Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2020

Notes:
The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister of India has approved a special package of Rs.520 crore to Union Territory of JK and Ladakh. The package is approved for a period of years till FY 2023-24.
The package would ensure funding of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh on a demand-driven basis, without linking fund allocation with poverty ratio.

Notes:
An online survey is conducted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to study the travel pattern of the commuters using the metro trains in NCR.
The survey is aimed to avoid overcrowding at metro stations. It would help commuters to plan their travel during peak and off-peak times of the day.

Notes:
The Punjab Government has decided to convene a special session of the state assembly to bring in legislation to counter the Centre’s new farm laws.
After the Cabinet decision, the Punjab Governor has been authorised to convene the 13th (special) session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, as per clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India. Punjab earlier passed a resolution to reject three contentious farm ordinances.

Notes:
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a second coronavirus vaccine after early-stage studies.
The Russian authorities have given regulatory approval to the peptide-based vaccine named ‘EpiVacCorona’ after early-stage studies, developed by the Vector Institute in Siberia. The President also announced that the priority was to supply vaccines to the Russian market.

Notes:
The Union Government designated “Director General of Shipping” as the National Authority for recycling of ships. This has been done under the provisions of Recycling of Ships Act, 2019.
The National Authority for recycling of ships would be established at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The location has been chosen since Alang in Gujarat is the home to the world’s largest ship recycling industry in the world.

Notes:
The Pension Fund Regulator and Development Authority (PFRDA) has stated that the Assets under Management (AUM) of the National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana have crossed the mark of Rs 5 lakh crore
As on 10th October 2020, the number of subscribers under the NPS and APY has crossed 3.76 crores and the AUM crossed Rs.5,05,424 crore.

Notes:
The scheme for ‘Waiver of compound interest (interest on interest)’ accumulated during moratorium against loans of up to Rs 2.00 crore has been proposed for 8 different sectors. These include MSME, education, housing, consumer durables, credit card, auto, personal and consumption loans.
The Supreme Court of India has recently advised the Union Government to come out with a definite plan for implementing this scheme by 2nd November 2020.

Notes:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has recently inaugurated operations of the first phase of the International Institute of Advanced Virology.
It has been located at the Life Science Park at Thonakkal in Thiruvananthapuram. Renowned virologist, Dr Akhil Banerjee was appointed as the Head of the research Institute, which is currently under the Department of Science and Technology.

Notes:
The Global Handwashing Day is observed on October 15 every year. It aims to increase the awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective way to prevent diseases.
This year, the theme of the Global Handwashing Day is ‘Hand Hygiene for All’. The day assumes significance amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, during which researchers advise people to wash hands regularly to fight the virus.

Notes:
Israel’s parliament has recently approved the normalization deal signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Israel and the UAE signed an agreement to normalize their relations in Washington on September 15. Israel also signed a peace deal with Bahrain and the UAE and Bahrain became the first Gulf countries to agree for official relations with Israel.