Daily GK Updates - 14th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 14TH AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.            PAHAL Scheme enters into Guinness Book of world records: Union Government’s ambitious PratyakshaHastaantaritLaabh (PAHAL) scheme has been acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.

II.       NTPC signed two MoUs for Skill Development: National Thermal Power Corporation has signed two MoUs with National Skill Development Fund and National Skill Development Corporation for skill development training in eastern states and Bihar.

III.       Odisha Cabinet gave nod to new Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2015: The IPR 2015 lays focus on various sectors for the next five years which includes infrastructure development, auto and gas components, agro and food processing, IT and Electronic System Design and Manufacturing, tourism, civil aviation, pharma sector, etc.

IV.       Maharashtra’s Dahi Handi granted with Adventure Sport status: From now on, it will be played as per the rules and regulations which will be framed by a state-level association. It will not be limited to Janmashtami only.

V.        Assam passed Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015: The Bill seeks to eliminate rising cases of superstition leading to murder of so-called ‘witches’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.      India and Slovak republic signed MoU for technical cooperation in Railway Sector: The potential cooperation areas mentioned in the MoU are Infrastructure building and Management, station development and workshop modernisation, modernisation of signalling and telecom, etc.

II.       2015 US-India cyber dialogue held in Washington DC: The dialogue was held with an aim to increase global cyber security and promote the digital economy.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

  I.    AXIS Bank launched the first multi-currency contactless card service in India: India’s third largest private sector lender, Axis Bank has launched the first Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association with VISA payWave in the country.

II.    IRDAI allows Banks to tie with insurers: This decision was taken as part of the IRDAI’s new Bancassurance model guidelines which will be notified soon. Prior to this decision, banks were not allowed to have insurance agency tie-ups with more than one insurer.

III.   RBI notified Interest Subvention Scheme 2015-16 of Union Government for Banks: With this, he RBI asked all banks to provide interest concession of 2 percent on short term crop loans of up to 3 lakh rupees.

SPORTS:

IV.      Indian Men’s Hockey team won European series against Spain 2-1.

AWARDS:

V.     Urdu Author ShamimHanfi chosen for the 1^stJnangarimaManadAlankaran Award, instituted by the BhartiyaJnanpith.

OBITUARIES:

  VI.     The founder of Hero Cycle Om Prakash Munjal passes away at the age of 87.