February 2012 : India Current Affairs 2012/2011

Reserve Bank of India has said that all private sector banks will now be considered eligible to handle any Central or State Government business at par with public sector banks. Till now, only three private banks, namely ICICI Bank Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd and Axis Bank Ltd were appointed by RBI as its agents to carry out limited general banking business. In a notification issued from Mumbai yesterday, RBI said that this move would improve customer convenience by increasing the number of customer service outlets. — February 1, News On AIR

India and Sri Lanka held the first defence dialogue that focused on regional security situation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. The inaugural defence dialogue, to be an annual feature, was led by the Defence Secretaries of both the countries in New Delhi.— February 2, News On AIR

The Enforcement Directorate, ED has filed a charge sheet against the sacked Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Commission or OC, Suresh Kalmadi alongwith five of his colleagues for alleged financial irregularities in the Queens Baton Relay event held in 2009 in London. Our correspondent reports that the chargesheet was filed in New Delhi under the Foreign Exchange Management Act for violating Reserve bank of India Guidelines while making payments in the conduct of the Queens Baton Relay. — February 3, News on AIR

“This inference should not be drawn that they [the CBI] are not doing it [2G scam investigation] properly. Fact of the matter is many people are behind bars.” — February 4, The Hindu

The economic growth is likely to fall to a three-year low of 6.9 per cent in 2011-12, mainly due to sharp slowdown in manufacturing, agriculture and mining sectors, against 8.4 per cent expansion in the last fiscal. — February 5, The Hindu

S&P cautioned India that its sovereign credit rating could tilt slightly towards ‘negative’ if effective action was not taken to counter “the balance of risk factors” emanating from economic uncertainties at home and abroad. — February 6, The Hindu

Facebook India today filed its compliance report before the Delhi court, which had ordered it along with 21 other websites, to remove objectionable content from their websites. Google India also told the court that it has removed certain web pages from the Internet on which objections were raised by the petitioners. — February 7, News on AIR

The Union Railway minister Mr. Dinesh Trivedy will hold discussion with the Chhattisgarh government today in Raipur regarding the extension of railway services in the state. The Railway Minister will take stock of several projects which include setting up of a railway freight corridor in this mineral-rich state. — February 8, News On AIR

The Madhya Pradesh government has transferred eight IAS officers including three district collectors in the state. — February 9, Times of India

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directs Central Ministries to give top priority to the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project; PMO to directly monitor progress of the project.— February 10, News on AIR

Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily has said that the National Competition Policy would be in place by next month-end. Speaking at ‘India Corporate and Investor Meet’, organised by his Ministry and CII in Bangalore yesterday, Mr. Moily said, he would soon move the Cabinet and will have the National Competition Policy by March 31. Mr. Moily said, he expects this policy to trigger the second generation of reforms after 1991. — February 11, News on AIR

Election Commission seeks President’s intervention in alleged defiance of its orders by Law Minister Salman Khurshid over sub-quota for minorities. — February 12, News On AIR

Campaigning for the third phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh ends this evening; Polling on Wednesday. — February 13, News on AIR

Law Minister Salman Khurshid has written a letter to the Election Commission of India saying that the controversy created by his remarks on Minority subquota was unintentional.— February 14, News on AIR

India has got support of China, Brazil and South Africa, together called Basic, to counter European Union’s carbon tax on airlines flying into Europe — February 15, Hindustan Times

Third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls in 56 constituencies begins amidst tight security. — February 16, News on AIR

BJP-Shiv Sena alliance set to retain its hold over Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.— February 17, News on AIR

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee stayed away from the inauguration programme of the NSG hub in Kolkata by P Chidambaram today, reemphasizing her protest against the proposed NCTC that she argued, violates the spirit of federalism. — February 18, Hindustan Times

A nationwide immunization campaign for Polio is on today; More than 17 crore children being administered polio drops. — February 19, News on AIR

The Delhi Police have prepared a list of more than two dozen markets, which deal in the sale of magnet, to trace the bomber who had placed the ‘sticky bomb’ on the Innova car of an Israeli embassy diplomat last Monday. — February 20, Hindustan Times

On Tuesday, Meira Kumar will become the first Lok Sabha speaker to visit Pakistan in an official delegation. She told Saubhadra Chatterji how this parliamentary diplomacy will strengthen Indo-Pak people-to-people ties. — February 21, Hindustan Times

The bridge over river Yamuna near Kalpi town is considered the gateway to Bundelkhand. Rajesh Kumar Singh reports. — February 22, Hindustan Times

Sensex swings between green and red in afternoon trade; Rupee appreciates 9 paise to 49.21 rupees against dollar. — February 23, News on AIR

Coming down heavily on the Centre and Delhi Police, the SC on Thursday ordered the prosecution of police personnel involved in the crackdown on Ramdev and his supporters at Ramlila Maidan on June 5 last year. — February 24, Hindustan Times

Home Minister writes to ten Chief Ministers on National Counter Terrorism Centre issue; says countering terrorism is a shared responsibility. — February 25, News on AIR

India to take on Australia in the tri-series one day international cricket match at Sydney today. — February 26, News on AIR

Indian men’s Hockey Team qualifies for Olympics after eight years defeating France 8-1 in the qualifying final. — February 27, News on AIR

Supreme Court directs the Centre to implement the interlinking of rivers project in a time-bound manner. — February 28, News on AIR

In a major operation, Delhi Police has arrested two suspected LeT terrorists who were allegedly planning to carry out terror strikes in the capital targeting vital installations and VVIPs. — February 29, Hindustan Times

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