Current Affairs Oct 21, 2015

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01. NPA problems to continue for the next two to three years: NPA problems may continue for the next two to three years, as informed by the PSBs to the finance ministry. The Gross NPAs of the state-run banks stood at 5.2% of the total advances, as at March 2015. However there was a decline of this figure, as the NPA figure of December 2014 was 5.63%

02. AB de Villers named brand ambassador for MRF: South African captain AB de Villers has been named as the brand ambassador for MRF tyres. He will be the key person who will promote the brand through advertisement campaigns.

03. Sam Pitroda releases his autobiography: Sam Pitroda, the one time architect of modern digital India has released his autobiography named “Dreaming Big: My Journey to connect India”. He was the person who ushered in lot of technology into India during the regime of Rajiv Gandhi.

04. Iodine deficiency day observed: October 21st is being observed as the ‘Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day’ wherein awareness was created about the disorders of iodine deficiency.

05. Bonus Act modified: Union Government has approved modification to Bonus Act raising the ceiling of income for bonus eligibility from Rs.10000/= to Rs.21000/=. The ceiling on the amount of minimum bonus was also increased from Rs.3500/= to Rs.7000/=

06. First male in the National Commission for Women: Alok Rawat, Senior IAS Officer has become the first ever male to be appointed to the National Commission for Women. NCW was established to safeguard the legal status for women.

07. New capital for Andhra Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for construction of the capital city of AP at Amaravathi, between Amaravathi and Guntur. The new capital city, which will be spanned over 16.7 sqkm will be the base of the new State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, High Court, Raj Bhavan etc.

08. RBI puts on watch the ailing IOB: Recently IOB has been put on special watch by RBI, in view of its ailing health. Alarming increase in NPAs has made RBI to exhort to this step. NPAs in a few other banks have also shown alarming increase over the last few days.

09. Water and sewerage plans worth Rs 2,786 crore in 89 AMRUT cities: Aiming at ensuring water supply and sewerage facilities in urban households, Urban Development Ministry has cleared plans worth over Rs 2,700 cr in 89 cities under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).