Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.).

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1 Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.). Above all he is a passionate teacher.

100 days after India s tryst with the new Goods and Services Tax. GST Council empowered to oversee its implementation has approved several alterations.

4 100 days after India s tryst with the new Goods and Services Tax. GST Council empowered to oversee its implementation has approved several alterations. These relate to coverage and compliance norms with a view to easing the burden of paperwork and stretched cash flows imposed on smaller businesses and exporters. The Council lowered the rates on 27 items including textile industry (bulk ware of jobs). Turnover of Rs 1.5 crore: Quarterly filing. This will reduce burden on GSTN too. Composition scheme: annual turnover of up to Rs 1 crore pay a flat and low tax 6 month suspension for exporters PM termed it as an early Deepaval: meeting was advanced by almost 20 days Grey areas While putting off the e-way bill provisions dealing with movement of goods that were making businesses and transporters nervous, the Council is instead considering a staggered introduction. At present though suspense persists on the operationalization of the GST law s anti-profiteering.

7 The talks to negotiate the India-European Union trade pact, the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), have not progressed during the 14th India-EU Summit. Much has changed for the EU since the last summit held in Brussels in 2016 Brexit France: French President Emmanuel Macron have been pushing for a stronger union in Europe as Britain leaves the EU. Germany A visible rifts between eastern and western European countries on what core EU values are and should be. Donald Trump: Iran Nuclear Deal, Paris Climate Accord etc. EU leadership referred to India and the EU as being the world s largest democracies. Reference to multipolarity Terrorism Talking of trade BTIA: Among the reported causes for the failed talks is a disagreement on whether the protection of foreign investments will be part of the BTIA or dealt with in a stand-alone treaty. Movement of people vs. market access for automobiles Data security Both are sceptical about China s growing assertiveness.

9 We are in the midst of the most transformative age in human history where technological leaps could make possible a world of limitless food, water, and energy. Although we have attained the ability to produce any resource at any speed or in any quantity, human capital requirement is on a steep decline owing to the advent of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Five high-technology firms find themselves among the list of the top seven most valuable companies in the world, with a cumulative market capitalisation of almost $3 trillion, it is distressing to note that that they employ just under 700,000 people among them. a future of mass unemployment concentration of wealth in the hands of a few enterprises Today s primary challenge: optimal allocation of copiously produced resources among an increasing population with dwindling wage-earning opportunities. Several progressive political outfits across Europe have started demanding legislation favouring reduced working hours with no cuts in pay, three-day weekends, and the introduction of a universal basic income. The Indian scenario already looks grim with the Labour Bureau stating that India added just 1.35 lakh jobs in eight labour-intensive sectors in 2015, against a backdrop of almost 1.5 crore annually entering the job market. frustrated people who would be easy prey

10 Nevertheless, the informal economy employs more than 90% of our workforce. Efforts to structure the informal sector, by encouraging them to adopt modern-day tools and best practices, and by giving them adequate access to capital for expansion, would stimulate the economy and the job market. India has massive basic infrastructural capacity requirements. Focussed government planning and spending, along with the creation of an environment that would encourage private investments into these potentially large-scale projects, could create immediate openings for millions in sectors like construction, India s second largest employer, providing jobs for over 44 million. If leveraged to create essential and permanent assets, employment-guaranteeing schemes like MGNREGA would also effectively absorb a large slice of job seekers.

13 Modi hits out at UPA for neglecting health Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that the government is working on a blue revolution to help small fishermen. Addressing a public rally at Bharuch, Mr. Modi said that the fishermen will be given loans on nominal interest for purchasing mechanised boats which they can use to go into the deep sea for a better catch. He said the scheme includes the provision of cold storage facilities also. The Prime Minister said that his decision to have a 100 percent neem coating of heavily subsidized urea has ensured that it reaches the farmers and is not cornered by chemical industries. He said this has also excluded middlemen. Mr Modi Prime Minister flagged off Antyodaya Express from Udhana near Surat to Jaynagar in Bihar. It will reduced journey time to 38 hours for 1871 km journey. Mr. Modi laid foundation stone of Bhadbhut barrage on a Narmada river to improve potable water sources and irrigation facilities. It will be constructed at a cost of 4337 crore rupees. The barrage is a part of ambitious Kalpsar project in the state.

14 Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated a new 500-crore rupees civil hospital and a medical college in Vadnagar, Gujarat. Mr Modi, in his hometown, also launched the intensified mission Indradhanush to accelerate progress towards the goal of full immunization coverage. Mr Modi on this occasion said his government has made immunization a people s movement. He urged all the people across the country to put in their time and efforts to ensure that no child leaves without vaccination. He added that the previous regime had not considered it necessary to increase seats in medical colleges in the country, which was facing a huge shortage of medical practitioners. We also need good professors and faculty members for new colleges, we have also increased 6,000 seats in PG medical courses in the last one year. He said his government is constantly working towards making healthcare affordable and accessible to all. The government has set up a chain of stores to sell generic medicines at subsidised rates to bring down the price of medicines.

Punjab government faces heat over stubble burning With harvesting of paddy in full swing, farmers have already started burning crop residue as they prepare their farms for the upcoming rabi crop.

15 Punjab government faces heat over stubble burning With harvesting of paddy in full swing, farmers have already started burning crop residue as they prepare their farms for the upcoming rabi crop. Farmers have threatened to continue burning crop residue unless the govt suitably compensates them. National Green Tribunal (NGT) while issuing directions to stop stubble burning for a cleaner environment had ordered the State government to provide equipment to farmers.

16 16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal Impatiens walongensis is the latest but not the only new discovery of balsam in Arunachal Pradesh. What makes the Impatiens interesting is the high endemism among these plants. In most cases, while collecting the specimens, only a handful of plants are spotted. Since these plants have a very small habitat, they face a threat from the fastchanging landscape of the region.

17 Simultaneous polls feasible: EC Favouring simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, the Election Commission today said all political parties need to be brought on board before such an exercise is carried out. Election Commissioner O P Rawat said conducting the polls together would be possible only when necessary changes in the Constitution and Representation of the People Act are carried out. Mr. Rawat said after the constitutional and legal framework are in place, it would be feasible to seek all the logistical support and conduct simultaneous elections.

18 China swears by 1890 treaty with Britain China on Sunday referred to the 1890 U.K.-China treaty which it claims demarcated the Sikkim sector of the India-China border as it urged New Delhi to abide by its provisions, a day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made her maiden visit to the Nathu La post. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday that India was no more a weak country but a strong one, which was in a position to resolve a contentious matter such as the Doklam standoff with China. He asserted that world now sees India as a strong country and the Doklam standoff was resolved due this image. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Pakistan s nefarious design to weaken India by exporting terror has been defeated by intensified anti-terror operations as security forces are neutralizing infiltrators on almost daily basis. Speaking at a programme in Bengaluru today, Mr Singh pointed out that Indian Army is retaliating with vehemence for every bullet fired by Pakistan across the border.

19 A charm offensive with PLA men Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today reviewed the operational readiness of the strategically important Eastern airbase of Tezpur. A Defence Ministry press release said, the visit was part of her familiarisation with all the formations of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. It came close on the heels of her visit to the Northern Command and Sikkim. Mrs Sitharaman also visited the Gajraj Corps Headquarters. She reiterated the government s resolve to give further impetus to development in the border areas. At Solmara Military Station in Tezpur, the Minister appreciated the high standards of military discipline and preparedness of the Army personnel for their excellent performance in the difficult terrain and challenging environment.

20 Questions 1. The mouth of river Daunbe is in which sea? 2. Name one important strait that divides the country of Turkey. 3. Briefly explain the role of child immunisation in terms of economic development of India.

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Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.).

Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.). Above all he is a passionate teacher. President of India President Ram Nath