IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Apr 08 & 09, 2016

ANSWER: 40%

Explanation:

• Now in all the packaged commodities six mandatory information shall have to be displayed more prominently at least at the 40 percent area of the packet, except top and bottom, so that these are easily readable by consumers.
• Packaged commodities rules have been amended by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution for this purpose.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Now in all the packaged commodities six mandatory information shall have to be displayed more prominently at least at the 40 percent area of the packet, except top and bottom, so that these are easily readable by consumers.
• According to the amendment, name of manufacture/packager/ importer, net quantity of product, manufacturing date, retail sale price and consumer care contacts shall have to be displayed in a panel of 40% of the area of the packet in readable font size.
• Another important information to be included is the date of expiration or expiration period of the product.
• Monitoring cell will be setup to ensure strict compliance of new provision.
• Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is setting up quick response system to attend consumer complaints, existing National Consumer Helpline is being geared up for this purpose and now a senior level officer will monitor the disposal of complaints on daily basis.

ANSWER: NITI Aayog

Explanation:

• NITI Aayog launched today the first phase of the ‘Grand Innovation Challenge’ to seek citizens inputs on the key developmental challenges facing India.
• The ‘Grand Innovation Challenge’ is being launched on the MyGov portal, to involve citizens at the very first stage in innovating for India’s development. The idea is to work together with the States and every citizen as Team India to ensure progress, leaving no one behind.
• The focus is on the social sector, the most vulnerable sections and to involve citizens in crowd sourcing ideas to address challenges facing India’s development.
• In Phase I of the Grand Innovation Challenge, NITI Aayog will seek the views of the citizens on the key challenges facing India, across areas significant for the country’s development. The idea is to find out from the people what are the critical issues which need to be addressed to develop the social sector and the challenges which need to be tackled on a priority basis.
• In Phase II, a shortlist of the urgent challenges as suggested by citizens would be prepared and innovative solutions would be sought from the people to address them using appropriate technology.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Dashboards are being used to monitor the progress achieved by schemes of the government.
• Many state governments too are opting for this method.
• This puts the real time data in the public domain for everyone to see.
• Some popular schemes to have dashboards are – Make in India, GARV (rural electrification), Census of India, National Ujala Dashboard, State level Business Reform Action Plan Dashboards, etc.

ANSWER: National Agriculture Forest and Bamboo Mission

Explanation:

• National Bamboo Mission (NBM) commenced in 2006 has been renamed as National Agriculture Forest and Bamboo Mission (NABM).
• It is to promote the growth of bamboo sector. The programmes address four major areas of bamboo development as follows: Research and Development Plantation Development Handicrafts Development Marketing

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Government is pondering over to generate electricity through the direct utilization of bio fuel and bio mass gasification so as to produce charcoal or compressed bamboo biomass pellets.
• The plants have been set up for rayon /cellulose fibers for the production and exports of more quality bamboo fabrics like bath robes, baby wears, T- shirts, jackets, as well as suits.
• Bamboo has been used for handicraft.
• It has also been used to carry water over long distances as a simple method where modern facilities prove costly.
• It is suitable for rain water harvesting in high rain areas in a cost efficient manner.
• Bamboo is used for various constructions like houses, bridges, etc.
• It has medicinal use too.
• It is edible and can be found in many dishes and broths.

ANSWER: Semi-Synthetic Fiber

Explanation:

• Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber.
• It is made from purified cellulose, primarily from wood pulp, which is chemically converted into a soluble compound.
• It is then dissolved and forced through a spinneret to produce filaments which are chemically solidified, resulting in synthetic fibers of nearly pure cellulose.
• Because rayon is manufactured from naturally occurring polymers, it is considered a semi-synthetic fiber.
• Specific types of rayon include viscose, modal and lyocell, each of which differs in manufacturing process and properties of the finished product.

ANSWER: New Delhi

Explanation:

• First National Tribal Carnival will be held in Delhi.
• The purpose of this carnival is to showcase and promote various facets of tribal culture on a large scale.
• The underlying idea is to preserve and promote various facets of the tribal life relating to culture, tradition, customs and their skills and to expose it to the general population with a view to utilizing the potential for overall holistic development of the Scheduled Tribes.
• Activities like displaying documented traditional socio-culture aspects, collection of art/artifacts, cultural performances, demonstration of skills like sports, paintings, traditional healing practices etc. will be part of the event.>
• Thematic panel discussion on issues like tribal health, education, skill development and culture with experts in the relevant filed will be a part of the carnival.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• In order to make country more energy efficient, the Union Government today launched two schemes namely National Energy Efficient Agriculture Pumps Programme and National Energy Efficient Fan Programme.
• Before that government had launched energy efficient LED bulbs under Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP).
• Central and State Government in association with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under Ministry of Power, will distribute LED bulbs to Domestic Consumers.

ANSWER: Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:

• In order to make country more energy efficient, the Union Government today launched two schemes namely National Energy Efficient Agriculture Pumps Programme and National Energy Efficient Fan Programme in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
• These Schemes will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a JV of PSUs under Ministry of Power.
• Under the National Energy Efficient Agriculture Pumps Programme, farmers can replace their inefficient pumps free of cost with the new BEE star rated energy efficient agricultural pump-sets.
• These pumps will come enabled with smart control panel and a SIM card, giving farmers the flexibility to remotely control these pumps from their mobile phones and from the comfort of their homes.
• With the usage of these 50 Watts BEE 5 Star rated ceiling fans, to be distributed under the National Energy Efficient Fan Programme, it is estimated that consumer’s electricity bills will reduce by about Rs. 700-730 per year.
• These fans are30% more energy efficient as compared to conventional fans, which range from 75-80 Watts.
• At present, two energy efficient fans will be provided to each consumer at Rs 60 a month per fan on EMI basis. The EMI amount will be added to the consumers’ electricity bills for two years. This scheme will be available to the consumer on providing a copy of latest electricity bill along with a copy of residence proof at the designated distribution center. The consumer can also purchase the fan by paying Rs. 1250/- upfront.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• Health Ministry launched ‘E-RaktKosh initiative.’ It is an integrated Blood Bank Management Information System that has been conceptualized and developed after multiple consultations with all stakeholders.
• This web-based mechanism interconnects all the Blood Banks of the State into a single network.
• The Integrated Blood Bank MIS refers the acquisition, validation, storage and circulation of various live data and information electronically regarding blood donation and transfusion service.
• Such system is able to assemble heterogeneous data into legible reports to support decision making from effective donor screening to optimal blood dissemination in the field.
• This initiative will be of great use to persons and families in need of blood transfusion.
• The application will enable not only information of the nearest blood bank on a mobile but also of the availability of the particular blood group in a given radius.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• ‘ANM Online application-ANMOL’ - ANMOL is a tablet-based application that allows ANMs (auxiliary nursing midwives) to enter and update data for beneficiaries of their jurisdiction.
• This will ensure more prompt entry and updating of data as well as improve the data quality since the data will be entered “at source” by providers of health services themselves.
• The application is Aadhaar-enabled so it will help in authentication of the records of field workers and beneficiaries.
• Launching another mobile application ‘India Fights Dengue’, Health ministry said that this application will find wide use. As the fight against Vector Borne Diseases, especially Dengue, can be won only with effective community participation, this App empowers the community members how to contribute towards prevention of Dengue.