Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released Rs 877 crore to the accounts of over 43 lakh farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode on the occasion of Utkal Divas (1st April 2023).  

* The state government extended another round of funds to Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) for undertaking kharif operation.

* However, farmers of the by-election bound Jharsuguda district did not receive the KALIA benefit in view of the model code of conduct in force.

* Congratulating the farmers on the occasion of the formation of Odisha as a separate state, the chief minister said the development of the state is closely linked with the welfare of the farmers.

* While emphasising on crop diversification, the CM said the state government has taken host of measures for the development of agriculture sector. The need of the hour is farm mechanisation and use of modern technology to increase productivity and income of the farmers.

* In a bid to increase production of nutritious food, the state government has launched several grain-based schemes on mission mode. He advised the farming community to go for crop diversification in a big way.

* Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain said the KALIA has made the farmers self-reliant and freed them from the clutches of private money lenders.The state government is providing financial assistance of Rs 4,000 in two instalments during kharif and rabi seasons to partly meet the input cost.

About KALIA scheme :

It was launched in December 2018.

Aim : To reduce poverty and accelerate agricultural prosperity.

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   3rd April 2023

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Former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Thottathil B Radhakrishnan passed away at a private hospital in Kochi early this morning (3rd April 2023). He was 63.

* Justice Radhakrishnan also served as the Chief Justice of Telangana, Hyderabad and Chattisgarh High Courts and was a  judge of the Kerala High Court.

* An expert in civil, constitutional and administrative matters, he also chaired the expert committee formed by the Kerala Forest Department to conduct field studies and record details of houses, commercial establishments and other structures that surround wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Reserve Bank of India

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The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Neeraj Nigam as executive director, effective 3rd April 2023, the central bank said in a release.

* Prior to this, Nigam was heading the Bhopal office of the central bank as regional director.

* Nigam will oversee the departments of consumer education and security, financial inclusion and development, legal, and secretary in his capacity as executive director.

* In the RBI's central office as well as regional offices, Nigam has more than three decades of expertise in regulation and supervision, human resource management, property management, currency management, bank accounts, and other areas...

Source : Freepress Journal

Correct Answer :   Ron Malka

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Adani Group on Monday (3rd April 2023) appointed Ron Malka, former envoy of Israel to India, as the Executive Chairman of the Haifa Port Company (HPC).

* A consortium of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) and Israel's Gadot Group won the tender in July last year to privatise the strategic Port of Haifa in Israel for USD 1.18 billion.

* Malka has shared the news on his Twitter handle and said that he has assumed charge as the Executive Chairman of the company.

* Malka served as the ambassador of Israel to India from 2018 to 2021.

* The Port of Haifa is the second largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers and the biggest in shipping tourist cruise ships.

* The Adani Group officially took over the Israeli port in January this year at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

* Israel expects that the Adani Group's major entry into the country will lead to more Indian investments, especially in the fields of renewable energy and defence...

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   April 2

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World Autism day is observed annually on April 2 to promote awareness and advocacy for the rights of people with autism.

* This year (2023) marks the 16th anniversary of the day.

* World Autism day Theme 2023 : This year the theme is “Contribution of Autistic Individuals at Home, at Work, in the Arts, and Policymaking.”

* In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day, following a proposal put forward by the State of Qatar...

Source : UN

Correct Answer :   2nd April 2023

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Salim Durani, the debonair India cricketer of the 1960s with a movie star looks, a puckish sense of humour, and a penchant for hitting monstrous sixes on demand, died on Sunday (2nd April 2023). He was 88.

* His death was confirmed by sources close to the family. He had been living with his younger brother, Jahangir Durani, in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

* Durani had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year.

* The Kabul-born Durani, who packed a punch with his bat and was also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler, played 29 Tests and was instrumental in India defeating England 2-0 in the historic five-match Test series in 1961-62, picking up eight and 10 wickets in the team's victories at Calcutta and Madras.

* In the era of 1960-1973, Durani marked his presence with his pure ability to send the ball flying into the stands. He was an allrounder and had a unique ability to finish off the game either with the bat or with the ball. He was a part of India's successful victory against England in 1961-62.

* Durani capped off an impressive display by picking up eight wickets against the English team.

* In his illustrious career, Durani also picked up the wickets of one of the best cricketers like Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers.

* With his slow left-arm orthodox bowling style Durani certainly knew how to increase the intensity in a game and add a touch of entertainment for the fans as well.

* The former Indian cricketer featured in 29 Test matches for team India and scored 1,202 runs with an average of 25.04. He also had a century and seven half-centuries in his career.

* With the ball, Durani picked up 75 wickets and 6/73 remained his best bowling figure in an inning. Once, when he was dropped for a test series, fans chanted slogans like "No Durrani, no Test."

* Durani, known for his fine dressing style and swagger, scored just one century though he had seven fifties in the 50 innings he played for the country, scoring 1,202 runs.

Born : 11 December 1934

Died : 2 April 2023.

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   1st April 2023

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (1st April 2023) flagged off the Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat Express train in Madhya Pradesh capital.

* The Vande Bharat Express train service between Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi.

* The train will cover a distance of 701 kilometres in 7 hours and 30 minutes and will operate on all days except Saturday (1st April 2023).

* It will stop at Veerangana Laxmibai Jhansi, Gwalior, and Agra.

* It is the country’s first semi-high speed train service, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h.

* The train was designed and manufactured in India, with 80% of its components being indigenous.

* It offers several amenities to passengers, such as Wi-Fi, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information systems, and more.
The train is also eco-friendly, as it uses regenerative braking systems to conserve energy.

* The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express is a significant step towards the modernization and improvement of the country’s railway infrastructure.

Correct Answer :   Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh

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Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh took charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff on Saturday (1st April 2023).

After assuming charge, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh paid homage to the bravehearts at the National War Memorial and reviewed the Guard of Honour at South Block in New Delhi on Sunday (2nd April 2023).

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh graduated from the National Defence Academy, Pune, and was commissioned in 1986 in the executive branch of the Indian Navy.

About Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh :

In his career spanning 37 years, he has served on most class of ships of the Indian Navy and has held a range of command, training and staff appointments, including Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (CSNCO), flag officer sea training, flag officer Commanding Western Fleet, Commandant Naval War College, and Controller Personnel Services. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, he was Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).

He holds MSc and MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University, MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London, and MA (History), MPhil (Pol) and PhD (Arts) from Mumbai University.

In recognition of his distinguished service, the flag officer was awarded the Nao Sena Medal in 2009, and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020...

Source : I T

Correct Answer :   1st April

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

The Central Office of the RBI, initially set up in Kolkata, was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937.

Sir Osborne Smith the first Governor of the Bank. The Bank was constituted as a shareholders’ bank. The RBI is the central bank of India and is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary and credit system.

It is also responsible for issuing currency and managing the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

The RBI works closely with the government of India to formulate and implement monetary and fiscal policies that promote economic growth and stability. It was set up as a private shareholder’s bank with a capital of Rs. 5 crores.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) performs various functions, some of which are as follows :

Formulating and implementing monetary policy : The RBI is responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policy in India, with the aim of maintaining price stability while ensuring adequate credit flow to the productive sectors of the economy.

Regulating and supervising banks and financial institutions : The RBI regulates and supervises banks and financial institutions in India to ensure their stability and soundness.

Conducting research and analysis : The RBI conducts research and analysis on various aspects of the economy, including banking and financial systems, monetary policy, and economic development.

Developing and regulating payment and settlement systems : The RBI develops and regulates payment and settlement systems in India, including electronic fund transfer systems, cheque clearing systems, and other payment mechanisms.

Promoting financial inclusion : The RBI works to promote financial inclusion and ensure that banking and financial services are accessible to all sections of society.

Issuing and managing currency : The RBI is responsible for the issuance and management of currency in India.

Managing foreign exchange reserves : The RBI manages India’s foreign exchange reserves and intervenes in the foreign exchange market to maintain stability in the value of the rupee.

Acting as a banker to the government : The RBI acts as a banker and advisor to the central and state governments in India, managing their accounts and providing them with credit and other banking services.

Correct Answer :   Rajib K Mishra

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Power trading company PTC India (Power Trading Corporation of India Limited) on Wednesday (29th March 2023) said it has appointed Rajib Kumar Mishra as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).

Mishra was holding the additional charge of CMD of the company. He joined the PTC Board in February 2015 as Director (Marketing and Business Development). He has been appointed CMD with effect from 29th March 2023, the company said in a statement.

Prior to this, Mishra worked as Executive Director of PTC since October 2011 and was responsible for Operations, Business Development, Retail & Advisory Services.

He has 38 years of professional experience and has served at state-run NTPC and Power Grid in various capacities. He has authored four published books and twenty-four technical and management papers.

About the Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC) :

* Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC) is a public sector undertaking established in 1999 under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Its primary business is to trade electricity across different regions of India.

* PTC initially started its operations as a power trading company in India, but over the years, it has diversified into other areas such as power generation, transmission, distribution, and consulting services.

* PTC has played a significant role in the development of the Indian power sector by promoting competition and transparency in the market. The company has also been involved in several international projects in countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Source : The Hindu Businessline