Correct Answer :   Goa

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The first Prime Minister GatiShakti regional workshop for Western and Central Zone was held 20th Feb 2023 in Goa.

* The workshop featured discussions on use cases of National Master Plan (NMP) adoption by Central Ministries & State Departments for planning and acted as a platform for mutual learning among the States and Central Ministries/Departments.  

* Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and senior government officials from Central Ministries and State Governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh were present on the occasion.

* Secretary, DPIIT Anurag Jain stated that PM GatiShakti will kick start the virtuous cycle of pulling in private investments, increasing production, employment and growth.

* He added that the GatiShakti NMP was launched to propel the nation towards achieving the goal of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. 

* He further noted that the root cause of many problems faced by the common man is the huge disconnect between macro level planning and its implementation at the micro level and that the GatiShakti NMP is huge step towards resolving the same.

* Synergies can be built to ensure integrated planning, synchronized implementation and monitoring of infrastructure, economic and social sector projects/schemes through this platform, added Secretary Anurag Jain.

* Special Secretary, DPIIT Sumita Dawra observed that since the launch of PM GatiShakti on Oct 13, 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several milestones such as the launch of a National Logistics Policy has been achieved.

* Tracing the progress made under PM GatiShakti NMP, she added that as of today over 1300 layers have been uploaded. 30 Individual portals of Central Ministries and 36 States/UTs State Master Plan portals have also been developed.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Hyderabad

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World Health Organisation (WHO) is setting up an mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine hub in Hyderabad as part of its plans to set up such hubs in select locations globally, industries minister KT Rama Rao disclosed on Tuesday (21st Feb 2023).

The mRNA vaccine hub is coming up at Biological E by way of a technology transfer by WHO to create capacities not just for global emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic but also to tackle future pandemics as well as develop capacities for ailments such as malaria, HIV, and cancer.

KTR said that as Hyderabad is also home to one of the largest number of US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) approved manufacturing plants at 214, the state government was trying to get the US drug regulator to set up its offices in the city.

The city accounts for about 40% of India's pharma output, KTR said at an interaction in the run-up to the 20th edition of Asia's largest life sciences conclave - BioAsia 2023 -that kicks off on February 24.

Telangan government's target to double the state's life sciences ecosystem from $50 billion in value (turnover of $13 billion) in 2021 to $100 billion by 2028, he said the plan is to also double the employment generated by the sector to 8 lakh over the next five years.

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   RK Singh

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The minister of power and new and renewable energy RK Singh, has launched the South Asia Distribution Utility Network (SADUN).

 SADUN Aim : To modernise distribution of utilities in South Asia via knowledge sharing among the region's discoms.

About SADUN :

* SADUN is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Power, USAID and PFC. Singh said that all the member nations would benefit from the synergy, exchange of experiences and the sharing of vision-enabled by the network.

* United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had conceptualised SADUN in January 2020 based on a consensus among the participants over a need for an initiative which focused on distribution network in the region.

* Apart from enabling knowledge sharing among discoms and enhancing focus on distribution issues at the regional-level, the network aims to enable utility-to-utility (U2U) connect to reap the benefits of aggregation.

* USAID has already shared a white paper on SADUN with member nations to “get their concurrence on the blueprint of the network” and move ahead in “the process of implementation.”

Who All Were Present At The Forum :

* Representatives from the power sectors of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka welcomed the initiative while they spoke about the opportunities, challenges and expectations from the forum.

* Union power secretary Alok Kumar and USAID’s mission director Veena Reddy were also present at the event. The delegates at the event included Sonam Tobjey, CEO of Bhutan Power Corporation; Bikash Dewan, MD of DPDC in Bangladesh; Ajwad Mustafa from Maldives’ Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Technology and MPDUK Mapa Pathirana, Secretary at the Ministry of Power & Energy of Sri Lanka...

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Adidas

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is close to agreeing to a deal with German sporting goods giant "Adidas" to pay Rs 350 crore as the team’s uniform sponsor.

* Adidas will take the place of Killer Jeans manufacturer Kewal Kiran Clothing Ltd, which stepped in as a temporary sponsor last month after the original sponsor Mobile Premier League Sports (MPL Sports) backed out of the agreement in the middle of it.

* The previous sponsor MPL Sports is an athleisure wear and sports merchandise brand from Galactus Funware Technology Pvt. Ltd. The BCCI-MPL Sports kit deal was to last for three years from November 2020 to December 2023.

* However, despite BCCI’s request to stay on till 31 March, the fantasy sports company pulled out in January, after which Kewal Kiran took over as interim sponsor. MPL had come in after US sportswear company Nike’s term ended in 2020 after a 14-year-long association.

* The Adidas, Five Years deal is expected to begin from June 2023 and will last till March 2028..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Odisha Governor "Prof Ganeshi Lal" on Saturday (18th Feb 2023) launched India’s first AI chatbot for the agriculture sector - "Ama KrushAI" at the valedictory session of  ‘Krushi Odisha 2023’.

* Ama KrushAI chatbot will help farmers with the best agronomic practices, government schemes and loan products from more than 40 commercial and cooperative banks.

* It will run under a pilot project involving more than 10,000 farmers and will be implemented in full-fledged in the next two months.

* The Governor urged farmers to take advantage of different schemes announced by the state government to promote agriculture and help the state prosper.

* “Civilisation started off with agriculture and the superstructure of civilisation is based on agriculture. Only a farmer can do the magic in agriculture”.

* Odisha is now self-sufficient in many crops. The state is the fourth largest rice producer of the country and nearly self-sufficient in milk, egg and fisheries.

* More than 20,000 farmers and agri-entrepreneurs from across the state attended the three-day event organised by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department in collaboration with FICCI to promote farm mechanisation and enhancement in farmers’ income. Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram and principal secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee were present..

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Manoj Sinha

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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the 33rd Police-Public Mela at Gulshan Ground, Jammu 19th Feb 2023.

He commended the Jammu and Kashmir Police Wives Welfare Association (JKPWWA) for carrying out numerous initiatives around the year to address the concerns of the families of martyrs and serving personnel.

LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurated 33rd Police-Public Mela in Jammu :

* The LG while addressing the gathering informed that Jammu and Kashmir Police Wives Welfare Association (JKPWWA) is doing exceptional work in promoting welfare measures for JKP Jawans and their families.

* He also paid tributes to the martyrs of J&K Police who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation.

* The LG noted that the nation will be forever grateful to the Bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifices for the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

* Later, the LG went around the stalls put up by various Police establishments, Districts, and JKRLM and also interacted with the police families.

About Jammu and Kashmir Police :

* The Jammu and Kashmir Police or JKP is the law enforcement agency of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory). JKP was established in 1873 and has primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within Jammu and Kashmir in India.

* The first specific Jammu & Kashmir police force came into existence in the year 1873 with one police officer known as Kotwal and 14 Thanedars for Srinagar City. This police force would control crime and take care of law-and-order situations with help of Chowkidars and Harkars, who were paid mandatorily by the residents of Imperial Kashmir Union...

Source : Daily Excelsior

Correct Answer :   RK Singh

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ELECRAMA 2023, World’s largest electrical show by IEEMA, kicked off to an electrifying start following a grand opening at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida on 18th February 2023.

* The event was graced by chief guest Shri RK Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) Power, New & Renewable Energy;

* H.E. Zhemu Soda, Hon’ble Minister of Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe, Mr.SatishPai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries;

* Mr. Jean Pascal Tricoire, Global CEO, Schneider Electric, along with Mr.Rohit Pathak, President, IEEMA;

* Mr.Jitendra K Agarwal, Chairman, ELECRAMA 2023;

* Mr. Hamza Arsiwala, President-Elect, IEEMA, Mr. Sunil Singhvi, Vice President, IEEMA, Ms.CharuMathur, Director General, IEEMA and several other dignitaries.


15th edition of ELECRAMA 2023 Key Points :

* ‘Re-imagining the Future: Metamorphosis of the Power Sector in India’ is the focus theme of the Power Pavilion, ELECRAMA 2023.

* It is created as a metaphorical butterfly to demonstrate how India’s power sector has changed.

* It is a tribute to the people, the policies, and the technology that fuel transformation and offers a glimpse of the thriving and dynamic Indian Power Sector that is accelerating the development of the nation with an aim to attain net zero economic leadership in green energy.

* PSUs in the power sector, such as REC, PFC, NTPC, NHPC, PGCIL, SJVN, and THDC India Limited, participated in the Power Pavilion, which is presenting a variety of technologies and activities, including e-mobility, energy transition, green financing, RDSS, smart cities, smart grids, and smart metres.

* Addressing at the event, CMD, REC Vivek Kumar Dewangan commended ELECRAMA 2023‘s organisers for putting on an event that brought together all the manufacturers and players in the whole power sector value chain.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India Key Points :

* Hon’ble Minister of Power Shri RK Singh inaugurates 15th edition of ELECRAMA 2023

* Close to 1,000 Exhibitors with 3,50,000 Expected Footfalls

* 15,000+ focused b2b meetings

* Business Opportunities in Defence, Railways, Green Buildings, Smart Cities

* Buyers from 75+ Countries and 300+ domestic buyers

* CEOs from smart cities of North-East to share their procurement requirements in the region

* Report on New Energies Equipment Outlook 2030 to be unveiled.

Source : PTI News

Correct Answer :   Jaipur

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The 18th UIC World Security Congress commenced in Jaipur, India, 21st Feb 2023. The 3-day Conference is being jointly organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC), Paris and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The proceedings started with the welcome address by Mr. Sanjay Chander, Director General, Railway Protection Force, India who is also the Chairman, Security Platform of the UIC.

During the welcome address, he mentioned about the importance of the Congress and the relevance of theme - “Railway Security Strategy: Responses and Vision for Future”.

The World Security Congress is a globally recognized security platform that brings together representatives from member Railway Organizations, delegates of UIC, policy makers, senior law-enforcement officials from State Polices and Railway Protection Force to discuss the current security challenges and deliberate on innovative solutions in the Railway Sector.

About UIC : The UIC (Union International Des Chemins) or International Union of Railways established in 1922 is headquartered in Paris.

It is the worldwide professional association representing the railway sector for research, development & promotion of rail transport.

Members are invited to take a proactive role in the UIC working groups and assemblies where the railways’ position on regional/worldwide issues is shaped. Active participation in the working groups is a unique opportunity to voice opinions and benefit from the weight of the railway sector at a coordinated worldwide level.

The Security Platform of UIC is empowered to develop and formulate analysis and policy positions on behalf of the global rail sector in matters relating to security of persons, property and installations...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Delhi

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The Delhi government has announced a ban on bike taxis with immediate effect. The decision will affect cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido, which are popular in the city.

In the national capital stating that it was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which would make aggregators liable for a fine of ₹1 lakh.

The move will also affect many customers that rely on two-wheelers via Ola, Uber, and Rapido amid surging fares of cabs. Many also prefer this affordable mode of transport since bikes are more mobile in Delhi's traffic.

Reason for ban on Ola, Rapido, Uber Bike Service :

* In contravention of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, it has come to our attention that two-wheelers with a Non-Transport (Private) registration mark or number are being used to transport people for hire or reward.

* The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 is broken when two-wheelers are used for business purposes.

* Following the Delhi Transport Department’s directive, hefty fines have been imposed on persons using two-wheelers as taxis.

Fine for the violation of law :

* The penalty for the apps might be as much as Rs 1 lakh.

* A first offence might result in a fine of Rs 5,000, while a second offence could result in a fine of Rs 10,000 and up to a year in jail.

* In addition, a Supreme Court committee will decide to suspend the driver’s licence for a minimum of three months..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Reserve Bank of India

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Vikramaditya Singh Khichi to a panel to advise the administrator of debt-ridden Reliance Capital (RCap).

* Khichi, former executive director of Bank of Baroda, has been appointed to Reliance Capital’s advisory committee following the resignation of Srinivasan Varadarajan from the panel.

* The RBI on December 7, 2021, constituted an advisory committee to advise the administrator in the operations of the financial service providers during the corporate insolvency resolution process of RCap.

* RCap was planning to challenge the verdict of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that ruled Torrent Investment as the highest bidder for the firm in the Supreme Court.

* Consequent upon the resignation of Shri Srinivasan Varadarajan from the Advisory Committee with effect from February 17, 2023, it has been decided to appoint Shri Vikramaditya Singh Khichi as a member of the Advisory Committee with immediate effect..

Source : Money Control