MAY 2013- NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL-CURRENT AFFAIRS

1.The HRD Ministry on 31 May 2013 decided to set up a seven member Task Force NTA (National Testing Agency)under the Chairmanship of Sanjay Dhande. 2.India and Thailand signed a treaty for the extradition of runaways wanted for terrorism, transnational crimes, economic offences and other serious crimes. 3.TVS Logistics Services Ltd. acquired second company in US called Wainwright Industries, the end-toend supply chain provider. 4.The Union government on 30 May 2013 decided to extend the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for four more years 5.Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on 28 May 2013 launched its third Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) which is built for the Indian Coast Guard. 6.As per CSO DATA released on 31 May 2013, economic growth fell to a decade's low of 5 per cent for the entire 2012-13 fiscal 7.UNESCO in the Month of May 2013 had declared India's Nicobar Islands as a world biosphere reserve under its Man and the Biosphere Programme. 8.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 30 May 2013 was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the fifth time from Assam. 9.According to World Health Organisation, World No-Tobacco day is observed every year on 31 May 2013. 10.IndiGo, the budget passenger carrier launched seven new flights to its domestic system on 30 May 2013. 11.Indian-American Arvind Mahankali, after years of close calls, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee on 30 May 2013. The Foreign Minister of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla paid an official visit to India from 25 May 2013 to 27 May 2013. 12.44 Years old Ang Dami Sherpa from Nepal won the Everest Marathon on 29 May 2013 in womens category of Year 2013. 13.Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on 29 may 2013 bagged a six-year contract from the Department of Posts (DoP)

Astronomers revealed the recent potential risk of Earth being hit by fatal gamma-ray burst from the star called Wolf-Rayet star WR 104. The Department of Telecom (DoT) decided to levy 650 crore Rupees penalty on Airtel for violating licence conditions. Akshay B. Gaikwad won three gold medals on second day of 15th Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships in Doha. A Group of Ministers on 29 May 2013 approved the Coal Regulatory Authority Bill which seeks to set up independent regulatory authority for the coal sector. SEBI made it compulsory for investment advisorsto first obtain a certificate of registration for the same. Rituparno Ghosh, the renowned Bengali film maker died on 30 May 2013 of cardiac arrest at his south Kolkata residence. The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for Tripura was finalised on 29 May 2013. The size of the plan was agreed upon at 2500 crore Rupees. The Maharashtra government on 29 May 2013 approved release of grant for various schemes of minorities' development The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 29 May 2013 lowered its forecast for Chinas economic growth at 7.75 percent Manoj Das, the Noted Oriya writer on 28 May 2013 was presented the NTR National Literary Award. Madhya Pradesh government Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 29 May 2013 announced a 212 crore rupees special relief package India, the United States and Australia came together to develop new climate-resilient varieties of rice and wheat The Union government notified Cauvery Water Scheme, 2013 to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award The oldest person of the world, Jiroemon Kimura, 116 years Japanese man became the last male of the 19th century in the world. Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships on N Rajam, T H Vikku Vinayakram and Ratan Thiyam for the year 2012, on 28 May 2013.

Published on: 29-MAY-2013

BCCI on 29 May 2013 constituted a three-man inquiry commission to probe IPL betting Punjab government on 28 May 2013 gave its approval for starting an online lottery system in order to increase revenues of the state. V. Narayanasamy inaugurated ISRO Navigation Centre (INC) at Byalalu, about 40 km from Bangalore on 28 May 2013. The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Meghalaya was finalised on 28 May 2013 at 4151 crore rupees. Jamjang Deru won three medals on 28 May 2013, the opening day of 15th Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships in Doha. The Indian telecom sector became the second largest telephone network in the world, after China by registering exceptional growth during last nine years. The Ministry of Women and Child Development appointed Kushal Singh as the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Union Defence Minister AK Antony on 27 May 2013 dedicated to the nation the New Air Force Station at Thanjavur at a brief function held to mark the occasion. Ananya Gupta claimed a bronze medal in the World School Chess championship held at Haldikki in Greece. World Hunger Day was observed on 28 May 2013 across the globe. It is an annual event Australia on 27 May 2013 was ranked as the world's happiest nation among developed economies Hamid Karzai, visited India from 20-22 May 2013 during which he was conferred with Doctoris Honoris The Reserve Bank of India on 27 May 2013 imposed restrictions on banks and NBFCs for providing loans against gold coins EU lifted its arms embargo on the Syrian opposition, which has paved the way for individual EU member states to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels. TRAI issued The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013 in the last week of May 2013.

Planning Commission of India fixed the Annual Plan 2013-14 for Nagaland at 2000 crore rupees and targeted growth in agriculture during 12th Plan period. Union Government plans to roll out a 43000-crore rupees green energy corridor project to facilitate the flow of renewable energy into the national grid. Defence Ministry on 27 May 2013 inaugurated the first fighter aircraft base at Thanjavur The new poll called Global Index of Religion and Atheism revealed that 13 percent of the world population identified themselves as atheists. India and Saudi Arabia on 26 May 2013 decided to further strengthen and deepen their counter-terrorism cooperation. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on 25 May 2013 inaugurated three new Aadhaarenabled services to help residents. Group of armed Maoists trapped and attacked the Congress party convoy at Dharba Valley in Chhattisgarh on 25 May 2013. Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs to win IPL Season 6 at Eden Gardens on 26 May 2013. The reason we struggle to recall memories from our early childhood is due to high levels of neuron production Vyas Samman for 2011 and 2012 were conferred to Prof. Ramdarash Mishra and Dr Narendra Kohli for their works Aam ke Patte and Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati. Philippines authorities are angry over Dan Brown's description for Manila as the gates of hell in his latest fiction work Inferno. Scientists of Peking University discovered the secret behind white tigers and termed a mutation of melanin named pheomelanin as the reason behind them. A report claimed that carbon dioxide emissions have played a great role in acidifying the sea water in Arctic region. Government has decided to set up teacher training institutes at block level across eight teacher deficit states of India under 12th Plan. US singer-songwriter Carole King became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

The Government of India reconstituted the Board of Governors of Medical Council of India (MCI). Dr R K Srivastava was appointed as the new Chairman. The HP assembly celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 24 May 2013. Pranab Mukherjee will become 2nd president to address special session of assembly. NASA has planned to lease out Launch complex of 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida to commercial operators. Prime Minister laid down the foundation stone of Indian National Defence University (INDU), Indias first defence university. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 23 May 2013 approved the proposal for the implementation of National AIDS Control Support Project. Foundation stone of the Indian National Defence University (INDU) was laid down by Manmohan Singh at Binola, Gurgaon. The Chief of IMF, Christine Lagarde was questioned at the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) in Paris over payout amount to Bernard Tapie. The President of India conferred the 47th Jnanpith Award for the year 2011 on Pratibha Ray on 22 May 2013 at Balyogi Auditorium in New Delhi. The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for Madhya Pradesh was finalised in New Delhi on 22 May 2013 at 35500 crore rupees Pugilist Preeti Beniwal on 22 May 2013 bagged the gold medal in Senior National Women's Boxing Championship. American writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize for her innovative and influential writing. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy won United Nation's Public Service Award for his Mass Contact Programme on 22 May 2013. India on 22 May 2013 successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile According to data released by Census 2011, lowest sex ratio in Haryana was observed in Gurgaon district at 854 India-China bilateral meet on healthcare sector in Geneva was held in Geneva on 21 May 2013. The International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on 22 May 2013.

US lawmakers on 21 May 2013 approved the provision of 5000 visas to Tibetan refugees to enter the US over the next three years. Arunima Sinha, became the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest on 21 May 2013. India and China on 20 May 2013 decided to scale up its two-way trade to 100 billion dollars by 2015 from 67.8 bn Dollars in 2012-13. 2014 was declared as the Friendship Year by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for increased people-to-people interaction between India and China. Singer Hariharan was conferred with the Lata Mangeshkar Samman Alankaran in Indore on 20 May 2013. Madhya Pradesh government instituted the award in 1984. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on 21 May 2013. India and China on 20 May 2013 signed three MoUs on buffalo meat, fisheries and pharmaceuticals and one agreement on feed and feed ingredients. A bilateral meeting between India and Switzerland was concluded on 20 May 2013 at Geneva. The meeting was held on the sidelines of World Health Assembly. Martyrdom of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, also known as Anti Terrorism Day is observed across the country on 21 May 2013. Indian boxers won the FXTM International Limassol Boxing Cup held in Limassol, Cyprus on 19 May 2013. An MoU was signed between India and UK on cooperation in the field of health sector on 19 May 2013 at Geneva. The Zoological Society of London revealed that Indian dolphins and wild elephants were among recent top 100 mammals facing the risks of extinction. Morgan Stanley on 20 May 2013 signed an agreement to sell its Indian wealth management unit to Standard Chartered. Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna lost in final to Mike and Bob Bryan on 19 May 2013 at the Rome Masters. The Union Government has proposed Stronger Powers to SEBI enabling it to carry out search and seizure operations and for attachment of assets. Indian National Defence Universioty will be set up in Gurgaon with an estimated cost of 300 crore rupees

As per the Indian envoy to Colombo Ashok K Kantha Indian companies have invested nearly 1 billion dollars in Sri Lanka since 2003. Demand for gold in India increased by 27 per cent to 256.5 tonnes during the January-March 2013 quarter Indonesia won U-21 beach volleyball championship in men category held in Chennai As per the data released by BMC Mumbai with 28455 abortions reported 44 percent rise of abortion cases in 2012. Bhandup turned up to be the abortion capital. As per the study by a business consulting firm, Israel became the worlds largest exporter of unmanne d aerial vehicles in terms of number of systems sold. Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to win Italian Open on 19 May 2013. With this win, Serena Williams conquered 51st title of her career. Laxman Singh Rathore was elected as the Member of Executive Council of WMO during the 65th Executive Council of WMO meeting which is ongoing at Geneva. P Sabita Reddy and D Prasada Rao, the State Cabinet Ministers of Andhra Pradesh charged in the YS Jaganmohan Reddy's disproportionate assets case resigned. Afghanistan Parliament on 19 May 2013 blocked law aimed at strengthening provisions for women's freedom. ADB in Month of May 2013 has provided a 110-million Dollars loan to Jammu and Kashmir in order to help in improving urban services, including water supply. North Korea on 19 May 2013 test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, counted as fourth test firing in two days. Penne Hackforth-Jones, one of Australia's most recognisable actors died at the age of 64

Samina Baig on 19 May 2013 became the first Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest. Samina Baig is 22 years of age. Anshu Jamshenpa of Arunachal Pradesh scaled the Mount Everest on 18 May 2013 for the third time. Scientists from Switzerland created the smallest drops of liquid ever made in the lab.

Kerala and Himachal Pradesh would share information for better implementation of their rural development projects USA on 18 May 2013 granted conditional authorization to export LNG to countries that do not have FTA with it. The 45th Session of the Indian Labour Conference concluded in New Delhi on 18 May 2013 The government cut the import tariff value of gold and silver to 466 US dollars per ten grams India and the US 16 May 2013 decided to expand co-operation in knowledge sector. Nirbhay Sharma on 16 May 2013 appointed as governor of Arunachal Pradesh as the term of present incumbent Gen (retd) J J Singh ended in January 2013. The AP State government announced that it had allocated 500 crore Rupees in the 2013-14 budget to meet the expenditure under interest free agricultural loans. ISRO has planned to launch GSLV D5 from the spaceport in Sriharikota in July 2013 to place communication satellite GSAT-14 in orbit. Aggregate plan of 80500 crore was finalized for Maharashtra. Drought proofing & balanced industrial growth are on priority list for 12th Plan of state The Union government on 16 May 2013 slashed the import tariff value of gold and silver to 466 Dollars per ten grams and 761 Dollars per kg, respectively. Government decided to launch DBTL scheme in 20 high Aadhaar coverage districts from 1 June 2013. India got the observer status by the Arctic Council in Arctic Circle. This membership will give India chances of navigation and oil and gas exploration. Finance Ministry approved payment of 8.5 per cent interest rate for 2012-13 from 8.25 per cent in the previous fiscal. Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for Bihar was finalized in New Delhi on 15 May 2013 at 34000 crore rupees The UN General Assembly on 15 May 2013 adopted a resolution calling for a political transition in Syria IMF on 15 May 2013 approved a three-year, 1.3 billion dollars loan for supporting Cyprus attempts to stabilize its financial sector. The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) on 15 May 2013 decided to launch Inflation Indexed Bonds (IIBs).

Backward Region Grant Fund was increased to 818.17 crore rupees for 2013-14 from 667 crore rupees for Utatr Pradesh by Union Government. Union Government on 15 May 2013 had set up an expert Committee to evolve a composite index to measure backwardness of states. Uttanur Rajamma identified with the Bandaya Literary Movement and the Bandaya writer died in Chickballapur district. The Puducherry administration launched a central govt. sponsored scheme to promote dairy activities and to enhance socio-economic status of the farmers. The Union Government on 14 May 2013 decided to publicise best practices on implementation of RTI Act by public authorities all over the country. The Union Cabinet of India on 14 May 2013 approved constitution of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to consider autonomy of CBI India and Netherlands on 14 May 2013 signed an MoU on Technical Cooperation in the field of Urban Planning RBI directed banks to follow Clean Note Policy and not to stable the notes packet. It also directed the banks to withdraw soiled notes from circulation. As per official data released on 14 May 2013, WPI Inflation eased to 4.89 percent in April 2013. The GEMS (Global Enteric Multicentre Study) showed that diarrhoeal disease has the highest rate of incidence in India The Election Commission of Pakistan on 14 May 2013 announced results of 272 National Assembly seats, with PML-Nawaz heading the count with 126 seats. The exports in the month of April 2013 of India grew by 1.6 percent and stood at 24.16 billion US Dollar. Trade deficit pushed to 1.7 billion US dollar. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented the Asom Ratna Award for the year 2012 to Indira Goswami (posthumously) The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during March 2013 was 20475 crore rupees. Monetary assistance under under the Indira Awas Yojana has been hiked by 25000 rupees by the Union Government following the agreement signed in Agra.

National Stock Exchange, the Leading bourse on 11 May 2013 launched the countrys first dedicated debt trading platform. Jharkhand on 12 May 2013 decided to impart technical skill development training to all unemployed youth in Naxal areas Retail inflation declined to 9.39 per cent in April because of reduction in prices of vegetables, edible oil and protein-based items National Technology Day was celebrated on 11 May 2013 as a symbol of quest for scientific inquiry and technological creativity The prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for life time achievement was presented to Pran on 10 May 2013 Iran on 11 May 2013 gave Reuters news agency permission to reopen its Tehran bureau. India secured 2 Silver and 7 Bronze and ended its journey in the 19th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships held at New Delhi. Salman Khurshid visited China from 9 to 10 May 2013. Both sides signed a protocol to enhance cooperation between foreign ministries of the two countries. Eighth JCM between India-Seychelles was held on 8 May 2013 to discuss and exchange views on matters of bilateral and regional interests at New Delhi. Sale of 10 percent equity of the Coal India Limited was approved by the Inter-Ministerial Group headed by Ravi Mathur, the Disinvestment Secretary. Union Ministers of Railway and Law, PK Bansal and Ashwani Kumar submitted their resignation to the Prime Minster on 10 May 2013. The Union Government of India on 9 May 2013 approved the policy development of aviation hubs in India. Russia and USA will jointly host an International Conference to find out a solution of Syrian Conflict based on the Geneva agreement of June 2012. The Union Government of India decided to redevelop the Juhu Airport of Mumbai by extending runway 650 metres into sea. World Bank signed agreement to provide 100 million dollar grant to Afghanistan for expanding basic health, essential hospital services.

SEBI in May 2013 had approved an angel fund of 10 million Dollars to address the problem of resource crisis for start-up companies across the country. Cuba on 6 May 2013 had launched a legal challenge to Australia's tobacco packaging laws at the World Trade Organization, the Geneva-based trade body. 7 May 2013 was observed as the World Asthma Day across the world with its theme You Can Control Your Asthma and sub-theme It's Time to Control Asthma. Shiksha Setu Cards were issued to the students of Government school students by Haryana Government to keep a track on performance of the students. ADB on 5 May 2013 announced that it is going to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India over the next three years. Libya parliament passed a law which bans anyone who served as a senior official under Muammar Gaddafi during his 42 year-long rule from working in government. The 17th Session of the India-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran on 4 May 2013. Andhra Pradesh on 4 May 2013 set up the State Security Commission under the chairmanship of the state Home Minister. Foodgrains output for 2012-13 was revised by the Government of India by 5.22 million tonnes for wheat, rice and coarse cereals. Pakistan discovered a new gas reserve in southern Sindh province that is supposed to help in reduction of acute gas shortages for industry and transport. A young Indian biologist, Dr. Aparajita Datta was honoured with the Whitley award, also known as Green Oscar, in London on 2 May 2013. Union government envisages investment of 12.1 billion dollars in the Aviation sector in the 12th plan period. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated across the world on 3 May 2013. The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2013 is Safe to Speak. The Supreme Court of India on 1 May 2013 upheld the constitutional validity of 51 percent FDI in the multi-brand retail sector. The Union Cabinet of India on 1 May 2013 approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission

The scientists at the North Dakota State University developed a process called Leap which can help embed the RFID chips on the paper. Reliance Jio Infocomm and others on 30 April 2013 formed a consortium to set up BBG submarine cable system The Punjab government on 1 May 2013 announced to increase the minimum wages of unskilled, semiskilled and skilled workers with effect from 1 March 2013. Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, an IAS officer of the 1979 batch on 1 May 2013 was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh government. Haryana on 30 April 2013 defeated Railways 4-1 to win the third Hockey India Senior Women National Championship. Parliamentary Speaker Abdul Hamid was on 24 April 2013 sworn in as Bangladesh President to replace Zillur Rahman The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on 30 April 2013 launched an Islamic equity index Government of Tamil Nadu allotted a grant of 9 crore Rupees to the Public Cord Blood Bank established by the Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre in Chennai . Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 30 April 2013 released a book titled An Ardent Patriot Dinesh Goswami, compiled by Kumar Deepak Das. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 14 mega watt Solar Power project at Deoghar in Jharkhand on 30 April 2013. Serbia and Kosovo on 20 April 2013 reached an agreement on overcoming ethnic enmities in Kosovo