Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2021

Notes:
‘STARS’ stand for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States. It is a project of the Union Ministry of Education for improving the quality of education in six selected states.
The total project cost of project is Rs 5718 crore with the financial support of World Bank amounting to approximately Rs. 3700 crore. Recently, the agreement for the financial support of the project was signed with World Bank.

Notes:
The state government of Rajasthan has recently reduced value-added tax (VAT) by two percent on petrol and diesel. This has relaxed the fuel prices in the state. Recently, the price of premium petrol price crossed Rs.100 in the state.
Petrol, Diesel and other fuels in India have been kept outside the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Presently, the state governments determine the VAT on these fuels.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh’s tableau at this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi was adjudged the best and awarded by Union minister Kiren Rijiju.
The theme of Uttar Pradesh’s tableau depicting the Ram Temple was “Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh”. Department of Biotechnology is the best tableau among the Central Ministries, departments, the CAPF and other auxiliary forces.

Notes:
On the Polio National Immunization Day scheduled on January 31, 2021, around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country.
President Ram Nath Kovind launched the first round of Pulse Polio Programme 2021. Over seven lakh booths were set up for implementing the drive. A house-to-house surveillance will also be provided to vaccinate the remaining children.

Notes:
In this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket tournament held at Ahmedabad, Tamil Nadu team defeated Baroda to win the trophy title. Last year Tamil Nadu lost the trophy against Karnataka.
During this year’s tournament, Tamil Nadu remained un beaten till the final match. At the finals, the team chased Baroda’s modest score of 120, with 2 overs and 7 wickets remaining.

Notes:
Lieutenant General C P Mohanty assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to this appointment he was the Army Commander of the Southern Army.
The area of responsibility of the Southern Army includes 11 states and four Union Territories. C P Mohanty has replaced the previous Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini.

Notes:
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh has launched the first Amputee clinic of India.
The ‘PGI Amputee Clinic’ aims to provide social, mental and physical support to its patients. It also aims to provide complete amputation patient care and provide medical care and rehabilitation of amputees who cannot afford the cost.

Notes:
In its recent cabinet meeting, Sri Lanka has decided that the East terminal of Colombo port will be 100% owned and operated by the state-owned Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA).
Earlier, the country had signed deal with India and Japan for operating the port with 49% stake by the two countries and majority stake by SLPA. India announced that it expects Sri Lank to honour its agreement.

Notes:
Andy Jassy is to replace Jeff Bezos as Amazon’s next chief executive officer. He is serving as the Chief of Amazon Web Services (AWS) at present.
Jeff Bezos had been the CEO of the Tech Giant for almost 30 years. He is to take up the role of Executive chairman. The billionaire entrepreneur is expected to focus on his space exploration company Blue Origin and other ventures.

Notes:
Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu warned the Member of Parliaments against recording proceedings of the House on mobile phones.
He also stated that such unauthorised recordings and its circulation on social media is breaching the Parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House