Daily GK Update- 4th Mar, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amit Shah inaugurates National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation: Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has launched the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC), the Umbrella organization for the Urban Cooperative Banks in New Delhi. NUCFDC has received a Certificate of Registration from the RBI to operate as a Non-Banking Finance Company and serve as the umbrella organisation for the urban cooperative banking sector. The main objective of NUCFDC should be to help urban cooperative banks adhere to the Banking Regulations Act and bring professionalism in their work.

 

2. L&T commissions India’s first indigenously built green hydrogen electrolyser in Gujarat: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has commissioned its first indigenously-manufactured electrolyser at the Green Hydrogen Plant at A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat. This step marks L&T Electrolysers Limited’s entrance into the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, aligning with the company’s focus on enhancing sustainable energy solutions. The electrolyser, with a rated power capacity of 1 MW, expandable to 2 MW, is capable of producing 200 Nm3/Hr of hydrogen. It features two stacks and an Electrolyser Processing Unit (EPU) ML-400, both developed and assembled in India, conforming to international standards.

 

3. Sarbananda Sonowal dedicates first-ever Made-in-India ASTDS tug: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named ‘Ocean Grace’ and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU). The Ocean Grace is the first make in India ASTDS Tug developed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW. The ‘Ocean Grace’ built at a cost of Rs. 45 crores, stands as a pinnacle of maritime engineering, equipped with cutting-edge technology and boasting a remarkable bollard pull of 60 tonnes.

 

4. 4 March – National Safety Day: National Safety Day in India is observed every year on 4 March to spread awareness and commitment to working safely. The National Safety Council established the holiday to raise public awareness of all safety regulations, including those about the environment, workplace safety, traffic safety, and human health safety. Theme 2024 – Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence. The National Safety Council (NSC) of India was established on 4 March 1966. This initiated the observance of National Safety Day in 1972, and since then, it has been celebrated every year to raise awareness about occupational safety and health.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Shehbaz Sharif elected as PM of Pakistan: Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif has been elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He secured 201 votes while Omer Ayub Khan, the Imran Khan-backed PTI candidate managed to get 92 votes. The recently concluded general elections have been marred by allegations of mass vote rigging. Imran Khan’s PTI has alleged that several candidates of PML-N and PPP were declared winners despite other candidates securing the most votes.

 

2. 4 March – World Obesity Day: World Obesity Day is observed on March 4 every year. Obesity Day tries to raise awareness about this medical condition. Theme 2024 – Let’s Talk About Obesity And…” According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, overweight affect around 37 million children under 5 globally, and over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5 -19 years were overweight, including 160 million who were living with obesity – 75% of who live in low- and middle-income countries. World Obesity Day also encourages solutions that can help maintain a healthy weight and reverse the obesity crisis with practical measures.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Anurag Agarwal appointed head of Parliament security: IPS officer Anurag Agarwal has been appointed as the head of Parliament security. Agarwal is the 1998-batch officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Currently an inspector general in CRPF has been appointed as joint secretary (security) for three years. His appointment order was issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The post of JS (Security) is traditionally held by an IPS officer.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. FIU imposes 5.49 crore fine on Paytm Payments Bank: Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) has hit Paytm Payments Bank Ltd with a hefty penalty of Rs 5,49,00,000 for alleged violations of anti-money laundering rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The penalty pertains to issues within a business segment that was discontinued two years ago. The bank was accused of violating rules outlined in the PMLA and its associated regulations, as well as guidelines issued by the Director FIU-IND.

 

2. Flipkart unveils its UPI handle to boost India’s digital evolution: Flipkart has launched its UPI (Unified Payments Interface) handle to enhance digital payment offerings to all users, including the e-commerce major’s over 500 million customers, and boost India’s digital evolution. Powered by Axis Bank, Flipkart UPI will initially be available for Android users. Customers can register for UPI with @fkaxis handle and can do fund transfers and checkout payments using the Flipkart app.

 

3. RBI approves ex-Sebi director as TMB’s part time chairman: The Reserve Bank has appointed Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd (TMB) independent director S. Ravindran as part-time chairman of the bank. RBI approved his appointment with effect from February 29, 2024 till August 2, 2026. Currently, Mr. Ravindran is an independent director on the boards of NSE, LTIDPL Invit Services, Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC. Prior to assuming charge as part-time chairman of the bank, he has to step down from the directorships in Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC. Ravindran, 61, has an extensive work experience of 29 years at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). He was its executive director from August 2011 to May 2022.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Pradeep Mahajan receives Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024: Pradeep Mahajan has been awarded the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024 for his contribution in the field of regenerative medicine. Mahajan is the Founder and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre along with StemRx Bioscience Solutions. This accolade is a testament to his pioneering efforts and substantial impact in advancing regenerative medicine, offering new hope and innovative treatments to patients worldwide. Under Dr. Mahajan’s leadership, StemRx Hospital and Research Centre has emerged as a leading institution in the field of regenerative medicine.