I. It will facilitate disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years
II. It provides for the establishment of an All India Judicial Service
III. Union Labour Minister will be the National Mission Leader
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved an ambitious programme that would usher in radical legal reforms aimed at disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years, and establishment of an All India Judicial Service. Known as the “National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms,” it seeks to operationalise a number of plans to ensure expeditious and quality justice.
Objectives of the National Mission
The National Mission will focus on improvement in administration of justice and justice delivery and legal reforms in the entire country and it has to address diverse needs of all sections of stakeholders in a Mission Mode approach.
The Mission spanning 5 years from 2011-2016 would focus on two major goals as envisaged in the vision document, namely
(i) increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system, and
(ii) enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.
The salient features of the National Mission are:-
(1) The National Mission would comprise of Advisory Council, Governing Council, National Mission Leader and the Mission Directorate.
(2) The Advisory Council will advise on the goals, objectives and strategies of the National Mission and the Action Plan and its implementation and performance of the Mission in meeting its objectives and would be chaired by the Minister for Law and Justice and would have membership from Parliament, State Governments, Jurists & senior officers of Government of India.
(3) The Governing Council would facilitate implementation, give policy directions and oversee the work of the Mission and would be headed by the Minister for Law and Justice.
(4) The Secretary, Department of Justice would be the National Mission Leader.
(5) A Mission Directorate would be constituted to implement and monitor the various initiative / programme of the National Mission. It would be headed by an officer of the rank of the Joint Secretary who would act as the Mission Director.
(6) An Action Plan has been drawn up which would of course be subjected to change once the Governing Council meets to set out the agenda.
(7) Infrastructure development for the subordinate judiciary is the major thrust area of the National Mission. Inadequacy of infrastructure facilities in District and Subordinate courts has remained a major bottleneck in the judicial system largely contributing to the accumulation of arrears. In order to augment the resources of the State Governments for development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) has remained in operation since 1993-94 at 50:50 basis. A preliminary assessment of requirement of infrastructure for subordinate courts from the States revealed that around Rs. 7000 crore would be needed over five years for construction/maintenance etc. The Central Government outflow would be around Rs. 5500 crore over five years.
(8) The funding of infrastructure development of subordinate courts in the ratio of Central/State assistance will be 75:25 instead of the present 50:50. In case of North-Eastern State, the ratio will be 90:10 as already agreed to in the CSS Scheme by the Planning Commission. This modified scheme will be implemented under the National Mission
2. Late K.M. Mathew, in whose honour India Post released a postage stamp recently, was known for achievements in:
a) Sports
b) Archaeology
c) Industry
d) Journalism
e) Science
Explanation :
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid rich tribute to late K M Mathew, the iconic chief editor of Malayala Manorama, describing him as an “Indian legend”, as he received an album containing commemorative stamp on Mathew issued by the Department of Posts from HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on August 2, 2011. The album also contained the First Day Cover honouring Mathew, which was released on August 1, Mathew’s first death anniversary.
3. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. Which of the following tasks are performed by the State/UT Governments?
I. Procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI
II. Identification of eligible BPL families and issuance of ration cards to them
III. Supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs)
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Evaluation studies of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) have been done by several agencies including the Planning Commission and World Bank. As per the report of the Programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) of the Planning Commission on Performance Evaluation of TPDS (2005), the implementation of TPDS is hampered due to targeting errors, prevalence of bogus cards and diversion of foodgrains from the supply chain. The World Bank has prepared a report titled ‘Social Protection for a Changing India’ (2011), which deals with key safety net, social assistance and social security programmes including the Public Distribution System (PDS). The report indicates that there is a gap between the release of foodgrains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the offtake of foodgrains by the households, which is due to leakages/diversion of allocated foodgrains. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on August 9, 2011.
He said that TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI. The operational responsibilities for lifting and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible BPL families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are of the State/UT Governments.
4. Ronjan Sodhi is known for achievements in which sport?
a) Shooting
b) Rowing
c) Wrestling
d) Archery
e) Weightlifting
Explanation :
One of the bright prospects for a medal in the London Games, double trap marksman Ronjan Sodhi, reached yet another milestone in his decorated career, as he was ranked No.1 in the world, as per the latest rankings released by the ISSF on August 1, 2011. A gold medallist in the World Cup Finals in Turkey last year, the 31-year-old Ronjan had recently won the silver medal in the Beijing World Cup to clinch the Olympic quota place. In the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year, Ronjan won the only shooting gold for India, beating two Chinese in their backyard. He also had to settle for the individual and team silver medals in the Commonwealth Games at home earlier
5. Domestic workers will now be covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. The workers will be required to pay only 10% of the premium while the remaining 90% will be contributed by the Central and State governments.
II. Workers will get annual health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- every year.
III. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
III and I only
I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved the extension of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to all the registered domestic workers in the country. The scheme is expected to cover approximately 47.50 lakh domestic workers in the country. The Scheme envisages smart card based cashless health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country. The insurance coverage would be extended to all registered domestic workers in the age group of 18-59 years. The beneficiaries would have to get identification certificates from any two of the four institutions — the employer, residents welfare associations, registered trade unions or the police. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
The funds will be allocated from the National Social Security Fund for Unorganised Workers. The premium will be shared by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. In case of States in NE Regional and J&K the ratio is 90:10.
About RSBY: The RSBY provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per annum to BPL workers (a unit of five) in unorganised sector is presently being implemented in 25 States/UTs. More than 2.34 crore smart cards have been issued as on 31.5.2011. The scheme has since been extended to building and other construction workers registered with Welfare Boards constituted under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, street vendors, beedi workers and such MNREGA workers who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding year
6. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has decided to utilise the services of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for:
a) Checking malnutrition by providing nutritional supplements to infants in BPL families
b) Keeping a watch over gender selection clinics in rural and urban areas
c) Providing family planning services at homes of beneficiaries
d) Popularising initiatives taken by Central government under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
e) None of the above
Explanation :
NRHM to involve ASHAs in family planning initiatives
Family planning: The mission steering group (MSG) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on June 21, 2011 decided to utilise Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for delivery of contraceptives at the homes of beneficiaries. For this, ASHAs can charge Re. 1 for a pack of 3 condoms, Re. 1 for an Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) cycle and Rs. 2 for an Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) from the beneficiaries.
Maternal & infant care: The MSG — the highest decision-making body of the NRHM — has also decided to provide a performance-linked incentive of Rs. 250 to ASHAs for reducing the infant mortality rate. The proposed schedule of home visit for institutional delivery is 6 home visits on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 to assess the newborn as well as to ensure post-partum care of mother. In the case of home delivery, a total of 7 home visits will be required as ASHA should be present at the birth or visit the mother and baby as soon as possible within the first 24 hours and on subsequent specified days.
Promoting menstrual hygiene: It was decided to further improve and streamline the scheme to promote menstrual hygiene amongst the adolescent girls in rural areas. For this, the MSG has decided to revise the existing scheme. It will be taken up in 152 districts instead of 150. Six sanitary napkins (Rs. 7.50 per pack) will be procured for which assistance will be provided by the Centre.
7. Which major foodgrain producing country has proposed to host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations under the auspices of the United Nations?
a) India
b) Australia
c) USA
d) Ukraine
e) China
Explanation :
Ukraine has proposed to the United Nations that it host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations. The Ukrainian Agriculture Minister announced the move on August 4, 2011. “Our country is ready to contribute 10-12 million tons of grain to such a reserve. We are also prepared to ensure high-quality storage and make grain interventions if the U.N. passes relevant resolutions,” said Nikolai Prisyazhnyuk. According to domestic experts, Ukraine may reach annual grain production of around 80 million tons within the coming six years, more than half of which could be exported. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukraine's grain harvest in 2011 is expected to reach 42 million tons
8. The rules governing release of funds under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) were modified recently. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. MPs would be allowed to spend on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected.
II. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
III. Projects implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The amount to be released in the first instalment for works proposed under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been increased. The MPLADS allows MPs to suggest works to the Head of District to be taken up in their constituency. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment, while those implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent, according to Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation M.S. Gill in June 2011. At present, only 50 per cent of the estimated cost is released as the first instalment, irrespective of the nature of the project, which led to complaints of delays in completion.
Conditions had been further relaxed for smaller projects costing less than Rs. 2 lakh. For them, the entire amount would be released at one go. Besides, in a bid to ensure that funds were not spread too thinly, no project costing less than Rs.1 lakh would be sanctioned. Exceptions, however, would be made in the case of essential projects, such as installation of hand pumps, and purchase of computers and their accessories.
MPs would also be allowed to spend up to Rs.10 lakh a year on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected. “The aim is to promote national unity and fraternity among the people at the grassroots level.”
In an important departure from the past, a limit of Rs.50 lakh per annum has been imposed on contributions to trusts and societies so that more money was available for community-related works.
9. Which of the following statements about India’s production and consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 is/are correct?
I. India’s consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 was more than 150 million metric tonnes (MMT)
II. Production of petroleum products from indigenous sources has increased from 2008-09 to 2010-11
III. India is dependent on imports for 75% of its crude oil requirement in 2010-11
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Indigenous production and Import dependence percentage of petroleum products availability from domestic sources during the last three years i.e. 2008, 2009 and 2010 is given below:
| Indigenous production and Import Dependence (%) (Million Metric Tonne) | |||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| Total Consumption | 133.6 | 138.2 | 141.8 |
| Indigenous crude processing | 28.8 | 28.9 | 33.3 |
| Products from Indigenous crude | 27.1 | 27.2 | 31.3 |
| Products from Fractionators | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Total Indigenous production | 31.3 | 31.6 | 35.5 |
| % Self Sufficient | 23.4 | 22.8 | 25.0 |
| % Import Dependence | 76.6. | 77.2 | 75.0 |
10. Which of the following statements about the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 approved by the National Advisory Council (NAC) recently is/are correct?
I. It guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households.
II. “Priority households” under the bill consist of Lower Middle Class families.
III. ‘General households’ would be sold foodgrains at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers.
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) on June 23, 2011 approved the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 which aims to make provision of food support to people facing hunger a duty of the state. The bill guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households. The draft bill will now be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.
The Bill draft categorises two types of households as eligible for discounted grain — “priority households” which are below the poverty line (BPL); and “general households” which consist of Lower Middle Class families.
46 per cent of the rural and 28 per cent of urban households are categorised as ‘priority households’.
49 per cent of the rural and 22 per cent of urban households categorised as ‘general group’.
According to the Bill, priority households are entitled to 35 kilos (7 kg per head) per month of foodgrain at the rate of Rs 3 per kg of rice, Rs 2 per kg of wheat, and Re 1 per kg of millets. General households would have the right to 20 kg (4 kg per head) at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers for the respective foodgrain.
The Bill has also stood by the legal backing given to the PDS system, with extensively dealing with aspects like procurement, storage and distribution through Fair Price Shops as the only approach for implementing the provisions of food security.
It also envisaged setting up of a seven-member National Food Commission, to be headed by a sitting or a former Supreme Court judge and similar State Commissions to be presided by a High Court judge.
While legalising PDS, the proposed legislation has made it mandatory for the government to maintain “financial viability of Fair Price Shops” by ensuring “FPS are financially viable by ensuring that reasonable commissions, salaries for the manager are provided in a time bound manner”.
With NAC finalising the draft bill, the ball is now in the government’s court which would have a difficult task of choosing from this and the one prepared by the Food Ministry.
