CURRENT GK
1.Govt. approves 7th Pay Commission recommendations :-
In a bonanza to 48 lakh central government employees, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission with 34 modifications which will impose an additional annual burden of Rs 30,748 crore on the exchequer.
The increased allowances, which comes into effect from July 1, 2017, is based on the recommendations of the Committee on Allowances (CoA).
2.Indians become second largest group of migrants in Australia :-
Indians have become the second largest group of migrants living in Australia since 2011 at 1,63,000, following people of Chinese origin, according to the latest census data.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest figures of the country’s fast changing population and demographics that has recorded 1.3 million new migrants settled in Australia since 2011 from around 180 countries, including India and China.
According to official data, Census 2016 recorded new migrants from India at 1,63,000, emerging as the most common country of birth of new arrivals after China at 1,91,000 new migrants.
3.US issues new visa criteria for six Muslim nations :-
The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a “close” family or business tie to the United States.
4.President of India to visit West Bengal from June 29 to 30, 2017 :-
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit West Bengal (Kolkata) from June 29 to 30, 2017.
On June 29, 2017, the President will attend the 125th Birth Anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis.
On the same day, he will also attend the inaugural session of Global Summit on “Academics & Economic Reforms –Role of Cost and Management Accountants” organized by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India at Science City, Kolkata and inaugurate Bose Institute’s Unified Campus at Salt Lake, Kolkata.
5.Communication satellite GSAT-17 launched from French Guiana :-
GSAT-17, the country’s newly launched communication satellite, will soon join the fleet of 17 working Indian communication satellites in space and augment their overall capacity to some extent.
The 3,477-kg spacecraft was released into a temporary orbit in space as planned at 2.45 a.m. [a.m.] IST on Thursday about 39 minutes after launch from the European space port of Kourou in French Guiana.
It was dusk at the South American near-equatorial space port.
6.Mihai Tudose designated Romania’s new prime minister :-
Mihai Tudose, the outgoing economy minister of Romania, has been appointed as prime minister, days after the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) removed its own government.
He will replace Sorin Grindeanu. The 50-year-old Tudose now has 10 days to gain the vote of confidence in his government and his programme.
7.Chennai to host Pro Kabaddi League – 5 final :-
Chennai will host the final of Vivo ProKabaddi League-5, apart from the play-off/ eliminator matches while Mumbai will host another set of playoff/ eliminators.
The 2017 edition will kick off in Hyderabad with a contest between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas on July 28.
8.Cabinet approves MoU between India and Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India :-
The Union Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India.
This will benefit the country in conserving water for future generations.
The following objectives –
- Put water conservation on the national agenda in India
- Encouraging every citizen to save water in everyday life
- Generating awareness about water
- Promoting Re-use, Recharge and Recycling of water
- Development of digital tools such as websites, mobile applications on the subject of water conservation.
9.Kalraj Mishra Launches Digital MSME Scheme :-
Union Minister for MSME Shri Kalraj Mishra launched ‘Digital MSME Scheme’ and handed over three Memorandums of Understandings to SAP India, Intel and HMT respectively.
These steps would further boost Ministry’s effort towards making the Digital India Mission successful.
The Digital MSME Scheme is revolving around Cloud Computing which is emerging as a cost effective and viable alternative in comparison to in-house IT infrastructure installed by MSMEs.
The United Nations has declared 27th June as the UN Day for MSMEs.
10.New satellite GSAT-17 to boost ISRO capacity :-
GSAT-17, the country’s newest communication satellite set to be launched on Thursday morning, is set to add capacity to the current fleet of 17 Indian communication satellites that are already serving from space.
The 3,477-kg spacecraft is to be launched at 2.29 a.m. [a.m.] IST on June 29 from the European space port of Kourou in French Guiana. An Ariane-5 ECA rocket is putting it in orbit along with a heavier co-passenger, Hellas Sat 3 – Inmarsat S EAN, according to ISRO and the European launch company Arianespace. Locally, it is a pre-dusk launch in the South American space port.
11.Cabinet approves signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between India and the United States of America on Homeland Security :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between India and the United States of America on Homeland Security.
The Memorandum of Cooperation will further strengthen bilateral security relations between India and the USA and will also help in coordination and interactions among the six Sub-Groups that are proposed to be formed under Homeland Security Dialogue between the two countries.
12.Govt. unveils new hydrocarbon policy :-
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday introduced a new oil and gas block licensing policy that is expected to open up 2.8 million square kilometres of sedimentary basins to exploration and production activities.
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the government’s Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) and the National Data Repository.
13.Cabinet approves development of six laning of Chakeri-Allahabad section of National Highway (NH) – 2 in Uttar Pradesh :-
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for development of six laning of Chakeri-Allahabad section of National Highway (NH) – 2 in Uttar Pradesh.
The cost is estimated to be Rs.3691.09 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 145 kms.
14.World Shooting Championship: Yashaswini, Anmol strike gold :-
Yashaswini Singh Deswal and Anmol provided a memorable finish to the Indian campaign by clinching the mixed team gold in air pistol in the Junior World Shooting Championship here on Wednesday. Youth Olympics finalist Yashaswini had clinched the junior women’s gold earlier with a World record.
In the mixed team competition, which is being tested after the confirmation of its entry in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Yashaswini and Anmol beat Russia 7-4 for the gold.
The duo had earlier topped the semifinals with 239.3 points, two points ahead of Russia, while France beat Korea 7-1 for the third place.
15.The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into Five Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreement with Indian taxpayers :-
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into Five Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreement with Indian taxpayers during June, 2017. A Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (involving United Kingdom) was also signed during the month.
The APA Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the arm’s length price of international transactions in advance for the maximum of five future years.
Further, the taxpayer has the option to rollback the APA for four preceding years, as a result of which, tax certainty for a total period of nine years is provided. Since its inception, the APA scheme has attracted tremendous interest among Multi National Enterprises (MNEs).
16.India’s FIFA U-17 World Cup matches to be shifted to Delhi :-
FIFA is set to shift India’s Under-17 World Cup matches from Mumbai to the Delhi as the apex soccer body has taken the host government’s request “very seriously”.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially wanted Mumbai to host India’s home matches but later asked FIFA to shift them to Delhi due to pressure from the Sports Ministry as it felt it was appropriate that the capital hosts the home team’s games.
17.Petroleum Minister says launch of NDR and OALP is historic occasion for India’s E&P Sector 22 Cabinet decisions taken in last 3 years in E&P :-
Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the National Data Repository (NDR) and Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) under the progressive, market driven Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) of Government of India in New Delhi
18.Dr Harsh Vardhan and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurate Swasth Saarthi Abhiyaan and Fuel Conservation Workshop :-
Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, together, inaugurated the Swasth Saarthi Abhiyaan (SSA) today at Siri Fort Auditorium.
The Swasth Saarthi Abhiyaan (SSA) is a two month long mega campaign focusing on providing preventive healthcare to the auto, taxi and bus drivers of the region.
19.Cabinet approves development of six laning of Chakeri-Allahabad section of National Highway (NH) – 2 in Uttar Pradesh :-
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for development of six laning of Chakeri-Allahabad section of National Highway (NH) – 2 in Uttar Pradesh.
The cost is estimated to be Rs.3691.09 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 145 kms.
This work will be done under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase V on Hybrid Annuity Mode.
20.Dr. Manoj Soni takes Oath as Member, UPSC :-
Dr. Manoj Soni, former Vice Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) here today. The Oath was administered by the UPSC Chairman Prof. David R. Syiemlieh.
Born on 17th February, 1965, Dr. Soni, a scholar of Political Science with specialization in International Relation Studies, earned his doctorate in “Post-Cold War International Systemic Transition and Indo-US Relations” from Sardar Patel University.
21.Election Commission to Launch First Time Nationwide “Voter Registration Reminder” on Facebook :-
Election Commission of India (ECI) is launching a ‘Special Drive to enrol left out electors, with a special focus on first time electors from 1st July , 2017 , so as to move in the direction of Commission’s motto that ‘NO VOTER TO BE LEFT BEHIND’ .
In order to reach out to maximum eligible voters, the ECI is collaborating with Facebook to launch first Nationwide “Voter Registration Reminder” on 1st July ,2017 .
With over 180 million people in India on Face book, the ‘Register Now’ button is designed to encourage Indian citizens to register themselves with the Election Commission of India. On 1st July, a notification of the “voter registration reminder” will be sent to people on Facebook in India who are eligible to vote.
The reminder will be sent out in 13 Indian languages – English, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Assamese, Marathi and Oriya.
This is the first time Facebook’s voter registration reminder has been rolled out across India. In 2016 and 2017, Chief Electoral Officers made such efforts at state level during their respective state elections.
By clicking on the “Register Now” button on Facebook from 1st July 2017, people will be directed to the National Voters’ Services Portal (www.nvsp.in) which will guide them through the registration process.
