12 February 2020 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Vice President releases the book ‘A Child of Destiny
- The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released the book titled “A Child of Destiny: An Autobiography” written by Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, in Vishakhapatnam.
- K. Ramakrishna Rao was an Eminent Scholar, Author, Researcher, Scientist and Gandhian, born in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of Padma Shri in 2011.
International Affairs
2. Coronavirus disease named Covid-19
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus is ‘Covid-2019’.
- The word coronavirus refers to the group of viruses it belongs to.
- Researchers have been calling for an official name to avoid confusion and stigmatisation of any group or country.
National Affairs
3. Govt to rename NIFM as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Mana
- The Union Government has decided to rename National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), Faridabad as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management.
- The decision has been taken to pay tribute to former Union Finance Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee late Shri Arun Jaitley.
- NIFM, Faridabad, was set up in 1993 as a registered society under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Summits & Conferences
4. Global meet on climate change ‘ClimFishCon 2020’ started in Kochi
- The International conference titled ‘ClimFishCon 2020’ to deliberate on the impact of climate change on ‘hydrological cycle, ecosystem, fisheries and food security’ started in Kochi, Kerala.
- It has been Organized by the CUSAT School of Industrial Fisheries in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Kerala.
- Theme: Climate Change-Effective Adaptation for a Secure Future.
State Affairs
5. UP Govt launches toll free helpline numbers for students
- Uttar Pradesh Government has launched toll-free helpline numbers (1800-180-5310 and 18001805312) to solve the queries of students ahead of the Board Examinations starting next week.
- Experts of different subjects including English, life sciences, geography, general science, Hindi, Sanskrit, chemistry will be available on call on these numbers.
- The helpline numbers will remain active from 8 am to 8 pm.
Important Dates
6. 12 February:National Productivity Day
- National Productivity Day is being observed on 12th February annually to increase the productivity culture in India.
- It is celebrated by the National Productivity Council (NPC), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Government of India is a premier institution for propagating productivity movement in India.
- NPC works for providing solutions towards accelerating productivity, enhancing competitiveness, increasing productivity.
Honours & Awards
7. Indore to host 21st edition of IIFA Awards from March 27-29
- The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) 21st -edition will be held in Indore from March 27-29 this year.
- Bhopal will host a function in run-up to the mega Bollywood event on March 21.
- This will be the 21st edition of the awards, which first started in 2000 and later became one of the highest- profile events related to the Hindi film industry.
National Affairs
8. NHAI to waive off FASTag cost between 15-29 Feb
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to waive off the FASTag cost of Rs. 100 rupees for NHAI FASTag between 15th to 29th of this month.
- Road users can visit any authorized physical point-of-sale locations with a valid Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle and get an NHAI FASTag free of cost.
- NHAI FASTag may be purchased from all NH fee plazas, RTOs, Common Service Centres, transport hubs and petrol pumps.
National Affairs
9. Union Cabinet approves changes in 'Vivad se Vishwas' Bill
- Union Cabinet has approved changes in the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020.
- It seeks to increase its scope to cover litigations pending in various debt recovery tribunals (DRTs).
- It was proposed to cover tax disputes pending in Income Tax Appellate Tribunals, High Courts and the Supreme Court.
- Union Cabinet has given its in-principle approval for capital infusion of 2,500 crore rupees in three Public Sector General Insurance Companies.
National & International Appointments
10. Arvind Kejriwal elected as Aam Aadmi Party's Legislative Party Leader
- The newly-elected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs chose Party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal as the leader of the Legislative Party today.
- Mr Kejriwal will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister for the third time at Ramlila Maidan on 16th of this month.
- The party emerged victorious during the recently concluded elections winning 62 out of the total 70 seats (BJP- 8 seats) in the Delhi Assembly.
