India forecasts average monsoon rains this year

Earth Sciences Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh held that India is probable to experience average monsoon rains this year, thus forecasting a third straight year without drought. Deshmukh held that the rains during the June-September season are probable to be 99% of the long-term average. The state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) considers rains between 96-104% of a ..

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2012

Topics: Climate • Climatology • Drought • India Meteorological Department • La Niña • Meteorology • Monsoon • Physical geography • Physical oceanography • Rain • Tropical meteorology • Weather hazards

EC relaxes Model Code of Conduct ahead of June 12 by-polls

The EC (Election Commission) has settled to relax the Model Code of Conduct, on an experimental basis, by permitting partial implementation of developmental schemes in those districts where by-polls will be held on June 12, 2012.  Why this decision was taken by EC? The EC order came after several states, where by-elections are being held, ..

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2012

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs

Topics: Elections • Electoral district

Rural banks told to double home loan limit for priority sector

The RBI has demanded all RRBs (Regional Rural Banks) to double the limit for home loans to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh for lending for the Priority Sector. The increment in the limit will be applicable for the bank loans extended to non-governmental agencies, sanctioned by National Housing Bank for their refinance, on-lending ..

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2012

Topics: Priority sector lending • Regional Rural Bank

PM inaugurates “Guru Gobind Singh Refinery” in Bathinda

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurates the “Guru Gobind Singh Refinery” at Bathinda in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh Refinery (GGSR) is a refinery owned by Hindustan Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) a joint venture between HPCL and Mittal Energy Limited, a company owned by L N Mittal. It is located in village Phulokheri, Bhatinda, Punjab, India.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2012

Topics: Bathinda • Bathinda district • Economy of India • Guru Gobind Singh Refinery • Hindustan Petroleum • India • MDPL - Mundra Delhi Pipeline • Punjab, India • Takraf India Pvt. Ltd.

3 day India-Nepal crafts festival begins in Nepal

In Nepal, a 3-day India-Nepal crafts festival began in the capital Kathmandu. Inaugurating the festival, Nepal’s President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav held that such a common platform which would help artisans in both Nepal and India.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2012

Topics: Anil Kumar Jha • Communist Party of Nepal • Continents • Countries • Geography of Asia • Kathmandu • Kathmandu District • Madhesi people • Nepal • Newar • Ram Baran Yadav