1. Which state is the first in the country to implement agricultural land leasing policy?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
The State government of Uttarakhand recently released a notification that it has made a policy to lease agricultural land, becoming the first Indian state to implement such policy.
According to the policy, any institution, company or NGO can take farm land on lease for 30 years, provided the leased land is below 30 acres. The farmers who own the land will receive the corresponding rent during the leased period. Difficulties in leasing land for agriculture and plantation in hilly areas and consolidation of fragmented land are being solved by the policy.
2. ‘Shiv Bhojan’ scheme, which is aimed at providing a meal to the poor at subsidised rates, was recently launched in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The state government of Maharashtra launched the ‘ Shiv Bhojan’ scheme, which aims to provide a meal to the poor for Rs 10. The scheme was launched on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day celebrations.
Under the scheme, thalis or lunch plates would be available to the people at designated centres in all districts. Nearly 50 ‘Shiv-Bhojan’ outlets were set up in a pilot basis, which will be extended to other parts of the state. The remaining fund needed for providing food will be given as grant to the district collectorate by the state government.
3. The second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) is to be implemented till which financial year?
[A] 2021-22
[B] 2022-23
[C] 2023-24
[D] 2024-25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2024-25]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently approved the Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) till the financial year 2024-25.
The second phase will be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with main focus on Open Defecation Free sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management, collectively called as ODF Plus. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs. 1,40,881 Crores.
4. Which state/UT was host to the ‘National Organic Food Festival’, held recently?
[A] Lakshadweep
[B] Assam
[C] Maharashtra
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
The National Organic Food Festival was recently inaugurated in New Delhi by the Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani.
‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market Potential’ is the theme of the festival. Hundreds of woman entrepreneurs and different self-help groups (SHGs) from across the nation exhibit their organic products in the three-day festival.
5. India is to partner with which country in the implementation of the ‘Purvodaya’ scheme?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Japan
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Purvodaya is a scheme to develop the steel sector in eastern India by creating an integrated steel hub in the eastern region.
Recently Union Minister of Steel Dharmendra Pradhan attended the workshop on “Enabling Procedures for Increase of Steel Usage for the Growth of Economy” at Bhubaneswar in partnership with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Government of Japan. He announced that Japan is the Partner country to make Odisha an important centre of Purvodaya scheme.
6. Women Scientist Scheme C (KIRAN IPR) and Vigyan Jyoti are the schemes of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
Union Minister for Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan launched a new Helpline no 011-26565285, which aims at assisting women students, researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists to get their queries answered related to schemes of Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).
Women Scientist Scheme C (KIRAN IPR) and the newly launched Vigyan Jyoti scheme are the schemes of Ministry of Science and Technology. Under the Vigyan Jyoti scheme, selected women are assisted to attend science camps at IITs, NITs, and other leading institutions.
7. What is the name of the initiative of Civil Aviation Ministry which aims to supply medical supplies across country amid lockdown?
[A] Corona Udan
[B] Lifeline Udan
[C] Medico Udan
[D] Covid Udan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lifeline Udan]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched a new initiative called ‘Lifeline Udan’ under which flights are operated to transport essential medical supplies across the country amid coronavirus lockdown.
The air carriers which are involved in Lifeline Udan operations include Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans. Cargo hubs have been established at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata
8. ‘Apthamithra’ is the name of the helpline and a mobile app, launched by which Indian state/UT, in its efforts to tackle Covid-19?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Odisha
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
The state government of Karnataka has recently launched a helpline in the name of “Apthamitra”, which aims at providing medical advice and guidance for the needy people.
The helpline comprises of both a toll-free number and a mobile application and was launched by the Chief Minister of the state. The helpline could be contacted, if anyone has symptoms of coronavirus. An expert medical team would provide medical advice to the user, based on their symptoms.
9. As per the recent announcement from the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, what is the objective of the Rs 1 trillion fund, proposed to be set up by the Government?
[A] Developing Health infrastructure
[B] Repaying outstanding debts of MSMEs
[C] Bail-out package to MSMEs
[D]
Insurance package to MSMEs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Repaying outstanding debts of MSMEs]
Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, he has devised a scheme to set up a Rs 1 trillion fund, which is to be launched by the Government after the approval of Cabinet.
This fund will be utilised for repaying outstanding payments to MSMEs owed by the PSUs, central and state governments and major industries. This is also expected to increase liquidity in the market. As per his statement, the Ministry is also working on fast-tracking GST refunds to help MSMEs.
10. SWAMITVA Scheme, which was seen news recently, is a new initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Human Resources and Development
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[D] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Panchayati Raj]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India recently launched the SWAMITVA Scheme, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj day. It was in news recently, as the Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar issued guidelines regarding the scheme.
SWAMITVA scheme aims to provide rural people with the right to document their residential properties by engaging the latest Drone surveying technology. It is currently being implemented in six states – Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
