Current Affairs March 13 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 13 March 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ministry of Home Affairs constitutes two special committees to fasten CAPF worksOn 11th March 2020, two special committees were formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with the issues and approvals related to the Central Armed Police Force(CAPF). The two new panels will deal with the decision until to find the right resolution.

• First committee: The first committee will be chaired by the Home Secretary and will deal with issues that need to be decided between the Home Ministry and CAPFs.
• Second Committee: The second committee will be headed by the Secretary (Border Management) and will solve only the procurement matters…Click here to Read More

DST sanctioned Rs 7.25 crore to IIT Mandi to set up a Technology Innovation HubOn March 11, 2020, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) sanctioned Rs 7.25 crore to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Himachal Pradesh to set up a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at the institute under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
TIH to work on the development & evaluation of  interfaces of CPS:
i.TIH to also work on the development & evaluation of interfaces of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), an Internet of things (IoT) based,…Click here to Read More

Leh to host International Yoga Day event on 21st June,2020The 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY) is to be celebrated on 21st June and a National event organized on this day is to be held at Leh, Ladakh (Union Territory). Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of Ayush announces that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the event held at Leh.

• This day is celebrated to create awareness across the world about the benefits of yoga and to practice yoga on a daily basis.
• Programmes will be organised on IDY by industry bodies Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)…Click here to Read More

RS Approves Minor Changes in Bill to Include Tribal Communities of Karnataka in ST Category
On March 11, 2020, Rajya Sabha has approved the changes proposed by Lok Sabha in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill, 2019. The amendments are:

• Replacing the word ‘seventieth’ to ‘seventy-first’ and figure ‘2019’ to ‘2020’ at line one in the first page.
• The bill also seeks to include Parivara and Talawara tribal communities of Karnataka in the (Scheduled Tribes) category to ensure they get the reservation and other benefits provided by the government.

LPG scheme PM Ujjwala Yojana closed; only 3 States & 5 UTs become kerosene-freeIn accordance with the report of the Parliamentary Committee on Petroleum headed by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) member Ramesh Bidhuri, only three States and five Union Territories have become kerosene-free even though in September 2019 the government has met the target of 8 crore LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

• The kerosene-free states are Haryana, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh and Union Territories (UTs) are Delhi, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Andaman & Nicobar Island and Puducherry.
• The report points the gap between the continuing use of kerosene and the claim of 97% LPG coverage nationwide…Click here to Read More

India post launches India’s 1^st digital parcel locker service in Kolkata, West Bengal
For the 1^st  time in India, the Department of Posts(DoP), Kolkata (West Bengal circle), has launched free digital parcel locker service in 2 post offices (the Nabadiganta IT post office in Sector 5 of Salt Lake City & at the post office in New Town’s Action Area I).
Key Points:
i. Under this service, customers will be able to collect their parcel from the post office according to their convenience. This facility is quite popular in European countries but is starting for the first time in India.
ii. This service has been done for such people of working-class, who do not have to receive any parcel at home. Such people can take their parcel and letters addressed to them from the kiosks at 24×7.
iii. How does it will work:

• Customers adopting this facility will be given a special locker number for their address wherever the parcel will be dropped from India Post.
• In this digital parcel locker, the parcel will be dropped and the customer will get an OTP (one-time-password) message along with SMS (Short Message Service) intimation.
• Customers will be able to get their parcel from the locker for the next 7 days after the parcel is dropped.

iv. Amazon may join: The people, who are making purchases from Amazon, can put down a locker number as their address when making purchases that in turn will help save the Amazon delivery boy the issue of returning to the addressee’s doorstep with the same parcel.
About the Department of Posts (DoP):
Headquarters– New Delhi
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Communications
Minister responsible– Ravishankar Prasad

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WEF launched 1^st global COVID Action Platform for private-sector businesses to fight against coronavirus
On March 11, 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has initiated the creation of the COVID Action Platform with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Wellcome Trust. This first of its kind platform, operating globally, is open to all businesses and industry groups, as well as other stakeholders, for integrated and collective business action to mitigate the risk and impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Forum has established a special team to support the platform’s work.
Reason Behind this Launch:
The health emergencies and economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, a global emergency, cannot be addressed by a single stakeholder. There is a need for coordinated action by private-sector businesses all around the world to support the global public health response to COVID-19.
Three priorities of COVID Action Platform:
i. Galvanize the global business community for collective action.
ii. Protect people’s livelihoods and facilitate business continuity.
iii. Mobilize cooperation and business support for the COVID-19 response.
About WEF:
Establishment– 1971
Headquarters– Cologny, Switzerland
Founder and Executive Chairman– Klaus Schwab
About Wellcome Trust
Established in 1936 by Henry Wellcome, a pharmaceutical magnate is a non-profit research charity to improve human and animal health.
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom

Among 5 Indians Byju Raveendran & Zomato’s Gaurav Gupta in  WEF’s Young Global Leaders list 2020On March 11, 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced its new list of 115  Young Global Leaders (YGL), where 5 Indians Byju Raveendran, Gaurav Gupta, Swapan Mehra, Vinati Mutreja & Tara Singh Vachani are named in the list.

• WEF stated that the change-makers are using their power of under 40’s to change the world, from reforming health systems to investigating corruption in 52 countries…Click here to Read More

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI cuts interest rate on SB accounts to 3%; one-year MCLR reduced to 7.75%; min balance criteria removed
On March 11, 2020, State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced its interest rate on savings bank (SB) accounts to 3% along with waiving off of average monthly balance (AMB) for all SB accounts on the basis of ‘Customers First’ approach. Also, to make home and auto loans cheaper SBI reduced its one-year marginal cost of fund-based lending rate (MCLR) to 7.75% from 7.85%. All these changes are with effect from March 10, 2020.
Other changes in SBI’s MCLR rate-term wise

• SBI also cut the three-year MCLR from 8.15% to 8.05%.
• Two-year MCLR reduced from 8.05% to 7.95%.
• Three-months MCLR has revised from 7.65% to 7.50%.
• Overnight and one-month MCLRs have been reduced by 15 basis points to 7.45 per cent each.

Key Points regarding Changes
-Currently, the bank offers 3.25% per annum for saving deposits of up to Rs 1 Lakh and 3%   for deposits above Rs 1 Lakh. Now, the new rate is uniform at 3% for all SB accounts.
-Bank also waived SMS charges, which will bring significant relief to all the customers.
-SBI also cut interest rates on term deposits (TDs)
-This is 10th consecutive cut in MCLR by the bank in the current fiscal.
-The new rates will affect 44.51 crore SBI account holders.
About SBI:
Formed– July 1955 as SBI
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman– Rajnish Kumar
Digital banking platform– Yono
Tagline– The Banker to Every Indian.

iSelect+ Term Plan launched by Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance
On March 11, 2020, Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Company Limited launched iSelect+ Term Plan to provide a shield against all uncertainties of life at an affordable premium which includes Whole Life Cover, Return of Premium, Multiple Payout Options, Increase Coverage Option & Tax Benefits. It is available online.
i. The plan is designed to provide a death benefit, terminal illness, & has additional options of the accidental death benefit, accidental total, permanent disability benefit & child support benefit
ii. It offers different options for not only coverage but also for premium payment & benefit payouts. Customers can choose from the various options provided & customize it as per their requirement.
iii. It also offers an option to avail return of premium benefit wherein all your premiums will be returned once you outlive the policy tenure.
iv. The plan as 3 options namely; Option 1 “Life”, Option 2 “Life with Return of Premium”, Option 3 “Life Plus”
About Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Anuj Mathur
Headquarters– Gurgaon-Haryana, India

World Bank to provide USD 80 million to an integrated project in Himachal PradeshOn March 11, 2020, The Government of India, Government of Himachal Pradesh(HP) & the World Bank signed a loan agreement of US$80 million (about Rs 600 crore) to improve water management practices & also to increase agricultural productivity in selected Gram Panchayats (Village Councils) in  HP.
Gist about the Project
i. The Integrated Project for Source Sustainability & Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture to be implemented in 428 Gram Panchayats in 10 districts which will benefit over 400,000 smallholder farmers, women & pastoral communities…Click here to Read More

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

GOKADDAL, World’s first Digital Solutions Exchange Cloud launched in India
GOKADDAL, the World’s first Digital Solutions Exchange in Cloud, was launched in India on March 11, 2020. www.gokaddal.com, a cloud-based solution exchange platform mainly focuses on 4A’s – Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and Augmentative Technologies.

• GOKADDAL – It is a Business to Business (B2B), Business to Government (B2G), Business to Consumer (B2C) solution platform which connects solution providers to solution seekers and an innovative platform for Startups and SME companies.
• It is a Dubai based emerging Technology company led by Ravinder Pal Singh (Digital Disrupter, Industry Expert, Ex Cisco and Dell Executive) and it is a part of the Mekado Group at Bangalore, Karnataka
• It is created to help the solution seekers realize their digital transformation vision. The company is already working with innovative projects consists of Data Analytics as a platform, like Smart Cities eGov tracking application, Digital Healthcare Diagnostic as a Service, IoT based Smart Water Management and Cyber Assessment for the digital world.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS    

IDFC FIRST Bank appointed Amitabh Bachchan as its first-ever brand ambassador
On March 11, 2020, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was appointed as the first-ever ambassador of the IDFC FIRST Bank.
IDFC FIRST Bank was founded as a new entity by the merger of IDFC Bank and Capital First on December 18, 2018.

Realme appointed Salman Khan as its brand ambassador
Smartphone brand realme appointed Bollywood actor Salman Khan as its brand ambassador. Khan will endorse realme 6 & realme 6 Pro. In 2019, realme was the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand.

Akshay Kumar was appointed as the brand ambassador of the PepsiCo’s snack brand Kurkure
PepsiCo India has allegedly appointed actor Akshay Kumar as the new brand ambassador for its snacks brand Kurkure

Cavinkare appointed Akshay Kumar, Ileana D’Cruz as brand ambassadors for Indica hair colour 
Cavinkare Private Limited appointed Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Ileana D’Cruz as the brand ambassadors for its hair colour brand Indica. The brand was earlier promoted by Irrfan Khan.

 ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

Highlights of CCI approvals on March 11, 2020
Competition Commission of India (CCI), a statutory body of the Government of India has approved the following proposals on March 11, 2020. The approval was given under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
CCI approves acquisition of 35% equity stake in Teesta Urja Ltd by Greenko Mauritius
The CCI has given its nod to the acquisition of about 35 % equity stake in the paid-up equity share capital of Teesta Urja Ltd (an Indian Non-Government Company) by Greenko Mauritius, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mauritius-based Greenko Energy Holdings.
CCI clears acquisition in Hero FinCorp by Otter and Link Investment Trust
The CCI has given its nod to the acquisition of additional equity shares in Hero FinCorp Limited by Otter Limited (an investment company registered in Mauritius) & Link Investment Trust(a private trust registered in India).
i. This will pave the way to subscribe the additional equity shares by the two firms in Hero FinCorp, a public limited company registered as a systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company (NBFC) with the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) & working on consumer finance and commercial lending.
CCI approves setting up of Mindspace REIT by K Raheja Corp Group
The CCI has approved to establish Mindspace Business Parks REIT (also known as Mindspace REIT), a real estate investment trust, by K Raheja Corp Group.
i. The proposed combination also includes the acquisition of certain equity shareholding held by selling shareholders in the Target Entities by REIT. Those target entities are K Raheja IT Park (Hyderabad) Ltd, Intime Properties Ltd, Sundew Properties Ltd, Avacado Properties and Trading (India) Pvt Ltd, Gigaplex Estate Pvt Ltd, KRC Infrastructure and Projects Pvt Ltd, Horizonview Properties Pvt Ltd and Mindspace Business Parks Pvt Ltd.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Headquarters– New Delhi
Chairman– Ashok Kumar Gupta

SPORTS

Highlights of Asian/Oceanian Olympic qualifying event 2020 held in Amman, JordanThe Asian/Oceanian Boxing Olympic Qualifiers event 2020 was held at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman, Jordan from march 3- 11, 2020. A total of 9 Indian boxers qualified in this event for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which is to be held at New National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan from 24 July 2020 – 9 August 2020.
Medal tally: China emerged as top of the medals standings with 6 medals (4 gold,2 bronze) in this event, while India ranked 9th with 8 medals (2 Silver, 6 Bronze)…Click here to Read More

OBITUARY

Famous Swedish actor Max von Sydow, star of “The Exorcist” and “Seventh Seal” passed away at 90On March 8, 2020, Carl Adolf von Sydow, Swedish actor, passed away at the age of 90 in Provence, France. He was born on April 10, 1929, in Lund, Sweden. He was known for his character who played a game of chess with death in the movie “Seventh Seal”, directed by Ingmar Bergman and also the Three-Eyed Raven (Fictional Character) in “Games of Thrones” and the horror classic film “The Exorcist”.
Key Points:
i.About Sydow: He considered his director Bergman as his mentor and worked with him in 11 films, which includes Wild Strawberries, The Passion of Anna, Shame and The Virgin Spring.
ii. The actor’s career spanned over 65 years in cinema & he worked across genres in American and European Cinema, Hollywood blockbusters, television shows.
iii. The famous role of Sydow in the movies includes the role of Emperor Ming in “Flash Gordon”, “The Greatest Story Ever Told”, “Hannah and her sister” & Lor San Tekka role in the movie “Star wars: The Force Awakens”.

Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay or Santu Mukherjee passed away at 69On March 11, 2020, Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay or Santu Mukherjee, 69 a widower passed away at his south Kolkata residence due to cardiac arrest. He is known for his films ‘Sansar Simante’ & ‘Bhalobasa Bhalobasa’. He hails from Kolkata.
i. He got good recognition on the big screen for films like ‘Ganadevata’ & ‘Byapika Biday’.
ii. His other memorable works for 4 decades include, ‘Hemanter Pakhi’, ‘Dadamoni’ & ‘Baikunther Will’.
iii. He is a familiar face in small screen & worked in soaps like ‘Ishti Kutum’, ‘Jol Nupur’ & ‘Andarmahal’
iv. He has 2 daughters namely, Swastika Mukherjee- Indian actress & Ajopa Mukherjee- costume designer & actress.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Kidney Day was observed on March 12, 2020The World Kidney Day is observed on March 12, 2020, to raise awareness on the importance of kidneys to our health and also reduce the impact of kidney diseases, its associated health problems. This year marks the 15^th Observance of World Kidney Day which is observed globally on the second Thursday of March every year since 2006.
The theme of the year 2020: Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere- from Prevention to Detection and Equitable access to care….Click here to Read More

STATE NEWS

Maharashtra Govt approved auto-rickshaws “happy hours”, reducing 15% of fare prices from 12 pm to 4 pm
On March 11, 2020, Maharashtra Government (govt) has approved the implementation of “happy hours” for auto rickshaws, reducing 15% of fare prices from 12 pm to 4 pm, barring the minimum fare for first 1.5 km, as recommended by Khatua panel.
Key Points:
i. The decision will not be applicable to local taxis and app-based taxis.
ii. The panel also recommended a new concept will turn lean hours to happy hours, for housewives and senior citizens who normally don’t have a fixed schedule for their outings.
iii. The auto-rickshaw union have indicated that they will oppose the move while the citizens appreciated the move.
About Maharashtra:
Capital- Mumbai.
Chief Minister (CM)- Uddhav Bal Thackeray.
Governor- Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Karnataka Govt launched ‘Namaste over Handshake’ campaign to prevent from COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, The Karnataka Government (govt) launched ‘Namaste over Handshake’ campaign in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19 (CoronaVirusDisease-19) and advises people to keep a safe distance from one another.
Key Points:
i. The campaign conveys people to greet each other by ‘Namaste’ instead of shaking hands in order to protect themselves from others who might be affected with the COVID-19.
ii.Namaste over Handshake poster: The state and health family welfare department has uploaded a poster on the social media with a message “Use Namasthe to greet others, fight against corona”.
iii. The poster also consists of 24/7 toll-free health helpline number 104 for public queries on the viral disease.
iv.About COVID-19: It was first detected in Wuhan, Central China, in December 2019 and has spread to 107 countries & infected more than 10,000 people worldwide.
About Karnataka:
Capital- Bengaluru.
State Flower- Lotus.
State Tree- Sandalwood.
State Bird- Indian Roller.
State Animal- Indian Elephant.

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