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Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Urban Flooding

ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-1: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies GS-3: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Context: Parts of Bengaluru, India’s IT and startup capital, have been facing unprecedented floods in the recent days. This is not the first instance of urban flooding in India. In fact, urban flooding is becoming increasingly common in many parts of the country with this monsoon season itself seeing many such instances in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The fact that such instances are spreading to more cities and happening with greater frequency, suggests that something is broken in our response to such events. The repeated and growing problems of urban floods is a systemic problem and the root cause of this is prioritising economic gains over everything else. What are the reasons for Urban Flooding? Urban Flooding is an inundation of land in a constructed setting, particularly in densely populated areas, caused by rainfall overwhelming the capacity of drainage systems. Natural Reasons Higher rainfall: As per the IMD, monsoon has become frequent and unpredictable. Storm surges (for coastal cities): Cyclone Amphan in 2020 flooded the streets of Kolkata. Within eastern India, the storm killed 98 people and caused $13.8 billion (2020 USD). Climate Change: Exacerbated by changing climate, resulting in extreme events. The climate change has caused an increase in the frequency of short duration heavy rainfall leading to higher water run-off. Anthropological Reasons: Encroachments on Drainage Channels: In Indian cities and towns, due to increased land prices and less availability of land in the city centre settlements are coming up in low-lying areas, usually as encroachments over lakes, wetlands and riverbeds. On the contrary, there have been large scale encroachments without widening the natural drains. Consequently, the capacity of the natural drains has decreased, resulting in flooding. Inability to manage the city’s drainage systems: The Hyderabad floods of October 2020 occurred because discharge of water did not take place on time. And when water was discharged it was in a sudden, uncontrolled manner. Unplanned and sudden release of water from dams and lakes lead to floods in an urban area, without giving the public enough time to respond. Example: Chennai Floods 2015 due to release of water from Chembarambakkam Lake. Antiquated drainage infrastructure: In majority of the cities, there exists century-old drainage system (developed during colonial time period) which covered only a small part of the core city. In the last 20 years, these cities have grown at least four times its original built-up area and not much was done to address the absence of adequate drainage systems. Destruction of Wetlands: Neglecting issues of incremental land use change, particularly of those commons which provide us with necessary ecological support — wetlands. This has led to creation of urban terrain which is incapable of absorbing, holding and discharging water. Urban heat island effect also results in increased rainfall over urban areas that in turn leads to flooding. Whenever the rain bearing clouds pass over the urban heat island, the hot air pushes the clouds up, resulting in highly localised rainfall which may sometimes be of high intensity Unsustainable Development: A lot of urban flooding such as the recent one in Bengaluru is a result of unregulated construction in regions such as wetlands and floodplains. Poor Governance: Urban expansion, which is often carried on in collusion with urban authorities, at the expense of natural drainage of water. CAG report (last year) pulled up Bengaluru municipality for this poor management. It also also found that the Bengaluru municipality did not maintain proper records of the stormwater management funds allotted to it under the JNNURM. In 2019, Patna faced massive urban floods in late September. One of the reasons the municipal authorities were unable to deal with the problem was that they could not even locate the drainage map of the city, which has a population of 5.8 million according to the 2011 Census. According to a 2010-11 report by the ministry of urban development, storm water drain coverage – they are essential for draining away large discharge in a short time such as heavy rainfall – was below 50% in 56 of the 104 cities which sent responses. Bengaluru, the city which is facing floods at the moment, had just 10% of its roads covered by storm water drains. Municipal authorities do not have an idea about drainage requirements and they also lack funds to build such capacity. Ethical Dilemma between Development vs Environment: Any policy which prioritises environmental concerns over construction will have to deny permission for a lot of construction activity in India, especially in cities. This is bound to lead to economic losses for the those engaged in this sector, as well as increase the cost of housing for those who want to buy such houses. This is not an easy decision to make, given the growing importance of the real estate sector in India. Illegal Mining Activities: Illegal mining of river sand and quartzite for use in building construction deplete the natural bed of the rivers and lakes. It causes soil erosion and reduces the water retention capacity of the waterbody increasing the speed and scale of water flow. Example: Jaisamand Lake- Jodhpur, Cauvery river- Tamil Nadu. What are the Impacts of Urban Flooding? Loss of Life and Property: Urban floods are often associated with loss of life and physical injury either directly due to the effect of floods or indirectly due to infections by water-borne diseases spreading during the inundated period. Disruption to Civic Amenities: Urban flooding has localised impacts like structural damage to buildings, property, crops. Besides, it causes disruptions of water supply, sewerage, power and transmission lines, communication, traffic- road and railways and other infrastructure. Psychological Impacts: Loss of shelter and relatives creates emotional turmoil in the mental health of the stranded. The recovery process in case of such incidents is a tiresome process and time consuming that often leads to long lasting psychological trauma. Ecological Impacts: Trees and plants are washed away during extreme flood events and riverbank erosion is caused by high-speed flood water. What are the steps to be taken to mitigate Urban Flooding? Sponge Cities Mission: The idea of a sponge city is to make cities more permeable so as to hold and use the water which falls upon them. Planned Development: Implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in a planned manner. The Brihanmumbai Storm Water Disposal System or BRIMSTOWAD, the project to overhaul Mumbai city’s old stormwater drainage system was started after the 2005 deluge. Change in Policy mindset: Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD in Australia) regards urban stormwater runoff, and waste water as a resource rather than a nuisance or liability. Ecological Solutions: Bioswales or ‘Rain Garden’ (New York) are landscape features that collect polluted stormwater runoff, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution. Rainwater harvesting: People must invest heavily in rainwater harvesting. Need to make sure that collection of the rainwater as much as possible, use that to recharge our aquifers and try to design our plots and apartments and gated communities as zero rainfall discharge areas. Design on a watershed basis: Every lake is a micro or mini watershed. Authorities must understand that a watershed is a hydrological unit, understand how water flows and ensure that it is drained into channels and flows into the lake. When the lake overflows, it connects to the next downstream lake, for which they will need sluice gates that they can operate. What is Sponge Cities? The idea of a sponge city is to make cities more permeable so as to hold and use the water which falls upon it. Sponge cities absorb the rain water, which is then naturally filtered by the soil and allowed to reach urban aquifers. This allows for the extraction of water from the ground through urban or peri-urban wells. In built form, this implies contiguous open green spaces, interconnected waterways, and channels and ponds across neighbourhoods that can naturally detain and filter water These can all be delivered effectively through an urban mission along the lines of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and Smart Cities Mission What steps need to be taken to take forward the idea of Sponge Cities Mission? Wetland policy:  In most of our lakes, the shallow ends, which often lie beyond the full tank level, have disappeared. These shallow ends are best characterised as wetlands; sometimes owned by private individuals, other times existing as ecological commons. Regardless of ownership, land use on even this small scale needs to be regulated by development control. Watershed management and emergency drainage plan This should be clearly enunciated in policy and law. Urban watersheds are micro ecological drainage systems, shaped by contours of terrain. Detailed documentation of these Urban watersheds must be held by agencies where natural boundaries instead of governance boundaries (like wards) are used to come up with drainage plan. The Metropolitan Development Authorities, National Disaster Management Authority, State revenue and irrigation departments along with municipal corporations should be involved in such work together. Ban against terrain alteration Lasting irreversible damage has been done to the city by builders, property owners, and public agencies by flattening terrain and altering drainage routes. Terrain alteration needs to be strictly regulated and a ban on any further alteration of terrain needs to be introduced. Change in material usage Our cities are becoming increasingly impervious to water, not just because of increasing built up but also because of the nature of materials used (hard, non-porous construction material that makes the soil impervious). To improve the city’s capacity to absorb water, new porous materials and technologies must be encouraged or mandated across scales. Examples of these technologies are bioswales and retention systems, permeable material for roads and pavement, drainage systems which allow storm water to trickle into the ground, green roofs and harvesting systems in buildings. These not only reduce run-off and the load on infrastructure, but also help keep water in the city for later use. Involvement of other stakeholders Urban floods of this scale cannot be contained by the municipal authorities alone. Nor can they be dealt with by the State government. It can be managed with concerted and focused investments of energy and resources. Such investments can only be done in a mission mode organisation with active participation of civil society organisations at the metropolitan scale. Main Practice Question: Inability to upgrade drainage infrastructure has led to Urban Flooding. Critically Comment. Note: Write answers to this question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th September 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions. To take the Test Click Here

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 16th September 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Ethereum Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science & Tech In News: Ethereum has undergone a technical upgrade and this upgrade is called the ‘Merge’. Ethereum has changed its algorithm from the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus method of setting transactions to the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Ethereum is introducing a new programming language that will help developers build more robust decentralised applications. About: PoW algorithms are used in most blockchains. PoW is a system of distributed consensus that relies on computing power to prove that someone has put in the required amount of work to create a valid block proportional to their influence on the network. These algorithms create a trust less system e., trust the system and not one person or one organization. PoS is a type of consensus mechanism used to validate cryptocurrency transactions through randomly selected validators. With this system, owners of the cryptocurrency can stake their coins, which gives them the right to check new blocks of transactions and add them to the blockchain. This is known as concept of staking. Significance of the upgrade: Increased scalability: Decreased size of blocks will reduce amount of data that nodes need to process making the network more scalable and easier to process more transactions per second while maintaining the same level of security. Easy to store: Make it easier for people running nodes to store the blockchain on less expensive hardware. That will make the network more resistant to spam attacks Reduce the amount of energy required to secure the network will make it more environmentally friendly and attract more users. Concept of staking: meaning locking up your tokens like depositing money in a savings account. The more tokens you stake, the more influence you have over the network. Faster transaction times due to less gap between blocks Low transaction latency No need for hardware mining infrastructure: due to trust less, distributed consensus algorithm that doesn’t require costly hardware. About Ethereum: Launched in 2014 second-largest cryptocurrency in the world Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain. Ether is the native cryptocurrency of the platform. Ethereum was conceived in 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin. Ethereum today has the highest adoption among developers and it is the primary infrastructure layer of Web3. Way forward The need of the hour is to work on an indigenous solution of the people, for the people, and by the people. A digital infrastructure based on blockchain technology will transform the digital ecosystem in India, and will enable the future of digital services, platforms, applications, content, and solutions. Considering the current situation worldwide, one can safely assume that we are at the beginning of the curve, but the days are not far. MUST READ: India Blockchain Platform Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements: (2022) Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation Which of the following given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q2) With reference to “Blockchain Technology”, consider the following statements:  (2020) It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 only 1 and 3 only Malaria Vaccine Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science & Tech In News: Malaria booster vaccine shows up to 80 per cent efficacy: Lancet study About the vaccine: R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine is licensed to Serum Institute of India. In 2021, University of Oxford reported findings – the vaccine demonstrated efficacy of 77% over 12-months of follow-up. This vaccine is the first to meet the World Health Organization’s Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap goal of a vaccine with at least 75% efficacy Study involved 450 participants aged 5 to 17 months and recently reported an efficacy of over 80%. About Malaria: Mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals Caused by single-celled microorganisms of the Plasmodium group and spread exclusively through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The mosquito bite introduces the parasites from the mosquito’s saliva into a person’s blood. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The disease is widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions that exist in a broad band around the equator. Distribution of malaria in India is as follows: Way forward: The results hold out hope that the vaccine can be an effective weapon in the fight against malaria, which is one of the biggest killers of children globally. Source: Indian express Abraham Accords and I2U2 Open in new window Syllabus Prelims: International Groupings Context: On September 15, two years ago, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the United States-brokered Abraham Accords. It was a historic moment for our peoples and nations, fostering new hope for peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Key points: It brought exciting opportunities for India and its thriving business community, which enjoys strong relations and engagement with our countries. New joint ventures among Bahrain, Israel, UAE, and India are being undertaken in critical sectors such as clean energy, health, innovation, technology, agriculture, water, trade, tourism, and sustainability. The Accords have paved the way for greater regional and multinational cooperation. Expanding economic opportunities continue to reach India. One concrete example of high-level economic cooperation between our governments is the formation of the I2U2 Group, established by Israel, India, the UAE, and the United States. About I2U2 Group: Background: I2U2 was initially formed in October, 2021 following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, to deal with issues concerning maritime security, infrastructure, and transport in the region. At that time, it was called the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation’. That was referred as the ‘West Asian Quad’. About: I2U2 initiative is a new grouping of India, Israel, USA, and UAE. In the grouping’s name, ‘I2’ stands for India and Israel, whereas ‘U2’ stands for USA and the UAE. What will be the Significance of I2U2 for India? Advantage from Abraham Accords: India will get advantage of the Abraham Accords to deepen engagement with Israel without risking its ties with the UAE and the other Arab states. Benefit Market: India is a massive consumer market. It’s a massive producer of high-tech and highly sought-after goods as well. India will benefit from this grouping. Alliances: It will help India in building alliances — political alliances, social alliances. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and New Zealand Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea Cheetah Reintroduction Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Environment In news: On September 16, a modified passenger B-747 Jumbo Jet will take off from Namibia for Jaipur to transport eight Namibian wild cheetahs, five females and three males, the founders of a new population in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Moving wild animals to new locations for conservation began only in the 1960s. Unlike royal imports to be held in captivity, these animals require to settle down and survive in their new locations in the wild. That poses a host of different challenges. About IUCN guidelines: Genetic diversity: Absence of the same can lead to inbreeding depression in the new population. Habitat and prey base: Physical security, enough space, and ample food so that colonies of reintroduced animals become large enough as quickly as possible to withstand fluctuations in both the environment and population size. Landscape viability: animals will remain susceptible to demographic and environmental events in a landscape Curbing the cats’ homing instincts: risks from losing the released animal from the target site and human-animal conflict About Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Established in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary in the Sheopur and Morena districts. In 2018, it was given the status of a national park. It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. Area of 344.686 km2 Fauna: Indian leopard, jungle cat, sloth bear, dhole, Indian wolf, golden jackal, striped hyena, and Bengal fox, chital, Sambar deer, nilgai, four-horned antelope, chinkara, blackbuck and wild boar Source: Indian Express Previous Year Questions Q.1) Consider the following: (2012) Black-necked crane Cheetah Flying squirrel Snow leopard Which of the above are naturally found in India? 1, 2 and 3 only 1, 3 and 4 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 An essential pit stops in parliamentary business Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims – Polity and Constitution Mains – GS 2 (Polity and Constitution) Context: The recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament (July-August), saw the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 being sent to the Standing Committee of Parliament for detailed examination in the wake of constant criticism by the Opposition in previous sessions. In this context let us understand the meaning and roles of parliamentary committees. What are Parliamentary committees? The Parliamentary committees are established to study and deal with various matters that cannot be directly handled by the legislature due to their volume. They monitor the functioning of the executive branch and provide legislature with various policy input, playing an important role in Indian democracy. They act as ‘Mini-Parliament’: smaller units of MPs from both Houses, across political parties, that function throughout the year. Types of Parliamentary committees—Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees. Standing Committees : Permanent (constituted every year or periodically) and work on a continuous basis. They can be categorized into following broad groups Financial Committees Departmental Standing Committees (24) Committees to Inquire Committees to Scrutinise and Control Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House House-Keeping Committees or Service Committees Ad Hoc Committees: Temporary and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned. Ad hoc committees can be divided into two categories, that is, Inquiry Committee and Advisory Committee. Departmental Standing Committees (DSCs) of Parliament in detail: Departmental Standing Committees are where a proposed law is discussed in detail. Parliament has 24 Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRSC), comprising members of the Parliament of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the ratio 2:1, which are duly constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, jointly. Role of Standing Committees : Main role of the department-related standing committees is to ensure the accountability of government to the Parliament through more detailed consideration of measures in these committees, its intention is not to weaken or criticize the administration or government but to strengthen it by investing in it more Parliamentary support. Hence the main role of departmental standing committees is to secure more accountability of the executives i.e., the Council of Ministers to the Parliament. These Departmental standing committees are working particularly while scrutinizing the Budget. Standing Committees – Members: Each committee consists of 31 members, of which 21 are nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha from amongst its members and 10 are nominated by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha from amongst its members. The tenure of each of the members is for 1 year. A minister cannot hold the committee’s membership. If a member after assuming his membership becomes a minister, he ceases to be a member of the respective committee. Relevant parliamentary data on the working of Parliament and its committees: The functioning of the monsoon session of Parliament this year bears testimony to this fact: the Lok Sabha’s productivity was 47% and the Rajya Sabha only 42%. The percentage of Bills having been referred to the DRSCs during the tenures of the 14th (2004-2009), 15th (2009-2014) and 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) has been 60%, 71% and 27%, respectively. Difference between Committee versus Parliament It has been alleged that Bills which are not being referred to the parliamentary committees, are not examined properly. As proof of this, the case of the three Farm Bills is cited as they were passed without being referred to the DRSC and had to be withdrawn later. The examination of the Bills by the parliamentary committees is more to the benefit of the Government than the Opposition. The committee meetings are in camera and, therefore, the meetings are held in a comparatively congenial atmosphere of bonhomie and cordiality than they would be in Parliament. Way forward: It has been observed that the reluctance to refer the Bills to the committee arises more out of inaction and ignorance of the Ministry concerned, and rarely out of ideological or policy reasons. So, the following changes could be suggested to be made into procedures meant for consideration of Bills. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha have powers to refer Bills to a DRSC of Parliament. Make this a compulsory/ automatic requirement. All discussions in the Parliamentary Standing Committee should be frank and free. For this, it may be provided that during the discussions of the committee meetings, no whip of the party would apply to them. In any case, they have the liberty to vote in favour or against the Bill in Parliament. The Speaker/Chairman should have the right to fix a time limit, sometimes even stringent, if the government of the day asks for it and the demand is found to be reasonable by the Speaker/Chairman. But to deal with just political exigencies, it can be provided that in case the committee fails to give its recommendation within the approved/extended time, the Bill may be put up before the House concerned directly. To ensure quality work in the committees, experts in the field may be invited who could bring with them the necessary domain knowledge and also help introduce the latest developments and trends in that field from worldwide. The sanctity and good work of ‘mini-Parliaments’ must be continued by both the government and the opposition, which will strengthen Parliamentary democracy. Source: The Hindu US, Pakistan & F-16 package Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs Mains – GS 2 ( International Relations) Context: Recently, India’s Defence Minister “conveyed concerns” to his American counterpart on the US decision to provide Pakistan with a $450 million package for what the Pentagon has called the “F-16 Case for sustainment and related equipment.” About the package to Pakistan: US released it Defense Security Co-operation Agency press release which announced $450 million package, the proposed contractor for technical and logistics services for follow-on support of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. Under this, there is participation in several technical coordination groups, aircraft and engine hardware and software modifications and support, equipment support, manuals, precision measurement, and a range of related elements of aircraft maintenance. However, USA clarified that “The proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions,” It will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations” . Why this deal now? one revolves around the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, Questions have swirled, including in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as to who provided the intelligence for the drone strike that killed the al-Qaeda chief in a posh house that belonged to Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. So, it is considered as reward for providing the information. Earlier, Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI head Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum have been in active touch with their US interlocutors. Anjum visited the US in May, and Bajwa reportedly asked for help secure an IMF package for Pakistan, which has been granted. Another reason could be the geopolitical churn arising from the Russia-Ukraine war, the US is trying to break China’s hold on Pakistan with sweeteners of its own. The Pakistan Air Force now has more Chinese JF-17 Thunder fighter jets than F-16s — but it continues to rely on the ageing American aircraft, as the India-Pakistan 2019 skirmish demonstrated. India, Pak, the aircraft According to Brig. Rahul Bhonsle (retd), the sustainment programme for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet would enhance conventional deterrence versus India. He says that the last aerial skirmish between Pakistan and India in February 2019 — during which the PAF brought down a MiG-21 flown by IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman — showed that the F-16 is the aircraft that Pakistan will use in any future encounter with India. Conclusion: India-U.S. bilateral relations holds “global strategic partnership“, which is based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional, and global issues. Both are member of Global platform which has strategical importance such as Quad and I2U2 Grouping (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) And, such incident is  not going to strain  relation between two nations, even it is expected to strengthen technological and industrial collaboration and also explore co-operation in emerging and critical technologies between two nations in upcoming time. However, India needs to effectively enhance conventional combat capability of the IAF to continue to meet the challenge of a resurgent PAF. About F-16 Fighting Falcon: The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, single engine, 4th generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics Corporation, USA. It is highly manoeuvrable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. Source:  Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news ? (2018) An Israeli radar system India’s indigenous anti-missile programme An American anti-missile system A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea Federal Fabric under threat Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Federalism)  “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action,” Ian Fleming famously wrote in the James Bond classic Goldfinger. Change the words “enemy action” to “trend” and it will explain what’s going on between Maharashtra and Gujarat. Context: Maharashtra’s repeated loss of projects to Gujarat appears to indicate Centre’s preference, damage to federal structure including recently concluded Vedanta –  Foxconn project. Earlier the projects such as International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Nanar oil refinery, a joint venture between India’s state-owned PSUs and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, and the National Academy of Coastal Policing are proposed to set up in Maharashtra but later moved to Gujrat. This, as the legendary Fleming notes, is enough to underline a trend that seriously undermines our federal structure. It’s always heartening to see states vying for investments, but it’s equally damaging to see the powerful Centre favouring one state over the other. It not only makes the battle unfair, but also threatens the federal fabric of the nation. However, Maharashtra politicians undoubtedly owe explanations for their consistent flip-flop over mega projects, beginning with Enron’s ambitious power project. In this context let us understand Federal structure of India: The Federal Structure of India: Nature of Indian Federalism: A Federal theorist K.C. Wheare has argued that the nature of Indian Constitution is quasi-federal in nature. The SC in Sat Pal v State of Punjab and Ors (1969), held that the Constitution of India is more Quasi-federal than federal or unitary. Constitutional Provisions for Ensuring Federalism: The respective legislative powers of states and Centre are traceable to Articles 245 to 254 of the Indian Constitution. The lists in the 7th Schedule of the Constitution — Union, State and Concurrent also exemplify equitable share of powers, wherein each level of government has its own sphere, enabling context-sensitive decision-making. Article 263 provided for the establishment of an Inter-State Council for smooth transition of business between the Union and states and resolution of disputes. Article 280 provided for the constitution of the Finance Commission to define the financial relationship and terms between the Union and states. Also, the institutions for local self-government were added through the 73rd and 74th amendments, to strengthen the grass roots democracy. Institutions for Federalism: The Planning Commission always had space for discussion on issues concerning the federal nature of the polity and was sensitive to the different developmental requirements of states. The inter-state tribunals, the National Development Council and other informal bodies have served as vehicles of consultations between the Union, states and UTs. These bodies have been instrumental in tackling difficult issues democratically through deliberations while upholding the cooperative spirit between the Union and states. Challenges in Maintaining the Federal Spirit of India Apart from above mentioned tussle between Gujrat and Maharashtra, the following are the major challenges to cooperative federalism in India. Ineffective Functioning of Several Bodies: The Planning Commission has been scrapped; the Inter-State Council has met only once in the last seven years while the National Development Council has not met at all. Issues in Tax Regime: The misconceived Goods & Services Tax (GST) has already taken away much of the autonomy available to states and has made the country’s indirect tax regime unitary in nature. During the pandemic, the Union government repeatedly violated the compensation guarantees to the States under the GST regime. Delay in paying the States their due worsened the impact of the economic slowdown. Encroachments Upon States’ Autonomy in State Subjects: Many important and politically sensitive decisions have been taken in the past few years, without reference to, and consultation with, the concerned states such as: Parliament legislated on “agriculture” in the state list, to enact the three contentious farm laws, overstepping its jurisdiction and imposing a law on the states. The New Education Policy 2020 has also been flagged as encroaching on the federal nature of the polity. Additionally, the BSF’s jurisdiction was extended in Assam, West Bengal, and Punjab without any consultation with the concerned states. Impact of Covid-19: The states were curtailed in aspects relating to Covid-19 management such as procurement of testing kits, vaccination, the use of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the unplanned national lockdown. Way Forward: Recognition of Federalism: It should be underlined that Article 1 of the Constitution declares that “India that is Bharat is a union of states”, and that devolution of powers is necessary in such a setting. A conscious recognition of the federal character of India’s polity is essential to protect its national character. Strengthening Inter-State Relations: State governments shall consider deploying human resources to support them in preparing responses to the consultations initiated by the Union, especially with a focus on the federalism angle. Bringing Reforms while Balancing Federalism: A diverse country India requires a proper balance between the pillars of federalism (autonomy of states, centralisation, regionalisation etc). Extreme political centralisation or chaotic political decentralisation shall be avoided as both lead to the weakening of Indian federalism. MUST READ:   Uncooperative Federalism MUST READ:   Asymmetrical federalism Source:  Indian Express Eastern Economic Forum Open in new  window Syllabus Mains: GS 2 (International Relations) In News: Russia hosted the seventh Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) Vladivostok from September 5 to 8. The four-day forum is a platform for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses into Russia’s Far East (RFE). About RFE: The region encompasses one-third of Russia’s territory and is rich with natural resources such as fish, oil, natural gas, wood, diamonds, and other minerals. The region’s riches and resources contribute to five per cent of Russia’s GDP. But despite the abundance and availability of materials, procuring and supplying them is an issue due to the unavailability of personnel. About EEF: The Eastern Economic Forum was established in 2015 to encourage foreign investments in Russia’s the Far East. As an annual gathering, EEF displays the economic potential, suitable business conditions and investment opportunities in the region. As of 2022, almost 2,729 investment projects are being planned in the region with a focus on infrastructure, transportation projects, mineral excavations, construction, industry, and agriculture. Trading partners: Russia and China: This year, the Forum aimed at connecting the Far East with the Asia Pacific region. The two countries share a 4000-kilometer-long border, which enables them to tap into each other’s resources with some infrastructural assistance. China is the biggest investor in the region (90% of total investments) in light of promoting the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and the Polar Sea Route in the RFE. The Trans-Siberian Railway, supply of natural gas and a rail bridge has further helped Russia and China in advancing trade ties. Russia and South Korea: has invested in shipbuilding projects, manufacturing of electrical equipment, gas-liquefying plants, agricultural production, and fisheries including intention to inject $2 billion in the RFE in a span of three years. Russia and Japan: Japan depends on Russian oil and gas resources also sees a market for its agro-technologies. In 2017, Japanese investments through 21 projects amounted to $16 billion. Japan identified eight areas of economic cooperation and pushed private businesses to invest in the development of the RFE. Challenge of Kuril Islands dispute exists between both countries. Russia and India: Prime Minister expressed the country’s readiness in expanding trade, connectivity, cooperation, and investments in Russia especially in energy, pharmaceuticals, maritime connectivity, healthcare, tourism, the diamond industry, and the Arctic. In 2019, India also offered a $1 billion line of credit to develop infrastructure in the region. Through the EEF, India aims to establish a strong inter-state interaction with Russia. Business representatives of Gujarat and the Republic of Sakha have launched agreements in the diamond and pharmaceuticals industry. What does the EEF aim for? The primary objective of the EEF is to increase the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the RFE. The region encompasses one-third of Russia’s territory and is rich with natural resources such as fish, oil, natural gas, wood, diamonds, and other minerals. The sparse population living in the region is another factor for encouraging people to move and work in the Far East. The region’s riches and resources contribute to 5% of Russia’s GDP. But despite the abundance and availability of materials, procuring and supplying them is an issue due to the unavailability of personnel. The RFE is geographically placed at a strategic location; acting as a gateway into Asia. The Russian government has strategically developed the region with the aim of connecting Russia to the Asian trading routes. The Ukraine invasion is a worrying issue as it affects the economic growth of the country. However, Russia believes that it can survive the economic crisis and the sanctions with the help of China and other Asian powers. The coming together of countries like Myanmar, Armenia, Russia, and China seems like the forming of an anti-sanctions group in the international order. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF): Will India be able to achieve a balance between the EEF and the IPEF? The U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the EEF are incomparable based on its geographic coverage and the partnership with the host-countries. India has vested interests in both the forums and has worked towards balancing its involvement. India has not shied away from investing in the Russia-initiated EEF despite the current international conditions. At the same time, India has given its confirmation and acceptance to three of the four pillars in the IPEF. IPEF also presents an ideal opportunity for India to act in the region, without being part of the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or other regional grouping like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The IPEF will also play a key role in building resilient supply chains. India’s participation in the forum will help in disengaging from supply chains that are dependent on China and will also make it a part of the global supply chain network.  Additionally, the IPEF partners will act as new sources of raw material and other essential products, further reducing India’s reliance on China for raw materials. India, Japan, and Australia last year also launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), a trilateral initiative of countries in the Indo-Pacific (IP) region to create a virtuous cycle of enhancing supply chain resilience with a view to eventually attaining strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth in the region. Way forward: India has vested interests in both the EEF and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and has worked towards balancing its involvement. India should also balance its membership of multiple regional and global fora like IPEF, EEF, SCRI, QUAD etc, encompassing economic and strategic interests, in pursuit of its new policy of ‘multi-alignment’. Source: The Hindu Daily Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) With reference to the ” Eastern Economic Forum “, consider the following statements: It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with Russia. It is an initiative to support Low Income Eastern Economies in the field of infrastructure. It primarily focuses on the Far Eastern region of Russia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 3 only Q.2) Which of the following nations parks are located in Madhya Pradesh? Kuno National Park Kanha National Park Pench National Park Tadoba-Andhari National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1, 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.3) R21/Matrix-M vaccine, which is recently in news, is related to Dengue Malaria Tuberculosis Hepatitis B Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’16th September 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs. ANSWERS FOR 15th September – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – c Q.3) – b table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

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[UPSC Mains 2022] ESSAY PAPER- UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS EXAM (CSE) 2022

[UPSC Mains 2022] ESSAY PAPER- UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS EXAM (CSE) 2022 SECTION A 1) Forets are the best case studies for economic excellence. 2) Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. 3) History is a series of victorious won by the scientific man over the romantic man. 4) A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for. SECTION B 1) The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. 2) You cannot step twice in the same river. 3) A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities. 4) Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.  

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th September 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions.To take the Test Click Here

[CURRENT AFFAIRS] IAS UPSC REVAMPED Current Affairs Magazine AUGUST 2022

Archives Hello Friends,This is AUGUST 2022 of IASbaba’s REVAMPED Current Affairs Monthly Magazine. Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation.An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it!This edition covers all Important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of AUGUST 2022.Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you Download The Magazine - August 2022 Important Topics Covered In The Magazine Includes: Jupiter Through James Webb Telescope Tomato Flu China-Taiwan Issue New Ramsar Sites of India Pingali Venkaiah / Aurobindo Ghosh And Much More.... Download The Magazine - August 2022 To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow-TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccountYOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQFACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts!Thank YouIASbaba

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th September 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Manasbal Lake, Kashmir Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Geography (Map) In News: After a gap of 33 years, Manasbal Lake is once again open for training drills after raging militancy forced the Navy to abandon it. Recently over 100 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, both from J&K and outside, including female cadets, participated in exercises like sailing and boat pulling. Such exercises here will motivate locals to join the NCC in the future.  About Manasbal Lake: Location: Central Kashmir’s Safapora area in Ganderbal district. Features: It’s a freshwater lake with picturesque hills and pristine waters. The Mughal Garden, called the Jaroka Bagh, (meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake. Biodiversity: The lake is a good place for birdwatching. Flora: macrophytes and phytoplankton Fauna: zooplankton, benthos and fish History: Training in the area was suspended during the inception of militancy in the 1989 and thereby abandoned by the Navy. The NCC has been working in J&K since 1965. Issues: Eutrophication (nutrient-induced increase in phytoplankton productivity) and pollution Other lakes in Kashmir: Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Tarsar-Marsar Lakes About NCC: It is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces as a Tri-Services Organisation, comprising the Army, the Navy and the Air Force Headquarters are in New Delhi, India. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis, To develop the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens. The emblem of the NCC consists of 3 colours; red, dark blue and light blue representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The 17 lotuses indicate the 17 directories of India. Source : The Hindu Previous Year Question Q1) Consider the following pairs: (2022) Wetland/Lake Location Hokera Wetland – Punjab Renuka Wetland – Himachal Pradesh Rudrasagar Lake – Tripura Sasthamkotta – Tamil Nadu Lake How many pairs given above are correctly matched? Only one pair Only two pairs Only three pairs All four pairs Schedule Tribes Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs Context: Cabinet approves addition of four tribes in Himachal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh to ST list. What are the tribes added to the Scheduled Tribes list? The Hatti tribe in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh. The Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran hill tribes of Tamil Nadu. The Binjhia in Chhattisgarh, who were listed as ST in Jharkhand and Odisha but not in Chhattisgarh, were the communities newly added to the list. ‘Betta-Kuruba’ as a synonym for the Kadu Kuruba tribe In Karnataka. In Chhattisgarh, the Cabinet approved synonyms for tribes like the Bharia (variations added include Bhumia and Bhuyian), Gadhwa (Gadwa), Dhanwar (Dhanawar, Dhanuwar), Nagesia (Nagasia, Kisan), and Pondh (Pond), among others. Process to include tribes in the ST list: It will start with the recommendation from the respective State governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval. This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision. Note: The Cabinet approved a proposal to bring the Gond community residing in 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh, under the ST list from the Scheduled Caste list. This includes the five subcategories of the Gond community (Dhuria, Nayak, Ojha, Pathari, and Rajgond). Source: The Hindu Previous Year Question Q.1) With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to  (2021) dance forms of Northwest India musical instruments pre-historic cave paintings tribal languages The future of old times in India Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Schemes Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: Life expectancy in India has more than doubled since Independence — from around 32 years in the late 1940s to 70 years or so today. Many countries have done even better, but this is still a historical achievement. The share of the elderly (persons aged 60 years and above) in India’s population, around 9% in 2011, is growing fast and may reach 18% by 2036 according to the National Commission on Population. Outcomes of old age and loneliness – Mental issues: A survey of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and the Government of Tamil Nadu, reports that among persons aged 60 and above, 30% to 50% had symptoms that make them likely to be depressed. Among the elderly living alone, in the Tamil Nadu sample, 74% had symptoms that would classify them as likely to be mildly depressed or worse on the short-form Geriatric Depression Scale. A large majority of elderly persons living alone are women, mainly widows. Pension helps:                     The hardships of old age are not related to poverty alone, but some cash often helps. Cash can certainly help to cope with many health issues, and sometimes to avoid loneliness as well. The first step towards a dignified life for the elderly is to protect them from destitution and all the deprivations that may come with it. That is why old-age pensions are a vital part of social security systems around the world. India has important schemes of non-contributory pensions for the elderly, widowed women, and disabled persons under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. About NSAP: NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India that provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. Only BPL persons are eligible for it. Components of NSAP: Presently NSAP comprises of five schemes, namely – Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS) and Annapurna Issues of NSAP: Eligibility for NSAP is restricted to “below poverty line” (BPL) families, based on outdated and unreliable BPL lists, some of them are 20 years old. The central contribution to old-age pensions under NSAP has stagnated at a tiny ₹200 per month since 2006, with a slightly higher but still paltry amount (₹300 per month) for widows. Many States have enhanced the coverage and/or number of social-security pensions beyond NSAP norms using their own funds and schemes. Some have even achieved “near-universal” (say 75%-80%) coverage of widows and elderly persons. “Targeting” social benefits is always difficult. There are huge exclusion errors in the BPL lists. Even when lists of left-out, likely-eligible persons were submitted to the local administration, very few were approved for a pension, confirming that they face resilient barriers in the current scheme of things. Way forward in social security schemes: Beyond targets Many Officials have absorbed the idea that their job is to save the government money by making sure that no ineligible person qualifies by mistake. For example, at some places in Tamil Nadu, if the applicant has an able-bodied son in the city, they may be disqualified, regardless of whether they get any support from their son. In their quest to avoid inclusion errors, many officials are less concerned about exclusion errors. A better approach is to consider all widows and elderly or disabled persons as eligible, subject to simple and transparent “exclusion criteria”. Eligibility can even be self-declared, with the burden of time-bound verification being placed on the local administration or gram panchayat. Conclusion: Social security pensions, of course, are just the first step towards a dignified life for the elderly. They also need other support and facilities such as health care, disability aids, assistance with daily tasks, recreation opportunities and a good social life. This is a critical area of research, policy, and action for the near future. Source: The Hindu Govt’s health spending Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Economy Mains – GS 3 Economy, GS 2 Governance In News: Recently Govt’s FY19 health spending dropped About the Issue as per National Health Accounts Estimates 2018-19: Government spending on health as a proportion of total health expenditure has increased by more than 11% over the previous five years, from 23.2% in 2013-14 to 34.5% in 2018-19. Government spending as proportion of GDP went down to 1.28% from 1.35% in the previous year’s (2017-18) report. Overall expenditure on health has declined. The total health spending — (both government and non-government agents) — went down from 3.9% of the GDP to 3.2% in the five years up to 2018-19. Out-of-pocket health spending is lower at point of care, but people are still spending more than the government About Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as per NSSO data: Since healthcare services in the country being largely provided by private players; hence, out-of-pocket spending becomes important OOPE Down 48.2% of the total health expenses in the year 2018-19   2.87 lakh crore, which was equivalent to 1.52% of the GDP for the year Implying – people spent much more than the government 48.8% in the previous year (2017-18) 62.6% recorded in 2014-15   Comparison with other countries in the region as per Global Health Expenditure Database In 2017, India – 66th position (out of 189 countries) with $100.05 per capita OOPE Bhutan was at 37th, Bangladesh at 52nd, Pakistan at 55th Highest in the developed countries Switzerland 189th United States ranking 185th United Kingdom 167th Causes fewer people are seeking care, which is counter-intuitive considering health related distress are rising data collection is such that it does not capture the spending by the richest 5% of the country, thereby leaving out a big chunk of out-of-pocket expenditure from the estimates. About Current health expenditure: Centre’s share = 11.71%, state governments = 19.63%, local bodies 1.01%, and households (including insurance contributions) = 60.11% corporates (as insurance contributions), NGOs, and external or donor funding. Primary care was 47.4%, secondary care 31.7%, and tertiary care 14.9%. The rest was utilised for governance and supervision, and ‘others.   Causes Using a wrong indicator that is internationally not comparable. The comparable indicator would be the current health expenditure, which does not include the capital spending on, say, building or equipment that will be used over multiple years Miscellaneous OOPE Includes cost-sharing, self-medication and other expenditure paid directly by private households Issues with Health Sector Lack of Primary Healthcare Services: The existing public primary health care model in the country is limited in scope. Even where there is a well-functioning public primary health centre, only services related to pregnancy care, limited childcare and certain services related to national health programmes are provided. Supply-Side Deficiencies: Poor health management skills and lack of appropriate training and supportive supervision for health workers prevent delivery of the desired quality of health services. Inadequate Funding: India spent 1.8% of its GDP on health in FY 2020-21 and 1-1.5% in the previous years. India’s total out-of-pocket expenditure is around 2.3 % of GDP. As compared with the OECD countries’ average of 7.6% and other BRICS countries’ average of 3.6% on their health sector, this is considerably low. Overlapping Jurisdiction: There is no single authority responsible for public health that is legally empowered to issue guidelines and enforce compliance of the health standards Less than Required Doctors: India currently has one doctor over the population of 1,445 against the WHO norm of 1:1000. Government’s scheme on healthcare Ayushman Bharat Yojana PM-JAY National Rural health mission PM Swasth suraksha yojana Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 Way Forward To reduce costs outside a few islands of excellence, such as AIIMS, investments in other medical colleges should be promoted in order to potentially reduce costs and improve healthcare quality. Emphasising on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), leveraging private sector expertise in achieving targets. Incentivising R&D by additional tax deductions to further support greater investments in new drug developments. To prepare the existing healthcare workforce to provide the people the proposed healthcare facilities, it is important to give significant attention to their training, re-skilling, and knowledge upgradation. Source: Indian Express Discrimination in labour market Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 3 (Economy) In news: Discrimination in labour market Sources of data: 61st round of National Sample Survey on employment-unemployment (2004-05) The Periodic Labour Force Survey in 2018-19 and 2019-20 All-India Debt and Investment Survey by the Centre ‘India Discrimination Report’, compiled by the NGO Oxfam India from 2004-05 to 2019-20 Data from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Meaning of Discrimination Discrimination in the labour market is when people with identical capabilities are treated differently because of their identity or social backgrounds Meaning of Endowments It includes education, parental education and years of experience A) Discrimination against women Hardly any difference across religion or caste-based sub-groups, or the rural-urban divide. Gender discrimination in India is structural resulting in great disparities between earnings of men and women under ‘normal circumstances’ Unemployed women have a high level of education and equal endowments as their male counterparts. Unemployment occurs because of prejudice; social biases such as women won’t be able to keep late hours or travel for work; and family and social pressure wherein women withdraw from the workforce or are not allowed to work. Overall discrimination in wages for women in this period increased from 67.2% in 2004-05 to 75.7% in 2019-20. B) Discrimination against SC and ST communities In rural India such discrimination is increasing in casual employment. However, there has been some decline due to endowments. For SC/ST employees, discrimination declined from 69.1% in 2004-5 to 34.6% in 2018-19 but increased to 39.3% in 2019-2020. C) Discrimination against Dalits and Adivasis and religious minorities like Muslims: Exists in terms of accessing jobs, livelihoods, and agricultural credits. For the Muslim community, the endowments are very low and limited access to regular salaried jobs. Therefore, Muslims are largely self-employed in family-owned businesses. They are also part of specialised jobs like cobbling or carpentry, where there is no (or little) competition. So, the discrimination against Muslims is low simply because the endowments are also low. Discrimination in employment for the Muslim community dropped from 31.5% in 2004-5 to 21.9% in 2018-19 to 3.7% in 2019-2020. Data as per sources cited above: Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women the proportion of working-age population that engages actively in labour market, either by working or looking for work declined from 42.7% in 2004-05 to 25.1% in 2021 In 2019-20, aged 15 and above that had regular salaried or self-employed jobs Male – 60% Female – 19% For regular, self-employment in urban areas, the average earning Male – Rs. 15,996 Female – Rs. 6,626 in 2019-20, Mean income for people with regular employment in urban areas SC or ST communities Rs 15,312 General – Rs 20,346 Muslims in urban areas faced discrimination in 2019-20 = 68.3% in 2004-05= 59.3% In 2019-20, people above 15 years of age in regular salaried jobs Non- Muslims = 23.3% Muslims= 15.6% Oxfam report regular, salaried in urban areas in 2019 non-Muslims = Rs 20,346 on average Muslims = Rs 13,672 Oxfam report Self-employed in 2019   non-Muslims = Rs 15,878 Muslims = Rs 11,421 (Despite over-representation of Muslims in urban self-employment) How to fight Discrimination There are two possible strategies to reduce these biases: the first focuses on the victims of discrimination by empowering them to break free from the stereotypes that target them, while the second focuses on perpetrators. The first approach should be the heart of the policy. Frame initiatives in favour of equal opportunities allow identifying priority actions: enabling women to play on an equal footing with men through a better sharing of domestic and family tasks, which would be made possible by extending paternity leave; improving the employability of older people by preventing the risk of obsolescence of their skills; improving the educational and professional integration of people with a vulnerable and migrant Regarding the second approach, there has a wide range of legislation to combat discrimination. The actions against the perpetrators of discrimination are rarely brought to court. Thus, making the threat of legal sanctions credible is critical: this requires a better knowledge of the legal framework and the possible remedies in case of discrimination in the labour market, and the presence of trained interlocutors to assist employees in their efforts. Oxfam It is founded and led by Oxfam International (British founded confederation) in 1942 consisting of 21 independent charitable organizations Focusing on the alleviation of global poverty Oxfam India was one of the organisations that faced an Income Tax survey recently. Oxfam maintained that it was compliant with domestic laws. National Statistical Office (NSO): Formed with the merger of NSSO and CSO. The Statistics Wing of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) Recommended by Rangarajan Commission To implement and maintain statistical standards and coordinate statistical activities of Central and State agencies. It consists of 3 directors. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Questions Q.1) In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers? Central Statistics Office Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Labour Bureau National Technical Manpower Information System Water Crisis in India Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: United Nations World Water Development Report of 2022 has encapsulated global concern over the sharp rise in freshwater withdrawal from streams, lakes, aquifers and human-made reservoirs, impending water stress and water scarcity being experienced in different parts of the world. Growing water stress – various reports: In 2007, ‘Coping with water scarcity’ was the theme of World Water Day (observed on March 22). The new Water Report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) sounded a note of caution about this silent crisis of a global dimension, with millions of people being deprived of water to live and to sustain their livelihood. A NITI Aayog report, ‘Composite Water Management Index’ (2018) has sounded a note of caution about the worst water crisis in the country, with more than 600 million people facing acute water shortages. Water stress and water scarcity: Water scarcity is a physical, objective reality that can be measured consistently across regions and over time. “Water stress” refers to the ability, or lack thereof, to meet human and ecological demand for water. Compared to scarcity, “water stress” is a more inclusive and broader concept. India is experiencing a very significant water challenge, approximately 820 million people of India – living in twelve river basins across the country have per capita water availability close to or lower than 1000m3 – the official threshold for water scarcity as per the Falkenmark Index. Falkenmark Indicator or Water Stress Index: It defines water scarcity in terms of the total water resources that are available to the population of a region; measuring scarcity as the amount of renewable freshwater that is available for each person each year. Types of water scarcity: Water scarcity is the lack of fresh water resources to meet the standard water demand. There are two types of water scarcity Physical water scarcity is where there is not enough water to meet all demands, including that needed for ecosystems to function effectively. Arid areas for example Central and West Asia, and North Africa often suffer from physical water scarcity. Economic water scarcity is caused by a lack of investment in infrastructure or technology to draw water from rivers, aquifers, or other water sources, or insufficient human capacity to satisfy the demand for water. Much of Sub-Saharan Africa has economic water scarcity. Other issues of water scarcity: The typical response of the areas where water shortage or scarcity is high includes transfer of water from the hinterlands/upper catchments or drawing it from stored surface water bodies or aquifers. This triggers sectoral and regional competition; rural-urban transfer of water is one such issue of global concern. Increasing trans-boundary transfer of water between rural and urban areas has been noted in many countries since the early 20th A review paper published in 2019 reported that, globally, urban water infrastructure imports an estimated 500 billion liters of water per day across a combined distance of 27,000km. At least 12% of large cities in the world rely on inter-basin transfers. A UN report on ‘Transboundary Waters Systems – Status and Trend’ (2016) linked this issue of water transfer with various Sustainable Development Goals proposed to be achieved during 2015 to 2030. The report identified risks associated with water transfer in three categories of biophysical, socio-economic and governance. South Asia, including India, falls in the category of high biophysical and the highest socio-economic risks. Urban water use: According to Census 2011, the urban population in India accounted for 34% of total population. It is estimated that the urban population component in India will cross the 40% mark by 2030 and the 50% mark by 2050 (World Urbanization Prospects, 2018). Dependence on groundwater continues particularly in the peri-urban areas in almost all large cities that have switched to surface water sources. While surface water transfer from rural to urban areas is visible and can be computed, the recharge areas of groundwater aquifers are spread over well beyond the city boundary or its periphery. At present, the rural-urban transfer of water is a lose-lose situation in India as water is transported at the expense of rural areas and the agricultural sector; in cities, most of this water is in the form of grey water with little recovery or reuse, eventually contributing to water pollution. Rural and urban areas use water from the same stock, i.e., the water resources of the country. Therefore, it is important to strive for a win-win situation. The case of Ahmedabad Ahmedabad is an interesting case in this context. More than 80% of water supply in this city used to be met from groundwater sources till the mid-1980s. The depth to groundwater level reached 67 meters in confined aquifers. The city now depends on the Narmada canal for the bulk of its water supply. The shift is from local groundwater to canal water receiving supply from an inter-State and inter-basin transfer of surface water. Whatever be the source, surface or groundwater, cities largely depend on rural areas for raw water supply, which has the potential to ignite the rural-urban dispute. Available studies covering Nagpur and Chennai indicate the imminent problem of rural-urban water disputes that the country is going to face in the not-so-distant future as water scarcity grows, which will be further exacerbated by climate change.  Way forward: A system perspective and catchment scale-based approach are necessary to link reallocation of water with wider discussions on development, infrastructure investment, fostering a rural-urban partnership and adopting an integrated approach in water management. Institutional strengthening can offer entry points and provide opportunities to build flexibility into water resource allocation at a regional level, enabling adjustments in rapidly urbanizing regions. Authorities must also simultaneously work to enhance waste water recycling and water recharge activities targeting aquifers and wells through rainwater harvesting. In India’s 75th anniversary of Independence, it is time to examine the state of its water resources and ensure that the development process is not in jeopardy. Source: The Hindu Baba’s Explainer –Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme Syllabus GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources Context: The Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (UEGS) has rolled out in Rajasthan with the objective of providing economic support to the poor and needy families living in the cities through work to be provided on demand for 100 days in a year. Rajasthan State government has touted it as the country’s biggest scheme to give guaranteed jobs to the people residing in cities, on the lines of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for villagers started by the UPA government at the Centre in 2006. Read Complete Details on Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme Daily Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) With reference to India, the terms ‘Kurivikkaran, Hatti, and Binjhia’ pertain to? Merchant guilds Scheduled Tribes Scheduled Castes None of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding National Social Assistance Programme: It is a central sector programme. It is administered by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. Only BPL persons are eligible for it. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 3 and 4 only 1 and 4 only Q.3) Consider the following statements about Manasbal Lake It’s a freshwater lake in Ladakh. Lake water outflows to the Jhelum River through a regulated outflow channel. Choose the correct statements: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’15th September 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs. ANSWERS FOR 14th September – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – a Q.2) – c Q.3) – d table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme

ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources Context: The Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (UEGS) has rolled out in Rajasthan with the objective of providing economic support to the poor and needy families living in the cities through work to be provided on demand for 100 days in a year. Rajasthan State government has touted it as the country’s biggest scheme to give guaranteed jobs to the people residing in cities, on the lines of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for villagers started by the UPA government at the Centre in 2006. Why is there a growing demand for Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme? The demand for a job guarantee scheme in the cities is increasing because of the Growing distress among the urban poor Higher unemployment rates in urban areas in comparison with villages Persistently high inflation affecting the people Prevalence of low-wage and poor quality informal work in urban areas. Moreover, as against the rural unemployment being mostly seasonal, unemployed people in the cities face problems throughout the year. Who are eligible to get jobs in Rajasthan’s UEGS? Those in the age group of 18 to 60 years residing within the limits of urban local bodies are eligible to demand and get employment in the identified segments. There is no income limit, though the poor and destitute people, especially those who lost their livelihood during the pandemic, will be given preference. More than 3.5 lakh people across the State have got themselves registered under the scheme so far and job cards have been issued to 2.25 lakh of them. A budgetary provision of ₹800 crore has been made for the scheme in 2022-23. At least 50 persons in each ward of urban local bodies will be given employment and the work permitted under the scheme will be approved and executed through committees at the State, district and local body levels. The State government will also reward the municipal bodies doing good work under the scheme. The cost of material and the payment for the labour for work of general nature will be in the ratio of 25:75 and will vary for special work which needs technical expertise. The State government’s Department of Local Bodies will be responsible for the scheme’s implementation. What are the categories of tasks? The tasks to be carried out under the scheme have been clubbed mainly under eight heads. Environment protection, which will involve tree plantation at public places, maintenance of parks and watering plants on footpaths and dividers. Water conservation, where the tasks may be allotted for cleanliness and improvement of ponds, lakes and stepwells, construction, repair and cleaning of rain water harvesting structures and restoration of water sources. Other categories are heritage conservation, removal of encroachments and illegal boards, hoardings and banners, stopping defacement of property and service-related works. As part of convergence, the people engaged under the employment guarantee scheme can be employed elsewhere in other schemes, already having a material component, which require the labour. Eligible people will get work such as tree plantation, cleaning ponds, collecting garbage from door to door and segregating it and catching stray animals. Apart from all these categories, the State government can add new tasks or amend the ones already included in the list. A Jan Aadhar card, introduced by the State government, or its registration slip will be required for registration, which can be done at e-Mitra centres. While more than 31,000 muster rolls have been issued for the work, the wages will be paid at the rate of ₹259 a day to unskilled labourers and ₹283 a day to skilled labourers. The ‘mates’ or supervisors on top of the labourers will get ₹271 a day. Benefits of the scheme Livelihood rights activists feel that though the scheme would help reduce distress among the urban population, the ultimate test of its success will be to ensure that it improves the wage rate in the labour market, which was one of the major contributions of MGNREGA. The kind of jobs provided under the scheme will be different than those in the rural areas and will need a more skilled workforce. The scheme may turn out to be a game changer for the people who lost their jobs in the pandemic and are struggling to make ends meet amid high inflation. Are similar schemes operative in other States? The Rajasthan government has prepared the employment guarantee programme after studying similar such schemes operative in other States. Several States are looking favourably towards an urban version of MGNREGA. These schemes include the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme in Kerala Urban Wage Employment Initiative under UNNATI in Odisha Mukhya Mantri Shramik Yojana in Jharkhand Mukhya Mantri Yuva Swabhiman Yojana in Madhya Pradesh. The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana was launched as a Centrally-sponsored scheme in 1997 to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed and underemployed poor by encouraging them to set up self-employment ventures and through the provision of wage employment. The scheme was replaced with the National Urban Livelihoods Mission in 2013. However, neither of the two was an employment guarantee scheme. What is the idea of DUET (Decentralised Urban Employment and Training) Scheme proposed by welfare economist Jean Dreze? There is a crisis of employment in the urban informal sector, as millions of workers have lost their job due to periodic lockdowns, and may or may not retrieve it soon. Our public institutions and public spaces (schools, colleges, health centres, bus stands, jails, shelters, hostels, parks, museums, offices, etc.) have a chronic problem of poor maintenance. There is growing interest in an employment guarantee act, but little experience of relief works in urban areas. Decentralised Urban Employment and Training’ (DUET) could act as a step towards urban employment guarantee. The state government issues ‘job stamps’ and distributes them to approved institutions – schools, colleges, government departments, health centres, municipalities, neighbourhood associations, urban local bodies, etc Each job stamp can be converted into one person-day of work within a specified period, with the approved institution arranging the work Wages, paid by the government, would go directly to the workers’ accounts against job stamps certified by the employer. Employees are to be selected from a pool of registered workers by the approved employer, or, by an independent ‘placement agency’ (to avoid collusion) Role of the placement agency The primary role of the placement agency is to assign registered workers to approved employers as and when required. But it could also serve other purposes, for example, certifying workers’skills, protecting workers from exploitation and arranging social benefits for them. Various options could be considered for the placement agency, such as: (1) a single agency for the municipality, run by the local government; (2) a worker cooperative; (3) multiple placement agencies, run as non-profit organisations or cooperatives. Precedents Some countries have employment-subsidy schemes of similar inspiration, e.g. “service voucher schemes” (SVS) in several European countries. Belgium has a very popular SVS for domestic services such as cleaning and ironing. It was used by 1 out of 5 households in 2016. The service vouchers are much like job stamps, except that they are used by households instead of public institutions, for the purpose of securing domestic services such as cooking and cleaning. The service vouchers are not free, but they are highly subsidised, and households have an incentive to use them since that is a way of buying domestic services very cheap. In the DUET scheme, the use of job stamps relies on a sense of responsibility among the heads of public institutions, not their self-interest. How is DUET different from MGNREGA? It is meant to create a lasting institution as an antidote to urban unemployment and urban decay. The motivation for DUET is quite different from that for MNREGA. MNREGA offers insurance to rural workers in a slack season or in a drought year when agricultural jobs disappear. That is not the case of urban production. What is the rationale/merits of DUET? Job Creation: Activating a multiplicity of approved employers will help to generate a lot of employment. Activating a multiplicity of potential employers: The approved employers will have a stake in ensuring that the work is productive. Efficient: The scheme requires little staff of its own since existing institutions are the employers. The Scheme thus avoids the need for special staff, facilitating productive work. Avoids Leakages: Workers are assured of timely payment at the minimum wage as it involves direct payment of wages using JAM trinity. Towards employment guarantee: It would be relatively easy to move from DUET towards demand-driven ’employment guarantee’. That would require the municipality to act as a last-resort employer, committed to providing work to all those who are demanding work Urban Infrastructure Creation: Urban areas could use some infrastructure and there is under utilised labour but there are no resources to use this labour to build the infrastructure. DUET may be one way to solve this problem. What are the precautions that one needs to take to make DUET a success? Permissible List of Works: To avoid abuse, the use of job stamps could be restricted to a list of permissible works. But the list should be fairly comprehensive, and not restricted to maintenance. Avoid Displacement of Existing Jobs: The list of works should not be so broad as to displace existing jobs in public institutions. Ensure Worker Safety: All DUET employment should be subject to worker safety and welfare norms specified in the scheme and existing labour laws. Equity in worker registration: All urban residents above the age of 18 should be eligible to register under DUET, but special registration drives or placement agencies could be located in low-income neighbourhoods. Integrate Skilling: The scheme would cover both skilled and unskilled workers. Whenever a skilled worker is employed, an assistant (unskilled) worker could be mandatorily employed as well, to impart an element of training and skill formation to the scheme. Giving priority to women would have two further merits. First, it would reinforce the self-targeting feature of DUET, because women in relatively well-off households are unlikely to go (or be allowed to go) for casual labour at the minimum wage. Second, it would promote women’s general participation in the labour force. Needs Independent Monitoring: An independent authority could be appointed or designated at the municipal level to monitor, inspect, audit and evaluate the works. Main Practice Question: Why is there a growing clamour for Urban Employment Guarantee Programme? What are the challenges that governments face in implementing it? Note: Write answers to this question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }