PDF 15th February 2018

1. Tamil Nadu among nine global market leaders in renewables

A new research by US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) showed that nine major global power markets, including India’s Tamil Nadu, have achieved an outsize share of wind and solar generation.

• The report, ‘Power-Industry Transition, Here and Now’, includes case studies of markets — ranked by relative share of reliance on variable renewables — that include Denmark, South Australia, Uruguay, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Texas, California and the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. • Wind and solar accounted for 14.3 per cent of Tamil Nadu’s total electricity generation in 2016-17.

2. President inaugurates ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the international conference ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’ at Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology (CSAUT), Kanpur on February 14, 2018.

• Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in a country as vast as India, problems of farmers in different regions are different. • We will have to find solutions according to their needs. Water is a common concern. • In this regard, the Government has promoted the concept of “per drop, more crop” and this message should reach every farmer in the country.

3. Meghalaya Governor inaugurates India, Bangladesh 'Friendship Gate'

Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad has inaugurated the "Friendship Gate" constructed with an aim to have a Wagah-like beating retreat ceremony for the Indian and Bangladesh border guards.

• The Friendship Gate has been constructed near Integrated Check post, 90 km South of capital Shillong on border with Bangladesh.

4. PNB detects Rs 11,300 crore fraudulent transactions at Mumbai branch

State-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) said it had detected some “fraudulent and unauthorised” transactions worth about $1.77 billion (about Rs 11, 300 crore) at one of its branches in Mumbai.

• The bank said the transactions were for the benefit of a few select account holders with their apparent connivance. • PNB, the country’s second-biggest state-run lender and fourth-biggest overall by assets, did not name the people involved.

5. Equitas Bank launches digital savings account

Equitas Small Finance Bank has introduced ‘selfeSavings’, an interactive digital savings account.

• This account can be opened with the web-based interactive video form by using Aadhaar number, PAN and other basic details. • The new selfeSavings account has no minimum balance requirement. • It pays an interest rate of 6 per cent per annum for balance below 10 lakh and 6.5 per cent for 10 lakh and above.

6. Chandrashekhara Kambara elected Sahitya Akademi president

Kannada writer and Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekhara Kambara has been elected president of Sahitya Akademi, defeating his nearest rival, Odiya novelist and another Jnanpith recipient Pratibha Ray, by 27 votes.

• Ray secured 29 votes as against Kambara’s 56, while the third candidate, Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade, got four votes. • Kambara has served as a member of Sahitya Akademi’s executive board for more than 10 years and has been its vice-president since 2013.

7. Ashok Das appointed next Ambassador of India to Brazil

Shri Ashok Das (IFS: 1987) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federative Republic of Brazil.

• He is expected to take up his assignment shortly. He is presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

8. Jacob Zuma quits as South African president

Jacob Zuma resigned as President of South Africa, reluctantly heeding orders by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to bring an end to his nine scandal-plagued years in power.

• Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to sworn in as the new president.

South Africa

• South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. • Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative) • Currency: Rand. • South Africa is one of the members of BRICS group.

9. Former Union minister Bolla Bulliramaiah dies

Former Union minister and veteran TDP leader Bolla Bulliramaiah died of old age-related illness. He was 92.

• Bulliramaiah, who was known as a genial person, joined the TDP during its inception and became an MP in 1984. • He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Eluru constituency in 1991, 1996 and 1999 and served as the Union minister of state for commerce during 1996-98 in the United Front government.

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