Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 18 August 2015

:: National ::

The Supreme Court order last week on the use of Aadhaarcard only for the direct benefit transfer (DBT) and public distribution scheme (PDS) is set to provide a boost to these programmes, with the government planning to speed up implementation of cash transfers for foodgrain subsidynationwide.
Business Standard has learnt from senior government sources that the scheme to transfer subsidy in cash directly to beneficiaries' accounts, instead of selling them subsidised grain, will finally be launched in Pondicherry, Chandigarh, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli next month.
The scheme might be launched in multiple districts in each state, sources informed. This is clearly a step-up from the earlier plan to launch the scheme in one district per state on a pilot basis.
Last week, the Supreme Court had observed: "The Unique Identification Number or the Aadhaar card will not be used by respondents for any purpose other than PDS and, in particular, for the purpose of distribution of foodgrain and cooking fuel such as kerosene. The Aadhaar card may also be used for the purpose of LPG distribution."

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday morning conceded defeat in a bitterly fought Sri Lankan general election that could now put a question mark on his political future.
The Rajapaksa-led alliance lost to the United National Party (UNP), led by incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Rajapaksa’s second electoral defeat in about seven months -- the first shock defeat was in January in the presidential election -- will be a big setback to his political future.
Officially, the results are yet to be declared but according to the former president the available results were enough for him to accept the electoral defeat.

To check money laundering through stock markets, top stock exchange BSE has asked its members to report on a monthly basis details of the STRs (Suspicious Transaction Reports) submitted to the government's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Asking the members to ensure compliance at the earliest, the exchange said in a circular that the trading members are required to submit the data through a specific FIU-STR module of the online gateway BSE Electronic Filing System (BEFS).
The members have been asked to provide details of their registration with the FIU, as also the information about the principal officer and the designated directors for the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) compliance.
BSE has also asked members to report the cumulative number of STRs filed with the FIU as on March 31, 2015. Thereafter, the members would need to report the number of STRs filed with FIU on a monthly basis.
The regulators and the financial intelligence agencies have enhanced their vigil in the recent months on entities trying to misuse the stock market platform for possible laundering of black money and to evade taxes.
Nearly 950 entities have already been barred by Sebi for such attempts, while further action is underway against them.

Country’s largest lender State Bank of India on Tuesday launched a mobile wallet app, SBI Buddy, in collaboration with Accenture and Mastercard.
The service will be available to existing as well as non-SBI customers.
The app was launched by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley along with Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Finance and Hasmukh Adhia, Secretary, Department of Financial Services.
The mobile wallet app can be used to send money to new and registered customers, book for movies, flights, hotels as well as for shopping.
It also has features like reminders to settle dues, recharge and pay bills instantly.
The app is available on Google Play Store, at present, and soon will be launched on Apple App Store.

State Bank of India also launched SBI Foundation, which will be the implementing agency for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of the lender.
The Finance Minister unveiled the logo and website of SBI Foundation.
The foundation will promote, encourage, develop causes related to education, environment, women empowerment, children welfare and manage all the CSR activities of the SBI Group.

When Indian team goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan started her first game for West Ham Ladies in an FA Women’s Premier League game on Sunday, it may not have seemed like a big deal. The match ended in a 0-5 loss to Coventry United.
But Chauhan’s appearance was special: she became the first player from the national women’s team to play competitively in England. No small feat for a girl from a country where the idea of sport revolves around cricket and little else.
The 22-year-old from Delhi was signed pre-season by the third-tier London club for one year from Loughborough University in Leicestershire, where she recently completed an MSc in sports management.