IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUG 12,2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUG 12, 2016

• Lok Sabha passes the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016
• The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016. It creates the way for employers in the textile sector to avail of the income tax benefit on additional employment provided the employee. This applies for the employee who has worked for 150 days and not 240 days as mandated earlier.
• Union Cabinet approves Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 to provide six months maternity leave
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament
• The maternity benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a ‘maternity benefit’ – i.e. full paid absence from work – to take care for her child. The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. The amendments will help 1.8 million women workforce in organized sector.
• The amendments include increasing maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two children, 12 weeks maternity leave to a ‘Commissioning mother’ and ‘Adopting mother’.
• Union Cabinet approves amendments to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act
• The cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to a proposal to amend the Lokpal Act to exempt Central government employees sand NGOs executives from filing details of assets of their spouses and children.
• Union cabinet gave its approval for amendments to section 44 and consequential amendments to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 by introducing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament.
• As per old Lokpal rules, every public servant will file declaration, information and annual returns pertaining to his assets and liabilities, along with those of spouse and dependent children, as on March 31 every year on or before 31 July of that year.
• This was changed through the amendment bill to exempt spouse and children of public servants and the declarations under the Lokpal law are in addition to those filed by the employees under various service rules and the last date for filing such declarations has been extended till 31 December, 2016.
• CCEA approves R&D project for development of Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) Technology with 1,554 crore
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its nod for a proposal of R&D project for development of Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) Technology for thermal power projectswith an estimated cost of Rs 1,554 crore.
• The CCEA “approved a proposal of R&D project for development of Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) technology for thermal power plant with an estimated cost of Rs 1,554 crore and providing one time budgetary support of Rs 900 crore spread over a period of three years, commencing from 2017-18, to be provided as plan Gross Budgetary Support to Bhel for implementation of the R&D project.
• Bihar government to implement Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 
• Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government is agreed to implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana on an experimental basis in Kharif season with immediate effect.
• The move by the Bihar is to test whether the Scheme is actually helps Farmers or the Insurance players who involved in the Scheme.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:
• Union government has announced this New Crop Insurance scheme on 13^thJanuary, 2016, being rolled out from the Kharif season this year. This scheme replaces the existing two schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme and the Modified NAIS.
• Under the provisions farmers’ premium has been kept at a maximum of 2 % for foodgrains and oilseeds, and up to
• 5 % for horticulture and cotton crops (annual Yielding).
• Bihar cabinet nod for tax hike on petrol, diesel
• Bihar Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar gave its nod to increase VAT on petrol and diesel by 1.5 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.
• Upon this VAT on diesel will go up 19 per cent from 18 per cent and on petrol it will be 26 per cent from 24.5 per cent.
• The cabinet also approved to waive the entertainment tax on a Hindi documentary Guturgu-guturgu.
• Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and South Africa in the field of Tourism
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indiaand South Africa for cooperation in the field of Tourism.
• Union Cabinet approves ratification of an agreement between India and Croatia on Economic Cooperation.
• The cabinet has given its approval to sign an agreement for economic cooperation between Indian and Croatia. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing and ratification of an agreement between India and Croatia on Economic Cooperation.
• About Croatia :
•  Capital – Zagreb
•  Currency – Croatian kuna.
•  President: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
•  Prime minister: Tihomir Orešković
• Azim Premji and Shiv Nadar bags their spots in the prestigious Forbes list of 100 richest people in the technology field
• Forbes has released its first ever list of the 100 richest people in the technology field. This list is as usually dominated by Americans with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the top.
• Two Indian tech tycoons, Wipro chairman Azim Premji and HCL co-founder Shiv Nadar bagged their spots in this prestigious list.
• The ‘100 Richest Tech Billionaires In The World 2016’ list has been topped by Microsoft founder Bill Gates with an estimated fortune of USD 78 billion.
• Azim Premji ranks 13th on the list with a networth of USD 16 billion and Shiv Nadar comes in on the 17th spot with USD 11.6 billion of net worth.
• NABARD sanctions Rs 26.06 crore to Punjab
• The National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rural Infrastructure Development fund of Rs 26.06 crore to the state of Punjab also upon this the total grand stood at Rs 7,826.17 crore so far.
• The financial grand will be used for tackling waterlogging by building lift schemes in low-lying areas, village ponds and other allied works in the state.
• The project will benefit 5,913 hectares of land in 87 villages of Muktsar and Fazilka districts. The project will pave the way for farmers to cultivate crops in the previously waterlogged areas after a long gap.
• NABARD:
• Inception: 12 July 1982
• HQ: Mumbai
• Chairman: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
• The Bank was set up on the recommendations from B. Sivaraman committee which was formed by RBI. Government of India holds 99% stake in NABARD.
• Union finance Minister Arun Jaitley launches MSME Data Bank Portal and Online Finance Facilitation Web Portal.
• Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched an online finance facilitation portal for the micro, small and medium enterpris (MSMEs) to facilitate ease of doing business at New Delhi on August 11.
• He launched two important initiatives of the Ministry of MSME – MSME Data Bank Portal and Online Finance Facilitation Web Portal.
• The online finance facilitation centre will allow the MSMEs to apply for loans from the various banks on the NSIC – National Small Industries Corporation portal.
• Ola launches intra-city rental service ‘Ola Rental’
• Cab aggregator Ola has launched Ola Rentals which will simplify intra city travel with affordable hourly packages on Ola Lux, Ola Prime Sedan & SUV vehicles as well as OLA mini.
• The OLA rentals currently being available in 35 cities and will be rolled out in 100 cities across India soon. This Rentals platform is the only platform that provides luxury A/C cabs at hourly packages.
• The move also integrates Ola Rentals to the Ola Corporate, which ultimately puts the platform in booking, travelling, billing etc. becomes extremely efficient and streamlined manner.
• Birender Singh Yadav appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Ghana
• IFS officer of 1997 batch Birender Singh Yadav currently working as Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the West Africa’s Republic of Ghana. Yadav will succeed K. Jeeva Sagar in Ghana.
• IFS officer’s serves as Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consul General, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Foreign Secretary are some of the offices. Also IFS appointment renders a person ineligible to reappear in Civil Services Exam.
• Republic of Ghana 
• Capital: Accra
• Currency: Ghanaian cedi
• President: John Dramani Mahama
• Savlon Health care gets it New Brand Ambassador – Saina Nehwal
• ITC’s health and hygiene brand, Savlon has roped in ace shuttler Saina Nehwal as its brand ambassador. In its new campaign with Nehwal, Savlon seeks to inspire parents to let go of their fears and encourage children to push their limits and maximise their potential to succeed in life.
• Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Launched I Feel Safe for Women Safety
• Union HRD Minister Harsh Vardhan Launched “I Feel Safe”- A mobile application aimed at helping women ensure their safety in the national capital was launched at Delhi University on August 10.
• First Indian channel on skill development launched in Pune
•  Educational Service provider Millionlights in partnership with DEN Manoranjan Satellite has rolled out a first and only Indian TV Channel focused on higher education and skill development in Pune.
• 16 rare frog species and 3 snake species found in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
• During the first phase of a first of its kind reptile-amphibian survey carried there from August 5 to 8, Sixteen frog species and three snake species, which have not been spotted in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary earlier, have been spotted. 
• Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis end partnership
• World No. 1 Mixed Doubles pair Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis have mutually agreed to end their partnership after the pair showed poor performances in recent times.
• In the US Open- women’s doubles they advanced up to draw, but with different partners – Sania with former partner Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic, and Hingis with USA’s Coco Vandeweghe.
• This Sania-Martina (Indo-Swiss) pair became one of the most successful women’s tennis pairings in recent years, winning titles at Wimbledon and the US Open last year and Aussie Open this year.
• The pair has 3 grand Slams and 11 WTA doubles titles together under their belt, However in Rio Olympics Sania will partner Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles.
• Yesteryear Tamil actress Jyothilakshmi passes away
• Veteran Tamil and Telugu actress Jyothi Lakshmi passed away after had long battle with blood cancer at a hospital in Chennai. She was 63 year old.
• Jothi had started her acting career starring in T.R. Ramanna’s Tamil film ‘Periya Idathu Penn’ with Saroja Devi and M.G. Ramachandran in the lead.
• She was famous for playing the bad girl who appeared in 300 movies to her credit, in all the four South Indian languages.
• Maneka Gandhi kicks off campaign to mark 11 August as Daughters’ Day
• Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has launched a week long campaign on social media to celebrate daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters this week to mark theDaughter’s Day on 11th August 2016.
• As part of the celebration the minister herself tweeted with the photo with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter using the hashtag #BBBPDaughtersWeek.
• The Women and Child Development Ministry celebrates this week as Daughters’ Week on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme also urges citizens to take part in the Campaign by tweeting.

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