UPSC Quiz – 2023 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th May 2023

·       In the Rajya Sabha, the deputy chairperson heads the committee of privileges.

Powers and Functions:

·       The committee examines every question involving a breach of privilege of the House or of the members or of any Committee thereof referred to it by the House or by the Speaker/Chairman.

·       It also determines with reference to the facts of each case whether a breach of privilege is involved and makes suitable recommendations in its report.

·       It also states the procedure to be followed by the House in giving effect to its recommendations.

·       When a question of privilege is referred to the Committee by the House, the report of the Committee is presented to the House by the Chairman or, in his absence, by any member of the Committee.

·       Where a question of privilege is referred to the Committee by the Speaker, the report of the Committee is presented to the Speaker who may pass final orders thereon or direct that it be laid on the Table of the House.

·       The Speaker/Chairman may refer to the Committee any petition regarding the disqualification of a member on the ground of defection for making a preliminary inquiry and submitting a report to him.

·       The procedure to be followed by the Committee in these cases is so far as may be the same as in applicable to questions of breach of privilege.

·       The river is formed by the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, 8 km southwest of Keylong, in the Lahaul and Spiti district.

·       The Bhaga river originates from Surya taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers west of the Bara-lacha la pass in Himachal Pradesh.

·       The Chandra river originates from glaciers east of the same pass (near Chandra Taal).

·       It allocated the three western rivers—Indus, Chenab and Jhelum—to Pakistan for unrestricted use, barring certain non-consumptive, agricultural and domestic uses by India and the three Eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—were allocated to India for unrestricted usage.

·       Baglihar Hydroelectric power project (900 MW) near Ramban

·       Salal Dam – 690 MW hydroelectric power project near Reasi

·       Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant – 390 MW type power project in Kishtwar District

·       Ratle Hydroelectric Plant – an under-construction power station near Drabshalla in Kishtwar District

·       Pakal Dul Dam – a proposed dam on a tributary Marusadar River in Kishtwar District

Dams on Sutlej

·       It has several major hydroelectric points, including the 1,325 MW Bhakra Dam, the 1,000 MW Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant, and the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Dam

·       ASTR is developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under Ministry of Communications.

·       It has the capability of running checks on subscriber databases of telecom operators to deduce multiple connections associated with the same person.

·       ASTR used various techniques of facial recognition and data analytics.

·       It is located in the Kishtwar district of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

·       The area was declared as a Kishtwar High Altitude National Park in 1980.

·       It was majorly founded to protect the Snow Leopards that are now slowly vanishing from the nature.

Physical Features:

·       The area lies in the central crystalline belt of the great Himalayas and the tract is situated on the high altitudes i.e., sub-alpine and alpine zone.

·       The National Park encompasses the catchment area of Kiber, Nanth and Kiyar Nallas, all of which drain south-west into Marwah River (locally called Mariv Sudir) which later joins Chenab.

·       The terrain is generally rugged and steep with narrow valleys bounded by high ridges opening out in their upper glacial parts.

·       It encompasses breathtaking alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, and lush green forests, serving as a vital ecological corridor for many wildlife species.

·       It is renowned for its diverse array of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species.

Flora:

·       It has a variety of temperature conifer forests. These include Fir, Himalayan Yew, Deodar, Blue Pine, or Kail and Spruce.

·       In the alpine regions of the park extensive alpine scrub and meadows are present.

Fauna:

·       The park is a renowned snow leopard reserve. Besides, it provides a habitat for Brown bear, Himalayan musk deer, Hangul, Ibex, Wild boar, Indian muntjac, Serow Capricornis, Himalayan Tahr, Bharal etc.