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  • Current Affairs 5th March 2015

    Updated : 05-Mar-2015

    Current Affairs 5th March 2015 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 5th March 2015 - Details

    Who had signed an agreement on Monetary Policy Framework - Union Government & RBI

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 20th February 2015, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Union Government signed an agreement on Monetary Policy Framework but was made public on 2nd March 2015. The agreement authorize the RBI to go for inflation targeting that is common in developed countries and it also empowers RBI to monitor its monetary policy framework. As per the agreement, RBI will aim to bring down the inflation below six percent by January 2016 and inflation target for 2016-2017 and subsequent years will be 4 percent +/-2 percentage points.

    Features of the agreement

    • RBI will operate the India’s monetary policy framework.
    • The aim of India’s monetary policy framework is to “maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
    • RBI will have to report to the Union Government in case of failure to achieve the target.
    • The RBI’s Governor will set on the country’s key interest rates or any measures needed to achieve that inflation target.
    • It makes the Union Government compulsory to take proactive measures for price control.

    Who has been awarded with National Award for Best Representation of the Cause of Women - Rani Mukherji

    On 3rd March 2015, Bollywood actress Rani Mukherji was awarded with the National Award for the Best Representation of the Cause of Security, Safety and Protection of Women and Girl Child by National Institute of Gender Justice (NIGJ). Rani is the first ever film personality to be complimented with this reputable award. She was honoured for creating awareness about child trafficking in New Delhi. Rani was honoured for the kind of work she has been doing to create awareness about child trafficking and also for her incredible work in cinema. The fearless and powerful performance of Rani Mukerji in Mardaani idealised the role of police in prevention of crime, especially trafficking of girl child for commercial sexual exploitation.

    To whom did the Istanbul Civil Court of Peace fined for calling Monument to Humanity a Monstrosity - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan

    Among the important International Current Affairs, On 3rd March 2015, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was fined one lakh Turkish Lira (40000 US dollars) by the Istanbul 3rd Civil Court of Peace for calling an Armenian peace sculpture called Monument to Humanity a monstrosity. The court ordered Erdogan to pay compensation to artist Mehmet Aksoy for psychological damage caused to him after he called Aksoy’s sculpture the symbol of Armenian-Turkish friendship, a monstrosity.

    At the time of calling the statue a monstrosity, Tayyip Erdogan was serving Turkey as its Prime Minister. The artist Aksoy filed a lawsuit against the Turkish President and denounced his remarks. He said that the Armenian peace sculpture carries a message of friendship and peace.

    Who has passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2015 - Lok Sabha

    On 3rd March 2015, The Lok Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bill seeks to modify the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to bring e-carts and e-rickshaws into the ambit of the Act.

    Provisions of the Bill

    • It brings e-rickshaws and e-carts under ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 so they can ply on roads across the country.
    • It defines e-rickshaws and e-carts as special purpose battery powered vehicles with power up to 4000 watts and having 3 wheels which can be used for carrying passengers or goods.
    • These vehicles should be equipped, maintained and manufactured in accordance with specifications as prescribed by Union government.
    • It gives power to Union government to make Rules on the specifications for e-carts and e-rickshaws, and the conditions and manner for issuing driving licenses.
    • It exempts drivers of e-rickshaw and e-cart from the requirement of learner’s licence to drive.

    How many womens are selected for International Women of Courage Award - 10 women selected from 10 countries for the Award

    Among the important International Current Affairs, Three South Asian women, namely Niloofar Rahmani, Nadia Sharmeen and Tabassum Adnan were selected by the US Secretary of State for the prestigious International Women of Courage Award for the year 2015. They were among the 10 extraordinary women selected from 10 countries for demonstrating exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for gender equality, justice, human rights and peace.

    • Niloofar Rahmani (Afghanistan): She is a Captain from Afghan Air Force.
    • Nadia Sharmeen (Bangladesh): She is a Journalist and women's rights activist.
    • Tabassum Adnan (Pakistan): She is the founder of Khwendo Jirga.
    • Rosa Julieta Montaño Salvatierra (Bolivia): She is Founder and Director of Oficina Jurídica para la Mujer .
    • May Sabe Phyu (Burma): She is the Director of Gender Equality Network.
    • Béatrice Epaye (Central African Republic): She is the President of Fondation Voix du Coeur .
    • Marie Claire Tchecola (Guinea): She is a Ebola survivor, nurse and an activist.
    • Sayaka Osakabe (Japan): She is the Founder and Representative of Matahara Net.
    • Arbana Xharra (Kosovo): She is the Editor-in-Chief of Zeri.
    • Majd Chourbaji (Syria): She is the External Relations Director of Women Now for Development Centers.

    Name the website launched by Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways - Shipping Samvad

    On 3rd March 2015, Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways launched a website named Shipping Samvad. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways launched the website. The objective of the website is to invite suggestions and innovative ideas from general public and experts related to Indian maritime sector for improvements in the inland waterways sector, shipping and ports.

    The ideas and suggestions submitted through this portal will be further examined for implementation by Ministry of Shipping and the workable ideas and suggestions will be published on this website. The initiative is meant to engage the experts and common public in the development of inland waterways sector, shipping and ports in India and will provide impetus to the Ministry of Shipping in its efforts.

    By how much did RBI reduced the Repo rate - 25 basis points to 7.5 percent

    Among the important banking Current Affairs, On 4th March 2015, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5% with immediate effect. This is the second in 2015 that RBI reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points. The reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank rate to 8.5%.

    For what did the Union Ministry of Shipping signed agreement with Toyota - Export of Automobile Units

    On 3rd March 2015, Union Ministry of Shipping signed an agreement with Toyota for export of automobile units through Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL).

    The Agreement is for a period of 10 years and includes the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) commitment to use KPL as their primary port and KPL will give volume based discount on the tariff on certain facilities for smooth functioning of the operations.

    The port has also developed a large car parking yard of 141000 sq m with a capacity to park 10000 cars and the parking of 2000 cars while loading at the Berth. Additional parking yard of with a capacity to park 4000 cars is also being developed with all facilities.

    Which Government has discarded 5% reservations to Muslims in government jobs - Maharashtra Government

    On 4th March 2015, State Government of Maharashtra discarded the resolution that provided 5% reservations to Muslims in Maharashtra government jobs. The erstwhile Congress-NCP government announced the resolution just before Assembly polls in 2014.

    Devendra Fadnavis headed BJP government in this regard released a resolution stating that the ordinance to provide a 5% job quota to Muslims stands scrapped. The ordinance was passed by the previous government on 24 July 2014 and lapsed on 23 December 2014.

    Name the Foreign Secretary who completed his SAARC Yatra - S Jaishankar

    On 4th March 2015, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar completed his SAARC Yatra of four nations started on 1 March 2015. the aim of his SAARC Yatra is to firm up India’s ties with members of the grouping while reviewing bilateral and regional cooperation. During the Yatra, he visited four countries namely Bhutan on 1 March 2015, Bangladesh on 2 March 2015, Pakistan on 3 March 2015 and Afghanistan on 4 March 2015.

    Which cricket team has created the record for highest ever score of 417 in Cricket World Cup - Australia

    Among the important sports Current Affairs, On 4th March 2015, Australian cricket team created the World Cup record for highest-ever score of 417 for 6 in a match against Afghanistan in Perth. Australia defeated Afghanistan by 275 runs which was the biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history.

    The previous record of highest runs in a World Cup match was 413 run at a loss of 5 wickets by India against Bermuda played at Queen's Park Oval and India won the match by 257 runs.