INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 22 April 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Stat1:As per the “Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018”, which allows for a person to be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) if: (i) an arrest warrant has been issued against him for any specified offences where the value involved is over Rs 100 crore, and (ii) he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution.
• Stat2: To declare a person an FEO, an application will be filed in a Special Court (designated under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002) containing details of the properties to be confiscated, and any information about the person’s whereabouts. The Special Court will require the person to appear at a specified place at least six weeks from issue of notice. Proceedings will be terminated if the person appears.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/vijay-mallya-loses-extradition-appeal-in-uk/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The World Press Freedom Index 2020 has been released by the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.
• Norway ranks first for the fourth consecutive year and Finland and Denmark in second and third place.
• India has dropped two places to be ranked 142nd.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/world-press-freedom-index-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Brent Crude is the benchmark for the rest of the world. In other words, nearly two-third of the world’s oil demand is for Brent, a low-density sweet crude.
• According to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), the Indian basket of crude oil represents a derived basket comprising sour grade (Oman and Dubai average) and sweet grade (Brent) of crude oil processed in Indian refineries, in the ratio of 75.5 to 24.5. WTI price may have some impact on Brent prices, in the long run.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/why-oil-prices-fell-below-zero/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Stat1: The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Head Quartered in Delhi. Other Judicial members are retired Judges of High Courts. Each bench of the NGT will comprise of at least one Judicial Member and one Expert Member. Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years’ experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.
• Stat2: The NGT has not been vested with powers to hear any matter relating to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and various laws enacted by States relating to forests, tree preservation etc. Therefore, specific and substantial issues related to these laws cannot be raised before the NGT. You will have to approach the State High Court or the Supreme Court through a Writ Petition (PIL) or file an Original Suit before an appropriate Civil Judge of the taluk where the project that you intend to challenge is located.
• The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following:
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
  • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Stat3: The NGT is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. Further, NGT is also not bound by the rules of evidence as enshrined in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/ngt-raises-concern-over-covid-19-bio-medical-waste-disposal/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Salient features of BMW Management Rules, 2016:

• The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps or any other healthcare activity.
• It calls for Phase-out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags within two years.
• It calls for Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection or sterilisation on-site.
• It seeks to Provide training to all its health care workers and immunise all health workers regularly.
• It seeks to Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal.
• As per the rules, Bio-medical waste has been classified in to 4 categories instead 10 to improve the segregation of waste at source.
• As per the rules, State Government shall provide land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/ngt-raises-concern-over-covid-19-bio-medical-waste-disposal/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the Daporijo bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days.
• The bridge links roads leading upto the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-april-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• It is an annual event, organized to show support for environmental protection around the world on April 22.
• Earth Day was founded by American senator Gaylord Nelson for environmental education.
• This day commenced on April 22, 1970. In the year 2020, the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day is being celebrated.
• The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action.
• Earth Day Network (EDN) is the not for profit organisation that leads Earth Day worldwide.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-april-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Also known as World Book and Copyright Day, or International Day of the Book, it is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
• World Book Day was first celebrated on 23 April 1995.
• On April 23, UNESCO will celebrate the 25th edition of World Book and Copyright Day.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-april-2020/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Explanation:

• Stat1: It is a statutory body established by Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
• Stat2: Roles and functions of the board:
  • Encourage enterprises to take up technology-oriented products.
  • Provide equity capital or loans to industrial concerns and financial assistance to research and development institutions.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/04/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-april-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• About Formalin: Formalin is a toxic, colourless solution that is derived by dissolving formaldehyde gas in water.
• It is a cancer-inducing chemical used to preserve fish and is used as a disinfectant. It is used in the manufacture of pesticides, fertilisers, glue, paper and paint, among other products.
• Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin and stomach. In the long run continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.
• Formaldehyde is a highly reactive, flammable gas, which means it can become a fire hazard when exposed to flame or heat.
• Why is fish laced with formalin?
  • Fish is a highly perishable commodity. If it isn’t maintained at the proper temperature of 5 degree Celsius, it gets spoilt. To avoid that and increase its shelf life, the sellers now use chemicals such as formalin and ammonia.
  • If the point of sale is far from the place of catch, formalin is used as a preservative. Meanwhile, ammonia is mixed with the water that is frozen to keep fish fresh.
• Operation Sagar Rani: In June 2018, Kerala food safety department officials seized nearly 9,600 kg of fish preserved in formalin at a border check post in Kollam district. The seized fish included 7,000 kg of prawns and 2,600 kg of other species. The seizure was part of ‘Operation Sagar Rani’ launched by the state.
• Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol found in fruits and plants with diuretic, laxative and cathartic property. Unabsorbed sorbitol retains water in the large intestine through osmotic pressure thereby stimulating peristalsis of the intestine and exerting its diuretic, laxative and cathartic effect.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/01/15/formalin-in-fish/