Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2023

Notes:
Kerala recently became the first state in the country to introduce a welfare fund for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers.
Under this initiative, individuals above the age of 60 will be eligible for pension under this fund. The welfare fund has been formed as per the Kerala Employment Guarantee Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 2021.

Notes:
A report titled “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy” was released recently by UNEP.
According to this report, global plastic pollution can be reduced by 80% by 2040 if deep policy and market shifts are achieved using existing technologies and shift to circular economy.

Notes:
The Central Government recently approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) for the 2023 kharif season.
Rice, maize, and cotton are some of the major Kharif crops in India and require good rainfall. It had also approved NBS rates for Rabi season this year (January to March).

Notes:
The Kerala Cabinet has recently approved the ordinance amending the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2012.
The ordinance includes a strict penal provision against perpetrators of violence against hospitals.

Notes:
Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur is France’s highest civilian honor. It was received recently by Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.
He was conferred the award for his contributions to strengthen the trade relationship between India and France. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs also called Chandrasekaran ‘a friend of France’.

Notes:
The Central Government has recently introduced the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 to create the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA).
It is a new statutory authority that will be headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi in addition to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the Home department.

Notes:
China has approved the Russian port of Vladivostok as a transit hub for transporting goods from its Jilin Province to the eastern regions of the country. This decision aims to reduce transportation costs and support the revitalization of Northeast China’s industrial base.
By using Vladivostok as a cross-border transit port, China aims to facilitate the movement of domestic trade goods and implement its national strategic plan.

Notes:
The 76th World Health Assembly is being held from May 21-30 in Geneva. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya held various bilateral meetings with member countries at the Assembly.
Jamaica lauded India’s achievement in digital health, pharmaceuticals, and health system strengthening and agreed to sign MoU to institutionalize collaboration in the healthcare sector.

Notes:
Maharana Pratap Lok will be built by the Madhya Pradesh government. The ‘Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Lok’ will be constructed in Bhopal.
It will be set up in memory of the Rajput King of Mewar Maharana Pratap. The Chief Minister also declared Maharana Pratap’s birth anniversary as holiday in the state.

Notes:
Shavuot is a key Jewish festival with historical and theological significance. It is also known as Feast of Weeks.
It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. As per the Bible, Shavuot marked the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel.