10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #94 February 21, 2020

Explanation: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. The General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner and her Office with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. The United Nations human rights programme aims to ensure that the protection and enjoyment of human rights is a reality in the lives of all people. UN Human Rights also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the three interconnected pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, human rights and development. UN Human Rights provides assistance in the form of technical expertise and capacity-development in order to support the implementation of international human rights standards on the ground. It assists governments, which bear the primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfil their obligations and supports individuals to claim their rights. Moreover, it speaks out objectively on human rights violations.

Explanation: Restoration of forests has long been seen as a potential measure to combat climate change. The latest special report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that an increase of 1 billion hectares of forest will be necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. What has so far been unclear, however, is how much of this tree cover might be actually possible in the existing conditions on the planet. Now, researchers have quantified how much land around the world is available for reforestation, as well as the extent of carbon emissions these would prevent from being released into the atmosphere. Trees, which absorb carbon dioxide, are a natural sink for the gas emitted into the atmosphere. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, trees absorb about 25% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels, while the oceans absorb another 25%. The half that remains in the atmosphere contributes to global warming.

Explanation:
The Sub-Group on Housing Finance for the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) identified the non-availability of long-term finance to individual households on any significant scale as a major lacuna impeding progress of the housing sector and recommended the setting up of a national level institution. The Committee of Secretaries considered’ the recommendation and set up the High Level Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, the then Deputy Governor, RBI to examine the proposal and recommended the setting up of National Housing Bank as an autonomous housing finance institution. The recommendations of the High Level Group were accepted by the Government of India.
•The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, while presenting the Union Budget for 1987-88 on February 28, 1987 announced the decision to establish the National Housing Bank (NHB) as an apex level institution for housing finance. Following that, the National Housing Bank Bill (91 of 1987) providing the legislative framework for the establishment of NHB was passed by Parliament in the winter session of 1987 and with the assent of the Hon’ble President of India on December 23, 1987, became an Act of Parliament.
•The National Housing Policy, 1988 envisaged the setting up of NHB as the Apex level institution for housing.
•In pursuance of the above, NHB was set up on July 9, 1988 under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987.
•Reserve Bank of India contributed the entire paid-up capital.
•The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs and business of NHB vest, under the Act, in a Board of Directors.
•The Head Office of NHB is at New Delhi.

Explanation: GMR-led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has become free of single-use plastic usage. The Confederation of Indian Industry-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII-ITC CESD) that supports the business community towards achieving sustainability has certified DIAL for its successful voluntary implementation of single-use plastic-free airport measures within IGI Airport’s operations.

Explanation: The government will launch Tilhan Mission to make the country self-reliant in oilseed production. Addressing the gathering at a function organized on the occasion of a Soil Health Card Day today, Agriculture Minister said, the government is seriously working on enhancing the oilseed production in the country. He said, today the country is self-reliant in foodgrains production due to the hard work of farmers and it is more than the overall requirements of the country. He said, since the launch of the Soil health card scheme in 2015, soil fertility has improved resulting in more crop production. He said, agriculture is the important pillar of the country’s economy and its contribution is 14 per cent to the GDP.