1. Ex PM I K Gujral passes away, 7 day national mourning declared
Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral passed away this afternoon in Gurgaon near New Delhi after prolonged illness. He was 92.
NOTE:- Mr Gujral was the 12th Prime Minister of the country. The Government has declared a 7-day national mourning as a mark of respect to the departed leader. He will be given a state funeral.
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister.
2. 43rd IFFI: Punjabi film "Andhey Ghorey Da Daan" bags Golden Peacock award
Andhey Ghorey Da Daan" a Punjabi film directed by Gurvinder Singh and produced by National Film Development Corporation, has bagged the Golden Peacock award of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
NOTE:- The award carries a Golden Peacock and a cash prize of 20 lakh rupees. The Silver Peacock with a cash prize of 15 lakh rupees has gone to "Una Noche" directed by Lucy Mullay.
With this, the curtains came down on the 43rd edition of the IFFI today at a glittering function held at Campal Football grounds at Panaji in Goa.
3. EPFO launched e-Passbook portal for members
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), today launched its e-Passbook portal for its members to access their accounts online. The facility will be available on the website- www.epfindia.gov.in. NOTE:- i. The members will now be able to download their e-passbook each month, if they are active and Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR), is being uploaded by their employer.
ii. In the case of members who are not active or left service and have not settled their account, the facility to download the passbook on request basis, shall be available.
iii. Any EPFO member can register him on the portal by using his photo identification number such as PAN, Aadhar card, Driving license, passport and voter ID and use the mobile number as password.
iv. The member can also add multiple ID numbers after registration and can use any one for login. Once registered, a member can download the passbook by entering his or her account number. If available, the passbook will appear for download.
4. Govt tables amendments made to FEMA in Lok Sabha
The government today tabled amendments made to the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 (FEMA) in the Lok Sabha following its decision to allow 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in October this year.
NOTE:- Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanikam laid the copies of notifications on the table of the House. The amendments relate to regulating the transfer or issue of security by a person resident outside India, deposits and foreign exchange derivative contracts.
5. Men's Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 starts tomorrow
Men's Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 starts in Melbourne, Australia from tomorrow.
NOTE:- The 9 day tournament will feature 4 top ranked teams in the world and another regarded invitational teams. India are placed in Pool A alongwith reigning Olympic champions Germany, England and New Zealand. Pool B features Australia, The Netherlands, Pakistan and Belgium.
6. Agri sector share in GDP shows decline: MoS Agri Anwar
The share of agriculture sector in the country's GDP has declined from 15.8 percent in 2008-09 to 14.5 percent in 2010-11.
NOTE:- i. Stating this in the Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Tariq Anwar said the decline of 1.3 percent over 2 years is on account of comparatively higher growth of other sectors.
ii. Similarly, the number of workers employed in agriculture declined from 580 in 2005-06 to 532 in 2009-10 for every one thousand employed people. This was primarily on account of higher employment opportunities in non-agriculture sectors.
iii. Per capita availability of foodgrains declined to 437.1 gram per day in the year 2010 from 494.1 grams per day in 2002. However, according to provisional figures this has again risen to 462.9 grams per day in the last year.
7. Economic growth declines to 5.3% in Jul-Sep quarter
Indian economy grew by 5.3 per cent in the July-September period of the current financial year (2012-13), pulled down by poor performance of manufacturing and agriculture sectors, showing persistent signs of slowdown. The Gross Domestic Product(GDP) had expanded by 6.7 per cent in the same period of last fiscal.It had grown by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of 2012-13.
NOTE:- i. During the three-month period ended September 30, the manufacturing sector grew marginally by 0.8 per cent, against 2.9 per cent growth in the same period of 2011-12, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) today.
ii. Farm sector output expanded by just 1.2 per cent in the July-September period this fiscal against 3.1 per cent in the same period last year.
iii. The economic growth in the first six month of this fiscal (April-September) is 5.4 per cent, lower than 7.3 per cent growth clocked in the year-ago period. In the July-September quarter, trade, hotels, transport and communications segment also witnessed lower pace of growth at 5.5 per cent compared to 9.5 per cent expansion in the same quarter in year ago.
8. AP govt introduces SC/ST sub plan implementation bill; country's first
Andhra Pradesh Government has introduced a Bill in the Assembly aimed at ensuring transparent, accountable and accurate implementation of Sub-plans for the welfare of Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes.
NOTE:- The bill is first of its kind in the country to prevent diversion of funds earmarked for SC and ST welfare. The bill also provides provision of social audit of the Sub Plans every year and promotes equal opportunities on Social, economic and Human Resource Development fronts.
Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy who introduced the bill in the Assembly appealed all political parties to give suggestions for enactment of strong Law.
9. UNGA votes to recognize Palestine as non-member observer state
UN General Assembly has voted in favour of granting the upgraded status of Observer state to Palestine on the lines of Vatican. India was among the 138 countries which voted in favour of the resolution while there were nine votes against the move led by US and Israel. 41 countries abstained from the voting.
NOTE:- The change in status from Observer entity to Observer State means Palestinians can now co sponsor the resolutions at UN. They can access membership of additional UN bodies like the International Criminal Court where they can try to put Israel on war crime charges.
10. Honduran officials claim biggest cocaine seizure in country's history
Honduran officials say they have made probably their largest ever seizure of cocaine in the country's history. The haul of about 15 tonnes was found at an underground lab. The Honduran army supported by other drug enforcement agencies discovered the extensive underground laboratory.
A wide network of tunnels was also discovered through which the drugs were packaged and smuggled out.
NOTE:- The haul is considered an important victory for the Honduran government in its fight against the country's powerful drug cartels. Honduras is a major drug smugling route to the United States.
11. Extortion case: 2 Zee News editors sent to 14 days judicial custody
Two senior editors of Zee News, arrested on charges of trying to extort Rs. 100 crore from Congress MP, Naveen Jindal's firm, were today sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court.
NOTE:- Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao sent Zee News head Sudhir Chaudhary and Zee Business Editor Samir Ahluwalia to Tihar jail till December 14 after the Crime Branch of Delhi Police said, their custodial interrogation was completed and they were no longer required in police custody.
12. Brazilian Football Confederation appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the Coach of Brazil
Luiz Felipe Scolari would be leading the team as its coach also during the 2014 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil.
NOTE:- Before this in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan, Luiz Felipe Scolari led the Brazilian side as its coach, the team which was declared the winner of the tournament. His recent recruitment at the position of coach would give him a time of 18 months to guide the Brazilian Football Team to win the next World Cup at its home. He would be guiding the team during the FIFA Confederations Cup that is scheduled to be organized in June 2013 in Brazil.
13. Parliament of Egypt Passed Draft of the New Constitution
Parliament of Egypt passed draft of their new constitution in which the duties, responsibilities and roles of the legislature, judiciary and executive have been defined. 230 articles of this new constitution were discussed as well as voted upon by Salafist and Islamist MPs at the rushed session of Egyptian Parliament which took place for 16 hours.
NOTE:- As per the law of Egypt, now the draft would be sanctioned by the President of Egypt- Morsey. It would then be put for referee.
Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral passed away this afternoon in Gurgaon near New Delhi after prolonged illness. He was 92.
NOTE:- Mr Gujral was the 12th Prime Minister of the country. The Government has declared a 7-day national mourning as a mark of respect to the departed leader. He will be given a state funeral.
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister.
2. 43rd IFFI: Punjabi film "Andhey Ghorey Da Daan" bags Golden Peacock award
Andhey Ghorey Da Daan" a Punjabi film directed by Gurvinder Singh and produced by National Film Development Corporation, has bagged the Golden Peacock award of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
NOTE:- The award carries a Golden Peacock and a cash prize of 20 lakh rupees. The Silver Peacock with a cash prize of 15 lakh rupees has gone to "Una Noche" directed by Lucy Mullay.
With this, the curtains came down on the 43rd edition of the IFFI today at a glittering function held at Campal Football grounds at Panaji in Goa.
3. EPFO launched e-Passbook portal for members
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), today launched its e-Passbook portal for its members to access their accounts online. The facility will be available on the website- www.epfindia.gov.in. NOTE:- i. The members will now be able to download their e-passbook each month, if they are active and Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR), is being uploaded by their employer.
ii. In the case of members who are not active or left service and have not settled their account, the facility to download the passbook on request basis, shall be available.
iii. Any EPFO member can register him on the portal by using his photo identification number such as PAN, Aadhar card, Driving license, passport and voter ID and use the mobile number as password.
iv. The member can also add multiple ID numbers after registration and can use any one for login. Once registered, a member can download the passbook by entering his or her account number. If available, the passbook will appear for download.
4. Govt tables amendments made to FEMA in Lok Sabha
The government today tabled amendments made to the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 (FEMA) in the Lok Sabha following its decision to allow 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in October this year.
NOTE:- Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanikam laid the copies of notifications on the table of the House. The amendments relate to regulating the transfer or issue of security by a person resident outside India, deposits and foreign exchange derivative contracts.
5. Men's Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 starts tomorrow
Men's Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 starts in Melbourne, Australia from tomorrow.
NOTE:- The 9 day tournament will feature 4 top ranked teams in the world and another regarded invitational teams. India are placed in Pool A alongwith reigning Olympic champions Germany, England and New Zealand. Pool B features Australia, The Netherlands, Pakistan and Belgium.
6. Agri sector share in GDP shows decline: MoS Agri Anwar
The share of agriculture sector in the country's GDP has declined from 15.8 percent in 2008-09 to 14.5 percent in 2010-11.
NOTE:- i. Stating this in the Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Tariq Anwar said the decline of 1.3 percent over 2 years is on account of comparatively higher growth of other sectors.
ii. Similarly, the number of workers employed in agriculture declined from 580 in 2005-06 to 532 in 2009-10 for every one thousand employed people. This was primarily on account of higher employment opportunities in non-agriculture sectors.
iii. Per capita availability of foodgrains declined to 437.1 gram per day in the year 2010 from 494.1 grams per day in 2002. However, according to provisional figures this has again risen to 462.9 grams per day in the last year.
7. Economic growth declines to 5.3% in Jul-Sep quarter
Indian economy grew by 5.3 per cent in the July-September period of the current financial year (2012-13), pulled down by poor performance of manufacturing and agriculture sectors, showing persistent signs of slowdown. The Gross Domestic Product(GDP) had expanded by 6.7 per cent in the same period of last fiscal.It had grown by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of 2012-13.
NOTE:- i. During the three-month period ended September 30, the manufacturing sector grew marginally by 0.8 per cent, against 2.9 per cent growth in the same period of 2011-12, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) today.
ii. Farm sector output expanded by just 1.2 per cent in the July-September period this fiscal against 3.1 per cent in the same period last year.
iii. The economic growth in the first six month of this fiscal (April-September) is 5.4 per cent, lower than 7.3 per cent growth clocked in the year-ago period. In the July-September quarter, trade, hotels, transport and communications segment also witnessed lower pace of growth at 5.5 per cent compared to 9.5 per cent expansion in the same quarter in year ago.
8. AP govt introduces SC/ST sub plan implementation bill; country's first
Andhra Pradesh Government has introduced a Bill in the Assembly aimed at ensuring transparent, accountable and accurate implementation of Sub-plans for the welfare of Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes.
NOTE:- The bill is first of its kind in the country to prevent diversion of funds earmarked for SC and ST welfare. The bill also provides provision of social audit of the Sub Plans every year and promotes equal opportunities on Social, economic and Human Resource Development fronts.
Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy who introduced the bill in the Assembly appealed all political parties to give suggestions for enactment of strong Law.
9. UNGA votes to recognize Palestine as non-member observer state
UN General Assembly has voted in favour of granting the upgraded status of Observer state to Palestine on the lines of Vatican. India was among the 138 countries which voted in favour of the resolution while there were nine votes against the move led by US and Israel. 41 countries abstained from the voting.
NOTE:- The change in status from Observer entity to Observer State means Palestinians can now co sponsor the resolutions at UN. They can access membership of additional UN bodies like the International Criminal Court where they can try to put Israel on war crime charges.
10. Honduran officials claim biggest cocaine seizure in country's history
Honduran officials say they have made probably their largest ever seizure of cocaine in the country's history. The haul of about 15 tonnes was found at an underground lab. The Honduran army supported by other drug enforcement agencies discovered the extensive underground laboratory.
A wide network of tunnels was also discovered through which the drugs were packaged and smuggled out.
NOTE:- The haul is considered an important victory for the Honduran government in its fight against the country's powerful drug cartels. Honduras is a major drug smugling route to the United States.
11. Extortion case: 2 Zee News editors sent to 14 days judicial custody
Two senior editors of Zee News, arrested on charges of trying to extort Rs. 100 crore from Congress MP, Naveen Jindal's firm, were today sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court.
NOTE:- Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao sent Zee News head Sudhir Chaudhary and Zee Business Editor Samir Ahluwalia to Tihar jail till December 14 after the Crime Branch of Delhi Police said, their custodial interrogation was completed and they were no longer required in police custody.
12. Brazilian Football Confederation appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the Coach of Brazil
Luiz Felipe Scolari would be leading the team as its coach also during the 2014 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil.
NOTE:- Before this in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan, Luiz Felipe Scolari led the Brazilian side as its coach, the team which was declared the winner of the tournament. His recent recruitment at the position of coach would give him a time of 18 months to guide the Brazilian Football Team to win the next World Cup at its home. He would be guiding the team during the FIFA Confederations Cup that is scheduled to be organized in June 2013 in Brazil.
13. Parliament of Egypt Passed Draft of the New Constitution
Parliament of Egypt passed draft of their new constitution in which the duties, responsibilities and roles of the legislature, judiciary and executive have been defined. 230 articles of this new constitution were discussed as well as voted upon by Salafist and Islamist MPs at the rushed session of Egyptian Parliament which took place for 16 hours.
NOTE:- As per the law of Egypt, now the draft would be sanctioned by the President of Egypt- Morsey. It would then be put for referee.
