11-12 September 2016
Civil Aviation Ministry prohibits use of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phone on board aircraft
Civil Aviation Ministry on 9 September 2016 prohibited the use and carriage of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 smart phone on board aircraft. The decision was taken in light of several incidents globally, involving the battery of Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
The Ministry has issued a public notice advising airlines and travellers not to turn on or charge the smart phones during flights. Passengers have also been advised not to stow them in their checked in baggage. As per notification, passengers can carry them in their hand baggage in switched-off mode.
The decision came a day after US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a similar warning.
The Samsung has already recalled about 2.5 million units of the smart phone following the complaints. As per reports, more than 35 cases of exploding batteries has been reported since the phone was launched on 19 August 2016. The phone was launched with iris biometric scanner for enhanced security, upgraded S pen and a dual-curved screen.
CBDT launches e-nivaran to resolve Income Tax grievances
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 8 September 2016 launched e-nivaran (electronic resolution) facility for online redressal of taxpayers’ grievances. The grievances can be related to refunds, Income Tax Returns (ITRs), Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), and Permanent Account Number (PAN) among others
It was started with an aim to reduce instances of harassment of the public when it comes to complaints related to the Income Tax (IT) department. It will be available on the e-filing portal (http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) of the department.
Features
• It will help taxpayers in registering their complaints through their computer and receive a special PIN number on their registered mobile number and email, which will help to keep track on the issues.
• It will also allow the complainant to track the progress of the complaint.
• People can lodge their complains and upload the documents related to the same in form od a PDF file and clubbed as a ZIP file.
• People who don’t have a PAN can also access the e-nivaran facility and lodge their complaints in connection with their I-T case.
• The ‘e-nivaran’ form will be available in a physical form at the Aaykar Sampark Kendras (ASK) (tax facilitation centre), located in over 300 cities. Later, the form will be fed into the system by tax officials.
India, 10 South-east Asian countries decided to set up fund for health emergencies in region
India along with 10 other member countries of WHO's South-East Asian Regional Committee on 9 September 2016 decided to set up a dedicated fund aimed at building preparedness for health emergencies in the region.
The joint funding stream will be established under the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF).
The decision was made at the 69th session of WHO Regional Committee Meeting held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The decision would help the member countries to invest in human resources and infrastructure at times of emergencies, as it is one of the most disaster-prone regions.
In addition, the member countries also passed a resolution for promoting physical activity and expanding health workforces across the region. Insufficient physical activity is a major contributor to rising rates of non-communicable diseases in the region, with four-fifth of adolescents not getting enough of it.
In the recent years, earthquakes, cyclones and floods have caused health emergencies in south-east Asian region and it has also been threatened by a range of emerging diseases, including SARS, MERS CoV, pandemic influenza and Zika virus.
WHO South-East Asia region committee comprises 11 member states namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
12 September Army Green beat Neroca FC 6-5 to lift Durand Cup
Army Green on 11 September 2016 won the Durand Cup football title. In the final of Asia's oldest football tournament in New Delhi, Army Green defeated Neroca FC 6-5 via penalty shoot outs.
In the semi-final, Army Green had prevailed over Aizawal FC by a 4-2 margin, to become the first Army team since 2005 to reach the title
In their semi-final, Manipur side, Neroca FC, defeated DSK Shivajians 3-nil to become the first team from the North East to reach the summit-clash of the Durand football tournament.
With this victory, Army Blue collected the cash prize of 45 lakh rupees, biggest cash prize in the tournament. On the other hand, Neroca collected a cash prize of 20 lakh rupees.
Durand Cup
Durand Cup is a football competition in India and was first held in 1888. It is co-hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) and Osians. The Tournament is named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary in charge of India from 1884 to 1894.
Angelique Kerber wins 2016 US Open Women’s Singles title
Germany’s Angelique Kerber on 10 September 2016 defeated Karolina Pliskova by 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 to win 2016 US Open Women's Singles title.
It was Kerber's second Grand Slam singles title. With this, she became the first German to win the US Open since Steffi Graf in 1996.
On the other hand, Pliskova became the first Czech woman to make the US Open final since 1993. Also, she is the only fourth player to defeat both of the Williams sisters in the same Grand Slam tournament.
About 2016 US Open
• The 2016 US Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts.
• The 2016 US Open was the 136th edition of the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.
• It took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
• Stan Wawrinka won the men's singles event.
• Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares won the men’s doubles title.
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares win 2016 US Open Men’s Doubles title
Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares on 10 September 2016 won the 2016 US Open Men’s Doubles title.
Murray and Soares defeated Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-3.
With this, Murray became the first British man for 44 years to win the US Open doubles title. Soares also became the first Brazilian to win more than one Grand Slam doubles title.
About 2016 US Open
• The 2016 US Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts.
• The 2016 US Open was the 136th edition of the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.
• It took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park of Queens in New York City, United States.
• Stan Wawrinka won the men's singles event.
• Angelique Kerber won the women's singles event.
Union Government issues fresh guidelines for flexi-fund for CSS
Union Government on 9 September 2016 issued fresh flexi-fund guidelines for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). The guidelines would give more freedom to states in spending money under the CSS to meet local developmental requirements.
Under the new norms, flexi-funds in each CSS have been increased from the current 10 percent to 25 percent for states and 30 percent for Union Territories. Now, the states can use the fund to undertake mitigation or restoration activities in case of natural calamities, or to satisfy local requirements in areas affected by internal security disturbances
The guidelines said that state governments will have to constitute a state-level sanctioning committee to avail of the flexi-fund facility. The flexi-fund facility is not for CSS which emanate from legislation, like MNREGA. Based on the recommendations of the sub-group of chief ministers and consultations with stakeholders, Niti Aayog had issued instructions for rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
HP government issues guidelines for scientific mining & transparent auction
Himachal Pradesh government on 11 September 2016 notified the guidelines for transparent auction and scientific mining and hiked the penalty for offences under the mining act. The government has also decided that the mining lease would be granted through open auction.
In order to curb illegal mining, the state government has notified the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015 providing for stringent punishment for illegal mining.
Imprisonment up to two years or fine up to 25000 rupees or both has been made for those involved in illegal mining of minerals, their transportation and holding. In compliance of orders of National Green Tribunal, the government had banned mining in the state but at the same time the government was concerned that the pace of development was not hamper for want of minerals and resorted to scientific mining.
As per the rules, no lease would be provided in respect of land within a distance of two kilometres from the immediate outer limits of Municipal Corporation/ Municipal Committee, one kilometer from the immediate outer limits of Nagar Panchayat.