Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 05 May 2021

::NATIONAL::

Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) equipment made mandatory for oxygen tankers

The Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Ministry has made it mandatory for oxygen containers, tankers and vehicles to be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices.
GPS tracking will ensure proper monitoring and protection of these tankers, besides ensuring that there is no diversion or delay.
"MoRTH has made it mandatory for #Oxygen containers/tankers/vehicles to be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices. GPS tracking will ensure monitoring and protection of these tankers, besides ensuring there is no diversion or delay," the ministry said in a tweet.
MoRTH has made it mandatory for #Oxygen containers/tankers/vehicles to be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices.

Printed Study Materials for IBPS, SBI Bank Exam

::International::

PM Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson organized virtual summit

PM NarendraModi will hold a Virtual Summit with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson on 4 May 2021. India and UK enjoy a Strategic Partnership since 2004.
It has been marked by regular high-level exchanges and growing convergences in diverse area, said the MEA.
A comprehensive Roadmap 2030 will be launched during the Summit, which will pave way for further expanding & deepening India-UK cooperation over next decade across five key areas, namely people-to-people relationship, trade & prosperity, defence& security, climate action & healthcare, the MEA added.
On the other hand, Downing Street also said that both the PMs will hold a virtual meeting. "On Tuesday the Prime Minister will hold a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Modi to agree a huge range of commitments to deepen cooperation between the UK and India, including on fighting the coronavirus pandemic," Downing Street said.

::Economy::

RBI approves application of telecom service providers for 5G trials; Chinese sellers excluded

India's recent decision authorising 5G trials without Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE is a sovereign one, a top State Department official has said, asserting that America is deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted or potentially controlled by China.
India's Department of Telecom last week approved applications of telecom companies Reliance Jio, BhartiAirtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL to conduct 5G trials but none of them will be using technologies of Chinese entities.
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, at his daily news conference said: "This was a sovereign decision on the part of the Indian government, so we refer you to the Government of India for any comment on that decision".
"Allowing untested, untrusted telecommunication suppliers, like Huawei or ZTE, to participate in or to have any control over any part of a 5G network creates unacceptable risks to national security, to critical infrastructure, to privacy and to human rights as well," Price said.

First supply of used cooking oil-based biodiesel flagged off

Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, ShriDharmendraPradhan today remotely flagged off the first supply of UCO (Used Cooking Oil) based Biodiesel blended Diesel under the EOI Scheme from IndianOil’sTikrikalan Terminal, Delhi. Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas ShriTarunKapoor and Chairman, IndianOilShri S M Vaidya were also present on the occasion.
To create an eco-system for collection and conversion of UCO into Biodiesel and developing entrepreneurship opportunities, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, along with Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, had initiated Expressions of Interest for “Procurement of Bio-diesel produced from Used Cooking Oil” on the occasion of World Biofuel Day on 10th August 2019. Such “Expressions of Interest” are being periodically released by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). In the first phase, 11 EoIs were floated between 10.08.2019 to 09.11.2020 for 200 locations. Publication of EoIs has been extended for one more year up to 31.12.2021, for 300 locations across the country.
Under this initiative, OMCs offer periodically incremental price guarantees for five years and extend off-take guarantees for ten years to prospective entrepreneurs. So far, IndianOil has also issued 23 LOIs for Biodiesel plants with a total capacity of 22.95 Cr Litres (557.57 TPD). Under this initiative, IndianOil has received 51KL of UCO-Biodiesel at its Tikrikalan terminal in Delhi as of 31.3.2021.
Speaking on the occasion, ShriDharmendraPradhan complimented the Oil industry on the stellar role played by them in keeping the fuel lines running despite the stiff challenges of the pandemic. He also lauded the OMCs for going beyond the usual business imperatives by extending support for medical oxygen supply to the nation in this crisis. MrPradhan also appreciated IndianOil’s leadership role in smoothening the Liquid oxygen logistics in the country through various initiatives.
Regarding the first supply of UCO-based Biodiesel from IndianOil’sTikrikalan Terminal, MrPradhan said, “This is a landmark in India’s pursuance of Biofuels and will have a positive impact on the environment. This initiative will garner substantial economic benefits for the nation by shoring up indigenous Biodiesel supply, reducing import dependence, and generating rural employment”. He appreciated the proactive role played by OMCs in this direction and shared that 30 LOIs have already been issued.

::Science and tech::

DoT allows 5G technology and spectrum trials

The Union government has begun the process of conducting 5G trials in the country by allotting airwaves to telecom service providers.
It is learnt that the Department of Telecom (DoT) has allocated spectrum to telecom operators to start 5G trials at locations including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, according to industry sources. The operators have been allocated spectrum in the 700 MHz, 3.3-3.6 GHz, and 24.25-28.5 GHz bands in various locations.
It is learnt that the telcos have been allocated 100 units in the 3.5 GHz band, 800 units in the 26 MHz millimetre wave, and 10 units in the premium 700 MHz band.
Chinese telecom gear makers have been kept out of the 5G trial list. After completing the trials, preparation for 5G spectrum auctions will begin.
According to sources, the telecom service providers can use their existing 4G spectrum for trials in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2300 MHz bands. The six-month period for conducting trials starts on the date of allotting the spectrum, i.e. May 27, 2021.

::Sports::

Mark Selby won the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield (UK)

Mark Selby became a four-time world snooker champion in front of a capacity crowd at the Crucible in Sheffield after defeating Shaun Murphy 18-15 in a thrilling final on Monday.
Selby successfully preserved his three-frame lead over Murphy at the end of the penultimate session of their final to go 14-11 in front.