Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 31-10-2022

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Lok Adalat

1. It is a constitutional body
2. The first Lok Adalat was organised in Gujarat

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

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

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Lok Adalat:

• It means ‘People’s Court’ and is based on Gandhian principles.
• It is one of the components of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system and delivers informal, cheap and expeditious justice to the common people.

• The first Lok Adalat camp was organized in Gujarat in 1982 as a voluntary and conciliatory agency.
• It was given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Article 39A: It provides that State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity

Q2. Which of the following is correctly matched?

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:

Constitutional mandates

Article 51A (g): protect and improve the natural environment

Article 48A: Protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”.

Article 21: Right to a healthy environment.

Q3. Consider the following statements

1. State Pollution Control Boards are established as statutory bodies
2. North Gangetic belts have one of the most polluted cities and rivers

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Pollution control in India

Pollution control boards are established as statutory bodies with powers under the Air(pollution control) act, Water(pollution control) act and Environmental protection act of 1986.

Public policy think tank ‘Centre for policy research’ released a series of papers looking into the causes of poor performance of pollution control bodies in India.

Need for efficient pollution control boards

• North Gangetic belts have one of the most polluted cities and rivers.
• Of the top 30 polluted cities, 9 lie in the north Gangetic belt.
• Yamuna, Damodar and Suvarna Rekha have been marked as biologically dead rivers, with pollution indicators over 5X the prescribed limits.
• High fragmentation of industries lacking the ability to monitor pollution control themselves.
• With rapid economic development and a focus on industry-led growth, pollution control becomes non-negotiable

Reasons for the subpar performance of pollution control boards in India.

• High vacancy rates: With 40 % overall vacancies, the situation is particularly dire in Jharkhand, Haryana and Bihar where vacancies can be over 75%
• Issues with top administration: Lack of full-time administrators creates low efficiency in performance. 53% of the members are part of polluting agencies themselves(local bodies, industries and PSU) creating a potential conflict of interest. Frequent leadership transfers create exceptionally low office terms. It hinders the development and implementation of long-term plans.
• Low technical expertise: technical experts constitute less than 7% of member strength( as compared to the statutory mandate of 50%)
• Poor multi-sectoral coordination.
• Lack of detailed procedure, and quasi-judicial nature creates long- term litigation period

Methods to improve performance

• Financial autonomy: By using the polluter pays concept, agencies must give bank guarantees, which can be forfeited in cases of non- It can form a significant portion of revenue for SPCB.
• Fixed terms for top administrators to improve the separation of legislative and executive.
• A detailed procedure, uniform standards and legislation to reduce litigations.
• Specialized recruitment to improve the technical strengths and improve oversight.
• Capacity building of all stakeholders to improve coordination

Q4. Which of the following states has proposed a new Tiger Reserve; Durgavati Tiger Reserve?

1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Gujarat

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Durgavati Tiger Reserve

• Madhya Pradesh (MP) wildlife board has approved a new reserve for tigers as over 25% of the Panna Tiger Reserve will be submerged by the linking of the Ken-Betwa rivers.
• A green corridor linking Panna with Durgavati will be developed to allow the movement.

Q5. Kolar gold fields are situated in state of

1. Karnataka
2. Maharashtra
3. Kerala
4. Telangana

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Kolar Fields

• Government will revive   mining   of Gold,   Palladium and other minerals form Kolar fields in Karnataka.
• Previously it was closed in 2001 for environmental and economic reasons.