Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
India’s power regulator has approved a proposal to start a separate spot market segment for ‘expensive’ power, according to an order given to the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX).
The approval from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), given to the country’s largest spot power market, is for electricity derived from costlier sources of imported coal and gas, as well as battery storage.

Notes:
The Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been recently launched at Pyongyang International Airport, in North Korea.
South Korea alleged that North Korea could test-fire intercontinental ballistic missiles on a lower, longer trajectory and conduct its seventh nuclear test this year. North Korea has so far conducted ICBM tests only on lofted trajectories.

Notes:
The 49th meeting of the GST Council was held recently, under the chairship of the Union Finance Minister.
It was decided to clear all pending dues of pertaining to GST compensation to states. The finance minister also spoke about the GoM report on online gaming and said that the report has been submitted. The chair of the GoM is Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

Notes:
Delhi Government’s Feed Back Unit (FBU) was instituted in 2015. It is responsible for gathering ‘relevant information and actionable feedback’ related to the functioning of the government bodies and autonomous institutes in the Delhi government’s jurisdiction.
The FBU is also responsible for conducting sting operations or trap cases. Its personnel are known as intelligence assets and it directly answers to the Chief Minister’s Office. It is being criticized for being extra-judicial body that answers to only one individual.

Notes:
China has introduced a 30 days paid marriage leave plan is aimed at increasing the country’s declining birth rate.
This policy change aims to encourage young couples to get married and have children, and is seen as an effective way to increase the fertility rate. The extension of marriage leave is especially being implemented in areas with relatively slow economic development.

Notes:
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was established as a result of a 2012 agreement between India and China
Its main purpose is to facilitate regular and institutional exchanges between the two neighbours. Recently, the top official in India’s External Affairs Ministry visited China to attend the 26th WMCC. It was held in Beijing.

Notes:
Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a fatal and progressive disease affecting the central nervous system of adult cattle.
Brazil, one of the world’s largest beef exporters, has temporarily suspended its beef exports to China after a confirmed case of mad cow disease.

Notes:
Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav is an age-old festival that is celebrated on the banks of Ganga River. However, it was stopped 700 years ago and revived only 2 years ago by locals.
Its origins can be traced back to thousands of years and it finds mention in Bengali literary works like Mangalakavya, Vaishnava literature, Shakta literature and others. Various Bengali traditional genres like Kirtan, Baul, Godiyo Nritto, Sree-Khol, Poter Gaan, and Chou-Nach were included.

Notes:
The Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) is a division of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that provides financial assistance to the world’s most impoverished countries.
It was established in 1999, to replace the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility. The IMF recently sought urgent action from the international community to strengthen the global financial architecture, including global financial safety net and the debt resolution.

Notes:
New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) recently announced the Annual Green School Awards.
The schools underwent an audit process to assess their resource management and environment-friendly practices on campus. Nineteen schools were awarded the topmost Annual Green School Awards. Additionally, the programme recognized Himachal Pradesh as the Best Green State.