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Q 1. With reference to the Lumpy Skin Disease, consider the following statements:
- It is caused by infection of cattle or water buffalo with the poxvirus Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV).
- It is primarily spread between animals by biting insects (vectors), such as mosquitoes and biting flies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Recently, around 1,229 cattle across five districts of Gujarat have been infected with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).Â
- Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by infection of cattle or water buffalo with the poxvirus Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV). (Statement 1 is correct)
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), The mortality rate is less than 10%.
- Lumpy skin disease was first seen as an epidemic in Zambia in 1929. Initially, it was thought to be the result of either poisoning or hypersensitivity to insect bites.
- Lumpy skin disease is primarily spread between animals by biting insects (vectors), such as mosquitoes and biting flies. (Statement 2 is correct)
- It primarily consists of fever, fluid excretion from the eyes and nose, dribbling of saliva from the mouth, and blisters on the body.
- The animal stops eating and faces problems while chewing or eating, resulting in reduced milk production.
Q 2. Consider the following statements:
- Tariffs and quotas are imposed on import and export products by the government.
- Tariffs and quotas both serve the purpose of protecting the domestic industry of a country.
- Quotas earn revenue for the government and increase the GDP of the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B)Â
Statement 1 is correct: Tariffs and quotas are both imposed on import and export products by the government of a country. Tariffs, basically, refer to a form of tax imposed on exports and imports, and a quota refers to the limitations imposed on the number of products exported or imported.
Statement 2 is correct: Tariffs and quotas both serve the purpose of protecting the domestic industry of a country by restricting the number of products imported or exported and also earning revenue for the government.Â
Statement 3 is not correct: Tariffs earn revenue for the government and increase the GDP of the country while quotas are for the number of products traded and not the amount paid; thus, it neutralizes the GDP.
Q 3. Consider the following statements about National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021:Â
- It provides for the constitution of the National Anti-Doping Agency- NADA for regulating anti-doping activities in sports.
- It seeks to give effect to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation International Convention against doping in sports.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)Â
Statement 1 is correct: Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the National Anti-Doping Bill,2021 by voice vote. The bill provides for the constitution of the National Anti-Doping Agency- NADA for regulating anti-doping activities in sports. The Bill also proposes to establish the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports with a view to making recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping. The Board will oversee the activities of NADA and issue directions to it.
Statement 2 is correct: National Anti-Doping Bill,2021 functions include planning, implementing, and monitoring anti-doping activities as well as investigating anti-doping rule violations. It also seeks to give effect to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation International Convention against doping in sports and compliance with such other obligations and commitments. The legislation prohibits athletes, athlete support personnel, and other persons from engaging in doping in sports. Under the new legislation, violation of anti-doping rules may result in disqualification of results including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, ineligibility to participate in a competition or event for a prescribed period, and financial sanctions.
Q 4. With reference to Fair and remunerative price (FRP), consider the following statements:Â
- It is the price declared by the government, which mills are legally bound to pay to farmers for the cane procured from them.
- The payment of Fair and remunerative price (FRP) across the country is governed by the Sugarcane Control order, 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)Â
Statement 1 is correct: Fair and remunerative price (FRP) is the price declared by the government, which mills are legally bound to pay to farmers for the cane procured from them. It has been determined on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
Delays in payment can attract the interest of up to 15 percent per annum, and the sugar commissioner can recover unpaid FRP as dues in revenue recovery by attaching properties of the mills. Assured payment is one of the major reasons why the cane is a popular crop with farmers.
Statement 2 is correct: The payment of FRP across the country is governed by the Sugarcane Control order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 which mandates payment within 14 days of the date of delivery of the cane.
Q 5. Which of the following are the common methods of Tax Evasion?Â
- Storing wealth outside the country
- Failing to pay the due
- Submitting false tax returns
- Bribery
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 3 and 4Â only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4Â
Answer: (D)Â
Option (D) is correct:Â The government is looking into cases of alleged tax evasion by three mobile companies of China and notices have been given to them, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Rajya Sabha. Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour, the minister said the three companies are Oppo, Vivo India, and Xiaomi.
Tax evasion is an illegal activity in which an individual or company avoids paying the tax liability. It involves hiding or false income, without proof of inflating deductions, not reporting cash transactions, etc.
- Failing to pay the due: This is the simplest way in which someone may evade taxes. They simply won’t pay it to the government, not even when the dues are called for. A person engaged in this sort of tax evasion won’t, willingly or unwillingly, pay the tax before or after the due date.
- Submitting false tax returns: In some cases, when an individual files taxes, they may submit false or incorrect information in order to either lessen the tax that they are supposed to pay or not pay it at all. This is also tax evasion since the complete information is not provided and they may actually be paying less than what they should.
- Bribery: There may be a situation where there is a certain amount due in taxes that the individual may not be willing to pay. In such a case he or she may actually offer a bribe to officials to not make them pay the tax and to make it ‘disappear’.
Storing wealth outside the country: Offshore accounts are accounts maintained outside the country and information about the dealing in these accounts is not disclosed to the income tax department thereby evading any and all taxes due on that wealth.
