Daily GK Updates - 23rd March, 2017

­­­­                     NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cabinet approves setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: 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.

2. Cabinet approves of proposal to establish a Fund of Fund for Start-ups:  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.

3. Union Cabinet approves amendments to Customs and Excise Act to facilitate GST Regime: 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.

4. Cabinet approves amendments to NABARD Act, 1981: 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.

5. Cabinet approves MoU between India and US in field of Cyber Security: 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.

6. Union Cabinet approves amendment to RTE Act, 2009: 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. 

7. CCEA approves North East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase I: 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.

8. Rajya Sabha passes HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014: The Rajya Sabha has passed HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014. The Bill seeks to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. It aims to prevent social stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV). It also seeks to strengthen legal accountability and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances to probe discrimination complaints against those who discriminate against PLHIV.

9. Assam Government launches SaCReD initiative to make Majuli carbon neutral island: Assam Government launched Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development (SaCReD) Initiative to develop Majuli, the world’s largest river island, as the country’s first carbon neutral district. It was launched by state Chief Minister Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the occasion of International Day of Forests (observed on March 21).

10. Gujarat Assembly passes bill for the establishment of 4 private & 2 govt. Universities: The Gujarat state Assembly has passed bills for the establishment of four private and two government-run universities in the state.

Four new private universities are Swarnim Startup and Innovation University (Gandhinagar), P P Savani University (Surat), Indrashil University (Ahmedabad) and Karnavati University (Gandhinagar). Two new private universities are Birsa Munda Tribal University at Rajpipla in Narmada district and the Gujarat Organic Agricultural University.

11. Shaheed Diwas (86^th Martyrdom Day) observed: The nation paid tributes to freedom fighters (Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev) on their 86th martyrdom day. On this day in 1931, British rulers had executed them in Lahore for their revolutionary activities against the British rule.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Meteorological Day 2017 observed globally: The United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around 23^rd March to remember the World Meteorological Organization's establishment on that date in 1950. The theme of WMD 2017 is 'Understanding Clouds' to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water.Nation paying tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev on their 86th martyrdom day.

2. India ranks 131 on Human Development Index (HDI): India has ranked 131 out of 188 countries in the 2016 Human Development Report (HDR) in the latest released report of the United Nations Development Progamme (UNDP).

                       OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ISSF World Cup: Ankur Mittal wins double trap gold in double trap event: Indian shooter Ankur Mittal (24-year) clinched his first men's double trap event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico.

He defeated his Australian rival, James Willet.

2. Austria: India bags 18 medals in Olympics World Winter Games: India’s special athletes have won 18 medals so far in the ongoing 2017 Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. The medal tally includes six gold, four silver, and eight bronze. The team of 89 differently-abled sports person of the Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) is participating in the competition. Over 2,600 athletes from 105 nations are taking part in the event.

3. Indian para-athletes win 8 medals in IPC Athletics Grand Prix: Indian Para-athletes bagged eight medals (3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze) in the 9th Fazaa International IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. India is currently at the seventh spot out of 48 participating countries. Sundar Singh Gurjar (21-year) won a gold each in men's Javelin Throw F-46 and Discus Throw F-46 competitions. The third Indian gold was bagged by Narender Ranbir in men's Javelin Throw F-44 with an effort of 47.75m.