Rajasthan launches information portal

NATIONAL NEWS

Odd-even vehicle scheme to be back in Delhi from Nov. 4 to 15

• The odd-even vehicle rationing scheme will return to the capital for the third time in November, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced.
• The scheme would be enforced from November 4 to 15 and was part of a seven-point action plan mainly aimed at combating the detrimental effect of stubble burning in the neighbouring States.
• Though it is an emergency measure, in November, the smoke emanating due to stubble burning from other States creates an emergency-like situation in the city, making it a gas chamber. So, we will be implementing the scheme.

Rajasthan launches information portal

• Rajasthan launched a portal for quick access to information on government departments, claiming that the site is the first of its kind in the country.
• Launching the 'Jan Soochna Portal' under the Rajasthan Innovation Vision (RAJIV) campaign,
• Rajasthan becomes the first state in the country to provide information about a dozen departments on a single platform.
• The state government has expressed its intention of using technology for transparency and would further strengthen and expand the scope of the RTI law.

‘Travel Mart’ in Chennai from Sept 19

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society will organise the second edition of CII Tamil Nadu Travel Mart and Medical Value Travel Mart 2019 exhibition at Chennai Trade Centre between September 19 and 22.
• That the travel mart is a global event for the stakeholders from the tourism fraternity which will see more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the tourism business opportunities available in the State.
• Over 1,000 international and domestic buyers are expected to participate in the expo. Tamil Nadu Medical Value Travel Mart 2019 is organised in association with the Health Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
• The event will reiterate the importance of Tamil Nadu in the medical value travel sector.

Ministry of Railways, CII sign MOU to facilitate green initiatives

• Ministry of Railways and Confederation of Indian Industries have signed an MoU to facilitate green initiatives in Indian Railways.
• The MoU was signed in New Delhi. The MoU is part of Indian Railways' some major green initiatives as part of India's contribution towards mitigation of global warming and combating climate change.
• The objectives of the MoU include Energy efficiency in manufacturing facilities and railway workshops, Greening of Railway properties, Demonstrative pilots of 'net-zero energy buildings/ railway stations', Capacity and skill development by continuous sharing of best practices on energy and environment through training programmes, and development of Green procurement policy, waste management policy, solid waste disposal, carbon neutrality, phytoremediation.

DAC approves acquisition proposals of Rs 2,000 crore, pushes 'Make in India' initiative

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded approval to proposals for capital procurement of about Rs 2,000 crores including indigenous production of special ammunition for T-72/T-90 tanks which will substantially increase the capacity of the Army to penetrate enemy armour.
• Maintaining focus on the 'Make in India' initiative, the DAC accorded approval for indigenous development and production of the main gun 125mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding-Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition for T-72/T-90 tanks by the Indian Industry, which would substantially enhance the enemy armour penetration capability.

India joins global research hub on antimicrobial resistance

• India, which is among countries with the highest bacterial disease burden in the world, has become a part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub on September 12, 2019. 
• The hub, which was launched during the 71st session of the World Health Assembly in 2018, is aimed at helping countries decide the allocation of resources for research and development (R&D) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by identifying gaps and overlaps.
• It will also promote coordination among governments in the fight against AMR.
• The global partnership now includes 16 countries, the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations and four international organisations (as observers). With India as a member, the Hub now represents more than half the world's population.

DEFENCE

Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree-2019

• India and Thailand are all set to organize Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-2019 at Foreign Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya) from 16-29 Sep 2019.
• Both the countries have already conducted two such military exercises in past one month.
• About 100 Indian and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) soldiers will participate in the joint military exercise with an aim to share experience gained during a various counter-terrorism operation in their respective countries.
• MAITREE-2019 will be the third consecutive army engagement between India and Thailand’s forces. According to the government agencies, it shows warm ties between both of the countries.

BANKING

Indian Bank to work on cardless cash withdrawal system

• Public sector lender Indian Bank will start working on system under which customers can withdraw cash without using a debit card
• Indian Bank would start working on the system, with interoperability facility, soon after the National Payments Corporation of India comes out with a specification.
• In all probability, it would happen by June 2020.
• When we offer this service, it should be interoperable. Customers of any bank can use our system for cash withdrawal and vice versa. Currently, the system is limited only to cash deposits.

FACTS

Indian Bank Chairman-Padmaja Chunduru

Headquarter-Chennai

Tagline-Your own bank

Andhra Bank board okays merger with Union Bank

• The board of directors of Andhra Bank accorded in-principle approval for the amalgamation of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank with Union Bank of India as the anchor bank
• It has considered and accorded its in-principle approval for the amalgamation of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank with Union Bank of lndia as the anchor bank, subject to statutory and regulatory approvals.

Small finance banks need minimum ₹200 crore capital in on-tap licence regime

• The Reserve Bank of India allowed payments banks to apply for small finance bank (SFB) licences. According to the new draft guidelines for on-tap licencing of private sector SFBs, the promoter of a payments bank is eligible to set up an SFB, provided both banks come under the non-operating financial holding company (NOFHC) structure.
• Existing rules do not allow payments banks to lend and deposits are capped at ₹1 lakh per customer. A small finance bank licence will give such entities access to more deposits and boost their profitability, which is currently under pressure.
• The central bank also revised the minimum paid-up capital requirement for SFBs to ₹200 crore instead of ₹100 crore earlier. It said the promoter should hold a minimum of 40% of the paid-up voting equity capital for five years. If the initial promoter shareholding is above 40%, it should be brought down to 40% within a period of five years, 30% within 10 years, and 15% in 15 years.

OBITUARY

BN Yugandhar, Former Bureaucrat and Father of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Passes Away at 82

• BN Yugandhar, a former bureaucrat and the father of Microsoft Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella, died in Hyderabad following a brief illness. He was 82.
• Yugandhar, a 1962-batch IAS officer, had served in the Prime Minister’s Office under PV Narasimha Rao, and also as director of the Mussoorie-based Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
•  He was a member of the Planning Commission during 2004-2009 and was instrumental in ensuring the inclusion of a chapter on disability issues in the Plan.

APPOINTMENT

Andrew Strauss is ECB cricket committee chief

• Recently knighted former England captain Andrew Strauss has been appointed chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s cricket committee.
• The 42-year-old, who served as director of England cricket from 2015 to 2018, had stepped down. In his new role, Strauss will monitor all levels of cricket in England and Wales to ensure a “thriving professional game at the heart of the sport”.

Anurag Katriar takes over as restaurants’ body chief

• The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) announced the appointment of deGustibus Hospitality Executive Director and CEO Anurag Katriar as its new President.
• The appointment was made unanimously at the Annual General Meeting of the association after The Beer Cafe founder and CEO Rahul Singh’s tenure as the President came to an end, NRAI.

IMPORTANT DAY

Hindi Diwas 2019: celebrate on September 14

• Hindi Diwas 2019: A day that marks the importance of the language and showcases its rich history and socio-political significance, Hindi Diwas is celebrated every year on September 14.
• The Constituent Assembly of India had, in 1949, recognised and adopted Hindi — an Indo-Aryan language — as the official language of the newly formed nation on this very day.