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Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 133]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 133] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) The Global Fund is a partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of which of the following diseases? AIDS Tuberculosis Malaria Dengue Select the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 Only 1 1, 2 and 4 Q.2) Women's Indian Association (WIA) was founded by Sarojini Naidu Annie Besant Margaret Cousins Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Which of the following countries are members of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)? Kenya Mozambique Ghana Select the correct code: 1 and 3 2 and 3 1 and 2 All of the above Q.4) Which of the following statements is/are correct? India is the only large economy with an income tax exemption threshold that is 2.5 times the average national per capita income ICE 360° Survey is conducted by People Research on India's Consumer Economy (PRICE) Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b)  Q.5) Which Article in the Constitution on India provides for the post of Solicitor General of India? Article 76 Article 165 Article 148 None of the above Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

AIR

All India Radio - Energy Conservation and Clean Energy Choices

Energy Conservation and Clean Energy Choices ARCHIVES Search 14th December here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Infrastructure: Energy Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Climate change concern the population as well as economic growth. There are two alternatives for having less carbon footprints: Alternate energy sources Energy Conservation These are the two main ways in which government across globe, specifically in India need to be concentrating upon. India is a growing economy and hence it has the choice of consuming energy as well as protect environment with sustainable policy goals. Energy conservation The natural resources at disposal are limited. The primary energy sources- coal and other fossil fuels constitute 85% of India’s energy. Remaining comes from nuclear/water/other renewable energy resources. The primary sources are converted either into heat energy or electrical energy through a process. While transferring energy, there is loss of energy which is called as transmission and distribution loss. It is estimated that if 1 unit of electricity is saved, it translates into saving of 1.2 units of electricity. As per Energy Conservation Act 2001, BEE was established to make policies and implement it, which includes among others, creating awareness and disseminating information on energy efficiency and conservation. In 2015-16, by taking various energy efficient or conservation methods, India was able to save equivalent to 9500MW capacity of power, i.e. 1900 crore units of electricity, thereby saving carbon emissions of four crore tonnes. Thus, importance of energy conservation is self-evident. Thus, the conservation drive is pushing people to adopt energy efficient methods. This is also backing up centre’s efforts in promoting renewable energy development. Waste of energy However, despite publicity, IEC campaigns, huge commercials, lot of electricity is wasted whether it is in industry or in household or offices. Efforts have to be made at all levels to save energy: Enhance productive efficiency of the plant where more electricity is generated from same plant. Alternative sources of energy should be developed on priority basis. Government should give incentives to conserve energy. For example, saving of electrical energy can be incentivised as it is most precious and most useful form of energy There should be increased use of energy efficient sources such as LED lights instead of CFL. It consumes 10-20% less energy. With smaller light intensity and longer lifetime, it should be encouraged to be used at industries and agricultural fields apart from households. It can be done through reducing cost and increasing distributive mechanism. Taxation incentive should be given in using LED bulbs. The production cost of bulb is Rs. 65 but after adding taxes, the final cost arrives at Rs. 85-90 which deters people to make such useful investment. Maximum saving of electricity can be done during summers by households by keeping AC temperature within premises at 25-27 degrees instead of 16-18 degrees which consume more energy. Also, switching off appliances when not in use will help a lot. With decreased temperature, a simple water cooler may also help to cool down the surrounding temperatures. BEE star rating on appliances should be made more visible and also educate people about such rating. The meaning of more the rating, less the energy consumption should be made understand to people and advertise in a manner that people ask only for higher star appliances. This will make selling of more energy saving devices than rest. The consumers have to be convinced that it shall be one time investment and combination of higher technology and tax incentives will make it affordable in linger run. Yet if one time investment is much to ask for from extremely poor families, then the cost of investment can be distributed with electricity bill- for example, Rs. 10 per month in the bill is added. Thus, the cost can be recovered without much burden and energy saving can also be done. Energy saving will lead to decrease in rate of climate change. Fuel saving whether on road or in diesel pumps for irrigation in agricultural fields through more efficient machines can be used. Solar operated pumps can also be used. The automobile industry can also enhance efficiency of automobiles through emission norms. Bharat IV norms should be upgraded to Bharat VI norms at the earliest. Public transport should be encouraged to save energy. The extraction techniques of coal mines can be improved to make the coal mining a technologically efficient technique. The coal plants can use new technology such as super critical and ultra critical boilers which can convert 50% of raw material into electricity as against sub critical boilers which have only 36-38% efficiency. It means that out of 100Kal generated, 36% converted into electricity and rest goes into atmosphere. It has been proved that even if plant efficiency is increased by 1%, 1 million tonnes of coal can be saved. Conclusion What lacks is awareness regarding critical importance of energy efficiency which can be gained by adopting new technology. Certain percentage of penetration of energy efficient devices in public, particularly in cities where lot of electricity is consumed can spearhead motivation even in rural areas. Renewable energy development plays an important role in providing sustainable sources of energy. Hence, the people should cooperate with government’s efforts to introduce more renewable resources of energy. Saving energy is going to be beneficial for generations to come as well as be a part of healthy lifestyle which is required in this times of excess pollution. Clean energy choices will support the economy to grow at a more sustainable pace than rampant energy usage for short term development goals. Connecting the dots: What is the essence of ‘energy conservation’ in today’s time period? Examine the role of energy in one’s life with respect to sustainability of that source.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 8th March, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 8th March 2017 Archives ART AND CULTURE  TOPIC: General Studies 1 Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Censor board and cinematography act Introduction India is a country with rich art and culture. Cinematography and art are crucial areas for expression and any curb on the same is discriminatory and violatory. All Censor Board chiefs have grappled with the guidelines even though censoring films is not their job. Issue: In recent days actions of the censor board is in news for all the wrong reasons. Known as the Central Board for Film Certification it has overstepped its bound repeatedly. Perhaps it is the provocative title of the film or perhaps it is that women are seen engaging, or even grappling, with their sexuality. But clearly something about Lipstick Under My Burkhahas set the Central Board of Film Certification’s teeth on edge. The Examining Committee of the Board stated by way of explanation for denying the film certification: “The story is lady oriented, their fantasy about life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society [they were not referring to women here], hence film refused…” What’s in a name? In 1983, the Central Board of Censors was renamed the Central Board of Film Certification, but the hangover seems to continue. When asked why Lipstickwas axed instead of being given a more nuanced certification for distribution, Board officials had no answers. They referred to the guidelines crafted by Information and Broadcasting Ministry officials for certification, which, in turn, draw from reasonable restrictions to free speech in the Constitution. The 1991 principles for guidance in certifying films cover everything from depiction of sex to double entendres, to stoking communal passions, to protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country. CBFC’s record: According to Board officials, of the 1,700-odd films that come up for certification in a year, only 90 are denied a certificate. Lipstickparticularly failed to adhere to Clause 3 in the guidelines, which requires the Examining Committee to ensure that “the film is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall impact and is examined in the light of the period depicted in the films and the contemporary standards of the country and the people to which the film relates provided that the film does not deprave the morality of the audience.” Given this tall, tall order, it is no wonder that conforming to the guidelines and obtaining certification for a film that pushes the envelope a little is no easy task. Conclusion: The answer as solution to all the above lies in the fact that appointments are political and not by merit. Further it has to be ensured all standards of film certification are ensured in letter and spirit and not popular perceptions. The recommendations of the Shyam Benegal Committee have to be adhered to and government has to meet the necessary requirements. Connecting the dots: CBFC is more acting a Censor board and less a certification board. Critically analyse the functions of the same in light of recent controversies.   WOMEN ISSUES TOPIC: General Studies 1 Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues Social empowerment General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes Women, employment and empowerment Data at a glance As per recent report by ILO, India and Pakistan have the lowest rates of women’s labour force participation in Asia. In India, the worrying cause is further declining of labour force participation. According to National Sample Survey, in 1999-2000, 25.9% of all women worked and by 2011-12 this proportion had dropped to 21.9%. This is in contrast with global trends as well as countries like Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Asia that have the highest women labour force participation. Even countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are placed behind them. Of the 185 nations that are part of the ILO database, since the 1990s, 114 countries have recorded an increase in the proportion of women in the workforce. 41 countries have recorded the decline and India is leading the pack here. Even the Economic Survey 2016-17 expressed concern that the demographic dividend is already receding, reducing the opportunity for the Indian economy to catch up with its East Asian counterparts. The declining participation of women in labour force and subsequently in economy tells a sorry story about India’s growth. It needs to be seen what ails the falling down of women participation. Access One explanation can be, with rising incomes, women have the opportunity to escape harsh labour in farms and on construction sites. They can now focus more on families. But another view, possibly more realistic one is- with declining farm sizes, rising mechanisation, and consequently dwindling labour demands in agriculture, women are being forced out of workforce. If the latter view is true, it has a serious implication on future policies pertaining to agriculture, economy and women empowerment. Research shows that when women have access to more work opportunities, they take them instantly. India Human Development Survey (IHDS) with other partners found that work provisions under MGNREGA has brought more rural women into wage labour. This can be verified from the fact that 45% were not in wage labour before the scheme was initiated. Moreover, increased availability of wage work also enhances women’s control over household decision-making. Creating opportunities However, it is imperative to explore other avenues for work for women as MGNREGA cannot be expected to provide consistent stable employment. From policy perspective, two main challenges have to be addressed for augmenting women’s workforce participation rates: Agricultural to non agricultural work Because of shrinking farm work, there is need to create opportunities for women to move from agricultural to non-agricultural manual work. A research by University of Maryland finds that where roads were constructed between the first (2004-05) and second (2011-12) survey of IHDS, both men and women were more likely to undertake non-agricultural work but this effect was greater for women. The construction of roads has cascading effect such as improvement in transportation services such as buses, which in turn can facilitate movement of the rural workforce, especially women, into non-agricultural work in neighbouring villages and towns. White collar job access On the other end of the employment spectrum too, it is necessary to make possible for educated women to continue work even while raising families. In India, the prevalence of a rigid work environment and dearth of family-friendly work institutions create impediments to women’s access to white-collar jobs in the formal sector. Also, long distances between the home and the workplace increase both commuting time and work burdens, leaving workers with even less time for family duties. Hence, there must be a work environment that allows more women, especially urban and educated women, to take up salaried jobs. Single handed responsibility It has been known worldwide that women continue to bear the major share of household work and childcare. The women are expected to invest more in child’s education over professional achievement thereby surfacing the skewed work-family equation. However, this highlights the contrasting situations- in west, there is decline in fertility rates because women prefer to opt out of marriages for better employment prospects whereas here, children’s future achievements take the front seat instead of career development. This has led to urban and educated Indian women dropping out of the labour pool. Neither of these, however, seems an optimal outcome for society. The only thing that can address this issue is by encouraging workplaces to become more responsive to family needs and to promote sharing of household responsibilities between both genders. Sharing the burden The global competition has made the companies make the employees work even on weekends as well as increasing the work hours. A study has found that young workers in India worked 52 hours per week as against 42 hours by their counterparts in Canada. Work-family balance requires increased participation by men in household chores and caring for children. However, workplace inflexibility makes for difficult choices, involving trade-offs between investing in careers of either of couple, often resulting in women taking a back seat and at times even dropping out of the workforce. IASbaba’s views Japan’s ‘Womenomics’ needs to play an important role in the Indian economy by investing and encouraging more female participation in workforce and in positions of leadership. The beginning has been done in terms of passage of a landmark Maternity Benefits Bill which will benefit women returning to the workforce with availability of quality childcare centres at workplace. Beyond education, skilling, pay parity and board positions, India’s agenda should also include providing women leadership positions in political life. The recent violent experience in Nagaland, wherein the local community refused to let women have 33% reservation in local governments, shows how far the distance has to be covered yet. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the role of women in Indian economy. Women as home makers or women as professionals? In your opinion, what should be the role of women in helping India’s growth? MUST READ How to tame our forest fires Hindu   The lawmakers we need Indian Express   The compelling virtue of treason Indian Express   Genesis of a vote bank Indian Express   Price control is a blunt instrument in healthcare Livemint   Building grass-roots student innovators Livemint   Women power? Hardly Business Line   What’s so good about a bad bank? Business Line  

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 132]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 132] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) It is an agreement under International Energy Agency (IEA) India is one of the founding members of ISGAN Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about TIR Convention It was adopted under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) The TIR system only covers customs transit by road Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) is under Ministry of Finance Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Reserve Bank of India Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Q.4) Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP)/Turkistan Islamic Movement (TIM) was founded in which of the following countries? Turkey Iraq Syria China  Q.5) ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’ is concerned with Electoral reforms Labour reforms Governance Western Ghats Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 7th March, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 7th March 2017 Archives ECONOMY  TOPIC:  General Studies 3 Government Budgeting. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Low tax base and concerns Introduction India being home to 1.21 billion population needs high resource mobilization. One of the major mode of resource mobilization is tax collection. Only about 3% of Indians pay income tax. It is a matter of great concern that tax incidence is minimum in India. Issue: Of nearly 127 crore Indians, only 2.6 crore pay income tax. The fact that less than 3% of Indians pay income tax is automatically construed to imply that a large majority avoid paying income tax. The Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, made a sweeping statement in his Budget speech this year claiming that India is “a tax non-compliant society and too many people evade taxes”. Not only is the perception entrenched that too few pay income taxes but also that most Indians under-report their incomes. The data story: Prime Minister said in his New Year’s eve speech that “only 24 lakh Indians reported an income greater than 10 lakh rupees. Who can digest this?” This perception that India is a land of tax avoiders and black money hoarders was first mooted by former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram who, in his 2013-14 Budget speech, emphatically assertedthat “only 42,800 persons admitted to an income of more than Rs.1 crore per year”. The insinuation was that there is massive under-reporting of income. Most readers will perhaps endorse this growing chorus that India has too few honest taxpayers. The data reality: Except that data belies this claim. That a large majority of Indians are tax dodgers may well be an urban legend. India’s per capita GDP is roughly Rs. 1 lakh, i.e. the average Indian earns a lakh of rupees every year. Given India’s large income inequality, it can also be inferred that when the average income is Rs. 1 lakh, a greater majority of Indians earn less than Rs. 1 lakh while a small number at the top earn large amounts. However, the income tax exemption threshold in India is Rs. 2.5 lakh, i.e. anyone earning below Rs. 2.5 lakh need not pay income tax. This implies that only those who earn more than 2.5 times the average income of Rs. 1 lakh will fall under the tax bracket. When a majority of Indians earn less than Rs. 1 lakh, an income tax exemption threshold of Rs. 2.5 lakh is sure to leave a vast majority out of the tax bracket. We also know from recent research by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and Peoples Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE) that the average income of the richest 20% of Indians is Rs. 95,000. This means that even a large majority of the richest 20% of Indians do not qualify to pay income taxes. In this context, it is not entirely surprising that only 3% of Indians pay tax. This is not a function of a large number of Indians avoiding tax, as portrayed, but merely a reflection of the fact that India is a terribly poor country with an extremely high income tax exemption threshold. Global comparisons India is the only large economy with an income tax exemption threshold that is 2.5 times the average national per capita income. In most countries, including in emerging economies such as China, Brazil and Argentina, anyone earning more than half the average national income falls under the income tax bracket. India has increased the income tax exemption threshold on seven occasions, from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 2.5 lakh in the last two decades. Contrast this with China, where the exemption threshold has just doubled from 10,000 yuan to roughly 20,000 yuan in the same period even though average incomes grew much faster in China than in India. If India lowers its income tax exemption to, say, Rs. 1 lakh from the current Rs. 2.5 lakh to be more in line with the rest of the world, nearly 1.5 crore more Indians will fall under the tax bracket. To be clear, such a move will not fetch any meaningful extra tax revenues for the government but will merely bring more people into the tax bracket. It is thus misleading and specious to conclude that India’s small number of taxpayers is entirely a result of some genetic and cultural trait of dishonesty of Indian society at large. Even in the much richer United States, only 12.5 lakh people out of nearly 20 crore adults reported an income greater than 10 times the per capita GDP of the U.S. In the United Kingdom, only 2 lakh people out of an adult population of 4 crore reported an income of greater than 10 times the average annual income. Similarly, an annual income of Rs. 1 crore in India is equal to 100 times the average annual income. What proportion of people in other countries earn more than 100 times the average annual income? Just 43,000 people in the U.S., 5,000 in the U.K. and a few hundred in Canada. Conclusion: Most urban Indians are unable to fathom the scale and size of India’s poverty. Their immediate, lived experiences lure them into this belief that a significant majority of Indians earn more than Rs. 20,000 a month to qualify to pay income taxes. Casting aspersions on all of Indian society solely on the basis of the small number of taxpayers is plain egregious. The political compulsions of such class rhetoric are obvious as it serves as a good excuse for seemingly “tough” actions such as demonetisation. Connecting the dots: The economic survey discussed the importance of having a wider tax base. Critically analyse the importance of India facing problems of low tax incidence and hence spillover issues on growth and development.   NATIONAL  TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Aadhar and Mid-day Meal Scheme- is there any connection? In news: The notification by Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has mandated that children will not be served mid-day meals at school without Aadhaar cards from June 2017. Aadhar in violation In 2014 judgement, SC has made it clear that Universal Identification Document, commonly known as Aadhaar cannot be made compulsory for any services to which people are otherwise entitled. It has also made it clear that the Aadhaar Act does not supersede these orders, until such time as the Court settles the issue of compatibility of Aadhaar with the right to privacy. It can only be used as voluntary identification for five specific government programmes: Public distribution scheme National Rural Employment Guarantee Act National Social Assistance Programme Jan Dhan Yojana LPG subsidies The current notification asks students to sign up for Aadhar by June 30 in order to continue to be eligible for the scheme. The necessity to have the Aadhar identity has been imposed on the “cook-cum-helpers” at schools as well. The Right to Food (RTF) Campaign plans to challenge the Centre’s decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for children to avail themselves of the mid-day meal schemes in schools across the country. Where lies the problem? School meals are an important entitlement of Indian children, legally enforceable under Supreme Court orders as well as under the National Food Security Act. This should be understood by keeping in mind that India also has the largest number of stunted children in the world at 72 million. Mid- Day meal provides for this opportunity to feed the children (4-12 years) universally in school. Mid-day meals have also helped to break the barriers of class and caste by imparting a habit of sharing meals to children of diverse backgrounds. The new notification is likely to affect nearly 120 million schoolchildren across the country. While the government’s rationale is that the decision will improve efficiency and transparency, Right to Food activists maintain that the notification is in violation of a children’s rights and Supreme Court’s order. According to RTF Campaign, numerous studies have shown that India’s mid-day meal scheme has made an important contribution to higher school attendance, better child nutrition and more effective learning. Aadhar is not right platform The challenges faced by MDMS are different from DBT schemes like delivering subsidised LPG to people below the poverty line, or even the PDS. In MDMS, there are instances reported of poor hygiene in kitchen or incidences of food adulteration. Sometimes, it is difficult to even deliver nutritious food to remote areas. If food ingredients are there, then kitchens to cook them are not available within the schools. Undoubtedly, the Midday Meal Scheme has always been dogged by problems of corruption and inefficient delivery. But these problems are in no way linked to beneficiary fraud. It’s not clear how regulating access to the Midday Meal Scheme by linking it to the Aadhar cards will improve its efficiency. In fact, such an attempt might prove counterproductive and derail a programme that has improved school enrolment, reduced drop-out rates and improved child nutrition. Aadhar and other schemes Following central government’s scheme of Aadhar for Mid-day meal scheme, five other ministries have issued a series of 14 similar notifications for 11 schemes, including access to primary and secondary education. The critical part of the notifications are that all of them the general benefits of Aadhaar, the scheme and its beneficiaries, and lay out a deadline for enrolling in Aadhaar to continue accessing these schemes. However, none of these notifications specify the particular benefits of Aadhaar for that particular scheme. Privacy concerns Beneficiaries of government schemes who will have to apply for an Aadhaar number include immensely vulnerable groups such as children between 6 and 14 years old, women rescued from sexual trafficking, and even disabled citizens who wish to apply for or continue getting scholarships or government-funded aids and appliances. Other beneficiaries listed in these notifications include adults who are not literate and seek skill training, health workers, aspiring women entrepreneurs and those seeking career guidance and jobs. The notifications have also raised concerns of privacy of beneficiaries, such as women rescued from trafficking and other groups. In February, several instances of security weaknesses in Aadhar, through leak of demographic data of children and instances of private firms illegally storing biometrics have come to light. People from the most discriminated against communities like ragpickers and safai karmcharis do not want their identity to be revealed are staying away from Aadhar enrolment. Compulsory inspite of being voluntary The Right to education was created to “remove barriers to education” and has been interpreted to mean that no documents will be required for a child in the six to 14 age-group to take admission in a school. With compulsory presence of Aadhar, this is the first barrier – in the shape of a required document – being introduced in schools across India. For the senior citizens to be eligible for railway concessions on both counter and e-tickets, Aadhar is made compulsory For school and college students who wished to be eligible for the Central Government Scholarship and National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship schemes, Aadhar is compulsory. Individuals who sought to avail of the LPG scheme should have Aadhar card. Those who wished to gain benefits from the Employees’ Pension Scheme, had to have an Aadhaar card. Thus, Aadhar is touted as a medium to bring in discipline in government schemes. The government’s target of covering entire population is yet short by 13 crores. (As reported in 2016, Aadhaar was given to 103.8 crore people). This may explain the sudden deluge of Aadhaar-related announcements. However, the government should refrain from arm-twisting measures to complete its target. The intent of Aadhar based schemes is acceptable only when it truly wishes to wade out inefficiencies and corruption. Conclusion- Use where necessary The Aadhar scheme has proved a success in weeding out bogus ration cards, helped the government make savings in the MGNREGS, played a critical part of the PM’s scheme for LPG cylinders for people below the poverty line. But using Aadhar to solve mid-day meal problems, by making it compulsory for students has no logic and rationale in it. The problem lies at the implementation level and not with any kind of beneficiary taking undue advantages. To solve MDMS problems, a clear chain of responsibility and accountability in those who operate the programme at all levels is required. Also, government should use other measures to increase enrolment of Aadhar and not create hurdles for children which affects their present and future. Connecting the dots: Is Aadhar proving to be a boon or bane for citizens? Discuss in light of new methodology of government to give benefits only through Aadhar. MUST READ Demonetisation and the GDP: knock-out punch or mild tap? Hindu   Cost of Internet shutdowns Hindu   Reforming funding of polls and parties Hindu   The violence of certainty Indian Express   The next chapter in Internet governance Livemint   The need for a debate on free speech Livemint   Using Economic Survey 2016-17 to gauge demonetisation impact on GDP growth Livemint   Will RCEP make or break industry? Business Line   Cooperatives should reinvent themselves Business Line  

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 131]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 131] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Which of the following committees recommend state funding of elections? Jeevan Reddy Committee Indrajit Gupta Committee Dinesh Goswami Committee Jaya Prakash Narayan Committee  Q.2) Who among the following has published “Payment and Settlement Systems in India: Vision-2018”? Reserve Bank of India Ministry Of Finance NITI Aayog Ministry of Commerce and Industry Q.3) The World Development Report (WDR) is an annual report published by United Nations Development Programme World Economic Forum World Bank International Monetary Fund Q.4) Corruption Perception Index is released by World Economic Forum Amnesty International Transparency International None of the above Q.5) Which of the following is the implementing agency for Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana? Reserve Bank of India Niti Aayog National Payments Corporation of India None of the above Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 6th March, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 6th March 2017 Archives URBANISATION AND NOISE POLLUTION TOPIC: General Studies 1 Effects of globalization on Indian society, Social empowerment Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders Noise pollution concerns Introduction Urbanisation is a natural phenomenon and it has spillover effects on generations. The effects are widespread to over health, economy and society at large. Increasing urbanization and consequent increase in vehicles and industries has lead a significant rise in noise pollution and hence deep health concerns. Issue: Study finds that noise pollution is robbing nearly two decades of healthy hearing from the residents of Delhi and Mumbai Air pollution is impairing the lungs of Indians, particularly in north Indian cities like Delhi that have to cope with unfavorable meteorology is a known reality. However, a study across 50 cities in the world finds that noise pollution — from vehicles, power drills, wedding bands, loudspeakers, headphone-use, television and humanity in general — is robbing nearly two decades of healthy hearing from the denizens of Delhi and Mumbai. Using data gathered from over 2,00,000 participants of their hearing test, the study by Mimi, a German company that works on ways to test hearing and improve music perception, found That 64% of the hearing loss measured in people of a city could be explained by the region’s noise pollution levels. Variations The data was gathered by those who used Mimi’s hearing test app, which allows participants to enter their age and gender, and measure their hearing. This is broadly done by playing tones at various frequencies that cover the range of human auditory perception from 20-20,000 Hz. The theory goes that age irreversibly destroys the tiny hair in your inner ear, making it harder to hear high-pitched tones. The older you are, the less the range of frequencies perceived. International standards and issues There is an international standard on the ideal hearing abilities across age groups and the Mimi researchers determined how far, on average, people’s hearing abilities deviated from what’s ideal for their age. This number, called the ‘Hearing Loss’ (HL), varied from 10 to 20 years and the researchers averaged this based on the number of respondents per city. Residents of Vienna were found to have the smallest average HL of 12.59 years, meaning that a hypothetical 30-year-old had the hearing of a 42-year-old. Delhi performed the worst with an HL of 19.34, meaning that a 30-year-old Delhiite had the auditory level of a 49-year-old; Mumbai’s is 18.58. Other cities with the highest average HL but trailing Delhi were Istanbul, Cairo and Guangzhou, in that order. Zurich, Switzerland has the least incidence of noise pollution and Guangzhou, China the highest, according to the report. “While eye and sight checks are routine for most, ear and hearing exams are not,” Dr. Manfred Gross from Charité University Hospital, Berlin, said in a statement, “This is an issue as the earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for preventing further damage.” Increasing noise levels and issues: So far, the study is yet to be published in a scientific journal or peer-reviewed but prior research has established the link between hearing loss and noise levels. It is estimated, according to a 2015 report commissioned by the European Commission on the impact of noise on health, that 1.3 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing impairment due to noise exposure and that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 10% of the global population is currently exposed to noise levels that could lead to hearing impairment. The same body recommends that unprotected exposure to sound levels greater than 100 dB (a firecracker generates about 125 dB) should be limited in duration (four hours) and frequency (four times a year). Additionally, it should never exceed 140 dB in adults and 120 dB in children. India’s Central Pollution Control Board conducts studies of ambient noise in commercial, residential and industrial townships — especially around Diwali — and has found that noise levels in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow routinely break the national limit of 75 dB. Conclusion: Urbanisation and consequent growth should be planned. The lack of planning and the resultant disintegration is visible in India and across the world. Noise pollution and the damage caused is a silent but considerable irreversible threat. Connecting the dots: Critically discuss the incidence of noise pollution and its effects on urban areas especially in light of urban sprawl witnessed in India and the world.   ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Saving the Western Ghats In news: in last three years, the Environment Ministry has hesitated for second time to bring into force a law that will make about 56,825 sqkm of the ecologically-rich Western Ghats out of bounds for industrial development. Background In March 2014, the government had revived a draft that specified how much land in various coastal States encompassing the Western Ghats would be earmarked as practically-inviolate. But as it was not made a law, because of opposition by states, the draft lapsed in September 2015. The same draft was reintroduced in 2015 which is expired once again on March 4 2017. Now, a new draft notification had been issued in February- open to public comments for 60 days which allows the Centre to create an Ecological Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats (WG), spanning along west coast of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The regions declared as the ESA will not be allowed to host mining and quarrying projects and building thermal power plants. The Ministry of Environment and Forest is empowered under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to declare any region as deserving of special protection. This provision should be taken up seriously now. Such protection is essential to rule out incompatible activities such as mining, constructing large dams, and setting up polluting industries. The importance of Western Ghats The idea is that whatever is left of these fragile mountainous forests should be protected from unsustainable exploitation in the interests of present and future generations. It also presents a sustainable ways of living to the communities that inhabit these landscapes. To make the issue a typical development-vs-conservation debate is unscientific given the significant role Western Ghats play in development of the nation. It is an accepted fact that Western Ghats play an important and irreplaceable role in mediating the monsoon over the country. Endemism is also at the heart of protecting Western Ghats. According to reliable estimates, they have more than 1,500 endemic species of flowering plants, and at least 500 such species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The forests harbour a rich biodiversity that is yet to be discovered, researched and understood. This is evident from the fact that new species continue to emerge each year in an area that has endemic plants and animals. The threat still persists when a scientist Norman Myers had written nearly two decades ago that only 8% of primary vegetation out of the original 182,500 sq km remains in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka taken together. Need of Conservation- recommendations and suggestions Gadgil Committee — In 2011, a committee headed by ecologist Madhav Gadgil recommended that all of the Western Ghats be declared as the ESA — with only limited development allowed in graded zones. Kasturirangan Committee — Another committee headed by former ISRO, it recommended only about 60,000 sq km — or about 37% of the WG be declared ESA. Both expert groups have encountered resistance from State governments and industries, although they mutually differ in their recommendations. Thus, States have forced the Centre to consistently delay imposing the ESA restrictions. What to do? It needs to be known how much of Western Ghats can be demarcated as ecologically sensitive, going beyond the system of national parks and sanctuaries that already exist. Also, if there are other areas free to be exploited for industrial activity, including mining and deforestation, with no environmental consequences. Goa’s loss of ecology has been frequently cited as an example of destruction due to rampant, illegal mining. The complicated task is that of assessment of ecosystem services delivered by the forests, lakes, rivers and their biodiversity to communities. As Gadgil report underscores that the unique value of some locations, such as those with fish or medicinal plant diversity peculiar to a small area, should not get lost in the assessment process. Also, what comes out strikingly is that in a populous country like India, endemism has survived with community support. Thus, MoEF should heed the advice of the expert group and unhesitatingly reject environmental clearance for two controversial dam projects — Athirapilly in Kerala and Gundia in Karnataka — which come under the most sensitive ecological zone category. In this context, Kerala High Court’s direction to the State Electricity Board to repair and restore all existing dams to maximise power output, is relevant as this will eliminate the need for a destructive new structure at Athirapilly. The Western Ghats Ecological Authority, also called as Gadgil Committee, has proposed sound guidelines to conserve and protect the endemic Western Ghats. The need is to translate the recommendations into actions through a statutory apex body. Conclusion Instead of another notification that is floated half-heartedly by the central government as there is weak effort to forge a consensus amongst stakeholders, there is a need of a framework under which scientific evidence and public concerns are debated democratically and the baseline for ESAs arrived at. A national consultative process is required which entails wider consultations with public at all level and bring out several other options such as community-led ecological tourism and agro-ecological farming, to spare the sensitive areas. Connecting the dots: The Western Ghats can be termed as one of India’s prized assets. Yet, not much is done to protect them from destruction. Highlight the problems faced in conservation of Western Ghats and possible solutions for them. 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