Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 13, 2024

Answer: C

Current Context : The Union government has released guidelines for the implementation of a ‘model solar village’ under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

• Aimed at promoting solar energy adoption and enabling village communities to become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs.

ABOUT MODEL SOLAR VILLAGE

• Objective : to facilitate access to clean and green energy in rural areas through rooftop solar systems and to reduce dependency on utilities.
• The program will also promote solar-based home lighting, water systems, agricultural pumps, and streetlights.
• Eligibility : a village must be a revenue village with a population of over 5,000. Special category states have a threshold of 2,000.
• Implementation Agency : State renewable energy development agency

ABOUT PM SURYA GHAR: MUFT BIJLI YOJANA

• Launched on February 29 2024, with an outlay of Rs. 75,021 crore,
• Aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units every month to the one crore households of the country who opt to install roof top solar electricity unit.
• The scheme provides for a subsidy of 60% of the solar unit cost for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40 percent of additional system cost for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity.
• The subsidy has been capped at 3 kW capacity.
• Implement Agency : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Answer: C

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved a “clean plant programme”, an integrated horticulture development project .

• Aim : to tackling diseases caused by viruses in fruit and vegetable crops,along with nine state-of-the-art centres that will facilitate the scheme.

ABOUT CLEAN PLANT PROGRAM

• It is designed to address critical issues in horticulture by providing access to high-quality, virus-free planting material.
• The programme is poised to deliver numerous benefits across various stakeholders, from farmers to consumers, and bolster India’s position in the global fruit market.

Answer: A

Current Context : Central government  extended the PM JI – VAN programme that promotes production of ethanol from biomass by another five years.

About Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana

• Aim : to provide financial support to Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.
• Focus: Biomass-to-ethanol production
• Goals: Promote renewable energy, manage agricultural waste, and enhance energy security.
• Implementation Agency : Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG).

Answer: B

Current Context : Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh released a book 75 Great Revolutionaries of India.

• The book written by Bhim Singh , a BJP MP from Bihar, is titled “Bharat ke 75 mahan krantikari” (75 great revolutionaries of India).
• The book consists tells stories of 75 revolutionaries

Answer: A

Current Context : Finance Secretary T V Somanathan is appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary by the government for a tenure of two years.

• He will succeed Rajiv Gauba, who completes his unprecedented five-year term .
• Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Mr Somanathan’s appointment as the Cabinet Secretary with a tenure of two years from August 30,

ABOUT CABINET SECRETARY :

• The Cabinet Secretary is a high-ranking official in the Indian government who plays a crucial role in the administration and coordination of various government functions.
• Responsibility : is responsible for ensuring effective coordination between different ministries and departments of the government.
• Appointed by the Prime Minister, usually from among the senior-most IAS officers.
• Tenure : Two years, but it can be extended.

Answer: D

Current Context : Japan issues its first-ever ‘megaquake advisory of strong shaking and large tsunaml on the Nankai Trough.

• After a1-magnitude earthquake shook southern Japan on Thursday (August 8), the country’s meteorological agency issued its first-ever “megaquake advisory”.

ABOUT NANKAI TROUGH :

• It is an underwater subduction zone (nearly 900 km long) where the Eurasian Plate collides with the Philippine Sea Plate, pushing the latter under the former and into the Earth’s mantle.
• This accumulates tectonic stress which can cause a megaquake — an earthquake with a magnitude larger than 8.
• It is located off the southeastern coast of Japan, in the western Pacific Ocean.
• It extends from the Izu-Bonin Arc in the south to the Tokai region in the north, running parallel to Japan’s southern coast.
• This region is crucial in the study of tectonics, earthquakes, and tsunami generation.
• The trough has produced large earthquakes roughly every 100 to 150 years.

Answer: C

Current Context : Actor Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with the Pardo Alla Carriera award at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland.

ABOUT AWARD

• The Pardo Alla Carriera Award is presented to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the world of cinema.
• The award celebrates the lifetime achievements of filmmakers, actors, or other cinema professionals.
• It is usually given during the Locarno Film Festival, which is held annually in Locarno, Switzerland.

Answer: B

Current Context : Anant Darshan Shankar, Chairman of the Indian Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, has been conferred the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection 2024.

• The award was given by the Rotary Club of Madras East, in partnership with the Cavinkare Private Limited.

ABOUT AWARD

• It is given to honor individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to environmental conservation and protection.
• This award is named after M.S. Swaminathan, a renowned Indian agricultural scientist and environmentalist.
• It recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of environmental protection, including efforts to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, promote sustainable agriculture, and address other critical environmental challenges.

Answer : A

Current Context : Haryana Cabinet approved an amendment in the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 by issuance of the Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024.

• It gives proportionate reservation to the persons belonging to Backward Classes ’B’ in the Panchayati Raj Institutions as per the recommendations of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission.
• This will enable reservation of seats for members of BC (B) for the elected posts of Panch, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti Members and Zila Parishad Members.

Answer: D

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh will soon get its first government-operated ropeway access to pilgrims to Baglamukhi Temple in Mandi district.

• Aim to facilitate the influx of devotees and tourists.
• It will give a boost to religious tourism and provide easier access.
• Constructed by an Austrian company.
• Distance Covered 750 m.
• It connects a point on the Chandigarh-Manali highway to the revered Baglamukhi temple located just 1 km ahead of the Pandoh Dam.
• Carrying capacity of 16 people per cabin.
• Travel time : 3 minutes

ABOUT BAGLAMUKHI TEMPLE

• Baglamukhi Temple is a notable Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Baglamukhi, who is one of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of ten Tantric goddesses in Hinduism.
• The goddess Baglamukhi is associated with knowledge, learning, and the ability to control or halt speech and actions.