Daily Current Affairs Date 25th of June 2021
Topics
- India-Bhutan: Tax Inspectors Without Borders Initiative.
- LIC introduces Technology Platform ‘e-PGS’.
- CEOS COAST: ISRO- NOAA Project endorsed by UN Body.
- CII-IGBC launches Green High-Speed Rail Rating System.
- G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting.
- IIT Madras launches ‘Centre for Research on Start-Ups and Risk Financing’.
- Cochin International Airport wins honour in airport service quality.
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Questions-
Q- Recently India and Bhutan have jointly launched the “Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)”.
Consider the following statement regarding it.
- India launched this programme and choose Bhutan as Partner Jurisdiction
- TIWB is a joint initiative of World Bank
- It aims to strengthen tax administrations
Which of the option is or are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 2 and 3 only
India-Bhutan: Tax Inspectors Without Borders Initiative.
- India and Bhutan have jointly launched the “Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)” on June 23, 2021.
Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)
- TIWB is a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
- TIWB seeks to provide support to the developing countries to help them strengthen national tax administrations by building audit capacity.
- It complements the efforts of international community to strengthen cooperation on tax matters & contribute to domestic tax mobilisation efforts.
Aim of TIWB
- TIWB programme aims to strengthen tax administrations among developing countries by transferring technical know-how and skills to their tax auditors and by sharing general audit practices & dissemination of knowledge products with them.
India-Bhutan TIWB
- Bhutan launched this programme and choose India as Partner Jurisdiction.
- India provided the Tax Expert for this programme.
- This programme will run for about 24 months.
- Under the programme, India in collaboration with UNDP and TIWB Secretariat aims to provide aid to Bhutan in order to strengthen its tax administration.
- The programme focuses on the area of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing.
- India has always supported capacity building in tax matters in developing countries. India being a global leader plays an important role in South-South Cooperation in tax matters.
Significance of the programme
- This programme is another step ahead in continued cooperation between India and Bhutan and India’s active support for South-South cooperation.
Question
Q- With reference to e-PGS. Consider the following statements:
- 1.National Pension System (NPS) has launched web-based workflow-based IT platform called “e-PGS”.
- It has been designed to provide a centralized collection and payment accounting.
- On this portal, corporate customers will be able to view their data.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
LIC introduces Technology Platform ‘e-PGS’
- Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has launched a centralized web-based workflow-based IT platform called “e-PGS”.
Why this platform was launched?
- LIC launched this platform for its group business operations.
- Project e-PGS was inaugurated by M R Kumar, Chairman of LIC, at Central Office, Mumbai.
- First digital receipt generated on new IT platform was received by Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of IDBI Bank.
Significance of e-PGS
- New technology platform, e-PGS, has been designed to provide a centralized collection and payment accounting with high level of bank integration.
- It will provide collection through host-to-host connectivity.
- It has been designed to provide very innovative features of seamless and integrated banking with automatic reconciliations.
- This system is capable of providing comprehensive self-servicing capabilities through customer portal.
- On this portal, corporate customers will be able to view their data, initiate actionable processes and lodge & track claims.
- It has been designed to cater the expectations of technology intensive corporate customers.
- It will provide a high-level integration service with customers’ technology systems to transfer data and services seamlessly.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
- LIC is an Indian government owned insurance and investment corporation.
- It works under the ownership of Ministry of Finance.
- It was established on September 1, 1956 by Life Insurance of India Act.
QUESTION
Q- Consider the following statements regarding CEOS COAST.
- UNO body has endorsed a multinational project called.
- This programme aims to improve accuracy of coastal data on the basis of satellite.
- This programme is co-led by ISRO and NOAA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
CEOS COAST: ISRO- NOAA Project endorsed by UN Body.
- Recently, UN body has endorsed a multinational project called “Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Coastal Observations, Applications, Services, and Tools (CEOS COAST)”.
About CEOS COAST
- CEOS COAST programme is co-led by ISRO and NOAA from US.
- This programme aims to improve accuracy of coastal data on the basis of satellite and land-based observations.
- It also seeks to foster trust and collaboration among scientists.
- This pilot projects are uniquely capable of using Earth Observation technologies to meet 17 UN-designated sustainable development goals for Ocean Decade initiative.
- Themes of these projects are disaster risk reduction & coastal resilience among continental shorelines & small island nations.
About National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an American scientific agency working under the United States Department of Commerce.
- It focuses on conditions of oceans, major waterways, and atmosphere.
- It warns about the dangerous weather, charts seas and guides on use & protection of ocean & coastal resources.
- It also conducts research to provide understanding and improve stewardship of environment.
Questions
Q- Consider the following statement regarding world’s first exclusive green rating system for High-Speed Rail.
- It is launched by IGBC in association with NHSRCL.
- It is based in CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre.
- It will reduce measurable adverse environmental impacts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
CII-IGBC launches Green High-Speed Rail Rating System
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in association with the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) has launched world’s first exclusive green rating system for High-Speed Rail.
About NHSRCL
- NHSRCL is a tool to enable new High-Speed Rail (HSR) stations which will apply energy-efficient concepts during design and construction.
- It will reduce measurable adverse environmental impacts.
- IGBC’s Green HSR rating system has been launched with the objective of ensuring environmental sustainability while enhancing commuter experience.
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)
- IGBC is a green building which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, generates less waste, conserves natural resources and provides healthier spaces for occupants as opposed to conventional building.
- It is the leading green building movement of India.
- It was established by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001.
- It is based in CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre, Hyderabad which is 1st Platinum rated green building of India.
- IGBC seeks to enable a ‘Sustainable built environment for all’ by 2025.
Green building council (GBC)
- GBC is a national non-profit, non-government organization which is part of global network recognized by World Green Building Council.
- It’s goal is to promote transformation of sustainable built environment.
National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)
- NHSRCL was established on February 12, 2016 under Companies Act, 2013 with the objective of financing, constructing, maintaining and managing High Speed Rail Corridor in India.
- Company is modelled as ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ in joint sector with equity participation by Ministry of Railways and Government of Gujarat & Government of Maharashtra.
Question
Q- Consider the following statements regarding G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting.
- India was represented by MoS (I/C) Shri Santosh Gangwar.
- Meeting was hosted in blended mode by Italy.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting
- G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting was hosted in blended mode by Italy.
- Delimitation is crucial for kick-starting the political process in J&K.
- During the virtual meeting, G-20 Ministers exchanged their views on transitions from school to work.
- Ministry of labour & employment, India was represented by MoS (I/C) Shri Santosh Gangwar along with minister of state for education, Sanjay Dhotre.
- Ministers reiterated to recognize the need to equip youth well for a smooth transition into work space after they complete their education.
- This move is especially important for learners belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged population groups, who are more at risk of being left behind.
- Indian Minister committed to help its youth in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes which are necessary for 21st century global work space.
- India’s approach is to integrate vocational education with general academic education.
- It also focuses on demand driven, competency based and modular vocational courses.
- India is also enhancing post education apprenticeship opportunities for youth by realigning existing National Apprenticeship Training Scheme.
India-G20
- India has a great importance for collaboration between G20 countries in the areas of vocational education and training.
G20 countries
- G20 grouping invites its members, invited countries, international partner organizations and some groups to dialogue & build consensus so as to promote public policies which can solve challenges being faced by humanity.
- G20 member countries include- Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, United States, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and European Union.
Questions-
Q- Consider the following statements about ‘Centre for Research on Start-Ups and Risk Financing’ (CREST).
- It is launched by IIT Delhi.
- It is having been launched with the vision to be globally recognized as leading centre.
- It will carry evidence synthesis on start-up & innovation ecosystem.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
IIT Madras launches ‘Centre for Research on Start-Ups and Risk Financing’.
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched a ‘Centre for Research on Start-Ups and Risk Financing’ (CREST) which will provide academic & thought leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship and risk capital.
About CREST
- CREST will help in creating a data repository on Indian start-ups and ventures.
- It will address a hurdle for engaging in high-quality research.
- CREST as an information resource will be made accessible for researchers & policymakers which can result in top-tier publications.
- CREST mission would engage in scholarly research encompassing areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk capital.
- This data repository is being developed on innovation, venturing and risk capital which will create infrastructure to carry high-quality research.
Vision of CREST
- CREST mission has been launched with the vision to be globally recognized as leading centre of research in the fields of creation, development, and financing of innovation, start-ups, and entrepreneurship.
- It also seeks to establish a system of cross-country collaborative research which will help in use of unique data sets on start-ups and venture capital.
- It will carry evidence synthesis on start-up & innovation ecosystem to inform policymakers and practitioners.
Q-Which International Airport in India won Airport Council International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of Excellence honour in Airport Service Quality?
- Chennai International Airport, Chennai
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.
- Cochin International Airport (CIAL)
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
Cochin International Airport wins honour in airport service quality.
- Cochin International Airport (CIAL) won Airport Council International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of Excellence honour in Airport Service Quality.
- Airport Council International (ACI) is a global body of airport operators which established Roll of Excellence recognition to airports.
- This recognition is awarded to those airports which, in opinion of passengers, consistently delivered excellent services.
- Award will be presented during ACI Customer Experience Global Summit which will be held on September 9, 2021 in Montreal, Canada.
Why Cochin International Airport won?
- Cochin International Airport has consistently delivered excellence in customer service by winning multiple awards for five years in past 10 years.
- It is one among six airports across the world that will receive recognition in 2021.
Service quality programme
- ACI’s service quality programmes have been helping airport officials in ensuring international standards in airport management.
- Roll of Excellence honour is a gesture from global organisation recognising CIAL’s commitment to the passengers.
Also Read: Daily Current Affairs Date 24th of June 2021
Airports Council International (ACI)
- ACI is a global trade representative of world’s airport authorities.
- It was established in the year 1991.
- It represents interests of airport with governments & international organizations, develops standards and recommended practices for airports.
- It provides information and training opportunities to raise standards worldwide.
- It seeks to provide public a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible air transport system. ACI is governed by ACI Governing Board.
- It is located in Montreal, Canada.
