Daily GK Updates - 17th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Bill to replace Medical Council of India: Union cabinet has approved a bill to replace the Medical Council of India with a new commission to ensure transparency and reform. The draft bill also proposes a common entrance exam and licentiate exam which all medical graduates will have to clear to get practicing licences. Bill proposes a govt-nominated chairman & members, who will be selected by a committee under the Cabinet Secretary.

2. Nod for mandatory e-Way Bill: GST council has decided to go for early implementation of e-Way Bill for inter-state movement of items from Feb 1 and uniform mandatory compliance from June 1 next year. The bill will bring uniformity across the states for seamless inter-state movement of goods. An e-Way Bill is required for movement of goods worth more than Rs 50,000.

3. UIDAI suspends Airtel eKYC licence: UIDAI has temporarily barred Airtel & Airtel Payment Bank from conducting Aadhaar-based SIM verification of mobile customers using eKYC process. The action follows allegations of Airtel using Aadhaar-eKYC to open payments bank accounts of its subscribers without their informed consent. UIDAI also objected to allegations about such accounts being linked to receive LPG subsidies.

4. Pension for AP’s transgenders: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs 1500 to transgenders above 18 years of age in the state. Under this scheme the transgenders will be provided ration cards, plots and scholarships, also skill development for financial stability. After Kerala and Odisha, Andhra Pradesh becomes the next state to sanction pension scheme for the transgender community.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Women to drive trucks, bikes in Saudi: After allowing women to drive, Saudi Arabia has now permitted females to drive trucks and ride bikes. Women involved in road accidents or who commit traffic violations will be dealt with at special centres that will be established and run by women. Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where women were barred from receiving a driver’s license.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Vodafone India appoints Dawar as its CFO: Vodafone India has appointed Manish Dawar as its Chief Financial Officer with effect from January 1, 2018. Dawar will replace Thomas Reiten, who after completing a 4 year stint with Vodafone India, will be moving to a new senior role within the Vodafone Group. He will report to Sunil Sood, MD and CEO, Vodafone India.

SPORTS:

1. International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament in Nepal: The first ever International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament has commenced in Nepal’s Kathmandu. The tournament has participation of teams from Nepal, India & Bangladesh which is supported by Sushil Koirala Memorial Foundation & technical assistance from Kathmandu Cricket Training Center. The first ever series of Wheel Chair competition will conclude with the final match between Nepal & Bangladesh.