Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 25-01-2023

Q1. What are some examples of what constitutes the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution according to the Kesavananda Bharati case?

1. Supremacy
2. Federal and secular character of the Constitution
3. Separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary
4. All of the above

Answer (d)

Explanation:

The basic structure doctrine:

• The Kesavananda Bharati judgement held that Parliament cannot use its constituent power to alter the basic structure or the essential features of the Constitution. The Parliament said it cannot cease to be a creature of the Constitution and become its master.
• Granville Austin’s Working of a Democratic Constitution said the basic structure doctrine “is fairly said to have become the bedrock of constitutional interpretation in India”.
• Different judges on the Kesavananda Bharati Bench gave different examples of what constituted the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution, including supremacy; the federal and secular character of the Constitution; separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary; dignity of the individual; unity and integrity of the nation; sovereignty of India; democratic character of our policy; welfare state and egalitarian society; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship and equality of status and opportunity among other essential features.
• In 1980, the court once again used the basic structure formula, in the Minerva Mills challenge to the 42nd Amendment, to uphold judicial review of constitutional amendments and to protect fundamental rights.

Q2. Which of the following rivers does not originate in India?

1. Ganges
2. Yamuna
3. Indus
4. Godavari

Answer: c. Indus

Explanation: The Indus River originates in the Tibetan plateau and flows through China, Pakistan, and India before emptying into the Arabian Sea. It is one of the longest rivers in Asia, with a total length of about 3,180 km.

Q3. Which of the following rivers is a trans-boundary river that flows through India, China, and Bangladesh?

1. Godavari
2. Krishna
3. Brahmaputra
4. Tapi

Answer: c. Brahmaputra

Explanation: The Brahmaputra River is a trans-boundary river that originates in Tibet and flows through China, India, and Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the major rivers in Asia and plays an important role in the region's agriculture and trade.

Q4. Which of the following rivers passes through Panna Tiger Reserve?

1. Betwa
2. Ken
3. Son
4. Chambal

Answer: b. Ken

Explanation:

• Recently the government reiterated that KBLP is a “flagship” project of the national government and that it “is critical for the water security and socio-economic development of Bundelkhand region”.
• The link will be in the form of a canal that will be fed by the new Daudhan Dam on the Ken, to be built within the Panna TigerReserve. The national government has said that the dam will generate 103MW of hydroelectric power.

• The project expected to provide drinking water and irrigate 6.3 lakh hectares of land every year.

Challenges against KBLP:

• However, hydrological and ecological experts aren’t convinced, mainly because the government’s plan is based on a ‘surplus and deficit’ model that they have said has little basis in science.
• They are also concerned that the project will endanger the water security of Panna.

Effect on Panna’s tigers:

• Panna is an exceptional tiger habitat because of its deep gorges, which will be drowned if a new dam is built. A hastily approved project may bring to naught all the good, hard work of the past.
• The government is also developing a larger ‘Panna Tiger Landscape’, but this is not the concession many believe it to be. This landscape should be created in any case for Panna’s tigers.

Against this background, rushing the KBLP sans due diligence — both technical and legal — will intensify water conflicts between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; dash locals’ longstanding expectations of irrigation and drinking water; and cost a decade’s labour and funds. Ahead of the forthcoming 2023-2024 Union budget, one hopes that we won’t be saddled with a textbook loss-loss project.

Panna Biosphere Reserve :

It falls in bio-geographic zones of Deccan Peninsula and Biotic Province of Central highlands . It comprises effectively protected and minimally disturbed areas. The areas have different landuses, forests, agriculture, water bodies, settlements and wasteland which provide ample scope for research and management.

Panna Biosphere Reserve area is the habitat of various rare and endangered species. Panna National Park has also been declared as Panna Tiger Reserve, apart from this the entire area of Panna national Park and 3 parts of Gangau Sanctuary have also been notified as Critical Tiger Habitat Area

Q5. Which of the following are nesting sites of the Olive Ridley turtles?

1. Rushikulya river
2. Devi river
3. Gahirmatha

Select the correct answer from codes given below

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

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Mass mortality of Olive Ridley turtles in A.P. raises concerns:

• Hundreds of vulnerable Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) have washed ashore along the coastline between Kakinada and Antarvedi in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh during the ongoing annual breeding season on the east coast.
• The effluents being released from the aqua ponds along the coastline and the discharges from the pipelines of the onshore oil exploration facilities are blamed for the mass mortality of the turtles.

Q6. Which of the following rivers is known for its sacredness and religious importance in Hinduism?

1. Ganges
2. Brahmaputra
3. Indus
4. Damodar

Answer: a. Ganges

Explanation: The Ganges River is considered sacred and of religious importance in Hinduism. Millions of Hindus visit the river to take a dip in its holy waters, which is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings. It is also the longest river in India, with a total length of about 2,525 km.

Q7. Which of the following rivers is known for its high silt load, causing issues in navigation and floods?

1. Ganges
2. Brahmaputra
3. Yamuna
4. Sutlej

Answer: b. Brahmaputra

Explanation: The Brahmaputra River is known for its high silt load, which causes issues in navigation. The river carries a large amount of sediment from the Himalayan foothills, making it difficult for ships to navigate the river. The high silt load also causes frequent changes in the river's course, leading to erosion and flooding in the surrounding areas.