QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 10 May 2017

Solution: d.

• India is an observer to the GPA and not a member.
• The GPA is a plurilateral agreement within the framework of the WTO, meaning that not all WTO members are parties to the Agreement.
• The fundamental aim of the GPA is to mutually open government procurement markets among its parties.
• Additional Information: Under WTO rules, if government is buying for itself and not for commercial purpose, then it may provide preference to domestic products. In the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission case which India lost to the US at the WTO, the country was planning to impose mandatory local content requirements on solar power developers who would sell power on commercial basis.

Improvisation: PRS MPR April: Cabinet approves purchase preference in all PSUs under the MoPNG;

Solution: a.

Statement 1 is correct. The second power of the SC is that, being a court of record, it has the power to punish for contempt of court (not only of itself but also of high courts, subordinate courts and tribunals functioning in the entire country).

Improvisation: TH: SC sentences Justice Karnak to six months imprisonment;

Chapter: Supreme Court, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Solution: d.

Justification for statement ‘a’: See solution for previous question.

• In the news: “Justice C.S. Karnan, who was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by a seven-judge Bench of the SC on Tuesday, can seek suspension of his sentence. The judge can move the SC till he receives a copy of the detailed order against him. He can argue that the order to arrest him forthwith has curtailed his right to seek a review of the order under Article 137 of the Constitution. Article 137 gives the SC the power to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it.”

Chapter: Supreme Court, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Solution: a.

• The world’s tallest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu, providing rail connectivity to Kashmir, will be capable of handling high intensity blasts and resisting the worst possible natural disaster.
• This is for the first time globally that a bridge is designed to handle high level trinitrotoluene (TNT) blast load.
• The bridge will be a crucial link in the 111-km stretch between Katra (Jammu) and Banihal (Kashmir) which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section of the railway project aimed at linking Kashmir through rail with the rest of the country.

Tallest bridge built can withstand blasts;

Solution: c.

• The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 that seeks to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 has also been introduced, alongside the Constitutional amendment bill.
• Role of NCSC: Currently, under the Constitution, the NCSC has the power to examine complaints and welfare measures for Scheduled Castes, backward classes and Anglo-Indians. The Bill seeks to withdraw the power of the NCSC to examine matters related to backward classes.
• Specification of Backward Classes: The Bill states that the President may specify the socially and educationally backward classes in the various states and union territories.  He may do this in consultation with the Governor of the concerned state. However, a law of Parliament will be required if the list of backward classes is to be amended.
• Powers of a civil court: These powers include: (i) summoning people and examining them on oath, (ii) requiring production of any document or public record, and (iii) receiving evidence.

“National Commission for Scheduled Castes”, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

PRS April MPR: Bill to give constitutional status to the NCBC passed by LS;