Daily Quiz #17 UPSC Prelims Marathon – November 20, 2019

Explanation: When Rajya Sabha Passes a Resolution If the Rajya Sabha declares that it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should make laws on a matter in the State List, then the Parliament becomes competent to make laws on that matter. Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting. The resolution remains in force for one year; it can be renewed any number of times but not exceeding one year at a time.
The laws cease to have effect on the expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.

Explanation: Though India has a dual polity, there is no dual system of administration of justice. The Constitution, on the other hand, established an integrated judicial system with the Supreme Court at the top and the state high courts below it. This single system of courts enforces both the Central laws as well as the state laws. This is done to eliminate diversities in the remedial procedure. The judges of a state high court are appointed by the president in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the governor of the state. They can also be transferred and removed by the president. The Parliament can establish a common high court for two or more states.
For example, Maharashtra and goa or Punjab and Haryana have a common high court

Explanation: While the proclamation of financial emergency (under Article 360) is in operation, the Centre can give directions to the states: (i) to observe the specified canons of financial propriety; (ii) to reduce the salaries and allowances of all class of persons serving in the state (including the high court judges); and (iii) to reserve all money bills and other financial bills for the consideration of the President.

Explanation: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism. The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organisation. The SCO Heads of Government Council (HGC) meets once a year to discuss the organisation’s multilateral cooperation strategy and priority areas, to resolve current important economic and other cooperation issues, and also to approve the organisation’s annual budget. The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.

Explanation: Economic overlapping: India continues to be the largest trade and development partner of Bhutan. India has contributed generously towards latter’s Five Year Plans since 1961. Cooperation in hydropower has over the years intensified as main pillar of economic ties and has evolved to become Bhutan’s major export item. The hydro relations have benefitted India to tackle it energy deficiency. The three hydropower projects developed with Indian assistance have already been completed: Tala Hydroelectric Project, Chukha Hydroelectric Project and Kurichhu Hydroelectric.