Q1: Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with respect to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act?
- As per the FCRA, members of legislatures, political parties, government officials, judges and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.
- NGOs receiving foreign grants have to register with the Ministry of Home Affairs and are also required to renew their registration number every 5 years.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation:
As per the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, members of legislatures, political parties, government officials, judges and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.
Foreign grants received by NGOs are regulated by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, or FCRA. In order to receive foreign funds, an NGO has to register with the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is assigned a unique FCRA registration number, to be renewed every five years.
Q2: With reference to the Viability Gap Funding (VGF), which of the given statements are correct?
- VGF refers to the one-time grants provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability.
- The VGF Scheme was launched by the Department of Economic Affairs for the public sectors undertaking infrastructure projects only.
- The government of India provides 40% of the Total Project Cost (TPC) as the Viability Gap Fund.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer : c
Explanation
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) means a grant one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability.
The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance introduced the Scheme for Financial Support to Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure (Viability Gap Funding Scheme) in 2006 with a view to support infrastructure projects undertaken through PPP mode.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) involve collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects, such as public transportation networks, parks, and convention centers.
VGF up to 40% of the Total Project Cost (TPC) is provided by the Government of India (Gol) and the sponsoring authority in the form of capital grant at the stage of project construction (20%+20%).
Q3:
In which of the sectors, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme has been allowed by the Central Government?
- Telecom
- Steel
- Electronics
- Solar photo-voltaic modules
- Food processing
- 1, 4 and 5
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
- 2, 3, 4 and 5
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer : d
Explanation
The PLI scheme aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
The scheme invites foreign companies to set units in India, however, it also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in 10 more sectors for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
The ten sectors include food processing, textiles, specialty steel, electronics, automobiles and auto components, telecom, solar photovoltaic modules and white goods such as air conditioners and LEDs.
Earlier, the government had announced the PLI scheme for medical devices, mobile phones and specified active pharmaceutical ingredients, with a proposed outlay of Rs. 51,311 crore.
Q4:
With reference to Over the Top (OTT) Platform, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- There is no law yet to regulate the OTT platform in India.
- Now the OTT and digital content is under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : c
Explanation
Currently, there is no law or autonomous body governing Over the Top(OTT) platform or digital content.
Recently, the Government has brought Over The Top (OTT) platforms, or digital video streaming service providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.