GUJARAT

Gujarat goes lax on Zika surveillance

Lax approach to sero-surveillance by the state health department in Ahmedabad and other cities in the state is alarming, especially because the virus spreads by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya. The spike in Aedes aegypti numbers comes after the monsoon, whic is now.

The state health department issued a circular to all cities and districts, asking for blood smear samples to be sent to BJ Medical College only in suspected Zika cases of pregnant women, who had tested negative for dengue and chikungunya. There has been no follow up on that front in all the cities.

INTERNATIONAL

China announced $80 Million Funding Plan for BRICS

China gave 500 million yuan ($76.4 million) for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan, and another $4 million for projects at the BRICS countries’ New Development Bank stated Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The announcement came amid questions over the relevance of BRICS and China’s commitment to its New Development Bank (NDB) in light of the Belt and Road initiative and the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

NATIONAL

Prakriti Khoj’ an Environment Quiz on Teachers’ Day

The Union Environment Ministry launched an environmental awareness initiative on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

Under the initiative, an online environmental quiz competition named Prakriti Khoj will be conducted at the national level.

The main objective of the quiz is to generate interest among school children about the science related to the environment.

The initiative is to motivate children towards environment conservation-oriented lifestyles.

5 September: National Teachers Day.

The National Teachers Day is observed every year on 5th September in India to commemorate birthday of country’s first Vice President and second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan…

Surya Kiran: 12^th Indo-Nepal joint Military exercise started

The 12th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise- Surya Kiran XII was held at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS) in Saljhandi, Nepal. The 14 day exercise (from 3 to 16 September 2017) focused on skills required counter-terrorism and counter-terror, forest fighting and natural disaster management operations. The Surya Kiran series of bilateral military exercises are conducted bi-annually, alternatively in India and Nepal. It is largest exercise in terms of troop’s participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries.
CBDT signs four Advance Pricing Agreement

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into four more Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), pertaining to sectors like telecom, banking, manufacturing and education in August 2017.

The bilateral APA was for international transactions between an Indian company and UK-based company.

The scheme of CBDT aims to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying methods of pricing.

Gk bit – Advanced Price Agreement (APA)

An APA is a contract, usually for multiple years, between a taxpayer and at least one tax authority specifying the pricing method that the taxpayer will apply to its related-company transactions. These programmes are designed to help taxpayers voluntarily resolve actual or potential transfer pricing disputes in a proactive, cooperative manner, as an alternative to the traditional examination process

APAs are generally bi- or multilateral—i.e. they also include agreements between the taxpayer and one or more foreign tax administrations under the authority of the mutual agreement procedure (MAP) specified in income tax treaties

CIPAM-DIPP launches social media campaign to promote Geographical Indications

The Cell for IPR Promotions & Management (CIPAM) under the aegis of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched a social media campaign to promote Indian Geographical Indications (GIs) with #LetsTalkIP an ongoing movement initiated by CIPAM to make more people aware about the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.

It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

The promotion of GIs is in line with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.

It’s an area of strength and optimism for India, whereby the GI tag accorded protection to a number of hand-made and manufactured products, especially in the informal sector.

President inaugurated Link-4 of SAUNI Scheme in Rajkot

President Ramnath Kovind will laid the foundation stone for the link – 4 of Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation Scheme –SAUNI- Yojana in Rajkot district.

The project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat aims to fill up 115 major dams by diverting overflow of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada River.

Three phase of SAUNI Yojana already dedicated to the people following completion of the work.

GPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for GPSC Prelims and GPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by GPSC Notes are as follows:-

For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry––