Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 5-6, 2025

Notes:
Maharashtra is reviewing beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Scheme, launched in June 2024. Scheme supports women from economically weaker sections with ₹1,500 per month. Only women with an annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh are eligible. Budget also included free LPG cylinders for BPL families and free electricity for farmers. Scheme’s annual cost is ₹46,000 crore, raising concerns over financial sustainability. Finance department warned the expenses could affect payment of government salaries. Government aims to reduce beneficiaries to ease the financial burden.

Notes:
Tripura recorded the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) for the first time in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a lycaenid butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia, including forests in Northeast India. Three subspecies exist in India: macantia (Southwest India to Goa), tarpina (Andamans), and indra (Orissa to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand). Males have deep purple sheen; females are brownish with white markings. The underwings are pale brown with white bands, giving a “banded” look.

Notes:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has fully implemented the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS). CPPS allows 7.85 million pensioners to access their pensions from any bank or branch nationwide. It eliminates physical verifications and ensures seamless pension disbursement. The new system replaces the decentralised model, which relied on limited agreements with specific banks. Pensioners no longer need to transfer pension payment orders (PPO) when moving or changing banks. Pension amounts are immediately credited upon release, enhancing convenience and ease of living.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified the use of methylcobalamin (MeCbl), an active form of Vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin, structurally distinct from other Vitamin B12 forms, contains a methyl group bonded to a cobalt atom. It is found in supplements and food sources like fish, meat, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurological function. Deficiency can cause severe health issues, often requiring supplementation. It supports vital functions like cell growth, blood formation, and protein synthesis.

Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is using the Open Data Kit (ODK) platform to enhance transparency and accountability in public spending. ODK is a secure digital platform for designing, collecting, and managing data. It is integrated with CAG’s Operating System (OIOS) and provides end-to-end encryption. The platform helps identify problem areas and launch multilingual surveys. Beneficiary surveys support audit planning and evidence collection. ODK was used to assess patient satisfaction and audit the performance of AIIMS Mangalagiri and AIIMS Bibinagar.