Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
The Railway Ministry has proposed to amend Sec 144 of Railways Act 1989. As per the present provision in the act, begging in Railway property is an offence and makes it liable for imprisonment or a fine of Rs.2000/-.
The section is proposed to be changed by stating that begging will not be allowed in properties of Railways including Trains and Railway premises.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has recently signed a USD 500 million loan, to build the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
This is the first tranche of a total USD 1 billion facility extended to construct the modern, high-speed 82-kilometer RRTS corridor in India’s national capital region (NCR). A total of three priority rail corridors planned under the NCR Regional Plan 2021, to connect Delhi to other cities.

Notes:
The formal ceremony to induct 5 Rafale fighter aircrafts to Indian Air Force is scheduled to be held at Ambala airbase in Haryana on September 10.
The aircrafts are to be inducted into the No.17 Squadron of IAF also known as “Golden Arrows”. French Defence Minister Florence Parly is expected to take part in the induction ceremony.

Notes:
As per a statement by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall received by the country in August 2020 is the highest since 1926.
August 1926 recorded a rainfall of 34.8 cm exceeding normal by 33%, whereas August 2020 recorded 32.7 cm rainfall exceeding normal by 27%. Also, IMD has stated that in June’20 to 6th September’20, India had registered 7% more rainfall than what is normal for this period.

Notes:
The Prime Minister is to launch a new platform for managing Livestock named as e-Gopala App, which will serve as a breed improvement marketplace.
The portal also aims to provide information on managing livestock including buying and selling of germplasm of livestock. It also ensures Quality breeding services for livestock, Animal nutrition and traditional medical treatment. It also sends alerts to remind vaccination and calving.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM by, has approved monetization of assets of Power Grid.
Power Grid is a Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Power. The monetization is being done for the first time through Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) model. The proceeds of asset monetization would be used to fund new and on-going projects of the PSU.

Notes:
Union Minster of Petroleum has stated that Five state run oil and natural gas PSUs will become corporate partners of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
These PSUs would make financials contribution to ISA’s corpus fund. This announcement was made during the 1st World Solar Technology Summit organized by ISA. ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and GAIL are the 5 PSUs.

Notes:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Conclave on “School Education in 21st Century” today through video conference.
This video conference was held on the background of National Education Policy 2020, as a part of the Shiksha Parv initiative. The Prime Minister also announced that School students will have new curriculum framework by 2022.

Notes:
As per the credit rating agency CRISIL, Indian economy will contract by 9 per cent in 2020-21 on account of COVID 19 pandemic.
The agency has stated that the infection is yet to peak and the financial assistance provided by the Government is not sufficient. Earlier in May 2020, Crisil had estimated the economy to contract by 5 per cent

Notes:
Union Labour and employment minister Santosh Gangwar represented India in the virtual Meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers of G-20 nations.
The G20 meet focussed on the G20 Youth Roadmap 2025 and discussed measures to curb the impact of Covid-19 on the Labour market. The meet also identified indicators relating to youth for the first time.