This is the current affairs of 19 December 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. How many MPs were suspended in one day on 18 December 2023, which became a record in Indian parliamentary history?
a. 34
b. 78
c. 92
d. 103
Answer: b. 78
– On December 18, 2023, a record 78 Members of Parliament were suspended in both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). This includes 33 members from Lok Sabha and 45 members from Rajya Sabha.
– This marks a historic record in parliamentary history.
– The following day, on December 19, 2023, an additional 49 members, all from Lok Sabha, were also suspended.
– Prior to this, on December 14, 2023, 13 members from Lok Sabha and one member from Rajya Sabha had been suspended.
– By December 19, 2023, during the winter session of 2023, a total of 141 members have been suspended, setting another record in parliamentary history.
– Not only that, but 27 questions from the Lok Sabha’s agenda were also removed. These questions were posed by the suspended members.
– Opposition leaders have termed this as the “murder of democracy.”
– Total members in Lok Sabha – 542 (95 members suspended)
– Total members in Rajya Sabha – 245 (46 members suspended)
Breaking the 1989 record:
– The suspension of 78 opposition MPs on a single day has surpassed previous instances of large-scale MP suspensions in 1989 when 63 MPs were suspended.
– In 1989, during the Rajiv Gandhi government, there was an uproar in Parliament over the report of the commission investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Back then, 63 MPs were suspended.
Reasons behind the MPs’ suspension:
– The opposition is demanding that Home Minister Amit Shah address the issue of security lapses in Parliament.
– Opposition leaders claim that neither the Home Minister nor the Prime Minister have addressed this issue in Parliament but have spoken about it in media programs. Traditionally, the Home Minister was expected to address this issue in Parliament.
– Opposition MPs had been creating an uproar on this issue for several days.
The proceedings were disrupted due to the commotion. Consequently, on December 18, 2023, 78 MPs were suspended.
– Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended 33 MPs, and under the guidance of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, 45 MPs were suspended.
What the opposition said:
– Following this suspension, the opposition lost its majority in the Rajya Sabha.
– After the suspension, the government managed to pass several bills, including the Postal Services Bill 2023 and the Telecommunications Bill 2023.
– Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that without opposition in Parliament, the Modi government could forcefully pass crucial pending laws without any debate. Doing so goes against parliamentary traditions.
What the Lok Sabha Speaker said:
– Speaker Om Birla mentioned that there’s an ongoing high-level investigation into the security lapse issue in Parliament. A committee has been formed to investigate the matter. It’s unfortunate that politics is being played over this incident. Discussion in the House should focus on democratic principles.
– Creating disturbances, bringing slogans, protesting inside the well, disrupting proceedings are not appropriate. Even the MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha have no connection to the security lapse issue.
When was the first suspension of an MP:
– The first instance of MPs’ suspension dates back to 1963.
Action against MPs in the Lok Sabha:
– The Lok Sabha operates through the Rule Book. Under Rule 373, if the Speaker believes that a Member of Parliament is continuously disrupting the House’s proceedings, they can remove that member for the day or even suspend them for the remaining part or the entire session.
– For dealing with more unruly members, the Speaker can take action under Rules 374 and 374A.
– Another rule, Rule 374A, was added to the Rule Book on December 5, 2001. If an MP obstructs the proceedings deliberately near the Speaker’s podium, raises slogans, or disrupts the functioning, action can be taken against them as per this rule.
– Upon being named by the Lok Sabha Speaker, such a member is automatically suspended for a period of five sittings or the remainder of the session (whichever is less).
How is suspension done in the Rajya Sabha:
– The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha does not have direct power to suspend a member.
– Suspension of Rajya Sabha members is decided by the House.
– For this purpose, a proposal is brought by a member or a government minister, and then it is put to vote for suspension, which requires a majority.
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2. An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck Gansu and Qinghai provinces of which neighboring country in December 2023?
a. Pakistan
b. Bhutan
c. Myanmar (Burma)
d. China
Answer: d. China
– According to China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2.
– Approximately 116 people have died in the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai, while more than 200 people have been injured.
– The earthquake has caused significant damage to water and power lines. Additionally, transportation and communication have been disrupted.
How does an earthquake occur?
– The surface of our Earth is primarily made up of seven large and several small tectonic plates.
– These plates are constantly moving and often collide with each other. These collisions sometimes cause corners of the plates to turn, and with increased pressure, the plates begin to break.
– As a result, the energy released from below searches for a way out, leading to disturbances, followed by an earthquake.
– This creates fault lines in the ground. The intensity of earthquakes is measured on the Richter scale. An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.0 or 3.0 is considered mild, while a magnitude of 6.0 signifies a powerful earthquake.
China:
President – Xi Jinping
Premier – Li Keqiang
Capital – Beijing
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3. When is Vijay Diwas celebrated?
a. 14th December
b. 15th December
c. 16th December
d. 17th December
Answer: c. 16th December
– This is a commemoration of India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, acknowledging the bravery of Indian soldiers.
– On this day, approximately 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army.
– This day marks the creation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan after India’s victory.
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4. Name the world’s first air defense missile system to destroy four targets simultaneously with a single firing unit, which is manufactured in India?
a. Amogha
b. Akash
c. BrahMos
d. Astra
Answer: b. Akash
– During Exercise ‘Astra Shakti 2023,’ conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash air defense missile system showcased its remarkable capability on December 12, 2023.
– In this demonstration, a firing unit successfully targeted four simultaneous unmanned aerial targets.
– The exercise ‘Astra Shakti’ was conducted at the Suryalanka Air Force Station in Andhra Pradesh.
How was the trial conducted?
– During the exercise, four missiles from a distance of 25 kilometers were approaching from a single direction and divided to attack their own defense assets from multiple directions.
– During this phase, the Akash air defense system was activated, and using a single firing unit, missiles were launched, neutralizing all four targets in the air.
– The Akash firing unit was deployed with five armed missiles, along with a Firing Level Radar (FLR), a Firing Control Center (FCC), and two Akash Air Force Launchers (AAFL).
– According to the DRDO, India is at the forefront among nations capable of launching missiles using a single firing unit and accurately targeting four locations simultaneously.
– Currently, no other country possesses such capability.
About the Akash Missile:
– Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile that strikes targets from surface to air.
– It was developed by the Defence Research and Development – Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with other entities in the defence public sector.
– The missile can target up to 30 kilometers away and at altitudes of 18,000 meters.
India’s Strength in Defence Exports:
– India exports various defence systems such as the Akash Missile System, Dornier-228 Aircraft, Advanced Artillery Gun (155 mm), BrahMos Missile, and Mine Protected Vehicles.
– Thermal Imaging Devices, aircraft, and smaller armaments are also part of India’s export portfolio in the defense sector.
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5.Name India’s first Arctic Research Center that will operate throughout the year in the Arctic region?
a. Jaldhi
b. Himadri
c. Himparvat
d. Himsagar
Answer: b. Himadri
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6. On which island India’s Arctic Research Center ‘Himadri’ will now be operational throughout the year?
a. New Alesund (Located near the border of Norway)
b. Devon (Located near the border of Canada)
c. Bel (Located near the border of Russia)
d. Trail (Located near the border of Denmark)
Answer: a. New Alesund (Located near the border of Norway)
– India’s Arctic research station ‘Himadri’ in the Norwegian island of New Alesund in the Arctic region will now operate throughout the year.
– Research activities will continue even during the winter.
– At a distance of about 1,200 kilometers from the North Pole, at New Alesund, nearly 10 countries have established permanent facilities based on the International Arctic Research Base.
Why is India conducting a polar campaign in the Arctic?
– It will fulfill new scientific projects in atmospheric and space sciences.
– The year-round operation of the Himadri station will particularly bridge the knowledge gap and data scarcity in atmospheric and biological sciences and space physics, especially during the polar nights of winters.
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7. Where was Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 organized, which was inaugurated by PM Modi?
a. Chennai
b. Varanasi
c. Lucknow
d. New Delhi
Answer: b. Varanasi
– The inauguration of ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0’ took place on December 17, 2023, at the Namo Ghat in Varanasi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding.
‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’
‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ is an initiative to bring to light the educational, economic, social, and cultural ties between Varanasi and the state of Tamil Nadu.
– It was first organized in 2022.
Uttar Pradesh
Capital – Lucknow
Governor – Anandiben Patel
Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
Tamil Nadu
Capital – Chennai
Governor – R N Ravi
Chief Minister – M K Stalin
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8. Which country’s cricket team won the Under-19 Asia Cup?
a. Bangladesh
b. Bhutan
c. UAE
d. USA
Answer: a. Bangladesh
– Bangladesh team won the Under-19 Asia Cup title for the first time.
– It was organized in Dubai in December 2023.
Bangladesh won the title by defeating host UAE by 195 runs in the final match.
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9. Who inaugurated the two-day Atal Swasthya Mela on 17 December 2023?
a. President
b. Vice President
c. Prime Minister
d. Chief Minister
Answer: b. Vice President (Jagdeep Dhankhar)
– Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the two-day fair at PNT Ground in Rajajipuram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
– The fair started from December 17 in the memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Uttar Pradesh
– Governor: Anandiben Patel
– Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
– Capital: Lucknow
