HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Union government has notified new rules ‘The Income-Tax (31st Amendment) Rules, 2021’, under the Income Tax Act for specifying the process to be followed by affected taxpayers to settle the retrospective tax disputes. Firms disputing retrospective tax demands will have to withdraw all legal proceedings – arbitration, mediation efforts & waive all rights to claim costs or attach Indian assets & also indemnify the government on costs & liabilities from any action pursued by other interested parties in future. They would also have to give an undertaking that such initiatives will not be reopened.
- As per a recent study the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) located at Hanle near Leh in Ladakh is becoming one of the globally promising observatory site . Its advantages are more clear nights, minimal light pollution, background aerosol concentration, extremely dry atmospheric condition and uninterrupted monsoon. It is among the highest optical telescopes in the world and has optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.
WORLD:
- Qataris for the first time voted for 30 out of the 45-member council that will approve general state policies but will have no say in the setting of defense, security or economic policy. This process that has prompted domestic debate about electoral inclusion and citizenship.
- The ruling Communist Party of China is tightening political control over its internet giants and tapping their wealth to pay for its ambitions to reduce reliance on U.S. and European technology. Alibaba is the biggest e-commerce company, while Tencent operates the popular WeChat messaging service.
ENVIRONMENT:
Toxic ingredients in the firecrackers:
After the CBI inquiry on the use of toxic ingredients in the firecrackers violating the SC ban on their use, SC has come down heavily on the firecracker industry. It was found that 6 major firework manufacturers used prohibited chemicals like Barium salts that produces green color on burning but are dangerous for the health of humans and animals.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
A tiny plant that can digest low density plastic sheets:
Researchers from University of Madras and Presidency College, Chennai, have isolated an alga species that shows promise as an agent of biodegradation of plastic sheets. It is a preliminary study that has been published in Scientific Reports and needs further research and development before it can be translated to the industry. The isolated algae produced enzymes, hormones, and some polysaccharides which slowly degrade (the sheets), and the structural integrity of the polymer and it disintegrates into monomers.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE:
DigiSaksham:
It is a joint initiative of Government with Microsoft India. It is a digital skills program to enhance the employability of youth by imparting digital skills that are required in an increasingly technology driven era. Free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as well as advanced computing, will be provided to more than 3 lakh youths in the first year.
The initiative gives priority to the job-seekers of semi urban areas belonging to disadvantaged communities, including those who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 pandemic. The Jobseekers can access the training through National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
INDIAN ART & CULTURE:
Documentation & Digitization of Langa-Manganiyar Folk art:
The Langas and Manganiyars are communities of Muslim folk musicians residing mostly in western Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer and Barmer districts. The major theme includes heroic ballads, romantic epic tales and the Sufi spiritual stories.The performances are in multiple languages and dialects including Marwari, Sindhi, Saraiki, Dhatti and Thareli.
