1. National News
ACC appointed TV Somanathan as Finance Secretary
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of T V Somanathan as the new Finance Secretary.
He will replace Ajay Bhushan Pandey who retired in February 2021.
Somanathan has served as a joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office earlier.
Quick Fact: Somanathan was awarded the Gold Medal for the Best IAS trainee of his cohort.
2. National News
India’s first 3D printed house at IIT-M inaugurated
The Union Finance Minister virtually inaugurated the first 3D printed house in India at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M).
The single-storey home has been built in just five days over an area of about 600 sq. ft using ‘Concrete 3D Printing’ technology.
The 3D Printed House would help to meet the deadline of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the ‘housing for all’ scheme by 2022.
Quick Fact: The Union Finance Minister of India is Nirmala Sitharaman.
3. Finance News
Digital banking Platform ‘Merchant Stack’ launched by ICICI Bank
The ICICI Bank has announced the launch of a digital and contactless banking platform, especially for retail merchants.
The service, called ‘Merchant Stack’, is targeted at the 2 crore retail merchants in the country.
Retail merchants can avail the ‘Merchant Stack’ services on InstaBIZ, the mobile banking application of ICICI Bank for businesses.
Quick Fact: The CEO of ICICI Bank is Sandeep Bakhshi.
4. Person in News
Bajaj Auto Chairman designated to Niraj Bajaj
Bajaj Auto has announced the appointment of Neeraj Bajaj as its new Chairman of the Board with effect from May 1, 2021.
The automaker has also announced Rahul Bajaj as its Chairman Emeritus.
This will be taken up at the ensuing annual general meeting for the approval of the shareholders.
Quick Fact: The former chairman of the Bajaj Group is Rahul Bajaj and has been with the company for over 49 years.
5. Important Days
Ayushman Bharat Diwas observed on April 30
The Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated to achieve twin missions.
They are to promote health and wellness to the poor and also to provide insurance benefits to them.
The day aims to promote affordable medical facilities in remote areas of the country based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census database.
Quick Fact: The Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is Shripad Yesso Naik.
6. Finance News
RBI joins network for greening financial system
RBI has joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) as a member.
Green finance assumed significance in the context of climate change.
The RBI expects to benefit from the membership of NGFS by learning from and contributing to global efforts on green finance.
Quick Fact: The NGFS was launched at the Paris One Planet Summit on December 12, 2017.
7. Finance News
Top arranger of corporate bond deals in FY21 – HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank has emerged as the top arranger of corporate bond deals in 2020-21 (FY21).
Axis Bank came in second, while ICICI Bank third.
For the last quarter of FY21, i.e January- March 2021, Axis Bank was the top arranger while HDFC was second in the last quarter.
Quick Fact: The MD and CEO of HDFC Bank is Sashidhar Jagdishan(Succeeds Aditya Puri). The tagline of HDFC Bank: We understand your world.
8. Important Days
International Jazz Day marked on April 30
This day is celebrated to highlight the importance of jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people in all corners of the globe.
The 2021 celebration marks the 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day.
The day was created on the idea of jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.
Quick Fact: Director-General of UNESCO: Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France.
