NATIONAL NEWS
RBI to introduce card-less cash withdrawals
The Reserve Bank of India will soon introduce card-less cash withdrawals, under which a customer will not be required to use his or her debit or credit cards to withdraw money from the ATMs. The card-less cash withdrawals will be applicable at any bank’s ATM or third-party ATM
India to issue e-Passports.
India is planning to issue e-passports to its citizens starting from this financial year. The e-passport will be a combined paper and electronic passport. It will have an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip. The critical information of the passport will be printed on its data page and stored in the chip as well.
RBI Monetary Repo rates remain unchanged at 4%, GDP growth projected at 7.2% for FY 23
The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep repo and reverse repo rates unchanged for the straight 11th time in a row. India’s real GDP growth has been projected to be 7.2 percent in FY 2022-23. The inflation is now projected at 5.7% in 2022-23.
Section 144 imposed in Sivasagar in Assam
The administration of the bordering district Sivasagar of Assam has invoked Section 144 of CrPC, as part of a precautionary measure. A night curfew has also been imposed along the state border with Nagaland to prevent any form of anti-social activities. The restrictions in Sivasagar will be in force for the next 60 days until further notice. As per the order, the movement of any person or group or motor vehicle has been prohibited within a radius of 5 km from 6.00 PM to 6.00 AM on the border.
International Energy Alliance’s move for collective oil stock release welcomed by India
The latest announcement by the International Energy Alliance for a collective oil stock release of 120 million barrels has been welcomed by India. Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry said in a statement that India has taken note of the US’s decision to release 180 million barrels from its strategic petroleum reserves, over the next 6 months. The latest decision will help in calming the rising global fuel prices. India, being a major consumer of energy, has espoused the significance of affordable, stable, and accessible global energy markets.
Government constitutes AVGC promotion task force
The Central Government has constituted a promotion task force for the Animation, Visual effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) to recommend ways to realize and build the capacity for serving the Indian markets and the global demand. AVGC sector in India has the potential of becoming the torchbearer to create in India and Brand India. The latest Taskforce will be headed by the Secretary, Ministry of I&B. As per the Ministry, India has the potential to capture 40 billion dollars of global market share by 2025. The AVGC promotion task force will also include the State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana as well as the heads of the education bodies
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Imran Khan’s Decisions ‘Unconstitutional’: Pak SC
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared Imran Khan’s decision to advise the President to dissolve National Assembly as unconstitutional. The court ruled that Imran Khan was bound by Constitution and therefore could not advise the President to take such an action. The court has also ordered a sitting of the assembly on April 9th to take up the trust-vote against Pak PM.
Russia suspended from UN Human Rights Council
Russia was suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on April 8, 2022 with 93 votes in favour and 24 against in the 193-member assembly. India was among the 58 countries that abstained from voting. Russia has been suspended over the reports of gruesome violence committed by the Russian troops in Ukrainian cities especially Bucha.
