Daily Current Affairs and GK | 3 and 4 April 2022

Topic: State News/ Punjab

1. Punjab Assembly passed a resolution to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab.

• The resolution has been passed during the one-day special session of the Assembly.
• In the last 57 years, this is the seventh resolution passed by Punjab Assembly to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. The first such resolution was brought in by Acharya Prithvi Singh Azad on May 18, 1967.
• On March 27 2022, Union Home Minister issued a notification stating that employees of Chandigarh UT administration will get the same pay and other benefits as those working under the central government.
• Employees of Chandigarh administration covered under the Punjab Civil services rule will now come under the Central service rules.
• According to the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 60% of employees in the Chandigarh administration have to be from Punjab and 40% from Haryana.
• The resolution has been passed by Punjab Assembly in response to the notification issued by Union Home Minister.
• Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana claim stakes on Chandigarh.
• Punjab Reorganisation Act:
  • Punjab Reorganisation Act was passed on September 18, 1966, to reorganize the state of Punjab.
  • The state of Punjab was reorganized into the state of Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh and some parts of Punjab were given to the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh.

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

2. Chandrapur in Maharashtra recorded as third hottest place in the world.

• The first forest fire was recorded in Chandrapur district on 29 March 2022.
• The fire was recorded in the area of Irai dam.
• Irai Dam is located on Irai River near Chandrapur and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
• Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the oldest and largest national park of Maharashtra.

Topic: Indian Economy

3. SEBI has launched Manthan, a six-week long ideathon.

• The Manthan has been launched to promote innovation in securities market.
• Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson of SEBI, launched Manthan at a function held in Mumbai.
• The ideathon is being organized by SEBI in association with BSE, NSE, NSDL, CDSL, KFintech, CAMS, LinklnTime and MCX.
• The top ten winners of Manthan would get cash prizes worth Rs 5, 00,000.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
  • SEBI was set up in 1988 and given statutory status in 1992. Its headquarters is located in Mumbai.
  • It is a regulator of the securities market in India and aims to protect the interests of investors in securities. 
  • Madhabi Puri Buch is current chairperson of SEBI.

Topic: International News

4. Viktor Orban has won election for the Prime Minister of Hungary.

• Viktor Orban has won the election for the fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Hungary.
• Fidesz party is the name of his party. The opposition was led by Péter Márki-Zay.
• In March 2022, Katalin Novak was elected as Hungary’s first female President.
• Hungary:
  • It is a landlocked Central European country.
  • Its capital is Budapest. Its currency is Forint (HUF).

Topic: Important Days

5. International Day for Mine Awareness: 4 April

• Every year on April 4, the International Day for Mine Awareness is commemorated.
• It is observed to raise awareness about the threat posed by landmines and to develop mine-action programs by the government.
• The theme of International Mine Awareness Day 2022 is “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home."
• The General Assembly declared on December 8, 2005, that every year April 4 will be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness.
• The first International Day for Mine Awareness was celebrated on 4 April 2006.
• 164 countries had signed the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997.
• Daniel Craig was the first UN Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards.

Topic: Sports

6. Australia won ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022.

• After defeating England by 71 runs in Christchurch, Australia has won the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup champions.
• In women's cricket, Australia has won 7 of the 12 World Cups that have been held.
• Alyssa Healy's incredible 170 helped Australia to score 356/5.
• Alyssa Healy was awarded Player of the Tournament.
• With 21 wickets, England's Sophie Ecclestone is the tournament's best wicket-taker.
• The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 was the twelfth edition of the Women's Cricket World Cup.
• From March 4 to April 3, 2022, the tournament was held in New Zealand.

Topic: National News

7. Six new and rare chemical Reference Materials (RMs) have been developed by NDTL.

• These RMs have been developed indigenously in association with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu.
• These RMs are the purest form of the chemical required for anti-doping analysis in all World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratories worldwide.
• Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur has launched these RMs during 15th Governing Body Meeting of NDTL.
• National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) comes under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It is located in New Delhi. It was registered in 2008.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Adani Ports and SEZ Limited have signed an agreement.

• The agreement is for setting up of an Indian Economic Zone at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsarai of Chattogram, Bangladesh.
• The two entities have signed the agreement in Mumbai. Indian Economic Zone will provide facilities for Indian investors in Bangladesh.
• It is being constructed on 857 acres of land with an estimated cost of Taka 964 crore.
• It is supported by an Indian line of credit of USD 115 million.
• In June 2015, Bangladesh and India had signed a memorandum of understanding for setting up an Indian economic zone.
• Indian Economic Zone will be the second-largest economic zone among economic zones being built in Bangladesh with intergovernmental cooperation. Japanese Economic Zone will be the largest one.

Topic: National News

9. National Commission for Women launched Anti-human trafficking cell.

• National Commission for Women launched an Anti-human trafficking cell to raise awareness among women and girls, and to give training to anti-trafficking units.
• NCW will also increase the responsiveness of law enforcement agencies and improve efficiency in tackling human trafficking cases.
• Anti-human trafficking cell will organize training and workshops for police officers and prosecutors at the regional, state and district levels.
• This cell will address complaint related to human trafficking and it will also improve monitoring mechanism. It will encourages measures taken for preventing trafficking and rehabilitation of victims.
• This cell will also help survivors of trafficking in rebuilding their lives and protect them from re-trafficking.
• National Women Commission:
  • It was formed in 1992.
  • It is the statutory body which advises the government on all policy matters affecting women.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
  • Rekha Sharma is the current chairperson of the National Commission for Women.

Topic: Indian Polity

10. Government introduced Indian Antarctic Bill in Lok Sabha.

• After 40 years of India signing the Antarctic Treaty, the government has introduced the draft of the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2020.
• This draft bill is India’s first domestic legislation related to Antarctica. Around 27 countries have domestic legislations on Antarctica.
• The Bill has a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica including rules for scientific expeditions, individuals, companies and tourist.
• It extends Indian court jurisdiction to Antarctica for crimes committed by Indian Citizens or foreign citizens who are part of the Indian expedition.
• The bill introduces a permit system for any expedition or individual who wishes to visit the Antarctica continent. The permit will be given by a committee set up by the government.
• The Bill now enables Indian tour operators to operate in Antarctica, and set standards for environmental protection as well as waste management.
• It prohibits drilling, dredging, excavation or collection of mineral resources in the Antarctica region.
• The Bill also has provision for setting up of a separate court to try crimes committed in Antarctica.
• Antarctic Treaty:
  • It was signed by countries in 1959 and it came into force in 1961.
  • This treaty covers the area south of 60°S latitude.
  • The main aim of the treaty is to demilitarize the Antarctica region and establish a zone for peaceful research activities.
  • Currently, it has 54 signatories but only 29 have the right to vote at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.

Topic: India and its neighbourhood

11. India and Nepal signed four MoUs.

• After talks between PM Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, India and Nepal signed four pacts for cooperation in the field of railways, energy, etc.
• Both leaders jointly inaugurated the Solu Corridor 132 KV Power Transmission Line and Substation in Nepal. It has been built with the assistance of India.
• They also flagged off cross-border passenger train services between Jaynagar (India) and Kurtha (Nepal).
• On this occasion, both countries’ Prime Ministers launched RuPay Card in Nepal.
• Both countries also agreed upon further strengthening the cooperation between the defense and security institutions.
• Projects like Nepal Police Academy, Integrated Check Post in Nepalganj and Ramayana Circuit will strengthen ties between both countries.
• Nepal has officially become a member of the International Solar Alliance.

Topic: Appointments

12. Mahesh Verma appointed as new Chairman of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers (NABH).

• Mahesh Verma is currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi’s Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and Professor at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences.
• He is a recipient of the National Science and Technology award and Padma Shri as well as Dr. B. C. Roy award.
• He is the President of the International Association of Dental Research, India Division.
• National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH):
  • It was set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organizations.
  • It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India.

Topic: Sports

13. Dwayne Bravo becomes highest wicket-taker in IPL.

• Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has become the highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League.
• He achieved this feat in the match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Brabourne Stadium.
• He has taken 171 wickets in 153 matches of IPL. He breaks the record of Malinga.
• Amit Mishra (166), and Piyush Chawla (157) are on the third and fourth positions respectively.
• Virat Kohli is the highest run scorer in the IPL. He has scored 6283 runs in 199 innings.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: India and its neighbourhood

14. Sri Lankan government declares public emergency amidst protests against economic crisis.

• The President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a nationwide public emergency.
• Sri Lanka is facing economic crisis due to the shortage of forex reserves.
• People are facing long hours of power outages and scarcity of essentials.
• A proclamation of emergency must be approved by the Parliament within 30 days from the date of its issue.
• Sri Lanka's public debt has risen from 94% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 to 119% of the GDP in 2021.
• In the last 15 years, the Sri Lankan government issued sovereign bonds several times.
• Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange increased but not through the export of goods and services, which made the forex reserve vulnerable to market shocks.