Daily GK Updates - 4th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Swachh Survekshan Grameen awards 2018 announced : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the top-ranked State, District, and State with maximum citizen participation based on the National Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.Haryana state was ranked as the best State while Satara District (Maharashtra) was ranked as the best district as per the ranking undertaken by Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018.

2. 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and 2nd ‘Global RE-Invest’ Meet and Expo : Both event is also inaugurated with the side line of first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.The Government of Haryana announced solar award in partnership with ISA in memory of Kalpana Chawla.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Arnold, Smith, Winter win 2018 Nobel Chemistry Prize : Two American scientists (Frances Arnold & George Smith) and a British researcher (Gregory Winter) have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for evolution research.Arnold (California Institute of Technology) was recognized for performing the first-ever "directed evolution" of enzymes.George P. Smith (University of Missouri, Columbia, USA) and Sir Gregory P. Winter (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK) for the phage display of peptides and antibodies.The scientists have been awarded for harnessing the principles of evolution to develop proteins used to make everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals.The award is presented in Stockholm at an annual ceremony on 10^thDecember, the anniversary of Nobel's death.

2. 4^th October: World Animal Day : The World Animal Day is celebrated annually on 4^th October to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.The World Animal Day was originated by Heinrich Zimmermann, organized the first World Animal Day on 24 March 1925 at the Sports Palace in Berlin, Germany.

3. Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi : Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi on a two-day visit to India.During the visit, several agreements are expected to be signed after the talks between PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind.Mr. Putin will also address the India-Russia Business Summit and interact with a group of talented children.In May 2018, Mr. Modi had traveled to Russian coastal city of Sochi for an informal summit with Mr Putin during which they discussed a range of crucial issues.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. The union Cabinet hikes MSP of Rabi crops : According to Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all Rabi crops for the current financial year.The MSP of wheat has been raised by 105 rupees per quintal, Safflower by 845 rupees per quintal, Barley by 30 rupees a quintal, Masur by 225 per quintal, Gram by 220 per quintal & rapeseed and mustard by 200 rupees per quintal.The decision will give additional return to the farmers of 62,635 crore rupees by way of increasing the MSP of notified crops to at least 50% return over cost of production.

2.  GST collection rises to Rs 94,442 crore in September : GST Revenue collection has gone up last month and shows an upward trend as compared to August this year.It has crossed Rs 94,000 crore compared to Rs. 93,690 crores in August this year.The total gross GST revenue collected in September is Rs. 94,442 crores & Central GST of Rs. 15,318 crores.State GST is 21,061 crore rupees while Integrated GST is over Rs. 50 ,000 crore.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SIDBI launches a national level entrepreneurship awareness campaign : Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched a six-days national level entrepreneurship awareness campaign ‘Udyam Abhilasha’ in 115 aspirational districts, identified by NITI Aayog in 28 States reaching to around 15,000 youth.SIDBI will join to contribute to the transformation mission unleashed for the districts.It would create and strengthen cadre of more than 800 trainers to provide entrepreneurship training to the aspiring youths, encouraging them to enter the admired segment of entrepreneurs.SIDBI is the principal financial institution for the promotion, financing and development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sector.