GK Quiz | 16 September 2020

Q1. With reference to the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, consider the following statements:

1. It will amend various provisions in the Electricity Act 2003.
2. It proposes to bring National Renewable Energy Policy.
3. It provides for the composition of Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority which will be headed by a retired Judge of the High Court.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:  The Telangana government opposed the proposed amendment to the Electricity Act, 2003, terming it as a “unilateral decision and a blatant attempt against the federal spirit aimed at usurping the States’ powers”.

Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 will amend various provisions in the Electricity Act 2003.

Key provisions of the bill:

• It provides for establishment of Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority (ECEA). It is an Authority which will be headed by a retired Judge of the High Court with powers to execute their orders as decree of a civil court.
• It provides for the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to reduce cross subsidies as per the provisions of the Tariff Policy.
• The draft proposes to bring National Renewable Energy Policy for the development and promotion of generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy.
• It proposes to restrict deferment of revenue recovery and reduction in cross-subsidy to bring in a cost-reflective tariff, simplified tariff.
• It proposes to privatize discoms by way of sub-licensing and franchisee models.
• It enables state as well as central power regulators to specify transmission charges under open access.
• It provides that the Electricity Act would be applicable to the entire country, including the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

So, all statements are correct and hence, option C is correct.

 

Q2. Electricity comes under which of the following list?

1. States list
2. Concurrent list
3. Union list
4. None of the above

Solution: B)

Explanation: Electricity comes under the concurrent list.

At present, Concurrent list has 52 subjects. The 42^nd Amendment Act of 1976 transferred five subjects from State List to Concurrent list, namely

• Education
• Forests
• Weights and measures
• Protection of wild animals and birds
• Administration of justice

Both the Central government and the State governments can make laws on subjects fall under concurrent list.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q3. Consider the following statements about Bahrain:

1. It is a sovereign state in the Persian Gulf.
2. It is located South side to Qatar.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2:  About Bahrain

• It is a sovereign state in the Persian Gulf.
• It is situated between the Qatari peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia
• It is located nearly North West side to Qatar.
• It is the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. 
• It is a member of
• United Nations
• Arab League
• Gulf Cooperation Council
• Organization of Islamic Cooperation
• Non-Aligned Movement

So, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q4. Recently, Abraham Accord has been signed between-

1. Israel
2. Iran
3. United Arab Emirates
4. Bahrain

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 and 4 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1,3 and 4 only
4. 1,2,3 and 4

Solution: C)

Explanation:

The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain has become the latest Arab states to break a longstanding taboo when they sign agreements toward normalizing relations with Israel. The deals make them the third and fourth Arab states to take such steps to normalize ties since Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran has been critical of both deals.

As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish embassies and exchange ambassadors. The accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Phytoplankton are tiny microscopic floating plants found in water bodies.
2. Chlorophyll a is found only in cyanobacteria.
3. Phytoplankton contribute more than half of the oxygen in the environment.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: A team of scientists from the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) have recently discovered a way to measure the quantity of chlorophyll-a that indicates abundance of phytoplankton in the Bay of Bengal in real-time.

About Phytoplankton:

• They are tiny microscopic floating plants found in water bodies.
• They are important bioindicators and their abundance determines the overall health of the ocean ecosystem.
• They contribute more than half of the oxygen in the environment.
• They reduce global warming by absorbing human-induced carbon dioxide.

Chlorophyll:

• It is the major pigment used by plants for photosynthesis
• Following are four types of chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll a which is found in all higher plants, algae and cyanobacteria
• Chlorophyll b - found in higher plants and green algae
• Chlorophyll c - found in diatoms, dinoflagellates and brown algae; and
• Chlorophyll d is found only in red algae.

So, statements 1 and 3 are correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. Securities Transaction Tax is categorized as a Regulatory Charge.
2. Long-term Capital Gains Tax is a levy on the profits from the sale of assets held for more than six months.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2:  About Securities Transaction Tax

• It is categorized as a Regulatory Charge as it is a tax payable by Investors & Traders to the Central Government.
• It is a direct tax levied at the time of purchase and sale of securities listed on stock exchanges in India.
• As of 2016, it is 0.1% for delivery based equity trading.
• It is not applicable on off-market transactions or on commodity or currency transactions.

A capital gains tax is a tax on the profit realized on the sale of a non-inventory asset. It can be short-term or long-term. Short-term Capital Gains Tax applies to assets held for a year or less. Long-term Capital Gains Tax is a levy on the profits from the sale of assets held for more than a year.

So, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q7. Consider the following statements about Karai Camel:

1. The camel is found only in Rajasthan.
2. It can swim up to three kilometers into the sea
3. It survives by grazing on mangroves.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Karai Camel (also known as swimming camel)

• It is found only in Gujarat’s Bhuj area.
• It can swim up to three kilometers into the sea.
• It grazes on saline / mangrove trees and tolerant to high saline water.
• It can live in both coastal and dry ecosystems.
• The camel is adapted to the extreme climate of Rann of Kachch where shallow seas and high salinity is prevalent.

So, statement 1 is incorrect and statements 2 and 3 are correct. Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q8. Which of the following state has become the first to institutionalize snake handling in India?

1. Bihar
2. Kerala
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Rajasthan

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Kerala has become the first to institutionalize snake handling in India.

The Kerala Forest Department has framed following guidelines for rescuing snakes from human dominated places and releasing them in uninhabited areas.

• It is mandatory for snake handlers, aged between 21 and 65 years, to seek certification.
• The applications will be screened by the Assistant Conservators of Forest (ACF, Social Forestry) to prepare lists of snake handlers in each district. Various parameters, including experience, age, health as well as track record, will be considered during the selection process. Those short¬listed will be required to undergo a mandatory training on safe and scientific handling of snakes.
• Certified snake handlers will be required to wear protective gear and equip themselves with safety equipment while on the task.
• While the certification will be valid for five years, the respective ACFs can withdraw or cancel the same if the snake handler is found to be involved in any illegal or unethical practices.
• Rescued snakes will also have to be released in the presence of forest officials at the earliest. If found injured, the snake can be released only after ascertaining its fitness. Non-native species, however, cannot be released and have to be handed over to the Forest Department.

Hence, option B is correct.