GoI - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: GM

Explanation:
No genetically modified (GM) crop should be introduced in India unless the biosafety and socio-economic desirability is evaluated.

The committee has also recommended that the environment ministry should examine the impact of GM crops on environment thoroughly.

The remarks come after India’s GM crop regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recently recommended the commercial use of genetically modified mustard.

This was in a submission to the environment ministry.

The department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology and environment and forest made its recommendations in its 301st report on ‘GM crop and its impact on environment’

It said GM mustard being a herbicide-tolerant GM organism (GMO), there is clear evidence on the adverse impacts of such GMOs elsewhere in the world.

The report of the committee, chaired by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury was presented to the Rajya Sabha chairman.

The committee noted that the GEAC has given its approval for commercialisation of GM mustard “inspite of the fact that the matter is pending for decision in the Supreme Court”.

The Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), Delhi University, had submitted an application to the GEAC for the environmental release of GM mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH - 11.

It also focused on the use of parental events (varuna bn 3.6 and EH2 mod bs 2.99) for the development of a new generation of hybrids.

ANSWER: 15

Explanation:
GoI has made it easier to get electricity connection with an electricity connection within 15 days of application as part of the steps taken in the previous two years to ease the process of getting connections.

• Ministry of Power has undertaken several reform measures to ease the process of Getting Electricity over a period of the previous two years.
• Measure taken will benefit industry and citizens alike.
• DERC has taken the necessary changes to permit low tension connection up to 150 KVA and rationalise the tariff for the same in 2015.

ANSWER: Dr. Shankar Acharya

Explanation:
Committee headed by Dr. Shankar Acharya (former Chief Economic Adviser) has the following members:

• Dr Rajiv Kumar (Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research)
• Shri PV Rajaraman (former Finance Secretary TN).
• Shri KM Chandrasekhar (former Cabinet secretary)

ANSWER: CNG

Explanation:
Union Government on 23rd June 2016 launched India’s first pilot program to run two wheelers on CNG in New Delhi.

• This program was launched by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State for Environment, Forests & Climate Change
• Programme is implemented by GAIL and IGL
• It is implemented under the Hawa Badlo movement supported by GAIL

ANSWER: Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit

Explanation:
GoI has announced 3 percent interest subsidy scheme for exporters which will have a financial implication of about Rs 2,700 crore, concerned over declining exports. Financial implication of the scheme will be in the range of INR 2500 to 2700 crore. Rate of interest equalisation will be 3%. This will be evaluated after 3 years. Actual implication will depend on level of exports. Funds worth around INR 1625 crore in the non plan head of account are available under Demand for Grants for 2015-2016. Scheme will be available to exports of MSME and as many as 416 tariff lines.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Government of India has raised duty refund rates on numerous items including iron, steel, garments and marine products to promote exports previously on a decline for 11 months. Central government has notified the Schedule of revised All Industry Rates of Duty Drawback effective from November 23, 2015, the Finance Ministry said. Duty drawback is refund of duties on imported inputs for export items.

ANSWER: NSCN-K

Explanation:
Government has declared the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), NSCN (K), all its formations and front organisations as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. A Gazette Notification was issued on November 6th 2015 to this effect. NSCN-K has resorted to terrorism by eliminating civilians and security forces.

ANSWER: November 19

Explanation:
Amidst the current debate on the issue of intolerance, MHA has directed that the government will observe Qaumi Ekta Week/National Integration Week from November 19, 2015. The aim is to foster ad reinforce the spirit of communal harmony across the nation.

ANSWER: Belgium

Explanation:
Government of India has given approval for cooperation with Belgium in the field of new and renewable energy technologies. Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved an MoU between Indian and Belgian government authorities at both federal and regional levels. The MoU seeks to lay the ground for cooperative institutional relationship for promoting technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues. The agreement is based on mutual benefit, equality, and reciprocal relations. Areas of cooperation include marine energy, geothermal genre, smart grids and biomass as well as solar energy.