Correct Answer : Option (C) - March 25

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed on March 25 every year by the United Nations (UN) to commemorate the abduction of a journalist named Alec Collett, who died while on a UN assignment.

* The day is an initiative of the United Nations to recognise the sacrifices made by its staff and the lives lost in the line of duty in different humanitarian works undertaken by UN bodies.

* On the occasion of International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said, “Together, we must do everything we can to ensure that those who undertake lifesaving work around the world have the protection and conditions they need to fulfil their vital mission.”

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2023 History :

* The day is observed on March 25 to mark the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett. He was a former journalist who worked for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In  1985, he was abducted by armed gunmen. In 2009, his body was found in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley...

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 4%

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday (24th March 2023) announced that the government has increased the dearness allowance or DA for central government employees by 4 per cent to 42 per cent with effect from January 1, 2023.

* The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will be ₹12,815.60 crore per annum, the information and broadcasting minister told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

* The release of the additional instalment of dearness allowance to employees and dearness relief to pensioners will be effective from January 01, 2023.

* This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

* The government has also extended the subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for another year.

* In a major relief to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries and to shield them from high LPG prices, the government approved a subsidy of ₹200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year.

* The Cabinet has also given its approval for Minimum Support Price or MSP for raw jute for the 2023-24 season.

* The MSP of raw jute has been fixed at ₹5,050 per quintal. This would ensure a return of 63.20 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production...

Source : Hindustan Times