Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasised the importance of expanding the central bank's current computing infrastructure and supporting it with state-of-the-art tools for research and capacity building in developing fields. The governer acknowledged the crucial role played by technology in supporting the activities of the financial sector and RBI over the years as well as more recently in facilitating a robust recovery from the pandemic in his remarks following the laying of the cornerstone for a greenfield data centre and enterprise computing & cybersecurity training institute in Bhubaneswar. According to a statement made in an official statement, "He highlighted the need for enhancing the current computing infrastructure of the RBI supported by advanced facilities for research and capacity building in emerging areas straddling central banking, technology, and cybersecurity for a future-ready RBI." When completed, the 18.55 acre new data centre and training facility will be able to meet the Reserve Bank's and the financial industry's expanding needs. The chief secretary to Government of Odisha and other senior officials were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, with another latest updates, the RBI on March 21 directed banks to keep their branches open till working hours of March 31, 2023. With the financial year 2022-23 ending, the annual closing of accounts is scheduled for March 31. In a note to all agency banks, the RBI said that all government transactions done by agency banks for 2022-23 must be accounted for within the same FY. Accordingly, all agency banks should keep their designated branches open for over the counter transactions related to government transactions upto the normal working hours on March 31, 2023. RBI hints at further interest rate hike in Fixed Deposits Global economy slowdown would not affect India: RBI THESE countries now accept trade payments in Indian Rupee