08 Dec 2020 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Invest India wins 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award
- UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has declared ‘Invest India’ as winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award, among 180 agencies around the world
- Invest India’s initiative like Business Immunity Platform, Investment Forum webinar series, social media engagement, and COVID response teams were the reason for its victory
- This award recognizes and celebrates the achievements and World’s best practices of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs)
2. RBI tightens oversight of NBFCs and UCBs
- RBI has announced the introduction of risk-based internal audit norms for large urban cooperative banks (UCBs) and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)
- It is introduced as a part of measures to improve governance
- Along with this, the appointment of statutory auditors for commercial banks, UCBs, and NBFCs guidelines will also be harmonized to improve financial reporting.
- RBI has also proposed to issue Digital Payment Security Controls directions for regulated entities.
3. PM Modi virtually inaugurates Agra Metro project construction work
- PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated construction work of the Agra Metro project in Agra, Uttar Pradesh through video conferencing
- About the project:
- It comprises 2 corridors with a total length of 29.4 km.
- It will connect major tourist attractions like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands.
- Cost: Rs 8,379.62 crore.
- Time: 5 years.
- Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has set the target to complete its first phase by December 2022.
4. ICAR wins FAO’s 2020 King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has won the prestigious International King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award for 2020 on World Soil Day
- ICAR has been conferred for its commitment to raise awareness about healthy soil addressing soil erosion under the motto ‘Stop soil erosion, save our future’, taken in 2019
- Award was launched in 2018 to acknowledge individuals or institutions for public awareness of soils. Award is presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
5. Centre Launches QRMP scheme for GST payers with turnover up to Rs 5 crore
- Centre has rolled out ‘Quarterly Return filing & Monthly Payment of Taxes (QRMP)’ scheme for small taxpayers under the GST system.
- Eligibility: Taxpayers with Rs 5 crore annual turnover in the preceding financial year and who have filed their October GSTR-3B (sales) return by Nov 30, 2020.
- Under the scheme, the eligible taxpayer will be allowed to furnish their GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns every quarter (January-March quarter of 2020-21)
6. Veteran Hindi writer Madhukar Gangadhar passes away in Delhi
- Veteran Hindi writer Madhukar Gangadhar (88 years) passed away in a hospital in Delhi.
- He studied at Purnia Inter College and Patna University and had worked at Patna Akashwani
- He also served as the director of AIR Allahabad and Deputy Director General (DDG), AIR at New Delhi.
- He served All India Radio (AIR) for 39 years and then became an independent writer based in Delhi.
- Famous works: 'Motiyo Wale Hath', 'Hina Ki Aankhen'
- Native: Bihar's Purnia district
7. PM Modi addresses the inaugural session of virtual IMC 2020
- PM Narendra Modi addressed the virtual India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2020
- It is being organized by the Dept of Telecommunications and Cellular Operators Association of India.
- It will be held from 8th to 10th December.
- The theme for IMC 2020: ‘Inclusive Innovation - Smart, Secure, Sustainable’.
- Aim: Promote Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Digital Inclusivity, entrepreneurship, innovation, foreign and local investments, encourage Research and Development in telecom and technology sectors.
8. Popular TV actress Divya Bhatnagar passes away in Mumbai
- Popular Indian TV actress Divya Bhatnagar (34 years) passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai due to Covid 19 complications.
- She was battling with COVID-19 since November 2020.
- She acted in hit serials like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata and Udaan.
- She was also part of the comedy show ‘Tera Yaar Hoon Main’.
- Other shows: Sanskaar, Jeet Gayi Toh Piyaa Morre, Vish and Sanware Sabko Preeto.
9. ICICI Bank launches iMobile Pay to offer Payments & Banking Services for al
- ICICI Bank has launched a new version of its mobile payment app called iMobile Pay, to offer payment and banking services to customers of any bank.
- Its latest version is interoperable and will now allow payments with other banking services to even those customers who do not hold an ICICI Bank account.
- Using this, customers of other banks can link their bank account, generate UPI ID, etc
- It also offers instant banking services such as savings account, investments, loans.
10. Kotak Mutual Fund launches India’s First International REIT Fund Of Funds
- Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company (Kotak Mutual Fund) has rolled out Kotak International REIT Fund of Funds, India’s first diversified REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) Mutual Fund.
- New MF scheme: It is an open-ended mutual fund scheme that will have a diversified investment portfolio comprising listed REITs to invest in realty projects
- Kotak International REIT Fund of Funds will invest in units of Japan-based SMAM Asia REIT Sub Trust Fund.
11. Indian-origin Anil Soni appointed as CEO for WHO Foundation
- Indian-origin global health expert Anil Soni has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer for the WHO Foundation.
- He will assume his role as its inaugural CEO on January 1, 2021.
- WHO D-G Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Anil Soni as a proven innovator in global health who has spent 2 decades in service of communities affected by HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases
- In his new role, he will accelerate the Foundation's work to invest in initiatives that support WHO
12. the UK becomes the first country to roll out Covid-19 vaccine
- United Kingdom (UK) will become the first country today to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine.
- The vaccine will be initially available at hospitals before distributing stocks to doctors' clinics.
- The approved vaccine has been developed by Pfizer and BioNTech
- National Health Service is giving top priority to vaccinating those above 80 years, frontline healthcare workers and care home staff and residents.
- Britain has ordered 4 crore doses of COVID Vaccine
13. Punjab National Bank launches ‘LenS’ Solution to speed up loan delivery
- Punjab National Bank (PNB) has rolled out a loan management tech-solution titled ‘LenS-The Lending Solution’, to speed up online loan processing and sanctioning of credit proposals with accuracy.
- Objective:
- Standardize the system, process, and appraisal formats for loan processing
- Speed up credit sanctions
- Auto-generate loan documents, etc
- It will be implemented in a phased manner for all kinds of loans including MSME, agriculture, retail, and other credits.
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