Current Affairs One - Liner : 7th March 2024

• National:
• Project ODISERV, launched by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on March 1, 2024, is an initiative in Odisha to prepare graduates for the financial services sector. The project offers training through Bajaj Finserv’s CPBFI programme, enhancing employability of the youth. 1100 students have already been trained under this project.

• NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) have formed a joint venture to develop renewable power parks and projects in Uttar Pradesh. The partnership was announced on March 4, 2024. The generated power will meet UPRVUNL’s Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO).
• The average daily domestic air traffic in India increased by 3.78% month-on-month to 439,464 passengers in February 2024, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s data. This increase is likely due to the high demand, as four out of six major carriers recorded load factors above 90% in February. However, the average daily international air traffic decreased by 3.07% month-on-month to 205,946 passengers in the same month.
• The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Sports, has introduced comprehensive reforms in the recruitment, promotion, and incentives framework for athletes. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, announced that Khelo India medal winner athletes will now be eligible for government jobs.
• The government has indeed amended the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to raise the minimum age for senior citizens eligible for voting by postal ballot to 85 years from the previous 80 years. This decision was made after a review by the Election Commission found that 97-98% of senior citizens aged above 80 years preferred to vote in person in the past 11 assembly polls rather than avail of the postal ballot facility extended to them since 2020.
• Banking:
• The World Bank approved a $452 million loan for Assam, India on March 1, 2024. The loan aims to improve connectivity for over 1.8 million people in rural areas, strengthen the resilience of roads and bridges, and promote inclusive growth in the rural sector. The loan has a maturity of 19 years with a grace period of 4.5 years.
• REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading Non-Banking Finance Company, has indeed partnered with the Unit of Science and Educational Development (UNISED) to support the education of around 75,500 children of Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has suspended JM Financial Products Limited (JMFPL) from providing any financing against shares and debentures due to serious deficiencies observed in their loan sanctioning process. However, JMFPL can continue to service its existing loan accounts.
• The Indian government is selling a 7% stake in Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) India through an Offer for Sale (OFS). The base offer is around 6.93 crore shares, with an additional 2.77 crore shares under the greenshoe option. The floor price is ₹212 per share. The stake sale is expected to fetch about 20.6 billion rupees. This has led to a 3% drop in NLC India’s share price.
• Bloomberg is set to include India’s Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds in its Emerging Market (EM) Local Currency Government Index and related indices. The inclusion will start from January 31, 2025, and will be phased in over ten months. Once fully included, India is expected to be the third largest country in the index after China and South Korea. This move is seen as a significant step in the development of India’s financial markets.
• Defence:
• The Indian Navy commissioned the first squadron of the MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter at INS Garuda, Kochi on March 6, 2024. The MH-60R Seahawk, also known as ‘Romeo’, is a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter and is equipped with advanced digital sensors. The commissioning of these helicopters marks a significant moment in India’s defense modernization journey
• Sports:
• The Purple Cap holder in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 is Amelia Kerr of Mumbai Indians. She is the leading wicket-taker in WPL 2024.
• Govt. Schemes:
• The ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ is a scheme launched by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal. It aims to ease warehousing logistics for farmers, reduce distress sales, and help them get fair prices for their produce. The scheme also includes a reduced security deposit and a simplified digital process for storage at registered warehouses. It’s a significant step towards empowering farmers and enhancing their income.
• Index & Ranking:
• The State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2023, released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), assesses the energy efficiency implementation of 36 states and Union Territories in India. Karnataka was the top performer, followed by Andhra Pradesh. The index helps drive energy efficiency policies and track progress in managing energy footprints.
• Apps & Portals:
• CSpace, India’s first government-backed OTT platform, was launched by the Kerala government on March 7, 2024. The Kerala State Film Development Corporation manages it and features a variety of content including films, documentaries, and short films. The platform operates on a pay-per-view basis.
• On March 7, 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘NITI for States’ platform. This digital initiative aims to empower states and union territories in achieving national development goals by providing a centralized repository of resources. The platform is expected to strengthen cooperative federalism and enable data-driven governance.
• Summits & Conferences:
• The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024, organised by the Indian Navy, commenced on March 5, 2024. The conference was held in a hybrid format, with the inaugural session witnessing both aircraft carriers demonstrating the Indian Navy’s ability to conduct ‘twin carrier operations’. The conference served as a platform for Naval Commanders to deliberate on strategic, operational, and administrative matters concerning maritime security.
• Important Days:
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day on March 1, 2024. The event was themed “Energy Transition through Electrification and Decarbonization in India” and was held in New Delhi. Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister Shri R. K. Singh commended BEE for its innovative and world-leading programmes.
• Appointments:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Mr. B K Divakara as a Whole-time Director (Executive Director) of CSB Bank. This approval was conveyed in terms of Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Mr. Divakara’s appointment is for three years, effective from the date he takes charge. Before this appointment, he has served as the Head-Strategy & Corporate Legal at CSB Bank since June 5, 2023.
• Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been elected as Pakistan’s Prime Minister for a second term. His election comes after an inconclusive general election. He first became PM in 2022 after Imran Khan was ousted.
• Tamás Sulyok, a Hungarian lawyer, has been serving as the President of Hungary since 5th March 2024. He was the Fidesz–KDNP candidate for the 2024 presidential election. His nomination was approved by the National Assembly.
• Awards & Honours:
• In the 5th National Youth Parliament Festival 2024, Yatin Bhaskar Duggal from Haryana won the first prize. The event, aimed at strengthening democracy and educating youth about parliamentary practices, took place from 9th February 2024 to 6th March 2024 across India. The theme was 'Young Voices: Engage and Empower for Nation’s Transformation’.

Questions:

Q.1 Who organized the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024?
a. Indian Army
b. Indian Air Force
c. Indian Navy
d. Indian Coast Guard
Q.2 Who has been appointed as the Whole-time Director (Executive Director) of Catholic Syrian Bank Limited (CSB) Bank?
a. Mr. A K Divakara
b. Mr. B K Divakara
c. Mr. C K Divakara
d. Mr. D K Divakara