NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s first pure green hydrogen
plant commissioned in Assam: India’s first 99.999% pure Green Hydrogen
pilot plant has been commissioned by the Oil India Limited (OIL) at its Jorhat
Pump Station in Assam. The plant has an installed capacity of 10 kg per day.
The plant produces Green Hydrogen from the electricity generated by a 500kW
Solar plant using a 100 kW Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyser array.
The use of AEM technology is being used for the first time in India.
This plant is expected to increase its
production of green hydrogen from 10 kg per day to 30 kg per day in future. The
company has initiated a detailed study in collaboration with IIT Guwahati on
the blending of Green Hydrogen with Natural Gas and its effect on the existing
infrastructure of OIL. The company also plans to study use cases for commercial
applications of the blended fuel.
Note: Assam Capital: Dispur; Assam Chief
Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma; Assam Governor: Jagadish Mukhi.
2.
“Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers
fighting COVID-19” extended for 180 days: The ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Package (PMGKP), insurance scheme for Health Care Workers Fighting COVID-19’
has been extended for a further period of 180 days. This will be effective from
April 19, 2022. The extension has been given so as to provide the safety net to
the dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19
patients. The PMGKP was launched on March, 30, 2020 to provide comprehensive
personal accident cover of Rs. 50 Lakh to 22.12 lakh healthcare providers, including
community health workers and private health workers dealing with COVID-19
patients and may be at risk of being impacted by the same.
3. J&K launched ‘Jan Nigrani’
app to help people lodge complaints: The Department of Rural Development and
Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, under the e-governance initiative has
launched an app ‘Jan Nigrani’, intended to help people lodge their complaints
related to various schemes online. The Jan Nigrani app is a 24×7 internet-based
platform aimed at reporting and resolving the grievances of the residents of
J&K, against various government schemes launched by the department.
Benefits of the Jan Nigrani app:
a)
The
app would act as a single link between the residents and the officials by
mapping concerned authorities related to the complaint about faster grievance
redressal. The app has been developed as an e-governance initiative to provide
a 24×7 platform to the people for redressal of their grievances.
b)
The
application has been set at the block level with a seven-day time slot to
redress any particular grievance. It will also check bogus or false complaints
and can be downloaded from the Google play store of android software.
c)
The
app would also facilitate accurate reporting of grievances using customised
scheme-specific input forms to ensure minimal rejections on account of
incomplete information.
Note: J&K Lieutenant Governor: Manoj
Sinha; J&K Formation (Union territory): 31 October 2019; J&K Capital:
Jammu (winter), Srinagar (summer).
4. Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates
a nationwide meeting on agriculture for the 2022 Kharif campaign: Narendra Singh
Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister, recently launched the National Conference on
Agriculture for the Kharif Campaign 2022-23 at the NASC Complex in New Delhi.
a)
The
Minister expressed his delight that, according to the 2nd Advance Estimates
(2021-22), total food grain production in the country will reach 3160 lakh
tonnes, a new high.
b)
The
production of pulses and oilseeds will be 269.5 lakh tonnes and 371.5 lakh
tonnes, respectively.
c)
Horticulture
production is expected to reach 3310.5 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, the greatest
level ever for Indian horticulture, according to third advanced projections.
d)
The
Minister added that the centre and states will collaborate to secure the
availability of herbicides and seeds, lowering farmers’ input prices.
e)
He
argued that a method for replacing urea with Nano-urea should be developed. He
stated that the government would continue to prioritise natural and organic
agriculture.
f)
While
agriculture exports have increased, the Minister stated that quality products
must be prioritised in order to compete in international markets. Both farmers
and exporters should benefit.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Patrick Achi re-appointed as
Prime Minister of Ivory Coast: Patrick Achi has been re-appointed as Prime
Minister of Ivory Coast by President Alassane Ouattara. He was appointed prime
minister in March 2021. He was the third prime minister in the West African
state (Ivory Coast) in the last three years after Amadou Gon Coulibaly (who
died in 2020) and Hamed Bakayoko (who died in 2021). President has accepted
Achi resignation ahead of a government reshuffle. Ivory Coast, also officially
known as the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country on the southwest coast of
Africa.
Note: Ivory Coast Capital: Yamoussoukro;
Ivory Coast Currency: West African CFA franc; Ivory Coast President: Alassane
Ouattara.
2.
World Book and Copyright Day [UNESCO]: 23rd April: Every year on April
23, World Book and Copyright Day is observed to promote the love of reading.
April 23 is significant in world literature because it commemorates the death
on this date of prominent writers such as Miguel de Cervantes and William
Shakespeare. This date was an obvious option for UNESCO’s General Conference,
which was convened in Paris in 1995, to pay a worldwide tribute to books and
authors on this day, urging everyone to read.
History: Every year on
April 23 – the anniversary of the deaths of three great authors of world
literature, Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la
Vega – we honour their enthralling ability to inspire creativity, knowledge,
and alter minds.
3.
English Language and Spanish Language Day: 23rd April: The United Nations
launched Language Days in 2010 to promote equal usage of the organisation’s six
official languages and to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity.
English Language Day: Every year on
April 23, the United Nations celebrates English Day. The UN Department of
Public Information created the event in 2010 to “celebrate multilingualism and
cultural diversity, as well as promote equal use of all six official languages
within the Organisation. The date of April 23 was chosen for English Language
Day because it is “traditionally honoured as both the birthday and date of
death of William Shakespeare.”
Spanish Language Day: The date was
chosen since it is the anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s death in
Spain, as well as William Shakespeare’s birth and death in England. Not only
because of their historic status in the canon, but also because of how they
represent the power of language in culture, politics, and business, these two
literary titans are excellent icons. Their works continue to have an impact
even after they have passed away.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. A first-of-its-kind mobile app
launched for Khelo India University Games 2021: In a
first-of-its-kind initiative, the second edition of the Khelo India University
Games to be held in the tech capital Bengaluru will have its own mobile
application. A brainchild of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports
(DYES) and hosts Jain Deemed-to-be University, the unique ‘Khelo India Uni
Games 2021’ mobile app promises to be a one-stop-shop for all information
regarding the prestigious event scheduled to begin on the 24th April.
The coveted Games, which will be India’s
first largest mass participation sporting event post-pandemic, will witness
over 4,500 participants representing a total of about 189 universities vie for
top honours in 20 disciplines.
2. West Indies All-Rounder Kieron
Pollard announces retirement: West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard
has announced his retirement from international cricket. Pollard, who was the
captain of West Indies’ limited-overs teams, played a total of 123 ODIs and 101
T20Is. He has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian
Premier League for several years now and was retained by the franchise ahead of
the mega auction in February this year. He was part of the West Indies team
that won the 2012 ICC WT20 and missed out on his second T20 World Cup title in
2016 as he missed the tournament due to injury.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Dhanlaxmi Bank signed MoU with CBDT, CBIC for tax collection: For the collection
of taxes, Dhanlaxmi Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes
and Customs (CBIC). Dhanlaxmi Bank said in a regulatory filing that the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) has authorised the bank to collect different taxes based on
a recommendation from the Controller General of Accounts.
Key Points:
a)
The
technical integration required to implement the seamless flow of remittances
from the bank’s portal to the CBDT and CBIC portals will be implemented as soon
as possible in order to give customers early access to the facilities.
b)
The
bank was empanelled as a ‘Agency Bank’ by the RBI in October, allowing it to
handle general banking activity for the federal and state governments on their
behalf.
c)
It
should be noted that RBI’s General Manager D K Kashyap was appointed to the
bank’s board of directors for a two-year term in 2020.
d)
To
avoid any conflict of interest, the central bank normally does not appoint its
nominee to the boards of private banks unless there are extraordinary
circumstances.
e)
Dhanlaxmi
Bank, based in Kerala, was placed under the RBI’s Prompt Corrective Action
(PCA) framework in November 2015 due to its poor financial condition, and it
was only last year that it was released. It has been profitable since then.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. Jasleen Kohli named as MD &
CEO of Digit Insurance: Digit Insurance has appointed Jasleen Kohli as the
company’s new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) with
effect from April 20, 2022. She succeeds Vijay Kumar who retired from the
company on April 19, 2022. She served as chief distribution officer (CDO) at
Digit, where she was responsible for all of the company’s sales and
distribution channels.
In 2021, Digit increased its worth to USD
3.5 billion in less than six months after raising USD 200 million in a funding
round. The company also announced it has promoted Adarsh Agarwal from the role
of Appointed Actuary to Chief Distribution Officer (corporate business). Nikhil
Kamdar has been appointed as the next Appointed Actuary, replacing Agarwal.
Note: Digit Insurance Headquarters:
Bengaluru, Karnataka; Digit Insurance Chairman: Kamesh Goyal.
2. LV Vaidyanathan appointed CEO of
P&G India: Procter
& Gamble India appointed LV Vaidyanathan, who leads the company’s business
in Indonesia, as the new chief executive officer. He takes over from Madhusudan
Gopalan who will move into a new role at the parent company. Vaidyanathan takes
over as the CEO from July 1, 2022.
DEFENCE
1. Scorpene-class Submarine
‘VAGSHEER’ inaugurated at Mazagon Dock Limited: The Indian Navy
launched the sixth and last submarine, Yard 11880, of the French Scorpene-class
under Project 75, at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL)
in Mumbai. The submarine has been named ‘Vagsheer’. The submarine will now undergo
rigorous harbour trials and sea trials, before being commissioned in the Indian
Navy. These submarines are designed by French naval defence and energy company
‘DCNS’ while Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai has manufactured them.
2. Trishakti Corps of Indian Army conducts EX KRIPAN SHAKTI in Siliguri: The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps conducted Ex Kripan Shakti at the Teesta Field Firing Firing Ranges (TFFR) near Siliguri in West Bengal on April 19, 2022. The Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the civil administration participated in the exercise. The exercise main aim was to synergise the capabilities of the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to fight an integrated battle. Trishakti Corps, also known as XXXIII Corps, is a division of Indian Army headquartered at Sukna near Siliguri.
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