QUIZ – 2020: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 11 November 2020

Solution: b)

Section 6 of the DPSE Act authorises the central government to direct CBI to probe a case within the jurisdiction of any state on the recommendation of the concerned state government. The courts can also order a CBI probe, and even monitor the progress of investigation.

The CBI manual says, “The central government can authorize CBI to investigate such a crime in a state but only with the consent of the concerned state government. The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate such a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the state.”

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Solution: d)

India is the world’s third-largest crude oil importer.

OPEC meets 78% of India’s crude oil demand, 59% of its LPG needs, and nearly 38% of LNG consumption.

Traditionally, OPEC nations offer bigger discounts on crude oil sold to western economies in comparison to eastbound cargoes.

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Solution: c)

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization of 13 nations.

As of September 2018, the 13 member countries accounted for an estimated 44 percent of global oil production and 81.5 percent of the world’s “proven” oil reserves.

A larger group called OPEC+ was formed in late 2016, to have more control on global crude oil market, who have been undertaking corrections in supply in the oil markets.

OPEC membership is open to any country that is a substantial exporter of oil and which shares the ideals of the organization.

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Solution: b)

India is the second largest producer after China. The prices hit a peak between August and October after hitting rock-bottom in April. This is easily explained: the rabi crop, which accounts for 70 per cent of the onion output of 22 million tonnes, runs out by August or September, whereas the kharif crop arrives between October and December, leaving a two-month vacuum. Late and heavy monsoon showers in key growing areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have frequently delayed and depleted the kharif crop, which accounts for 20 per cent of the overall output.

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Solution: c)

Following a series of orders by the National Green Tribunal in 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for the first time released guidelines to monitor and check illegal sand mining in the country.

The Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020 released by the Ministry include directions to states to carry out river audits, put detailed survey reports of all mining areas online and in the public domain, conduct replenishment studies of river beds, constantly monitor mining with drones, aerial surveys, ground surveys and set up dedicated task forces at district levels.

The guidelines also push for online sales and purchase of sand and other riverbed materials to make the process transparent. They propose night surveillance of mining activity through night-vision drones.

While the MoEF has already put in place the Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines 2016, which focus on the management of sand mining in India, officials say that there is an urgent need to have guidelines for effective enforcement of regulatory provisions and their monitoring.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 has empowered state governments to make rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals.

The 2020 guidelines are to be enforced simultaneously with the Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines, 2016, but in instances where the two sets of guidelines may seem to be in conflict, the new set will hold legal precedence.

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