10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #51 January 2, 2020

Explanation: Senna spectabilis belongs to Fabaceae family, and is grown as ornamental plant across tropical America. It can grow 7 – 18 metres tail; is evergreen in climates with rain all year round, but can become deciduous in some regions, and produces yellow flowers. Spectabilis has been commonly used in traditional medicine for many years. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated the presence of a variety of medicinally-important chemical constituent. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that it possesses significant biological activity, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal and antioxidant propertiesHowever, it is considered an environmental weed by the Global Compendium of Weeds. It grows extremely fast, flowers and sets seed profusely, and re-sprouts immediately when cut. In places like Australia, Uganda, and Cuba this species is considered as invasive. Now it has made its way to Indian forests, especially South India. It takes around 2-3 years for the plant to grow from a sapling to a tree. In about two years, the trees start to flower. One young tree can produce around 6000 seeds every season. Survival rate of these seeds are 95-99% and they can survive for 8-9 years in soil. Also it has been noticed that if you debark a Senna tree it suddenly starts flowering just for survival! An activist group – Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi led by the Conservationist N Badusha first took this issue of the invasive species Senna up to the Kerala Forest Department. During the same period, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) did an extensive study on this issue. KFRI studies have established that in and around Muthanga and Tholpetty eco centers, around 10% area of open spaces, which is about 2% of total area of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, is infected by Senna spectabilis. KFRI has developed very effective way of removal method of Senna spectabilis.

Explanation: NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects. During the fiscals 2020 to 2025, sectors such as Energy (24%), Roads (19%), Urban (16%), and Railways (13%) amount to around 70% of the projected capital expenditure in infrastructure in India.

Explanation: The Government of India constituted this committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijay Kelkar to prepare a roadmap for enhancing domestic production of oil and gas and sustainable reduction in import dependency by 2030.This report includes a discussion of the economic foundations of Exploration and Production Contracts and an early action program drawn upon the analysis and inputs received from wide ranging consultations with stakeholders.

Explanation: Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit-linked subsidy programme introduced by the government of India in 2008. The programme is a merger of two schemes namely Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojna and Rural Employment Generation Programme. The program focuses on generating self-employment opportunities through micro-enterprise establishments in the non-farm sector by helping unemployed youth and traditional artisans. The Ministry of MSME administers the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). The PMEGP Scheme is being implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the national level.

Explanation: The Indian Navy in collaboration with Indian Coast Guard has conducted a large scale Anti Hijacking Exercise named Exercise Apharan at the Port of Kochi, Kerala. The exercise was aimed at streamlining the response mechanism to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements to hijack a merchant vessel or attempt forced entry of a rogue/commandeered merchant vessel into Kochi harbour. It saw the participation of multiple agencies including more than 12 ships and helicopters of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust.