KARNATAKA
- Amend DCRG scheme
- The Karnataka State Government NPS (New Pension Scheme) Employees’ Association and Akhila Karnataka State Government Employees’ Federation have urged the government to amend the Death-Cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) scheme so as to extend it to all those employees who have been appointed since April 2006.
- The government meted out injustice to employees who were recruited between April 2006 and April 2018 by applying the DCRG scheme to only those recruited after 2018. “OPS [Old Pension Scheme] was employee-friendly as the government took the responsibility of paying pension to all its employees after retirement. The scheme extended the pension benefits to the family of the employee even after his/her death. However, the government replaced the OPS with NPS [New Pension Scheme], which was anti-employee, and applied it to all those who were appointed after April 1, 2006.” Under the scheme, the government began to deduct 10% of basic pay from each employee and add its equal share for paying the pension. Under the scheme, the family is not entitled to get a pension after the death of the employee
INTERNATIONAL
· Australia’s Fleet Space to launch first 2 satellites with ISRO, SpaceX
- Australian Internet of Things (IoT) startup Fleet Space Technologies has announced launch plans for its first two nanosatellites, Centauri I and II,in the second half of 2018.
- 10-kg nanosatellite Centauri I will be launched on Indian space agency ISRO’sPolar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- Centauri II will be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
· Indian government declares tariffs cut on Asian imports under APTA
- The government has implemented thetariff concessions agreed to under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) by cutting duties on the import of 3,142 items from the signatories to the accord, including China.
- On January 13, 2017, the 4th round of trade negotiations under the agreement was conducted. The results of the fourth round of negotiations under APTA have been implemented with effect from 1st July 2018 among six countries namely, Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka.
· China approves 1 billion dollar aid to Pakistan
- After Pakistan has been placed in ‘grey list‘ by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), China approved USD 1 billionloan to Pakistan.
- The idea behind putting Pakistan in the FATF grey list is to deplete its economy and eventually pull the plug on terror groups.
Gk bit – FATF
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
NATIONAL
· Delhi launches Happiness Curriculum for govt schools
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and the Dalai Lamalaunched a ‘Happiness Curriculum‘ for students studying in Class Nursery to Class 8 in government schools.
- The curriculum will include a 45-minute‘Happiness’ class, which will include meditation, value education, and mental exercises.
· Bombay Stock Exchange to delist 222 companies from 4th July
- Leading stock exchange BSE(Bombay Stock Exchange ) will delist as many as 222 companies from July 4, 2018 as trading in their shares has remained suspended for over six months.
- Earlier in May, the exchange had delisted over 200 48.3 47.8C117.2 448 288 448 288 448s170.8 0 213.4-11.5c23.5-6.3 42-24.2 48.3-47.8 11.4-42.9 11.4-132.3 11.4-132.3s0-89.4-11.4-132.3zm-317.5 213.5V175.2l142.7 81.2-142.7 81.2z"/> Subscribe on YouTube