CURRENT AFFAIRS 5, 2011

NASA discovers First Evidence of Water on Mars

NASA Scientists claimed to have discovered the first substantiation of flowing

water on Mars

Evidence collected by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter the first

discovery of active liquid water in the ground on the red planet

The orbiter circling Mars since 2006, monitored several instances of

what seemed to be water flows occurring at numerous locations during

the Martian spring and summer

Time-sequence imagery of the Newton crater in the southern mid-latitude region

showed finger-like markings spreading along several steep slopes and then fading

again once colder temperatures move in

Soil Health Cards to be issued to farmers by 2013

Soil health cards to be issued to farmers across the country by 2013

Government according high priority to soil testing to get the status of its health

and ascertain fertility for subsequent crop utilisation.

Central Government providing assistance to state governments for setting up Soil

Testing Laboratories (STLs) for increasing current capacity of states for soil testing

About 413 Lakh soil health cards have been distributed to farmer’s upto 2010-11

SC postulates tour operators not to carry luggage on roof of buses

The Supreme Court ruled that the tourist operators cannot keep the luggage on

the roof of the buses as it will jeopardize the life and safety of passengers

It discarded the argument of transporters that limitations imposed on storing the

luggage at the top was offensive of the fundamental rights guaranteed to a citizen

for carrying out an occupation without restriction

The apex court passed the judgement while dismissing appeals filed by

transporters challenging Rule 128(9) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989,

which says that no luggage could be carried on the roof of the vehicle

Government to expand diabetes screening programme

Government to expand the diabetes screening programme all over the country to

tackle its rising cases

The International Diabetes Federation estimated the total number of people in

India with diabetes to be over five crore in 2010

The figure likely to go up to eight crore by 2030

Unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity and inappropriate diet are the major

reasons for increase in diabetes

Centre has also initiated a National Programme for Prevention and Control of

Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases in one hundred districts in 21 States

Finance Minister: Nationalized banks can’t stop disbursement of loans for

fear of poor recovery

As per the Government: ‘Nationalized banks cannot stop disbursement of loans for

fear of poor recovery ‘

Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee opined that a balanced approach needed to

disburse loans in the priority sector and necessary measures are being taken to

contain the growing trend of Non Performing Assets, of the bank; all nationalized

banks have been asked to take due care while granting loans

SPIC MACAY to get Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award

SPIC MACAY

: An organization promoting Indian classical music and culture

19th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award to be presented to the

SPIC MACAY for its outstanding contribution towards the promotion

of communal harmony, peace and goodwill

The award is given annually on 20th August

Rs. 1,134 Crore provided by Government for establishing model schools in

17 states

Government provided Rs. 1,134 Crore for setting up 1,107 model schools at block

level in 17 states

Andhra Pradesh has got the maximum of Rs. 412 Crore for setting up 355 model

schools and Bihar, the second highest at Rs. 118 Crore

Government in 2009, launched a centrally-sponsored scheme to set up 6,000

model schools at block level

Of these, 3,500 were to be set up in educationally backward blocks via the State

Governments and the remaining in blocks which are not educationally backward

via PPP

Decontrolling of urea prices approved by National NeGoM

A group of ministers on fertilizers approved decontrol of urea prices

The Meeting also allowed the companies to raise rates of the

fertilizer up to 10% this fiscal

Objective: The move will aid government reduce its subsidy bill

Government spends around Rs. 75,000 Crore on fertilizer subsidy

at present

Urea is the only fertilizer which is till now under government control

The government had partially freed other fertilizers from its control in

the last financial year

Urea is the cheapest and the most used fertiliser in the country