Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
The insurance sector regulator – Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has accorded “in principle” approval for merger of Bharti AXA General Insurance with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company.
On successful merger, the consolidated entity would have a market share of 8.7% in non-life business. Bharti Enterprises own 51% share in Bharti AXA General Insurance and the remaining 49% is owned by French insurer AXA.

Notes:
Avian Influenza, commonly called as the Bird flu, has been detected in a fourth region in Japan. This can be the country’s worst outbreak in over 4 years.
Avian influenza was discovered at a poultry farm in Hyuga city in Honshu island in southwestern Japan. However, the country announced that there is no possibility that humans will contract bird flu from eating poultry or eggs. It has also decided to cull over 1.8 million chickens.

Notes:
The ‘International day for the abolition of slavery’ is observed every year on December 2, since 1986.
It aims to raise awareness about slavery and put an end to all kinds of slavery including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, child labour among others. It marks the date of the adoption of the UN Convention related to trafficking and exploitation.

Notes:
Manila-based Asian Development Bank has signed a USD 50-million policy-based loan for the West Bengal Public Finance Management Investment Programme.
The loan aims to improve financial management and operational efficiencies of the state. A centre for fiscal policy and public finance will be established along with a web-based grievance redressal system for transport corporations and urban local bodies.

Notes:
The Parliament of Australia has recently passed a legislation that permits the country to block any agreement made between the country and a foreign government.
The legislation empowers foreign minister to veto any international agreement that are inconsistent with the foreign policy of Australia or is seen to affect Australia’s interest.

Notes:
The Central Government has launched the Quarterly Return filing & Monthly Payment of Taxes (QRMP) scheme for small taxpayers under GST system.
Under the scheme, taxpayers with aggregate annual turnover of up to Rs 5 crore in the previous financial year are eligible for this scheme. Those tax-payers should also have filed their October GSTR-3B (sales) return by November 30, 2020.

Notes:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently raised concern on pollution and frothing in Yamuna River.
The body has asked Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states to implement effective sewage treatment. Increase in ammonia level from untreated water and industrial effluents containing phosphorous are the two main reasons for frothing.

Notes:
Pfizer has approached the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its COVID 19 vaccine in India.
The company has obtained the emergency use authorisation from United Kingdom and Bahrain recently. The company has asked permission to DCGI for distribution of its COVID vaccine in India and waiver of clinical trials.

Notes:
Bihar state is set to organise the first ever migratory bird festival this year. This three-day long festival is aimed to enhance the awareness about migratory birds among common public and to check cases of poaching in the region.
The festival would be jointly organised by Bhagalpur forest division, Bombay Natural History Society and Mandar Nature Club of Bihar.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Union Ministry of AYUSH has decided to work together for establishing AYUSH Export Promotion Council.
The establishment of this organisation would boost the AYUSH export to various international destinations. The two ministries also decided to review the entire AYUSH sector for achieving price and quality competitiveness.