Current Affairs

1. NITISH KUMAR SWORN IN AS BIHAR CM FOR RECORD 9TH TIME WITH BJP SUPPORT –

• In a significant turn of events ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Janata Dal-United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time, breaking ties with the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ and securing support from the BJP. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Raj Bhavan in Patna, saw Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar administering the oath of office.
• Nitish Kumar, after    dissolving        his        Cabinet            and      severing          ties      with     the ‘Mahagathbandhan,’ secured the support of the BJP.
• Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers.
• Eight ministers, including representatives from both JD-U and BJP, were sworn in.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar and the Deputy Chief Ministers, expressing confidence in their dedicated work for Bihar’s development.
• Nitish Kumar asserted the permanence of his alliance with the NDA, dispelling any doubts about future political shifts.
• BJP national president JP Nadda expressed happiness over Nitish Kumar’s return to the NDA, foreseeing a strong performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

 

2. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN TO BECOME 2ND FM TO PRESENT 6 CONSECUTIVE UNION BUDGETS –

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on the brink of etching her name in history books as she gears up to present her sixth consecutive Budget (Five consecutive annual Budgets and one interim Budget), an unparalleled feat in Indian parliamentary annals. Building upon her legacy of fiscal stewardship, Sitharaman’s tenure resonates with the tenure of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who previously held the finance portfolio during 1959-1964.
• Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who holds the distinction of presenting 10 Budgets— the highest by any Finance Minister—had consecutively presented six of them, including one interim Budget, in a row.
• Sitharaman’s impending presentation on February 1, 2024, marks the interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. This interim Budget, commonly referred to as a vote-on-account, is pivotal in authorizing government expenditures until the advent of a new administration following the general elections slated for April- May.

 

3. WORLD’S FIRST ‘BLACK TIGER SAFARI’: ODISHA’S CM NAVEEN PATNAIK ANNOUNCES –

• In a groundbreaking move, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has unveiled plans for the establishment of the world’s first ‘black tiger safari’ near the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj. This visionary project aims to provide tourists and visitors with a rare glimpse of the melanistic tigers, commonly known as black tigers, recently spotted at the Similipal National Park.
• Melanistic tigers, characterized by a captivating dark stripe pattern set against a backdrop of white or golden fur, have become a recent attraction in the Similipal region. Chief Minister Patnaik expressed excitement about showcasing these majestic creatures, emphasizing that this safari would be the only place in the world to witness such a unique species.
• The proposed safari site, near Baripada and spanning 200 hectares, will be strategically located adjacent to National Highway 18. Out of this area, 100 hectares will be dedicated to the display zone, while the remaining space will be utilized for essential infrastructure, including veterinary care facilities, a rescue center, staff amenities, and visitor services.