Current affairs -28 march
 |
National News
1. Amit Shah unveils the statues of Lord Basaveshwara and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah unveiled the statues of Lord Basaveshwara ji and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda ji at the State Assembly premises in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Lord Basaveshwara and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda are two prominent historical figures from Karnataka, a state in southern India.
These statues will continue to give Basavanna ji and Kempegowda ji’s message of social justice, democracy, good governance and development to those who get elected in the assembly.
2. India's highways infra to match US by 2024
According to Nitin Gadkari, India's Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, the country's highways infrastructure will be at par with that of the United States by 2024.
He revealed that the government is working on this goal in a time-bound 'mission mode,' which includes the development of green expressways and rail over bridges.
These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that India's highway infrastructure matches the standards of the US by the specified timeline.
3. PM Modi inaugurated Whitefield (Kadugodi) for Krishnarajapura Metro Line
The Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his happiness in a tweet.
He mentioned that this new metro line will enhance the 'Ease of Living' for the people of Bengaluru, by improving transportation and connectivity in the region.
The Prime Minister launched the 13.71 km extension project of Reach-1 under Bangalore Metro Phase 2, which runs up to Krishnarajapura Metro Line.
The project was completed at an estimated cost of around Rs 4250 croresInternational News
4. Humza Yousaf elected leader of Scottish National party
Humza Yousaf, a Pakistani-origin politician, has won the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership contest and is set to become Scotland's First Minister, replacing Nicola Sturgeon.Yousaf, who is the son of Asian immigrants, is poised to become the first person of colour to serve as Scotland's first minister.
He defeated Kate Forbes, the country's finance minister, and Ash Regan, who resigned from the government in opposition to proposed changes to gender recognition.
Humza Yousaf won the Scottish National Party leadership contest with 52% of the final votes, and his campaign focused on achieving Scottish independence and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
This follows Rishi Sunak's recent appointment as the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin.
Yousaf will now take over as the leader of the SNP, succeeding Nicol
5. China spent $240 billion bailing out 'Belt & Road' countries: Study
A recent study conducted by researchers from the World Bank, Harvard Kennedy School, AidData, and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy has revealed that China spent approximately $240 billion from 2008 to 2021 bailing out 22 developing countries that had difficulty repaying loans taken for Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
A recently published study shows that from 2008 to 2021, China provided approximately $240 billion to bail out 22 developing nations that encountered challenges in paying back loans obtained for the Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
6. Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff named new President of BRICS New Development Bank
The New Development Bank (NDB), which is also known as the BRICS bank and is a multilateral financial institution created by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has announced that former Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff has been elected as its new President.
She replaces Marcus Troyjo in the position. Dilma Rousseff is an economist who served as the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two consecutive terms, from January 2011 to August 2016.Economy News
7. EPFO hikes interest rate on employees' provident fund to 8.15% for 2022-23
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has increased the interest rate on employees' provident fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2022-23.
At its meeting, the retirement fund body has fixed the interest rate at 8.15 per cent.However, this rate is subject to approval by the Ministry of Finance, which ratifies the interest rate provided by the EPFO.
The interest rate for EPF deposits for the previous year was 8.10 per cent, which was the lowest in over 40 years.
In addition to discussing the interest rate on EPF deposits for the financial year 2022-23, the CBT will also review the annual accounts of the EPFO.
The trustees will also deliberate on the implementation of the Supreme Court order, which grants Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 subscribers a four-month window to opt for a higher pension.
8. IDFC First Bank partners Crunchfish to demonstrate offline retail payments
IDFC First Bank has announced its collaboration with the Swedish company Crunchfish to launch a pilot project to demonstrate offline retail payments.
The bank is going to participate in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) pilot project that aims to enable offline payments.
The project aims to provide digital payment services to customers and merchants even in areas without network connectivity.
This project will provide support for offline retail payments based on a Digital Cash platform to the payment ecosystem of India.
IDFC FIRST Bank will be one of the first few banks to be a part of this pilot project by HDFC Bank.Agreements News
10. SJVN gets Rs 915 crore 'GREEN' finance from Japan Bank for International Cooperation
SJVN Ltd, a state-owned company, has secured Rs 915 crore in 'GREEN' financing from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to support its 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda solar project in Gujarat.
The 'Facility Agreement' was signed virtually between SJVN and JBIC under the Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation (GREEN) program of JBIC.
The purpose of this debt is to fund the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Project in Gujarat, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 1,288.35 crore.
He revealed that the government is working on this goal in a time-bound 'mission mode,' which includes the development of green expressways and rail over bridges.
These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that India's highway infrastructure matches the standards of the US by the specified timeline.
3. PM Modi inaugurated Whitefield (Kadugodi) for Krishnarajapura Metro Line
The Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his happiness in a tweet.
He mentioned that this new metro line will enhance the 'Ease of Living' for the people of Bengaluru, by improving transportation and connectivity in the region.
The Prime Minister launched the 13.71 km extension project of Reach-1 under Bangalore Metro Phase 2, which runs up to Krishnarajapura Metro Line.
The project was completed at an estimated cost of around Rs 4250 crores
International News
4. Humza Yousaf elected leader of Scottish National party
Humza Yousaf, a Pakistani-origin politician, has won the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership contest and is set to become Scotland's First Minister, replacing Nicola Sturgeon.Yousaf, who is the son of Asian immigrants, is poised to become the first person of colour to serve as Scotland's first minister.
He defeated Kate Forbes, the country's finance minister, and Ash Regan, who resigned from the government in opposition to proposed changes to gender recognition.
Humza Yousaf won the Scottish National Party leadership contest with 52% of the final votes, and his campaign focused on achieving Scottish independence and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
This follows Rishi Sunak's recent appointment as the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin.
Yousaf will now take over as the leader of the SNP, succeeding Nicol
5. China spent $240 billion bailing out 'Belt & Road' countries: Study
A recent study conducted by researchers from the World Bank, Harvard Kennedy School, AidData, and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy has revealed that China spent approximately $240 billion from 2008 to 2021 bailing out 22 developing countries that had difficulty repaying loans taken for Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
A recently published study shows that from 2008 to 2021, China provided approximately $240 billion to bail out 22 developing nations that encountered challenges in paying back loans obtained for the Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
6. Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff named new President of BRICS New Development Bank
The New Development Bank (NDB), which is also known as the BRICS bank and is a multilateral financial institution created by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has announced that former Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff has been elected as its new President.
She replaces Marcus Troyjo in the position. Dilma Rousseff is an economist who served as the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two consecutive terms, from January 2011 to August 2016.Economy News
7. EPFO hikes interest rate on employees' provident fund to 8.15% for 2022-23
Humza Yousaf, a Pakistani-origin politician, has won the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership contest and is set to become Scotland's First Minister, replacing Nicola Sturgeon.
Yousaf, who is the son of Asian immigrants, is poised to become the first person of colour to serve as Scotland's first minister.
He defeated Kate Forbes, the country's finance minister, and Ash Regan, who resigned from the government in opposition to proposed changes to gender recognition.
Humza Yousaf won the Scottish National Party leadership contest with 52% of the final votes, and his campaign focused on achieving Scottish independence and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
This follows Rishi Sunak's recent appointment as the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin.
Yousaf will now take over as the leader of the SNP, succeeding Nicol
5. China spent $240 billion bailing out 'Belt & Road' countries: Study
5. China spent $240 billion bailing out 'Belt & Road' countries: Study
A recent study conducted by researchers from the World Bank, Harvard Kennedy School, AidData, and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy has revealed that China spent approximately $240 billion from 2008 to 2021 bailing out 22 developing countries that had difficulty repaying loans taken for Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
A recently published study shows that from 2008 to 2021, China provided approximately $240 billion to bail out 22 developing nations that encountered challenges in paying back loans obtained for the Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
6. Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff named new President of BRICS New Development Bank
The New Development Bank (NDB), which is also known as the BRICS bank and is a multilateral financial institution created by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has announced that former Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff has been elected as its new President.
She replaces Marcus Troyjo in the position. Dilma Rousseff is an economist who served as the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two consecutive terms, from January 2011 to August 2016.
Economy News
7. EPFO hikes interest rate on employees' provident fund to 8.15% for 2022-23
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has increased the interest rate on employees' provident fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2022-23.
At its meeting, the retirement fund body has fixed the interest rate at 8.15 per cent.
However, this rate is subject to approval by the Ministry of Finance, which ratifies the interest rate provided by the EPFO.
The interest rate for EPF deposits for the previous year was 8.10 per cent, which was the lowest in over 40 years.
In addition to discussing the interest rate on EPF deposits for the financial year 2022-23, the CBT will also review the annual accounts of the EPFO.
The trustees will also deliberate on the implementation of the Supreme Court order, which grants Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 subscribers a four-month window to opt for a higher pension.
8. IDFC First Bank partners Crunchfish to demonstrate offline retail payments
IDFC First Bank has announced its collaboration with the Swedish company Crunchfish to launch a pilot project to demonstrate offline retail payments.
The bank is going to participate in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) pilot project that aims to enable offline payments.
The project aims to provide digital payment services to customers and merchants even in areas without network connectivity.
This project will provide support for offline retail payments based on a Digital Cash platform to the payment ecosystem of India.
IDFC FIRST Bank will be one of the first few banks to be a part of this pilot project by HDFC Bank.
Agreements News
10. SJVN gets Rs 915 crore 'GREEN' finance from Japan Bank for International Cooperation
SJVN Ltd, a state-owned company, has secured Rs 915 crore in 'GREEN' financing from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to support its 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda solar project in Gujarat.
The 'Facility Agreement' was signed virtually between SJVN and JBIC under the Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation (GREEN) program of JBIC.
The purpose of this debt is to fund the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Project in Gujarat, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 1,288.35 crore.
10. SJVN gets Rs 915 crore 'GREEN' finance from Japan Bank for International Cooperation
SJVN Ltd, a state-owned company, has secured Rs 915 crore in 'GREEN' financing from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to support its 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda solar project in Gujarat.
The 'Facility Agreement' was signed virtually between SJVN and JBIC under the Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation (GREEN) program of JBIC.
The purpose of this debt is to fund the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Project in Gujarat, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 1,288.35 crore.
