1.Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith visited New Delhi on March 2. He expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements being made for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
2. A conference on "Operationalisation of National Policy for Farmers 2007" was organised at Hyderabad on March 2, 2010.
3.Argentina's President Christina Kirchner met Hillary Clinton , US Secretary of State at Buenos Aires on March 1, 2010.
4.A landslip in Baduda district of Uganda killed at least 45 persons on March 2, 2010.
5.MIRCA, a new car of Nissan Motor Company was unveiled by the company's President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn on March 2, 2010 at 80th International Geneva Motor Show.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 1, 2010
1.As part of Riyadh Declaration , India and Saudi Arabia signed the Extradition Treaty and agreement for transfer of sentenced persons on February 28 night. Saudi ruler is King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. A total of five (5) treaties were signed during the visit of Dr.Manmohan Singh's to Saudi Arabia.
2.Rivals Georgia and Russia re-opened their only usable land-border crossing on March 1, restoring a vital transport route that had been closed since 2006. The re-opening of the crossing is known as Verkhny Lars in Russia and Darial Gorge in Georgia.
3.The storm called 'Xynthia' battred parts of France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Germany on February 28.
4.LIM DING WEI is Singapore's youngest programmer (10 Years).
2.Rivals Georgia and Russia re-opened their only usable land-border crossing on March 1, restoring a vital transport route that had been closed since 2006. The re-opening of the crossing is known as Verkhny Lars in Russia and Darial Gorge in Georgia.
3.The storm called 'Xynthia' battred parts of France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Germany on February 28.
4.LIM DING WEI is Singapore's youngest programmer (10 Years).
February 28, 2010
1.A Beguluru - bound Air India flight from Delhi had to make an unscheduled landing at Raja Bhoj Airport , Bhopal when the pilots detected a problem with the cabin pressure on February 28, 2010.None of the 88 passengers and the flight crew suffered injuries.
2.Pran Nath Lekhi, a noted onstitutional expert and senior Supreme Court lawyer, who was one of the defence counsels in the Indira Gandhi assassination case, passed away at New Delhi on February 28. He was 85.
3.Julianna Smoot has replaced Desiree Rogers as the White House Social Secretary.
2.Pran Nath Lekhi, a noted onstitutional expert and senior Supreme Court lawyer, who was one of the defence counsels in the Indira Gandhi assassination case, passed away at New Delhi on February 28. He was 85.
3.Julianna Smoot has replaced Desiree Rogers as the White House Social Secretary.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
February 27, 2010
1.A devastating earthquake (8.8 magnitude on Richter Scale) struck Chile on February 27, 2010.
2.The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, considered one of the biggest habitat for pelicans and other birds, will host the FLAMINGO FESTIVAL ( Doravari satram mandal, Sree Potti Sreeramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh) during the 2nd week of March 2010.
3.BSNL has launched (Feb.27) India's first commercial urban mobile Wi Max (World-wide Interoperability for Microwave access) network in Ernakulam in Kerala.
4.Moonnilavu Panchayat in Kerala state is the first litigation-controlled tribal panchayat in India.
5.Representatives of Commonwealth countries are keen to replicate a livelihood generation model, financed through micro-credit released by women's Self-Help-groups in JHUND village of Jaipur district.
6.The Centre has decided to garner Rs.40000 crore in 2010-11 from the sale of its equity in PSUs as against Rs.25000 crore during the current fiscal.
7.PM of India is on a 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
8.Tabla maestro, Nawab Khan passed away at New delhi on February 27, 2010.
9.Nanaji Deshmukh, a veteran RSS member and former Rajya Sabha member passed away at Chitrakoot, Maharashtra on February 27, 2010.
10.White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers resigned on Feb. 27.
2.The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, considered one of the biggest habitat for pelicans and other birds, will host the FLAMINGO FESTIVAL ( Doravari satram mandal, Sree Potti Sreeramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh) during the 2nd week of March 2010.
3.BSNL has launched (Feb.27) India's first commercial urban mobile Wi Max (World-wide Interoperability for Microwave access) network in Ernakulam in Kerala.
4.Moonnilavu Panchayat in Kerala state is the first litigation-controlled tribal panchayat in India.
5.Representatives of Commonwealth countries are keen to replicate a livelihood generation model, financed through micro-credit released by women's Self-Help-groups in JHUND village of Jaipur district.
6.The Centre has decided to garner Rs.40000 crore in 2010-11 from the sale of its equity in PSUs as against Rs.25000 crore during the current fiscal.
7.PM of India is on a 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
8.Tabla maestro, Nawab Khan passed away at New delhi on February 27, 2010.
9.Nanaji Deshmukh, a veteran RSS member and former Rajya Sabha member passed away at Chitrakoot, Maharashtra on February 27, 2010.
10.White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers resigned on Feb. 27.
February 26,2010
1.The 10-day festival at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple commenced on February 26, 2010 with the Elephant race (Aanayottam).
2.Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi has called for 'jihad' against Switzerland. Swiss voters approved a ban on construction of minarets in Switzerland in a referundum held in November 2009.
3.Actor and director Clint Eastwood and singer Bob Dylan were honoured by the US President with art awards.
4.Jose Brasa is the chief coach of Indian hockey team.
5.Petra Diamonds Ltd. sold a 507 carat diamond for $35.3 million on February 26, 2010 creating a record of the highest price ever paid for a rough diamond. Johan Dippenaar is the CEO of Petra Diamonds Ltd.
2.Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi has called for 'jihad' against Switzerland. Swiss voters approved a ban on construction of minarets in Switzerland in a referundum held in November 2009.
3.Actor and director Clint Eastwood and singer Bob Dylan were honoured by the US President with art awards.
4.Jose Brasa is the chief coach of Indian hockey team.
5.Petra Diamonds Ltd. sold a 507 carat diamond for $35.3 million on February 26, 2010 creating a record of the highest price ever paid for a rough diamond. Johan Dippenaar is the CEO of Petra Diamonds Ltd.
Monday, March 1, 2010
February 26, 2010 -Budget Highlights
UNION BUDGET 2010-11 – HIGHLIGHTS
PROPOSALS MADE:
• For rural infrastructure under Bharat Nirman Rs.48,000 crore allocated.
• Rs.40,100 crore allocated for MG NREGS.
• Under Indira Awas Yojana – unit cost raised to Rs.45000 in plains and Rs.48500 in hilly areas.
• Backward Region Grant Fund – allocation raised by 26% from Rs.5800 crore to Rs.7300 crore.
• Rs.1200 crore Additional Central assistance for drought mitigation in Bundelkhand region.
• Allocation of Rs.7500 crore for urban development.
• Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation – allocation raised from Rs.850 crore to Rs.1000 crore.
• Scheme for 1% interest subvention on housing loan (upto Rs.10 lakh, where total cost does not increase Rs.20 lakh) extended till 31.03.2011.
• School Education – Plan allocation raised by 16%.
• Women and Child Development – Plan Outlay raised by nearly 50%.
• Rs.1000 crore for launching National Social Security Fund for unorganized sector (weavers etc.).
• Rashtriya Swasth Bima Yojana benefits to be extended to MG NREGS workers.
• Rs.100 crore to look into the needs of women farmers.Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana to be launched in this regard.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment – plan outlay to be raised by 80% to Rs.4500 crore.
• Minority affairs – plan outlay raised by nearly 50% from Rs.1740 crore to Rs.2600 crore.
• To ensure that public sector banks attain a minimum 8% Tier-I Capital by 31.03.2011, Rs.16500 crore allocated.
TAXES:
DIRECT TAXES:
• No IT up to Rs.1.6 lakh
• 10% from Rs.1.6 lakh to Rs.5 lakh
• 20% from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.8 lakh
• 30% above Rs.8 lakh
• Surcharge on domestic companies reduced from 10% to 7.5%
• On book profits of companies Minimum Alternate Tax raised from 15% to 18%
• For the purpose of presumptive taxation, limit of turnover of small businesses raised to Rs.60 lakh.
• Limits of turnover for audit purpose raised to Rs.60 lakh for businesses and Rs.15 lakh for professions.
INDIRECT TAXES:
Central Excise on all non-petroleum products raised to 10%
Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel up by Re.1 each per litre
Basic Duty of 5% on crude petroleum;7.5% on diesel and petroleum and 10% on refined products restored.
Excise Duty on all non-smoking tobacco products increased.
Uniform basic duty of 5% countervailing duty (CVD) of 4% on import of medical equipment.
Certain orthopaedic implants exempted from import duty
Toy balloons totally exempted from Central excise duty.
Transportation by road of cereals and pulses exempted from service tax.
PROPOSALS MADE:
• For rural infrastructure under Bharat Nirman Rs.48,000 crore allocated.
• Rs.40,100 crore allocated for MG NREGS.
• Under Indira Awas Yojana – unit cost raised to Rs.45000 in plains and Rs.48500 in hilly areas.
• Backward Region Grant Fund – allocation raised by 26% from Rs.5800 crore to Rs.7300 crore.
• Rs.1200 crore Additional Central assistance for drought mitigation in Bundelkhand region.
• Allocation of Rs.7500 crore for urban development.
• Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation – allocation raised from Rs.850 crore to Rs.1000 crore.
• Scheme for 1% interest subvention on housing loan (upto Rs.10 lakh, where total cost does not increase Rs.20 lakh) extended till 31.03.2011.
• School Education – Plan allocation raised by 16%.
• Women and Child Development – Plan Outlay raised by nearly 50%.
• Rs.1000 crore for launching National Social Security Fund for unorganized sector (weavers etc.).
• Rashtriya Swasth Bima Yojana benefits to be extended to MG NREGS workers.
• Rs.100 crore to look into the needs of women farmers.Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana to be launched in this regard.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment – plan outlay to be raised by 80% to Rs.4500 crore.
• Minority affairs – plan outlay raised by nearly 50% from Rs.1740 crore to Rs.2600 crore.
• To ensure that public sector banks attain a minimum 8% Tier-I Capital by 31.03.2011, Rs.16500 crore allocated.
TAXES:
DIRECT TAXES:
• No IT up to Rs.1.6 lakh
• 10% from Rs.1.6 lakh to Rs.5 lakh
• 20% from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.8 lakh
• 30% above Rs.8 lakh
• Surcharge on domestic companies reduced from 10% to 7.5%
• On book profits of companies Minimum Alternate Tax raised from 15% to 18%
• For the purpose of presumptive taxation, limit of turnover of small businesses raised to Rs.60 lakh.
• Limits of turnover for audit purpose raised to Rs.60 lakh for businesses and Rs.15 lakh for professions.
INDIRECT TAXES:
Central Excise on all non-petroleum products raised to 10%
Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel up by Re.1 each per litre
Basic Duty of 5% on crude petroleum;7.5% on diesel and petroleum and 10% on refined products restored.
Excise Duty on all non-smoking tobacco products increased.
Uniform basic duty of 5% countervailing duty (CVD) of 4% on import of medical equipment.
Certain orthopaedic implants exempted from import duty
Toy balloons totally exempted from Central excise duty.
Transportation by road of cereals and pulses exempted from service tax.
February 25,2010
1.Maqbool Fida Husain, renowned artist of India has been conferred Qatar nationality.
2.Pre-Budget Economic Survey-2010 estimates that the economy could grow by as high as 8.75% during 2010-11 and move to 9% next year.
3.The Union Cabinet on February 25, 2010 approved Women’s Reservation Bill, 2008 (108th Constitutional Amendment Bill).
4.Viktor Yanukovich was sworn in the President of Ukraine on February 25, 2010 in Verkhovna Rada, Parliament.
5.Abdolmalek Rigi, Chief of JUNDULLAH,a high-profile anti-Iran militant group based in Pakistan, was nabbed on February 22 in a solo Iranian operation at Bandar Abbas, seaport city of Iran.
6.Kishore Kumar, a Hindu Legislator, who was elected to the North-West Frontier Province Assembly candidate of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal religious alliance, condemned the beheading of a Sikh trader and abduction of his colleagues by militants as well as the kidnapping of Robin Singh, a Hindu man from Peshawar.
7.The six core sectors – Coal, Electricity, Finished Steel, Cement, Crude Oil and Petroleum Refinery Products – registered a growth of 9.4% in January 2010 as against a growth of 2.2% in the same month of 2009.
*Finished steel expanded by 16.2%
*Cement expanded by 12.4%
*Crude Oil expanded by 9.7%
*Petroleum Refinery Products by 3.8%
*Coal expanded by 6%
*Electricity expanded by5.6%
8.According to the Economic Survey – 2009-10, India has emerged the 10th largest gold-holding nation (557.7 tonnes) in the world. India also has emerged as the 4th largest foreign exchange reserves holder ($283.5 billion) in the world after China ($2399.2 bn.), Japan ($1049.4 bn.) and Russia ($439 bn)
9.ICICI Bank raises deposit rate to 6.75% (earlier 6.5%) for deposits having 390-day maturity w.e.f. February 25, 2010.
10.BMW , a car company of Germany launched two cars on February 25, 2010 at Chennai– (1)BMW 330i petrol version and BMW 320 d Corporate Edition diesel version. Peter Kronschnabi is the President of BMW India.
11.BMW has sought RBI’s permission to launch its financial services arm –BMW Financial Services in India.
12.Ela Bhatt, social worker and founder of Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a trade union (1972), has been chosen for the 27th NIWANO PEACE PRIZE-2010 for her contribution to the upliftment of poor women in India. Niwano Peace Prize, given by Tokyo-based Niwano Peace Foundation, is conferred on those who are devoting themselves to interreligious cooperation in the cause of peace, and to make their achievements known. The Foundation hopes that the prize will further promote interreligious cooperation for peace and lead to the emergence of ever more people devoting themselves to this cause.
13.”Bloom Energy” one of the Silicon Valley’s start-ups, unveiled its ground-breaking technology ‘Bloom Box’ invented by rocket scientist K.R.Sridhar at San Jose, California, USA on February 24, 2010.
14.Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary visited India to hold talks with his Indian counter-part Nirupama Rao on February 25, 2010.
15.A tipper truck assembling plant was commissioned at Hosur, Karnataka following a Joint Venture Agreement between India’s Vectra Group and Russia’s Kamaz Inc. on February 25, 2010.
2.Pre-Budget Economic Survey-2010 estimates that the economy could grow by as high as 8.75% during 2010-11 and move to 9% next year.
3.The Union Cabinet on February 25, 2010 approved Women’s Reservation Bill, 2008 (108th Constitutional Amendment Bill).
4.Viktor Yanukovich was sworn in the President of Ukraine on February 25, 2010 in Verkhovna Rada, Parliament.
5.Abdolmalek Rigi, Chief of JUNDULLAH,a high-profile anti-Iran militant group based in Pakistan, was nabbed on February 22 in a solo Iranian operation at Bandar Abbas, seaport city of Iran.
6.Kishore Kumar, a Hindu Legislator, who was elected to the North-West Frontier Province Assembly candidate of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal religious alliance, condemned the beheading of a Sikh trader and abduction of his colleagues by militants as well as the kidnapping of Robin Singh, a Hindu man from Peshawar.
7.The six core sectors – Coal, Electricity, Finished Steel, Cement, Crude Oil and Petroleum Refinery Products – registered a growth of 9.4% in January 2010 as against a growth of 2.2% in the same month of 2009.
*Finished steel expanded by 16.2%
*Cement expanded by 12.4%
*Crude Oil expanded by 9.7%
*Petroleum Refinery Products by 3.8%
*Coal expanded by 6%
*Electricity expanded by5.6%
8.According to the Economic Survey – 2009-10, India has emerged the 10th largest gold-holding nation (557.7 tonnes) in the world. India also has emerged as the 4th largest foreign exchange reserves holder ($283.5 billion) in the world after China ($2399.2 bn.), Japan ($1049.4 bn.) and Russia ($439 bn)
9.ICICI Bank raises deposit rate to 6.75% (earlier 6.5%) for deposits having 390-day maturity w.e.f. February 25, 2010.
10.BMW , a car company of Germany launched two cars on February 25, 2010 at Chennai– (1)BMW 330i petrol version and BMW 320 d Corporate Edition diesel version. Peter Kronschnabi is the President of BMW India.
11.BMW has sought RBI’s permission to launch its financial services arm –BMW Financial Services in India.
12.Ela Bhatt, social worker and founder of Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a trade union (1972), has been chosen for the 27th NIWANO PEACE PRIZE-2010 for her contribution to the upliftment of poor women in India. Niwano Peace Prize, given by Tokyo-based Niwano Peace Foundation, is conferred on those who are devoting themselves to interreligious cooperation in the cause of peace, and to make their achievements known. The Foundation hopes that the prize will further promote interreligious cooperation for peace and lead to the emergence of ever more people devoting themselves to this cause.
13.”Bloom Energy” one of the Silicon Valley’s start-ups, unveiled its ground-breaking technology ‘Bloom Box’ invented by rocket scientist K.R.Sridhar at San Jose, California, USA on February 24, 2010.
14.Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary visited India to hold talks with his Indian counter-part Nirupama Rao on February 25, 2010.
15.A tipper truck assembling plant was commissioned at Hosur, Karnataka following a Joint Venture Agreement between India’s Vectra Group and Russia’s Kamaz Inc. on February 25, 2010.
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