Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2020

Notes:
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has recently inked an agreement with the Indian non-profit organisation CUTS International, to empower consumers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International is a Rajasthan-based non-profit organisation founded in 1983. UNIDO and CUTS have also planned to develop a BRICS e-commerce project, which was implemented as a pilot project by UNIDO in the BRICS countries between 2016 and 2018.

Notes:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a leading non-government and non-profit Industry association of India. It has recently released a report titled ‘Exit from The Lockdown- A CII Strategy’.
In the report, the association suggested that government should give adequate notice before announcing the end of restrictions. It also recommended a calibrated lifting of the lockdown. The association also expects the announcement of an economic package before the lifting of lockdown.

Notes:
The veteran Army officer and former Director General of Rashtriya Rifles, Lt Gen KP Dhal Samanta has recently passed away at the age of 70.
He played a very crucial role in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, 1984 Operation Blue Star and 1999 Kargil War. After retirement, he served as a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal at Kolkata. He received many prestigious awards including Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Notes:
The Chief information commissioner of India, Bimal Julka and all 6 information commissioners have decided to take 30-per cent cut in their basic salary for a year starting April 2020, to contribute to government’s move in fighting COVID-19.
In March 2020, President of India Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Bimal Julka as the CIC of India. At present, four positions of information commissioners are remaining vacant. The Chief Election commissioner and Election commissioners will also undergo a 30% pay cut.

Notes:
The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation Meghdoot’ on April 13, 1984 in order to secure the passes on the Saltoro ridgeline, including the Bilafond La pass from Pakistan.
The courage and valour exhibited by the Army troops is commemorated every year on April 13 as ‘Siachen Day’ by the Indian Army across the country. The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the range of Himalayas.

Notes:
The New Delhi-based ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which is commonly known as the Pusa Institute, has recently developed ‘PUSA decontamination and sanitizing tunnel’.
The government research institute has developed the tunnel in New Delhi. It has a hand-washing set-up using soap and water dispenser, operated by foot. The tunnel uses Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC) at recommended concentration.

Notes:
The Ministry of Agriculture has set the target for production of food grains at 298.3 million tonnes for the 2020-21 crop year, during the National virtual Conference on Kharif crops 2020.
This target is 2 per cent above the estimated production of 291.95 million tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year. The increase in target follows the IMD forecast about a normal monsoon. Target for production of rice and wheat have been fixed at 117.5 million tonnes and 106.5 million tonnes respectively.

Notes:
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has lifted restrictions on export of formulations of Paracetamol and fixed dose combinations of the drug.
In the wake of domestic supply concerns, the DGFT has barred the export of paracetamol and 13 other active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), as well as their formulations, in March 2020. Now though the restriction is relaxed, export of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) remains barred.

Notes:
The Chief of Staff of the President of Nigeria, Abba Kyari, recently passed away, after contracting the novel coronavirus.
Abbu Kyari was considered as one of the most powerful personnel in the country and he was also the top official advisor to the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. The spokesperson of the President confirmed his death.

Notes:
The 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO was initially scheduled to be held from June 29 to July 9, in the Chinese city of Fuzhou, the capital of the country’s Fujian province.
As per the recent announcement of the Education Ministry of China, the 44th session has been postponed to a later date. This unanimous decision has been made in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The date of the postponed session has not yet been announced.