24 December 2015 – Daily Current Affairs

Amendment Bill for Payment of Bonus passed in the Lok Sabha

On December 22 2015, the Lok Sabha passed Amendment Bill for Payment of Bonus, whereby the factory workers are now eligible for double wage ceiling for the purpose of calculating bonus. The bill is an extension of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. The eligibility limit for bonus payment has now been raised from INR 10, 000 to INR 21, 000 per month. Additionally, the minimum wage has been lifted to INR 7, 000 or as the notified by the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 (whichever is higher). The bill is being implemented with a retrospective effect, from 1 ^st April 2015.

The 30 ^th National Consumers Right Day took place

24 ^th December 2015 witnessed the event of 30 ^th National Consumers Right Day. The objective of this event is to highlight the significance of consumer awareness and education. A key player in this event was the CPAC (Consumer Protection and Action Committee), who distributed info brochures, consumer rights education kit and complaint forms. This annual day is being celebrated from 24 December 1986 with an objective to keep the rights and interest of the consumers preserved.

After 32 years of service INS Godavari decommissioned

On December 22 2015, the first indigenous warship built by the Indian Navy Force (INF) was decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. The ship had served INF for 32 years and the ship was able to serve its purpose and hence, was being decommissioned. The ship was also known as F-20. The potential of INS Godavari allowed it to carry 2 Sea King Helicopters and had contributed to operations like ‘Operation Jupiter’, ‘Operation Cactus’, ‘Operation Bolster’ and ‘Operation Shield’.

Deadline extended to 30 ^th June 2016 for exchanging notes issued earlier to 2005

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the date for exchanging notes issued before 2005 by 180 days (6 months). The new date of extended deadline is 30 ^th June 2016. The RBI in Mumbai took the decision and issued the same through a statement. The exchange value of the currency would be given to the bearers in full. The date on currency notes can be found at the backside of the notes, towards the bottom. Withdrawal of notes prior to 2005 will allow the economy to overcome the problem of fake currency to a certain extent.

Basohali town inaugurated North India’s first bridge (cable)

The state of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the first bridge based on cable in Northern India. The town of Basohali, in Kathua district of J & K, now had a 592 metres bridge which is constructed over river Ravi. The State of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh is now connected through this cable bridge. The total cost of this bridge was INR 145 crore and Border Roads Organization (BRO) has constructed it. The proceeding started in May 2011 with an objective to accelerate the tourism industry of that area. The project has certainly widen the scope of development in Northern India and other states may soon have similar projects rolling.