601: In India, extend producer responsibility was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Explanation:
The E-waste Rules place main responsibility of e-waste management on the producers of the electrical and electronic equipment by introducing the concept of "extended producer responsibility" (EPR). The producers are given a significant responsibilityfinancial or physicalfor the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.The e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 have been notified in May 2011 and are effective from 01-05-2012.
Source: http://cpcb.nic.in/displaypdf.php?id=aHdtZC9JbXBsaW1lbnRhdGlvbkUtV2FzdGUucGRm
602: The Employment Guarantee Scheme, a rural work programme, was first started in
(a) West Bengal
(b) Punjab
(c) Kerala
(d) Maharashtra
603: Consider the following actions which the Governnient can take:
1. Devaluing the domestic currency.
2. Reduction in the export subsidy.
3. Adopting suitable policies which attract greater FDI and more funds from FIIs.
Which of the above action/actions can help in reducing the current account deficit?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Explanation:
In the traditional accounting of balance of payments, the current account equals the change in net foreign assets. A current account deficit implies a paralleled reduction of the net foreign assets.
Action to reduce a substantial current account deficit usually involves increasing exports (goods going out of a country and entering abroad countries) or decreasing imports (goods coming from a foreign country into a country). Firstly, this is generally accomplished directly through import restrictions, quotas, or duties (though these may indirectly limit exports as well), or subsidizing exports. Influencing the exchange rate to make exports cheaper for foreign buyers will indirectly increase the balance of payments. This is primarily accomplished by devaluing the domestic currency example : The chinese government policy of pegging renminbi to dollar to ensure competitive export policy. Also Currency Wars, a phenomenon evident in post recessionary markets is a protectionist policy, whereby countries devalue their currencies to ensure export competitiveness. Secondly, current account dificit are reduced by promoting investor friendly environment i.e. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Institutional Investors (FII), the income from these foreign investments positively contributes to current account. Thirdly, adjusting government spending to favor domestic suppliers is also effective.
Less abvious methods to reduce a current account deficit include measures that increase domestic savings (or reduced domestic borrowing), including a reduction in borrowing by the national government.
604: Consider the following statements:
1. Reserve Bank of India was nationalised on 26 January, 1950.
2. The borrowing programme of the Government of India is handled by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935 by RBI Act, 1934 and it was nationalised on 1 January, 1949. The borrowing programme is handled by Department of Economic Affairs.
605: Which one of the following sets of states stands to benefit the most from the Konkan Railway ?
(a) Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala
(b) Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
(c) Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra
(d) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu