UPSC PRELIMINARY MOCK TEST 110

"The primary objective of the PMGSY is to provide Connectivity, by way of an All-weather Road (with necessary culverts and cross-drainage structures, which is operable throughout the year), to the eligible unconnected Habitations in the rural areas, in such a way that all Unconnected Habitations with a population of 1000 persons and above are covered in three years (2000-2003) and all Unconnected Habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end of the Tenth Plan Period (2007).

In respect of the Hill States (North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal) and the Desert Areas (as identified in the Desert Development Programme) as well as the Tribal (Schedule V) areas, the objective would be to connect Habitations with a population of 250 persons and above."

http://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/rural-poverty-alleviation-1/schemes/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cag-uncovers-roads-to-nowhere/article8982791.ece "

ParyatanParv :The Parv was inaugurated at the Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi between 5th to 25th October, 2017. It will showcase the cultural diversity of the country, with cultural performances, craftsbazaar, food court showcasing folk and classical dance & music, handicrafts & handloomsand cuisine from all regions and States of the country.ParyatanParv will have three main components

• DekhoApnaDesh- To encourage Indians to visit their own country
• Tourism for All - Tourism Events at sites across all States in the country
• Tourism & Governance - Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on variedthemesThe "Adopt a Heritage" project launched by the Ministry of Tourism will be implemented at keysites during this period.

"Last week, the prime minister's office instructed Niti Aayog to prepare a plan on an issue critical to the pharmaceutical sector. The planning agency has been asked to find ways to reduce the country's dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Also called bulk drugs, APIs are ingredients that give any medicine its therapeutic effect. The country imports more than 80 per cent of its bulk drugs; 65 per cent from China."

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/pmo-niti-aayog-drug-apis-in-india-3183476/ "

In the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region, post attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman in Jun 19, Indian Navy had commenced Maritime Security Operations, code named Op SANKALP, in the Gulf Region on 19 Jun 19 to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Indian Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchantmen, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises. One war ship is presently deployed for Operation SANKALP.

The operation is being progressed in close coordination with all stakeholders including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping. Regular Inter-Ministerial meetings have been held to review the evolving Maritime Security Situation in the Gulf region.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1598858

Self-explanatory statements.

Additional Information: Settling disputes is the responsibility of the Dispute Settlement Body (the General Council in another guise), which consists of all WTO members. The Dispute Settlement Body has the sole authority to establish "panels" of experts to consider the case, and to accept or reject the panels' findings or the results of an appeal. It monitors the implementation of the rulings and recommendations, and has the power to authorize retaliation when a country does not comply with a ruling.

https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_body_e.htm ;

https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/disp1_e.htm ;

https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/gcounc_e/gcounc_e.htm ;

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-wto/article22277345.ece ; "