Daily Quiz – 31st Jan 2024

Explanation:

 Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988

• It is an Act of the Parliament of Indiathat prohibits certain types of financial transactions.
• The act defines a ‘benami’ transaction asany transaction in which property is transferred to one person for consideration paid by another person.
• Such transactions were a feature of the Indian economy, usually relating to the purchase of property (real estate), and were thought to contribute to the Indian black money problem.
• The act bans all benami transactionsand gives the government the right to recover property held benami without paying any compensation.

Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 has been amended by the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 (BTP Amendment Act). The rules and all the provisions of the BTP Amendment Act shall come into force on 1^st November, 2016. After coming into effect of the BTP Amendment Act, the existing Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 shall be renamed as Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act).

• The PBPT Act defines benami transactions, prohibits them and further provides that violation of the PBPT Act is punishable with imprisonment and fine. The PBPT Act prohibits recovery of the property held benami from benamidar by the real owner. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government without payment of compensation.

1. An appellate mechanism has been provided under the PBPT Act in the form of Adjudicating Authority and Appellate Tribunal. The Adjudicating Authority referred to in section 6(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and the Appellate Tribunal referred to in section 25 of the PMLA have been notified as the Adjudicating Authority and Appellate Tribunal, respectively, for the purposes of the PBPT Act.
2. A Joint / Additional Commissioner of Income-tax, an Assistant / Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax and a Tax Recovery Officer in each Pr. CCIT Region have been notified to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Approving Authority, Initiating Officer and Administrator, respectively under the PBPT Act.

Explanation: The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi is a measure that indicates the level of air pollution in the city. It takes into account various air pollutants

such as

1. particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10),
2. sulphur dioxide (SO2),
3. nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
4. carbon monoxide (CO), and
5. ozone (O3), and calculates a single value to provide an overall assessment of air quality.

The AQI typically categorizes air quality on a scale from “Good” to “Hazardous,” with specific colour codes and health implications associated with each category.

Explanation:

The Tibetan and trans-Himalayan regions are home to the black-necked crane. During the winter, they migrate to warmer regions of the Indian Himalayas. It is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Hence, 1 is correct.

In India, the cheetah is an extinct species. They became extinct during the pre-independence period, primarily due to hunting. By the early twentieth century, the species was on the verge of extinction in many areas. The Asiatic cheetah was last seen in India in 1947, in Eastern Madhya Pradesh or Northern Chhattisgarh. It has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Hence, 2 is incorrect.

The Western Ghats, the Northeast, and other Indian forests are home to flying squirrels. It has been classified as least concern on the IUCN list. Hence, 3 is correct.

The Himalayan ranges are home to the snow leopard, which is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Hence, 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

In 2009, Project Snow Leopard (PSL) was established to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to the conservation of snow leopards and their habitat. The Snow Leopard is both a critically endangered species and the mountain region's most important flagship species. The project's goal is to conserve biodiversity by involving the community. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The project will be operational in five Himalayan states, with active support from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Pair 1 is incorrect: Lithification is the process associated with the Sedimentary Rocks. It is a process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock. Lithification involves primarily the processes of compaction and cementation.

Pair 2 is correct: Metamorphic rocks form as a result of recrystallization of unmelted material under conditions of high temperature and pressure over long periods of time.

Pair 3 is incorrect: Igneous rocks are rocks formed from the crystallization of a liquid magma. Igneous rocks are divided into two categories. Intrusive or plutonic rocks crystallize from magma beneath the earth's surface. Extrusive or volcanic rocks crystallize from lava at the earth's surface.

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Metamorphic rocks result from the forces active during plate tectonic processes. The collision of plates, subduction, and the sliding of plates along transform faults create differential stress, friction, shearing, compressive stress, folding, faulting, and increased heat flow. Metamorphic rocks are most abundant at convergent plate boundaries, but can occur in other areas where there are increased pressures and/or temperatures.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Igneous rock forms when magma cools inside the Earth or lava cools above ground and hardens into igneous rocks. The formation of these rocks is the basis of the rock cycle.

Statement 3 is correct: When directed pressure or stress is the dominant agent of metamorphism, it is termed as Dynamic Metamorphism. Dynamic metamorphism is the result of very high shear stress, such as along fault zones. It results mainly from mechanical deformation with little long-term temperature change.

Explanation:

Pair 1 is correct: Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of clay and organic matter. Shale is widespread in nature, making up about 55% of sedimentary rocks.

The defining characteristic of shale is its ability to break into layers or fissility. Shale is commercially important. It is used to make brick, pottery, tile, and Portland cement.

Pair 2 is incorrect: Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Quartzite is extremely popular due to its marble-like appearance and granitelike properties.

Pair 3 is correct: Schist is a foliated metamorphic rock. It usually forms on a continental side of a convergent plate boundary where sedimentary rocks, such as shales and mudstones, have been subjected to compressive forces, heat, and chemical activity.