Correct Answer :   Ram Nath Kovind

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The High-Level Committee (HLC) appointed by the Central Government has submitted its report on "one nation, one election," advocating for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies. Headed by former President "Ram Nath Kovind", the committee submitted its extensive 18,626-page report to President Droupadi Murmu.

Established in September of the previous year, the committee was tasked with examining the concept of 'one nation, one election.' Among its terms of reference was the examination and recommendation for holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats. The committee was to propose specific amendments to the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and other related laws.

The committee recommended holding simultaneous elections, citing the burden on various stakeholders such as the Government, businesses, workers, Courts, political parties, candidates, and civil society. To manage the complexities, the committee suggested two steps. Firstly, it recommended holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Secondly, it proposed synchronizing the elections for Municipalities and Panchayats with those of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, ensuring that the former are conducted within a hundred days of the latter.

How Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are proposed to be synchronised?

* The Committee has proposed the insertion of Article 82A to the Constitution to synchronise the terms of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

* All the State Assemblies which are constituted in general elections held after this Article is brought into effect ("Appointed Date") will come to end along with the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha. For example, if the Article is given effect to in June 2024, all the State Assemblies which are formed after this notification will have a term only till 2029. So, if a State election is held in 2027, the Assembly's term will end in 2029 along with the Lok Sabha.

* “For the purpose of synchronisation of elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies, the Committee recommends that the President of India may, by notification, issued on the date of the first sitting of the House of the People after a General election, bring into force the provision of this Article (Article 82A), and that date of the notification shall be called the Appointed date.

* And the tenure of all State Legislative Assemblies, constituted by elections to the State Legislative Assemblies after the Appointed date and before the expiry of the full term of the House of the People, shall be only for the period ending up to the subsequent General elections to the House of the People.

* Thereafter, all General elections to the House of the People and all State Legislative Assemblies shall be held together simultaneously.,” the report added.

* To ease the process, an Implementation Group has been recommended to look into the execution of Committee's recommendations.

* Imperatively, as per Article 82A (4), if the Election Commission opines that the elections to any Legislative Assembly cannot be conducted at the time of the General Election, it may recommend to the President to declare by an Order that the election to that Legislative Assembly may be conducted at a later date.,

Source : Livelaw

Correct Answer :   Second Thursday of March

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World Kidney Day is an annual global health awareness campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and the increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide. It is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. This year (2024) World Kidney Day is observed on 14th March.

The theme for World Kidney Day 2024 :

* The 2024 World Kidney Day campaign theme is Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice. The campaign aims to improve access to kidney treatment around the world.

History of World Kidney Day :

* World Kidney Day was first observed in 2006 with the slogan ‘Are Your Kidneys ok?’. The campaign was established by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) to highlight the need for education about the significance of kidney health and reduce the burden of kidney disease and other related health issues.

Importance of World Kidney Day :

* World Kidney Day plays a crucial role in highlighting the growing number of kidney diseases and the need for early identification and treatment. By raising awareness about the importance of kidney health, the day aims to promote equitable access to kidney healthcare and foster initiatives that enable early detection and prevention of kidney disease.

* The main objective of World Kidney Day is to educate people about the risk factors and benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Celebrating World Kidney Day :

* To mark World Kidney Day, various events and activities are organized worldwide. These events include free health screenings, educational seminars, awareness campaigns, and fundraisers. People can participate in the day by attending these events, learning more about kidney health, and taking steps to protect their kidney health.

Correct Answer :   Chhattisgarh

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (10th Mar 2024) inaugurated the 'Mahtari Vandan' scheme in Chhattisgarh to provide monetary assistance to women and said the "double-engine" government's priority is the welfare of women.

* Virtually addressing the function in the BJP-ruled state, PM Modi said his government has taken a resolve to make three crore women "lakhpati didi" in the country.

* "It is fortunate that today I got an opportunity to dedicate the Mahtari Vandan scheme aimed at empowering 'nari shakti'. Under the scheme, we had promised to give ?1,000 per month to more than 70 lakh women and today the BJP government has fulfilled it," he said.

* The first installment of ?655 crore was deposited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries (married women) under the scheme on Sunday, he said.

* "I should have been among you today for this programme, but due to some other engagements I am in Uttar Pradesh. I am speaking from Kashi, the land of Baba Vishwanath, who is also showering his blessings on you," he said.

* When mother and sisters are empowered, then the entire family gets empowered. Therefore, the priority of the double-engine government (of BJP at the Centre and in the state) is the welfare of mothers and sisters," the PM said.

* The BJP has given a guarantee of happiness and prosperity and the Chhattisgarh government led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has started working on it, he added..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   March 14th

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The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed annually on March 14th. This year, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, the theme is "Water for All" emphasizing the fundamental right of every individual to access clean water.

History and Significance of International Day of Action for Rivers :

The International Day of Action for Rivers has its roots in the First International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams, held in Curitiba, Brazil, in March 1997. River experts from 20 nations declared March 14th as the “Day of Action for Rivers,” with the aim of forming a coalition against the degradation of ecologically sensitive water bodies, rivers, and watersheds.

This day holds profound significance as a global forum to promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of rivers. It draws attention to the vital role rivers play in sustaining ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods.

Correct Answer :   $181 million

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The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed (13th Mar 2024) a $181 million loan to build quality infrastructure and services toward improving urban livability and mobility in the peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.

The signatories to the loan agreement for the Ahmedabad Peri-urban Livability Improvement Project were Ms.Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance for the Government of India, and Shri Rajesh Vasudevan, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.

After signing the loan agreement, Ms. Mukherjee said that the project aims to make peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad livable, environmentally sustainable, and efficient with robust physical andsocial infrastructure, a vibrant economy, and a distinct identity as a preferred investment destination.

“Ahmedabad’s continued expansion presents an opportunity as an economic growth center while the attendant challenge is to better manage the city’s urban sprawl especially in the peri-urban areas. The project’s interventions aim to address this challenge with the expansionof quality urban services and transport connectivity for the large migrant population settled in the city’s peripheral areas,” said Mr. Vasudevan.

The project will benefit urban poor, women, and migrant workers through improved urban services and urban governance. It will construct 166 km of water distribution network, 126 km of climate-resilient stormwater drainage, 300 km of sewerage systems, and four sewage treatment plants. The project is also supporting 10 junction improvements along the existing Sardar Patel Ring Road to improve connectivity of peri-urban areas to Ahmedabad city.

ADB will help strengthen the capacity of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority and urban local bodies in technology-based urban planning, including climate change and disaster-resilientinfrastructure that promote environmental and social safeguards, gender equality and social inclusion. The project will support land development plans and town planning schemes integrating these elements that can be replicated by other states to enhance more planned urban development and densification through agglomeration.

The project will also build the government agencies’ capacity in financial planning, revenue enhancement and infrastructure asset operations. Awareness-raising activities will be conducted in communities to encourage water conservation, health, and hygiene. Women self-help groups will be trained on water supply operations. The project will support development of recycling treated sewage for industrial use through a public–private partnership..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Anurag Singh Thakur

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Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur (13th Mar 2024) launched PB-SHABD, a news sharing service from Prasar Bharati and websites of DD News and Akashvani News as well as updated News on Air mobile app at an event in National Media Centre, New Delhi.

Historic Move for Information and Broadcasting Sector :

* Minister Thakur highlights the significance of PB-SHABD for the country’s media landscape, enabling the dissemination of accurate and meaningful content across all regional languages.
* Emphasizes Prasar Bharati’s extensive network for news gathering and delivery to every corner of India.

Features of PB-SHABD :

* Clean feed devoid of Doordarshan’s logo provided to news organizations.
* Curated content from diverse regions and languages, supporting smaller news organizations lacking extensive content networks.
* Single point source of news content across fifty categories, fostering inclusivity in news dissemination.
* Introductory offer: Free service for the first year.

Enhancements to News Services :

* Updated websites of Doordarshan News and All India Radio, and the NewsOnAIR app with personalized news feeds, push notifications, multimedia integration, offline reading, live streaming, social media sharing, location-based delivery, bookmarking, and powerful search.

Acknowledgements and Synergy :

* Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju, commends Prasar Bharti for SHABD pilot and website/app launches, foreseeing enhanced news dissemination synergy.
* CEO, Prasar Bharti, Gaurav Dwivedi, pledges outreach to media organizations to share diverse content formats through the PB SHABD platform.

Functionality of PB SHABD :

* Provides daily news feeds in video, audio, text, photo, and other formats sourced from Prasar Bharati’s extensive network.
* Designed to facilitate customized storytelling across various platforms, aiding smaller newspapers, TV channels, and digital portals.
* Free introductory offer to support smaller media entities.

Enhancements to Websites and App :

* Revamped websites offer seamless user experience with diverse content sections including National, International, Education, Health, Business & Economy, Science & Tech, Sports, Environment, and Opinion.

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

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In a strategic move to bolster its production capacity in South India, automaker Tata Motors has announced plans to set up a new manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu. With an investment of Rs 9,000 crore over the next five years, the company aims to leverage the state’s conducive business environment to propel its growth trajectory.

Job Creation and Economic Impetus : The investment is expected to create over 5,000 employment opportunities in Tamil Nadu, contributing to the state’s economic growth and development.

Strengthening Manufacturing Presence : With existing manufacturing bases in Dharwad, Karnataka, and other parts of India, Tata Motors seeks to enhance its manufacturing capabilities to meet the rising demand for commercial and passenger vehicles in the region.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) : Tata Motors and the Tamil Nadu government have signed an MoU to facilitate the establishment of the manufacturing facility, emphasizing collaborative efforts to create a conducive business environment.

Government Endorsement : Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister T R B Rajaa lauded the investment, highlighting the state’s attractiveness for businesses and commitment to fostering employment opportunities and industrial growth.

Partnership for Progress : With the support of Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s investment promotion agency, Tata Motors and the government are poised to capitalize on the opportunity and drive economic progress in the region.

Towards Sustainable Mobility Solutions : Tata Motors reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and innovation, stating that its new products will be driven by modern design and research centers globally, aligning with the company’s efforts in promoting electric vehicle (EV) transition.

Correct Answer :   NHPC Ltd

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Sanjay Kumar Singh is poised to step into the role of Director (Projects) at NHPC Limited, following a commendation by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on March 12, 2024.

* Currently serving as Chief General Manager at SJVN Limited, Singh emerges as the recommended candidate from a pool of twelve contenders.

* Among these, eight hail from NHPC, two from SJVN, and one each from HPSEBL and Patel Engineering Ltd.

Responsibilities as Director (Projects)

* In his new capacity, Singh will join the Board of Directors at NHPC, reporting directly to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).
* Tasked with overseeing project planning, execution, and contracting, he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient administrative and technical control of projects, prioritizing their timely completion.

About NHPC Limited

* NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower development entity, boasts comprehensive capabilities spanning project inception to completion.
* Founded in 1975 under the Companies Act, 1956, NHPC has expanded its portfolio to include solar and wind energy ventures.
* Formerly recognized as National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited, NHPC is entrusted with spearheading the holistic advancement of electricity generation.
* NHPC’s operational footprint extends globally, encompassing conventional and alternative energy sources, ensuring integrated and efficient electricity development.

Correct Answer :   PM-SURAJ

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal during an event organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The portal signifies the government’s commitment to extending credit support and empowering one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.

Distribution of Ayushman Health Cards and PPE Kits :

* Under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) program, the Ministry distributed Ayushman health cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to sewer and septic tank workers (Safai Mitras).

* Ayushman health cards grant beneficiaries access to cashless healthcare services at empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

* PPE kits ensure the safety of frontline workers, providing them with necessary protection against health hazards and infections.

Government Commitment to Inclusivity :

* The event underscored the government’s commitment to “Vanchiton Ko Variyata,” ensuring equitable support for historically underserved communities.

* This dedication reflects the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat,” wherein every individual has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India’s development journey.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for a semiconductor fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat (13th Mar 2024).

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and other dignitaries will also attend the event. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran will also be there.

The semiconductor fabrication facility, located over two hours away from Ahmedabad, will be established by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd. With an investment of over Rs 91,000 crore, the facility marks a significant milestone as the country’s first commercial semiconductor fab. The project is a joint venture between TEPL and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC).

Expected to generate over 20,000 direct and indirect skilled jobs, the fab will possess a manufacturing capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month. Incorporating next-generation factory automation capabilities, including data analytics and machine learning, it aims to achieve industry-best factory efficiency.

The semiconductor fab will produce chips catering to various applications such as power management IC, display drivers, microcontrollers, and high-performance computing logic, meeting the escalating demands in sectors like automotive, computing, data storage, wireless communication, and artificial intelligence.

In addition to the Dholera project, PM Modi, under the ‘India’s Techade : Chips for Viksit Bharat’ initiative, will virtually lay the foundation stones for two other facilities approved by the Cabinet recently. One such facility will be established in Sanand, Gujarat, in collaboration with CG Power and Renesas, a leading Japanese semiconductor manufacturer. The investment for this project is estimated to be around Rs 7,500 crore.

PM Modi will also lay foundation stone for another such facility in Assam, facilitated by Tata, with a substantial investment of Rs 27,000 crore. This strategic move aims to fortify semiconductor infrastructure in the north-eastern region, fostering regional economic development and technological advancement.

India’s prowess in chip design is already well-established, and with the establishment of these units, experts believe that the nation is poised to further enhance its capabilities in chip fabrication, marking a significant leap towards self-reliance in the semiconductor industry..

Source : News18