Daily Current affairs - November 17th 2017 for all competitive exams
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the creation of the posts of Chairman and Technical Members of the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) under GST. This paves the way for the immediate establishment of this apex body.
- The National Anti-profiteering Authority is tasked with ensuring the full benefits of a reduction in tax on supply of goods or services flow to the consumers. The National Anti-profiteering Authority shall be responsible for applying anti-profiteering measures in the event of a reduction in rate of GST on supply of goods or services or, if the benefit of input tax credit is not passed on to the recipients by way of commensurate reduction in prices.
- The National Anti-profiteering Authority shall be headed by a senior officer of the level of a Secretary to the Government of India and shall have four technical members from the Centre and/or the States.
The “anti-profiteering” measures enshrined in the GST law provide an institutional mechanism to ensure that the full benefits of input tax credits and reduced GST rates on supply of goods or services flow to the consumers.
This institutional framework comprises the NAA, a Standing Committee, Screening Committees in every State and the Directorate General of Safeguards in the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).
|
Curbs on export of pulses abolished
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has abolished all curbs on export of pulses to allow farmers to seek remunerative prices for their output.
- India produced 23 million tonnes of pulses in 2016-17 and the government has set a target to produce 22.90 million tonnes in 2017-18.
- The Centre has acquired 20 million tonnes at market rates or minimum support price. The panel decided that the export and import policy for pulses will be reviewed by a committee of top officials.
The committee of officials would be empowered to consider changes in import duties and impose quantitative restrictions on trade based on domestic and international production and demand trends.
It will be chaired by the Secretary in the Department of Food & Public Distribution and include the Secretaries in the Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture, Revenue and Consumer Affairs.
|
Sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme “Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)”
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for continuation of Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Child Protection Services and National Crèche Scheme till 30.11.2018 with an outlay of over Rs.41,000 crore. These are the sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme “Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)”.
- Anganwadi Services (ICDS) aims at holistic development of children under the age of six years and its beneficiaries are children of this age group and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers.
- The objective of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls is to facilitate, educate and empower Adolescent Girls so as to enable them to become self-reliant and aware citizens through improved nutrition and health status, promoting awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, mainstreaming out of school AGs into formal/non formal education and providing information/guidance about existing public services.
- The objectives of Child Protection Services are to provide safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, reduce vulnerabilities through a wide range of social protection measures, prevent actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children from families etc., bring focus on non-institutional care, develop a platform for partnership between Government & Civil Society and establish convergence of child related social protection services.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched in 1975 in accordance to the National Policy for Children in India. The scheme aims at holistic development of under-six children and providing nutritional and health support to pregnant and lactating mothers.
|
Maharastra State clears Rs. 3.15 crore for Ambedkar’s house in London
The State government has cleared the first tranche of Rs. 3.15 crore towards the upkeep and maintenance of the house in London where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar once lived as a student in 1921-22.
- The Rs. 3.15 crore makes up about 70% of the Rs. 4.50 crore sanctioned for the upkeep and maintenance of the over 200-year-old heritage building. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar lived there during his days as a student at the London School of Economics.
The government bought the 2,050-sq.ft, three-storey bungalow on King Henry Road, NW3, London, for Rs. 31 crore in 2015. It plans to convert the bungalow into a international museum-cum-memorial.
|
Maharashtra bans plastic water bottles at government offices, hotels:
The Maharashtra government, in a bid to become plastic-free state from March 2018, has banned packaged water bottles in Mantralaya and other government offices.
- Plastic bottles of mineral water have also been banned at hotels and the regulation will soon be imposed on restaurants.
- Following the golden rule – charity begins at home – the government first imposed the ban on packaged drinking water bottles at Mantralaya and other government offices where water is served in PET plastic bottles.
Anti-superstition Bill passed in Karnataka with minor changes
The Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, popularly known as the ‘anti-superstition’ Bill, with minor changes.
While stamping of mudra on the body, a practice in the upper caste community (Madhwa Brahmins), has been exempted from the ban, advertisements that offer miracle cures for diseases have been banned.
Sampriti 2017 – India and Bangladesh Training exercise
It is Joint Indo-Bangladesh Training Exercise. The 2017 edition was recently held in Mizoram. It is the seventh such exercise in the SAMPRITI series.
- The exercise has been aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh Armies.
First major international conference on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be organised in India
First major international conference on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be organised in India, held at Mysuru, Karnataka.
- The environmental economist noted that values of sustainable living must be imbibed at a young age if planet Earth had to be saved.
- Organised by the The Sustainability Platform in collaboration with Asia Cooperation Dialogue University Network, SIAM University, Thailand, St. Philomena's College and Transdisciplinary University, Bengaluru.
- The two-day conference will deliberate on sustaining knowledge partnerships on SDGs, building sustainable cities, developing self sufficient economies and addressing sustainability challenges.
IndiaRAP programme will rate Highway’s Safety levels
It is an India Road Assessment Programme (IndiaRAP) that will rate highways’ safety levels, and seek to eliminate the most unsafe roads.
- The IndiaRAP programme is being supported by FedEx Express and will be hosted by the Asian Institute of Transport Development, and will work with government agencies as well as investors, researchers and NGOs to assess existing highways and promote the use of better design to make roads safer.
- The ratings are assigned on the basis of the level of safety which is ‘built-in’ to a road for vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Five-star roads are the safest while one-star roads are the least safe.
SC clears release of film based on Kejriwal’s life
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking a stay on An Insignificant Man release.
- An Insignificant Man , billed by its makers as a film based on the life of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will hit the screens on Friday.
- SC said that any film, theatre, drama or novel was a creation of art and courts should not crucify the rights of an expressive mind.
Former US President Obama to visit India on December 1
Former US President Barack Obama will be in New Delhi on December 1 to participate in a Town Hall organised by the Obama Foundation.
- The Town Hall is aimed at expanding the conversation about what it means to be an active citizen and make an impact.
- The event in India comes after similar programmes were held in Germany, Indonesia, and Brazil, this year.
Oxford launches first-ever Hindi word of the year
Oxford Dictionaries will have a Hindi word of the year for 2017.
- The Hindi word of the year will be a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of interest this year.
- Following the public suggestions, the word will be chosen by the Hindi Dictionaries team at Oxford University Press (OUP) along with an advisory panel of language experts who each bring a unique perspective
- This word of the year will be announced in January 2018.
Pakistan unveils 1,700-year-old sleeping Buddha
Pakistan unveiled the remains of a 1,700-year-old sleeping Buddha image as a part of an initiative to encourage tourism and project religious harmony in a region roiled by Islamist militancy.
- Abdul Samad, director of Bhamla’s archaeology and museums department said this is from the 3rd century AD, making it the world’s oldest sleeping Buddha.
- The region was once the centre of Buddhist civilization that took root under the Mauryan king Ashoka 2,300 years ago.
Pakistan
|
Capital: Islamabad
Prime minister: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
President: Mamnoon Hussain
Currency: Pakistani rupee
|
Qatar sets $195 as minimum wage
Qatar has set a temporary minimum wage for migrant workers worth some $200 a month.
- A benchmark reform following criticism of its preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Labour Minister Issa al-Nuaimi said the “temporary minimum wage of 750 riyals ($195) per month will immediately come into effect”.
- In addition to the new salary, labourers will receive free accommodation, food and healthcare plans, covered by employers.
Qatar
|
Capital: Doha
Currency: Qatari riyal
Emir of Qatar - Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
|
Germany replaces US as best country in Nation Brands Index
Germany has replaced the United States as the country with the best “brand image,” according to a new study of 50 countries released.
- The U.S. dropped from top to sixth, with France, Britain, Canada and Japan taking spots two to five.
- The Nation Brands Index (NBI) survey by German-based market research firm GfK and the British political consultant Simon Anholt measured public opinion around the world on “the power and quality of each country’s ‘brand image'”.
- Germany moved up to first place after coming in second in 2016.
Germany
|
Capital: Berlin
Currency – Euro
Chancellor is Angela Merkel
|
Lebanon’s PM Saad Hariri accepts the invitation to Paris
The French president’s office said that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has accepted an invitation to come to France after his surprise resignation from Saudi Arabia.
- Hariri announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia in Nov.4, citing meddling in the region’s affairs by Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.
- Hariri resigned from Saudi Arabia in a televised speech that blasted Iran’s role in the region.
Lebanon
|
France
|
Capital: Beirut
Currency: Lebanese pound
Prime Minister Saad Hariri
|
Capital: Paris
President: Emmanuel Macron
Prime minister: Édouard Philippe
Currency- cfp franc
|
Second warning to humanity
More than 120 Indian scientists are among the 15,364 scientists from 184 countries to endorse the second warning that the world’s scientists have issued to humanity: not mending currently unsustainable ways of living could augur “widespread misery” and “catastrophic biodiversity loss”. This is the first time that so many scientists are signatory to such a letter.
- The first warning, issued in 1992 and signed by 1,575 scientists, urged governments to take immediate action to prevent environmental degradation. Following up on nine environmental issues identified by these scientists, a team led by Oregon State University’s William Ripple compiled current data on them.
- The amount of fresh water available per head of population worldwide has reduced by 26%.
- The number of ocean “dead zones” – places where little can live because of pollution and oxygen starvation – has increased by 75%.
- Nearly 300 million acres of forest have been lost, mostly to make way for agricultural land.
- Human population has risen by 35%.
- Collectively the number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish in the world has fallen by 29%.
- Expert recommendations to “transition to sustainability” include halting conversion of natural habitats such as forests and grasslands, reducing food waste through education and better infrastructure, promoting new green technologies, and revising economies to reduce inequalities in wealth.
- In a country like India, there is a need for both immediate and long-term solutions.
IAS officer Sanjiv Kumar is the new Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka
Election Commission of India appointed IAS officer Sanjiv Kumar as the chief electoral officer (CEO) for Karnataka.
- The appointment is made for the Karnataka assembly elections, which took place in the first week of May 2018.
- Sanjiv Kumar is a 1986-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre and additional chief secretary.
- He will replace IAS officer, Anil Kumar Jha, who has been serving as the CEO since January 1, 2013.
TA Sekar resigned as the Director of Delhi Daredevils.
Former India fast bowler TA Sekar has stepped down as Delhi Daredevils director, the franchise announced through a media release.
- Delhi Daredevils chief executive Mr Hemant Dua confirmes that the former India fast bowler will no longer be part of the franchise for personal reasons.
- During his term, several players like Manprit Juneja and Pawan Negi were spotted and given Daredevils contracts for performing well in the domestic season.
Peru beat New Zealand and qualified for FIFA World Cup after 36-year
Peru ended their 36-year wait for a FIFA World Cup berth after overcoming New Zealand 2-0 in Wednesday’s inter-confederation playoff.
- Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos scored as Peru defeated New Zealand to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1982.
Shagun Chowdhary crowned National Women’s Trap champion:
The first Indian woman trap shooter to win an Olympic berth, Shagun Chowdhary bagged a national champion crown at the 61st National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.
- In the final, she overcame the challenge from Punjab’s Rajeshwari Kumari to prevail 41-38. Defending champion Shreyasi Singh, representing Bihar, finished third with a final round score of 29 on day two of the competitions.
- N Nivetha of Tamil Nadu won the Junior Women’s title in the same event shooting 37.
- Shefali Rajak of Madhya Pradesh came second and Delhi’s Soumya Gupta came in third with 26 to claim the bronze medal.
