Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 17, 2017

ANSWER: Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Explanation:
The Union Government has given go-ahead for setting up India's first mega coastal economic zone (CEZ) at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Maharashtra.

The first of its kind mega CEZ will stretch along north Konkan region spread across Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik and Raigarh.

About 45 companies across auto, telecom and IT sectors will soon bid for 200 hectares of land to set up manufacturing units in zone.

JNPT: Know More

• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Navi Mumbai (formerly known as the Nhava Sheva Port) located within the Mumbai harbour on the west coast of India, was commissioned on 26th May 1989.
• It occupies a place of prominence among the major Indian ports.
• It is the second youngest and one of the most modern major ports of the country. Though it was initially planned to be a "satellite port" to the Mumbai Port with the purpose of decongesting traffic at the latter, eventually it was developed as an independent port on its own right and it became the country's largest container port.
• Being one of the oldest ports in India, the Mumbai port was proving to be structurally inadequate to meet the requirements of modern cargo handling.
• There was an urgent need for a new port in the Mumbai region, which eventually led to the birth of JNPT in 1989.

ANSWER: FIPB

Explanation:
The Reserve Bank is expected to formulate standard operating procedure (SOP) for approval of FDI proposals by ministries following the government decision to phase out FIPB.

The proposal for setting up norms for foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals in sensitive sectors, which are currently under government approval of the FDI policy, was discussed at a recent inter-ministerial meeting.

FIPB: Know More

• The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) was a national agency of Government of India, with the remit to consider and recommend foreign direct investment (FDI) which does not come under the automatic route.
• It acted as a single window clearance for proposals on foreign direct investment (FDI) in India. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) was housed in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
• FIPB was abolished on 24 May 2017, as announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during 2017-2018 budget speech in Lok Sabha.
• Members:
  Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs - Chairman
  Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion - Member
  Secretary, Department of Commerce - Member
  Secretary, (Economic Relation), Ministry of External Affairs - Member
• The Board is empowered to co-opt Secretaries to the Government of India and other top officials of financial institutions, banks and professional experts of industry and commerce, as required.

ANSWER: Tata Sky Beauty

Explanation:
Direct-to-home (DTH) service provider Tata Sky launched its latest interactive service Tata Sky Beauty, in partnership with FTheCouch (FTC) Beauty Studio, a Suniel Shetty venture.

The 24×7 beauty channel will carry content around hair styling, make-up, fashion, and skin-care featuring celebrity artists.

TATA Sky: Know More

• Tata Sky is a direct broadcast satellite television provider in India, using MPEG-4 digital compression technology, transmitting using INSAT-4A and GSAT-10 satellite.
• CEO: Harit Nagpal (Aug 2010-)
• Headquarters: Worli, Mumbai
• Founded: 10 August 2006
• Number of employees: 100,000 (Approximately)
• Parent organization: Tata Sons

ANSWER: Pulses

Explanation:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 16^th Nov, 2017 gave its approval for removing the prohibition on the export of all types of pulses to give the farmers greater choice in marketing their produce for improved incomes.

The CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) has approved the removal of prohibition on export of all types of pulses.

CCEA: Know More

• CCEA has a mandate to review economic trends on a continuous basis, as also the problems and prospects, with a view to evolving a consistent and integrated economic policy framework for the country.
• It also directs and coordinates all policies and activities in the economic field including foreign investment that require policy decisions at the highest level.
• Price controls of industrial raw materials and products, industrial licensing policies is undertaken by CCEA
  The CCEA also lays down priorities for public sector investment and considers specific proposals for investment of not less than specific levels (Rs. 3 Billion at present) as revised from time to time.
• CCEA facilitates finalization of factual reports on the accomplishments of the Ministries, Agencies and Public Sector Undertakings involved in implementation of prioritized schemes or projects for evaluation by the Prime Minister.
• The CCEA also considers cases of increase in the firmed up cost estimates/revised cost estimates for projects etc. in respect of the business allocated to the CCEA.
• On 2 January 2013, Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure was merged with CCEA.

ANSWER: Kwitz

Explanation:
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on 16^th Nov, 2017 said it has launched nicotine replacement therapy product Kwitz that helps smokers quit smoking.prescription product, the company said in a statement.

Kwitz nicotine gum will be available in two variants of 2 mg as an OTC product 4mg as prescription product, the company said in a statement.

Kwitz nicotine gum will be available in two variants of 2 mg as an OTC product 4mg as prescription product, the company said in a statement.

While Kwitz 2 mg is for those smoking less than 20 cigarettes per day, Kwitz 4 mg is meant for smokers consuming more than 20 cigarettes per day, it added.

Kwitz is aimed at helping individuals find a sustainable way to stop smoking in an easy step-by-step process.

ANSWER: Toyota Kirloskar

Explanation:
Andhra Pradesh government and Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake a feasibility study on the introduction of electric vehicles and the necessary systems and infrastructure required for the move.

The MOU aims to work together to solve the grave issue of pollution ensuring smooth introduction of Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in the State.

The feasibility study on introduction of Toyota's electrified vehicles "Prius PHEV" and "Small EV Commuter" expands into ambitious smart city project at Amaravati.

This is in line with Toyota's Environment Challenge 2050 to achieve zero CO2 emissions.

Toyota globally believes that the electrification of vehicles is required to reduce CO2 emissions. Toyota has been a pioneer in the electrified vehicle space with the Prius which is the first mass produced electrified car 20 years ago.

Toyota believes that 'PHV' Plug in Hybrid is a realistic solution considering the charging infrastructure available in the country in current status.

Globally Toyota has been a leader in introducing alternate electric mobility solutions to help reduce the CO2 emissions.

Over 85 million tons of CO2 has been reduced by these electrified vehicles globally.

ANSWER: 20.5%

Explanation:
PC shipments in India witnessed 20.5 per cent growth in September 2017 quarter over the year- ago period to 3.03 million units, helped by strong consumer demand and special projects, research firm IDC indicated, between July and September, registering a strong quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) growth of 72.3% and year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 20.5%.

This comes as a big surprise, after the struggles of the PC makers in the June quarter, when shipments fell by 18.9% (q-o-q) and by 18% (y-o-y), with only 1.75 million units shipped in that quarter.

IDC analysts believe the PC OEMs are likely to hit the wall again in Q4 2017.

The India PC market in the December quarter is expected to decline due to seasonality and reduced consumer demand after the high consumer spending in the September quarter.

However, going forward, the excitement around gaming PCs and price drops after GST (goods and services tax) will remain important factors for the consumer segment.

ANSWER: Financial Stability Institute Advisory Board (FSAB)

Explanation:
RBI Governor Urjit Patel was appointed to Financial Stability Institute Advisory Board (FSAB) of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS).

BIS is international financial organisation owned by 60 member central banks across world.

Bank of International Settlement

• The Bank for International Settlements is an international financial institution owned by central banks which "fosters international monetary and financial cooperation and serves as a bank for central banks"
• Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
• Founded: 17 May 1930
• CEO: Jaime Caruana (1 Apr 2009-)
• Membership: 60 central banks
• Purpose: Central bank cooperation
• Location: Basel, Switzerland

ANSWER: Swachh Bharat

Explanation:
The Union Ministry of Railways has advanced target for 100% completion of installing human waste discharge free Bio-toilets in coaches to December 2018.

Earlier, the target to install bio-toilets in all its coaches as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission was by September 2019.

Ministry of Railways

• The Ministry of Railways is a ministry in the Government of India, responsible for the country's rail transport.
• Website: indianrailways.gov.in
• Formed: 16 April 1853
• Jurisdiction: India
• Headquarters: Rail Bhavan, 1, Raisina Road, New Delhi
• Cabinet minister: Piyush Goyal
• Minister of state: Manoj Sinha, Rajen Gohain

ANSWER: Lithium ion

Explanation:
China launched world's first fully electric cargo ship in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong province.

It is the first ship in the world to use lithium ion battery.

The ship will be mainly used to run in inland section of Pearl River for carrying coal for generation of electric power.

First Electric Cargo Ship: Know More

• The 70.5-metre-long ship, which weighs about 600 tonnes, was launched in Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province.
• The vessel, manufactured by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd, is powered by a 26-tonne lithium battery. It can cruise at the top speed of 12.8 km per hour.
• As the ship do not use fossil fuels, it has zero emission, including carbon, sulphur and PM2.5 and it could be used as a passenger liner or a working ship, state-run Global Times reported.
• On its inaugural run, the vessel was loaded with thermal coal mainly for areas around the Pearl River in Guangdong Province.