Daily Quiz 28th May 2024

Answer: C
Explanation: The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division is entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). Initially, the Scheme was under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development and Planning. In October, 1994, the scheme was transferred to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
• Statement 1 is correct: Each MP constituency receives Rs. 5 crore annually under the MPLADS. Lok Sabha Members can recommend projects within their constituencies. Rajya Sabha Members can recommend projects in one or more districts of their elected state. Nominated Members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can choose one or more districts from any state for project implementation.
• Statements 2 and 3 are correct: MPLADS funds are used for public assets on government-owned or government-controlled land and institutions. Funds not utilised are carried forward to the next financial year or next MP. MPs recommend developmental works for asset creation and amenities in sectors such as drinking water, primary education, public health, sanitation, and roads. MPs must recommend at least 15% of the annual entitlement for Scheduled Caste areas and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe areas.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Funds are directly transferred by the Centre to the district authorities, not to MPs. MPs only recommend projects; the district authority handles sanctioning, execution, and completion. MPs recommend projects to district administration which then seeks approval from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Fund Disbursal is dependent on MPs submitting monthly progress reports (MPRs).

Answer: D
Explanation:
• Statement (d) is correct: The process by which stars forge elements inside their cores. It is the process that involves the creation of chemical elements by nuclear fusion reactions within stars. It all starts with hydrogen, the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. Inside stars, hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium, releasing energy in the process. This energy is what we perceive as the star’s light and heat. After the hydrogen is depleted, the star begins to fuse helium into heavier elements like carbon and oxygen. As stars evolve, they can fuse heavier elements in their cores. For example, carbon can fuse into neon, sodium, and magnesium. This process continues, creating elements up to iron. For elements heavier than iron, the process requires a supernova—a massive star explosion.
• Exception: Hydrogen, the most abundant and lightest element in the universe, was formed in the initial aftermath of the Big Bang and not through stellar nucleosynthesis.

Answer: A
Explanation:
• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Mt. Ibu erupted and sent ash 4 km (2.5 miles) high, as streaks of purple lightning flashed around its crater. Mt. Ibu is an active stratovolcano located on Halmahera Island in Indonesia. It stands at an elevation of approximately 1,325 metres (4,347 feet) above sea level. The volcano is situated on the northwestern coast of the island, within the Maluku Islands chain. Ibu is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes which erupted more than 21,000 times last year.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Mount Pelée or Mont Pelée in French, is an active volcano at the northern end of Martinique, an island and French overseas department in the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc of the Caribbean. Its volcanic cone is composed of stratified layers of hardened ash and solidified lava. Its most recent eruption was in 1932. Mt. Pelee is famous for the May 8, 1902 eruption which killed 29,000 people and destroyed the city of St. Pierre.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Ruang is the southernmost stratovolcano in the Sangihe Islands arc, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It comprises an island 4 by 5 kilometres wide. Mount Ruang, a 725-meter (2,400-foot) volcano on Ruang Island, North Sulawesi, has been erupting in spectacular fashion on and off since mid-April 2024, posing a growing threat to those living nearby and to air traffic in the region.

Answer: A
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct: The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is an international trade approach adopted by developed countries to offer lower tariffs and incentives for economic reform in developing countries. Each developed country customises its GSP programme with criteria for economic reforms, ensuring no harm to domestic production. GSP helps developing countries access global trade, supports small businesses, and women-owned enterprises, and provides alternatives to Chinese imports. It promotes labour, environmental, and intellectual property reforms, reducing tariff bills for American companies.
• Statement 2 is correct: GSP provides customs duty reduction for exports made by beneficiary developing countries like India to GSP granting developed countries like the European Union (EU), UK and others. The GSP customs duty is lower than the normal customs duty (or MFN duty) of the developed country.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: an exporter under the GSP is required to fulfil the rules of origin under the GSP scheme. The rules of origin are the criteria required to ensure that the product exported originates from the country of export and is not being diverted from another country.

Answer: B
Explanation: The Spices Board of India is conducting inspections at various MDH and Everest processing plants across the country to ensure that spice exports comply with the standards required by their respective export destinations.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Spices Board India is a statutory organisation constituted on 26th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986. Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India is the nodal ministry.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Spice board of India was formed through the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board and Spices Export Promotion Council. Tea Board was set up as a statutory body on 1st April, 1954 as per Section (4) of the Tea Act, 1953. As an apex body, it looks after the overall development of the tea industry.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Board serves as an international link between Indian exporters and importers abroad, engaging in activities across all segments of the spices sector. It is responsible for the overall development of small and large cardamom, focusing on improving production, productivity, and quality. It implements programmes to enhance the quality of 52 scheduled spices for export. It Includes various development programmes and post-harvest quality improvement initiatives.