Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 19, 2022

ANSWER: A

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated spectrum to telecom operators, paving the way for launch of 5G services.
• Airtel paid 8312.4 crore rupees towards spectrum dues and was provided the allocation letter for the designated frequency bands within hours.
• E band allocation was given along with spectrum.
• With the assignment of frequencies, telecom operators can start the work for rolling out 5G networks.
• Telecos have already placed orders for buying telecom equipment and now will start distributing radios to the identified sites for 5G.
• The government as well as telecom operators are rushing to launch 5G services at the earliest, probably by next month.
• The Centre netted 150,173 crore rupees from the sale of 51,236 MHz in the seven-day auction.
• In all, it had put 72,098 MHz of airwaves on sale. Market leader Jio was the largest bidder in the 5g airwave auctions that ended on August 1, spending 88,078 crore rupees, while Airtel and Vodafone Idea brought airwaves worth 43,084 crore and 18,799 crore rupees, respectively.
• First time bidder Adani Data Networks had won airwaves for 212 crore rupees.

About 5G Technology:

• 5G is the 5^thgeneration mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.
• It enables a new kind of network that isdesigned to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices.
• Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G has been tested to be as high as 20 Gbps (gigabits per second),while, in most cases, the maximum internet data speed in 4G has been recorded at 1 Gbps.

Different Bands of 5G:

• 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high frequency spectrum — all of which have their own uses as well as limitations.

1. Low Band Spectrum:

• In terms of coverage and speed of Internet and data exchange, the maximum speed is limited to 100 Mbps (Megabits per second).
• This means that telecom companies can use and install it for commercial cellphone users who may not have specific demands for very high-speed Internet.
• However, the low band spectrum may not be optimal for specialised needs of the industry.

2. Mid Band Spectrum:

• It offers higher speeds compared to the low band, but has limitations in terms of coverage area and penetration of signals.
• This band may be used by industries and specialised factory units for building captive networks that can be moulded into the needs of that particular industry.

3. High Band Spectrum:

• It offers the highest speed of all the three bands, but has extremely limited coverage and signal penetration strength.
• This band greatly enhances futuristic 5G technology applications like Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technology but will require considerable infrastructure.

ANSWER: A

• Goa has become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu the first Union Territory in the country.
• In this State and UT, people from all the villages have declared their village as Har Ghar Jal through a resolution passed by the Gram Sabha.
• All two lakh 63 thousand rural households of Goa and over 85 thousand of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have access to safe drinking water through tap connection.
• Jal Shakti Ministry said, despite various disruptions and challenges faced during COVID-19 pandemic, the consistent efforts by Panchayat representatives, Pani Samitis, District and State and UT officials have led to this achievement.
• All schools, Anganwadi centres, public institutions including Gram Panchayat buildings, healthcare centres and community centres and other government offices have now access to potable water through tap connection.
• Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of the Central Government which aims at making provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household of the country by 2024.
• More than 52 percent rural households in the country are now connected with tap water which was only 17 percent at the time of launch of this mission in August 2019.

ANSWER: B

• The government has prepared the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 to consolidate and amend the laws relating to ports.
• The draft bill seeks to repeal and replace the existing the Indian Ports Act, 1908. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has issued Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 for Stakeholder Consultation.
• The proposed bill will homogenize and streamline the development of the maritime sector, along with, promoting ease of doing business by eliminating unnecessary delays, disagreements and defining responsibilities.
• It will incorporate State Maritime Boards in the national framework.
• India has a 7,500-kilometre-long coastline, 14,500 kilometer of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.
• About 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume and 65 per cent by value is done through maritime transport facilitated by ports.

ANSWER: D

• The 4th India-Philippines Strategic Dialogue was held in Manila in which the two sides discussed Defence and Security Cooperation.
• They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as ASEAN-related matters. It was co-chaired by Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar and Under Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines, Theresa Lazaro. External Affairs Ministry in a statement said, both sides co-chaired the 13th Foreign Office Consultations.
• They reviewed the multi-faceted relations between India and Philippines. The two sides also expressed their desire to advance bilateral relations and expand engagement in areas including agriculture, trade, pharmaceuticals, fintech, education, defence and security, and people to people ties.
• It was also agreed to work to expand engagement in other fields such as space, development cooperation and civil aviation and to convene bilateral mechanisms in different sectors at an early date and work towards holding the next Ministerial level Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation at mutually convenient dates.
• Both sides agreed to convene bilateral mechanisms in different sectors at an early date and work towards holding the next Ministerial level Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation at mutually convenient dates.

ANSWER: A

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an MoU for establishing an office in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The office in Malaysia will help HAL in tapping the new business opportunities for Fighter Lead in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades.
• It will reinforce the commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia.
• HAL’s office in Kuala Lumpur will take up market promotion of HAL’s range of products and services not only in Malaysia but in entire South East Asia. HAL had submitted a proposal to Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia during October 2021 for supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF.
• The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities. LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF.
• Further, being one of the largest producer of Russian-origin Su-30 aircraft, HAL has capabilities to extend the required support to RMAF for Su-30 MKM fleet which is facing low serviceability issues due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.
• HAL can support RMAF for upgrading their Hawk fleet as well. Other HAL platforms like HTT-40, Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) etc., have the potential to be inducted by RMAF in future.
• Among others Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar and B N Reddy, High Commissioner of India in Malaysia were present.

ANSWER: B

• Highways and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that ethics, economy, ecology and environment are the four important pillars of the country.  Mr. Gadkari said this while unveiling India’s first E-Double Decker air-conditioned bus in Mumbai.
• Switch mobility limited a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland has manufactured this unique electric double-decker bus called as Switch EiV 22. The bus is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design and highest safety and best in class comfort features.
• Stressing on prioritising pollution-free country, he said 35 percent pollution in the country takes place because of petrol and diesel. He underlined that the size of the automobile industry is 7.5 lakh crore, and it is an important industry for the country as it has huge employment potential.
• Besides, he mentioned that automobile industry gives highest GST to state and central governments. He pointed out at import of crude oil as a main challenge which country faces at present. Mr Gadkari highlighted the most important thing for India is knowledge is power and conversion of knowledge into wealth is future.

ANSWER: D

• National Fisheries Development Board (NPFB) conducted its 9th governing body meeting in New Delhi. The governing body meeting was chaired by Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala. Minister of State for Fisheries Dr. L. Murugan and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan also attended the meeting.
• On this occasion, Parshottam Rupala released a book on Super Success Stories from Indian Fisheries. He also launched an online marketplace feature – ‘Aqua Bazar’ app.
• The app will help the fish farmers and stakeholders to source the inputs such as fish seed, feed and medicines and services required for fish culture. It will connect various stakeholders involved in aquaculture sector.
• L. Murugan said, fisheries departments need to focus in infrastructure development projects, such as fishing harbours, fish landing centers, ice plants and cold storages.
• He said, for the first time under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, government has taken up promotion of startups by the entrepreneurs to achieve the targeted fish production.

About

• The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) was established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India to enhance fish production and productivity in the country and to coordinate fishery development in an integrated and holistic manner.

ANSWER: D

• Paralympian Rahul Jakhar wins Gold, Avani Lekhara Silver while Pooja Agarwal bags Bronze on Day one of 2022 WSPS Shooting World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.
• Rahul won the Gold in 25 metre competition, in the same category, Pooja picks Bronze.
• Two-time Paralympic winner won the Silver in 10 metre event.

ANSWER: C

• Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that the state had built 5,600 houses against the total sanctioned number of around 10,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban.
• Nearly 2,000 more houses will be ready in the next two months as the construction work is in final stage.
• He said the state had received Rs 133 crore and utilised around Rs 125 crore.
• The scheme was launched in 2015 with the aim of constructing over 1.12 crore homes in urban areas by August 15, 2022. The Centre has now extended this scheme up to December 2024 so that the construction of the houses already sanctioned is completed.
• Bhardwaj said, “Around 8000 houses will be ready by the end of October.” The number of houses sanctioned for district Bilaspur were 889, Chamba 496, Hamirpur 498, Kangra 3,428, Kullu 373, Mandi 1,171, Shimla 282, Sirmaur 676, Solan 409 and district Una 2187 houses.

ANSWER: C

• Sushil Kukreja and Virender Singh were sworn in as the Judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
• Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the newly appointed judges, at Raj Bhawan in a simple but an impressive ceremony. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed were also present on the occasion.
• The ceremony took place at the Darbar Hall of the Raj Bhawan, where Chief Secretary R.D. Dhiman conducted the proceedings of the oath ceremony and read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India, regarding appointment of Sushil Kukreja and Virender Singh as Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh.
• Secretary to the Governor Rajesh Sharma obtained the signature of the Governor and the newly appointed Judges on the oath form.