UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 23rd August 2021

Solution (d)

The Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the 1989 ozone-saving Montreal Protocol. 

• The 1989 Montreal Protocol is not a climate agreement. 
• It is instead aimed at protecting the earth from ozone-destroying chemicals like the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, that were earlier used in the air-conditioning and refrigerant industry. 
• The widespread use of CFCs had caused a hole in the Ozone layer of the atmosphere, which allowed some harmful radiations to reach the earth. 
• These radiations were considered potential health hazards. 
• The Montreal Protocol led to the replacement of CFCs with HFCs which do not destroy the Ozone layer. 
• But they were later found to be extremely potent in causing global warming. 
• So, the HFCs solved one problem, but were contributing in a major way in another. 
• But theses could not be eliminated under the original provisions of Montreal Protocol which was meant to phase-out ozone-destroying chemicals only. 
• The Kigali Amendment enabled the Montreal Protocol to mandate the elimination of HFCs as well.

It is estimated that a complete phase-out of HFCs by 2050 would prevent about 0.5 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures by the end of this century.

By a recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average temperatures of the planet have already risen by about 1.1 degree Celsius.

India recently decided to ratify Kigali Amendment.

India has to reduce its HFC use by 80 per cent by the year 2047, while China and the United States have to achieve the same target by the year 2045 and 2034 respectively.

Article Link: India decides to ratify Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol

Solution (b)

Government Securities are debt instruments issued by the government to borrow money.

The two key categories are treasury bills – short-term instruments which mature in 91 days, 182 days, or 364 days, and dated securities – long-term instruments, which mature anywhere between 5 years and 40 years.

In India, the Central Government issues both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs). 

G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.

The Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP) is an unconditional and a structured Open Market Operation (OMO).

The objective of this programme is to achieve a stable and orderly evolution of the yield curve along with management of liquidity in the economy.

By purchasing G-secs, the RBI infuses money supply into the economy which inturn keeps the yield down and lower the borrowing cost of the Government.

Article Link: RBI to buy ₹25,000-cr. of bonds

Solution (c)

The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) is a central Public Sector Enterprise. 

It is under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regional (MDoNER).

Objectives of NERAMAC:

1. To undertake development and marketing of horticultural products within and outside the north eastern region and the supply of inputs, tools, equipment etc. required for the development of horticulture and agro-based industries whether own or run by the Government, statutory body, company, firm, co-operative or individual.
2. To undertake, establish, acquire, purchase, sell and manage the projects for the development of horticultural products such as establishment of nurseries and commercial orchards, seed stations etc. and function as agent for the distribution of seeds, plants, processed food and other such products connected with the development of horticultural products.
3. To manage, promote, aid and expedite the export of raw and finished horticultural produce and equipment and also to import raw and finished horticultural produce and equipment in furtherance of the company’s business.

To fulfill its prime objectives, NERAMAC is offering helping hand in sourcing and procuring cash crops of the producers by intervening in the market and provide them remunerative prices. It also helps processing units by providing raw materials and arranging packaging materials.

Article Link: NERAMAC revival and Oil Palm Mission are a big boost to North east Farmers

Solution (c)

Pampa Sagar is constructed across the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River.

The dam is in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. It is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, etc. 

This is a joint project of erstwhile Hyderabad state and erstwhile Madras Presidency when the construction was started later it became a joint project of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh after its completion in 1953.

It is the life-line of 6 chronically drought prone districts of Bellary, Koppal and Raichur in Karnataka (popularly known as the rice bowl of Karnataka) and Anantapur, Cuddapah and Kurnool in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Article Link: Venkaiah Naidu to visit Tungabhadra Reservoir

Solution (a)

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme is aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).

The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2019.

The objective of the scheme is increasing farmers’ income, provide reliable source for irrigation and de-dieselise the farm sector.

Article Link: Union Minister for Power and MNRE takes review of implementation of PM-KUSUM and Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II