Current Affairs For Bank, IBPS Exams - 24 January, 2014

Current Affairs For Bank, IBPS Exams

Eyeing India as a long-term growth market, US-based retail giant Walmart says it is currently focussing on expanding its wholesale retail business in the country and would wait for further clarity on rules for entering the multi-brand retail business.
When asked about registering a new company in India earlier this month, he said that Walmart is positioning itself for the future, but the focus for the moment remains on Best Price cash and carry format.
The retailer has registered a new company called 'Wal-Mart India Private Ltd' in the country.
Asked about possible timeline for multi brand entry, McMillon said it is not possible as of now to predict any timeline as it would depend on the decision taken by the "people of India and the government of India with regard to the regulations for foreign direct investment."

While India Banks’ Association (IBA) is voicing solidarity over raising ATM service fees post Bengaluru ATM assault case, Finance Ministry is of different opinion. Secretary, Financial Service, said that he would like ATM services to be free’.
Interestingly, ever since the proposal was raised, no bank has officially approached the government for approval to raise ATM fees. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the final authority to take the call on the matter.
Presently, banks charge no fees for ATM service to their own respective customers. Also, RBI has regulated that in a month a bank customer may avail ATM service including cash withdrawal and balance inquiry from any other bank for free.
Thus, with RBI and now Finance Ministry both voicing their non-conformity with the proposed move of IBA, customers may breathe a sigh of relief. Chances of levying ATM fee by banks on their customers are lowered with high authorities sounding against it.

The Kerala government will prepare a data bank of the Malayali diaspora to provide details of their qualifications and expertise.
The budget proposals have allocated Rs.6 million for advertisements in the print and electronic media here to create awareness among those who aspire to go abroad for jobs.
Rs.1 billion will be set aside for a rehabilitation package for the returning diaspora and another Rs.2.5 million for conducting investor seminars and for promotion of Kerala culture in the US and Europe.

The second edition of the Hero Hockey India League will get underway soon with Jaypee Punjab Warriors taking on Delhi Waveriders in the opening match at the newly-built International Hockey Stadium here under lights.
With the winner taking home a whooping Rs 2.5 crore, and the runner up getting Rs 1.25 crore, there is a lot at stake for teams to win the tournament and both Punjab and Delhi would aim to begin the tournament on a winning note.
In the previous edition of the HIL, the two teams faced each other in the semi-final, in which Delhi defeated Punjab 3-1.

Sania Mirza stands just one win away from clinching her third mixed doubles Grand Slam title after the Indian and her Romanian partner Horia Tecau entered the Australian Open final with a come-from-behind win.
Sania and Tecau defeated the Australian pair of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden 2-6, 6-3, 10-2 in a contest lasting an hour and 13 minutes.
Sania and Tecau will be up against the winners of the clash between Sino-American pair of Jie Zheng and Scott Lipsky and the French-Canadian combination of Kristina Mladenovic and Daniel Nestor.
If Sania and Tecau win the summit clash, it would be the Indian's second Australian Open mixed doubles title. Sania had earlier won the trophy with Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009.