Current Affairs Quiz 4th and March 2024 Quiz

Exp. Amit Shah inaugurates National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has launched the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC), the Umbrella organization for the Urban Cooperative Banks in New Delhi.

NUCFDC has received a Certificate of Registration from the RBI to operate as a Non-Banking Finance Company and serve as the umbrella organisation for the urban cooperative banking sector.

The main objective of NUCFDC should be to help urban cooperative banks adhere to the Banking Regulations Act and bring professionalism in their work.

There are more than 1,500 UCBs with 11,000 branches, having a deposit of ₹5 lakh crore and credit base of ₹3.50 lakh crore across the country.

Amit Shah in News

• Amit Shah Inaugurates New Cooperative Office for Strengthening Societies and Rural Economy in New Delhi
• Amit Shah chairs ‘National PACS Mega Conclave’ in New Delhi
• Amit Shah inaugurates 58th DGsP/IGsP conference 2023 in Jaipur
• Amit Shah launched logo, website and brochure of National Cooperative for Exports Limited (NCEL)
• Amit Shah inaugurated India’s first nano DAP plant in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Exp. L&T commissions India’s first indigenously built green hydrogen electrolyser in Gujarat

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has commissioned its first indigenously-manufactured electrolyser at the Green Hydrogen Plant at A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat.

This step marks L&T Electrolysers Limited’s entrance into the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, aligning with the company’s focus on enhancing sustainable energy solutions.

The electrolyser, with a rated power capacity of 1 MW, expandable to 2 MW, is capable of producing 200 Nm3/Hr of hydrogen. It features two stacks and an Electrolyser Processing Unit (EPU) ML-400, both developed and assembled in India, conforming to international standards.

Exp. Sarbananda Sonowal dedicates first-ever Made-in-India ASTDS tug

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named ‘Ocean Grace’ and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU).

The Ocean Grace is the first make in India ASTDS Tug developed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW.

The ‘Ocean Grace’ built at a cost of Rs. 45 crores, stands as a pinnacle of maritime engineering, equipped with cutting-edge technology and boasting a remarkable bollard pull of 60 tonnes.

The goal of the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) is to convert at least 50% of all tugs into Green Tugs by 2030 and to have Green Tugs operating at all major ports.

Sarbananda Sonowal in News

• Sarbananda Sonowal launches ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines to boost efficiency, competitiveness
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport terminal in Bihar
• Sarbananda Sonowal laid foundation stone of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy at Guwahati
• Sarbananda Sonowal launches Port Health Organization under Sagar Setu
• Sarbananda Sonowal launches 3rd edition of Global India Maritime Summit

Exp. Telangana govt to launch Indiramma housing scheme

The Telangana government will launch the Indiramma housing scheme in the state on March 11.

Under the scheme, the Congress government will provide Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to construct houses for those who already own a housing plot.

A piece of land and Rs 5 lakh will be given as a housing scheme to benefit those who do not have the plot.

The first phase will witness the approval of 3,500 houses in each Assembly constituency, catering to a significant number of beneficiaries.

Recent Schemes launched by state governments

• CM’s Health Insurance Scheme (Nagaland) – To ensures financial security and protection
• Savera programme (Haryana) – For early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
• Van Mitra (Haryana) – To encourage community participation in tree planting activities in non-forest areas.
• Swayam Scheme (Odisha) – To provide interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh to youth of the state
• CM Vayoshree Yojana (Maharashtra) – For senior citizens who suffer from some physical or mental disability

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan
• Speaker of Telangana Assembly – Gaddam Prasad Kumar

Exp. FIU imposes 5.49 crore fine on Paytm Payments Bank

Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) has hit Paytm Payments Bank Ltd with a hefty penalty of Rs 5,49,00,000 for alleged violations of anti-money laundering rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The penalty pertains to issues within a business segment that was discontinued two years ago.

The bank was accused of violating rules outlined in the PMLA and its associated regulations, as well as guidelines issued by the Director FIU-IND.

The investigation was prompted by specific information provided by law enforcement agencies regarding certain entities believed to be involved in illicit activities, including online gambling.

Exp. Flipkart unveils its UPI handle to boost India’s digital evolution

Flipkart has launched its UPI (Unified Payments Interface) handle to enhance digital payment offerings to all users, including the e-commerce major’s over 500 million customers, and boost India’s digital evolution.

Powered by Axis Bank, Flipkart UPI will initially be available for Android users.

Customers can register for UPI with @fkaxis handle and can-do fund transfers and checkout payments using the Flipkart app.

Exp. Anurag Agarwal appointed head of Parliament security

IPS officer Anurag Agarwal has been appointed as the head of Parliament security.

Agarwal is the 1998-batch officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Currently an inspector general in CRPF has been appointed as joint secretary (security) for three years.

His appointment order was issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

The post of JS (Security) is traditionally held by an IPS officer.

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• DG of National Security Guard (NSG) – Daljit Singh Chaudhary (additional charge)
• Vice Chief of the Army Staff – LG Upendra Dwivedi (replace LG MV Suchindra Kumar)
• DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) – Daljit Singh Chaudhary
• Chief Staff Officer at Eastern Naval Command HQ – Shantanu Jha
• Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO) – AN Pramod

Exp. RBI approves ex-Sebi director as TMB’s part time chairman

The Reserve Bank has appointed Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd (TMB) independent director S. Ravindran as part-time chairman of the bank.

RBI approved his appointment with effect from February 29, 2024 till August 2, 2026.

Currently, Mr. Ravindran is an independent director on the boards of NSE, LTIDPL Invit Services, Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC.

Prior to assuming charge as part-time chairman of the bank, he has to step down from the directorships in Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC.

Ravindran, 61, has an extensive work experience of 29 years at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). He was its executive director from August 2011 to May 2022.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• MD & CEO of Jana Small Finance Bank – Ajay Kanwal
• Chairperson & Independent Director of PayU – Renu Sud Karnad
• MD & CEO of SBM Bank India – Ashish Vijayakar (for 3 years)
• Non official Director of Bank of India (BOI) – M R Kumar (3 years)
• Non-executive Chairman of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) – Srinivasan Sridhar (3 years)

Exp. Shehbaz Sharif elected as PM of Pakistan

Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif has been elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

He secured 201 votes while Omer Ayub Khan, the Imran Khan-backed PTI candidate managed to get 92 votes.

The recently concluded general elections have been marred by allegations of mass vote rigging. Imran Khan’s PTI has alleged that several candidates of PML-N and PPP were declared winners despite other candidates securing the most votes.

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• President of Indonesia – Prabowo Subianto

• President of Finland – Alexander Stubb
• Prime Minister of Kazakhstan – Olzhas Bektenov
• Prime Minister of Yemen – Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak
• President of El Salvador – Nayib Bukele (2^nd time)
• Sultan of Malaysia – Ibrahim Iskandar (17th)

Exp. Smriti Irani launched Haj Suvidha mobile App

Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani has released Haj Guide 2024 and launched Haj Suvidha Mobile Application in New Delhi.

Last year, more than four thousand women successfully went for Haj under Lady without Mehram (LWM) category.

This year, over 5000 women have applied under LWM category for Haj.

The central government is continuously striving to improve the Haj experience for the Indian Haj pilgrims.

Haj Suvidha Mobile App will aid the pilgrims in providing their location to officials in case of any need. App will also help pilgrims to locate the nearest health facilities in times of need.

Exp. REC Limited joins hands with UNISED to support Education of Children

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading Non-Banking Finance Company, has partnered with the Unit of Science and Educational Development (UNISED) to support the education of around 75,500 children of Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.

REC has entered into this partnership through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm REC Foundation.

REC has committed a financial assistance of Rs. 9.91 crores towards this noble cause.

UNISED, with its nationwide presence, has stated that it is dedicated to revolutionizing education through innovative learning systems. As part of this collaboration, UNISED will implement solar energy-operated smart classes and establish joyful learning resource labs in government schools across Siddharthnagar district.

Recently, REC Foundation, has demonstrated unwavering support for the education of 12,500 children of ex-servicemen, making a contribution of Rs. 15 Crores to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

Exp. Pradeep Mahajan receives Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024

Dr. Pradeep Mahajan has been awarded the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024 for his contribution in the field of regenerative medicine.

Mahajan is the Founder and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre along with StemRx Bioscience Solutions.

This accolade is a testament to his pioneering efforts and substantial impact in advancing regenerative medicine, offering new hope and innovative treatments to patients worldwide.

Under Dr. Mahajan’s leadership, StemRx Hospital and Research Centre has emerged as a leading institution in the field of regenerative medicine.

Recent Awards

• Honorary Knighthood from King Charles III – Sunil Bharti Mittal
• France’s highest civilian honour ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur’ – Shashi Tharoor
• Innovative Technology Development Award – REC Ltd
• 58th Jnanpith Award 2023 – Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
• Best Technology Bank of the Year award by IBA – South Indian Bank (6 categories)

Exp. 4 March – National Safety Day

National Safety Day in India is observed every year on 4 March to spread awareness and commitment to working safely.

The National Safety Council established the holiday to raise public awareness of all safety regulations, including those about the environment, workplace safety, traffic safety, and human health safety.

Theme 2024 – Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence.

The National Safety Council (NSC) of India was established on 4 March 1966. This initiated the observance of National Safety Day in 1972, and since then, it has been celebrated every year to raise awareness about occupational safety and health.

Exp. 4 March – World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day is observed on March 4 every year.

Obesity Day tries to raise awareness about this medical condition.

Theme 2024 – Let’s Talk About Obesity And…”

According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, overweight affect around 37 million children under 5 globally, and over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5 -19 years were overweight, including 160 million who were living with obesity – 75% of who live in low- and middle-income countries.

World Obesity Day also encourages solutions that can help maintain a healthy weight and reverse the obesity crisis with practical measures.