Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 11-08-2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Taiwan is surrounded by South China Sea, East China Sea and Philippine Sea
2. Malacca strait separates Taiwan from China

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1. 1 only
   2. 2 only
   3. Both 1 and 2
   4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Electricity is a regulated sector and a concurrent subject in the Indian polity
2. Public companies mostly dominate the power sector across the value chain, except in the generation sector where private sector is very active

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Electricity is a regulated sector and a concurrent subject in the Indian polity. This implies that both central and state governments play key roles, and can regulate and operate in the electricity market. Figure summarises the role of key stakeholders with respect to policy-making, regulation and key market functions (generation, transmission, operation, etc.).

At the national level, policy-making is undertaken by Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy with state level policies being driven by power or energy departments of the state and union-territories.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Regulatory Commissions of the state (SERCs) are largely responsible to design the broad contours of the power sector in the country. They frame regulations for power generators (government and private), transmission utilities and the distribution companies in their areas of jurisdiction.

Public companies mostly dominate the power sector across the value chain, except in the generation sector where private sector is very active. While central government backed generation companies may supply power to multiple states, generation companies owned by state governments supply power to the parent state only. Post generation, electricity is transmitted through government or private transmission utilities. The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), responsible for majority of the inter-state transmission projects. Similarly, each state has a State Transmission Utility (STU) along with private transmission companies which are responsible for setting up intra- state transmission projects. Companies like Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) along with National, Regional and State Dispatch Centres (NLDC, RLDC, SLDC) work in tandem to ensure grid security and balance. Distribution companies (mostly state government owned with few private ones) conduct distribution and retail operations with customers.

In addition to the above stakeholders, an important role is played by trading companies and power exchanges to balance the demand and supply of power. A wholesale electricity market ecosystem has been created for easy interaction between generators and large consumers at both national and state level.

Relevance & Impact

The Indian power sector is highly complex, given that both central and state government are responsible for its development. Any successful development of infrastructure (power project, transmission or distribution lines) requires buy-in from various stakeholders of central and state government. Many power generating and distribution companies are currently facing severe financial stress due to sector-wide challenges beyond their control. With legislations governing the power sector continuing to evolve (such as amendments to the Electricity Act 2003), the role of many stakeholders is expected to change, leading to simplification in the process of generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption of electricity.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Battle of Koregaon

1. The Battle of Koregaon was fought between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy
2. The battle was part of the Third Anglo-Maratha war
3. There is a "victory pillar" (obelisk) in Koregaon commemorating the battle

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

SC grants bail to Varavara in Bhima Koregaon case

The Supreme Court granted permanent medical bail to 82-year-old P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon case, rejecting the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s argument that an accused booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) cannot be let out on bail on grounds of old age or medical condition.

The Battle of Koregaon

It was fought on 1 January 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.

A 28,000-strong force led by Peshwa Baji Rao II whilst on their way to attack the company-held Pune, were unexpectedly met by an 800-strong Company force that was on its way to reinforce the British troops in Pune. The Peshwa dispatched around 2,000 soldiers to attack the force which sought entrenchment in Koregaon. Led by Captain Francis Staunton, the Company troops defended their position for nearly 12 hours, before the Peshwa's troops ultimately withdrew, fearing the imminent arrival of a larger British force.

The battle was part of the Third Anglo-Maratha war, a series of battles that culminated in the defeat of the Peshwa rule and subsequent rule of the British East India Company in nearly all of Western, Central and Southern India. There is a "victory pillar" (obelisk) in Koregaon commemorating the battle.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the cooperative sector

1. The cooperatives can be buyers as well sellers on the Centre’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal
2. There are nearly 54 lakh cooperatives, with a membership count of 29 crore

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

A mega push for the cooperative sector

Two months after the Union Cabinet approved the registration of cooperatives as buyers on the Centre’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah launched the onboarding of cooperatives. This step, the Centre hopes, will enable India’s

cooperatives to purchase goods and services at competitive prices. The minister also asked cooperatives to register themselves as sellers on the platform to sell their products to government buyers. The plan to re-energise the sector has been in the making for some time. Last year, the government created a ministry to provide an administrative, legal, and policy framework to strengthen the sector. This was a vital step since there are nearly 8.54 lakh cooperatives, with a membership count of 29 crore.

India’s cooperative movement, which started in the British era, was born out of the distress of the last quarter of the 19th century when the Industrial Revolution crippled village industries and pushed back people to agriculture. The movement gained strength during the freedom movement. It continued to do so after Independence, drawing sustenance from the Gandhian thought that underlined the necessity for cooperation to create a socialist State. But over the decades, many cooperatives have failed to deliver. Studies have shown the cooperative structure has flourished in a handful of states. But many cooperatives need a fresh infusion of funds. The government’s move can restore the importance of the critical cooperative structure and provide it with a new lease of life, help the sector to innovate and diversify its product range, and ensure better income opportunities for its members.

Q5. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is situated in:

1. Russia
2. Poland
3. Belarus
4. Ukraine

Answer d)

Explanation:

The Zaporizhzhia plant is in southern Ukraine, near the town of Enerhodar on the banks of the Dnieper River. It is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. Built during the Soviet era, it has six reactors with a total capacity of 5,700 megawatts. Three of the reactors are in operation.