1) Credit Information Companies (CICs): RBI has directed CICs to introduce a compensation framework for delay in updating or rectification of credit information of borrower.
- A CIC shall pay compensation to the complainant if the complaint could not be resolved within 30 days.
- CICs maintain credit information of borrowers which can be accessed by banks and other lenders.
- They collect information from banks, credit card companies and non-bank financial institutions.
- Lending institutions refer to CICs credit report to decide borrowers’ creditworthiness.
- CICs are licensed by RBI.
2) Reference Fuels: Indian Oil Corporation Limited launched India’s first gasoline and diesel Reference Fuel (RF).
- Currently, reference fuels are being imported by India.
- RFs are premium high-value products, used for calibration and testing of vehicles by Auto Original Equipment Manufacturers and organizations involved in testing and certification in automotive field.
- Specification requirements of RF are more stringent than commercial gasoline and diesel.
- Indigenous RF meets Automotive Industry Standard specifications and is available at better price with reduced lead time.
3) National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): Under ‘Ayurveda for One Health’ campaign, farmers are being sensitized about special techniques used in cultivation of medicinal plants through NMPB.
- ‘One Health’ is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and the environment.
- NMPB, setup in 2000 to promote medicinal plants sector, is working as a section of Ministry of AYUSH.
- It is mandated to develop an appropriate mechanism for coordination between various ministries and implement policies for the overall growth of the medicinal plants sector.
4) Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR): It is carved out of Tamil Nadu portion of the Anamalais and lies on South of the Palakkad gap in the Western Ghats.
- It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park on the South Western side.
- The Kariyan shola, Grass hills and Manjampatti of ATR are part of UNESCO world heritage site Western Ghats.
- It supports 6 indigenous people viz. Malasar, Malai Malasars, Kadars, Eravallars, Pulayars and Muduvars.
- Flora: Balsam, Orchids and Kurinchi.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur etc.
Places in News:
1) Qatar (Capital: Doha):
- A court in Qatar sentenced eight former personnels of the Indian Navy to death.
- Political Boundaries:
- It is a country in West Asia.
- It shares its sole land border with Saudi Arabia with rest of territory being surrounded by Persian Gulf.
- Geographical Features:
- Situated on the west coast of the Persian Gulf and on Qatar peninsula.
- It has one of the world’s largest reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
- Sand dunes and salt flats, or sabkhahs, are the chief topographical features.
- No permanent bodies of fresh water.
- Highest point: Abū al-Bawl Hill.