10 PM Current Affairs Quiz : March 15, 2018

Statement 1 is correct. Urea Subsidy is a part of Central Sector Scheme of Department of Fertilizers w.e.f 1st April, 2017 and is wholly financed by the Government of India through Budgetary Support.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Urea subsidy also includes Imported Urea subsidy which is directed towards import to bridge the gap between assessed demand and indigenous production of urea in the country. It also includes freight subsidy for movement of urea across the country.

Statement 1 is correct. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) is an autonomous body of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India. It is an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, development and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda and Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine.

Statement 2 is incorrect. AYUSH QOL-2C is an anti-cancer drug. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has undertaken development of coded drug AYUSH QOL-2C for improving quality of life in cancer patients. It had conducted clinical studies of the drug in breast cancer patients at St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru and AIIMS, New Delhi and in lung cancer patients at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jaipur.

100% Neem Coated Urea was made mandatory in 2015. A study conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) had found the effects of Neem Coating of Urea as follows:

1. Improvement in soil health.
2. Reduction in costs with respect to plant protection chemicals.
3. Reduction in pest and disease attack.
4. An increase in yield of paddy to an extent of 5.79 per cent.
5. An increase in yield of sugarcane to extent of 17.5 per cent.
6. An increase in yield of maize to the extent of 7.14 per cent.
7. An increase in yield of Soybean to the extent of 7.4 per cent.
8. An increase in yield of Tur/Red Gram to the extent of 16.88 per cent.

Neem Coating also had an additional positive impact – plugging the diversion of the subsidized Urea towards non-agricultural purposes.

In light of the increased efficiency of Urea due to Neem Coating, Government had recently decided to bag Urea in 45kg bags. This will effectively help reduce the cost of fertilizers to the farmers.

Statement 1 is correct. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was established in 1961. Headquarters: Paris, France.

Statement 2 is correct. The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Indian is not a member of OECD. Currently, it has 35 countries as members.

In May 2007, the Council, meeting at ministerial level, invited the Secretariat to strengthen OECD cooperation with Brazil, India, Indonesia, the People’s Republic of China and South Africa through “Enhanced Engagement” programmes. These Key Partners contribute to the OECD’s work in a sustained and comprehensive manner.

Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) refers to tax avoidance strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Newton-Bhabha fund is provided by the British Council. It aims to bring together UK and Indian scientific research and innovation sectors to find joint solutions to the challenges facing India in economic development and social welfare.
Statement 2 is correct. India-United Kingdom (UK) Joint Team has won Newton-Bhabha Fund for project on Groundwater Arsenic Research in Ganga River Basin. The project was undertaken by Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK to find solutions to water challenges faced in pervasively arsenic-affected Ganga River Basin.

Statement 1 is correct. The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the only one in which all Member States have equal representation: one nation, one vote. All 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented in this unique forum to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the UN Charter, such as development, peace and security, international law, etc.

Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly may take action in cases of a threat to the peace, breach of peace or act of aggression, when the Security Council has failed to act owing to the negative vote of a permanent member. In such instances, according to its “Uniting for peace” resolution of 3 November 1950, the Assembly may consider the matter immediately and recommend to its Members collective measures to maintain or restore international peace and security.