QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 18 August 2017

Solution: d.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen of your vehicle and enables you to drive through toll plazas. FASTag has a validity of 5 years and after purchasing it, you only need to recharge/ top up the FASTag as per your requirement.

http://www.nhai.org/Frequently Asked Questions.pdf;
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170048;
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Solution: c.
Both statements are correct and self-explanatory. For more information, refer to links provided below.
• In the news: Lone Indian Moon-landing-contestant TeamIndus and its four global competitors recently got a three-month extension from contest organisers to complete their space feat.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/teamindus-and-competitors-get-three-month-extension-to-land-on-moon/article19507586.ece;
http://www.teamindus.in;
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NewSpace#Organizations;
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Solution: b.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) was established in 1999 by a group of professors from the IIM Ahmedabad. In 1999, a PIL was filed by them with Delhi HC requesting for the disclosure of the criminal, financial and educational background of the candidates contesting elections. Based on this, the SC in 2002, and subsequently in 2003, made it mandatory for all candidates contesting elections to disclose criminal, financial and educational background prior to the polls by filing an affidavit with the EC.
ADR has chosen to concentrate its efforts in the following areas (apart from statements 1 and 3 mentioned above) pertaining to the political system of the country:
• Corruption and criminalization in the political process.
• Empowerment of the electorate through greater dissemination of information relating to the candidates and the parties, for a better and informed choice.
https://adrindia.org/about-adr/mission-and-vision;
Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/at-706-crore-bjp-gets-lions-share-of-corporate-donations-says-report/article19512423.ece;

Solution: d.
If you have been following the news for the past month or two, you would be able to guess the answer to this question. You need not know the specific provisions of the bill to answer this.
• Construction in ‘prohibited areas’: The Act (1958 Act) defines a ‘prohibited area’ as an area of 100 meters around a protected monument or area. The central government can extend the prohibited area beyond 100 meters. The Act does not permit construction in such prohibited areas, except under certain conditions. The Act also prohibits construction in ‘prohibited areas’ even if it is for public purposes. The Bill amends this provision to permit construction of public works in ‘prohibited areas’ for public purposes.
• Under the bill, if there is any question related to whether a construction project qualifies as ‘public works’, it will be referred to the National Monuments Authority. This Authority, will make its recommendations, with written reasons, to the central government. The decision of the central government will be final.

http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Ancient%20Monuments%20and%20Archaeological%20Sites/Bill%20Summary%20-%20Ancient%20Monuments%20%28Amendment%29%20Bill,%202017.pdf;
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/monumental-legislation/article19511452.ece;
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Solution: a.
A mains-oriented question.
CEA Arvind Subramanian said that India should not be influenced by ‘coal imperialism’, where developed countries try to influence developing countries to reduce their fossil fuel consumption at a rate not in keeping with historical factors and equity. This, thus, refers to the efforts of developed countries to dilute the CBDR (Common-But-Differentiated-Responsibilities) principle.

http://www.thehindu.com/business/use-coal-while-economical-says-cea/article19511244.ece;
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