1. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘National Dam Safety Authority’:
- It consists of five wings: policy and research, technical, regulation, disaster and resilience, and administration and finance.
- One of its functions is to resolve disputes between a State Dam Safety Organisation and any owner of a specified dam within that state.
- It seeks to provide an institutional framework for ensuring dam safety in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] 1, 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] Only 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
The National Dam Safety Authority, established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, comprises five specialized wings and aims to provide a robust institutional architecture for dam safety in India. It is empowered to resolve issues between State Dam Safety Organisations and dam owners within states, thereby standardizing safety protocols nationwide.
2. Consider the following statements:
- On 17 August 1945, Indonesia declared independence breaking with years of French exploitation
- Sukarno was Indonesia’s first president.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- On 17 August 1945, two days after Japan’s surrender brought an end to the second world war, the Indonesian revolutionaries Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared independence, breaking with 350 years of Dutch exploitation. Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, declares independence on 17 August 1945.
- The government in The Hague rejected the move and between the independence declaration and the withdrawal of Dutch forces on 27 December 1949 an estimated 100,000 Indonesians were killed, compared with about 5,300 fighting on the Dutch side, including Indonesians in their service.
- Mark Rutte, the prime minister of the Netherlands has apologised after an inquiry revealed that the Dutch state condoned the systematic use of extrajudicial executions and torture during the 1945-9 Indonesian war of independence.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging:
- The guidelines are notified under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
- It is mandatory to reuse rigid plastic packaging materials under these guidelines.
- The sale and purchase of surplus EPR certificates is permitted.
- The guidelines prescribe a levy of environmental compensation based on the polluter pays principle.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
All four statements are correct. The EPR Guidelines on plastic packaging are indeed notified under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. They mandate reuse of rigid plastic packaging, permit trading of surplus EPR certificates, and prescribe environmental compensation based on the polluter pays principle for any non-compliance, making them comprehensive in addressing plastic waste management.
