In 2023, of the ₹18.5 lakh crore budget presented by 10 States, close to 40% was passed without discussion. In five States, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which examines accounts of State governments, did not table any reports in the year considered. Moreover, five State legislatures passed all Bills on the day they were introduced or the next day. As many as 20 States also saw 84 Ordinances being promulgated in 2023.

These observations are based on PRS Legislative Research’s Annual Review of State Laws 2023. The report analyses the performance of State legislatures in various key functions.

Once the Finance Minister announces the Budget, it goes for general discussion. Following this, there is a scrutiny of demands by committees. After this, there is discussion and voting on Ministry expenditure. However, in 10 States for which data was available, 36% of the expenditure demands were voted on and passed without being discussed.

Source – https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-w

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Passage 2

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will host the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) from May 20 to 30, 2024. This is in line with India’s poise to facilitate constructive global dialogue on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are pivotal in the international community’s ongoing efforts to safeguard Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem and promote scientific research in the region. Convened annually under the Antarctic Treaty System, these meetings serve as forums for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other stakeholders to address Antarctica’s pressing environmental, scientific, and governance issues.

Source- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIfram

7th MAY 2024

First Name

Passage 1

1. . In which state, 85% of the Rs 3.14 lakh crore Budget was passed without discussion, topping the list?

A. MP

B. Gujrat

C. UP

D. Haryana

2. The Budget in Parliament goes through six stages. Which of this is not one of it?

A. Presentation and General discussion

B. Scrutiny and Voting

C. Tabling and Questions

D. Passing Appropriation Bill

3. The PAC, typically chaired by which of this, who scrutinises the accounts of State governments and State reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General?

A. Leader of Opposition

B. Judge of Supreme Court

C. Leader nominated by Lok Sabha

D. Retired Judge of Supreme Court

4. As per the report, which state topped with 20 ordinances, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11) and Maharashtra (9)?

A. MP

B. Bihar

C. Rajasthan

D. UP

5. Which of this is incorrect?

A. On average, states passed 18 Bills each in 2023, not counting the Appropriation Bills for the budget.

B. Delhi topped with 49 Bills while Goa and Puducherry passed just 2 each.

C. While the Constitution requires the Governor to give assent to Bills at the earliest, 59% of the Bills received assent within a month of being passed. Delays were seen in states like Assam, Nagaland and West Bengal.

D. Only 23 out of the over 500 Bills passed were referred to legislative committees for deeper examination before being passed.

Passage 2

6. India, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), is set to host the __th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the __th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection.

A. 46th and 24th

B. 44th and 26th

C. 46th and 26th

D. 44th and 28th

7.The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will host the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection from May 20 to 30, 2024, in?

A. Goa

B. Kochi

C. Chennai

D. Vijaywada

8. ATCM is an annual meeting of the original how many parties to the Antarctic Treaty, and other parties that have shown interest in Antarctica through research?

A. 12

B. 14

C. 15

D. 18

9. Which of this is incorrect?

A. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and established Antarctica as a region dedicated to peaceful purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection.

B. Over the years, the Treaty has garnered widespread support, with 56 countries currently party to it.

C. India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1991. In 2023, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

D. None

10. The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in which year?

A. 1988

B. 1991

C. 1994

D. 1996