GK Quiz | 14 March 2020

1. Which of the following is true about the State Disaster Response Fund?

1. It is constituted as given under the Disaster Management Act 2005.
2. The state can declare any calamity as a state disaster, and the funds can be extracted to the limit of 10% of the fund.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters. The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% for special category States/UTs (NE States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir). The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission. SDRF shall be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims.

Disasters covered under SDRF: Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost, and cold waves.

Local Disaster: A State Government may use up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters (considered as disaster by State and not included in the notified list of home affairs ministry), subject to the condition that the State Government has listed the State-specific natural disasters and notified clear and transparent norms and guidelines for such disasters with the approval of the State Authority, i.e., the State Executive Authority (SEC). (Source: ndmindia.nic.in)

Hence, C is the correct answer.

 

2. Which of the following is true about the National Institute of Virology (NIV)?

1. National Institute of Virology is the apex institution for research in the field of viruses under ICMR or Indian Council of Medical Research.
2. It acts as a WHO H5 Reference laboratory for the South East Asian Region.
3. India has become the 4^th country for isolating the strain of SARS-COV-2 after Japan, Thailand, and China.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

National Institute of Virology is the apex institution for research in the field of viruses under ICMR or Indian Council of Medical Research. It is headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra. It acts as a WHO H5 Reference laboratory for the South East Asian Region. India has become the 5^th country to isolate the strain of SARS-COV-2 after Japan, Thailand, and China. It has isolated the 11 strains of the virus.

Note: WHO H5 Reference Laboratory Network is a network of laboratories that was established in 2004 as a part of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), in response to the public health needs arising from avian influenza A(H5N1) infection.

Hence, C is the correct answer.

 

3. Which of the following is true about mustard cultivation in India?

1. It requires a cool and dry climate for growth.
2. It grows best in sandy loam to clay loamy soil and requires logging conditions for its cultivation.
3. Varuna is a variety of mustard grown in India.
4. Downy Mildew is a fungal disease that effects mustard crops.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

Mustard is a Rabi crop that is grown in India in a dry and cool climate with a temperature of about 22-25°C and rainfall of 25-40 cms. Indian mustard is grown in various states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Haryana, Gujarat, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It grows best in sandy loam to clay loamy soil. It cannot grow in water logging conditions. Various varieties of mustard grown are RH 0749, RH 0406, T 59 (Varuna), etc. Downy Mildew is a fungal disease that affects the mustard crop and is caused by Peronospora brassicae. In this regular yellow spots appear on one side of the leaf and the white spot on the other side. In case of a severe attack, the inflorescence is also affected.

The unseasonal rainfall has effected the Mustard crop.

Hence, B is the correct answer.

 

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Salar Jung museum is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture.
2. It was established to house the collection of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III only.
3. Salar Jung III served as the prime minister to Nizam VII, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

Salar Jung Museum is a museum and an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture that houses various historical artifacts including the painting of Raja Rammohan Roy. The major portion includes the artifacts of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III. Salar Jung III served as the prime minister to Nizam VII, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad.

Hence, B is the correct answer.

 

5. Which of the following is true about Epidemic Act 1890?

1. Under this act, the central or state government can detain any international cruise believed to be spreading any epidemic in the country.
2. Any person running- off from the quarantine without proper permission can be jailed if the act has been invoked by Coronavirus affected states.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

According to the Epidemic Act of 1890, the state or central government can issue any order or take any measure to contain the spread of a disease or epidemic. It includes orders like detaining any foreigner who is believed to be affected and spread the disease, any foreign vessel or any other ship can be detained if believed to be the cause of spread, etc.

In the wake of the current spread of Coronavirus, if any person found to be infected or if any person is coming from a foreign country which is affected by the virus, the person has to be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. In case he or she dodge the officials they can be penalized under the Epidemic Act and can be punished according to Section 188 of IPC.

Hence, C is the correct answer.