IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 29, 2016

ANSWER: 1955

Explanation:
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been taking various initiatives to address the problem of call drops faced by subscribers in mobile networks.

In order to obtain direct feedback from subscribers and use that feedback to solve the problem of call drops, DoT has launched an Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS) system in Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Goa.

Subscribers will receive an IVRS call from the short code 1955. They will be asked a few questions on the subject of call drops.

They can also send a toll-free SMS to the same short code 1955, containing the location of city/town/village, where they might be facing the problem of frequent call drops. The feedback of the subscribers will be shared with the Telecom Service Providers so that they can take corrective steps in the identified areas, to improve the mobile network for addressing the problem of call drops.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
The Government has approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely "Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas" to improve the rural road connectivity in the worst LWE affected districts from security angle.

The project will be implemented as a vertical under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

The fund sharing pattern of LWE road project will be same as that of PMGSY i.e. in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and States for all States except for eight North Eastern and three Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10.

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:
The "Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas" (implemented under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)) is envisaged in LWE States including the 35 worst affected LWE districts which account for 90% of total LWE violence in the country and 9 adjoining districts critical from security angle as per the inputs and lists of roads / districts provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The roads taken up under the scheme would include Other District Roads (ODRs), Village Roads (VRs) and upgradation of the existing Major District Roads (MDRs) that are critical from the security point of view.

Bridges up to a span of 100 meters, critical from security angle would also be funded on these roads.

The PMGSY guideline does not permit construction/upgradation of MDRs.

However, keeping special circumstances of LWE areas in view, MDRs would be taken up under the scheme as a special dispensation.

The National Highways and the State Highways would be excluded from this project.

ANSWER: Rice Variety

Explanation:
With the support of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Scientists at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) have jointly developed bacterial blight resistant Rice variety “Samba Mahsuri’ through Marker Assisted Selection and Backcross Breeding.

The variety has so far spread to an area of 90,000 ha in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

ANSWER: Hyderabad

Explanation:
Department of Biotechnology has recently initiated supporting research projects on production of bio-hydrogen realizing the potential of bio-hydrogen as a fuel for future.

Promising microbes have been identified to produce bio-hydrogen from low-cost carbon source.

A pilot scale production technology for generating Biological Hydrogen from Sweet Sorghum using 15 tonne biomass has been started at Nagarjuna, Hyderabad.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
The Government had announced the creation a sector-neutral Financial Redressal Agency (FRA) to address the grievances of retail consumers against all Financial Service Providers (FSPs).

This follows from the recommendations of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC), which had, in 2013, recommended FRA as part of the Regulatory Framework designed to foster customer protection and independence and accountability of Regulators.

Currently the average consumer is put under unnecessary stress when required to approach different redress agencies based on the nature of the product.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
FRA design offers a simplified resolution process, allowing retail consumers in distant and remote locations to pursue effective remedies against FSP, without imposing significant costs on them. It will try to resolve all complaints through mediation.

Cases where the parties are unable to reach a settlement would be resolved through a light-touch adjudication process. It will discourage court-like processes.

The FRA will establish a front-end presence in diverse locations for consumers to submit complaints.

Consumers will be able to appeal against the orders of FRA at Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). This would standardise the availability of such an independent mechanism across the financial sector.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
FRA would be managed by a Board to the appointed by the financial regulators, in consultation with the Government of India (GOI).

It would also have an Independent Assessment Officer to consider complaints against the FRA’s redress function arising out of issues related to its standard of service. It would run an efficient process to manage vacancies.

FRA will provide an independent feedback loop to regulators on complaints, including information on complaints received against unregulated FSPs, with a view to assisting them in strengthening consumer protection regulation and supervision.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The key principle of this programme is adolescent participation and leadership, Equity and inclusion, Gender Equity and strategic partnerships with other sectors and stakeholders.

The programme envisions enabling all adolescents in India to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and wellbeing and by accessing the services and support they need to do so.

The objectives are -

i. Improve Nutrition
ii. Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health
iii. Enhance Mental Health
iv. Prevent Injuries and violence
v. Prevent substance misuse