Important Current Affairs 25th July 2017

Important Current Affairs 25th July 2017

Current Affairs 25th July 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Finance Minister, releases a Case Study on the Birth of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India – “The GST Saga: A Story of Extraordinary National Ambition” 

A Case Study on the birth of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India – “The GST Saga: A Story of Extraordinary National Ambition” was released here today by the Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley in his office in North Block in the national  capital. 
●    In view of the successful roll-out of the GST on 1 July 2017, it was felt that there was a need for the public to know of the story of how GST evolved, its timeline, the different stakeholders involved and how it eventually culminated in its inauguration in the Central Hall of the Parliament of India on the midnight of 30th June,2017 and 1st July, 2017 by the President and Prime Minister of India. 
●    This case study accordingly captures the entire journey of GST right from its ideation in the Kelkar Task Force Report in 2003. 
●    Other salient features such as the dates on which the SGST Laws were enacted in the 31 States, peculiarity of the Indian GST model, how the fitment of rates was done and the IT backbone of GST have also been addressed in the case study, thus, making it a concise yet comprehensive repository of the GST story.

Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences

The Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences is celebrated on 27th July every year.  The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is mandated to provide the nation with the best possible services in forecasting the monsoons and other weather/climate parameters, ocean state, earthquakes, tsunamis and other phenomena related to earth systems, for the Public Safety and socio-economic benefits. 
●    The Ministry also deals with science and technology for exploration and exploitation of ocean resources (living and non-living), and play nodal role for Antarctic/Arctic/Himalayas and Southern Ocean research.
●    This year too, the Foundation Day is being celebrated on 27th July 2017 at the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.  
●    The Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsha Vardhan and the Minister of State of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Y. S. Chowdary will be the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. 
●    The foundation day lecture will be given by Dr. Michael McPhaden an eminent scientist from USA.
●    In order to provide due recognition and platform to major scientific contributions made by eminent scientists/engineers in various fields of Earth System Science and also considering the need to encourage young researchers for coming into the mainstream of Earth System Science, the ESSO has instituted the Lifetime Excellence Award and National Earth System Sciences Awards.

First Two NOPVs Shachi and Shruti Launched by RDEL at Pipavav, Gujarat

Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) today launched the first two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) at their shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat. 
●    The ships are part of a five ship project being constructed for the Indian Navy. The two NOPVs, Shachi and Shruti were launched by Smt. Preeti Luthra, wife of Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC; the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command at the RDEL Shipyard Pipavav, Gujarat.
●    The primary role of NOPVs is to undertake surveillance of the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) besides operational tasks such as anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations, maritime security of offshore assets, coastal security operations, and protection of shipping lanes. 
●    The NOPVs would increase the ocean surveillance and patrolling capabilities of the Indian Navy.
●    The NOPVs being constructed at RDEL are patrol ships and are armed with 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) system along with two 30mm AK-630M guns which provide medium range and short range offensive and defensive capabilities. 
●    The armament is remotely controlled through an electronic Fire Control System. The ships are fitted with diesel engine driven propulsion systems and can deliver speeds up to 25 knots. 
●    All ship operations are controlled by an intelligent Integrated Platform Management System which has interfaces for all operational activities onboard the ship.

Madhya Pradesh Government constitutes Food Commission

The state government of Madhya Pradesh on 21 July 2017 appointed a four-member food commission headed by IAS (retd.) Rajkishore Swain. 
●    The commission was appointed in accordance with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
●    The commission will be responsible for monitoring implementation of the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013 in the state. It will be responsible for monitoring
●    Distribution of the food grains under Public Distribution System (PDS).
●    Implementation of the Midday Meal Scheme and Integrated Child Development Services scheme in the state.
●    For distribution of food items that are provided under maternity entitlements to women.

Union Government launches mobile app Aarambh for road maintenance

The Union Government on 24 July 2017 introduced a mobile app Aarambh for road maintenance.
●    The app was launched by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation, and Deborah Greenfield, Deputy Director General (Policy) of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
●    In addition, Tomar and Greenfield also launched a Concept Note and Guidance Note for Mobilizing Funds for Maintenance of Rural Road. 
●    The Concept Note outlines innovative ways, which can be adopted by the State Governments for mobilizing additional funds for road maintenance and presents some international best practices worldwide.

Rajya Sabha passes Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017

The Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2017 passed the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017. 
●    The Bill was presented by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya.
●    The Bill repeals laws such as the Admiralty Court Act, 1861 and the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890.
●    The bill was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha in March 2017.
●    The Bill provides for prioritization of maritime claims and maritime liens while providing protection to owners, charterers, operators, crew members and seafarers at the same time.
●    The Bill seeks to consolidate the laws relating to admiralty jurisdiction, legal proceedings in connection with vessels, their arrest, detention, sale and other related matters.
●    While earlier only the High Courts of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras could take up maritime cases, the Bill extends the power to the High Courts of all the coastal states like Karnataka, Kerala, Hyderabad, Orissa and Gujarat.

Current Affairs 25th July 2017: SPORTS

India finishes 7th in Youth Commonwealth Games with 11 medals

The Indian contingent finished an impressive seventh in the recently-concluded 6th Youth Commonwealth Games at the Bahamas with a total tally of 11 medals including four gold, one silver and six bronze medals.
●    Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated, "I would like to congratulate all our young medal winners for their wonderful performance in the Commonwealth Youth Games. 
●    They have done a wonderful job, in making our country proud. 
●    I am sure such performances will boost their morale for future events and I wish them success in future".
●    The six-day event was kick-started on 18 July with India grabbing four medals in Judo.
●    While Soni picked up India’s first gold medal by beating Australia’s Uros Nikolic in the 73kg category event, Ashish followed it up with a bronze medal in the 60kg category after defeating England’s Harry Zane-Prosser.