Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), relaxed the criteria for power generation projects to qualify as mega power projects. This will qualify 15 additional projects for the benefits under the mega power project policy. 

“To avail of the benefits under the (Mega Power) policy, the developer must tie up at least 65 per cent of the installed capacity through competitive bidding,’’ Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters after announcing that the CCEA had cleared the Power Ministry’s proposal of changes to the Mega Power Policy. “The balance 35 per cent of the installed capacity should be through the regulated tariff according to the host State’s policy.” 

 Current Affairs tests

Maldives prefers out-of-court pact with GMR on airport project

The visiting  Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen said that Maldives is in negotiations with GMR, whose over $500 million Male airport project was scrapped, for an out of court settlement and not through arbitration

However rule out the GMR’s come back the Male airport project as it is highly politicised case” in Maldives

Current Affairs tests 

Mammen Mathew selected for prestigious journalism Lokmanya Tilak National Award

Mammen Mathew, The Chief Editor and Managing Director of Malayala Manorma , has been chosen for prestigious journalism award instituted by a trust founded by Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on 31 December 2013. 

Current Affairs test 

India scraps VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland

India  terminated the Rs. 3,726-crore, scam-ridden VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland International Limited (AWIL) on the grounds of breach of pre-contract integrity pact (PCIP). The deal for supply of 12 choppers, of which three have already been delivered, came under the scanner following allegations of kickbacks to senior Indian Air Force officers and others to the tune of nearly Rs. 360 crore.

Current Affairs test

Muriel “Mickie” Siebert, the first woman member of NYSK

The first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange, Muriel “Mickie” Siebert  died at the age of 80.She became the first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1967.

Zubin Mehta’s concert in Kashmir on September 7, 2013

The German embassy in collaboration with the State and the Central governments will conduct classical maestro Zubin Mehta’s Bavarian State Orchestra. The event titled Ehsaas-e-Kashmir, will be perform at the historic Mughal garden of Shalimar Bagh near Srinagar.  The senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have opposed the event.

Lok Sabha passes Food Security Bill

The Lok Sabha on 26-Aug-2013  passed the National Food Security Bill, 2013 that seeks to provide highly subsidised food grains to nearly 70 per cent of the population of the country.

It will legally entitle 67 per cent of the population (including 75 per cent rural and 50 per cent urban) to get subsidised grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

A beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarse cereals at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg a month, respectively.

The beneficiaries will be identified by the States based on parameters prescribed by the Union government.