February 2020

KERALA Kerala targets to register 25k responsible tourism units in next fiscal year   The state has put high hopes on responsible tourism (RT) and has projected an ambitious target of registering 25,000 new RT units in the coming fiscal. The aim, thus, is to link a minimum of one lakh local community members with the tourism industry … Read more 25.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

CAG report on Siachen troops Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) pulled up the Army for deficiencies in the provision of special clothing, rations and housing for troops in high-altitude areas, including Siachen. There were delays of up to four years in the procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment, leading to an acute shortage of essential clothing … Read more 04-02-2020 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

International Religious Freedom Alliance The United States announced the launch of a 27-nation International Religious Freedom Alliance, which will try to adopt a collective approach in protecting and preserving religious freedom across the world. The areas will include things like technology and religious oppression, blasphemy and apostasy laws, for instance. Toolbox will include things like, … Read more 06-02-2020 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

DefExpo 2020 Defence Expo in Lucknow was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The number of participating foreign companies has also increased to 172 from the previous figure of 160. The main theme of the DefExpo India 2020 is ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’ and the focus will be on ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’. … Read more 08-02-2020 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

Sri Lanka’s Army Chief, Shavendra Silva blacklisted by US The United States has blacklisted Sri Lanka’s Army Chief, Shavendra Silva, for human rights violations including extrajudicial killings during the last phase of the country’s civil war in 2009 Lt. Gen. Silva is credited with leading an Army division against Tamil Tiger rebels in the final … Read more 14.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

KERALA Kerala budget 2020-21: Govt to raise Rs 2,100 crore to fund KFC loans Kerala government to hike building tax rates Rs 5,000 tax for 3,000 to 5,000sq/ft Rs 7,500 tax for 5,000-7,000sq/ft Rs 10,000 tax for 7,500-10,000sq/ft Rs 12,500 for over 10,000sq/ft Finance minister announces Rs 8,253 crore for projects to mitigate drinking water … Read more 29.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 The Union Cabinet approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. the proposed amendment seeks to enhance the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women that will be defined in the amendments … Read more 2-3-02.2020 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

India urged Turkey to not interfere in its internal affairs Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Islamabad compared the situation in Kashmir with the Gallipoli campaign of the World War II and extended support to Pakistan. He termed India’s recent actions in Kashmir as “unilateral”. India urged Turkey to not interfere in its internal affairs … Read more 15.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

KERALA Kerala govt declares coronavirus as state calamity   The Kerala government on Monday declared novel coronavirus epidemic as a “state calamity” with a third student testing positive for the infection in the state.   The government has declared the epidemic as a “state calamity” to take all necessary steps to ensure the outbreak is effectively controlled. INTERNATIONAL World … Read more 20.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs

KERALA Early bird, Kerala may not be a major beneficiary The benefits that may trickle down to Kerala from Bharat Net programme for which the Union finance minister has set apart Rs 6,000 crore in the latest budget may be insignificant if not nil, at least during the current fiscal. The Rs 6,000 allocation the … Read more 23-24.02.20 Kerala (KeralaPSC) Daily Current Affairs