Daily GK Update : 20th April 2017

Honors & Awards

1. Saira Banu, Jackie Shroff get Raj Kapoor awards

• Veteran actress ‘Saira Banu’(72-year) has been selected for the prestigious Raj Kapoor ‘Lifetime achievement award’ of the Maharashtra
• Actor Jackie Shroff (60- year) is selected for the Raj Kapoor ‘Special contribution award’.
• Noted Marathi actors Vikram Gokhale and Arun Nalawade have been selected for the coveted V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement and ‘V. Shantaram’ Special Contribution annual awards.
• The awards will be presented at the upcoming 54th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Festival.

Note:

• The lifetime achievement awards carry a citation and cash of five lakh rupees each, while both the special contribution awards carry a citation and three lakhs rupee in cash.
• Prominent films of Saira Banu are 'Junglee','Purab aur Paschim','Victoria No.203', 'Padosan', 'JwarBhata', 'Bairag'.
• Prominent films of Shroff are 'Hero', 'Teri Meherbaniyan', 'Sazish.

Important Dates

2. 20th April: UN Chinese Language Day

• The ‘UN Chinese Language Day’ is observed every year on 20th April to promote the use of Chinese language in United Nation(UN).
• The day was chosen as the date for the Chinese language to pay tribute to Cang Jie, a mythical figure who is presumed to have invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago.

National Affairs

3. Govt further extends deadline for deposits under PMGKY to 30^th April

• The union Government has extended the last date to make deposits under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna’ (PMGKY) to 30th of April 2017 (started in Dec 2016) for those availing the scheme and have already paid tax, surcharge, and penalties.
• The scheme provided last chance to holders of undisclosed income to come clean by paying tax and penalty.

Note:

• The scheme provides an opportunity to declare unaccounted wealth and black money in a confidential manner and avoid prosecution after paying a fine of 50% on the undisclosed income.
• An additional 25% of the undisclosed income is invested in the scheme which can be refunded after four years, without any interest.

4. Govt. relaxes curb on export of organic farm produce

• The union government has relaxed restrictions on exports of certain organic agricultural and processed products like wheat, non-basmati rice to boost their overseas shipments.
• It has also increased the annual quantitative ceiling on the export of organic pulses and lentils from existing 10,000 tons to 50,000 tons per annum.

5. UP Govt decides to change sugarcane price fixation policy from next crushing season

• The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to change its ‘sugarcane price fixation policy’ from next crushing season.
• The Chief minister Adityanath has asked the millers to ensure the payments to the sugarcane farmers within 14 days.

6. NDMA to conduct first mock exercise on forest fire

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has conducted its first mock drill exercise on forest fire in Uttarakhand,
• The fire officials from all the districts and other departments of the state will participate in the exercise.

7. Union Home Minister inaugurates 2-day Civil Services Day function

• The union Home minister Mr. Rajnath Singh has inaugurated a two-day 11^th civil services day function in New Delhi.
• Singh has asked civil servants to interpret and implement rules and regulations with an open and progressive mindset.
• Three Breakaway Sessions on subjects related to Agriculture, Energy and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has also organised.

8. Amazon launches Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote in India

• The global e-commerce major ‘Amazon’ has launched the 'Amazon Fire TV Stick' with Voice Remote in India.
• Fire TV Stick is the powerful streaming media device that plugs into an HD Television and lets customers access thousands of movies, TV shows, apps, and games.
• It will compete with devices like Google Chromecast, Amkette's EvoTV and Apple TV.

Banking & Finance

9. Mahatma Gandhi stamps sold for 5 lakh pounds at auction in UK

• A set of four rare stamps featuring the portrait of ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ has been sold for record 5 lakh pounds at an auction in the United Kingdom (UK).
• The stamp was sold to an Australian collector for the highest ever price for Indian stamps.
• Only 13 of the 1948 Gandhi 10 Purple Brown and Lake 'Service' stamps are in circulation.

Note:

• The recent sale follows that of another Indian philatelic rarity, the famous 'Four Annas', which sold in March this year for almost 1.1 lakh pounds.

10. Finance Ministry approves 8.65% interest rate on EPF for 2016-17

• According to the Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, the Finance Ministry has approved 8.65% interest rate on EPF for 2016-17.
• Earlier, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation trustees had approved 8.65% rate on EPF in December last year.
• The union government will issue the notification and credit the rate of interest to over four crore subscribers.

11. Myntra acquires Bengaluru-based ‘InLogg’

• Flipkart-owned online fashion retailer 'Myntra' has announced that it has acquired ‘InLogg’.
• 'InLogg' is a city-based technology platform that provides end-to-end logistics solutions for the e-commerce sector.
• Now, Myntra will be able to strengthen its logistic capability with an expanded reach and improved customer experience.

Note:

• ‘InLogg’ was founded in 2015 by a team with an aim to standardize the process of logistics in remote areas and bring in efficiency.

National & International Appointment

12. Vinay Shah appointed as new MD & CEO of LIC Housing Finance

• ‘Vinay Shah’ has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Director of LIC Housing Finance Limited.
• He has replaced 'Smt. Sunita Sharma' after Government had elevated her to Managing Director (MD) of LIC.
• Earlier, Sah was Executive Director–Marketing/Product Development with LIC of India.

Note:

• LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL) is one of the largest Housing Finance companies in India having its Registered and Corporate office at Mumbai.
• The main objective of the Company is to provide long term finance to individuals for purchase or construction of houses.
• LIC HFL has regional offices (7), back-offices (21) and marketing units (240) across India.

 "Thought of the Day"

“When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself.”

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