Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2020

Notes:
As per the recent data of the Government, Expenditure under MNREGA during 2017-18 to 2019-20 was Rs 1.83 lakh crore.
When compared to 2011-12 to 2013-14 period, the expenditure on MNREGA almost doubled to Rs 1.83 lakh crore from Rs 92,483 in the former period. It was also announced that 526.97 lakh households were provided employment in the current fiscal through the scheme.

Notes:
The Assam government is set to construct as many as 33 stadiums in the state under ‘Uttaran’ scheme. Rs.300 Crore is to be spent for the project of building the stadiums across the state.
Moreover, the state is to provide a financial assistance of 50 thousand rupees to one thousand players and a grant of Rs. 75000 to 2500 clubs. The state also announced that 500 playgrounds are being developed at the rural areas of the state to encourage talented youth to take part in sports.

Notes:
The Union Government has sanctioned Rs 365 crore for constructing a new Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom along the India-Bangladesh border. It is the southernmost town in the north-eastern state of Tripura. This is the second ICP after Akhaura check post set up in 2013.
The state government of Tripura had sent the Sabroom ICP proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2016 for linking the bridge on river Feni with Chittagong port city of Bangladesh.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet recently passed the ‘Recovery of Damage to Public Properties Ordinance 2020’ for recovery of losses caused by damage to public property during violent protests.
The decision which was taken in a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath aims to prevent loss of public property in the state. The damages in the violence shall be recovered from the rioters, as per the ordinance. This comes at the backdrop of several violent protests in the state against Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Notes:
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has recently launched its new website to make information about new schemes and projects presented in a better manner to the stakeholders.
The newly launched website includes optimized user interface and facilitates better access from various devices including mobile phones. The website has additional portals such as ‘Akshay Urja Portal’ and ‘India Renewable Idea Exchange’ (IRIX).

Notes:
As per the recent information from the Union Defence Ministry, the share of Indian companies in contracts awarded by the Union Defence Ministry for procurement of defence equipment is 75.03 per cent in 2019-20.
The share has increased from 39.06 per cent in 2015-16 to 75.03 per cent in 2019-20 as the Ministry tries to procure indigenously manufactured equipment to the maximum extent. In the last five years 158 contracts were signed with Indian vendors against 100 foreign contracts.

Notes:
An awareness programme called ‘Poshan Pakhwara or Nutritional Fortnight’ is being held in the UT of Goa from March 8 to 22.
The programme is aimed at creating awareness about nutrition among the general public. Several activities are being organised with special focus on the health of women, children and people who are suffering from malnutrition. Guidance by nutrition experts and Paediatricians is also provided to the people.

Notes:
A bill that seeks to convert three existing regulatory bodies under the Civil Aviation Ministry into statutory bodies was passed by Lok Sabha. The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed by a voice vote and the bill seeks to amend Aircraft Act, 1934.
The regulatory institutions, which are mentioned in the bill are DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau).

Notes:
S&P Global Ratings lowered India’s economic growth forecast to 5.2 per cent for the year 2020. The rating agency had earlier predicted the growth rate of 5.7% for 2020.
The agency also estimated that the Asia-Pacific economic growth in 2020 will dip to less than 3 per cent. It also revealed that saying the global economy is entering a recession amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Notes:
Roger Mayweather, who passed away recently at the age of 58, was a two-time world champion turned trainer in boxing.
He was also the uncle of the boxing star Floyd Mayweather, and trained him for most of the latter’s boxing career. Roger Mayweather had won world titles at super featherweight and super lightweight categories. During his 20-year boxing career, he gained a total of 59 triumphs.