Daily Current Affairs Updates: 24 April 2015

1) Rajya Sabha passed private bill for transgender rights:

--> In a historic legislative action, the Rajya Sabha approved a private member’s bill on the rights of transgenders on 24 April 2015.

--> The Bill also guarantees reservation in education and jobs, financial aid and social inclusion.

--> This is the first time in 45 years that a private members' Bill has been passed by the House.

--> Usually a private member’s bill—introduced by a legislator who is not a member of the cabinet—is withdrawn after discussion in the upper House.

--> The bill was introduced by Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi Siva of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on 12 December 2014.

2) Arun Jaitley moved GST bill in Lok Sabha:

--> Finance minister Arun Jaitley on 24 April 2015 moved the constitution amendment bill for the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha.

--> While most of the opposition parties wanted the bill to be sent to the standing committee for finance, the government stood firm.

--> The Congress staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha over this issue.

--> GST is set to be rolled out from 1 April 2016.

3) National Panchayati Raj Day observed:

--> National Panchayati Raj Day was observed across India on 24 April 2015.

--> The day is observed to mark the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993.

--> On the day, the best performing Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas were honoured with Panchayat Sashaktikaran Award 2015 and Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award 2015.

4) India ranked 117 in global happiness index:

--> India has not fared well in a global ranking of the happiest nations, coming in at the 117th spot out of 158 countries on the index that took into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness.

--> Switzerland has been named the most happiest country in the world, coming in at the number one spot on the 2015.

--> World Happiness Report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which is a global initiative for the United Nations.

--> The other countries in the top five are Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada.

5) ICICI Bank launches app for Apple's iWatch:

--> ICICI Bank has launched an application for iWatch, on expectations that that wearable payment solutions would pick-up soon.

--> The application will enable customers of ICICI Bank to view their transactions and do limited transactions such pay utility bill and recharge prepaid mobile.

--> HDFC Bank was the first to announce the launch of this application about a week ago.

6) Gurpreet Sandhu becomes first Indian in 79 years to play for 1st division European club:

--> Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian footballer to play for a top-tier European club, after the custodian made his debut for Stabaek FC in a Norwegian Cup tie against Runar on 22 April 2015.

--> The 23-year-old joined the former Norwegian champion on a three-year contract last year and is second choice goalkeeper behind Ivory Coast international Sayouba Mande. 

7) Crompton Greaves to exit consumer products business:

--> Avantha Holdings Ltd. the parent company of Crompton Greaves Ltd. (CG) has decided to exit CG’s consumer products business and sell its 34.37 per cent stake to American private equity major Advent International Corporation and a subsidiary of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings for Rs.2,000 crore.

--> The consumer products business, called Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL), will be demerged from CG into separate company.

--> After the demerger, CGCEL will own CG’s consumer products business.

--> The business manufactures and markets a wide array of consumer products, ranging from fans, lamps and luminaries to pumps and household appliances such as water heaters, mixer grinders, toasters, irons and electric lanterns.

8) India’s Healthcare Tourism Portal Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi:

--> Prime Minister of India inaugurated India’s Healthcare Portal at the ‘SAAARC Trade Mart’ in the Global Exhibition on Services, in ITPO, Pragati Maidan on 24 April 2015.

--> The portal is a comprehensive one-point information site and covers hospital-related and travel-related information on India.

9) Government allowed investing 5 per cent of EPFO corpus in stock markets:

--> Union Government has allowed Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), India’s retirement fund body to invest five per cent of its corpus in exchange traded funds i.e. in stock markets.

--> The new pattern allows the retirement fund body to invest 5% of its incremental income in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) from the current financial year.