Daily Current Affairs MCQs : 18 July 2023 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The amendments made to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 were introduced with the aim of decriminalizing minor offenses and promoting ease of business and living conditions. These amendments sought to remove certain offenses and increase fines and penalties for various offenses across multiple sectors, including agriculture, environment, and media and publication. By amending 42 laws administered by 19 ministers, the government aimed to streamline the legal framework and consolidate trust-based governance.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, proposed amendments to a total of 42 Acts across various sectors. These Acts included The Drugs and Cosmetics Act(1940), Public Debt Act(1944), Pharmacy Act(1948), Cinematograph Act(1952), Copyright Act(1957), Patents Act(1970), Environment Protection Act(1986), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and several others. By amending these laws, the government aimed to bring about comprehensive changes that would contribute to ease of doing business and living in the country.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The bill aimed to address the criminalization of minor offenses by proposing amendments to various acts. After being referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Mr. P.P. Chaudhary, the committee submitted its report on March 17, 2023, which formed the basis for further amendments and approval by the union cabinet.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will oversee the review of surveys conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) after the replacement of the Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES). The new committee, called the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS), will have an expanded mandate to review the framework and outcomes of all surveys conducted by the NSO. This move aims to ensure effective oversight and improvement in the statistical processes and data quality in the country.

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France was a significant occasion to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. The visit aimed to strengthen the strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation between the two countries. As part of the visit, both nations agreed to adopt a roadmap that would set the course for their bilateral relationship up to 2047, which would coincide with the centenary of India's independence and 50 years of the strategic partnership.

The Adani Group commissioned India's first transnational power project to Bangladesh. The Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant (USCTPP) in Godda, Jharkhand, owned by Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd., supplied 1,496 MW of power to Bangladesh via a dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid. This project marked a significant milestone in transnational power collaboration and strengthened the energy partnership between India and Bangladesh.

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd. and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has a term of 25 years. This long-term agreement ensures a stable supply of power from the Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant (USCTPP) in Godda, Jharkhand, to Bangladesh, contributing to the energy security and development of both nations.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) committed a €1 billion loan to support India's National Green Hydrogen Mission. This financial support from the EIB aligns with the European Green Deal, the EU Global Gateway strategy, and India's agenda on climate change, renewable energy, connectivity, and sustainable finance. It signifies the commitment of the EIB to facilitate private and public investment in India and improve access to finance for climate-related initiatives.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amul, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., to offer financial services to their supply network. Under this partnership, PNB will provide a range of financial services such as working capital finance, term loans, business loans, supply chain finance, and digital payment services to support Amul's extensive supply network across India. This collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion and provide necessary support to Amul's retailers, wholesale dealers, and other stakeholders.

Carlos Alcaraz, a talented Spanish tennis player, emerged victorious in the Gentlemen's Singles category at the 136th edition of The Wimbledon Championships in 2023. His remarkable performance led to his triumph over Novak Djokovic, who is considered one of the world's top tennis players. This victory marked a significant achievement in Alcaraz's career and highlighted his potential as a rising star in the tennis world.