Daily GK Updates - 31st December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM launches Mobile App-BHIM for Aadhaar-based digital payment: Prime Minister NarendraModi has launched a mobile app Bharat Interface for Money; BHIM to facilitate digital cash transactions with only a thumb print after the bank account is linked with Aadhaar gateway. 

2. India, Singapore sign 3rd protocol for amending DTAA: India and Singapore have amended the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Third Protocol on 30th December 2016.

3.Cash withdrawal limit from ATMs increased to Rs 4,500 per day: .In a major relief for the common man, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the daily limit of ATM withdrawal to Rs 4500 from current Rs 2500 with effective from January 1st, 2017

4. Anil Baijal Takes Oath as Delhi Lt Governor: Former bureaucrat Anil Baijal has taken oath as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on 31 December 2016.Anil Baijal is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer and is the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.His appointment came after Najeeb Jung's sudden resignation from the post.

5. General BipinRawat takes over as next Chief of Army Staff: General BipinRawat elected as the next Chief of Army Staff. General Rawat has tremendous hands on experience of serving in combat areas, and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.. 

6. Maharashtra sanctions Rs 2 crore for district-level sports complexes: Maharashtra government has sanctioned disbursement of two crore rupees for the district-level sports complexes for which Sports training department of every district will be disbursing the funds. Education and sports department issued a government resolution for sanctioned amount would be the same is Rs 5.06 crore, out of which 1.95 crore rupees had been sanctioned for disbursement.

7.SP chief Mulayam Singh expels UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 6 years: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for six years for alleged anti-party activities, putting the state ruling party on the brink of a split ahead of assembly elections next year. 

8. V K Sasikala takes charge as AIADMK General Secretary: In Tamil Nadu, V K Sasikala has taken charge as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary.

9.Mother Dairy launches Aadhar-enabled payment system at booths: To promote cash less transactions, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd today introduced Aadhar enabled payment system in more than 1,000 milk booths and ‘Safal’ retail stores. 

International UPDATES:

1.World's highest bridge opens in China: The world's highest bridge has opened to traffic in China, connecting two provinces in the mountainous southwest and reducing travel times by as much as three-quarters.

2. Romania's president appoints Sorin Grindeanu as the new Rome PM: Romania's president Klaus Iohannis has appointed Sorin Grindeanu as the country's new prime minister, the president's office announced.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI extends period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments limit: Reserve Bank of India has extended the period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) limit of Rs 20,000 as part of efforts to promote digital payments. 

2. State Bank of India ties up with Magicbricks.com: State Bank of India the country’s largest bank has tied up with online classifieds portal magicbricks.com, to conduct joint marketing activites and help rejuvenate the real estate sector. To kick start the MOU, SBI and Magicbricks are launching the 'Seal the Deal' campaign. 

SPORTS:

3.India Today poll: Virat Kohli voted India's Sportsperson of 2016: Test Captain Virat Kohli has emerged as India's Sportsperson of the Year 2016 in a poll conducted by India. Kohli, with 44.18% votes, pipped badminton ace PV Sindhu (31.51%) for the top spot while star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin came third with 13.83% of the votes.

4. Kush Bhagat creates history in UAE tourney, wins 3 gold medals in chess championship: Creating history, Mumbai prodigy Kush Bhagat has won all three gold medals on offer in the 1st Western Asia Youth Chess Championships.