Current Affairs Questions

Explanation :

• The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-2018 was approved in December 2018.
• It is based on the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak Committee, formed in 2014.
• The coastal areas have been classified into four categories—CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III and CRZ-IV, which aimed at restricting establishment of industries in these areas.
• CRZ-I: includes ecologically sensitive areas, where no construction is allowed except activities for atomic power plants, defense.
• CRZ-II:It includes designated urban areas that are substantially built up. Construction activities are allowed on the landward side only.
• CRZ-III: Rural and urban areas which fall outside CRZ-I and CRZ-II are covered under CRZ-III. Only agriculture-related activities and public facilities are permitted in this zone.
• CRZ-IV: Aquatic areas up to territorial limits are notified under CRZ-IV.Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

Explanation :

• Certificate of Origin is an instrument which establishes evidence on origin of goods imported into any country. These certificates are essential for exporters to prove where their goods come from and therefore stake their claim to whatever benefits goods of Indian origin may be eligible for in the country of exports.
• There are two categories of CoO- Preferential and Non-preferential.

Preferential CoO

• Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend upon the source of imports. The arrangement/scheme under which India is receiving tariff preferences for its exports are:
• Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)
• Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP)
• SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)
• Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)
• India-SriLanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)
• Indo-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
• India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IMCECA)
• India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
• India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA)
• ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement

Non Preferential CoO

• Non-preferential Rules of Origin are the instruments used to determine the “nationality” of a good when entering a country. The country of import is then entitled to request a certificate of origin to prove the non-preferential origin of the good imported. Exporters desiring Non preferential CoO may apply with following documents:
• Details of quantum/origin of inputs/consumables used in export product.
• Two copies of Invoices
• Packing List in duplicate for concerned invoice
• Fee not exceeding Rs.100 per certificate as may be prescribed by concerned agency.

Explanation :

• The country's first garbage cafe has been launched in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh. Under this, the Municipal Corporation will provide food to the poor and homeless in lieu of plastic waste.
• Persons fetching 1 kg plastic waste will be offered a full meal while those collecting 500 grams waste will get a substantial breakfast.
• This scheme also is part of the city’s more extensive cleanliness campaign. Ambikapur, which has been selected as the second cleanest city after Indore, plans to use the plastic for construction of roads.

Explanation :

• The country's first garbage cafe has been launched in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh. Under this, the Municipal Corporation will provide food to the poor and homeless in lieu of plastic waste.
• Persons fetching 1 kg plastic waste will be offered a full meal while those collecting 500 grams waste will get a substantial breakfast.
• This scheme also is part of the city’s more extensive cleanliness campaign. Ambikapur, which has been selected as the second cleanest city after Indore, plans to use the plastic for construction of roads.

Explanation :

In a move to curb air pollution, the Union Environment Ministry banned import of pet coke for purpose of trading in Delhi and its neighbouring states. As part of its dedicated air pollution abatement programme for 100 polluting cities, the Centre formulated a National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to fight the menace through a long-term strategy. It set a target to reduce 35 per cent of the pollution in three years and 50 per cent in the next 5 years for the 100 identified cities.

Explanation :

• GRAP lays down stratified actions that are required to be taken as and when the concentration of pollutants reaches a certain level. This is primarily related to the pollution in Delhi. The plan puts governments under the lens and holds out the promise of improvement in air quality.

The plan was prepared by the Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).

Explanation :

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Ministry of Power, Government of India expanded its ambitious Standards & Labelling (Star Rating) program for Energy Efficient for Appliances to cover the Microwave Ovens and Washing Machines (with revised parameters) in the country. The Star Labelling Programs has been formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The program will now include these two appliances for grant of Star Rating in terms of their energy performance.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The strategy document titled UNNATEE (Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential) describes a plain framework and implementation strategy to establish a clear linkage between energy supply-demand scenarios and energy efficiency opportunities.

Source: CSC May 2019