19 January 2016 – Daily Current Affairs

Sikkim confirmed as India’s first organic (farming) state

Indian Government declared Sikkim as the nation’s first state with organic farming. This declaration on Sikkim being Organic state was done by India’s current PM Narendra Modi on 18 ^th January 2016 during the opening ceremony of the Sikkim’s Organic Festival (2016) in the city of Gangtok, Sikkim. Apart from the declaration, PM also awarded the Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling with the Organic Certification. This occasion also marked the launch of three new species of orchid. These species are Cymbidium ‘Sardar’, Cymbidium ‘Deen Dayal’ and Cymbidium ‘Namo’.

New award category for Most Film-friendly State/UT to be introduced by Union Government

On 18 ^th January 2016, Indian Union Government came to the decision that there should a new National award given to that State/UT which is most film-friendly. The award will be titled as ‘Most Film-Friendly State/UT.’  This award will be presented for first time during the 63 ^rd (National) film awards that is scheduled on 3 ^rd May 2016. This decision of creating a new award category came from the government as a measure to promote and develop Indian Film sector as well as its Soft Power. Apart from this, I&B Ministry also promised to establish film facilitation office for facilitation and development of filmmaking.

To reconstruct the Indira Gandhi (Zoological) Park, World Bank will fund 20 million dollars

In a type of collaboration that has never occurred before, during January 2016’s third week, World Bank offered an aid of about 20 million (US) dollars for reconstruction and development of Indira Gandhi (Zoological) Park. The IGZP was destroyed during the occurrence of Cycle Hudhud in Vishakhapatnam in the month of October, 2014. This is the first time World Bank is seen directly involved in saving a zoological park. The coastal districts that will receive this funding in parts are East Godavari, Vizianagaram, Srikakulamand, and Vishakhapatnam.

Tata Motors hires its MD and CEO as Guenter Butschek

On 18 ^th January 2016 Guenter Butschek was hired as the MD (Managing Director) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Tata Motors, India’s largest auto maker. This position in Tata Motors was filled after two years. On January 26 ^th 2014, Karl Slym who was the then MD of Tata Motors died in Bangkok after an accident. It is expected that Guenter Butschek will join office from February 15 ^th 2016. Butschek is going to lead Tata Motors operations in India as well as International markets such as Thailand, South Korea, South Africa and Indonesia. However, Ralf Speth will continue as the MD and CEO of Land Rover Brand.

For simplifying Income-tax Act of 1961, RV Easwar Committee releases draft report

On 18 ^th January 2016, UNF (Union Finance Ministry) released their first draft report from the RV Committee (named after retd. Justice Easwar). The objective of this draft was simplifying some proportions of the Income-tax Act of 1961. This draft, which was evaluated and prepared by a member of 10 people, contains a total of 17 proposals for amendments of the act and a total of 8 recommendations for reforming via administrative instructions.