19 November 2015 Current Affairs
2015 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize to UNHCR
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was on 19 November chosen for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2015. The international jury of the prize, headed by Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari on the occasion of birth annniversary of Indira Gandhi selected the UNHCR for the prestigious Peace Prize. The UNHCR was chosen for the award in recognition of its immense contributions in assisting millions of refugees in their rehabilitation and resettlement.
RBI allows RRBs to launch internet banking
Reserve Bank of India has allowed strong regional rural banks (RRBs) to launch online transaction through internet banking. Profitable RRBs with minimum Rs.100 crore net worth and better asset quality will be allowed to offer this service. Banks with capital adequacy ratio over 10% will be allowed to introduce the online transaction services. Weak banks will be allowed to offer internet services without online transaction facilities.
World Congress on Disaster Management in Visakhapatnam
The second World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM) has started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The 4-day conference was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and was attended by Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju. The first congress was held in Hyderabad in 2008. It will address and discuss issues such as implementation of the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction. About 1,500 delegates and policy makers from about 100 countries are likely to participate in the 4 day global meet. The outcome of the congress will be presented to the government as recommendations.