1) Rs 2 lakh is the cash transaction limit, Aadhaar mandatory for I-T returns
•The Rs 3-lakh limit proposed for cash payments in the Budget for 2017-18 will be brought down to Rs 2 lakh as part of an unprecedented 40 amendments to the Finance Bill.
•Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the amendments in the lower House. This is aimed at tightening the noose on those dealing in cash.
•Most other amendments are making Aadhaar mandatory for filing tax returns, applying for permanent account numbers (PAN) and allowing payments by only non-cash modes such as cheques, bank drafts or electronic transfers for electoral trusts are also aimed at curbing black money.
Takeaways from above News-
•Rs 3-lakh limit in cash payment earlier announced in Budget 2017-18 now lessen to Rs 2 lakh
•Made Aadhaar mandatory for filing tax returns
2) World water day observed globally
•World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
•In 2017, the theme for World Water Day is 'Wastewater'.
Brief History-
•An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.
Takeaways from above News-
•In 2016, the theme was 'Water and Jobs'
•World Water Day is observed on 22nd March
•First World Water Day was observed in 1993
3) India ranks 122nd in World Happiness Report
•India ranked 122nd out of 155 countries in the recently released World Happiness Report, 2017.
•India is behind Pakistan (80th) and Nepal (99th) in the global list of the happiest countries, according to a global report. The report was released on 20th March at the United Nations at an event celebrating International Day of Happiness.
•The top three happiest countries in the list are- Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
Takeaways from above news-
•Central African Republic (155th) was on the bottom most position in the list
•India ranked 122nd
•Norway topped the list
•Capital of Norway is Oslo and its currency is Norwegian krone
•Erna Solberg is Prime Minister of Norway.
4) Second round of Indus Water Commission meet held between India and Pakistan
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•Officials from India and Pakistan discussed problems relating to Indus Basin at the two-day Indus Water Commission meeting which began here on Monday after a gap of nearly two years.
•The 10-member Indian delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner P.K. Saxena held a close-door meeting with the Pakistani side which was headed by Mirza Asif Saeed.
•During the meeting, Pakistan was expected to highlight concerns about the three Indian hydro projects being built on the rivers flowing to Pakistan.
•They are 1000 MW Pakul Dul on Chenab, 120 MW Miyar, located across Miyar Nalla which is a right bank main tributary of River Chenab, and the 43 MW Lower Kalnai hydro project on Lower Kalnai Nalla, a tributary of river Chenab.
•Pakistan contends that the projects were violating the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, which has come under strain during the current tension between the two sides.
•Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai are being built in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 7,464 crore (November 2008 price level) and Rs 396 crore respectively. Miyar hydroelectricity project, located in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Spiti district, is estimated to cost Rs 1,125 crore.
•The list has been topped by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for the fourth year in a row. He is the richest person in the world for 18 out of the past 23 years.
•Mukesh Ambani leads the pack of Indian billionaires, coming in at the 33rd position with a net worth of $23.2 billion. US President Donald Trump is ranked 544th on the list with his net worth of $3.5 billion.
Takeaways from above News-
•Forbes is an American business magazine headquarter in New York City, U.S.A.
•Forbes 2017 Billionaires List is topped by Bill Gates
•Mukesh Ambani at the 33rd Position of Forbes 2017 Billionaires List.
•For restoring the crucial power infrastructure, the ABB has bagged 'the India Smart Grid Foundation (ISGF) innovation award'.
Takeaways from above News-
•ABB is a pioneering technology leader that works closely with utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customers
•ABB head office is in Switzerland
•Sharavathi Hydropower plant is located in Karnataka on the bank of Sharavathi River.
•Officials from India and Pakistan discussed problems relating to Indus Basin at the two-day Indus Water Commission meeting which began here on Monday after a gap of nearly two years.
•The 10-member Indian delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner P.K. Saxena held a close-door meeting with the Pakistani side which was headed by Mirza Asif Saeed.
•During the meeting, Pakistan was expected to highlight concerns about the three Indian hydro projects being built on the rivers flowing to Pakistan.
•They are 1000 MW Pakul Dul on Chenab, 120 MW Miyar, located across Miyar Nalla which is a right bank main tributary of River Chenab, and the 43 MW Lower Kalnai hydro project on Lower Kalnai Nalla, a tributary of river Chenab.
•Pakistan contends that the projects were violating the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, which has come under strain during the current tension between the two sides.
•Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai are being built in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 7,464 crore (November 2008 price level) and Rs 396 crore respectively. Miyar hydroelectricity project, located in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Spiti district, is estimated to cost Rs 1,125 crore.
5) India home to 101 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani tops list: Forbes
•India is home to world’s fourth highest number of billionaires with Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani leading the club of more than 100 super rich Indians, according to a new list released by Forbes magazine 2017 Billionaires List.
•The list has been topped by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for the fourth year in a row. He is the richest person in the world for 18 out of the past 23 years.
•Mukesh Ambani leads the pack of Indian billionaires, coming in at the 33rd position with a net worth of $23.2 billion. US President Donald Trump is ranked 544th on the list with his net worth of $3.5 billion.
Takeaways from above News-
•Forbes is an American business magazine headquarter in New York City, U.S.A.
•Forbes 2017 Billionaires List is topped by Bill Gates
•Mukesh Ambani at the 33rd Position of Forbes 2017 Billionaires List.
6) ABB India bags award for restoring 1,035 MW Sharavathi plant in Karnataka
•ABB India has restored and modernized the critical 1,035 MW Sharavathi hydropower plant in Karnataka that accounts for 25% of Karnataka Power Corporation’s generation.
•For restoring the crucial power infrastructure, the ABB has bagged 'the India Smart Grid Foundation (ISGF) innovation award'.
Takeaways from above News-
•ABB is a pioneering technology leader that works closely with utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customers
•ABB head office is in Switzerland
•Sharavathi Hydropower plant is located in Karnataka on the bank of Sharavathi River.
