Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 14, 2024

Answer: c

Celebrated on December 16th each year.

Aim :  to mark India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

It honors the bravery and sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces during the war.

Background

• The 1971 Indo-Pak Warculminated in the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, marking a decisive victory for India and leading to the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
• The day is observed with various ceremonies, memorials, and tributes to the fallen soldiers.

Answer: b

Current Context : The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed recently in the Lok Sabha, despite disruptions.

About Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

Objective: The Bill integrates the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, into the Railways Act, 1989, to simplify the legal framework by eliminating the need to refer to two separate laws.​

Features :

• Statutory Backing for Railway Board: Provides legal authority to the Railway Board, which has operated without statutory support since its inception.​
• Independent Regulator: Proposes the creation of a regulator to oversee tariffs, safety, and private sector participation, ensuring transparency and competition.​
• Enhanced Autonomy: Decentralizes decision-making powers, granting railway zones more authority to manage budgets and infrastructure, improving efficiency.​
• Board Composition: Empowers the central government to decide the number of Railway Board members, their qualifications, terms, and roles.​
• Operational Improvements: Aims to streamline approvals for new train services and infrastructure projects, facilitating superfast train operations and modernisation.​
• Regional Development: Enhanced railway connectivity is expected to spur economic growth, particularly in underserved regions like Bihar.​

Answer: d

Current Context : Recently, India launched the world’s first Green Steel Taxonomy, led by the Union Ministry of Steel.

About Green Steel:

• Green Steel is defined as steel with CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emission intensity less than 2.2 tonnes per tonne of finished steel. 

StaR Rating System:

• Five-star: Emission intensity < 1.6 tonnes.
• Four-star: Emission intensity between 1.6–2.0 tonnes.
• Three-star: Emission intensity between 2.0–2.2 tonnes.
• Star ratings will be reviewed every three years.

Nodal Agency: The National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST) will handle measurement, reporting, verification (MRV), issuance of annual certificates, and star ratings.

Importance:

• Supports Decarbonisation: Aligns with India’s proposed ₹15,000 croreNational Mission on Green Steel under the upcoming Green Steel Policy.
• Global Competitiveness: Keeps Indian steel competitive under global policies like the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CABM).
• Promotes Innovation: Creates a framework for low-carbon products, fostering growth in sustainable steel production.

Key Initiatives to Decarbonise Steel:

• National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE): Part of the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Perform Achieve & Trade (PAT) Scheme: A market mechanism under NMEEE using Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts).
• Other policies: Green Hydrogen Energy Mission, National Solar Mission, and Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019.

Answer: d

Current Context : From January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Zone, allowing seamless travel and economic benefits.

• Both countries partially joined in March 2024 (air and sea borders) and are now granted full access, including land borders.

About the Schengen Zone:

1. Purpose:Largest border-free region, enabling free movement for over 400 million people.
2. Agreements Signed:Schengen Agreement (1985) and Schengen Convention (1990).
3. Members:29 countries:
   • 25 EU countries(except Cyprus and Ireland).
   • 4 non-EU nations:Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.
4. Schengen Visa:Non-EU nationals can travel through member countries without border controls.

Answer: b

Current Context : The government proposed supplementary demands for grants, requesting additional expenditure for various sectors, indicating active fiscal management for unforeseen financial needs.​

About Supplementary Grants:

• Raised under Article 115of the Constitution when funds already authorized by Parliament for a service are insufficient during the financial year​
• Seeks approval from Parliament for additional expenditures beyond the initial budget estimates.

Types of Grants under Article 115:

• Additional Grant: Required for new services or projects not included in the original budget.
• Excess Grant: Sanctioned for expenditure that exceeds the allocated budget.
• Supplementary Demand for Grants: Includes both net cash outgo and reappropriation of funds from existing allocations.​

Answer: b

Current Context : The Lok Sabha has recently passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management in India by modifying the existing Disaster Management Act of 2005.

Key Features of the Bill :

Empowerment of Authorities:

• Shifts disaster planning responsibilities to NDMAand SDMAs, enhancing their roles in preparedness and risk assessment​

Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs):

• Introduces UDMAs for large cities and state capitals to address urban-specific risks, including population density and critical infrastructure​

Disaster Databases:

• Creates national and state-level disaster databases to assist in planning, fund allocation, and mitigation strategies​

State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs):

• Enables states to form specialized forces for decentralized and efficient disaster response​

Statutory Recognition:

• Provides legal backing to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)and High-Level Committee (HLC) for better disaster oversight​

Penalties for Obstruction:

• Imposes fines (up to ₹10,000) for hindering disaster management efforts.

Answer: b

Current Context : India finished fifth out of 21 participating countries, at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Deaf Games held in Kuala Lumpur.

Medal Tally:

• India won a record 55 medals: 8 Gold, 18 Silver, and 29 Bronze.
• This is the best-ever performance by India in the tournament’s history since 1984, surpassing the 2015 tally of 5 medals.​

Performance by Sport:

• Athletics: Dominated with 28 medals (5 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze).
• Badminton: Secured 6 medals (3 Silver, 3 Bronze).
• Judo: Won 7 medals (2 Gold, 5 Bronze).
• Wrestling: Bagged 8 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 6 Bronze).
• Table Tennis: Earned 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze).
• Chess: Contributed 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze)​

Notable Athletes:

• Priyanga Paramaraj, Ridham Sharma, and Sanya Dongreexcelled in athletics.
• Jerlin Anika Jayaratchagansecured four medals in badminton.
• Sumit Dahiyawon double gold in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
• Milanmeet Kaurclaimed gold in judo’s Under-48 KG category.​

Answer: d

Current Context : The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, introduced six new schemes during an event in Bilaspur to celebrate the second anniversary of the Congress government.

The initiatives aim to enhance agricultural practices, support education, and improve rural livelihoods.

Him Bhog Atta Initiative

• Promotes natural farmingby distributing maize flour made from organic maize.
• Govt procured 398 metric tonnesof maize from 1,506 farmers in 10 districts.
• Farmers received ₹20 crorethrough direct bank transfers.

Organic Compost Scheme

• Organic and vermicompost bought at ₹300/quintalto support small farmers and livestock owners.
• Initial ₹1 lakh paymentsmade to 100 farmers via direct benefit transfers.

Electric Taxi Subsidy Programme

• Part of Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023.
• 16 e-taxi owners received 50% subsidy, with vehicles leased to govt offices.
• 150 permitsfor e-taxis planned in the first phase.

Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana

• ₹38 croredistributed to 5,145 beneficiaries.
• Monthly aid of ₹1,000for children under 18; supports 23,000 children for higher education.

HP Shiva Project

• Budget: ₹1,292 crore, targeting subtropical horticulture development.
• Focus: Development across 7 districtscovering 6,000 hectares.
• Goal: Produce 3 lakh metric tonnesof fruit annually by 2032, benefitting 15,000 families.