QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 23 June 2017

Solution: b.

• Kuznet’s curve: A curve used to demonstrate the hypothesis that economic growth initially leads to greater inequality, followed later by the reduction of inequality. The idea was first proposed by American economist Simon Kuznets.
• As economic growth comes from the creation of better products, it usually boosts the income of workers and investors who participate in the first wave of innovation. The industrialisation of an agrarian economy is a common example. This inequality, however, tends to be temporary as workers and investors who were initially left behind soon catch up by helping offer either the same or better products. This improves their incomes.

TH: What is Kuznet’s curve?;

Solution: c.

• The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was established by the Union government of India by amending the constitution of India through the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014. However, the Supreme Court declared the Amendment unconstitutional and void.
• Constitution (100th Amendment) Act 2015 ratified the land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh.
• There are several articles in the constitution of India which define the financial relations between Union and States. Since GST bills involve a huge interest of the state governments, such a historical tax reform cannot take place without making suitable changes into the constitution. For this purpose, 101st amendment of the constitution was passed.

Source: http://www.gktoday.in;

Improvisation: Inclusion in the backward list;

Solution: d.

A clause in the 123rd Amendment says the President may by public notification specify the socially and educationally backward classes in relation to a State or a Union Territory. In respect of States, it will be done after consultation with the Governor.

• One reason for the apprehension is that the language of the newly introduced sections, pertaining to specifying Backward Classes, is exactly the same as that used in Articles 341 and 342 in respect of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• A Constitution Bench judgment, in E.V. Chinnaiah vs. Andhra Pradesh, ruled in 2004 that the President alone has the power to notify Scheduled Castes/Tribes, and when it comes to varying the lists, the State legislatures do not have legislative competence. Applying the same yardstick to Backward Classes may mean that the President alone may notify the list of BCs for every State, and that it cannot be varied except by a law enacted by Parliament.
• The Centre has sought to allay these fears, saying the powers of the States would remain unaffected. In any case, the list for every State will be prepared only in consultation with the State government.

TH: Inclusion in the backward classes list;

Solution: d.

A similar question has been posted here earlier.

Section 124A in the IPC: Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law (and not “the nation”) in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

TH: It’s not sedition;

Solution: b.

• WWF: Brow-antlered deer: The deer walks on the hind surface of its pasterns with mincing hops over floating foliage, and is hence also called the Dancing Deer.
• Sangai faces threat from steadily degenerating habitat of phumdi as a result of continuous inundation and flooding caused due to artificial reservoir. Water quality of the reservoir is degrading due to pollution and stoppage of nutrient supply.
• There is also invasion of non-native plants like ‘Paragrass’.
• About ‘Phumdi’: The brow-antlered deer is found in Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. It is largely seen over the floating biomass, locally called “phumdi” in the South Eastern part of Loktak Lake inside the park. Phumdi is the most important and unique part of Sangai’s habitat. It is the floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic debris and biomass with soil. Its thickness varies from few centimeters to two meters. It floats with 4/5 part under water.
• Additional information: The Manipur Forest Department plans to translocate a section of the rare species of the endemic deer to ‘Pumlen Pat’, which is close to its existing habitat in Loktak.

TH: Meet on preserving Sangai held;

Solution: b.

The same question was posted here a few days ago.

For some of the issues associated with the e-way bill in its present form, refer to THIS ET ARTICLE.

Improvisation: TH;

Solution: b.

“This will be the second highest number of satellites to be launched by ISRO using a single rocket”, says PSLV project director B. Jayakumar. In February this year, the PSLV-C37 mission launched 104 satellites into orbit, in a milestone achievement.

Improvisation: TH: PSLV will lock heavy weight Cartosat-2 into orbit today;

ISRO: List of Earth Observation Satellites;