Jan 2020

Budget Highlights   Expenditure: The government proposes to spend Rs 30,42,230 crore in 2020-21, which is 12.7% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20.   Receipts: The receipts (other than net borrowings) are expected to increase by 16.3% to Rs 22,45,893 crore, owing to higher estimated revenue from disinvestments.   GDP growth: The government has … Read more

NASA’s Spitzer space telescope The Spitzer Space Telescope (SST), formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), was an infrared space telescope launched in 2003 and retired on 30 January 2020. Spitzer carries three instruments on board: Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS)   Arvind Krishna elected IBM CEO … Read more

Indian Navy launches ‘Operation Vanilla’ Indian Navy launches ‘Operation Vanilla’ to help cyclone-hit Madagascar INS Airavat has been deployed for ‘Operation Vanilla’ The ship is carrying five pallets each of victualing, clothing and naval stores along with three pallets of medicines   India successfully test-fires K-4 missile On January 19, 2020, India successfully test-fired 3,500 … Read more

Govt signs accord with NDFB, ABSU to resolve Bodo issue to redraw and rename the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) in Assam, currently spread over four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. villages dominated by Bodos that were presently outside the BTAD would be included and those with non-Bodo population would be excluded The … Read more

KARNATAKA     Breakfast scheme for over 2,400 pourakarmikas to be scrapped   The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to cancel the tender of the breakfast scheme for over 2,400 pourakarmikas.   The breakfast scheme for the pourakarmikas was launched in November 2019. A few members raised the issue saying that the quality of … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka braces for likely cut in share of central taxes There are strong indications that the 15th Finance Commission will reduce states’ share of tax devolution, a prospect that would adversely hit Karnataka, which is already reeling from a shortfall in central grants due to the state. While the exact percentage decrease is … Read more

KARNATAKA INTERNATIONAL Russia S-400 missiles air defence systems to be delivered to India by 2025   Russia started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India. The five units will be delivered to India by 2025.   The S-400 air defence missile systems are among the best in the world. This will significantly bolster India’s air defence mechanism. … Read more

KARNATAKA   Bengaluru to get doorstep delivery of all govt documents a move that is going to resonate with the aspirations of Bengaluru’s busy lifestyle, the state government launched its ‘doorstep delivery’ application and web portal. From Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka health cards to BBMP Khathas and from domicile certificates to police verification certificates, Bengaluru will … Read more

KARNATAKA   Lingayats may soon move court to secure separate religion status   The contentious issue of according minority religion status to Lingayats is set to resurface with many leaders of the community deciding to pursue their demand in court.   A majority of Lingayat mutts and organisations have banded together to move the Karnataka … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka pollution board takes up waste issue with Kerala As a last resort to stop waste from Kerala being illegally transported to Karnataka and dumped in open land which is an environmental hazard, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) authorities a few days ago wrote to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board member … Read more