21. What is the quantum of the special economic package “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” announced by the Government of India?
[A] Rs. 5 lakh crore
[B] Rs. 10 lakh crore
[C] Rs. 20 lakh crore
[D] Rs. 30 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 20 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India recently unveiled a special economic package titled “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” to the tune of Rs. 20 lakh crore. It aims to stimulate the economic activities of the country, ahead of the 4th phase of the lockdown.
The stimulus package also includes Rs 1.7 lakh crore package of free food grains to poor and cash to poor women and elderly, that was announced in the month of March in the name of PM Karib Kalyan Yojana. It also includes the liquidity measures and interest cuts announced by RBI. The Prime Minister said the package will focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws.
22. What is the percentage reduction in the rates of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) and Tax Collection at Source (TCS), as per the recent economic package?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [25]
Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently proposed Rs 50,000 crore of liquidity by reducing the TDS and TCS rates for certain payments including interest, dividend, rent payments and other payments by non-individuals.
The rates of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) for non-salaried payments made to residents and rates of Tax Collection at Source (TCS) for receipts will be reduced by 25 per cent of the existing rates. This reduction in rates will be effective from 14.05.2020 to 31.03.2021.
23. What is the term of the ‘Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)’, that was recently approved by the Defence Ministry?
[A] Three years
[B] Five years
[C] Seven years
[D] Ten years
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Five years]
Notes:
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the launch of ‘Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)’.
The outlay of the scheme is Rs.400 crore and the scheme would be implemented for a term of five years. The scheme aims to set up six to eight new test facilities in partnership with private industry and boost the domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing. The projects will be granted 75 percent funding from the government and the remaining will be borne by the SPVs.
24. Which state is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
It has already implemented a pilot project in two districts of the state to monitor whether potable water in prescribed quantity and quality is provided to every rural household regularly. The state has planned to provide 11.15 lakh household tap connections in the rural areas during 2020-21.
25. Which Indian state/UT has launched a revival package for MSMEs called ‘ReSTART’?
[A] Odisha
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh Government has rolled out a revival package for the MSMEs of the state called ‘ReSTART’. The outlay of the scheme is ₹1,110-crore.
The main features of the package are the payment of all outstanding incentives to MSME units, waiver of 3 months fixed demand charges and working capital loans to MSMEs and better market access. The MSMEs Preferential Market Access Policy will ensure that 25 % of government purchases will be from Micro and small units. A task force for attracting investments has been formed under the Industries Minister.
26. How many additional Minor Forest produce items were included in Minimum Support Price List by the Tribal Affairs Ministry?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [23]
Notes:
Ministry of Tribal Affairs has announced Inclusion of 23 additional Minor Forest Produce (MFP) items in the Minimum Support Price List.
Under the “Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce through Minimum Support price and development of Value Chain of MFP” scheme of 2011, the forest dwellers are safeguarded by a minimum price. This is implemented by the TRIFED organisation. This inclusion has increased the coverage from 50 to 73 items in the list.
27. What is the name of the scheme that was launched in 2015, to promote organic farming among small and marginal farmers?
[A] Pradhan Mantri KISAN Vikas Yojana
[B] Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
[C] Organic Farming Mission
[D] Operation Greens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana]
Notes:
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was launched by the Agriculture Ministry under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) in 2015. It was launched with an aim to promote organic farming among small and marginal farmers.
Recently, the NITI Aayog organised an online High-level Roundtable, which was attended by several national and international experts and policy makers. It aims to boost agroecological and natural farming practices in India. The Agriculture Minister said that PKVY covered 7 lakh hectares and 8 lakh farmers.
28. The Union Government has launched a drive to issue Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to which category of farmers?
[A] Dairy farmers
[B] Poultry farmers
[C] Horticulture farmers
[D] Pisciculture farmers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dairy farmers]
Notes:
The Union Government has recently launched Kisan Credit Card campaign to help dairy farmers.
The Government will provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to about 1.5 crore dairy farmers who belong to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies. The drive seeks to provide KCC to the farmers within the next two months before July 31, under a special drive. The special drive to provide KCC is part of the Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat package.
29. What is the objective of the new initiative SWADES, that was seen in news recently?
[A] Environment conservation
[B] Employment Generation
[C] Defence Procurement
[D] Farmer welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Employment Generation]
Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs have jointly launched a new initiative named SWADES.
SWADES stands for Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support. Since many Indian citizens are returning under Vande Bharat Mission, this scheme aims to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the qualified people. The information will be shared with the companies for suitable job opportunities in the country.
30. Indian Naval Ship Kesari reached which country to provide essential medicines under Mission Sagar?
[A] Madagascar
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Seychelles
[D] Mauritius
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Seychelles]
Notes:
The Indian Naval Ship Kesari reached Port Victoria in Seychelles to provide COVID-19 related essential medicines, as a part of Mission Sagar.
Under Mission Sagar, the government of India is extending assistance to friendly foreign countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. The programme is being implemented in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and other Government agencies. This is in line with the ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ vision proposed by the Government earlier.
