IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Feb 19, 2016

ANSWER: Dams

Explanation:

• In April 2012, the Central Water Commission (CWC) with assistance from the World Bank embarked upon the six year Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).
• The project originally envisaged the rehabilitation and improvement of about 223 dams within four states namely, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu and later Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand joined DRIP and total number of dams covered under DRIP increased to 250.
• The old dams designed and built to withstand certain levels of flood and earthquake and may not meet the revised estimates based on information gathered over the period. The design practices and safety considerations prevailing at that time also do not match with the current design standards and the safety norms.
• The engineering properties of the foundation or the material used to build the dams can deteriorate over time. Owing to these factors and issues of differed maintenance, some of the dams may be experiencing distress and require urgent repairs to ensure their safety and restore their operational reliability.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• When President’s Rule is withdrawn, the government earlier in power automatically revives. This was noted by senior advocate Kapil Sibal during the hearings in SC on President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh.
• When the President’s Rule is imposed in a state, the President dismisses the state council of ministers headed by the chief minister. The state governor, on behalf of the President, carries on the state administration with the help of the chief secretary of the state or the advisors appointed by the President.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The State Emergency (President’s Rule) is applicable to the state.
• However, this emergency can be imposed in the state on the ground of failure of the constitutional machinery under the provisions of state Constitution and not Indian Constitution.
• In fact, two types of Emergencies can be declared in the state, namely, President’s Rule under the Indian Constitution and Governor’s Rule under the state Constitution.
• In 1986, the President’s Rule was imposed in the state for the first time.

ANSWER: 124A

Explanation:

• Section 124A of IPC deals with sedition charges.
• 124A - Sedition — Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.
• The expression “disaffection” includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The Sikkim Government will soon introduce Contract farming in the State for making the agriculture more lucrative.
• The State Government will also introduce the “One Village One Crop” Scheme where one identified potential crop will be cultivated in each village.
• Ten villages in each district will be identified and progressive farmers will be selected as beneficiaries under it.
• Government is trying to make Sikkim self- sustainable in agricultural produce by encouraging hoteliers and other stakeholders to adopt contract farming. The Government is making all efforts to integrate organic farming with tourism as well.
• The State Government will focus on on-farm production of bio- fertilizers and bio-feed.

ANSWER: Green Tea

Explanation:

• A compound in green tea may offer a potential new approach to combating the joint pain, inflammation and tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Existing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are expensive, immunosuppressive and sometimes unsuitable for long-term use.
• A phytochemical called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties, is found in green tea. The researchers found that EGCG has high potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because of how effectively the molecule blocks the effects of the disease without blocking other cellular functions.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that mostly affects the small joints of the hands and feet. It causes painful swelling that progresses into cartilage damage, bone erosion and joint deformity.

ANSWER: Bacteria living deep under earth

Explanation:

• Scientists have discovered a group of microbes that live several kilometres under the surface of the Earth, need no light or oxygen and can only be seen in a microscope.
• The researchers have also found how the microorganisms, named Hadesarchaea, first discovered in a South African gold mine at a depth of over three kilometres, are able to make a living in the absence of oxygen and light.
• The Hadesarchaea belong to a relatively unknown group of microorganisms, the archaea. Like bacteria, archaea are single-celled and microscopically small, but they differ more from each other than a human does from a tree.
• Researchers found these microbes in vastly different aquatic and terrestrial environments; the deep mud of a temperate estuary in North Carolina and underneath hot springs at Yellowstone National Park in US.
• The scientists suggest that they are able to survive there by using carbon monoxide to gain energy.

ANSWER: Water Conservation

Explanation:

• Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao have started Paani Foundation, a not-for-profit company whose main objective will be to communicate, impart knowledge and bring about a change in the outlook at the grass roots about water conservation and watershed management. It will work in association with the Maharashtra government towards solving the water crisis in the state.
• Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan is one of Maharashtra government’s flagship schemes to make the State drought free by 2019.
• Other NGOs are investing in structures while Paani will invest in people. Satyamev Jayate Water Cup is the first step of Paani Foundation in its journey of solving the water crisis. It is a competition. The whole idea is that a competition will bring out the best and will make the villages put their best foot forward.
• The focus will be on three talukas in three different districts—Koregaon in Satara, Warud in Amravati and Ambajogai in Beed. The gram panchayats will be invited to participate in a contest. It will be publicised in the media.
• The contesting villages will be evaluated by experts to see the quantity and quality of watershed management work done as also efforts to conserve water.