UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th JULY 2021

Solution (d)

The 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 provided for the disqualification of the members of Parliament and the state legislatures on the ground of defection from one political party to another. For this purpose, it made changes in four Articles1 of the Constitution and added a new Schedule (the Tenth Schedule) to the Constitution. This act is often referred to as the ‘anti-defection law’.

The Tenth Schedule contains the following provisions with respect to the disqualification of members of Parliament and the state legislatures on the ground of defection:

• Members of Political Parties: A member of a House belonging to any political party becomes disqualified for being a member of the House, (a) if he voluntarily gives up his membership of such political party; or (b) if he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by his political party without obtaining prior permission of such party and such act has not been condoned by the party within 15 days. From the above provision it is clear that a member elected on a party ticket should continue in the party and obey the party directions.
• Independent Members: An independent member of a House (elected without being set up as a candidate by any political party) becomes disqualified to remain a member of the House if he joins any political party after such election.
• Nominated Members: A nominated member of a House becomes disqualified for being a member of the House if he joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he takes his seat in the House. This means that he may join any political party within six months of taking his seat in the House without inviting this disqualification.

Article Link: Goa Leader of Opposition to move resolution for changes to anti-defection law

Solution (c)

Skill India Mission ia an initiative launched by the Government in 2015 to train over 49 crore Indians in different industry related jobs. The vision is to create an empowered workforce by 2022 with the help of various schemes and training courses. Part of skill India mission is to cater to skill development in India through a result oriented framework that corresponds with the needs of the industry.

It is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Various initiatives under this Mission are:

• National Skill Development Mission
• National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
• Skill Loan scheme
• Rural India Skill

The Stand up India scheme aims at promoting entrepreneurship among women and scheduled castes and tribes. The scheme is anchored by Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Article Link: PM addresses World Youth Skill Day Programme

Solution (c)

District Mineral Foundations are statutory bodies in India established by the State Governments by notification. They derive their legal status from section 9B of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 as amended on 26 March 2015 as Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015. 

The objective of District Mineral Foundation is to work for the interest of the benefit of the persons and areas affected mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

Composition and Functions of the DMF is prescribed by the State Governments taking guidelines from article 244 of Indian Constitution, fifth and sixth schedules, Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. 

Funds: Every mining lease holder of will pay a fraction of royalty, not exceeding one-third of the royalty, to the DMF as per rates prescribed by Central Government. This fund will be used for welfare of the people affected in the mining affected areas.

The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) will be implemented by the DMFs of the respective districts using the funds accruing to the DMF. The overall objective of PMKKKY scheme is:

• To implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas, and these projects/ programs will be complementing the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government
• To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts
• To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.

Article Link: Alleged diversion: Centre takes complete control of district mineral funds from states

Solution (b)

With the vision to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 55% in 2030, European Union (EU) has unveiled “Fit for 55” legislation.

It covers initiatives like:

• Tougher caps on car pollution
• New national limits on gases from buildings.
• Revamp of the bloc’s emissions trading scheme under which companies pay for the gases they send into the air.
• Carbon border Adjustment Mechanism will impose duties on foreign companies, and so increase the price of certain goods notably steel products.

Solution (a)

Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time.

Effects of Inflation: The purchasing power of a currency unit decreases as the commodities and services get dearer. This also impacts the cost of living in a country. When inflation is high, the cost of living gets higher as well, which ultimately leads to a deceleration in economic growth. A certain level of inflation is required in the economy to ensure that expenditure is promoted and hoarding money through savings is demotivated.

Inflation is perceived differently by everyone depending upon the kind of assets they possess. For someone with investments in real estate or stocked commodity, inflation means that the prices of their assets are set for a hike. For those who possess cash, they may be adversely affected by inflation as the value of their cash erodes.

Article Link: Growing precarity: On fuel prices and rising inflation