1.
DAY
Govt mulls merging cyber tribunal with TDSAT
Amid meaning = surrounded by; in the middle of.
Fanfare meaning = a short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important.
EPFO lowers interest rate on EPF to 8.65% for FY17
The Employees
Provident Fund Organisation's apex decision
making body, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), has taken a decision to lower the interest
rate to 8.65 per cent for the
current fiscal from 8.8 in 2015—16,” Indian National Trade Union Congress
Vice—President Ashok Singh
The world’s tiniest radio
India beat England by innings and 75 runs, win series 4-0
·
In the fifth and final test played at M. A.
Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, England wrapped up the second innings at 207 in
88 overs on 20 December 2016
·
Virat Kohli is the man of the series for his 655 runs
in the series.
·
The United Nations' (UN) International Human
Solidarity Day is annually held on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity.
·
This year's
celebration of Human Solidarity Day comes after leaders of the world adopted
the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs),
which is a new, inclusive development agenda — succeeding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
— to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure dignity for all.
Solidarity = individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.
synonyms = unanimity, unity, agreement, accord
To know more
Solidarity = individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.
synonyms = unanimity, unity, agreement, accord
To know more
2.
NATIONAL
Govt mulls merging cyber tribunal with TDSAT
1.What: As
part of plans to merge some of the tribunals into larger entities to avoid identical functions, the govt is looking to converge the Cyber Appellate
Tribunal (CyAT) and TDSAT
2. Background: Seeking
to cut red tape, an inter—ministerial group of secretaries has agreed to reduce
the number of tribunals from 36 to 18
3.Reason: The
govt feels that most of these bodies are performing “identical functions“
- The Dept of Legal Affairs in the Law ministry will be the nodal agency for administration of various tribunals. As of now, the tribunals are handled by various ministries
- A Constitutional bench of the SC had some years ago suggested bringing tribunals under administrative control of the Law Ministry
- There are 36 tribunals functioning in the country dealing with subjects such as income tax, electricity, consumer protection, company laws and railway accidents
- Merger of CyAT: CyAT adjudicates matter related to Information Technology and is seen carrying much significance at a time when the government is pushing for digital payments
8. However,
it has been headless since July 2011.
Merging it with TDSAT will help to make it functional
Merging it with TDSAT will help to make it functional
Note4students:
Although
some govt tribunals are mentioned here, the main issue is the poor functioning
of these tribunals. PM Narendra Modi had recently voiced concern over the
low rate of disposal of cases by them and said there was a need to ascertain
whether these institutions were delivering justice or were acting as a
“barrier” in it.
The India-Nepal Folk Crafts
Festival
·
The India-Nepal Folk Crafts
Festival (INCF), an initiative of South Asia Foundation (SAF) to promote cultural exchanges between the
two neighbours, began here today amid much fanfare.
·
The festival, from December 19-23, aims to
promote crafts based bilateral relations and enhance cultural exchanges between
the artisans of India and Nepal.
Amid meaning = surrounded by; in the middle of.
Fanfare meaning = a short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important.
Single tribunal to decide all inter-state
water disputes
·
The Centre has decided
to set up a single, permanent Tribunal to adjudicate all inter-state river
water disputes subsuming existing tribunals
• It will be headed
by a retired Supreme Court judge.
• The Union
Government has also proposed to float some Benches by amending the Inter- State
Water Disputes Act, 1956 to look into disputes as and when required ( IRWD act is an act under Article 262)
River waters use /
harnessing is included in states jurisdiction (entry 17 of state list, Schedule 7 of Indian Constitution).
• However, union
government can make laws on regulation and development of inter-State rivers
and river valleys when expedient in the public interest (entry 56 of union list, Schedule 7 of Indian Constitution).
• When public
interest is served, President may also establish an interstate council as per Article 263 to inquire and recommend on
the dispute that has arisen between the states of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid
foundation of the first-ever Indian Institute of Skills of the country at
Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh
·
The
institute is aimed at making youth more employable and self-reliant. The
institute has been conceptualized by the Prime Minister during his visit to
Singapore's Institute of Technical Education.
·
The Prime
Minister also inaugurated Kaushal Pradarshini or skill exhibition for the youth
of Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi also launched an array of skill development
initiatives for the youths, including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras and
Drivers' Training Institutes.
·
The institute
is expected to provide essential employment capabilities to the youth of the
most populous state of the country.
3.
APPOINMENTS
·
Assam government has roped in Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra as the brand ambassador
of state tourism.
·
Justice J S Khehar
has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of India
4.
ECONOMY
EPFO lowers interest rate on EPF to 8.65% for FY17
The Employees
Provident Fund Organisation's apex decision
making body, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), has taken a decision to lower the interest
rate to 8.65 per cent for the
current fiscal from 8.8 in 2015—16,” Indian National Trade Union Congress
Vice—President Ashok Singh
5.
DISCOVERY
World’s first
cloned goat bearing Cashmere wool born in China
The world’s first cloned goat
bearing superfine Cashmere wool has born in north China’s Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region. Cashmere fibre obtained from the goat is 13.8 micrometres.
It is less thick than the average 15.8 micrometres thick obtained from the
famous Erlang Mountain goats in Inner Mongolia. The goat will be raised for
carrying out research by experts from agricultural universities and academics
in Inner Mongolia and Yunnan Province.
World's oldest water sample found to be 2 billion
years old
University of
Toronto scientists have discovered the oldest water sample dating back to about
two billion years, more than 500 million years more ancient than the previous
oldest samples. The water pool was found at a depth of nearly 3 kilometres in a
Canadian mine. The discovery could give clues about life forms beneath the
surface of other planets.
The world’s tiniest radio
. Harvard researchers from the
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have
built the world’s smallest radio receiver, made out of atomic scale defects in
pink diamonds
6.
SPORTS
Andy Murray wins record 3rd BBC Sports Personality of the Year
After claiming his second
Wimbledon title and maiden ATP World Tour Finals crown, Britain's world number
one Andy Murray won a record third BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Atletico de Kolkata wins 2016 Hero Indian Super League
beating Kerala Blasters 5-4
·
Golden Boot: Stiven Mendoza.
·
Golden Glove: Edel Bete.
·
Fair Play team award: Mumbai City
FC.
India beat England by innings and 75 runs, win series 4-0
·
In the fifth and final test played at M. A.
Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, England wrapped up the second innings at 207 in
88 overs on 20 December 2016
·
Virat Kohli is the man of the series for his 655 runs
in the series.
·
Karun Nair became the
second Indian to score a triple
ton in Test cricket as the smashed unbeaten
303 runs off just 381 balls and powered India to their highest ever team total in Tests.
·
India’s Highest test
total 759/7
7.
OBITUARIES
Creator
of Heimlich maneuver, Dr Henry Heimlich, died at 96
·
The surgeon who created the life-saving Heimlich
maneuver for choking victims has died at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati due
to heart attack.
·
He was 96 years old.
