APPSC ASSISTANT ARCHITECTURAL DRAUGHTSMAN AND SURVEYORS EXAM G.S. SOLVED PAPER

JUNIOR ASSISTANTS in A.P. BOARD OF INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION SUBORDINATE SERVICE 2007 QUESTION PAPER

NATIONAL WATER POLICY 2012

Water is a natural resource, fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable development. It is also a scarce resource. India has more than 17 percent of the world’s population, but has only 4% of world’s renewable water resources with 2.6% of world’s land area. There are further limits on utilizable quantities of water owing to uneven distribution over time and space. Precipitation is confined to only about three or four months in a year and varies from 100 mm in the western parts of Rajasthan to over 10000 mm at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Rivers and underground aquifers often cut across state boundaries.  Water, as a resource is one and indivisible: rainfall, river waters, surface ponds and lakes and ground water are all part of one system. In addition, there are challenges of frequent floods and droughts in one or the other part of the country. With a growing population and rising needs of a fast developing nation as well as the given indications of the impact of climate change, availability of  utilizable  water will be under  further strains in future with the possibility of deepening water conflicts among different user groups. Low public consciousness about the overall scarcity and economic value of water results in its wastage and inefficient use. In addition, there are inequitious distribution and lack of a unified perspective in planning, management and use of water resources. The objective of the National Water Policy is to take cognizance of the existing situation and to propose a framework for creation of an overarching system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified national perspective. National Water Policy was adopted in September, 1987. Since then, a number of issues and challenges have emerged in the development and management of the water resources. Therefore, the National Water Policy (1987) has been reviewed and updated in 2012. The salient features of new National Water Policy (2012) are: a) Constitutionally the States have the right to frame suitable policies, laws and regulations on water, the draft NWP, 2012 lays emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys, public trust doctrine, amendment of the Indian Easements Act, 1882, etc. b) The draft NWP, 2012 presents a holistic picture of ecological need of the river rather than restricting it to only minimum flow requirement. It states that the ecological needs of the river should be determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime. c) It recognizes the need to adapt to climate change scenario in planning and implementation of water resources projects. Coping strategies for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized. d) Need and approaches towards enhancing water availability have been stipulated. Direct use of rainfall and avoidance of inadvertent evapo-transpiration have been proposed as the new additional strategies for augmenting utilizable water resources. e) Draft proposes the mapping of the aquifers to know the quantum and quality of ground water resources in the country has been proposed with provision of periodic updation. f) A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing should be developed to ensure efficient use of water. g) Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction. h) All water resources projects, including hydro power projects, should be planned to the extent feasible as multi-purpose projects with provision of storage to derive maximum benefit from available topology and water resources. i) The draft NWP, 2012 lays emphasis on preparedness for flood / drought with coping up mechanisms as an option. Frequency based flood inundation maps should be prepared to evolve coping strategies. j) Appropriate institutional arrangements for each river basin should be developed to collect and collate all data on regular basis with regard to rainfall, river flows, area irrigated by crops and by source, utilizations for various uses by both surface and ground water and to publish water accounts on ten daily basis every year for each river basin with appropriate water budgets and water accounts based on the hydrologic balances. Planning and implementation of water resources projects involve a number of socio-economic aspects and issues such as environmental sustainability, appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation of project-affected people and livestock, public health concerns of water impoundment, dam safety etc.

11th International & 2nd North American symposium on landslides

The Canadian Geotechnical Society, the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the Joint Technical Committee on Landslides (JTC-1) organize the 11th International Symposium on Landslides (ISL) and the 2nd North American Symposium on Landslides at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada from June 2 to 8, 2012. The theme of the symposium will be Landslides and Engineered Slopes: Protecting Society through Improved Understanding.

The symposium theme Landslides and Engineered Slopes: Protecting Society through Improved Understanding was selected because it is believed by the SL/NASL 2012 Technical Committee that the profession is undergoing a revolution, as unprecedented amounts of quantitative data become available through new measurement and analysis techniques. Therefore, perhaps it is time to stress understanding of landslide mechanisms and behaviour. How do we make sense of all the numbers that are now available to us?

Several session themes are proposed that authors are being asked to consider when submitting their abstracts:

1. Landslides and Society: Processes and Impacts
2. Understanding Landslide Mechanisms
3. Advances in Investigation, Characterization and Modelling Tools for Hazard Assessment
4. Application of New Monitoring Technologies for Improved Landslide Hazard Management
5. Evaluation and Control of Landslides: Avoidance, Prevention and Protection Strategies

In addition, several "Key Issues" sessions will be developed to highlight initiatives of the JTC-1 as well as fundamental and strategic challenges being faced by landslide professionals. These include:

6. Classification of Landslides: Strategies and Requirements
7. Managing, Understanding and Using Complex Data Sets arising from New Technologies
8. Slope Stability in Forest Management
9. Impacts of Climate Change on Landslide Risk
10. Sub-Marine Landslides: Impacts, Assessment and Control

4th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC Davos 2012

After three successful IDRC Davos conferences the GRF Davos team is already in the preparation for IDRC Davos 2012, which will take place from 26 to 30 August 2012 in Davos, Switzerland.

Risks in a changing and global world are complex and interconnected, even more so in a globalized world consisting of many societies at very different levels of development. The frequency and severity of natural disasters have increased markedly worldwide. Economic losses associated with natural hazards are increasing exponentially in developing countries, where local risk-transfer markets are generally weak. Promoting integrative risk management is more then ever a pressing issue.

At IDRC Davos 2012 a multi- and interdisciplinary group of stakeholders will discuss new findings and exchange experiences about the broad spectrum of risks societies are facing today in plenary and parallel sessions, workshops and training courses, and poster exhibitions.

Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of India

India having 3,287,263 sq km (including disputed region with China) land, India occupies most of the Indian subcontinent. It borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar on land, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia at sea. Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north.

Overview of Disasters

India is a disaster-prone country with frequent earthquakes, floods, cyclones, drought, tsunami, landslide, and avalanches.

Recent Major Disasters

Indian Ocean Tsunami (December 2004)

The Indian Ocean Tsunami which took place off the Sumatra Island on 26 December 2004 killed 16,389 people, injured 6,913 people and affected about 65 million people. The total damage is about US10 billion.

Gujarat Earthquake (January 2001)

M7.7 earthquake occurred in Gujarat Province (western India) on 26 January 2001. At least 20,005 people were killed, 166,812 injured, approximately 360,000 buildings destroyed and 15 million people affected in Gujarat. The total damage is US4.6 billion.

Orissa Super Cyclone (October 1999)

A massive cyclone that hit Orissa (northeast of India) on 29 October 1999 killed 9,887, affected approximately 13 million people, and destroyed 800,000 houses.

Disaster Management System

Legal System:

The Indian Government formulated a national disaster management framework in 2004 and promulgated the Disaster Management Act, 2005- DM ACT in 2005.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (pdf)

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is in charge of creating and implementing disaster management policies, DM plans and guidelines. State level DM bodies are the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
Under the umbrella of the NDMA, there is an institution promoting capacity building for disaster mitigation and emergency response which is called the National Institute of Disaster Management, NIDM, and emergency disaster response force which is called the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Plan

Although there is no sector-specific disaster management plans, there is a clear statement that emphasizes the need for the development plans safe from disasters in the chapter on environment and climate change in the 11th national five-year national plan period (2007-2012).
Since the Disaster Management Act requires the formulation of disaster management plan, the NDMA published the National Disaster Management Guidelines: Preparation of State Disaster Management Plans in July, 2007.

11th Five-year National Plan (2007-2012) chapter 9: Environment and climate change

National Disaster Management Guidelines: Preparation of State Disaster Management Plans, July 2007

ADRC Counterpart

Ministry of Home Affairs

Asian Disaster Reduction Center

The Asian Disaster Reduction Center was established in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, in 1998, with mission to enhance disaster resilience of the member countries, to build safe communities, and to create a society where sustainable development is possible. The Center works to build disaster resilient communities and to establish networks among countries through many programs including personnel exchanges in this field.
The Center addresses this issue from a global perspective in cooperation with a variety of UN agencies and international organisations/initiatives, such as the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the Office for the Coodination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pasific (ESCAP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO/WPRO). 

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is a non-profit organization supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs and projects that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific, by:

• Developing and enhancing sustainable institutional disaster risk management capacities, frameworks and mechanisms, and supporting the development and implementation of government policies;

• facilitating the dissemination and exchange of disaster risk management expertise, experience and information; and

• raising awareness and enhancing disaster risk management knowledge and skills.

At the recommendation of UN Disaster Relief Organization (UNDRO) - now known as UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) - ADPC was established in 1986 as an outreach activity of the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok , Thailand , with the aim of strengthening the national disaster risk management systems in the region. In 1999, ADPC became an independent entity, which is governed and guided by a Board of Trustees (21 members representing 15 countries) and advised by a Regional Consultative Committee (32 members from 26 countries) and Advisory Council (55 members from a wide range of agencies.)

Workshop on "Disaster Management in SAARC Nations" at Dhaka, Bangladesh, 22-24 May 2012

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) organised the workshop on disaster management in SAARC nations at Dhaka, Bangladesh on 22-24 May 2012. The workshop was attended by about 40 senior level officers of SAARC member states. The DG- NDRF, Executive Director- NIDM and Director SAARC Disaster Management Centre and Joint Secretary- NDMA, GOI participated in the three days workshop.
The inaugural programme was attended by the Honble Minister Home of Bangladesh Ms Shahara. She said that an agreement on rapid response to natural disaster has been signed in the SAARC 17th Summit to ensure that no member state is overwhelmed by a natural calamity.
Disaster Management and Relief Division Secretary Dr M Aslam Alam Neal Walker, UN resident coordinator, were present among others at the ceremony, which was presided over by Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

GROUP-II SERVICES NOTIFICATION NO. 39/2011 ADDITIONAL VACANCY

Additional vacancies – 64 ACTO’s have been added to GROUP-II SERVICES NOTIFICATION NO. 39/2011 Recruitment.
The vacancy position is as follows:
Executive Posts – 186 and Non-Executive Posts – 595

INDIA CENSUS REPORT

ANDHRA PRADESH CENSUS REPORT

Group II Exams postponed to July 21 & 22

 Group-II Services recruitment (Direct) Notification No.39/2011 for which Examination Scheduled on 
14/07/2012 AM & 15/07/2012 FN & AN have been postponed to 21/07/2012 AN & 22/07/2012 FN & AN in view of the UPSC, I.F.S (AIS) Exam to be held on 15/07/2012. The exams scheduled for  22/07/2012 have been postponed to 19/08/2012.

APPSC PREVIOUS GROUP - I RECRUITMENT CUT OFF MARKS

APPSC GROUP-I PRELIMS 2012 KEY

APPSC 2012 Group - I preliminary Exam Cut off marks Analysis

Andhra pradesh public service commission (APPSC) conducted Group-1 preliminary examination on 27/05/2012. Total 1,73,265 candidates attend for this exam. 72.50% attend the preliminary exam.

 

This is only a screening test which means these marks are considered only to select candidates to main exam in the ratio of 1:50. As there is 312 posts,  generally 15,600 aspirants are going to permitted to take main exam. There is no reservation or quota in selecting candidates for main exam from preliminary examination.

As per the experts opinion question Paper is relatively easy or average.

The cutoff marks estimation vary from expert to expert.

 

Generally it is expected to between 90 to 95 marks.

Those candidates who got more than 95 (+/- 5)  marks they may Start preparation for Group-I main exams.

Annual Conference on Disaster Management

Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners/ Secretaries, Department of Disaster Management of States/ UTs will be held on 28th May, 2012 in New Delhi to review the status of preparedness for dealing with crisis situations resulting from the South-west Monsoon, 2012 and to discuss other disaster management related issues. Representatives of concerned Central Ministries/ Organizations rendering Emergency Support Functions will also participate besides representatives of Central Armed Police Forces.

The Conference will be inaugurated by R.K. Singh, Union Home Secretary and will be presided over by A.E. Ahmad, Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs.

India Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, Ministry of Defence, National Disaster Management Authority, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Disaster Response Force, Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment and Indian Space Research Organization will also participate in the conference. The role of these organizations in preparedness and further enhancement of their capabilities to deal with the disasters will be discussed. The various issues related to disaster preparedness and other disaster management relating to the States/UTs will be reviewed/discussed.

Sustaining the Environment

On completing three years in office the UPA Government recently released a ‘Report To The People’. The following achievements pertain to the Ministry of Environment & Forest and in the field of sustaining the environment.

National Action Plan on Climate Change
The National Action Plan advocates a strategy that promotes, firstly, the adaptation to climate change and secondly, further enhancement of the ecological sustainability of India’s development path. The eight missions under the PM’s Council on Climate Change are the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the National Water Mission, the National Missions on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, and the National Missions for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, a Green India and Sustainable Agriculture.

Forest Conservation
An amount of Rs. 848 crore was released to State Level Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authorities to carry out protection, conservation and regeneration of natural forests in addition to compensatory afforestation. National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in October, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property. Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the five place of sitting of the NGT.

Mission Clean Ganga
Projects worth nearly Rs. 2,600 crore have been sanctioned by the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). These include projects for development of sewer networks, sewage treatment plants and sewage pumping stations, electric crematoria, community toilets and development of river fronts.

Several innovations have been introduced for improved implementation of projects sanctioned by the NGRBA. These include Tripartite Memoranda of Agreements, project appraisal by independent institutions, Third Party Inspection, etc. State River Conservation Authorities have been constituted in the five Ganga basin States to facilitate better coordination and implementation of conservation activities at the State level.

The Central Government has secured World Bank assistance of US$ 1 billion for the NGRBA Programme. The World Bank project will support NGRBA’s immediate objective of Mission Clean Ganga.

Tiger Conservation
A detailed report on the country level status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India was released in July, 2011. This was the second round of country level snapshot assessment. The earlier estimation made in 2006 indicated that there were 1411 tigers in the country; the current estimates show that this number has increased by about 20% to 1706.

APPSC COMPUTER DRAUGHTSMAN EXAM GENERAL STUDIES SOLVED PAPER