DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 9 AUG 2017

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)
SHARED BY: WWW.DAILYGK.IN

1. NITI AAYOG PARTNERS WITH 6 STATES TO TRANSFORM HEALTH & EDUCATION SECTORS
i. NITI Aayog announced partnership with 6 states (with three states for health sector reforms and three states for education sector reforms) under its  Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital launched by NITI Aayog initiative.
ii. NITI Aayog has selected Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka to improve healthcare delivery and key outcomes in these States.
iii. For Education sector, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand have been selected for support to better learning outcomes.


2. MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT TO RAISE $270 MN FROM GREEN CLIMATE FUND
i. The 2030 Water Resources Group (2030WRG) will help the Maharashtra Government to raise $270 million from the Green Climate Fund, which will be invested in integrated watershed programmes in the state.
ii. For raising money from the Green Climate Fund, Maharashtra State Level Climate Change Committee will endorse the proposal next week, after which it would be referred to the Central Government.
iii. The approvals will be in place in early 2018 and it could take a year to get the funding. Fund will also be used in crop diversification and adding market linkages.

3. MEETING OF REGIONAL TECHNICAL GROUP ON TRADE, COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT CBM OF THE HEART OF ASIA – ISTANBUL PROCESS HELD IN NEW DELHI
i. The 8th meeting of the Regional Technical Group of Confidence Building Measure on Trade, Commerce & Investment Opportunities under the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process was hosted by India.
ii. The India would be the Lead Country. The meeting was held in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by representatives of 17 participating countries and supporting international organisations.
iii. The participants shared the view that Afghanistan acted as a natural bridge in promoting regional connectivity and economic integration. There was an agreement that economic development was an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia Region.
iv. The participants had also discussed on various measures and plan to promote transit and trade and realizing reliable and robust connectivity, with Afghanistan as the hub.
v. The initiative by India to develop a web portal, with participation of FICCI, for exchanging information on regional markets, trade and investment opportunities; and facilitating networking between businesses for the participating countries was also appreciated.
vi. The meeting was co-chaired by the Acting Director General, Economic Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Joint Secretary and Ministry of External Affairs.

4. ONGC PLANS TO INVEST $150 MILLION IN COLOMBIA, KAZAKHSTAN & BANGLADESH
i. ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp has planned to invest $150 million in exploration to drill more wells in Kazakhstan, Colombia and Bangladesh.
ii. ONGC Videsh, which operates the CPO-5 block of Colombia, has made a commercial discovery in its exploration well Mariposa-1. The company is also making up plans for the development of the Mariposa-1 well that has begun a test production of 4,500 barrels per day.
iii. ONGC has 70% participating interest in CPO-5 block in which the remaining 30% stake in held by Amerisur Resources of UK. ONGC to Set Up New Basin in Agartala.
iv. ONGC has participating interest in a total of six blocks in Colombia. It includes a producing block whose current output is 35,000 barrels per day.
v. The company has also entered Namibia’s oil and gas sector with a purchase of 30% interest from Tullow Oil in the African country’s three oil blocks.

5. INDIAN-AMERICAN APPOINTED DEPUTY COMPTROLLER FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS OF NASSAU COUNTY
i. Indian-American Dilip Chauhan has been appointed Deputy Comptroller to the minority affairs in Nassau County.
ii. Chauhan had joined the Comptroller’s office in 2015 as Director for Community Affairs, South and East Asia. He has served as senior advisor to the Comptroller since early 2017.
iii. Chauhan has been recognised with numerous awards for his community service. He would continue to support the Comptroller’s efforts to provide equal opportunity for minority and women owned enterprises to do business with Nassau County.
iv. Chauhan is an active member of the Indian community in the New York area. The Nassau County and the Comptroller’s Office has been a driving force in advocating for increased business opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Enterprises.

6. ICICI BANK LAUNCHES INSTANT CREDIT CARD WITH THE LIMIT UPTO 4 LAKHS
i. ICICI Bank has announced the launch of Instant Credit Card Service that will enable its savings account customers to get a credit card instantly, in a completely digital and paperless manner.
ii. Using the Instant Credit Card Service, pre-qualified customers can apply and get credit card number and other important details online.
iii. Under which, he/she can immediately start shopping online, without having to wait for the physical card to arrive. There is a credit limit of up to Rs 4 lakh based on pre-checked bureau scores.
iv. The application procedure also incorporates an additional level of authentication in order to make the security of the offering robust.
v. Currently, this facility to apply for a credit card is available through the Bank’s internet banking platform.  It will also be available shortly on iMobile, the Bank’s mobile banking application soon.
vi. To apply for an instant credit card, customers can log in through their internet banking account, where they will be shown an option of availing a credit card with their individual credit limits. They can choose from a range of cards. They can then confirm their details on a pre-populated personal information page and submit the application by following the simple steps.

vii. Click on the prequalified offers tab and select the desired ICICI Bank Credit Card. After selecting provide a few required details and accept the terms and conditions. Enter the OTP sent on the registered mobile number and click on the’Generate Card’ button.