UPSC EXAM QUIZ 20.09.2024

Explanation:

• The Production figure of North Indian Tea Industry reflect a precarious state of affairs of the industry, consequent to the constant onslaught of insufficient rainfall and excessive heat till May and excessive rainfall in June & July, hampering production of the crop to a greatextent during the current cropping season up to the month of July 2024, according to Sandeep Singhania, President Tea Association of India (TAI).

Current Status of Tea Industry

• Decline in Tea Production: Data released by the Tea Board of India shows that production has declined by about 11% in Assam and about 21% in West Bengal till July 2024 as compared to the same period last year, leading to a 13% increase in domestic prices. Loss of Premium Products: The lost crop primarily belongs to the first and second shower of monsoon, considered the best quality teas of the year, further affecting the industry’s profitability and cash flows.
• Export Market Decline: Export prices have fallen by 4% this year, which is a discouraging trend.

Explanation:

• Prime Minister inaugurated the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.It brings together key players in the renewable energy sector like government officials, industry leaders, investors, researchers, and policymakers.
• It was organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Key Highlights of the RE-INVEST

• Financial Commitments for Green Projects: Banks and financial institutions committed Rs 32.45 trillion for financing green projects.This financial backing reflects India's growing emphasis on renewable energy development and the robust support from financial sectors.Top lenders are Reliance (Rs 6 trillion), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (Rs 5 trillion ), State Bank of India (Rs 5 trillion), Power Finance Corporation (Rs 3 trillion) and National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (Rs 1.86 trillion).

Explanation:

• The government of India has approved 100 per cent strategic disinvestment in the central public-sector enterprise Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited.
• The government also approved the highest bid of Rs 320 crore of the Japanese company Konoike Transport Co. Ltd for Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited.
• In 2016, the central government's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle approval for a strategic investment in Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited through a two-stage auction process.

100 per cent disinvestment in Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited

• The government-owned MSTC Limited will sell its 100 per cent equity shares in Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited to the Japanese company Konoike Transport Co. Ltd for Rs 320 crore.
• Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited's management control will also be transferred to the Japanese company Konoike Transport Co. Ltd.

Explanation:

• Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, defeated host China 1-0 in the final to win the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for a record fifth time.
• The final match of the 8th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 was played at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir City, China, on 17 September 2024.
• Defending champion India had earlier won the trophy in 2011,2016,2018 and 2023.
• In the final, Jugraj Singh scored the only winning goal of the match in the 51 minutes.
• The 8th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 was held at Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China, from 8-17 September 2024.
• India was the only team in the 8th Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy to defeat all its opponents and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
• In the league stage, India defeated China 3-0, Japan 5-1, Malaysia 8-1, South Korea 3-1 and Pakistan 2-1.
• In the semi-final match, India defeated South Korea 4-1 to reach its sixth final of the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.
• For China, it was their first first-ever final in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Championship. The Chinese team had defeated Pakistan in the semi-final,
• This was the first tournament the Indian hockey team was playing without its legendary goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh, who retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• The Indian team coach is Craig Fulton.

Explanation:

• The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in a meeting in New Delhi on 17 September 2024, has elected senior party leader Atishi Marlena as its new chief minister after the announcement of resignation by the incumbent chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal.
• Atishi will be 3rd woman after Sushama Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit and 8th person to become the chief minister of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• The term of the current Delhi legislative assembly ends on 11 February 2025.
• The founder leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and three-time NCT Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, tendered his resignation to the NCT Delhi Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, on 17 September 2024.
• Arvind Kejriwal, facing serious corruption charges in the Delhi Liquor Excise case, was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court. After being granted bail, Arvind Kejriwal announced that he would resign from the post.
• The Aam Aadmi Party's legislative party elected Aatishi Marlena as its new leader and the new chief minister of NCT Delhi in a meeting on 17 September 2024.
• Aatishi Marlena is a MLA from Kalkaji seat.
• The present term of the Delhi Legislative Assembly ends on 11 February 2025.
• In the last assembly election held on 8 February 2020, AAP secured an absolute majority by winning 62 seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 8 seats in the 70-member assembly.