Current Affairs Quiz Today – 29th Dec. 2020

ANS: (A) 1 only

Explanation:

• The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
• Blue Flag is a certification awarded to beaches, marinas and sustainable boat tourism operators that meet the requirements.
• The Blue Flag certification is awarded by a non-profit organization called the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). India is now in the league of 50 “BLUE FLAG” countries.
• The following beaches have been awarded the “Blue Flag”:
  • Shivrajpur (Dwarka-Gujarat)
  • Ghoghla (Diu)
  • Kasarkod (Karnataka)
  • Padubidri (Karnataka)
  • Kappad (Kerala)
  • Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Golden (Puri-Odisha)
  • Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

ANS: (B) Bangladesh

Explanation:

Bhashan Char is an island in Hatiya Upazila, Bangladesh.

ANS: (B) 2 only

Explanation

• Recently, the government has used financial innovation to recapitalise Punjab & Sind Bank by issuing the bank Rs. 5,500 crore worth Special Zero Coupon Recapitalisation Bonds.
• Special Zero Coupon Recapitalisation Bonds are special types of bonds issued by the Central government specifically to a particular institution.
  • Only those banks, whosoever is specified, can invest in them, nobody else.
  • It is not tradable, it is not transferable. It is limited only to a specific bank, and it is for a specified period. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• There is no coupon, it is zero coupon, it is issued at par and will be paid at the end of the specified period.
• Coupon is the Interest which the Investor gets on a bond.
• It is held at the Held-To-Maturity (HTM) category of the bank as per the RBI guidelines.
  • HTM securities are purchased to be owned until maturity.
  • HTM securities are purchased to be owned until maturity.
• As the issuance of these special bonds will not affect the fiscal deficit while at the same time provide much needed equity capital to the bank. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

ANS: (A) 1 only

Explanation

• “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project aims to develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The sites/monuments are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for an initial period of five years.
  • The corporate sector is expected to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.

ANS: (B) 2 only

Explanation

• National Common Mobility Card is an inter-operable transport card conceived by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India, launched in 2019. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It will give access to all modes of transportation and will do away with commuters having to wait in long queues for tokens.
• It allows users to pay for travel, toll charges and retail shopping, and permits them to withdraw money at the same time. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• It will enable anyone carrying a RuPay-Debit Card issued in any part of the country to travel on the route.