Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 26 April 2021

::NATIONAL::

SVAMITVA e-Property cards distributed

The Prime Minister, ShriNarendraModi launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme today on National Panchayati Raj Day through video conferencing. 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards on this occasion, which also marked the rolling out of the SVAMITVA scheme for implementation across the country. Union Minister ShriNarendra Singh Tomar attended the event. Chief Ministers and Panchayati Raj Ministers of the concerned states were also present.
The Prime Minister said that Panchayati Raj Day is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the pledge of redevelopment of rural India. This is a day to acknowledge and appreciate the extraordinary work of our Gram Panchayats, he said.
Prime Minister appreciated the role of Panchayats in management of Corona and providing local leadership to stop Corona from entering the villages and spreading awareness. He reiterated the need to keep the pandemic out of rural India. ShriModi asked the Panchayats to ensure complete implementation of guidelines that are being issued from time to time. He reminded that this time we have shield of vaccine. We have to ensure that every person in the village is vaccinated and every precaution is taken, he added.
The Prime Minister stressed that it is our responsibility that in these difficult times, no family should go hungry. He informed under PradhanmantriGareebKalyanYojna every poor person will get free ration in the months of May and June. The Scheme will benefit 80 crore beneficiaries and centre is spending more than 26,000 crore on this scheme.

Printed Study Materials for IBPS, SBI Bank Exam

::International::

International Delegates Day was observed on 25 April to raise awareness about the role of representatives and representatives of member states in the United Nations

International Delegate's Day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference which is also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization.
On 25 April 1945, delegates from 50 countries came together for the first time in San Francisco. The conference happened after the devastation of the second world war. The delegates aimed to set up an organization that would restore world peace and imposes rules on the post-war world order.
On 26 June 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was signed by representatives of the 50 countries that attended the conference. The agreement resulted in the creation of the United Nations (UN).
The UN comprises 193 Member States and serves as the main international venue for collective dialogue between the delegates of its Member States. On 2 April 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 25 April as International Delegate’s Day.

::Economy::

Major ports waived all charges for vessels carrying oxygen and oxygen-related equipment cargo

The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways in an order on Sunday said all major ports will waive off all charges for ships carrying oxygen and oxygen related equipment cargo for three months or until further notice.
The charges will be waived off for vessels carrying consignments of Medical Grade Oxygen, Oxygen Tanks, Oxygen Bottles, Portable Oxygen Generators, Oxygen Concentrators, Steel Pipes for manufacturing Oxygen Cylinders and associated equipment.
“Government of India is deeply engaged in handling the crisis related to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country and taking all steps to counter the situation through appropriate and innovative measures", the government order read.
The order comes a day after Centre on Saturday waived off customs duty and health cess on the import of Covid vaccines and oxygen with immediate effect for a period of three months. The order to wave off the custom duty came after a high-level meet chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi as India battles a devastating second Covid wave.

Russia's central bank hikes interest rates

Russia’s central bank raised its key interest rate to 5 percent, a bigger-than-expected jump against the background of a weak rouble, high inflation and geopolitical risks, signalling that more rate hikes would follow.
The decision to raise the rate from 4.5 percent was at odds with projections from the majority of analysts polled by Reuters news agency, who predicted a moderate 25-basis-point increase after a new wave of sanctions hit the rouble and inflation showed little signs of slowing.

::Science and tech::

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter made third flight to Mars

When NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter took to the Martian skies on its third flight on April 25, the agency’s Perseverance rover was there to capture the historic moment.
Now NASA engineers have rendered the flight in 3D, lending dramatic depth to the flight as the helicopter ascends, hovers, then zooms laterally off-screen before returning for a pinpoint landing. Seeing the sequence is a bit like standing on the Martian surface next to Perseverance and watching the flight firsthand.
Located on the rover’s mast, or “head,” the zoomable dual-camera Mastcam-Z imager provided the view. Along with producing images that enable the public to follow the rover’s daily discoveries, the cameras provide key data to help engineers navigate and scientists choose interesting rocks to study.