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot has launched the National level Job portal www.disabilityjobs.gov.in for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The Ministry aims to carry out skill training programme for 5 lakh Persons with Disabilities in next 3 years.
It was developed by the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC).

CERT-In signs cyber security pacts with 3 nations

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has signed cooperation pacts with its counterparts in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan for cyber security.
CERT-In is the nodal agency responsible for dealing with cyber security threats. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will promote closer cooperation for exchange of knowledge and experience in detection, resolution and prevention of security-related incidents between India and the three countries, according to an official statement.
The agreement between CERT-In and Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC) was signed on December 7, 2015 through diplomatic exchange.

India overtakes Thailand as world’s largest rice exporter

India has overtaken Thailand as the world’s largest rice exporter in 2015, shipping 10.23 million tonnes, a top Thai rice exporters body said.
Thai Rice Exporters Association Chairman Charoen Laodhammatas said that Thailand exported 9.8 million tonnes of rice in 2015, down 10.8 per cent year-on-year.
Thailand ended 2015 behind India for rice exports. India sold 10.23 million tonnes of rice. Vietnam was third globally while China remained the number one importer of rice.