Maharashtra Current Affairs 2016 (Jan-Nov) by AffairsCloud PDF

Current Affairs Statewise PDF
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and is the nation's third largest state by
area and is also the world's second-most populous sub-national entity. It has over 110 million
inhabitants and its capital, Mumbai, has a population of approximately 18 million. Nagpur serves
as second capital as well as winter capital of the state. Maharashtra's business opportunities along
with its potential to offer a higher standard of living attract migrants from all over India.
• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
• Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
• Statehood Day: 1st May
• Bird: Yellow-footed green pigeon
• Tree: Mango
• Flower: Jarul
• Animal: Giant squirrel
Maharashtra Current Affairs - January 2016

Gadkari to inaugurate 19th National Conference on e-Governance
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurate
dthe 19th National Conference on e-Governance held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• The two-day conference (January 21-22, 2016) is being jointly organised by theDepartment
of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG),Department of
Electronics and Information Technology and Maharashtra government.
Key sessions of Conference:
The conference will have 6 plenary sessions including topics – Governance with
Accountability Transparency and Innovation (GATI) for citizen-centric services, financial
inclusion – Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), urban
governance in smart cities.
• The other sessions are on “Decade of e-Governance – Way Ahead” and technology
enabled education and cyber security framework for citizen centric services.
Maharashtra’s first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant commissioned

The first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant has been commissioned in Hingna
village of Mouda Taluka in Nagpur district Maharashtra. Solar power is the conservation of
sun energy to usable electricity. Solar Power is a sustainable and renewable resource of energy.
• The plant entirely run on solar power for which 1800 Watt panels have been installed.
1|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2016 @ AffairsCloud.Com
Key highlights
• The plant entirely run on solar power for which 1800 Watt panels have been installed.
• It delivers 10,000 Liters of purified water every day.
• The nitrate content from water is completely removed so as to avoid the ill effects on
the health of villagers
• This is an effective and environment-friendly cleaner technology.
• This is the first solar power plant operated mini water supply in Maharashtra.
New port development policy approved by Maharashtra

Maharashtra govt has given its consent to new maritime policy for port development to create
better facilities around 720 km coastal region of the state.
• Policy covers Greenfield ports, jetties, coastal shipping and inland waterways, shipyards,
coastal economic zones and facilitation for maritime projects.
• The state run Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) will be the nodal agency for all
approvals concerning the port development and related infrastructure.
Actress Rekha conferred 2016 Yash Chopra Memorial Award

Veteran Bollywood actress Rekha was honored with the third Yash Chopra Memorial
Award in Mumbai. The award was presented by Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao
for her talent and contribution to the film industry. The award function has been organization
by the TSR Foundation of T Subbarami Reddy in the memory of the producer-director.
V Shantaram Life Time Achievement Award bestowed upon Wild life film maker Naresh
Bedi
Wildlife film maker & Padma Shri awardee Naresh Bedi has been honoured with V Shantaram
Life Time Achievement Award during the inauguration of 14th edition of Mumbai
International Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films – MIFF 2016.
• The award was presented by Maharashta CM Devendra Fadnavis and MoS for Information
& Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore
• The award is instituted in memory of legendary film maker V Shantaram, who was head of
the Films Division in the past. It is comprised of a trophy, shawl and a cash prize of Rs 5
lakhs.
Actress Waheeda Rehman honoured with special award

During 6th Yashwant International Film Festival 2016 in Mumbai, veteran actress Waheeda
Rehman has been honoured with a special award for her contribution to the film industry.
• The Yashwant International Film Festival is a joint venture of Yashwantrao Chavan
Pratishthan and Pune Film Foundation.
2|Page
• Yashwantrao Chavan was the first chief minister of Maharashtra.

During festival 22 films were showcased in the category of Global Cinema, 14 in Kaleidoscope, 6
in Latin America, 6 in Country Focus, 5 in Retrospective, 5 Marathi movies and 7 films of Hector
Beveko.
DBT Scheme for Kerosene from April 1, 2016

The government will unveil Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for kerosene from 1st April
2016, where the users will buy the cooking fuel at market rate but will get financial support
directly in their bank accounts.
• The scheme will be implemented in selected 26 districts of 8 states.
• In this regard, states be given cash incentive of 75% of subsidy savings during the first
two years, 50% in the third year and 25% in the fourth year.
Eight States – Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh,Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan
Maharashtra government inks MoU with Pawan Hans to boost tourism

Maharashtra government has signed an MoU with private helicopter service company Pawan
Hans.
Objective: To boost tourism in Maharashtra.
• Helicopter services will be available for: Elephanta Island, Ajanta and Ellora caves,
Ganpatipule (a small town located in Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast), Tarkarli (a
tourist spot in Sindhudurg district) and Aamby Valley at a cheap rate.
Loan Agreement signed between Government of India and JICA for Cleaning of Mula-
Mutha River in Pune
The Government signed a loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation
Agency(JICA) for pollution abatement of River Mula-Mutha under National River
Conservation Plan(NRCP) in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar.
Loan amount : Loan of 19.064 billion Yen (about Rs. 1000 crore) at an interest rate of 0.30%
per annum.
• Government of India and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in the ratio of 85:15
respectively. The project is scheduled to be completed by January, 2022.
• The major components proposed under the project include construction of 11 new
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), laying of 113.6 kms of sewer lines and
renovation/rehabilitation of 4 existing intermediate pumping stations.
3|Page
Maharashtra government inks MoU with Tata Trust for skill training of youth
The Maharashtra government and Tata Trust signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
for a skill training programme for the youth. The programme has been undertaken under the state
government’s “Kushal Maharashtra, Rojgaryukt Maharashtra” initiative.
Key features of the programme
• Tata Trust will train around one lakh youths in the state to make them employable.
• Set up skill development and vocational training centers in 10 districts across the
state.
• The Trust will also set up virtual classrooms in 100 Industrial Training Institutes
(ITIs) in Maharashtra.
Seven Ancient Buddhist Caves Discovered In Mumbai National Park

Seven Buddhist caves have been discovered at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli
(Mumbai) in India, in January 2016. The caves are discovered in the north fringes of the city.
• The caves are assumed to be at least 2,000-years old.
• The caves are possibly dated between the 1stcentury B.C. and 5th -6th century A.D
that is before Kanheri Caves.
Pranav Dhanawade hits world record by scoring 1009 runs at school level tournament
Mumbai teenager Pranav Dhanawade scripted history by becoming the first cricketer ever to
notch up a four-figure score by smashing an unbeaten knock of 1,009 in an inter-school
tournament.
• 15-year-old cricketer Pranav Dhanawade created a world record by scoring 1009 runs (not
out) in 323 balls during HT Bhandari Cup, an under-16 inter-school tournament held in
Mumbai (Maharashtra).
• He was representing KC Gandhi High School against Arya Gurukul.
Rohit Sharma claims career-best fifth spot in ICC batting chart

Rohit Sharma the 28-year-old Mumbai batsman claims a career-best 5th position in the ICC
batsman rankings in the recently finished series against top-ranked Australia. He becomes
India’s second highest-ranked batsman.
• He registered 441 runs in the five matches of the series and become Man of the Series
• He earned 59 points for his performances and he is now 64 points behind Virat Kohli.
• India, after winning the Sydney ODI, has retained second position.
Veteran CPI leader AB Bardhan passes away

Veteran Communist Party of India leader A.B. Bardhan, 92, passed away after a long illness.
About AB Bardhan :
4|Page
Mr. Bardhan took part in the freedom movement as a member of the All India Students
Federation and later associated himself with the trade union movement out of Nagpur.
• He won an election just once to the Maharashtra Assembly in 1957 as an
Independent.
• United Front (UF) government took over in 1996 and late CPI leader Indrajit Gupta
became Home Minister, he resigned as CPI general secretary and paved the way for Mr.
Bardhan.
• AB Bardhan held the post of general secretary for over a record number of years
from1996 to 2012.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - February 2016

Mumbai has illustrious potential for Modern Retail
In accordance with the Knight Frank & Retailers Association of India “Think India. Think Retail.
2016” report, Mumbai Metropolitan Metro has the highest potential for modern retail in the
country at Rs 1.05 lakh crore.
Maharashtra rolls out Deradicalisation Programme in wake of IS threat

Maharashtra had rolled out a deradicalisation programme for the minority community
because of home-grown extremism and the global Islamic State (IS) threat.
• The program aims to bringing youth of the minority community into the mainstream and
making coordinated efforts in education, sports, urban planning, law and order, skill
development, women and child, social justice, and health.
Mumbai set to get India’s first international arbitration centre

The state government of Mumbai plans to set up India’s first international arbitration
centre as a forward of the Make in India framework.
• The centre will prove to be a big step forward in realizing the transformation of Mumbai
into an international financial centre
• Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) will help in attracting
higher global investments to Maharashtra.
Maharashtra stood at top “Internet Readiness Index”

In accordance with the report on “Index of Internet Readiness of Indian States”,
Maharashtra is leading the list of overall Internet readiness index.
• Maharashtra is followed by Karnataka, Gujarat, Telengana and Tamil Nadu.
5|Page
• The report has been released by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)and
Indicus Analytics.
The Internet readiness index has been prepared on the premise of e-infrastructure index, e-
participation index, IT services and e-governance index.
Key Highlights of Report
Among smaller states, Delhi has been emerged as the topper in terms of Internet readiness index
and in the tele-density department at 221 connections per 100 persons.
• Delhi has been followed by Puducherry and Goa while Maharashtra topped the large
state group.
• Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh stood ahead in terms of Internet readiness
index.
Maharashtra to set up Green Corridor to transport Organs

Maharashtra government has decided to formulate policy on Green Corridor to transport
organs within the stipulated time.
• The government also mooted the proposal to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the
hurdles faced by the police over jurisdiction issues.
• The window period for transport of organs is about five to six hours .The time not
sufficient to transport of organs by road in case of farther cities to sort out these issues
Government is proposing more than one organ at the same time to the significant cost
reduction.
• The government is planning to waive 20 % state taxes levied on airlines for air
ambulances.
• Mumbai Metropolitan Metro is followed by Delhi National Capital Region, which has
total potential of Rs 77,900 crore and Bengaluru is third in the list, with potential of
Rs 48,600 crore.
Electronics Development Fund (EDF) to be launched in “Financial Capital”

Department of Electronics & IT (Deity) in a company with Canbank Venture Capital Fund
is
all set to initiate the Electronics Development Fund (EDF) in Mumbai.
• Domestic companies in the field of electronics manufacturing will get benefitted by the
EDF as it will act as their financial back and encourage sectorial innovation.
In July, 2015 Electronics Development Fund Policy was launched by PM Modi during the
inauguration of Digital India. Thereafter, in September, 2015 CANBANK Venture Capital Fund
Pvt. Ltd. (CVCFL) was designated by GOI to house Electronics Development Fund (EDF).
6|Page
Yes Bank wins inaugural Green Bond Award in UK

India’s fifth largest private sector Bank Yes Bank received prestigious Green Bond Pioneer
Award Ceremony held in London.
• This Award was granted in recognition for its pioneering efforts in the Climate Bond
Initiative , Yes Bank being first Indian Bank to issue Green Infrastructure Bonds in India
worth 1000 crore with Green shoe option that witnessed strong demand among
investors.
Gree Infrastructure Bonds:
• Yes Bank is the only lender to have a Green Field Bank License awarded by the Reserve
• Bank of India in the last two decades.
Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan selected for Bhimsen Joshi Award
Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan had selected for the prestigious Bharat Ratna
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Award 2015-2016.
• The announcement for the award was made by Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs
Minister Vinod Tawde.
• It is an annual Classical Music Award, instituted by the Maharashtra Government.
• The award includes Rs 5 lakh in cash, a citation and a memento.
• Pandit Ram Narayan was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan, in 2005 in Hindustani
classical music.
Datta Padsalgikar is Mumbai New Police Commissioner

Senior IPS officer Datta Padsalgikar IPS (1982) named as the new Police Commissioner of
Mumbai. Padsalgikar succeeds Ahmed Javed IPS (1980), who has been appointed as
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
• Currently the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, Justice Waghela has been asked to
assume charge by February 16 after the retirement of Justice Mohit S Shah in
September.
Maharashtra announces Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Group Incentives Scheme

Maharashtra State Cabinet had announced the Babasaheb Ambedkar Special group
Incentive Scheme for the economically backward Dalit entrepreneurs.
• The scheme aimed to providing special facilities to Dalit entrepreneurs besides the
present group Incentive Scheme 2013.
• The scheme provides 20 per cent plots are reserved for the Dalits in small and medium
scale industries with Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
7|Page
• Under this scheme only one member of the family will be eligible for loan and start up
Unit till get an additional 10 pc incentive.
Committee formed in Nashik to Rejuvenate Godavari

A Few environment activists under the leadership of Deepak Naik– chairperson of Maharashtra
state Economic development council have formed a committee in Nashik to revive Godavari.
• The committee includes Rekha Somalia, Deepak Naik , environment activists and
experts
• Naik who has rejuvenated nearly 78 rivers strongly believes that there is a lot of
potential to revive Godavari
• Activists also plan to encourage eco tourism, bird tourism and agro tourism compared to
boat club and seaplane
Mumbai International Open Chess tournament Title clinched by Swapnil S Dhopade

Rs. 7.5 lakh IIFL Wealth Mumbai International Open Chess tournament title has been
clinched by Grandmaster Swapnil S Dhopade of Maharashtra which was held in Mumbai.
• Swapnil S Dhopade was followed by International Master Stany G A of Karnataka with
7.5 points and Himal Gusain of Chandigarh sat at 3rd place with 7 points.
Dhopade bagged the prize money of Rs 1.5 lakh while Stany pocketed Rs 1.2 lakh and Gusain got
the cash reward of Rs 1 lakh.
Mumbai wins Ranji trophy for 41st time

Mumbai won the Ranji trophy title beating Saurashtra by an innings and 21 runs winning the
title for 41st time.
• Mumbai took Saurashtra in their finals which they won by an innings and 21 runs
• Siddhesh lad took the team to victory with his partner Balwinder Singh
Sandhu scoring a partnership of 104 runs off 99 balls
Former RBI Deputy Governor S. S. Tarapore passed away

Known for his strong views on inflation and capital account convertibility, S.S. Tarapore, an
economist and former Central Bank Deputy Governor passed away in Mumbai at the age of
80.
About S. S. Tarapore:
BA (economics) from Sheffield University and MSc (economics) from London University, S.S.
Tarapore joined the Reserve Bank of India in 1961 as Research Officer.
• Nickname – “Inflation Hawk”
• From 1992-1996, he served RBI as its deputy Governor when C. Rangarajan was the
governor.
• He retired from RBI in 1996 as Deputy Governor.
8|Page
• After retiring, he chaired two committees on full capital account convertibility and
one on how to streamline the RBI.
• He was staunch critic of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
(FSLRC).
Former minister of Maharashtra-Nihal Ahmed Maulavi Mohammed Usman Died

Socialist leader Nihal Ahmed Maulavi Mohammed Usman died at the age of 90 in Nashik.
• Popularly known as Nihalbhai, he has been selected to the legislative assembly for 3
decades contesting for ten times and winning all the ten elections between 1960-1955
• He was the former Technical and Education minister of Maharashtra
• He was the first Mayor of Malegaon Municipal Corporation
• He was the founder of Janata Dal party
• He contested in 1999 for Loksabha election but he was defeated
Maharashtra Current Affairs - March 2016
Mumbai Home To Most Number Of Billionaires In India

India’s Financial Capital, Mumbai, with 1094 billionaires (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals) has
become home to the wealthiest people in the country, followed by Delhi at 545, according to the
Knight Frank Wealth Report 2016.
Key Points:
• In the past 10 years, the billionaire counts in India jumped by 333% against the global
rate of 68%.
• 97 cities surveyed globally
• Rankings of Mumbai and Delhi: 21 & 33 respectively.
• The cities are expected to improve their rankings to 14 and 29 by 2025, globally.
• India accounts for 6% of the billionaire population across the world
India’s First Education Focused Accelerator Programme Started At MIT, PUNE

Edugild, India’s first education technology accelerator has been set up by Maharashtra Institute
of Technology at Pune. It will focus only on the education sector. The CEO of the Eduglid
programme is Rishi Kapal.
EDUGILD PROGRAMME
• Edugild will conduct two batches every year.
• Start-ups will receive seed funding worth Rs 15 lakh in return for a minority stake.
• It will provide mentorship and guidance regarding instituting a start-up, pitching to
venture capitalists (VCs), business management and customer acquisition, marketing
and help in scaling up business.
9|Page
• Of the 300 applications received this year, Eduglid has selected four companies for its
accelerator programme.
Maharashtra passes Prohibition of Social Boycott bill

In a move to strengthen the laws against discrimination the Maharashtra government passed
the prohibition of social Boycott bill in its state assembly.
Features of Social Boycott bill
• The social boycott is prohibited and its commission shall be an offence.
• The maximum punishment for social boycotting will be 7 years in prison or fine up
to 5 lakh rupees or both
• The maximum punishment for extending aid in relation to the commission of offence will
be 3 years or 3 lakh rupees or both
• The victim or any member of his family may file a complaint either through the police or
directly to the Magistrate
• To ensure speedy justice, the trial shall be completed within a period of six months
from the date of filing of the charge sheet
Mumbai’s Wilson College adopts railway station for cleanliness

As part of the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan the Wilson College in Mumbai has adopted the Charni
Road station in Mumbai for cleanliness and up keep.
• Wilson College students led by executive co-ordinator Dr Kamal Jadhav met the
Governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan and briefed him about the
decision taken by the students during the past few months to keep the Charni Road
station neat and clean.
Himachal, Mumbai to have electric buses

Himachal Road Transport Corporation and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to
introduce zero-emission retrofitted electric buses under its flagship scheme Faster Adoption
and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India).
• HRTC and MMRDA will roll out 25 electric buses each. Under FAME India, the
department will fund up to 75 per cent cost and the department of heavy industry has
granted in-principle approval.
Maharashtra gets its first set of Women Commanders to protect forest

Women have been finding a place for themselves in all the challenging fields. Recently Indian
Navy announced to recruit 3 female fighter pilots. Similarly, Women have been chosen as forest
guards in Maharashtra.
10 | P a g e
Flash points
• A batch of 20 women are likely to become the first women commandos of the state
forestry department.
• They were trained from Gadchiroli’s Jungle Tactic and Survival Course (JTSC)
• The one-month training began on February 8 and it include women of the age group 19-
24
• The training focused on weapon handling and firing, setting up ambush, carrying
out raids, nakabandis, patrolling information through the jungle and surviving for
days in the jungle in emergencies
• It is the first time the forest guards are given commando training
Mumbai to get its first Arbitration Centre

The financial capital of India is likely to get the International Arbitration Centre. This will be
the India’s first arbitration centre for dealing the financial disputes.
Flash points
• The financial disputes of India were dealt in the Singapore Arbitration centre, now
with the establishment of the International arbitration centre in Mumbai it will be a boon
to the Indian companies
• Out of the 259 cases registered at Singapore arbitration centre in 2013, 85 were from
Indian companies
• The MCIA will be implemented under the Make in India initiative and it is likely to attract
$2billion worth investments
EIU Ranked Mumbai and Bangalore among Cheapest cities to live

Mumbai and Bangalore are among the cheapest cities in the world, according to a top London
forecast group (EIU).
• Survey conducted by: Economic Intelligence Unit
• Editor of the survey: Jon Copestake
• Factors of the survey: Strength of the US dollar and currency devaluations to falling
oil and commodity prices and geopolitical uncertainty
• Most expensive city: Singapore
• Other expensive cities: Zurich, Hong Kong, Geneva and Paris
• Least expensive cities: Lusaka followed by Bangalore and Mumbai
Flash points
• London was sixth and New York seventh
• Though Singapore was the most expensive, the cost of living there was 10 per cent cheaper
when compared to New York than was the case in the EIU survey a year ago
11 | P a g e
IDBI Bank ATMs Can Be Used For Bond Purchase

The Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) is an Indian Public Sector Bank
headquartered at Mumbai which was established in 1964.
HIGHLIGHTS
• In order to boost retail participation in Govt bond investments, IDBI has now allowed its
customers to invest in these bonds through its ATMS.
• The facility of investing in G-Sec through ATM is an extension of Bank’s Samriddhi G-
Sec Portal to enable retail investors to transact in government securities.
• The retail customers of the Bank can register, one time, for this facility and invest in G-
Sec through any of the Bank’s ATMs
Bharat Bank ties up with Chillr to make payments easier

Mumbai based Bharat Bank customers now will be able to use Chill app services, a lender from
the co-operative space, will be able to instantly transfer money to anyone in their phonebooks.
• Chillr is the fastest and easiest way to send money between bank accounts and
works even on bank holidays.
Gujarat, Maharastra –top contributors of Indian Export

The industrial body ASSOCHAM in one of its recent study revealed that Gujarat and Maharashtra
contribute nearly 46% of the Indian exports occupying the topmost place.
• The report mentions that the first five states contribute to 69% of the total export of
India
• Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh occupy the
first 5 places respectively
M S Dhoni signed as Revital H brand ambassador

Mumbai based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has appointed Indian Cricketer and
Captain MS Dhoni as the Brand ambassador for its top selling health supplement Revital H.
• This move is in the company’s Pipeline to reposition the brand after 25 years since its
launch on the planks of active lifestyle.
Ritu Beri appointed as Adviser to Khadi Commission

Fashion designer Ritu Beri was appointed advisor to the Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC) for promotion of khadi in India and across the world.
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is a statutory body formed by the
Government of India, under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of
1956
12 | P a g e
• The commission appointed Beri as an advisor for a period of one year during which
she will advise on ways to promote khadi
Telangana, Maharashtra ink MoU for five irrigation projects

The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Telangana and Maharashtra
government on river Godavari Water Projects in Mumbai.
• The MoU will pave the way for construction of five Barrages on Godavari River and
its tributaries Penganga and Pranahita projects which has kept aside due inter-state
disputes.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Davendra Fadnavis and Telangana Chief Minister K
Chandrasekhar Rao signed five MoUs which will include both the Ongoing and new
projects.
Maharashtra government forms committee to track MoUs signed during ‘Make in India’
week
Maharashtra Government has formed a high-powered committee headed by Chief secretary
Swadhi Kshatriya to ensure that the MoU s signed during the make in India week fructify.
• The Committee will have sub-committee to monitor and report the progress on the MoUs
signed. In the Make in India last month held in Mumbai over 2500 MoUs were signed.
• These MoUs progress will be monitored by the Concerned Department while the rest
officials will be reviewed and monitored by Head committee.
Indian Railways forms SPV to execute Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project

Railways shifting the gears to introduce trains that run at speeds around 320 kmph, the railways
have formed a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High
Speed Bullet Train project named the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited.
• Completion of the project aimed on time to avoid additional expenses of the
project, a Joint Committee has been formed under the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog
with the secretaries of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP),
Departments of Economic Affairs and Foreign Ministry as its members along with the
Chairmanof Railway Board.
• The project expected that it will take about seven years after the awarding of the
contract for the project to be completed.
• 81 per cent of the funding for the project would come from the loan from Japan. It
is a soft loan for 50 years at 0.1 per cent annual interest with 15 years’ moratorium
period.
13 | P a g e
Military Exercise FORCE 18 kicked off in Pune

Indian Army kicked off a week long Multinational Field Training Exercise (FTX) “Force 18”in
Pune at headquarters of the Indian Army’s Southern Command. It will conclude on March 8,
2016. This is the maiden multinational exercise ever conducted by ground forces on Indian soil.
Participants – It involves army units from 18 countries.
Participants – It involves army units from 18 countries.
• 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei,
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
• 8 observer states – India, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, the United States, Australia,
and New Zealand.
Theme – Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO)
Aim – To teach methods for maintaining peace and stability
Manohar Parrikar flags off India’s first indigenous Sonar Dome

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has flagged off India’s first indigenous composites
sonar dome, a ship’s underwater eyes and ears.
• The first indigenous composites bow mounted sonar dome was dedicated to the
nation during Def Expo 2016 in Goa. The sonar dome will be supplied to Mazgaon
Docks,Mumbai for use in the warships of Indian Navy.
• The sonar dome has been designed by Research & Development Establishment
(Engineers), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
laboratory based in Pune and manufactured by composites manufacturing company
Kineco Ltd, Pilerne, Goa.
Services wins 70th Santosh Trophy football title 2016

In the 70th Santosh Trophy Football Championship Tournament Services beat Maharashtra
2-1 to clinch title for fifth time. Riding on Arjun Tudu’s double strike helped the side to lift the
trophy.
• Services on Sunday retained the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships
title after beating hosts Maharashtra 2-1 in the title clash inthe Final at the SEC
Railway Stadium Nagpur
Maharashtra State Budget 2016-17 Unveiled

The Devendra Fadnavis Government presented its State Budget for the year 2016-17. The
State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presented the budget with an estimated revenue
deficit of Rs 3,644 crore.
• The general VAT rate from 5 to 5.5 per cent in the State budget.
14 | P a g e
Vehicle Tax structure

• For two- and three-wheeler vehicles for personal use, vehicles up to 99 cc will be taxed
at 8 per cent
• For vehicles from 100 cc to 299 cc the rate will be 9 per cent and for 300 cc and above
the rate will be 10 per cent
• Company-owned vehicles will be taxed at double rate which means the applicable tax
will range between 16 per cent and 20 per cent
Profession Tax:
• The eligible taxpayers who have not paid profession tax in the preceding eight years will
be held liable to pay taxes
• The tax proposals will result in additional revenue of 363 crore for the State exchequer.
Farm Sector
• The State budget has made an outlay of Rs. 25,000 crore for the agriculture sector
and various schemes related to farmers
• The relief package of over 3,000 crore has also been made available to the stressed
farmers of the State.
Sugar mills
• An outlay of 3,360.35 crore has been made for the year 2016-17
• As sugar industry in Maharashtra is facing difficulties, the Finance Minister has
exempted sugar mills from paying Sugarcane Purchase Tax for 2015-16
Cow protection
• Govardhan Govansh Raksha Kendra (Cow lineage protection centres) will be
established in 34 rural districts for rearing of non-lactating and unproductive cattle
breed with the participation of experienced NGO.
• 1 crore will be provided for the project.
• An outlay of 34 crore is proposed for Govardhan Govansh Raksha Kendra
Maharashtra Current Affairs - April 2016
3rd phase of Mission Indradhanush begins on 7th April

216 Districts across several States including Bihar, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh will be covered in this phase.
• Under the last two phases nearly 39 lakh children have been fully immunised. The
Mission Indradhanush, depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those
children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven
vaccine preventable diseases.
15 | P a g e
Maharashtra Legislative Council clears Dance bar bill

The Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra passed the dance bar regulation bill with regulations
against the violators.
• Bar owners or operators face up to five years in jail and fines of up to Rs 25,000 for
violations.
• The dance bars should be at least a km away from any education or religious institution,
and they should operate between 6 pm and 11.30 pm.
• It also bans running bars in the residential buildings and permits them in semi-
residential ones only if the three-fourths residents approval.
Maharashtra Gov become first to bring law against Social boycott & launched Mission
Drinking Water
The Maharashtra Assembly lead by Devendra Fadnavis passed the Prohibition of Social
Boycott Bill 2016 to becoming the first State to enact such a law.He also launched
the ‘Mission Drinking Water’ to conquer water crisis.
Prohibition of Social Boycott Bill:
Aim: To crack down on extra-judicial bodies such as caste and community panchayats.
Key Features of Prohibition of Social Boycott Bill :
• The Bill provides for prohibition of social boycott of a person or group of persons by
an individual or a group like caste panchayat.
The provisions of the law define social boycott as a cognisable, but bailable offence, and provide
for an imprisonment of up to three years or Rs. 1 lakh fine or both.The maximum punishment
for which will be seven years in prison or fine up to Rs. 5 lakh or both.
‘Mission Drinking Water’:
Maharashtra government constituted the Maharashtra Drought Relief Committee headed by
Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse and Opposition leader Radhakrishna Patil.
• The government has adopted a two-pronged strategy to scale up drought mitigation
through Mission Drinking Water.
Maharashtra government bans digging of bore wells beyond 200 ft

The temperatures across Maharashtra has surfaced deep water crisis in many parts of the
state with this the pace at which ground water level is declining, the state government has
stepped up to contain the loss and decided to ban digging of bore wells beyond 200 feet.
• The move was necessitated for severe drought and decreasing ground water level across
various regions in the state. These efforts are being made to conserve ground water till
monsoon.
16 | P a g e
Maha govt raises jail term up to 5 yrs for chain snatchers

Maharashtra government has pledged to increase the punishment for chain snatching up to 5
years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25,000.
• The state Cabinet has passed amendments to Indian Penal Code sections 379, 397-A
(1)(2) and section 379-B along with the CrPC Act-1973.
• The provisions puts increasing the punishment up to five years rigorous imprisonment
and Rs 25,000 fine, in case of grievous injury to the victim.
Tirmbakeshwar Temple Trust bars entry for all men and women
Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust passed a resolution that barred all persons except the traditional
and hereditary priests from entering the sanctum till the next decision.
• Trimbakeshwar temple located in Nashik district of Maharashtra
Mumbai gets its first-ever AC local train

• The first ever air-conditioned local train for Mumbai flagged off into the city, the blue-
grey train rake with a stainless steel body has 12 coaches with a capacity to seat 5,964
passengers.
‘Gudi Padwa’ festival celebrated in Maharashtra

Gudi Padwa – the Hindu New Year which is commonly celebrated by the Maharashtrians on the
first day of the Chaita month of the lunar calendar.
• It is known as Ugadi in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Yugadi in Karnataka and Sajibu
Nongma Panba Cheiraoba in Manipur.
Shani Shingnapur temple allows women inside inner sanctum

After the Bombay High Court had ruled that women cannot be barred from entering the temple
Shani Shingnapur temple allows to go into the inner Sanctum.
• The 400-year-old tradition at the temple in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district has
traditionally banned women from entering the shrine’s sacred platform.
Trimbakeshwar allows entry of women with rider, activists

The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust in Maharashtra to allow women into the sanctum
sanctorum of Shiva temple for an hour every day.
• The Temple Trust allowed with a rider that they must wear wet cotton or silk
clothes while offering prayers in the core area.
Rahuri in Ahmednagar becomes first to have digi-locker

Tele Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked all the municipal bodies to adopt Digi
Locker facility where citizens will have access to all these documents at any time that help in
17 | P a g e
digitalizing governance and make administration paperless.

• The move comes give fillip to Digital India Programme Rahuri Municipal Council of
Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra became the first municipality to attain the
status of integrated with digital locker for the issuance of all essential Documents.
Maritime India Summit 2016 Inaugurated by Narendra Modi

Feature: The first Maritime India Summit
Venue: Mumbai
Investment: Rs 82,905 crore
Key Role: Port led development for faster and sustainable economic growth
Participation: More than 5000 delegates 42 countries participated in the Summit
Sessions: 13 thematic sessions and 3 special sessions on various aspects of Apritime sector
Delegates: Prime Minister of India, Mr. Kim Young Suk, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries,
Government of the Republic of Korea, Union Shipping Minister, Chief Minister Shri. Devendra
Fadnavis and Governor of Maharashtra Shri. Anandiben Patel
• Investment opportunities in various Apritime States and Union Territories of India
• Sectoral seminars on shipbuilding and ship repair, skill development through Apritime
education, inland waterways development, cruise shipping and lighthouse tourism,
fisheries development and Apritime security, which saw serious deliberations.
• Highlighted the strengths of Korea as a Apritime Nation especially in Ship Building,
Apritime technology, Port led Development, Apritime Financing and Apritime Security.
Apritime Heritage Museum – A top draw
Built in the form of a container ship with interiors resembling a Spanish Galleon which is 5000
years rich Apritime heritage of India
India, South Korea signed MoU for cooperation and mutual assistance in development of
Ports
Signed by:
• Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road, Transport and Highways and Shipping, Government of
the Republic of India
• Mr. Kim Young Suk, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Government of the Republic of Korea
Venue: Mumbai
PM Modi pitches for Rs. 1 Lakh Crore investment for Port Development
Investment: 1 Lakh Crore
Highlights:
• Double port Capacity to 3000 million tonnes by 2025
• Additional capacity of 317 million tonnes per annum
• Five new ports are planned to meet the increasing demand of the Exim trade
• Promote coastal shipping coupled with the anticipated rise in the domestic production of
coal.
18 | P a g e
• 250 projects with investment opportunity in the Apritime sector, including infrastructure
development opportunities in 12 major ports, projects in eight Apritime
states, and other agencies
Maiden Apritime India Summit draws enthusiastic investor response – 140 agreements
signed
A total of 141 MoUs and Business Agreements were signed by various players in Apritime sector
including Major Ports, State Apritime Boards and PSUs like Shipping Corporation of India, Cochin
Shipyard Limited, Inland Waterways Authority of India etc.
Sagarmala National Perspective Plan Released
Highlight:
• Promote port-led development in the country
• Substantially reducing export-import and domestic trade costs with a minimal
investment
Top Apritime industries show Rs 35,000 crore investment intentions for Gujarat
Investment: Rs.35,000 crore
• Ahmedabad correspondent reports that the Apritime industry has shown keen interest
in future projects along the 1,600-km long coastline of Gujarat
DCB Bank starts India’s first Aadhaar-based ATM

Maharashtra based Small-sized lender DCB Bank has started an Aadhaar-based ATM usage
facility in which a customer can transact using his biometric details instead of the PIN. This is
the first of its kind.
• The system is a comparatively inexpensive solution and the bank, which currently has 400
ATMs, is targeting to cover its entire network under the system within a year.
• This is the first ATM in the country which operates using the Aadhaar data. One can do a
transaction without the card as well.
SBI makes it easy with ‘State Bank of India NO Queue’ app

India’s largest lender SBI, has launched State Bank of India NO Queue it is a virtual queuing
mobile application that will help customers save on time.
• The application is a mobile-based virtual queuing application for customers to book an
instant queue ticket for select services at select branches.
Based on the services selected, the list of branches with addresses providing those services within
a configured radius of 15 kms will be populated in the application.
India’s first cash giving app ‘CASHe’ launched

Tslc Pte Ltd, a fin-tech company announced the launch of its all new mobile-only lending
platform CASHe, This new application is very helpful and provides users a personalized
19 | P a g e
experience to borrow cash anytime, anywhere within minutes for their needs.
• CASHe Application was launched in Mumbai at a glittering ceremony. It is the idea lplatform
for consumers to take control of their short term finances.
HDFC Life joins hands with Indiabulls Housing Finance for corporate agency tie up
India’s second largest private insurer, HDFC Standard Life Insurance has tied up with Indiabulls
Housing Finance Ltd for a corporate agency agreement.
• Indiabulls Housing Finance will distribute HDFC life retail insurance products to its
customers
NABARD lent 1000 crore rupees to HSWC for wheat procurement

Mumbai based National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned a
loan of 1000 crore rupees to Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (HSWC).
• The loan aimed for the purchase of wheat during the ongoing Rabi Aprketing season.
The Haryana Food and Supplies Department anticipates around 75 lakh metric tonnes of wheat
in the current season
Mumbai Based NABARD partners Germany for Food Security initiative

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) joint venture with German
government for a special programme on ‘Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food
Security’
Delegation: Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Ministry of Germany, headed by
Stefan Schmitz, Commissioner
Two major Programmes
1. Soil conservation and rehabilitation of degraded land for food security in Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh and innovation of watershed development for rehabilitation of
degraded soils
2. Climate change adaptation in five states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Rajasthan).
India’s ranks first in FDI Destination which replaces China in 2015

In 2015, India gained the first rank in the World for Foreign Direct Investment overtaking the
US and China
Foreign Direct Investment:
Investment made by a company or entity based in one country, into a comapany or entity based
in another country.
• India attracts $63 billion value FDI projects from other countries in 2015
Companies Agreed to invest in projects

20 | P a g e
• Foxconn – Multinational electronics contract manufacturing company headquartered in

New Taipei, Taiwan worth $5 billion
• SunEdison – Global renewable energy company headquartered in the U.S worth
$4billion
• Capital Investment followed by year of high Value Project majorly in Coal, Oil and
Natural Gas and renewable energy sectors.
• In Twitter, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha expressed his happiness and
stated that India emerges on top rank in bringing FDI
India Claims five places
• No 1. Gujarat attracted $12.4 billion
• No. 2 Maharashtra brought $8.3 billion
Reasons for investing more in India and China
• Companies identify domestic Aprket growth and potential
• Proximity to Aprkets
India ranks no.1 with USD 11.8 billion
Renewable Energy’s plan to invest USD 3 billion to design, install and manage more than 3 GW of
solar power
• China declined a 23% in Capital investment and 16 % drop in FDI projects
• FDI inflow in India and China was followed by Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil
Ranveer Singh honoured as “Maharashtrian of The Year”

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who started his career with romantic comedy “Band Baaja
Baaraat” in 2010 has been conferred with “Maharashtrian Of The Year” award. On the other
hand, the “lifetime achievement award” was bestowed upon 82 year old legendary singerAsha
Bhosle.
• The award was presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a ceremony
held at Mumbai.
Priyanka Chopra to be conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award 2016
Actress Priyanka Chopra will be bestowed with Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation’s Best
Actress of the Year Award.The ceremony will be held on the 147th Dadasaheb Phalke Jayanti
in Mumbai on April 24.
• This will be the second award from the Foundation after she received her first one for
Most Memorable Performance in 2011 for her role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan won Global Indian of the Year 2016 award
Bollywood star Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has won the ‘Global Indian of the Year’ award,
she was honoured at NRI of the Year award function held in Mumbai.
21 | P a g e
• Eminent tennis player Sania Mirza honoured at the NRI of the Year Award 2016 where she
was conferred with the Global Indian Icon of the year award.
Union Government approves Rs. 9,005 Crore Investment for affordable housing in three
states – Maharashtra, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir
Union Government nods Rs.9,005 crore investment in reasonable housing of 73,205 houses in 3
States for Economically Weaker sections under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana
• 3 States: Maharashtra, Punjab and J&K
• Sanctioned by: Dr. Nandita Chatterjee, Secretary (HUPA)
Committee: Inter Ministerial Central Screening & Monitoring Committee
• The first affordable housing sanctions of these three States sanctioned under PMAY
(Urban).
Maharashtra first state to link colleges to National Cancer Grid

Maharashtra signed MoU with the Tata Trusts to link all government colleges and medical colleges
to the national cancer grid for uniform cancer profiling and quality treatment.The initiative
targets to have 50,000 bone Aprrow donors in the next three years.
• The MoU Signed between Maharastra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Tata Trusts
chairman Ratan Tata at VidhanBhavan in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Government to use hologram technique to check spurious liquor

The Maharashtra Government has decided to make it mandatory to have a hologram on every
alcohol bottle manufactured and sold in the State.
• It has decided to paste “polyester base track and trace” hologram, to be supported
by a mobile app, which will help consumers find out whether the liquor is fake or
genuine.
Online app Adi Praman for tribal caste validity certificate in Maha
Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao launched Online App called AdiPraman which will enable
the tribal populace of the state get the caste validity certificates online. This is the first of its kind
in India.
• This application would make the entire process of securing caste validity certificate
transparent, fast, and easy and would effectively curb the menace of bogus
certificates.
• The application would help the government achieve the goal of inclusion as envisioned
under the Digital India Programme.
Maharashtra government had enabled 147 services online and another 250 would be brought
online in future as mandated by the Right to Services Act.
22 | P a g e
Mumbai Noisiest city: Central Pollution Control Board

While Delhi may be the dirtiest city in terms of high air pollution but the Mumbai is reported
the maximum violation of safe noise levels for consistently longer periods during 2011-14
and becomes Noisiest City in India.
• Rank 1: Mumbai
• Rank 2: Lucknow
• Rank 3: Hyderabad
• Rank 4: Delhi
Sources of Noise Pollution:
Generator sets, Office Machines, Aircraft, Industrial and Construction activities
• Central Pollution Control Board observed that noise pollution limit is defined that noise level
beyond the 55dB during day and 45 dB during night as prescribed.
• Effects of Noise Pollution: Aggression, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus leads to
Forgetfulness, Severe depression and panic attack and sleep disturbance
Noise pollution control In Mumbai:
• Navi Mumbai and Thane performs prescribed norms
• Vashi Hospital, ASHP, Bandra – violation of the prescribed limits
Bombay HC orders IPL matches to be shifted out of Maharashtra from April 30

Bombay High Court ordered all IPL matches after April 30to be shifted from drought
affected Maharashtra Bombay. The state was earlier scheduled to host 20 matches
• The Verdict came after a PIL questioned the hosting of matches in Mumbai, Pune and
Nagpur due to a severe drought in Maharashtra.
• The ruling affects 13 matches, including the final which was to be held in Mumbai on
May 29.
• BCCI had supplied 40 lakh litres of water to stadiums per day for IPL tournaments so
far, the judges asked whether it was ready to supply the same quantity to water-starved
villages in and around Pune.
Former Bombay Ranji player RanjanBaindoor passes away

Former Mumbai Ranji Trophy player RanjanBaindoor died on April 4 due to a fatal heart attack
at his residence in Mumbai.
• Mumbai left-arm spinner played for the then Bombay Ranji team from 1974-75 to
1984-85.
• Hetook 20 wickets in 16 games at 37.20 with a best of 4 for 32. He was also a useful
lower-order batsman with a career best of 96 and aggregated 316 runs at an average of
19.75.
23 | P a g e
• Baindoor was also the former secretary of Tata Sports Club and served as the
chairman of the selection committee for the under-19 team.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - May 2016

Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated five new activities
Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated five new activities in Mumbai.
S.No New Iniatives
1 New AC Weekly Express train between H. Nizamuddin-Pune
2 Expansion of VIKALP Scheme of Alternate Train Reservation to Delhi-Howrah, Delhi-
Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,
3 Hand Held Terminals that makes Sale of Unreserved Tickets in Pilot Basis.
4 Launching of Ergonomically Redesigned & Optimised Tools for Track Gangs, Keymen &
Patrolmen
5 Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing in pilot basis.
Mumbai’s international airport four times more assemblages than other airports
Airport : The Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport
Situated in : Mumbai
More crowd of passengers per acre than any other major airport throughout the world.
• According to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), about 34,000 passengers
rushing for space in an acre at the international airport.
Comparisons:
• India’s busiest airport- Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport caters to
8,980 passengers per acre.
• Bangalore International Airport is 4,528 passengers per acre.
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is 2,197 passengers per acre.
• The passengers per acre of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, is 5,238.
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, is 3,566 passengers per acre.
Result:
• Moreover throughout world, Mumbai international airport only jostles more number of
peoples.i.e., more number of passengers per acre.
Promotion:
Mumbai airport now promoted as a ‘catchment area’ for traffic from 28 Indian cities.
Observance:
• According to MIAL’s data, transit traffic is estimated to touch 4.4 million this year from
1.8 million in 2011.
24 | P a g e
• Numbers growing in Mumbai by 5.1 million between 2014 and 2015,the succeeding 12-
month passengers per acre at the city airport saw a swift rise.
• T2,The airport’s newest integrated terminal, opened in 2014, the passenger-to-area
ratio was 21,743 for an acre. This rise to 34,148 in a year.
Recent Study:
• A recent land study of the city airport revealed that of the total airport land spanning
across 2,006.86 acres, 1,399.52 acres is used.
• The ‘unusable’ space comprises slums spanning across 308.96 acres.
• 46 acres of land is on long-term lease and 46.41 acres of land is under litigation
• The land is owned by the ministry of defence and the Airports Authority of India.
Pune tops Indias value 5 star hotel destinations in 2015

i. Maharashtra’s cultural capital Pune has emerged as the best five star hotels destination
where Indian travellers paid in 2015.
ii. The Maharashtra city also the second largest city in the state, made way as a new entrant that
offered Indian travellers the best deal on five star accommodations with an average price of Rs
7,602 per night in 2015, according to the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) report by Hotels.com.
iii. Eight Indian cities featured as prominent destinations that offer best value five star
accommodations, including cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata.
Rank City Average Price
1 Pune Rs 7,602
2 Jaipur Rs 7,844
3 Kuala Lumpur Rs 8,114
4 Chennai Rs 8,686
5 Hyderabad Rs 8,701
Top 5 cities where Indian travellers paid the most for a 5-star stay:
Rank Internatinal City Average Money Paid
1 Florence ( Italy) Rs 33,734
2 Tokyo Rs 32,102
3 London Rs 31,750
4 New York Rs 28,373
5 Venice (Italy ) Rs 26,698
NSE to launch new exchange for MSMEs

(i) Mumbai based National Stock Exchange to launch a trading platform for small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). This is the first dedicated exchange for micro SMEs.
(ii) The exchange where MSME bills against large companies can be accepted electronically and
auctioned so that these small enterprises are paid promptly.
25 | P a g e
(iii) The new platform is a joint initiative of NSE and Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI).
(iv) This is in line with the Central Bank’s (RBI) idea to instrument such a model for the benefit of
a vast section of small businesses in India.
ICICI Bank signs MoU with BRICS Grouping-promoted New Development Bank
Situated in : Mumbai
Headquarters : Shanghai
Private sector : Lender ICICI Bank BSE at 1.54 %
Established: New Development Bank (NDB)
The first financial institution in the country to tie up with the BRICS Grouping.
Purpose:
• partnership in bond issuances
• cofinancing
• treasury management
• human resources
NDB’s first president : ICICI Bank experienced person KV Kamath
Agreement: To create a platform for sharing knowledge and deepening network connectivity
between NDB and ICICI Bank after signing the MoU along with ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar.
Inclusions:
• Partnering with local development banks in member countries.
• This MoU will help it leverage the deep market access and insight of ICICI Bank in the
country’s financial markets.
Benefits:
• Unifying among the two organisations.
• The MoU will utilize this to benefit both the partners in the long run.
• The agreement will help NDB in exploring rupee denominated bonds in the domestic
international markets.
• To make both the lenders collaborate to fund development projects in the country .
Mutual Cooperation:
• The NDB began operations with an initial capital of USD 100 billion last year as a
multilateral development bank.
• Promoted by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Announcements:
The First set of loans involving financial assistance of USD 811 million.
YES Bank gets SEBI nod to provide custodian services

i. Mumbai based Securities market regulator SEBI has gave in-principle approval to YES Bank
for it to act as custodian of securities.
26 | P a g e
ii. The licence-holder of CoS allows the entity to offer custodial services to financial market
participants, including FIIs and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
iii. Yes Bank aims to establish this business within 12 months of approval. The bank had earlier
received the RBI’s approval to enter the CoS business.
iv. The Private sector lender plans to invest in developing operations, technology and human
capital capabilities before it seeks registration with SEBI as a custodian.
Saraswat Bank donates Rs 1 cr relief for drought in Maharashtra

i. India’s largest urban co-operative bank Saraswat has donated of Rs one crore towards relief
work drought conditions in various parts of Maharashtra.
ii. The bank’s Vice Chairman Gautam E Thakurhanded over a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Of the 1 crore handed over another cheque of Rs 50 lakh to
NAAM Foundation.
iii. The NAAM Foundation, an NGO started by actors Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure,
specifically aimed at alleviating the impact of drought.
RBI to issue Rs 1000 banknotes with inset letter R

i. Mumbai based Reserve Bank of Indiais mulling to issue banknotes of 1000
rupees denominations with inset letter ‘R’ in both the number panels.
ii. The banknotes will also have on the obverse side that all the other security features, including
ascending size of numerals, bleed lines and enlarged identification mark,
iii. These banknotes will bear signature of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. It will also have the
year of printing 2016 printed on the reverse side.
ICICI launches country’s 1st contactless credit card for SMEs

i. India largest private sector bank ICICI in association with Jet Airways launched the country’s
first ‘contactless’ credit cards for small and mid-sized enterprises and their employees.
ii. The card Debuted ‘Jet Airways ICICI Bank Business Advantage Card the co-branded credit card
will help customers to save on their business expenses.
iii. The Mumbai based lender is the first bank globally to offer a dual advantage reward
programme on the expenses and repayments of the credit card.
Flipkart launches its map services, ties up with MapUnity

i. Bengaluru based Flipkart all set to launch its Maps service with Social Technology Lab by
Dr. Ashwin Mahesh MapUnity.
ii. MapUnity has started TechNagara social network for Smart Cities mission and a few other
prominent ones whch can be used for transport, energy, security, tourism for each city, 126
cities in all.
iii. Flipkart Maps, a product possibly driven by Delhi-based digital mapping MapMyIndia by
27 | P a g e
Flipkart in an Rs 1600 crore deal in 2015, had certainly tied up with MapUnity.
iv. The deal was likely to give it a competitive edge in terms of supply chain and
logistics.Whether the Maps division will turn into a competitor for the likes of Google remains to
be seen.
BHEL Commissions 250 Mw Thermal Unit In Maharashtra

i. State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals has successfully commissioned 250 MW thermalunit
in Maharashtra. This is the eighth coal-based unit commissioned by BHEL at Parli Power Station,
in Maharashtra.
ii. The unit has been commissioned at Parli Thermal Power Station located at Beed district in
the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
iii. The project is owned by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company.BHEL has
commissioned 16,000 MW of power generation capacity in Maharashtra, its highest in any
single state.
iv. In the Performance manner the 200-270 MW rating class sets supplied by BHEL form
thebackbone of the Indian power sector and have been performing much above the national as
well as international Standards.
Guinness record for Maharashtra Man With ‘Gold Shirt’

i. Maharashtra’s hailed eminent businessman-politician Pankaj Parakh called The Man With The
Golden Shirt has secured a place in the Guinness World Records (GWR).
ii. The GWR certificate issued mentions Parakh, as the man with the most expensive gold shirt in
the world which costs a staggering Rs. 98, 35,099 as on August 1, 2014.
The golden Shirt:
The shirt with 10 kg, is currently valued at over Rs.1.30crore designed by Bafna Jewellers,
in Nashik and meticulously executed by Shanti Jewellers at Parel in Mumbai.
Mumbai based Mukesh Ambani honored with Othmer Gold Medal for Entrepreneurial
Leadership
United Based Chemical Heritage Foundation honored the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani with prestigious Othmer Gold Medal for his
entrepreneurial leadership
Purpose:
• Expansion of India’s petroleum refining industry
• Generation of the Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat – the largest grassroots petroleum
refinery in the world
• Major initiatives in oil and gas exploration
Awarded during the occasion of the Heritage Day of the Chemical Heritage Foundation
(CHF)
28 | P a g e
Presented by:
1. Carsten Reinhardt, President & CEO of CHF
2. Raj Gupta, Chairman of Delphi Automotive (formerly Chairman, President & CEO of
Rohm and Hass)
Venue: Philadelphia, United States of America.
After the award Ceremony, Ambani had dinner with Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania Governor and
Former Secretary of Security.
Axis Bank appoints Sanjiv Misra as Non-Executive Chairman

i. Mumbai based Private sector lender Axis Bank has appointed retired bureaucrat Sanjiv Misra
as independent director and non-executive chairman for a period of five years.
ii. The chairman is being appointment by the bank and not nominated by SUUTI for the first time.
The SUUTI entity has more than 11 % stake in the Bank.
iii. In a string of appointments the bank elevated Rajesh Dahiya and Rajiv Anand as executive
directors.
iv. Prior to his new stint Misra was earlier the SUUTI nominee on the board as Non-Executive
Chairman for three years till 11th May 2016.
SEBI approves appointment of Ashok Chawla as NSE chairman

i. Mumbai based India’s biggest exchange, NSE, had nominated Ashok Chawla as its new
chairman after obtaining a clearance from the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of
India.
ii. He is set fill the shoes of previous holder S.B. Mathur.
iii. Chawla retired as CCI chairman in January after being at the helm for nearly five years. iv. He
has also served as finance secretary and civil aviation secretary.
v. Earlier this year he was appointed as chairman of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
and as Additional Director by Yes Bank in March.
Military tourism initiative ‘Veer Yatra’ launched in Pune

i. Maharashtra Ex-servicemen’s Corporation has launched the Veer Yatra, an initiative by the
Military body that aims to spice up a vacation with on-locale narratives of real-life dare-
devilryand heroism.
ii. This Yatra is for civilians provides a peek into the lives of the country’s defence forces, also
focusing on areas of historic importance. It also targets to provide employment to 1,000 ex-
servicemen and war widows over the next year.
iii. This yatra includes a range of specially designed holiday packages that could take tourists to
military training academies, battlefields, and high-altitude pickets, mountain passes such as Nathu
La and Zoji La or border posts along the Line of Control
29 | P a g e
Former MLA Rajeshwara Rao passes away

i. Former Sircilla MLA Chennamaneni Rajeswara Rao has passed away. The 93-year-old Rao is
the brother of Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao.
ii. He is a freedom fighter also won as MLA for half dozen times and actively took part in
Telangana armed struggle.
iii. Rao worked for the Communist Party of India for four decades since his student days and was
elected as its MLA four times from Vemulawada.
iv. He was the president of the Telangana Freedom Fighters Association and the president of the
farmers’ wing of CPI. However he quit the CPI as the chairman of its legislature party in
1999and joined the Telugu Desam
v. He detached himself from politics after 2009 when his son Ramesh at a German university, was
elected.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - June 2016

Maharashtra to observe 21st of every month as Yoga Day
i. The Maharashtra government has decided to celebrate the 21st day of every monthas Yoga
Day across all schools, colleges and universities in the State.
ii. In the meeting held with various yoga institutions it was also decided that every district would
set up a Yoga Day committee to plan a Yoga Mahostav called Yoga Festival every year
in between January 12-21. Also a dedicated state-level committee will monitor and coordinate
with these committees.
iii. On January 12 is celebrated as Youth Day to commemorate Swami Vivekanand’s birthday,
So during 10 days from January 12 to 21, all schools and colleges will have to organise the Yoga
festival.
Maharashtra Government grants minority status to Jews

i. Maharashtra became the second State after West Bengal to award minority status to the
Jewish community in the country.
ii. The State Cabinet approved based on the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission Act,
2004, which sanctions the government to declare a community minority.
iii. With this Jews can avail of all the schemes meant for minorities. As per the 2001 census, there
are 4,650 Jews in the country of whom 2,466 are in Maharashtra.
PM Narendra Modi launches Smart city Mission Projects in Pune

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the center’s flagship Smart City mission in 20 cities
across the country from Pune, involving 83 projects in the country
ii. He launched 14 smart city projects in Pune, and commenced 69 other works in other smart
30 | P a g e
cities in the country y to be implemented at a cost of 1,770 crore rupees.

iii. The PM also inaugurated Make Your City SMART contest intended to spur
the participation in designing smart cities that making a strong pitch to consider urbanisation as
an opportunity to mitigate poverty.
Axis Bank launches India’s first certified green bond at London Stock Exchange
i. Mumbai based Axis Bank has announce the launch of India’s first internationally-listed
certified green bond to finance climate change solutions around the world at London Stock
Exchange (LSE).
ii. The lender invest the earnings of such bonds in green energy, transportation, and
infrastructure projects.
iii. The Axis Bank’s green bonds which are issued within its 5 billion dollars Medium Term Note
(MTN) programme were certified by the Climate Bonds Standards Board.
iv. Green Bonds are a debt instruments that makes issuer to get capital while the investors
receive fixed income in the form of interest.
v. The Bonds issuer gets capital from the investors only if the investment is being raised to fund
green projects.
Axis Bank opens innovation lab to create investment fund

i. Mumbai based private sector lender Axis Bank is set to open an innovation lab by joining
with financial technology start-ups to ride on the digital wave in the country.
ii. This innovation hub situated in Bangalore will emphasis on curating start-ups and working
with them to help them develop the value propositions and the bank will look at absorbing their
technology.
iii. These start-ups will mainly be centering across lending, digital, payments and artificial
intelligence space. For this, the bank has joined hands with Zone Start-ups, Nasscom, venture
capitalist and some global banks.
iv. Earlier HDFC Bank, SBI, Federal Bank, RBL, ICICI Bank among others have either
allocated funds or created special divisions to engage with the start-up ecosystem and most
recently Barclays has also opened a fintech innovation platform.
Indian Diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah wins Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016
i. Pune hailed diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah was conferred with the VivianFonseca
Scholar Award 2016 at the ADA’s 76th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, Louisiana.
ii. Shashank was selected for his research titled Gastric Bypass vs. Medical/Lifestyle Care for
Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia with BMI 25-40 kg/m2.
iii. This Award was presented by American Diabetes Association (ADA) for his innovative
research on diabetes in South Asia. Shashank is the current director of Laparo-Obeso Centre in
Pune
31 | P a g e
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse resigns following corruption charges

i. Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse resigned after alleged over a string of
corruption charges, including a questionable land deal. The allegations extending that his
cellphone allegedly appearing in the call records of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
ii. His resignation was formally accepted by Maharashtra governor Vidyasagar Rao. He is a
six-time MLA from Muktainagar constituency in Jalgaon Maharashtra.
iii. In the aftermath Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed that a retired High
Court judge will probe the allegations against Khadse.
Mumbai is India’s most expensive city: Mercer survey

i. According to the 2016 Cost of Living Survey by New York-based human resource
consultancy Mercer Indian financial capital Mumbai has emerged as India’s most expensive
city for expatriates.
ii. The List reads that globally, Hong Kong topped the list of most expensive cities for
expatriates, pushing Luanda, Angola, to second position.
iii. Interestingly the world’s least expensive cities for expatriates are Windhoek (209) in Namibia,
Cape Town (208) in South Africa and Bishkek (207) in Kyrgyzstan bordering Central Asia.
How Cities Rank:
City Rank 2016 (2015)
Mumbai 82 (74)
Delhi 130(132)
Chennai 158 (157)
Bangalore 180 (183)
Kolkata 194 (193)
Global City Rank
Hong Kong 1
Luanda Angola 2
Zurich, Switzerland 3
Singapore 4
Tokyo Japan 5
Veteran actor, theatre person Sulabha Deshpande no more

i. Veteran film actor Sulabha Deshpande has breathed her last at her Mumbai residence after a
prolonged illness. She was 79.
ii. She had acted in numerous Marathi and Hindi films, In Hindi, the noteworthy films in which
she appeared included Bhumika in 1977, she also had appeared in Gauri Shinde-directed English-
Vinglish.
32 | P a g e
iii. Sulabha also appeared in Plays written by acclaimed playwrights such as Vijay Tendulkar,
Deshpande featured in several Marathi and Hindi films and TV serials.
Former Maharashtra DGP Suryakant Jog passes away

i. Erstwhile Maharashtra Director General of Police Suryakant Jog passed away in Mumbai. He
was 90 year old. He served as the DGP of the state from 1985 to 1987.
ii. Jog who joined the IPS service in 1953, after leaving from service in 1987, started a
residential school in Chikhaldara in Vidarbha.
iii. Jog implemented some of the projects which include collecting rainwater drained from the
narrow village roads, construction of small bunds in Amravati.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - July 2016

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inducts 11 Ministers
i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expanded his council of ministers, inducting 11
ministers, including 10 new faces. With the new faces the state ministers has reached 41, two
short of the maximum limit.
ii. State governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered oath of office to the new ministers. Fadnavis
had inducted only two legislators from Shiv Sena.
Cabinet Ministers Minister of State
♦ Pandurang Fundkar, BJP ♦ Arjun Khotkar, Shivsena
♦ Ram Shinde, BJP promoted from MoS ♦ Ravindra Chavan, BJP
♦ JayKumar Rawal, BJP ♦ Madan Yerawar, BJP
♦ Sambhaji Nilangekar-Patil, BJP ♦ Gulab rao Patil, Shivsena
♦ Subhash Deshmukh, BJP ♦ Sada bhau Khot, SSS
♦ Mahadev Jankar , RSP
Maharashtra Police Launches Four Apps To Strengthen Public Security System

i. In order to strengthen public security system, the Maharashtra police have launched four mobile
apps for timely intervention into emergency situations.
ii. The four applications Pratisaad Ask,Police Mitra,Vahanchoritakrar, and A Railway helpline app.
iii. These security apps were launched by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
iv. These apps would also help establishing better coordination among the police force in the state
as well as improve its own administration. The apps are currently supported on the Android
platform but will soon be available on iOS as well.
v. Through Vahanchoritakrar, one can lodge complaint about stolen vehicles, while the Railway
helpline app has been devised to offer help to railway passengers during emergencies.
33 | P a g e
vi. Through Police Mitra app, the official said, aims at improving police administration by
assisting the police force in crime prevention and detection as well as ensuring safety of women,
children and senior citizens.
Mumbai Square gets a new name – Jyotirmoy Dey, a bumped off Jounalist
i. Famous Mumbai Square is renamed after Jyotirmoy Dey, A Journalist who has been shot dead
in this same square in 2011.
ii. “J Dey Chowk” – Newly named square was unveiled by the Mumbai Mayor Snehal Ambekar.
iii. The naming of the square after the journalist was an initiative of the Brihanmumbai
Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Press Club
Maha CM launches virtual, digital classrooms across 32 ITIs in state

i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavislaunched the new facilities of virtual and digital
classrooms in 32 ITIs across the state on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day.
ii. The facilities will be soon extended to all ITIs which will and bridge the rural, urban connect the
gap between rural and urban areas.
iii. The CM also announced an initiative to make these classrooms and course content 3D
enabled and use of simulators to give hands-on training to youths.
4,804 children rescued under ‘Operation Muskan’ in Mumbai

i. Under the Operation Muskan Railway Police from Mumbai city has traced 4,804 missing
children and reunited 4,386 of them with their family.
ii. Upon this Operation three rounds were launched distinctly and each round lasted for a month
was carried out in the month of July in 2015 and third round was carried out in April this year.
Maharashtra CM launches pilot project of e-complaint system

i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched a pilot project of e-complaint
system on an trail basis in the concluding ceremony of 14th Maharashtra Police Duty Meet at
SRPF ground at Ramtekdi Pune.
ii. The pilot e-complaint iniative by the Pune Police helps citizens to file a police complaint from
and also avoid making unnecessary rounds of the police stations for registering complaints in the
days to come.
iii. The CM in his address stated that Maharashtra is the first state to implement the Right to
Services Act
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Becomes First Port in Country to Implement Logistics Data
Tagging of Containers
i. Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port becomes the first port in the country to implement logistics
34 | P a g e
data tagging of containers. This is the first of its kind facility.

ii. The new system will help importers/exporters track their goods in transit through logistics data
bank service. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) tag would be attached to each
container which would be tracked through RIFD readers installed at different locations.
iii. The move will help in state’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives implemented at Jawaharlal
Nehru Port focused towards document, time and cost reduction for the benefit of trade.
BHEL Commissions 250 Mw Thermal Unit In Maharashtra

i. State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals has successfully commissioned 250 MW thermal
unit in Maharashtra. This is the eighth coal-based unit commissioned by BHEL at Parli Power
Station, in Maharashtra.
ii. The unit has been commissioned at Parli Thermal Power Station located at Beed district in
the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
iii. The project is owned by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company.BHEL has
commissioned 16,000 MW of power generation capacity in Maharashtra, its highest in any
single state.
Nimbalkar re-elected as the Maharashtra Council Chairman

i. Senior NCP leader Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar will be formally re-elected as the Chairman of
Maharashtra Legislative Council.
ii. The post lying vacant after the incumbent Vasant Davkare, of NCP, suffered a shocking
defeat in the Council polls from the Thane local body constituency at the hands of Shiv Sena’s
Ravindra Phatak last month
NSE revamps board;appoints Mohandas Pai, 2 others as directors

i. Mumbai based National Stock Exchange of India has appointed 3 new public interest directors
including chairman of Manipal Global Education Services and Infosys former director Mohandas
Pai.
ii. The other two appointees viz Naved Masood who was the secretary at the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs in the past and Dinesh Kanabar who worked with KPMG India’s as a deputy chief
executive.
iii. The three appointees will serve as public interest directors in the 10 member
Satish Mathur appointed as new Maharashtra DGP

i. Satish Mathur, a 1981 IPS batch officer has been appointed as the new police chief of
Maharashtra.
ii. Mr.Mathur is currently holding the post of Director General, Anti-Corruption Bureau. He will
succeed Pravin Dixit.
35 | P a g e
Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale sworn in as new CJ of Allahabad HC

i. Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High
Court.
ii. He was administered the oath by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik in presence of High Court
judges, and other dignitaries.
iii. Justice Bhosale belongs to a family of freedom fighters and his father Babasaheb
Bhosale had served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Centre for Propulsion Technology – DRDO signs Accord with IITs

i. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Saturday signed an
agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi—nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion
Technology’ (CoPT) at the two institutions
ii. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Saturday signed an
agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras.
iii. The agreement is aimed at achieving synergy between DRDO and IITs for channelizing
research efforts towards developing products and aerospace technologies.
INS Viraat, Navy’s ‘Grand Old Lady’, Sets Sail For One Last Time
i. India’s majestic aircraft carrier, INS Viraat aka“Grand Old Lady” of Indian Navy set sail for
one last time from Mumbai to Kochi which will be decommissioned later this year.
ii. The 750-feet long ‘giant’ served the Indian Navy with distinction for almost three decades.
iii. The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian flag and 27
years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom).
iv. The ship holds the Guinness Record for being the oldest serving warship.
Renowned Marathi literary scholar R C Dhere no more

i. Well-known Marathi writer R C Dhere, who was recognized for his exhaustive research in folk
literature and bhakti tradition of Maharashtra, passed away after prolonged illness in Pune. He
was 86.
ii. He has bagged the Sahitya Academy Award in 1987 for his book Sri Vitthal- A
Mahasamanvayak (Lord Vitthal- A great coordinator).
iii. Dhere’s works that won acclaim included Muslim Marathi Saint Poets, Dakshinecha Lokdev
Khandoba, History of Nath Sampraday and Sri Venkateshwara.
iv. He wrote more than 100 scholarly books on Marathi folk literature and culture, Marathi
literature, religious sects in Maharashtra, and lives of saint poets
Veteran music director Om Prakash Sonik passed away

i. Veteran music director Om Prakash Sonik aka Omi,one of the well-known duo Sonik-
36 | P a g e
Omi passed away in Mumbai due to a brief illness. He was 77 at the time of his death.
ii. Omi was the nephew of the blind music director Master Sonik and together they formed
the noted Sonik-Omi team which provided music to nearly 125 Bollywood movies in the 1950-
1980s.
Rajjat A Barjatya, MD and CEO, Rajshri Media, passes away

i. Rajjat Barjatya, MD and CEO of Rajshri Media suffered from Leukemia, passed away at a
hospital in Mumbai.
ii. Barjatya is credited for turning around Rajshri Productions’ digital fortunes with the creation of
Rajshri.com
iii. Rajshri Productions is one of the pillars of the Hindi film establishment.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - August 2016
Maharashtra launches Quit India movement 2 against social evils

i. Maharashtra government has launched theQuit India Movement 2 against various social ills,
the launch is in line with commemorating the Platinum Jubilee anniversary of the Quit India
Movement at the historic August Kranti Maidan inMumbai.
ii. The launch took place in Kranti Maidan from where Mahatma Gandhi had given the clarion call
of Quid India back in1942, in the function Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu
and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present in the .
iii. Union Minister Naidu also pledged that centre will run a fortnight-long campaign to revitalize
patriotism among the society, the campaign named Azadi 70 Saal — Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani.
Maharashtra launches India’s first Crime Criminal Tracking Network System

i. Maharashtra government has launched the country’s first comprehensive Crime Criminal
Tracking Network System CCTNS) on the eve off of the 70th Independence Day in Mumbai.
ii. The System was unveiled by the state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on launching he also
pledged good governance in the state.
iii. This network comes with the cyber force, complete with 42 modern labs and 1000 trained
personnel to combat the growing cyber-crimes in the state with the modern technology.
On pioneering the internal security, Maharashtra Govt. has enacted Internal Security
Act for the state
Maharashtra government has enacted a stringent law — Maharashtra Protection of Internal
Security Act — to deal with the challenges of terrorism, insurgency, communalism and
caste violence.
MPISA :-
37 | P a g e
MPISA -Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act, A new internal security Act,
envisaged by the state’s police department, is expected to put this in black and white,
thereby bridging the gap and plugging loopholes in the existing security
arrangements. It is noted that Maharashtra is the first state in the country to have its own
internal security Act.
• The draft covers various aspects including security of government and non-
government establishments, coastal security, security audits, and target
hardening.
Internal Security Act :-
Maharashtra Govt. has proposed setting up of Special Security Zones (SSZ) where the
movement of arms, explosives and inflow of unaccounted funds will be prohibited.
• Sectors like dams, defense institute bases, government facilities, nuclear reactors and
transportation systems have been identified as Critical Infrastructure
Sectors.The government has proposed strengthening of security of these sectors.
• The act entrusts the responsibility on the director general of police to draw an internal
security scheme for the entire state and sub-schemes for districts and urban
areas.
• The act has a provision for a jail term of up to three years and fine for those threatening
the State’s security.
Maharashtra to tie up with corporates to transform 1,000 villages

i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the State government plans to
transform 1,000 villages with the help of corporate sector, and the civil society over the next
few years.
ii. An institutional mechanism will be evolved for the trust, which will have its own corpus
and be listed under the Companies Act. While the state government will provide 50 per cent of the
funds, the remaining will come from the corporate sector.
Maharashtra CM unveils plan for Mumbai – Nagpur Super Communication Expressway

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has unveiled a detailed plan for the Mumbai-Nagpur Super
Communication Expressway, a 706-km link that seeks to connect 24 districts and improve
access from rural communities in the east to commercial hubs in the west.
Mumbai – Nagpur Expressway :-
The total length of this highway is 700 km from Nagpur to Mumbai, excluding the portions
of NH 7 and NH 3 it covers at Nagpur-Butibori and Ghoti-Kalyan-Mumbai sectors respectively. This
highway also covers the part portions of the Maharashtra State Highways at certain areas, which
are now being rebuilt with National Highway Standards.
This highway roughly covers the regions in Maharashtra as,
• Vidarbha: 400 km,Marathwada: 160 km andRest of Maharashtra : 140 km.
38 | P a g e
Mumbai – the highest Expensive City in India but the second Least Expensive in World,
says Trip Index
According to the sixth edition of TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Cities, Mumbai has been ranked the
most expensive city in India but the second least expensive in the world to visit, after
Hanoi, Vietnam.
The ranking Index:-
TripIndex Cities compares the cost of a three-night break during the summer travel period of
June to September in 27 key cities around the world.
The report revealed that New York (US) is the most expensive city in the worldfor a three-
day break for Indians will cost a whooping INR 1,24,201.
Ranking list of least expensive cities:-
1. Hanoi,
2. Mumbai,
3. Cape Town
4. Kuala Lumpur.
5. Bangkok
6. Moscow
It is noted that the survey also included New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata,
Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur taking into account in-destination costs for two people.
Axis Bank ready with UPI app, to tie-up with Freecharge

i. Mumbai based Private sector lender Axis Bankhas announced tie up with the Mobile recharging
platform Freecharge and also said the bank is ready with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) app.
ii. The Application powered by UPI architecture called Axis Pay App can be used by any other
banks customer also would make the transactions easier
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to sign agreement with bankers for External Commercial
Borrowing
i. Mumbai based container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port has signed an agreement with State
Bank
of India and Development Bank of Singapore for External Commercial Borrowing to the tune
of USD 400 Million under External Commercial Borrowings. It the first Major Port to finalize the
terms of ECB.
ii. The Credit seeks at a very competitive interest rate to improve the infrastructure required for
doubling its existing capacity to 9.85 Million TEUs annually which is for Door-to-Door tenor of 7.5
years.
JNPT signs pact with SBI, DBS for $400 million loan
i. India’s premier container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has signed a pact with State Bank
39 | P a g e
of India and Singapore’s DBS for a loan of Rs 2,600 crore), to double its annual capacity.
ii. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai, has signed an agreement with State Bank of
India (SBI) and DBS for ECB to the tune of USD 400 million at a very competitive interest rate to
improve the infrastructure required for doubling its existing capacity to 9.85 million TEUs
annually.
Bajaj Finance ties up with India Post to facilitate two-wheeler purchase

i. Pune based motorcycle finance firm Bajaj Finance Limited has joined hands with India
Post to facilitate purchase of vehicles in Karnataka.
ii. The Bajaj Finance inked a MoU with India Post and also announced special arrangement
that allows potential buyers to get information on various 2-wheeler loan schemes.
iii. Theses post offices will also hold special loan offers to the people including the installment
collection set-up at the Post Offices. This arrangement shall initially be available at 208 E-
Payment Post Offices across the state.
1st BIO-CNG project in India inaugurated in Pune

i. Pune based Primove Engineering Private Limited Commissioned India’s first Bio-CNG
plant which will use agricultural residue to generate CNG which in-turn can be an alternate fuel to
the Automobiles that run CNG.
ii. It has been set up as a Proof of Concept (PoC)that can be replicated elsewhere. Primove has
coughed out around Rs 4.5 crore in the plant.
L&T gets Maharashtra gov contract to convert Nagpur into smart city
i. Larsen & Toubro to be the implementation partner to make Nagpur as Smart city. It is the
country’s first large-scale integrated smart city.
ii. L&T’s business unit ‘Smart World and Communication‘ will execute the project that entails
laying of 1200 km of optical fiber network.
iii. The Company will set up 136 wifi hotspots across the city and will establish 100 digital
interactive kiosks and developing city surveillance systems.
Manjula Chellur – New Chief Justice of Bombay High Court

i. Manjula Chellur, chief justice of the Calcutta High Court, has been appointed Chief Justice of
the Bombay High Court with effect from August 24.
ii. Manjula, Born in Ballari in 1955, she received BA degree from Allum Sumangalamma
Women’s College, Ballari, and joined Renukacharya Law College, Bengaluru. She obtained her LLB
degree in the year 1977.
40 | P a g e
Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Maharashtra and Airports

Authority of India sign MOU on Regional Connectivity Scheme
i. The Maharashtra State government, Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of
India signed a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 23-August-2016 at
Mumbai.
ii. It was signed by Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Principal Secretary Civil Aviation
(Maharashtra) and Joint Secretary (Ministry of Civil Aviation).
Maharashtra and Telegana joins hand for three inter-state Irrigation Projects in
Godavari River
i. The governments of Maharashtra and Telangana signed a Memorandum of
Understanding for construction of three inter-state irrigation projects.
ii. The MoU was signed between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and
Telangana CMK Chandrasekhar Raoin the presence of chief secretaries and irrigation ministers
of both the states.
Maharashtra renovated and re launched girl child development scheme as Majhi Kanya
Bhagyashri
i. Maharashtra government re launched its “Majhi Kanya Bhagyashri” scheme in order to
achieve its objective of improving the skewed girl child ratio in the state.
ii. This scheme is broadly divided into two parts.
1.The couple has gone for family planning operation after the birth of the first girl child; and
2.The couples have opted for the family planning operation after the birth of the second girl
child.
However, the scheme shall not apply for couples having one boy and one girl.
iii. This re launched move is an amalgamation of “Sukanya” scheme and the Centre’s “Beti
Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme introduced last year.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar adopted Donja Village of Maharashtra under Sansad
Adarsh Gram Yojna
i. Cricket icon and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar has selected Donja village in
Osmanabad district of Maharashtra for development under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna.
ii. Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana is a rural development programme broadly focusing upon the
development in the villages which includes social development, cultural development and
spread motivation among the people on social mobilization of the village community.
First Indian channel on skill development launched in Pune

i. Educational Service provider Millionlights in partnership with DEN Manoranjan Satellite has
rolled out a first and only Indian TV Channel focused on higher education and skill development
in Pune.
41 | P a g e
ii. The launch intended to create a landscape of content, delivery platforms and certifications
leading to higher employability.
iii. The company has Microsoft as a partner for the TV channel initiative which provides course
segments from its present library, which the team at Millionlights customises for the Indian
audiences.
BARC develops cost effective kit for onsite determination of Cr (VI)

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed a simple, user friendly, quick and cost effective
kit for onsite determination of Cr (VI), which meets IS10500 as well as EPA criterion. It
provides the much needed solution to measure the level of Chromium contamination in drinking
water and tap water, lakes, rivers as well as ground water. The procedure involves adding a
specified amount of specific reagents to the water sample and identifying the developed color.
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis end partnership

i. World No. 1 Mixed Doubles pair Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis have mutually agreed to end
their partnership after the pair showed poor performances in recent times.
ii. In the US Open- women’s doubles they advanced up to draw, but with different partners –
Sania with former partner Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic, and Hingis with USA’s Coco
Vandeweghe.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - September 2016
Devendra Fadnavis Lays Foundation Stone Of Patanjali Mega Food Park in Mihan
i.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari laid
foundation stone of Patanjali Mega food park in Mihan
ii.It will provide direct employment to 10,000 youths
iii.It will give soft loans to farmers in the area for producing various agro products
iv.It will bring prosperity to the farmers of the region which is infamous for number of suicides.
International airport to come up at Purandar, Pune

i. Airports Authority of India(AAI) has given it’s approval to a proposed site for the Pune
International Airport at Purandar in Pune announced by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
ii. The project was delayed for over a decade due to non-availability of land
Union Minister Anant Kumar inaugurated INDIA-CHEM 2016

i. Union Minister for Chemicals and Petrochemicals Anant Kumar has inaugurated INDIA-
CHEM 2016 International Conference in Mumbai.
ii. The 3-day 9th Biennial International Exhibition and Conference begun in Mumbai includes
23 countries, 282 exhibitors alone.
42 | P a g e
iii. The Largest event of chemicals and petrochemicals industry in India in its 9 st rd edition, i.e.
India Chem 2016, would be organized from 1 – 3 September 2016, jointly byDepartment of
Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India and FICCI.
Maharashtra tops in ease of doing business, a new report says

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of Singapore declared Maharashtra as ranked
highest according to a broad measure of Ease of Doing Business (EDB) in Indian states. It
is noted that the new index has given 21 major states entirely different ranks when compared
with the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.
DCB bank unveiled mVisa for making payments through mobiles

i. DCB Bank, an emerging new-generation private sector bank, announced the launch
of mVisa, a
mobile based payment solution that will make payments at retail outlets much easier.
ii. mVisa is a card-less solution that offers customers the convenience of making digital payments
at retail outlets. Customers of any mVisa issuing bank can make digital payments at an mVisa
enabled retail outlets.
iii. DCB Bank has partnered with Chennai-based digital payment companies, M2P Solutions and
GI Technology, to implement mVisa.
ICICI Bank announces deployment of Software Robotics for business processes

i. ICICI Bank has announced the deployment of Software Robotics for business processes
across various functions of the bank. The bank said that the software robots have reduced the
response time to customers by up to 60% and have increased accuracy to 100%.
ii. Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO of bank said that there will be no loss of jobs after
introducing the Software Robotics for business processes.
Axis Bank, BHU team up for banking courses

i. Private sector Bank, Axis has tied up with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to offer
specialised banking courses.
ii. The bank along with the Faculty of Commerce at BHU will develop the design and curriculum of
courses, besides deciding on e-learning modules, structure and courseware.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches App To Open Accounts

i. Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has launched an application, “Kotak Now” that would allow new
customers to open an account.
ii. It is an end-to-end application wherein a customer will be able to open a bank account
within 10 minutes.
43 | P a g e
iii. The customer will have to enter their mobile number and then key in a one-time password
(OTP) to establish identity.
Mumbai Richest City In India With Total Wealth Of $820 Billion

♦ According to New World Wealth, India’s financial capital Mumbai, home to 45,000
millionaires and 28 billionaires, is the wealthiest city in the country with total wealth of
$820 billion.
♦ Top 3 cities : Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore
♦ While Delhi, home to 22,000 millionaires and 18 billionaires has total wealth of USD 450 billion,
Bengaluru boasts of a total wealth of USD 320 billion. The city is home to 7,500 millionaires and 8
billionaires.
Other wealthiest cities include,
1.Hyderabad (total wealth of USD 310 billion, has 8,200 millionaires, 7 billionaires);
2.Kolkata (USD 290 billion, has 8,600 millionaires and 10 billionaires);
3.Pune (USD 180 billion, has 3,900 millionaires and 5 billionaires);
4.Chennai (USD 150 billion and has 6,200 millionaires and 4 billionaires) and
5.Gurgaon (USD 110 billion and home to 3,600 millionaires and 2 billionaires).
Nagpur Girl Shristi sharma Sets Historic Ice Limbo Skating Record
i. Shristi Sharma(12) from Nagpur has created history by by ice skating for 10 metres under
11 bars placed a metre apart at a height of 33 centimetres from the ground at the iSkate rink in
Gurgaon on 9th September 2016 at the iSkate rink in Gurgaon, Shristi made history
ii. She is the only person to accomplish such a feat and Her name entered in the Limca Book of
World Records
iii. She also campaigns actively for ‘Save the Girl Child.’
Indian-Origin Narendra Babubhai Patel Wins ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ In UK

Member of the UK Parliament Lord Narendra Babubhai Patel(78) honoured with the ‘Lifetime
Achievement Award’ at the Asian Achievers Awards in Britain by a leading publishing group for
his work in the medical profession and being incredible role model for social justice, equality and
those less fortunate.
Atul Kumar Goel takes charges as ED in UBI

i. Executive Director of Allahabad Bank Atul Kumar Goel appointed as Executive Director in
Union Bank of India for a period of 3 years .He will be replaced by Raj Kamal Verma.
ii. He has taken over charge of the post of Executive Director of Union Bank of India on
September 15, 2016
VK Sharma replaces SK Roy as LIC chairman

i. VK Sharma was appointed as chairman of state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of
44 | P a g e
India on September 17, 2016, announced by finance ministry.He will be replaced SK Roy
ii. Sharma is currently working as the Managing director of LIC
Maha Govt Appoints Shivaji’s Heir As Tourism Brand Ambassador

Heir of Warrior King Chattrapati Shivaji, Sambhajiraje Bhosale is appointed as Tourism Brand
Ambassador of Maharashtra by the State Tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal
Centre sacks Bank of Maharashtra’s Chairman and Managing Director Sushil Muhnot
i. The Centre sacked Sushil Muhnot from the post of chairman and managing director ofBank of
Maharashtra. He will be replaced by Ravindra Marathe .
ii. Marathae is currently working as the executive director of Bank of India.He has been given a
term of a little more than two years at Bank of Maharashtra, with his appointment set to run till
November 30, 2018.
First LIGO lab outside US to come up in Maharashtra’s Hingoli

i. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) Lab that was given the
in-principle approval by the Union Cabinet to come up in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district which
costs 1200-1300 Crore.
ii. It would be third one in the world and the first one outside the United States.
Pune team produced carbon from sugarcane waste for use in batteries
i. Researchers from Pune’s National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research (IISER) had used a simple, cost-effective and quick process to convert
sugarcane bagasse into anode-grade porous, conducting, activated carbon material for use in
Li-ion batteries
ii. These batteries could be best used in electronic gadgets like cell phones, radios, laptops and
cameras.
Indian Navy launches missile destroyer ‘Mormugao’

i. The Indian Navy launched an advanced indigenously built guided-missile destroyer,
Mormugao, in financial capital of the country (Mumbai).
ii. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who was present when the vessel was released into
the Arabian Sea, announced that the stealth destroyer was at par with the best vessels in the
world.
iii. The vessel was built by Centre-owned Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd
Maharashtra announces Rs 75 lakh cash reward to Lalita Babar

i. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the cash prize for five athletes from
Maharashtra who took part in Rio Olympics.
45 | P a g e
ii. Lalita Babar from Maharashtra, who finished a creditable 10th at the Rio Olympics will get a
cash reward of Rs 75 lakh, while her coach will get Rs 25 lakh.
iii. Five athletes from Maharashtra, who took part in Rio Olympics will get Rs 50 lakh each. They
are, Ayonika Paul, Prarthana Thombare, Dattu Bhonkanal, Devraj Walmiki and Kavita Raut
Deaf shooter Priyesha Deshmukh wins bronze in World Championship

i. Priyesha Deshmukh, 23-year old hearing-impaired shooter from Pune won bronze in the 10m
air rifle category at the 1st World Deaf Shooting Championships held in Kazan, Russia.
ii. She scored 180.4 in the final to secure the third spot.
iii. All India Sports Council of the Deaf(AISCD) body does not have shooting sport and also the
National Rifle Association of India take care of the para-shooters, but deaf don’t come under para-
shooter’s category.
Veteran trade union leader Sharad Rao passes away

i. Veteran trade union leader Sharad Rao has passed away after battling with cancer for the past
two years in Mumbai. He was 77 years old.
ii. The Union leader Rao was a close associate of George Fernandes. The two separated ways
when Fernandes joined the Bharatiya Janata Party then Rao took over control of trade unions run
by Fernandes after the latter moved to politics.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - October 2016

Maharashtra Government allocates land to LIGO India Project
i. Maharashtra government has allocated 40.68 hectare land in Hingloi to Department of
Atomic Energy(DAE) for LIGO India Project.
ii. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project that was given
the in-principle approval by the Cabinet planned to construct in Hingoli district, Maharshtra
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis declares Nagpur first digital district of India

i. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared Nagpur as the first digital district of India in
Mumbai. All 776 gram panchayats in Nagpur district have been digitally transformed.
ii. 29,000 gram panchayats across Maharashtra would be digitally transformed by December
2018.
iii. He also announced a campaign against illicit liquor.
iv. The state has added 169 new online services under the Right to Information Act, taking the
total number of services to 369.
Fadnavis Launched International Arbitration Centre In Mumbai

i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the Mumbai Centre
46 | P a g e
for International Arbitration (MCIA), spread over 7,000 square feet at Nariman Point in south
Mumbai.
ii. The Mumbai Centre is an integral part of the proposed International Financial Services
Centre (IFSC). It would have seven arbitration hearing rooms for the resolution of commercial
disputes.
iii. It is India’s first international arbitration centre, Khatriya.
Western Zonal Council Meeting held in Mumbai

i. The 22nd meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held in Mumbai,Maharashtra.The
meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister ShriRajnath Singh.The
meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers and Ministers of these States and Administrators of
Union Territories as well as senior officers of Central and State Governments.
ii. The Council reviewed the progress of implementation of the recommendations made in the last
meeting.
iii. Important issues discussed in the meeting arePradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (Urban) Mission,
surplus lands of Central Government for Housing for All : 2022 and providing shelters to the
urban homeless.
Maharashtra Governor inaugurates ‘World Peace Conference’ at Nashik

i. The 19th ‘World Peace Conference’ was inaugurated by Maharashtra Governor Ch
Vidyasagar Rao at Nashik in Maharashtra on October 24, 2016.
ii. Aim: to strengthen people to search truth and utilise education for development of the society.
iii. Organiser : Gokhale Education Society (GES) and International Association of Educators for
World Peace.
iv. The inaugural address on the occasion is given by Mr. P. P. Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of
State for Law & Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, Former University Grants
Commission chairperson Arun Nigavekar also presented on the occasion.
v. Vidyasagar presented the ‘Dr M S Gosavi Excellence Award’ to scientist Anil Kakodkar.
London Tops in the Global Power City Index

According to the 2016 Global Power City Index (GPCI) report, London has topped for the
fifth consecutive year with Mumbai ranked 39th on the list of the world’s leading global cities for
business, innovation and culture.
About the Index,
The 2016 Global Power City Index (GPCI) report was released by the Mori Memorial
Foundations Institute for Urban Strategies, ranked London as the leading overall city,
highlighting the capitals strong cultural offering, ease of doing business and global transport links.
47 | P a g e
• The Japan-based Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies has
published its GPCI report annually since 2008. The GPCI index is based on an evaluation
of 70 criteria, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of global cities amid intensifying
competition.
• The report ranks 42 major cities of the world across six key measures of economy,
research and development, culture, accessibility, environment and livability.
• London performed well across all areas, retaining its top spot for the fifth year in a row
and ranking above other cities such as New York, Tokyo and Paris. The UK capital was
first awarded the leading position in 2012, the year it successfully hosted the
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• New York experienced no significant change in its ratings, retaining its No. 2 slot.
• Tokyo overtook Paris and moved into third place. The increase was due to a number of
factors, including a reduction in Japan’s rate of corporate taxation, an increase in the
number of visitors to the city from abroad and an increase in the number of direct flight
connections to overseas destinations. Singapore completes the top 5 cities in the
annual ranking.
• It is noted that Mumbai is the only Indian city to feature on the index, was ranked
39th.
Mumbai among 15 global cities in terms of total wealth

i. According to New World Wealth, India’s financial hub Mumbai has been named among top 15
cities globally in terms of total wealth held, while London
Rank City
topped the list. 1 London ($2.7 trillion)
ii. Total wealth held worldwide amounts to $185 trillion (as 2 New York City ($2.6 trillion)
3 Tokyo ($2.2 trillion)
of June 2016). Globally, there are 13,300,000 millionaires 4 San Francisco($1.9 trillion)
and 1,940 billionaires in total . 5 Beijing $1.8 trillion)
6 Shanghai ($1.6 trillion)
iii. Sydney at 11th place has a total wealth of $850 billion, 7 Los Angeles ($1.2 trillion)
Toronto (12th, $850 billion), Frankfurt (13th, $830 billion) 8 Hong Kong ($1.1 trillion)
9 Singapore ($870 billion)
and Paris (15th, $800 billion).
10 Chicago ($860 billion).
Maharashtra most farmer friendly state: NITI Aayog Index

According to NITI Aayog’s index on reforms in the farm sector, Maharashtra has been adjudged
the most farmer friendly state in the country followed by Gujarat and Rajasthan.
About Farming Index :
The Index is aimed at helping the states to identify and address problems in the farm
sector, which suffer from low growth, low farm income and agrarian distress
Top 5 states : Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajsthan, MP and Haryana
Bottom 5 states : Puducherry, Delhi, J & K, Lakshwadeep and Meghalaya
48 | P a g e
• The Aayog’s ‘Agriculture Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index’ was based on
initiatives taken by the states in implementing farm sector reforms.
• Termed the Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index, it ranks states on
three major parameters — reforms in agricultural marketing, land lease and forestry
on private land. The minimum score of zero implies no reforms at all; a score of
100would mean the opposite and the friendliest to farmers.
• Maharashtra got 81.7 and Gujarat was second at 71.5, Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu &
Kashmir got the lowest three grades, of 4.8, 7.3 and 7.4, respectively.
• The state of Maharashtra achieves first rank in implementation of various
reforms. The state has implemented most of the marketing reforms and it offers best
environment for doing agribusiness among all the states and UTs.
• The areas identified for action by NITI Aayog with a view to double farm income include
agriculture market reforms, land lease reform, and reforms related to forestry on private
land.
Kotak Mahindra Bank acquires BSS Microfinance

i. Kotak Mahindra Bank has acquired Karnataka-focused BSS Microfinance for Rs 139.2
crore.
ii. This acquisition will allow Kotak to tap the lower end of the customer base and will also help
the bank in meeting the priority sector lending (PSL) targets.
iii. BSS Microfinance is a non-banking financial company, classified as an NBFC-MFI.
iv. Total turnover of BSS Microfinance in 2015-16 was Rs 49.5 crore.
Bank Of Maharashtra Renews Tie-Up With United India Insurance

i. Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has renewed its corporate agency tie-up with United India
Insurance Company (UIIC).
ii. Customers can buy the entire gamut of UIIC products at any of the 1,896 branches of the bank
across the country.
iii.T hey can buy insurance products related to motor, fire, health, marine, overseas travel policy
and personal accident from the bank’s branches.
Indian NGO Swayam Shikshan Prayog bags UN climate award for clean energy project
i. Swayam Shikshan Prayog has bagged the UN climate award 2016 for clean energy project
ii.The NGO trains women to become clean energy entrepreneurs across Maharashtra and
Bihar.
iii. It is one of the 13 projects to be recognised at the forthcoming UN climate summit in
Marrakesh in November.
49 | P a g e
Pune-based innovator Satish Pathak gets international automation award

i. Satish Pathak from Pune has been awarded the the Excellence in Technical Innovation by
the International Society of Automation for Digital Controlled Valve for Precise Liquid
Dispensing by Gravity flow, has the capacity of saving for the industry and is a step change
technology in industrial valves.
ii. project had received a grant from the department of science and technology (DIST)
Tata Steel Bags Sustainable Manufacturing Award

i. The Sustainable Manufacturing of Make in India Award won by Tata Steel at the Make
in India Awards 2016. The award was received by T V Narendran, Managing Director of Tata
Steel India from the Union Minister for Steel, Mr Birendra Singh in New Delhi on October 19 2016.
ii. The award is in recognition of Tata Steel’s excellent track record and continued efforts to
introduce the best-in-class green initiatives in its manufacturing processes.
Mumbai photographer Nayan Khanolkar wins wildlife award

Mumbai based Nayan Khanolkar got the one shot that would go on to win him the
prestigious Wildlife Photographer Award, 2016 by the BBC and Natural History Museum in
London.
About the Award :
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition provides a showcase for the world’s very
best nature photography. The competition is owned by the world-renowned and trusted British
institution, the Natural History Museum.
Nayan was awarded the ‘Urban Wildlife category’ award in London. His picture shows a
leopard staring directly into the lens as it walks underneath a tiny yellow bulb between two mud-
splattered homes of tribals in Aarey Colony. This was the 52nd installment of the award, in which
Khanolkar won from 50,000 entries across 90 countries
Gavaskar To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award From SJAM

The Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) named cricket legend Sunil Manohar
Gavaskar for it’s Lifetime Achievement award . The award will be presented at the golden jubilee
celebrations of SJAM on December 11, 2016 in Mumbai
♦ The SJAM’s first Lifetime Achievement award was presented to badminton legend Nandu Natekar
in September 2013.
Three Maharashtra women awarded the title of “Swachhatadoot” for their inspiring role
i. Three women from Maharashtra SuvarnaLokhande, Sangeeta Awhale & Chiatali
Rathod were conragulated & honored by MC granting title of “Swachhatadoot”.
50 | P a g e
ii. Under Swachh Maharashtra Mission, these three brave women namely, SuvarnaLokhande
from Sinnar -Nasik district, Sangeeta Awhale from Saikheda- Washim district, and ChiataliRathod
from Mozar – district Yavatmal, were congratulated and honored by the Municipal Corporation by
granting them the title of “Swachhatadoot”.
Arundhati Bhattacharya gets year-long extension as SBI chief

i. Arundhati Bhattacharya has secured one year extension as the chairperson of the State Bank
of India (SBI) .Her tenure was to end on October 6.
ii. She has taken over as SBI chairman on October 7, 2013, and become the first woman to
head the country’s largest bank
Rajeev Rishi elected IBA Chairman for 2016-17

i. Rajeev Rishi was elected as the Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for the
financial year 2016-17 at IBA meeting held in Mumbai on October 7 2016.
ii. Presently he was working as the CMD of Central Bank of India.He will replace Ashwani Kumar
iii. Other Appointments:
SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya, ICICI Bank Managing Director & CEO Chanda Kochhar and
Union Bank Chairman and Managing Director Arun Tiwari were elected Deputy Chairpersons of
IBA for the current fiscal.
Ashok Chawla Took Over As Non-Executive Chairman Of Yes Bank

i. Yes Bank, India’s fifth largest private sector Bank announced the appointment of Mr. Ashok
Chawla as an Additional Director (Non Executive) with effect from March 05, 2016. YES BANK has
also applied to the Reserve Bank of India to seek approval on the appointment.
ii. Chawla, who has also served as Union Finance Secretary, took over after holding the post by
Radha Singh ended her term as the bank’s director.
Maharashtra became 17th State to join UDAY: an overall net benefit of Rs. 9725 crores
to accrue to the State
i. Maharashtra had become the 17th state to join the UDAY scheme, meant for financial
turnaround of debt-laden power distribution utilities, and it would help the state save
aroundRs.9,725 crore on account of cheaper funds and cut in AT&C losses.
ii. Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Government of
Maharashtra and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) under theUjwal
DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) at the two-day State Power Ministers Conference in
Vadodara.
51 | P a g e
Pradhan Launches LPG Scheme PMUY In Maharashtra

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis
launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in Maharashtra to provide free LPG
connections
♦ He said a target of 10 lakh connections has been set under PMUY for Maharashtra in 2016-17
out of which one lakh connections are to be provided in Mumbai.
Maharashtra government launches ‘Kaushalya Setu’ skill-development programme

i. Maharashtra government launched ‘Kaushalya Setu’, its skill development programme for
students.
ii. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) Rajiv Pratap Rudy and state Education MinisterVinod
Tawde were present on the occasion.
iii. Under the Kaushalya Setu initiative, students of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary &
Higher Secondary Education, who fail to clear Class X or SSC exam, would be accommodated in
the skill development courses.
Maharashtra govt extends fee waiver to students with Rs 6L family

i. Devendra Fadnavis lead Maharashtra government decided to extend fee waiver to
students for professional and higher education courses, including medical and engineering.
ii. Before SC/ST students had 100 per cent fee waiver while OBC students had 50 per cent
concession. Now it is extended to all students with income limit of Rs 6 lakhs and who have
secured more than 60 per cent marks at the time of admission.
L&T Inks Pact With Maha Govt For Nagpur Smart City Project
Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has signed MoU with the Maharashtra government for
Nagpur smart city project .
Smart City Project :
i. To laying of 1,200 km of optical fibre network backbone
ii. To create 136 city wifi hotspots at key locations, establishing 100 digital interactive kiosks
and developing city surveillance systems with 3800 IP-based cameras.
iii. The city also has identified a strip of approximately 6 km from Japanese Garden Square to
Orange City Hospital Square to be developed as a ‘Smart Strip‘ with smart ICT interventions &
IOT (Internet of Things) solutions like smart lighting, smart transport, smart parking, smart bins,
etc.
Marathi actress Ashwini Ekbote dies after collapsing on stage during performance
i. Classical danseuse and Marathi actress Ashwini Ekbote passed away.
52 | P a g e
ii. Ashwini the 44-year-old, who had also acted in several plays, was performing at the Bharat
Natyamandir, Pune died after collapsing on stage during a performance.
Maharashtra Current Affairs - November 2016

Govt Cancels Gitanjali Gems’ SEZ Project In Maharashtra
Government approved the cancellation of Gitanjali Gems’ special economic zone (SEZ) project
in Maharashtra on November 18 2016.The decision was taken by the Board of Approval (BoA),
headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia.
Mumbai poetry festival to feature 51 poets from 5 countries

i. The ‘Poets Translating Poets’ festival held in Mumbai from November 25-27,2016 to
transcend boundaries of language and culture, through the act of translation and poetry
ii. Nearly 51 poets from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Germanyparticipated in
the festival.
iii. It was the culmination of a two-year-long Indo-German literary exchange project to address
the issues of identity politics
Second Edition of Windmill Festival to be held in Mumbai

The second edition of Windmill Festival– ‘India’s First International Children’s Festival’ is
scheduled to be held on January 14th and 15th, 2017 at Reliance Jio Garden, BKC
in Mumbai. The festival is a joint initiative of Event Capital and Tribe Asia.
India’s first underwater festival Organised in Pune

i. Pune-based company, Finkick Adventures is organizing the India’s First Underwater
Festival at the Finkick Adventures SCUBA Diving Center, Divisional Sports Complex, Rahim
Shaikh Road, Yerawada, Pune on November 27, 2016.
ii. Aim: to promote is awareness about the state of marine life and encourage people to conserve
it.
iii. The underwater festival is organized for both swimmers and non-swimmers above 10
years of age.Regular passes are available for Rs. 1750-2500 while VIP passes for Rs. 4500.
Maharashtra become First sate to launch Cyber Police Stations in each Districts
i. Devendra Fadnavis led Maharashtra is the first state in the country which will have a cyber
police station in each districts of the state announced by Home Department on November 3 ,
2016.
ii. It is converting 42 state-of-the-art cyber crime labs into cyber police stations to take on cyber
criminals.
53 | P a g e
Maharashtra Cabinet Adopts Fly Ash Utilisation Policy

Maharashtra has become the first state to adopt Fly Ash Utilisation Policy announced
by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on November 15, 2016
♦ This policy would paving way for prosperity by generating “wealth from waste”, and
environment protection.
Fly Ash Utilisation Policy :
i. Fly ash generated from thermal power plants and biogas plants for construction activities. This
fly ash will be used to make bricks, blocks, tiles, wall panels, cement and other construction
materials.
ii. Use of fly ash was extended to 300Kms from 100 kms.
Mumbai Ranked Among World’s Top Trending Tourist Destinations For 2017
i. The Financial Capital of India, Mumbai has been ranked among the World’s top Tourists
destinations for 2017.The Booking.com analyzed the top 300 destinations based on growth in
search and bookings to find the most upcoming places to visit in 2017.
ii. According to a survey, Mumbai, the entertainment capital of India, has recorded increased
volume of tourists and greater than average growth in bookings, as well as the most searched
destinations in comparison to last year and is likely to see an increase in domestic and
international tourist flow next year.
Top 7 destination:
1 Reykjavik, Iceland
2 Cairns, Australia
3 Savannah, US
4 Puerto Rico, Caribbean
5 Kyoto, Japan
6 Jericoacoara, Brazil
7 Mumbai, India
Delhi displaces Mumbai as India’s economic capital, claims Oxford Economics report
i. As per the latest data released by Oxford Economics, Delhi has dislodged Mumbai as
the economic capital of India.
ii. The data revealed that Mumbai ranks 31st among 50 top metropolitan economic entities in
2015 whereas Delhi has moved up to grab the 30th rank in the global ranking.
iii. Mumbai Extended Urban Agglomeration (EUA), which includes Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane,
Vasai-Virar, Bhiwandi and Panvel, had a GDP of USD $368 (approx Rs 2.51 lakh crore).
iv. While the Delhi EUA, which includes Delhi NCR, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad, had
a GDP at PPP of USD $370 (approx Rs 2.53 lakh crore)
Abbott to set up innovation hub in Mumbai, India

i. Global drug maker Abbott is setting up an innovation and development center (I&D)
54 | P a g e
in Mumbai to develope new drug formulations, new indications, dosing, packaging and other
differentiated offerings.
ii. The centre will act as a “hub” and ship products to at least 30 countries that will further
develop the products to suit local needs .It will also have a pilot scale plant.
iii. Abbott has its existing innovation and development centres in Chile and Columbia.
39th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Award conferred

The 39th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Award was awarded on 7 November 2016 in Mumbai,
Maharastra.This year, the receivers of the award were Mohan Hirabai Hiralal and BonBehari
Vishnu Nimbkar from Maharashtra, Dr. Nannapaneni Manga Devi from Andhra Pradesh and Sheikh
Rached Ghannouchi from Tunisia.
SAIL won Golden Peacock Award for corporate governance

i. The prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Governance for this year has been granted
upon the ‘Maharatna‘ firm, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
ii. The award was received by Ashwini Kumar, CEO of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on behalf of
SAIL during the 16th London Global Convention on Corporate Governanceand
Sustainability held in London recently.
iii. SAIL was conferred the award on account of its flawless performance in the field of corporate
governance that is for balancing the interests of all the stakeholders of the company —
shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community
Pune girl Anvita Prashant Telang wins Google India’s doodle competition
Anvita Prashant Telang, 11 year old girl from Pune has been named as the national winner of
the “Doodle 4 Google” contest for her Doodle submission on the theme titled “If I could teach
anyone anything, it would be“.
Doodle 4 Google :
Aim of the event : To promote creativity, passion and imagination in younger users
Maharashtra-Canada Collaboration to develop Urban Infra, Smart Cities

i. Maharashtra government on November 8, 2016, signed an agreement with Canada to
implement a joint action plan on urban infrastructure development in the State.
ii. The potential areas for joint action plan include affordable housing, urban infrastructure
including smart cities, project financing, training and skills development.
Mobile App ‘CHIRAG’ launched by Maharashtra to check violation of child rights.

i. The Maharashtra government along with the State Child Rights Protection
Commission launched ‘CHIRAG’ mobile application on November 9 2016 to enable the
submission of complaints related to violation of child rights.
55 | P a g e
ii. The App “Child Helpline for Information on Rights and Address Grievances”
(CHIRAG) was launched by MaharashtraWomen and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja
Munde and will be available for download on Google Playstore while an IOS version would be
launched shortly.
Annual joint training exercise “Hand in Hand 2016” begins in Pune

i. The sixth annual joint training exercise “Hand in Hand 2016” between Indian and Chinais
being hosted by India.
ii. The India-China Joint Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the People’s
Liberation Army of China began in Pune on November 15 and will end on be November 27.
iii. This exercise between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China is held
annually, alternately, in India and China. The first exercise was held in China at Kunming in
Yunnan province in 2007.
Marathi Litterateur Anand Yadav Passes Away

i. Noted Marathi author Anand Yadav passed away in Pune on November 27, 2016. He was 80.
ii. Anand’s autobiography ‘Zombi’ had won Sahitya Akadmi award in 1991. He also written the
book ‘Santsurya Tukaram‘ .The book was about 17th century saint poet Sant Tukaram.
iii. He was the president of the prestigious literary meet 82nd Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Sammelan
which was held in March 2009
iv. He had penned nearly 40 books which comprise collection of essays and poems among others.
56 | P a g e
AffairsCloud Important Page Links
Current Affairs Sections
 Current Affairs
 Current Affairs 2016
 Current Affairs Today
 Current Affairs PDF
 Current Affairs Quiz
 Current Affairs Mock Test
 Study Materials PDF
Subject-Wise Question Sections
 Reasoning Questions
 Quantitative Aptitude Questions
 English Questions
 Computer Questions
 Banking Awareness Questions
Study Guide Sections
 General Aptitude
 Reasoning
 Letter Writing
 Math Tricks
 Computer Awareness
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS!!!
Suggestions are welcomed; Contact us any time at

Affairscloud@gmail.com & AffairsCloud1@gmail.com
57 | P a g e

Maharashtra Current Affairs 2016 (Jan-Nov) by AffairsCloud PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Maharashtra Current Affairs 2016 (Jan-Nov) by AffairsCloud PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Maharashtra Current Affairs - January 2016

Maharashtra’s first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant commissioned

New port development policy approved by Maharashtra

Actress Rekha conferred 2016 Yash Chopra Memorial Award

Actress Waheeda Rehman honoured with special award

• Yashwantrao Chavan was the first chief minister of Maharashtra.

DBT Scheme for Kerosene from April 1, 2016

Maharashtra government inks MoU with Pawan Hans to boost tourism

Seven Ancient Buddhist Caves Discovered In Mumbai National Park

Rohit Sharma claims career-best fifth spot in ICC batting chart

Veteran CPI leader AB Bardhan passes away

Maharashtra Current Affairs - February 2016

Maharashtra rolls out Deradicalisation Programme in wake of IS threat

Mumbai set to get India’s first international arbitration centre

Maharashtra stood at top “Internet Readiness Index”

Maharashtra to set up Green Corridor to transport Organs

Electronics Development Fund (EDF) to be launched in “Financial Capital”

Yes Bank wins inaugural Green Bond Award in UK

Datta Padsalgikar is Mumbai New Police Commissioner

Maharashtra announces Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Group Incentives Scheme

Committee formed in Nashik to Rejuvenate Godavari

Mumbai International Open Chess tournament Title clinched by Swapnil S Dhopade

Mumbai wins Ranji trophy for 41st time

Former RBI Deputy Governor S. S. Tarapore passed away

Former minister of Maharashtra-Nihal Ahmed Maulavi Mohammed Usman Died

Maharashtra Current Affairs - March 2016

Mumbai Home To Most Number Of Billionaires In India

India’s First Education Focused Accelerator Programme Started At MIT, PUNE

Maharashtra passes Prohibition of Social Boycott bill

Mumbai’s Wilson College adopts railway station for cleanliness

Himachal, Mumbai to have electric buses

Maharashtra gets its first set of Women Commanders to protect forest

Mumbai to get its first Arbitration Centre

EIU Ranked Mumbai and Bangalore among Cheapest cities to live

IDBI Bank ATMs Can Be Used For Bond Purchase

Bharat Bank ties up with Chillr to make payments easier

Gujarat, Maharastra –top contributors of Indian Export

M S Dhoni signed as Revital H brand ambassador

Ritu Beri appointed as Adviser to Khadi Commission

Telangana, Maharashtra ink MoU for five irrigation projects

Indian Railways forms SPV to execute Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project

Military Exercise FORCE 18 kicked off in Pune

Manohar Parrikar flags off India’s first indigenous Sonar Dome

Services wins 70th Santosh Trophy football title 2016

Maharashtra State Budget 2016-17 Unveiled

Vehicle Tax structure

Maharashtra Current Affairs - April 2016

3rd phase of Mission Indradhanush begins on 7th April

Maharashtra Legislative Council clears Dance bar bill

Maharashtra government bans digging of bore wells beyond 200 ft

Maha govt raises jail term up to 5 yrs for chain snatchers

Mumbai gets its first-ever AC local train

‘Gudi Padwa’ festival celebrated in Maharashtra

Shani Shingnapur temple allows women inside inner sanctum

Trimbakeshwar allows entry of women with rider, activists

Rahuri in Ahmednagar becomes first to have digi-locker

digitalizing governance and make administration paperless.

Maritime India Summit 2016 Inaugurated by Narendra Modi

DCB Bank starts India’s first Aadhaar-based ATM

SBI makes it easy with ‘State Bank of India NO Queue’ app

India’s first cash giving app ‘CASHe’ launched

NABARD lent 1000 crore rupees to HSWC for wheat procurement