Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The Punjab Cabinet has approved a new policy for industries and the electric vehicles effective from October 17, 2022, for a period of five years.
The industrial policy of the state focuses particularly on the three key sectors – Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), infrastructure and power. Under the new policy, the state will develop 15 industrial parks covering general and sector specific requirements of various industrial sectors and 20 rural clusters across the state.

Notes:
PhonePe recently became the first Indian fintech company to enable payments abroad. It allows international transactions through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
With this, Indian travellers can make UPI transactions to foreign merchants using PhonePe platform. Cross-border transaction facility by PhonePe will support all international outlets in UAE, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius having local QR Code.

Notes:
Article 153 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors for each state in India.
President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed governors in 12 states and a Union Territory while accepting the resignation of two. Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais is now Governor of Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh governor B D Mishra has been appointed as L-G of Ladakh.

Notes:
The state government of Gujarat has recently announced a 100 percent increase in Annual Statement of Rates.
The Annual Statement of Rate (ASR), also known as the Jantri rate, is the minimum rate set by state governments for registering real estate property when it changes ownership. These rates differ between cities and places based on the type, location, and size of the property.

Notes:
The Indian government announced that retail inflation increased to 6.52% in January from 5.72% in December 2022, mainly due to the rise in food prices.
Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Reserve Bank of India’s household survey on inflation expectations forecasts that retail inflation will remain elevated in the next year due to a general increase in prices across different sectors.

Notes:
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the National Philatelic Exhibition- AMRITPEX in New Delhi. Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps.
The event displays more than 20,000 exhibits under 13 competitive categories and a special section on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Department of Posts also released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Notes:
WhatsApp has been named India’s most accessible app for persons with disabilities in a report titled ‘Making the Digital Ecosystem Disabled Friendly’.
The report was released by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, which evaluated accessibility features of messaging, online payments, transport, e-commerce, and food delivery. WhatsApp was the only app rated as ‘highly accessible’ based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Notes:
Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have recently announced a partnership.
The partnership aims to promote research and development in an on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.

Notes:
The Rajasthan state Forest Department has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
The Wetland Ex-Situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE) aims to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocs, dolphins and exotic species. AFD, an arm of the French government, has agreed to fund up to Rs 1,200 crore over eight years. Experts raise questions about the zoo coming up in a significant habitat for migratory birds.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Asia’s largest aero show ‘Aero India 2023’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
It was organised for five days on the theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, by displaying India’s growth in aerospace and defence capabilities. The Defence Minister also hosted Defence Ministers’ Conclave, where Defence Ministers of friendly foreign countries participated.