Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 French President Emmanuel Macron orders third lockdown across the country

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a third lockdown across the country as a fresh wave of

coronavirus infections looks set to overrun its hospitals. Non-essential stores will be closed

nationwide. In a televised address, Macron said, the British variant was creating a pandemic inside a

pandemic that was more contagious and more deadly. A curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time,

already in place in the worst hit regions such as Paris and the north, will now apply across the whole

of mainland France. Other new measures include a domestic travel ban between regions without an

essential reason, and the closure of schools for the next three weeks.

Relief to Indian IT Professionals as US allows H-1B visa ban to expire

The U.S. ban on foreign workers visa, specially H-1B has expired. US President Joe Biden allowed the

ban notification issued by his predecessor Donald Trump to expire as its validity lapsed. This is being

considered a big relief for thousands of Indian IT professionals. Former US President Donald Trump

had issued a proclamation in June last year suspending entry to the US of applicants for several

temporary or non-immigrant visa categories, including H-1B. The ban was extended to March 31,

2021.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 WHO criticises rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Europe as being unacceptably slow

The World Health Organization (WHO) has criticised the rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Europe as

being unacceptably slow. It also says the situation in the region is more worrying than it has been for

several months. WHO director for Europe Hans Kluge has said that the rollout of COVID vaccines is

unacceptably slow and is prolonging the pandemic in the wider Europe region. The EU has been

criticised for the pace of its vaccination programme, only 16 per cent of its population has received

the jab, compared with 52 per cent in the UK. According to media reports, only 10% of the nearly

900 million people in the region have had a single dose of coronavirus vaccine.

India remains committed to further building the momentum of regional cooperation under

BIMSTEC framework: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that India remains committed to further building

the momentum of regional cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework and make the organization

stronger, vibrant, more effective and result-oriented. Delivered a statement at the 17th BIMSTEC

Ministerial Meeting being held virtually, Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that BIMSTEC would

scale new heights in the times to come with the collective efforts and spirit of cooperation.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Indian Army to participate in Multinational Military Exercise in Bangladesh

Indian Army will participate in Multinational Military Exercise namely SHANTIR OGROSHENA -2021 in

Bangladesh. The nine days exercise will start on the 4th of this month to commemorate the birth

centenary of Bangladesh Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark

glorious 50 years of liberation. Indian Army contingent comprising 30 personnel from the Dogra

Regiment will participate in the exercise along with contingents of Bhutan, Sri Lankan and

Bangladesh Armies. The theme of the exercise is Robust Peace Keeping Operations. Military

observers from the USA, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance

throughout the exercise.

All public and private sector COVID-19 Vaccination Centres to be open throughout the month.

In a significant step to exponentially expand the countrywide Vaccination drive, the Centre has

decided to operationalize both public and private sector COVID Vaccination Centres on all days this

month. The Centre has written to all States and UTs and asked them to make necessary

arrangements to provide COVID vaccination in these Centres on all days of the month including

gazetted holidays. The Vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population

groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the

highest level.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Central govt declares 14th April, birthday of Dr B R Ambedkar as public holiday for all its offices

The Central government has declared 14th April, the birthday of Dr. B R Ambedkar, as a public

holiday for all its offices. Informing the decision through an official order, the Ministry of Personnel,

Public Grievances & Pensions said that in addition to the Central government offices, the Industrial

Establishments throughout the country will also remain closed on the 14th of April.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Rajinikanth

Actor Rajinikanth has been honoured with the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke award. Rajinikanth begun his

film career with Tamil movie Apoorva Raagangal (1975). He has also been honoured with the Padma

Bhushan (2000) and the Padma Vibhushan (2016). Presented annually at the National Film Award

ceremony, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recognises outstanding contribution to the growth and

development of Indian cinema. It was first presented in 1969 and its recipients include Lata

Mangeshkar, Shashi Kapoor, Yash Chopra and Dev Anand, among several others. It was last awarded

to Amitabh Bachchan in 2019.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Govt sets up three committees on occupational safety

Central Government has constituted three expert committees to review the existing rules and

regulations on safety, health and working conditions standards, pertaining to factories, docks and

construction work. One committee will look into the safety parameters of industries, docks and

ports while the other two committees have been asked to study and suggest rules for the building

and other construction works and the fire safety. The committees include experts from industry as

well as subject matter, from both public and private sector across the country. Labour Minister

Santosh Gangwar has said a separate committee on fire safety standards has been formed to have a

comprehensive and holistic approach for fire safety provisions, in view of recent spurt in fire

accidents at workplaces.

DRDO lab develops light weight Bullet Proof Jacket

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and DMSRDE Kanpur for developing a Light

Weight Bullet Proof Jacket. DMSRDE Kanpur, a DRDO laboratory has developed a Light Weight Bullet

Proof Jacket weighing 9 kg meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army. The Front Hard

Armour Panel jacket was tested successfully at TBRL Chandigarh and met relevant BIS standards.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Fourth batch of 3 Rafale fighter jets arrive in India from France

The fourth batch of three Rafale fighter jets arrived in India from France. The Indian Air Force said

that the three IAF Rafales landed on Indian soil after a direct ferry from Istres Air Base France. It said,

Rafales were refueled in-flight by UAE Air Force tankers.

Govt launches All-India Survey of Migrant Workers

Government launched the All-India Survey of Migrant Workers and All-India Quarterly

Establishment-based Employment Survey. Labour and Employment Ministry said, the objective of

the All-India Survey of Migrant Workers is to study the kind of employment-related migration

undertaken by workers. The survey will provide the details of working and living conditions faced by

Migrant Workers and impact of COVID 19 on their world of work. All-India Quarterly Establishment-

based Employment Survey will provide the employment estimates for establishments employing ten

or more workers as well as those with employing nine or less workers. The survey will provide crucial

data on the changes in employment situation across the selected sectors on a quarterly basis.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Lt Gen Manjinder Singh takes over as Chief of Staff, Western Command

Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh has took over as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Western

Command. General Manjinder Singh is an alumnus of Sainik School Kapurthala, National Defence

Academy and Indian Military Academy.

Good Friday being observed across the country

Good Friday is being observed on April 2 this year. It commemorates the day of crucifixion of Jesus

Christ. On this day Jesus Christ sacrificed his life out of love for everyone and while suffering for the

sins of humanity. The Easter celebration will begin on the following Sunday on April 4.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 CBDT notifies Income Tax Return Forms for Assessment Year 2021-22

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified Income Tax Return Forms for the Assessment Year

2021-22. In view of the ongoing crisis due to COVID pandemic and to facilitate the taxpayers, no

significant change have been made to the ITR Forms in comparison to the last year’s Forms. Finance

Ministry said, only the bare minimum changes have been made due to amendments in the Income-

tax Act, 1961. It said, there is no change in the manner of filing of ITR Forms as compared to last

year.

GST revenue collection hits new record of over Rs 1.23 lakh crore in March 2021

GST Revenue collection for March 2021 has set a new record with highest ever collection of 1 lakh

23 thousand 902 crore rupees. The GST revenue collected in the last month is 27 per cent higher

than that collected in March last year. The Finance Ministry has informed that GST revenues of

March are the highest since the introduction of Goods & Services Tax in the country. During the

month, revenue from import of goods was 70 per cent higher and the revenues from domestic

transaction are 17 per cent higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last

year.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Over 7 crore E-way bills generated in March; highest in a month during last three years

E-way bill system under Goods and Service Tax has achieved a new milestone in the last month.

More than seven crores e-way bills have been generated in the previous month which is the highest

number of bills generated in any month during the last three years’ journey of e-way billing system.

A total of 180 crores of e-Way bills have been generated in the last three years.

E-way bills need to be generated for the movement of goods from one place to another having value

more than 50 thousand rupees.

TAFE’s Srinivasn to heads PSEB

Mallika Srinivasan, CMD, TAFE Ltd., has been appointed as the chairperson of the Public Enterprises

Selection Board (PESB). This is the first time a person from the private sector has been made head of

the PESB which is responsible for the appointment of personnel in the posts of chairman, CMD and

functional directors in public sector enterprises.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Interups Inc picks up 49% stake in Trujet

Cash-strapped regional airline Trujet announced 49% foreign direct investment from New York-

based Interups Inc, in a bid to expand its operations. The funds will be used to expand operations

and explore newer opportunities in civil aviation.

NPCI starts Bharat BillPay arm

The National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) wholly owned subsidiary, NPCI Bharat BillPay

Ltd. (NBBL), set up to offer recurring payment services to customers, has started operations. The

brand’s services would include payment of electricity, telecom, DTH, gas, education fee, water and

municipal tax bills, among others.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 States get Rs. 45,000 cr. as additional devolution

The finance ministry released Rs 45,000 crore as additional devolution to states in FY 2020-21, an

increase of 8.2% over RE 2020-21. As per RE 2020-21, Rs 5,49,959 crore, 41% of the shareable pool

of taxes and duties were estimated to be released to the states. However, the ministry has devolved

an amount of Rs 5,94,996 crore, based on the initial estimates of shareable pool that would be

collected in 2020-21. The additional amount of Rs 45,000 crore was released in two installments of

Rs 14,500 crore and Rs 30,500 crore. Rs 14,500 crore was released along with the 14th regular

instalment of devolution on March 26, 2021, whereas the second instalment of Rs 30,500 crore was

released to the States on March 31, 2021.

Ash Barty storms into final of Miami open

Defending champion Ash Barty comfortably beat Elina Svitolina in the Miami Open semis to seal her

return to the final. She went on to beat the No.5 seed 6-3, 6-3. Barty will play the winner of the

second semi between No.8 Bianca Andreescu and No.23 Maria Sakkari.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 Sportstar Aces Awards 2021 Day 1 winners: Mary Kom, Neeraj, Narain and Deepa among winners

Full list of winners:

Sportsman of the Decade (Para Sports): Devendra Jhajharia

Sportswoman of the Decade (Para Sports) - Deepa Malik

Best PSU for the Promotion of Sports: Indian Railways

Sportsperson of the Decade (Motorsports): Narain Karthikeyan

Sportsman of the Decade (Track and Field): Neeraj Chopra

Sportswoman of the Decade (Track and Field): Krishna Poonia

Sportswoman of the Decade (Individual Olympic Sports): Mary Kom

Club of the Decade: Bengaluru FC

New Zealand sweeps T20 series

New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 65 runs in a rain-shortened third Twenty20 International to claim a

clean 3-0 series sweep. With its innings reduced to 10 overs due to bad weather, Bangladesh was all

out for 76 with three balls left, well short of the 142 target. The Black Caps made 141 for four after

being asked to bat, with Finn Allen hitting 71 off 29 balls.

Daily Current Affairs

for app_20201213 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Germany suffer shock defeat against North Macedonia

In the world cup 2022 qualifying football Germany lost a game for the first time in 20 years as the

2014 champions were beaten 2-1 by North Macedonia. Germany had gone 35 games unbeaten in

World Cup qualifying since a 5-1 loss to England in Munich in 2001, and had won its last 18 in a row.