DAILY GK UPDATES 17TH AUGUST 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 17TH AUGUST 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jharkhand assembly convened today to ratify GST Bill: Jharkhand Assembly has been convened today to ratify Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament. Now Jharkhand became the third state to ratify the bill.

 

2. Four states to get new Governors: BanwarilalPurohit has replaced Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharyaas the Governor of Assam. V.P. Singh Badnore has been appointed as Governor of Punjab. Jagdish Mukhi has been appointed as Governor of Andaman and Nicobar. Former Union Minister Najma Heptulla has been appointed Governor of Manipur.

 

3. Gujarat Government to implement 7th Pay Commission from 1st Jan 2017: Gujarat government has approved the implementation of the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission, raising salaries of over 8.5 lakh state employees and pensioners, from 1st Jan.

 

4. Uttar Pradesh cabinet approves Metro Rail for Allahabad: The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a Metro Rail project for Allahabad. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The state cabinet also approved a scheme to provide free school bags and books to students till class VIII in government schools.

 

5. Telangana gets highest gallantry medals in country: Telangana State has received the highest number of gallantry medals for police personnel in the country on the eve of Independence Day. It was the only State unit to secure the President’s police medal for gallantry (PPMG).

 

6. Tata Power Solar commissions 100 mw project in Andhra Pradesh: Tata Power Solar has commissioned a 100 mw solar project for NTPC in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, the biggest solar project commissioned using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules.

 

7. Over 1000 year old camping site discovered in Ladakh: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered an ancient camping site dating 8500 BC in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), indicating humans were camping in the area 10,500 years ago.

 

8. Reliance Brands inks pact with Scotch and Soda: Reliance Brands, a part of Reliance Industries Group, today announced a long-term master franchise agreement with Amsterdam-based fashion brand Scotch & Soda.

 

9. Unilever acquires Blueair: Unilever, the parent company of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), has acquired Swedish firm Blueair, a leading player in mobile air purification technology, for an undisclosed sum.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:​

1. RBI imposes penalty on four cooperative banks: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on four cooperative banks for violation of various norms. Cooperative banks are:  Cooperative City Bank, Guwahati – Rs 5 lakh, Indapur Urban Cooperative Bank, Indapur – Rs 2 lakh, ShriDadasaheb Gajmal Cooperative Bank, Pachora – Rs 1 lakh and Model Cooperative Urban Bank, Hyderabad – Rs 1 lakh.

SPORTS:

2. Virender Sehwag becomes MCC’s honorary life member: Virender Sehwag, former India batsman, has been awarded the honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

 

AWARDS:

3. A R Rahman honoured with Tamil Ratna Award: Oscar-winning music maestro A.R. Rahman has been honoured by the America Tamil Sangam with its Tamil Ratna Award.

 

OBITUARIES:

4. Malayalam screenwriter TA Razaq passed away at the age of 58.

 

5. Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh passes away at the age of 83.