CCEA approves setting up of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in 62 uncovered districts
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved opening of one Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in each of the 62 uncovered districts.
- These JNVs will provide good quality modern education to the talented children prominently from rural areas. Nearly 35,000 students will be benefitted from these JNVs.
Veteran Carnatic Music exponent M Balamuralikrishna passes away
- Legendary vocalist, playback singer and composer Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna passed away due to age-related geriatric problems in Chennai.
- He was 86. He was considered as doyen of classical music.
- During his long musical career he had excelled as a prominent Carnatic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer and actor.Balamuralikrishna was born on 6 July 1930 in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
- He had started his musical journey as a child prodigy at a tender age of 8. Since then, he has performed in over 25 thousand concerts.
Govt asks NABARD to disburse Rs 21,000 crore to farmers
- The Government has allowed NABARD to disburse Rs 21,000 crore to cash-starved farmers, helping them sow winter crops like wheat ahead of the sowing season, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta said today.
- The government’s demonetisation move, which swept away 86% of currency in circulation, has badly hit farmers leaving them without cash just ahead of the sowing season.
RBI doubles cap on PPIs to Rs. 20,000
- The Reserve bank of India (RBI) has increased the per month limit of Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) to Rs. 20,000 from Rs. 10,000 and to Rs. 50,000 for merchant bank.
- This decision was taken due to sudden increase in demand for digital wallets (especially mobile wallets) after Government announced demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes.
- The prepaid PPIs could be also issued to merchants if they provided a self-declaration in respect of their status and bank account and also to be kept on record by the issuer.
- Funds transfer from such PPIs will be permitted only to the merchant’s own linked bank account and upto an amount of Rs. 50,000 per month, without any limit per transaction.
- Thus, this decision will boost mobile wallet transactions following the withdrawal of high-value notes. The measures will be applicable till December 30, 2016.
Barack Obama awards his last Presidential Medals of Freedom
- U.S. President Barack Obama has bestowed the nation’s highest civilian honour for the last time as president.
- The awards have honour the work of Americans ranging from global philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates to legendary athletes, artists, activists, scientists and others.
- Basketball star Michael Jordan, actor Robert De Niro and music legend Bruce Springsteen were among the 21 people honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom During a ceremony at the White House President Barack Obama gave out the awards the nation’s highest civilian honor for his last time to a diverse group of sports stars, scientists, artists and philanthropists.