1. Zero Discrimination day observed on 1st March

• March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day, an annual worldwide event that promotes diversity and recognizes that everyone counts.
• The symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is the butterfly, widely used by people to share their stories and photos as a way to end discrimination and work towards positive transformation.
• Organizations like the United Nations (UN) actively promote the day with various activities to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality.

2. Cabinet approves ₹1,450 crore for share capital of RBI in NHB

• The Union Cabinet approved Rs1,450 crore for the share capital of Reserve Bank of India in the National Housing Bank.
• Subsequent to the payment of this amount to RBl, the subscribed capital of NHB shall stand transferred to and vested in the central government.
• The Finance Bill 2018 amended the National Housing Bank Act, 1987 to transfer RBI’s stake in the NHB to the government.

3. One gold, five silver medals for India at Makran Cup : Boxing

• National champion Deepak Singh was the lone Indian boxer to notch up a gold while five others claimed silver medals in the Makran Cup in Chabahar, Iran.
• Deepak (49-kilogram) defeated Jaafar Naseri in the finals. Earlier, Rohit Tokas (64kg) and Manjeet Singh Panghal (75kg) lost in the semifinals to sign off with bronze medals.
• Manish, also a national champion, lost to Danial Shah Baksh, while Satish was beaten by Mohammad Mlias.

4. IRCTC launches ‘IRCTC iPay’, its own payment gateway

• Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which handles catering, tourism and online ticketing operations for the Indian Railways, has launched its own payment aggregator called ‘IRCTC iPay’.
• With the launch of IRCTC iPay, passengers will not need any third-party platforms as all payment options like credit card, debit dard, UPI – Unified Payment Interface, International Card are integrated into the platform.
• The option of IRCTC Prepaid Card cum wallet, Auto Debit shall also be available shortly.

5. Former finance secretary Jha joins 15th Finance Commission as member

• Former finance secretary Ajay Narayan Jha joined the 15th Finance Commission as a member, pursuant to the resignation of Shaktikanta Das.
• Jha, a 1982 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre, superannuated as a finance secretary to the Government of India on February 28.
• He joins in place of Shaktikanta Das who had resigned as a member of the Commission after being appointed as governor.

6. IFFCO Tokio launches India’s first policy to protect bank locker

• IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Companyannounced the launch of Bank Locker Protector Policy, which is the first policy in the industry to protect the contents of a bank locker such as jewellery and other valuables.
• The policy offers a cover against various risks including fire, earthquake, burglary, holdup, infidelity by a bank staff or any act of terrorism.
• The Bank Locker Protector policy bridges the gap offering protection to valuables stored in a bank locker.

7. AIIB to provide USD 455 mn for Andhra rural roads project

• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will provide a loan of USD 455 million to finance the Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project, which will connect about 3,300 habitations with a population of more than 250, and benefit around two million people.
• The project is likely to improve the life of a common man living in the remote and isolated areas in the state of Andhra Pradesh
• An agreement in this regard was signed between the AIIB and the government.

8. India, Brunei Sign Agreement to Exchange Information on Tax And Banking Matters

• India and Brunei signed an agreement for the exchange of information in tax matters which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.
• The pact, based on international standards of tax transparency, will enable the exchange of information, including banking and ownership information between the two countries for tax purposes.
• Notably, Brunei and India share a fair degree of commonality in their perceptions on major international issues.