Latest Current Affairs For Monday 4th April, 2022

RBI extends the timeline for implementation of cassette swap in all ATMs

The RBI has decided to extend the timeline for implementation of cassette swap in all ATMs till March 31, 2023.

Earlier, the same was advised to be implemented covering at least one-third of ATMs operated by the banks every year, which was extended to March 2022. 

Cassette Swap is lockable cassettes that are swapped at the time of cash replenishment in the ATMs.

The framework for cassette swap was recommended by the Committee on Currency Movement Chaired by D.K. Mohanty. 

UNFPA releases the “State of the World Population 2022

The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) has released a report titled 'State of the World Population 2022: Seeing the Unseen.

The report shows that nearly half of all pregnancies were unintended.

The report highlights over 60% of unintended pregnancies ended in abortion, with 45% of all abortions considered unsafe, causing 5-13% of all maternal deaths.

UNFPA Executive Director: Dr Natalia Kanem. 

Modi-Deuba inaugurate India-Nepal passenger rail line

PM Narendra Modi and visiting Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly flagged off the 1st India-Nepal passenger rail link.

They also launched the RuPay payment card in Nepal and inaugurated the Solu Corridor 132 KV Power transmission line and substation in Nepal.

It is built under the Indian govt's Line of Credit.

This is Deuba’s 1st bilateral visit abroad after becoming PM in July 2021.

He visited India in each of his 4 earlier stints as PM, the last one being in 2017. 

World Autism Awareness Day 2022: 02 April

The UNGA unanimously has declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism.

This year marks the 15th annual World Autism Awareness Day.

Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socioeconomic status.

The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics.

Theme for 2022 is ‘Inclusion in the Workplace’.

International Children's Book Day 2022: 2nd April

International Children's Book Day is organized every year on April 2 since 1967.

It is being organized by International Board on Books for Young People - an international non-profit organization. 

It was designed to encourage families, teachers, and children around the world to participate in reading events in their local communities.

Canada is hosting International Children's Book Day 2022. 

It has chosen the theme 'Stories are wings that help you soar every Day'.

IREDA sanctions Rs 267 cr loan to BluSmart Mobility for electric cars

IREDA has sanctioned a loan of over Rs 267 cr to start-up company BluSmart Mobility for the purchase of three thousand electric cars.

IREDA is a Mini Ratna Company under the administrative control of the New and Renewable Energy Ministry.

It is country’s leading financial institution dedicated to clean energy expansion.

BluSmart company is working on India’s path to zero-emission mobility, improving the quality of life of the driver-partners.

India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed

India and Australia have signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister of Australia Dan Tehan signed this agreement.

The agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony in the presence of PM Modi and the PM of Australia Scott Morrison.

The agreement was finalised in a short span of time which showed that India and Australia share mutual trust.

President Kovind embarks on 2-nation tour

President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on a two-nation tour to Turkmenistan and the Netherlands.

During the first leg of the tour, the President is visiting Turkmenistan.

This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian President to Turkmenistan.

This visit is significant as it is taking place as India marks 30 years of diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan.

On the second leg, President  Kovind will be on a four-day visit to the Netherlands.

Capital of Turmenstan: Ashgabat

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.