DAILY GK UPDATE: 6TH JANUARY

1.RBI set up Working Group to review Banking Ombudsman Scheme:

NOTE: The Reserve Bank of India had set up a working group to evaluate and make improvements in the grievance redressal mechanism for bank customers. The working group constituted in the RBI is going to review, update, and revise the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006.

i. As per the RBI annual report of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2011-12, In Financial Year 2011-12, the banking ombudsman’s office of the RBI received around 72889 complaints.

ii. It disposed off 94 per cent of the customer complaints.

iii. About one-fourth of the total customer complaints were about banks’ failure to meet commitments and non-observance of fair practices code.

iv. Presently, we have 15 Banking Ombudsmen with unambiguous jurisdiction covering the 29 States and seven Union Territories in India.

2.11th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas begins in Kochi:

i. The theme of the Convention is 'Engaging diaspora: The Indian growth story'..

ii. The President of Mauritius, Rajkeshwur Purryag will be the Chief Guest of the convention..

NOTE: The eleventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, a three event will begin from Monday in Kochi. The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will formally inaugurate the event on 8th January. Over 2000 delegates from different parts of the world are expected to participate in the three day event.

The convention will see a series of seminars on subjects ranging from tourism, pure sciences, skill development, India's growth, greater opportunties, engaging young overseas Indians, investment opportunities in states, innovation and technology and India's growing soft power.

President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on Wednesday and give away the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.

I'm proud to be a Bihari, says Mauritius president:

Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag turned emotional and broke down a number of times while remembering his forefathers and grandfather Lakshman Paryag, who went to Mauritius, and his brother Chawwa, who stayed back here. Purryag said, "Their memory is embedded in my blood. My forefathers went to a distant place but kept Bihar and India alivein their hearts." He arrived here on Sunday along with his wife Aneetah Purryag.

Purryag said the relations between India and Mauritius is not that of two nations but that of two brothers.

3.18th National Level Meeting b/w Myanmar and India:

NOTE: The 18th National Level Meeting between Myanmar and India was held on 28 -29 December, 2012 in New Delhi.

The major area of Discussion was that of drug trade, arms smuggling and extremism/terrorism.

The Indian delegation was led by A.K Mangotra, Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. While the Myanmar delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Highlights of the discussion Held Between India and Myanmar:

i. Both sides discussed and agreed to cooperate closely on issues like insurgent Groups along the border, arms Smuggling & drug trafficking, border management issues, Myanmar Fishermen in A&N jails, illegal smuggling of wild life parts, inspection and verification of pillars etc.

ii. Both sides expressed satisfaction over opening of a third Border Liaison Office (BLO) between Changlang, India and Pangsau, Myanmar.

iii. Both the leaders emphasized on nurturing BLOs to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies of both the countries for peace and tranquility along the border. It was decided to open a fourth BLO in Nagaland sector between Ukhrul, Manipur, India and Somra, Myanmar.

 4.Nalco Commissioned its First Wind Power Project:

NOTE: National Aluminium Co Ltd commissioned its first wind power project at Gandikota in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

i. Nalco which is the Government-owned manufacturer and distributor of aluminum products had invested around 275 crore rupees for the 50-MW Suzlon-erected project.

 ii.Nalco signed a power purchase agreement with the State’s power transmission utility Transco and has begun inoculation of power to the State grid.

iii. Also, setting up of the second wind power is on the line which is supposed to be of 50 MW, and will be situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. The cost of this project is estimated to be around 190 crore rupees.

5.Swiss bank Wegelin to close after US tax evasion fine:

NOTE: Switzerland's oldest bank is to close permanently after pleading guilty in a New York court to helping Americans evade their taxes.

i. Wegelin, which was established in 1741, has also agreed to pay $57.8m (£36m; 44m euros) in fines to US authorities.

ii. It said that once this was completed, it "will cease to operate as a bank".

iii. The bank had admitted to allowing more than 100 American citizens to hide $1.2bn from the Internal Revenue Service for almost 10 years.

iv. Wegelin, based in the small Swiss town of St Gallen, started in business 35 years before the US declaration of independence.

v. It becomes the first foreign bank to plead guilty to tax evasion charges in the US.

6.Virat Kohli named CEAT International Cricketer of the Year:

CEAT awards is based upon Ceat Cricket Rating (CCR)..

NOTE: Vice-captain of Indian Cricket team Virat Kohli was named the International Cricketer of the Year while Pakistan cricket team bagged the top honours for the best team at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2011-12 in New Delhi.

i. Virat Kohli had deafeated Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke to bag the prestigious award.

ii. The Former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas was honoured with the lifetime award whileSaeed Anwar got the best audience choice awards.

iii. Unmukt Chand, the man who led the Indian side to win the U-19 World Cup 2012 was declared the Indian Youngster of the Year award.

7.Bowlers give India thrilling win by 10 runs in third ODI:

NOTE: India gave themselves a boost ahead of their series with England by winning a thrilling third and final one-day international against rivals Pakistan.

 Saeed Ajmal took 5-24 as Pakistan bowled out India for 167 in 43.4 overs and the visitors were well set before collapsing from 144-6 to 157 all out.

Pakistan still won the series 2-1 while the Twenty20 series ended level at 1-1.

8.Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands wins Brisbane Title:

NOTE: Indian Tennis player Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands lifted the WTA Brisbane International trophy with a win against Kveta Peschke and Anna-Lena Groenefeld, with 4-6 6-4 10-7 in the summit face-off of the 1000000 US dollar event.

i. The win is supposed to be Sania's first doubles title of the season and 15th of her career.

ii. Sania and Mattek earned 470 ranking points each and shared 51022 US Dollar as prize money.

9.Andy Murray wins Brisbane Title:

NOTE: Scotland's Andy Murray called on all his experience to defeat rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/0), 6-4 and retain his Brisbane International title on Sunday.

The 87-minute victory gave Murray his 25th ATP career title and was the perfect preparation for the Australian Open beginning in just over a week.

10.Janko wins Chennai Open:

NOTE: World number nine Janko Tipsarevic won the ATP Chennai Open with a masterful fightback to defeat young Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the final on Sunday.

Tipsarevic won the Chennai title for the first time after four unsuccessful attempts, including a loss to big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in last year's final.

11.Wozniacki wins Sydney International opener:

NOTE: Former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Poland's Urszula Radwanska on Sunday to open the Sydney International.

After starting the season with an upset first-round loss to qualifier Ksenia Pervak at the Brisbane International, the seventh-seeded Wozniacki needed just 26 minutes to win the first set in steamy conditions and with boyfriend and No. 1-ranked golfer Rory McIlroy watching at Sydney Olympic Park.

12.Richard Gasquet wins Qatar Open:

NOTE: Richard Gasquet beats Nicolay Davydenko to win Qatar Open with 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the final of the Qatar Open. The tournament win, in Doha, was the eighth of Gasquet's career.