Daily Current Affairs 17th Aug, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
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This post contains important current affairs of 17th Aug, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 17th Aug, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 17th Aug, 2024 Current affairs test.
National News
Government Reduces Crude Oil Tax, Eliminates Diesel and ATF Levies
- India has made a significant reduction in the windfall tax on petroleum crude oil, lowering it to ₹2,100 per metric tonne effective from August 17, down from the previous rate of ₹4,600 per tonne.
- This change follows an earlier reduction of 34.2 percent, which brought the tax down to ₹4,600 on July 31.
- Additionally, the government has removed the windfall tax on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
Union Cabinet Approves Major Airport Projects in West Bengal and Bihar
- The Union Cabinet has approved substantial airport infrastructure projects in the states of West Bengal and Bihar, with an estimated total investment of approximately ₹2,962 crore.
- These projects are designed to improve air travel facilities and address the increasing passenger demand in these regions.
Six New Parliamentary Committees Formed for 2024-25: Lok Sabha Speaker
- On August 17, the Lok Sabha Speaker announced the formation of six new Parliamentary Committees, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is responsible for reviewing government expenditures.
- Ganesh Singh, a BJP Member of Parliament from Satna, Madhya Pradesh, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes.
International News
UN Human Rights Team to Visit Bangladesh for Investigation
- A United Nations human rights team is scheduled to visit Dhaka next week to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh.
- The visit aims to discuss and investigate the human rights violations that have occurred during the recent unrest in the country.
Economy News
Urban Unemployment Rate Slightly Decreases to 6.6% in Q1 FY25
- India’s urban unemployment rate has seen a slight decrease, falling to 6.6% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, down from 6.7% in the previous quarter (Q4 FY24).
- This decline, as reported by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), is mainly attributed to a reduction in the male unemployment rate.
- However, the female unemployment rate has risen to 9%, marking its highest level in four quarters.
Gender Disparities in Financial Inclusion Highlighted by NSO Data
- The latest report titled “Men and Women” by the National Statistical Office (NSO) underscores a significant financial disparity between men and women in India.
- While women own a considerable share of bank accounts, their proportion of total deposits remains disproportionately low, indicating a persistent gender gap in financial status.
Government Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation into Steel Imports from Vietnam
- India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into the import of hot rolled flat products from Vietnam.
- This action follows complaints that these products are being sold at substantially low prices, adversely affecting the domestic steel industry.
- The investigation, prompted by leading Indian steelmakers like JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), aims to mitigate the negative impact of these low-cost imports on the domestic market, particularly within the framework of the India-Asean free trade agreement.
FDI in India’s Food Processing Sector Declines in 2023-24
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s food processing sector has seen a significant decline, dropping by 30% in the fiscal year 2023-24.
- The total FDI for the year amounted to ₹5,037.06 crore, a decrease from ₹7,194.13 crore in 2022-23.
- This decline follows a pattern of fluctuating FDI levels in recent years, with previous figures including ₹5,290.27 crore in 2021-22 and ₹2,934.12 crore in 2020-21, among higher amounts in earlier years.
Appointment News
Rahul Navin Appointed as Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- On August 14, the government officially appointed IRS officer Rahul Navin as the full-time director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a two-year term.
- Navin, who had been serving as the acting chief of the anti-money laundering agency, was confirmed in this role by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
RBI Approves Salee Sukumaran Nair as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Salee Sukumaran Nair as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) for a three-year term.
- Nair, a veteran banker with over 35 years of experience, previously served as the Deputy Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer at the State Bank of India (SBI).
- His appointment follows the interim management of the bank by a three-member Committee of Executives (COEs) after the RBI’s earlier rejection of proposed candidates.
Schemes
‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ Launched for 1 Crore Women in Maharashtra
- The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is launching the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ today, coinciding with the celebration of Raksha Bandhan.
- This scheme aims to provide a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to over one crore women across the state.
