Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 11.11.21

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs)

1. Only elected members of Loksabha and Rajyasabha are eligible for the scheme
2. The scheme is in continuous operation since 1993 when it was first introduced

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Union Cabinet brings back the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs)

1. Citing economic recovery, the Union Cabinet restored the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) that was suspended in April 2020 subsuming the funds for the scheme in the consolidated fund of India.
2. The scheme was suspended for two financial years (2020-21 and 2021-22) but the Government announced a partial rollback. The MPs will get ₹2 crores instead of the annually approved ₹5 crores.
3. When the suspension was announced last year, the Government had claimed that ₹8,000 crores that would have otherwise been spent under the scheme will go to the consolidated fund of India and will be used for fighting the pandemic.

Q2. Which of the following is/are possible benefits of ethanol blending in patrol?

1. Reduced dependency on crude oil import
2. Increasing income for sugarcane farmers
3.Saving in foreign exchange
4. Beneficial for environment

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Centre approves incentives for sugar cane, cotton, jute farmers 

1. The CCEA increased the price of ethanol extracted from sugar cane juice for blending in petrol to ₹63.45 a litre in the coming sugar marketing season starting December.
2. The rate for ethanol extracted from C-heavy molasses has been increased by 97 paise a litre, while that of ethanol extracted from B-heavy molasses is up ₹1.47 as well.
3.Ethanol blending with petrol is expected to reach 10% next year and 20% by 2025. Oil marketing companies buy ethanol from sugar mills and distilleries at the rate set by the Government.
4. By reducing the sugar surplus and increasing mills’ liquidity, the rate hike is expected to reduce their pending arrears in payment to sugar cane farmers.
5. The ethanol blending programme also reduced the dependence on crude oil imports.

Q3. Which of the following regions is/are well known for the production of cotton?

1. Malwa
2.Vidarbha
3. Kathiawad

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Q4. Which of the following states is/are known for the production of Jute?

1. West Bengal
2. Bihar
3. Assam
Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Jute in packaging
1. The CCEA approved reservation norms for the mandatory use of jute in packaging this year,stipulating that 100% of foodgrains and 20% of sugar must compulsorily be packed in jute bags. Such reservation consumed two-thirds of the total raw jute production last year.
2. As the Centre itself purchases jute sacking bags worth approximately ₹8,000 crores a year to pack grains, it also ensures a guaranteed market for the produce of 40 lakh jute farmers, mostly in eastern India, and supports 3.7 lakh jute mill workers, largely in West Bengal.

Q5. Consider the following statement about a country and identify it

1. India has the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with this country
2. This country has given India the Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status in recent years

Select the correct answer from the options given below

a. France
b. Israel
c. USA
d. Russia

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

India, U.S. monitoring defence trade projects

1. As part of efforts for co-production and codevelopment of defence equipment under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), India and the U.S. agreed on a revised Statement of Intent (SOI) to strengthen the dialogue by “pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress” on several specific projects.
2. The aim of the group was to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for coproduction and co-development of defence equipment, the statement noted.
3. Four Joint Working Groups focused on land, naval, air and aircraft carrier technologies had been established under the DTTI to promote mutually agreed projects.
4. This forum offers an opportunity for Indian and U.S. industries to be directly involved in DTTI and facilitates dialogue between government and industry on issues that impact industrial collaboration.