QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 08 May 2017

Solution: c.

The data to be collected for ranking of the cities shall be segregated into 3 main areas:

• Collection of data from and interactions with Municipal Body
• Collection of data from Direct Observation
• Collection of data from Citizen Feedback

In the 2017 survey, weightage of Citizens’ feedback has been increased to 30% (from the earlier 25%), while weightage of ULB response has been reduced to 45% (from the earlier 50%). Weightage for independent observation has been retained at 25%.

See image for the areas (and weightage) of evaluation/parameters of the survey.

Swachh Survekshan 2017: Survey Brochure;

PIB;

Solution: b.

About  QCI (Background):

• Since 1992 a need had been felt for the establishment of an accreditation body in the country to establish internationally acceptable mechanism for recognition of conformity assessment results.
• A committee which included various interested ministries and stakeholders including industries was established to make suitable recommendations.Key recommendations included the need for establishing an organization jointly by the Government and the industry and the need for the organization to be self-sustaining and be away from the government.
• Accepting the recommendations, the Cabinet Committee decided to set up Quality Council of India as a non-profit autonomous society registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 to establish an accreditation structure in the country and to spread quality movement in India by undertaking a National Quality Campaign.
• The Mission of QCI is to lead nationwide quality movement in India by involving all stakeholders for emphasis on adherence to quality standards in all spheres of activities primarily for promoting and protecting interests of the nation and its citizens.

Improvisation: PIB;

Solution: b.

A similar question on the eVIN was posted here a few months ago.

• eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) is an indigenously developed technology system in India that digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone application. The innovative eVIN is presently being implemented called across twelve states in India.
• eVIN helps address three critical questions in vaccines logistics — where vaccines are; whether they are in adequate quantities; and whether they are stored at recommended temperatures?
• The technological innovation is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

PIB: eVIN, a global best practise in immunisation;

Solution: d.

• The IITLS – India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit – is envisaged as a platform for all stakeholders in transport and logistics sectors to come together and initiate collaborative partnerships to realize the various greenfield and brownfield opportunities in logistic parks, freight corridors and IT solutions.
• Initiative under the themes identified in LEEP are expected to reduce India’s logistics costs and bring them closer to the accepted global benchmarks from the current high levels of 13-14% of GDP.

PIB: IITLS;

Solution: b.

The promulgation of the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 inserting two new Sections (viz. 35AA and 35AB) after Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 enables the Union Government to authorize the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to

• direct banking companies to resolve specific stressed assets by initiating insolvency resolution process, where required and
• To issue other directions for resolution, and appoint or approve for appointment, authorities or committees to advise banking companies for stressed asset resolution.

PIB;

TH: This time with reform;

Solution: d.

The cobweb phenomenon: After the prices of a particular agricultural commodity shoots through the roof during a season of scarcity, farmers resort to boosting the production of this commodity on the premise of the pre-existing demand and prices, leading to a problem of plenty and the resultant price crash. So, technically, it can happen in the case of any crop.

TH: Glut ruins farmers trapped in ’cobweb phenomenon’;