Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2023

Notes:
The Odisha government recently began the survey of people from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) belonging to 210 castes in the State to determine their social and educational status.
As per the State SC, ST and Backward Class Ministry, the survey has an aim to get clear picture about status of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.

Notes:
The World Bank recently announced the Business Ready(B-READY) project as a replacement for the Doing Business rankings, which was cancelled two years ago.
The pilot edition of the series will be published in the spring of 2024, covering 54 economies. Business Ready focuses on 10 topics covering the lifecycle of a firm.

Notes:
The Stone of Scone, also referred to as the Stone of Destiny, is a red sandstone slab weighing 150kg. This stone has been a sacred and significant symbol of Scotland’s monarchy and national identity.
It was moved recently from Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle to London in preparation for King Charles III’s coronation.

Notes:
Delhi Chief Minister recently announced a ‘Summer action plan’ to combat air pollution during summer months. It involves the participation of 30 government departments.
The primary focus of the action plan is on dust pollution, which has been a major contributor to the city’s worsening air quality.

Notes:
The technology known as STATCOM, which is based on the PQ standard-IEEE519 and IEEE1459, has gained importance in recent times because of the rising need for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
The STATCOM will help address issues like voltage fluctuations and instability when renewable sources are integrated to the power grid.

Notes:
Vaisakh Purnima is celebrated on 5th May this year. The Union Ministry of Culture will collaborate with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) to celebrate this occasion at the National Museum in New Delhi.
Several programmes will be organised in Delhi and across the country to mark the ‘UN Day of Vesak’.

Notes:
The Indian government has expanded the scope of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 to include company establishment, property acquisition, and financial transactions carried out by chartered accountants, company secretaries, and cost and works accountants on behalf of their clients.
These professionals will be responsible for examining clients’ sources of funds, ownership, and financial position, as well as recording the purpose of specified transactions. They will be held accountable under the PMLA if they assist in any transactions that violate the law.

Notes:
The “Clinical Trial Opportunities in India” report was released by PwC India and the US-India Chamber of Commerce (USAIC).
The report mentions that India’s regulatory reforms since the year 2013 and the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules of 2019 have made the country a favourable destination for conducting clinical trials.

Notes:
The Government of India has set up a 11-member high-level committee to restructure the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The committee will be under the chairmanship of the Additional Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Secretary of ICAR.
The committee has been constituted to make recommendations for rationalising and right-sizing the 94-year-old ICAR.

Notes:
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES Limited for technical assistance for Solid Waste Management (SWM) & Used Water Management UWM under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
Under this MoU, RITES will help standardise processes and design facilities for solid waste and used water management in towns with a population of below 1 lakh.