CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY DIGEST

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1. Vanaja N. Sarna appointed as Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs

Ms. Vanaja N. Sarna, IRS presently holding the charge as Member (Administration), has been appointed as Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). She is taking over on superannuation of Shri Najib Shah, IRS.

Ms. Vanaja N. Sarna has served Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in several capacities over the last 36 years. She was also Additional Director General in Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence, New Delhi. She also served on deputation as Under Secretary, Legislative Department, and Ministry of Law and as Director/ Joint Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

2. Sunaina Singh appointed as new Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Sunaina Singh as the new vice chancellor of Nalanda University (NU).   The panel was formed after shortlisting 133 applicants, six of whom were earlier called for interview. They included former pro-VC of Patna University Ranjit Verma.

Singh, who hails from Rajasthan, is a professor of English and has held many key administrative positions, including chairperson of the department of English, Osmania University, and president of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, a binational research organisation, from 2009 to 2011.

3. President inaugurated ‘Namami Brahmaputra’ festival in Assam

The biggest river festival of India, Namami Brahmaputra, begins in 21 districts of Assam. President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the festival on the banks of the river, which is considered country’s only male river.  Various cultural programmes, traditional sports, Brahmaputra Aarti, exhibition, film shows, seminars and competitions will be the part of the five-day festival. Spiritual leader Dalai Lama and several Union Ministers will also attend the festival.

4. Mental Healthcare Bill passed in Parliament

• Parliament passed the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, which provides for healthcare and services to people with mental illness and also decriminalises suicide.
• The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in August last year. The Mental Healthcare Bill secured approval in Lok Sabha too.
• The bill was passed by the House through a voice vote and aims to provide for the right to better healthcare for mentally-ill patients.
• The bill also allows a mentally ill person to have the right to restrict release of information with respect to the illness and make a complaint about deficiencies in provision of services.

5. India signs First Loan Agreement with New Development Bank

The Loan Agreement for New Development Bank (NDB) financing of US$ 350 Million for Development and Upgradation of Major District Roads Project in Madhya Pradesh was signed between Government of India and the New Development Bank (NDB). This is the First Loan Agreement for NDB assisted project in India.

The Project Agreement was signed by Mr. Pramod Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department and Mr. Manish Rastogi, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC), on behalf of Government of Madhya Pradesh.

6. Karnataka Bank, SBI Card launch co-branded credit card

Karnataka Bank and SBI Card have launched co-branded credit cards for the customers of Karnataka Bank. Through this alliance Karnataka Bank and SBI Card will launch two variants of the co-branded credit card – ‘Karnataka Bank Platinum SBI Card’ and ‘Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card’. Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card’ is aimed at value conscious consumers and offers rewards and features that enable customers to maximise their savings on their regular spends.

7. RBI says payment systems to remain closed on April 1

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said all payment systems will remain closed on April 1, in a change from its earlier directive asking banks to remain open on the first day of the next fiscal beginning April 1. Electronic fund transfers using payment channels like RTGS and NEFT would remain closed. However debit card and credit card transactions would remain unaffected.

RBI had stated on March 25 that all payment systems as on a normal working day, during the period March 25 to April 1, 2017. On reconsideration, it was decided that all payment systems will remain closed on April 1, 2017.

8. Cabinet approves signing of new Air Services Agreement between India and Serbia

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for updation of the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Serbia which was signed on 31st January, 2003. The updation is as per latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) template keeping in view the latest developments in civil aviation sector and with an objective to improve the air connectivity between the two countries.

9. NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter completes 50,000th orbit

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has completed its 50,000th orbit this week, continuing to compile the most sharp-eyed global coverage ever accomplished by a camera at the red planet.The orbiter continues diverse science observations of Mars and communications-relay service for two active Mars rovers, Curiosity and Opportunity.

10. El Salvador becomes first country in the world to ban metals mining

El Salvador, Central America’s smallest nation, has become the first country in the world to ban metals mining nationwide following a long-running dispute with a Canadian-Australian company over an environmentally questioned gold project.  El Salvador is desperate for cash — it is seeking to secure a lifeline from the IMF as its debt is expected to exceed 60 per cent of gross domestic product by the end of 2017.

11. India’s S V Sunil named player of the year for 2016 in Asian Hockey Awards

India forward SV Sunil was named the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Player of the Year for 2016, with Harmanpreet Singh chosen as the Promising Player of the Year in the continental body’s annual awards. SV Sunil was the favourite for the award among national team coaches of Asia, who made the nominations based on performances during 2016.

12. P V Sindhu beats Saina Nehwal, enters semis of India Open Super Series

Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu has prevailed over compatriot Saina Nehwal in a hard-fought straight-game encounter to advance to the semifinals of the India Open Super Series in New Delhi. Sindhu emerged victorious over her senior pro 21-16 22-20 in the much-anticipated contest to set up a clash with second-seeded Korean Sung Ji Hyun in the semifinals.

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