UPDATED CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL/25/2015

CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL/25/2015

• Rajya Sabha passes Private bill to promote transgender rights
  • A private member bill on the rights of transgenders has been passed by Rajya Sabha the upper houseof the parliament
  • The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014' was introduced by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva
  • This was the first time in 45 years that a private member bill was passed by the house
  • The bill has 58 clauses and it comprises measures to bring the transgender community into the mainstream by demanding reservation for the community in education, financial assistance and social inclusion
  • Siva said that while the number of transgenders in the country is 4.5 lakh as per statistics, the actual number could be about 20-25 lakh.
  • The last time the Lok Sabha passed a private member's bill was in 1970. In the Rajya Sabha a private member's bill was passed in 1969
  Introducing such bill is normal practice but such bills are normally withdrawn,left pending or are taken in other house but this is the first time in 45 years that a private member bill was passed by the house 
  
  
• 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Nepal ; 918 killed
  • A powerful earthquake struck Nepal with high intensity between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara
  • At least 876 people were confirmed dead in Nepal Another 34 were killed in India, six in Tibet and two in Bangladesh Two Chinese citizens died at the Nepal-China border
  • Number of historic buildings have been destroyed. Among those wrecked was the landmark Dharahara tower with many feared trapped in its ruins
  • IAF c-130 Superhercules with NDRF relief team  is working in Kathmandu in aid to nepal goverment
• Chilean Volcano Calbuco Erupts
  • Calbuco Volcano in Chile erupted for the first time in 42 years two massive eruptions occurred at Chile's Calbuco volcano spreading ash and hot rocks as high as 6 miles into the air
  • nearly4,000 people have been evacuated  from their homesa s volcanic ash emitted triggered concerns that the dust could contaminate water, trigger respiratory illnesses and ground nearby air travel  
  • Calbuco last erupted in 1972 and is considered one of the top three most potentially dangerous among Chile's 90 active volcanoes
  • The first blast surprised Chilean emergency officials, who were left with only minutes to issue an alert.
  Chile, on the Pacific "Rim of Fire", has the second largest chain of volcanoes in the world after Indonesia, including around 500 that are potentially active
  
  

  
  

  
  
• India has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of generic medicines to the United States
  • India has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of generic medicines to the United States
  • The exports touched over 4 billion dollars in 2013-14 in spite of stringent regulatory measures imposed by Washington. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Ahir gave this information in the Rajya Sabha
  • Friday Indian pharmaceutical companies are exporting generic medicines to Africa, West Asia and European countries.
• Task force proposes setting up of full-fledged Postal Bank of India
  • Task force set up to suggest ways for reviving India Post has proposed setting up of full-fledged postal bank through an Act of Parliament
  • Postal bank that can can leverage its massive network of 1,55,000 post offices as a statutory institution it would have utmost credibility.
  • Its initial capital requirement of Rs 500 crore PBI must be professionally managed and operated, with credit and other risks being handled by experienced experts hired from the market.
  • The postal bank will offer comprehensive financial services including regular banking credit, deposit and loans.
  • To begin with, the PBI should give loans up to Rs 1 lakh and a second loan will be granted only after the first loan is paid back
  This Task force was set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August which includes Department of Posts secretary Kavery Banerjee, telecom secretary Rakesh Garg, Department of Electronics and IT secretary RS Sharma, rural development secretary LC Goyal, former Sebi chairman GN Bajpai, and former Infosys board member TV Mohandas
  
  

  
  

  
  
• 2 Zila, 2 Janpad and 12 Gram Panchayats to receive awards on National Panchayat Day
  • Two Zila Panchayats, two Janpad Panchayats and 12 Gram Panchayats of Madhya Pradesh have been awarded by the centre on the occasion of the National Panchayat Day for efficient implementation of rural development and community oriented schemes.
  • These Panchayats have been selected for awards by Government of India under Panchayat Empowerment & Accountability Incentive Scheme on the basis of distinguished achievements during year 2014-15
  • On National Panchayat Day in April 24, 2015, awards carrying Rs. 30 lakh each will be presented to Harda and Vidisha Zila Panchayats
  • Rs. 20 lakh award each will be presented to Vidisha Janpad Panchayat of Vidisha district and Ichhawar Janpad Panchayat of Sehore district
  The 3-tier Panchayats have carved a new scenario in remote rural areas through planned works for upliftment of poor people and improving rural living standards.