Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2020

Notes:
As a part of the economic stimulus package, the Union Finance Minister proposed that the Electricity distribution companies (Discoms) in the Union Territories (UTs) would be privatised.
As of now, Delhi is the only Union Territory which has private power Discoms namely Reliance Infrastructure’s BSES and Tata Power Delhi Distribution. Earlier, the draft amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003 were announced, which included the proposal of private participation in electricity distribution.

Notes:
The Union Finance Minister recently announced to raise the minimum threshold to initiate insolvency proceeding to Rs 1 crore from the present limit Rs 1 lakh to benefit MSMEs.
This move will give relief to the companies that default on loans due to the Covid-19 stress. It was also announced that no fresh insolvency will be initiated for one year under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the Covid-19 related debt will be excluded from the definition of default. She also proposed decriminalisation of the Companies Act for violations involving minor technical and procedural defaults.

Notes:
This year’s World Health Assembly, the key decision-making body of the World Health Organization, the 73rd edition was recently held virtually. The assembly is usually held in Geneva and attended by representatives of the United Nation’s 194 member states.
India along with other 122 countries, supported the key conference paper, which proposes for a review of the world’s response to Covid-19. The draft called for a global approach to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and its path of introduction to the human population. China committed to provide USD 2 billion over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Notes:
International Museum Day is celebrated every year across the world on May 18, for the last 40 years. This year the theme of the International Museum Day is ‘Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion’.
The objective of celebration of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of Museums in cultural exchange and mutual cooperation and peace among people. Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces of the Culture Ministry hosted a webinar on ‘Revitalising Museums and Cultural Spaces’ on the International Museum Day.

Notes:
The state of Madhya Pradesh has recently launched a new initiative, the first in the country named Charan Paduka campaign.
The campaign seeks to assist the migrant labourers who are walking barefoot by providing foot-wears to them. It was started from a Police station at Indore and is being implemented with the help of civilians, across the state. This scheme has been launched amid several accidents of the state involving migrants.

Notes:
Veteran Marathi writer Ratnakar Matkari recently passed away after being diagnosed with COVID-19, at the age of 81.
He was considered as a versatile writer of Marathi literature. He had written more than 90 plays including more than 20 children plays. He was famous for his thriller stories, essays and his theatre autobiography Maaze Rangaprayog. His iconic literary work was ‘Gahire Paani’. He was a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Sahitya Akademi awards.

Notes:
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is set to take charge as the chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board.
Harsh Vardhan would succeed the current chairman of WHO Executive Board, Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan. The Executive Board of WHO comprises 34 executives related to the field of health, each representing a member country. The Chairman’s post is held by rotation among the regional groups.

Notes:
Renowned singer Shyamala G Bhave, passed away at her residence at the age of 79. The singer was popular for her command over both Hindustani and Carnatic music.
The singer started her music career during the early years of her childhood. She had received several awards and accolades for her contribution towards music. The Diwan of Mysore Sir M Visvesvaraya honoured her with the title ‘Ubhaya Gaana Vidushi’, which means expert in both styles.

Notes:
The state of Madhya Pradesh is set to launch the ‘Everybody will get employment’ scheme through video conferencing.
The scheme has an objective of distributing MNREGA job cards to the labourers of the state. This scheme will focus on providing employment to migrant labourers. The Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh has launched a new scheme called ‘Didi Vehicle Service’ for rural women for free and safe delivery.

Notes:
Major private equity of the United States, KKR & Co. Inc. has recently acquired a 2.32 per cent stake in the digital unit of Reliance Industries, Jio platform for Rs 11,367 crore.
As per the announcement of the Reliance Industries, this is the fifth deal in the last four weeks for sale of minority stake in Jio platform. Earlier, it had raised Rs 67,194.75 crore from global technology investors including Facebook, Silver Lake Partners, Vista Equity Partners and General Atlantic.