Daily Current Affairs 28th April , 2021

Daily Current Affairs 28 April 2021 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Centre extends Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for healthcare workers for one year
After an unprecedented spike in covid-19 positive cases, the Centre extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for about 22 lakh healthcare providers for another year with immediate effect.The scheme implemented by New India Assurance was slated to end on April 24.

• The insurance provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from coronavirus infection and who may be at risk of being impacted by this.
• The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

ITBP sets up water sports and adventure training institute in Uttarakhand
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has established a ‘Water Sports and Adventure Institute (WSAI)’ near Tehri Dam Reservoir in Uttarakhand.The institute was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat along with Union Minister of State for Sports Kiren Rijiju.

• The Mountaineering and Skiing Institute of ITBP at Auli, will independently run this institution.
• This institution will boost national and international tourism and increase opportunity of employment for the people of the state.

Indian Army signs MoU with HPCL & NIEDO for Ladakh Ignited Minds project
As part of the Indian Army’s initiative to secure a better future for Ladakhi youth, the Indian Army, under the aegis of Fire and Fury Corps, signed MoUs with corporate partner Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and executing agency National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation, (NIEDO).

• The project, Ladakh Ignited Minds: A Centre of Excellence and Wellness, has been conceptualized to secure a better future for the youth of UT of Ladakh. It is a full-time residential programme to mentor and to guide Ladakhi youth for twelve months for various Medical and Engineering Colleges entrance examinations in India.
• The programme under the aegis of Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army would be executed by National Integrity & Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO), a Kanpur-based NGO.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BANKING & FINANCE

Shivalik Bank commences operations as small finance bank
Shivalik Small Finance Bank Ltd. has commenced operations as a small finance bank with effect from April 26.

• The Reserve Bank had issued a licence to the bank under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India, the RBI said.

Bitex becomes first crypto exchange to provide investment disclosures
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitex has announced that it has started providing investment declaration reports for all its retail and institutional investors, becoming the first exchange in India to comply with the recent amendments made to the Companies Act 2013 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

• The report can be submitted for tax purposes by individual investors as well as by companies and can be used to prepare financial statements as stipulated by the government.

RBI issues guidelines for appointment of statutory auditors of banks, NBFCs
The Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines for appointment of statutory auditors of banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including housing finance companies.It will be applicable for financial year 2021-22 and onwards.

• However, non-deposit taking NBFCs with asset size below Rs 1,000 crore have the option to continue with their extant procedure.
• Banks and UCBs will be required to take prior approval of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for appointment/reappointment of SCAs/SAs, on an annual basis, the guidelines said.
• For entities with an asset size of Rs 15,000 crore and above as at the end of previous year, statutory audit should be conducted under joint audit of a minimum of two audit firms. All other entities should appoint a minimum of one audit firm for conducting statutory audit.

‘Britcoin’ digital currency being considered by UK
British authorities are exploring the possibility of creating a new digital currency that Treasury chief Rishi Sunak indicated could be known as “Britcoin“.

• The Bank of England and the Treasury said that they will work together to assess the benefits of a central bank digital currency, at a time when cash payments are generally on the decline, partly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The bank said the new currency, if it comes to pass, would be a new form of digital money for use by households and businesses and would exist alongside cash and bank deposits, rather than replacing them.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Oxford Economics lowers India’s 2021 GDP growth forecast to 10.2%
Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics revised downwards its India GDP growth forecast for 2021 to 10.2 percent from 11.8 percent previously, citing the country’s escalating health burden, faltering vaccination rate and lack of a convincing government strategy to contain the pandemic.

• Oxford Economics also said that notwithstanding the likelihood of further mobility restrictions, it expects India’s targeted lockdown approach, less stringent restrictions, and resilient consumer and business behaviour to mitigate the economic impact of the second wave.

India’s GDP to grow at 11% this fiscal: ADB
The Indian economy is projected to grow at 11 per cent in the current financial year amid the “strong” vaccine drive, said ADB, while cautioning that the recent surge in COVID cases may put the country’s economic recovery at “risk”.

• For FY2022, India’s GDP is expected to expand at 7 per cent. 
• However ,the Asian Development Bank (ADB) cautioned that the surge in COVID-19 cases may put the country’s economic recovery at risk.

IIT Kharagpur and NCDC Sign MoU to promote Sustainable Developments in Cooperatives, Agriculture and Allied Sectors
IIT Kharagpur and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) have signed an MoU towards greater collaboration in issues and areas related to the development of cooperatives, agriculture and allied sectors and to the holistic approach towards sustainable development.

• The scope of the MoU will involve the advancement of training, action research, studies, policy analysis, policy advice, consultancy, monitoring, evaluation, system development and technology development.

Tata Steel & HSBC execute a blockchain-enabled, paperless trade transaction
Tata Steel, along with HSBC, has executed a blockchain-enabled paperless trade transaction. According to the company, this is a global first for the steel industry.

• The live financial transaction involved the export of steel by Tata Steel to Universal Tube & Plastic Industries, UAE.
• The end-to-end paperless transaction, executed over the Contour platform, was made possible by a unique collaboration pivoted by Tata Steel across the spectrum over the Contour and essDOCS platforms.

SPORTS

India bags record 11 medals at Youth World Boxing Championships 
The 2021 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships was held in Kielce, Poland.A 10-day biennial event witnessed 414 boxers from 52 countries.

• From India, eight boxers competed in the finals, including 7 female players and one male.India ended the tournament with 11 medals (8 gold & 3 bronze) to finish top in the medal table.

List of Winners
Gold Medal Winners:
Gitika – 48kg Light flyweight
Naorem Babyrojisana Chanu – 51kg Flyweight
Poonam Pinia – 57kg Featherweight
Vinka – 60kg Lightweight
Arundhati Choudhary – 69kg Welterweight
Thokchom Sanamacha Chanu – 75kg Middleweight
Alfiya Pathan – +81kg Heavyweight
Sachin – 56kg Bantamweight
Bronze Medal Winners:
Bishwamitra Chongtham – 49kg
Ankit Narwal – 64kg
Vishal Gupta – 91kg

Rafael Nadal Wins 12th Barcelona Open Title
Rafael Nadal saved a championship point to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 7-5 and claim a 12th Barcelona Open title in the ATP’s longest match of 2021.

• The Spaniard secured his first title of the year and 87th of his career, denying Tsitsipas back-to-back triumphs following his maiden Masters 1000 title at Monte Carlo last week.

APPOINTMENTS

Arun Raste named new MD and CEO of NCDEX
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of Arun Raste as the new Managing Director and CEO of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) for five years.

• He is currently Executive Director of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as an Executive Director. Raste also serves as a director on the board at Indian Immunological Limited and Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan resigns 
Armenia’s prime minister has resigned, a step necessary to hold snap parliamentary elections in June.

• Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the June 20 elections last month to try to resolve political tensions that arose after last year’s defeat in a war with Azerbaijan.
• He will continue to act as the the country’s leader until the election.

AWARDS

Mar Coorilos chosen for maiden Golden Lantern Award
WHI, an organisation having special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, UN, has chosen Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, Diocese of Mumbai, for its maiden Golden Lantern Award.

• The award is being conferred on the metropolitan for his outstanding efforts in social, educational and charitable spheres.
• He was chosen for the award for his free education initiatives for slum children, health and treatment schemes designed for TB patients, exemplary contributions to the education sector and opening up of theology learning for women in the upcoming Theo University.

Uttar Pradesh wins e-panchayat award
The Uttar Pradesh government said it has won the “E-Panchayat Puraskar 2021”, ranking first in Category I. It was followed by Assam and Chhattisgarh at the second position, while Odisha and Tamil Nadu stood third, the government said

• Every year, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards those states, which ensure maximum use of information technology to keep a tab on the work done by gram panchayats.
• This year, the Yogi Adityanath government has been awarded for flawless and efficient implementation of the e-application developed by the Centre and a few more apps developed by the state government. ”

Over 14,400 ha area in Andaman & Nicobar becomes first large territory to get organic certification
About 14,491 hectare (ha) area in Andaman and Nicobar has been certified as organic, the first large contiguous territory to be done under a government scheme, Agriculture Ministry said.

• After Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, Lakshadweep and Ladakh are proactively taking steps for the transformation of their traditional organic areas to certified organic.
• There are traditional areas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, north-eastern states and tribal belts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and desert districts of Rajasthan which can be transformed to certified organic.

Thilakan memorial award for director Pramod Payyannnur 
Theatre and film director Pramod Payyannur bagged the Thilakan memorial award named after the veteran actor for overall contribution in the creative field. The award is constituted by Thilakan Smarakavedi.

• The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 31,000, citation and memento.

Pro-Donald Trump film ‘Absolute Proof’ bags worst movie at 2021 Razzie Awards
The election-fraud film Absolute Proof, singer Sia’s heavily panned directorial debut Music and Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor, were the top winners at the 2021 Razzie Awards, given to the worst movies and performances of the year.

• The Golden Raspberry Awards, popularly known as the Razzies, were held a day before the Oscars night, as is the tradition.
• The pro-Donald Trump film also bagged the worst acting title for Lindell for his appearance in the film as himself. Sia’s Music, which was heavily criticized for its depiction of autism, took home three awards, including worst director, worst actress for Kate Hudson, and worst supporting actress for Maddie Ziegler.
• Actor-filmmaker Sacha Baron Cohen starrer “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” won two Razzie awards, both for Giuliani for his infamous cameo in the film.
• The former New York City mayor was dubbed the worst supporting actor, and also won the award for worst screen combo-with his pants zipper.
• The award for worst screenplay went to Polish erotic romantic drama 365 Days while Downey Jr starrer Dolittle, a reboot of the Eddie Murphy film series, bagged the ‘worst remake, rip-off, or sequel’ title.
• A special Governors’ Award for The Worst Calendar Year ever went to 2020.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China’s first Mars rover named ‘Zhurong’
China’s first Mars rover will be named Zhurong after a traditional fire god, the government announced.

• The rover is aboard the Tianwen-1 probe that arrived in Mars orbit on February 24 and is due to land in May to look for evidence of life.
• It is part of Chinese space plans that include launching a crewed orbital station and landing a human on the moon.

OBITUARIES

Ex-chief of SSB Arun Chaudhary passes away 
Former Sahasthra Seema Bal chief Arun Chaudhary died of Covid. He was 66.

• A 1977-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Bihar cadre, Chaudhary served for nearly two decades in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) where he headed the Jammu and Kashmir desk.
• In his early service days, he served in various positions in his cadre state and also had a stint with the Central Industrial Security Force, where he headed its airport security unit.

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