INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 23 June 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS – INSIGHTSIAS

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The economic cost of food grains procured by the FCI is a total of MSP and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus the procurement incidentals and distribution cost. See https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/es2004-05/chapt2005/chap513.pdf
• The procurement incidentals are the initial costs incurred during procurement of foodgrains. The distribution costs include freight, handling charges, storage costs in godowns, losses during transit etc.
• Why in news:
  • Centre amends Food Security rules to prevent ration leakage, corruption.
  • The government said that this amendment has been made as an attempt to take forward the reform process envisaged under Section 12 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 by way of improving the transparency of the operation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under NFSA.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/06/23/food-security-assistance-to-state-government-rules-2015-amended/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
• It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/06/23/at-unhrc-grave-concerns-raised-over-xinjiang/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• About the Land for Life Award:
  • Launched at the UNCCD COP (Conference of Parties) 10 in 2011.
  • It is considered as the world’s highest reward regarding land conservation and restoration.
  • It is organised by UNCCD every two years.
  • This year’s theme was “Healthy Land, Healthy Lives”.
• The Champions of the Earth award
  • It is the United Nation’s highest environmental honour.
  • The United Nations Environment Programme established Champions of the Earth in 2005 as an annual awards programme to recognize outstanding environmental leaders from the public and private sectors, and from civil society.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/06/23/un-land-conservation-award/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• About United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:
  • Established in 1994.
  • It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management under the UN.
  • It is the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
  • Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
• S2: The permanent secretariat of the Convention was established in Article 23 of the UNCCD. It has been located in Bonn, Germany since January 1999.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/06/23/un-land-conservation-award/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in the Northeast, which is one of the largest producers of rubber in India.
• Kerala accounts for more than 90 percent of the total rubber production in the country.
• World’s 1st GM rubber sapling:
  • World’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber sapling was recently planted at the Rubber Board’s Sarutari research farm on the outskirts of Guwahati in Assam.
  • It was developed at the Kerala-based Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII).
  • With additional copies of the gene MnSOD (manganese-containing superoxide dismutase) inserted in it, the GM rubber is expected to tide over the severe cold conditions during winter, which is a major factor affecting the growth of rubber saplings.
  • MnSOD gene used in the GM rubber was taken from the rubber plant itself.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/06/23/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-23-june-2021/