Solution (b)

In news: Recently, the Union Home Minister has highlighted the importance of Inner-Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur, while inaugurating several development projects in Manipur.

Inner Line Permit System

Implemented under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873, the ILP is an official travel document which allows inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period.

In 1950, the Indian government replaced ‘British subjects’ with ‘Citizen of India’.

An imaginary line known as the inner-line was created to divide between the two communities so that neither party could go beyond the line without a permit from the appropriate authorities.

Under Section 2 of the Regulation of 1873, the ILP was only applicable to the three North-Eastern States viz. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

On 11th December 2020, the President signed the order extending ILP to Manipur, which became the fourth state where the ILP regime is applicable.

It is a special permit obligatorily required by “outsiders” from other regions of the country to enter the notified states.

It is issued by the concerned State Government and can be issued for travel purposes solely.

Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit tourist places which are different from ILPs needed by domestic tourists.

A foreign national is normally not allowed to visit a Protected/Restricted Area unless it is established to the satisfaction of the Government that there are extraordinary reasons to justify such a visit.

Solution (a)

In news: Prime Minister has launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Social Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine (SEHAT) scheme via video-conferencing to extend health insurance coverage to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The Scheme provides free of cost insurance cover to all the residents of the UT of J&K.

It provides financial cover up to Rs.5 Lakh per family on a floater basis to all residents of the UT of J&K.

It provides for an operational extension of PM-JAY to 15 lakh (approximately) additional families.

About PM- JAY:

• The PM-JAY, world’s largest health insurance/assurance scheme fully financed by the government, provides a cover of Rs 500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation across public and private empanelled hospitals in India.
• The benefit of Rs 5,00,000 is on a family floater basis, which means that it can be used by one or all members of the family.
• It covers medical procedures such as oncology, cardiology, nephrology etc and up to three days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days post-hospitalisation expenses such as diagnostics and medicines are also included in the scheme.

Solution (d)

In news: Recently, the Kerala Governor has turned down a request of the state Cabinet to summon a special sitting of the Assembly to debate the new three central farm laws.

Discretionary Powers:

• Appointment of the Chief Minister: Generally, the leader of the party with majority is appointed as the Chief Minister. But in a situation where no party gets an absolute majority, the Governor exercises his discretionary powers in appointing the Chief Minister.
• Dismissal of a Ministry: A minister holds offices during the pleasure of the Governor. When the ministry loses support of the house, the governor will dismiss the ministry. But he cannot dismiss it until it loses majority support.
• Advising the President for proclamation of Emergency: The Governor advises the President to proclaim emergency when he is satisfied that the Government cannot carry on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, under Article 356.
• Reservation of a bill for the consideration of the President: However, situations are mentioned in Article 200, when he will reserve the bill, yet he can use discretion regarding this matter.
• Dissolution of Legislative Assembly: The Governor summons, prorogues and dissolves the Legislative Assembly, according to Article 174. When the ministry loses the majority and the Governor is satisfied, he may dissolve the House.

Solution (c)

In news: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is going to launch ‘Main Bhi Digital (me too digital)’ drive for the street vendors to enable them to accept and make payments digitally.

Main Bhi Digital Drive:

• As part of the new drive, between 4th January to 22nd January 2021, over 10 lakh street vendors across the country who have availed of the Rs. 10,000 loan will be trained in using digital payments.
• The vendors would be able to not just receive payments digitally but also pay for material they procure from sellers using unique QR codes.
• The mobile phones of the vendors will be equipped with the software needed for the transactions, and training provided to them on safe and secure payments

Solution (a)

In news: The Indian Army is going to approach the Defence Ministry for a waiver to take the Kamov-226T (Ka-226T) utility helicopters with Russia.

The Kamov Ka-226 is a small, twin-engine Russian utility helicopter.

In 2015, India and Russia concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 200 Ka-226T helicopters estimated to cost over USD 1 billion.

The Kamov-226T is meant to replace Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Indian Army and the Air Force.

The Ka-226T is a design of Russia’s famed Kamov design bureau.

It is a light helicopter, with a maximum take-off weight of over 3.5 tonnes and can carry a payload of up to 1 tonne.

The Ka-226T uses coaxial rotors which is especially advantageous in high-altitude environments. 

The Ka-226T also has a unique, detachable ‘mission’ compartment which allows the helicopter to be adapted for different roles such as surveillance and cargo delivery.