Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 March 2020

1. Special Meeting on Research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems organized in New Delhi

• Recently a special meeting on research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems was held in New Delhi.
• The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
• The purpose of this meeting is to ascertain the development of society through the coordination of ancient and modern styles of knowledge.  
• On this occasion, Mr. Pokhriyal said that Indian traditional knowledge is not only logical, but also scientific.

2. Rajya Sabha approved two new National Commission bills

• Recently, the Rajya Sabha has approved two new National Commission bills.
• The Rajya Sabha has passed the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill 2019 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy Medicine Bill 2019.
• Both the bills were passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha and aims at providing quality and affordable medical education system.
• The main objective of the establishment of these commissions is to promote equity by ensuring adequate supply of quality medical professionals and to implement high ethical standards in all aspects of medical services.

3. A proposal for a comprehensive rehabilitation of beggars in the country

• Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has proposed restructuring and formulation of a scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of beggars in the country.
• This scheme will be implemented only in selected cities with high number of beggar community during the financial year 2020-2021.
• Under this scheme, beggars will be identified and rehabilitated with the help of state governments, local urban bodies and voluntary organizations.
• Also, medical facilities, education and skill development will be provided to them.

4. 5 candidates each from Bihar and West Bengal were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha

• Recently, 5-5 candidates from Bihar and West Bengal have been elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha.
• Rajya Sabha:
  • The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house of the Parliament. One-third of its members retire after every two years.
  • These seats are re-filled by indirect election.
  • Article 80 of the Constitution provides for members of the Rajya Sabha.
  • Currently, Rajya Sabha has 245 members, including 233 elected members and 12 nominated by the President.
  • As per the constitutional limit, the Rajya Sabha cannot have more than 250 members.

5. Access to Thanjavur temple in Tamil Nadu prohibited till 31 March

• The entry of pilgrims into the famous Thanjavur temple in Tamil Nadu has been banned until 31 March.
• It was announced by the district administration keeping in view Coronavirus pandemic.
• However, the four-time daily rituals of the temple will be performed as usual.
• Thanjavur Temple:
  • The Thanjavur Temple or Brihadishvara Temple, also known as Rajarajeshwaram, is located on the banks of the Cauvery River in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
  • It is built in Dravidian architecture.
  • It was built between 1003 and 1010 AD by Tamil King Raja Raja Chola.
  • The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known as the "Great Living Chola Temple".

6. Approval for purchase of 83 indigenous Tejas fighter jets for the Indian Air Force

• Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the purchase of 83 indigenous Tejas fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
• The Defence Acquisition Council has approved about Rs 1,300 crore for the acquisition of indigenous defense equipment.
• The Defence Acquisition Council is headed by the Defence Minister of India.
• Tejas:
  • It is an indigenously designed light combat aircraft by the Aircraft Development Agency (ADA), built by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • Its range is 3000 km and weight is 6500 kg.

7. March 18, 2020: 219^th Foundation Day of Ordnance Factories

• The Ordnance Factories of India celebrated their 219^th Foundation Day on 18 March 2020.
• India's first ordnance manufacturing factory, Gun and Shell Factory, was established in Kashipur, Kolkata on the same day in 1801.
• The Ordnance Factories consists of 41 factories producing various types of materials for the Army.
• The Ordnance Factory Board was formed on 2 April 1979.
• The corporate headquarters of the board is in Kolkata.

8. Madras High Court imposed a fine of 1.2 lakhs on a firm

• The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court fined the managing partner of VV Minerals a fine of 1.2 lakhs for not responding properly to the show cause notice.
• VV Minerals is a beach mineral exporter company.
• VV Minerals were granted lease for mining beach sand minerals under the Mining and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
• But after the decision of the Central Government to include beach sand minerals as atomic minerals, the state has given V.V. minerals a show cause notice was issued to the Minerals.
• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 regulates the mining sector in India and specifies the requirement of obtaining and awarding mining leases for mining operations.

9. Uttar Pradesh High Court has said that the state government's ordinance is arbitrary

• The Allahabad High Court told the Uttar Pradesh government that the Public and Private Property Ordinance, 2020 is arbitrary.
• Also, the government has sought a response by March 25 on the recovery of the loss ordinance.
• This ordinance was brought by the state government to compensate the losses incurred during the protest against the citizenship law.
• Ordinance:
  • Ordinances are brought on any urgent matter when Parliament or Legislature is not in session.
  • Under the Constitution of India, the President is empowered to issue ordinances by Article 123 and Governor by Article 213.
  • The ordinance has the same force and effect as that of a law made by the Parliament or the Legislature.

10. RBI has decided to invest Rs 10,000 crore in the banking system

• The Reserve Bank of India will operate liquidity of Rs 10,000 crore in the banking system.
• RBI will invest Rs 10,000 crore in the banking system by purchasing government securities through open market operations.
• Open Market Operations:
  • Open market operations (OMOs) are conducted by RBI through the sale or purchase of government securities.
  • The central bank sells government securities to remove liquidity from the system and buys government securities to increase liquidity in the system.

Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs)

1. A meeting on research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems was organized recently in-

A. Hyderabad

B. Bhopal

C. Gandhinagar

D. New Delhi

2. Rajya Sabha has approved which of the following new National Commission Bill?

A. Indian Medical Practices Commission Bill 2019

B. Homeopathy Medical Bill Commission 2019

C. Both A and B

D. None

3. Under which ministry will the scheme for rehabilitation of beggars in the country be restructured and formulated?

A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

B. Ministry of Women and Child Development

C. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

D. Ministry of Home Affairs

4. Currently how many members are there in Rajya Sabha?

A. 250

B. 245

C. 252

D. 240

5. What is true about Brihadishvara temple?

A. It is built in Dravidian architecture.

B. It was built by Raja Raja Chola.

C. Located on the banks of river Kaveri in Thanjavur.

D. All of the above are true.

6. Who among the following presides over the Defence Acquisition Council?

A. Defence Minister

B. Prime Minister

C. Home Minister

D. President

7. When was India's first Ordnance manufacturing factory built?

A. 1901

B. 1957

C. 1801

D. 1857

8. In which year was the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act introduced?

A. 1947

B. 1957

C. 1985

D. 1975

9. Under which article can the Governor of a state issue an ordinance?

A. Article 123

B. Article 213

C. Article 231

D. Article 131

10. Under what process does the central bank sell government securities to remove liquidity from the system?

A. Open Market Operations

B. Action of demand currency

C. Bill of Exchange

D. Retail Credit Campaign

Solution

1. D

2. C

3. A

4. B

5. D

6. A

7. C

8. B

9. B

10. A