Vijay Hazare Cricket Trophy for season 2015–16

Gujarat has won the 14th season of prestigious Vijay Hazare Cricket Trophy for season 2015–16 for first time in its history of championship. In the final match played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Karnataka) they defeated Delhi by 139 runs. About Vijay Hazare Trophy It is annual limited-overs cricket domestic competition started in 2002–03 and is played among state teams from the Ranji Trophy plates. The trophy is also known as the Ranji One Day Trophy and is named after the famous Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare. Tamil Nadu has won the trophy for record 4 times i.e. in seasons 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09 and 2009–10.

Renowned American science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson passed away

Renowned American science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson passed away in Los Angeles, US. He was 86. He was best known for dystopian novel Logan’s Run, which adapted into a 1976 film starring Michael York and was nominated for two Oscars. About George Clayton Johnson Johnson was born on July 10, 1929 in Cheyenne, United States. Prior to becoming writer he had worked as a telegraph operator and draftsman in the United States Army. He had co-written Logan’s Run novel in 1967 and was adapted in film that was nominated for best cinematography and art direction Oscars. He had penned the first Star Trek television episode that was broadcasted in 1966. His notable work includes Logan’s Run, Ocean’s 11, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek.

China's first counter-terrorism law

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the top organ of China’s parliament has adopted the country’s first counter-terrorism law. The legislation was approved with large majority at the end of a week-long bimonthly session China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Key facts The law expanded the definition of the term terrorism and is the latest attempt of China to address terrorism at home and help maintain world security. The law grants overarching powers to security agencies and also allows the military to venture overseas on counter-terror operations. Under the new law a separate clause makes terrorism a crime including fabricating it and disseminating information on fabricated terrorist incidents. The law allows news media only to report on the personal details of on-scene workers, hostages or authorities’ response to terrorist activities and it will require approval from counter-terrorism authorities. It is mandatory for technology firms to give sensitive data like encryption keys to the government when asked for under this law.

National Industrial Corridor Development Authority

Union Government has adopted the strategy of developing integrated industrial/economic corridors across the country in partnership with respective State Governments for boosting industrial development. This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. It was also announced that National Industrial Corridor Development Authority (NICDA) with its headquarter in Pune (Maharashtra) has not been constituted yet. The five industrial/economic corridors are Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC): The project spans the 6 states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This corridor lies along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) of the railways. It would initially have 8 nodes (cities) in the six DMIC states for development purpose. Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC): It has three industrial nodes (cities) viz. Ponneri (Tamil Nadu), Tumkur (Karnataka) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC): One node (city) has been identified for master planning viz. Dharwad (Karnataka). Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC): Two nodes (cities) for master planning have been identified. They are Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Srikalahasti-Yerpedu (Andhra Pradesh). Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC): Feasibility study with respect to the Inception Report of this corridor has been completed.

National Consumer Day

In India, 24th December is being observed as National Consumer Day. On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of this Act was considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country. This Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices. This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. It should be also noted that World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year. Some facts about Consumer Protection Act, 1986 It provides consumers with speedy and inexpensive redressal grievances mechanism and specific relief or award of compensation. It recognizes six of the eight rights of the consumer as provided in the UN charter. It envisages following rights of consumers (i) Right to Protection. (ii) Right of Information. (iii) Right of Choice. (iv) Right of Hearing. (v) Right of Redressal. (vi) Right of Education.

Build Liquefied natural gas ships

India has joined select club nations to build Liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships after state owned Cochin Shipyard has received certification in this regard. Cochin Shipyard also became first shipyard in India to get the nod to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide. Key facts In this regard, Cochin Shipyard has signed a license agreement with French technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT). GTT holds patented technology for LNG ships and provides the certification in design engineering and membrane-type containment systems for the transportation and storage of LNG. GTT would provide technology for the cryogenic containment and handling system which is most critical part of an LNG ship as the LNG is carried at a temperature of -163 degrees. This license agreement authorises Cochin Shipyard to use the membrane type technologies of GTT for any liquid gas carriers, more particularly the LNG carriers. With this India joins the league other nations including South Korea, Japan and China building LNG transportation ships. It also opens a new chapter in ship-building technology in India and marks a big step for Make in India.

Bans on the use of polythene bags- U.P.

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to enforce the ban on the use of polythene across the state to protect the environment and public health. Decision in this regard was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as per the directives of Allahabad High Court to prohibit its usage. Key facts The ban prohibits manufacturing, importing, purchasing and storage of all kinds of plastic carry bags in state. Henceforth, no shopkeeper, wholesaler or retailer in the state would be able to use, store or purchase plastic carry bags for eatable or non-eatable items. However, the ban will not be applicable on carry bags used for packaging purposes. State Government is also looking at alternative material that can be distributed to the people. ​Background On November 18, 2015 Allahabad High Court had directed the state government to issue a notification for complete ban on the sale of polythene across the state by December 31, 2015 in view of its negative impact on people’s health as well as environment.