Current Affairs 19 December 2023

byhomeacademy •December 21, 2023

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Top Current Affairs 19 December 2023

Three Amended Criminal Law Bills in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha takes up three amended Criminal Law Bills for consideration and passing on December 19, 2023.
Three amended Criminal Law Bills are -Bharatiya Nyaya (2nd) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (2nd) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (2nd) Bill, 2023.
The Bharatiya Nyaya (2nd) Sanhita, 2023 seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, which is the principal law on criminal offences in India.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (2nd) Sanhita, 2023 seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC).
The Bharatiya Sakshya (2nd) Bill, 2023 replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon

PM Narendra Modi interacted with the young innovators at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon on December 19, 2023.
This year (2023), the Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon is being held from the 19th to the 23rd of this month (December 2023).
Over 12000 participants and more than 2500 mentors are taking part in the grand finale, at 48 nodal centres across the country.
A total 1282 teams have been shortlisted for the grand finale to provide solutions on various themes including Space Technology, Disaster Management, Robotics and others.

Parliament Gave Approval to Net Additional Spending

Parliament on December 19, 2023 gave its approval to a net additional spending of ₹58378 crore in the current fiscal ending March 2024.
Of the total amount, a large part has been allocated to MGNREGA and fertiliser subsidies.
The additional expenditure includes ₹13351 crore towards fertiliser subsidies and about ₹7000 crore towards spending by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
The Appropriation Bill, seeks to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums 'from and out' of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the FY 2023-24.

RBI Tightened Norms for Lenders Investing in AIFs

The RBI on December 19, 2023 directs banks to refrain from investing in any scheme offered by Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
RBI ordered regulated entities including banks and non-banking financial companies to stop making investments in AIFs which have downstream investments in existing borrowers.
The banking regulator directed lenders to liquidate their investments in AIFs within 30 days if an AIF scheme makes a downstream investment in any such debtor company.
The circular adds that in case the bank is unable to liquidate their investment within the specified time frame, then it must make 100 % provision on such investments.

Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for Global Economy Report Launched

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the report on 'A Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the Global Economy' in New Delhi on December 19, 2023.
It is a comprehensive report addressing the prospects and challenges of green and sustainable growth for the global economy.
The report has been prepared by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, and the Global Development Network, New Delhi.
The publication is a collective contribution to the body of knowledge on this subject, providing valuable inputs for Brazil and the upcoming G20 presidencies.

Central Goods and Services Tax 2nd Amendment Bill Passed by Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 on December 19, 2023.
The bill has provisions to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017 which allows the central government to set up an Appellate Tribunal.
The Bill has provisions to increase the age limit for the President of the Tribunal from 67 to 70 years, and for members from 65 to 67 years.
The Tribunal comprises of a President, a Judicial member, and two Technical members.
The Bill also allows advocates with at least 10 years of experience to be appointed as the judicial member.

NGDR and Roadshow on Critical Minerals Launched

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) and a Roadshow on Critical Minerals in New Delhi on December 19, 2023.
NGDR Portal consists of robust geoscience data having various layers of geo-scientific information which can be viewed, accessed and downloaded freely.
This portal integrates 35 map services and data layers with NGDR Portal including Geological map in various scales, geochemical, ground geophysical and mineral data layers.
The Ministry of Mines is conducting the Roadshow on Critical Minerals to reach out to the industry players, potential bidders, and various other stakeholders.