IMPORTANT DAYS

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day 2024 observed on 1 July

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day is observed every year on 1 July.

• The idea of implementing GST was initially proposed during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2000.

• The Constitution (101st Amendment) Act of 2016 empowered the central government to enforce GST, leading to its implementation on July 1, 2017.

• GST Day was first celebrated on July 1, 2018, marking the inaugural anniversary of GST adoption.

• GST in India operates with a structured framework comprising five tax slabs: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

• It replaced a multitude of indirect taxes previously levied by both central and state governments, such as excise duty, service tax, and VAT.

• The GST Council, comprised of finance ministers from both central and state governments, oversees the implementation and evolution of GST policies.

• The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) was established in 2013 as a private entity by the government to manage the technological infrastructure for GST operations.

National Doctors' Day 2024 observed on 1 July

• National Doctors' Day in India is observed annually on July 1st, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

• Theme of National Doctors' Day 2024: "Healing Hands, Caring Hearts" has been chosen to highlight the compassionate and dedicated service of doctors.

• The first National Doctors' Day was celebrated on July 1, 1991, to honour the contributions of doctors across the country.

• It serves as a tribute to the invaluable role of physicians and healthcare professionals in society.

• Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was a distinguished physician, educator, freedom fighter, and social reformer.

• He served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 to 1962, contributing significantly to the state's development.

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) leads the observance of National Doctors' Day in India, honouring all physicians and healthcare professionals for their selfless service.

NATIONAL NEWS

Three New Criminal Laws of India

• New Laws Enacted: The Parliament passed three new criminal laws in December 2023:

✓ Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
✓ Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
✓ Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)

• Presidential Assent: President Droupadi Murmu granted assent on December 25, 2023.

• Effective Date: These laws came into effect on July 1, 2024.

• Replaced Laws: BNS replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; BNSS replaces the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973; BSA replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

• Justice Focus: The new laws emphasize justice delivery over punitive measures, aiming to expedite legal processes.

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC).

• A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill. The imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them.

• For 23 crimes, a mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced.

• The penalty of community service has been brought in for six crimes.

• To address sexual crimes, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has added a new chapter titled "Crimes against Women and Children."

• There is the provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and the new crime category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age.

• For the first time, Terrorism has been defined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It has been made a punishable offence.

• There will be 531 sections in Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (instead of 484 sections in the CrPC).

• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions.

AWARDS

Dr Usha Thakur received the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman.

• Dr. Usha Thakur was honored with the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman.

• She received this prestigious award during a Hindi Samvad event organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal.

• The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, conferred the award.

• Dr. Usha Thakur has translated over 40 literary works into Hindi and Nepali, significantly enriching both languages.

• Her efforts have played a pivotal role in promoting and strengthening the Hindi language.

• The 12th World Hindi Conference took place in Fiji in 2023, emphasizing the global significance and outreach of Hindi language initiatives.

• Such international conferences underscore the importance of Hindi as a cultural and linguistic bridge across borders.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

On July 3, Japan will introduce new banknotes.

• Japan will start releasing new banknotes from July 3rd, featuring cutting-edge holography.

• These holograms create 3D rotating portraits of historical figures, a global first.

• The new banknotes include tactile features for recognition by people who are blind or visually impaired.

• Tactile markings facilitate easy identification of currency by touch.

• By March 2025, Japan plans to print nearly 7.5 billion of these new banknotes.

• Existing banknotes will continue to be accepted even after the new ones are introduced.

• Holography is a technique used to generate three-dimensional images by manipulating light waves.

DEFENCE

Development of SEBEX 2

• Indian Navy has developed and certified a new explosive bomb called ‘SEBEX 2’.

• It is 2.01 times more powerful than standard TNT (Trinitrotoluene).

• Developed under the Defence Export Promotion Scheme to enhance weapon potency and efficiency.

• Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) developed SEBEX 2 as part of the Make in India initiative.

• SEBEX 2 surpasses India's current most powerful conventional explosive, which has a TNT equivalence of about 1.50.

• Most warheads typically range from 1.25 to 1.30 TNT equivalence.

• Indian Navy has also certified EEL’s first thermobaric explosive, known as SITBEX 1.