Current Affairs - Update of 01.04.2020

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1. GoI launched app "Corona Kavach"

  • The government of India has launched a coronavirus risk trading app called "Corona Kavach"
  • The app is jointly developed by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • The app uses a person's location to assess whether they are in the high-risk geographical zone or not

2. Government extended crop loan interest benefits 

  • The government has extended the benefits of 2% Interest Subvention to Banks and 35 Prompt Repayment Incentive to all farmers upto 31st of May 2020
  • The interest subsidy has been extended to all crop loans upto Rs 3 lakh given by banks which have become due to are becoming due between 1st of March to 31st May 2020.

3. ICICI Bank rolled out services on WhatsApp

  • ICICI bank has launched banking services in WhatsApp, enabling customers to undertake a slew of financial transactions during then national lockdown
  • Retail customers can check their savings account balance credit card limit, get details of pre-approved instant loan offers and block/ unblock credit and debit cards
  • They can also get details of the nearest 3 ICICI Bank ATMs and branches

4. Validity of vehicle permit extended 

  • The Centre extended till June 30, 200 the validity of documents like driving license, permits and registration that expired since February 1, 2020
  • This has been in a mover to ensure hassle-free transportation of cargo amid the lockdown over the novel corona virus pandemic
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30, 2020

5. Telcos to extend prepaid validity

  • TRAI has asked telecom operator to extend the validity period users to ensure that subscribers get uninterrupted services during the 21-day nationwide lockdown 
  • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also sought details of the steps being taken to ensure availability of uninterrupted telecom services to such customers on a "priority basis" 

6. Govt extended PLI, RPLI Premium payment period

  • The government has extended the Premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance upto 30 April 2020 without changing any penalty
  • Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance  customers are facing difficulty in approaching post offices for payment of premium
  • The decision is likely to benefit approximately 13 lakh policy holders

7. Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020

  • The Corporate Affairs Ministry (CAM) has come up with the "Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020"
  • It will enable companies to make good of any filing related defaults, irrespective of the duration of default, and make a fresh start as a fully complaint entity
  • To provide a similar facility to Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), the MCA has also revised the 'LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020'

8. Punjab National Bank (PNB) unveiled new logo

  • Punjab National Bank (PNB) has unveiled a new logo as it merge United Bank of India (UBI) and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) with it, with effect from April 1, 2020
  • The new logo will bear distinct signages of all the three public sector lenders
  • With this, PNB is set to become the second-largest lender in the country

9. IIT Guwahati developed drones

  • A group of students of IIT Guwahati has developed a drone with an automated sprayer to sanitise large areas including roads, parks to prevent the spread of coronavirus
  • In Tamil Nadu too, student from Agni College of Technology and Professionals from startup Garuda Aerospace fitted drones with disinfectant spraying mechanisms, which are now being used by the Chennai Corporation

10. Tata Power commissioned Shuakhevi HPP

  • Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC (AGL) has announced the start of commercial operation of the 178 MW Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project (Shuakhevi HPP) located in southwest Georgia
  • It is a Joint Venture (JV) between Tata Power, Norway's Clean Energy Invest (CEI), and International Financial Corporation (IFC)
  • Further, AGL will be soon commissioning the 9 MW Skhalta Hydro Power Project