Daily Current Affairs MCQ- April 2, 2022 - UPSC MCQ

India's core sector growth grew by 5.8% in February, data recently released by the commerce and industry ministry.

The output of eight infrastructure sectors had registered a growth of 4.0% year-on-year in January 2022 while in February 2021, it had contracted by 3.3%. The index of eight core industries measures the output of eight infrastructure industries - coal, crude, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, cement, steel and electricity.

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

According to the Odisha wildlife department the dolphin population along Odisha’s coast and in its waterbodies has increased but the number of Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika lake has fallen.

• Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. 
• Irrawaddy dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and mentioned as endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species. 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

PM Modi attended the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit through a video conference.

• It is an economic bloc that came into being in June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
• Its aim is to counter the onslaught of globalisation by accelerating regional growth through mutual cooperation by utilising regional resources and geographical advantages.
• BIMSTEC was initially formed with four member states- Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand on June 6, 1997.
• Nepal became an observer state in 1998 and became full-time member of the bloc along with Bhutan in February 2004.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Zoonotic diseases, impact humankind since the beginning of its association with animals. They are also the most numerous ones. Out of all the human disease-causing pathogens identified so far, over 60% are of animal origin . These include the causative agents for several well-known human and livestock diseases such as Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Anthrax, Leptospirosis, and Rabies.

Though the natural genetic changes that make these pathogens more infectious and lethal are outside our control, several field observations and scientific investigations have established that the increased incidences of zoonotic diseases in recent times are a direct consequence of the ongoing abuse of nature.

Our irresponsible actions such as large scale deforestation and encroachment of pristine natural ecosystems; reckless land-use changes either to enhance agriculture and livestock productions, or to provide land for infrastructure and industrial developments; and unsustainable consumption, coupled with unregulated trade of wildlife and their derivatives, often via a long and unhygienic supply chain, provide the enabling conditions for such disease spillovers.

Due to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming is already 1°C higher than the pre-industrial levels. There is vast evidence that this has serious consequences for ecosystems and human being. The IPCC’s special report on Oceans and Cryosphere (published in 2019) reveals that the ocean is 0.8 degrees warmer than the pre-industrial age. It is more acidic, and less productive because of the carbon emission that was sunk by the oceans.

The impact of ocean warming would be an increase in the frequency of tropical cyclone winds and rainfall , as well as an increase in extreme waves, all of which would be accompanied by a rise in relative sea level. 

The FSR looks at questions like do Indian banks (both public and private) have enough capital to run their operations? Are the levels of bad loans (or non-performing assets) within manageable limits? Are different sectors of the economy able to get credit (or new loans) for economic activity such as starting a new business or buying a new house or car?

• Chilika is Asia's largest and world's second-largest lagoon. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand.
• It spreads over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometres.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
• In 1981, Chilika Lake has designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

• Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 gives sweeping powers to the armed forces.
  • For example, it allows them to open fire, even causing death, against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Also, it gives them powers to arrest individuals without warrants, on the basis of “reasonable suspicion”, and search premises without warrants.
• It can be imposed by the Centre or the Governor of a state, on the state or parts of it, after these areas are declared “disturbed’’ under Section 3. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The Act was amended in 1972 and the powers to declare an area as “disturbed” were conferred concurrently upon the Central government along with the States.
  • Currently, the Union Home Ministry issues periodic “disturbed area” notification to extend AFSPA only for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The notification for Manipur and Assam is issued by the State governments.
  • Tripura revoked the Act in 2015 and Meghalaya was under AFSPA for 27 years, until it was revoked by the MHA from 1st April 2018.
• The armed forces must act in cooperation with the district administration and not as an independent body. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

• Geo-heritage Sites refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the parent body which is making efforts towards identification and protection of geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments in the country. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Siwalik Fossil Park, Himachal Pradesh and Stromatolite bearing Dolomite / Limestone of Buxa Formation of Buxa Formation, Sikkim have been accorded Geo-heritage sites tag. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

• Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance” (RAMP) scheme which would commence in FY 2022-23. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is in line with the recommendations made by U K Sinha Committee, KV Kamath Committee and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Reserve Bank of India had constituted an ‘Expert Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ under the Chairmanship of Shri U K Sinha in 2019 to suggest long-term measures for the economic and financial sustainability of the MSME sector.
• It is a World Bank assisted Central Sector Scheme, supporting various CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (Covid) Resilience and Recovery Interventions of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME). Hence, statement 3 is correct.