QUIZ – 2020: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 9 May 2020

Solution: d)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched ‘Swamitva Yojana’ or Ownership Scheme to map residential land ownership in the rural sector using modern technology like the use of drones. The scheme aimed to revolutionise property record maintenance in India was launched on the Panchayati Raj Diwas.

1. Swamitva Yojana is meant to create a record of land ownership in rural areas using modern technology.
2. The scheme is piloted by the Panchayati Raj ministry of the Union government.
3. The need for this Yojana was felt since several villagers in the rural areas don’t have papers proving ownership of their land. In most states, survey and measurement of the populated areas in the villages has not been done for the purpose of attestation/verification of properties.
4. Swamitva Yojana is aimed to fill the above gap to provide ownership rights to people in the villages.
5. The residential land in villages will be measured using drones to create a non-disputable record. It is the latest technology for surveying and measuring of land.
6. The scheme will be carried out in close coordination with the Central Panchayati Raj ministry, Survey of India, Panchayati Raj departments and Revenue departments of various states.
7. Property card for every property in the village will be prepared by states using accurate measurements delivered by drone-mapping. These cards will be given to property owners and will be recognised by the land revenue records department.
8. The delivery of property rights through an official document will enable villagers to access bank finance using their property as collateral.

The property records for a village will also be maintained at the Panchayat level, allowing for the collection of associated taxes from the owners.

Source

Solution: d)

Soon after the Bhopal gas tragedy, the government passed a series of laws regulating the environment and prescribing and specifying safeguards and penalties. Some of these laws were:

1. Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, which gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy. Under the provisions of this Act, such claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.
2. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, which gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.
3. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, which is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.
4. The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997, under which the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
5. National Green Tribunal, 2010, provides for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.

According to PRS Legislative, any incident similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried in the National Green Tribunal and most likely under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. “…if an offence is committed by a company, every person directly in charge and responsible will be deemed guilty, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such an offence,” PRS states.

Source

Solution: b)

Green Climate Fund was set up by countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010, as part of the Convention’s financial mechanism. It aims to deliver equal amounts of funding to mitigation and adaptation, while being guided by the Convention’s principles and provisions.

When the Paris Agreement was reached in 2015, the Green Climate Fund was given an important role in serving the agreement and supporting the goal of keeping climate change well below 2 degrees Celsius.

The Fund pays particular attention to the needs of societies that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, in particular Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States.

The Fund’s investments can be in the form of grants, loans, equity or guarantees.

Source

Solution: a)

In a bid to improve the ease of doing business, apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a scheme –Food Safety Mitra (FSM). The scheme will support small and medium scale food businesses in compliance to the food safety laws.

FSSAI has said that the scheme will lead to improved ease of doing business by creating a transparent and organized ecosystem supporting food businesses wherein food businesses will be able to get trained service providers at fair prices – lowering the costs of compliance.

“Apart from strengthening food safety, this scheme would also create new employment opportunities for youth, particularly with food and nutrition background.

A Food Safety Mitra is an individual professional certified by FSSAI who assists in compliances related to FSS Act, Rules and regulations with three avatars viz. Digital Mitra, Trainer Mitra and Hygiene Mitra depending upon their respective roles and responsibilities.

Source

Solution: d)

Any area other than area comprised with any reserve forest or the territorial waters can be notified by the State Government to constitute as a sanctuary if such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. Some restricted human activities are allowed inside the Sanctuary area.

There are 551 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India which is 3.64 % of the geographical area of the country according to National Wildlife Database, May, 2019.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands has the highest number of wildlife sanctuaries in India.

Source