Centre vs Delhi govt: There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung, Rajnath says
-
NEW DELHI:In the midst of the ongoing stand-off between the Delhi lt governor and the AAP government, the Centre on Friday said it has no intention to run the city government through anyone but is conscious of its Constitutional responsibility and committed to uphold it.
"We have no intentions to run the Delhi government through anyone. Let them run the government. We just want to uphold the Constitutional provisions," home minister Rajnath Singh said at a press conference here.
He was replying to a question on whether the Centre wants to run the Delhi government through the lieutenant governor as it has given him absolute powers in several matters, including transfer and postings of senior bureaucrats, by issuing a notification, which was challenged in the court by the Arvind Kejriwal government.
"We are not against anyone but it is our responsibility to uphold constitutional provisions. Everyone should remain within the framework of the Constitution," he said without naming anyone.
Asked to comment on Delhi assembly's resolution holding as "illegal" the Centre's May 21 notification giving more powers to the LG and Kejriwal's statement that the Narendra Modi-led government is trying to push the country towards "dictatorship", the home minister said he would not like to say anything on this but added that the government was committed to uphold the Constitution.
Singh further said that if any law and order situation arises in the national capital, the central government is obliged to intervene.
"I don't want to say who is doing what but we are committed to uphold the Constitution. Law and order is also my duty...we will see," he said.
When asked if a jung (war) is going on between the Centre and the Delhi government, Singh said in a lighter vein, "There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung."
The home minister's comments came on a day when the Supreme Court sought Delhi government's response in three weeks on Centre's plea seeking stay on the high court judgment which termed as suspect the notification clipping powers of the AAP dispensation.
In its May 21 notification, the Centre had restrained the Delhi government's anti-corruption branch (ACB) from acting against its officers in criminal offences and holding that the LG can act in his discretion.
The apex court also issued notice and sought response within six weeks from the Delhi government on the appeal filed by the Centre against the high court's judgment.
The Supreme Court said the high court would hear the fresh petition filed by the Delhi government challenging the May 21 notification of the Centre independently and without being influenced by the observations made by the single judge in his verdict.
As per the notification, the lieutenant governor (LG) will have jurisdiction over matters connected with services, public order, police and land and he may consult with the chief minister whenever he thinks necessary on issues of services using his own discretion.
NEW DELHI:In the midst of the ongoing stand-off between the Delhi lt governor and the AAP government, the Centre on Friday said it has no intention to run the city government through anyone but is conscious of its Constitutional responsibility and committed to uphold it. "We have no intentions to run the Delhi government through anyone. Let them run the government. We just want to uphold the Constitutional provisions," home minister Rajnath Singh said at a press conference here.
He was replying to a question on whether the Centre wants to run the Delhi government through the lieutenant governor as it has given him absolute powers in several matters, including transfer and postings of senior bureaucrats, by issuing a notification, which was challenged in the court by the Arvind Kejriwal government.
"We are not against anyone but it is our responsibility to uphold constitutional provisions. Everyone should remain within the framework of the Constitution," he said without naming anyone.
Asked to comment on Delhi assembly's resolution holding as "illegal" the Centre's May 21 notification giving more powers to the LG and Kejriwal's statement that the Narendra Modi-led government is trying to push the country towards "dictatorship", the home minister said he would not like to say anything on this but added that the government was committed to uphold the Constitution.
Singh further said that if any law and order situation arises in the national capital, the central government is obliged to intervene.
"I don't want to say who is doing what but we are committed to uphold the Constitution. Law and order is also my duty...we will see," he said.
When asked if a jung (war) is going on between the Centre and the Delhi government, Singh said in a lighter vein, "There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung."
The home minister's comments came on a day when the Supreme Court sought Delhi government's response in three weeks on Centre's plea seeking stay on the high court judgment which termed as suspect the notification clipping powers of the AAP dispensation.
In its May 21 notification, the Centre had restrained the Delhi government's anti-corruption branch (ACB) from acting against its officers in criminal offences and holding that the LG can act in his discretion.
The apex court also issued notice and sought response within six weeks from the Delhi government on the appeal filed by the Centre against the high court's judgment.
The Supreme Court said the high court would hear the fresh petition filed by the Delhi government challenging the May 21 notification of the Centre independently and without being influenced by the observations made by the single judge in his verdict.
As per the notification, the lieutenant governor (LG) will have jurisdiction over matters connected with services, public order, police and land and he may consult with the chief minister whenever he thinks necessary on issues of services using his own discretion.
IIT Madras defends derecognition of student group, says it violated guidelines
-
CHENNAI: IIT Madras on Friday defended its decision to derecognize the Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle (APSC) by stating that the student group had violated the guideline issued by the institute.
In a statement, IIT-M said, "Student groups desiring to use the institute's resources are required to be recognized and they are to follow guidelines prescribed by the Board of Students which consists of all the elected student representatives. While IIT Madras does not curtail freedom of expression of the students, it is expected that student groups adhere to these guidelines while conducting their activities."
It said that according the guidelines, the student bodies are not allowed to use the institute's name or any of its official entities in any capacity to "publicize their activities or garner support, without official approval."
It said the APSC had violated these guidelines while conducting its meeting. "Normally, violation of these guidelines leads to temporary derecognition pending their presenting their stand to the Board of Students. In the present case also, the same procedure is being followed."
Earlier, it was reported that IIT-Madras had banned a discussion forum for students following an anonymous complaint that it tried to spread "hatred" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by mobilizing SC/ST students to question government policies on the use of Hindi and the ban on cow slaughter.
The reports said decision followed after the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) made an inquiry regarding the anonymous complaint it had received on the activities of the APSC on the IIT campus.
CHENNAI: IIT Madras on Friday defended its decision to derecognize the Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle (APSC) by stating that the student group had violated the guideline issued by the institute.In a statement, IIT-M said, "Student groups desiring to use the institute's resources are required to be recognized and they are to follow guidelines prescribed by the Board of Students which consists of all the elected student representatives. While IIT Madras does not curtail freedom of expression of the students, it is expected that student groups adhere to these guidelines while conducting their activities."
It said that according the guidelines, the student bodies are not allowed to use the institute's name or any of its official entities in any capacity to "publicize their activities or garner support, without official approval."
It said the APSC had violated these guidelines while conducting its meeting. "Normally, violation of these guidelines leads to temporary derecognition pending their presenting their stand to the Board of Students. In the present case also, the same procedure is being followed."
Earlier, it was reported that IIT-Madras had banned a discussion forum for students following an anonymous complaint that it tried to spread "hatred" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by mobilizing SC/ST students to question government policies on the use of Hindi and the ban on cow slaughter.
The reports said decision followed after the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) made an inquiry regarding the anonymous complaint it had received on the activities of the APSC on the IIT campus.
Radioactive leak detected at IGI Airport in Delhi
-
NEW DELHI: A radioactive leak was detected at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Friday.
Around 8:30 this morning, four packets were found leaking in a Turkish airline at the import cargo warehouse of IGI Airport.
GMR, Delhi Police, fire and the NDRF anti-sabotage team are inside to sanitize the restricted area. According to reports, more than 250 loaders were at work at the time of the incident. The workers have complained of burning sensation and eye irritation. Doctors inside the terminal are attending to those with any symptoms. The area has been cordoned off by DM New Delhi, Sanjay Kumar, who is the incident commander.
The radioactive leak has been located to a consignment from Turkey, which contained radioactive compounds for therapeutic use.
"We are monitoring the whole situation. Radioactive substance came from Istanbul for Fortis Hospital whose authorities have been called," NDRF DG said. The hospital had ordered the substance in connection with its cancer treatment, according to reports.
Home minister Rajnath Singh said, "The atomic energy team has also reached. We have just got information that the radioactive leak at the cargo complex in IGI Airport has been plugged."
CISF and police are probing if the leak was due to negligence.
Officials from the atomic mineral division of the department of atomic energy and personnel from AERB are at the spot.
A DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) spokesperson said, "A medical consignment of material suspected to be of radioactive nature was reported at the cargo terminal of Delhi Airport this morning. A team from Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the site and making arrangements for the removal of the material. This area is far away from any of the passenger terminals and there is absolutely no risk of exposure to any passengers. The said area has been cordoned off and as per the preliminary assessment given by AMD the material has been termed as that of low radio activity- Sodium Iodide Liquid Class 7 meant for medicinal use."
NEW DELHI: A radioactive leak was detected at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Friday.Around 8:30 this morning, four packets were found leaking in a Turkish airline at the import cargo warehouse of IGI Airport.
GMR, Delhi Police, fire and the NDRF anti-sabotage team are inside to sanitize the restricted area. According to reports, more than 250 loaders were at work at the time of the incident. The workers have complained of burning sensation and eye irritation. Doctors inside the terminal are attending to those with any symptoms. The area has been cordoned off by DM New Delhi, Sanjay Kumar, who is the incident commander.
The radioactive leak has been located to a consignment from Turkey, which contained radioactive compounds for therapeutic use.
"We are monitoring the whole situation. Radioactive substance came from Istanbul for Fortis Hospital whose authorities have been called," NDRF DG said. The hospital had ordered the substance in connection with its cancer treatment, according to reports.
Home minister Rajnath Singh said, "The atomic energy team has also reached. We have just got information that the radioactive leak at the cargo complex in IGI Airport has been plugged."
CISF and police are probing if the leak was due to negligence.
Officials from the atomic mineral division of the department of atomic energy and personnel from AERB are at the spot.
A DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) spokesperson said, "A medical consignment of material suspected to be of radioactive nature was reported at the cargo terminal of Delhi Airport this morning. A team from Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the site and making arrangements for the removal of the material. This area is far away from any of the passenger terminals and there is absolutely no risk of exposure to any passengers. The said area has been cordoned off and as per the preliminary assessment given by AMD the material has been termed as that of low radio activity- Sodium Iodide Liquid Class 7 meant for medicinal use."
Madhuri Dixit gets FDA notice for endorsing Maggi
-
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit seems to have landed in a soup for endorsing Maggi with the Haridwar Food and Drug Administration today serving a notice to her on the claims made in the advertisement.
The notice seeks a report from the actress within 15 days on claims made in the advertisementregarding the nutrition value of the '2-minute noodles', an official of Haridwar Food and Drug Administration said.
Maggi recently came under the scanner after samples collected by Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration were reported to be containing Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and lead more than the permissible limits.
Nestle India was asked to withdraw a batch of the popular snack from the market by the authorities in Uttar Pradesh recently.
Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health and the basis of making the claims.
If the actress fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time frame, a case could be registered against her, Food Security Officer Mahimanand Joshi said.
The notice seeks a report from the actress within 15 days on claims made in the advertisementregarding the nutrition value of the '2-minute noodles', an official of Haridwar Food and Drug Administration said.
Maggi recently came under the scanner after samples collected by Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration were reported to be containing Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and lead more than the permissible limits.
Nestle India was asked to withdraw a batch of the popular snack from the market by the authorities in Uttar Pradesh recently.
Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health and the basis of making the claims.
If the actress fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time frame, a case could be registered against her, Food Security Officer Mahimanand Joshi said.
'Spy' pigeon from Pakistan jailed in Pathankot
-
CHANDIGARH: The entry and capture of a white pigeon, apparently from across the border, in a border village of Pathankot in Punjab on Thursday has caused a flutter among intelligence sleuths and Punjab Police. This comes two days after an Intelligence Bureau (IB) alert to Punjab Police on the possibility of Indian Mujahideen being active in Jammu and Pathankot areas.
The fact that the avian 'intruder' bore a stamped message and had a wire-like object on its body made the security agencies take a closer look at its flight into India. A part of the message was in Urdu, but the numbers appeared to be that of a landline telephone in Pakistan's Narowal district.
The bird landed at the mud and brick house of barber Ramesh Chandra in Manwal village, 4km from Pakistan border, around 6.30pm on Wednesday. The suspicions of the barber's 14-year-old son were aroused by the Urdu markings, and he went to the nearest police post around 9pm with the "spy bird". His arrival there with the bird perched on a wire mesh along with Chandra's chicken created a stir.
"Unfortunately, mobile phones rarely work in the border areas. My son ran to the nearest police post," Chandra told TOI.
The cops then took the bird to a veterinary hospital in Pathankot for an X-ray. This did not throw up any clues. "Nothing adverse has been found, but we have kept the bird in our custody," said Pathankot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rakesh Kaushal.
"This is a rare instance of a bird from Pakistan being spotted here. We have caught a few spies here. The area is sensitive, given its proximity to Jammu, where infiltration is quite common," said Kaushal.
Cops at Bamiyal police post made a diary entry terming the bird as a "suspected spy", and sent a communication to BSF and IB.
The bird was found on a day when an inter-state meeting on security was being held among officials of Punjab Police, Indian Army as well as those from Kathua and Jammu districts.
"It was a meeting to launch joint search and combing operation in the respective areas. The security of Ranjit Sagar Dam was also discussed and decision has been taken to strengthen the security setup in and around the areas," said Punjab Police inspector general (border range) Ishwar Sharma.
CHANDIGARH: The entry and capture of a white pigeon, apparently from across the border, in a border village of Pathankot in Punjab on Thursday has caused a flutter among intelligence sleuths and Punjab Police. This comes two days after an Intelligence Bureau (IB) alert to Punjab Police on the possibility of Indian Mujahideen being active in Jammu and Pathankot areas. The fact that the avian 'intruder' bore a stamped message and had a wire-like object on its body made the security agencies take a closer look at its flight into India. A part of the message was in Urdu, but the numbers appeared to be that of a landline telephone in Pakistan's Narowal district.
The bird landed at the mud and brick house of barber Ramesh Chandra in Manwal village, 4km from Pakistan border, around 6.30pm on Wednesday. The suspicions of the barber's 14-year-old son were aroused by the Urdu markings, and he went to the nearest police post around 9pm with the "spy bird". His arrival there with the bird perched on a wire mesh along with Chandra's chicken created a stir.
"Unfortunately, mobile phones rarely work in the border areas. My son ran to the nearest police post," Chandra told TOI.
The cops then took the bird to a veterinary hospital in Pathankot for an X-ray. This did not throw up any clues. "Nothing adverse has been found, but we have kept the bird in our custody," said Pathankot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rakesh Kaushal.
"This is a rare instance of a bird from Pakistan being spotted here. We have caught a few spies here. The area is sensitive, given its proximity to Jammu, where infiltration is quite common," said Kaushal.
Cops at Bamiyal police post made a diary entry terming the bird as a "suspected spy", and sent a communication to BSF and IB.
The bird was found on a day when an inter-state meeting on security was being held among officials of Punjab Police, Indian Army as well as those from Kathua and Jammu districts.
"It was a meeting to launch joint search and combing operation in the respective areas. The security of Ranjit Sagar Dam was also discussed and decision has been taken to strengthen the security setup in and around the areas," said Punjab Police inspector general (border range) Ishwar Sharma.
North Korea's cyber-hacker army 'could kill people and destroy cities', warns the defector who trained them
-
Thousands of military hackers in North Korea could launch cyber attacks that could "kill people and destroy cities", a defector has warned.
Professor Kim Heung-Kwang saw his brightest computing students picked for Bureau 121 to become "cyber warriors" for Kim Jong-un before he fled the country in 2004.
"The size of the cyber-attack agency has increased significantly, and now has approximately 6,000 people," he told BBC Click.
"The reason North Korea has been harassing other countries is to demonstrate that North Korea has cyber war capacity.
"Their cyber-attacks could have similar impacts as military attacks, killing people and destroying cities."
Professor Kim, who taught at Hamheung Computer Technology University, believes hackers are building malware based on the "Stuxnet" attack on Iranian nuclear centrifuges, which was attributed to the US and Israel.
Although the threat is theoretical, up to 20 per cent of North Korea's military budget is believed to go into online operations.
The government dismissed accusations that it was behind last year's Sony Pictures hack as "groundless slander" but praised the attack as a "righteous deed".
It delayed the release of The Interview, offering a comedy take on the fictional assassination of Kim.
Known attacks have targeted South Korean infrastructure and Seoul blames its northern neighbour for a hack on a hydro and nuclear power plant earlier this year.
The warning came as an American research institute said satellite imagery showed significant new construction at North Korea's main rocket launch site for a possible space programme.
The secretive state has been banned from launching rockets or technology that could launch ballistic missiles by the UN Security Council but Kim declared this month that its space programme "can never be abandoned".
Pyongyang claims work at the Sohae launch site, which blasted its first rocket into space in December 2012, is peaceful.
In Seoul on Wednesday, nuclear envoys from South Korea, the US and Japan urged Pyongyang to engage in serious negotiations on its nuclear weapons.
Professor Kim Heung-Kwang saw his brightest computing students picked for Bureau 121 to become "cyber warriors" for Kim Jong-un before he fled the country in 2004.
"The size of the cyber-attack agency has increased significantly, and now has approximately 6,000 people," he told BBC Click.
"The reason North Korea has been harassing other countries is to demonstrate that North Korea has cyber war capacity.
"Their cyber-attacks could have similar impacts as military attacks, killing people and destroying cities."
Professor Kim, who taught at Hamheung Computer Technology University, believes hackers are building malware based on the "Stuxnet" attack on Iranian nuclear centrifuges, which was attributed to the US and Israel.
Although the threat is theoretical, up to 20 per cent of North Korea's military budget is believed to go into online operations.
The government dismissed accusations that it was behind last year's Sony Pictures hack as "groundless slander" but praised the attack as a "righteous deed".
It delayed the release of The Interview, offering a comedy take on the fictional assassination of Kim.
Known attacks have targeted South Korean infrastructure and Seoul blames its northern neighbour for a hack on a hydro and nuclear power plant earlier this year.
The warning came as an American research institute said satellite imagery showed significant new construction at North Korea's main rocket launch site for a possible space programme.
The secretive state has been banned from launching rockets or technology that could launch ballistic missiles by the UN Security Council but Kim declared this month that its space programme "can never be abandoned".
Pyongyang claims work at the Sohae launch site, which blasted its first rocket into space in December 2012, is peaceful.
In Seoul on Wednesday, nuclear envoys from South Korea, the US and Japan urged Pyongyang to engage in serious negotiations on its nuclear weapons.
Then coal secretary hid facts from Manmohan, CBI tells court
-
NEW DELHI: The then coal secretary, H C Gupta, concealed material facts related to allocation of a coal block in Jharkhand's Rajhara town from the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the coal portfolio, the CBI told a court here on Friday.
Advancing arguments on the issue of framing of charges, senior public prosecutor V K Sharma told special judge Bharat Parashar that Gupta concealed facts related to Jharkhand's Rajhara North coal block allocation, involving Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd. (VISUL), from Manmohan Singh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that Gupta, along with former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and others, conspired to favour VISUL in the allocation of the coal block.
Sharma told the court that the state government had recommended two other companies for Rajhara North coal mines but not VISUL.
This fact was not highlighted in the file noting sent by Gupta to Manmohan Singh, he added.
Even the steel ministry had not recommended the name of VISUL for the coal block, the senior public prosecutor apprised the court.
Initially, the state government had not recommended VISUL, but later former Jharkhand coal secretary A K Basu insisted on the firm's name at a meeting of the screening committee.
In his defence, Gupta maintained before the court that VISUL was eligible for allocation of the coal block. On Wednesday, Gupta said that the final decision on the block allocation was taken by the then coal minister Manmohan Singh.
The court posted the matter for June 30 for clarifications.
Others accused in the case include VISUL director Vaibhav Tulsyan, chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan, government officials Basant Kumar Bhatacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh, and alleged middleman Vijay Joshi.
They have been charge-sheeted for cheating and criminal conspiracy under Prevention of Corruption Act.
NEW DELHI: The then coal secretary, H C Gupta, concealed material facts related to allocation of a coal block in Jharkhand's Rajhara town from the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the coal portfolio, the CBI told a court here on Friday.Advancing arguments on the issue of framing of charges, senior public prosecutor V K Sharma told special judge Bharat Parashar that Gupta concealed facts related to Jharkhand's Rajhara North coal block allocation, involving Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd. (VISUL), from Manmohan Singh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that Gupta, along with former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and others, conspired to favour VISUL in the allocation of the coal block.
Sharma told the court that the state government had recommended two other companies for Rajhara North coal mines but not VISUL.
This fact was not highlighted in the file noting sent by Gupta to Manmohan Singh, he added.
Even the steel ministry had not recommended the name of VISUL for the coal block, the senior public prosecutor apprised the court.
Initially, the state government had not recommended VISUL, but later former Jharkhand coal secretary A K Basu insisted on the firm's name at a meeting of the screening committee.
In his defence, Gupta maintained before the court that VISUL was eligible for allocation of the coal block. On Wednesday, Gupta said that the final decision on the block allocation was taken by the then coal minister Manmohan Singh.
The court posted the matter for June 30 for clarifications.
Others accused in the case include VISUL director Vaibhav Tulsyan, chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan, government officials Basant Kumar Bhatacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh, and alleged middleman Vijay Joshi.
They have been charge-sheeted for cheating and criminal conspiracy under Prevention of Corruption Act.
Defending champion Saina Nehwal bows out of Australian Open
-
NEW DELHI: World number one and defending champion Saina Nehwal crashed out of Australian Open Super Series on Friday, after losing to Wang Shixian of China in the quarterfinals.
Fifth seeded Wang dominated the match from the beginning and registered an emphatic 21-15, 21-13 victory over the second seeded Indian ace.
Saina could not live up to her reputation of being a gritty fighter against the Chinese on Friday and lost the last 8 encounter in straight games in just 42 minutes.
With Saina's defeat, Indian challenge in Down Under came to an end as others had failed to reach the quarterfinal stage in Sydney.
NEW DELHI: World number one and defending champion Saina Nehwal crashed out of Australian Open Super Series on Friday, after losing to Wang Shixian of China in the quarterfinals.Fifth seeded Wang dominated the match from the beginning and registered an emphatic 21-15, 21-13 victory over the second seeded Indian ace.
Saina could not live up to her reputation of being a gritty fighter against the Chinese on Friday and lost the last 8 encounter in straight games in just 42 minutes.
With Saina's defeat, Indian challenge in Down Under came to an end as others had failed to reach the quarterfinal stage in Sydney.
Prince Ali out to wrestle FIFA from Blatter
-
ZURICH: As a former wrestler and army officer, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Hussein is the figure bidding to pry control of football's governing-body FIFA from current president Sepp Blatter on Friday.
The son of the late King Hussein of Jordan only turns 40 in December, but he is the only candidate opposing Blatter in the presidential election at FIFA's 65th congress in Zurich.
Several of FIFA's 209 member associations have said they will vote for the prince, who is expected to get plenty of European support.
But it may not be enough to wrestle power from the 79-year-old Blatter, who can rely on strong support from African, Latin American and Asian federations.
Prince Ali has been vice president of FIFA in Asia since 2011 and says Blatter must be denied a fifth term in charge.
"We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA," said the prince in a statement after seven top officials were arrested as part of a US investigation into corruption within FIFA on Wednesday.
"FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations.
"Leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame. Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world."
With FIFA facing one of the biggest crises of its 111-year history, the US and British-educated army officer is seen as a potential breath of fresh air in FIFA's corridors of power.
No stranger to the trappings of power and wealth, the father of two has already proved he can bring about change.
He led the campaign which saw FIFA lift the ban on the hijab and other religious head coverings being worn during matches last year.
Last September, the FIFA executive committee member led calls for Michael Garcia's report into FIFA's awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals to Russia and Qatar respectively to be made public.
"The entire football family as well as its sponsors and those who follow the game worldwide have a full right to know the contents of the report in the spirit of complete openness," he said at the time.
After graduating from Salisbury School in Connecticut, USA in 1993 where he excelled at sports including wrestling, the prince joined Britain's prestigious Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
He was awarded the Brunei Medal for Excellence and was commissioned as an officer in December 1994 while still a teenager.
The prince has won several foreign decorations, including a British knighthood, the French Legion d'honneur and Japan's Order of the Rising Sun.
He still holds the rank of general in the Jordanian Armed Forces and became president of the Jordan Football Association in 1999.
But should he succeed, he has no plans to stay more than one term and simply wants to "shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport".
"I want to get in there, make the changes that need to be made and then get out of the way," he told the New York Times.
ZURICH: As a former wrestler and army officer, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Hussein is the figure bidding to pry control of football's governing-body FIFA from current president Sepp Blatter on Friday. The son of the late King Hussein of Jordan only turns 40 in December, but he is the only candidate opposing Blatter in the presidential election at FIFA's 65th congress in Zurich.
Several of FIFA's 209 member associations have said they will vote for the prince, who is expected to get plenty of European support.
But it may not be enough to wrestle power from the 79-year-old Blatter, who can rely on strong support from African, Latin American and Asian federations.
Prince Ali has been vice president of FIFA in Asia since 2011 and says Blatter must be denied a fifth term in charge.
"We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA," said the prince in a statement after seven top officials were arrested as part of a US investigation into corruption within FIFA on Wednesday.
"FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations.
"Leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame. Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world."
With FIFA facing one of the biggest crises of its 111-year history, the US and British-educated army officer is seen as a potential breath of fresh air in FIFA's corridors of power.
No stranger to the trappings of power and wealth, the father of two has already proved he can bring about change.
He led the campaign which saw FIFA lift the ban on the hijab and other religious head coverings being worn during matches last year.
Last September, the FIFA executive committee member led calls for Michael Garcia's report into FIFA's awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals to Russia and Qatar respectively to be made public.
"The entire football family as well as its sponsors and those who follow the game worldwide have a full right to know the contents of the report in the spirit of complete openness," he said at the time.
After graduating from Salisbury School in Connecticut, USA in 1993 where he excelled at sports including wrestling, the prince joined Britain's prestigious Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
He was awarded the Brunei Medal for Excellence and was commissioned as an officer in December 1994 while still a teenager.
The prince has won several foreign decorations, including a British knighthood, the French Legion d'honneur and Japan's Order of the Rising Sun.
He still holds the rank of general in the Jordanian Armed Forces and became president of the Jordan Football Association in 1999.
But should he succeed, he has no plans to stay more than one term and simply wants to "shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport".
"I want to get in there, make the changes that need to be made and then get out of the way," he told the New York Times.
IBPS Specialist Officers Examination (CWE) General Awareness Solved Paper
-
1. Who among the following is one of the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize - 2011 ?
(A) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (B) Jules A. Hoffmann (C) Brude A. Beutler
(D) Adam G. Riess (E) Tomas Transtromer (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Food Security Bill-2011 which is in the process of becoming an Act, divides the entire population of the country into two groups. Which of the following are these two groups ?
(A) Below poverty line and above poverty line
(B) General population and excluded population
(C) Included households and excluded households
(D) Covered under PDS and not covered under PDS
(E) General households and priority households (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. RBI has recently deregulated the rates of interest to be provided by various Banks to their depositors/ customers with effect from 25-10-2011 on their accounts.
(A) Time deposit (B) Saving bank (C) Loan
(D) Fixed deposit (E) Current (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Which of the following is the main advantage of "ASBA" with the applicants for share allotment ?
(A) ASBA applicant has got secured allotment of shares
(B) ASBA applicant has got certain preference in allotment of shares as compared to general applicants
(C) ASBA applicant need not remit the fund for allotment of shares, he/she will do so after shares are allotted to him/her
(D) ASBA applicants deposit/OD account is not debited, only the funds are blocked for the same and he/she continues to avail interest till the shares are allotted to him/her
(E) None of these (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. "Many people die in Deadly Games in Egypt" –was the news in almost all major newspapers in February 2012.
Which of the following statements is the correct representation of 'Deadly Game' given in the headlines ?
(A) A riot broke out during a Football Match in Egypt in which many people were killed
(B) Police had to open fire on a mob including some genuine ticket holders, who were not allowed to enter the stadium even after the start of the match
(C) Egypt is famous for its dangerous games of 'Bull fight' and 'Martial Game'. Many participants die every year in such games
(D) Some terrorists opened fire during a football match. About 1,000 people were killed in the incident
(E) The defeat in the game is considered equivalent to death (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Mullaperiyar Dam, which was recently in news, is located in which of the following States?
(A) Maharashtra (B) Karnataka (C) Andhra Pradesh
(D) Kerala (E) Tamil Nadu (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Like telephone/Mobile number portability, the Ministry of Finance/RBI is now also considering to provide bank account number portability to bank customers. Which of the following would it mean?
(A) Any customer/account holder can withdraw cash from any other Bank through his/her own cheques drawn on other bank even without ATM
(B) Any borrower can draw funds from his/her loan account' from any other bank also
(C) The account number of any account holder will remain the same even if he/she is getting his/ her account transferred to another bank also
(D) Bank customers would have the facility of mobile Banks to with- draw cash nearby his/her place
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. The total number of Kissan Credit Card holder farmers in our country is–
(A) 8 Crores (B) 10 Crores (C) 5 Crores
(D) 7.5 Crores (E) 6 Crores (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. NRE deposit is–
(A) Non Resident External deposit (B) Non Resident Extra deposit
(C) Non Resident Exchange deposit (D) Non Refundable External deposit
(E) Non Resident Extended deposit (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. What is offshore banking ?
(A) It is a bank located in the sea (i.e. island).
(B) It is a bank located in SEZ.
(C) It is a bank located in a neighbouring country.
(D) It is a bank located outside the country of residence of the depositor.
(E) Offshore banking is basically dealing in foreign exchange. (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Maoists in which of the following countries recently decided to accept Govt's offer of 'Golden Handshake' fund enter into 'civilian life' or mainstream of the society ?
(A) Myanmar (B) India (C) China
(D) Nepal (E) Bhutan (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Which of the following is correct?
(A) Illiterates cannot open any account in a bank
(B) Illiterate women cannot open any account in a bank
(C) Illiterates can open savings bank accounts in a bank
(D) Advance can be granted to a minor
(E) Advance can be granted to a minor if he is of sound mind (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. As per newspaper reports western countries are going to impose sanctions on which of the following OPEC countries as it is said that it is trying to make a nuclear bomb ?
(A) Kuwait (B) Iraq (C) Iran
(D) Saudi Arabia (E) Angola (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. ''The Reliance Industries Ltd. has decided to return some 'KG' fields to the Government of India" -was the news in some major newspapers. What is the major production in KG fields owned by RIL ?
(A) Crude oil (B) Gas (C) Coal
(D) Iron ore (E) Gold ore and Diamonds (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Non-convertible debentures are–
(A) Debt instruments which acquire equity status at the issuers' option.
(B) Debt instruments which acquire equity status at the investors' option.
(C) Debt instruments which acquire equity status with the permission of Registrar of Companies.
(D) Debt instruments which acquire equity status on maturity.
(E) Debt instruments which retain their debt character and cannot acquire equity status. (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. India's Dipika Pallikal and Sarah Cardwell of Australia recently played an international match in Chennai. Both of them are–
(A) Badminton players (B) Golf players (C) Chess players
(D) Squash players (E) Table Tennis players (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. "IRDA 'norms will boost online distribution" -was the news in some major newspapers. This means online distribution of which of the following will boost up ?
(A) Bank products (B) Insurance policies/products
(C) Licenses to open new banks/ branches of existing banks
(D) Licenses to operate 2G / 3G spectrums
(E) Permits for export of iron ore (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 'Lajja' is a book written by–
(A) Salman Rushdie (B) Taslima Nasreen (C) Sunil Ganguli
(D) Rabindranath Tagore (E) Bimal Mitra (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. To prevent frauds in multiple mortgage cases, under SARFAESI Act, 2002 one special thing has been created and made operative from 01. 04. 2011. Which one is that from the following?
(A) Special Registrar Office at Lucknow
(B) Special Central Arbitration Bureau at Lucknow
(C) Central SARFAESI Tribunals at Six Centres
(D) Central Electronic Registry
(E) State Electronic Registries (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. SBI has merged which of the following two associate banks with itself?
(A) State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Patiala
(B) State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Travancore
(C) State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Travancore
(D) State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Hyderabad
(E) State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Saurashtra (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. Assembly elections took place in which one of the following States recently? (in January 2012)
(A) Madhya Pradesh (B) Maharashtra (C) Kerala
(D) Punjab (E) Tamil adu (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Which one of the following is not a salient feature of Debit Card?
(A) No bad debts to banks and no suits for recovery
(B) 0 interest earning for banks
(C) Works like a normal withdrawal
(D) Can be used at ATM and POS
(E) 45 days credit is given to the card holder (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. Banks issue a letter to beneficiary on behalf of its constituents like guarantee for making payment on their behalf on fulfillment of its terms and conditions. What is this arrangement known in banking context ?
(A) Line of Credit (B) Loan to Client (C) Loan on Credit
(D) Loan against Credit (E) Letter of Credit (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. As per Financial Inclusion drive one of the following Banks introduced Tilly Cards with Biometric identification. Which of the following is that Bank?
(A) Central Bank of India (B) Oriental Bank of Commerce (C) Indian Bank
(D) State Bank of India (E) Bank of Maharashtra (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. World leaders are to assemble in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012 for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). All nations are going to make some commitment towards the goal of the conference. As per the agenda circulated, what commitment do world leaders want from India in the Conference ?
(A) India should agree to double its energy efficiency under a global understanding
(B) India should suspend its nuclear pact with USA or at least should reduce it to 50% level of agreed capacity
(C) Nuclear power plants are highly risky as seen in Japan recently. Hence, no new plant should be made
(D) India has a vast resource of coal. It must share its coal resources with other countries to enable them to produce thermal power which they are not doing so far due to lack of coal mines there
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. Who among the following is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan given in 2012 ?
(A) Late (Dr.) Bhupen Hazarika (B) Sri Vanraj Bhatia (C) Sri Javed Akhtar
(D) Sri Amitabh Bachchan (E) Smt. Ambika Soni (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. Under the liberialised scheme of interest subsidy, Govt. of India provides interest subsidy on housing loan at the rate of–
(A) 0. 50% (B) 1. 00% (C) 2. 00%
(D) 2. 00% + 1. 00% for prompt repayment (E) None of these (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. When a Bank provides a loan for purchase of white goods, it is categorised as–
(A) Consumption loan (B) White Goods loan (C) Consumer Durable loan
(D) Working Capital (E) Bridge loan (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. India has decided to acquire Rafale Fighter planes for its airforce wing. Which country is going to supply Rafale fighter planes ?
(A) Italy (B) Britain (C) Canada
(D) France (E) Germany(Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Which of the following statements about contribution (approximately) of agriculture sector in GDP is correct?
(A) Agriculture contributes 50% of total GDP
(B) Agriculture does not contribute significantly to India's GDP as the share is less than 1 %
(C) India's GDP does not take agricultural sector into account
(D) Agricultural Sector is the part of Service Sector. Hence, it is not considered as an independent sector
(E) Agricultural Sector contributes 20% in India's GDP (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31. Banks are considered as 'financial intermediaries'. Which of the following activity correctly and comprehensively explains this role of banks ?
(A) Accepting deposits of money for the purpose of lending and investment
(B) Granting loans to the weaker sections of the society
(C) Accepting money for remittance and issuing bank drafts
(D) Providing safe deposit services
(E) Opening accounts and accepting deposits therein (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32. The rate below which banks cannot generally lend is called as–
(A) Base rate (B) Floor rate (C) Repo rate
(D) Call money rate (E) Ceiling rate (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry (of India) the infant mortality rate is lowest in–
(A) Tamil Nadu (B) Maharashtra (C) Goa
(D) Uttar Pradesh (E) Madhya Pradesh (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. Dada Saheb Phalke Awards are given by the Ministry of–
(A) Social Welfare (B) Corporate Affairs (C) Home Affairs
(D) Human Resource Development (E) Information and Broadcasting (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35. Which of the following is not a type of Cheque ?
(A) Crossed cheque (B) Blank cheque (C) Speed cheque
(D) Bearer cheque (E) Order cheque (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. Mr. John Key is the present–
(A) Prime Minister of Canada (B) Prime Minister of Australia
(C) Prime Minister of New Zealand (D) President of Australia
(E) President of Canada (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37. In relation to banking, what do you' understand by "Ever-Greening of Loan Account" ?
(A) Full repayment of a loan account before maturity-Pre-payment
(B) Full repayment of a loan account exactly at maturity
(C) Fresh loan sanctioned during the tenure of account for enhancement of limits
(D) Adjusting the NPA/Sticky account with fresh sanction of loans
(E) Loans provided for new projects to new customers
(Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38. Which of the following is the name of an autonomous organisation for rural technology ?
(A) CAPART (B) MGNREGA (C) PURA
(D) IRDP (E) NGAPS (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39. With a view to facilitate payment of balance in deposit account of the person named by the depositor without any hassles in the event of death of the account holder, the following facility was introduced in bank accounts in our country.
(A) Will (B) Registration (C) Nomination
(D) Indemnity (E) Guarantee (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40. Which of the following countries is not a member of ASEAN ?
(A) Thailand (B) Myanmar (C) Singapore
(D) Vietnam (E) Brazil (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41. Which of the following is not a Negotiable Instrument?
(A) Cheque (B) Fixed Deposit Receipt (C) Promissory Note
(D) Bill of Exchange (E) All (A) to (D) above are negotiable instruments (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42. Which of the following Stock Exchanges in India recently launched "Carbon Index" so that investors can assess risk and opportunities associated with climate change?
(A) Delhi Stock Exchange (B) National Stock Exchange
(C) Bombay Stock Exchange (D) Kolkata Stock Exchange
(E) Ahmedabad Stock Exchange (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43. Which of the following would be the venue of the World Athletic Championship 2013 ?
(A) New Delhi (B) Tokyo (C) London
(D) Paris (E) Moscow (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44. Who among the following represented India in 17th SAARC Summit held at Addu in Maldives in November 2011 ?
(A) Smt. Sonia Gandhi (B) Dr. Manmohan Singh
(C) Shri Pranab Mukherjee (D) Shri P. Chidambaram
(E) Shri Rahul Gandhi (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45. What is the maximum balance amount that is eligible for earning interest in a normal savings bank account ?
(A) Rs. 1 lac (B) Rs. 2 lacs (C) Rs. 3 lacs
(D) Rs. 5 lacs (E) No limit (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46. When a customer opens a Deposit account with the Bank, which one of the following is the status of the Bank?
(A) Debtor (B) Creditor (C) Trustee
(D) Beneficiary (E) None of these (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47. Which of the following states decided to give Khatedhari Rights to about 30,000 farmers occupying the custodian lands ?
(A) Gujarat (B) Rajasthan (C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Uttar Pradesh (E) Uttarakhand (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48. Which of the following functions is not being performed by the Reserve Bank of India ?
(A) Regulation of Banks in India
(B) Regulation of Foreign- Direct Investment in India
(C) Foreign Currency Management in India
(D) Control and Supervision of Money Supply
(E) Currency Management in India (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49. A bank is called as 'Scheduled Bank' when–
(A) its business has crossed Rs. 1,000 crore mark.
(B) its branch network is over 100
(C) it is included in the second Schedule of the RBI Act
(D) when it complies with all the three above
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50. Australian Govt. recently decided to sell Uranium to India. Uranium is used mainly for–
(A) manufacturing of chemical fertilizers. (B) manufacturing of Drugs/Pharma products.
(C) nuclear power generation. (D) making arsenals.
(E) making electronic chips. (Ans : C)
(A) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (B) Jules A. Hoffmann (C) Brude A. Beutler
(D) Adam G. Riess (E) Tomas Transtromer (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Food Security Bill-2011 which is in the process of becoming an Act, divides the entire population of the country into two groups. Which of the following are these two groups ?
(A) Below poverty line and above poverty line
(B) General population and excluded population
(C) Included households and excluded households
(D) Covered under PDS and not covered under PDS
(E) General households and priority households (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. RBI has recently deregulated the rates of interest to be provided by various Banks to their depositors/ customers with effect from 25-10-2011 on their accounts.
(A) Time deposit (B) Saving bank (C) Loan
(D) Fixed deposit (E) Current (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Which of the following is the main advantage of "ASBA" with the applicants for share allotment ?
(A) ASBA applicant has got secured allotment of shares
(B) ASBA applicant has got certain preference in allotment of shares as compared to general applicants
(C) ASBA applicant need not remit the fund for allotment of shares, he/she will do so after shares are allotted to him/her
(D) ASBA applicants deposit/OD account is not debited, only the funds are blocked for the same and he/she continues to avail interest till the shares are allotted to him/her
(E) None of these (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. "Many people die in Deadly Games in Egypt" –was the news in almost all major newspapers in February 2012.
Which of the following statements is the correct representation of 'Deadly Game' given in the headlines ?
(A) A riot broke out during a Football Match in Egypt in which many people were killed
(B) Police had to open fire on a mob including some genuine ticket holders, who were not allowed to enter the stadium even after the start of the match
(C) Egypt is famous for its dangerous games of 'Bull fight' and 'Martial Game'. Many participants die every year in such games
(D) Some terrorists opened fire during a football match. About 1,000 people were killed in the incident
(E) The defeat in the game is considered equivalent to death (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Mullaperiyar Dam, which was recently in news, is located in which of the following States?
(A) Maharashtra (B) Karnataka (C) Andhra Pradesh
(D) Kerala (E) Tamil Nadu (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Like telephone/Mobile number portability, the Ministry of Finance/RBI is now also considering to provide bank account number portability to bank customers. Which of the following would it mean?
(A) Any customer/account holder can withdraw cash from any other Bank through his/her own cheques drawn on other bank even without ATM
(B) Any borrower can draw funds from his/her loan account' from any other bank also
(C) The account number of any account holder will remain the same even if he/she is getting his/ her account transferred to another bank also
(D) Bank customers would have the facility of mobile Banks to with- draw cash nearby his/her place
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. The total number of Kissan Credit Card holder farmers in our country is–
(A) 8 Crores (B) 10 Crores (C) 5 Crores
(D) 7.5 Crores (E) 6 Crores (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. NRE deposit is–
(A) Non Resident External deposit (B) Non Resident Extra deposit
(C) Non Resident Exchange deposit (D) Non Refundable External deposit
(E) Non Resident Extended deposit (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. What is offshore banking ?
(A) It is a bank located in the sea (i.e. island).
(B) It is a bank located in SEZ.
(C) It is a bank located in a neighbouring country.
(D) It is a bank located outside the country of residence of the depositor.
(E) Offshore banking is basically dealing in foreign exchange. (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Maoists in which of the following countries recently decided to accept Govt's offer of 'Golden Handshake' fund enter into 'civilian life' or mainstream of the society ?
(A) Myanmar (B) India (C) China
(D) Nepal (E) Bhutan (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Which of the following is correct?
(A) Illiterates cannot open any account in a bank
(B) Illiterate women cannot open any account in a bank
(C) Illiterates can open savings bank accounts in a bank
(D) Advance can be granted to a minor
(E) Advance can be granted to a minor if he is of sound mind (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. As per newspaper reports western countries are going to impose sanctions on which of the following OPEC countries as it is said that it is trying to make a nuclear bomb ?
(A) Kuwait (B) Iraq (C) Iran
(D) Saudi Arabia (E) Angola (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. ''The Reliance Industries Ltd. has decided to return some 'KG' fields to the Government of India" -was the news in some major newspapers. What is the major production in KG fields owned by RIL ?
(A) Crude oil (B) Gas (C) Coal
(D) Iron ore (E) Gold ore and Diamonds (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Non-convertible debentures are–
(A) Debt instruments which acquire equity status at the issuers' option.
(B) Debt instruments which acquire equity status at the investors' option.
(C) Debt instruments which acquire equity status with the permission of Registrar of Companies.
(D) Debt instruments which acquire equity status on maturity.
(E) Debt instruments which retain their debt character and cannot acquire equity status. (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. India's Dipika Pallikal and Sarah Cardwell of Australia recently played an international match in Chennai. Both of them are–
(A) Badminton players (B) Golf players (C) Chess players
(D) Squash players (E) Table Tennis players (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. "IRDA 'norms will boost online distribution" -was the news in some major newspapers. This means online distribution of which of the following will boost up ?
(A) Bank products (B) Insurance policies/products
(C) Licenses to open new banks/ branches of existing banks
(D) Licenses to operate 2G / 3G spectrums
(E) Permits for export of iron ore (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 'Lajja' is a book written by–
(A) Salman Rushdie (B) Taslima Nasreen (C) Sunil Ganguli
(D) Rabindranath Tagore (E) Bimal Mitra (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. To prevent frauds in multiple mortgage cases, under SARFAESI Act, 2002 one special thing has been created and made operative from 01. 04. 2011. Which one is that from the following?
(A) Special Registrar Office at Lucknow
(B) Special Central Arbitration Bureau at Lucknow
(C) Central SARFAESI Tribunals at Six Centres
(D) Central Electronic Registry
(E) State Electronic Registries (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. SBI has merged which of the following two associate banks with itself?
(A) State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Patiala
(B) State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Travancore
(C) State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Travancore
(D) State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Hyderabad
(E) State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Saurashtra (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. Assembly elections took place in which one of the following States recently? (in January 2012)
(A) Madhya Pradesh (B) Maharashtra (C) Kerala
(D) Punjab (E) Tamil adu (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Which one of the following is not a salient feature of Debit Card?
(A) No bad debts to banks and no suits for recovery
(B) 0 interest earning for banks
(C) Works like a normal withdrawal
(D) Can be used at ATM and POS
(E) 45 days credit is given to the card holder (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. Banks issue a letter to beneficiary on behalf of its constituents like guarantee for making payment on their behalf on fulfillment of its terms and conditions. What is this arrangement known in banking context ?
(A) Line of Credit (B) Loan to Client (C) Loan on Credit
(D) Loan against Credit (E) Letter of Credit (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. As per Financial Inclusion drive one of the following Banks introduced Tilly Cards with Biometric identification. Which of the following is that Bank?
(A) Central Bank of India (B) Oriental Bank of Commerce (C) Indian Bank
(D) State Bank of India (E) Bank of Maharashtra (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. World leaders are to assemble in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012 for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). All nations are going to make some commitment towards the goal of the conference. As per the agenda circulated, what commitment do world leaders want from India in the Conference ?
(A) India should agree to double its energy efficiency under a global understanding
(B) India should suspend its nuclear pact with USA or at least should reduce it to 50% level of agreed capacity
(C) Nuclear power plants are highly risky as seen in Japan recently. Hence, no new plant should be made
(D) India has a vast resource of coal. It must share its coal resources with other countries to enable them to produce thermal power which they are not doing so far due to lack of coal mines there
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. Who among the following is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan given in 2012 ?
(A) Late (Dr.) Bhupen Hazarika (B) Sri Vanraj Bhatia (C) Sri Javed Akhtar
(D) Sri Amitabh Bachchan (E) Smt. Ambika Soni (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. Under the liberialised scheme of interest subsidy, Govt. of India provides interest subsidy on housing loan at the rate of–
(A) 0. 50% (B) 1. 00% (C) 2. 00%
(D) 2. 00% + 1. 00% for prompt repayment (E) None of these (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. When a Bank provides a loan for purchase of white goods, it is categorised as–
(A) Consumption loan (B) White Goods loan (C) Consumer Durable loan
(D) Working Capital (E) Bridge loan (Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. India has decided to acquire Rafale Fighter planes for its airforce wing. Which country is going to supply Rafale fighter planes ?
(A) Italy (B) Britain (C) Canada
(D) France (E) Germany(Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Which of the following statements about contribution (approximately) of agriculture sector in GDP is correct?
(A) Agriculture contributes 50% of total GDP
(B) Agriculture does not contribute significantly to India's GDP as the share is less than 1 %
(C) India's GDP does not take agricultural sector into account
(D) Agricultural Sector is the part of Service Sector. Hence, it is not considered as an independent sector
(E) Agricultural Sector contributes 20% in India's GDP (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31. Banks are considered as 'financial intermediaries'. Which of the following activity correctly and comprehensively explains this role of banks ?
(A) Accepting deposits of money for the purpose of lending and investment
(B) Granting loans to the weaker sections of the society
(C) Accepting money for remittance and issuing bank drafts
(D) Providing safe deposit services
(E) Opening accounts and accepting deposits therein (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32. The rate below which banks cannot generally lend is called as–
(A) Base rate (B) Floor rate (C) Repo rate
(D) Call money rate (E) Ceiling rate (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry (of India) the infant mortality rate is lowest in–
(A) Tamil Nadu (B) Maharashtra (C) Goa
(D) Uttar Pradesh (E) Madhya Pradesh (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. Dada Saheb Phalke Awards are given by the Ministry of–
(A) Social Welfare (B) Corporate Affairs (C) Home Affairs
(D) Human Resource Development (E) Information and Broadcasting (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35. Which of the following is not a type of Cheque ?
(A) Crossed cheque (B) Blank cheque (C) Speed cheque
(D) Bearer cheque (E) Order cheque (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. Mr. John Key is the present–
(A) Prime Minister of Canada (B) Prime Minister of Australia
(C) Prime Minister of New Zealand (D) President of Australia
(E) President of Canada (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37. In relation to banking, what do you' understand by "Ever-Greening of Loan Account" ?
(A) Full repayment of a loan account before maturity-Pre-payment
(B) Full repayment of a loan account exactly at maturity
(C) Fresh loan sanctioned during the tenure of account for enhancement of limits
(D) Adjusting the NPA/Sticky account with fresh sanction of loans
(E) Loans provided for new projects to new customers
(Ans : D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38. Which of the following is the name of an autonomous organisation for rural technology ?
(A) CAPART (B) MGNREGA (C) PURA
(D) IRDP (E) NGAPS (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39. With a view to facilitate payment of balance in deposit account of the person named by the depositor without any hassles in the event of death of the account holder, the following facility was introduced in bank accounts in our country.
(A) Will (B) Registration (C) Nomination
(D) Indemnity (E) Guarantee (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40. Which of the following countries is not a member of ASEAN ?
(A) Thailand (B) Myanmar (C) Singapore
(D) Vietnam (E) Brazil (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41. Which of the following is not a Negotiable Instrument?
(A) Cheque (B) Fixed Deposit Receipt (C) Promissory Note
(D) Bill of Exchange (E) All (A) to (D) above are negotiable instruments (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42. Which of the following Stock Exchanges in India recently launched "Carbon Index" so that investors can assess risk and opportunities associated with climate change?
(A) Delhi Stock Exchange (B) National Stock Exchange
(C) Bombay Stock Exchange (D) Kolkata Stock Exchange
(E) Ahmedabad Stock Exchange (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43. Which of the following would be the venue of the World Athletic Championship 2013 ?
(A) New Delhi (B) Tokyo (C) London
(D) Paris (E) Moscow (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44. Who among the following represented India in 17th SAARC Summit held at Addu in Maldives in November 2011 ?
(A) Smt. Sonia Gandhi (B) Dr. Manmohan Singh
(C) Shri Pranab Mukherjee (D) Shri P. Chidambaram
(E) Shri Rahul Gandhi (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45. What is the maximum balance amount that is eligible for earning interest in a normal savings bank account ?
(A) Rs. 1 lac (B) Rs. 2 lacs (C) Rs. 3 lacs
(D) Rs. 5 lacs (E) No limit (Ans : E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46. When a customer opens a Deposit account with the Bank, which one of the following is the status of the Bank?
(A) Debtor (B) Creditor (C) Trustee
(D) Beneficiary (E) None of these (Ans : A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47. Which of the following states decided to give Khatedhari Rights to about 30,000 farmers occupying the custodian lands ?
(A) Gujarat (B) Rajasthan (C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Uttar Pradesh (E) Uttarakhand (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48. Which of the following functions is not being performed by the Reserve Bank of India ?
(A) Regulation of Banks in India
(B) Regulation of Foreign- Direct Investment in India
(C) Foreign Currency Management in India
(D) Control and Supervision of Money Supply
(E) Currency Management in India (Ans : B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49. A bank is called as 'Scheduled Bank' when–
(A) its business has crossed Rs. 1,000 crore mark.
(B) its branch network is over 100
(C) it is included in the second Schedule of the RBI Act
(D) when it complies with all the three above
(E) None of these (Ans : C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50. Australian Govt. recently decided to sell Uranium to India. Uranium is used mainly for–
(A) manufacturing of chemical fertilizers. (B) manufacturing of Drugs/Pharma products.
(C) nuclear power generation. (D) making arsenals.
(E) making electronic chips. (Ans : C)
No comments:
Post a Comment