TNPSC Current Affairs February 13, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs February 13, 2020 (13/02/2020)

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Topic: Welfare Oriented Govt., Schemes and their Utilities, Public Awareness

Vivad Se Vishwas scheme

The vivad se vishwas scheme was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech on February 1, 2020. The scheme aims to settle the huge number of pending direct tax cases.

About Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme/The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020:

The amnesty scheme, at present, covers disputes pending at the level of commissioner (appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITAT), high courts, the Supreme Court and those in international arbitration.

It offers a complete waiver on interest and penalty to the taxpayers who pay their pending taxes by March 31. The scheme aims to benefit those whose tax demands are locked in dispute in multiple forums.

If a taxpayer is not able to pay direct taxes by March 31st then, he will get further time till June 30th. However, in that case, he would have to pay 10 percent more on the tax.

How much?

In case it is just the interest and the penalty which is in dispute, the taxpayer will have to pay 25% of the disputed amount till March 31, and subsequently, it will be 30%. If a taxpayer is not able to pay within the March 31 deadline, he gets a further time till June 30, but in that case, he would have to pay 10% more on the tax. In case it is just the interest and the penalty which is in dispute, the taxpayer will have to pay 25% of the disputed amount till March 31, and subsequently, it will be 30%.

Significance:

The scheme aims to resolve 483,000 direct tax-related disputes pending in various appellate forums.

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration

Don’t detain children in jails, lockups, Supreme Court tells police

The Supreme Court has made it clear that the police have no right to detain children in conflict with law in a lockup or a jail.

Observations made by the Court:

A juvenile in conflict with law, if apprehended, has to be placed immediately under the care of the special juvenile police unit or a designated child welfare officer.

The child has to be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Once a child is produced before a JJB, bail is the rule. And even if, for some reason, bail is not granted, a child cannot be put behind bars. He has to be lodged either in an observation home or in a place of safety.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is meant to protect children and not detain them in jail or keep them in police custody.

Background:

The order came after the court’s attention was drawn by the recent media reports about “children being detained in police custody and tortured in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh”.

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Five-day working week for Maha govt employees

Maharashtra government has announced five-day working week for its officers and employees from February 29.  Employees will now work 45 minutes more Monday to Friday to avail of the weekend off.

The five-day week is followed by the central government, in Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

It will not apply to government offices covered under the Factories Act and the Industrial Disputes Act and to those that are considered essential services.

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Topic: Profile of States, Public Awareness and General Administration

Kerala imposes ₹13 price cap on bottled water

Bottled drinking water has come under a price cap in Kerala, with the State making it an essential commodity and fixing a ceiling of ₹13 per litre. Including bottled water in the list of essential commodities enables price control.

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Topic: New inventions on Science and Technology

World’s Cheapest Gun Shot Locator – Parth

This bullet-proof helmet has equipped with modern technology which is called the ‘Gunshot Locator Helmet’. The name of the device is ‘Parth’.

The Indian Army’s College of Military Engineering with a private firm developed this device. These are much cheaper than the ones imported. The device was showcased at DefExpo 2020. Gunshot Locator is the system that locates gunfire and other weapons such as sensors.

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Topic: New inventions on Science and Technology, Profile of States

Muktoshri rice variety

Researchers in West Bengal have developed and commercialised a rice variety that is resistant to arsenic. The new rice variety is called Muktoshri, also known as IET 21845. It has been jointly developed by the Rice Research Station at Chinsurah, under West Bengal’s Agriculture Department and the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. The variety yields 5.5 metric tons per hectare in the Boro (Winter) season and 4.5 to 5 metric tons per hectare in the Kharif season, respectively.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

February 13: World Radio Day

Every Year February 13 is being celebrated as World Radio Day. The day is being celebrated by UNESCO of United Nations. The organization calls all radio stations to uphold matters of diversity. This year the day is celebrated under the Theme: “Radio and Diversity”.

 This year theme brings in the diversity in linguistic tolerance, diversity and plurilingualism. Also, it intends to spread the message that radio is a crucial medium of communication to celebrate intercultural competence, humanity and democratic citizenship.

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

“Apiary on Wheels” launched: A Unique Concept to help bee keeping, achieve National Honey Mission

The Ministry of MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) launched “Apiary on Wheels”.

It is a unique concept framed by KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission). The main aim of “Apiary on Wheels” is to make migration easy.

Key facts:

Apiary on wheels is an approach to make beekeeping simpler. It is a platform to carry 20 Bee Boxes. The vehicle has 2 large wheels on either sides and 4 separate compartments to place the boxes. It also has a solar panel that automatically powers a fan when the temperature inside the boxes reaches 35 degree Celsius. Also, it is designed in such a way that it can easily be connected with tractors or trolleys. As a beginning, they are to be placed in mustard farms.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events, Profile of States

INS Jamuna deployed on Hydrographic Survey off coast Sri Lanka

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Jamuna has been deployed in the shores of Sri Lanka to carry out a joint Hydrographic survey. The survey is to be conducted for 2 months time period.

India and Sri Lanka together are to carry out Hydrographic survey and also shore based survey activities for a period of 2 months. Apart from surveying, the Sri Lankan Naval Officers will be provided survey training.