IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - June 16, 2016

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Deep seabed Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS) containing iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum in variable constitutions are precipitates of hot fluids from upwelling hot magma from deep interior of the oceanic crust discharged through mineralized chimneys. PMS in the Ocean Ridges have attracted worldwide attention for their long term commercial as well as strategic values.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA), under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), earlier approved an application submitted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, for allotment of 10,000 sq. km. area along with 15 years plan of work for exploration of Polymetallic Sulphide (PMS) along Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) region of the Indian Ocean.
• Further, it will enhance India's presence in the Indian Ocean where other players like China, Korea and Germany are active. The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with the participation from various national institutes and research laboratories/ organisations.
• ISA governs non-living resources of seabed lying in international waters.

ANSWER: Ivory Coast

Explanation:

• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received Key and Parchment of city of Abidjan.
• The Key presentation is a symbolic conferment of Honorary Citizenship of Abidjan. Honorary Citizens are members of Committee of Wise Men of City advising effective functioning of the administration of the City.
• The President was invited to join the community of traditional DOUGBO CHIEFS with the distinction of being for them an advisor.
• In this context he was offered clothing to match the status. This cladding comprised of a large traditional loincloth with a light outfit underneath matching shoes, a special cap, with a bracelet, traditional necklace, a cane representing his authority and a fly-whisk. Each of these elements plays a specific role in within the function of a traditional Leader.
• With this novel status, he was conferred a new name: ASSI TO which means the path, the way, the example.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• All online purchasing will attract GST. The liability to pay GST will arise at the time of supply.
• The model GST law has also suggested a jail terms of up to 5 years and fine for violation of GST.
• The draft also provides for constitution of a National Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal by Centre on the recommendation of the GST Council.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• India and the European Union have developed a cost-effective technology for treatment of sewage waste for irrigation, especially in rural areas, using natural filters like sand and plants.
• The project involves collecting the sewage waste before it reaches the water bodies and then treat it using natural filters like sand, gravel, pebbles and plants to remove the impurities.
• Under the project, many wetland plant species, such as Canna indica, lemon grass, napier, para grass, typha, water hyacinth, water lettuce and a weed species Agaratum conyzoides, have been identified for purifying the wastewater.
• They are helpful in reducing the nutrient load in the free-water-surface and sub-surface constructed wetlands. The project has been undertaken in Karnataka,Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

ANSWER: Bio-treated wastewater reuse

Explanation:

• The 'Water4crops' is one of the largest technology initiatives between India-EU.
• The project also proved that the construction of wetland reduces the amount of pollutants, chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater by 30-92 per cent.
• Biotechnological waste water treatments and reuse in agronomical systems that will address the emerging, increasingly important issue for the world: “Water and wastewater reuse and management”.
• Water4Crops stands for “integrating bio-treated wastewater reuse and valorisation with enhanced water use efficiency to support the Green Economy in Europe and India”.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• The 5/20 rule for commencement of international flight in operation since 2004 is replaced by a formulation which provides a level playing field and allows airlines, both new and old, to commence international operations provided they continue to meet some obligation for domestic operation.
• All airlines can commence international operations provided they deploy 20 aircraft or 20% of total capacity (in term of average number of seats on all departures put together), whichever is higher, for domestic operations.
• This is the first time since independence that an integrated Civil Aviation Policy has been brought out by the Ministry. The centre-piece of the policy is to make regional air connectivity a reality. The policy aims to take flying to the masses by making it affordable and convenient. It is enabling Indians to fly at Rs. 2,500 per hour under Regional Connectivity Scheme at unserved airports

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
The Policy aims at:

• India to become 3rd largest civil aviation market by 2022 from 9th
• Domestic ticketing to grow from 8 crore in 2015 to 30 crore by 2022
• Airports having scheduled commercial flights to increase from 77 in 2016 to 127 by 2019
• Cargo volumes to increase by 4 times to 10 million tonnes by 2027.
• Ensuring availability of quality certified 3.3 lakh skilled personnel by 2025
• Development of green-field airports and heliports
• Enhancing ease of doing business through deregulation, simplified procedures and e-governance
• Promoting ‘Make In India’ in Civil Aviation Sector

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• The Policy lays focus on regional connectivity with an aim of providing affordable aviation services in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
• It will help bring down the prices of air tickets by giving exemptions including service tax, customs duty, landing and parking fee and VAT.
• Other measures are – There will be no airport charges; Viability Gap Funding (VGF)to airline operators; Reduced Excise duty at 2% on ATF picked at RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) airports, etc.