Current Affairs for 8th to 14th April 2017

Current Affairs for 8^th to 14^th April 2017

History was created when Lok Sabha cleared all the four bills for the launch of the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST), the country’s biggest tax reform since Independence. The GST will unify the country into a common market, eliminating a string of central and state levies. Central taxes such as the central excise duty, additional excise duty, additional customs duty and service tax will all be merged into one CGST. State levies such as VAT, sales tax, entertainment tax, purchase tax, mandi tax, octroy and entry tax will be subsumed into SGST.
The Supreme Court has banned the sale and registration of Bharat Stage III (BS-III) vehicles from April 1, when BS-IV emission norms would come into force across the country, saying that health of citizens is more important than commercial interests.
United Nations has denied that India is preventing the UN observer group, monitoring the ceasefire line between India Pakistan, from presenting its report on the ground situation. The world body also rejected claims that the role of United Nations Military Observer group in India and Pakistan UNMOGIP, was being constrained by India.
US Senate has voted to approve Montenegro as 29^th member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by 972 votes. So far, 25 other NATO members have ratified Montenegro’s accession, a country of 620,000 people seen as a geostrategic ally.
The 11^th edition of the Earth Hour was observed across the world on 25^th March to take a global call on climate change. To mark this day, cities worldwide turned their lights off from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time.
Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has launched the e-Cinepramaan, an offline film certification system of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The Election Commission has said dissemination of predictions of election results by astrologers and tarot card readers during the period when there is a ban on broadcasting exit polls is also a violation of law.
Indian Air Force has formally launched web based e-billing Aviation Turbine Fuel Digital Issue and Payment. It was unveiled by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa in New Delhi.
Kanha Tiger Reserve has become the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot – Bhoorsingh the Barasingha – to present the hard ground swamp deer as the spirit of the reserve and spread awareness to save it from possible extinction. Barasingha, or swamp deer, is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh. The Kanha tiger reserve, spread over Mandla and Balaghat districts, is the only place in the world where the species exists.
Union Finance Minister has approved re-organisation of field formations of the Central board of Excise & Customs for the implementation of Goods & Service Tax. Under it, CBEC will be renamed as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs after getting required legislative approval.
The government has lowered interest rates on small saving schemes like PPF, Kisan Vikas Patra and Sukanya Smriddhi scheme by 0.1 per cent for the April-June quarter, a move that would prompt banks to cut their deposit rates.
Union Power Ministry for the first time has become a net exporter of electricity during the April-February period in fiscal 2016-17.
India has reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beating Australia by eight wickets in the deciding fourth Test at Dharmsala. It was India’s seventh Test series win in a row – continuing the dominance that started in 2015 with Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh being annihilated needing 87 runs on the fourth day to reach a modest victory target of 106, opener Lokesh Rahul (51 not out) dominated from the start with a flurry of boundaries and finished with six half-centuries in the series. The match ended in just three days and a session, a reflection of India’s distinct upper hand in the 2-1 triumph.
West Bengal won the 2017 Santosh Trophy of football by defeating Goa by 1-0 goals. It was 71^st edition of Santosh Trophy and overall record 32^nd win of West Bengal.