QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 22 August 2017

Solution: c.
“The induction of coaches with anti-climbing features”, such as the Linke Hofmann Busch coaches, “that could minimise fatalities in incidents like Khatauli, remains far too sluggish.”
• They are considered to be “anti-telescopic”, which means they do not get turned over or flip in case of a collision (chiefly head-on).
• These coaches are made of stainless steel and the interiors are made of aluminium which make them lighter as compared to conventional rakes.
• Each coach also has an “advanced pneumatic disc brake system” for efficient braking at higher speeds.
• The improved suspension system of LHB coaches ensures more riding comfort for the passengers compared to conventional rakes.
• They are relatively quieter as each coach produces a maximum noise level of 60 decibels while conventional coaches can produce 100 decibels.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LHB_Coaches;
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/derailed-priorities/article19535618.ece;
From January: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Keeping-safety-on-the-rails/article17113226.ece;

Solution: d.
• “Our vision is to establish ourselves as a global South-based NGO, which is international in its work and this vision has over the years come to fruition. The difficulty in achieving this recognition cannot be taken lightly; it has required twice the purposefulness of any NGO based in the North to establish credibility and overcome the perception that if based in India, an NGO can only be capable of being a regional body, not truly an international human rights organisation.”
• CHRI’s charter objectives are to achieve the practical realisation of human rights in the Commonwealth. CHRI has its Headquarters in New Delhi, and offices in London and Accra; they are accredited (officially recognised) to the Commonwealth.

http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/content/who-we-are;
Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/diversity-in-delhi-police/article19535446.ece (as mentioned at the end, the author of this article works at the CHRI);
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Solution: c.
• Article 13 declares that all laws that are inconsistent with or in derogation of any of the fundamental rights shall be void. In other words, it expressively provides for the doctrine of judicial review. This power has been conferred on the Supreme Court (Article 32) and the high courts (Article 226) that can declare a law unconstitutional and invalid on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights.
• Further, Article 13 declares that a constitutional amendment is not a law and hence cannot be challenged. However, the Supreme Court held in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) that a Constitutional amendment can be challenged on the ground that it violates a fundamental right that forms a part of the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution and hence, can be declared as void.
Fundamental Rights, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/will-sc-verdict-end-personal-laws-immunity/article19535387.ece;

Solution: a.
• India’s exclusive rights to explore polymetallic nodules from seabed in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) have been extended by five years. In this context, India is the first country to have received the status of a pioneer investor in 1987.
• These rights are over 75000 sq. km of area in international waters allocated by International Seabed Authority for developmental activities for polymetallic nodules.
• The estimated polymetallic nodule resource potential is 380 million tonnes, containing 4.7 million tonnes of nickel, 4.29 million tonnes of copper and 0.55 million tonnes of cobalt and 92.59 million tonnes of manganese.
• India is one among the top 8-countries/contractors and is implementing a long–term programme on exploration and utilization of Polymetallic Nodules through Ministry of Earth Sciences.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170138;
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Solution: b.
The ISA has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.
• It is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• The Authority is the organization through which States Parties to the Convention shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.

https://www.isa.org.jm/authority;
Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170138;
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Solution: c.
Both statements are correct.
• Such an option for company law cases is a well-established principle in foreign jurisdictions, especially in the U.S. The Satyam episode forced company law formulators to incorporate a rule providing for such action in India.
• Section 245 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for such an option for Indian investors. Such a suit can be filed before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
• Sec. 245 also gives the option to claim damages or compensation or demand any other suitable action against “the company or its directors for any fraudulent, unlawful or wrongful act or omission or conduct or any likely act or omission or conduct on its or their part.”
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/will-infosys-face-class-action-law-suits-in-india/article19535471.ece