Current Affairs February 2024

1. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has set an interest rate of 8.25 percent on Employees’ Provident Fund deposits for the fiscal year 2023-24.
2. The decision was made during the 235th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, EPFO, held in New Delhi on February 10, 2024.
3. Labour and Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who chaired the meeting, announced the decision in a social media post.
4. This interest rate is the highest in the past three years, reflecting a positive change in returns for EPF contributors.
5. The move is described as a step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to enhancing social security for India’s workforce.

Q: What is the full form of EPFO?

a) Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
b) Economic Protection and Financial Oversight
c) Employment Promotion and Financial Operations
d) Essential Provident Fund Obligation

Ans : a) Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation

Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, and agricultural scientist Dr. MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 9 February 2024.

1. Chaudhary Charan Singh:
   • Role: Former Prime Minister of India, freedom fighter, and farmers’ leader.
   • Contributions:
     • Served as the third Deputy Prime Minister and the fifth Prime Minister of India.
     • Held positions such as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister for Home Affairs and Finance.
   • Legacy:
     • His incomparable contribution to the country is acknowledged through this award.

2. Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (PV Narasimha Rao):
   • Role: Ninth Prime Minister of India (1991–1996).
   • Achievements:
     • Economic Reforms: Credited with opening up the Indian economy during his term.
     • Historic First: The first person from South India to become Prime Minister of India.
     • Father of Economic Reforms: Described by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the true father of economic reforms in India.

3. Dr. MS Swaminathan:
   • Role: Eminent agricultural scientist and the father of India’s Green Revolution.
   • Contributions:
     • Collaborated with Norman Borlaug and spearheaded a mass movement with farmers and other scientists.
     • Backed by public policies, he saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
     • Instrumental in achieving self-reliance in agriculture and modernizing farming practices.

Q: Which Indian Prime Minister, also having served as Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Union Minister for Home Affairs and Finance?

• a) P V Narasimha Rao
• b) Dr. MS Swaminathan
• c) Chaudhary Charan Singh
• d) Narendra Modi

Ans : c) Chaudhary Charan Singh

Q: Which Prime Minister is credited with opening up the Indian economy during his term ?

a) Chaudhary Charan Singh
b) P V Narasimha Rao
c) Dr. MS Swaminathan
d) Narendra Modi

Ans : b) P V Narasimha Rao

Q: Who is referred to as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution” ?

a) Chaudhary Charan Singh
b) P V Narasimha Rao
c) Dr. MS Swaminathan
d) Norman Borlaug

Ans : c) Dr. MS Swaminathan

• Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar on 8 Feb 2024.
• The decision aims to enhance internal security and preserve the demographic structure of North Eastern states bordering Myanmar.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is in the process of scrapping the FMR, and the Home Ministry has recommended its immediate suspension.
• Amit Shah emphasized that the move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders.

Q: What does FMR stand for in context of India and Myanmar?

a. Foreign Ministry Resolution
b. Free Movement Regime
c. Federal Movement Restriction
d. Frontier Management Regulation

Ans : b. Free Movement Regime

1. The government plans to introduce satellite-based GPS toll collection systems on national highways.
2. Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the implementation of the system before the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
3. The new toll collection system will deduct toll charges directly from bank accounts, using vehicle number plate identification.
4. The aim is to eliminate existing toll plazas, improving travel convenience on national highways.
5. Over eight crore thirteen lakh fast tags have been issued, with a daily collection averaging between 170 to 180 crore rupees.
6. The satellite-based system is expected to enhance efficiency and streamline toll collection processes.

Q: What technology is the government planning to implement for toll collection on national highways?

a) RFID technology
b) Satellite-based GPS
c) Facial recognition
d) QR code scanning

Ans : b) Satellite-based GPS

Q: How will toll charges be deducted under the new system for toll collection on national highways?

a) Cash payments at toll booths
b) Mobile wallet transactions
c) Direct deduction from bank accounts
d) Toll tickets issued manually

Ans : c) Direct deduction from bank accounts

The Indian government has recently announced plans to fence the entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. This decision effectively ends the free movement regime (FMR) that allowed people on both sides to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without any documents.

Here are the key points regarding this significant development:

1. Reasons for Fencing:
   • The move aims to enhance surveillance along the border.
   • It seeks to curb insurgencies, smuggling, and the drug trade in the region.
2. Details of the Decision:
   • Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to building impenetrable borders.
   • The entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border will be fenced.
   • To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved.
   • A 10-kilometer stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced.
   • Two pilot projects for fencing through a hybrid surveillance system are underway, covering 1 kilometer each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
   • Additionally, fence works covering approximately 20 kilometers in Manipur have been approved and will commence soon.
3. Impact and Implications:
   • Ending the FMR is expected to put a lid on insurgencies in the north-east, as well as smuggling and the drug trade.
   • Going forward, anyone wanting to enter India from Myanmar will need valid travel documents, similar to practices adopted for air and sea travel.

Q: What is the length of the Indo-Myanmar border that the Indian government plans to fence?

• A) 1,643 kilometers
• B) 2,000 kilometers
• C) 1,000 kilometers
• D) 3,500 kilometers

Answer: A) 1,643 kilometers

Q: What was the purpose of the free movement regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border?

• A) To promote tourism
• B) To facilitate trade
• C) To allow people to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without documents
• D) To strengthen border security

Answer: C) To allow people to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without documents

Q: Why is the Indian government fencing the Indo-Myanmar border?

A) To prevent wildlife trafficking
B) To curb insurgencies and smuggling
C) To promote cultural exchange
D) To facilitate cross-border trade

Answer: B) To curb insurgencies and smuggling

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that senior BJP leader LK Advani will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

Key Life Events of L K Advani:

• Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi.
• Joined RSS in 1942 during the Quit India movement.
• Shifted to Delhi in early 1957 to assist Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Married Kamla Advani on Feb 25, 1965, and had two children.
• Entered Rajya Sabha in April 1970.
• Elected President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Dec 1972.
• Arrested during Emergency in June 1975.
• Held the position of Union minister for Information and Broadcasting from March 1977 to July 1979.
• Became Party President of the BJP in May 1986.
• Re-elected party President in March 1988.
• Held the position of Home Minister in 1988 in the BJP Government.
• Started the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 from Somnath to Ayodhya.
• Began the Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra in 1997 to celebrate India’s Golden Jubilee.
• Served as Union Cabinet Minister for Home Affairs from Oct 1999 to May 2004.
• Held the position of Deputy Prime Minister from Jun 2002 to May 2004.

Q: With which award will LK Advani be conferred in February 2024?

a. Padma Bhushan
b. Bharat Ratna
c. Padma Vibhushan
d. Param Vir Chakra

Answer: b. Bharat Ratna