Environment Minister launches Web Portal for obtaining CRZ Clearances
- The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, launched the web portal for obtaining Coastal Regulation Zone clearances,
- The Minister termed the launch of the portal as a good example of ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
- The Portal is a web-based system for obtaining clearances required from the Ministry under the “Coastal Regulation Zone” (CRZ) by the Project proponents.
- The system will enable the Project proponents and the concerned State/Union Territory bodies like the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs) and Municipal/Town Planning agencies in tracking the status of their proposals. The system is based on web architecture, similar to the existing systems in place for according environmental and forest clearances.
- The Portal is a very user-friendly initiative, which enables submission of applications for CRZ clearance in a single-window interface and facilitates quick flow of information related to CRZ clearances.
- The portal allocates a unique identity for each proposal for all future references. It is accessible from any computer with internet facility.
The objectives of the web portal
- To enhancing efficiency, transparency and accountability in the process of CRZ clearances;
- To enhance responsiveness through workflows and availability of real-time information on the status of CRZ clearance proposals;
- To ease of business and convenience of citizens in accessing information and services; standardised procedures and processes across Central and State levels
What is "Ease of Doing Business Index"?
The ease of doing business index is an index created by the World Bank Group.[1] Higher rankings (a low numerical value) indicate better, usually simpler, regulations for businesses and stronger protections of property rights. Empirical research funded by the World Bank to justify their work show that the economic growth impact of improving these regulations is strongKarur Vysya Bank launches 3 technology services
To keep pace with technology across the globe, Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) today launched three technology services for the benefit of customers.
FASTag: was launched in association with Indian Highways Management Company, a subsidiary of National Highway Authority of India, wherein pre loaded tags affixed to vehicles help them move on without having to join queues at toll plazas and handing cash for payment.
It can be pre-loaded with amounts and the toll amount will automatically be debited by the toll plazas through sensors, he said. The tags can be reloaded as and when required and tags are valid at all toll lazas throughout the country
United Payments Interface (UPI): is a mobile app that helps customers to transfer funds inter-bank, 24 X 7 through their smartphones, he said. A single mobile application can access different bank accounts without the customer having to share his bank details or having to remember user IDs and passwords, he said. The transfer is effected through the Immediate Payment Service platform of NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India).
Supported by the security of two factor authentication, payment requests can be initiated by the beneficiary or scheduled by the remitter, he said adding that the KVB UPI can be downloaded from Android Play Store.
Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), a facility offered through NPCI where in customers can make utility bill payments like electricity, water, gas, DTH and telecom servioces through a single utility, instead of accessing multiple sites.
FASTag: was launched in association with Indian Highways Management Company, a subsidiary of National Highway Authority of India, wherein pre loaded tags affixed to vehicles help them move on without having to join queues at toll plazas and handing cash for payment.
It can be pre-loaded with amounts and the toll amount will automatically be debited by the toll plazas through sensors, he said. The tags can be reloaded as and when required and tags are valid at all toll lazas throughout the country
United Payments Interface (UPI): is a mobile app that helps customers to transfer funds inter-bank, 24 X 7 through their smartphones, he said. A single mobile application can access different bank accounts without the customer having to share his bank details or having to remember user IDs and passwords, he said. The transfer is effected through the Immediate Payment Service platform of NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India).
Supported by the security of two factor authentication, payment requests can be initiated by the beneficiary or scheduled by the remitter, he said adding that the KVB UPI can be downloaded from Android Play Store.
Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), a facility offered through NPCI where in customers can make utility bill payments like electricity, water, gas, DTH and telecom servioces through a single utility, instead of accessing multiple sites.
Karur Vysya Bank
- It was set up M. A. Venkatarama Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar.
- It is one of the largest old generation private banks in India
- Founded: 25 July 1916
- Headquarters: Karur, Tamil Nadu, India
- Chairman: B.Swaminathan
India-Oman armies exercise, Al Nagah-II, began
- A 14-day joint training exercise of the armies of India and Oman began at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.
- The exercise, Al Nagah-II, drew contingents comprised of platoon strength troops from both the armies
- The second edition of the exercise is in continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman.
- The first edition was held at Muscat in 2015.
Aim
- The aim of the joint exercise is to acquaint both forces with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment as also to enhance the existing military relationship between" the two armies
SBI launches 'Work from Home' facility for employees
- Country's largest lender State Bank of Indilaunched a new facility to enable its employees to work from home.
- The Board of the bank has recently approved the 'Work from Home' policy to enable its employees to work while at home using mobile devices to address any urgent requirement they may have, that prevents their travelling to work.
- The lender will be using mobile computing technologies and shall have continuous control over all the enabled devices centrally to manage and secure the data and applications on the mobile devices.
- The use of technology and services shall be monitored through carefully designed MIS and dashboard to enable improvements and refinements
SBI
- Founded: 2 June 1806; Bank of Calcutta
- 27 January 1921: Imperial Bank of India
- 1 July 1955: State Bank of India
- 2 June 1956: Nationalization
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Chairperson: Arundhati Bhattacharya
Chandigarh hosted ‘Destination North East’ 2017
- Chandigarh hosted a three-day long ‘Destination North East’ 2017 event, aimed at showcasing North East as a potential destination for investment.
- The event was organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), government of India and an industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- The event saw around table discussions and exhibition stalls showcasing various features of the North East Region in order to attract investments in tourism, skill development, food processing, handlooms and handicrafts, rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship and microfinance, horticulture and floriculture, medicinal & aromatic plants, organic farming and bamboo development,
Objective of Destination North East, 2017
Its objective is to showcase North East as a potential destination for investment and highlight the rich cultural heritage, traditions and customs of the region."3 H" Mission
3 H’ Mission, that is Horticulture, Handicraft and Handlooms, is the focus of Destination North East 2017.PM Modi to Inaugurate India’s Longest Cable Bridge in Gujarat
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gujarat for a two-day visit.
- During his stay in Gujarat, the PM inaugurated a four-lane bridge over the river Narmada in Bharuch.
- The 1.4-kilometre 'extradosed' cable-stayed bridge is reportedly the longest in the country.
- It is expected to ease traffic woes on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway, considered to be one of the busiest in India.
Europe launched fifth Sentinel Earth observation satellite
- Europe launched the fifth of its Sentinel Earth observation satellites on Monday as part of its multi-billion-euro Copernicus program to provide speedy images of land, oceans and waterways.
- The Sentinel-2B satellite, part of a system of satellites that is to monitor Earth, blasted off on board a Vega rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana
- It will join its twin Sentinel-2A, which has been in orbit since 2015, to take high-resolution, color and infrared images for a wide array of environmental initiatives, including crop forecasting and monitoring natural disasters.
- The two satellites will orbit 488 miles (786 km) above Earth, on opposite sides of the planet.
- Together, they will be able to cover all of Earth's land surfaces, large islands, inland and coastal waterways every five days, providing more up-to-date images and at higher resolution than have been available.
Karnataka CM launches 'Pratibimba' to project achievements
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaia launched a comprehensive web-based platform showcasing the government's performance and achievements to the citizens.
- Developed as the Chief Minister's dash board, 'Pratibimba,' which means reflection, will serve as a tool to improve efficiency in governance and allow citizens to track government's progress.
- 'Pratibimba" is a reflection of the growth story and development of the state, and the dash board will reflect the works of all the departments across flagship schemes, key programmes and projects undertaken in the state.
- The dash board is available both in English and Kannada. Karnataka is the second state in the country after Andhra Pradesh to have such a dash board
- It will help people across the stateand the country to get a detailed information regarding the steps taken by us in fulfilling our promise of transparent,responsible and people friendly government
Ashwin, Jadeja jointly on top in ICC Test rankings
- The Indian duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Wednesday became the first set of spinners to be jointly ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers.
- Jadeja has caught up with Ashwin in the rankings after the second Test against Australia in Bengaluru which India won by 75 runs on the fourth day
- Jadeja's seven wickets in the match, which included a crucial six for 63 in the first innings, have helped him move up one rank to reach the top position for the first time in his career,
- n the rankings for Test batsmen, Australia captain Steve Smith has maintained his reign at the top for 77 Tests
- India's win in the second Test assured them the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings on the April 1 cut-off date and a cash prize of $1million. The fight is now for the second, third and fourth places.
ICC
- Motto: Great Sport Great Spirit
- Formation: 15 June 1909; 107 years ago
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Chairman: Shashank Manohar
- President: Zaheer Abbas
- CEO: David Richardson
IDFC Bank launches Aadhaar Pay
- IDFC Bank launched the biometric-based Aadhaar Pay payment system
- Aadhar Pay service is for merchants which will enable them to receive Aadhaar-enabled payments bypassing credit and debit cards, pin and password. The biometric reader is currently available for Rs 2,000.
- With the introduction of first of its kind, the bank targets to bring around 50,000-75,000 merchants onboard by 2019 and total touching 1,00,000 merchants in three year
- As per the report, the bank has been launched after three-months of trial involving 1500 merchants across 16 states.
Working of the app
For merchant- Download the Aadhaar Pay app on their phones
- Link the app to Aadhaar biometric reader
- Once this app is linked, merchant will be able to start transacting with customers.
For a customers
- Select the bank on the touchscreen
- Enter your Aadhaar national ID number
- Scan fingerprints on the device to get the confirmation
IDFC Bank
- Founded: October, 2015
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Managing Director & CEO: Dr. Rajiv B. Lall
- Independent Director: Veena Mankar
- Tagline: Banking Hatke