14 July 2016 Current Affairs
RBI sets up an Inter-regulatory Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted an inter-regulatory Working Group to study the entire gamut of regulatory issues relating to Financial Technology and Digital Banking in India. The Working Group will be headed by Sudarshan Sen, Executive Director of RBI, and has 12 members. It has been asked to submit its report within six months from the date of its first meeting. It was constituted based on the recommendation of sub-committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in view of the growing significance of Fintech innovations and their interactions with the financial sector as well as financial sector entities.
WHO declares India as Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified India as Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free country. In this regard, WHO presented certificates to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda in New Delhi. India was declared Neonatal and Maternal Tetanus free country in August 2015. Previously in May 2016, WHO certified India yaws-free after a team of experts verified interruption of disease transmission in the country. India is the first country under the 2012 WHO neglected tropical diseases (NTD) roadmap to eliminate yaws. “Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, cartilages and bones. It is caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum pertenue”.
India, ADB sign 100 Million USD loan agreement for Cauvery Delta project in Tamil Nadu
The Union Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a 100 million US dollars loan agreement to strengthen key irrigation projects, drainage system and improve water management in the Vennar sub-basin of the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu. The financing will be used to strengthen embankments of six major irrigation water channels in the Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes as Cauvery river basin is a critical source of water for agriculture, both within Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The project aims to improve existing infrastructure and also provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation. The Water Resources Department of the State of Tamil Nadu is responsible for implementing the project, which is expected to be completed by December 2020.
Harika Dronavalli wins Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy
India’s Grand Master Harika Dronavalli has won the Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in Chendu in China. She was playing with white against Russia’s Olga Girya and made draw to win the title, her maiden career GP title. Harika finished on 7 points in the round robin tournament featuring the world’s top 12 players to be crowned the champion. Other India Grand Master Koneru Humpy too rounded off her campaign with a victory to also finish on 7 points. But, Harika was declared winner for finishing with a better tie-break record in the tournament.