Daily Current Affairs 18th October, 2017

Daily Current Affairs 18 October 2017 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

I-T Dept launches online chat service to answer taxpayers issues

Income Tax Department has launched an online chat service for taxpayers so that they can seek answers to their basic queries and doubts relating to direct tax issues.

• A window has been hosted on the main page of the department’s website – www.incometaxindia.gov.in with a prominent icon stating Live Chat Online- ask your query. This first-time initiative is aimed to enhance taxpayer services in the country.

Canada chosen as partner country for 2017 Technology Summit, New Delhi

Canada will be the partner country at the 23rd iteration of the Tech Summit, India’s largest knowledge and technology conference and exhibition to be held from November 14 to 15, 2017 in New Delhi. The Summit is organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Madhya Pradesh launches Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the ambitious ‘Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna’ for the farmers of the state.

• Madhya Pradesh is the first state to lend money to farmers at zero percent interest. The government has approved a web of irrigation projects across the Sagar District which will cover 96-hectare fields.

Birsa Munda Tribal University inaugurated in Narmada district

Gujarat Minister of State for Tribal Welfare Shabdasharan Tadvi inaugurated the Birsa Munda Tribal University in the tribal dominated Rajpipla town in Narmada district about 90 kms from Vadodara. The Gujarat Assembly had in May last year, passed a Bill to set up the Birsa Munda Tribal University.

Bangladesh Navy Ship Somudra Avijan on goodwill visit to Vizag

Bangladesh naval ship Somudra Avijan has arrived Visakhapatnam on a four-day goodwill visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

• BNS Somudra Avijan, commanded by Commander M Moniruzzaman, is a part of Cadet Training Squadron with 60 cadets embarked onboard sea training.

BANKING & FINANCE

North East Small Finance Bank starts operations: RBI

North East Small Finance Bank Limited has commenced operations as a small finance bank from 17th October 2017

• RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited, Guwahati was one of the 10 applicants which was issued in-principle approval for setting up a small finance bank in September 2015.
• The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi Microfinance Limited– North East (RGVNMFL-NE) is the promoter of North East Small Finance Bank.
• Capital Small Finance Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are the other entities operating in the niche banking space.

Banks to provide funds at 7% to women SHGs under DAY-NRLM: RBI

The RBI said that banks will provide funds to women self help groups, SHGs, in rural areas at 7 per cent under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the current fiscal.

The central bank issued the revised guidelines on interest subvention scheme under DAY-NRLM, as received from the Ministry of Rural Development for implementation by 21 public sector banks and 19 private banks.

• All women SHGs will be eligible for interest subvention on credit upto 3 lakh rupees at 7 per cent per annum.
• Banks will be subvented to the extent of difference between the Weighted Average Interest Charged and 7 per cent subject to the maximum limit of 5.5 per cent for the year 2017-18.
• Subvention will be available to banks on the condition that they make SHG credit available at 7 per cent per annum.

ECONOMY

GDP may grow at 7% in FY’18: NITI Aayog

According to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar, the economic slowdown that began in 2013-14 has bottomed out and the GDP is likely to grow at 6.9-7 % this fiscal (2017-18) and 7.5% in 2018-19.

SPORTS

HC restores life ban imposed on Sreesanth by BCCI

A division bench of the Kerala High Court has restored the life ban imposed on cricketer S Sreesanth by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the wake of the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

US author George Saunders wins 2017 Man Booker Prize

US author George Saunders has won the 2017 Man Booker Prize. He became only the second American writer to win Britain’s renowned Prize, which was awarded for his first full-length novel “Lincoln in the Bardo”.

Google viewed as most authentic brand in India: Survey

Indian consumers regard Google as the most authentic brand, even though Amazon.com tops the list globally, reveal results of the 2017 “Authentic Brands Study” by the new survey of global communications agency Cohn & Wolfe.

• In India, Google is followed by Microsoft, Amazon.com, Maruti Suzuki and Apple. Globally, Apple takes the second spot after Amazon in the authenticity race.

Jaipur and Srinagar Airports rated Best Airports in the World in 2-5 million Passenger category in ACI-ASQ Survey

The Jaipur and Srinagar Airport got First and Second rank respectively in the category of 2-5 million passengers in ACI-ASQ Survey. 

• This is for the second consecutive time that Jaipur Airport has been rated the Best Airport in the World in the traffic volume of 2 to 5 million passengers per year. 
• The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards are the aviation industry’s most prestigious accolades. The awards recognize the airports which have achieved the highest passenger satisfaction ratings in the ASQ Survey – the world’s benchmark measure of airport excellence

Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport bags award in 5-15 million Passenger category

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has bagged the World 1 airport Award trophy of the Airports Council International (ACI) in the 5-15 million passengers per annum category.

Indian-American Attorney Ajay Raju Recognised With Philanthropy Award

Noted Indian-American attorney Ajay Raju has been honoured with the third American Bazaar Philanthropy award in recognition of his philanthropic activities in the US.

Indian-origin teenager Akshay Ruparelia becomes UK’s youngest millionaire

An Indian-origin teenager has made a fortune by selling houses through his online estate agency business during his school lunch breaks and has become one of UK’s youngest millionaires

• While other youngsters were kicking a ball around the playground, Akshay Ruparelia, 19, was quietly negotiating huge property deals on his mobile, the Daily Mirror reported.

OBITUARY

Veteran British actor Roy Dotrice passes away

Roy Dotrice, a veteran British actor known for his role as Leopold Mozart in the Oscar-winning film Amadeus and his many theater and TV roles has passed away.

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