Daily GK Update 19th and 20th October 2017

1. 20th October: World Statistics Day

i. At its 41st Session in February 2010, the United Nations Statistical Commission proposed celebrating 20th October 2010 as World Statistics Day.

ii. Acknowledging that the production of reliable, timely statistics and indicators of countries’ progress is indispensable for informed policy decisions and monitoring implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, the General Assembly adopted on 03rd June 2010, which officially designated 20 October 2010 as the first-ever World Statistics Day.

2. India, Russia to Participate in first-ever Tri-services Military Exercise

i. The first-ever Tri-Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces, INDRA-2017 began near Vladivostok in Russia. Two indigenously built Indian Naval ships INS Satpura and INS Kadmatt reached Vladivostok Port and were given a traditional ceremonial welcome. 

ii. The Indian contingent for the Exercise is led by the Task Force Commander Major General ND Prasad. The Exercise INDRA in its previous nine editions has been conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries.

3. Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates 1st phase of PNG Supply System in Bhubaneswar

i. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has inaugurated the first phase of Piped Natural Gas supply system in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In the first phase, 255 houses in Nalco Nagar in Chandrasekharpur of Bhubaneswar were supplied with environment-friendly PNG. 

ii. As part of the City Gas Distribution project, around 25 thousand households in twin-city Bhubaneswar and Cuttack would get PNG connection by end of next year. The overall capital expenditure for the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack gas distribution projects will cost around Rs. 1700 crore. 

4. Banks to Provide Funds at 7% to Women SHGs under DAY-NRLM: RBI

i. The RBI has issued guidelines to banks will provide funds to women self-help groups, SHGs, in rural areas at 7 percent under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the current fiscal (2017-18). 

ii. The central bank has revised guidelines on interest subvention scheme under DAY-NRLM, as received from the Ministry of Rural Development for implementation by 21 public sector banks and 19 private banks.

Must Do Takeaways from the Above News:

• National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation project implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. 
• NRLM is focused on promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor.
• Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana or DAY is a Government of India scheme for the helping the poor by providing skill training. 

5. Maharashtra Government releases Rs 4000 crore in phase 1 of Loan Waiver Scheme

i. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has released a sum of Rs 4,000 crore under the first phase of the over Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver scheme. In the first phase, will cover more than 8 lakh farmers, Fadnavis stated as he listed initiatives taken by his government towards increasing investment in the agriculture sector.

ii. The State Government has released Rs 4,000 crore of which Rs 3,200 crore will be for writing off the loans of 4.62 lakh farmers. The remaining Rs 800 crore will be in the form of incentive for 3.78 lakh farmers who are paying their loans on time.

Must Do Takeaways from the Above News:

• Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao is present Governor of Maharashtra.
• India’s Trade Mark Registry has assigned an image trademark to Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace hotel recently.
• Chandoli National Park is natural World Heritage Site and National Park located in Maharashtra.

6. Income Tax dept Launches ‘Online Chat’ to answer Taxpayers Queries

i. The Income Tax Department has launched an ‘online chat’ service for taxpayers so that they can seek answers to their basic queries and doubts relating to direct tax issues. A window has been hosted on the main page of the department’s website — www.incometaxindia.gov.in/ — with a prominent icon stating ‘Live Chat Online - ask your query.’

ii. A team of experts from the department and independent tax practitioners has been deputed to answer the general queries of a taxpayer. The first-time initiative is aimed to enhance taxpayer services in the country.

Must Do Takeaways from the Above News:

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) provides inputs for policy and planning of direct taxes in India and is also responsible for the administration of direct tax laws through the IT Department.
• Sushil Chandra is the present chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).