Daily GK Updates - 20th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Punjab becomes 3rd state to ban hookah bars : The President has given assent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently.Punjab is the third state in the country after Gujarat and Maharashtrawhere hookah bars or lounges were banned through law.

2.  UIDAI head Ajay Bhushan Pandey to be next Revenue Secretary : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey (1984 batch - IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre) as the new revenue secretary.He will succeed current Finance and Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.

3.  Jalaj Srivastava appointed new IWAI Chairman : Jalaj Srivastava (IAS – officer 1984 batch) has been appointed as chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).Currently, Mr Srivastava is working as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.The IWAI comes under the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.49th International Film Festival of India begins in Goa : The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has begun at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Bambolim, Panaji (Goa).The 9-day event will showcase 212 films from 68 countries.Indian Panorama will showcase 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films.Malayalam movie Olu (directed by Shaji Karun) will be the opening movieof the feature film section of Indian panorama.World Panorama section will present 67movies including 15 OSCAR nominated films from different countries.Israel is the focus country, Jharkhand is the focus state this year.

2.14th edition of international children’s theatre festival held in New Delhi :The 14th edition of JashneBachpan (theatre festival for children) was held at the Sammukh, Abhimanch, Abhikalp and Little Theatre Group(LTG) auditorium in New Delhi.The main aim of conducting Jashnebachpan is to bring theatre into prominence.The JashneBachpan has been organized by the National School of Drama.

3.20th November: Universal Children's Day : The Universal Children's Day has been observed across the world on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.The theme of 2018 is ‘Children are taking over and turning the world blue’.The intergovernmental organisation is asking individuals, schools and corporates worldwide to 'Go Blue' this Universal Children’s Day to help build a world where every child goes to school and is safe from harm.

4. Fuego volcano of Guatemala erupted for 5th time this year : Fuego volcano of Guatemala has erupted for the fifth time this year, sending bursts of ash and lava down the mountain.According to Disaster Management Agency, a red has been issued and some 4,000 people were taken to temporary shelters as a precaution.A column of ash rose about a kilometre above the crater and areas around the volcano, near Guatemala City, were under a barrage of gas-ash and fiery rocks.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI to set up an expert panel to look into issues on capital surplus : At the crucial meeting of the RBI board, The board has decided to set up a high-powered committee to examine issues related to the surplus capital of Rs 9.69 lakh crore with the central bank.The Board for Financial Supervision (BFS) of the RBI would examine the issues concerning the bank's health under Prompt Corrective Action(PCA) framework and the Economic Capital Framework (ECF) of RBI.On the capital framework issue, RBI will form an expert panel to study if RBI has surplus reserves and whether the same should be transferred to the government.The Reserve Bank and the Finance Ministry will decide the committee’s composition.