1) For the first time a move is being made to involve private players in running of passenger trains in the country as disclosed in the report prepared by a committee set up by the Union Govt. The committee has recommended the entry of private companies in operation and maintenance of railways, and has pitched for attracting talent from outside for a radical revamp of Indian Railways. Who headed this committee? – Bibek Debroy (Member, NITI Aayog)
Explanation: The Bibek Debroy Committee, set up by the Narendra Modi government to give recommendations for overhaul of the operations of the Indian Railways, has prepared a detailed report, which will be presented to the government on 12 June 2015. The government is expected to act on the recommendations in the months ahead as Indian Railway is being regarded as a priority sector for the Modi administration. The panel has also suggested the scrapping of a separate railway budget as the railways was just another public sector company. The radical measures suggested include, switching over to commercial accounting of railway functions, corporatization of railways production units and involving private sector in manufacturing coaches, wagons and locomotives.
2) The 44th edition of COPA America, the prestigious football tournament for South American countries, started from 11 June 2015. Which country is hosting this tournament? – Chile
Explanation: The 44th edition of COPA America is being held from 11 June to 4 July 2015 at Chile. The tournament was originally planned to be hosted by Brazil but it opted out from hosting the tournament due to tight schedule for major tournaments like 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Chile was given hosting rights after consultations with the Brazilian authorities. Twelve countries are participating in COPA America 2015 – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Jamaica and Mexico are two invitee participants in the tournament. Uruguay is the defending champion team having won the tournament in 2011. The tournament is being organized by CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body. The winner of the tournament, or the best placed CONMEBOL team if Mexico or Jamaica win the tournament, will qualify for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted in Russia.
3) In an important development, 26 African countries agreed to create the continent’s largest free-trade zone that will span a huge area from Cape Town (South Africa) to Cairo (Egypt). The deal, signed in Egypt, is intended to ease the movement of goods across member countries which represent more than half the continent’s GDP. What is the name of this proposed free trade agreement? – Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA)
Explanation: Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) is the name given to the proposed free-trade zone to be created in Africa that comprises of 3 trading entities of African continents – the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC). The agreement for TFTA was signed on 10 June 2015 at Egypt. The agreement is slated to be unveiled at the 25th African Union (AU) Summit to be held in South Africa. The century-old dream to link the continent from the Cape to Cairo comes to reality with signing of this agreement. Since the end of colonial rule, governments have been discussing ways to boost intra-African trade. The poor state of roads, railways and airlines has made it difficult. TFTA emerged as three existing trading blocks – COMESA, SADC and EAC, merged to form a single pan-African trading entity. However, TFTA needs parliamentary endorsements from all member-nations.
4) Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on 11 June 2015 announced the decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP to fight the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. What is the name of his party that will contest the Bihar Assembly elections as a partner of the NDA? – Hindustan Awam Party (HAP)
Explanation: Manjhi made the announcement after a meeting with BJP President Amit Shah in New Delhi on 11 June. The BJP believes its caste formula, a key factor in any election in Bihar, is now in place with Manjhi, a Mahadalit, expected to eat into Kumar’s mahadalit support base.
5) The Reserve Bank India (RBI) on 11 June 2015 gave permission to which investor segment to invest in regulated chit funds in India? – Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
Explanation: The permission to Indians abroad for participation in chit funds comes with riders. NRIs can subscribe to chit funds through banking channels, including accounts maintained in India. The state governments or Registrar of Chits may permit chit funds to accept subscription from NRIs on non-repatriation basis. This should be done in accordance with the provisions of the Chit Fund Act.
6) Veteran actor, Sir Christopher Lee, who passed away on 7 June 2015 at the age of 93, was associated with which legendary character in films? – “Dracula”
Explanation: Christopher Lee was a British-born actor who made his name playing Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster in horror films. He appeared in over 250 films. He was best-known for his villainous roles – including Scaramanga in James Bond’s “The Man With The Golden Gun” and evil wizard Saruman in “The Lord of the Rings”. His other important films include “The Wicker Man” and “Star Wars”. He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity and was awarded a BAFTA fellowship in 2011.
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