Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The Haryana Assembly passed nine bills, including the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and addressing the issue of unregistered travel agents exploiting youth. Home Minister Anil Vij highlighted the seriousness of the problem. Additionally, a bill to regulate private coaching institutions was passed to protect students’ and guardians’ interests. The bills were part of the concluding day of the week-long Budget session, with some introduced earlier.

Notes:
The Telangana government mandates the One Time Scheme (OTS) adoption in all urban local bodies, including GHMC, aiming to ease financial burdens on property owners. The initiative seeks to alleviate concerns of mounting arrears interest on property tax payments, providing a strategic solution to ease financial strain across urban municipalities in the state.

Notes:
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) collaborates with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) to establish Renewable Energy Parks in Maharashtra. This joint venture aligns with green energy initiatives and bolsters India’s energy transition goals, aiming to build gigawatt-scale renewable energy parks in the state, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development and clean energy sources.

Notes:
Union Minister of Women & Child Development Smriti Irani revealed the logo and website for the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality in a ceremony attended by Bill Gates and Chandrajit Banerjee. Emphasizing India’s leadership in women’s empowerment, Irani highlighted international support garnered at Davos. Launched at Davos 2024, the alliance aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision for women-led development. Focused on SDGs, it seeks to consolidate practices, exchange knowledge, and attract investments in women’s health, education, and entrepreneurship.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has marked a milestone by issuing 5 crore Ayushman cards, making it the first state to do so under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The state boasts 50,017,920 issued cards, benefiting 74,382,304 individuals across 3,716 hospitals. With 3,481,252 health claims filed, an impressive 92.48% were settled, reflecting the scheme’s success. Sangeeta Singh, CEO of the State Agency for Comprehensive Health, credits the achievement to continuous support from the National Health Authority and the dedication of various healthcare workers.

Notes:
Nicaragua achieves a historic milestone by becoming the first Spanish-speaking nation to recognize the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) as the official book of standards for drugs manufactured and marketed in India. Published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules 1945, IPC is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, dedicated to the timely publication of the IP.

Notes:
Minister Smriti Zubin Irani has launched the Haj Suvidha App, aiming to enhance the pilgrimage experience by offering crucial information and services. Developed under her guidance by BISAG-N, the user-friendly app streamlines travel logistics, providing access to training modules, flight details, accommodation, emergency helpline, and health services. The Minister also introduced the Haj Guide-2024 in 10 languages, underscoring the app’s importance for all pilgrims, promoting a seamless and informed journey, particularly beneficial for first-time Haj performers.

Notes:
The Defence Minister is set to inaugurate two piers and seven towers, providing 320 homes for Navy officers and Defence civilians at Naval Base Karwar, Karnataka, under Project Seabird—the largest naval infrastructure project in India. Conceived in the early 1980s and sanctioned in 1985, the project spans 11,000 acres, featuring a deep-sea harbour, breakwaters, a township, a naval hospital, and more. Once completed, it will be the largest naval base in the Eastern Hemisphere, accommodating warships, submarines, and aircraft.

Notes:
India’s Prime Minister inaugurated the core-loading process of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam. The PFBR is a nuclear machine generating more fuel than it consumes, utilizing Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and Thorium-232 for transmutation. Liquid sodium serves as a coolant, facilitating electricity production. With advanced safety features, the indigenously designed PFBR by BHAVINI marks a significant achievement involving 200+ Indian industries, including MSMEs.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu introduced the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna,” a groundbreaking initiative empowering women aged 18 to 60. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a ₹1,500 monthly stipend, totaling ₹800 crore annually. Envisioned to aid over five lakh women, the scheme aims to provide crucial financial support, marking a significant step towards women’s empowerment in the state.