1. RBI permits
Banks to act as Insurance brokers
i. Reserve Bank of India today has allowed banks
to act as brokers for insurers, set up their own subsidiaries and also
undertake referral services for multiple companies.
ii. In the guidelines for entry of banks into
insurance business, RBI said that the banks may undertake insurance agency or
broking business departmentally and or through subsidiary.
iii. They can also act as corporate
agents without seeking prior approval from the RBI. However, they will have to
comply with IRDA guidelines.
Note: There are 52 insurance companies operating
in India; of which 24 are in the life insurance business and 28 are in general
insurance business. In addition, GIC is the sole national reinsurer.
2. Baba Ramdev appointed as brand ambassador of Haryana
i. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has been appointed as the brand ambassador Haryana
State Government
ii. The
appointment was a part of government of Haryana’s ambitious plans to promote
yoga and ayurveda in Haryana state.
3. Subhash Chandra Agrawal conferred with Giraffe Hero
award 2015
i. Renowned
Indian RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal conferred with the Giraffe Hero
award 2015 by a US-based NGO The Giraffe Heroes Project.
ii. Agrawal
was awarded for his bravery in utilising the Right to Information (RTI) Act,
2005 for public good despite innumerable challenges.
About
the Giraffe Hero award
The Giraffe Heroes
Project is a non-profit group which honours the risk-takers, people who are
largely unknown, people who have the courage to take risks for the common
people in the US and around the world.
4. Kiran Bedi &
Shazia Ilmi joins BJP
i. Former IPS
officer Kiran Bedi today joined BJP and will contest Delhi Assembly polls.
ii. The 65-year
old former IPS officer was inducted into the party in the presence of BJP
President Amit Shah and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Harsh Vardhan,
triggering speculation that she may be in the race for Chief Ministership if
BJP wins the polls.
iii. Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Friday joined the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
5. Censor board
chairperson Leela Samson resigns
i. Leela Samson today resigned as Chairperson of Central
Board of Film Certification, (CBFC).
ii. According to the sources she has resigned due to controversial
film “Messenger of God” featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram
Rahim Singh in lead role has been cleared by Film Certification Appellate
Tribunal (FCAT).
6. Ghelubhai
Naik passed away
i. Legendary social activist and freedom fighter Ghelubhai
Naik passed away following a brief illness in Dang District, Gujarat. He was 90.