QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 21 November 2019

Solution: c)

The GSLEP is a world first joint initiative that aims to conserve the  snow leopard within the broader context of also conserving valuable high mountain ecosystems.

GSLEP unites all 12 range country governments, nongovernmental and inter-governmental organisations, local communities, and the private sector around this aim.

In 2013 the 12 snow leopard range countries and partners signed the Bishkek Declaration (in the Kyrgyz Republic capital city) and agreed to the goal of the GSLEP for the 7 years through 2020. The snow leopard range countries agree, with support from stakeholder and interested organisations, to work together to identify and secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes across the cat’s range by 2020 or, in short – “Secure 20 by 2020.”

The 4th steering committee meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) was held recently in New Delhi, where environment minister Prakash Javadekar launched the national protocol for snow leopard population assessment in India.
This is for the first time that India hosted the GSLEP meet, under the aegis of ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF).

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                Solution: c)

Snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List. In India, the snow leopard habitat is spread over the northern Himalayan mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

The Union Government had launched SECURE Himalaya, a six-year project to ensure conservation of locally and globally significant biodiversity, land and forest resources in high Himalayan ecosystem spread over four states viz. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

It was launched by Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in association with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Protection of snow leopard and other endangered species and their habitats is one of the key components of the project which will also focus on securing livelihoods of the people in the region and enhancing enforcement to reduce wildlife crime.

Solution: c)

Article 356 of the Constitution of India gives President of India the power to suspend state government and impose President’s rule of any state in the country if “if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.

1. Upon the imposition of this rule, there would be no Council of Ministers. The Vidhan Sabha is either dissolved or prorogued.
2. The state will fall under the direct control of the Union government, and the Governor will continue to be head the proceedings, representing the President of India – who is the Head of the State.
3. The imposition of the President’s rule requires the sanction of both the houses of Parliament.
4. If approved, it can go on for a period of six months. However, the imposition cannot be extended for more than three years, and needs to be brought before the two houses every six months for approval.

A proclamation of President’s Rule may be revoked by the President at any time by a subsequent proclamation. Such a proclamation does not require parliamentary approval.

Solution: d)

The National Mineral Policy 2019 includes provisions which will give boost to mining sector such as

• introduction of Right of First Refusal for RP/PL holders,
• encouraging the private sector to take up exploration,
• auctioning in virgin areas for composite RP cum PL cum ML on revenue share basis,
• encouragement of merger and acquisition of mining entities and
• transfer of mining leases and creation of dedicated mineral corridors to boost private sector mining areas.
• The 2019 Policy proposes to grant status of industry to mining activity to boost financing of mining for private sector and for acquisitions of mineral assets in other countries by private sector
• It also mentions that Long-term import-export policy for mineral will help private sector in better planning and stability in business
• The Policy also mentions rationalize reserved areas given to PSUs which have not been used and to put these areas to auction, which will give more opportunity to private sector for participation
• The Policy also mentions to make efforts to harmonize taxes, levies & royalty with world benchmarks to help private sector

NMP 2019 aims to attract private investment through incentives while the efforts would be made to maintain a database of mineral resources and tenements under mining tenement systems.   The new policy focusses on use coastal waterways and inland shipping for evacuation and transportation of minerals and encourages dedicated mineral corridors to facilitate the transportation of minerals.  The utilization of the district mineral fund for equitable development of project affected persons and areas. NMP 2019 proposes a long-term export-import policy for the mineral sector to provide stability and as an incentive for investing in large scale commercial mining activity.

The 2019 Policy also introduces the concept of Inter-Generational Equity that deals with the well-being not only of the present generation but also of the generations to come and also proposes to constitute an inter-ministerial body to institutionalize the mechanism for ensuring sustainable development in mining.

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Solution: a)

Contract farming refers to an agreement between farmers and marketing firms for the production and supply of agricultural products under forward agreements, frequently at predetermined prices.

At present, contract farming is regulated under the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (Development and Regulation) (APMC) Act of 2003. This is the law that legalises contract farming.

Tamil Nadu has become the first State in the country to enact a law on contract farming with President Ram Nath Kovind giving assent to the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Act.

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