1. Bandhan financial services to open 300 new banks
ii. Addressing an interactive session at Bharat Chember of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday, the Chairman and Managing Director of the company, Mr Chandra Sekhar Ghosh said that they have planned to open 250 new branches in rural areas of West Bengal while 700 bank branches through out the country.
iii. He said that their aim is to reach to remote areas where there is no banking coverage so far. The micro finance company Bandhan has 55 lakhs clients in the country and the Reserve Bank of India has recently given them in principal approval for opening private banks.
2. Drug Technical Advisory Board bags award for leadership in animal welfare
i. Eighteen members of the outgoing Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) have received the ‘Leadership in Animal Welfare Award’ for its support in improving the regulatory standards for animal welfare in the country. Humane Society International/India (HSI) conferred the award.
ii. The award specifically recognised India's Director General of Health Services Jagdish Prasad and Drug Controller General of India G.N. Singh, under whose leadership the board approved the ban on animal testing for cosmetics, recommended a ban on the import of cosmetics tested on animals and recommended the restriction on the manufacture and sale of oxytocin. The DTAB finished its three-year term last week.
3. Paul Ranjan assumes charge as Director (Finance) of Cochin Shipyard
i. D Paul Ranjan has assumed charge as Director (Finance) of Cochin Shipyard.
ii. A chartered Accountant by profession, Paul Ranjan, joined the company as Executive trainee in December, 1984.
4. World Bank approves $12b loan for Pakistan
i. The World Bank is preparing to loan Pakistan 12 billion dollars over the next five years to help lift its economy, which has been battered by a decade of conflict and an acute energy shortage, the Finance Ministry said Friday.
ii. One billion dollars would be transferred next week while the remaining loans, which carry a 2% interest rate, would be sent to Pakistan over the next five years, it said.
iii. The money would be used to boost the economy, fight extremism, reduce energy shortfalls and improve education, the ministry said.
iv. The approval comes as a Pakistani minister said there will not be enough electricity in the country to meet growing demand during the summer when temperatures can rise up to 45 degrees.
v. The South Asian nation of 180 million people has been struggling with an economy shattered by a decade of violence orchestrated by Islamist militants linked with al-Qaeda, a massive energy crisis and tax evasion by the wealthy.
vi. Last year, the International Monetary Fund approved a package of 6.7 billion dollars for Pakistan.
5. ITU award for presidents of Rwanda, South Korea
ii. They have been honoured by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in recognition of their leadership and dedication towards promoting ICT (information, communication and technology) development and broadband connectivity as a means of achieving sustainable development.
iii. President Kagame is recognized for his leadership in the advancement of education and the potential of ICT as a dynamic industry as well as an enabler for Africa's socio-economic transformation.
iv. South Korea has consistently topped ITU's ICT Index for Measuring the Information Society. President Park's government has unveiled a set of long-term plans that foster creative talent, a move that establishes a new paradigm towards building a vibrant national economy in a digital environment.
Note: The WTIS Award, which focuses on broadband connectivity for sustainable development, will be presented at a ceremony here May 16 to mark the 149th anniversary of the establishment of ITU May 17, 1865.
No comments:
Post a Comment