Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 27 2019
1. Government to infuse Rs 8,655 crore to Allahabad Bank, IOB and UCO Bank
The government of India approved the release of Rs 8,655 crore as fresh capital to three public sector banks. The bank includes Allahabad Bank, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and UCO Bank. The infusion did for preferential allotment of shares.
The Fresh capital amounting to Rs 2,153 crore allocated to Allahabad Bank, Rs 2,142 crore to UCO Bank and Rs 4,630 crore to Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for preferential allotment of shares.
2. Kamareddy won Unicef-2019 Award for Swachh Bharat implementation
Kamareddy district of Telangana secured the United Nations International Children’s and Education Fund (Unicef)-2019 Award. The district won the award for the effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in water sanitation.
Kamareddy district on top in the country among other districts in construction of individual sanitary lavatories, swachh darpan wall paintings, swachh survekshan, swachh sundar shouchalay and many other activities.
3. India Japan hold 5th round of maritime dialogue
India and Japan planned to deepen maritime cooperation and made consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and export control. The 5th Round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue held in Tokyo with the Indian delegation led by Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while Japanese delegation was led by Ambassador Yamanaka A Osamu, Deputy Assistant Minister, Deputy Director-General in Foreign Policy Bureau.
4. Govt. makes Aadhaar mandatory for PMVKY subscribers
Centre government has made Aadhaar (the unique 12-digit biometric identity number) mandatory for subscribers of Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) which is a pension scheme for senior citizens. Finance Ministry notified that an individual eligible for receiving benefit under PMVVY scheme shall now be required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or else undergo Aadhaar authentication.
5. India set to cross 100 GW wind energy and solar power in 2020
India is set to cross the 100-Gw renewable energy capacity mark in 2020 and can make rapid strides towards the ambitious 175 Gw clean energy target by 2022 provided the government keeps a close eye on key issues and deals with those well in time. The government, however, needs to promote storage to ensure 24×7 clean energy supply as coal fired thermal power still remains the base load in the country.
6. NPCI offers recharge option for FASTag through BHIM UPI
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), December 26 said that customers can recharge NETC FASTags through BHIM UPI. Any BHIM UPI-enabled mobile app would now give vehicle owners the opportunity to recharge their FASTags on the go and avoid queues at toll plazas, NCPI said in a release.
7. First-ever university for transgenders to come up in UP
India’s first university for transgenders is set to come up in Kushinagar district of eastern Uttar Pradesh to facilitate seamless education of the community from Class-I to postgraduation. They can also pursue doctoral degrees from the varsity, foundation stone.
8. Losar Festival in Ladakh
The Losar festival marks the beginning of the New year iand is considered to be the most important festival of the region Ladakh/Tibet . During this festival, the Ladakhi Buddhists make a religious offering before their deities in the domestic shrines or in the Gompas. A medley of cultural events, ancient rituals and also traditional performances are performed during this festival.
9. Ashok Leyland, Citicorp Finance join hands for financing commercial vehicles
Hinduja Group’s flagship firm Ashok Leyland on Thursday said it has partnered with Citicorp Finance India Ltd for financing commercial vehicles.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Citicorp Finance to enter into a strategic financing partnership for two years, to offer customised financial solutions to customers across India, Ashok Leyland said in a statement. Under the MoU, Citicorp Finance will be a preferred financier for providing finance to the customers buying Ashok Leyland vehicles, it added.
10. India, Japan vow to deepen maritime ties
India and Japan have vowed to deepen maritime cooperation and also held consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and export control.
The 5th Round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in Tokyo on Tuesday with the Indian delegation led by Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while Japanese delegation was led by Ambassador Yamanaka A Osamu, Deputy Assistant Minister, Deputy Director-General in Foreign Policy Bureau.
11. After France, Italy approves digital tax on large tech companies
Following the footsteps of France, Italy has approved a new tax to be levied on large tech companies, a move that is likely to put more strains on the country’s relations with the US, the media reported.
Passed this week by Italy’s Parliament, the new tax will come into force on January 1, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
12. China, Russia and Iran to hold joint naval drills
China, Iran and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China’s defence ministry said on Thursday, amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States.
China will send the Xining, a guided missile destroyer, to the drills, which will last until Monday and are meant to deepen co-operation between the three countries’ navies, ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a monthly news briefing.
13. Puducherry tops UTs in good governance
The Union territory (UT) of Puducherry topped the list of seven UTs in the country in the good governance index (GGI) released by the department of administrative reforms and public grievances.
Puducherry scored 4.69 points in the GGI followed by Chandigarh (4.68), Delhi (4.39), Daman & Diu (4.33) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (4.12). Lakshadweep (2.97) fared poorly and was placed at the bottom of the table. Dadra & Nagar Haveli scored 3.12 points.
