QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz,08 August 2018

Solution: c.

The importance of mosques in Islam has come into focus again. During the hearing of the Babri Masjid case, advocate Rajeev Dhavan asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its judgment in Ismail Faruqui v. Union Of India (1994). The Bench in that case had ruled by a majority that a mosque is not essential to Islam, and allowed the Central government to include the 2.77 acres (on which the Babri Masjid once stood) in the 67.7 acres of land to be acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya (ACAA) Act, 1993.

Among the court’s arguments to justify the acquisition of Babri Masjid land was that “a mosque is not an essential part of the practice of… Islam and Namaz (prayer) by Muslims can be offered anywhere, even in open.”

TH;

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Solution: b.

This committee was setup first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 and has since been in existence. At present, it consists of 22 members (15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from  the  Rajya  Sabha).  The  members  are  elected  by  the  Parliament  every  year  from  amongst  its members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.  Thus,  all  parties  get  due  representation  in  it.  The  term  of  office  of  the  members  is  one  year. A minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee. The chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members. Until 1966–67, the chairman of the committee belonged to the  ruling  party.  However,  since  1967  a  convention  has  developed  whereby  the  chairman  of  the committee is selected invariably from the Opposition.

Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Improvisation: TH;

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Solution: d.

The Deputy  Chairman  performs the duties of the Chairman’s office when it is vacant or when the Vice-President  acts  as  President  or  discharges  the  functions  of  the  President.  He  also  acts  as  the Chairman  when  the  latter  is  absent  from  the  sitting  of  the  House.  In  both  the  cases,  he  has  all  the powers of the Chairman.

Under the Rules of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman nominates from amongst the members a panel of vice- chairpersons.  Any  one  of  them  can  preside  over  the  House  in  the  absence  of  the  Chairman  or  the Deputy Chairman. He has the same powers as the Chairman when so presiding. He holds office until a new panel of vice-chairpersons is nominated.  It  must  be  emphasised  here  that  a  member  of  the  panel  of  vice-chairpersons  cannot  preside  over  the House,  when  the  office  of  the  Chairman  or  the  Deputy  Chairman  is  vacant.  During  such  time,  the Chairman’s duties are to be performed by such member of the House as the president may appoint for the purpose. The elections are held, as soon as possible, to fill the vacant posts.

Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Improvisation: TH;

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Solution: a.

LoU is a bank guarantee generated on behalf of importers for payments abroad. Under this arrangement, the issuing bank agrees to unconditionally repay the principal amount and interest thereupon.

Another definition: An LoU is an assurance given by one bank to another to meet a liability on behalf of a customer. The LoU is akin to a letter of credit or a guarantee. LoUs are used in international banking transactions. An LoU is issued for overseas import remittances and involves four parties — an issuing bank, a receiving bank, an importer and a beneficiary entity overseas.

From earlier: TH; IE;

In the news: TH;

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Solution: c.

China recently announced that it has successfully tested its first cutting-edge hypersonic (more than five times the speed of sound) aircraft which could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems. The Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2, was launched in a target range located in Northwest China on Friday last, the state-run China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics said in a statement.

TH;

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