IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 30, 2016

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:
SwachhSwasthSarvatra is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles.

The objective of the ‘Swachh Swasth Sarvatra’ initiative is to build on and leverage achievements of two complementary programmes - Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Kayakalp - of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, respectively.

Another joint initiative, ‘Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat’, between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource Development was also launched

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The three key components of SwachhSwasthSarvatra are:

• Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks supported to achieve Kayakalp certification
• Gram Panchayat of Kayakalp Primary Health Centres (PHCs) prioritized to become ODF
• Training in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) of CHC/PHC nominees.

In blocks, where through efforts of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and local community, open defecation has been eliminated, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide the Community Health Centre (CHC), a grant of Rs. 10 lakhs to ensure that the facility achieves the quality benchmarks for sanitation, hygiene and infection control with a minimum score of 70 under the Kayakalp assessment.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Department of Space is working closely with various Central Ministries/Departments and State Governments towards maximizing the use of space technology in the various areas viz. Natural Resources Management, Energy & Infrastructure, Disaster & Early Warning, Communication & Navigation, e-Governance & Geo-spatial Governance and Societal Services.

Many flagship programmes namely, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation; Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana; Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana; National Mission for Clean Ganga, Digital India & MGNREGA are also utilizing space-based tools.

In a nutshell, ISRO is enabling the space applications in tune with the requirements of Ministries/Departments to enhance functional effectiveness, facilitate planning and decision making to improve governance and development.

ANSWER: Automating the entire mineral concession life-cycle

Explanation:
The Union Ministry is committed to establishing a Mining Tenement System (MTS), which would primarily involve automating the entire mineral concession life-cycle, starting from identification of area and ending with closure of the mine; and connecting the various stakeholders for real-time transfer of electronic files and exchange of data.

This shall enable effective management of mineral concession regime and transparency in mining operations, transportation of ore with the help of online electronic weighbridges and check-posts.

ANSWER: Mining Sector

Explanation:
IBM has entered into a MOU for project named “Sudoor Drishti” with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Department of Space, Government of India for monitoring of Mining activity through satellite under the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Digital India’.

The project would facilitate to monitor periodic changes of the mining areas within the mining lease boundary.

As per the MOU, NRSC is imparting training to the IBM officials, on the developed methodology towards processing and interpretation of satellite data, so that the activity can be taken forward by IBM independently after the pilot study.

NRSC is also providing technical guidance for IBM in creating a remote sensing laboratory at IBM, Hyderabad.

ANSWER: Justice B N Srikrishna

Explanation:
Arbitration provides an effective and efficient alternative window for dispute resolution. The Government of India has laid emphasis on making Arbitration a preferred mode for settlement of commercial disputes.

In order to ensure speedy resolution of commercial disputes and to facilitate effective conduct of international and domestic arbitrations raised under various agreements, it has been considered necessary to go into various factors to accelerate arbitration mechanism and strengthen the arbitration ecosystem in the country.

It is also important to examine specific issues and roadmap required to make India a robust centre for international and domestic arbitration.

With the above end in view, the Government has decided to constitute a High Level Committee (HLC) in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The Committee to review Institutionalization of Arbitration Mechanism in India will be headed by Justice B N Srikrishna.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
Under the dairying project ‘Advanced Breeding Technology’, Assisted Reproductive Technique to improve availability of disease free female bovines through sex sorted semen technology is being pursued.

Under the scheme 50 embryo transfer technology labs and In Vitro Fertilization labs care will be established.

This will lead to exponential increase in milk production and productivity of animals in an exponential manner.

Under Pashudhan Sanjivani scheme, 8.5 crore animals in milk will be identified using UID and their data will uploaded in the INAPH data base.

This will play crucial role in control of spread of animal diseases. This will also lead to increase in trade of livestock and livestock products.

ANSWER: 3^rd December

Explanation:
Rashtriya Krishi Shiksha Divas is being celebrated on 3rd December in remembrance of India’s first Agriculture Minister Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

It is also the Foundation day of DR. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, PUSA, Bihar.