[Mission 2023] QUED ( Questions from Editorials ) 2 February 2023

Solution: a)

Thermal power plants are the largest users of coal, according to a notification by the Commission for Air Quality Management, that coordinates air pollution norms in Delhi and adjoining States.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body formed under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.

The CAQM has replaced the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) which was appointed by the Supreme Court.

Solution: a)

• Fire services in India come under the 12th schedule of the Constitution under the provisions of Article 243Wof the Constitution, the performance of functions listed in the 12th schedule comes under the domain of municipalities.
• Presently, fire prevention and firefighting services are organized by the concerned states, Union Territories (UTs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• Part 4 of the National Building Code (NBC) of India, 2016, is titled ‘Fire and Life Safety’. It covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and fire protection of buildings.

The NBC of India, 2016 specifies occupancy-wise classification, constructional aspects and protection features that are necessary to minimise danger to life and property from fire.

Solution: d)

• The phenomenon of gravitational lensing occurs when a huge amount of matter, such as a massive galaxy, cluster of galaxies or a black hole, creates a gravitational field that distorts and magnifies the light from objects behind it.
• Gravitational lensing is based on Einstein’s theory of general relativity (Mass bend light).
• Normal lenses such as the ones in a magnifying glass work by bending light rays that pass through them in a process known as refraction, in order to focus the light somewhere else.
• Similarly, the gravitational field of a massive object causes light rays passing close to that object to be bent and refocused somewhere else.
• The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and hence the greater the bending of light rays – just like using denser materials to make optical lenses results in a greater amount of refraction.
• In effect, gravitational lenses act like natural cosmic telescopes.

Solution: c)

Eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products through a package of measures is one of the major objectives of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products under the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The Protocol provides the tools and the measures to eliminate or minimise illicit trade which includes strong governance, establishing an international track and trace system, and securing supply chains. India has already ratified the World Health Organization Protocol.

Solution: d)

Provisions in the Indian Constitution to uphold fair and free elections in India:

• Article 102 of the Constitution sets grounds for disqualification of MPs whereas Article 191sets out the same grounds for disqualification for member legislative assemblies.
• Article 324 of the Indian Constitution grants powers to the Election Commission of India to direct and control free and fair elections in India. The powers of Superintendence have been vested in the Election Commission.
• Article 325 of the Constitution ensures universal suffrage and provides that no person be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.