Current Affairs : 13 July, 2017- Yes Bank Launches ‘Yes GST’ Program

NATIONAL:

Yogi Adityanath govt allocates Rs 10 crore for IIIT Lucknow:

The Yogi Adityanath-led government has allocated Rs 10 crore for the completion of construction work at Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

It is one of the 20 IIITs being set up by the central government under the public-private partnership (PPP) model a couple of years ago. The institute is being set up with a financial contribution from the Union ministry of human resource development, UP government and UP Electronics Corporation Ltd as the industry partner.

Uttar Pradesh

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Shri Ram Naik

 Arunachal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands get exemption from SC highway liquor ban:

The Supreme Court allowed Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to join the club of Sikkim and Meghalaya, both of which enjoy full exemption from the court’s ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of National and State Highways. This Bench is led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar.

 Manipal varsity achieves ISO 50001:

          Manipal University’s efforts to maintain global best practices in energy management, energy use and energy performance, factors that impact global climate change, has been recognised by TUV Rheinland (I) Pvt. Ltd.

According to a statement here, the university has been successfully implementing these practices in line with ISO 50001 standard with demonstrable outcomes.

Manipur

• Capital: Imphal
• Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
• Governor: Najma Heptulla

Rajasthan fixes minimum education qualification for cooperative body polls:

In a move that is a first for the country, Rajasthan has fixed minimum educational qualification for candidates interested in contesting elections for elections to village cooperative societies and various other cooperative bodies.

To this effect, the Rajasthan Government amended the State Cooperative State Cooperative Societies Rules, 2003. The new rules will benefit around 10,000 cooperative and agricultural credit societies. In the long run the societies will reap the benefits as their management would be in expert hands.

Rajasthan

• Capital: Jaipur
• Chief Minister: Vasundhara Raje
• Governor: Kalyan Singh        

 Indian Railways To Launch RailCloud To Optimise Server Management:

The Indian Railways will launch RailCloud, a virtual server with an inbuilt security system that will enable faster connectivity at a reduced cost.

          Developed by rail PSU RailTel at an estimated cost of about Rs. 53 crore, Railcloud aims at optimising server resources and its management. Cloud computing is an emerging technology for faster and on demand commensurate deployment of server resources which results in reduced costs.

 President of India dedicates BML Munjal University to the Nation:

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee dedicated the BML Munjal University to the nation at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Maharashtra Government Scheme: Free Medical Insurance for legislators and their families:

The government of Maharashtra has resolved to offer free medical insurance of up to 10 lakhs to both sitting and former legislators including their families. Consequently, six members of the family will be collectively qualified for an insurance cover of 10 lakhs.

There would be no compulsion for any family member to go under medical tests. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Maharashtra

• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
• Governor: Vidyasagar Rao

IMD sets up Doppler Radar in Kochi:

Union minister for earth sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Kerala’s first Doppler radar in Kochi. It was among the 27 radars being installed in the country and all of them are 100 percent indigenous developed with support of ISRO scientists and Bharat Electronics.

This radar will play a vital role for providing information on the rapid development of severe weather events around Kochi and its adjoining areas with a maximum radial range of 500 Kms.

INTERNATIONAL:

Malta legalises same-sex marriage:

          Malta has voted to legalise same-sex marriage, despite opposition from the Catholic Church.

The island nation’s parliament agreed to amend country’s marriage act, replacing words like husband and wife with the gender-neutral alternative spouse.

Malta

• Currency: Euro
• Capital: Valletta

 US lawmaker calls for removal of country quota in Green Card:

An influential American lawmaker has called for removal of country-specific quota for legal permanent residency, also known as Green Card in the US.

USA

• President of the United States: Donald Trump
• Currency: United States Dollar
• Capital: Washington, D.C.

 Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen’ singer gives U.N. a new song:

Japanese comedian Pikotaro has adapted his catchy song, Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen’, to promote the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

Japan

• Capital: Tokyo
• Currency: Yen
• Prime minister: Shinzō Abe

 Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chairs Ministerial Session and Plenary Session at 22nd World Petroleum Congress:Istanbul:

Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a Ministerial Session on the subject “Current Economic Strategies in Indian Oil & Gas Sector”. He also chaired a Plenary Session on ‘Supply and Demand Challenges for Oil, Gas and Products’ at the 22nd World Petroleum Congress at Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey

• Currency: Turkish lira
• Capital: Ankara   

BANKING & BUSINESS:

‘GST Rates Finder’ app to soon launch on iOS platform:

Central Board of Excise and Customs- CBEC Mobile app, GST Rates Finder will be available soon on iOS platform. Currently it’s available on android platform. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the app in New Delhi.

 About The App:

The App has empowered not only the taxpayers, but every citizen of the nation, to ascertain the correct GST rate on goods and services. Through this app, user can determine GST rate by entering the name of the commodity or service. It will increase transparency and truly empowers every citizen of the nation and serves as a ready reckoned for one and all.

 India’s industrial output slows to 1.7% in May:

India’s industrial production increased at slower pace of 1.7% in May 2017 over May 2016. Industrial output had grown 8 per cent in May last year. The manufacturing sector’s production rose 1.2% in May 2017.

Retail inflation eases to 1.54% in June:

Retail inflation hit a “historically low” level of 1.54 per cent in June on dip in food items like vegetables, pulses and milk products, which may prompt the Reserve Bank to go in for rate cut next month.

SBI waives charge on IMPS fund transfer of up to Rs 1000:

Country’s largest bank SBI has waived charges for fund transfer of up to Rs 1,000 through its IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) to promote small transactions.

State Bank of India had been charging Rs 5 along with the applicable service tax for IMPS fund transfer of up to Rs 1,000.

IMPS is an instant interbank electronic fund transfer service through mobile phones as well as internet banking. For IMPS, charge will be Rs.5 along GST for fund transfer in the range of Rs.1,000 to Rs.1 lakh. The charge will go up to Rs.15 for transactions of Rs.1-2 lakh. GST at the rate of 18 per cent is applicable on all financial transactions.

SBI

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• CEO: Arundhati Bhattacharya

 Yes Bank Launches ‘Yes GST’ Program To Assist MSMEs Become GST- Ready:

YES BANK survey of MSMEs indicates that 1 in 2 MSME is unaware of implications of GST on its business. YES BANK has launched a Missed call Helpline to address this. YES BANK aims to reach out to 1 million MSMEs through this program over next 6 months.

An Advisory Council set up by YES BANK to provide conceptual guidance. YES BANK has partnered with Clear tax, India’s largest tax-filing company and Numbers.

YES BANK

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• CEO: Rana Kapoor

APPOINTMENTS:

Iran Air appoints first female CEO:

Iran has appointed a female CEO to lead its national airline for the first time since it was established in the 1940s.

The state-owned Iran Daily reported that the transport minister appointed Farzaneh Sharafbani, 44, who holds a PhD in aerospace engineering and previously served on the board of Iran Air.

Iran

• Currency: Iranian rial
• Capital: Tehran
• President: Hassan Rouhani

 Justice (retd) Vikramjit Sen appointed as new chairman of BCCC:

Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Vikramajit Sen has been appointed as the new chairman of Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC), a self- regulatory for general entertainment channels.

Sen succeeds former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice, Justice Mukul Mudgal whose three-year term as BCCC Chairperson has come to an end.

Nissan appoints Thomas Kuehl as president of Indian operations:

Japanese auto major Nissan has appointed former Skoda Auto India brand head, Thomas Kuehl as president of its Indian operations.

SPORTS:

Chandimal named Sri Lanka Test captain:

Sri Lanka appointed two new captains to replace Angelo Mathews, who resigned after his side’s humiliating home series defeat to bottom-ranked Zimbabwe.

          Dinesh Chandimal will lead the Test side while Upul Tharanga will captain in limited-overs matches, said by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Srilanka

• Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
• Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

Mithali Raj Breaks World Record Becomes First Woman to Score 6000 ODI:

Inspirational Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj has another feather in her cap as she has now become the highest run-getter in the history of women’s ODI cricket.

The Indian captain broke the record when she reached a personal score of 34 during India’s ICC Women’s World Cup match against Australia. She also went on to become the first woman cricketer to score 6000 runs in ODI cricket.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : 11 JULY, 2017 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : 11 JULY, 2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ : 12 JULY, 2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ : 12 JULY, 2017