INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 14 October 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Powers of Election Commission:

• The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 empowers the EC to recognise political parties and allot symbols.
• Under Paragraph 15 of the Order, it can decide disputes among rival groups or sections of a recognised political party staking claim to its name and symbol.
• The EC is also the only authority to decide issues on a dispute or a merger. The Supreme Court upheld its validity in Sadiq Ali and another vs. ECI in 1971.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/how-election-commission-decides-on-party-symbols/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: FRBM review panel had recommended the criterion of debt as a parameter for fiscal responsibility the central share being 40% and state 20%. Also, in terms of domestic liabilities the figures are actually reverse ie central government 49% and state 21%.
• S3: Art. 293. (3.) A State may not without the consent of the Government of India raise any loan if there is still outstanding any part of a loan which has been made to the State by the Government of India or by its predecessor Government, or in respect of which a guarantee has been given by the Government of India or by its predecessor Government

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/centre-allows-additional-borrowing-by-20-states/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Stat1: The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it targets livelihood generation for tribal gatherers and transforms them into entrepreneurs. The idea behind the scheme is to set-up tribal community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in predominantly forested tribal districts.
• Stat2: Tech For Tribals is a programme by TRIFED, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) programme.
  • It aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through SHGs operating through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/tech-for-tribals-launched/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About eVIN:

• eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) is an indigenously developed technology system in India that digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone application.
  • eVIN aims to support the Government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in these states.
  • The integrated solution combines:
    • Technology : to facilitate evidence-based decision-making by making available online real-time information on vaccine stocks and storage temperature through the eVIN application software and temperature loggers;
    • Governance: to ensure efficient vaccine logistics management by systemizing record keeping through standardizing stock and distribution registers; identifying gaps and improving clarity on vaccine cold chain network; drawing attention to infrastructure upgrades; developing standard operating procedures; and encouraging good practices;
    • Human Resources: to empower the state cold chain network by building the capacities of government cold chain handlers; and deploying vaccine and cold chain managers in every district for constant support to estimate vaccine requirements, supervise cold chain handlers and coordinate with cold chain technicians across the district.
  • This is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/electronic-vaccine-intelligence-network-evin/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• What is Fly Ash?
  • Popularly known as Flue ash or pulverised fuel ash, it is a coal combustion product.
• Composition:
  • Composed of the particulates that are driven out of coal-fired boilers together with the flue gases.
  • Depending upon the source and composition of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO), the main mineral compounds in coal-bearing rock strata.
  • Minor constituents include: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, hexavalent chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium, along with very small concentrations of dioxins and PAH compounds. It also has unburnt carbon.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/fly-ash-6/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• What is FCRA clearance? Why is it needed?
  • It is mandatory to have FCRA clearance from the Home Ministry for any organisation to receive foreign funds.
  • Foreign funding of voluntary organizations in India is regulated under FCRA act and is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Key provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010:
  • Under the Act, organisations require to register themselves every five years.
  • As per the amended FCRA rules, all NGOs registered or granted prior permission under FCRA are now required to upload details of foreign contributions received and utilized by them every three months on their website or the FCRA website.
  • NGOs now need to file their annual returns online, with the hard copy version dispensed with.
• Who cannot accept Foreign Contribution?
  • Election candidate
  • Member of any legislature (MP and MLAs)
  • Political party or office bearer thereof
  • Organization of a political nature
  • Correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publishers of a registered Newspaper.
  • Judge, government servant or employee of any corporation or any other body controlled on owned by the Government.
  • Association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news, audio visual news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode
  • Any other individuals or associations who have been specifically prohibited by the Central Government
• What is the eligibility criteria for grant of registration?
  • The Association:
  • must be registered (under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or Indian Trusts Act 1882 or section 8 of Companies Act, 2013 etc.)
  • normally be in existence for at least 3 years.
  • has undertaken reasonable activity in its field for the benefit of the society.
  • Has spent at least Rs.10,00,000/- (Rs. ten lakh) over the last three years on its activities.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-october-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Aksai Chin Lake is an endorheic lake on the Aksai Chin Plateau. The plateau is administered by China but also claimed by India. The lake is sometimes referred to as Amtogor Lake.
• Places in News- Chushul:
  • It is a village in Leh, Ladakh, India.
  • It is located in the Durbuk tehsil, in the area known as “Chushul valley”.
  • It is close to Rezang La and Panggong Lake at a height of 4,360 metres.
  • Chushul is one of the five officially agreed Border Personnel Meeting points between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China for regular consultations and interactions between the two armies to improve relations.
  • This place is famous for the Indian Army who fought to the ‘last man, last round’ at Rezang La (Chushul) on November 18, 1962. Without this crucial victory, the territory might have been captured by China.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-october-2020/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Aquaponics is an emerging technique in which both fishes as well as the plants are grown in an integrated manner.
  • The fish waste provides fertilizer for growing plants. The plants absorb nutrients and filter the water. This filtered water is used to replenish the fish tank. This is an environment friendly technique.
• The Miyawaki method, developed by a Japanese botanist after whom it is named, involves planting saplings in small areas, causing them to “fight” for resources and grow nearly 10 times quicker.
  • It originated in Japan, and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world, including our Chennai. It has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-october-2020/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: Situated in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Indian state Rajasthan.
• S2: This is clearly incorrect. A national park can have human habitation.
• S3: This is common knowledge.

Source: UPSC CSE 2020

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: About 29% are such, not 26%. Out of the 5723 assessment units assessed jointly by State Ground Water Departments and CGWB in the country, 4078 are safe (71%), 550 are semi critical (10%), 226 are critical (4%) and 839 are over exploited (15%). See https://niti.gov.in/planningcommission.gov.in/docs/reports/genrep/rep_grndwat.pdf
• S2: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Section 3(3) of ‘The Environment (Protection) Act, (1986)’ regulates extraction of ground water through guidelines which are updated regularly.
• S3: At 39 million hectares (67% of its total irrigation), India has the world’s largest groundwater well equipped irrigation system (China with 19 mha is second, USA with 17 mha is third).

Source: UPSC CSE 2020