The Daily GK: 22 October 2011

Some parts of Kashmir may soon be free from Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) paving way for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)
Pakistan elected as a non-permanent member for 2-year term in UN Security Council from 1 Jan 2012
Hina Rabbani Khar : Pakistan Foreign Minister
Hillary Clinton : US Secretary of State
Railway Protection Force (RPF) Commemoration Day observed on 21/10
NABARD sanctioned 3609 project costing Rs.4257Cr & loan assistance of Rs.3427Cr to Kerala, under RIDF Tranche I to XVI (1995-96 to 2010-11)
State Bank of Travancore net profit at Rs.580Cr in 1st half
Rathan Kelkar : Director of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF)

APSingh : CBI Director
Section 10-A of the Representation of the People Act 1951 : "...provide true & correct account of election expenses..."

Election Commission of India disqualified Umlesh Yadav, sitting MLA, UP under this section

"Mercury is one of the top 10 chemicals of public health concern & is highly toxic" - WHO (World Health Organisation)

India expressed broad support to the peace & constitutional process underway in Nepal
formalised Bilateral Investment Promotion & Protection Agreement (BIPPA), which commits one State to provide compensation to commercial entities, whose country of origin is the other, particularly in case of wars, national emergencies & armed conflicts
Pranab Mukherjee (Finance Minister) & Anil Jha (Industry Minister of Nepal) signed a pact to promote investment flows between the 2 countries
EXIM Bank of India & Finance Ministry of Nepal signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in providing $250m line of credit to Nepal at a concessional rate of 1.75% per annum
India to provide grant assistance for a goiter control programme in Nepal
Both sides failed to agree on a DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement)

Shakti-2011 : a joint exercise by Indian & French armies
Supreme Court of India directed Jaypee Sports International to deposit 25% of ticket sales in 'no-lien' account - account from which withdrawal is not possible with out the court's permission
Soyuz : Russian spacecraft's maiden launch from Kourou, French Guiana

Public Sector Banks (State-run banks led by SBI, Central Bank, Syndicate Bank & Canara Bank) decided to raise home loan tenor to 25-30 yrs or till the borrower touches the age of 70yrs

Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry to award Oil, Gas blocks under NELP-IX (New Exploration Licensing Policy's 9th round) by next month end
Dun & Bradstreet-Axis Bank Infra Awards 2011 : 2 awards claimed by Ramky Infrastructure Ltd

80mld(million litres daily) Sewage treatment plant in Mumbai bags Urban Infrastructure Development Award
Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City in Vizag bags Public Private Partnership Award

US President Barack Obama honoured her posthumously with Presidential Citizens Medal
for her courage in overcoming & speaking out against domestic abuse in Indian-American community
US's Second-Highest Civilian Honour

The Daily GK