Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes 05/09/2022 to 10/09/2022

EXPLANATION:

• Status of implementation of PESA:
• Out of 10 states (Andhra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, MP, Maharastra, Odisha, and Rajasthan) who have notified 5th Schedule Areas, only 7 states (including Chhattisgarh and Gujarat) have notified Rules to implement the PESA Act. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• PESA Act 1996
• It expands the Panchayats (Part IX of the constitution) to the Fifth Schedule Areas. There are many tribal people living in these locations. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• It guarantees self-governance for those residing in Scheduled Areas through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies). Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Powers provided to Gram Sabha under PESA:
• It is necessary to consult before the land acquisition, prior approval of all developmental projects and control over tribal sub-plan, maintenance of cultural identity and tradition, control over schemes affecting the tribals, etc.
• It also gives gram sabhas judicial powers in form of dispute resolution as per traditional laws and customs.
• Ownership and management of natural resources: E.g., water, forest, common lands (‘Jal, Jangal, and Zameen’), minor forest produce, minor minerals, etc. Hence statement 4 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022
• It allows multiple Discoms in the same area to boost the competition among power distributors. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• There will be “mandatory” fixing of minimum as well as maximum tariff ceilings by the “appropriate commission”. It aims to ensure graded and timely tariff revisions. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The state government will set up Cross-subsidy Balancing Fund, in which the commercial consumers will subsidize the residents or farmers. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
• Under the electricity act SERCs (State Electricity Regulatory Commissions) specifies renewable purchase obligations (RPO) for discoms. As per the Bill, the central government will provide a minimum value for RPO or DISCOMS may face a penalty. Hence statement 4 is incorrect.
• Issues with the Bill:
• Electricity is a state subject.
• Inequity due to difference of purchasing power and political power leading to more and better supply to urban areas, while losses to underserved areas.
• Fear of end of subsidies by farmers.
• There is fear of privatization of distribution companies.
• It may be backdoor entry to monopoly companies as happened with telecom sector.

EXPLANATION:

• Techno-Nationalism:
• News: Report “Internet in India” by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has recently highlighted the word Techno-Nationalism.
• Techno-nationalism is a way of understanding how technology affects the society and culture of a nation. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is aimed to use technology to advance nationalist agendas, with the goal of promoting connectedness and a stronger national identity. Hence statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Quit India Movement:
• The causes:
• Involvement of India in World War II without prior consultation with the leaders. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Failure of Cripps Mission, that was sent to gain the cooperation of India due to its offer of Dominion Status only. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Shortage of essential commodities
• Prevalence of anti-British sentiment
  • The sentiments were widely anti-British, and the masses were demanding complete independence from the British Government.
• Phases of Quit India Movement
• First phase: movement had no violence. It began with civil disobedience, boycotts, and strikes.
  • British Government quickly suppressed it with the arrest of almost all members of the Congress Committee, including Gandhiji.
• Second phase: movement took a violent and aggressive turn damaging colonial buildings, communication systems, railway stations & tracks, telegraph poles and wires.
• Third and last phase: There was the formation of many independent national or parallel governments in the isolated pockets of the country, such as Ballia, Satara, Tamluk, etc.
• Issues:
• Britishers were supported by the Princely States, British Indian Army, Indian Civil Services, Viceroy’s Council (which had Indians in the majority), All India Muslim League and Indian Imperial Police.
• The Hindu Mahasabha, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) & Muslim League also opposed the Quit India Movement.

EXPLANATION:

• Minority Determination:
• Article 29 and 30 of the constitution guarantees protection to the social and educational rights of minorities like their culture, script and language. But the constitution has not defined or identified any of the linguistic and religious minorities, per se. 
• S.C. in TMA Pai foundation vs state of Karnataka held that sates are the unit for the determining the status of minority, not the whole of India. 
• SC in Kerela Education Bill Case, 1958 had rejected that minorities be identified at the block or district level. 
• Later on, parliament passed the National commission for minorities act, which enables the central Government to identify minority at national level through a notification under the act. Hence option (b) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan, casting aside private warnings from the Biden administration about the risk that her high-profile diplomatic visit could stoke a new crisis in Asia and immediately prompting a sharp response from the Chinese government. Hence option (a) is correct.
• About the issue of Taiwan:
• The relationship between USA and China started in 1970s with Ping Pong diplomacy. US acknowledged that “One China Policy.”
• However, congress passed Taiwan Relations Act 1979 asserting that any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means would be of grave concern to the United States. Today stability is also being jeopardized by both China and the US.
• China is experiencing a significant economic slowdown, thereby pushing Chinese President Xi, as Chinese leaders have derived much of their legitimacy from economic success. So, Xi could turn to foreign policy to distract public attention from faltering GDP growth. In 2019, Xi publicly called for unification of Taiwan with China and refused to rule out the use of force.
• On the part of USA, former President Donald Trump has spoken directly with Taiwan’s president and recently House Speaker visited Taiwan.
• In essence, he argues that the risks are high for all the parties. It would be best to avoid symbolic steps that would be unacceptable to the other party. The status quo is admittedly imperfect, but it is far less imperfect than a crisis.
• Indo- Taiwan relations:
• India doesn’t have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but both sides have trade and people-to-people ties.
• India has refused to endorse the “one-China” policy since 2010.

EXPLANATION:

• According to the Union government, it has distributed around 6.83 lakh tonnes of fortified rice as a part of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the second phase of “Fortified Rice Scheme”.
• Government had set an aim in 2021, to distribute fortified rice through government schemes by 2024. First phase of the distribution started in October 2021. Annual manufacturing capacity of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) has increased from 0.9 lakh tonnes to 3.5 lakh tonnes now. State-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies started procuring fortified rice in 2020-21. Since then, they have procured 145.93 lakh tonnes of rice, so far. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• During this phase, fortified rice was distributed through Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) schemes. In Phase II, 52% of the districts received the fortified rice. Under PDS, 151 districts from 24 states have received fortified rice. In the first phase, about 17.51 lakh tonnes of fortified rice were distributed across states since this scheme was implemented in October 2021. Besides the distribution, production capacity of mills to mix fortified rice has also been enhanced to 60 lakh tonnes as against 13.67 lakh tonnes on August 15, 2021. The number of mills with blending infrastructure has also increased from 2690 to 6,000 in a year. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Fortified Rice Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It was launched in 2019 with the aim of eliminating anemia and micro-nutrient deficiency in India. Scheme was approved for 3 years in 2019-20. Starting from 2021-2022, FCI has been asked to make procurement and distribution plans for fortified rice under ICDS and PM POSHAN scheme. Hence, statement 3 is  not correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• Federal Bank, based in Kerala, is the first bank to list its Payment Gateway platform on “TIN 2.0 platform” of the Income Tax Department. TIN 2.0 platform was started on July 1, 2022. On the TIN 2.0 platform, a payment gateway has been opened to provide another payment option to taxpayers. Taxpayers can make their payments with ease, through this platform. They can use modes like Credit or Debit Card, NEFT or RTGS, UPI and Internet Banking to make payments. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Federal Bank is an Indian private sector Bank. Its headquarter is in Aluva, Kochi. It has 1,272 branches across India. It also has representative offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. It has remittance arrangements with over 110 Banks or Exchange Companies worldwide. It is also listed in the BSE, NSE and London Stock Exchange. It also has a branch in India’s first International Financial Services Center (IFSC) at GIFT City, Gujarat. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• Tax Information Network (TIN) is an initiative of the Income Tax Department of India (ITD). It was started to modernize the current system to collect, process, monitor and take account of the direct taxes through information technology. It is a repository of nationwide Tax related information. TIN was set up by  Protean eGov Technologies Limited. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• The Science and Engineering Research Board’s- State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE) scheme was recently launched to increase the research capabilities in a structured way, in a bid to create a powerful R&D ecosystem in state as well as private universities & colleges. Scheme would also cater to self-financed institutions operational within these universities. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• About State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE):
• SEUB-SURE is a new innovative scheme of the SERB, which is a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• This scheme will encourage collaboration for high-end research across state & private universities and colleges.
• It will help in bringing the university system into mainstream research, and enable young faculty to participate in cutting-edge research. 
• Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body, working under the Department of Science and Technology. It was set up in 2009, through SERB ACT, 2008. It is chaired by the Secretary to Government of India in the Department of Science and Technology.  It was set up to promote basic research in science and engineering as well as to give financial assistance to scientists, academic institutions, industrial concerns and R&D laboratories. Hence, statement 2 is  not correct. 
• Under this scheme, state universities would get level competition in a bid to secure research funding. They would also provide opportunities to strengthen the research ecosystem across state universities, in order to upgrade research capabilities to national and international levels. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• Scientists from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed the world's most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, this hydrogen fuel is more cost-effective, and makes ways for wider application of green energy in chasing a carbon-neutral world.
• Hydrogen fuel cells are clean energy option;
• They generate power efficiently by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. Zero carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other air pollutants are emitted in the process. Hence, statement 1 is  correct. 
• Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet widely commercialized, despite having several environmental benefits. This is so, because power generation capabilities of hydrogen fuel cells depend on an electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst earlier consisted of very expensive and rare metal platinum. Thus, researchers have tried to develop its alternatives by replacing platinum with more common and inexpensive materials such as iron, nitrogen or carbon. However, these alternative materials have either been proven inefficient in power generation or had poor durability. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Now, scientists from HKUST have discovered a new formula. This formula will reduce the proportion of platinum used by 80%. It will also set a record with respect to the durability level of the cell. The new cell managed to maintain platinum catalytic activity at 97% after 100,000 cycles of accelerated stress test, as against the current catalyst whose performance reduced by 50% in 30,000 cycles. No performance decay was reported in the new fuel cell, after operating for 200 hours. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• The Covid-19 vaccination platform Co-WIN is set to be repurposed for the Universal Immunization program as well as blood donation. This announcement was made by CoWin Chief & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Health Authority, Dr RS Sharma. This platform will later be used for organ donation. Besides India, Guyana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India to use this platform for their vaccination program. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• CoWIN stands for “Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network”. It is a web portal for COVID-19 vaccination registration in India. Indian Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare own and operate the platform. It showcases booking slots of COVID-19 vaccine that are available in nearby areas. One can book the vaccination slot on the website. It also provides vaccination certificates to the beneficiaries. The vaccination certificates serve as “Vaccine Passports” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Certificates can be stored in Digilocker. CoWIN has also been integrated with the Aarogya Setu and UMANG Apps. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• India started COVID-19 vaccination for Frontline Workers in India on January 16, 2021. Vaccination program was rolled out for residents aged above 60 on March 1, 2021. Eligibility for vaccines was extended to all residents aged above 45 years from April 1, 2021. Eligibility was further extended to residents aged above 18 years from May 1, 2021. Corbeaux vaccines were approved for children and for children aged 12-14 years vaccination started from March 16, 2022. Hence, statement 3 is  not correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• On July 29, 2022, Planet Earth made rotation on its axis in less than 24 hours. Reports are suggesting that it is spinning faster. On July 29, it broke its own record for shortest day, by completing the rotation in less than 1.59 milliseconds. As a result of this, the day on earth was shorter by 1.59 milliseconds, than usual 24-hour day. Earlier, the shortest day on Earth was recorded on July 19, 2020 since the 1960s. In 2020, Earth’s rotation was shorter by 1.47 milliseconds, than the usual 24-hour day. Earth continued to rotate faster in 2021 as well. However, it did not create any new records. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Causes of faster rotation:
• Answer to why the planet is rotating at a faster speed is not yet known.
• However, as per some scientists less weight on the poles due to melting of glaciers, is the cause of faster spin. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• On the other hand, others suggest that, molten core of earth’s interior is moving over time.
• Seismic activity could also be responsible for faster rotation.
• Chandler Wobble is another reason, suggested by some scientists. Chandler Wobble means little change or departure in Earth’s axis of rotation.
• Negative Leap Seconds: As the rotation speed of the Earth is rotating, it could result in “Negative Leap Seconds”. This phenomenon happens to maintain the rate on which earth orbits across the Sun in consistent with measurement from atomic clocks. It would have confusing outcomes for computers, smartphones and other communications systems. It would also impact IT systems, because a clock usually runs from 23:59:59 to 23:59:60 and restarts at 00:00:00. But time skip could crash programmes and corrupt data. To solve this problem, international timekeepers would be required to add a negative leap second, which is called a “drop second”. Hence, statement 3 is correct.