Current Affairs Daily Digest – March 14 2020
1. International Pi Day is observed on 14 March
International Pi (π) day is observed on 14 March. The day was chosen as 3, 1, and 4, which are the first three significant digits of π. Pi is one of the most well-known mathematical constants. It is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It is represented by the lower-case Greek letter π. For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across. The irrational number is most often approximated with the decimal 3.14 or the fraction 22/7.
2. International Day of Action for Rivers is observed on 14 March
International Day of Action for Rivers is observed on 14 March. This year, the 22nd annual International Day of Action for Rivers is observed. The day aims to stress the importance of rivers and how it affects the lives of the people. The theme of 2020 International Day of Action for Rivers is Women, Water, and Climate Change.
3. World Sleep Day is observed on 13 March
World Sleep Day is observed on 13 March. The day focuses on the issues related to sleep, sleep medicine, education about sleep. The day raises awareness about the social effects that sleep deprivation can have on everyday life.
4. Cabinet approved construction of 780 Km of green highways in four states
Union Cabinet approved a proposal for the construction of 780 kilometer of green highways on 13 March 2020. It was announced by the Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
The project aims to rehabilitate and upgrade various National Highways in four states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. A total sum of Rs.7,660 crore has been allotted for the purpose.
5. Parliament passed the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes
Parliament passed the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes on 13 March 2020. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha (the lower house) by the Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on 5 February 2020. Lok Sabha passed it on 4 March 2020.
6. BhoomiRashi portal significantly expedites error-free land acquisition for National Highways
The portal is used by the Central/State government directly to acquire land under their relevant legal provisions. GoI reported that the BhoomiRashi portal of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (M/oRTH) has significantly expedited error-free and transparent land acquisition for National Highways (NH).
7. Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to inaugurate 5 projects completed under JNPT
The Minister of State (I/C) for Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya is to inaugurate five projects completed under Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at JNPT, Mumbai on 14 March. The projects include Flyover at Y junction near PUB at JNPT, Scanning X-Ray, Augmentation of 220/33KV Master Unit Sub Station, Centralised Parking Plaza, and Shiva Samarth Smarak Museum.
8. ARCI developed a cost-effective solar receiver tube technology for heat applications
Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad developed a cost-effective solar receiver tube technology for industrial process heat applications.
9. Iran seeks Financial Help from IMF first time since 1962 to fight against Corona Virus
For the first time since 1962, Iran is seeking the help of International Monetary Fund. Since Islamic Revolution Iran stopped getting help from IMF. Earlier, this month, IMF allocated emergency funds to middle income countries. The international banking institution, allocated 50 billion USD to fund middle-income and poor countries. Also, it allocated 10 billion USD to low income countries.
10. What is Sir Creek Issue between India and Pakistan?
The issue between India and Pakistan over Sir Creek is the interpretation of boundary between Sindh and Kutch. The region was under the jurisdiction of Bombay Presidency during British rule. After independence, Kutch came under India and Sindh under Pakistan. But Pakistan claims entire creek as per the agreement signed between Rao Maharaj of Kutch and Government of Sindh in 1914.
11. MEIS scheme to be replaced with RoDTEP Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved to withdraw the MEIS (Merchandise Export from India) Scheme in phases. It is later to be replaced with RoDTEP (Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Product) scheme.
