[MISSION 2023] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 13 Apr 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 provides for a Legislative Assembly of Puducherry.
• The same Act says that the UT will be administered by the President of India through an Administrator (LG).
• Section 44 of the Act, says the Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister will “aid and advise the Administrator in the exercise of his functions in relation to matters with respect to which the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory has power to make laws”.
• The same clause also allows the LG to “act in his discretion” in the matter of lawmaking, even though the Council of Ministers has the task of aiding and advising him.
• What happens when there is a difference of opinion?
  • In case of a difference of opinion between the LG and his Ministers on any matter, the Administrator is bound to refer it to the President for a decision and act according to the decision given by the President.
  • However, the Administrator can also claim that the matter is urgent, and take immediate action as he deems necessary.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/how-can-l-g-act-without-the-aid-and-advice-of-the-council-of-ministers/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Such an ordinance has the same force as an act of the assembly. Every such ordinance must be approved by the assembly within six weeks from its reassembly.
• He can also withdraw an ordinance at any time.
• But, he cannot promulgate an ordinance when the assembly is dissolved or suspended. Further, no such ordinance can be promulgated or withdrawn without the prior permission of the President.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/how-can-l-g-act-without-the-aid-and-advice-of-the-council-of-ministers/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Under Article 1 of the Constitution, the territory of India comprises three categories of territories: (a) territories of the states; (b) union territories; and (c) territories that may be acquired by the Government of India at any time. Every union territory is administered by the President acting through an administrator appointed by him.
• An administrator of a union territory is an agent of the President and not head of state like a governor. The President can specify the designation of an administrator; it may be Lieutenant Governor or Chief Commissioner or Administrator.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/how-can-l-g-act-without-the-aid-and-advice-of-the-council-of-ministers/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.
• It was originally promoted by Maharashtrian agriculturist and Padma Shri recipient Subhash
• Palekar, who developed it in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.
• The ZBNF method also promotes soil aeration, minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/natural-farming-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that can prevent losses of arable land while regenerating degraded lands. It promotes maintenance of a permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production.
• CA principles are universally applicable to all agricultural landscapes and land uses with locally adapted practices. Soil interventions such as mechanical soil disturbance are reduced to an absolute minimum or avoided, and external inputs such as agrochemicals and plant nutrients of mineral or organic origin are applied optimally and in ways and quantities that do not interfere with, or disrupt, the biological processes.
• Complemented by other known good practices, including the use of quality seeds, and integrated pest, nutrient, weed and water management, etc., CA is a base for sustainable agricultural production intensification. It opens increased options for integration of production sectors, such as crop-livestock integration and the integration of trees and pastures into agricultural landscapes.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/natural-farming-2/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Gram Sabha is a highly empowered body under the Act, enabling the tribal population to have a decisive say in the determination of local policies and schemes impacting them.
• Since the Gram Sabha is the “authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both”, the commencement of the process must be made by the Gram Sabha, and not the Forest Rights Committee.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/the-forest-rights-act-2006-what-makes-implementation-challenging/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• REITs are investment vehicles that pool investor money like mutual funds and use it to buy a portfolio of real estate assets. They manage these assets to generate a regular income and capital appreciation. In order to ensure that the REIT is able to generate income, 80 percent of the portfolio of a REIT should be invested in completed and rent-generating properties.
• While REITs can invest in all kinds of income-generating properties — residences, offices, hotels, malls, warehouses, in India the listed REITs are focussed mainly on office space.
• As per SEBI’s guidelines, REITs need to mandatorily distribute 90 per cent of their income to unit-holders. The distribution could be in the form of dividend or interest income or both.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-13-april-2023/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• A unique variety of plants developed by farmers is recognised and approved by the Plant Varieties Registry, Government of India.
• The certificate issued under the provisions of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, also gives the farmer exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export the variety for an initial period of 6 years and renewable subsequently subject to certain conditions.
• This is akin to issuing a patent to the farmer and is a rare development.
• Securing a certificate from Plant Varieties Registry is preceded by scientific assessment and evaluation.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-13-april-2023/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-13-april-2023/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Airbus has developed and built JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) spacecraft for the European Space Agency, which will study Jupiter and its icy moons.
• Launch Date: April 2023 (scheduled) on the Ariane 5 rocket for 8 years journey (arrival on Jupiter in 2031); lift off from French Guiana.

Refer:  facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/04/13/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-13-april-2023/