[Mission 2023] Insta– QUED ( Questions from Editorials ) 27 July 2022

Solution: c)

The World Health Organization, for the second time in two years, has declared a viral outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is just one step short of a ‘pandemic’ classification.

Though monkeypox is caused by a virus that is endemic in a few African countries, the world took note only after it was first reported in the U.K. on May 6, 2022.

Monkeypox, for now, has more visible manifestations such as rashes and blisters and is said to be over-represented in men who have sex with men. It is believed to spread only through close contact and is fatal only to the extremely immunocompromised.

Until now, monkeypox fell under the category of neglected tropical diseases. Related to the eradicated smallpox virus, monkeypox is suspected to have amplified due to reduced immunity against the smallpox virus.

Source

Solution: b)

The President can exercise these powers:

• In all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a court martial;
• In all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends;
• In all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.

This power of pardon shall be exercised by the President on the advice of Council of Ministers.

The constitution does not provide for any mechanism to question the legality of decisions of President or governors exercising mercy jurisdiction.

But the SC in Epuru Sudhakar case has given a small window for judicial review of the pardon powers of President and governors for the purpose of ruling out any arbitrariness.

Solution: a)

Fixed capital is assets used in the productive process. Examples of Fixed Capital Formation include – Building or expanding existing factory, Road and bridge construction, Purchase of transport equipment, Office equipment, such as computers, printers, Machinery used in the productive process, Energy infrastructure etc.

Generally, the higher the capital formation of an economy, the faster an economy can grow its aggregate income. Increasing an economy’s capital stock also increases its capacity for production, which means an economy can produce more. Producing more goods and services can lead to an increase in national income levels.

Fixed capital formation (growth of productive infrastructure etc.) is directly related with economic growth rate.

Only short-term growth may be achieved if resources from Fixed Capital are diverted towards consumption. In the long-term quality and quantity of infrastructure is a major determinant of economic growth.

Dwellings (a house, flat, or other place of residence) are not directly utilised by businesses and the government to produce output. Since dwellings do not add to the productive capacity of the economy, even if its growth rate reduces, the economy can still grow.

Solution: d)

Olive Ridley turtle is the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtle found in the world.

It is found in warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans.

It commences its journey from Indian Ocean towards Bay of Bengal during their mating season in October and November every year.

The Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha, which is now a part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, is the largest breeding ground for these turtles.

Green turtles and olive ridleys are known to nest in Maharashtra in small numbers. Goa has records of three species of sea turtles: olive ridley, leatherback and green turtles.

Solution: a)