Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
The Bt-brinjal varieties approved for field testing by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recently are “Janak” and “BSS-793”. They contain an insect-killer gene Cry1Fa1 (event 142), derived from the soil-dwelling bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Notes:
The Project Shield is launched in five districts of Tamil Nadu; Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Karur, Perambalur and Ariyalur in order to combat crimes against women and children and to create a sage and violence free communities for them in these five districts along in collaboration with the International Justice Mission and stakeholders working for the welfare of women and children in Tiruchi range.

Notes:
The Gunda and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Bill was passed by Gujarat Legislative Assembly on September 24, 2020. The Bill seeks to strictly deal with anti-social elements and hardened criminals, prescribing jail terms ranging from seven to 10 years and it also empowers the police to seek 30 day remand instead of 15 days while a charge sheet can be filed within 90 days instead of the present provision of 60 days.

Notes:
The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles is implementing National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) for development of Block Level clusters across the country including Andhra Pradesh & Telangana States. The Block Level clusters are sanctioned on the basis of the viable proposals received from States Government.

Notes:
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures (CICA) was organised virtually, which was also attended by the Union External Affairs Ministry Dr S Jaishankar.
During the meeting, the Chairmanship of CICA was transferred from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan. A new Executive Director was also appointed. India has been a member of CICA from the year of its inception in 1999.

Notes:
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic forum organised between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
Recently, the QUAD consultation of the four member countries was held virtually to discuss regional issues of common interest. The last Ministerial engagement was held in September 2019. The Senior officials reaffirmed their commitment for an inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:
It is proposed to set up a Post-Harvest Management Centre for Medicinal Plants, at Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir. The foundation stone for the construction has been laid recently.
The Post-Harvest Management Centre would have infrastructure for drying, sorting, processing, certification, packaging, and safe storage of herbal raw materials.

Notes:
The first Cargo Vessel from India to Maldives, named MCP Linz, has reached the northern Maldivian town of Kulhudhufushi.
This is the first voyage of the direct Cargo Ferry Service between India and the Maldives and it was jointly launched on September 21. This is also the first ferry service in the Indian Ocean region operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).

Notes:
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has recently launched the final form of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) – 2020.
The Defence Ministry had earlier approved the constitution of the Main Review Committee headed by the Director General (Acquisition) Apurva Chandra. The Committee was entrusted with the work of preparing the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).

Notes:
The Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force conducted bilateral Naval training exercises as a part of JUIMEX 2020.
This is the 4th edition of JIMEX that was held from September 26 to 28 in Northern Arabian Sea. JIMEX series commenced in January 2012 and is a biennial exercise with special focus on maritime security cooperation.