Prelim Bits 15-02-2017

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme

• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme was launched in the year 2016 to promote agricultural education.
• Under the scheme 100 centres being opened with a fund of Rs.5.35 crore.
• “Attracting and retaining youth in Agriculture (ARYA)” is a project sanctioned by the Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) and is being implemented at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
• The main objective of the project was to provide complete knowledge and skill on processing, value addition and marketing of coconut and banana products through capacity building programmes involving research and development organizations.

Netra

• The IAF has formally inducted the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) named Netra developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO.
• These airborne warning systems are capable of long range surveillance.
• Netra is based on Embraer aircraft and three systems are to be developed. This system gives a 240-degree coverage of airspace.
• The three aircraft would be based at Bhatinda, facing the Western border.

Composite floor testing

• If there is absolute majority i.e more than 50% of the seats won by a single political party then there is no questions in who forms the government.
• In situations where the majority can be questioned (e.g when there is a coalition government), the chief minister appointed by the governor can be asked to prove his majority in the lower house.
• The chief minister has to move a vote of confidence and win a majority among those present and voting. This is called Floor Testing.
• If there is more than one person staking claim to form the government and the majority is not clear the governor may call for a special session to see who has the majority. This type is called Composite Floor Testing.
• The majority is then counted based on those present and voting, including the opposition.
• The Speaker does not cast his vote on the first instance. He can vote in case of a tie.
• The Constitution does not spell out the manner in which the governor must satisfy himself about the claim of majority support in the Assembly by the ruling dispensation.
• It is the Supreme Court’s innovation - Normal floor testing in SR Bommai case and Composite floor testing in the Jagadambika Pal case.