Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2021

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India has increased the fund transfer limit from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh under the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS). This decision has been made by the Reserve Bank keeping in view the instant domestic payment which can be made using IMPS and to enhance convenience of users.
The IMPS facility is provided by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Notes:
The Union Power Ministry has set a revised policy to use biomass pellets in coal-burning thermal power plants.
This guideline encourages the use of agricultural waste which is otherwise burnt by farmers, causing air pollution. The decision mandates three categories of thermal power plants to use a five per cent blend of biomass pellets along with coal. The policy will come into force in October 2022

Notes:
Karuppur Kalamkari paintings and wood carvings of Kallakurichi, both belonging to the state of Tamil Nadu have received geographical indication or GI tag, from the Government of India.
GI tag is awarded to products of specific geographical origin and it adds significance to the product. It is regulated under the Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.

Notes:
Darwin’s ground sloth (Mylodon darwinii), lived in South America between 1.8 million years and 12,000 years ago.
Though the six living sloth species are relatively small and herbivorous tree-dwellers, some species roamed from Alaska to South America. As per findings of a recent study, the extinct species was between 3 and 4 m long and weighed between 1 and 2 tons. The study also contradicts that all sloths were necessarily herbivores.

 

Notes:
NITI Aayog released a ‘Handbook on sustainable urban plastic waste management, jointly released with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Niti Aayog suggested urban local bodies to adopt the material recovery facility (MRF) model & operate it as a public-private partnership model. A materials recovery facility, also called as a materials reclamation facility or recycling facility is a specialized plant that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers.

Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) releases a new report every three years. Titled ‘Mental Health Atlas’, is a compilation of data provided by countries around the world on mental health policies, financing, human resources, availability and utilization of services and data collection systems. It also has new targets for 2030.
It serves as a guide for countries for the development and planning of mental health services. It includes data on newly-added indicators on service coverage, mental health integration into primary health care, preparedness for the provision of mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies and research on mental health. It also includes

Notes:
The European Union issued its debut Green Bonds and attracted strong demand from investors.
Regarded as the largest green bond deal, the €12bn sale of 15-year debt attracted more than €135bn of orders. The proceeds will be passed on to member states to be spent on areas such as energy efficiency, transport and nature protection. EU has joined a host of member states, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland, in issuing green debt.

Notes:
As per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), India’s consumer price inflation fell sharply to 4.35% in September from 5.3% in August.
This five-month low inflation is due to a favourable comparison with last year and moderating food prices, which offset a rise in the cost of crude oil and fuel. This also marks the third consecutive month within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) tolerance band of 2%-6%.

Notes:
Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the premium to be paid by farmers is fixed at 1.5% of the sum insured for rabi crops and 2% for Kharif crops, while it is 5% for cash/horticultural crops.
The balance premium is split between the Centre and states. The government has constituted a working group, to roll out an overhauled PMFBY from kharif 2022. The working group will find out reasons for high premium rates and suggest mechanism to rationalize them. This comes at the backdrop of exit of several states from the scheme

Notes:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a 100-million-euro ($116 million) mental healthcare drive, including 24-hour suicide helpline.
La Lloreria, or the Crying Room was inaugurated in Madrid, which aims to remove the attached to mental health, crying and seeking help. As per Government Data, In 2019, as many as 3,671 people died from suicide in Spain. One in 10 adolescents has been diagnosed with a mental health condition.