INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 9 September 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The city of Fatehgarh Sahib is of special significance to Sikhs.The word “Fatehgarh”, means “Town of Victory”, and is so called because in 1710, Sikhs under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur conquered the area and destroyed the mughal fort.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/dekhoapnadesh-webinar-series-on-punjab-a-historic-perspective/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.

• Stat1: The idea of a sustained and structured cultural connect between denizens of different regions was mooted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October, 2015, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Stat2: The Ministry of Human Resource Development, which has been designated Nodal Ministry for co-ordination of the programme has intimated all States/UTs to nominate a nodal officer for the programme, sign the MoUs with the partner States/UTs and prepare an Action Plan showing the activities, time lines and implementation responsibilities , in consultation with the partner States/UTs.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/dekhoapnadesh-webinar-series-on-punjab-a-historic-perspective/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha:

• It is a constitutional position created under Article 89 of the Constitution, which specifies that Rajya Sabha shall choose one of its MPs to be the Deputy Chairman as often as the position becomes vacant.
• Stat1: Who can be a deputy chairman?
  • The Deputy Chairman is elected by the Rajya Sabha itself from amongst its members.
  • Whenever the office of the Deputy Chairman falls vacant, the Rajya Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
• The Deputy Chairman vacates his office in any of the following three cases:
  • if he ceases to be a member of the Rajya Sabha;
  • if he resigns by writing to the Chairman;
  • if he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Rajya Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.
• Functions:
  • 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.
  • The Deputy Chairman also plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth running of the House.
• Stat2: Powers:
  • The Deputy Chairman is not subordinate to the Chairman. He is directly responsible to the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Deputy Chairman is entitled to a regular salary and allowance which are fixed by Parliament and are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
• Election Procedure:
  • For electing the Deputy Chair any Rajya Sabha MP can submit a motion proposing the name of a colleague for this constitutional position. The motion has to be seconded by another MP.
  • Additionally, the member moving the motion has to submit a declaration signed by the MP whose name s/he is proposing stating that the MP is willing to serve as the Deputy Chairperson if elected. Each MP is allowed to move or second only one motion.
  • Then the majority of the House decides who gets elected as the Deputy Chairperson.
  • However, if the political parties arrive at a consensus candidate, then that MP will be unanimously elected as the Deputy Chair.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/deputy-chairman-of-rajya-sabha/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Stat3: The expression “office of profit” has not been defined in the Constitution or in the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• According to Articles 102(1)(a) and 191(1)(a) of Constitution, legislators (MP or MLA) can be barred from holding office of profit under Central Government or state government as it can put them in position to gain financial benefit.
• The Supreme Court recently held that the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Act, 2006 exempting 55 offices occupied by members of Parliament from disqualification was constitutionally valid. See https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Supreme-Court-upholds-office-of-profit-law/article16876481.ece

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/what-is-an-office-of-profit/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: ‘Health in India’ report:

• Published by?
• National Statistical Organisation (NSO).
  • The report is based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (July 2017-June 2018) on household social consumption related to health.
• Key findings in the latest report:
  • Stat1: Across the country, only 59.2% of children under five years are fully immunised.
  • Stat3: Roughly, two out of five children do not complete their immunisation programme.
  • About 97% of children across the country received at least one vaccination — mostly BCG and/or the first dose of OPV at birth.
  • However, only 67% of children are protected against measles.
  • Only 58% got their polio booster dose, while 54% got their DPT booster dose.
  • Stat2: Among States, Manipur (75%), Andhra Pradesh (73.6%) and Mizoram (73.4%) recorded the highest rates of full immunisation.
  • In Nagaland, only 12% of children received all vaccinations, followed by Puducherry (34%) and Tripura (39.6%).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/health-in-india-report/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About the International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• It is an Indian initiative, which was launched jointly by Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and H.E. François Hollande, President of France on 30 November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• The ISA Assembly is the main decision-making body of the alliance and it decides on various administrative, financial and program-related issues.
• What it does?
  • As an action-oriented organisation, the ISA brings together countries with rich solar potential to aggregate global demand, thereby reducing prices through bulk purchase, facilitating the deployment of existing solar technologies at scale, and promoting collaborative solar R&D and capacity building.
• When it entered into force?
  • When the ISA Framework Agreement entered into force on December 6th, 2017, ISA formally became a de-jure treaty based International Intergovernmental Organization, headquartered at Gurugram, India.
• Stat1 and 2: Membership:
  • All members of the United Nations can join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) under the recently amended ISA Framework Agreement.
  • As on 30 July 2020, 87 Countries have signed the Framework Agreement of the ISA and of these 67 have deposited their instruments of ratification.
• Stat3: Goal:
  • It has set a target of 1TW of solar energy by 2030.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/first-world-solar-technology-summit/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: What is InvIT model?

• Stat1: It is a Collective Investment Scheme similar to a mutual fund, which enables direct investment of money from individual and institutional investors in infrastructure projects to earn a small portion of the income as return.
• Stat2: The InvITs are regulated by the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/infrastructure-investment-trust-invit-model/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: What is Real Mango, which was in news recently?

• It is an illegal software used for cornering confirmed Railway reservation. This commonly banned software makes the complete process of Indian Rail ticket booking at a fly speed.
• Why in News?
• In a nation wide investigation, the Railway Protection Force has disrupted the operation of this illegal software.

Refer: Facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-september-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Narcotics Control Bureau:

• It was constituted by the Government of India in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• It is the apex coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based on Article 47 of the Indian Constitution which directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.
• Drug abuse control is the responsibility of the central government.

Refer: Facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-september-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Important festivals of Punjab: Teej, Lohri, Basant Panchami, Baisakhi and Hola Mahalla.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/09/dekhoapnadesh-webinar-series-on-punjab-a-historic-perspective/