Current Affairs 1 October 2020

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Top 20 Current Affairs of 1 October 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

NHPC & PFC Inked MoU with Power Ministry detailing targets for FY 2020-21

i.On September 29, 2020, Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) and NHPC Limited (erstwhile National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) have signed a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Power (MoP) in New Delhi detailing various targets to be  achieved during FY 2020-21. 
ii.MoU between PFC Limited and Ministry of Power: The MoU was signed by Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Power), Govt. of India and Ravinder Singh Dhillon, CMD, PFC in presence of senior officials of MOP and PFC.  Centre has set an ambitious revenue target of Rs. 36,000 crore.
iii.MoU between NHPC Limited and Ministry of Power: The MoU was signed by Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary, MoP and Abhay Kumar Singh, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), NHPC. Generation target under excellent rating has been set as 27500 MUs as against last year target of 26000MUs. 
iv.NHPC Limited also hosted its 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) through video conferencing from its Corporate Office, Faridabad (Haryana).
About NHPC (erstwhile National Hydroelectric Power Corporation):
It is Government of India’s premier hydropower utility and a Scheduled ‘A’ Mini Ratna Enterprise.
Headquarter– Faridabad, Haryana
About Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC):
It is a Schedule ‘A’ Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSEs).
Headquarter– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Rajnath Singh Launched iDEX4Fauji during iDEX Virtual Event from New Delhi 

i.To promote the participation of frontline members of defence in indigenous innovation, on September 29, 2020, iDEX4Fauji was launched, a first of its kind initiative allowing Faujis (Soldiers) or members of the Indian Armed Forces to become part of this process and get recognised. 
ii.It was launched by the Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) during the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) event which was held virtually from New Delhi. He also launched the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 4), and Product Management Approach (PMA) guidelines.
iii.The above initiatives were launched to facilitate iDEX-DIO (Defence Innovation Organisation) in scaling up innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace ecosystem.
About Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX):
iDEX initiative was launched in 2018 by Department of Defence Production (DDP), MoD to achieve self – reliance in Defence sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), start-ups, individual innovators, R&D (Research and Development) institutes and academia. It is funded and managed by DIO, a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
<<Read Full News>>

South Eastern Railway Launched “Operation My Saheli” to Improve Security of Women Passengers

i.The South Eastern Railways(SER) launched the project, “Operation my Saheli(Friend)” to enhance the security of women passengers in the train throughout the entire journey from the originating point to their destinations.
ii.Since 18th September 2020, The pilot version of the project “Operation my Saheli” has been introduced in 3 trains: Howrah-Yesvantpur Duronto Special, Howrah- Ahmedabad Special and Howrah-Mumbai Special
About South Eastern Railway(SER):
General Manager(GM)– Sanjay Kumar Mohanty 
Headquarters–  Kolkata, West Bengal
<<Read Full News>>

Indian Railways Rolled Out User Depot Module across Western Railway

On September 28, 2020, Indian Railways has publicized User Depot Module (UDM) developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) across all User Depots of Western Railway. It was rolled out virtually by P. C. Sharma, Member (Traction & Rolling Stock (T&RS).

• It should be noted that Railway’s supply chain up to Stores Depots has already been digitized; however activities at user end are being done manually. Therefore the implementation of this system will transform manual working to digital working with real time transactions and online information exchange among all stakeholders. 
• This system will be implemented shortly across all Zones of Indian Railways.

Static Points:
Union Minister of Railways– Piyush Vedprakash Goyal
Railway Board Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Vinod Kumar Yadav

President gives Assent for Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020

i.In March 2020, the Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020, was promulgated that seeks to provide various reliefs in terms of compliance requirements for taxpayers amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
ii.Now, on September 29, 2020, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020 which will amend 5 Acts viz. the Income-tax Act, 1961, Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, Finance Act, 2019, the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 and the Finance Act, 2020.
iii.Under this bill the provision of Incom Tax (IT) Act, 1961 has amended by making tax features of Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) at par with Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. 
About Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):
Chairman– Pramod Chandra Mody
Headquarters– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India-Bangladesh hold 6th Joint Consultative Commission

On September 29, 2020 India and Bangladesh held the 6th Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meet through a virtual platform. The meeting was co-chaired by A. K. Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India. 
i.The Two sides reviewed the progress made in Bilateral relations in the implementation of various decisions taken during the Fifth JCC Meeting held in New Delhi in February 2019 & visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in October 2019. 
About Bangladesh:
Prime Minister – Sheikh Hasina
Capital – Dhaka
Currency – Bangladeshi Taka 
<<Read Full News>>

Third G20 Sherpa Meeting takes place virtually; Suresh Prabhu represents India

On September 29, 2020 G20 Sherpa Meeting took place virtually under Saudi Arabia’s Presidency. The meeting discussed the actions taken by the forum for tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the 3rd edition of G20 Sherpa Meeting. 
i.Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha represented India at the meeting. He is India’s Sherpa (Emissary) to G7 and G20. 
First-Ever Virtual G20 Leaders Summit:
The First-Ever Virtual G20 Leaders Summit will take place virtually from November 21 to 22, 2020. It will be chaired by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
About G-20 or Group of Twenty:
Members – 19 countries and the European Union (EU)
The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US.
2020 Presidency– Saudi Arabia
2020 theme– Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All
Chairman– Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)
<<Read Full News>>

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Addresses ‘GCTC Energy Security Conference 2020’

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the ‘GCTC Energy Security Conference 2020’ organized by Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC), it took place from September 29, 2020 to September 30, 2020.
i.The Theme of ‘GCTC Energy Security Conference 2020’ is – “Energy Security Architecture in Post Covid-19 World”.
About Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC):
GCTC is a registered Non-Profit International Think Tank
Location – Noida, Uttar Pradesh
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

Flipkart Partnered with Bajaj Allianz to Launch Cyber Insurance, ‘Digital Suraksha Group Insurance’ 

i.On September 29, 2020 Flipkart and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company partnered to offer ‘Digital Suraksha Group Insurance’ for customers who wish to cover themselves against financial losses resulting from cyber-attacks, cyber frauds, or other such malicious activities on various online platforms. 
ii.Digital Suraksha Group Insurance will be introduced on Flipkart’s platform.
About Flipkart:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Kalyan Krishnamurthy 
Head Office– Bengaluru, Karnataka
About Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company:
Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Tapan Singhel
Head Office– Pune, Maharashtra.
<<Read Full News>>

RBI Defers Basel III provisions amid Covid Uncertainty; Borrowing Limit for Banks & States Extended till Mar 31, 2021

i.On September 29, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deferred implementation of provisions made under Basel III capital due to uncertainty related to Covid crisis. In this regard, RBI will repel the final tranche of the capital conservation buffer (CCB) and the implementation of net stable funding ratio (NSFR) by six months i.e. April 1, 2021.
ii.To further aid the state governments from financial problems, RBI extended Ways and Means Advances (WMA) Limits and overdraft (OD) regulations for states and Union Territories (UTs) by six months i.e. till March 31, 2021.
iii.RBI also extended the enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks under the marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme by six months till March 31, 2021.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Formation– 1 April 1935
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, one is yet to be appointed).
<<Read Full News>>

Indian Bank Launched ‘IB-eNote’, Green-Tech Initiative 

On September 29, 2020 Indian Bank launched  IB-eNote, a green initiative to enable a total paperless working environment. This tool enables processing and tracking of notes put up by various offices digitally. The bank for this initiative has customised SharePoint, one of the features of Microsoft Office. The Bank also launched ‘Ind Guru’, an e-learning platform for its employees.

• IB-eNote facility is likely to considerably improve Turnaround Time, save cost of paper, printing and other administrative expenses.
• Microsoft is a leading technology company that has pioneered many industry-firsts.

Key Info
i.Recently, Indian bank have unveiled a product, Ind Oasis, an app to cater all the banking needs of the user.
ii.Ind Guru, the tech enabled solution aims to enhance capacity building of the bank’s Human Resources to ensure cross-functional learning and skill development.
Additional Info

• IB-eNote is one of the Bank’s many initiatives to promote digital transformation and to address newgen customers to serve them.
• The bank with this initiative is taking another step to achieve greater efficiency by continuously empowering its biggest asset(human resources/ staff members).

About Indian bank:
MD & CEO– Padmaja Chunduru 
HeadQuarters– Chennai, TamilNadu
About Microsoft India Private Limited:
Headquarters Hyderabad, Telangana
President– Anant Maheshwari

SBI Cards Partners with Amex to Provide Differentiated Offers to Its Customers

i.SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd (SBI Cards) partners with American Express Global Network Services (Amex) to provide global benefits and offer exclusive privileges to their premium consumer segments in India. 
ii.This partnership will enable Amex to provide better service to its Indian Customers and expand its footprint in India.
iii.Initially the cards have been launched in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, which will be later expanded to the other cities of India.
About SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd (SBI Cards):
MD & CEO– Ashwini Kumar Tewari
Headquarters– Gurgaon, Haryana 
About American Express Global Network Services (Amex):
Chairman & CEO– Stephen J. Squeri
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
<<Read Full News>>

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Tata Steel, CSIR sign MoU to collaborate in CCUS 

On September 28, 2020 Tata Steel and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in the areas of Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS). Both sides have signed the MoU to meet India’s growing energy demands and to build a strong ecosystem to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement. 
i.CCUS plays a vital part in India’s fight against Climate Change and Global Warming. 
About Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR):
President – Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Director General – Shekhar C. Mande 
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

Director Shekhar Kapur Appointed as the President of FTII Society

On 29th September 2020, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MIB) announced the appointment of Renowned Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur (74 years) as the new President of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and Chairman of FTII Governing Council which runs the FTII, an autonomous film School under the MIB at Pune, Maharashtra. His tenure will run till March 2023.Kapur succeeds Brijendra Pal Singh, popularly known for his lead role in the tele series CID whose tenure ended in March 2020.
Note:
The tenure of all the members of the society ended in March 2020.
About Shekhar Kapur:
i.Shekhar Kapur, well known director and actor, hails from Lahore, Punjab (British India).
ii.His popular works include Elisabeth starring Cate Blanchett, Bandit Queen, a movie based on the life of Phoolan Devi, The Four Feathers starring Heath Ledger and Massom starring Naseeruddin Shah.
About FTII:
The FTII was established by the MIB in 1960, which conducts courses related to film like, acting, direction, sound recording, editing and cinematography.

Bengal Peerless Appoints Former India Cricketer Sourav Ganguly as Brand Ambassador

On September 29, 2020 Kolkata based Real Estate Developer Bengal Peerless Housing Development Company Limited appointed Former National Cricket Team Captain and Current President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly as its Brand Ambassador.
i.He will lead the campaign of Bengal Peerless’s Residential Project Avidipta II.
Bengal Peerless Housing Development Company Limited was established in 1994 with West Bengal Housing Board and The Peerless General Finance and Investment Company Limited.
ii.Since its inception, Bengal Peerless has successfully built about 5000 numbers of dwelling units for people of all sections of the society.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

General Atlantic to Buy 0.84% stake in Reliance Retail for Rs 3,675 Crore

i.On September 30, 2020 Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) and Reliance Retail Ventures Limited(RRVL) announced that General Atlantic will buy 0.84% stake in RRVL, a subsidiary of RIL  for Rs 3,675 crore. 
ii.This investment values RRVL at a pre-money equity value of Rs 4.285 lakh crore. 
iii.With this investment, RRVL gets total funding over Rs 16,000 crore within September 2020.
<<Read Full News>>

CCI Approved Acquisitions of Certain Real Estate Projects of RMZ Group & CoWrks by Brookfield Private Capital (DIFC) Limited

On September 29, 2020 The Competition Commission of India (CCI)  under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 has approved the acquisition of certain real estate projects of RMZ Group and 100% equity shareholding in CoWrks India Pvt Ltd. by Brookfield Private Capital (DIFC-Dubai International Financial Centre) Limited.

• The acquiring entity will be a newly formed company that belongs to Brookfield Private Capital (DIFC) Limited.
• Real estate projects that are to be acquired are related to the business of leasing commercial real estate.

Key Info
The deal involves the acquisition of certain real estate projects that are housed in the  following namely, RMZ Infotech Private Limited, RMZ Galleria (India) Private Limited, RMZ North Star Projects Private Limited, RMZ Ecoworld Infrastructure Private Limited and RMZ Azure Projects Private Limited.
Proposed Combination
i.The proposed combination aims to enable Brookfield Group to create value for the targeted projects and CoWrks by enhancing cash flows and asset values and by realizing its investment at the right time.
ii.It also allows RMZ group to reduce the risk of geo-concentration and provide great focus on other greenfield and brownfield projects and enables it to shift towards its objective of being a near-zero debt company.
Note– CoWrks is involved in the business of providing desks or seats as co-working spaces.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
HeadQuarters– NewDelhi, India
Chairperson– Ashok Kumar Gupta

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Successfully Test Fires BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile with Strike Range of over 400 Kilometers

On September 30, 2020 India successfully test fired the surface-to-surface Supersonic Cruise Missile BrahMos with a Strike Range of over 400 Kilometers from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha.  It was jointly conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & BrahMos Aerospace. 
It was test fired with indigenous booster, airframe section, propulsion system, power supply and many other major indigenous components. 
Objective:
This Test proved the ability of the indigenous components, which were used to achieve higher strike range.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman– Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Translation Day 2020 – September 30

i.United Nations(UN’s) International Translation Day(ITD) is annually celebrated across the globe on 30th September to recognise the contributions of the language professionals towards the developing and strengthening world peace and security and in connecting the nations and facilitating dialogue. 
ii.The International Translation Day was first celebrated on 30th September 2018.
iii.International Federation of Translators (Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs – FIT) observes the ITD 2020 with the theme “Finding the words for a world in crisis”.
About International Federation of Translators(FIT):
Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs – FIT
President– Kevin Quirk 
Headquarters– Paris, France
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

Gujarat Govt Signed MoU with Danish Water Forum in Water Sector

On September 29, 2020 Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Government of Gujarat signed a 5 year Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Danish Water Forum(DWF) in the water sector through an online interactive platform to establish Indo-Danish Water Technology Alliance in Gujarat and to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 6, ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’.
Benefits of MoU
This MoU will help in exchange of technology and knowledge, training, capacity building, cooperation in water supply, wastewater treatment- reuse and water management between 2 organisations.
Other MoUs Signed by Gujarat Govt to Strengthen Different Sectors
i.UK India Business Council (UKIBC) signed a MoU over a virtual platform with the Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), Industries and Mines Department, Government of Gujarat to accelerate the business and industrial development process of Gujarat.
ii.Government of Gujarat signed a MoU with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to provide capacity building and market support around 35 lakh Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of Gujarat and to increase their self reliance.
About Danish Water Forum(DWF):
Chairman– Hans-Martin Friis Møller
HeadQuarters– Hørsholm, Denmark
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister(CM)–  Vijay Rupani(16th CM)
Governor– Acharya Devvrat

AC GAZE

Australian Cricketer Alyssa Healy Broke MS Dhoni’s Record of Most Dismissal by Wicket Keeper

On 27th September 2020, Australian woman cricketer and wicket keeper Alyssa Healy broke the record of “Most Dismissal by Wicket Keeper” by MS Dhoni’s who made 91 dismissals in 98 T20 Internationals(T20Is) for India. Healy has played 114 T20Is for Australia and broke the record with 92 dismissals in the shortest format of the game during the match against New Zealand in the 2nd T20I of the three match series at Allan Border Field at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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