First Women and African WTO Chief

Shankar School of Banking February 16 , 2021 318

NATIONAL NEWS

The Central Government to set up a new nodal agency - Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) to tackle fraudulent calls and SMSes.
The agency will look after the complaints of unsolicited commercial communication and cases of financial fraud particularly in digital payments space.
Also, a Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection will be set up.
The main function of DIU will be to coordinate with various law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and telecom service provider in investigating any fraudulent activity involving telecom resources.

The Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani launched the commercial Jute Seed Distribution Scheme on February 15^th, 2021.
The seeds were produced by National Seeds Corporation (NSC) based on the MoU signed between NSC and Jute Corporation of India.
According to the MoU, NSC will do the commercial distribution of 1 thousand Metric Tonne certified jute seeds for the year 2021-22.

West Bengal Chief Minister launched the “Maa Canteens” for providing cooked food for the poor.
The Maa Canteens will provide cooked food to the common people at a nominal cost of Rs. 5

Fact:

RBI has formed an expert committee for the regulation of Urban Cooperative Banks.
The expert committee consists of eight members headed by former RBI Deputy Governor NS Vishwanathan.
The expert committee will submit the report in three months from the date of first meeting.

Okonjo-Iweala has been selected unanimously to be the director general of World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Okonjo-Iweala hails from Nigeria, was the former Finance Minister of Nigeria.
She will become the First Women as well as First African WTO Chief in the history.

The International Solar Alliance has announced Dr. Ajay Mathur as its new Director General.
ISA was established in 2015 as a coalition of 73 countries to accelerate the demand for and use of safe, sustainable, and affordable solar energy for all.
It aims to mobilize over one trillion dollars of investment into solar projects by 2030.
Dr Mathur replaces Mr Upendra Tripathy, who has served as Director General since the inception of the ISA.

The Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards 2019 was given on 15^th February, 2021.
The award for best novel was given to “Meesha” written by S. Hareesh.
Also, the best Poetry Award was bagged by “Rathri Panthrandara-kkoru Tharat” by P. Raman and “Kothiyan” by M.R Renukumar.

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