GK Current Affairs Quiz: May 6, 2017

Ans. C

The re-structuring of the schemes of Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under Central Sector Scheme SAMPADA was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 3rd May 2017. The food processing industry is planning to launch a Rs. 6000 crore scheme for agro- marine produce processing and agro processing clusters. This has a dual fold benefit, it will help the farmers to get better prices and reduce food wastage. SAMPADA is an umbrella scheme that will include ongoing schemes like mega food parks and cold chain projects and new schemes. The scheme will be will be implemented by 2019-20. The ministry will also launch three new schemes to create infrastructure for improving the entire food supply chain. These three schemes are ‘Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities’, ‘New Agro-Processing Clusters‘and ‘Backward and Forward Linkages’. The government is also keen to boost food processing sector to minimize post-harvest losses, provide better quality food to consumers at lower prices and double the return of the farmers.

Ans. B

Sualgiri and Swalgiri castes will now be included in the Scheduled Castes list of Odisha, with Parliament today passing a bill in this regard. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha, also replaces the term Union Territory of Pondicherry to Puducherry in Constitution (Pondicherry) Scheduled Castes Order, 1964. The Scheduled Castes status will entitle these communities to get government jobs in the reserved quota, easier admission in educational institutions plus some monetary benefits. Some of the major schemes for the scheduled castes include post-matric scholarship, national overseas scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi national fellowship, concessional loans from National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, hostel facilities for the SC boys and girls etc.

Ans. A

An ambulance service for cattle has been launched in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state for the protection of cows, an animal revered by the country’s majority Hindu community. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday flagged off an exclusive ambulance service for cows, complete with veterinarians and assistants. The Gauvansh Chikitsa mobile van service will transport ill or injured cows to gau shalas or to a veterinary facility. A toll-free gau seva number has been released for the people to report about cows in distress or ill. In a country where poorer people often have to carry their injured relatives to hospital, the launch of a new private ambulance service for cows in India was cheered by some politicians.

Ans. D

The 1st Emmy Awards, retroactively known as the 1st Primetime Emmy Awards after the debut of the counterpart Daytime Emmy Awards, were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, January 25, 1949. The 44th Daytime Emmy Awards was announced on 30 April 2017 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, in Pasadena, Los Angeles. Hosted by Extra’s Mario Lopez and The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood, this year’s ceremony honored soap stars, talk show hosts, game show hosts and more. General Hospital was declared the Outstanding Drama Series at the 44th Daytime Emmy Awards, while Jeopardy grabbed the Outstanding Game Show award.

Ans. C

The Board of Directors of L&T Technology Services have approved the acquisition of US Based Esencia Technologies Inc, a provider of design services from specification to final product in Digital Signal Processing for Communications, Video, Security and Networking. The company will pay USD 27 million (nearly Rs 180 crore) to acquire the California-headquartered firm. The proposed acquisition will increase LTTS offerings to global customers, particularly in the realm of Perceptual Computing, Internet of Things, Advanced Silicon Products and Wireless Networking Technologies with fast, powerful & smart design tools and signal processing libraries. Esencia boasts a team of over 100 Embedded, ASIC design and semiconductor experts in Silicon Valley.