Top Current Affairs 13 November 2020
Top Current Affairs 13 November 2020: This post contains the latest current affairs for 13 November 2020 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. You can also attempt our Current Affairs Quiz after reading our daily current affairs.
Banking & Economy
Moody’s projects India GDP for 2020 at -8.9%; 2021 forecast at 8.6%
- Rating Agency Moody has projected the GDP of India at -8.9% for the calendar year 2020. Earlier this was projected at -9.6%.
- Apart from this, India’s GDP growth for Calendar year 2021 is projected at 8.6% by Moody’s from 8.1% earlier.
Centre mandates e-invoicing system for firms with turnover of Rs 100 cr or more from January 2021
- The government has made it mandatory for companies with annual turnover of Rs 100 crore and above to go for e-invoicing for business to companies (B2C) transactions.
- This new rule will be applicable from 01 January 2021.
- Currently, e-invoicing is mandatory for companies with annual turnover of at least Rs 500 crore.
- Under the system, companies will have to raise e-invoices through a unique invoice reference portal and generate the IRN (invoice reference number).
- Otherwise the companies concerned will not be able to move goods for business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
HDFC Bank Launches SmartHub Merchant Solutions 3.0 for SMEs
- The private sector lender HDFC Bank has launched SmartHub Merchant Solutions 3.0, India’s first comprehensive banking and payment solution for merchants.
- The new solution will allow merchants and self-employed professionals to instantly open a current account and start accepting payments in-store, online, and on-the-go.
- SmartHub 3.0 will be available in app based, web based and a range of PoS devices.
Key features:
- Instant account opening and merchant setup
- Payment collection through any mode – Bharat QR code, Aadhaar Pay, UPI, SMS Pay, Credit or Debit Cards, or any app such as Payzapp, Google Pay
- Customise interface in nine languages
- Share product catalogue with customers via SMS, email or Whatsapp
- View and apply for loan and credit card offers
- Single dashboard view of payments and dues across locations
- Segment specific Value Added services like inventory management for grocery merchants, EMI for Electronic merchants, billing, inventory and reminders for pharmaceutical merchants, etc.
- Merchants can also create their own customer loyalty program on this solution. They can run their own ‘discounts and offers’ for their customers.
Paytm Launches Payout Links for businesses
- Indian Fintech major Paytm has launched Payout Links for businesses, enabling them to instantly process payouts to customers, employees and vendors without collecting their bank details.
- Paytm Payout Links initiative has been launched under Paytm Payout, using which businesses can quickly send incentives and refunds to customers through a simple payout link.
Working of Paytm Payout
- The Payout Link can be created and shared with employees, vendors, and customers in one go.
- The sender can create Paytm Payout Links and share it with the receiver.
- The receiver needs to open the link. A list of saved accounts is provided such as Paytm Wallet, Paytm UPI and connected bank accounts that can be chosen to receive money instantly.
- It enables the receiver to exercise greater control in choosing exactly which account to receive the funds in and to maintain the privacy of bank details.
National
Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘INS Vagir’ launched
- The Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Defense (Independent Charge) Shripad Naik launched the 5th Scorpene-class submarine ‘INS Vagir,’ in the Arabian sea waters at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai through video conferencing on 12 November 2020.
- Vagir is a part of the six Kalvari-class submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, and being built in India.
- They are being built as part of Indian Navy’s Project-75.
- In order to meet the requirements of the Indian Navy, the Defence public sector undertaking (PSU) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDSL) was assigned the task to build six Scorpene-class submarines, completely under ‘Make in India.’ initiative.
- INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, which was launched in 2015 and commissioned into service in late 2017.
- It was followed by INS Khanderi, Karanj and Vela respectively.
- These submarines can undertake missions like anti- surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches ‘Secha Samadhan’ app for farmers
- The Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik has launched a mobile app called ‘Secha Samadhan’ to link the farmers directly with the state Water Resources department.
- Using the app, the farmers can now upload video and pictures of their farm problems, especially irrigational needs, on mobile phone to seek help from the department without having to travel to the office.
- The mobile app will help resolve the issues faced by farmers immediately and provide services in a transparent manner. Besides, the Water Resources Department will be accountable to farmers.
- Apart from this, app will also help farmers to apply for community lift irrigation points under the Biju Krushak Bikas Yojana (BKBY) through phones, computers or nearby Jana Seva Kendras.
- The department has also developed Go Swift portal by which industries can apply for water.
- Besides, a website www.waterallocationod.nic.in has been developed for distribution of water to commercial establishments and other institutions.
Conference
Second World Health Expo Organised in Wuhan, China
- The second World Health Expo has been organised in Wuhan city of Central China’s Hubei Province from 11 to 14 November 2020.
- The 2020 Expo will focus on displaying the most cutting-edge science and technology in the global health industry, and will help Wuhan to develop as “city of global health industry”.
- The exhibition area in the Expo covers an area of 150,000 square meters. It has 12 special venues to showcase anti-epidemic materials, medical equipment, and Chinese medicine, relating to the entire industry chain of health.
- During the Expo, more than a hundred high-end forums including a summit forum, academician forum and the roundtable dialogue on epidemic prevention and normalized control, and the Global University Leaders Forum, will be organized.
Obituary
“Paatal Lok” Actor Asif Basra passes away at 53
- Bollywood actor Asif Basra, who was known for his role in the recent thriller series Paatal Lok, has passed away. He was 53.
- He was found hanging in a private guest house in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.
- Apart from this, Basra had appeared in a number of Bollywood films, including a movie on the 1993 Mumbai blasts Black Friday, the 2002 Gujarat riots Parzania and Kai Po Che.
- He had also starred in several plays in India and abroad, performing in English, Hindi and Urdu theatre productions.
Days
World Kindness Day: 13 November
- World Kindness Day is held globally on 13 November to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us.
- The theme for 2020 World Kindness day is Kindness: The World We Make – Inspire Kindness.
- World Kindness Day was first celebrated in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement.
