{"id":3273,"date":"2024-12-20T12:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T12:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3273"},"modified":"2024-12-20T12:25:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T12:25:00","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-20-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-20-december-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 20 December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History (December 20th<\/sup>,1942)<\/h1>\n

In 1942, the bombers of the Japanese Army Air Force bombed the Indian city of Calcutta (Kolkata) for the first time.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Revise<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. What does OPEC stand for?<\/strong>
\na) Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
\nb) Organization of Prime Exporting Countries
\nc) Oil Producing and Exporting Countries
\nd) Organization of Primary Energy Countries
\nAnswer: a) <\/strong>
\nRationale:<\/strong> OPEC stands for \u201cOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries\u201d. OPEC is a coalition of major oil-producing countries that coordinate policies to stabilize oil markets.<\/p>\n

2. Which country is not a member of OPEC?<\/strong>
\na) Saudi Arabia
\nb) Nigeria
\nc) Norway
\nd) Iran
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Norway is a significant oil producer but is not a member of OPEC.<\/p>\n

3) When was OPEC founded?<\/strong>
\na) 1945
\nb) 1950
\nc) 1960
\nd) 1973
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> OPEC was established in 1960 to unify and coordinate petroleum policies among its member countries.<\/p>\n

4) What is OPEC+?<\/strong>
\na) A new OPEC treaty
\nb) An extended group of oil producers including OPEC and non-OPEC countries
\nc) A subsidiary organization of OPEC
\nd) An environmental coalition against oil production
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nRationale:<\/strong> OPEC+ includes OPEC members and additional oil-producing nations that collaborate on oil production and pricing policies.<\/p>\n

5) Which of the following is a primary goal of OPEC?<\/strong>
\na) Increase production costs
\nb) Stabilize oil prices
\nc) Promote renewable energy
\nd) Regulate natural gas prices
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> OPEC aims to stabilize oil prices by coordinating the petroleum policies of its member countries.<\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

RS Deputy Chairman rejects no-trust notice against Dhankhar by Opposition<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022\tThe Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
\n\u2022\tThe notice was deemed an act of impropriety aimed at tarnishing the Vice-President’s reputation.
\n\u2022\tReasons for rejection included the misspelling of Mr. Dhankhar’s name.
\n\u2022\tThe notice was not addressed to any specific authority and was publicized by the Congress party.
\n\u2022\tHarivansh criticized the notice for being flawed and lacking bona fides.
\n\u2022\tHe described it as a calculated attempt to garner publicity and undermine the Vice-President.
\n\u2022\tThe Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, is noted as the first from the agricultural community to hold this office in Independent India.<\/p>\n

Sacred Groves<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Context:<\/strong>
\nThe Supreme Court of India has directed the Union government to formulate a comprehensive policy for managing sacred groves across the country.
\n\u2022\tEcological and Spiritual Sanctuaries: These areas, dedicated to local deities, are both ecological sanctuaries and places of spiritual reverence.
\n\u2022\tBiodiversity Repositories: They preserve biodiversity by protecting rare plant and animal species.
\n\u2022\tProhibitions and Permissible Activities: Hunting and deforestation are usually banned, while sustainable activities like honey collection and gathering deadwood are allowed.
\n\u2022\tSacred Groves in India: These groves are found across India, especially in the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, the northeastern hill regions, and Central India.
\nRegional Names for Sacred Groves:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tSarna in Bihar
\n\u2022\tDev Van in Himachal Pradesh
\n\u2022\tDevarakadu in Karnataka
\n\u2022\tKavu or Sarpa Kavu in Kerala
\n\u2022\tDevrai or Deorai in Maharashtra
\n\u2022\tLaw Kyntang or Asong Khosi in Meghalaya
\n\u2022\tOran in Rajasthan
\n\u2022\tSuccess Story: Piplantri Village in Rajasthan plants 111 trees for every girl child born, improving local income, reducing female foeticide, and empowering women\u2019s self-help groups.<\/p>\n

Detailed Examination of Gold Import Surge by DGCIS<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) has initiated a detailed examination following reports of a significant increase in India’s gold imports, which reached a record high of $14.8 billion in November, tripling compared to the same period last year.
\nAbout the DGCIS:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tThe DGCIS is the leading agency of the Indian government responsible for the collection, compilation, and dissemination of trade statistics and commercial information.
\nHistorical Background:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tEstablished in 1862 as a statistical branch under the Finance Department, the organization has a long history.
\n\u2022\tSir William W. Hunter, appointed in 1871, was the first Director General of Statistics.
\nFunctions:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tThe DGCIS is tasked with collecting, compiling, and publishing trade statistics and various commercial information essential for policymakers, researchers, importers, exporters, traders, and international buyers.
\n\u2022\tIt is the primary data processing body for export and import data in India.
\n\u2022\tAdditionally, it compiles and releases inland trade statistics, covering inter-state movements of goods by rail, river, and air annually.
\n\u2022\tThe organization is headed by the Director General, a senior officer from the Indian Statistical Services (ISS).
\nNodal Ministry and Headquarters:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tThe DGCIS operates under the Ministry of Commerce.
\n\u2022\tIts headquarters are located in Kolkata.<\/p>\n