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#1. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with respect to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project?
#2. Which of the following statement/s is are correct with respect to Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?
#3. Consider the following statements about Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act:
Current affairs quiz today – 02nd Feb. 2021.
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Results
#1. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with respect to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project?
1. It marks a collaboration between India and Myanmar.
2. It would connect to the state of Manipur in India.
ANS: (A) 1 only
Explanation:
- The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project aims to connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea.
- In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
#2. Which of the following statement/s is are correct with respect to Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?
1. The scheme shall provide a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
2. One Lakh Crore is the amount earmarked for the fund.
3. APMCs can also seek loans from the AIF.
ANS: (C) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
- The Union Cabinet in July 2020 has approved a new pan India Central Sector Scheme called Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. The scheme shall provide a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
- The duration of the Scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years).
- Under the scheme, Rs. One Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Marketing Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Group (SHG), Farmers, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, Aggregation Infrastructure Providers and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Project.
- APMCs have been allowed to tap into the Rs.1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) as announced in the recent budget.
#3. Consider the following statements about Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act:
1. The FCRA Act, 2010 was implemented by the Ministry of Finance.
2. It gives unlimited freedom to accept foreign contributions without the permission of the associated ministry.
3. The FCRA (Amendment) Act, 2020 allows public servants to receive foreign contributions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
ANS: (B) 2 only
Explanation
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010
- Foreign funding of persons in India is regulated under FCRA Act and is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- Individuals are permitted to accept foreign contributions without permission of MHA. However, the monetary limit for acceptance of such foreign contributions shall be less than Rs. 25,000. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- Under the Act, organisations are required to register themselves every five years.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020
- Prohibition to accept foreign contribution: The Act bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions. Public servant includes any person who is in service or pay of the government, or remunerated by the government for the performance of any public duty. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
- Transfer of foreign contribution:Â The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person not registered to accept foreign contributions.
- Aadhaar for registration:Â The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contribution, as an identification document.
- FCRA account:Â The Act states that foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
- Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes:Â The Act proposes that not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be defrayed for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010 the limit was 50%.
- Surrender of certificate:Â The Act allows the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.
#4. The “Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk” report is released by?
ANS: (B) United Nations
Explanation
- According to a United Nations (UN) report “Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk”, over 1,000 large dams in India will be roughly 50 years old in 2025 and such ageing embankments across the world pose a growing threat. Hence, option B is correct.
- The report, compiled by Canada-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, says the world is unlikely to witness another large dam-building revolution as in the mid-20th century, but dams constructed then will inevitably be showing their age.
- The analysis includes dam decommissioning or ageing case studies from the USA, France, Canada, India, Japan, and Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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