Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 6th August 2021

Correct Answer: E. Kumar Mangalam Birla

Explanation: Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has stepped down as the Non-Executive Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Vodafone Idea (now Vi) Board. The Vi Board of Directors have unanimously elected Himanshu Kapania, currently a Non-Executive Director, as the Non-Executive Chairman with effect.

Kapania, a nominee of the Aditya Birla Group, is a telecom industry veteran with 25 years of experience. He has also served on the Global GSMA Board for two years and was also the Chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for two years. He is presently the Chairman of the FICCI Council on Telecom, Electronics and Digital Economy.

Important Points:

• Aditya Birla Group Founder: Seth Shiv Narayan Birla;
• Aditya Birla Group Founded: 1857;
• Aditya Birla Group Headquarters: Mumbai.

Correct Answer – C. 2023

Explanation: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of 1,023 fast track special courts, including 389 exclusive POCSO courts, as a centrally sponsored scheme for another two years. Union minister Anurag Thakur said out of 31 states and union territories, 28 have started the scheme. West Bengal is one of the states which has not started the scheme.The scheme would continue from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, with an outlay of Rs 1572.86 crore — Rs 971.70 crore as central share and Rs 601.16 crore as state share. The central share is to be funded from the ‘Nirbhaya’ Fund. The scheme was launched on October 2, 2019.

To bring more stringent provisions and expeditious trial and disposal of such cases, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 was enacted which made provision of stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for perpetrators of rape. This led to the establishment of the fast track special courts. These are dedicated courts expected to ensure swift dispensation of justice. They have a better clearance rate as compared to the regular courts and hold speedy trials. Besides providing quick justice to the victims, it strengthens the deterrence framework for sexual offenders.

Correct Answer – D. Rs 6 lakh

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 6 lakh on Bengaluru-based Hewlett-Packard Financial Services (India) Private Ltd. RBI said the statutory inspection of the company, concerning its financial position as of March 31, 2019, revealed, inter alia, non-compliance with the statutory directions on (i) submission of credit information to Central Repository of Information on Large Credits and (ii) submission of credit data to Credit Information Companies.The penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in it under the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, taking into account the failure of the company to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

Correct Answer – A. Manan Bhatt

Explanation:  A new book titled “Balakot Air Strike: How India Avenged Pulwama”, published by Garuda Prakashan, is written by Navy veteran Manan Bhatt. According to the publisher, the book, “a racy thriller” with “adrenalin-pushing action”, would make readers’ patriotism brim over, while filling them with a sense of gratitude and pride towards the armed forces.The book, in its detailed account of the “two epochal events”, claims to capture everything “from moments before the ill-fated CRPF bus was hit, to the cockpits from where precision bombs were triggered and what transpired in those 12 momentous, expectation-filled days.On February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force fighter jets crossed the Line of Control and destroyed terror launch pads in Balakot in Pakistan. The strikes were undertaken days after 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed in a terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

Correct Answer – C. 433A

Explanation: Supreme Court of India on August 3, 2021, held that the Governor of state can pardon prisoners, including in the death sentence cases. Governor can pardon the prisoners even before they have completed a minimum of 14 years of prison sentence. Court also said that the Governor’s power to pardon overrides a provision given under Section 433A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Court noted, the sovereign power of the Governor to pardon prisoner under Article 161 is exercised by the State government and not the Governor on his own, in reality. Article 161 of the Indian constitution provides the Governor of a State with the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or to remit punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against laws.

About the Section 433A:

Section 433A mandates that the sentence of the prisoner can be remitted only after 14 years of jail. The court observed that Section 433-A of the Code cannot and does not affect the constitutional power of the President or Governor to grant pardon under Articles 72 or 161 of the Constitution. Such power is in the exercise of the power of the sovereign. However, Governor will have to act on the aid and advice of the State Government.

Important Points:

• Supreme Court of India Established: 26 January 1950;
• Chief Justice of India Justice: NV Ramana.

Correct Answer – A. Wrestling

Explanation: Indian wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya clinched an Olympic silver medal after losing his 57 kg final to Russian two-time defending world champion Zavur Uguev.The ROC wrestler registered a 7-4 win against Dahiya.There were expectations that the 23-year-old Dahiya would become India’s youngest Olympic champion but the Russian defended well to win comfortably.India have won five medals—two silver and three bronze— so far, following Dahiya’s feat.

Correct Answer – A. 6 August

Explanation:  Hiroshima Day is observed on August 6 every year to promote “peace politics”.The day is a reminder of the bombing attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during World War II in 1945.

Correct Answer – E. 2031

Explanation: India’s nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 22,480 MegaWatts from the current 6,780 MegaWatts by 2031.Share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country is about 3.1% in 2020-21.Govt has embarked on a large nuclear power capacity addition program to increase the share of nuclear power in electricity generation.There are presently 22 reactors with a total capacity of six thousand 780 MW in operation.Ten nuclear power reactors with eight thousand MW capacity are under construction.

Correct Answer – A. Tuticorin Port

Explanation: V O Chidambaranar Port Trust in Tuticorin has become the first major port in the country to deploy e-cars.It has inducted three Tata Xpres-T electric vehicles in the first phase.These cars have been supplied by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Joint venture of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), under Ministry of Power,on wet lease basis, for a period of 6 years.As part of ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is committed to leading the world in safe, sustainable and green maritime sector.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, formerly Tuticorin Port Trust, is an artificial port in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the major ports in India.

Correct Answer – C. Payments Bank

Explanation: SEBI has allowed payments banks to carry out the activities of investment bankers to provide easy access to investors to participate in public and rights issues by using various payment avenues, markets regulator.Non-scheduled payments banks, which have prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will be eligible to act as a banker to an issue (BTI).This is subject to fulfilment of the conditions stipulated in the BTI rules. Further, payments banks registered as a BTI will also be permitted to act as self-certified syndicate banks, subject to the fulfilment of the criteria laid down by the Sebi in this regard from time to time.”

Correct Answer – B. Pinarayi Vijayan

Explanation: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on 4 August 2021, inaugurated the Vidyakiranam project and the website to make available digital devices to students. An Educational Empowerment Fund will be set up in Kerala as part of the Vidyakiranam initiative to bridge the digital divide among students. It would be similar to the Disaster Relief Fund.The funds will be used for educational purposes only.

Kerala:

• Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan.
• Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan.
• Number of Districts – 14.
• Lok Sabha seats – 20.

Correct Answer – D. 2.4

Explanation: Bhutan’s India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project was conferred with the Brunel Medal awarded by the London-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) on 5 August 2021. The award was given as a mark of excellence in civil engineering within the industry. The project will reduce 2.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Bhutan:

• Capital – Thimphu.
• Currency – Bhutanese ngultrum, Indian Rupee.
• National Sport – Archery

Correct Answer – B. HDFC Life

Explanation:  HDFC Life has announced the launch of HDFC Life Saral Pension. It is a single premium, non-linked, non-participating product that offers life-long guaranteed annuity rates, right at the time of purchase. HDFC Life Saral Pension offers the flexibility to choose how one receives annuity – one can choose to receive it monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.

Correct Answer: C. Manoj Sinha

Explanation: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 5 August 2021 launched a new film policy.The government has set up a single-window clearance mechanism; prepared equipment, location and talent directories besides offering fiscal incentives for filmmakers coming to the UT.The new policy will offer two dedicated nodal officers to filmmakers for smooth shooting.