Current Affairs One - Liner : 1st February 2024

• National:
• Marut Drones delivered India’s first mineral exploration drones to the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) on January 30, 2024. These drones, equipped with advanced sensors, are expected to revolutionize mineral prospecting in India. This collaboration between Marut Drones and NMDC is set to modernize mineral prospecting, making magnetic surveys faster and more cost-effective.

• GAIL (India) Limited signed a long-term LNG purchase agreement with ADNOC Gas on 29th January 2024. The agreement is for the purchase of around 0.5 MMTPA of LNG, with deliveries commencing from 2026 for a duration of 10 years. This deal is expected to help bridge the gap between India’s demand and supply of natural gas, and open more avenues of strategic partnership between GAIL and ADNOC.
• The Assam Tourism (Development and Registration) Bill, 2024, approved by the Assam Cabinet on February 1, 2024, aims to boost tourism in Assam. It focuses on sustainable development, safeguarding cultural and natural heritage, and includes provisions for safety audits of adventure sites.
• The ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ (SSF), a road safety initiative, was launched by the Punjab government in India on January 27, 2024. The SSF, comprising 1,600 personnel and 129 vehicles, aims to reduce road fatalities and ensure quick medical attention for accident victims. The force started its duty from February 1, 2024.
• On January 31, 2024, India added five new wetlands to its list of Ramsar sites, taking the total to eighty. The new sites are Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Magadi Kere conservation reserve, Ankasamudra bird conservation reserve, and Aghanashini estuary.
• International:
• Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor was indeed sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia on 31st January 2024. He is a billionaire and the ruler of Malaysia’s southern state of Johor. He took his oath of office in a palace ceremony. Sultan Ibrahim will hold this largely ceremonial post for five years.
• Economy:
• The Indian government reduced the import duty on mobile phone components from 15% to 10% on January 31, 2024. This reduction applies to various components critical for mobile phone assembly, including battery covers, main lenses, back covers, and other mechanical items composed of plastic and metal. This move is expected to boost local production and exports of mobile phones.
• Govt. Schemes:
• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the sugar subsidy scheme for Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) families distributed through the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS). This extension is for two more years, up to 31 March 2026. Under this scheme, the Central Government provides a subsidy of Rs.18.50 per kg per month of sugar to AAY families of participating States. This approval is expected to extend benefits of more than Rs.1850 crore during the period of the 15th Finance Commission (2020-21 to 2025-26). The scheme is expected to benefit about 1.89 crores AAY families of the country.
• Science & Technology:
• The Agasthyagama edge, a new species of kangaroo lizard, was discovered in the Western Ghats by a team from Calicut University and Kerala Forest Research Institute on 31st January, 2024. This terrestrial lizard is known for its fast running and hiding abilities. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
• Appointments:
• Harun Rashid Khan, former Deputy Governor of RBI, was appointed as the Part-Time Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) Limited on 30th January 2024. He succeeded Raj Vikash Verma and will serve until 27th December 2024.
• Important Days:
• Martyrs’ Day, also known as ‘Shaheed Diwas’ or ‘Sarvodaya Day’, is observed on January 30th each year in India. This day is dedicated to honoring the brave soldiers who selflessly gave their lives for their homeland. It also commemorates the tragic assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. In 2024, the day marked the 76th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Obituaries:
• Former Union Minister and AAP leader Harmohan Dhawan passed away following a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Mohali. He was 83 years old. Dhawan had been hospitalized following a fall at his residence three months back.

Questions:

Q.1 Who was appointed as the Part-Time Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) Limited on 30th January 2024?
a. Harun Rashid Khan
b. Raj Vikash Verma
c. Raghuram Rajan
d. Urjit Patel
Q.2 What is the name of the new species of kangaroo lizard discovered in Western Ghats?
a. Agasthyagama edge
b. Western Ghats lizard
c. Calicut kangaroo lizard
d. Kerala terrestrial lizard