Q71. In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?
1. Central Statistics Office
2. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
3. Labour Bureau
4. National Technical Manpower Information System
Solution C
Labour Bureau has been engaged in collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of labour statistics at All India and State level on different facets of labour since its inception in the year 1920. It releases annual publication titled, ‘Industrial Disputes, Closures, Retrenchments and Lay -Offs in industries in India’.
It provides statistics on work -stoppages, closures, retrenchments and lockouts which is useful in making policies for maintaining cordial and harmonious relations between the management and the worker. This report is also aimed at meeting the demand for historical data and information on industrial conflicts and their causes by the planners, policy makers and decision makers in industry and government.
Q72. In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO) ?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4
Solution A
Functions of Coal Controller’s Organization
- (i) Under Colliery Control Rules, 2004: (a) To lay down procedure and standard for sampling of coal.
- (b) Inspection of collieries so as to ensure the correctness of the class, grade or size of coal.
- (c) To issue directives for the purpose of declaration and maintenance of grades of coal of a seam mined in a colliery.
- (d) To act as the appellate authority in case of dispute between consumers and owner arising out of declaration of grade and size of coal.
- (e) To regulate disposal of stock of coal or the expected output of coal in the colliery.
- (f) Quality surveillance with respect to maintenance of grade, loading of coal in wagons/ trucks according to laid down procedures regarding grades and sizes.
- (g) To grant opening / re-opening permission of coal mine, seam or a section of seam or to subdivide a mine.
- (ii) Under Collection of Statistics Act, 2008:
- (a) Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority with respect to coal and lignite statistics. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- (b) Entrusted the responsibility of carrying out Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.
- (c) Submission of monthly coal data to different ministries of central and state Govt., national and international organization.
- (d) Collection of Statistics relating to coal washeries.
- (iii) Under Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957:
- Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government’s Notification relating to acquisition of coal bearing land and to furnish his reports to Central Govt. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- (iv) Under Coal Mines (Conservation & Development) Act, 1974 and Coal Mines (Conservation and Development) Amendment Rules, 2011:
- (a) Assessment and collection of excise duty levied on all raw coal raised and dispatched.
- (b) Providing financial support to the coal operators for
- Ensuring the conservation of coal resources: Stowing in UG mines.
- Undertaking the development of coal mines in a scientific manner. -Undertaking research in relation to conservation of coal, development of coal mines and utilization of coal.
- Protective works including blanketing with incombustible material, N2 & CO2 flushing, filling up of subsided areas, cutting of trenches etc.
- Infrastructure development such as Road / Rail infrastructures in coalfields.
- It also monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks. Hence statement 2 is correct
Q73. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it?
(a)This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
(b)This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
(c)This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
(d)The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
Solution A
Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India
The Indian Constitution provides autonomy to tribal areas in matters of governance under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, which is further fortified by the Samatha v. State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors (1997) judgment where the Supreme Court declared that the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining was null and void under the Fifth Schedule.
At present, 10 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Scheduled Areas.
- Special Provisions for Fifth Schedule Areas:
- The Union Government shall have executive powers to give directions to the States as to the administration of the Scheduled Areas.
- Provision for establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) in any State having Scheduled Areas.
- The Governor may make regulations:
- prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by or among members of the Scheduled tribes in such area;
- regulate the allotment of land to members of the STs in such area;
- regulate the carrying on of business as money-lender by persons who lend money to members of the STs in such area.
Q74. Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs ‘in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Solution D
The India Sanitation Coalition was launched on June 25, 2015, at FICCI, New Delhi. ISC is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together the private sector, government, financial institutions, civil society groups, media, donors/bilateral/multilateral, experts etc. to work in the sanitation space to drive sustainable sanitation through a partnership model. Hence Statement 1 is not correct.
Established in 1976, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), is a premier Institute and appointed as an apex body to support and guide the Government of India in its urban development plans. Hence Statement 2 is correct
Q75. Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
(a)Central Water Commission
(b)Central Ground Water Board
(c)Central Ground Water Authority
(d)National Water Development Agency
Solution C
Central Ground Water Authority has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country. It issues necessary regulatory directions for the purpose. It exercises powers under the Act for the appointment of officers.
Q76. With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)3 only
(b)1 and 3
(c)2 and 3
(d)1 and 2
Solution A
The United Nations Credentials Committee is a committee of the United Nations General Assembly whose main purpose is to report to the Assembly regarding the credentials of the body’s representatives. UN Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly. It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President. The Assembly meets in regular sessions from September to December each year, and thereafter as required. It discusses specific issues through dedicated agenda items or sub-items, which lead to the adoption of resolutions. Hence statements 1 and 2 are not correct.
The credentials of representatives and the names of members of the delegation of each Member State are submitted to the Secretary-General and are issued either by the Head of the State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q77. Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’?
(a)It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
(b)It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
(c)It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
(d)It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.
Solution A
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters or Polar Code is an international regime adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2014. The Code sets out regulations for shipping in the polar regions, principally relating to ice navigation and ship design.
Q78. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution D
In December, 2021, United Nations General Assembly granted Observer status to International Solar Alliance.
Observer status is a privilege granted by some organizations to non-members to give them an ability to participate in the organization’s activities. The United Nations General Assembly grants Permanent Observer Status to non-member states, international organisations and other entities. According to UN website, “observer status would be confined to states and intergovernmental organisations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly”. The Sixth Committee of the General Assembly considers all applications for observer status before they are considered in the plenary session. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct.
The Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the U.N. headquarters. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q79. With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a)1 and 3
(b)2 and 4
(c)3 and 4
(d)1 and 4
Solution D
The genesis of the Tea Board India dates back to 1903 when the Indian Tea Cess Bill was passed. The present Tea Board set up under section 4 of the Tea Act 1953 was constituted on 1st April 1954. It has succeeded the Central Tea Board and the Indian Tea Licensing Committee which functioned respectively under the Central Tea Board Act,1949 and the Indian Tea Control Act, 1938 which were repealed. The activities of the two previous bodies had been confined largely to regulation of tea cultivation and export of tea as required by the International Tea Agreement then in force, and promotion of tea Consumption. Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 is not correct: The present Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce. The Board is constituted of 31 members (including Chairman) drawn from Members of Parliament, tea producers, tea traders, tea brokers, consumers, and representatives of Governments from the principal tea producing states, and trade unions. The Board is reconstituted every three years.
Statement 3 is not correct: Its head office is located at Kolkata (West Bengal).
Statement 4 is correct: Currently Tea Board has two overseas offices located at Dubai, and Moscow. All these foreign offices of the Board are designed to undertake the various promotional measures to boost up export of Indian tea. These offices also act as a liaison office for interaction between importers of Indian tea of the respective regions as well as Indian Exporters.
Q80. Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing” ?
(a) Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
(b) Non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
(c) Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
(d) Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme
Greenwashing is when a company purports to be environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but actually isn’t making any notable sustainability efforts.