India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The Supreme Court appointed former Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as chairman of the committee to select vice-chancellors for West Bengal’s state-run universities. The decision, made on July 9, 2024, followed a special leave petition by the West Bengal government challenging a Calcutta High Court ruling. A six-member committee will be formed, agreed upon by both the Governor and the state government, to oversee the appointments.

Notes:
NITI Aayog has launched the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ under the e-FAST India initiative, aimed at decarbonizing road-based freight transportation in India to meet 2070 net zero commitments. Launched in September 2022, e-FAST promotes cleaner freight solutions through national and international collaborations, supporting pilot programs and technology integration. The initiative fosters discussions among stakeholders, including government bodies and logistics providers, to enhance the adoption of electric technologies in the freight sector, backed by 12 knowledge partners.

Notes:
The Karnataka Chief Minister is ready to discussing the Mekedatu project with Tamil Nadu. This multi-purpose project aims to build a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Karnataka, close to Tamil Nadu. The project involves constructing a dam at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, with a capacity of 66,000 TMC, supplying over 4 TMC of drinking water to Bengaluru. The estimated cost is around Rs 14,000 crores.

Notes:
The Indian government plans to introduce the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to create a comprehensive disaster database and set up Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and major cities. It will empower the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to independently prepare disaster plans and appoint experts. The bill also seeks to grant statutory recognition to bodies like the National Crisis Management Committee and propose the establishment of State Disaster Response Forces by state governments. This amendment aligns with the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations.

Notes:
The Central government’s Rs 72,000 crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project plans to build an airport, an international container terminal, and a township. However, it faces legal challenges from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Calcutta High Court due to inadequate impact assessments on Shompen and Nicobarese tribes and improper permissions. The Shompens are hunter-gatherers, and the project could affect the Nicobarese people’s ancestral lands.

Notes:
The proposed Malwa canal project in Punjab aims to irrigate 2 lakh acres of land across seven districts. The 149.53-km canal will originate at Harike Headworks on the Sutlej river and carry 2,000 cusecs of water. The project is expected to take five years to complete but faces concerns over technical viability and funding. The canal’s construction will require significant investment amidst Punjab’s current funds crunch.

Notes:
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released a Rs 100 commemorative coin for Kalaignar M Karunanidhi’s birth centenary in Chennai on August 18, 2024. Karunanidhi, a key figure in the Dravidian movement and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for nearly two decades, passed away on August 7, 2018. Known as Kalaignar (“the artist”), he led the DMK party, which remains influential under his son, Stalin. Commemorative coins celebrate events or notable individuals and often feature special designs. These coins are usually minted in limited quantities and held by the Reserve Bank of India as collectibles.

Notes:
A Kannada Medium school in Sullia, Karnataka, is using a paddy field on its campus as part of its educational approach. This project gives students hands-on experience in food cultivation. The school, with over 500 students and operating since 1973, has dedicated a 3,500 square-meter field for this initiative. The goal is to provide students with practical learning in agriculture.

Notes:
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the ‘National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi’ in New Delhi. The event focuses on women’s roles in food, nutrition, health, and WASH. Health and nutrition are highlighted as essential for the nation’s development, with women playing a key role. Self-help groups are recognized as important for the country’s progress. Discussions emphasized the need for better basic health facilities and the idea that a healthy population leads to national growth. Women, including self-help groups from across the country, are attending the conclave.

Notes:
Maharashtra became the first state to adopt the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees ahead of assembly elections. The UPS was introduced by the Central Government on August 24, 2024. It replaces the 21-year-old National Pension System (NPS) and is similar to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This change effectively reverses pension reforms implemented by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.