Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
The Kerala government launched robotic scavenger named ‘Bandicoot’, to clean sewages in temple town of Guruvayur.
It becomes the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes. It was launched under Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.

Notes:
Turkey has launched a temporary salary support scheme and banned job cuts in southern provinces that are hit by earthquakes.
The devastating quakes killed over 42,000 people in the country as well as in Neighbouring Syria. The government will provide salary support for employers in provinces under the state of emergency. The government also banned layoffs in the earthquake zone, except for some valid reasons.

Notes:
The 47th Civil Accounts Day is observed on March 1, 2023. The day marks the foundation of the Indian Civil Accounts Service in New Delhi’s Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) was established in 1976 after separating the maintenance of accounts of the Union Government from audit.

Notes:
Axis Bank completed acquisition of Citigroup’s India consumer business for an overall consideration of ₹11,603 crore.
The Private sector lender completed acquisition of Citibank’s consumer business and non-banking financial company (NBFC) consumer business. The sale excludes Citi’s institutional client businesses in India.

Notes:
The first round of negotiations concerning the amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations 2005 concluded recently.
More than 300 suggested changes were proposed for this document. The International Health Regulations 2005 is being implemented by 196 countries across the world. It is the binding instrument of international law that entered into force in 2007.

Notes:
The Supreme Court said it will set up a six-member panel to look into regulatory mechanisms to protect investors’ interest after a report by a US short seller Hindenburg on the Adani conglomerate led to large investor losses.
The shares of Adani group firms nose-dived last month after the short seller Hindenburg Research alleged a massive financial fraud. The Adani group strongly denied the allegation and called Hindenburg’s report a “calculated attack” on India, its institutions and growth story.

Notes:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is commemorating International Women’s Day by honoring women who have contributed to various programs of the Ministry through the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman 2023.
The award will recognize women for their exceptional contributions to the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (SBM-G), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), and National Water Mission (NWM) under various categories.

Notes:
The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, and is native to Indian subcontinent. The species is critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities.
The Draft Central Electricity Authority (Construction of Electric Lines in Great Indian Bustard Area) Regulations, 2023 was issued to bring all electric lines of 33 kV and below passing via the Great Indian Bustard Area underground while those above 33 kV will be overhead lines with bird flight diverts.

Notes:
The 5th ASEAN-India Business Summit was held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur this year.
The summit is part of the ASEAN-India Year of Friendship. It was organized with assistance from the Indian Government, through the External Affairs Ministry’s Economic Diplomacy Division and Malaysian Government’s International Trade and Industry Ministry.

Notes:
Dr Manik Saha was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state of Tripura for the second term. The BJP won 32 seats while its ally IPFT got one seat in the assembly polls conducted.
The TIPRA Motha, a regional party headed by Pradyot Kishore Debbarma emerged as the main opposition party securing 13 seats.