Sep 2, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 2nd September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 2nd September, 2016   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 3 India and its neighborhood – relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Indian diaspora Important international institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate   In India it’s time for Africa Both the countries together Cover about a quarter of the world’s land area Support over a third of world’s population Share an important asset in their (demographic dividend) young populations, about half of which is below 25 years of age and Aspires to have the knowledge and technical skills to participate in their economic growth India and Africa: History Influence of Indian freedom fighters shaped India’s Africa policy Evolved over time, India’s Africa policy owes a lot to Mahatma Gandhi, who became a beacon for Africa and to Jawaharlal Nehru, who left an indelible imprint on India-Africa relations. At the root of Nehru's belief was that India's independence would be incomplete without Africa's freedom. As a visionary, he also foresaw and strengthened Afro-Asian unity that led to the Bandung Conference and the birth of non-alignment. On international fora, India played a leading role in assisting and expediting Africa's de-colonization process. The help it extended to the African countries in gaining independence and to South Africa in its struggle against apartheid was recognized widely and often. Political relations have since been marked by mutual understanding and support. India Africa cooperation (East Africa) Geographical proximity and Economic opportunities: India’s proximity to East Africa offers a potential for cooperative infrastructure projects that bridge the Western Indian Ocean. Little more than 3,000 miles separate Zanzibar from Mumbai, there are multiple opportunities for India’s private sector to explore. On the economic front, India’s model of penetration driven mainly by private sector interests has its own advantages. Indian firms pursue strategies that result in greater integration with domestic markets. However the Indian government has also focused on the softer sectors of education and human development and has extended assistance by giving African students access to higher education, mainly under the auspices of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, and in offering technical cooperation under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and related programmes. Security cooperation: East African coastal states look up to New Delhi as a privileged partner who can help develop their coast guard and naval capabilities, from the Gulf of Aden to the Mozambique Channel. (as shown in figure below) Figure:  http://s2.thingpic.com/images/21/gQNbEiDs1oQtNytNzY1y.jpeg   India has taken a lead in three key initiatives: the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, which includes thirteen states in the East African littoral sub-group the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which includes South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, as well as Madagascar and Mauritius The IBSA trilateral (India, Brazil, South Africa), which hosted four roundsof joint naval exercises in Southern Africa’s Indo-Atlantic link waters. India can build on its wide experience in contributing to security and stability on the continent. By 2008 India’s military had emerged as the largest contributorto U.N.-mandated peacekeeping and other operations in Africa. To date, New Delhi has also trained over 100 military officials from more than 20 African countries at the regional Center for United Nations Peacekeepingin New Delhi.   Diaspora: The Indian diaspora in Africa, estimated at more than 1 million people, integrated socio-economically. According to a 2007 World Bank surveyon international firms operating in Africa, 48 percent of company owners of Indian origin held African nationality. Being substantially more integrated into the business community in Africa, overseas Indians are also able to better assist New Delhi’s efforts to develop local partnerships. Health research and partnership: Africa and India together harbour about half of its disease burden. Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, childhood diarrhoea and respiratory infections remain big challenges and are witnessing a shift towards non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, etc. India has sufficient and contemporary experience in tackling health-care issues in the context of a developing country. India has clear strengths in its generic pharmaceuticals industry, and due to early development of its higher education sector, it has a large human resource in the health sector as well. These can be leveraged for capacity building in Africa. Regional and Multilateral cooperation: There is also a wide scope for India to foster regional integration and multilateral cooperation in Africa. The Africa-India Summit, organized in partnership with the African Union, Partnership for Africa’s Development, and the continent’s eight regional economic communities. The India Africa Health Sciences Meet (IAHSM) {is a follow-up of the India-Africa Summit in October 2015, at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s intent to partner Africa.} Way Ahead Our Africa policy has laid emphasis, especially in recent years, on expansion and diversification of trade, investment and economic relations. We have been on the right track, but we need to recognise that the unfolding change in Africa is complex, that its pace is rapid and inconsistent, and that competition for Africa's affection and attention has become increasingly severe given the competition with China. India’s ‘Look Africa’ policy can be a game changer if it also becomes an engine for knowledge generation and innovation. A powerful triad of the Government of India, India Inc., and civil society can take the India-Africa relationship to a new level of strength and vitality. Connecting the dots: Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. What are the salient features of the political and economic relationship between India and South Africa? How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? Also discuss the recent developments between India and East African countries.   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 1 Social empowerment General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to poverty and hunger. General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.   Minimum Wage and labour issues In news: Fourth all India strike by Trade Unions. This article deals with minimum wages- its reasons, method of calculation and related issues. Increasing the minimum wage The government recently announced a 42% increase in minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers in central public sector units. The increase was from Rs. 246 a day to Rs. 350 a day — or Rs. 9,100 for a month of 26 working days for category ‘C’ employees. The government also formed a committee to look into extending benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Act to unorganised sectors, including anganwadi, mid-day meal and Asha volunteers. However, the trade unions have not been satisfied with government’s move. Demand of the Trade Unions A statutory minimum wage for all workers of not less than Rs 18,000 per month. An amendment in the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, to provide for universal coverage for minimum wages for both permanent and contract workers. To stop contractualisation of labour for perennial work. Universal social security for all. Industry opines Small scale industries will not be able to afford such high salary as they operate on thin margins. It will shift employment to big cities where minimum wages are at par with Rs.10,000 per month. This will have adverse effect on employment in smaller states. Labour facts NSSO 2011-12 data Total strength of workforce: 472.9 million 87% of India’s workforce was in the unorganised sector and only 13% were in the organised sector. 8% in the organised sector were informal workers. 4% in unorganised sector were informal workers. Study by VV Giri National Labour Institute: There are estimated 6 crore contract labourers in the country. However, out of them, only 60 lakh contract workers were covered under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970. 30% of all workers in private sector and around 32% in the public sector are employed through contractors. Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Central Rules, 1971 states that: The wages of the contract labour shall be according to the minimum wage prescribed under Minimum Wages Act, 1948 In case where the contract worker perform the same kind of work as the regular worker, the minimum wages should be at par. National Floor Level Minimum Wage Computed: To have a uniform wage structure across the country In 1996, it was fixed at Rs 35 per day. Today it is Rs. 160 per day, i.e. close to Rs. 4800 per month. However, in comparison to official minimum wages, some parts in India have wages as low as Rs.1,650 a month (Puducherry, agriculture, 2013). Reason for enacting the Minimum Wage Act, 1948 To establish peace on behalf of a national bourgeoisie that had to manage a working class which was more militant in days immediate after independence. India had surplus of labour that was majorly poor. And there were too many jobs where labour did not have the bargaining power to demand a wage sufficient to survive. Fair wages would prevent employers from getting away with paying low wages to workers which could generate several social costs, such as poverty, malnutrition, endemic debt leading to bonded labour, and child labour. At present, the minimum wage act provides for employers to give the fixed minimum wages to workers employed in 45 economic activities like stone mines, construction, non-coal mines etc. Minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for performing labour. How is minimum wage fixed? The Indian Labour Conference in 1957 recommended five norms to determine minimum wage which should be need based and should ensure the minimum human needs of the industrial worker. The wage must support three consumption units (individuals). Food requirement of 2,700 calories a day. Clothing requirement of 72 yards per worker’s family. Rent for housing area similar to that provided under the subsidised housing scheme. Fuel, lighting and miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20 per cent of the minimum wage. In 2011, SC called for to add another 25% for children’s education, medical requirements, etc. The calculations based on these parameters estimates minimum wage at Rs.26,000 per month. This is amount is demanded by Central government employee unions from the Seventh Pay Commission, which had fixed their minimum wage at Rs.18,000. Need for minimum wage? Yes The trade union strikes that began in 2010 has seen greater proportion of unorganised/informal workers participation as: There has not been much growth in organised sector employment. Contract employment in the unorganised and organised sectors has been growing. No In an era of liberalisation, the market and not the government should determine the prices to preserve efficiency and competitiveness. It contradicts ‘Make in India’ initiative where to attract FDI in India, Indian labour has to remain cheaper than Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Bangladeshi labour. Neither industry bodies nor the state nor unions can claim that the Minimum Wages Act (MWA) is seriously implemented. Also, India has yet not ratified the United Nations’ Convention No. 131 (adopted in 1970) on Minimum Wage Fixing. However, no government will ever scrap MWA despite being not taken seriously. Conclusion No industry lobby in post liberalisation period can openly say that contract workers should be paid less than permanent workers for the same work. Discussions with trade unions and industry representatives will aid the government to prepare consensus based labour laws. Labour reforms have to be pro-labour to widen their acceptance and reduce labour unrests. Connecting the dots: What is minimum wage rate and how is it calculated? Critically analyse the importance of wage rate and its need.   Related articles: Waging a minimum wage battle in the labour market Labour law reforms Labour Reforms and Challenges involved The India Labour and Employment Report 2016 Labour in the 21st century MUST READ Our Compromised Ecological Security Hindu   The road to genuine reform Hindu Related articles: The Big Picture – Judicial Appointments- Why is it Still Eluding Solution? The Big Picture – Vacancies and Pending Cases in Courts: What’s The Solution? Diffusing the Judicial burden Ending the impasse   So That Mothers Can Work Indian Express   In fact: Why restrictions on stockholding and export of pulses must go Indian Express   Zika’s shadow over India Livemint   The lure of protectionism will grow Livemint   Tasks before the GST Council Business Line

Sep 2, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 10]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Recently Union Cabinet approved a scheme to grant Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors. Consider the following statements with respect to same. It will serve as a multiple entry visa without any stay stipulation The foreign investor will have to invest a minimum of Rs. 10 crores to be brought within 18 months to be eligible for this scheme Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None Q.2) Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is released by World Bank World Trade Organisation (WTO) International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Chamber of Commerce Q.3) Central trade unions have called a nationwide strike today (2 September, 2016) to protest the government’s announcement of a hike in minimum wages for workers. Consider the following in regard to minimum wages and choose the incorrect statement: States may notify minimum wages only if there are more than 1,000 workers in a particular employment. National Floor Level Minimum Wage has a statutory backing, which makes it mandatory for states to fix minimum wages at not less than the National Floor Level Minimum Wage. Currently the National Floor Level Minimum Wage stands at Rs 160 per day. None  Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) It is aimed at supporting the building of infrastructure projects in Asia-Pacific region It is headquartered at Singapore Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.5) This tool allows developing countries to raise tariffs temporarily to deal with import surges or price falls. Identify the tool from the following options: Special Drawing Rights Special Safeguard mechanism GATT National Treatment Obligation Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Sep 2, 2016 PIB

IASbaba Press Information Bureau (PIB)- 22nd Aug to 28th Aug, 2016

ARCHIVES GS-2 BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction meet adopts Udaipur Declaration  (Topic: Global grouping and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) Udaipur Declaration- Udaipur meeting has successfully adopted the Udaipur Declaration whereby have resolved to set up a dedicated Joint Task Force for Disaster Risk Management for-> Regular dialogue+ Exchange + Mutual support + Collaboration among BRICS Countries. Roadmap for implementation of the three-year Joint Action Plan (JAP) for BRICS emergency services (2016-18) was also finalised. JAP was agreed upon at the first meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management at St. Petersburg in Russia Agreed on a road map for implementation of the Joint Action Plan where all have resolved to work together on exchange of Information/experiences on disaster management, research & technology exchange on forecasting and early warning for floods and extreme weather events and capacity building of stakeholders for disaster management. Issues discussed- BRICS nations have made a clear move from relief-centric to a holistic approach to disasters with a greater emphasis on prevention, mitigation and preparedness. Highlights the importance of forecasting and early warning systems to help authorities in alerting the communities as well as responding swiftly to a situation. Meeting discussed the advances in technology and knowledge sharing amongst member countries to enable them in leveraging it to reduce disaster risk. Possible solutions- Mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction, use of advanced technology in providing early warning, need for adequate funding to deal with rehabilitation and reconstruction after a disaster and the impact of climate change on disasters are common challenges faced by all of us. Deliberations have been very useful and the participating countries got an opportunity to learn about the disaster management structure, system and processes followed in other BRICS countries. India, the current BRICS chair, will host the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa in October, 2016. India and Germany join hands on skill agenda (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) About New project- It will run for three years starting August 2016 with a budget of EUR 3,000,000 (22.6 Crores INR) – made available by the German Government and aims to foster conditions which will help create and improve cooperative workplace-based vocational training in India’s industrial clusters. Project will be implemented in three selected clusters, which include the Automobile cluster in Maharashtra and Electronics cluster in Bangalore. Play an important role in supporting MSDE’s existing programmes to scale up apprenticeship training. Project will be implemented under the umbrella of the ‘Joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training (VET)’, signed during the Indo- German intergovernmental consultations on 5th October 2015 in New Delhi. German technical assistance will be used to- Enhance industry institute partnerships between Indian and German organizations, build capacity of local training institutions and foster industry linkages which will help adapt elements of the German dual system, into the Indian context.   Indo-German partnership- India recognize the fact that Germany’s dual system is widely acclaimed as one of the best in the world, noted for its close linkages between industry and training institutions. Provides a competitive edge to German industry and businesses. Need to adapt elements of the German VET system to the Indian context to ensure that skill training in India is closely aligned with the requirements of industry. Why Germany? Germany has been one of countries which is on top of the manufacturing and innovation pyramid and continues to develop most high end products. It has some of the best working models in sustainable workforce development which is the reason for the country’s economic progress. Partnership with Germany will help strengthen our skill development initiatives. The recent budget allocations that have been made for promoting apprenticeship programs in the country will help our plans see daylight Germany is known for its excellent vocational education system that relies on the strong participation and engagement of the private sector. Having a very long standing partnership with India, Germany is pleased to support the “Skill India” and “Make in India” initiatives with a new bilateral programme on vocational education and training. Engagement of private enterprises, including German firms, as carriers for skill development will be crucial for the success. Launch of a new bilateral partner programme at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).   MoU with South Africa: To establish cooperation in Grassroots Innovation (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) About- Union Cabinet chaired by the PM has been apprised of the signing of a MoU between India and South Africa to establish cooperation in Grassroots Innovation. MoU was signed on July 07, 2016 at Pretoria in pursuance to the Inter-Government Agreement between two countries for cooperation in Science & Technology. MoU- Both countries will jointly organise various programmes such as forums, seminars, workshops, and training on matters related to innovation Share open source technologies with each other and jointly develop projects (and including partnering with relevant industries in the respective countries) to assist innovators in converting their ideas into commercially viable innovations leading to joint technology development and transfer of technology for Societal benefit. MoU will provide a mechanism and help in creating an ecosystem that will promote inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship at the grass-root level in both countries with particular focus on indigenous knowledge systems and Agriculture Biotechnology.   Interactive Meet for Discovered Small Field Bid Round 2016 held at Dubai, UAE (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) Interactive Meet for Discovered Small Field- Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), the technical arm of MoPNG highlighted the offering of 46 Contract Areas consisting of 67 small fields for exploration and production of oil and gas in India having 625 Million Barrels of Oil and Oil Equivalent Gas (O+OEG) in-place volumes, spread over 1500 sq. km. This initiative under the broad policy framework of Hydrocarbon and Exploration License Policy (HELP) is in line with PM’s vision of reducing import dependency on oil and gas by 10% by 2022 in India. As part of the new bid round 2016, a single uniform policy would be issued for exploration and development of conventional as well as unconventional hydrocarbon resources, based on Revenue Sharing Contract Model replacing the earlier Production Sharing Contract Model. Other incentives would include no signature bonus, no mandatory work programme and fiscal incentives such as no oil cess, exemption of custom duty and graded royalty rates. There were multiple presentations with regards to Ease of Doing Business in India as well as on details of the new bid round. Key Highlights- Presentations given during the sessions highlighted the key statistics and overall macroeconomic scenario of Indian economy with oil and gas focus, the advantages of the operating environment in India, and also discussed India’s positive upstream investment environment and the attractiveness of the Indian economy, compared to other Asian economies. Presentations were also made on the Indian Taxation Regime for E&P sector discussing the direct and indirect tax law pertaining to the oil and gas sector, and on the facilities and infrastructure available near the offered fields for the use of prospective bidders. A virtual data room was launched to assist investors to view geoscientific and geophysical data online—to help investors have a broad and initial understanding of the financial viability of the contract areas on offer and a facilitation cell to handle queries, was also informed.   Sugamya Pustakalaya- An online library for persons with visual disabilities launched (Topic: Government Schemes) About- “Sugamya Pustakalaya: A step towards an Accessible Digital India” (An online library for persons with visual disabilities) It is an online platform that makes accessible content available to print-disabled people. The library houses publications across diverse subjects and languages and multiple accessible formats. Created by- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with member organizations of Daisy Forum of India and powered by TCS Access. Books are available in Accessible formats for people with visual impairment and other print disabilities. Integrating libraries across India and the Globe, including the largest international library, ‘Bookshare’. In case of End User i.e. person with Print Disability The next time a person with Print Disability needs to read a book, he can skip the laborious process of looking for volunteers to read them to him or scan and edit them. A quick search on the Sugamya Pustakalaya will help him access the book of his choice at the click of a button. He will need to be a registered print-disabled member with one of the member DFI organizations to download the book or procure it offline through their member organization. He can access all the books in the library at a click of a button. He can read the publications on any device of his choice- mobile phones, tablets, computers, DAISY players or even in braille using refreshable braille displays. He could also request for a braille copy through member organizations that have Braille presses.   GS-3 Electropreneur Park bolsters domestic electronics manufacturing with early stage start-up incubation (Topic: Electronics manufacturing) About- Initiatives like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Design in India ‘along with ‘Startup India’ taken by Government of India have injected new hopes in India’s electronics system design and product development space. Taking the vision forward, Electropreneur Park has been set-up at University of Delhi, South Campus to incubate 50 early stage start-ups and create atleast 5 global companies over a period of 5 years. Initiative was taken by- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), managed by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and implemented by India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). Objective- The park will focus on IP creation and Product Development to result in increased domestic value addition and will witness a unique integration of academia, industry, government and other incubation eco-system elements. Platform will also encourage R&D, innovation, Entrepreneurship in the ESDM sector in India and provide assistance during prototyping, development and commercialization for the products, conceptualized at Electropreneur Park, produced through the scheme for India and other growth markets. Best-in-class facilities- Initiative will provide the selected entrepreneurs with State-of-art laboratories as per international standard, ESDM mentorship by industry veterans and academicians, Efficient supply chain An eco-system that will bring in a bouquet of shared services and facilities to the incubatees like Taxation, Legal, Finance, Accounting, Patent Search, Training, interns, business counselling, etc. EP will also provide access to funding agencies to facilitate seed funding for the promising ventures and ensure a smooth transition from an incubatee to a self-sufficient electronics company.   About Electropreneur Park – Funded by Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), Government of India, the Electropreneur Park is an Incubation Centre under PPP mode in the Electronic Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. Electropreneur Park will develop, promote, recruit, incubate, mentor, and create breakthrough innovations in the ESDM sector   First training program on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for Government users (Topic: Marketplace and government programmes) Participants- The training session was attended by more than 60 procurement officers from about 20 Central Government organizations based in Delhi and is the first such training program to be followed by similar pan-India training sessions for all the Central Government procurement officers. What is GeM? GeM is a completely online and end-to-end integrated e-procurement portal for products and services that has been developed by DGS&D with technical support from NeGD. GeM will enable Government buyers to make use of new technologies to procure goods and services in a more transparent, accountable and efficient manner and with the same ease and efficiency that is presently offered by e-commerce sites. It has been made mandatory on GeM to make payment to the vendors within 10 days of receipt of goods/services, efforts should be made to further reduce this time span as time is money and ultimately the cost of delayed payment is born by the Government. GeM has a potential to grow and will bring in a lot of credibility and comfort in procurement decision making within the Government.   Delhi poised to get New Air Force Aerospace Museum (Topic: Infrastructure- Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways) About- Delhi will soon have a sprawling new Aerospace Museum close to the international airport focused mainly on Nation’s rich aviation history. Aim- New Aerospace Museum is not only meant to preserve the glorious tradition of the IAF but also to create awareness in general public about India’s rich Aerospace heritage. The IAF believes that the Museum would be a popular tourist attraction and a landmark in India’s capital city. The new museum would be ready for the tourists within 3-5 years. IAF presently has a museum near the technical area of Air Force Station Palam, which was established in 1967. The museum has an average footfall of 500 tourists daily and exhibits details about combat operations undertaken by the IAF depicting IAF’s rich history since its formation in 1932 to present date, along with the display of various aircraft and equipment on the IAF’s inventory, since its inception. Government planning to set up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research (Topic: Fertilizers, storage and supply) About- Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs has advocated a “3 A” approach towards fertilizers in the country, these being authenticity (Quality), availability and affordability. Aim- Government should be able to provide last mile timely availability of quality fertilizers at affordable rates to the farmers. This would ensure the fertilizers security of the country which is essential for the food security. Shortage and recovery of Urea- Till two years back, there used to be shortage of urea, leading to its hoarding, black-marketing and smuggling. Indian Fertilizer manufacturers for running the plants at over 100 per cent capacity and achieving an all time record of 245 lakh MT urea production last year. Minister said that the timely imports, pre-positioning of the fertilizers, contribution of the States in timely distribution, and cooperation of the Railways through Good Rake Movement also helped in making the fertilizer position comfortable in the country. Enforcement of quality checks- State Government officials to enforce quality checks on the fertilizers, undertake district level planning for supply of fertilizers, ensure early turnaround of rakes, provide adequate storage facilities, and take benefit of pre-positioning. States to initiate a drive against those who indulge in hoarding, black-marketing, diversion and smuggling of fertilizers. The unethical practices of the retailers/companies to tag certain items for selling to farmers along with the required fertilizers, should be discouraged. Minister also emphasized on the issue of soil security and ways to compost initiative. Government is reviving the sick fertilizer PSU and the basic principle of producing where it is being consumed. Indian Council for Fertilizers Research- Government is soon planning to set up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research, on the lines of ICMR and ICAR. Research is very much required to discover and develop various means and ways of producing quality fertilizers, fortified fertilizers, hybrid fertilizers, nutrients and various combinations which are good for the soil. Research has a role to play in the all aspects of the fertilizer chain which includes production, transportation, storage, availability, application, etc. Central and the State Government officials dealing with the various aspects of fertilizers discussed various issues concerning the sector including-  Availability and supply of fertilizers, implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, fertilization and neem-coating of urea, quality control of fertilizers, issues in Fertilizer Monitoring System and promotion of city compost. Regional Connectivity Scheme (Topic: Infrastructure- Civil Aviation) About- Ministry of Civil Aviation, State Government of Maharashtra and Airports Authority of India today signed a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), thereby kicking off the collaborative process of the three agencies coming together for successful launch of the Regional Connectivity Scheme. State Government of Maharashtra has formally agreed to- Provide the concessions required from the State Governments in the Regional Connectivity Scheme, thereby becoming the first state in the country to do so. Discussion on various other aviation related issues- The subject of rehabilitation of slums (that have come up right next to the Mumbai International Airport) was deliberated upon in details.  Early operationlization of several available airports and airstrips in the State (like Shirdi, Kolhapur, Nasik, Sholapur etc) also figured prominently in the discussions. Emphasis on timely completion of the project by following timelines for all sub-activities  

Sep 1, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 1st September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 1st September, 2016   ECONOMICS   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Banking General studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Governance   A Cashless India Cashless Economy: A cashless economy is a system where flow of cash or physical currency is non-existent and all monetary transactions are done electronically via internet enabled banking or wallets, and debit or credit cards, at most abolishing or at times reducing physical presence between two transacting parties. Constituents of Cashless Transactions: Purchases, bill & utility payments and clearances or transfers Benefits of a cashless economy for India— Economic: Increase in tax compliance and decrease in money laundering and black money transactions, as more and more enterprises begin to integrate digital payments into their business Reduction in money idling Reduced cost of minting currency Reduced Operation Cost for banks for ATMs, staffs, computers, logistics etc. And, if a full transition to a digital payments economy happens in the right manner, it will rebuild the reputation of the Indian legal system as being consistent and predictable Statistical & Policy importance: Much accurate data shall improve GDP, GNP calculation Better policy & planning by monitoring consumption and expenditure patterns Ecological benefits: Less use of paper, plastic, metals through decreased use of forms, documentations, minting, cheques, receipts etc. Lesser movement of individual and cash means lesser fuel consumption   Individual benefits: Reduced transaction time Shortened queues No cash-flow worries during holidays or strikes Safety of an individual— minimal cash handling and thus, lesser crimes Social Benefits: Schemes like DBT ensures no leakage and disregards corruption But, of all the transactions in Indian economy, cashless transaction accounts to only 5% - Lack of universal banking Infrastructure shortage like PoS terminals at shops in small towns and villages Illiteracy and digital illiteracy Lesser internet penetration Aversion to electronic transaction due to of fear of Cyber fraud etc. Launch of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Optimistic Statistics: More than 650 million debit cards in circulation in the country today In 2015, the Reserve Bank of India reported a 63% increase in the use of debit cards at point of sales (PoS) terminals With an estimated 30 million retail merchants in the country, there are just 1.2 million PoS machines in operation So, which one is the real bottleneck— Consumers or Retailers? The real bottleneck is the merchants who are either unwilling or unable to accept payments in any form other than cash. What should be the correct strategy then: Shifting the focus from customers to the merchants and on bringing the merchants on board. Woes of the Merchants: With an already thin margin, they are reluctant to share their meagre profits with the card company (even though they recognize that accepting card payments could boost the volumes of their sales) (merchants (and not customers) shoulder the cost of the transaction. Each time a customer swipes his card to purchase a product, the merchant pays a percentage of the sale (the Merchant Discount Rate or MDR) to the card company) High price of a PoS machine and thus, the total cost to the merchant particularly for those who deal in low-value, high-volume products could be very high Way Ahead: Need to devise solutions that offer cheaper PoS machines and charge lower transaction fees Implementation of UPI in a correct manner— Its deep integration with the Aadhaar authentication framework should be acknowledged and should be devised in a way that it becomes possible to adapt a smartphone equipped with an iris camera to function as a PoS terminal (Work of card-based PoS machine- scan the information stored on the chip embedded in the card, compare it against the records maintained by the issuer bank and confirm that you are who you say you are) Smartphones that can biometrically authenticate you against the Aadhaar database will be able to do a good job at this—and, at the same time, eliminate the risk of cloned cards and identity fraud. With the authentication of the purchaser, UPI allows the merchant to directly “pull” the sum owed from out of the customer’s bank account and credit it to the merchant’s account. Given UPI’s relatively low transaction charges, even vendors who operate with the narrowest of margins will not object to coming on board. IASbaba’s Views No solution is a perfect solution and with time and efforts, few established regulations and widespread adoption among the merchant community, consumers will willingly change the way they shop leading the UPI mechanism to become a norm. Connecting the Dots: Does there exist a direct correlation between a developed economy and a cashless economy? Justify your stand   Read: Unified Payment Interface   ENVIRONMENT/ NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   NGT and implementation of Biodiversity Act, 2002 In news: A plea filed with NGT which alleges that various States and union territories had ‘failed’ to pay attention to the unique biodiversity of the country. This article deals with: Environment vs. Development debate NGT vs. Government Degradation of Biodiversity Misuse by government authorities or concerned departments Poor implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules, 2004 Background The Biological Diversity Act 2002 aims at preserving biological diversity in India. The Act provides mechanism for equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of traditional biological resources and knowledge. It seeks to set up Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level in every state under Section 41 of the Act. BMCs promote conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity. There is also a People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) which records the diversity of flora and fauna. RTI: 15 states which revealed the status of implementation of the act showed that together these states have 61,000 panchayats and municipalities but only 1400 PBRs have been set up. Biodiversity crisis India is facing massive biodiversity loss On an average, 333 acres of forest are legally diverted under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, each day. This does not include forests which are illegally felled or encroached. For construction of Amravati, Andhra Pradesh’s state capital, 130 sq.km of forest is being diverted. The Himalayas have become world’s mountain range with most number of dams. SC has called for ‘species best interest standard’- completely new standards for endangered species It includes the most threatened species like the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the Bengal Florican, Manipur Brow-antlered deer, dugong and wild buffalo. Yet, in 2015, one rhinoceros was killed almost every two weeks in the Kaziranga National Park. About 30 or less genetically pure wild buffaloes exist in central India. Great Indian Bustards are only now 150 in number Thus, India is in the midst of an unacknowledged biodiversity crisis. But, it is ironic that Biodiversity Act is the most neglected of India’s environmental laws as well as one of the least implemented. The government’s approach has been with apathy. There is very limited judicial pronouncement and interpretation of environmental laws. Action by civil society is not much visible. Most of the Indian Forest Service Officers don’t consider biodiversity as a lively area and desire for a more ‘mainstream’ post.   Scope of the act The act has immense potential to safeguard India’s threatened biodiversity. It provides for both centralised and decentralised institutional mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The National Biodiversity Authority at the apex level, State Biodiversity Board and BMC at the local level. Thus, it can be a potent tool in helping to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. However, the problem is not at the constitution of biodiversity authorities at central or state level but at the BMC which has to perform diverse and critical functions. Violations and opacity in Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) The Biodiversity act mandates impact assessment studies for activities like construction of dams, mining sites or diversion of land, which are likely to have an adverse impact on biodiversity, irrespective of the nature and scale of the proposed project. Yet, many projects in ecologically sensitive areas are able to circumvent the EIA process. It has been observed that either EIAs are fraudulent or they are below the threshold limit. Arunachal Pradesh: A riverine area was proposed for the construction of a dam. The Monpa community of Tawang district struggled for three years to prove that it is one of the two wintering sites of the black-necked crane, a protected species held sacred by Buddhists. The environmental consultant had deliberately avoided a reference to the species.   Himachal Pradesh: A series of hydropower projects are coming up in Himachal Pradesh. The tribals of Kinnaur are struggling to protect the last remaining chilgoza (pine nut) trees from being lost in these development projects. Forest Department records do not mention the significant role the tree species plays in providing livelihood security to people. Uttarakhand: The Lakhwar-Vyasi hydroelectric project is almost the size of the Tehri hydroelectric project. (1000 MW) It means that an EIA is necessary for this project as it will have huge impact on land, people and biodiversity. One of the major impact will be stemming the flow of more than 50 km of the Yamuna River. However, an EIA is exempted here because: the project was proposed in 1987 before the EIA Act of 2006! Himalayas and the Western Ghats: There are a series of dams existing and coming up in these areas. They can have an adverse impact on aquatic biodiversity. Hence, new projects should be carried out after EIA is done. However, the EIA law requires that only projects above 25 MW should undergo EIA studies and thus, most mini-hydel power projects in India are of 24.99 MW capacity! In an attempt to circumvent such laws, the cumulative impact of these projects on India’s biodiversity becomes substantial, at times irreversible. Conclusion- Strengthening PBR PBR records biodiversity that comes under the BMC jurisdiction. Hence, it can be an effective tool to counter false and misleading statements given in forest diversion proposals and EIA reports. Also, it can help a community present the facts before the decision maker to highlight the ‘real value of the ecological entity proposed to be ‘sacrificed’. They can save areas from being ‘valued’ based on rapid assessment done by institutions of questionable integrity and methodology or project proponents, whose goals are only to take projects through. The rationale of anthropocentrism, i.e. protecting the biodiversity for present and future generation should not be the sole reason. There exists moral, legal and ethical rights to not destroy something not created by human beings. Connecting the dots: The real protection of biodiversity takes place at local level. Examine why India should implement Biodiversity Act, 2002 to balance its economic development with ecological protection.   MUST READ Do we need a minimum wage law? Hindu   Outwards to Africa Hindu   India heads to Erbil Indian Express   A reunion of friends Indian Express   Behind the opening of the Balochistan front Livemint   The environment for entrepreneurs Business Line

Sep 1, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 9]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) ‘Asali Tarakki’ is associated with which of the following? Swachh Bharat Mission Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Q.2) Which of the following statements about National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is/are correct? It is attached to Ministry of Home Affairs Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) is being implemented by NCRB Vahan Samnavay, a motor vehicle coordination e-service is developed by NCRB Select the correct code: Only 1 1 and 2 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Panglong Agreement is concerned with which of the following countries? North Korea and South Korea Burma (now Myanmar) Vietnam Cambodia  Q.4) Which among the following are a part of core industries? Fertilizers Refinery Products Natural Gas Iron Cement Electricity Choose the correct code: 1,2,4,5 and 6 1,2,3,4 and 6 1,2,3,5 and 6 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 Q.5) This city hosts the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Identify the city. New York Paris Brussels London Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Aug 31, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 31st August, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 31st August, 2016   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.   Managing the medical professionals in India Medical care in India India still spends only around 4.2% of its national GDP towards healthcare goods and services (compared to 18% by the US). Government spends only about 30% of the country’s total healthcare budget for primary healthcare. Many reports commissioned by Government of India highlights one fact of lack of accessibility and affordability of medical care by large number of Indians. Thus, the system of health-care delivery and medical education in India are poorly regulated, expensive, opaque and corrupt. Double blow: India has to deal with burden of infectious and chronic diseases on one hand and concentration of medical professionals in urban areas on other hand. Draft National Medical Commission Bill, 2016 (Prepared by NITI Aayog) The recommendations are: Medical Council of India (MCI) to be replaced by National Medical Commission (NMC). ‘For-profit’ organizations be permitted to establish medical colleges. Creation of a Medical Advisory Council (MAC) by the central government to articulate the national agenda for medical education. Creating a statutory basis for common entrance examinations (NEET) for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medical colleges. It was discussed to insert an additional enabling provision of voluntary recertification/renewal of licence exam once every 10 year. However, it was concluded that it was not an appropriate time for such radical step in India. Two recommendations that have attracted debate are: Replace MCI Why? It has become inflexible and opaque It has failed to provide leadership role in educating a cadre of medical professionals that is trained and willing to deal with the medical problems of the people of India. Large scale corruption has plagued MCI while granting approvals for establishing medical colleges.   Thus, A new National Medical Commission to replace MCI to serve as the policy-making body for medical education. To improve the standard of medical education in the country The regulators who were elected to be replaced with broad-based search-cum-selection committee. However, there should be a mix of nominated and elected members which will encourage a healthy tension between various points of view rather than only nominated members who would want to please the government of the day. NMC provides for four autonomous boards for Under Graduate Medical Education, Post Graduate Medical Education, Medical Assessment and Rating and Registration and Ethics. Hence, a new institution is expected to utilise the opportunity to correct the inaccuracies and create a visionary framework to train medical professionals and equip them to deal with needs of people. Allow ‘For profit’ entities to establish medical colleges Why? Micromanagement encouraged rent-seeking behaviour in the process of approval of new medical colleges by the MCI. Rent seeking: increase one's share of existing wealth without creating new wealth which results in poor economic efficiency. A cap on fees in private colleges discouraged their entry which runs contrary to the objective of a rapid expansion of medical education. Enforcing regulation on fees was difficult. Thus, government was not able to enforce rule of law. Criticism It will severely damage the objective of providing cadre of medical professionals who are able and willing to work in small towns and villages. The sale of medical seats in private colleges for capitation fees going up to Rs.50 lakh. The medical professionals will want to recover the cost spent on medical education and thus encourage them to work in urban areas and private clinics only.   Conclusion- India’s healthcare needs: Primary care doctors: There is a need for primary care physicians, equally in cities, towns and villages. On ground, most lives are saved and pain is alleviated by the primary care physician. Throughout the developed world, there is a great emphasis on primary care doctors but in India the role model of aspiring medical students is the emergency care physician and surgeons performing highly complex surgeries. Thus, the career as a primary care physician has to be made attractive for the aspiring medical professionals. The medical aspirants have to be made aware of India’s primary healthcare professional needs and it needs to be ensured that only those with an outlook in tune with the requirements of medical professionals enter medical colleges. Cadre of medical teachers There is a shortage of suitable qualified teachers, especially, specialities like forensic science, community medicine, tuberculosis and radio diagnosis which are facing severe teacher crisis. In such scenario, opening new medical colleges will not serve the purpose as the faculty will be eventually called from government colleges. MCI for years failed to address this problem by taking adequate steps nor provided leadership and guidance on faculty shortage. Thus, there is a need to train enough teachers and it will take considerate time. Inclusive stakeholders Medical education is not the sole tool for dealing with India’s health challenges. Inducting non-medical professionals of integrity and community health experts to regulatory bodies would help advance public interest.   Following a larger goal To evolve a process where MBBS doctors get their due at a time when hinterland India does not have enough doctors. The sole focus should not be on specialists and super specialists. The larger goal of a revamp should be to produce medical professionals in such numbers that would improve the doctor to population ratio and ensure their availability across the country. The commercialisation of health education has to be removed. This field requires empathy, altruism and high ideal which are greatly prized by the general public and should be encouraged. Connecting the dots: Does India need more primary health care doctors than tertiary care specialists? Examine.   Related articles: Getting Medical Education on track A case of public health in India Why not a right to primary healthcare? ECONOMICS   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment   Strengthening the Bond market In a country like India, an effective and a vibrant corporate bond market is not only a requirement but a necessity as an alternative platform to fuel the growth of the economy. It would not only be a good transition in the financial landscape to have this platform to raise debt finance and reduce dependence on the banking system but will supercharge the economy with a diverse set of options and the ‘issuance’. Many committees have come along citing the various impediments that the ‘corporate bond market’ are characterised with—policy and regulatory hurdles mostly— R. H. Patil Committee (2005), Percy Mistry Committee (2007), Raghuram Rajan Committee (2009) came up with significant recommendations but not much has been done yet. The existence of Debt Capital Here, in India, it’s the banks which have largely been responsible for providing debt capital.  And, to be specific, this has resulted into— Accumulation of non-performing assets Lack of discipline among large borrowers Inability of the banking sector to provide credit to small enterprises Market lacks a reliable benchmark yield curve making pricing of corporate bonds difficult More importantly, the corporate bond market never really took off in India because of— High fiscal deficit Government’s funding needs …leading to the combined fiscal deficit remaining on the higher side and affecting the availability of funds while also crowding out private sector issuance Shifting Odds—In favour of a strong corporate bond market In 2015, the Financial Stability and Development Council sub-committee constituted a working group under the then RBI Deputy Governor H. R. Khan with representation from the government and other regulating authorities. They reviewed the recommendations of the previous committees and came up with ways for implementation of the same, as well as made further recommendations. RB has, currently, came up with a number of steps aimed to strengthen the corporate bond market— Increased the limit for the partial credit enhancements that banks can offer to corporate bonds Measures to discourage banks from lending to large borrowers after a point and signed off on the idea of accepting corporate bonds while lending under the liquidity adjustment facility Eased restrictions for foreign investors Frequent issuances by the same company can be clubbed together to create liquidity and re-issuance is not to be considered a new issue Market also lacks a reliable benchmark yield curve making the ‘pricing’ of corporate bonds difficult Expected benefits— Generation of activities in the market Pushing large borrowers to raise funds from the market leading to increase in issuance thereby, attracting more investors and more liquidity in the market Government’s commitment to maintain fiscal discipline— Constituted an expert committee N.K. Singh (veteran policymaker) to suggest new fiscal rules—consider all aspects of government finance, including the ability of the financial market to fund fiscal deficit without crowding out private investment Looking out for alternatives: Since banks are dealing with a high level of non-performing assets, they are not in a position to service the borrowing needs of the corporate sector, and this is forcing companies to look for alternatives. According to Citi Research, less than 45% of incremental debt financing happened through the banking system last fiscal. IASbaba’s Views: Stakeholders support is extremely important in developing a vibrant corporate bond market and it is thus, reasonable to expect that other stakeholders will complement RBI and address all outstanding issues. Increasing investment in the infrastructure space will require massive funding and we know for a fact that banks are not suited to fund such investments. The implementation of the Bankruptcy Code will also help improve confidence and participation. Government needs to strengthen its will to give a regulatory and a policy push at this stage to address issues and usher in an era of strengthened bond market for India’s economy. Related article: India needs a robust corporate bond market MUST READ The LEMOA embrace Hindu Related articles: India- US relationship- a Strategic Imperative The Obama Doctrine   NCRB Report Indian Express Hindu Livemint   Cotton, mustard, two GM debates Indian Express   To catch a thief Indian Express   Welspun fiasco shows Indian companies have a blind spot on quality Livemint   A new era Business Line

Aug 31, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 8]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Which of the following statements about Totaliser machines is/are correct? It mixes votes from various booths for counting It prevents disclosure of voting patterns across polling stations Select the correct code Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to Central Reserve Police Force (CRFP) It is a paramilitary force which protects the borders of India It functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.3) Bihar had imposed a total liquor ban in the state as well as banned the sale of ‘toddy’. Which of the following is a constituent of this poor man’s beer? Sandalwood Tree Rose Water Palm tree Mango tree Q.4) Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur has set a new record in breeding lion-tailed macaque. Which of the following statements about lion-tailed macaque is/are correct? They are classified as protected species under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 They are endemic to Western Ghats Select the correct code Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 and 2 Q.5) Arrange the below given different stages of human lineage (from early man to modern man) in correct order: Neanderthal Homo Erectus Homo Habilis Homo Sapiens Sapiens Choose the correct code: 1-3-2-4 2-3-1-4 3-2-1-4 3-1-2-4   Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Aug 30, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 30th August, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 30th August, 2016   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution, significant provisions and basic structure- Cooperative Federalism Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   To unleash economic reforms: Strengthen Indian democracy It is an undisputed fact that if a reform has to be effective and make sense in the larger scheme of things, it needs to be backed with a viable partnership between a liberal state and a constantly watchful civil society. With much diversity and ‘peaceful’ existence even in a neighbourhood tortured with evergreen trouble, Indian democracy definitely calls for its celebration but while celebrating, this nationalistic fervour paves way for a blindfold on the ‘eyes of the mind’ and we forget to take a hard look at the state of our democracy. 2016 coincided with 25 years of India’s liberalization project but we still see discussions on how the economy needed to be unshackled from the tyranny of the licence raj, and about how we still are in requirement of a series of institutional reforms to unlock the economic potential of the country. Huge gaps that need to be addressed urgently— Electoral reform- Ignorance on the part of political parties over two reports of the Law Commission—on Electoral Disqualifications (2014) and Electoral Reforms (2015; strong recommendations for curbing the flow of black money into electoral financing, as well as taking action against the phenomenon of ‘paid news’ used as electoral propaganda). Recently, with an ironical touch, an amendment was brought to retrospectively alter the definition of what counts as a ‘foreign entity’—a move that benefits the top political parties in the country that had been in potential violation of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) until then. State’s ham-handed response to dissent- The law, as it stands, attracts a penalty of life imprisonment. In colonial times, this law was used to silence dissident Indians but today it is used freely to silence legitimate dissent. But today, criticizing a political leader, a particular ideology or even expressing praise for a foreign nation can attract provisions of the law.   Federal structure: While the GST is being appreciated by all economics commentators, the implications for federalism have been largely left unclear. We should not forget that progress by states will have a much greater impact on India’s economic future than what happens in Delhi There seems to exist a systematic erosion of the power of state governments to govern according to their priorities and there has been no reform in the structure of the Centrally-sponsored schemes (were openly criticized by Narendra Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat) Steps need to be taken to promote cooperative federalism: Reactivation of the Centre-State Council: Under Article 263, this council is expected to inquire and advise on disputes, discuss subjects common to all states and make recommendations for better policy coordination. While competition between states, reflected in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index, has generated interest, this must be a continuing exercise. But states not doing well on the index, complain of infirmities of process and procedure and these needs to be made more acceptable and transparent. On issues like international treaties, a WTO obligation, or the environment, an institutional mechanism must be evolved where important decisions are appropriately discussed with states. As India becomes globally more interdependent, these potential contentious issues must be resolved. Neglect of the democratic decentralisation process: Issues plaguing both urban and rural local governments: poor resources and poor leadership, and an institutional framework that has not been reformed to keep up with the mounting responsibilities entrusted to local bodies. In the past, there have also been a slew of steps taken by the government that has eroded local-level democracy. Example: States such as Rajasthan and Haryana have hurt local governance by introducing questionable eligibility criteria for contesting elections; Nitish Kumar’s Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 empowers the District Collector to impose fines on a village/town (presumably with no involvement of the panchayat); in Maharashtra (and elsewhere), the forest department has violated the rights of tribal communities to manage their forests. Connecting the Dots: Enumerate the loopholes/issues plaguing the Indian polity that shatters the faith of our Constitution makers and political luminaries. Do you think political and economic freedoms go hand in hand? Discuss   Related articles: Indian federalism needs the Inter-State Council An unfinished agenda of federalism INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.   India-China synergy to strengthen G20, BRICS G20 Summit It is an annual gathering of the leaders of the world’s 20 leading economies. Member states: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and EU. Thus, it is a global mechanism that allows developed and developing countries to take an equal part in global economic governance. In news: G20 Summit 2016 will be held in Hangzhou, China (September 2016) Summit Theme: “Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy” Agenda of G20 Innovation: to highlight that innovation should become the new driving force of economy. Sustainable development: to encourage G20 members to take lead in implementing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and set an example for international community. Structural Reforms: to solve the deep-rooted problems in the global economy. Trade and investment: to set up trade development strategy, global investment guidelines, guard against trade protectionism and there by reinvigorating dual engines of trade and investment. Anti-corruption cooperation: to adopt specific and detailed measures to enhance international cooperation on anti-corruption. Essence of the topics They are in line with interest and needs of developing countries. They are consistent with the trends of world development. To shift G20 from a crisis-response mechanism to a platform attempting long-term governance.   Challenges The summit aims at broad strategy for global growth but it is likely to be overshadowed by focus on other topics. USA and Japan may corner China on ongoing territorial disputes. China is suffering from extensive trade protectionism with countries like UK. Hence, instead of forwarding talks, there is likelihood of shifting to dispute settlement. The countries should strive for bringing out solution to the problems when a stark opportunity of discussion is provided on a global platform. BRICS It is an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In news: 8th BRICS summit will be held in Goa, India (October 2016) BRICS engagement The BRICS members have engaged actively recently: Meeting of the Board of Governors of BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) Meeting of Science and Technology Ministers to strengthen mutual cooperation Meeting of BRICS working group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency Anti-Drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control Agencies of BRICS countries Consideration of arbitration mechanism for BRICS members India and China are rising forces among BRICS countries. Together, the BRICS countries have to address multiple issues Challenges Some pessimistic views have been floating on BRICS nations’ development prospects. Also, some BRICS countries are facing downward economic pressure. Countries are facing internal political upheaval (Brazil), South Africa and Russia are shrinking economies and China’s growth is also slowing. Dedicated efforts are required by members to make BRICS the strongest representative of developing economies. Success of summits The world has to engage more with developing countries. Hangzhou summit is expected to have representation from Laos (ASEAN chairman), Chad (African Union Presidency), Senegal (Presidency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development), Egypt and Kazakhstan (major developing countries representative). The countries have to adhere to principle of common but differentiated responsibilities on development issues to achieve affordability, accessibility and availability for people of developing economies. Also, India and China have to work together to ensure the success on bilateral and global platforms. Chinese foreign minister had conducted strategic communication with the India during his visit. The cooperation between two countries is sought to enhance solidarity among developing countries and elevate the status of emerging markets in global governance. In particular with BRICS, it will re-energise successive summits held and thereby strengthen the position of bloc as the representative of emerging economies.   India-China together India is 7th largest and China is 2nd largest world economy. India is 1st and China is 2nd in growth rate. India is 3rd and China is 1st in contribution to world economic growth. With Asia becoming the new global economic centre of gravity, India and China have critical role to play in becoming the driving force of the global economy. India and China share more common interests than differences. More than competition, there has to be cooperation. Conclusion Deng Xiaoping was the Chief Architect of China’s reform and opening up policy. He had said 28 years ago that Asian century is possible only when India and China are developed. Today, his words are close to becoming reality. India and China have to support each other in ensuring the success of the two Summits, in a bid to enhance cooperation and solidarity among developing countries and elevate the status of emerging markets in global governance. The need is to put differences on specific issues in bilateral relations in a proper place so that they won’t impact the overall friendship and cooperation. Dialogue and consultations have to be the medium of engagement. Connecting the dots: India and China share multiple concerns when it comes to security and trade engagements. Multilateral and regional summits provide a platform to discuss these issues. Critically analyse.   Related articles: The Beijing balancing act India & the growing salience of South Asian nations Did India really get connected? Building new alliances with BRICS MUST READ The neighbour’s concern Hindu   For innovation’s sake Indian Express   Monetary policy and public debt Livemint   Strengthening of Indian democracy key to unleashing economic reforms Livemint   What is behind inter-state differences in inflation? Livemint   What explains the unexpected inflation? Business Line

Aug 30, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 7]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) India is signatory with which of the following agreements with U.S.? Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence(BECA) Select the correct code: Only 1 1 and 2 All of the above None of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to major ports They are administered by Ministry of Shipping They are included in concurrent list Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.3) Which of the following statements about ‘JUNO’ spacecraft is/are correct? It is the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter It is a joint mission by NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Select the correct code: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.4) “Operation Euphrates Shield” has been launched in Syria by which country? United States of America Russia Turkey Israel and Jordan Q.5) Which among the following was recently in news for its unique characteristics in the outer solar system in that it is the only one of the bodies outside the Earth with liquid lakes and seas on its surface? Uranus’s Moon Titania Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede Saturn’s Moon Titan Neptune’s Moon Tethys Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Aug 29, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - Human Rights Violations in Balochistan and PoK

ARCHIVES Human rights violations in Balochistan and PoK   Search 16th August 2016 here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx India Pakistan engagement always continues to get the attention of the nation and the PM recently made a pertinent remark observation on Balochistan. The issue that comes foremost is the fact the he mentioned about the human rights violations, terrorism and Pakistan’s support to terrorism in his Independence Day speech. Overall objective of the diplomatic objective remains the same that India wants to have a friendly relation with Pakistan just like other nations. However, unless Pakistan does not support, the problems will persist. Internal Pakistan problems: There are serious differences between the elected government and the army in Pakistan. The army chief seeks an extension which is not favourable to Pakistan PM. Hence, if army chief takes radical position, PM takes more radical position on India and India baiting is the favourite for military. This is their internal circumstances. The Indian PM made it clear that from India’s point of view, it is necessary to look at deaths of people with anguish, whether school children or others. The interesting part of PM’s Independence Day speech was reference to Balochistan. Some say it was interference in their internal matters others have said it will cause us the problems. It is necessary to understand the issues Background When India and Pakistan became independent, there was issue of integration of princely states. In India, here were 552 princely states who were technically sovereign. All those princely states signed instrument of accession seeding the state to India. This included even Junagadh and Hyderabad. Balochistan was a totally integrated into British India. There were more kingdoms but the ruler was called khan of kalat. He did not accede to India and decided to remain independent. On 4th august 1947, Jinnah issued a statement that he agreed to the statement of khan of kalat of Kalat being a separate state, separate from the dominion of India and dominion of Pakistan. The same day an agreement was signed between Jinnah and khan of kalat acknowledging the independence of Balochistan. So, when India is raising the issue of Balochistan legally, India has as much right to question its accession and legality of Pakistani rule in Balochistan as it can have in any case in the world. So, it is not that it is entirely an issue of internal affairs. India has every right to question it like Pakistan questions accession of J&K to India. This action of PM was longed called for. The human rights violations in Balochistan have been unabated since 1948. There have been 4 wars, the fourth war being fought since 2003. Thousands of people have disappeared according to Pakistani organisations and international groups and according to Balochis themselves. The information about Pakistan using fighter aircrafts to suppress the opposition shows the level at which Pakistan can go to deal with protests. There were use of USA based F-86 fighters against the Balochis in 1974. It was during regime of general Tika khan who is known as butcher of Balochistan. They have also used air power in tribal areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa against Pashtun tribals. Many Pashtuns have fled their homes. Many have taken refuge in Afghanistan and there is little prospect of them coming back. Pakistan has more serious problems with Afghanistan than India. No Pashtun, whether Pakistani or afghan has ever accepted the Durand line. International involvement The US congress also took a very tough stand wrt to supply of arms because the whole argument that the jet fighters had to be used to fight against terrorism but, on the ground, the situation is very different. The fact is that Pakistan has always misused the weapons the US has supplied. The important point for US cutting off aid this time is that terrorists armed by Pakistan using weapons supplied by the CIA to the afghan mujahideen have been killing American soldiers in Afghanistan. Not just the Haqqani network, but the lashkar-e-taiyaaba which is Pakistan army’s protégée was fighting against American forces in Afghanistan. The eye opener for the world is that Pakistan raised the issue of violence in Kashmir with the permanent members of Security Council. While no one replied to it, the British government said that it is a bilateral issue and should be addressed and solved accordingly. Even china, which tilts towards Pakistan, has said that J&K is a bilateral issue. Most importantly, the kind of support Pakistan was getting from Saudi Arabia and Islamic world has been not the same. The only Islamic country which claims to be secular and which backs them is Turkey. India and Balochistan India’s approach in Balochistan can be driven by the fact that economic corridor runs close to the Balochistan. China is building two corridors, one is road extension corridor upto the Baltic ports in Europe. There is maritime corridor through the Indian Ocean and Atlantic. The land corridor branches in xinjiang and has Indian Territory of shaskagham valley which is part of Gilgit Baltistan. The land corridor meets the sea corridor in Gwadar in Balochistan. So, the whole world is looking at the Pakistan facilitating Chinese access because management of Gwadar is in Chinese hands to a point where 80% of the world’s oil supply is shipped by sea. It gives China the position to control the flow of oil and gas over the gulf. The geo-strategic importance cant be ignored. As per world’s position, the matter of J&K has to be settled on the basis of LOC. Pakistan seems in no mood at the present moment to solve the issue because of their internal difference between government and army. The army is using force not only in Balochistan but also on afghan borders. Afghanistan has already challenged the Durand line and even Pashtun Pakistani leader has said that afghan border extends upto Indus river. The time has come to remind them of their own vulnerabilities. Pakistan has to be made to pay heavy price for the cost they are inflicting on India. More will be known over a period of time when further actions and decisions will be taken. Connecting the dots: Balochistan has been long subjected to suppression and oppression. Is freedom a way forward? Critically analyse