11 April 2018 - Daily Current Affairs

National Appointment

Rajesh Ranjan appointed Director General of CISF

Senior IPS officer (1984 batch-Bihar cadre) Rajesh Ranjan has been appointed as Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) till November 2020.
Earlier, the post was lying vacant after incumbent OP Singh took over as Director General of the Uttar Pradesh Police in January this year.
At present, Ranjan is the Special Director General, Border Security Force (BSF).

Note: CISF secures a host of VVIPs along with providing armed security to the Delhi Metro network, seaports, power plants, sensitive government buildings, and airports.

National Affairs

PM Modi inaugurates 16th International Energy Forum in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the three days 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi.
It is the world's largest gathering of Energy Ministers who engage in a dialogue on global energy issues hosted by India and co-hosted by China and Korea.
The objective of the meeting to focus on how global shifts, transition policies & the new technologies influence market stability and future investment in the energy sector.

Transgenders to be recognized as independent gender category in PAN form

According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notification, the union government has amended Income Tax rules (ITR) that will now allow transgenders to be recognized as an independent category of applicants for obtaining a Permanent Account Number (PAN) for their tax-related transactions.
In the new form, a new tick box will provide for the transgenders to apply for the PAN in Form 49A (PAN application form for Indian citizens) and 49AA (PAN application form for individuals not a citizen of India).
Earlier, only male and female gender categories were available to be chosen on the PAN application form.

Note:

PAN is a 10-digit unique alphanumeric number allotted by the I-T department to individuals and entities.
Till 5^th March 2018, over 16.65 crore PANs (total about 33 crores) have been linked with Aadhaar.

DefExpo India -2018 begins in Tamil Nadu

The four-day long biennial exhibition of weapons and military hardware ‘DefExpo India- 2018’ (tenth edition) has begun at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.

It will help brand India as an exporter of defense systems and components.

Over 700 exhibitors from over 50 countries are participating in the Defence Expo.

Indigenously developed military helicopters, aircraft, missiles and rockets, capabilities to manufacture submarines, frigates and corvettes would be showcased at the event.

Conference of Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of UTs held at Port Blair

Today, A conference of Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories held at Megapode Resort, Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
VP Singh (Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh), Dr. Kiran Bedi (Lt. Governor of Puducherry), Admiral (Retd.) DK Joshi (Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and representatives from Delhi, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu are attending the conference.

Banking & Finance

SBI launches UK subsidiary with 225 mn pounds capital

The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced to launch, SBI (UK) Limited (its UK subsidiary) with an initial capital commitment of 225 million pounds from its parent entity.
Now, SBI has become the first foreign bank in the UK to ringfence its retail division from its wholesale business.
The UK's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) wants foreign banks to establish UK subsidiaries to protect depositors in the UK from uncertainties in foreign markets.

Note: SBI operates seven branches in London and five each in Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester and Coventry.

SBI to invest Rs. 80 Bn in Hydropower project of Nepal

The State Bank of India (SBI) will invest a total of Rs 80 billion in the Arun III hydropower project of Nepal.
It has 900 megawatts (MW) electricity production capacities.
After completion of the project, Nepal will get 21.9% of the total electricity produced in a year.
The mega project is targeted to be completed by 2022's September.
The SJVN (constructing the mega power project) has made an informal agreement with the SBI to acquire the investment as a loan and soon will make the formal agreement.
Earlier, the Punjab National Bank will lend the loan for the construction of the 268 km long 400 KV transmission line via the Everest Bank (joint venture bank of the PNB).

India to grow 7.3% this fiscal: ADB

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), India’s economic growth is expected to rebound to 7.3% this fiscal with increased productivity post GST and investment revival due to banking reform.
It is a tad lower than RBI’s forecast of 7.4% for this fiscal.
Growth is expected to pick up further to 7.6 % in FY2019 as efforts are on to strengthen the banking system
It projected inflation to average 4.6% in FY 2018.

Note:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19th December 1966, headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
ADB is composed of 67 members, 48 of which are from the Asia and Pacific regions.

International Affairs

India and Zambia sign four agreements to strengthen the ties between two countries

India and Zambia have signed four agreements after delegation-level talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu at Lusaka to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Mr. Kovind also addressed Zambia-India business forum and laid the foundation stone of Lusaka city roads decongestion project which will be implemented with the support from India.

Japan's Masazo Nonaka confirmed as world's oldest living man aged 112

According to the Guinness World Record, Masajo Nonaka (112 -years) has been recognized as the world's oldest living man.
He got a certificate from Guinness World Records.
Nonaka was born in Ashora (25^th July 1905), Japan and in the present time, he lives with his family.
He likes to listen to sumo wrestling and music on TV.

Sports

Shooter Shreyasi Singh wins the Gold medal in CWG 2018

Indian shooter Shreyasi Singh has won the women's double trap gold in a shoot-off (scoring 96 points) to take India's gold medal tally at the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018.
Emma settled for a Silver, while the Bronze went to Scotland's Linda Pearson.
It was Shreyasi’s second CWG medal after having claimed a silver at the 2014 Glasgow Games.
Earlier, in the Men's 50-metre Pistol event, Om Mitharwal finished third to claim his second Bronze of the Games.