Aug 1, 2015 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs - 01 August, 2015

ArchivesIASbaba's Daily Current Affairs- 1st August, 2015 NATIONALReal Estate Bill: panel backs Govt on locking up only 50% of buyer fundsBackground: The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013, and was referred to the parliamentary standing committee on urban development, which gave its recommendations. In April 2015, the government had cleared amendments to the real estate Bill, paving the way for the much-awaited regulator in the ‘residential’ real estate industry. Commercial real estatesector was also brought under the ambit of the Bill. The real estate sector had been devoid of any kind of regulation until now. The Bill assumes importance in the wake of rising consumer complaints against developers for delaying projects by over 4-5 years.Aim: The Bill aims to establish the Real estate regulatory authority (RERA) for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector, and to set up an adjudicating mechanism for speedy redressal of disputes. It also aims to establish the appellate tribunal to hear appeals against the decisions of the RERA.Present Status:After the revised Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha in May, 2015 it was referred to a select committee. The Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha has accepted almost all amendments made by the Narendra Modi Cabinet to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, which was originally drafted by the UPA government.The amendments are largely the industry’s demands and pro-buyer measures. They will also help the government realise its vision of ‘Housing for all by 2022.’Following are the recommendations of the Select Committee: The select committee has suggested that all real estate projects over 500 sq. m or 8 flats be brought under the purview of the Bill. Currently, the Bill has proposed projects covering 1,000 sq. m or more than 12 flats be registered with the regulatory authority. The Bill, drafted by the UPA, had mandated that 70% of the amount collected from buyers needed to be kept in a separate account, and to be used only for construction of a particular project, while the rest can be spent on other projects. The panel, however, has stuck to the NDA government’s draft Bill, which has brought this down to 50%. Reason- in some cases the land accounts for nearly 80 % of the cost of the project, so keeping 50% or more in a separate account will unnecessarily block funds. Also, there is a vast difference in the per square metre selling cost and construction cost of projects in some areas.Safeguard Mechanisms- There is a suggestion for further flexibility in the clause by allowing the promoter to withdraw funds from the separate account to cover the cost of construction in proportion to the percentage of completion of the project. It also suggested that the amounts from the separate account shall only be withdrawn by the promoter after it is certified by an engineer, an architect and a chartered accountant that the withdrawal is in proportion to the percentage of completion. It has retained all the penal provisions for defaulters in the Bill, including fine for the first offence and three-year imprisonment for subsequent violations. Promoter should bear all the liabilities till the flat is transferred to the allottee’s name. Promoters should get their accounts audited within 6 months after the close of every financial year by a practicing chartered accountant. Developers, both in residential and commercial sectors, will be required to register their projects with the regulatory authorities to be set up, and they will have to mandatorily disclose all information regarding the promoters, project, layout plan, schedule of development works, land status, status of statutory approvals, amongst others.Redefinition of the Carpet Area:It has also redefined carpet area – ‘the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls and that under-service shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah and open terrace areas, although it would include the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.’ Recommendations from the Opposition parties in the Parliament: The Opposition has argued that the clause that the Bill is applicable to projects on a minimum of 1,000 sq m of land will help large developers. It wanted constructions in smaller areas brought under the ambit of the Bill as well. It also demanded addition of an anti-discrimination clause in the Bill to ensure buyers are treated equally and not kept from purchasing property on the basis of religion, caste, gender or eating habits.Key Issues and Analysis: Parliament’s jurisdiction to make laws related to real estate as “land” is in the State List of the Constitution can be debatable.  However, it may be argued that the primary aim of this Bill is to regulate contracts and transfer of property, both of which are in the Concurrent List. Some states have enacted laws to regulate real estate projects.  The Bill differs from these state laws on several grounds.  It will override the provisions of these state laws in case of any inconsistencies. The Bill mandates that 70% of the amount collected from buyers of a project be used only for construction of that project.  In certain cases, the cost of construction could be less than 70% and the cost of land more than 30% of the total amount collected.  This implies that part of the funds collected could remain unutilized, necessitating some financing from other sources.  This could raise the project cost. The Standing Committee examining the Bill has made several recommendations.  These include: (a) the Bill should also regulate commercial real estate, (b) smaller projects should also be covered, and (c) all real estate agents must be required to register. The real estate sector has some other issues such as a lengthy process for project approvals, lack of clear land titles, and prevalence of black money.  Some of these fall under the State List.Courtesy - http://www.prsindia.org/SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYSupercritical technology: An issue of ‘ultra-supercritical’ importance The concept of supercritical technology was introduced as a national plan in the Integrated Energy Policy report of 2006 issued by the Planning Commission. Ultra-supercritical technology is the new paradigm that the Indian power sector is aiming to touch.Courtesy (image)- https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAC6AAAAJDU2ZGE1OTBmLWQ3ZWEtNDAyNS05MGE0LTBmZjEyNzc2YTAxZQ.jpgWhat is this new generation technology? Since coal is here to stay for a while, the ultra-super critical technology will help green the process while making it more efficient. It noted that the average fuel conversion efficiency of Indian power plants is just about 30.5 per cent, though the new 500 MW plants have efficiency of 36 per cent. State-of-the-art supercritical boilers can reach an efficiency level of 46 per cent depending on plant location. Under Indian conditions an efficiency level of 38-40 per cent should be attainable. This alone can reduce coal requirement by 111 million tonnes.How is Super Critical Technology Eco Friendly? Ultra-supercritical technology uses steam with very high temperatures, up to 620°C, and pressure, up to 300 bar, resulting in a much higher efficiency than conventional coal fired plants. A unit burns much less coal, thereby generating less emission per megawatt of power output. Power generation companies are likely to make this technological switch to drive up output and plant load factor, curb variable costs and cut down discharge of pollutants in the atmosphere. Efficiency savings will not only reduce operating costs and make better use of fossil fuels; they will reduce the overall liability for emissions.Will this provide a needed service to India? This will provide a much-needed service to India, especially for farms and businesses. Due to an energy deficit of nearly 160 gigawatts, 400 million Indians do not have regular access to electricity. To India's economic planners, thermal power is the only viable option to fulfill India's energy demand. What is within our capability is to minimize the carbon footprint of coal-fired plants. This is wherethe more fuel-efficient ultra-supercritical technology can contribute.IAS BABA’s View The union government had been taking a number of initiatives to promote the use of super critical technology. The government had taken initiative to make easy the manufacturing of component used in the super critical units. It is said that in the 13th five-year-plan, only super critical technology-based power plants would be set up in India.Connecting the Dots: What is the status of Ultra super critical coal fired power plant technology in the 12th FYP? Is thermal power is the only viable option to India’s economic planners to fulfill India's energy demand? How will it contribute in Mitigating Climate Change?ENVIRONMENTGreen power : Renewable Energy Despite the vague promises and platitudinous statements of intent that it contains, the proposed National Renewable Energy Act(RE Act), in the form that has been put up for public comments, should come as a measure of relief to the renewable energy industry inasmuch as it also yields to several of the industry’s longstanding demands. The draft Renewable Energy Bill lays the grounds for making renewable energy mainstream option.Courtesy (image)- http://reconnectenergy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Model-Structure.pngWhy is the RE Law needed? The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 (proposed) provides many key provisions for the promotion of renewable energy resources including off-grid / decentralized mode of renewable energy production. However, from the perspective of future energy resource planning, there is a need to create a holistic framework to promote the use of renewable energy and its applications not only in electricity (covered under the E-Act) but also in heat and transport segments. There is also a need for an integrated energy resource mapping and planning with right set of institutional and structural support mechanisms for which the RE Law can be a pivotal legislation.What is the aim of proposed National Renewable Energy Act (RE Act)? The RE Law also aims to have strong linkages with various other national objectives like: National Action plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) National Electric Mobility Mission (NEMM) National Wind & Waste Energy Mission National Manufacturing Policy National Skill Development Program Hence, the RE Law would bring a macroscopic synergies across various national objectives and hence a much coordinated and robust RE development model.Is India trying for level playing field for renewables with RE Act? Renewable energy offers opportunity to contribute to social and economic development, energy access, secure energy supply, climate change mitigation, and the reduction of negative environmental and health impacts. State governments will also formulate renewable energy policy and plans at state level. They may also establish a state 'green fund' for the promotion of renewables. Other recommendations include setting up renewable energy parks and setting renewable energy targets.IAS BABA’S View The RE Act does a lot of mine-clearing of the path towards the goal of generating 175,000 MW of power from renewable resources by 2022. However, the government has more work to do. The industry has often cited two major stumbling blocks transmission infrastructure and the “off-taker” risk, or the perception of the ability of the buyer of green power to pay for it. The “transmission infrastructure” issue is thus being addressed, though it is doubtful if the infrastructure will be in place by 2022. The other issue, “off-taker risk”, which is based on the poor health of State-owned power distribution companies, is more vexing. The answer to that probably lies in the new Electricity Act, which seeks to engender a crop of private “supply companies”, to which a renewable energy generator could sell his power.Connecting the Dots: What are the Shortcomings of the Renewable Energy Act? Pros & Cons of Renewable energy. Is India working on a comprehensive “Renewable Energy Act 2015″? What is the contribution of renewable energy in the total energy generated in India? How can the current status be improved?

Jul 26, 2015 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Emotion and Memory! (Inspiration & Education Articles)

  The single most important misconception about memory is that it is limited. Our idea of memory is more like the information we save inside a storage device. Some of the assumptions we have about memory are: The space available to store the information is limited. There is a certain fixed way of storing the data. Too much of input at one time corrupts the system The older the data the more difficult it is to retrieve it. All these might be true about your hard disk in your PC but not about your memory. Human memory works very differently. The glue that sticks information together; events, people, places, time, distance and everything else is Emotion. It is emotion that gives connectivity, logic and meaning to events. Let's understand this through a few simple examples. The memory of your bed is connected to your emotion of tiredness, the memory of food is connected to your emotion of hunger, the memory of an accident is connected to your emotion of pain; without a connecting emotion, it is impossible to recollect information. Recollection is simply a way of linking emotion to information. The more stronger the emotion, the more easier it is to recollect. To put it even more simply, if you are finding it hard to recollect something, it only means that the emotional connectivity required is either weak or missing. Try this, recollect where you were on 24th February 1996, and now recollect one painful moment of your life; see which one is easier to recollect. You will see that it is infinitely easier to recollect things if it can be linked to emotions. If you have to recollect something that is not personal, let us say your exam preparation content, you can do it easily by creative emotional involvement. Instead of just reading through tons of material impersonally, involve yourself and connect emotionally to the content. Become that lawmaker who is making the law, become that victim of a crime, become that poor old man whose life depends on a pension, become that activist who is struggling to save those trees. The more personally involved you are into something, the more easier it is to remember. More than just enhancing your memory, becoming personally involved and emotionally connected with things brings out your true nature and refines your personality. Anybody can sit in the comfort of their rooms and pass judgement on how things are run; It takes courage, passion and understanding to personally involve yourself into situations. By personally involve, we don't mean to say that you physically go and handle them :-) you can creatively, emotionally and psychologically connect with them. If you are wondering as to how you can become personal about some news you are watching on television that is happening thousands of miles away; just remember, all learning involves personal emotional connectivity. The only way to learn is to personally connect. If you are going about your preparations just for the sake of it, and not getting involved, then you should not be surprised if you are finding it hard to recollect things. Bring your emotion into your preparations; laugh, sing, cry, worry, get frustrated, complain, ask questions - do whatever you want, but involve yourself emotionally. If you can do this, then memory is the last thing you need to worry about. As a last cautionary note - Don't sit and cry in front of your television news channels, now that you need to be emotionally involved with things :-)    Copyright Disclaimer "No part of the articles in this section, in part or in full shall be reproduced without the written consent of the author. The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA."

Jul 22, 2015 Motivational Articles

'Never Back Down'- Decoding Your Fear of Prelims!

Note- This article is written by Abhimanyu Singh (Dark Knight, as many of you know :) ). He has decoded some serious aspects of attitude, mindset and fervor of an aspirant right before the exam. We urge you to go through it as it defines many of You. We thank him and welcome his kindness to share his thoughts through IASbaba.  August 23rd, 2015 is just around the corner. ‘August 23’, Does this ring a bell in your mind, ups your heart-beat by few notches? If Yes, then my friend you’re on the right track, even if you are under-prepared/un-prepared et al; Believe me when I say “You’re on Track” How? Let me quote a short story: “There was (is) a boy who was to appear in the first board examination of his life, class 10th CBSE; his first exam was of Social Studies(SST), He was a very good student at school but he was nervous, in fact very nervous, so much to an extent that he couldn’t sleep the whole night before exam; this added to the chaos of his mind that how will he do well now? But someone, his auto-wallah(he used to commute in an auto) told him something which was “See if you’re nervous, it means that you’re on the track because it implies that you’re trying whole heartedly and this is what makes the difference.” Boy argued “What if I fail?” “See, success or failure is a fickle creation of our imaginative mind. The effort needs to be good and when it is actually good, you’re bound to succeed”   This may look like words but the boy dedicates his score of 98 to that auto-wallah, even today. Now, you will say CSE is different, it’s a matter of Life/Death et al. But Friends, “Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail”, you’ve already set yourself apart from the mass, you’re a class, How many people in your circle(s) have the audacity to take a plunge as risky as CSE? It takes a lot, a lot to just prepare. I am not going to preach about the result aspect or examination aspect today, you know it better than me. So, What is the point of writing all this? The point is UPSC CSE is just an examination, it is a means to an end. People may disagree but in my humble opinion, it is true. There is no point in clearing the examination and gloating about it all life-long.  Friends, If you have the ultimate aim to serve people, have a positive impact on the lives of fellow countrymen, make this nation a better place to be in/live in; if this is true in your case then success or failure is not binding upon you. You’ll be much relaxed and perform better than those who constantly are grappled by the fear of not performing. Take for instance Gaurav Agarwal  Sir, he had his degree extended albeit a semester but he did get it late. He saw failure at a very early stage in life whereas most of us don’t face it at that age. But he made a choice of not being bogged down by failure, rather rising again like a phoenix, trying again and ultimately seeking redemption for the lost. See, this year’s topper Ms.Ira Singhal Ma’am, in spite of being differently abled, facing so many difficulties in day-to-day life, and clearing CSE and getting IRS, she had to wage a war against the system for so many years yet she continued preparing, striving for more, striving for excellence and ultimately achieving the pinnacle in the PDF. See, the point is once in a while in life, you will face failure(s)[may be multiple times] but it’s your discretion to lay down after that or try to rise and face the demons inside-out.  Let me quote Rocky for you : “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” If You actually want to succeed, like real bad; LET GO of it; all of it. GO EASY ON YOURSELF BUT DON’T GO EASY ON PEOPLE AROUND YOU. There is a very beautiful dialogue in X-Men 1st Class said by Professor Charles Xavier “You Know, I believe that true focus lies somewhere between rage and serenity” Rage in the case of CSE is the anger/frustration/depression/sadness/xyz with oneself, over not meeting the day’s targets/scoring bad in mocks/ annoying friends(GFs/Relatives) or past failures etc. Achieve a tranquil mind. Study at ease, take of your health, put good food in your stomach, exercise and most importantly the part of which your success depends the most is Stay Happy while Preparing. Don’t stress out on studies rather enjoy it. Remember why you set out on this journey; remember your inner-calling. And while you’re on the ascent of the peak named Mt. CSE, you become something else, you see the transformation in you, People around you might not be as knowledge-able/aware as you’re so please don’t let the knowledge get into your head (Literally you should, Figuratively you shouldn’t :P); Stay Humble, Stay Grounded. With almost a month remaining for the prelims; some of you might be feeling confident, some under-confident, some might still be reeling under the shock of 4th July, some totally clueless. I’ve something to say “Good things take time, Better things take more but the Best of things take the most time” Diamonds, Fossil Fuels, Mango Trees; they ain’t made overnight. Time & Pressure is the key here and this applies to CSE as well. Use the last one month well, efficiently and be calm like a monk under pressure. AND those who still feel the blues “Tough Times don’t last long, Tough People Do” Show the World that you’re tough. Fight for yourself. Rise and Shine. “NEVER BACK DOWN”

Jul 19, 2015 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance - Time and You! - Inspirational & Educative Articles

  What is time? Is it a resource or a limitation, is it real or an illusion, can you really manage time or all ideas of managing it are a myth? Are there real examples of people who have been excellent time managers? Are there people who are not troubled by managing their time? Let us explore this a little further. The significance of understanding time is immense, both for personal as well as professional reasons. Very few people can truly understand the impact of time; don’t be surprised if you are one of them. Firstly time and stress are intricately connected; in fact almost all forms of stress have their roots in time. Let us take a few examples. Why is an examination a stressful experience - because there is a time limit to it. Why is any contest a stressful experience, because there is a limited time in which you have to win it. Can you think of any competition where there is no imposed time limit? Imagine how it would be if there was a cricket match played forever, the winner is decided at the end of time :). All emergency reactions are about time, and even the simple daily routine of activities performed is about time. Time is the deciding factor in everything. Just reflect on this for a moment, if there was no such thing as time, would there be something called as stress. Where is stress if you had all the time in the world to prepare, write and clear your examinations? If you can accomplish all your tasks at a snail’s pace and do them forever you will never be stressed. Time is the deciding factor of all results, understanding it is everything. So is there a way to understand, manage, utilize and optimize time? Fortunately, YES! This is how you do it. Firstly, you have to change the way you look at time. You have to look at time as a single moment available to you and not as a day, or a week or a month. This is the single most important shift that has to happen in order to understand and maximize time. You are given only one moment at a time, what you do with it is all that matters. The moment you start thinking in terms of days, weeks and months, you have postponed your action. Your mind is a smart, sophisticated and an expert procrastinator. If you give it an hour to accomplish a task, it will postpone it to the next hour. If you give it one week to accomplish a task it will move it to the next week. The only way to control your mind and time is to be in control of this very moment. When you tell your mind to accomplish something this very moment, it cannot postpone it, because postponing requires thinking, which requires time and a single moment cannot allow this. Remember, action is always about this moment, and thinking is always about what has already happened or what is going to happen. The easiest way to manage time is to be aware of what you are doing at this very moment. So at this very moment, you can either prepare for your exams or watch television; you can either talk about preparing or actually prepare; you can either sleep or read. If you are aware of all your actions, you can make the necessary shift each moment to align it with your preparations. The practical implication of this is magical. For example, if you are aware and conscious of yourself while eating your breakfast, you will finish it in 15 minutes and focus on the next activity. Otherwise unconsciously you will take 45 minutes to eat two chapatis. Now! there you have your 30 minutes of extra time. This is just an example; you can be aware of each and every activity and cut down on the non essentials. And of course, stop giving yourself, convenient, stupid and idiotic justifications like; My food will not get digested, if I don’t eat it slowly for half an hour; I cannot concentrate if I don’t sleep for 11 hours a day; My mind will be fresh only after drinking a cup of tea; Too much of studies dulls my mind; I should not study continuously for more than 1 hour. My eyes will get affected if I see the laptop screen for long. I am different, I can only remember things if I study at midnight between 12 and 4! Practical necessities and difficulties are always there, but that is for ordinary people. You should not even be reading this article if you consider yourself ordinary. You have to look at yourself as a warrior, an insensitive, hard nut, who is willing to go to any lengths to crack or be cracked by this bloody exam!      Copyright Disclaimer "No part of the articles in this section, in part or in full shall be reproduced without the written consent of the author. The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA."

Jul 5, 2015 Motivational Articles

Life Beyond IAS-An Open Letter to Aspirants

  Of Civil Services Examination and happiness...an open letter to aspirants     So, UPSC result 2014 is out!!  Now some of you are selected and many are dejected thinking their life is finished, right? Let's talk about the realities. Today I am here to discuss the blatant truth. Let's not hide it and talk about it..... You know this is the biggest problem. We love to make sweeping assumptions. It makes our task easier, isn't it? Otherwise, how on earth it is even imaginable to address the entire fraternity of Civil Service aspirants through a single letter or lecture or monologue. But we love doing that. Deep within our hearts we know that out there in a dingy room of Rajinder Nagar/Mukherjee Nagar or any place on earth sits a hapless candidate browsing through multiple websites, hopping in between from facebook to PIB, from Youtube and random online retail websites to Wikipedia. The person sitting in the next room is equally or even more desperate. May be after spending three hours on the internet he will move out of his room and make a visit to the nearest bookshop, immerse himself in the pile of xeroxed copies and emerge with a thick compilation of current affairs only to disown that within two days. You see that frantic desire in their eyes, sort of a search for the ultimate solution that shall keep them afloat in competition and sail them through the rapids to reach their destiny. While we successfully decode their desperation, we simply fail to understand a simple fact that all their desperation is not borne out of the same reason. Some grow frustration because they are unable to clear even prelims in their third or fourth attempt while some feel agitated because despite appearing for the interview in all their previous attempts they don’t find their names in the final list. Yet others may have different reasons. It may be their girlfriend refusing to commit until they clear the exam or it may be their parents asking them to marry and settle down in their native villages. Despite all these differences and diversity we seek redemption by applying a one size fits all solution. Do this, read that, study Hindu in this manner, must buy that magazine, join this institute, make notes, discuss in groups, practice answer writing, don’t lose hope, do hard work......GOSH!!!! Aren’t we always ready with our piece of advice? I shall not therefore do injustice to you and to myself. While I type my words, I don’t know who you are, where are you from, where do you study, what is your strength, what are your weaknesses, what is your set of problems, have you just had a break up or the teacher in the class mocked you because you thought Kathak and Kathakali were the same! Yet I take the liberty to tell you something. What I intend to say is truth. This truth is about you, about your friends, about your preparation and about your future. What ensues may not apply to super humans out there but for mortals like me and you they fit perfectly. Try to remember the last book or the notes that you purchased from the bookshop or ordered online or even saved that pdf from any website. You thought you had just found a treasure. While you flipped through the pages your eyes glittered like gold. Oh! That book had all that you wanted. Immediately you prepared a plan to finish that book in 5 odd days, make notes out of that and put to shame your friends with your newly acquired knowledge. You started out with full of energy, you bought a notebook and started as per your plans. Then you realized it was taking longer than you had anticipated. You do the course correction, reset your targets and extend the deadline to 10 days. On the third day you find the exercise monotonous. You go out with your friends to the juice corner, try to flaunt your knowledge by asking a question from the topic you had just read. But you are taken by surprise as to how one of your friends answers the question articulately. You bombard him with more questions but he manages them all. In fact he knows more than you on that subject. You feel dejected as you find that there is nothing exclusive or special about your knowledge. You curse yourself and when you return to your room you don’t even bother to study. You feel that there is some lacunae in your preparation. You want to be the talk of the town. You want your friends to praise you for your analytical abilities and immense knowledge but that doesn’t seem to be materializing now. You then start remembering your school/college days when the entire class used to clap for you. Boy! you were something those days. You remember the teacher coming to your parents and telling them about your potential and suggesting them to make you prepare for the civil services. All that looks like a dream to you now. It has been so many days that anyone has appreciated you. In the coaching class also you feel like one of the grains constituting a giant heap of sand. You think you have lost your charisma. This feeling sinks deep within your heart and you experience a hollowness in you. The phone rings. It’s your mother that side. She immediately understands that you are upset about something. After multiple inquiries you simply pretend of a headache. She shows concern and asks you not to study so hard and take rest. You have no clue as to how you would start again. And then, all of a sudden the picture of that front bencher guy pops up in your mind. How good he was in communicating with the girls! The kind of English he uses in the class, even the teacher stammers to answer his questions. No doubt, a true intellectual he is! You start wondering is it even possible to compete with such people! You are scared of the fact that only 1000 seats are there this year. Everything starts to appear so difficult, so distant. That one visit to the juice corner ruined your day. From a hungry, confident aspirant, you have just become a listless and disheartened soul. The world has turned upside down. That one visit triggered a series of negative bouts in your mind and heart. Ask yourself this simple question - is it wisdom? Is is wise to wash away all your confidence and enthusiasm so easily? You see yourself slipping away in the swirling waves of negativity helplessly. My dear friend! You need to stop doing this to you. With all my experience I can safely declare this trap of negativity as the biggest hurdle of an aspirant’s life. We are all grown ups and not school kids. A sincere candidate will always find the best strategy to study and deliver. But even the brightest and the best aspirants are destined to be doomed if they are not able to cope up with this negativity. Be rest assured that an unhappy and frustrated soul can never qualify this examination or for that matter any test of life. You must learn the art of being happy before you embark or reembark on the path to your goal, be that Civils or anything else. Stop getting disheartened by the looks of those random citizens with big beards or that girl from Stephens. A grown beard or sophisticated English is no guarantee of good marks in CSE. I have seen people too loud and extra confident about their preparation but flunking eventually. I have also seen the modest ones doing exceedingly well at the same time. We try to imitate the stereotypes we think are worthy of selection in this examination. In this process, we lose our own identity and persona. We stop cultivating our hobbies and think that the only way to succeed is to become a frustrated monk. The feel good factor is lost in the shabby corners of Rajinder Nagar. You desperately wait and dream of the day when you would see your name in that holy list. You try to save all the joys and fun for that day thinking that moment would define rest of your life. Alas! If this were true. You might be thinking that your selection is the panacea for all your troubles and the climax of the long ordeal you have been subjected to. But life is never as simple as a ‘lived happily ever after’ thing. You know, the joy of being selected remains for a while and when the party is over, you again have your own set of problems. You may not be satisfied with your service or cadre or posting or training. You will again start cursing your fate - had I got 20 more marks, I would have gone into the IAS or had the board been more generous to me I would have gotten home cadre instead of Manipur.   With my experience, let me tell you that this cribbing never stops. Your happiness is intrinsic to you. Externalities can only affect your life momentarily. Life goes on irrespective of who you are and what people think about you. Believe me the grass looks greener on the other side but the reality is different. The life of a bureaucrat is as frustrating as yours or even more. The IAS fraternity cries about cadres and postings, the IPS guys complain about work life balance, IFS recruits show discontent about the lack of facilities abroad, IT employees talk of smaller support staff, Customs and Excise taxmen fear about dilution of power after the introduction of GST and what not. You see everyone has his share of problems even after getting selected. The same holds true for all the other jobs in this world. Clearly, CSE is not the ultimate solution to all your worries. We prepared and you are all preparing to invite bigger worries. In scenario like this, the only thing that saves you is you yourself. Do whatever you want to but try to maintain a balance in your life. An austere life is no guarantee to success. Don’t loose your prime youth in undue worries. Don’t become premature uncles and aunties at such young age. Work hard, play harder. Never feel guilty in attending a party or playing cricket. Watch movies with your friends, visit your family members, go on date with your partner. Half the job is done if you succeed in making yourself a cheerful and happy soul. People say CSE is half hard work and half luck, I say its one third hard work, one third luck and one third your ability to divorce negativity and remain joyful. Guys you have got a great opportunity and it has come your way in the form of this platform where you got to interact and guided by the real experience holders. Nothing differentiates between you and us. We are the same as you are. Differences are created by the efforts we have put in. Who else can guide you when you are guided by defaulters within you, who make plans, strategies and commit but falls prey to him/herself or other diverting individuals or institutions (not to mention the names- you are learned enough). It is the time and opportunity for you to take this platform to the next level of new learning experience. Leave your inhibitions, forget about your past efforts and come join us for the sake of qualitative and innovative learning. Your support and participation is the key for the tireless back-end work IASbaba will be doing till you are there. Let's make a difference and show the world. Who you are? What you can do? Let's clear the air that has belittled you. you are no small!!! Regards Kumar vivek IRS Officer  

Jun 21, 2015 RSTV Video

IASbaba-Big Picture RSTV Analysis- LG vs CM

IASbaba-Big Picture RSTV Analysis- Lt.Governor vs Chief Minister   The turf war in Delhi between Lt. Governor and Delhi Chief Minster has sparked a new debate. Every successive government in Delhi has been undergoing this tussle and is asking for more power. But, since it is not a full-fledged state many powers lie with the central government. Article 239AA of the Indian Constitution says that the Delhi Government does not have powers to enact laws on Public Order, Police and Land. But, rule 45 of the transaction of business rules says that Delhi government can have powers on these three subjects if there is an order issued by the Central Government. There should be a harmonious functioning between the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister and People too expect the same. It is true that the Delhi Government is a democratically elected government with overwhelming majority. But, the constitution and National Capital Region Act have laid down the framework within which the Delhi governance has to be carried out. These laws clearly demarcate the powers that the elected government will have and discretionary powers given to the Lt. Governor. Article 239 AA also says that except for the three reserved areas the Delhi state legislature can enact laws on all subjects in the state list and Concurrent list. Transaction of business rules says that before appointing a chief secretary a reference has to be made to the central government. Transaction of business rules relates to issues on which the governor acts only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It means that it is necessary to involve the council of ministers in appointing the chief secretary. If difference of opinion arises then the Lt. Governor can refer the Matter to the President and if there is urgency the Lt Governor can take an immediate decision. Rule 4 of Transaction of Business Rule makes abundantly clear that the minister in-charge of a department shall be primarily responsible for disposal of the business pertaining to that department. Chapter IV and V of the Transaction of Business Rule outlines the method for disposal of business relating to Lt. Governor executive functions and procedure to be followed in case of difference of opinion between Lt. Governor and a minister/council of ministers. In case of a dispute or difference of opinion between LG and council of ministers, Lt. Governor should call the minister concerned to discuss the matter. Mains Questions: There should be a harmonious functioning between the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister in the National capital region”. Critically Analyze. Give an account on the powers and responsibilities of Lt. Governor in national territory?

May 22, 2015 RSTV Video

The Big Picture - PM Modi’s China Visit-What are the takeaways?

  Big Picture- PM Modi’s China Visit-What are the takeaways?       The India-China relationship is a “complex” one with the two Asian giants eyeing each other with suspicion. India and China have come up with some non-controversial “do-ables” taking into account their complementarities.This list provides a blue-print for stabilizing the relationship and adding the critical mass necessary for a takeoff in relations in the future when the time comes. The Five major Takeaways are $22 billion in business-to-business pacts Military headquarters hotline connection Task force to counter widening trade deficit and market access issues Two dozen government to government pacts E-visa facility extended to Chinese nationals Indian and Chinese firms signed 21 agreements worth more than $22 billion in deals in areas ranging from telecom, steel, solar energy and films. Pending a resolution to their boundary dispute, India and China have decided to set up a hotline between the military headquarters of the two countries. The agreements were in the area of cooperation in skill development, railways, mining and minerals, broadcasting, tourism, ocean studies, establishing sister city relations and consulates in Chennai and Chengdu In a bid to boost tourism and advance people to people ties, Modi announced that India had decided to extend electronic visa on arrival facility to Chinese nationals. A strong partnership between China and India needs strong leadership from both countries. Luckily, both Xi and Modi are strong leaders and now have a good personal relationship to enhance strategic trust between the two giants. Mains Question: "While the engagement of India and China seems strategic, it has enormous differences that goes beyond boundary issues and a healthy partnership by far, is a distant dream". Do you agree? "China and India can never become strategic partners, whatsoever the engagements or talks are done away with". Comment

May 19, 2015 PIB

IASbaba Press Information Bureau (PIB) -May 2015 - Week 2

PIB-May, 2nd Week ECI to Establish a New Campus of the IIIDEM (GS, 2- RPA and Constitutional Bodies) The Election Commission of India (ECI) will be establishing an independent campus of the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) at New Delhi. ECI has a requirement to train officials of the country for conducting elections of the largest democracy at different levels i.e. Parliament, State Assembly and Local Bodies. Additionally, ECI has signed MoUs with other Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of the world for exchange and training their officials in election management. The new campus would act on the immediacy of the requirement for a distinct institutional initiative on capacity building, research and knowledge management, and further promote a stronger and mature electoral culture in the country as well as globally. North-East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (GS, 3-Growth and Development) To promote industrialization in the States of North Eastern Region leading to overall growth of the region, the Government announced a package of fiscal incentives, namely the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), 2007, for a period of 10 years. The Salient features of which are grant of Central Capital Investment Subsidy @ 30% of investment in Plant and Machinery, Central Interest Subsidy @ 3% of working capital loan availed for a period of 10 years from the date of commencement of commercial production (DOCP), reimbursement of insurance premium paid towards insurance of fixed capital assets for a period of 10 years from DOCP, Excise Duty exemptions for a period of 10 years from DOCP and Income Tax exemption for a period of 10 years from DOCP. Intellectual Property System (GS,3- IPR and issues) India continues to be placed on the Priority Watch List under the US Special 301 on account of USA’s assessment of Indian IPR protection being inadequate. The Special 301 Report issued by the United States under their Trade Act of 1974 is a unilateral measure to create pressure on countries to enhance IPR protection beyond the TRIPS agreement. Under the WTO regime, any dispute between two countries needs to be referred to the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO and unilateral actions are not tenable under this regime. Special 301 which is an extra territorial application of the domestic law of a country is inconsistent with the established norms of the WTO. Design, Dimension and Uniformity in Printing of Currency Notes (GS, 3- Indian Economy) Notes of different denominations are printed by Presses of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), a wholly owned Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Economic Affairs and Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Limited (BRBNMPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as per the specifications/security features introduced as part of 2005 series banknotes. Under the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, RBI has the sole right to issue bank notes of denominational value of Rs. 2 and above. All bank notes are guaranteed by the Government of India. All bank notes issued by RBI are genuine and RBI is responsible for maintaining the quality of banknotes in circulation. Social and Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF) (GS, 2 and 3- Policies for vulnerable section and social sector initiatives) Social and Infrastructure Development Fund(SIDF) was created with due approval of Cabinet. While presenting the Budget for 2007-08, the Finance Minister had announced a number of initiatives relating to social and infrastructure development which were proposed to be implemented with effect from the year 2007-08. The initiatives included Upgradation of 1396 ITIs, training of Farmers, Employment for Physically Challenged, Means cum-Merit Scholarships, Ground Water Recharge, Social Security through provision of death and disability insurance cover through LIC to rural landless households, and support to various institutes of Historical, Cultural, Economic and Agricultural significance, for improving infrastructure. Role of Urban Cooperative Banks in Rural Segment (GS, 3- Financial Inclusion) The Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) were initially permitted to operate within the urban/semi-urban centre only. However, as per the recommendations of the Marathe Committee, UCBs were allowed to extend the area of operation to semi-urban and urban centres and the peripheral rural areas within a distance of 10 kms from boundaries of these centres within the district of their registration in 1994. However, UCBs are now allowed to open branches anywhere in their approved area of operation and also permitted to finance agricultural (both direct and indirect) and the loans for agricultural activities are reckoned as priority sector advances. Measures taken to deter Smoking and Tobacco Consumption (GS,2 – Health Issues and Government initiatives)The Government has taken a series of measures to deter people from consuming tobacco products, including the following: Enactment of the “Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, (COTPA) 2003”. Ratification of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Launch of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the year 2007-08. Issuance of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1stAugust 2011, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products. Notification to regulate depiction of tobacco products or their use in films and TV programmes. Public awareness campaigns through a variety of media. Increase in the Central Excise Duty and decrease in the dutyfree allowance of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Introduction of Injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccination(GS, 3- Science and Development, Biotechnology) The Government proposes to introduce injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in its on-going Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) simultaneously with the existing Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) under the UIP. As a part of Polio Endgame Strategy, IPV is to be given as an additional dose at 14th week along with DPT3 & OPV3. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has made the recommendation in its meeting held on 12th June 2014 regarding introduction of IPV as an additional dose at 14th week along with DPT3 & OPV3 under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Women beneficiaries (pregnant & lactating mothers) of supplementary nutrition under ICDS Scheme (GS, 2- Polices for vulnerable section, Women) The Union Ministry of Women & Child Development is implementing the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme through the State Governments/UT Administrations across the country. The scheme aims at holistic development of children below six years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers. A package of six services is provided under this scheme including Supplementary Nutrition to address the nutritional issues of children and Pregnant & Lactating mothers. Ministry of Women & Child Development is implementing Indira Gandhi MatritvaSahyogYojana (IGMSY), Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB), a centrally sponsored scheme for pregnant and lactating (P&L) women to improve their health & nutrition status by providing cash incentives to pregnant and lactating mothers. The scheme is being implemented in 53 selected districts across the country. The structures under the ICDS are being used as the platform for implementation of IGMSY. This is supported by dedicated IGMSY cells created at the State and District level. PMSBY, PMJJBY & APY are path breaking initiatives for social security (GS, 2- Government Policies) These unique schemes would be path breaking initiatives towards providing social security at a very nominal cost to the millions of countrymen. These are designed to provide utmost convenience with auto debit facility from the bank account of the subscriber. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana and PM JivanJyotiBimaYojana would provide insurance to individuals in any unfortunate event causing death or disability. The Atal Pension Yojana would address the problem of income security during old age. There are millions of senior citizens who do not have any secure source of income during the ripe years of their life. These schemes have been designed in such a way as to provide a very convenient delivery mechanism. These schemes will also address issues like very low coverage of life or accident insurance as well as old age income security products in this vast country. Amendments to the Electricity Act (GS, 3- Energy and Infrastructure) The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals for amendment in Electricity Act, 2003 on 10th December, 2014 as contained in the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014. The amendments proposed in Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 seeks to end the monopoly of power distribution companies by segregating the carriage (distribution sector/network) from the content (electricity supply business) in the power sector by introducing multiple supply licensees so as to bring in further competition and efficiency in the distribution sector by giving choice to the consumers. Use of New Power Technology (GS, 3- Energy and Infrastructure) An Advanced Ultra Super Critical Technology R&D Project has been approved by Government at a cost of Rs.1500 Crore involving BHEL, NTPC and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) for enhanced efficiency of thermal generation. The objective of the scheme is to achieve higher efficiency, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and reduce coal consumption for coal based power plants. Clean Ganga Mission(GS, 3- Environmental Conservation Policies) An Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission – ‘NamamiGange’ has been launched in June, 2014, which approaches Ganga Rejuvenation based on lessons learnt and by consolidating the existing ongoing efforts and planning for integrated and comprehensive action plan for ‘Short-term’ (3 years), ‘Medium-term’ (5 years) and ‘Long-term’ (10 years and more). The projects and activities under this plan include pollution abatement measures for different sources of pollution and other policy initiatives. A report on “Ganga River Basin Management Plan – 2015” has been prepared and submitted by the consortium of 7 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which has identified 7 thrust areas and 21 action points for the rejuvenation of Ganga and its tributaries. Measures to Protect Security Data from Cyber Spying (GS, 3- Cyber Security) Government has taken a number of steps to protect confidential information pertaining to Defence Sector from Cyber-attack including setting up of Cyber Operation Centres for threat management and mitigation as part of Framework for Enhancing Cyber Security of Indian Cyberspace. To protect important and confidential data from Cyber-attack, the operational networks of the Armed Forces are air gapped from internet. Further, Defence Services have established Cyber Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to prevent and react to cyber-attacks. Safeguards have been instituted in the form of audits and physical checks. Policies, guidelines and procedures are laid down and cyber security advisories are issued from time to time. Affordable Drugs for Hepatitis C (GS, 3- Bio-technology and Health) The figures of Hepatitis C affected Indians who could not afford medical treatment are not collected centrally. However, the cost of treatment for Hepatitis C is high for the cases which require treatment. The Government of India has launched a National Programme for prevention and control of viral Hepatitis during 12thFive Year Plan period under which the activities undertaken, inter alia, are: Laboratory network for laboratory based surveillance of viral hepatitis in different geographical locations of India, in a phased manner. Setting up of one Reference Laboratory at National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi. Training and capacity building of professionals in relevant sectors, like Microbiologists, Laboratory Technicians, data Managers and Field Workers. Laboratory support for outbreak investigation of hepatitis through established network of laboratories. Development of guidelines and creating awareness for prevention and control and treatment of blood borne and water borne hepatitis. Information Education and communications (IEC) for dissemination of information about prevention and control of viral hepatitis. Measures Taken to Eradicate AIDS Disease (GS, 2 -Social Sector Initiatives, Health Issues)The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has taken following key steps to prevent and control the HIV epidemic in the country:- Revised Migrant Strategy with focus at Destination, Transit & Source and Employer-led Model to address vulnerabilities of migrant labour. Scale up of Opioid Substitution Therapy at Public Health settings to control HIV among IDU & sensitization of law enforcement agencies. For elimination of HIV infections among children, lifelong ARV to HIV positive pregnant women for prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV has been rolled out. In certain pockets of high prevalence states where HIV prevalence among FSW and MSM continues to be high, emphasis is given to sustain the higher coverage of targeted interventions and improve the quality of outreach. Scale-up of free 1stline and 2nd line Anti retroviral Treatment for People living with HIV and strengthening supply chain management of drugs. National Helplinewas launched to facilitate easy dissemination of information related to HIV/AIDS to general public, People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), High Risk Groups (HRG) and vulnerable population in 8 Indian languages. Considering the fact that combination of multi-drug in a single pill is very effective, well tolerated, so once a-daily fixed dose regimen (FDC) has been rolled out in a single pill ARV drug among the 1stline treatment patients. Mainstreaming and partnerships is recognized as a key approach in National AIDS Control Programme Implemention of RashtriyaArogyaNidhi (RAN)(GS, 2- Social Sector Initiatives) The RashtriyaArogyaNidhi (RAN) has been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as a Society. The RAN was set up to provide financial assistance to patients, living below poverty line and who are suffering from major life threatening diseases, to receive medical treatment at any of the super speciality Hospitals/Institutes or other Government hospitals. The financial assistance to such patients is released in the form of ‘one-time grant’, which is released to the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital in which the treatment has been/is being received. Foreign Institutions Funding NGOs without Clearance (GS, 2- NGO’s and Issues) Foreign donor agencies are not required to seek clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for funding Non-Governmental Organisations/individuals, as only NGOs working in India are required to seek registration or obtain prior permission under the provisions of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 from Ministry of Home Affairs. There were inputs from various agencies that certain amounts have been credited from certain foreign institutions/agencies to some Indian NGOs which are not registered under the provisions of FCRA, 2010. Hence, to keep a watch on such recipients, the credits from such foreign institutions/agencies have been put under prior reference category under FCRA, 2010. On various occasions since December 2011, 16 donor agencies have been put in prior reference category. World Bank Assistance for Tourist Circuit of Mathura-VrindavanBraj Areas (GS, 2- International Organizations and India) The Uttar Pradesh Pro Poor Tourism Development Project has been approved by the Screening Committee of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and has been posed to the World Bank for an external assistance of USD 210 million. The above project aims to contribute to improving living conditions and increasing income opportunities for poor through enhanced tourism development in selected destinations in the Buddhist Circuit, Braj region and Agra. The Project will leverage resources through advisory and technical assistance and financing for institutional strengthening, asset rehabilitation, infrastructure and services along the Buddhist Circuit and Braj Agra Corridor. Curbing the Illegal Mining of Iron-Ore and Bauxite(GS, 3- Energy Resources) As per section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 state governments have been empowered to make rules for prevention of illegal mining and for purposes connected therewith. Therefore, matters relating to regulation and control of illegal mining, etc are all matters which lie in the domain of state governments. However, the Ministry of Mines in co-ordination with State Governments has been checking and taking the steps to curb and check illegal mining in the Country. Promotion and Conservation of Vast Mineral Resources (GS, 3- Energy Resources) As per National Mineral Policy 2008, conservation of mineral shall be construed not in the restrictive sense of abstinence from consumption or preservation for use in the distant future but as a positive concept leading to augmentation of reserve base through improvement in mining methods, beneficiation and utilisation of low grade ore and rejects and recovery of associated minerals. The Government is aiming for an adequate and effective legal and institutional framework mandating zero waste mining as the ultimate goal and a commitment to prevent sub-optimal and unscientific mining. Mineral Sectoral value addition through latest technique of beneficiation, calibration, blending, sizing, concentration, pelletisation, purification and general customising of product is being encouraged. The Government has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act 1957, through the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 with effect from 12.1.2015, for promoting the mining sector.

May 18, 2015 PIB

IASbaba Press Information Bureau (PIB)-May 2015 - Week 1

PIB-May, 1st Week Link Postal Account with Aadhaar to Facilitate DBT Role out Revenue from E-Commerce up 36 Percent (GS 2- Good Governance and GS 3- Financial Inclusion) GOI said that with a vast network of Post Offices at its disposal, the proposed Post Bank should become a game-changer in Indian banking sector. The Post Bank should become a local agency for the recently announced MUDRA Bank. Also, the Post Bank accounts should be Aadhaar seeded so that various Government schemes for Direct Benefit Transfer could be rolled out through the Post Bank. Department should step up its efforts to ramp up its capabilities to book, process, transmit & deliver e-Commerce articles. Harder Days for those Involved in Illegal and Illicit Transfer of Money across the Border.(GS 3- Money Laundering and Issues) Various Steps Taken by the Present Government to Squeeze the Black Money Including Undisclosed Assets within and Outside the Country. World economy has moved quite closer in recent years and the countries across the world have decided through G-20 and other international forums to cooperate and coordinate with each other in such cases. Government has taken various steps to squeeze the black money including undisclosed assets within and outside the country. The focus is on reasonable tax rates and ease of doing business for incentivizing people to abide by laws and avoid evasion of taxes etc. The three major challenges especially with regard to black money are Hawala transactions through trade based money laundering, accommodation entry cases through fake companies and Ponzi schemes. Japan Government’s Highest Civilian Award to Professor C.N.R. Rao (GS 3- Role and contribution of Scientists) Highest Civilian Award of Japan, that is conferred on academicians, politicians and military officers- the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”, will be conferred on Professor C.N.R. Rao for his 'contribution to promoting academic interchange and mutual understanding in science and technology between Japan and India'. He had been bestowed with about 70 honorary doctorates and had received the highest civilian award of India, Bharat Ratna. Professor Rao had made substantial contributions to the development of Science in India and the Third World. Indo - French Naval Exercise Varuna 2015 Concludes (GS 2- Bilateral Relations and GS 3- Security issues) Relations between India and France have traditionally been close and friendly. The scope of Exercise VARUNA included the entire gamut of maritime operations ranging from Aircraft Carrier Operations, Anti Submarines Warfare Exercises, Maritime Interdiction Operations to multi-ship replenishment exercise. With the establishment of strategic partnership in 1998, there has been significant progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation and exchanges including naval exercises. The Indian Navy and the French Navy have been conducting naval exercises since 1983 and following the establishment of a strategic partnership, these exercises were christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001. Till date, thirteen such exercises have been conducted and the last exercise is VARUNA 12 First Observatory for Eastern India (GS 3- Space Technology and development) Eastern India’s first observational astronomy institute is to come up in the Ayodhya Hills of Purulia district of West Bengal. Land for the facility has been acquired and necessary clearances have been obtained. N.Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), will be implementing this project. The centre supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has already recruited a couple of talented, young astronomers. This is under a scheme announced in last year’s budget for setting up new Technology Research Centers. Comprehensive Policy for Promotion of AYUSH Practices (GS 2- social Sector Initiatives- Health) The Government has laid down the national policy on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy-2002 which inter aliaenvisage overall growth and development of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy. The Government of Indiaformulated the programmes and operational measures for promotion of AYUSH medical practices like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy through Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and various Central Sector Schemes as per the details furnished below: National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Central Sector Scheme for promotion of Information, Education and Communication Central Sector Scheme for “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”: Centre of Excellence Scheme Public Health Initiatives Uniformity in Prices of Drugs (GS 3- Manufacturing Industries ) Under DPCO, 2013, ceiling prices fixed and notified in generic name of medicines are applicable to all brands of the same medicines as specified in Schedule-I of the said order. No person is authorized to sell any scheduled formulation (medicine) to a consumer at a price exceeding the price notified by the NPPA. In respect of medicines not under price control, manufacturers are allowed to increase maximum retail price (MRP) by 10% annually. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP) was notified on 7th December, 2012 with the objective to put in place a regulatory framework for pricing of drugs so as to ensure availability of required medicines –“essential medicines” at reasonable prices even while providing sufficient opportunity for innovation and competition to support the growth of pharmacy industry thereby meeting the goals of employment and shared economic well-being for all. Health Scheme for Rural Children (GS 2- Health Issues, Social Sector, Government Schemes)Under National Health Mission (NHM), the provision of health care to children particularly in rural areas is given priority attention.The details of the interventions to improve the health of children are as below.                                       Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) Facility Based Newborn Care (FBNC) Home Based New Born Care (HBNC India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) Newer interventions to reduce newborn mortality Integrated Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD) Management of Malnutrition Appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) Under National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) Capacity building of health care providers Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) To sharpen the focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations in underserved areas, 184 High Priority Districts Approval for GSAT-18 communication satellite and launch services (GS 3- Space and Development) This is a communication satellite, weighing about 3425 Kg, for providing replacement capacity. The satellite structure will be similar to the GSAT-10 satellite. The GSAT-18 spacecraft will provide replacement capacity supporting the existing television, telecommunication, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and VSAT services in the country. The proposal to build the GSAT-18 is part of the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) efforts towards protecting services of existing users. India's Stand at WTO on Food Security (GS 2- Policies affecting India, International Organization) Together with other developing countries, India proposed an amendment to the relevant rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) relating to public stockholding for food security purposes. At the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Bali in December 2013, Ministerial Decisions were taken on this and other issues including a Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Subsequently, concerned at the lack of progress in implementing the Ministerial Decision on public stockholding for food security purposes, India decided not to join the consensus in the WTO on next step for the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement till its concerns were addressed. Approval to operationalization of the Atal Pension Yojna (APY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) (GS 2- Government Schemes) Approval of the Cabinet was given to extend funding support for implementing the APY and apprise the Cabinet on operationalisation of the PMJJBY and the PMSBY. Approval was also given to provide Rs. 50 crore per annum for the next 5 years as the Government contribution for publicity / awareness creation related expenditure for PMJJBY and PMSBY. Under the APY, subscribers would receive a fixed minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month, Rs. 2000 per month, Rs. 3000 per month, Rs. 4000 per month, Rs. 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary on the age of joining the APY. Under PMJJBY, annual life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh would be available on the payment of premium of Rs. 330 per annum by the subscribers. The PMJJBY will be made available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account from where the premium would be collected through the facility of "auto-debit". Under PMSBY, the risk coverage will be Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability. The Scheme will be available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account, from where the premium would be collected through the facility of "auto-debit". Scrapping of Official Secrets Act, 1923 (GS 2- Indian Constitution, Laws, Acts) The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), in its Report of June 2006, had, inter-alia, recommended that the Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923 should be repealed, and substituted by a chapter in the National Security Act, containing provisions relating to official secrets. The ARC had made this recommendation ostensibly on the ground that the Law Commission had recommended in 1971 that an ‘umbrella Act’ should be passed to bring together all Acts/Laws relating to national security. However, in 1980, the National Security Act (NSA) was enacted only to provide for preventive powers to deal with likely threats to maintenance of public order and security of the country etc., besides maintenance of essential services. In such a situation, the Government decided not to repeal the OSA as the other enactments relating to national security such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, Chapters 6 and 7 of the Indian Penal Code etc. have also not been merged in the NSA. New Scheme for Women (GS 2- Schemes and policies for vulnerable section) The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has been implementing two special schemes for women Mahila Udyam Nidhiwhich is an exclusive scheme for providing equity to women entrepreneurs and Mahila Vikas Nidhiwhich offers developmental assistance for pursuit of income generating activities to women. Further, SIDBI has also taken initiative to set up an informal channel for credit needs on soft term giving special emphasis to women including training for credit utilization and credit delivery skills for the executives of voluntary organizations working for women. New Schemes for Development of Tourism in the Country (GS 2- Governance and GS 3- Infrastructure and Economy) The Ministry of Tourism has launched two new schemes in the last financial year: Swadesh Darshanfor Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centers of all faiths. Under Swadesh Darshan, the following five circuits have been identified for development:- North East Circuit Buddhist Circuit Himalayan Circuit Coastal Circuit Krishna Circuit Under PRASAD, initially twelve cities have been identified namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kedarnath, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni. Chandrayaan-2 planned to be launched during 2017-18 (GS 3- Space Development) The Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the Moon, has Orbiter, Lander and Rover configuration. It is planned to be launched during 2017- 2018 timeframe by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. PIB -FEATURESEnvironment Stewardship Programme of NPCILNuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, is engaged in nuclear power generation.A Passionate Programme: In Admiration of NatureThe areas around the Indian nuclear power plants shelter a plethora of wildlife. As a responsible corporate citizen NPCIL took decisive steps for the stewardship of this serene nature. In 2006, it set off a special initiative called Environment Stewardship Programme (ESP) with its nature-loving employees as members. ESP follows a three-fold approach to make things happen professionally: Association with premier nature conservation institutions for technical know-how; Imparting training to its members to keep them up to date on nature watch and conservation; and Sensitizing the members of public to the importance of environment.The Exclusion Zones: Where Nature Abounds According to the studies conducted in collaboration with premier nature conservation institutions, the exclusion zones of Indian nuclear power plants are home to hundreds of plants, over 200 varieties of birds, about 70 species of butterflies, several mammals and reptiles, and a wide range of aquatic species. NPCIL's ESP helps to preserve these precious ecosystems. The members of ESP at each NPCIL site help preserve the nature around their respective region.Nature Clubs: To Help Preserve the EcosystemWhile launching the Environment Stewardship Programme, NPCIL has instituted seven nature clubs, one at each of its sites. The clubs were named after a threatened bird found in that region.The club activities were birds-centric in the beginning, as birding was an easiest way to get close to nature and understand it.

May 17, 2015 PIB

IASbaba Press Information Bureau (PIB) -APRIL 2015

PIB- APRIL 2015   Two New Schemes – “Merchandise Exports from India Scheme” And “Services Exports from India Scheme” Introduced   (GS-3, Mains-Foreign Trade and Investment) The new five year Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20 provides a framework for increasing exports of goods and services as well as generation of employment and increasing value addition in the country, in keeping with the “Make in India” vision of Prime Minister.  The focus of the new policy is to support both the manufacturing and services sectors, with a special emphasis on improving the ‘ease of doing business’. FTP2015-20 Introduces two new schemes, namely “Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)” for export of specified goods to specified markets and “Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)” for increasing exports of notified services. Trade facilitation and enhancing the ease of doing business are the other major focus areas in this new FTP. One of the major objective of new FTP  is  to move towards paperless working in 24x7 environment.  Government Issues Guidelines for Administration and Operationalization of ‘Nirbhaya Fund’   {GS-1 (Social Empowerment), GS-2(Welfare Schemes)} The Guidelines are as follows: Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is the nodal authority which can be approached by various Ministries/Departments with the proposals/schemes, to be funded from ‘Nirbhaya Fund’ targeted to strengthen the safety and security of women in the country. Ministry of WCD would appraise these schemes to decide their suitability to qualify for getting funds from the ‘Nirbhaya Fund’. Ministry of WCD shall forward the suitable proposals to Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) for necessary budgetary allocations in the respective Demands.  Budget Division (DEA), with the approval of Finance Minister would approve the funding of schemes from the fund The respective line Ministries/Departments shall take necessary action for approval of SFC/EFC/PIB and Cabinet for implementation of the scheme on the ground. Kashmir floods being monitored by latest satellite technology (GS-3, Technology, Disaster Management) Jammu & Kashmir floods were constantly monitored by latest satellite technology at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) which is also keeping a close watch on the extent of flood damage, by programming its satellites for quick acquisition of data over Kashmir valley region.  Using microwave satellite data from Indian RISAT-1, the information was sent to all concerned. Further, Canadian Microwave Satellite (Radarsat-2) was also programmed for 31st March 2015 which revealed more inundation in Kashmir valley, particularly in the Anantnag area. Efforts are also going on to acquire more satellite data from other countries under the framework of “International Charter Space and Major Disasters” to facilitate frequent and detailed coverage.    Winners of the National Geoscience Awards 2013 Announced. (GS-3-Achievements, Prelims-Current Events) The National Geoscience Awards are the prestigious awards in the field of geosciences in the country. Indra Bir Singh, Professor from Lucknow University Gets Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions in Sedimentary Geology  Ministry of Mines confers the National Geoscience Awards for honouring and recognising individuals and teams of scientists for their extraordinary achievements, outstanding contributions in the field of fundamental or applied geosciences, mining and allied areas at the National Level every year. For the year 2013, twenty three geoscientists are being given the awards in eight fields covering five awards. Gujarat leads in implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission  (GS-1, Developmental issue, Urbanization)  The state of Gujarat has led others in the implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission during 2014-15. Out of the 2, 70,069 household toilets constructed during the last financial year, Gujarat alone accounted for 60% of them having built 1, 65,376 household toilets. Madhya Pradesh has constructed 99,151 household toilets followed by Karnataka with 4,697.  In promoting Solid Waste Management also, Gujarat led others having reported 100% collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in 120 of the 195 towns in the state. Odisha has done so in respect of 107 towns and Karnataka in 40 towns. In all, 329 of the 4,041 statutory towns have reported 100% collection and transportation of municipal solid waste.  Construction of toilets is accorded priority under the Mission to enable ‘open defecation free’ urban areas.  India to host 5th Meeting of SAARC Health Ministers  (GS-2-Important International Institutions) India is hosting the 5th meeting of the SAARC Health Ministers at New Delhi. The meetings, to be chaired by India, will deliberate and provide guidance and a roadmap for strengthening collaboration among SAARC countries on a number of issues and challenges faced by these countries. Some of the prominent health issues to be discussed include prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, disease surveillance network, health infrastructure, human resources for health, immunization for vaccine preventable diseases, HIV/AIDS, mental health, improving access to medicines and anti-microbial resistance etc. The Health Ministers will also discuss for adoption the ‘Delhi Declaration’ affirming their commitment to work together in identified areas and further strengthen health collaboration with agreed roadmap and timelines. The purpose of the meetings is to find out ways and means to synergize collective efforts, share strategies and implement identified best practices to provide better health and a better quality of life to the citizens of SAARC countries.   First of Scorpene Submarines-Kalvari ‘Undocked’  (GS-3 –Mains-Defense Technology, Security) Major Milestone for Indian Navy’s Project 75. Kalvari, first of the Indian Navy’s Scorpene class stealth submarines being built under the Project 75, under collaboration with M/s DCNS, France, achieved a major milestone today with her ‘undocking’ at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).  With a name steeped in the long and glorious tradition of its illustrious predecessor, an erstwhile Russian ‘Foxtrot’ class submarine, Kalvari, upon its scheduled commissioning in 2016, would lend an enormous fillip to the Indian Navy’s underwater capability. The Scorpene submarines would pack a potent punch. She would be equipped with anti-ship missiles and long range guided torpedoes along with modern sensor suite.   Virtual Call Centre of National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Launched  (GS-3-Technology, GS-2-Education) The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India has launched a Virtual Call Centre. The Virtual Call Centre is aimed to provide a platform to all the stakeholders i.e. students, teachers and the general public to seek any clarification regarding working of the NCTE, application for the recognition of teacher education institutions, teacher education courses and any other issues including any complaints/grievances pertaining to NCTE. The launch of Virtual Call Centre will be another step on the part of Government of India to provide transparency in the governance and also speedy redressal of grievances. The NCTE is a regulatory body mandated to achieve planned and coordinated development of teacher education in the country and is duty bound for speedy redressal of grievances if any, arising out of its bonafide action.    Digital India Initiative: NCVT-MIS Portal  (GS-3-Technology, GS-2-Education) Will Help Improve Market Function of Vocational Training Delivery in India. Awarded E-Certificates From Portal Generated First Set of 1.6 Lakh Certificates  The portal https://ncvtmis.dget.in, a digital platform that will help in improving the market function of vocational training delivery in India. The portal will not only drastically reduce waiting time from years to days for apprentice to get certificates; the employers will also be able to cross check genuine candidates directly using the portal. While the Government schemes delivery and performance can be monitored through his portal, the general public can also access details of various institutions in the country, courses offered and their uptake statistics, number of seats available, examination calendars, etc.   Law Commission of India submits its Report on Leprosy Laws  (GS-2-Govt policies, Welfare Schemes) Law Commission Proposes Legislation to Eliminate Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy  India has signed and ratified the UNCRPD, and is also a member of the UN General Assembly that unanimously passed the Resolution on the Elimination of Leprosy. Accordingly, along with its report and recommendations on the issue, the Law Commission has prepared model draft legislation, titled “Eliminating Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy (EDPAL) Bill, 2015”. The key aspects of the draft law are as follows: Repeal and amendment of certain laws Measures against discrimination Land Rights Right to Employment Educational and training opportunities Appropriate use of Language Right to Freedom of Movement Concessions during treatment Social Awareness Welfare Measures Amendments to “The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013  (GS-3-Investment & Infrastructure) The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill is a pioneering initiative to protect the interest of consumers, to promote fair play in real estate transactions and to ensure timely execution of projects.  The salient features of the Bill are as under: Applicability of the Bill: Establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority: Registration of Real Estate Projects and Registration of Real Estate Agents: Mandatory Public Disclosure of all project details: Functions and Duties of Promoter: Compulsory deposit of 50 percent: Adherence to declared plans: Functions of Real Estate Agents: Rights and Duties of Allottees: Functions of Real Estate Regulatory Authority: Fast Track Dispute Settlement Mechanism: Establishment of Central Advisory Council: Establishment of Real Estate Appellate Tribunal: Punitive Provisions: Bar of Jurisdiction Courts: Power to make Rules and Regulations:   PM launches Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (GS-3-Economic Development) Combination of integrity with MUDRA – capital - will be the key to success for small entrepreneurs. The MUDRA scheme is aimed at “funding the unfunded”. The small entrepreneurs of India are used to exploitation at the hands of money lenders so far, but MUDRA will instill a new confidence in them that the country is ready to support them in their efforts that are contributing so heavily to the task of nation building.  The established financial systems will soon move to the MUDRA-model of functioning, i.e. to support entrepreneurs that give employment to a large number of people using least amount of funds.    Medical Devices parks to be set up in the country (GS-3-Manufacturing Industries, Technology) Medical devices’ industry is a multi-product industry, producing wide range of products. The Government is going to set up Medical Devices Parks in the country, and first such park will come up in Gujarat soon. Only 30% of the country’s requirement of Medical Devices is being met through indigenous production, and that of low end category. Taking all the products category of ‘Medical Devices’ together, India is importing around 69% of its total requirement. The Task Force on ‘Promotion of Domestic Production of High-end Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Equipment’ was set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals as an initiative to implement the PM’s visions of ‘Make in India’. Centre issues revised norms for disaster relief  (GS-3 –DISASTER MANAGEMENT) The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued orders on revision of the items and norms, in respect of the centrally notified disasters like floods, cyclones, drought, hailstorm, tsunami, earthquake etc.  The revised orders include various aspects of response and preparedness like ex-gratia to the next of kin of persons who may lose their precious lives, ex-gratia in cases of persons suffering severe disability, gratuitous relief for families whose livelihoods may seriously be affected due to disasters, agricultural input subsidy to farmers, replacement of different categories of animals, procurement of search, rescue, evacuation and communication equipment, etc.  The Government of India has permitted up to 10% of allocation under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to be spent on equipment. A maximum of 5% of SDRF allocation can be spent on capacity building. The State Governments can also use up to 10% of their SDRF allocation on 'local disasters'. Scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India – Fame India  (GS-3-Manufacturing Industries, Technology) Salient Features of FAME India scheme which are as under: Based on the a National Electric Mobility Plan (NEMMP) 2020 road map, a detailed scheme titled “FAME India” (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles in India) was drawn up by DHI and submitted for the approval of the Government.   This scheme would be covered throughout the country with the following four areas: Cities under “Smart Cities” initiatives. Major metro agglomerations – Delhi NCR, Greater Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Bengaluri, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad. All State and other Urban Agglomerations/Cities with 1 million+population (as per 2011 census) Cities of the North Eastern States It will cover all vehicle segments i.e. two, three and four wheelers, cars, LCVs, Buses etc and all forms of hybrid (Mild/Strong/Plug-in) and pure electric vehicles. The demand incentive will be availed by buyers upfront at the point of purchase and the same shall be got reimbursed by the manufacturers from DHI,  on a monthly basis   US to offer smart transport solutions for Allahabad, Ajmer and Visakhapatnam (GS-1-Urbanization, Developmental Issues) The US Department of Transportation has agreed to offer sustainable transport solutions for the cities of Allahabad, Ajmer and Visakhapatnam. The two sides focused on cooperation on the transportation elements of smart cities including efficient public transportation systems, Intelligent Transport Systems, Traffic Information and Control, multimodal integration and capacity building and training in the field of urban transportation.  India Designated as Chair to the Ninth Meeting of the IRENA (GS-2-Important International Institutions) India has been designated as Chair to the Ninth Meeting of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council which is scheduled to be held for 10th & 11th June, 2015 in Abu Dhabi . India is a founder Member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.  IRENA has two main governing structures; one is IRENA Assembly which takes decisions at Macro level and gives policy guidance to IRENA. Second is IRENA Council which is the main Governing Body of the Agency responsible for implementing various decisions of the Assembly.  100 Days of NITI Aayog (GS-2-Planning, Governance) NITI completes 100 days on 11thApril, 2015. The last three months have been tremendous for the institution. The Government has replaced Planning Commission with a new institution named NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). NITI Aayog will provide Governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy, this includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best practices from within the country as well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support. From its inception as a ‘Think Tank’ of the Government – a directional and policy dynamo to taking steps in liaising with States while fostering the spirit of cooperative federalism. India & France Sign an MoU to Establish a Marine Biology Institute  (GS-3-Conservation) Under the MOU India’sDepartment of Biotechnology would  join hands with the Université Pierre Et Marie Curie (UPMC) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France’s National Centre for Scientific Research- CNRS) to set up a the National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India. As a part of this France would contribute expertise in developing high standard marine stations for collaborative research programmes, train manpower, facilitate setting up efficient research infrastructure, facilities & technologies. Indian would bring interest & proficiency in cell & molecular biology & biotechnology. This collaboration is expected to address this challenge by upgradinghuman resources, boosting capacity and sophisticated technology needed to explore high-speed and high-quality Ocean and island- biology at the highest international level. Progress of North East Rural Livelihood Project  (GS-2-Welfare Schemes, Development) North East Rural Livelihood Project, a central sector externally aided multi-state project was launched in March 2012. The main objective of the project is to improve rural livelihoods, especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged in the four participating North East States. The main thrusts of the project are to build community based organizations such as Self Help Groups (SHGs), SHG village Federations, Community Development Groups (CDGs), Producer Organizations etc. and strengthen the existing ones; The financial achievement of the project for 2014-15 has been impressive. PIB- FEATURES Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana--- A New Direction towards Empowerment of Youth  Skill and knowledge are the two driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country. Countries with higher level of skills fare better to cope with the challenges of emerging economies in the present day world. In any country, youth is primarily the focus for any program for skill development. Our country is better placed in this regard.We have a vast majority of population in the productive age group.  Thisprovides a great opportunity to India. It also poses a great challenge. Benefits will flow to our economy only if our population, particularly the youth, is healthy, educated and properly skilled. Indiawith it’s an unrivalled youth demographic, is definitely poised for a big boost in terms of socio-economic development.  We have 605 million people below the age of 25.They can act as agents of change, by being empowered with various employable skills which will enable them to make impactnot only on their lives but also on the lives of other individuals. The scheme is being implemented by the newly created Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It will cover 24 lakh youths. The PMKVY, will primarily focus on the first time entrants to the labour market and target mainly drop outs from Class 10 and Class 12. Skill and entrepreneurship development is one of the high priority areas of the present Government. The newly formed Ministry of Skill and Entrepreneurship Development, is to play a critical role in fulfilling the objectives of the‘Make in India’ campaign, a major initiative to turn India into a major manufacturing hub.  India has marked its presence as one of the fastest growing economies of the world. It is expected to rank amongst the world’s top three growth economies and amongst the top three manufacturing destinations by 2020. With the help of favourable demographicfactors and sustained availability of quality workforce, our country is poised to make its imprint on global economy. Monitoring one of the largest full immunization programmes of the world -About Mission Indradhanush Under Mission Indradhanush, the Health Ministry has identified 201 high focus districts across the country that have the highest number of partially vaccinated and unvaccinated children.Mission Indradhanush is an initiative to vaccinate all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the Universal Immunization Programme by 2020. The Mission focuses on interventions to expand full immunization coverage in India from 65% in 2013 to at least 90% children in the next five years. The programme provides immunization against seven life-threatening diseases (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B) in the entire country. In addition, vaccination against Haemophilus influenza type B and Japanese Encephalitis is provided in select districts/states. This will be done through special catch-up campaigns to rapidly increase full immunization coverage of children by 5% and more annually. Nearly 50% of all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children are in these 201 districts. Of the 201 districts, 82 districts are concentrated in the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and nearly 25% of the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children of India are in these 82 districts of these four states. These districts will be targeted for intensive efforts to improve the routine immunization coverage in the country.   The ultimate goal is to protect all children and pregnant women against vaccine preventable diseases in India The following areas will be targeted through special immunization campaigns: High risk areas identified by the polio eradication programme .These include populations living in areas such as: 1.      Urban slums with migration 2.      Nomads 3.      Brick kilns 4.      Construction sites 5.      Other migrants (fisherman villages, riverine areas with shifting populations etc.) and 6.      Underserved and hard to reach populations (forested and tribal populations etc.) Areas with low routine immunization (RI) coverage (pockets with Measles/vaccine preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks). Areas with vacant sub-centers: No ANM posted for more than three months. Areas with missed Routine Immunisation (RI) sessions: ANMs on long leave and similar reasons Small villages, hamlets, dhanis or purbas clubbed with another village for RI sessions and not having independent RI sessions. “Knowledge Based Information” To Farmers: Technology Based Initiatives in Agriculture Sector  The Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)” in the entire country.  The Programme aims to achieve rapid development of agriculture in Indiathrough ICT enabled multiple delivery channels such as Internet, Government Offices, Touch Screen Kiosks, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Kisan Call Centers, Agri-Clinics, Common Service Centers, Mobile Phones (Broadcast, IVRS, interactive messaging using unstructured Supplementary Service Data and Voice Recognition for ensuring timely access to agriculture related information for the farmers of the country.  A number of applications in agriculture and allied sector have been developed under the project for providing integrated ICT based services to farmers. Knowledge based informationis being provided to farmers through a number of web and mobile based applications including the Farmers’ Portal (farmer.gov.in) (in beta version at present), mKisan Portal (www.mkisan.gov.in) and Kisan Call Centres (KCC). These Portals are facilitating knowledge based information and advisories to farmers through an integrated web portal and mobile based platforms respectively. Details of the activities in these applications include: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Interventions: SMS Portal/m-Kisan Portal Kisan Call Centers  Strengthening of IT Apparatus in Agriculture and Cooperation in the States and Union Territories    of which one of the components is AGRISNET. Information relating to the  natural calamities  are being provided to district level under a number of initiatives taken by the Ministry and the India Meteorological Department (IMD): Weather based Information regarding natural calamities disseminated to farmers under different programmes. Right to Legal Aid-A Constitutional Commitment  Legal aid is free legal assistance to the poor and weaker sections of the society with the object to enable them to exercise the rights given to them by law.                The preamble of the Constitution secures to its citizen, social, economic and political justice.  Article 14 of the Constitution makes it clear that the State shall not deny to any person equality before law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Articles 38 and 39, of the Constitution of India lay down clear mandate in this regard.  According to Article 38 (1) the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic or political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life. Article 39-A directs the State to ensure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. Right to free legal aid or free legal service is an essential fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. It forms the basis of reasonable, fair and just liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which says, “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”. The Code of criminal Procedure and the Code of Civil Procedure also contain provisions in relation to the free legal aid. Section 304 makes it clear that the State is under an obligation to provide legal assistance to a person charged with offence triable before the Court of Session                   A separate legislation, The Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 has been enacted to constitute the Legal Service Authorities to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also under Article14 (3)(d) guarantees to everyone: “Right to be tried in his presence, and to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing; to be informed, if he does not have legal assistance, of this right; and to have legal assistance assigned to him, in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment by him in any such case if he does not have sufficient means to pay for it”             The major drawback of legal aid movement in India is the lack of legal awareness. Organ Donation and Transplantation Provides Second Life  Organ donation and transplantation provides a second chance at life for thousands of people each year. The growing disparity between the rich and poor, demand for human organs and availability of technology in the country makes the trading of organs a quick means to riches for some and a relief for others. While 2.1 lakh Indians require kidney transplantation annually, but only 3000 – 4000 kidney transplants are done. While annually around 4,000–5,000 patients in India require a heart transplant, so far only 100 heart transplants have been conducted across the country. Finding a donor is the main issue in the country. Lack of awareness and improper infrastructure facilities are the main reasons behind the existing scenario Government of India enacted the ‘Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act in 2011 which made provisions for simplifying the procedure for human organ donation. The recently notified Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules (THOT),2014 has many provisions to remove the impediments to organ donation while curbing misuse/misinterpretation of the rules. NOTTO-National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization. NOTTO has following two divisions: National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network. National Biomaterial Centre(National Tissue Bank) Donor Card Signing a donor card is the first step in making your wishes about donation known. A donor card is not a legal document but an expression of one’s willingness to donate. Vital organs such as heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines, and tissues such as corneas, heart valves, skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, veins, etc. can be donated in case of brain death.  The World Health Organization (WHO) in its statement on the sale of organs clearly states that it violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as its own constitution: “The human body and its parts cannot be the subject of commercial transactions. Accordingly, giving or receiving payment for organs should be prohibited.”