Current Affairs 2nd October 2015

Current Affairs 2nd October 2015

Updated : 02-Oct-2015

Current Affairs 2nd October 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 2nd October 2015 - Details
Which government has imposed tax to tackle drought - Maharashtra government
On 2nd October 2015, Maharashtra government has decided to impose ‘drought tax’ in a bid to raise funds to tackle the drought like situation in the state.

The decision was made in this regard at State Cabinet subcommittee on the Relief and Rehabilitation headed by Finance Minister Sudhir Munguntiwar.
Drought tax include
- Surcharge VAT on gold and diamond jewelleries has been raised from 1 to 1.20%.
- Surcharge tax of 2 rupees per litre will be charged on petrol and diesel.
- Surcharge Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor, cigarettes and beverages has been raised by 5 per cent.
- This arrangement will valid for the next 5 months and will be reviewed during the next budget session.
Since 1973, this is for the first time that state government has decided to take such a extreme step.
India pledges 33-35 per cent GHGs emission cut by - 2030
On 1st October 2015, India has pledged to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar announced the figures of mitigation action in New Delhi ahead of the Paris Climate Change Conference.
Union Government has submitted Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in this regard.

Steps taken to achieve these targets
- Require about 2.5 trillion dollars in addition to a number of clean technologies to meet these targets and measures for adaptation to climate change.
- Boost the renewable energy capacity to 40% by 2030. About 40% of country’s electricity requirement will be met through non-fossil fuel sources.
- Increase tree cover across the country to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent.
Which day is observed as International Day of Non-violence - October 2nd
On 2nd October 2015, International Day of Non-violence throughout the world on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is observed.
Significance of Day: To promote the principles of non-violence through education and public awareness this day is observed by all member countries of the United Nations. In India, this day is referred as Gandhi Jayanti.
About International day of Non-Violence
In 2007, a resolution to establish the International Day of Non-violence was tabled in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in a global effort to spread the message of non-violence.
The resolution admits the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi is spreading the message of non-violence and was passed in the UNGA. Since then October 2 has been globally observed as International Day of Non-violence.
UNHRC unanimously adopts resolution on Sri Lanka
On 1st October 2015, United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has unanimously adopted US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka on the report submitted by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka.
It follows the report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka and was co-sponsored by 25 countries besides the US and Sri Lanka.

It has called for the Office of Human Rights Commissioner to continue the monitoring of Sri Lanka’s progress in the implementation of its recommendations.
India has welcomed the unity resolution saying that Sri Lanka has rejected extremist voices and is moving towards genuine reconciliation with the minority community.
About Resolution
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein submittedd the report and called for promoting union between ethnic communities and accountability over war crimes.
It has identified patterns of grave human rights violations in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2011. It also has strongly indicated that war crimes and crimes against humanity were most likely committed by both sides 3 decades long civil war.