National

Purvanchal express way to be inaugurated

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for inaugurate ‘Purvanchal Expressway’ that connects Chand Saray village near Gosiaganj in Lucknow with Haydaria village to NH-31 in Ghazipur district.
• It is a six lane expressway running 340 km, developed by Uttar Pradesh express way’s Industrial Development Authority (UPDEIDA).
• This express way also has a 3.2 km long airstrip near Kurebhan in Sultanpur district.
• The total project cost for the express way is established to Rs22, 494 crore which includes the land acquisition cost.
• The foundation stone for the project was laid on July 2018 by the Prime Minister.
• The express way is to be linked with Varanasi – Azamgarh highway by a separate link road.

Expert Appraisal Committee of Environment Ministry recommended Phase-III of 8 lane expressway

• The committee has recommended the construction of Phase-III of 8 lane expressway between Chennai and Bengaluru for environmental clearance.
• The expressway falls in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu connecting Chittoor and Vellore.
• This project is being implemented by National Authority of India (NHAI).
• The 106 k.m long express way is aimed to improve better connectivity between Bengaluru and Chennai and connect industrial garden of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu.
• Along the Phase-III expressway there are about 16,954 non forest trees and 2058 forest trees.
• The NHAI will plant about 1,69,540 trees within the available space and the remaining will be planted in consultation with Forest Development.
• The Phase-III of the express way will consist of 31 major bridges and 25 minor bridges, along with one animal under pass which was recommended and proposed by Forest Development.

Centre decides to extend tenures of the Directors of CBI & ED

• Government has planned to extends the tenure of the Directors of CBI & ED from 2 years  to 5 years
• The Personal Ministry amended the 5^th provision of clause (d) of Rules 56 of the fundamental rules 1922.
• The two posts of Directors were added to the list along with Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Directors. Intelligence Bureau and Secretary, Research and Analysis wing whose services can be extended beyond two years of the fixed tenure, on public interst.
• The Director of the Central Bureau of investigation is appointed under Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• The Director of Enforcement Directorate is appointed under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.

P.M. inaugurates Tribal Museum

• P.M. has inaugurated Birsa Munda Tribal Museum in Ranchi during the first ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ (tribal pride day).
• The Museum was dedicated for the freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his birthday on November 15.
• Nine other tribal museums will be opened soon by Prime Minister in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Kerala, Telangana, Mizorum, Manipur and Goa.
• Additional fact-
  • Birsa Munda was Indian tribal leader and freedom fighter, he belonged to Munda tribe,  born on November 15^th,1875.
  • He led the Munda rebellion in the South of Ranchi 1899-1900.
  • His portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament Museum, he is the only tribal leader to be so honoured.
  • He also started a movement called “ulgulan” or “The great Tumult ”.

Finance and Economic News

Wholesale Price inflation hits five month high

• Wholesale Price inflation saw a five month high of 12.5% in October, value for the previous month was 10.7%.
• Inflation in fuel and power sector saw a rise of 37.2% from 25% in September.
• The wholesale food price Index also saw a rise of 3.06% from 1.14% in September.
• The manufacture products inflation also saw a rise of more than 12%.

India’s trade deficit widened

• Indian exports saw a high by 43% to $35.65 billion in October and its imports declined by 62.5% to $55.37 billion.
• This has widened the trade delicit to $19.73 billion in the month of October.
• Petroleum, chemicals, plastic and linoleum, marine products, coffee, engineering goods, cotton, yarn/fabric, gems and jewellery sectors noticed a positive growth in exports for the month the October.

Standing Committee conducted first meeting on crypto currencies

• The Standing Committee on Finance met with the stake holders to discuss on crypto currencies.
• The committee is aimed to understand how crypto currencies will impact the current financial order.

Centre to remit Rs.95,082 crore for states

• Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced to disburse Rs.95,082 crore for states to increase the capital spending.
• This meeting was held between Chief Minister of 15 states, deputy CM of 3 states and the Finance Minister’s of the remaining states along with Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir.

Sports

Arjuna Award for the fencing star

• C.A. Bhavani Devi is the first Indian fencer to participate in Olympics, has been honoured with Arjuna Award.
• Sports Minister Anuray Thakur presented the award for C.A. Bhavani Devi.

Junior Word Cup of Hockey to be lead by Salremsiani

• Salremsiani, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics is set to lead Indian Hockey team for Junior Word Cup, to be held in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Two other Olympics players Salima Tete and Sharmila Devi were also selected to the squard.

Miscellaneous

• Historian Babasaheb Purandare, a Padma Vibhushan awardee passed away.
• November 16^th is celebrated as the international tolerance day.