DAILY UPDATED CURRENT AFFAIRS–17.03.2019 TO 19.03.2019 NATIONAL Expert panel to review OBC ‘creamy layer’ criteria after 26 years The Centre has constituted an expert committee to “revisit the criteria” for determining the “creamy layer” for OBCs which was laid down in 1993. After 26 years, ministry of social justice, on March 8, set up a panel headed by retired GOI secretary BP Sharma, with “terms of reference” which sound radical in their breadth and scope. “Creamy layer” is the section of OBCs that is economically advanced and ineligible for Mandal reservations. At present the limit is income of Rs. 8 lakh PA. 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival held in New Delhi The 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival was held in New Delhi The festival aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and increasing cultural exchange between India and Thailand. Government increases incentives of Central Government staff for acquiring higher qualifications The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions announced the increase in incentives of Central Government employees acquiring higher qualifications while serving in the job. Till now, the Central Government employees acquiring fresh higher qualifications after coming into service were granted incentives in the form of one-time lump-sum amount ranging Rs 2000 to Rs 10,000. Now with the hike, the employees will get minimum of Rs 10,000 to a maximum of Rs 30,000 as incentives for acquiring higher qualifications like Ph.D, a five-fold increase in one-time incentive. The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare a noise pollution map and remedial action plan to solve the issue across the country. The green panel said the absence of implementation of noise pollution norms affects health of citizens, especially infants and senior citizens. It also affects sleep, comfort, studies and other legitimate activities, it said. INTERNATIONAL India to provide aid to people affected by cyclone ‘IDAI’ in Mozambique India has decided to divert three Indian naval ships to the port city of Beira in Mozambique to provide humanitarian assistance to the people affected by tropical cyclone „IDAI‟. The ships will provide relief materials in the form of food, clothes and medicines. Besides the three medical practitioners and five nurses onboard the ships will also provide the required immediate medical help. In 2017, India had provided 10 million dollars to Mozambique for food grains after the country suffered food shortage due to natural calamities. India, Maldives signed three agreements India and Maldives signed three agreements on visa facilitation for diplomatic and official passport holders, development cooperation and renewable energy after extensive talks between Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid during the former‟s visit to the tropical island nation. The following are the three agreements: 1. Agreement on exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. 2. Memorandum of Understanding regarding Indian grant assistance for implementation of high impact community development projects through local bodies. 3. Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. India, Pakistan and the other members states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will take part in a joint anti-terrorism exercise to be held this year by the grouping. The decision to hold the joint exercise 'Sary-Arka-Antiterror 2019' was announced during the 34th meeting of the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) council held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The SCO, in which China plays an influential role, is also comprised of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan were admitted into the bloc in 2017. 1441, Opp. IOCL Petrol Pump, CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar-750015 1 Ph. : (0674) 6556677, 8093556677. Web :www.vanik.org, E-mail : [email protected] DAILY UPDATED CURRENT AFFAIRS–17.03.2019 TO 19.03.2019 Singapore, Paris and Hong Kong share the title of the world's most expensive city, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. Switzerland's Zurich and Geneva and Japan's Osaka are also among top five most expensive cities. According to the report, India's Bengaluru, Chennai and New Delhi are among the 10 cheapest locations surveyed. ECONOMY J&K Bank to sell a stake in PNB Metlife for Rs. 185 cr Jammu and Kashmir Bank said it proposes to sell its stake in PNB Metlife India to private equity player Oman India Joint Investment Fund II for Rs. 185 crore. According to the J&K Bank, bank has executed share purchase agreement with Oman India Joint Investment Fund II for sale of 4.1 crore shares of PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd. Two of Germany's largest lenders, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have begun government- backed discussions on a potential merger. The banks have been unable to restore their revenue growth after deep cuts to their investment banking units. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prohibited India's largest mortgage lender HDFC from owning more than the regulatory limit in Bandhan Bank. HDFC, which will merge its low-cost arm Gruh Finance with Bandhan Bank, can hold 9.9% in the bank, the maximum a non-banking finance company can own in a private bank. HDFC had sought approval to hold 14.96%. ICICI Lombard, MobiKwik join hands to provide cyber-insurance cover of Rs 50,000 ICICI Lombard & Mobikwik announced a partnership to offer cyber-insurance against unauthorized & fraudulent transactions online across bank accounts, debit/credit cards & mobile wallets. It can be availed via app at Rs. 99/month & with sum insured of Rs. 50000. RBI to reform WMA system for states RBI has proposed a rule-based approach in fixing Ways & Means limits for state govts, replacing the expenditure-based system. It will set up a panel to recommend parameters of the new system which is aimed at preventing automatic monetization of deficits. WMA - Short-term loan facility provided by RBI to states. PERSON IN NEWS Former SC Judge Justice PC Ghose appointed as India's first Lokpal Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose has been appointed as India's first anti- corruption ombudsman of India. His name was finalised and recommended by the Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and eminent jurist Mukul Rohatgi. The law provides for a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states to probe cases of corruption against public servants. Pramod Sawant sworn-in as Goa Chief Minister Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Pramod Sawant was sworn-in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa in a late-night ceremony, hours after his predecessor, Manohar Parrikar was cremated with state honours. He was given the oath of office and secrecy by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha. Along with the Chief Minister, Ramkrishna Dhavlikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. Ritu Beri appointed as Cultural & Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan in India Popular Indian fashion designer Ritu Beri has been appointed as the Cultural and Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan in India by the Ministry of Tourism of Uzbekistan. This is in recognition of her contribution towards bringing the two countries together by way of fusing cultures in her clothes line. 1441, Opp. IOCL Petrol Pump, CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar-750015 2 Ph. : (0674) 6556677, 8093556677. Web :www.vanik.org, E-mail : [email protected] DAILY UPDATED CURRENT AFFAIRS–17.03.2019 TO 19.03.2019 SPORTS Dominic Thiem beats Roger Federer to win Indian Wells title Australia's Dominic Thiem defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final of the BNP Paribas Open in California. He defeated Federer 3-6,6-3,7-5 in the final. Bianca Andreescu beat Angelique Kerber to win Indian Wells title Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu stunned three-times Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber to win the BNP Paribas Open title. She defeated Angelique Kerber by 6-4 3-6 6-4 to win the title. Afghanistan win their first-ever Test match Afghanistan defeated Ireland by seven wickets to win their first-ever Test match in Dehradun. Earlier, Afghanistan had won the T20I series 2-0 and the ODI series was level at 2-2 with one game getting washed out. Afghanistan gained Test status in 2017. Earlier, Afghanistan had won the T20I series 2-0 and the ODI series was level at 2-2 with one game getting washed out. India finished second in medal tally at Asian Youth C'ships India finishes second in medal tally at Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Hong Kong. India won total of 26 medals including 8 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals. China topped the overall medals tally with 31 medals that included 12 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals. Japan finished third with 20 medals that included 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 bronze. PCB paid Rs 11 cr as compensation to BCCI The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has paid approximately $1.6 million as compensation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after losing a case in the ICC‟s Dispute Resolution Committee. The information was shared by PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on March 18, 2019. The PCB Chairman stated that the PCB had incurred costs of around $2.2 million on the compensation case which they had lost. Besides the amount paid to India to cover the costs of the case, the other expenses included legal fees and travel. India to host FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2020 Gianni Infantino, the President of International Football Federation (FIFA), on March 15, 2019 announced that India will host the U-17 Women‟s World Cup in 2020.