Daily Current Affairs and GK | 30 November 2019

1. Government to provide $400 million line of credit to Sri Lanka

• After meeting with Sri Lankan President, Indian PM announced to provide a $ 400 million line of credit to Sri Lanka.
• The credit will be provided for boosting the development in the island nation. India will also extend a credit of $50 million to the nation to fight against terrorism.
• The discussions between the Sri Lankan President and Indian PM focused on security cooperation, fisherman’s issues, etc.

2. Committee calls for views on Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2019

• Views from the Public and various stakeholders have been invited by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
• The bill seeks to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1954, which provides certificate to films for exhibition.
• The bill imposes a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh or imprisonment of up to 3 years or both on a person who tries to make copies of a film without the written approval of the producer.

3. Deadline for FASTag extended up to 15^th December

• The deadline for obtaining FASTags has been extended to 15^th December, after which all the toll payments on National Highways could be made only through FASTags.
• The vehicles entering the FASTags lane without FASTag shall be liable to pay double user fee after the 15^th of December.
• National Electronic Toll Collection program was launched by the government so as to save fuel, time, ensure seamless traffic movement and curb pollution.
• The user fee would be collected through FASTags that can be purchased at zero cost and will be valid for five years.
• NHAI has also launched MyFASTag App to provide information related to FASTag.

4. Sixth Dornier Aircraft Squadron- “Raptors” commissioned in Porbandar

• Indian Navy has commissioned Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 314 (sixth Dornier aircraft squadron) at Porbandar, Gujarat.
• Vice Admiral M S Pawar, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, was the chief guest.
• The squadron will be the first to respond in this strategic region.
• Dornier Aircraft:
  • It is a multi-role Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft that can be used for search and rescue missions, getting target data for weapon platform, maritime surveillance, etc.
  • The aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kanpur. Navy will procure 12 new Dornier aircraft from HAL equipped with advanced surveillance radar, optical sensors, glass cockpit, etc.

5. 12 hi-tech parks to be set up soon in Bangladesh

• 12 hi-tech parks will be set up by India in Bangladesh, costing $ 193 million, where 30,000 Bangladeshi youths will be trained as IT professionals.
• The High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das inaugurated Swami Vivekananda Bhawan at Rangpur.
• The Bhawan comprises of a Computer Center, Charitable Medical Centre, Coaching centre and student's home.

6. Sri Lankan Army to participate in joint military exercise in India

• Mitra Shakti- VII- a joint military exercise will be conducted between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army.
• It will be a two-week-long exercise, which will be held at Kumaon Regiment camp in Pune.
• This joint military exercise is held annually since 2012, and the 2019 exercise is the seventh edition of this exercise.
• The aim of the exercise is to promote interoperability, cooperation, sharing of experiences, and develop understanding between the two forces.

7. Sardar Patel Narmada Trek (SPNT) camp begins

• Sardar Patel Narmada Trek (SPNT) camp has begun at Statue of Unity-Kevadia in Narmada district.
• SNPT is a national level trekking camp organized for promoting National Integration.
• NCC Senior and Junior Division Cadets from various states and UTs, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh will be participating in the event.
• The cadets will first trek from the base camp to Junaraj and then visit Karjan Dam.
• Gujarat NCC Directorate organizes this adventurous trek every year.

8. Hallmarking for Gold Jewellery and Artefacts made compulsory

• The government has made hallmarking for Gold Jewellery and Artefacts compulsory from 15^th January 2021.
• The government will issue a notification regarding this on 15^th January 2020.
• The person violating the rules shall be liable to fine of minimum one lakh rupees or five times the value of the items or imprisonment for one year.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Recently, the government has announced a 400 million dollar line of credit to boost the development in which of the following nations?

1. Maldives
2. Nepal
3. Sri Lanka
4. Malaysia

Correct Answer: (c)

2. According to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019, a person trying to make copies of a film without the written approval of the producer could be imprisoned for how many months/years?

1. 6 months
2. 1 year
3. 2 years
4. 3 years

Correct Answer: (d)

3. What is FASTag that has been recently in the news?

1. A new way of paying toll tax digitally
2. A standard for food items
3. A standard for gold items
4. None of the above

Correct Answer: (a)

4. What is the name of Sixth Dornier aircraft squadron that has been commissioned by the Indian Navy?

1. Vultures
2. Starks
3. Raptors
4. Eagle

Correct Answer: (c)

5. In which of the following countries, India is going to set up 12 hi-tech parks?

1. Singapore
2. Myanmar
3. Bangladesh
4. Afghanistan

Correct Answer: (c)

6. What is the name of joint military exercise to be held between India and Sri Lanka?

1. Mitra Shakti
2. Netra Jyoti
3. Kushan
4. Varun

Correct Answer: (a)

7. Sardar Patel Narmada Trek is organized every year for-

1. NCC cadets
2. Indian Navy
3. CRPF
4. SSB

Correct Answer: (a)

8. The hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will be mandatory from-

1. 1^st January 2020
2. 1^st January 2021
3. 15^th January 2020
4. 15^th January 2021

Correct Answer: (d)