19 October 2017 Current Affairs
Chhattisgarh govt reduces interest on loan under Saksham Yojna
Chhattisgarh State Government has reduced the rate of interest on loan given to women and their self-help groups (SHGs) under ‘Saksham Yojna’ from 6.5 percent to 5 percent. Saksham Yojana too is operated by Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh, under which loans to the tune of Rs 72 lakh had been distributed to about 111 SHGs during the current fiscal year 2017-18.
Income Tax dept launches ‘Online Chat’ to answer taxpayers queries
The Income Tax Department has launched an ‘online chat’ service for taxpayers so that they can seek answers to their basic queries and doubts relating to direct tax issues. A window has been hosted on the main page of the department’s website www.incometaxindia.gov.in/ – with a prominent icon stating ‘Live Chat Online – ask your query’. A team of experts from the department and independent tax practitioners has been deputed to answer the general queries of a taxpayer. The first-time initiative is aimed to enhance taxpayer services in the country.
Assam to host Global Investors Summit in February 2018
Assam would be hosting its first Global Investors Summit in Guwahati from 3-4 February 2018. It would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state government plans to utilise the event to showcase Assam’s business potential with attractive policies in order to attract more investments. The decision was taken during the state’s cabinet meeting, which was held recently.
Javed Akhtar to be honoured with Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award
Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar is to be honored with the Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award will receive Rs.1,00,000 along with a memento. The programme is being presented to celebrate the 75-year-old music career of singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Arunachal Assembly approves Kamle as 23rd district
The Arunachal Assembly has passed a bill paving way for creation of a new district to be named Kamle. With the official creation of the new district, the total number of districts in the state shot up to 23.
India among five countries responsible for 50% newborn deaths
India is among the five countries – Pakistan, Nigeria, Congo and Ethiopia being the others – responsible for half of all new-born deaths in the world, according to a UN report. The report, “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality 2017”, revealed that 5.6 million children died before reaching the age of five in 2016. However, this is a marked decrease compared to 2000 when nearly 9.9 million children had died before turning five. While India was accountable for 24 per cent of these new-born deaths, Pakistan accounted for 10 per cent, Nigeria 9 per cent, the Democratic Republic of Congo 4 per cent and 3 per cent of the deaths occurred in Ethiopia. Also, according to report, India has witnessed 66 per cent decline in the under-five mortality rate from 1990 to 2015 but most of the new-born deaths – 24 per cent of all – still occur in the country.
USA to provide EMALS technology to India for aircraft carriers
Donald Trump Government has promised to provide the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System(EMALS) technology to India for aircraft carriers. S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be visiting India soon and before his visit, Trump administration has informed of its decision to give EMALS to India. EMALS also weighs less, is expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and can launch aircraft that are heavier or lighter. This EMAL will help to launch heavy combat planes from the short runway of an aircraft carrier using electromagnetic force, instead of the old steam-powered catapults.
Shastri is World’s Highest Earning Cricket Coach
Ravi Shastri has emerged as the world’s highest earning cricket coach with salary close to 1.17 million dollars per year, according to ESPNCricinfo. Shastri’s remuneration is higher than Lehman ($0.55 million) and Bayliss ($0.52 million) by a huge margin. In fact, the current Indian coach earns less only than what the top players from Australia, England and India take home in a year.
Jacinda Ardern to be next New Zealand PM
New Zealand will get its youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years after the small, nationalist New Zealand First Party agreed to form a new government with Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern, ending the National Party’s decade in power. The 37-year-old will be the youngest Prime Minister of the country which had been ruled by the National Party for a decade.
Environmental scientist Schellnhuber receives Blue Planet Prize
The world’s most prestigious award for pioneers in environmental science was given to Hans Joachim Schellnhuber in Tokyo. The Blue Planet Prize, coming along with 50 million yen, honors outstanding thinkers who help to meet challenges of planetary dimensions.