ENGLISH QUIZ 25.08.2020

1.Consider the following statements related to the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana :

1.Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana

2.The scheme was approved under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1938.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

2.Consider the following statements related to Teesta river dispute:

1.Bangladesh is likely to receive an almost USD 1 billion loan from China for a comprehensive                         management and restoration project on the Teesta river.

2.Experts say that according to the format of the agreement, Bangladesh has to get 38 percent water,           but the West Bengal government argues that in such a situation, the irrigation system in six                        districts of North Bengal will be completely stalled.

3.The Bengal government, after conducting an study with an expert committee, proposed to provide            35 or 40 per cent of the river water to Bangladesh during the monsoon and 30 per cent during the              drought, but this is not acceptable to Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 are correct

B. 1 and 3 are correct

C. 2 and 3 are correct

D. All of the above

ANSWERS:-

Answer: 1)A      

Explanation

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana by one year. The Atal Insured Person Welfare Scheme is being implemented by the Employees State Insurance Corporation. The scheme was approved under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948. The scheme aims to support people who have lost their jobs due to changing employment patterns due to international crisis or domestic crisis. Currently, the change in employment pattern is due to COVID-19.

About the Yojana:

• Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana was introduced w.e.f. 1st July 2018.
• Under it, unemployment benefit is paid to the workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme.
• Unemployment benefit is paid in the form of cash compensation upto 90 days, once in a lifetime, to be claimed after three months (90 days) in one or more spells for being rendered unemployed.
• The employee should have completed two years of insurable employment and has contributed not less than 78 days in each of the four consecutive contribution periods immediately preceding to the claim of the relief.

Other schemes for the unemployed in India

1. Employment Scheme

• Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana has been implemented since 1993.
• It is designed to create and provide permanent self-employment to more than 1 million unemployed youth in the country. It was introduced in the 8th plan of the country.
• In 2016–17, it was updated as the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana.

2. Prime Minister Employment Promotion Scheme

• The plan was announced in the 2016-17 budget.
• The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
• Employers are encouraged to increase the employee base through payment of 22% EPF contribution of Employment Provident Fund.
• Thus, the scheme benefits both the employer and the employee.

3. Prime Minister Unemployment Allowance Scheme

• The scheme was launched in April 2020.
• The central government was working to implement the Universal Basic Income Scheme.
• Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 2000 to Rs 3500 will be provided to unemployed youth in the country on a monthly basis.

About the ESI Act, 1948:

• It applies to all factories and notified establishments located in implemented areas employing 10 or more persons and is applicable on employees drawing wages up to Rs. 21,000 per month (Rs. 25,000 for persons with disabilities).
• In July 2019, the contribution rate under the ESI Act was reduced from 6.5% to 4% (employers’ contribution from 4.75% to 3.25% and employees’ contribution from 1.75% to 0.75%).

Answer: 2)B

Explanation

Bangladesh is likely to receive an almost USD 1 billion loan from China for a comprehensive management and restoration project on the Teesta river.The Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh and the discussion comes amidst the ongoing India-China standoff in Ladakh.

Why is there a dispute?

• How much water will be given to which country under the India-Bangladesh agreement, it is not clear at the moment.
• Experts say that according to the format of the agreement, Bangladesh has to get 48 percent water, but the West Bengal government argues that in such a situation, the irrigation system in six districts of North Bengal will be completely stalled.
• The Bengal government, after conducting an study with an expert committee, proposed to provide 35 or 40 per cent of the river water to Bangladesh during the monsoon and 30 per cent during the drought, but this is not acceptable to Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh is asking for more water which is justified in view of its dependence on Teesta but Bengal government is not ready for this.

Why can this problem be solved now?

• In 2011, when the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh refused to sign the Teesta Agreement, this time it is believed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will accept the rights of Bangladesh and sign the Teesta Agreement and on the water of other rivers To make a strong claim, it is important that there are 53 river systems flowing between India and Bangladesh.
• Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had to bow to the compulsions of the coalition government but now the circumstances are different.
• There is also a possibility that both sides will finalize the agreement on Ganga Barrage.

Teesta River

• It is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
• Origin: In the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
• Drainage: It covers nearly the entire floodplains of Sikkim while draining 2,800 sq km of Bangladesh. For West Bengal, it is the lifeline of half-a-dozen districts in North Bengal.
• Latest Development: In March 2020, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened a 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge over Teesta river in Munshithang, Sikkim.

Dispute Resolution

1. Talks on Teesta River water sharing have been going on since 1983 between India and Bangladesh.
2. An interim agreement was signed between the two countries for 15 years in mid-year 2011, under which 42.5 per cent of Teesta river water was determined to be used by India and 37.5 per cent by Bangladesh.
3. Bengal opposed the agreement and agreed to sign it. Thus this agreement was never implemented.
4. Bangladesh is demanding from India the proper and equitable distribution of Teesta water on the lines of the Ganga Water Treaty 1996.
5. Under this treaty, an agreement has been reached to use the surface water of Farakka barrage in areas close to the border of both countries.
6. The visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Dhaka in 2015 raised hopes of resolving this dispute, but so far no progress has been made in this direction.
7. In India, states have significant rights over cross-border agreements, thereby hampering the policy-making process.
8. West Bengal is one of the major stakeholders of the Teesta agreement and the agreement has not yet been signed by it.