1. Bangladesh gets 450 MW power from Adani
Tags: International News
The Bangladesh Power Development Board received 450 MW of electricity from Adani Power, a subsidiary of the Indian Adani Group, on a trial basis.
An Overview of the News
Power is supplied from Adani's power plant in Godda, Jharkhand.
Bangladesh has been importing electricity from India since 2013, and now receives 1,000MW daily from Baharampur in West Bengal and 160MW from Suryamoni in Tripura.
Adani and BPDB completed the transmission line ahead of the test run, and the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh installed a substation at Bogra to transmit power from the Godda plant and a 134 km transmission line from the Chapainawabganj border.
As per the MoU signed between Adani Power and BPDB in 2015, the entire production from the project can be supplied to Bangladesh.
Director of Public Relations of Bangladesh Power Development Board - Mohammad Shamim Hasan
About Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)
It is a government agency responsible for the development and management of the country's power sector.
BPDB was established in 1972 under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of Bangladesh and the agency is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the country.
The mission of BPDB is to provide reliable, affordable and quality power supply to all citizens of Bangladesh.
The agency manages a significant portion of the country's electricity generation capacity, including thermal, hydro and renewable energy sources.
The agency is also involved in the development of power transmission and distribution infrastructure including substations, transmission lines and distribution networks
BPDB is committed to the promotion of renewable energy sources in Bangladesh, including solar, wind and biomass energy.
Headquarters - Wapda Building, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Parent Department - Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources
2. Second meeting of G20 Development Working Group held in Kumarakom
Tags: Summits National News
The second meeting of the G20 Development Working Group was held in Kumarakom, Kerala on 7 April and in this meeting the delegates emphasised the importance of digital technologies to achieve the 2030 Agenda and bridge the digital divide.
An Overview of the News
The formal proceedings were inaugurated by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs.
The session focused on "Transformative Change through Data for Development".
Presentations were made by experts from the International Telecommunications Union, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy on Technology.
Another session on "Transformative Change" discussed the role of women in accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and stressed the need for women's empowerment and leadership.
The session on "Just Green Development" highlighted the importance of balancing the green transition with social and development dimensions.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
State Health Minister of Kerala - Veena George
Chairperson of G20 Empower - Dr. Sangita Reddy
3. Over Rs 23.2 lakh crore loans sanctioned in eight years under Mudra Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) eight years ago, more than 40.82 crore loans worth Rs 23.2 lakh crore have been sanctioned so far.
An overview of the news
According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, since the launch of the scheme on April 8, 2015, till March 24, 2023, about Rs 23.2 lakh crore has been sanctioned in 40.82 crore loan accounts.
About 68 per cent accounts under the scheme are for women entrepreneurs and 51 per cent accounts are for SC, ST and OBC categories of entrepreneurs.
This shows that easy availability of credit to budding entrepreneurs of the country has encouraged innovation and sustained growth in per capita income.
He said that Mudra Yojana has helped in generating massive employment opportunities at the grassroots level and proved to be a game changer along with boosting the Indian economy.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
It was launched on 8 April 2015.
Under the scheme, the people of the country are given loans up to a maximum of 10 lakhs to start their own small business.
Any person who wants to further his business can take a loan under this scheme.
Mudra card is issued to the people for taking loans under this scheme.
Loans are provided through banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), micro financial institutions (MFIs) and other financial intermediaries.
More than 64 per cent of the loan accounts opened under the scheme are of women.
Three types of loans under Mudra Yojana
Shishu- Loan up to Rs.50,000.
Kishor - Loan above Rs.50,000 and less than Rs.5 lakh.
Tarun – Rs. 5 lakhs and above Rs. Loan up to 10 lakhs.
4. Ukraine's President awarded Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest honour
Tags: Awards International News
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest award.
An Overview of the News
The award was given to him for his exceptional services to protect security, resilience and human rights.
The Order of the White Eagle is a prestigious and highly regarded decoration of the Republic of Poland, awarded for outstanding civil and military contributions to the country.
It is considered the oldest and highest decoration in Poland, whose history dates back to the 14th century.
In recent years, the award has been awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Polish–Ukrainian relations and to the promotion of democracy and human rights in the region.
About Ukraine
It is located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, and is the second largest country in Europe, covering approximately 600,000 square kilometres.
Ukrainian culture has influences from Slavic, Byzantine and European traditions.
Capital - Kyiv
Official language - Ukrainian
About Poland
A country located in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and Russia to the north.
The country is divided into 16 administrative regions, known as provinces, each with its own government and parliament.
Poland has a total area of 312,696 km², making it the ninth largest country in Europe and the fifth most populous member state of the European Union.
Poland is also a member of several international organisations including the United Nations, NATO, and the World Trade Organization.
Capital - Warsaw
Official language - Polish
5. IFC to stop funding new coal-powered electricity projects
Tags: International News
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of The World Bank, has said it will not support investments in new coal projects.
An overview of the news
The announcement has come as a big relief to those campaigning for a clean energy transition.
In the year 2020, IFC unveiled a policy that required its clients to reduce their exposure to coal projects by 2025 and to zero by 2030.
There was no talk of stopping new investments in that policy, but now the situation has changed with this new announcement.
A new update to IFC's Green Equity Approach (GEA) policy explicitly bars its financial intermediaries clients (such as commercial banks) from investing in coal.
IFC lends money to banks and other financial institutions which in turn lend to infrastructure and energy projects.
IFC has given loans of about $5 billion to about 88 financial institutions in India.
About International Finance Corporation (IFC)
It was established in 1956 as a member of the World Bank Group.
A member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides financing for private enterprise investment in developing countries.
Its focus is the elimination of poverty through economic development, but critics claim it is more focused on profits than people.
In fiscal year 2021, IFC invests $31.5 billion in financial initiatives.
6. Union govt approves Indian Space Policy 2023 to enhance role of Department of Space
Tags: National Science and Technology National News
The Union government has approved the Indian Space Policy 2023 on 6th April.
An overview of the news
The Union Cabinet also approved the revised domestic gas pricing guidelines.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, the price of natural gas should be 10 percent of the monthly average of the Indian crude basket.
This step has been taken to ensure stable pricing in the regime and to provide adequate protection to the producers from adverse market movements.
This would provide an incentive to increase production.
Indian Space Policy 2023
Its aim is to boost the country's space department's role and give a larger participation to research, academia, startups, and industry.
The policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and private sector entities.
The policy will enhance the role of India's Department of Space, promote research, education, start-ups and industry.
The policy is expected to provide a framework for the country's space sector for the next decade.
Within 3 years, the number of startups has reached 150 in ISRO.
India's progress in the field of space exploration
India has been making significant progress in the field of space exploration in recent years, with the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-2 mission and the development of the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send astronauts into space.
The country is also working on developing its own satellite navigation system, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
7. Global trade expected to grow 1.7% in 2023: WTO
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The world trade organization (WTO) on 5th April revised its global trade growth outlook for 2023 upwards to 1.7% from last October’s estimate of 1%.
An overview of the news
The World Trade Organization said in its forecast that trade growth for 2024 is expected to be 3.2 percent.
However, the WTO said the forecast is highly uncertain and at a downside risk given the impact of ongoing global tensions, food supply problems and monetary policy tightening.
Global trade growth in 2023 is still projected to be low, despite a slight increase in gross domestic product (GDP) estimates since last fall.
Global commodity trade volumes are expected to grow by 1.7 percent this year, following a 2.7 percent increase in 2022, given the effects of the war in Ukraine, continuing high inflation, tight monetary policy and uncertainty in financial markets.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
It was set up on 1st January 1995 replacing the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT).
Its main purpose is to promote rule based trading systems in the world and it also settles trade related disputes between the member countries.
The headquarters of WTO is in Geneva, Switzerland.
There are 164 member countries.
Director General of WTO : Dr Ngozi -Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria
Report released by WTO : World Trade Report
8. Indian-American physician honoured with young urologist of the year award
Tags: Awards International News
Dr. Nitya Abraham, an Indian-American physician and professor, has been honored with the Young Urologist of the Year Award by the American Urological Association (AUA).
An overview of the news
She is an Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Program Director for the Montefiore Urology residency programme.
Abraham has been chosen from the New York region for her accomplishments and contributions.
Abraham has done remarkable work for countless students, residents, fellows and junior faculty in the New York area and at his institution.
She is serving as the Chair of the Executive Curriculum Committee for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
She is a member of the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Young Urologists Committee and Social Media Committee.
The award committee described her as a prolific researcher with clinical research on the impact of social determinants of pelvic floor health.
Young Urologist of the Year Award
The American Urological Association recognizes the hard work of young urologists across the country.
The award was established by Dr. Michael C. Ost, 2012-2013 AUA Young Urologist Committee (YUC) Chair.
The Young Urologist of the Year Award is presented annually to early-career members of the AUA for their progress in their field and commitment to furthering their efforts.
9. Monetary Policy Committee maintains Repo rate at 6.5 percent
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The six-member Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, announced the status quo on policy rates on 6 April.
An overview of the news
The Reserve Bank of India announced its bi-monthly monetary policy and kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent.
In the MPC meeting held in February, the repo rate was increased by 0.25 percent to 6.50 percent.
At that time, RBI had said that the key policy rate had been increased by 0.25 per cent to keep retail inflation under control and maintain a high growth rate.
The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate will remain unchanged at 6.25 per cent and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75 per cent.
In the financial year 2023, there has been an increase of 6 percent in the production of food grains in the country.
According to RBI, there is an estimate of reduction in inflation in the financial year 2024.
GDP growth in FY2024 could be 6.5%. The current account deficit stood at 2.7% of GDP in the October-December quarter of FY23.
What is the repo rate?
Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country (RBI in India's case) lends money to commercial banks when they are short of funds. Here the central bank buys securities.
What is the Monetary Policy Committee?
Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act 1934, the Central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target.
The first such MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016.
As per the RBI Act, the MPC must meet a minimum of four times in a year.
The next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee will be held from 6 to 8 June 2023.
10. DigiPortfolio launched by DBS Bank India
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
DBS Bank India has launched a new investment solution called ‘digiPortfolio’, which uses technology and human expertise to provide customised investment options for investors.
An Overview of the News
The platform is available on the bank’s digibank platform and offers a one-stop solution for investors to put money into ready-made baskets of mutual funds, with diverse portfolios to cater to different investor risk profiles.
The investment options on the platform are chosen and made up of mutual funds that have been carefully selected by Morningstar, which has over 37 years of industry research experience, ensuring that portfolios are regularly adjusted to offer the best possible returns.
The digiPortfolio platform is run by Quantifeed, making it automated and easy to use, with two plans starting at a minimum investment of ₹10,000 and ₹50,000, offering portfolio construction, monitoring, and rebalancing services powered by Morningstar.
DBS Bank India aims to simplify the investment process, bridge the knowledge gap and help balance growth and safety while making investment decisions, hoping that through digiPortfolio, many of its customers will be more confident about participating in the Indian capital markets.
About DBS Bank
Its full document The Bank of Singapore Limited and The Bank Limited is a Singapore multinational banking and financial services corporation based in Marina Bay, Singapore.
The organisation was formerly known as the Development Bank of Singapore Limited before its current name was introduced on 21 July 2003 to represent its credit status as a leading bank.
The banks were established on 16 July 1968 by the Government of Singapore from the Economic Development Board to carry out business activities.
