QUIZ – 2020: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 03 January 2020

Solution: c)

Following its introduction in Delhi/NCR, Bharti Airte commercially rolled-out its Voice Over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) service –‘Airtel Wi-Fi Calling’ in Mumbai, Kolkata, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

The VoWiFi technology allows users to make outgoing calls to any mobile phone number and landline by connecting to a public WiFi hotspot or any private home WiFi network. The service enables no cost calling across operators and minimal data usage using a handset which supports the technology.

VoWiFi will allow telcos to take on over-the-top players like WhatsApp and keep them from eating into their revenue, even as voice calling rates rise
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Solution: c)

The Kaleshwaram project is an off-shoot of the original Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme.

It is on the Godavari River.

The Centre under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 is mandated to support programmes for the development of backward areas in the successor States, including expansion of physical and social infrastructure.

Solution: a)

Operation Twist is a move in which a central bank decides to simultaneously buy long-dated securities while selling short-term securities. The objective behind such an operation is management of the yield curve.

Other central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, have used similar measures. This is the first time RBI has undertaken such an unconventional policy measure with the aim of flattening the yield curve by lowering longer rates to boost lending and growth.

A conventional Operation Twist involves a central bank buying and selling securities of the same amounts.

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Solution: d)

Cost of production (CoP) is one of the important factors in the determination of MSP of mandated crops. Besides cost, the Commission for ‘Agricultural Costs and Prices’ (CACP), considers other important factors such as demand and supply, price trend in the domestic and international markets, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors and the likely impact of MSPs on consumers, in addition to ensuring rational utilization of natural resources like land and water.

Thus, pricing policy is rooted not in ‘cost plus’ approach, though cost is an important determinant of MSP.

Solution: c)

The deadline for the government’s Accessible India campaign that aims at making public spaces friendly for persons with disabilities has been extended due to slow progress. The revised deadlines have been extended to March 2020.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has launched Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) as a nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).  It has the following three important components:

Part A: Built Environment Accessibility

These would include not only buildings, but also footpaths, curb cuts, and obstacles that block the flow of pedestrian traffic.

Part B: Transportation System Accessibility

The term transportation covers a number of areas including air travel, buses, taxis, and trains.

Part C: Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility

Access to information refers to all information. This can range from actions such as being able to read price tags, to physically enter a hall, to participate in an event, to read a pamphlet with healthcare information, to understand a train timetable, or to view webpages.

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