27-28 JULY 2016
Former diplomat Arundhati Ghose passes away
Former Indian diplomat Arundhati Ghose passed away on 26 July 2016 in New Delhi.
The eminent diplomat headed the Indian delegation at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
About Arundhati Ghose
• Born on 25 November 1939, she studied at Cathedral and John Connon School.
• She graduated from Lady Brabourne College in Kolkata.
• Thereafter, she studied at Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan.
• Later, she joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1963.
• She was the first Permanent Representative of India to the UN Offices in Geneva.
• She served as the Head of the Indian delegation that participated in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva in 1996.
• She also served as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
• She was also a member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters from 1998 to 2001.
• She was also a member of Task Force on non-proliferation and Disarmament set up by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2007.
Union Government approves 1601 crore rupees for Himayat programme in J&K
The Union Government on 26 July 2016 approved nearly 1600 crore rupees for Jammu and Kashmir under skill development initiative 'Himayat'. The allocated fund will be invested in training 1.24 lakh local youths in vocational courses.
As per Jammu and Kashmir Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq Khan, under the reanimated Himayat programme, youths from both rural and urban areas of the state would be imparted training in various job-intensive vocational courses over the next three years.
They will be given training for six-months, nine-months and one year job-oriented courses.
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About Himayat Himayat is a training-cum-placement programme for unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir. Under which youth of the state will be provided short-term training, in a range of skills for which there is good market demand. At the end of the training, the youth are assured of a job and there is one year post-placement tracking to see how they are faring. Key Features
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World Health Organisation declares Brazil free of measles
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 26 July 2016 declared Brazil free of measles. The step was taken after no case of the disease was registered in 2015.
From 1985 to 2000, Brazil saw no domestic cases of measles, although it broke out in 2013 in the northeastern states of Pernambuco and Ceara.
The WHO it had worked alongside the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to eradicated the disease, with a joint investment of 335000 US dollar going towards measles control.The health agency also hired 165 dedicated nursing staff in Brazil.
The WHO will issue a certification for the eradication of measles to Brazil in the coming months.
What is measles?
• Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus.
• Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7 to 10 days.
• It is an airborne disease, which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of those infected.
• It may also be spread through contact with saliva or nasal secretions.
• Nine out of ten people who are not immune and share living space with an infected person will catch it.
• Measles affects about 20 million people a year, primarily in the developing areas of Africa and Asia.
• Most of those who are infected and who die are less than five years old.
Parveen Rana to replace Narsingh Yadav for Rio Olympics
India on 26 July 2016 named Parveen Rana as a replacement for dope-tainted wrestler Narsingh Yadav for Rio Olympics in the 74kg freestyle category. The Rio Olympics is scheduled to happen from 5 August to 21 August 2016.
Freestyle wrestler Rana had earlier won a gold medal in the 74kg category at the Dave Schultz Memorial Wrestling Tournament in USA in 2014.
United World Wrestling on its website said that it had informed the Wrestling Federation of India that they would be allowed to replace Narsingh in the 74kg freestyle category or give up the qualification spot. The world wrestling body said the Indian Olympic Association expressed their desire to enter Parveen as their replacement.
Why Narsingh was replaced?
Narsingh had failed a dope test recently and was under provisional suspension, virtually out of the Games. Narsingh claims that he is a victim of conspiracy.
Narsingh is to face the National Anti-Doping Agency's disciplinary committee on 27 July 2016 to prove his innocence. Wrestling Federation of India and Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt are among those who have come out in support of the grappler.
Comment
Parveen Rana's selection also comes as a major shock for two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar who was being seen as Narsingh's replacement. Narsingh and Sushil, both, had earlier staked their claim to represent the country in the Games.
But, Narsingh was favoured as he had earned the Olympic quota in the World Championships in 2016. Parveen is regarded as Sushil Kumar’s understudy at Delhi’s Chhattrasal Stadium. He represented the country at the 2014 Asian Games which had Sushil missed due to injury.
Odisha announces Rs 60 lakh special incentive for Rio Olympic qualifiers
Odisha government on 26 July 2016 announced 60 lakh rupees cash special incentive for six sportswomen of the state who have qualified for the Rio Olympics.
The six sportspersons are sprinters Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda and four hockey players Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Sunita Lakra, would receive 10 lakh rupees each.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the Odisha Mining Corporation to pay the special incentive amount to the six sportswomen. He said that the incentive would be of immense help for them to prepare for the mega event.
While Dutee has qualified to participate in the 100-metre run, Srabani has qualified for 200-metre run event. Both have also qualified for the 4X100-metre relay race. Besides, the four hockey players of the state have found places in the Indian team.
Besides, Patnaik also directed the sports department to increase the cash awards for Olympic qualified sportspersons. He directed that the cash awards be increased to 5 lakh rupees for both group and individual events. Earlier, it was 50000 rupees for group event and one lakh rupees for individual event.
Lok Sabha passes Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016
Lok Sabha on 26 July 2016 passed the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016 to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) (CLPR) Act, 1986. The amendment bill allows children below the age of 14 years to work in select non-hazardous family enterprises.
With this, both the houses of parliament passed the bill. Rajya Sabha passed the bill on 19 July 2016. Now, the bill will be sent to the President for his assent.
FOR DETAIL ALSO READ:Rajya Sabha passes Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012
Status of Child Labour in India
As per data presented in form of answer about child labour in Rajya Sabha in 2014, the number of child labourers decreased by 65% - from 1.26 crore to 82.2 lakh (aged between 5 – 14 years) between Census 2001 to and Census 2011.
The five biggest child labour employer states of India are - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Over half of India's total child labour population works here. India's biggest hub of child labour is Uttar Pradesh and it accounts for almost 20% of India's child labourers.
ALSO READ:Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated Child Labour Tracking System
Major schemes like Right to Education, MNREGA, Mid-Day Meal have given children an incentive to study and has helped in reducing the population in terms of child labour.
Successive governments have fought to end child labour like elimination of child labour from hazardous occupations and processes.
How the Bill was perceived?
A United Nations body has expressed concern over the changes made in Child Labour law. UNICEF India said this could lead to more children working in unregulated conditions. Although the body welcomed the law, it expressed concern over the provision of children working in family enterprises which, it said, could further disadvantage the most vulnerable children.
Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi termed the bill a missed opportunity for the country's children. He said that he had hoped that the leaders would have valued the freedom and childhood much greater than their votes.
Comment
Creation of opinion and changing policy along with laws can only help in reviving childhood of children who work as labours in different walks of life including rural and urban areas of the country.
Bezwada Wilson, Thodur Madabusi Krishna win Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016
Two Indians including social activist Bezwada Wilson and musician Thodur Madabusi (TM) Krishna on 26 July 2016 won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016.
Bezwada Wilson was recognized for asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity. He is the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA). While, TM Krishna was recognized forensuring social inclusiveness in culture. He is a Carnatic music vocalist.
They are among the total six awardees selected for the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award. Theother four awardeesare:
• Conchita Carpio Morales (Philippines): She has been recognized for restoring faith in the rule of law.
• Dompet Dhuafa (Indonesia):She has been recognized for expanding the transformative impact of zakat.
• Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (Japan): The organisation has been recognized for building a world of genuine solidarity.
• Vientiane Rescue (Laos): The organisation has been recognized for volunteering to save lives at risk.
About Ramon Magsaysay Award
• The Award was established in 1957 and is widely regarded as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
• It was established in 1957 in the memory of Philippines’ 3rd President Ramon Magsaysay who had died in air disaster in March 1957.
• The awardees receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize.
• The Award honours those individuals whose lives are characterized by selfless service which impacts the lives of the greater many.
India's first Humboldt Penguins reach Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo
Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo, known as Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, on 26 July 2016 brought in eight Humboldt penguins from Soul, South Korea.
The step has, however, not gone down well with wildlife experts who termed it as wasteful and unnecessary.
The eight Humboldt penguins, three males and five females, will be open for public view in the next three to four months.
The birds have been kept in a specially designed 1700 sq ft air conditioning chamber. They will be given special attention and consideration to understand their biological needs and behavioural patterns.
The newly arrived penguins are about one to three years old and weigh around 1 to 2.5 kgs. The weight is expected to reach 4-6 kgs after they are fully-grown. Their height, which is 12.15 cms now, will also increase to 65-70 cm.
About Humboldt penguin
•The Humboldt penguin is a South American penguin that breeds in coastal areas of Chile and Peru.
•The penguin is named after the cold water current it swims in, which is named afterAlexander von Humboldt, an explorer.
•The species is listed as vulnerableby the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
•Humboldt penguins are medium-sized penguins.
•They have a black head with a white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, and joins at the throat.
•They have blackish-grey upperparts and whitish underparts.
•They have spines on their tongue which they use to hold their prey.
28 July
European Commission appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Brexit Negotiator
The European Union’s executive on 27 July 2016 appointed Michel Barnier, former French Financial Services Commissioner, as its Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom’s exit from the bloc.
Barnier was appointed under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. He will be a prominent figure in the negotiations over Britain’s exit from the union.
In June 2016, Didier Seeuws, a Belgian diplomat, was appointed as head of a Brexit task force by the European Council.
Who is Michel Barnier?
•Michel Barnier is a French Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) politician and Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP).
•He was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries in the French government on 18 June 2007. He stepped down from the position on 7 June 2009 after his election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
•In February 2010, he was confirmed as European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.
•As European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, he handled many important issues, such as the reform of the financial sector, the banking union and the digital single market.
IOC to launch Olympic Channel on August 21
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 27 July 2016 announced that it will launch the Olympic Channel. The channel will be launched on 21 August 2016, at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
The channels original programming will include short-form and long-form content, focusing on elite athletes, their quest for success and sport around the world.
About the Olympic Channel
The Olympic Channel is a digital-first, multiplatform global Olympic media entity, which aims to broadcast the Olympic Movement and its inherent values all year round, especially in the periods between the Olympic Games.
It is a free platform that will present original programming, live sports events, news and highlights offering additional exposure for sports and athletes all year round.
The primary objectives of the Olympic Channel are the following:
• Provide a platform for the continuous exposure of Olympic sports and athletes beyond the Olympic Games period and help create anticipation while providing opportunities to "re-live the experience" after the Games.
• Continuously highlight the relevance of the Olympic Movement's ideals to the challenges of today's world.
• Provide a platform for sharing the IOC's very rich patrimonial assets and archives with the world and create additional value and content for the IOC archives.
• As a matter of priority, engage the young generations around the world using methods that are relevant to them, building understanding, entertainment and education.
According a statement by IOC, the channel will be available online, worldwide via an app for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com. In addition, the Channel will be also available on YouTube and social media - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Olympic Channel will first be offered in English with an option of subtitles in nine different languages.
About the IOC
The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 percent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of 3.25 million US dollars goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.
Father of Hybrid Sorghum Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao passes away
Distinguished agricultural scientist Neelamraju Ganga Prasada (NGP) Rao, fondly referred to as the Father of Hybrid Sorghum, passed away on 27 July 2016 in Hyderabad following a brief illness. He was 89.
NGP Rao is well-known for basic and applied research in breeding and agronomy of several dryland crops.
About Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao
• Born in Korisapadu, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao had his early education in the Agricultural College, Bapatla.
• Due to his efforts, sorghum hybrids CSH1 CSH5 and CSH9 became popular and were cultivated in over 8 to 10 million hectares.
• His contributions in dryland crops, particularly long staple desi cotton, pigeonpea, castor and novel cropping systems, were well recognised.
• Rao also held various positions such as Consultant to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Project Coordinator (Sorghum), All-India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, many more.
• He has around 200 research publications in national and international journals.
• He was awarded with the SS Bhatnagar Prize for Biological Sciences for his efforts.
Lok Sabha passes Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha on 27 July 2016 passed the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015. The Bill seeks to amend the Benami Transactions Act, 1988.
The bill prohibits benami transactions and provides for confiscating benami properties.
Objective
• Amend the definition of benami transactions
• Establish adjudicating authorities and an Appellate Tribunal to deal with benami transactions
• Specify the penalty for entering into benami transactions.
Definition
It expands the definition of benami transaction by including following
• Transaction is made in a fictitious name
• Owner is not aware of and denies knowledge of the ownership of the property
• Person providing the consideration for the property is not traceable
Earlier, it defined benami transaction as a transaction where a property is held by or transferred to a person, but has been provided for or paid by another person.
Exemptions
In specific cases will be exempt from the definition of a benami transaction. These include cases when a property is held by
• A member of a Hindu undivided family, and is being held for his or another family member’s benefit, and has been provided for or paid off from sources of income of that family
• A person in a fiduciary capacity
• A person in the name of his spouse or child, and the property has been paid for from the person’s income
• Section 58empowers government to exempt the genuine properties of religious organisation like a church or a mosque or a gurdwara or a temple from the action. But the exemption to such entities cannot be a pretext for tax evasion.
Definition of Benamidar
• It defines benamidar as the person in whose name the benami property is held or transferred, and a beneficial owner as the person for whose benefit the property is being held by the benamidar.
• Under the Act, an Authority to acquire benami properties was to be established by the Rules.
Four Authorities for conducting Inquiry
The bill seeks to establish four authorities to conduct inquiries or investigations regarding benami transactions and they are
• Initiating Officer
• Approving Authority
• Administrator
• Adjudicating Authority
Work of Initiating Officer
• In any case, if he/she believes that a person is a benamidar, he may issue a notice to that person.
• The Initiating Officer may hold the property for 90 days from the date of issue of the notice, subject to permission from the Approving Authority.
• At the end of the notice period, the Initiating Officer may pass an order to continue the holding of the property.
• If an order is passed to continue holding the property, the Initiating Officer will refer the case to the Adjudicating Authority.
Work of Adjudicating Authority
• The Authority will pass an order on whether or not to hold the property as benami after examining all documents and evidence relating to the matter.
• Based on an order to confiscate the benami property, the Administrator will receive and manage the property in a manner and subject to conditions as prescribed.
Appellate Tribunal
• To hear appeals against any orders passed by the Adjudicating Authority, the Bill also seeks to establish an Appellate Tribunal.
• Appeals against orders of the Appellate Tribunal will lie to the high court.
Penalty
• Rrigorous imprisonment of one year up to seven years, and a fine which may extend to 25% of the fair market value of the benami property. The previous penalty under the Act for entering into benami transactions was imprisonment up to three years, or a fine, or both.
• Specifies the penalty for providing false information to be rigorous imprisonment of six months up to five years, and a fine which may extend to 10% of the fair market value of the benami property.
• Certain session courts would be designated as Special Courts for trying any offences which are punishable under the Bill.
Muralitharan, Lohmann, Morris and Rolton to be inducted into Cricket Hall of Fame
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 27 July 2016 announced that Muttiah Muralitharan, Karen Rolton, Arthur Morris and George Lohmann will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
With the announcement, off-spinner Muralitharan becomes the first Sri Lankan player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The four cricketers were voted by the ICC Cricket Hall of Famers as well as members of the media. They will be presented with commemorative caps honouring their contribution to the game to mark their induction.
About Muttiah Muralitharan
•Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer.
•He was rated the greatest Test match bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002.
•He retired from Test cricket in 2010.
•He registered his 800th and final wicket on 22 July 2010 from his final ball in his last Test match.
•He holds the world record for the most wickets in both test and one-day cricket.
•He took the wicket of Gautam Gambhir on 5 February 2009 in Colombo to surpass Wasim Akram's ODI record of 502 wickets.
•He held the number one spot in the International Cricket Council’s player rankings for Test bowlers for a record period of 1711 days spanning 214 Test matches.
•He was first Sri Lankan player to be named to the new Twenty20 tournament.
About Karen Rolton
•Karen Rolton is a former Australian cricketer.
•She is a left-handed batsman and occasional left-arm medium-paced bowler.
•She has scored the most runs for Australia in women's Test cricket.
•She made her international debut for Australia in 1995.
•She has played in 14 Test matches, scoring 1002 runs at a batting average of 55.66, including two centuries and five half-centuries.
•She made her top score of 209 not out against England at Headingley in 2001, setting a world record.
•She has twice won the Australian International Woman Cricketer of the Year award in 2002 and 2003 and then in 2005 and 2006.
•She was the International Cricket Council's inaugural Female Player of the Year in 2006.
•She also holds the highest score in Women's Twenty20 cricket with an unbeaten 96.
•She announced her retirement from international cricket in January 2010.
About Arthur Morris
•Arthur Morris was an Australian cricketer who played 46 Test matches between 1946 and 1955.
•He is regarded as one of Australia's greatest left-handed batsmen.
•He was named in the Australian Cricket Board's Team of the Century in 2000.
•He was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2001.
•He passed away on 22 August 2015 at the age of 93.
About George Lohmann
•George Lohmann was an English cricketer.
•He is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.
•He was the finest slip fielder of his time.
•In county cricket, he scored two centuries for Surrey and averaged 25 in 1887.
•He passed away on 1 December 1901 at the age of 36.
About ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
•The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket's long and illustrious history.
•It was launched by the ICC on 2 January 2009 in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA).
•The inaugural inductees ranged from W. G. Grace to Graham Gooch.
•Members of the Hall of Fame assist in the selection of future inductees.
•There are more English players in the Hall of Fame than players from other countries
Policy for awarding Waterfront and associated lands in major ports approved
The Union Cabinet on 27 July 2016 approved the Policy for awarding waterfront and associated land to port dependent industries in major ports along with its operationalization.
The Policy will result in uniformity and transparency in the procedure for awarding captive facilities. It will enable optimal utilization of capacities in major ports and increase revenue to the Major Port Authority.
Highlights of the Policy
• The ambit of the Policy includes creation of new assets as well as utilization of currently unutilised existing assets such as vacant berths. The Policy will be applicable to all the Major Ports.
• Under the Policy, concession will be granted to Port Dependent Industries (PDI) for setting up dedicated facilities in Major Ports for import and export of cargo for maximum 30 years.
• Extension of concession period on conditions including under utilization of asset as per the Concession Agreement may be allowed.
• After a maximum of 30 years of operation, the waterfront land in a Major Port will be allotted for construction of berths, offshore anchorages, transhipment jetties, single point moorings etc.
• It will be as per the terms and conditions of the Concession Agreement (CA) to be entered into between the Port Authority and the PDI concerned.
India's first Humboldt Penguins reach Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo
Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo, known as Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, on 26 July 2016 brought in eight Humboldt penguins from Soul, South Korea.
The step has, however, not gone down well with wildlife experts who termed it as wasteful and unnecessary.
The eight Humboldt penguins, three males and five females, will be open for public view in the next three to four months.
The birds have been kept in a specially designed 1700 sq ft air conditioning chamber. They will be given special attention and consideration to understand their biological needs and behavioural patterns.
The newly arrived penguins are about one to three years old and weigh around 1 to 2.5 kgs. The weight is expected to reach 4-6 kgs after they are fully-grown. Their height, which is 12.15 cms now, will also increase to 65-70 cm.
About Humboldt penguin
•The Humboldt penguin is a South American penguin that breeds in coastal areas of Chile and Peru.
•The penguin is named after the cold water current it swims in, which is named afterAlexander von Humboldt, an explorer.
•The species is listed as vulnerableby the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
•Humboldt penguins are medium-sized penguins.
•They have a black head with a white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, and joins at the throat.
•They have blackish-grey upperparts and whitish underparts.
•They have spines on their tongue which they use to hold their prey.
28 July
European Commission appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Brexit Negotiator
The European Union’s executive on 27 July 2016 appointed Michel Barnier, former French Financial Services Commissioner, as its Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom’s exit from the bloc.
Barnier was appointed under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. He will be a prominent figure in the negotiations over Britain’s exit from the union.
In June 2016, Didier Seeuws, a Belgian diplomat, was appointed as head of a Brexit task force by the European Council.
Who is Michel Barnier?
•Michel Barnier is a French Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) politician and Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP).
•He was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries in the French government on 18 June 2007. He stepped down from the position on 7 June 2009 after his election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
•In February 2010, he was confirmed as European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.
•As European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, he handled many important issues, such as the reform of the financial sector, the banking union and the digital single market.
IOC to launch Olympic Channel on August 21
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 27 July 2016 announced that it will launch the Olympic Channel. The channel will be launched on 21 August 2016, at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
The channels original programming will include short-form and long-form content, focusing on elite athletes, their quest for success and sport around the world.
About the Olympic Channel
The Olympic Channel is a digital-first, multiplatform global Olympic media entity, which aims to broadcast the Olympic Movement and its inherent values all year round, especially in the periods between the Olympic Games.
It is a free platform that will present original programming, live sports events, news and highlights offering additional exposure for sports and athletes all year round.
The primary objectives of the Olympic Channel are the following:
• Provide a platform for the continuous exposure of Olympic sports and athletes beyond the Olympic Games period and help create anticipation while providing opportunities to "re-live the experience" after the Games.
• Continuously highlight the relevance of the Olympic Movement's ideals to the challenges of today's world.
• Provide a platform for sharing the IOC's very rich patrimonial assets and archives with the world and create additional value and content for the IOC archives.
• As a matter of priority, engage the young generations around the world using methods that are relevant to them, building understanding, entertainment and education.
According a statement by IOC, the channel will be available online, worldwide via an app for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com. In addition, the Channel will be also available on YouTube and social media - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Olympic Channel will first be offered in English with an option of subtitles in nine different languages.
About the IOC
The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 percent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of 3.25 million US dollars goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.
Lok Sabha passes Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha on 27 July 2016 passed the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015. The Bill seeks to amend the Benami Transactions Act, 1988.
The bill prohibits benami transactions and provides for confiscating benami properties.
Objective
• Amend the definition of benami transactions
• Establish adjudicating authorities and an Appellate Tribunal to deal with benami transactions
• Specify the penalty for entering into benami transactions.
Definition
It expands the definition of benami transaction by including following
• Transaction is made in a fictitious name
• Owner is not aware of and denies knowledge of the ownership of the property
• Person providing the consideration for the property is not traceable
Earlier, it defined benami transaction as a transaction where a property is held by or transferred to a person, but has been provided for or paid by another person.
Exemptions
In specific cases will be exempt from the definition of a benami transaction. These include cases when a property is held by
• A member of a Hindu undivided family, and is being held for his or another family member’s benefit, and has been provided for or paid off from sources of income of that family
• A person in a fiduciary capacity
• A person in the name of his spouse or child, and the property has been paid for from the person’s income
• Section 58empowers government to exempt the genuine properties of religious organisation like a church or a mosque or a gurdwara or a temple from the action. But the exemption to such entities cannot be a pretext for tax evasion.
Definition of Benamidar
• It defines benamidar as the person in whose name the benami property is held or transferred, and a beneficial owner as the person for whose benefit the property is being held by the benamidar.
• Under the Act, an Authority to acquire benami properties was to be established by the Rules.
Four Authorities for conducting Inquiry
The bill seeks to establish four authorities to conduct inquiries or investigations regarding benami transactions and they are
• Initiating Officer
• Approving Authority
• Administrator
• Adjudicating Authority
Work of Initiating Officer
• In any case, if he/she believes that a person is a benamidar, he may issue a notice to that person.
• The Initiating Officer may hold the property for 90 days from the date of issue of the notice, subject to permission from the Approving Authority.
• At the end of the notice period, the Initiating Officer may pass an order to continue the holding of the property.
• If an order is passed to continue holding the property, the Initiating Officer will refer the case to the Adjudicating Authority.
Work of Adjudicating Authority
• The Authority will pass an order on whether or not to hold the property as benami after examining all documents and evidence relating to the matter.
• Based on an order to confiscate the benami property, the Administrator will receive and manage the property in a manner and subject to conditions as prescribed.
Appellate Tribunal
• To hear appeals against any orders passed by the Adjudicating Authority, the Bill also seeks to establish an Appellate Tribunal.
• Appeals against orders of the Appellate Tribunal will lie to the high court.
Penalty
• Rrigorous imprisonment of one year up to seven years, and a fine which may extend to 25% of the fair market value of the benami property. The previous penalty under the Act for entering into benami transactions was imprisonment up to three years, or a fine, or both.
• Specifies the penalty for providing false information to be rigorous imprisonment of six months up to five years, and a fine which may extend to 10% of the fair market value of the benami property.
• Certain session courts would be designated as Special Courts for trying any offences which are punishable under the Bill.
Muralitharan, Lohmann, Morris and Rolton to be inducted into Cricket Hall of Fame
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 27 July 2016 announced that Muttiah Muralitharan, Karen Rolton, Arthur Morris and George Lohmann will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
With the announcement, off-spinner Muralitharan becomes the first Sri Lankan player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The four cricketers were voted by the ICC Cricket Hall of Famers as well as members of the media. They will be presented with commemorative caps honouring their contribution to the game to mark their induction.
About Muttiah Muralitharan
•Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer.
•He was rated the greatest Test match bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002.
•He retired from Test cricket in 2010.
•He registered his 800th and final wicket on 22 July 2010 from his final ball in his last Test match.
•He holds the world record for the most wickets in both test and one-day cricket.
•He took the wicket of Gautam Gambhir on 5 February 2009 in Colombo to surpass Wasim Akram's ODI record of 502 wickets.
•He held the number one spot in the International Cricket Council’s player rankings for Test bowlers for a record period of 1711 days spanning 214 Test matches.
•He was first Sri Lankan player to be named to the new Twenty20 tournament.
About Karen Rolton
•Karen Rolton is a former Australian cricketer.
•She is a left-handed batsman and occasional left-arm medium-paced bowler.
•She has scored the most runs for Australia in women's Test cricket.
•She made her international debut for Australia in 1995.
•She has played in 14 Test matches, scoring 1002 runs at a batting average of 55.66, including two centuries and five half-centuries.
•She made her top score of 209 not out against England at Headingley in 2001, setting a world record.
•She has twice won the Australian International Woman Cricketer of the Year award in 2002 and 2003 and then in 2005 and 2006.
•She was the International Cricket Council's inaugural Female Player of the Year in 2006.
•She also holds the highest score in Women's Twenty20 cricket with an unbeaten 96.
•She announced her retirement from international cricket in January 2010.
About Arthur Morris
•Arthur Morris was an Australian cricketer who played 46 Test matches between 1946 and 1955.
•He is regarded as one of Australia's greatest left-handed batsmen.
•He was named in the Australian Cricket Board's Team of the Century in 2000.
•He was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2001.
•He passed away on 22 August 2015 at the age of 93.
About George Lohmann
•George Lohmann was an English cricketer.
•He is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.
•He was the finest slip fielder of his time.
•In county cricket, he scored two centuries for Surrey and averaged 25 in 1887.
•He passed away on 1 December 1901 at the age of 36.
About ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
•The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket's long and illustrious history.
•It was launched by the ICC on 2 January 2009 in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA).
•The inaugural inductees ranged from W. G. Grace to Graham Gooch.
•Members of the Hall of Fame assist in the selection of future inductees.
•There are more English players in the Hall of Fame than players from other countries