Focus Merit

Category: All Current Affairs

Parliament passes the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes

March 14, 2020
Tax

Parliament passed the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes on 13 March 2020. The Bill was presented in Lok Sabha (the lower house) by the Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on 5 February 2020. Lok Sabha passed it on 4 March 2020. It will provide a chance to settle direct tax disputes within the current financial year by waiving interest and penalty on their pending taxes.

Cabinet approves construction of 780 Km of green highways in four states

March 14, 2020
Highway

Union Cabinet approved a proposal for the construction of 780 kilometer of green highways on 13 March 2020. It was declared by the Union Minister Prakash Javadekar. The project targets to rehabilitate and upgrade various National Highways in four states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Facebook releases ‘Pragati’ to promote women entrepreneurship in India

March 13, 2020
FB

Facebook India has released its CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative, Facebook “Pragati” to boost women entrepreneurship in India. Facebook Pragati powered by N/Core (The/Nudge Centre for Social Innovation).

Amitabh Bachchan appointed as brand ambassador of IDFC FIRST Bank

March 13, 2020
Amitabh Bachchan

IDFC FIRST Bank has inked Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador. With this, Amitabh Bachchan has become the first ever brand ambassador of the bank.

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory prepares Bi-Luminescent Security Ink

March 13, 2020
Bi-Luminescent Security Ink

A “Bi-Luminescent Security Ink” has been developed by the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory. The new ink prepared by CSIR-National Physical Laboratory glows in two colours: green and red when illuminated by two different excitation sources at 365 nano meters (nm) and 254 nm.

Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay passes away

March 13, 2020
Santu Mukhopadhyay

Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay passed away. He was famous for his roles in films like ‘Sansar Simante’ and ‘Bhalobasa Bhalobasa’. His other popular films includes Raja, Ganadevata and Byapika Biday. Kolkata born actor also acted in TV Serials like Isthi Kutum, Jol Nupur and Andarmahal.

World Golf Hall of Fame to induct Tiger Woods in Class of 2021

March 13, 2020
Tiger Woods

American golfer Tiger Woods will be selected in the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Woods was among 10 finalists named in March as candidates for 2021. His 93 worldwide victories include a record-tying 82 US PGA Tour titles. He clinched his 15th major title at the Masters last April.

“Technology Innovation Hub” to be established at IIT Mandi

March 13, 2020
Technology Innovation Hub

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi will install a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). The Technology Innovation Hub will be installed with the help of Rs 7.25 crore sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to IIT Mandi.

India ranks second in Global Animal Protection Index 2020

March 13, 2020
Global Animal Protection Index 2020

India is ranked at the second place in Global Animal Protection Index 2020. This Index was declared by International animal welfare charity “World Animal Protection” released. India has attained a C ranking in the index. India was ranked along with Spain, Mexico, France and New Zealand. Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Austria are rated with the highest scores, which is encouraging.

SBI stops minimum balance charges from all savings bank accounts

March 13, 2020
SBI

The State Bank of India has removed the minimum balance charges on all savings bank accounts. SBI has removed charges for non-maintenance of Average Monthly Balance (AMB) for all 44.51 crore savings bank accounts.