2. The Planning Commission approved the Delhi Government’s move to engage with private entities in supply of water in several areas of the city similar to power sector.The private entities would rationalize the water distribution network and ensure consumers 24×7 supply of water.The private sector would be engaged in water distribution, management and maintenance of Delhi Jal Board’s infrastructure. Planning Commission suggested mapping of all water bodies in Delhi to ensure their proper preservation and maintenance. Commission suggested Delhi govt to cut supply of non-revenue water and to encourage rain water harvesting and ensure regulated exploration of ground water resources.

3. The CBSE has signed private foreign education company-Pearson to form a Centre for Assessment, Evaluation and Research to A: Examine CBSE’s examination system Perform research on implementation of its schemes Develop research resources to aid teachers.

4. Parliamentary Panel suggests to ban GM food crops: A Parliamentary Panel asked the government to put a halt on all field trials and demanded bar on Genetically Modified (GM) food crops. The committee sought probe into how permission was given to commercialize Bt. Brinjal seed when all evaluation tests were not carried out. The Panel criticized the government for not discussing the matter in Parliament The Panel asserted that the Environment Ministry has not been able to perform its responsibility well and has overlooked the interests of the 70 % small and marginal farmers. It criticized the composition and regulatory role of the Genetic Engineering Approval (Appraisal) Committee and the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM). It suggested the government to put in place all regulatory, monitoring, oversight and surveillance systems considering conflict of interest of various stakeholders. It drew attention towards ethical issues attached to the transgenics in agricultural crops, as well as studies of a long-term environmental and chronic toxicology impact. As per the panel, the GM crops didn’t provide any significant socio-economic benefits to farmers. Instead, farmers have incurred huge debts because of this capital-intensive practice. It demanded explanation from the government on how the cotton seed oil extracted from Bt. cotton had gotten into the food chain and what could be the impact on medicinal plants. It questioned how the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority could be a promoter of GM crops as well as a regulator.

Why?- As per the Govt, NGOs in TamilNadu allegedly funded the protest against the Kudankulam plant.
FCRA- Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance is mandatory for an NGO to receive any contribution from overseas.

2. Country’s largest private mobile operator Bharti Airtel and Axis Bank made a partnership to provide banking services through Airtel Money platform.

3. Grammy-winning disco legend Donna Summer (Queen of Disco), who steamed up the charts in the 1970s and 80s with raunchy hits like “Love to Love You Baby” and “Hot Stuff,” died at age of 63.

4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to set up a $2 billion swap facility for SAARC (South-Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) member-nations, the swap will be offered in U.S. dollar, euro or Indian rupee against the domestic currency.

5. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has issued notice to National record holder in the 400 metres, Manjeet Kaur, for her “failure” to submit to a dope control during the Federation Cup meet at Patiala last month.

6. Pastor Maldonado gave Williams a first Formula One race win in almost eight years, when he fought off local hero Fernando Alonso in a thrilling Spanish Grand Prix.

7. Seeking to diversify its business portfolio and venture into new and challenging areas, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has drawn up plans to enter the marketing and re-gasficiation of LNG and into the City Gas Distribution (CGD) business.

2. Aziz Qureshi was sworn in as the fifth Governor of Uttarakhand by Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice Barin Ghosh at a simple ceremony in Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday. The ceremony was conducted by Chief Secretary Alok Jain.

3. Kaiga atomic power plant‘s two units have been selected for ‘Power Line Awards 2012‘ under the “best performing Nuclear power station” category.

4. Tokyo Electric Power Co posted an annual loss of almost $10 billion as compensation claims for the Fukushima nuclear disaster brought it to the brink of bankruptcy and fuel costs soared after idling all its atomic plants. Govt agreed to pay $12 billion to prevent from bankruptcy.

5. To meet the drinking water needs of people in Naxal-affected areas, the Government is planning to set up 10,000 solar based water systems in 78 districts which have been hit by Left Wing Extremism.

6. Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi won the Asian continental chess championship despite losing to AR Saleh Salem of UAE in the final round that concluded. Negi finished the tournament on 7 points and was tied for first place along with Yu Yangyi of China. Eaplier in leagues Negi has beaten Yangyi, so emerged as winner.

7. Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar has been appointed as the new chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for a three-year term.

8. Amrapali Jewels, worn by Hollywood actresses like Megan Fox and Halle Berry, has been short-listed for Andrea Palladio International Jewellery Awards (APIJA), which honours the best in jewellery business across the world.