Maharashtra GK Questions

A [1, 2 & 3 Only]

Notes:

Sikkim became the first state, Himachal Pradesh the second and Kerala the third state to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) states recently. Haryana, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Punjab are the other four states to be declared as ODF in 2017.

A [1 & 3 Only]

Notes:

Bansagar is a multipurpose river valley project on river Sone in Madhya Pradesh. It envisages on both irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The Project is being executed by the Water Resource Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh under the direction of Bansagar Control Board. The party States to the project are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh. The Rajghat Dam has been constructed across River Betwa to provide Irrigation facilities to 1.38 lakh ha in Uttar Pradesh and 1.21 lakh ha in Madhya Pradesh with power generation of 45 MW through Rajghat Hydro Electric Project at the toe of the dam on the left flank. Mayurakshi River is a major river in West Bengal. Mayurakshi project is shared between Jharkhand and West Bengal.

D [Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation]

Notes:

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) organized a seminar on Gandhian Thought and Swachhata in Wardha district of Maharashtra on October 29, 2018. It was part of 150th birth year celebrations of Father of the Nation. The seminar was centered on the Gandhian ideology on sanitation and the implementation of the same through the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). It addressed on topics such as appropriate technologies in rural sanitation, organic waste management, and preventive sanitation. The main focus of the seminar was the Gandhi ji’s concept of Swachh evam Swawalambhi Sankul. The SBM campaign is a massive people’s movement, which has shown significant progress with the rural sanitation coverage having increased from 39%, at the launch of the SBM in 2014, to over 95% today. With 8.7 crore toilets constructed, 5.15 lakh villages, 530 districts and 25 States and Union Territories have been declared ODF. The campaign was officially launched on 2nd October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

C [Punjab]

Notes:

After Maharashtra and Gujarat, Punjab has become the India’s third state to legally ban hookah bars or lounges. The ban was announced through a law after President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently. The purpose of bringing the law is to check the use of tobacco in various forms and prevent diseases caused by the use of the tobacco products. As per available data, an hour’s average of hookah includes 20-200 puffs, delivering 50 litres of smoke contain, hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals. The smoking of hookah increases health risks includes exposure to toxic chemicals that are not filtered out by the water, and also the risk of infectious disease like tuberculosis resulting from sharing a hookah.

A [IV > III > II > I]

Notes:

• Andhra Pradesh – 25

• Madhya Pradesh – 29

• Tamil Nadu – 39

• Maharashtra – 48

D [Madhuri Dixit]

Actress Madhuri Dixit has been chosen as goodwill ambassador by the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) in Maharashtra to create awareness among people about the importance of voting. The State Assembly polls are scheduled for October 21 and results will be declared on October 24. She will be seen in a video titled ‘Let’s Vote” speaking about the democratic process and role of voters in the development of the country.

B [II and III]

Notes:

Maharashtra is ranked 2nd after Uttar Pradesh among 28 Indian states. So, option ‘3’ is correct. But option ‘1’ and ‘2’ are incorrect, because Goa is the smallest state based on area (i.e., 3702 sq km), not the Sikkim. Highest literacy rate is of Union territory is Lakshadweep i.e. 86.7%.

D [2 and 3]

Notes:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

The institute is to be set up for the improvement of economic and social condition of members of the OBC, Special BC/ SBC and the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribe (VJNT).It is to function in a manner similar to Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI) for SC members. It will provide scholarships for MPhil and PhD programs, create opportunities for self-employment, career counseling, skill training etc.

Statement 2 is correct:

The Jaldoot program will impart awareness on water conservation, management, irrigation, etc to the members. This is significant considering the frequent droughts faced by the state and its rampant cultivation of water intensive crops like sugarcane. The state is also prominent for it’s over dependence on ground water and private tanker.

Statement 3 is correct:

The program “Jyotidoot” will create awareness about and seek to eliminate dowry system and caste bias among the people. The other program “Savitridoot” will seek to create awareness about gender equality, cleanliness and prohibition. The various programs will look to improve the different sections of the society on multiple aspects by conducting studies and surveys.

A [Only 1 is correct]

Notes:

Statement 1 is correct:

The Sahachari scheme is intended for differently abled students. The scheme provides assistance to NCC, SPC and NSS units that assist students with over 40% disability. It involves an award of 40,000 INR for these units the purpose. It also includes the award of certificates and plaques.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

The Sahachari scheme was introduced by the Kerala government in December. This was intended for supporting differently abled students in the states in their studies. Apart from this scheme, the state also introduced another welfare initiative called Vijayamritham scheme.

B [Only 2 is correct]

Notes:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

The Mahakaleshwar temple is located in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is located on the bank of River Shipra. The temple had recently made provisions to enable Divyangs to perform Bhasma Aarti in light of the Makar Sankranti celebrations.

Statement 2 is correct:      

The Mahakaleshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines in India. These are considered as the holiest abodes of Lord Shiva. Another such shrine in Madhya Pradesh is the Omkareshwar Temple in Khandwa. The Mahakaleshwar Temple had earlier received the Divyanga Friendly Temple Award.