Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The United Kingdom will be the partner country for Telangana’s flagship pharma – biotech event, BioAsia 2023.
With the theme of ‘Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanized healthcare’, BioAsia is set to be held in February 2023 in Hyderabad.

Notes:
As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central and state governments’ budgeted expenditure on healthcare touched 2.1 % of GDP in FY23 and 2.2% in FY22.
In FY21, the figure was only 1.6% in FY21. The Survey said that the share of expenditure on health in total expenditure on social services has risen from 21% in FY19 to 26 % in FY23 (BE). Out of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure has declined from 64.2% in FY14 to 48.2% in FY19.

Notes:
The first G20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting under India’s Presidency will be held in Bengaluru from February 5th to 7th.
Technology gaps in energy transition, low-cost financing for energy transition, energy security and diversified supply chain, industrial low carbon transition and fuel for future are the priority areas of the Working group discussion.

Notes:
Japan-based Toyota Motor Corp continues to be the world’s top-selling automaker, for a third straight year.
The company recently said it sold 10.5 million vehicles in 2022. Though the company was hit by chip-related supply constraints, strong demand in Asia and increase in production capacity helped it boost global production by 5% in 2022. Volkswagen Group is at the number 2 position, as it sold 8.3 million vehicles in 2022.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard celebrated its 47th anniversary of its distinguished service’ to the nation. Its motto is ‘VAYAM RAKSHAMAH’ meaning ‘We Protect’.
The Indian Coast Guard over these four and half decades has been patrolling the country’s maritime border. It stands tall as the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.

Notes:
Sri Lanka marked its 75th independence anniversary on 4^th February 2023. Several activists, Buddhists and Christian clergy announced a boycott of the celebration in the capital.
A group of activists began a silent protest in the capital, condemning government’s independence celebration and failure to ease the economic burden. University students also attempted a protest march.

Notes:
As per the Union budget 2023-24, the government proposed to increase the agricultural credit target to ₹20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.
The target has been increased from Rs 18 lakh crore, with an increase of 11.11% year on year. An Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs. The agriculture sector has been growing at an average annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent in the last six years.

Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new initiative for empowering the Vishwakarma community.
The PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman) yojana will provide support by providing skills training to artisans and craftsmen people engaged in traditional and skilled professions. The special package will help integrate them with MSME value chain.

Notes:
Finance Minister stated that the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission will be launched, to  improve socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs).
Rs.15,000 crore will be made available to implement the Mission in the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes.

Notes:
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, have sequenced the draft genome of four native Indian cow breeds.
For the first time, the genetic makeup of four native Indian cow breeds — Kasaragod Dwarf, Kasaragod Kapila, Vechur, and Ongole has been unravelled.