PM launches BHIM Aadhaar interface for making payments
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the BHIM-Aadhaar service which enabled every Indian citizen to pay digitally just with their thumb impression, in Nagpur (Maharashtra).
He also unveiled Referral Bonus and Cash Back schemes to further incentivise digital transactions.
Now, every person they introduce to the BHIM app, will get a cash back of Rs. 10 from “14th April to 14th October”.
PM Modi also awarded the Mega Draw Winners of Lucky Grahak and Digi Dhan Vyapar schemes aimed at popularizing Digital Payments.
91,000 merchants won Rs. 59 crore in rewards and 15 lakhs 78 thousand consumers won rewards worth Rs. 197 crore.
Note:
The Aadhaar-linked BHIM mobile app is based on the Unified Payment Interface Developed by National Payments Corporation of India.
This will facilitate the process of digital payments by using the Aadhaar number linked to bank account.
It will allow every Indian citizen to transact digitally using their thumb imprint on a merchants’ biometric-enabled device.
India's exports jumps 27.6% in March
According to Commerce and Industry Ministry, India's exports grew by 27.6% to 29.23 billion dollars in March this year as compared to same period in last year.
It grew on account of the robust performance by sectors like petroleum, textiles, engineering goods and gems and jewelry.
Exports witnessed a growth of 4.71% at 274.64 billion dollars against 262.3 billion in 2015-16.
A huge spike in gold imports pushed the trade deficit to 10.43 billion dollars during the month under review from 4.4 billion dollars a year ago.
IRDAI launches web portal for insurers
The IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has launched a web portal 'isnp.irda.gov.in' for insurers that will allow them to register and sell policies online.
The portal also open to intermediaries in the insurance business.
Earlier, IRDAI had issued guidelines on e-commerce for the insurance sector, insurance companies, brokers, and corporate agents can sell and service insurance policies through this platform.
Note:The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is an autonomous, statutory agency tasked with regulating and promoting the insurance and re-insurance industries in India.
Forex reserves down USD 956.4 mn to USD 368.998 bn
According to the Reserve Bank said(RBI), India's foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 956.4 million to USD 368.998 billion for the week ended April 7 due to fall in foreign currency assets.
The Foreign currency assets (FCAs) dipped by USD 951 million to USD 345.367 billion in the reporting week.
Gold reserves remained unchanged at USD 19.869 billion.
The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund were down by USD 3.1 million to USD 1.443 billion.
Former J&K Governor Girish Chandra Saxena passes away
Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Girish Chandra Saxena (90-year) passed away in new Delhi.
Saxena was an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1950-batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
He served two terms as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Saxena also served as the head of Research and Analysis Wing Director between 1983-86, and also as an advisor to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
101 nationalities breakfast to break 'Guinness world record'
Gurudwara ‘Guru Nanak Darbar’ in Dubai has broken the world record for serving free breakfast to the maximum number of people from diverse nationalities on 'Baisakhi'.
Around People 101 nationalities people and over 600 people have participated in the 'Breakfast for Diversity' an hour-long event to create the new record.
Gurdwara broke the previous record of 55 nationalities having a continental breakfast, organized by Nutella at the Milan Expo in Italy in 2015.
Himachal Pradesh bags ‘Krishi Karman Award 2015-16’
The Union Ministry of Agriculture has selected Himachal Pradesh for the ‘Krishi Karman Award 2015-16’ for the commendable increase in food grains production.
The total food grains production has increased from 14.94 lakh ton to 16.34 lakh ton in last five years.
Earlier, The Himachal Pradesh state was also conferred the ‘Krishi Karman Award for 2011-12’ for the increase in wheat production and in 2014-15 for increasing food grains production.
The Railways Minister of Bangladesh 'Mazibul Hoque' and Indian High Commissioner 'Harsh Vardhan Shringla' has inaugurated a fully-airconditioned Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express train in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A total of 456 passengers will now be able to travel in the comfort of air-conditioned coaches, with four of them belonging to the first-class.
The frequency of this express train had also been increased from three to four times a week from 11th November last year.
UP govt. & Centre sign MoU for 'Power for All' scheme
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government and the union govt. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 'Power for All' scheme in the state to ensure that consumers get quality electricity at an affordable price.
The aim of this scheme is to ensure 24-hour quality power supply in the state by October 2018 and electric connection to every house and agriculture field by 2019.
The project will cost above rupees 40 thousand crores out of which 20 thousand crores will be spent till 2018.
These appliances are made on high technology of energy saving and will help in providing 'Power for All'.
Chandrababu Naidu launches CM Connect app
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu has launched a new mobile app 'CM at Velagapudi.
The app runs on Microsoft’s Kaizala platform.
The app will be useful in receiving feedback from the public directly on any given issue.
Haryana launched Operation Durga to ensure women Safety
The Haryana government has launched ‘Operation Durga’ to ensure women safety in the state.
‘Operation Durga’ has been launched so that ‘flying squads patrol those areas where such anti-social elements committed crimes against women.
Flying Squad will visite public places such as schools, colleges, bus stands and railway stations and caught persons indulging in crime activities against women like eve-teasing, stalking, harassment and other such activities.
Jharkhand police initiates Tare Zameen Par program for underprivileged kids
The Jharkhand Police has initiated ‘Tare Zameen Par program’ to enlighten children in Naxal-affected areas in the Palamau district, Jharkhand.
This program is aimed to restore confidence in the state police force and to encourage children to lead happy lives.
The state police appealed the locals to donate bags, shoes, books and clothes to improve the basic amenities of the children in the Naxal-affected areas.
Pankaj Advani beats Sourav Kothari to win Asian Billiards Championship title
The ace cueist ‘Pankaj Advani’ (31-year) has won his sixth Asian Billiards title and seventh overall Asian championship.
He defeated compatriot Sourav Kothari 6-3 to clinch the Asian Billiards Championship title in Chandigarh.
