Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
As per a recommendation made by the Department of Commerce, IIT Madras will be provided a grant of Rs 242 Crore over a period of five years to undertake research on Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD).
In the Union Budget 2023, Union Finance Minister said that Lab grown Diamonds (LGD) is a technology and innovation-driven emerging sector with high employment potential.

Notes:
The Centre has initiated the process to block 138 betting and 94 loan-lending Chinese apps on an emergency basis.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued blocking orders based on emergency request by the Nodal officer of Ministry of Home Affairs. The move was taken after confirming that these apps contain material that is prejudicial to sovereignty of India under Section 69 of IT Act.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India issued Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies) Directions.
As per the directions, permission to acquire shares or voting rights in a banking company for non-promoter will be limited to 10 % in case of individuals, non-financial institutions, and financial institutions connected with large industrial houses. The limit is 15 % in case of financial institutions, PSUs and government. RBI recently allowed DSP Investment Managers to hike its stake in DCB Bank to 9.99 per cent.

Notes:
The foreign ministers of France, India and the UAE have agreed to establish a formal trilateral cooperation initiative.
The ‘Defence and Energy Bloc’ aims to promote international stability and prosperity, and expand their defence ties with a focus on the Rafale fighter jets.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s largest Chopper Plant in Karnataka, the foundation stone for which was laid in 2016.
It will be a green-field helicopter manufacturing facility, which will supply choppers to the armed forces and cater for future exports. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) factory in Karnataka’s Tumakuru will initially produce the Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) on order by the armed forces.

Notes:
The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) launched its WhatsApp chatbot for more effective interaction.
The chatbot will be used for complaint registration, searching information, and tracking complaint status. It will be used by the commission for nudge-based awareness communications to children, women, Anganwadi workers, etc.

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:
Bengaluru -based start-up, Beta Tank Robotics, has developed a robot which can operate in oil tanks in petroleum refineries.
It was incubated at IIT Guwahati, and the project was funded by State-owned Oil India Limited. The robot does the job similar to a vacuum cleaner and thereby eliminates risks to human beings.

Notes:
Reliance Consumer Products announces strategic partnership with Sri Lanka’s Maliban Biscuit Manufactories.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited is the FMCG arm of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. Maliban is Sri Lanka’s pioneering biscuit manufacturer well-known for the last 70 years for its range of products.

Notes:
NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) as a joint initiative of the MoSJE and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
NAMASTE stands for National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem). This year’s Union Budget has allotted Rs 100 crore to the scheme. Finance Minister announced that the government is looking to enable 100% mechanical de-sludging of septic tanks and sewers in all cities and towns.