NATIONAL NEWS
ISRO, French space agency seal agreement on maritime security
National space agency ISRO and its French counterpart The National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) sealed an agreement to set up a joint maritime surveillance system in the country in May. The two nations will explore putting up a constellation of low-Earth orbiting satellites that will identify and track movement of ships globally and in particular those moving in the Indian Ocean region where France has its Reunion Islands.
- The two agencies have put up two climate and ocean weather monitoring satellites Megha-Tropiques (of 2011) and SARAL-AltiKa (2013) that are considered a model.
- Extra info.:
CNES Headquarters: Paris, France
India, World Bank And Representatives Of 5 States Signed Loan Agreement For DRIP
The World Bank, the Government of India and representatives of 5 States of Government of India and Implementing Agencies signed in New Delhi the Loan Agreement for Additional Financing of $137 Million for the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).
- This agreement will help rehabilitate and modernize over 220 selected large dams in the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. The $137 Million Loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a final maturity of 16 years.
- Extra info.:
World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Membership: 189 countries
India and ADB Sign $26 Million Loan Agreement for Additional Financing to Assam Urban Project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a USD 26-million loan as additional financing for improving drainage infrastructure in Dibrugarh town of Assam under the ongoing Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program. The ongoing loan of USD 51 million under the programme is helping to improve water supply infrastructure in Guwahati, and solid waste management and drainage infrastructure in Guwahati and Dibrugarh cities of Assam.
- The additional financing will further support in improving drainage system in Dibrugarh,and also support project management activities. The programme was approved in 2011 to improve urban infrastructure in the two key Assam cities.
- Extra info.:
Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
President: Takehiko Nakao
Membership: 67 countries
7 crore LPG connections distributed under Ujjwala Yojana in 34 months
LPG connections distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana touched the 7 crore mark with Geeta Devi becoming the seventh crore beneficiary of the scheme. Launched in 2016, the flagship scheme has achieved this "milestone" in just 34 months.
- The scheme was launched on May 1, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an initial target of five crores, which was later revised upward to eight crores connections.
Uttarakhand CM launches free milk scheme for anganwadi children
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched the Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana in Dehradun, under which 2.5 lakh children at 20,000 Anganwadi kendras in the state will be given 100 ml milk twice a week for free.
- Flavoured, sweet, skimmed milk powder will be made available to the 20,000 Anganwadi kendras across the state under the Amrit Yojana.
WB CM announces new scheme 'Yuvashree Arpan' for employment of youth
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a grant of 1 lakh to graduates of the state’s 214 polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), to set up small businesses. The CM introduced the scheme, Yuvashree Arpan, in Howrah district.
Kerala's Marayoor Jaggery Gets Geographical Indication Tag
The Marayoor Jaggery, the traditional and handmade product from Idukki district of Kerala received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Central Government. It is dark brown in colour, high in sweetness and iron, with less sodium content and insoluble impurities.
- The Marayoor jiggery finally managed to get the GI Tag after two years of continuous efforts by the Agricultural Department of the state. The GI tag will provide more windows of opportunity to the traditional sugarcane farmers in Marayoor.
BANKING & FINANCE
United Bank, HDFC Life sign bancassurance deal
United Bank of India has signed a bancassurance deal with private life insurer HDFC Life Insurance Company. Through this partnership, United Bank’s customers will be able to take advantage of HDFC Life’s expertise in life insurance products, distribution and customer service.
- The corporate-agency partnership is significant as United Bank undertook a rigorous selection process and evaluated 18 private life insurers to finally select HDFC Life.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
IRDAI, NHA form joint working group on Ayushman Bharat
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and National Health Agency (NHA) will set up a joint working group for better implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The working group will do a comparative study of packages and define standards for quality healthcare.
- The 11-member group will have representatives from both IRDAI and NHA. Dinesh Arora, Deputy CEO of NHA will chair the working group.
- Extra info.:
IRDAI Headquarters: Hyderabad
SPORTS
Iniyan becomes India's 61st Grandmaster
India got their 61st Grandmaster when 16-year-old P. Iniyan, hailing from Erode, won at the ongoing Noisiel Open in France. Iniyan defeated GM Sergey Fedorchuk of Ukraine in the sixth round to become the 61st Grandmaster for India as he crossed the 2500-point in ELO ratings.
- Even though Iniyan had earlier received his three GM norms, the teenager could not get his ELO rating past 2500 points, thus failing to become a GM. He went past the 2500-mark with a win over top seed Fedorchuk.
APPOINTMENTS
SC Garg named Finance Secretary
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved designating Subhash Chandra Garg, IAS Secretary, Department of economics Affairs, Ministry of Finance as Finance Secretary. Garg would replace Ajay Narayan Jha, who got superannuated recently.
- The Centre had extended Jha's term by a month to February 28. He had also been named a member of the 15th Finance Commission.
Hasmukh Adhia appointed as chancellor of Gujarat Central University
Former Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia was appointed as the chancellor of Gujarat Central University. He will hold the post for a period of five years. The appointment was approved by President Ram Nath Kovind.
- Adhia succeeds Yoginder K Alagh. The current vice-chancellor of the university is SA Bari.
UN-founded University for Peace confers Honorary Doctorate on Vice President Naidu
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University for Peace founded by the United Nations Organisations (UNO) for his contribution "to the Rule of Law, democracy and sustainable development in India".
- He received the degree of "Doctor Honoris Causa" from the Dean of the University for Peace.
AWARDS
Acko conferred with Golden Peacock award for innovative product
ACKO General Insurance a new-age digital insurance company, was awarded the coveted Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award - 2019, for their contextual microinsurance product -"Ola Ride Insurance". The award was presented to Biresh Giri, Appointed Actuary & CRO, Acko in the presence of global business leaders at the recently held event in Dubai.
- Established by the Institute of Directors, India in 1991. The Golden Peacock Awards for Corporate Leadership and Excellence are now regarded as a benchmark of business excellence, both locally and globally.
- Extra info.:
Acko General Insurance Company is the first digital-native insurer in India that brings risk-based pricing for retail covers such as motor and health insurance.
Headquarters: Mumbai
Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport wins the prestigious ASQ award
The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar has won the 2018 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award as the leading airport in size and region. The Airports Council International selected BPIA for the prestigious award. The award is accorded on the basis of independent survey amongst passengers on various parameters of security, safety, experience, ambience, ease of availability and cleanliness, Hota stated.
- Chandigarh Airport, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, SM Badaruddin II Airport in Indonesia, SS Kasim II Airport in Indonesia and Yichang Sanxia Airport in China were also chosen for the award.
OBITUARIES
Former Puducherry LG Virendra Kataria passes away
Former Puducherry LG Virendra Kataria passed away in New Delhi at the age of 87. A former Rajya Sabha MP, Kataria served as the lieutenant governor of Puducherry from July 2013 to July 2014.
- A former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Kataria gained the confidence of the residents of the Union territory within a few days of his appointment by taking proactive measures in restoring law and order in Puducherry.
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