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Current Affairs 14 August 2020
Daily Current Affairs 14 August 2020: We have collected the latest current affairs for 14 August 2020 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.
National News
PM Modi launches “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” platform to benefit honest taxpayers
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the platform for “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” via video conferencing on 13 August 2020.
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has put in place this system to empower the taxpayer, provide a transparent system & honour honest taxpayers.
- The ‘Transparent Taxation — Honoring the Honest’ platform aims to carry forward the journey of direct tax reforms by easing compliance and expediting refunds, to make the tax system “people-centric and public friendly”.
- The 3 big feature of this platform is faceless assessment, faceless appeal, and taxpayers charter (to empower assessees by outlining their rights and duties, in a statute under the income tax law, to get time-bound services). The platform will use technology such as data analytics and AI.
- With the introduction of taxpayers charter, India joins countries like US, Australia and Canada to have such provisions in their law.
- Faceless appeal will be applicable from September 25, while faceless assessment and taxpayer charter will come into force from August 13.
National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 headed by Dr V K Paul
- The Government has constituted a National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, to oversee all the aspects of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, including the identification of the effective vaccine, buying and financing of the purchase, as well as its distribution and administration.
- The expert committee has been formed under the Chairmanship of by Dr V K Paul, Member Niti Aayog.
- The Secretary (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) Rajesh Bhushan is the co-Chair of the committee.
- The committee met for the first time on 12 August 2020.
Goa’s ‘Khaje’, ‘Harmal Chilli’ and ‘Moira banana’ get GI tag
- Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry.
- A GI tag protects the produce from being illegally used, and ensures benefits to the local growers’ community.
International News
Israel & United States successfully tests an advanced missile defense system Arrow 2
- On 13 August 2020, Israel successfully carried out the test of an advanced missile defense system, Arrow 2, to intercept long-range ballistic attacks.
- The test was conducted from the Palmachim Air Base in central Israel and over the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) conducted the test jointly with the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
- The test was conducted by engaging a Sparrow target missile that simulated a long-range surface-to-surface missile.
- The Arrow weapon system of Israel consists of the Arrow, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptor missiles. It is jointly funded and produced by Israel and United States.
Books & Author
Book titled “Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World” by Dalai Lama to hit stands in November 2020
- The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has penned a new book on climate change titled titled “Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World”.
- The book will be released in November 2020. It has been published by Hanover Square Press.
- In his latest book, Dalai Lama calls on political decision makers to fight against deadlock and ignorance on the issue of climate change and to stand up for a different, more climate-friendly world and for the younger generation to assert their right to regain its future.
Appointment
Sameer Gehlaut Steps down as Chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance, SS Mundra appointed non-executive Chairman
- Sameer Gehlaut, the co-founder and Chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd ( IBHFL) has stepped down as the Executive Chairman of the company, and taken up the role of Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director of IBHFL.
- Gehlaut has stepped down to take charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indiabulls Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary company of IBHFL.
- Meanwhile, Subhash Sheoratan Mundra, the former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, has taken over as the Non-Executive Chairman of IBHFL.
Isher Judge Ahluwalia steps down as ICRIER chairperson; Succeeded by Pramod Bhasin
- Noted economist Isher Judge Ahluwalia has stepped down as Chairman of the economic think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) on 8 August 2020, due to declining health.
- She was elected chairperson on August 8, 2005, and had held the position for 15 years
- Isher will continue as Chairperson Emeritus, a position specially created for her.
- Pramod Bhasin, has been appointed as the new Chairman of ICRIER, Prior to this, he was Vice Chair of the Board of Governors at ICRIER.
Soma Mondal selected as the next chairman of SAIL
- The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has selected Soma Mondal as the next chairman of public sector steel major Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
- Presently, Soma Mondal is serving as Director (Commercial) of SAIL.
- She will succeed Anil Chaudhary, who is due to retire at the end of 2020. He took charge in September 2018.
- Soma’s appointment is subject to approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- Once approved, she will become the first-ever woman chairperson of the country’s largest steel company.
Important Days
World Organ Donation Day: 13 August
- The World Organ Donation Day is celebrated every year on August 13 to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and motivate people to donate organs after death.
- The day provides an opportunity to all to come ahead and pledge to donate their precious organs, because one organ donor can save up to eight lives.
Obituaries
Congress Leader and Spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi passes away at 52
- Veteran Congress leader and spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi has passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 52.
- Mr Tyagi, had just finished a live television debate from his residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, before he complained of chest pains and fell unconscious.
Noted Sports Journalist GK Menon Passes away at 93
- Veteran sports journalist Gopal Krishna Menon has passed away. He was 93.
- He had worked with the Indian Express and The Times of India.
- Menon, who was called George by his friends, played cricket at the club level and also was an active member of the Shivaji Park Gymkhana in Dadar, central Mumbai.
- He was manager of the 1952-53 Bombay University team which won the Rohinton Baria Trophy.
Famous Model and Fashion Designer Simar Dugal passes away at 52
- Model-turned-fashion designer Simar Dugal has passed away after battling cancer. She was 52.
- Simar was dubbed as “India’s first supermodel”.
- She was known as one of few Indian models who broke the stereotypes and walked the ramp after getting married.
- After her modelling career, she became a famous name in the Indian fashion world and ran an ethnic wear label.