Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2020

Notes:
The European Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize for human rights to the Belarusian movement opposing President Alexander Lukashenko.
The opposition movement was led by the exiled Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. The EU also had agreed to impose sanctions against officials suspected of involvement in a security crackdown on protesters in Belarus.

Notes:
23rd October of every year is celebrated as World’s Snow Leopard Day. This day is observed to protect and conserve snow leopards and other wild animals of the Himalayas.
Snow Leopards are distributed across 12 countries in central Asia. They generally live in high altitudes of 3000 to 4500m. This day was first proclaimed at the Global Snow Leopard Forum at Bishkek, Kyrgyztan.

Notes:
Sri Lankan parliament has recently passed the controversial 20th Amendment to its constitution. It was passed with two-thirds majority, after a two-day long debate.
The amendment provides for greater immunity for the Executive President and provides with immense powers to the President. Eight opposition MPs voted in favour of the legislation, which was opposed by their party and challenged in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court.

Notes:
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has recently launched a campaign named ‘RuPay Festive Carnival’.
Under the campaign, the institution provides benefits and discounts up to 65 per cent on purchase of various branded items using RuPay card. This move is aimed at encouraging contactless and cashless payments.

Notes:
Speakers and members of Parliaments of the five BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) would participate in the 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.
Indian Parliamentary delegation would be led by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla. The Forum will be held in Virtual format. The meeting will be chaired by Vyachaslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Notes:
The Central Government has extended the dead line to 31st March 2021, for making payments under the income tax dispute settlement scheme ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’.
As per the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the declaration has to be made by December 31st 2020 and only in respect of such declarations, the payment of income tax without additional amount can be made by 31st March.

Notes:
A webinar between India and the UAE has been held under the theme of “Indian Defence Industry Global Outreach for Collaborative Partnership: Webinar and Expo, India – UAE Defence Cooperation”.
The webinar was organised under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, through the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Both the countries agree to promote cooperation in Defence sector through joint production and mutual trade.

Notes:
The state Government of Andhra Pradesh has recently distributed Rs 1115 crore to 50 lakh farmers under the YSR Rythu Bharosa scheme. The scheme was introduced in the state in 2019.
Under the scheme, land owning farmer families who own cultivable land irrespective of its size will be provided a benefit of Rs.13,500 per year per family, including Rs.6,000 under PM-KISAN in three instalments.

Notes:
The Indian Navy has successfully test fired its anti-ship missile in the Bay of Bengal from its Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora.
The anti-ship missile was launched by its Missile Corvette INS Prabal, which hit the target with precise accuracy. The missile was launched as part of a mega drill involving several aircraft carriers, attack helicopters and other assets of the Navy.

Notes:
The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has released a report named ‘Doing Business in India Report 2020’. The report has been launched by UK Investment Minister Lord Gerry Grimstone.
The report has been compiled based on the inputs from 106 UK organisations operating in India in manufacturing, services, and higher education sectors.