RTS/ Right to Services Act online, Maharashtra - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   On 23 July 2015 which state has approved Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Jan Van Vikas Scheme aimed at creation of comprehensive development of villages in the buffer zones of tiger reserves and around them?

a. Maharashtra
b. Gujarat
c. Uttar Pradesh
d. Bihar
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:
The objectives of schemes are reducing the dependence of villagers on the forest and reduce the man-animal conflict and achieve sustainable development of these villages.


2)   A Maharashtra government report has suggested how many km of the Western Ghats in the state should be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Area?

a. 6716 square km
b. 6718 square km
c. 6719 square km
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 6719 square km

Explanation:
Report submitted by Maharashtra Government to MoEF has indicated only 6719 sq km of Western Ghats will be declared Ecologically Sensitive Area/ESA. This is one third of the 17340 sq km ESA proposed in draft notification issued by the ministry. There has been a drop in the number of villages included in ESA from 2133 in draft notification to 1254 in state government report.


3)   Noted writers from Maharashtra returned literary awards to protest culture of intolerance in the nation. These include:

a. Ganesh Visputay
b. Sambhaji Bhagat
c. Pradnya Pawar
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Noted Marathi writers Ganesh Visputay, Sambhaji Bhagat and Pradnya Pawar are among a group that returned their awards on 23rd October to the Mantralaya. The writers also urged others to join the stir to protest against the Dadri lynching. Pawar, an ex member of Maharashtra State Literary and Cultural Board has handed back 5 awards. The protest was also launched against the murder of rationalists. Condemning the killing of writer Kalburgi, Sahitya Akademi has appealed ed to writers to stake back their resignations.


4)   Which officer was given charge of Flag Officer Maharashtra Area on 21st October 2015?

a. Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade
b. Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar
c. Rear Admiral D. K. Joshi
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade

Explanation:
Ministry of Defence on 21st October 2015 divided a single area into Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Areas and created two separate HQs to be headed by Flag Officer Maharashtra Area and Flag Officer Gujarat Naval Area. The charge of the Flag Officer for Maharashtra Area was taken by Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade and Rear Admiral Muralidhar Sadashiv Pawar will now serve as Flag Officer of the Gujarat Naval Area.


5)   Which former Maharashtra Minister and senior Congress leader passed away following illness at age 55 on 16th October 2015?

a. R. R. Patil
b. M. V. Patil
c. V. Deshmukh
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: M. V. Patil

Explanation:
Ex Maharashtra minister and veteran Congress leader M. V. Patil passed away in Mumbai on 16th October 2015 following an illness at 55 years of age. He was an MP twice from Sangli LS constituency and also had been an MLA from here and served as a minister in the Congress led state government. He was the grandson of late ex Maharashtra CM Vasantdada Patil.


6)   Maharashtra government has appointed whom as the Advocate General of the state on 14th October 2015?

a. S. V. Bokhare
b. Sunil Manohar
c. Shreehari Aney
d. Anil Singh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Shreehari Aney

Explanation:
Maharashtra government has appointed Shreehari Aney as the Advocate General of the State, succeeding Sunil Manohar who quit in June 2015 citing personal reasons. He has assumed charge on November 14, 2014. Additional Solicitor General of India Anil Singh was given additional charge of AG till Aney’s appointment.


7)   Which well known cricket commentator and writer died on 17th September 2015 in Pune, Maharashtra at the age of 89?

a. Bal Pandit
b. Harsh Bhogle
c. Farouk Engineer
d. Sunil Gavankar
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Bal Pandit

Explanation:
Veteran Marathi cricket commentator and writer Bal Pandit passed away in Pune, Maharashtra on September 17, 2015 at the age of 89. He popularised cricket through vernacular Marathi commentary in various media such as radio, books, magazines and newspapers. Pandit also authored 30 books on numerous aspects of cricket. He translated Sunil Gavaskar’s autobiography Sunny Days into Marathi. Pandit was also bestowed with Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award in 1978 by the Maharashtra Government in recognition of his contribution to the game of cricket.


8)   On 31st July’15, Maharashtra govt. announces construction of 800 kms Nagpur-Mumbai expressway. This expressway will also be known as ___________.

a. Vidharbha Marg
b. Marathwada-Vidarbha Expressway
c. Communication Super Expressway
d. Trade Silk Road
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Communication Super Expressway

Explanation:
This project would be completed in coming five years and the travel time between the state capital and second capital would be brought down from 14 hours to 10 hours. This super-expressway will become a road to development for the backwards regions of northern Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha in the state.


9)   In which state, the Pandharpur Wari Yatra begins with Palkhi procession on 8th July’15?

a. Gujarat
b. Odisha
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Maharashtra
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:
Sant Dnnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will start its journey towards Pandharpur on 9th july’15. Wari is spiritual identity of Maharashtra with a history of more than 800 years. Pune city becomes witness to the vibrations of the prayers and chants as it is well positioned on the route between Alandi, Dehu and Pandharpur. Though the Warkaris are mainly from the farmer community of Maharashtra they are also backed by academicians, professionals, foreigners and people from urban areas within Maharashtra and nearby states.


10)   Which state government has announced on 2nd July’15 that “Madrasas that do not teach primary subjects such as English, Maths and Science would be derecognized”?

a. Telangana
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Jammu & Kashmir
d. Maharashtra
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:
The state Minorities Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse told reporters that madrasas not teaching modern subjects would be considered as "non-schools" and children studying in them as "out of school" students.