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Current Affairs 19 March 2021
Daily Current Affairs 19 March 2021: This post contains the latest current affairs for 19 March 2021 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. You can also attempt our Current Affairs Quiz after reading our daily current affairs.
National
J&K Government approves setting up of JVC “Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation” to develop 850 MW HEP
- The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved the incorporation of a joint venture company (JVC) under the name “Ratle Hydro-electric Power Corporation”, to implement the 850 MW Ratle Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on river Chenab in Kishtwar district of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
- The JV company has been incorporated between the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC).
- The equity contributions of NHPC will be 51 percent and for JKSPDC will be 49 percent.
- The proposed JVC will have authorised capital of Rs 1,600 crore with initial paid up capital of Rs 100 crore.
- The 850 MW Ratle HEP will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,281.94 crore.
Report
India emerges second largest arms importer during 2016-2020, despite 33% cut in imports: SIPRI Report
- The imports of weapons and military equipment by India declined by 33 percent during 2016-2020, as per the annual report titled “Trends in International Arms Transfers-2020”, released by Sweden-based think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
- However, despite a cut in import rates, India continues to be the second largest importer in the world during 2016-2020.
- India’s import accounted for 9.5 percent of all arms sales during 2016-2020, compared to 14 percent in the previous five year block (2011-2015).
- The five largest arms importers in 2016-20 were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China.
- The five largest arms exporters in 2016–20 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. India ranked at 24th position among arms exporter.
Loans/Agreements
Italy signs International Solar Alliance amended Framework Agreement with India
- Italy has signed the amended Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with India on March 17, 2021.
- The European country signed the ISA framework agreement after an amendments to the Framework Agreement of the ISA entered into force on January 08, 2021.
- The amendments of the ISA framework agreement allows all the member states of the United Nations to join the ISA grouping, including those lying beyond the tropics.
USAID & DFC jointly announce $41 million financing for renewable energy in India
- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have announced a USD 41 million-loan guarantee program to finance investment in renewable energy solutions by Indian SMEs.
- The USD 41 million loan portfolio guarantee program by USAID and DFC will enable finance investments by Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in renewable energy solutions, including rooftop solar installations. These loans will enable SMEs to access reliable power and cut costs.
- The investments in solar solutions, secured by these credit guarantees, will improve access to clean, steady, and affordable energy as well as further progress towards India’s clean energy transition and climate change mitigation.
Appointment
Ajay Mathur takes over as Director General of International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Dr Ajay Mathur has assumed office as the Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with effect from March 15, 2021.
- He has been appointed for a period of four years which can be renewed for an additional term.
- Dr Ajay Mathur has replaced Upendra Tripathy, who completed his term on March 15, after serving as the Director General since 2017.
Kuldiep Singh appointed as Chief of Central Reserve Police Force
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed senior IPS officer Kuldiep Singh as the Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
- Singh, a 1986 batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, is presently the Special DG, CRPF.
- The appointment of Singh as DG of CRPF will be effective from March 01, 2021, up to September 30, 2022 i.e. date of his superannuation.
- Singh replaces Dr. A P Maheshwari, who superannuated on February 28, 2021.
M A Ganapathy appointed as Chief of National Security Guard
- Senior IPS officer M A Ganapathy has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of National Security Guard (NSG) on March 16, 2021.
- Ganapathy, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, is currently Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
- His appointment will be effective from the date of joining the post and up to February 29, 2024 i.e. date of his superannuation.
Days
Ordnance Factories’ Day in India: 18 March
- In India, the Ordnance Factories’ Day is observed on 18th of March every year.
- The day commemorates the foundation of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India at Cossipore near Kolkata where production started on March 18, 1802.
- The Indian Ordnance Factories operate under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) .
- The day is celebrated by displaying the rifles, guns, artillery, ammunition..etc in exhibitions all over India.
- Currently, the Ordnance Factories organisation comprises 41 factories grouped into five operational divisions of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
Global Recycling Day: 18 March
- The Global Recycling Day is observed every year on 18 March to recognise the importance of recycling as a resource, not waste.
- The theme for 2021 is “Recycling Heroes”, to recognise the people, places and activities that showcase the importance of recycling in preserving natural resources.
- The day is an initiative of Global Recycling Foundation, London, to promote the concept and practice of recycling.
Obituary
Tanzanian President John Magufuli passes away at 61
- The President of Tanzania, John Magufuli has passed away following heart ailment. He was 61.
- Popularly nicknamed as the “Bulldozer”, Magufuli served as the fifth President of Tanzania from 2015 until his death in 2021
- He first won the presidential election in October 2015 and was sworn in on 5 November 2015. He was re-elected in 2020.
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