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  • WBCS Current Affairs 19/03/2017 to 25/03/2017 WBCSMadeEasy
    Posted on March 25th, 2017 in Weekly Current Affairs
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    WBCS Current Affairs 19/03/2017 to 25/03/2017 WBCSMadeEasy

    1. The World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed every year on March 24 to raise public awareness about the global epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease. WTD is observed to commemorate discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, bacillus (bacteria) causing TB on 24th March, 1882 by German microbiologist Dr Robert Koch. This discovery had opened the way towards diagnosing and curing TB. It is one of eight official global public health campaigns observed by the World Health Organization (WHO). 2017 Theme (Campaign): “Unite to End TB”. This year it is second year of a two year “United to End TB” Campaign. WHO has placed special focus on uniting efforts to “Leave no one behind” including actions to address stigma, discrimination, marginalization and overcome barriers to access care. On this occasion, WHO also released TB Ethics guidelines to ensure that the countries while implementing the End TB strategy adhere to sound ethical standards to protect the rights of all those affected. About Tuberculosis (TB) TB is a disease caused by bacteria “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” that most often affect the lungs. The disease is spread from person to person through the air. It commonly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is the second biggest killer disease worldwide next only to HIV/AIDS. It can be completely cured with proper and regular medication. According to WHO, in 2015, 10.4 million people fell ill with TB and 1.8 million died from the disease. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 19/03/2017 to 25/03/2017 WBCSMadeEasy
    2. India ranked 87th among the surveyed 127 countries on a Global Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI) released as part of report of Geneva- based World Economic Forum (WEF). EAPI is a composite index developed by WEF in collaboration with Accenture Strategy. It focuses on tracking specific indicators to measure the energy system performance of the countries. It has 18 indicators defined across the three sides of the ‘energy triangle’- economic growth and development, energy access and security and environmental sustainability. Key Highlights of 2017 EAPI Top 5 Countries: Switzerland (1), Norway (2), Sweden (3), Denmark (4) and France (5). India has marginally improved its ranking in this edition from 90th rank in 2016. But it ranks among the worst for pollution. Global Facts: World’s biggest energy consumers struggle to take leading positions on index as they grapple with inherent challenges of their large, complex energy systems and are outperformed by nimble economies. Overall, some of the largest consumers of energy such as China (95th), India, Japan (45th), Russia (48th) and United States (52nd) have either slipped in the rankings or experienced only marginal gains. India related Facts: India is gradually improving its performance on the index, but faces an uphill battle to increase energy access and security (95th) indicators. A large percentage of the population of India still lacks access to electricity (101st) and uses solid fuels for cooking (108th) indicators. India’s commitment to increase solar power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2022, will make it a leader in renewable capacity. India, just like China, boasts strong score on indicator for diversification of import counterparts (5th), but its energy system continues to face some significant challenges, particularly on environmental sustainability (109th) indicator. India has some of the lowest scores in CO2 emissions from electricity (117th) production and PM2.5 levels (123rd) indicators. Energy & Pollution: Sources of pollution are diverse and intermittent (such as refuse combustion, agricultural crop burning, fireworks), but the energy sector is a large, consistent contributor to this issue. Many solutions have been attempted with varying degrees of impact, but the countries sorely need a comprehensive plan of action to implement an effective and sustainable answer.
    3. According to US and European scientists, the extent of sea ice at both poles has hit new record lows for this time of the year. The disappearing sea ice comes as the Earth marks three consecutive years of record-breaking heat and temperature rise, raising fresh concerns about the accelerating pace of global warming. Key Findings Artic region: The ice floating in the Arctic Ocean grows and shrinks on a seasonal cycle every year, reaching its largest size in March and smallest at the end of the summer melt in September. But this year’s Arctic maximum spanned 14.42 million sq.km i.e. 95,829 sq.km below the previous record low in 2015. This year’s ice cover is 12,19,884 sq.km smaller compared to average sea ice extent for 1981-2010. The Arctic sea ice maximum has dropped by an average of 2.8% per decade since 1979. There was a lot of open ocean water and very slow ice growth because the water had a lot of accumulated. Antartic region: The ice in the Antarctic also follows a seasonal cycle but its maximum comes in September and its minimum around February (summer in Southern Hemisphere). In the Antarctic, this year’s annual sea ice was 21,10,840 sq.km, about 1,83,889 sq.km below the previous lowest minimum extent in the satellite record, which occurred in 1997. For the past two years, Antarctica saw record high sea ice extents and decades of moderate sea ice growth.
    4. The Parliament has passed The Employees Compensation (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill amends the Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923. It ensures compensation up to Rs 1 lakh to employee if an injured in an industrial accident and imposes hefty penalty in case of any violation by the employers. Salient features of the Bill Mandatory for employers to inform the employee of his right to compensation under the Act. Such information must be given in writing at the time of employing him. Employer will be penalised if he fails to inform his employee of his right to compensation. Such penalty may be between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. Raises amount in dispute related to compensation, distribution of compensation, award of penalty or interest, etc to Rs. 10, 000. It permits the central government to further raise this amount. Provision of withholding payments pending appeal if an employer has appealed against a Commissioner’s order has been deleted. The Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923 It provides payment of compensation to employees and their dependants in the case of injury by industrial accidents, including occupational diseases. It provides that any dispute related to an employee’s compensation will be heard by a Commissioner (with powers of a civil court). Under it, appeals from the Commissioner’s order, related to a substantial question of law, will lie before the High Court only if amount in dispute is at least Rs. 300.
    5. The Lok Sabha has approved amendments to The Finance Bill, 2017 proposed by the Union Government to wind up eight tribunals These eight tribunals currently exclusively deal with disputes pertaining to employees’ provident fund (EPF), Competition law, Airports economic regulation, IT law, National highways, railways, copyrights and Forex. The amendments in the Finance Bill of 2017 also has proposed changes in the norms for tribunals, appellate tribunals and other boards associated with the administration of 17 central laws. 8 major tribunals that will cease to operate are Competition Appellate Tribunal: Its work now has will be transferred to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal (AERAAT) and Cyber Appellate Tribunal: Their functions will now be discharged by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). EPF Appellate Tribunal: Its works will be transferred to the Industrial Tribunal that examines matters under the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947. Cases under the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999: They will be transferred to Appellate Tribunal constituted under Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976. National Highways Tribunal: Now Highway disputes will now be adjudicated by the Airport Appellate Tribunal set up under the Airport Authority of India (AAI) Act,1994. Railways Rates Tribunal: It was established for hearing matters under the Railways Act, 1989. Its workload will be transferred to the Railway Claims Tribunal. Copyright Board: It was responsible for enforcing of the Copyright Act of 1957. Now it will be transferred to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board set up under the Trademarks Act of 1999.
    6. The Union Water Resources Ministry has drafted new dam safety bill to contemplate an institutional mechanism to improve safety of around 5300-odd dams across in India. The new law has been vetted by the Union Law Ministry. It will now go to the Union Cabinet for approval and its introduction in Parliament. Need for such law There are around 4900 large dams in India and several thousand smaller ones. However, large reservoirs and water storage structures, in the past few decades, are not seen as a model of safety. The failure of these dams due to lack of safety could cause massive disaster such as the 1979 Machchu dam failure in Morbi, Gujarat, in which estimated 25,000 people were killed. Recent analysis of the state of India’s dams also has found that half of them did not meet contemporary safety standards. So there is need of much stricter safety criteria. Key facts Currently, dam safety guidelines are not effectively enforced by the States. The dam safety bill, proposes a Central authority and State-level bodies that will enforce regulation. It proposes safety criteria including increasing the spillway (a design structure to ease water build-up) and preventing ‘over-topping’ in which the dam overflows and causes it to fail. It also proposes fine on dam and project proponents in the fall short, though they are unlikely to face imprisonment.
    7. The Union Finance Ministry has notified hird Protocol amending India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The agreement came into force in February 2017and was signed in December 2016. The Third Protocol amends the DTAA between both countries to provide for source-based taxation of capital gains arising on sale of shares in a company. Key Facts The India-Singapore DTAA at present provides for residence-based taxation of capital gains of shares in a company. The addition of provision of source-based taxation of capital gains in DTAA, will help to curb revenue loss, prevent double non-taxation and streamline the flow of investments. It also provides certainty to investors, investments in shares made before April 1, 2017 subject to fulfilment of conditions in Limitation of Benefits clause as per 2005 Protocol. Further, it also provides a two-year transition period from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019 during which capital gains on shares will be taxed in source country at half the normal tax rate. It also facilitates relieving of economic double taxation in transfer pricing cases. It is a taxpayer-friendly measure and is in line with India’s commitments under Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan. It also enables application of domestic law and measures concerning prevention of tax avoidance or tax evasion.
    8. The World Meteorological Day (WMD) is observed every year on 23rd March to mark establishment of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on this day in 1950. 2017 Theme: “Understanding Clouds”. It seeks to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water. They play a critical role in the water cycle and shaping the global distribution of water resources. Clouds are central to weather observations and forecasts. Clouds are one of the key uncertainties in the study of climate change. On this occasion, World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) launched new edition of the International Cloud Atlas. It is a treasure trove of hundreds of images of clouds, including a few newly classified cloud types and is single authoritative and most comprehensive reference for identifying clouds. It also features other meteorological phenomena such as rainbows, halos, snow devils and hailstones. This Atlas for the first time has been produced in a digital format and is accessible via both computers and mobile devices. Background On this day in 1950 the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Convention came into force that aimed at creating WMO. Later in 1951, WMO became United Nations specialized agency for meteorology, geophysical sciences and operational hydrology. About World Meteorological Organization (WMO) WMO is an intergovernmental organization whose mandate covers weather, climate and water resources. It is UN specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences It is dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on state and behaviour of Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with land and oceans, the weather and climate and distribution of water resources. It has 191 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. It has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
    9. The Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NSEBC) as a constitutional body. In this regard, constitutional amendment bill for amending Constitution mainly by insertion of Article 338B will be soon introduced in the Parliament. Union Cabinet has approved Creation of a National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NSEBC) under new Article 338 B. Composition of the new NSEBC will include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and three other Members. Insertion of provision after Article 341 and 342 by inserting Article 342 A to provide for Parliament’s approval for every inclusion into and exclusion from the Central List of Other Backward Class (OBCs). Insertion of a new Clause (26C) under Article 366 of the Constitution to define Socially and Educationally Backward Classes; Repealing of National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 and Rules framed under it. Dissolution of the Commission constituted under the Act of 1993; Background There have been demands in Parliament for grant of constitutional status to the NCBC to enable it to hear the grievances of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the same manner like that of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (constituted under Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (constituted under Article 338A) hear complaint. About National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) NCBC was established in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Sawhney case (Mandal case) as per the NCBC Act, 1993. Function of NCBC: Examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists. Hear complaints of under-inclusion or over-inclusion of any backward class in such lists. Tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate. Its advice was ordinarily binding upon the Central Government.
    10. The Union Cabinet has approved proposals to tweak Fund of Funds of Start-ups (FFS) rules to enable greater flow of resources. FFS was established in June 2016 with a corpus of Rs. 1,000 crores. The proposals approved are Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) supported by FFS shall invest at least twice the amount of contribution received from FFS in Start-ups. Further, if the amount committed for a Start-up in whole has not been released before a Start-up ceases to be so, the balance funding can continue thereafter. The operating expenses for carrying out due diligence, legal and technical appraisal, convening meeting of Venture Capital Investment Committee, etc. will be met out of the FFS. These expenses will be to an extent of 0.50% of the commitments made to AIFs and outstanding. This will be debited to the fund at the beginning of each half year i.e. April 1 and October 1. Background The Union Cabinet in June 2016 had approved the proposal to establish a Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS) with a total corpus of Rs.10000 crore. It was approved with contribution spread over the 14th & 15th Finance Commission (FC) cycles based on progress of implementation and availability of funds. It was decided that the FFS shall contribute to the corpus of AIFs for investing in equity and equity linked instruments of various start-ups at early stage, seed stage and growth stages. The FFS is being managed and operated by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). It contributes to SEBI registered AIFs that may go up to maximum of 35% of the corpus of the AIF concerned.
    11. The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Customs and Excise Acts related to abolition of cesses and surcharges on various goods and services to facilitate implementation of GST Regime Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. It has approved the following proposals: Amendment to Customs Act, 1962; Amendment to Central Excise Act, 1944. Amendments to Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Repeal of Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 and Amendment/repeal of the provisions relating to Acts under which cesses are levied. Comment The amendments in Customs Act, 1962 will allow furnishing of information relating to import or export of goods by specified persons to enable analysis and detection of cases of under or over-valuation in imports and exports. It also aims to check misuse of export promotion schemes, including Drawback Scheme and violations of provisions of Customs Act and various other laws which Customs officials have been authorised to implement. The amendments or repealing of various provisions of other Acts which in the GST regime will result in cleansing of the irrelevant portions from the Statute Book and reduce multiplicity of taxes.
    12. Union Cabinet has approved proposal for amending National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. Decision in this regard was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Cabinet Approvals Amendments in Act to increase authorized capital of NABARD from Rs. 5,000 crore to Rs. 30,000 crore and further increase it beyond Rs. 30,000 crore in consultation with RBI, as deemed necessary from time to time. It also includes certain other amendments including changes in long title and certain sections to bring Handlooms and Medium Enterprises in NABARD’s mandate. Transfer of 0.4% equity of RBI in NABARD amounting to Rs. 20 crores to the Union Government. Comment Increase in authorized capital will enable NABARD to respond to the its commitments undertaken, in respect of Long Term Irrigation Fund (LIF) and Government’s decision regarding on-lending to cooperative banks. It will enable NABARD to augment its business and enhance its activities, thus facilitating promotion of integrated rural development and securing prosperity of rural areas by generating of more employment. The transfer of entire shareholding of RBI held in NABARD to the Union Government will remove the conflict in RBI’s role as banking regulator and shareholder in NABARD. About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) NABARD is an apex development bank in India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holds the majority stake in it. Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra. Established: 1982 on the recommendations of Shivaraman Committee to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. It has been entrusted with matters concerning policy, planning and operations in the field of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas in India. It is active in developing financial inclusion policy and is a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion. Mandate: Facilitate credit flow for promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts. Support all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated and sustainable rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas.
    13. The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-ln) and the US Homeland Security Department on cooperation in the field of Cyber Security. The MoU was signed in January 2017 in New Delhi. It intends to promote closer co-operation and exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security between both strategic partners in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations and on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and reciprocity. About CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) CERT-In is a government-mandated nodal agency for information technology (IT) security established in 2004 under the aegis of the Indian Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Electronics and IT. According to the provisions of the IT Amendment Act, 2008, CERT-In is responsible for overseeing administration of the Act. CERT-In’s Mandate: Protect Indian cyberspace and software infrastructure against destructive and hacking activities. Respond to computer security incidents, report on vulnerabilities and promote effective IT security practices throughout the country. Issue guidelines, vulnerability notes, advisories, and whitepapers regarding to information security practices, prevention, procedures, response and reporting of cyber security incidents.
    14. The Union Cabinet has approved the amendment to Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The amendment seeks to ensure all teachers, in position as on March 2015, acquire minimum qualifications prescribed by academic authority to extend period for such training for 4 years up to March 2019. Background The RTE Act, 2009 envisages free and compulsory elementary education to every child in the age group of 6-14 years. The section 23(2) of the Act specifies that all teachers at elementary level at commencement of this law if did not possess minimum qualifications under it need to acquire these within a period of five years i.e. by March 2015. However, several state governments have reported that 11.00 lakh teachers at the elementary level are still untrained out of a total number of 66.41 lakh teachers. Thus, to ensure that all teachers acquire the minimum qualifications prescribed by the academic authority, it is deemed necessary to carry out appropriate amendment in the RTE Act, 2009 to extend period for such training for four years up to March 2019. Benefits of Amendments It will enable the in-service untrained elementary teachers to complete their training and ensure that all teachers at the elementary level have a certain minimum standard of qualifications. It will ensure that all teachers attain minimum qualifications as considered necessary to maintain the standard of teaching quality. It will ultimately result in improvement in overall quality of teachers, teaching processes and learning outcomes of children. It will reinforce the Government’s emphasis on improvement of quality of elementary education.
    15. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved North East Road Network Connectivity Project (NERNCP) Phase I for development of 403 kms of National Highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram. Out of total 403 km, approximately 351 km will be in developed in Mizoram and 52 km in Meghalaya. The project will be executed in EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Mode. Key Facts The implementation of projects will start from the financial year 2017-18. The civil works are expected to be completed by 2021 and maintenance works by 2025. The projects will encourage sub-regional socio-economic development by improving infrastructure in Mizoram and Meghalaya. It will also enhance connectivity with inter-state roads and International Borders. The work for development of two lane standards under the scheme NERNCP Phase I will be financially supported by loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Background The existing carriageway of all the stretches in Meghalaya and Mizoram are varying between Single lane to Intermediate lane. The condition of the pavement is also very poor and at some locations which is not in traffic worthy condition. In addition, these stretches also are in poor condition in the landslides areas/sinking zone. The development and updation of these stretches to the two lane will improve their standards and improve connectivity.
    16. Kumar Mangalam Birla-led telecommunications major Idea Cellular has agreed to merge with the Vodafone India, Indian unit of the UK headquartered Vodafone Plc. The blockbuster merger will create world’s second largest (after China Mobile) and India’s largest telecom company by overtaking Bharti Airtel Ltd. Key Facts The merged entity will have almost 400 million customers with 35% customer and 41% revenue market share. It will have revenue of Rs. 81,600 crore and an operating profit of Rs.24,400 crore. Together, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular have debt of Rs. 1.08 trillion. The merger is expected to be completed in 2018. The brand strategy for the new firm will be developed in due course. Kumar Mangalam Birla will be the chairperson of the merged entity. Vodafone will own 45.1% in the combined entity, while Kumar Mangalam Birla and other promoters of Idea Group will own 26% and the rest will be owned by the public. The merged entity would hold 1850 MHz, including circa 1645 MHz of liberalised spectrum acquired through 7 auctions. It will be capable of building substantial mobile data capacity, utilising the largest broadband spectrum portfolio with 34 3G carriers and 129 4G carriers across the country. The merger will be completed by 2018, subject to approvals from shareholders, creditors, stock exchanges, SEBI, telecom department and Competition Commission of India (CCI).
    17. India ranked at 122 out of 155 countries in the World Happiness Report 2017 published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on the eve of International Day of Happiness (20 March). The rankings are based factors such as inequality, life expectancy, GDP per capita, public trust (i.e. a lack of corruption in government and business), and social support. Together they are used to generate a happiness score of country on a scale from 1 to 10.This year it is fifth such report since the first was published in 2012. Key Highlights of report 10 Happiest Countries: Norway (1), Denmark (2), Iceland (3), Switzerland (4), Finland (5), Netherlands (6), Canada (7), New Zealand (8), Australia (9) and Sweden (10). 5 Saddest Countries: Rwanda (151), Syria (152), Tanzania (153), Burundi (154) and Central African Republic (155). The entire top ten were wealthier developed nations. But the report mentioned that money is not the only ingredient in the recipe for happiness. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and those hit by conflict were ranked lower. India was placed behind the majority of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations, apart from war-ravaged Afghanistan (141). In the previous edition of the report, India ranked 118. Eight SAARC nations: Pakistan (80), Nepal (99), Bhutan (97), Bangladesh (110) and Sri Lanka (120). Maldives did not figure in the report. BRICS Countries: Brazil (17), Russia (56), China (79), South Africa (116) and India (122).
    18. The Uttarakhand High Court has recognized the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers as so-called living entities. It is for the first time any court in India has recognized a non-human as a living entity. The two rivers are sacred for the Hindus, sustain millions of people in the country but have seen years of damage at the hands of humans. The HC Division Bench comprising Justice Alok Singh and Justice Rajiv Sharma gave a landmark judgment while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by one Mohammad Salim in 2014. Uttarakhand HC verdict Ganga and Yamuna, all their tributaries, streams are declared as legal persons [or] living persons in order to protect the recognition and the faith of society. They will have the status of a legal person with all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person in order to preserve and conserve them. State government failed to fulfil its responsibility regarding the rivers. Central government must constitute Ganga Management Board to look into the issue of cleaning and maintaining these rivers. The Director, Namami Gange project and the Chief Secretary and the Advocate General of Uttarakhand have been charged to protect, conserve and preserve the rivers and their tributaries. What does it means? In India, animals, for instance, are not considered living entities by law. Only humans are. But recognizing these rivers as a living entity, grants them new legal identity and all rights laid out in the Constitution of India. Thus, they have the right to be legally protected and not be harmed and destroyed. They also can be parties to disputes as their rights can be used to protect the interests of the rivers. It also means that if someone pollutes these rivers, the law will see it equal to harming a human being. Interesting Facts Earlier in March 2017, New Zealand Parliament passed a bill declaring 145km long Whanganui River as ‘legal person’, making it first river to get this status. Ecuador was first country to recognize Rights of Nature in its Constitution adopted in September 2008. The new Ecuadorian Constitution includes a Chapter: Rights for Nature.
    19. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the four Goods and Services Tax (GST) related bills. These Bills were earlier approved by the GST Council after clause by clause, discussion over 12 meetings in past 6 months. The passage of these four GST related bills will pave the way for the biggest reform in the area of Indirect Taxes in the history of the country. These four Bills are The Central Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017 (CGST Bill): It makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods or services for both by the Union Government. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017 (IGST Bill): It makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on inter-state supply of goods or services or both by the Union Government. The Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017 (UTGST Bill): It makes provisions for levy on collection of tax on intra-UT supply of goods and services in the UTs without legislature. It is akin to States Goods and Services Tax (SGST) that will enacted by state legislatures for levy and collection of tax by the States/UTs on intra-state supply of goods or services or both. The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to the States) Bill 2017 (The Compensation Bill): It provides for compensation to states for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the GST for a period of five years as per section 18 of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Background The Union Government is trying for early introduction of GST, one of the biggest taxation reforms in the country as early as possible. GST Council headed by Union Finance Minister earlier had set 1 July 2017 as the date of commencement of GST. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his 2017-18 Budget Speech had mentioned that country-wide outreach efforts will be made to explain the provisions of GST to Trade and Industry. About GST GST regime will amalgamate large number of Central and State indirect taxes into a single tax. It will mitigate cascading or double taxation in a major way and pave the way for a common national market. It will help in the realization of the objective of “One Nation, One Tax” and improve the Ease of Doing Business in the country. It will also indirectly benefit people of the country by reducing the tax burden especially on the daily consumer items. The GST will bring in more transparency and efficiency by minimizing of human interface in the tax administration in the country. It is also likely to lead to a reduction in tax evasion as a result of the computerization of the taxation process. It will in turn lead to increase in revenue collection for the Centre and the States.
    20. Scientists using Large Hadron Collider accelerator (LHC) at CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) have discovered a new system of five particles all in a single analysis. This discovery is unique as observing five new states all at once is very rare. According to the standard convention, these particle states were named Oc(3000)0, Oc(3050)0, Oc(3066)0, Oc(3090)0 b Oc(3119)0. The numbers indicate their masses in megaelectronvolts (MeV), measured by LHCb experiment, one of seven particle physics detector experiments collecting data at LHC, world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Key Facts The new particles were found to be in excited states (a particle state that has a higher energy than the ground state or absolute minimum configuration) of a particle called Omega-c-zero. Omega-c-zero is a baryon. It is a particle with three quarks, containing two strange and one charm quark. It decays via the strong force into another baryon, called Xi-c-plus (containing a “charm”, a “strange” and an “up” quark) and a kaon K-. Xi-c-plusparticle further decays in turn into a proton p, a kaon K- and a pion p+. LHCb collaboration by analysing trajectories and energy left in the detector by all the particles in this final configuration were able to trace back the initial event he decay of the Omega-c-zeroand its excited states. Now quantum numbers of these new particles, characteristic numbers used to identify the properties of a specific particle and their theoretical significance will be determined. Significance of the Discovery: It will contribute to understanding how the three constituent quarks are bound inside a baryon. It will also help to probe the correlation between quarks, which plays a key role in describing multi-quark states, such as tetraquarks and pentaquarks. About Baryon Baryon is a composite subatomic particle made up of three quarks (a triquark, as distinct from mesons, which are composed of one quark and one antiquark). Baryons and mesons belong to the hadron family of particles, which are the quark-based particles. The most familiar baryons are the protons and neutrons that make up most of the mass of the visible matter in the universe.
    21. Scientists from Eindhoven University of Technology in Netherlands have developed a new wireless Internet network based on infrared rays that is reportedly 100 times faster than existing Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) networks. It has a huge capacity, more than 40 Gigabits per second (Gbit/s). It also does away with the need of sharing Wi-Fi, as every device gets its own ray of light. How it works? The wireless data in this network comes from a few central ‘light antennas’, that are able to precisely direct the rays of light supplied by an optical fibre. These antennas contain a pair of gratings that radiate light rays of different wavelengths at different angles (passive diffraction gratings). If a user is walking and his smartphone or tablet is moving out of the light antenna’s direction, then another light antenna takes over. In this system, changing the light wavelengths also changes the direction of the ray of light. It uses safe infrared wavelength that does not reach the retina in the eye. Key Features of the new system The network tracks the precise location of every wireless device using its radio signal transmitted in the return direction. Different devices are assigned different wavelengths by the same light antenna and so do not have to share capacity. It uses infrared light with wavelengths of 1,500 nanometres and higher. Current, Wi-Fi uses radio signals with a frequency of 2.5 or five gigahertz. On this network, researchers have managed to achieve a speed of 42.8 Gbit/s over a distance of 2.5 metres. It is hundred times fast than best Wi-Fi systems currently available that can provide users maximum 300 mbps speed. The new system so far has used the light rays only to download. Uploads are still done using radio signals since in most applications much less capacity is needed for uploading.
    22. According to recent report tabled in the Lok Sabha, West Bengal has the highest number of arsenic-affected people in the country. State’s 83 blocks in eight districts have ground water affected by arsenic contamination. Despite the State government’s efforts to curb the Arsenic menace, there is still a lot to be done. So far, state government was able to provide safe drinking water to 52% of the arsenic-affected areas in Bengal. Key Facts The total number of arsenic-affected people in the country is about 1.48 crore (as of March 2017). West Bengal has topped the list with more than 1.04 crore arsenic-affected persons. Bihar is second with 16.88 lakh persons, with Assam is third with 14.48 lakh victims. According to the WHO’s guidelines for drinking water quality (2011), the permissible limit of Arsenic in groundwater is .01 m/ litre. However, in India the permissible limit in drinking water was only recently been revised from .05 mg/litre to .01 mg/litre. West Bengal government recently had initiated a project to provide safe drinking water to more than six lakh people in the arsenic-affected blocks. However, there is slow progress in setting up water treatment plants since the technology for removal of arsenic is new and expensive. About Arsenic Contamination Arsenic is a natural component in the earth’s crust. It is widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, irrigation of food crops and food preparation poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning. It can cause cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity and diabetes. The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by providing them of a safe water supply. It is a high-profile problem in the Ganges Delta, due to the use of deep tubewells for water supply. The groundwater in these tubewells have high concentrations of arsenic in deeper levels .
    23. India’s longest surface tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district is complete. It will be open to traffic soon, following successful completion of trial runs for peak and off-peak hours. The 9-km-long tunnel at Chenani passes through the lower Himalayan mountain range on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway. Key Facts Work on Cheneni-Nashiri Road Tunnel was started in May 2011. It took nearly six years for completion of the project at a cost of over Rs. 3,720 crore. The 9-km-long twin-tube tunnel located at an elevation of 1,200 metres. It is an important part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway. It is India’s first tunnel equipped with world class integrated tunnel control system through which ventilation, signals, fire control, communication and electrical systems are automatically actuated. It reduces travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 kilometres and save time by three to four hours. The road distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 km, instead of present 41 km. The tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity to the Valley and avoid landslide-prone stretch. It will help to boost the trade and commerce and tourism in the valley.
    24. Five-time Parliamentarian and BJP’s firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath (44) was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. They were administered the oath to the office and secrecy by Governor Ram Naik at oath taking ceremony held in Kanshiram Smriti Upvan in Lucknow. Besides them 47-member council of ministers consisting of 22 cabinet ministers, 9 ministers of state (MoS) with independent charge and 13 ministers of states (MoS) also took oath. The cabinet has 5 female ministers and 1 Muslim Minster, Mohsin Raza. About Yogi Adityanath Mahant Yogi Adityanath was born as Ajay Singh Bisht on 5 June 1972 in Panchur, Pauri Garhwal district in then undivided Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand). He had renounced his family at the age of 21 and became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath, then the head priest of Gorakhnath Math. He was promoted to the rank of Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple, following the death of his spiritual father Mahant Aavaidyanath on 12 September 2014. He is also the founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini He was elected as a MP of Lok Sabha from the Gorakhpur Constituency, Uttar Pradesh for five consecutive terms (1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014). He was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26. Background Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) had won the 17th Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election by winning 312 seats of the total 403 seats. BJP’s allies Apna Dal (Sonelal) and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party won 9 and 4 seats respectively. Samajwadi Party had won 47 seats, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won 19 seats and Congress had won 7 seats. The election was held from 11 February to 8 March 2017 in 7 phases with voter turnout of 60-61% compared to 59.48% in 2012 elections.
    25. Former RSS pracharak and Uttarakhand BJP chief and Trivendra Singh Rawat (56) was sworn in as ninth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He was administered oath to office and secrecy by Governor Krishan Kant Paul at oath taking ceremony held in Parade ground of Dehradun. Besides, him seven Cabinet Minister and two Minister of State (MoS) also took oath. About Trivendra Singh Rawat He was born in December 1960 in the village of Khairasain in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand (formerly in Uttar Pradesh). He had oined the right-wing organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), ideological parent of BJP in 1979. He became its pracharak for the Dehradun region in 1985 and subsequently joined the BJP. He was elected from Doiwala in the State’s first legislative assembly elections in 2002 and later in 2007 and 2017. He had served as the State’s Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2012.
    26.First fully India-made train (rake) Medha was flagged off at Dadar station in Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu via videoconferencing. The rake (group of coaches) costs Rs.43.23 crore, approximately Rs. 1 crore less than imported German-made Bombardier rake, which is Rs. 44.36 crore. It will save foreign exchange worth $50 lakh per EMU rake along with 25% manufacturing cost. Key Features of Medha It has been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Its rake with 12 coaches has capacity of 6,050 passengers and 1,168 seats. It has in-built systems to minimise breakdowns during the travel. It is fitted with a high power fully Made in India 3-phase propulsion system and powered by Hyderabad-based firm Medha Servo Drives. The rake can run at a speed of 110 kmph, whereas local trains run at maximum 90 or 100 kmph. Like the existing rakes, it has cushioned seats in first class and stainless steel seats in general compartments. It also has LED lighting which reduces energy consumption by approximately 30-35% as compared to the existing rakes. It is also fitted with GPS-based information system to indicate the stations and also has a facility that will help motormen communicate with a guard in case of emergencies. The rake also has modular roof-mounted forced ventilation system which supplies 16000 cubic m/hr fresh air into the passenger area.
    27. Renowned Meteorologist and former director of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (Pune) Dev Raj Sikka passed away. He was 85. He is famously known as Monsoon Man and the Father of Indian Meteorology. He was first proposed a link between the El Nino phenomenon and the Indian monsoon in 1982, but that time less importance was given to it. About Dev Raj Sikka He was born on March 1, 1932 in Jhang, Maghiana in Pre-partition India (now in Panjab, Pakistan) and later migrated to India after the partition. He had completed his Masters in Science (MSc) in Physical Chemistry from Agra University and joined Indian Meteorological Department (IMP) in 1954. He joined Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune in 1964 and retired from the same as the director of the institute. He is credited with being among the pioneers of developing weather models and computer-modelling techniques to forecast the monsoon. He had actively participated in research and development of Monsoon Dynamics, , Prediction of Weather and Climatology, Tropical Meteorology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Air-Sea interaction. He had served as Chairman of the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Monsoon Mission, a programme to improve monsoon-related forecasts. He also had served as chairman of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) committee on Climate Change and also of Research and Advisory Council of National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast. Awards and Honours: IMD’s Lifetime time achievement award and Sir Gilbert Walker Gold Medal (2010). About El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) It is complex climatic and weather phenomenon observed due see-sawing of temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. It is among the most significant factors that meteorologists scan to forecast the performance of the Indian monsoon. 6 out of 10 El Nino-years have been associated with below-normal rainfall over India.
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