Current Affairs 18th July 2015

 RBI signed Special Currency Swap Agreement - Central Bank of Sri Lanka

A Special Currency Swap Agreement was signed between Reserve Bank of India and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

As per this agrrement, Central Bank of Sri Lanka can draw up to 1.1 billion US dollar for a maximum period of six months. This special arrangement is in addition to the existing Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for the SAARC Member Countries.

V Ramakrishna passed away, he was - Telugu playback Singer

 Noted Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna died at the age of 68. He sang about 5000 songs in his four decade long carreer.

Clarity on constitutional status was sought by SC Judge on - Chief Justice of India

Supreme Court's Justice Kurian Joseph sought a clarification from the Union Government on the constitutional status of the Chief Justice of India. 

The question was raised during the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014.

The six-member NJAC, chaired by the Chief Justice, gives equal status to the executive and judiciary in the appointments and transfers of judges in the higher judiciary including the Chief Justice of India.

As per the clarification sought by Justice Kurian, the basis of ambiguity on the constitutional role of the Chief Justice lies in the fact that the Schedule 3 and Article 124 of the constitution address him/her with two different designations.

While in the Schedule 3, which deals with forms of oath and affirmations, the Chief Justice takes oath as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, as per the Article 124 the President’s Warrant of Appointment identifies him/her as the Chief Justice of India.

As per Justice Kurian, the clarity on the role of the Chief Justice is of paramount importance in deciding the validity of the NJAC Act, 2014 as it relegates him/her to one among the six members of the commission since no veto powers provided to the NJAC chairperson. 

Sohra Marathon was held in - Meghalaya

Second Sohra Marathon 2015 was held in Meghalaya. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma flagged off this Marathon. The marathon, named after the Cherrapunji’s historical name Sohra, started and ended at Mawkdok crossing through 13 destinations. 

Do You Know : 

This marathon was named after Cherrapunji's historical name Sohra.