QUES 1 . Consider the following statements with respect to the “Goods Schedules” of WTO:
1 . WTO Schedules of concessions are often referred to as “Goods Schedules”.
2 . They are legal instruments that describe the treatment a Member must provide to the trade in goods of other WTO Members.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 both
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Why in news?
On the complaints brought by the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan, three World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panels have found India’s tariffs on certain information and communication technology (ICT) products such as mobile phones inconsistent with India’s WTO obligations. Specifically, the panels concluded that India has violated Article II of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) because India’s tariffs breach its Goods Schedule.
Since one of the central objectives of the WTO is to boost transparency and predictability in the multilateral trading order, WTO member countries are under a legal obligation not to impose tariff rates in excess of their ‘bound’ or maximum tariff rates committed in their Goods Schedule.
QUES 2 . Consider the following statements with respect to the WTO Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products (ITA Agreement):
1 . The ITA Agreement was adopted in 1996.
2 . India has not joined the ITA Agreement.
3 . The ITA Agreement is an arrangement through which select WTO member countries agree to eliminate duties on IT products.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 & 3 only
(c) 1 & 2 only
(d) 1 & 3 only
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Why in news?
On the complaints brought by the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan, three World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panels have found India’s tariffs on certain information and communication technology (ICT) products such as mobile phones inconsistent with India’s WTO obligations.
What is India’s stand?
To justify higher tariff rates, India argued that its binding tariff commitments on ICT products are contained in the WTO Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products (ITA Agreement), which India joined in 1997.
What the panels have finally remarked?
However, the commitments under the ITA become binding on a country under Articles II.1(a) and (b) of GATT only if they are incorporated in the Goods Schedule. Accordingly, the panels held that India’s Goods Schedule, not the ITA, is the source of India’s legal obligations on tariffs, including on products covered by the ITA.
What is the ITA Agreement?
The ITA Agreement, adopted in 1996, is an arrangement through which select WTO member countries agree to eliminate duties on IT products.
QUES 3 . Which among the following pesticides is used in tea plantations?
(a) Hexaconazole
(b) Propiconazole
(c) Quinalphos
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Why in news?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put in place a maximum residue limit (MRL) for five pesticides used in tea plantations.
These pesticides are emamectin, benzoate, fenpyroximate, hexaconazole, propiconazole and quinalphos.
QUES 4 . Which among the following are neurotoxic gases?
(a) Methane
(b) Hydrogen sulphide
(c) Carbon monoxide
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation: For more information https://fotisedu.com/neurotoxins-and-neurotoxicity/
Why in news?
At least 11 people have died as a result of a gas leak in Punjab’s Ludhiana recently. As per the medical examination the deaths were not caused by suffocation but by the gas’s harmful effect on the nervous system of the victims.
High levels of Hydrogen Sulphide gas, a kind of neurotoxin, have been detected. Hydrogen sulphide is so toxic that even one breath of it taken inside can kill a person.
Probably some acidic waste was thrown into sewer which reacted with methane, carbon monoxide and other sewerage gases to produce hydrogen sulphide.
What are neurotoxic gases?
Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases .While methane and carbon monoxide are odourless gases, hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour and in higher concentration it can be fatal for humans.
To remove gases such as hydrogen sulphide from wastewater, chemical oxidation is done, where oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are added to the wastewater.
QUES 5 . Consider the following pairs:
1 . Article 348(1) of the Constitution of India : It provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides.
2 . Article 348 (2) of the Constitution of India : It provides that the Governor of the State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of the Hindi language or any other language used for any official purpose of the State, in the proceedings of the High Court
Which among the following pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 both
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Why in news?
Union Law Minister recently said that regional languages should be used in courts in every State.
Article 348(1) of the Constitution of India provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides.
Article 348 (2) provides that the Governor of the State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of the Hindi language or any other language used for any official purpose of the State, in the proceedings of the High Court having its principal seat in that State provided that decrees, judgments or orders passed by such High Courts shall be in English.
