Current Affair 1 April 2016 for Competition Exams

Phase 1 of Green Delhi initiative launched.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 31 March 2016 launched the Phase I of Green Delhi initiative by planting trees at the Triangular Park at the ITO Chowk.
The launch of the initiative is in tune with the Detailed Action Plan (DAP) that was submitted by the Delhi Government to the Supreme Court in December year2015.
The DAP deals with the steps being taken to improve air quality and reduce air pollution in the National Capital.


Union Government extended safeguard duty on steel imports.
Union Finance Ministry on 30 March 2016 extended the safeguard duty on steel imports until March 2018. The duty was imposed to protect domestic manufacturers from cheap Chinese imports.


Indian Intellectual Property Panorama.
Union Government on 31 March 2016 released the Indian Intellectual Property (IP) Panorama in New Delhi. It is a single window interface for information on Intellectual Property and guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage.
It seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards Intellectual Property, among stakeholders in the SME sector, academia and researchers.
The following five modules of the Indian IP Panorama were released:
• Importance of IP for SMEs,
• Trademark,
• Industrial design,
• Invention and Patent and
• Patent Information


Vidyut PRAVAH Mobile App to empower People to demand 24 into 7 Power.
Union Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Minister of State (Independent Charge) Piyush Goyal on 31 March year2016 launched Vidyut PRAVAH- Electricity, Price Availability and Highlights mobile application in New Delhi. The mobile application provides highlights of the power availability in India on real time basis.
The app will empower common people to demand 24 into7 power from the states and will take transparency to the next level and make state governments more accountable.


Kachabali became first liquor-free village in Rajasthan.
Kachhabali village in Bhim tehsil of Rajsamand District became the first in Rajasthan to vote to close down its only liquor shop.
The polling was conducted by the excise department of the state on 29 March 2016 and around 94% of the voters said that they want a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in the village.
The vote was carried out under the Rajasthan Excise Rules, according to which any panchayat can decide to close a liquor shop in the village if 50% of its residents vote for it.


Startup India Portal and Mobile App.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 31 March year2016 launched the Startup India portal http://startupindia.gov.in and mobile app in New Delhi.
The portal and mobile app provide timely information on various notifications and circulars issued by various Government ministries and departments, towards creation of a conducive ecosystem for Startups.
They also provide information regarding incubators and funding agencies recognized for the purpose of recommending Startups.


Union Government launched Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index for Persons with Disabilities.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of the Ministry Social Justice and Empowerment on 31 March year2016 launched the Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index.
The index seeks to help the industries and corporates to participate in the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) by voluntarily evaluating their readiness for making the workplace accessible for Persons with Disabilities.