General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2015

Sep 2015

Feb 06, 2018

IndiGo, Vistara apply to spread wings globally

The two potential bidders for Air India — IndiGo and Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) JV Vistara — have applied for international rights to spread their wings. IndiGo, which has been flying its single-aisle A-320s to neighbouring countries, has now sought clearance to operate wide-bodied aircraft to a large number of European sectors like London (Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham, Brussels, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Madrid and points in France and Germany. Vistara wants to start international operations using its A-320s to a number of places in Gulf and southeast Asia like Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai. The proposed routes given by IndiGo to aviation ministry for clearance include connecting metros to the European cities with daily to twice-a-daily flights on several sectors.

Feb 05, 2018

Modi pens 25 mantras to help students cope with exam stress

With stressful days round the corner for those appearing for their Class X and XII board exams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a book detailing '25 mantras' to help students treat examinations as a cause for celebration and not despair. In a book, 'Exam Warriors', the PM has urged students to see exams as a way "to compete with self". He has also asked youngsters to "embrace technology", which Modi describes as a "great teacher", while ensuring adequate rest since "sleep is a great weapon". The book was launched by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who elaborated on the 25 mantras. Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar said the "book will find space in each household as it connects with millions of students, teachers, parents and grandparents in a non-political way". The 193-page book, published by Penguin, has been presented in an interactive mode with activities, tearaways as well as a pledge not to cheat.

Feb 03, 2018

Ghosal rises to World No. 14

India's leading squash player, Saurav Ghosal jumped five places to No. 14 to become the highest ranked Indian in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings released. Ghosal is now ahead of female counterpart Joshna Chinappa who slipped three places to No 17 while Dipika Pallikal Karthik remained on 20.

Former Indian national champion Harinder Pal Sandhu is placed at 49th, Mahesh Mangaonkar on 64, the spot that Ramit Tandon too achieved after rising 16 places, and Vikram Malhotra occupies 68th spot.

Feb 02, 2018

GOVT VOWS MAX SUPPORT TO FARMERS

Farmers can expect a big rise in support prices for the crops as the government has adopted the principle of buying their produce at 1.5 times the input cost in this year's budget proposals that aim to combat rural distress ahead of crucial assembly polls this year and general elections in 2019. Farm leaders welcomed the priority accorded to rural India in the Budget but some are concerned that the funds allocated for agriculture may not be enough. Experts said effective implementation of the minimum support price (MSP) policy will be vital.

What Senior Citizens Stand to Gain

Exemption limit of Rs. 50,000 for interest income from savings bank deposits, fixed deposits, recurring deposits and post office schemes, raised from Rs. 10,000 on interest income from deposits with banks and post offices.

Tax-exempt health insurance premium limit raised to Rs. 50,000 from Rs. 30,000 under Section 80D.

Medical expenditure for specific critical illnesses for senior and very senior citizens raised to Rs. 1 lakh for both from Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 80,000 under Section 80DDB.

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana extended to March 2020 from May 2018. Investment limit doubled to Rs. 15 lakh.

1% EXTRA CESS, STRESS FOR TOP TAXPAYERS

The Budget doesn't offer any relief to high-income taxpayers and reintroduction of standard deduction will have limited impact due to removal of tax-free medical and transport allowances. Senior citizens are the biggest beneficiaries.

High-income taxpayers will be hurt the most by the increase in cess proposed in the Budget on personal income tax. While high-income taxpayers will have to shell out more from next year, low and middle-income taxpayers will see a marginal drop in their outgo due to the return of standard deduction and the scrapping of tax-free medical and transport allowances. The 4% health and education cess on personal income tax proposed in the Budget to replace the 3% education cess will push up the overall tax of the top 1% of Indian taxpayers.

Feb 01, 2018

Escalator at Elphinstone Rd

Railway minister Piyush Goyal, during a surprise visit to Elphinstone Road and Parel stations, directed the installation of escalators at both stations to ensure smooth movement of commuters.

India beats global average on budget transparency

India has scored slightly better than the global average when it comes to budget transparency, according to results of the Open Budget Survey (2017) released on January 30. With a rank of 53 among 115 countries covered by the survey, India's score of 48 out of 100 for transparency (as against the global average of 43) showed an improvement of 2 percentage points over the 2015 index.

HC okays Rs. 3.5k crore award against Ranbaxy's Singhs

In a setback to former promoters of Ranbaxy, Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, the Delhi high court upheld an international arbitral award of Rs. 3,500 crore against them. In 2016, a Singapore tribunal had passed an award in favour of Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo on its allegation that the former promoters of Ranbaxy Laboratories concealed information about proceedings against them by American Food and Drug Department (FDA) and its department of justice.

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