Daily GK Potion – 17th February 2015

  1. Antidumping duty imposed on imports of graphite electrodes
    • The government has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to USD 922.03 per tonne on imports of a product used in steel plants, a step to protect the domestic industry from below-cost shipments.
    • The Finance Ministry imposed the import duty on a type of graphite electrodes based on recommendations of the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping Duty (DGAD) for five years.
  2. Infosys buys automation technology startup Panaya, deal valued at Rs 1200 crore
    • Infosys is buying a startup that helps companies manage major changes to their software systems.
    • Panaya, which has raised $59 million from venture capital investors, including a firm founded by Sikka’s mentor and SAP cofounder Hasso Plattner, is being valued at $200 million (Rs 1,200 crore).
  3. Sourav Ganguly made MCC honorary life member
    • Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been awarded an honorary life membership to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
    • Honorary life memberships are awarded by the Lord’s-based the MCC, the guardian of the sport’s laws for more than 200 years, to recognise an individual’s service to cricket and other projects surrounding the game.
      saurav-ganguly
  4. Rajinder Puri, ace cartoonist and fierce critic of Emergency, passes away at 80
    • Veteran cartoonist, columnist and political activist Rajinder Puri died on Sunday night after a brief illness.
    • Born in 1934 in modern-day Karachi, Puri was known for his incisive and critical political cartooning.
  5. AAP to launch ‘Jai Kisan Abhiyan’ in Haryana
    • Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav on Tuesday declared that a “Jai Kisan Abhiyan” would be launched across the State from February 21.
    • He held Bharatiya Janata Party governments at the Centre and in Haryana responsible for a four-pronged attack on the farmers and landowners
    • During the campaign, the party leaders and workers will make representations before district officials and present a salt bag to all the Members of Parliament to remind them of their responsibility towards the people.
  6. Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan: Government builds 7.1 lakh toilets in January
    • Construction of toilets under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, has gained momentum with 7.1 lakh individual household toilets being built in January.
    • According to data, a total of 31.83 lakh toilets have been built between April 2014 and January 2015, which is 25.4% of the target for 2014-15.
    • The programme entails an investment of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore over the next five years to construct 12 crore toilets in India.

Read next : Daily GK Potion – 18th and 19th February 2015 ››

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