25 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

1. Consider the following [Page 1]

1. Article 211 states that no discussions shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties except upon a motion for the removal of the judge.

2. Article 121 says that no discussion shall take place in the legislature of a state with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: d)

Article 121 states that no discussions shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties except upon a motion for the removal of the judge.

Article 211 says that no discussion shall take place in the legislature of a state with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.

2. Consider the following [Page 1]

1. Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political parties.

2. Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

Electoral Bond scheme

● Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political parties.

● The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore without any maximum limit.

● State Bank of India is authorised to issue and encash these bonds, which are valid for fifteen days from the date of issuance.

● These bonds are redeemable in the designated account of a registered political party.

● The bonds are available for purchase by any person (who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India) for a period of ten days each in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the Central Government.

● A person being an individual can buy bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.

● Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond.

3. Haldibari and Chilahati are cities linking [Page 10]

1. Myanmar and India
2. China and Tibet
3. India and Nepal
4. India and Bangladesh

Answer: d)

Both countries jointly inaugurated the newly restored railway link between Haldibari (India) and Chilahati (Bangladesh).

4. Consider the following about Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) [Page 14]

1. These are the adopted taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services.

2. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is currently hosting negotiations with over 130 countries that aim to adapt the international tax system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

Digital Services Taxes (DSTs)

● These are the adopted taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services. E.g. digital multinationals like Google, Amazon and Apple etc.

● The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is currently hosting negotiations with over 130 countries that aim to adapt the international tax system.

● One goal is to address the tax challenges of the digitalization of the economy.

● Some experts argue that a tax policy designed to target a single sector or activity is likely to be unfair and have complex consequences.

● Further, the digital economy cannot be easily separated out from the rest of the global economy.

5. Earth Hour is the initiative of [Page 2]

1. United Nations
2. World Meteorological Organisation
3. World Wildlife Fund for Nature
4. None

Answer: c)

Earth Hour

● In 2020, the Earth Hour was observed on 28th March, 2020.

● Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)’s annual initiative that began in 2007.

● It is held every year on the last Saturday of March.

● It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.

● The idea is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call for environmental protection.

● Earth Hour has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action.

● Examples: It helped create a 3.5-million-hectare marine-protected area in Argentina and ban all plastics in the Galapagos in 2014, plant 17 million trees in Kazakhstan, light up homes with solar power in India and the Philippines and push new legislation for the protection of seas and forests in Russia.

6. With reference to the Chief Justice of India, consider the following statements: [Page 1]

1. Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the manner of appointing judges to the Supreme Court (SC).

2. Seniority at the apex court is determined by age.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a)

Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde has recommended Justice N.V. Ramana, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the next top judge.

• Justice Ramana is now set to take over as the 48th Chief Justice of India from April 24.
• The Centre had recently asked Chief Justice Bobde, who is retiring on April 23, to initiate the transition process to the top judicial office.
• Justice Ramana will be the CJI till August 26, 2022.

Appointment of CJI:

• Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the manner of appointing judges to the Supreme Court (SC). But there is no specific provision in the Constitution for appointing the Chief Justice.
• CJI should be the senior most judge of the Supreme Court (SC). Law Minister has to seek recommendation of the outgoing CJI for appointment of new CJI at an appropriate time.
• In case of doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold office of CJI consultation with other Judges under Article 124(2) to be made.
• Law Minister then puts up recommendation to Prime Minister (PM) who will advise the President on appointment.
• Seniority at the apex court is determined not by age, but by The date a judge was appointed to the SC.
• If two judges are elevated to the Supreme Court on the same day, (1) the one who was sworn in first as a judge would trump another; (2) if both were sworn in as judges on the same day, the one with more years of high court service would ‘win’ in the seniority stakes; (3) an appointment from the bench would ‘trump’ in seniority an appointee from the bar.
• Tenure:
  • Once appointed, the Chief Justice remains in office until the age of 65 years.
  • Article 124(4) of Constitution of India provides that a SC Judge including CJI can be moved only through a process of impeachment by Parliament

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

7. With reference to the India TB report, consider the following statements: [Page 10]

1. In 2020, there were 18.05 tuberculosis notifications, which was a fall of 24% from 2019 due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

2. The treatment success rate for patients reported in 2019 was 82%.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

In 2020, there were 18.05 tuberculosis notifications, which was a fall of 24% from 2019 due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, according to the India TB report released by the Health Ministry.

• Between January and February 2020, the notifications were on an upward trajectory, with 6% more cases reported in the same period in 2019.
• As a result of the lockdown, notifications in the public sector fell by 38% and 44% in the private sector in April and May.
• Of the reported 24.04 lakh TB cases in 2019, treatment success was 82%, mortality rate was 4%, 4% patients were lost to follow up and treatment failure and regimen change after initiation of treatment was about 3%.
• The approved budgets toward the programme have increased substantially, from ₹640 crore in 2016-17 to ₹3,333 crores in 2019-20, however, there was a fall in budget to ₹3,110 crore in 2020-21.
• Over 95% of all cases reported were initiated on treatment in 2020 and the treatment success rate for patients reported in 2019 was 82% (83% among patients in the public sector and 79% in the private).
• The report said 20,892 (42%) of patients were initiated on a shorter MDR-TB regimen at the time of diagnosis. This is a significant decline from 2019.
• Hence both statements are correct.

8. With reference to the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill, 2021, consider the following statements: [Page 10]

1. The Bill sets up the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions.

2. The Commission will constitute a Professional Council for every recognised category of allied and healthcare professions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

The Lok Sabha cleared the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill, 2021. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha last week.

• The Bill seeks to regulate and standardise the education and practice of allied and healthcare professionals.
• The Bill defines ‘allied health professional’ as an associate, technician, or technologist trained to support the diagnosis and treatment of any illness, disease, injury, or impairment. Such a professional should have obtained a diploma or degree under this Bill.
• A ‘healthcare professional’ includes a scientist, therapist, or any other professional who studies, advises, researches, supervises, or provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative, therapeutic, or promotional health services. Such a professional should have obtained a degree under this Bill.
• The Bill specifies certain categories of allied and healthcare professions as recognised categories. These include life science professionals, trauma and burn care professionals, surgical and anaesthesia related technology professionals, physiotherapists, and nutrition science professionals.
• The Bill sets up the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions. It will
  • frame policies and standards for regulating education and practice,
  • create and maintain an online Central Register of all registered professionals, and
  • providing for a uniform entrance and exit examination, among others.
• The Commission will constitute a Professional Council for every recognised category of allied and healthcare professions.
• Within six months from the passage of the Bill, state governments will constitute State Allied and Healthcare Councils.
• Hence both statements are correct.

9. Consider the following [Page 10]

1. India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours.

2. The India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) came into force following the exchange of instruments of ratification in June 2015.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

10. Consider the following [Page 1]

1. If the misconduct involves removal of a judge, the judge concerned will be urged to resign or seek voluntary retirement.

2. If the judge is unwilling to quit, the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned would be asked to withdraw judicial work from him.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c)

● If the committee finds substance in the charges, it can give two kinds of recommendations. One, that the misconduct is serious enough to require removal from office, or that it is not serious enough to warrant removal.

● If the misconduct involves removal of a judge, the judge concerned will be urged to resign or seek voluntary retirement.

● If the judge is unwilling to quit, the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned would be asked to withdraw judicial work from him.

● The President and the Prime Minister will be informed of the situation, clearing the way for Parliament to begin the process of removal.

● If the misconduct does not warrant removal, the judge would be advised accordingly.