Internal Committee formed for Comprehensive review of Income Tax Act

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) established an Internal Committee to thoroughly review the Income Tax Act, 1961 on October 7, 2024.
•  The Ministry of Finance stated that the aim is to make the Act more concise, clear, and easy to understand, ultimately reducing disputes, litigation, and offering greater tax certainty for taxpayers.
• The Ministry has also invited feedback from stakeholders, experts, and the public through the Income Tax e-filing portal.
• Suggestions can be submitted under four categories: Simplification of Language, Litigation Reduction, Compliance Reduction, and Elimination of Redundant or Obsolete Provisions.
•  This initiative seeks to streamline the tax system and make compliance easier for all.

77th session WHO  Regional Committee for South-East Asia led by India

• India’s Health Minister, JP Nadda, was elected Chairperson for the 77th Session (RC77) of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Region on October 7, 2024.
•  This session brings together health ministers and officials from 11 countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, representing over two billion people.
• The South-East Asia Region accounts for more than 25% of the global population, facing significant health challenges due to its size and diversity.
• The RC77 session aims to identify key health priorities and improve access to healthcare in the region.
• The participants will collaborate to develop strategies to address emerging health problems and strengthen their healthcare systems, ensuring better health outcomes for all.

Rare Black Panther Sighting in Odisha Forest (Environment and Ecology)

• Odisha’s forest officials conducted the "All Odisha Leopard Estimation," as of October 7, 2024, which revealed the presence of black panthers in three forest areas.
• The survey covered 47 forest divisions across the state. Black panthers, or melanistic leopards, are regular leopards with a genetic mutation causing an excess of melanin, giving them a black appearance.
• Despite their dark fur, their rosette patterns are visible under certain lighting. These black panthers are not a separate species but a color variation of leopards.
• Their dark coat gives them better camouflage in dense forests, aiding their survival.
•  However, they are extremely rare, constituting about 11% of the leopard population in regions like Africa and Asia.

New Wasp discovered in Arunachal Pradesh (Environment and Ecology)

• Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) discovered a new potter wasp species in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, as of October 7, 2024.
• The species, named Pseumenes siangensis after the Siang Valley where it was found, highlights the region's rich biodiversity.
• This is only the second species from the Pseumenes genus recorded in India. The wasp, measuring about 30.2 mm, has distinct features that differentiate it from other species.
• The discovery emphasizes the importance of local ecosystems in supporting biodiversity. Scientists collected the wasp using sweep nets and examined its unique body features.
•  Belonging to the Eumeninae subfamily, Pseumenes siangensis is one of around 3795 species of potter wasps found mostly in the Oriental region.

Mascot of Women’s Asian Championships Trophy 2024 unveiled

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo and mascot for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on October 7, 2024.
• The tournament is set to occur in Rajgir from November 11 to 20, 2024, featuring a mascot named 'Gudiya,' inspired by Bihar's state bird, the sparrow.
• Gudiya, holding a hockey stick, represents the sport, while her goalkeeper’s glove and defensive stance symbolize alertness and strategy.
•  A nearby hockey ball highlights teamwork and sportsmanship. This mascot embodies the Bihar government's commitment to women empowerment.
• The unveiling of the mascot and logo aims to create a vibrant atmosphere for the championship.

Nobel Prize 2024 in Medicine

• The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its critical role in post-transcriptional gene regulation, as announced on October 7, 2024.
• MicroRNA is essential for regulating gene activity.
• According to the Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet, this discovery has been crucial for understanding the development and functioning of organisms.
• The laureates will receive $1.1 million for their groundbreaking work.
• This year marks the 115th Nobel Prize awarded in physiology or medicine since its inception in 1901, with only 13 out of the 229 winners being women.

GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Unveiled

• Meghalaya Chief Minister launched the GREEN (Grassroot level Response Towards Ecosystem Enhancement and Nurturing) Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme on October 7, 2024.
•  It is aimed at conserving and enhancing forest cover. The scheme encourages forest conservation across the state by providing financial rewards for preserving forested areas.
•  Based on the Payment for Ecosystem (PES) principle, it offers monetary incentives to villages, communities, clans, or individuals committed to protecting natural forests for at least 30 years.
• Part of the state's PES program initiated in 2022, GREEN Meghalaya Plus aims to conserve an additional 50,000 hectares of forests.
• Over the year, more than  3000 individuals and communities have benefited from the sceme, successfully conserving more than 54000 hectares of natural forest.

Over 2.80 crore Saplings planted under ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ in Bihar

• Bihar has successfully planted over 2.80 crore saplings under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign as of October 7, 2024.
• The state’s Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Prem Kumar announced that the campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, had surpassed its target ahead of the 30th September deadline.
• Prem Kumar further stated that the state aims to plant a total of 4.68 crore saplings during the current financial year, with 3.54 crore saplings already planted.
•  This initiative reflects Bihar's strong commitment to afforestation and environmental conservation efforts.

World Habitat Day 2024

• World Habitat Day was observed on October 7, 2024, to promote awareness about the essential right to housing.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, this day emphasizes that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable home.
• The 2024 theme, "Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future," highlights the vital role of young people in shaping urban environments.
• It acknowledges their creativity and potential to drive positive change, encouraging their involvement in building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient cities.
• World Habitat Day has significantly contributed to advancing the global housing agenda, motivating governments, organizations, and individuals to improve housing conditions.