Daily GK Updates - 2nd January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Devendra Fadnavis orders judicial inquiry into Bhima-Koregaon clashes: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that a judiciary inquiry has been ordered into the violence that erupted at the bicentenary celebrations of the historic 1818 battle of Bhima-Koregaon. Around three lakh people had gathered (for the battle’s bicentenary celebrations).

2. Saubhagya Yojana launched by Jharkhand CM: Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das launched “Saubhagya Yojana”. It is a programme that would provide electricity to all the 29,376 villages in the state.

3. Parliament passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill: The objective of the Bill is to allow creditors to move to the National Company Law Tribunal incase of insolvency. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government has entered into an unchartered territory as far as Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is concerned and would continue to modify the law dealing with the issue.

4. 2018 declared as Telugu promotion year by Andhra Pradesh CM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared 2018 as Telugu promotion year. He made this announcement at 29th edition of Annual Book Exhibition of Vijayawada.

5. Surajkund crafts mela – UP declared as theme state: The Haryana tourism department disclosed that Uttar Pradesh would be the theme state for the 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela. It would be organized at Surajkund, Faridabad from February 2 to 15. Apart from all other states, about 24 countries would also participate in it.

6. NARI Portal launched: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi inaugurated an online portal NARI in New Delhi for the empowerment of women. The portal will provide women with easy access to information on government schemes and initiatives for women. The portal summarises over 350 government schemes and other important information.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. US Prez Trump threatens to withhold aid to Pakistan: Donald Trump started the new year by threatening to withhold aid to Pakistan, a longtime US ally. He said that “Islamabad is giving us nothing but lies and deceit” and “thinking of our leaders as fools”. He believes that Pakistan is giving safe haven to the terrorists.

2. Saudi Arabia, UAE Introduces VAT: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates introduced value-added tax. This is first in the Gulf which has long prided itself on its tax-free, cradle-to-grave welfare system. The five percent sales tax applies to most goods and services and analysts project that the two governments could raise as much as $21 billion in 2018, equivalent to 2 percent of GDP.

3. California’s new law on cannabis use: California has become the largest state in the US to legalise recreational cannabis use. As of 1 January 2018, adults aged over 21 can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of the drug and can grow up to six marijuana plants at home.

OTHER UPDATES

SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY:

1. Ginger species found in the northeast: Scientists have discovered two new species of Ginger in easternmost districts, Ukhrul in Manipur and Tuensang in Nagaland. Hedychium chingmeianum, the species discovered in Tuensang district, is an epiphytic plant and grows on tall trees, while Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis was found growing in rock crevices. Two BSI scientists, Nripemo Odyou and Dilip Kumar Roy, found the plant.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Debit card transactions up to Rs 2,000 to be free: Customers will not have to pay any transaction charges for payments through debit card, BHIM app and other payment made for up to Rs 2,000. The move will have an impact of Rs 2,512 crore on the exchequer.

2. Pankaj Jain becomes IIFCL MD: Pankaj Jain, Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), has assumed charge as the Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL).  IIFCL is a state-owned company focused on infrastructure financing and development.

SPORTS:

1. Shiv Kapur Wins Royal Cup at Pattaya: Indian golfer Shiv Kapur won the Royal Cup at Pattaya. The 35-year-old, who had just one win in almost 11 years till April 2017, has now won three times in last eight months. This latest title marks Shiv Kapur’s fourth Asian Tour win and sixth international title.