[MISSION 2022] INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 12 November 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S. Air Force Brigadier General Robert Spalding has announced the Digital Atlantic Charter initiative, a public-private effort focused on safeguarding democracies worldwide.
• About the initiative:
  • It is created in the spirit of the Atlantic Charter and following the recent AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, U.K. and the U.S.
  • The initiative supports countries in every region of the world as they work to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructure.
  • The initiative provides policy advice, an investment vehicle and a technology development platform to help government agencies and commercial entities counter digital authoritarianism.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/atlantic-charter-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: here the directive word is incorrect!!

• Statement 1 – The office of ‘whip’, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.
• Statement 2 – Every political party, whether ruling or Opposition has its own whip in the Parliament. He is appointed by the political party to serve as an assistant floor leader.
• Statement 3 – He regulates and monitors the behaviour of the party members in the Parliament. The members are supposed to follow the directives given by the whip. Otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/privilege-motion-against-minister/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• A whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. This usually means ensuring that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their constituents.
• In India all parties can issue a whip to their members. Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips.
• However, there are some cases such as Indian Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) on whom to vote.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/privilege-motion-against-minister/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions”. When any of these rights and
• immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under law of Parliament.
• A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.
• A member may, with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a committee thereof. The rules however mandate that any notice should be relating to an incident of recent occurrence and should need the intervention of the House.
• The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion. The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/privilege-motion-against-minister/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Rule No 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book and correspondingly Rule 187 in Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook governs privilege. It says that a member may, with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a committee thereof. The rules however mandate that any notice should be relating to an incident of recent occurrence and should need the intervention of the House.
• What is the role of the Speaker/Rajya Sabha Chair?
  • The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion. The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament. If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/privilege-motion-against-minister/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• National Monuments Authority (NMA) under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India has been setup as per provisions of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 which was enacted in March, 2010. Several functions have been assigned to the NMA for the protection and preservation of monuments and sites through management of the prohibited and regulated area around the centrally protected monuments. One amongst these responsibilities of NMA is also to consider grant of permissions to applicants for construction related activity in the prohibited and regulated area.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/privilege-motion-against-minister/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• It is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.
• Aim: to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
• Functions:
  • APEC works to help all residents of the Asia-Pacific participate in the growing economy. APEC projects provide digital skills training for rural communities and help indigenous women export their products abroad.
  • Recognizing the impacts of climate change, APEC members also implement initiatives to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable management of forest and marine resources.
  • The forum adapts to allow members to deal with important new challenges to the region’s economic well-being. This includes ensuring disaster resilience, planning for pandemics, and addressing terrorism.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation-apec-3/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.
• Examples: Bitcoin, Ethereum etc.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-sounds-alarm-on-cryptocurrencies/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Cord blood banking involves taking the umbilical cord blood, which is a rich source of stem cells, and preserving it for future use.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) does not recommend commercial stem cell banking. It says so far there is no scientific basis for preservation of cord blood for future self-use and this practice therefore raises ethical and social concerns. “Private storage of the cord blood is advisable when there is an elder child in the family with a condition treatable with these cells and the mother is expecting the next baby.
• Using the stem cells in cord blood to treat a disease has the following benefits compared with using those in bone marrow:
  • Stem cells from cord blood can be given to more people than those from bone marrow. More matches are possible when a cord blood transplant is used than when a bone marrow transplant is used. In addition, the stem cells in cord blood are less likely to cause rejectionthan those in bone marrow.
  • It is harder to collect bone marrow than it is to collect cord blood. Collecting bone marrow poses some risks and can be painful for the donor.
  • Cord blood can be frozen and stored. It is ready for anyone who needs it. Bone marrow must be used soon after it is collected.
  • Stem cells in cord blood can be used to strengthen the immune system during cancer treatments. Bone marrow stem cells do not have this capability.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/what-is-cord-blood-banking-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Pakke Tiger Reserve is also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
• This Tiger Reserve has won India Biodiversity Award 2016 in the category of ‘Conservation of threatened species’ for its Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme.
• It is bounded by Bhareli or Kameng River in the west and north, and by Pakke River in the east.
• Neighbours: Papum Reserve Forest in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam’s Nameri National Park, Doimara Reserve Forest and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The main perennial streams in the area are the Nameri, Khari and Upper Dikorai. West of Kameng River is Sessa Orchid Sanctuary.
• It falls within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/12/mission-2022-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-12-november-2021/