Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 15 March 2021

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President RamnathKovind today said that the development of the Country can never be complete without the development of the people of tribal and Dalit community.
President was speaking at the tribal congregation VanvasiSamagam in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
Stressing on the need of inclusive development President said that like Lord Rama triumphed with the help of tribals, now the country needs to take the tribal community along with it on the path of development.
On the second day of his tour to Uttar Pradesh, President visited Chapki area in Babhani Block of Sonbhadra district where he graced the VanvasiSamagam as Chief guest and inaugurated the newly constructed building of SevaKunj Ashram.
During his address, the President said that the education institutions working among tribals are like temples. Praising the vastness and uniqueness of tribal culture, the President said that there is a need to develop the art and rich culture of tribals. He said that if given the chance and support these artists can showcase their performance in different parts of the country and even abroad.
He also praised the work being done for the tribals of the region and said that if anyone wants to understand the roots of the tribal culture he needs to visit Sonbhadra area.

The Government today said that Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has not been privatized.
Replying to a supplementary question during the Question Hour in LokSabha, Minister of State for Finance, Anurag Thakur said, the government is bringing in the IPO to usher in transparency and valuation.
He said, the IPO will increase the investment in LIC. He said the decision on percentage for share holders will be taken later. Mr. Thakur said, IPO will benefit the country and shareholders as well.

Inter Parliamentary Union President Duarte Pacheco to attend felicitation ceremony and address Members under the auspices of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) in Central Hall of Parliament House on 16 March.
Pacheco is on a weeklong visit to India on the invitation of Indian Parliament. Pacheco called on LokSabha Speaker Om Birla and witnessed the proceedings of the Upper House.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) formed in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest international Parliamentary body consisting of more than 179 Members. IPU espouses for the cause of promoting democracy across the world and take up issues of international importance, such as, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Change, Gender Equality, etc.
India, since its independence, has always been an active Member of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).
In the past, G.S. Dhilon, the then Speaker of LokSabha and Dr. Smt. NajmaHeptulla, the then Deputy Chairman of RajyaSabha had served as the Presidents of IPU.

The government today said that there is no proposal right now to bring crude petroleum, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, natural gas under the Goods and Service Tax.
In a written reply in the LokSabha, Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman said that the GST council has not made any recommendation for inclusion of these goods under GST. She said, the council may consider the issue of inclusion of these petroleum products at an appropriate time keeping in view the relevant factors including revenue implication.
Replying to supplementaries, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur said, the Centre and States should work together to check the price rise of diesel and petrol. He urged the State Governments to reduce the tax on the petroleum products adding that the Centre will also take decisions following the State governments reduction of price.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a new scheme, under which any tourist vehicle operator may apply for an “All India Tourist Authorization/Permit” through online mode.
It will be issued, after relevant documents are submitted and fees deposited, within 30 days of submission of such applications. The new set of rules, to be known as, “All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules, 2021” has been published vide GSR 166( E) dated 10 March 2021. The new rules will be applicable from 01 April 2021. All existing permits shall continue to be in force during their validity.
"MoRT&H has framed “All India Tourist Vehicles (Authorization or Permit) Rules, 2021” to provide seamless movement to tourist passenger vehicles across the country. This is another step towards facilitating citizens’ movement by providing one permit for one nation. #DrivingGrowth," posted the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Twitter.

India is likely to attempt its first solar mission at the end of the year after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the launch of the Aditya L-1 mission, earlier slated for the first half of 2020, according to people in the national space agency.
The scientific mission will see the satellite travel 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth to study the Sun’s atmosphere. The satellite will be sent to the L1 or Lagrangian point between the Earth and the Sun, which is where the gravitational pull of both the bodies on the satellite is equal to the centripetal force needed to keep satellite in orbit.
These points are like parking spots in space from where a satellite can make observations without burning much fuel. This point between the Earth and the Sun allows an uninterrupted view of the solar surface.
The mission will carry six scientific payloads that will study the visible surface of the sun called photosphere, the irregular layer over it called the Chromosphere, and the layer of plasma called Corona, which extends for thousands of kilometers and has a very high temperature of around 6,000 Kelvin (5726.85 degrees Celsius), according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission is almost ready for launch, people aware of the developments said.

India’s international female swordsman Bhavani Devi has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics starting on 23 July this year. Bhawani Devi has created history in fencing. Bhavani became the first Indian swordsman to qualify for the Olympics.
She is the first swordsman of India to qualify for the Olympics. Sports Minister KiranRijiju has also congratulated Bhavani. Bhavani achieved Olympic qualification based on Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR). Bhavani Devi is also the first Indian to win a gold medal in international fencing competition.