[Mission 2024] QUED ( Questions from Editorials ) 8 November 2023

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

The species covered under CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted rarely, only in “exceptional circumstances”, such as gorillas, and lions from India.

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to ensure their survival. For example, certain kinds of foxes and Hippopotamuses.

Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade, like the Bengal fox or the Golden Jackal from India. Different procedures are given category-wise to engage in the trade of species in each of the lists.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India which consist of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India or “for the purpose of hearing any reference” made by the President of India under Article 143. This provision has been mandated by Article 145 (3) of the Constitution of India. The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.

Solution: d)

Lavani, a folk song-and-dance performance that is popular in Maharashtra.

The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty. Lavani is a traditional folk art form in which women dancers wearing nine-yard-long sarees in bright colours, make-up, and ghunghroos perform on dholak beats on a stage before a live audience.

As an indigenous art form, Lavani has a history going back several centuries, and it attained particular popularity in the Peshwa era in the 18th century. Traditionally, performances were held in front of kings or lords, and for the entertainment of tired soldiers resting during breaks in fighting.

Solution: c)

The condition of the cricket ball has a massive impact on the game of cricket, specifically, on how the ball behaves when bowled. An old roughed-up ball can turn a lot more whereas a new ball is likely to swing.

While in the course of an innings, the ball’s condition changes naturally as it experiences wear and tear, sometimes, the bowling team plays a more direct role to alter the condition of the ball, aka engages in ball tampering.

The primary motive of ball tampering is to interfere with the aerodynamics of the ball to aid swing bowling.

“It is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball.” However, a fielder may “polish the ball on his/her clothing provided that no artificial substance is used”, “remove mud from the ball under the supervision of an umpire”, and “dry a wet ball on a piece of cloth that has been approved by the umpires”.

Anything outside the purview that is explicitly stated above can be considered to be ball tampering.

Solution: b)

Option 2 is incorrect.