DAY – 12 ( INSTA REVISION TEST – 12)INSTA REVISION PLAN 2.0, 2021

Solution: C

The Economic and Social Council is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.

The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations.

https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/about-us

https://pib.gov.in/pressreleaseiframepage.aspx?PRID=1639467

Solution: A

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is a govt document that includes eight ambitious goals set for the country to achieve.

The eight missions are:

• National Solar Mission
• National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
• National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
• National Water Mission
• National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
• National Mission for a Green India
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Solution: A

Megadiversity Countries is a term used to refer to the world’s top biodiversity-rich countries.

To qualify as a Megadiverse Country, a country must: 

1. Have at least 5000 of the world’s plants as endemics
2. Have marine ecosystems within its borders.

The focus on endemism is in line with the IUCN’s “doctrine of ultimate responsibility”, which holds that a country with the only populations of an endangered species has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the survival of that particular species. Other secondary criteria have also been taken into consideration, such as animal and invertebrate endemism, species diversity, higher-level diversity, ecosystem diversity and presence of tropical rainforest ecosystems. Despite endemism being the main criterion, thresholds for the criteria are flexible and countries have been considered individually based on all criteria.

The identified Megadiverse Countries are: United States of America, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Madagascar, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, China, and Australia.

https://www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/megadiverse-countries

Solution: B

The Consumer Protection Act,2019 comes in to force from 20th July 2020.

A consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for a consideration.  It does not include a person who obtains a good for resale or a good or service for commercial purpose.  It covers transactions through all modes including offline, and online through electronic means, teleshopping, multi-level marketing or direct selling.

The central government will set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.  It will regulate matters related to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements.  The CCPA will have an investigation wing, headed by a Director-General, which may conduct inquiry or investigation into such violations.
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be set up at the district, state, and national levels.  A consumer can file a complaint with CDRCs in relation to: (i) unfair or restrictive trade practices; (ii) defective goods or services; (iii) overcharging or deceptive charging; and (iv) the offering of goods or services for sale which may be hazardous to life and safety.  Complaints against an unfair contract can be filed with only the State and National   Appeals from a District CDRC will be heard by the State CDRC.  Appeals from the State CDRC will be heard by the National CDRC.  Final appeal will lie before the Supreme Court.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639925

Solution: C

Solution: B

AgResults was established at the June 2012 G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. The initiative promotes the adoption of innovative technologies through the use of results-based economic incentives in agriculture to enhance smallholder welfare and improve food security for the poor.

AgResults is a $118 million multilateral initiative to promote global food security, health and nutrition through the design and implementation of “pull mechanisms”—results-based financial incentives rewarding successful, high-impact innovations and their adoption.

https://fiftrustee.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/dfi/fiftrustee/fund-detail/agr

Solution: C

Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

ESZs are notified by MoEFCC, Government of India under Environment Protection Act 1986.

Activities such as commercial mining, setting of saw mills and industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood and major hydro-power projects, are prohibited in such areas.

It also prohibits tourism activities like flying over protected areas in an aircraft or hot air balloon, and discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies or terrestrial areas.

Felling of trees, drastic change in agriculture systems and commercial use of natural water resources, including groundwater harvesting and setting up of hotels and resorts, are the activities regulated in the areas.

Activities permitted in the areas include ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, adoption of green technology and use of renewable energy sources.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639387

Solution: D

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639387

Solution: A

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI):

A report on slavery was recently released by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and an international anti-slavery organisation Walk Free on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Key findings:

1. Commonwealth countries account for about 40% of people living in conditions of modern slavery in the world.
2. Commonwealth nations are lacking in actions to eradicate modern slavery by 2030.
3. There is an estimated one in every 150 people in the Commonwealth living in conditions of modern slavery.
4. One-third of the Commonwealth countries had criminalised forced marriage, while 23 had not criminalised commercial sexual exploitation of children.
5. Out of 54 countries, only four engage with business to investigate supply chains, and all countries report gaps in victim assistance programs.

India- specific findings:

1. India has fared the worst in terms of coordination, “with no national coordinating body or National Action Plan in place”.
2. India had not ratified the International Labour Organisation’s 2011 Domestic Workers Convention or the 2014 Forced Labour Protocol.
3. India accounted for one-third of all child brides in the world.
4. Despite being the largest country in the region, India has the weakest response on national coordination, with no national coordinating body or National Action Plan in place.

About the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI):

It is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, international non-governmental organisation working in the area of human rights.

In 1987, several Commonwealth professional associations founded CHRI, since there was little focus on human rights within the association of 53 nations although the Commonwealth provided member countries the basis of shared common legal system.

1. Roles and functions: CHRI promotes adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Commonwealth Harare Principles and other internationally recognised human rights instruments, including domestic legislation supporting human rights in Commonwealth countries.

It is headquartered in New Delhi, India.

Solution: C

What is aerial seeding?

Context:

The Haryana Forest Department has started aerial seeding across the state on a pilot basis.

1. This technique will allow plantation in sections of the Aravallis that are either difficult to access or inaccessible altogether.
2. The pilot project will help determine the effectiveness of the technology and the dispersal mechanism.

What is aerial seeding?

It is a technique of plantation wherein seed balls – seeds covered with a mixture of clay, compost, char and other components – are sprayed on the ground using aerial devices, including planes, helicopters or drones.

How does this technique work?

1. Seeds balls or seed pellets are dispersed in a targeted area by the low-flying drones.
2. They fall to the ground with the help of the coating of clay, compost, char and other material, that provides the required weight for seeds to drop on a predetermined location rather than disperse in the wind.
3. These pellets will then sprout when there is enough rain, with the nutrients present within them helping in the initial growth.

What are the advantages of this technique? 

1. Areas that are inaccessible, have steep slopes, are fragmented or disconnected with no forest routes, making conventional plantation difficult, can be targeted with aerial seeding.
2. The process of the seed’s germination and growth is such that it requires no attention after it is dispersed –the reason why seed pellets are known as the “fire and forget” way of plantation.
3. They eliminate the need for ploughing and digging holes in the soil and the seeds do not need to be planted,since they are already surrounded by soil, nutrients, and microorganisms.

The clay shell of these pellets along with the other items in the mixture also protects them from birds, ants and rats.

Solution: C

It is the national standard body of India under provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.

It is working under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. It was earlier established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. Indian Standards Bill, 2015 which was passed on 2016 repealed the existing Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.

Features of the Act

• Establishing the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India
• Allowing multiple types of conformity assessment schemes
• Enabling the Government to bring under the mandatory certification regime such goods, article, process system or service which it considers necessary from the point of view of public interest; human, animal, or plant health, safety of the environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security;
• To enable the Government to make mandatory hallmarking of precious metal articles.
• To appoint any authority/agency, in addition to the BIS, to verify the conformity of products and services to a standard and issue certificate of conformity.

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/07/27/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-27-july-2020/

Solution: C

Chandra Shekhar Azad

Context:

23^rd July- Birth Anniversary.

What you need to know about Chandra Shekhar Azad?

1. Born on July 23, 1906, at Bhavra, Alirajpur District in present-day Madhya Pradesh.
2. He took part in non-cooperation movementwhen he was 15.
3. After the suspension of the non-cooperation movement in 1922by Gandhi, Azad joined Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
4. HRA was later reorganised as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA) in 1928.
5. Azad was involved in the 1925 Kakori Conspiracy.
6. He died at Azad Park in Allahabad on 27th February 1931.
7. Other cases Azad was involved in include the 1926 attempt to blow up the viceroy’s train, and the shooting of J P Saunders in 1928. Saunders was assassinated to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.

Why he is called “Azad”?

He was arrested because of his participation in the non-cooperation movement. When produced by the magistrate, he proudly announced his name as ‘Azad’, his father’s name as ‘Swatantrata’ and his place of dwelling as ‘Jail’. It was from then on that the name ‘Azad’ stuck to him.

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/07/27/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-27-july-2020/

Solution: A

Istanbul Convention

Context:

Poland is to withdraw from Istanbul Convention- a treaty aimed at preventing violence against women.

What’s the issue?

1. The reason behind withdrawal is that Poland thinks the Convention is harmful because it required schools to teach children about gender. Also, it says, the treaty tries to construct a “socio-cultural gender against the biological gender”. For example, some items of the convention foresee educating children and young people about forming homosexual families.

What is the Istanbul Convention?

It is also called as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The treaty is the world’s first binding instrument to prevent and tackle violence against women.

It is the most comprehensive legal framework that exists to tackle violence against women and girls, covering domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, female genital mutilation (FGM), so-called honour-based violence, and forced marriage.

1. The Convention sets minimum standards for governments to meet when tackling violence against women.
2. When a government ratifies the Convention, they are legally bound to follow it.

As of March 2019, it has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union.

The convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 7 April 2011.

Solution: D

Context: The Supreme Court has held that courts are empowered to order parties in a contempt case to surrender their passport in order to ensure their presence in the proceedings.

Background:

The court was hearing a contempt case in connection with a civil suit on partition of a disputed property in Delhi.

What is contempt under the Indian law?

In India, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, divides contempt into civil contempt and criminal contempt.

• ‘Civil contempt’ is a ‘wilful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other processes of a Court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to the court’.
• ‘Criminal contempt’ is ‘the publication (whether by words, spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise) of any matter or the doing of any other act whatsoever which:
• Scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or tends to lower the authority of, any court.
• Prejudices, or interferes or tends to interfere with the due course of any judicial proceeding.
• Interferes or tends to interfere with, or obstructs or tends to obstruct, the administration of justice in any other manner.’

Contempt of Courts (Amendment) Act, 2006:

• The statute of 1971 has been amended by the Contempt of Courts (Amendment) Act, 2006 to include the defence of truth under Section 13 of the original legislation.
• Section 13 that already served to restrict the powers of the court in that they were not to hold anyone in contempt unless it would substantially interfere with the due process of justice, the amendment further states that the court must permit ‘justification by truth as a valid defence if it is satisfied that it is in public interest and the request for invoking the said defence is bona fide.’

Constitutional Background:

• Article 129: Grants Supreme Court the power to punish for contempt of itself.
• Article 142(2): Enables the Supreme Court to investigate and punish any person for its contempt.
• Article 215: Grants every High Court the power to punish for contempt of itself.

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/07/27/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-27-july-2020/

Solution: A

Compensatory Afforestation Fund and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

• Supreme Court of India ordered for establishment of Compensatory Afforestation Fund and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in 2001.
• In 2006, ad hoc CAMPA was established for the management of Compensatory afforestation fund.
• CAMPA Act:
  • o To compensate the loss of forest area and to maintain the sustainability, the Government of India came up with a well-defined Act, known as CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority).
  • o The law establishes the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India, and a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
  • o These Funds will receive payments for: (i) compensatory afforestation, (ii) net present value of forest (NPV), and (iii) other project specific payments.
  • o The National Fund will receive 10% of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90%.
  • o According to the Act’s provision, a company diverting forest land must provide alternative land to take up compensatory afforestation.
  • o For afforestation, the company should pay to plant new trees in the alternative land provided to the state.
  • o The act also seeks to establish National and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authorities to manage the funds.