Monthly Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2017

Notes:
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on June 26 across the world to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. The day also observes to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. The 2017 theme is “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe “. This is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.

Notes:
Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has won the Australian Open Super Series Badminton trophy by defeating former world number one and Rio Olympics Gold medalist Chen Long in the final by 22-20, 21-16 in Sydney on June 25. 2017. With this, Srikanth has become the fifth player in the world to contest three successive Super Series finals by reaching the summit clash in Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

Notes:
Narinder Nath Vohra, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), has been appointed as the new President of the India International Centre (IIC), which is one of the premier cultural institutions in the country. He succeeded by Soli Sorabjee. The India International Centre (IIC) is a well known non-official organization located in New Delhi.

Notes:
Roger Federer, a Swiss professional tennis player, has won the 2017 Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament by defeating Alexander Zverev in final by 6-1 6-3 at the Gerry Weber Stadion in Halle, Germany. With this win, Federer clinch his 92nd career title.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Government has signed an agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a loan of Rs 1950 crore for strengthening of roads in different district. As per the agreement, 70% finances amounting to Rs 1,950 crore will be provided by the ADB as loan, while the state government will bear 30% cost of the project which comes to Rs 832 crore. The project, which will start from 2017 and end in 2024, will cover over 430 km roads in 12 districts.

Notes:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has constituted a special 7-member committee to study contentious issues in implementing Lodha panel reforms which are being opposed by the state units. The committee’s mandate is to identify the few critical points in respect of the said judgement for the General Body of the BCCI to consider before its submission to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The other members of the committee include former India captain Sourav Ganguly, T.C. Mathew (Kerala Cricket), Naba Bhattacharjee (North East representative), Jay Shah (Gujarat Cricket Association), BCCI Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary and BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary. The four contentious Lodha panel recommendations that are delaying the implementation process are one-state, one vote, age cap of 70 for office-bearers, cooling-off period for office-bearers and size of the national selection panel.

Notes:
Vidya Balan, the famous Bollywood film actress, has become the ambassador of the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which is supported by the Victorian Government. The 2017 theme of the fest is “Diversity” with a special focus on films by female directors and is scheduled to be held from August 10-22, 2017. It will showcase over 60 films, Indie and short included, in 20 different languages.

Notes:
Rajiv Kumar, the 1981-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. He succeeded Rahul Prasad Bhatnagar, who has been made chairman of Greater Noida and investment commissioner. Prior to his latest assignment, Rajiv Kumar was Secretary in Shipping ministry, Government of India (GoI).

Notes:
India has donated $1 lakh (Rs 64.49 lakh) to the UN Trust Fund for International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the UN Tax Fund) that helps developing countries actively participate in the discussion of tax issues. With this, India has become the first country to make a voluntary contribution to UN Tax fund, which are currently unfunded. The UN Tax Committee is a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC) that provide guidance on current issues such as double taxation treaties, transfer pricing (profit shifting) taxation of the extractive industries and taxation of services.. The purpose of the UN Tax Trust Fund is to support the work of the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the UN Tax Committee).

Notes:
Achal Kumar Jyoti, a retired 1975-batch IAS Officer of Gujarat Cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) for one year, when he will turn 65. He will succeed Nasim Zaidi, who will retire on July 6, 2017. Currently, A K Jyoti is the Election Commissioner of India along with O P Rawat. An EC or a CEC has tenure of six years in office or till he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.