Current Affairs Quiz 12th April 2023 Quiz

Exp. National Food Conclave to organize in Hyderabad

The Telangana government will host a Food Conclave-2023 on April 28 and 29.

The annual brainstorming event is expected to host 100 thought leaders from the agri-food industry.

The objective of the Food Conclave is to identify the main challenges and opportunities for the development of the Indian agri-food sector in the current decade.

The event will consist of five thematic tracks covering various aspects of the agri-food sector. The main focus areas will be agriculture (green), edible oils (yellow), dairy (white), meat and poultry (pink), and aquaculture (blue).

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

Exp. Central Bureau of Narcotics launches Unified Portal

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra has launched the unified portal of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN).

The portal has been launched towards strengthening the vision of Digital India during the period of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

The unified portal is designed to create efficiency, transparency and accountability among the users of the department to promote the growth of drugs and pharma sector, boost economy for “Atma Nirbhar Bharat”, and meet the needs of pharma and chemical industries.

The portal has been calibrated to have database integration and ingestion with other government services including Bharat Kosh, GST, PAN- NSDL validation, e-Sanchit, and UIDAI facilitating single point services for obtaining the licenses from CBN.

Exp. Ministry of Electronics & IT organized 35th CISO Deep Dive Training Program

National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under its Capacity Building scheme of MeitY, has organized the 35th Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) Deep-Dive training programme with 22 participants from Central Ministries and States/UTs at the School of Planning & Architecture, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

It is an initiative of MeitY was conceptualized with the mission to spread awareness about cyber-crime and build capacities of CISOs and frontline IT officials, across all government departments, for ensuring adequate safety measures to combat the growing menace – Organisations need to defend their digital infrastructure and become future-ready in tackling cyber-attacks.

The 5-day intensive training programme is designed for CISOs from subordinate agencies/PSUs, including public sector banks and insurance companies, technical wings of police and security forces, CTOs and members of technical/PMU teams.

Exp. Government organizes National Apprenticeship Mela in Udhampur under Skill India Mission

Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) was organized under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ITI College, Udhampur.

Several local business organizations joined the apprenticeship mela to provide jobs to local youth with relevant opportunities to shape their careers through apprenticeship training.

It has organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) under the Skill India Mission to promote career opportunities for the youth of India.

The government aims to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of skilled workforce in the country and provide better career prospects for the youth of India.

Exp. State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22 released

Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 report.

The SEEI was released during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of states and state utility companies in New Delhi.

In SEEI 2021-22, 5 states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana – are in the Front Runner category (>60 points)

While 4 states – Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab – are in the Achiever category (50-60 points).

Further, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top-performing states in their respective state groups. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showed the most improvement since the last index.

Objective of SEEI – To help states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices and adopt an economy-friendly approach to energy efficiency implementation.

Exp. EAM S Jaishankar launches ‘Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project’ in Uganda

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar launched the ‘Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project’ of Varanasi, during his visit to Uganda’s Kampala.

Earlier he met Uganda’s President Yoweri K Museveni at his farm in Rwakitura and congratulated the country on assuming the chairship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Uganda was endorsed to chair the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of Africa for the period from 2022 to 2025.

The NAM chair position rotates every 3 years during summit conferences.

About Uganda

• Capital – Kampala
• Currency – Ugandan shilling
• President – Yoweri Museveni

Exp. MP’s Gond Painting of Acquires GI Tag

The famed Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

A geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign used on products which have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

It is used for industrial products, foodstuff, agricultural products, spirit drinks, and handicrafts. GI Tag ensures that no one other than the registered authorised user is allowed to use the name of the popular product.

Recent GI Tag

• Nagri Dubraj Rice – Chhattisgarh
• Morena and Rewa Mango – Madhya Pradesh
• Kangra Tea – Himachal Pradesh
• Tandoor Red Gram – Telangana
• Raktsey Karpo Apricot – Ladakh
• Gamocha – Assam

Exp. Best utilization of MPLADS funds in Gujarat in FY23

In FY23, Gujarat had the highest utilization-to-released fund ratio of MPLADS funds.

While ₹66 crore was allocated to the state, it had utilized ₹95.77 crore, 145.11 percent. This is according to the data that the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation presented in the parliament.

The other major states with the highest utilisation-to-released fund ratio include Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

After a hiatus, FY23 was a financial year that saw the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) implemented in the full wing. The scheme was paused during the beginning of the pandemic and was resumed only in November 2021.

MPLADS is a central government scheme under which MPs can recommend development programmes of expenditure of ₹5 crore every year in their constituencies.

At the same time, States like Telangana and Uttarakhand have spent just 52.8 percent and 63.6 percent of the total funds that they received in FY23.

Who gets more money?

Data shows that funds received from the Centre by each State are proportional to the number of MPs that the State elects.

For instance, Uttar Pradesh received ₹427.5 crore. The State has 80 Lok Sabha MPs. The State has utilised 99 per cent of the funds that it received in FY23, as of March 27, 2023.

Uttar Pradesh is followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. These States received ₹341.34 crore, ₹219.95 crore, and ₹182.17 crore respectively.

Exp. Cipla signs agreement with Novartis Pharma AG

Drugmaker Cipla has signed a perpetual license agreement with Switzerland-based Novartis Pharma AG to manufacture and market Galvus and Galvus combination brands which are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Cipla will manufacture and market Novartis Pharma AG’s Galvus and Galvus combination brands from January 1, 2026.

In the oral diabetic medication category, Galvus is one of the leading brands in the Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP4) space. The medicine is expected to contribute significantly to Cipla’s portfolio in the diabetes care continuum space with the drug’s reported sale of ₹268 cr, as per IQVIA MAT February 2023.

Exp. PM Modi flags off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train via video conferencing.

This is the sixth Vande Bharat Express in the last two months.

The inaugural train will run between Jaipur and Delhi Cantt Railway Station. Regular train service will start between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt with stops at Jaipur, Alwar and Gurgaon.

New Vande Bharat Express will cover the distance between Delhi Cantt and Ajmer in 5 hrs 15 mins. The fastest train on the same route, Shatabdi Express takes 6 hrs 15 mins from Delhi Cantt to Ajmer.

In the Union Budget for 2022-2023 the government has proposed the development and manufacture of 400 new Vande Bharat trains in the next three years.

Vande Bharat Express Train

• 1st Vande Bharat – Delhi to Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
• 2nd Vande Bharat – Delhi to Katra (Jammu Kashmir)
• 3rd Vande Bharat – Gandhinagar (Gujarat) to Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• 4th Vande Bharat – Una (Himachal Pradesh) to New Delhi
• 5th Vande Bharat – Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to Mysore (Karnataka)
• 6th Vande Bharat – Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) to Nagpur (Maharashtra)
• 7th Vande Bharat – Hawrah (West Bengal) to New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)
• 8th Vande Bharat – Secunderabad (Telangana) to Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
• 9th Vande Bharat -Mumbai (Maharastra) to Solapur (Maharashtra)
• 10th Vande Bharat -Mumbai (Maharashtra) to Sainagar Shirdi (Maharashtra)
• 11th Vande Bharat – Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) to New Delhi
• 12th Vande Bharat – Secunderabad (Telangana) to Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
• 13th Vande Bharat – Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
• 14th Vande Bharat – Delhi to Jaipur (Rajasthan)

Exp. UP’s Suhelwa sanctuary records first photographic proof of tigers

Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh is a new area where photographic evidence of tigers has been recorded for the first time, according to the latest report on tiger census in the country, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This time, Suhelwa and Sohagi Barwa wildlife sanctuaries were added to tiger-detected grids.

The sanctuary, located in the Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1988.

According to the report, both the wildlife sanctuaries need prey and habitat restoration along with major investment in protection for securing the tiger population in new areas.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. IMF cuts GDP growth forecast to 5.9%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.9% for 2023-24 and 6.3% for 2024-25, a fallout of the heightened global economic uncertainty.

This is the lowest growth estimate among the multilateral agencies and the first below 6% projection.

The World Bank has estimated GDP growth for the current fiscal year at 6.3% and the Asian Development Bank at 6.4%.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had in its latest monetary policy statement raised its GDP growth forecast marginally to 6.5% from 6.4% earlier.

India’s growth has remained robust in the face of global uncertainty and the impact of the war in Ukraine, but it is expected to face some headwinds due to the stubborn inflationary pressures.

Updated GDP List

• World Bank – 6.3% (FY24)
• S&P – 7% (FY24), 6.3% (FY25)
• IMF – 5.9% (FY24), 6.8% (FY25)
• ADB – 6.4% (FY24), 6.7% (FY25)
• RBI – 6.8% (FY23)
• OECD – 6.6% (FY23), 5.7% (FY24)
• CRISIL – 6% (FY24)
• NSO – 7%
• Morgan Stanley – 7.2% (FY23), 6.4%(FY24)
• Nomura – 7.2% (FY23)
• UNTCAD – 5.7% (FY23)
• Goldman Sachs – 5.9% (FY23)

Exp. IndusInd Bank signs agreement with Citibank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Citi Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have joined hands to provide a co-financing loan to IndusInd Bank Limited, a private commercial bank.

This includes a $30 million loan by Citi and a ¥13 billion loan by JICA.

This high-impact social finance offering that Citi arranged for IndusInd Bank is expected to improve financial access for farmers and catalyae capital investment in the agricultural sector in India.

This social financing to IndusInd Bank will be used by farmers to purchase farm equipment, crops, seeds, and fertilizers, as well as by small agricultural supply chain service providers.

This project will support the efforts of IndusInd Bank in strengthening its lending to the agricultural sector by leveraging its presence in rural areas. In this new collaborative agreement, Citi acted as the co-financing lender, arranger, coordinator, and facility agent.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• India Post Payments Bank in collaboration with Airtel launched WhatsApp Banking Services
• IDFC First Bank joined hands with Crunchfish to facilitate offline payments
• Axis Bank partnered with ITC to offer rural lending products
• YES Bank, Aadhar Housing Finance enter into co-lending partnership
• Ujivan Small Finance Bank partnered with Max Life Insurance to offer life insurance offerings to customers.
• Saraswat Bank partnered with Tagit to deploy omnichannel banking

Exp. D Gukesh wins title in World Chess Armageddon Asia and Oceania event

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has emerged winner of the World Chess Armageddon Asia and Oceania tournament after defeating former World Rapid Champion Nodirbek Abdusatarov of Uzbekistan in the final.

The 16-year-old Indian won in a field that included former world classical champion Vladimir Kramnik, Daniil Dubov, Yangyi Yu (China), Vidit Gujrathi and Karthikeyan Murali (both India) and Param Maghsoodloo (Iran), apart from Abdusattorov.

Both Gukesh and Abdusatrov have qualified for the Grand Finale of Armageddon, which is scheduled for September.

Exp. 11 April – World Parkinson’s Day

World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually on 12 April to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. James Parikinson.

Objective – To raise awareness of this chronic, progressive disease that affects over 10 million people worldwide.

He is the first physician to recognize Parikinson’s as a medical condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that progresses over time and affects the body’s movement. It manifests as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination and balance.