IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Oct 26 & 27, 2016

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• The State of Kerala today became the third State overall and the largest State so far to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) (Gramin).
• With this, all 14 districts, 152 blocks, 940 Gram Panchayats and 2117 villages of the State have been declared free from open defecation.
• Freedom from open defecation has been proven to lead to significant health benefits in terms of incidences of water-borne diseases, especially in children, and provide safety and dignity for all, especially women and senior citizens.
• Kerala, with a rural population of approximately 3.5 crores, is also the largest State so far to have achieved the ODF Status, after Sikkim (~6 lakhs) and Himachal Pradesh (~70 lakhs).

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:

• Government has taken a new initiative to create a Film Promotion Fund to promote Indian cinema in the International Film Festivals. This initiative would help independent filmmakers to promote their work across the globe.
• The Government efforts to project India as a soft power and Filming Destination has been a win-win situation so far, in terms of attracting global stakeholders from various quarters of film industry to India as well as Indian films, expertise and talent being accepted globally at international festivals.
• Film Promotion fund would provide financial assistance to the films which would be selected in any competition section of an International Film Festival of repute or being India’s official nomination to the Academy Awards under Foreign Film Category for promotional activities.
• Directorate of Film Festivals has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing this initiative based on the recommendations of a panel of experts constituted by the Government.

ANSWER: Directorial debuts of 2016 from across the world

Explanation:

• New Initiative - Centenary Award for Best Debut Feature of a Director - IFFI would recognize young talent under this new competition section.
• This section would showcase some of the outstanding directorial debuts of 2016 from across the world of cinema.
• The winner would be honoured with a Silver Peacock and a cash price of rupees ten lakhs.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• According to the scheme, two states will undertake a unique partnership for one year which would be marked by cultural and student exchanges.
• The next year any other state can be chosen for cultural exchange.
• Students of a particular state would travel to another state to learn each other's culture.
• This will bring understanding about India's unity and diversity.
• As per the primary draft of the proposal it is expected that, each state will teach 100 sentences, 1 song and 1 cuisine of the partner state in one year.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The developer, within three months of applying for registration of a project with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority shall deposit in a separate bank account , 70% of the amount collected and unused for ensuring completion of on-going projects.
• To incentivize registration of projects and Real Estate Agents with Regulatory Authorities, fee for the same has been reduced by half based on suggestions from promoters for reduction of fee.
• A cap has been placed on the total amount of registration fee based on the suggestion of real estate bodies.
• Fee for renewing registration of projects with the Regulatory Authorities would be half of the registration fees.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• Under the Rules, Adjudicating Officers, Real Estate Authorities and Appellate Tribunals shall dispose of complaints within 60 days.
• The requirement of disclosing Income Tax returns proposed earlier has been withdrawn in the final Rules keeping in view the confidentiality attached with them and as pointed out by legal experts and promoters.

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:

• The low levels of productivity, growth and incomes ailing the farm sector in India and causing immense agrarian distress is well known.
• Without undertaking radical reform it is impossible to transform agriculture and double farmers income.
• However, state governments have been extremely lax in implementing much needed reforms to modernize agriculture and create a favourable policy and market environment for farmers.
• Addressing the issue, NITI Aayog has identified three key areas for reform and is now persuading states to undertake the reforms.
The areas identified for immediate reforms are:
1. Agricultural market reforms
2. Land lease reforms

• Reforms related to forestry on private land – felling and transit of trees.

ANSWER: NITI Aayog

Explanation:

• NITI Aayog has launched an "Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index" to rank States and UTs that is based on implementation of seven provisions proposed under model APMC Act, joining eNAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and vegetables for marketing and level of taxes in mandis.
• These indicators reveal ease of doing agribusiness as well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have wider option for sale of her/his produce.
• These indicators also represent competitiveness, efficiency and transparency in agri markets.
• The second area of reforms included in the index is relaxation in restrictions related to lease in and lease out agricultural land and change in law to recognise tenant and safeguard land owners liberalisation.
• The third area included in the index represent freedom given to farmers for felling and transit of trees grown on private land. This represents opportunity to diversify farm business.

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:

• The "Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index" has a score which can have minimum value "0" implying no reforms and maximum value "100" implying complete reforms in the selected areas. States and UTs have been ranked in terms of the score of the index.
• The state of Maharashtra achieved first rank in implementation of various reforms. Its score is 81.7.
• The state has implemented most of the marketing reforms and it offers best environment for doing agribusiness among all the states and UTs.
• Gujarat ranks second with a score of 71.5 out of 100, closely followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• Almost two third states could not reach even halfway mark of reforms score. Major states like U.P., Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and J&K are in this group.