*CURRENT AFFAIRS (03:03:2014)

1. South Africa lifts its maiden Under-19 cricket world cup by
thrashing 2-time champion Pakistan by six wickets in the final.
- This was South Africa's 3rd final after ones in 2002 & 2008.
- This is only the second ICC tournament title for the South Africans
after winning the inaugural ICC knockout title in 1998.
- Defending champion India finished a disappointing 5th.
- The next ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will be held in Bangladesh in 2016.
2. Centre approves revision of ceiling on election expenditure.
- It will be Rs.70 lakh for General Elections in all States except
Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh,
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshdweep and Puducherry which
has been kept at Rs.54 lakh.
- The maximum limit for assembly election is to be Rs.28 lakh in all
States except the ones mentioned above where it will only be Rs.20
lakh.
3. Government includes Jat community in the Central List of OBCs for
the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Bihar.
- It will enable them avail the goodies of reservation.
4. Arvind Bhat becomes the 1st Indian shuttler to clinch men's singles
title at German Open Grand Prix Gold.
- He beat Danish Hans-Kristian Vittinghus to bag the prize money of $120,000.
- He is also the first Indian to win title here in any category.
5. The Union cabinet approves 'special category' status to Seemandhra
for 5 years.
6. India's first electric bus begins operation in Bangalore.
- The bus with zero emission levels operates on a battery that lasts
five hours and can cover a distance of 250 km.
7. Bangaru Laxman, the 1st Dalit president of BJP, breathes his last at 74.
- His political career had ended in 2001 after a sting operation by
Tehelka where he was caught on camera receiving bribe from a supposed
arms dealer
8. Italian film 'The Great Beauty' secures Best foreign language film
title at Oscar Awards 2014.
- The award for best picture went to 12 Years a Slave.
9. Centre to set up NTPC's 2640 MW Bundelkhand Super Thermal Power
Project at Barethi, Chattarpur (Madhya Pradesh).
- The plant will be equipped with environment friendly super critical
technology.