Current Affairs of 1 May 2016

1. PM Modi launches scheme to provide free LPG connections to poor
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi  launched a Rs 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to poor families as he attacked previous governments for just paying lip service to reducing poverty.
2. Calling himself 'Shramik No.1' (Worker No.1), he listed out initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of labourers. 
3. The launch coincided with May Day and Modi attacked previous governments for doing little for the poor. 
4. In the first year, 1.5 crore such connections will be released and the target of 5 crore will be completed in three years, he said, comparing it to the just 13 crore LPG connections provided in 60 years of independence. 

2. Union Government launches UJALA Scheme
1. The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State (IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
2. The UJALA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Union Ministry of Power. It is LED based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP). Under it, 3 crore LED Bulbs will be distributed in Madhya Pradesh in the next 6 months. Under it, people of Madhya Pradesh will get subsidiesed 9W energy efficient LED bulbs by paying just 85 rupees per LED bulb.

3. Reliance Defence signed agreements with 3 Ukranian companies
1. Reliance Defence signed strategic partnership agreement with three Ukranian state- owned firms. This will allow them to collaborate on a range of military products including transport aircraft, upgrade of armoured vehicles, maritime gas turbines and unmanned aerial vehicles.
2. The agreements were signed during meeting between Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani and Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko in Ukraine.

4. SIDBI inks MoU with SAARC Development Fund
1. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has inked MoU with SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for mutual cooperation and collaboration. The MoU was signed by SIDBI Deputy Managing Director A K Kapur and SDF CEO Sunil Motiwal.
2. SDF and SIDBI to work together in co-funding of projects in Indian MSMEs on risk sharing basis in identified sectors. Development of suitable financial products for SME financing for MSMEs of other Saarc states, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

5. South India’s first underground metro services flagged off in Bengaluru
1. South India’s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). 
2. The underground metro corridor has been named as Namma Metro and was flagged off Dr BR Ambedkar station by the Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The newly inaugurated 28-km metro line has 5.12-km underground stretch and connects Cubbon Park to the City Railway station.
1. PM Modi launches scheme to provide free LPG connections to poor
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi  launched a Rs 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to poor families as he attacked previous governments for just paying lip service to reducing poverty.
2. Calling himself 'Shramik No.1' (Worker No.1), he listed out initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of labourers. 
3. The launch coincided with May Day and Modi attacked previous governments for doing little for the poor. 
4. In the first year, 1.5 crore such connections will be released and the target of 5 crore will be completed in three years, he said, comparing it to the just 13 crore LPG connections provided in 60 years of independence. 

2. Union Government launches UJALA Scheme
1. The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State (IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
2. The UJALA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Union Ministry of Power. It is LED based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP). Under it, 3 crore LED Bulbs will be distributed in Madhya Pradesh in the next 6 months. Under it, people of Madhya Pradesh will get subsidiesed 9W energy efficient LED bulbs by paying just 85 rupees per LED bulb.

3. Reliance Defence signed agreements with 3 Ukranian companies
1. Reliance Defence signed strategic partnership agreement with three Ukranian state- owned firms. This will allow them to collaborate on a range of military products including transport aircraft, upgrade of armoured vehicles, maritime gas turbines and unmanned aerial vehicles.
2. The agreements were signed during meeting between Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani and Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko in Ukraine.

4. SIDBI inks MoU with SAARC Development Fund
1. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has inked MoU with SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for mutual cooperation and collaboration. The MoU was signed by SIDBI Deputy Managing Director A K Kapur and SDF CEO Sunil Motiwal.
2. SDF and SIDBI to work together in co-funding of projects in Indian MSMEs on risk sharing basis in identified sectors. Development of suitable financial products for SME financing for MSMEs of other Saarc states, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

5. South India’s first underground metro services flagged off in Bengaluru
1. South India’s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). 
2. The underground metro corridor has been named as Namma Metro and was flagged off Dr BR Ambedkar station by the Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The newly inaugurated 28-km metro line has 5.12-km underground stretch and connects Cubbon Park to the City Railway station.