Daily Current Affairs 31 August 2019: We have collected the latest current affairs for 31 August 2019 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. The GK current affairs will help you score more in these competitive exams. Improve your general knowledge with our daily online current affairs. You can also read the daily current affairs on our mobile app.

Current Affairs 31 August 2019

IT Ministry Partners Google to Roll Out ‘Build for Digital India’

Technology giant Google has signed a statement of intent with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) for rolling out ‘Build for Digital India’ programme.
The programme will provide a platform to engineering students to develop market-ready, technology-based solutions to address some of the toughest social challenges that India faces today.
Google will offer online and offline learning opportunities to applicants on key technologies such as Machine Learning (ML), Cloud and Android in areas like healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, women safety, smart mobility and transportation, environment, accessibility and disability and digital literacy.

Assam’s “National Register of Citizens” list released

Prateek Hajela, the State coordinator of the National Register of Citizens in Assam has released the Assam’s final National Register of Citizens list. Prateek Hajela was appointed as the state coordinator following a Supreme Court order for updating the citizenship roll in 2013. Here are some major highlights of the NRC:
3,11,21,004 people have been found eligible for inclusion in the list.
19,06,657 people have been left out. A total of 3,30,27,661 persons had applied for NRC.
Those people who have been excluded from the final NRC list will have 120 days to approach the Foreigners’ Tribunals. After that people may be detained if the Foreigners Tribunals declare them as foreigners.

Government Approves to Set up Gorewada International Zoo in Nagpur

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar has informed that the Government has approved to establish an International Standard Zoo and Biopark on the forest land at Gorewada, Nagpur, in a major steps towards protecting the forests.
The Zoo will have attractions like Bio Park, Indian Safari, African Safari, Night Safari, Research, Education and Training, facilities among others for tourists.

Meghalaya CM launches ‘walk to work’ campaign in the state

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, has launched ‘walk to work’ campaign in state as a part of Fit India Movement. The campaign is named #WalktoWorkMeghalaya.
CM urged the citizens to walk to the work at least once in a week. The idea of ‘walk to work’ will have multiple benefits, cuts the cost of fuel including reduction of CO2 emission, reduce congestion in the city and more importantly for health and fitness.

Pakistan Successfully Test-fires Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile ‘Ghaznavi’

Pakistan conducted the successful test-firing of surface-to-surface ballistic missile named ‘Ghaznavi’.
The short range missile was launched from the Sonmiani flight test range in Balochistan.
It is capable of delivering multiple warheads up to 290 kms.

CBDT Constitutes 5 Member Startup Cell for Grievances Redressal of Start-ups

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has formed a five-member special cell called as ‘Startup Cell’ to address the grievances of startups with relation to angel tax and other tax-related issues.
The cell will provide speedy resolution to grievances and mitigate tax-related issues of startup entities with respect to administration of Income-tax Act, 1961.
The cell will be headed by Member (Income Tax and Computerisation (IT & C)) of CBDT.
P K Dash is the current member (IT & C) of the board.
Members of the cell
- Member (Income Tax and Computerisation) – Chairman
- Joint Secretary (Tax Policy and Legislation-II): Member
- Commissioner of I-T (ITA): Member
- Director (ITA-I): Member Secretary
- Under Secretary (ITA-I): Member

NPCI revises merchant discount rates for BHIM UPI transactions

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has revised the Merchant discount rates (MDR) for BHIM UPI transactions. The new limits are:
- MDR has been revised to 0.30% with a maximum cap of Rs. 100 per transaction.
- MDR for offline merchant where transactions are done through QR Scan and Pay will be Zero for transaction up to Rs. 100.
This MDR rates will come into effect from October 01, 2019. The present rate of MDR is capped at 0.25% for transactions up to Rs. 2,000 and at 0.65% for transactions above Rs 2,000.
NPCI has also raised the inward transactions limit for P2PM category for small merchants from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. (per month).

2% TDS to be levied on cash withdrawals over Rs 1 crore from Sept 01

The Revenue Department has announced that the from September 01, 2019, 2% TDS will be deducted on cash withdrawal of over Rs 1 crore within a year.
The deduction of 2% TDS on cash withdrawal over Rs 1 crore was announced in the Union Budget 2019-20.
For a person who has already withdrawn Rs 1 Crore, since April 1, 2019 till Sept 01, 2019, the TDS of 2% will be deducted on subsequent cash withdrawal.
Other than this no cash withdrawal prior to September 1, 2019, will be subjected to the TDS.

Vivek Kumar Johri Takes Charge as Director General BSF

IPS officer Vivek Kumar Johri has taken over as the new Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) on August 31, 2019. His tenure will end in September 2020.
He succeeds Rajni Kant Mishra, and is the 25th chief of the force.
Johri is a 1984-batch officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre who was posted as Special Secretary in the external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), under the Cabinet Secretariat till now.

“Fastest Woman On Four Wheels”, Jessi Combs, dies aged 36

Jessi Combs popularly known by the nickname of “fastest woman on four wheels.” died in a car crash in an attempt to break a record. She was of 36 years.
She was attempting to break the record of Women’s Land Speed Record of 512 mph (823 kph) set in 1976 by Kitty O’Neil.

Daily Current Affairs – 31 August 2019