Oct 23, 2020 TLP Mains 2020

SYNOPSIS [22nd OCTOBER,2020] Day 10: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [22nd OCTOBER,2020] Day 10: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies) 1. Do you think industrial pressure groups enjoy higher clout and influence in India’s polity than their agricultural counterparts? Critically examine. Approach: As the directive here is "Critically Examine" here candidate is expected to examine both sides of an issue and come to a balanced conclusion. The issue here is whether 'industrial pressure groups enjoy higher clout and influence in India's polity than their agricultural counterparts or not'. One can start by simply defining what are pressure groups and mentioning their impact on Indian polity in brief.  To address this, in the first half of the answer candidate has to present  arguments to show influence of industrial pressure groups in Indian polity, while in the second half of the answer present arguments to show influence of agricultural pressure groups in Indian polity. To add  more value to your answer, arguments should be substantiated by examples. Also adding success stories of such pressure groups influence will help to fetch more marks. While concluding one can show the important place hold by Pressure groups in Indian polity and impact of their continual influence  in Indian polity in brief. Introduction: A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest. It is called so, as it attempts to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure on the government. Both kind of pressure groups i.e. industrial as well as agricultural, influence Indian polity in one way or other, however their gravity of impact changes from one aspect to other in following ways. Body: Higher clout and influence in India’s polity enjoyed by industrial pressure groups: Industrial pressure groups comes under the category of Associational Interest Groups, these are organised specialised groups formed for interest articulation, but to pursue limited goals. Trade unions, organisations of businessmen and industrialists comes under the umbrella of Industrial pressure groups. Some examples of Industrial pressure Groups in India are Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Trade Unions such as AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress). The role of Indian industrial groups in Indian polity is important in two distinct ways. First, it increases the representative power of business in a prominent institution hence influences policy making. For instance, recent controversy where recommendation of the parliamentary health committee not to display a warning covering 85 percent of tobacco products. Second, many laws are shaped by influence of industrial pressure groups. For instance, there has been a gradual tilt towards business in the formation of economic policy in India, starting from the latter period of 1980's further accentuated by the economic liberalization of 1991, and into the present day. Here, it is evident that industrial pressure groups influence Indian polity to a larger extent by influencing policy making. Their influence is also noteworthy due to the fact of funding for political parties, and their respective interests. It's in this aspect agricultural pressure groups lack, due to low amount of funding for agricultural groups itself. For instance, consistent demands of agricultural pressure groups for the revision of MSP and wider crop insurance coverage. Industrial pressure groups not only influence Indian polity on the higher echelons, but at lower echelons too. For instance, trade unions work at the grassroots level for the demands of labourers. As evident in Pre-independence era when Mahatma Gandhi led Ahmedabad Mill workers Satyagraha and recent two-day nationwide strike call was a success with 20 crore workers, from both the organised and the unorganised sectors across banking, insurance, roads, railways, postal and medical services participated in the 'Bharat Band', alleged that the government failed to create jobs and grossly ignored unions' 12-point charter of demands besides aggressively pushing for fixed-term employment and amendment to the Trade Union Act, all of which is against the interest of the workers. With the gains made in mass media and education level, there are various experts and members of these industrial organizations who constantly raise their issues and opinions through media, social media and interviews. Through this, they have tried to influence public opinions. The efforts made by industrial groups is evident in time to time changes made by government in the respective industry related policies such as changing work hours of workers, easing tax norms, facilitating tax benefits and so on. Here, it is evident that industrial pressure groups influence Indian polity at the higher as well as lower echelons of economy thereby pushing for broader reforms as compared to their agricultural counterparts. Higher clout and influence in India’s polity enjoyed by agricultural pressure groups: Agricultural Pressure groups (APG) are among the most important and potentially legitimate actors that can promote pro-poor agricultural development. APG in the farmers’ interests occupies the domain between the state and the marketplace. Prominent farmers organization are All India Kisan Sabha, BharatiyaKisan Union, Hind Kisan Panchayat, etc. The rise of peasants groups in India has been mainly due to abolition of Zamindari System, implementation of Panchayati Raj, land reform measures, Green Revolution Movement. They gained power since the 1960s. Their demands relate to procurement prices of agricultural products, fertiliser subsidy, tenancy rights, electricity charges, etc. The farmers’ organizations influence Indian polity by offering support to the political parties during the election time and sometimes even during the non-election times. They control the parties through this voting-in-a-bloc mechanism. Another method is staging a protest at the state and national level. This is mainly done on a large scale basis. For instance, recent protests by farmers organisation to oppose the newly passed three farm sector related laws. In recent times, the long march of farmers to prominent cities for their demands has become an active medium of voicing their issues. Recently, Mumbai was gheraoed by hundreds of thousands of peasants comprising various agrarian outfits. The overall impact has been tremendous for landless labourers and tillers of the soil. Not only the farmers’ organizations succeeded in many places increasing the wage rates for agriculture labourers and securing a due share for poor peasants. Pressure has been exerted by organized agrarian lobbies to persuade the government to improve the socio-economic position of the farmers. Hence varied land reforms measures have been adopted since independence. Major reforms due to the intervention of these farmers’ bodies include the abolition of Zamindari system, tenancy, reforms, ceiling of land holdings, setting up of co-operative farms etc. Following are some of the success stories of Industrial and Agricultural pressure groups; In 2012, The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture comprising of 31 members across party lines including 11 members from the ruling party submitted its report on GM crops. After looking at various aspects of the issue and consulting almost all the stakeholders i.e. agricultural pressure groups, over a period of 2.5 years, the committee unanimously recommended that the government should not be in a haste to approve GM crops and there be a complete overhaul of the current regulatory system. The important business groups include the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI) and Associated Chamber of Commerce. They exerted varied kinds of pressures, by trying to influence planning, licensing bodies and economic ministries. Conclusion: It is evident that whether it is Industrial or agricultural pressure groups both have their respective domain of influence. Both have worked for the betterment of the respective interest groups and their presence is necessary to have a check on arbitrary government policies and expert advice in policy formulation for the growth and development of their targeted interest groups. It will not only ensure the dream of 'doubling farmers income by 2022' and 'AatmNirbhar Bharat' but also give impetus to realise the dream of becoming a '$5 trillion economy by 2025'. 2. Examine the evolution of the issue of judicial appointments in India. What are your views on the current system? Substantiate your views. Approach: Aspirants should examine how judicial appointments in India evolved through the years and associated issues with it. Since, the directive is “substantiate”, aspirants should support their stand/view on current system of appointment with evidence and logical arguments. Note: Student’s views or opinions can be based on two policies of judicial appointments i.e., committed judges policy and independent judges policy. Those who advocate the committed judiciary policy base their argument on the moot point that it envisages judiciary and the judges committed towards the laws and public policy made by the democratic representatives who best know the interests and demands of the people. On the other hand, independent judges policy holders do not advocate any compromise in appointment in judiciary. Introduction: Currently, the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President under Article 124 (2), while the Judges of the High Courts are appointed by the President under Article 217 (1) of the Constitution. The recent developments and concerns with regards to appointment of judges make it essential to understand the system of judicial appointments in India. Body: Evolution of the issue of judicial appointments in India: Consultative process: Constituent assembly was sure that the power and procedure to appoint judges cannot rest exclusively with one organ. Therefore it adopted a consultative process of appointing judges to ensure that judges remain insulated from political influence. It vested in the President the power to both make appointments and transfer judges between high courts. The President (to act on the advice of the council of ministers) was however required to consult certain authorities such as the CJI or chief justice of the high court appropriately. For the first twenty-three years of the constitution the judicial appointments were made through the consultative process provided under Article 124 and 217; and the opinion of CJI was hardly avoided. The senior most judge of the Supreme Court was made the CJI and the executive (president) respected the constitutional convention of appointing the senior most judge a CJI till 1973. In 1973 this convention was deliberately violated and new CJI was appointed superseding three senior most judges. 'Consultation does not mean Concurrence’ The Supreme Court earlier ruled that the word “consultation” could not be interpreted to mean “concurrence”. Accordingly, the CJI’s opinion was not binding on the executive. Nevertheless, the executive could depart from the opinion only in exceptional circumstances and any such decision could be subject to judicial review. The system was thus fairly balanced and in the First Judges Case, 1981 the court once again endorsed this interpretation. ‘Consultation means Concurrence’ Second Judges Case - In the famous Second Judges Case, 1993 the court however overruled its earlier decisions. It now held that “consultation” meant “concurrence”, and that the CJI’s view enjoys primacy. This is with the rationale that CJI could be best equipped to know and assess the "worth" of candidates. But, the CJI was to formulate the opinion only through a body of senior judges that the court described as the 'collegium'. Collegium system In the Third Judges Case, 1998 the court clarified that the collegium would comprise CJI and four senior-most colleagues, in appointments to the Supreme Court. And, the CJI and two senior-most colleagues in the case of appointments to the high courts. Additionally, for HCs, the collegium would consult other senior judges in the SC who had previously served in the HC concerned. On whether these views of the consultee-judges are binding on the collegium or not, the judgments are silent. National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) The government, through 99th constitutional amendment, sought to replace the collegium with the National Judicial Appointments Commission. The Supreme Court however struck NJAC down. The court's rationale was that the NJAC law gave politicians an equal say in judicial appointments to constitutional courts. Collegium as part of the Constitution’s basic structure In what might now be called the Fourth Judges Case (2015), the court upheld the primacy of the collegium. More importantly it declared collegium as part of the Constitution’s basic structure. And so its power could not be removed even through a constitutional amendment. But given the criticisms against the system, the judgment promised to consider appropriate measures to improve the collegium system. Views on the current system: The move is essential in terms of bringing transparency into a system that has been long been criticized for its opacity. Critics have argued that the actual functioning is far from its proposed objective. Notably, the details on the valid reasons behind the selection or rejection of judges still lack clarity. Also details on which of the judges reject the candidature is unrevealed. In case of lack of consensus, at times the majority views are being over-ridden even by decision of one of the judges in the collegium. These shortfalls seem to go against the objective of transparency and impartiality, and thus the system needs further assessment. Conclusion: An independent and impartial judiciary is sine qua non if, democracy based on rule of law and fundamental freedoms is to sustain. Though, the principle and policy of judicial independence rests on various pillars, appointment of judges is the central pillar of the edifice. (Or) Aspirants can conclude their answer by summarizing how judicial appointments in India are keeping its independence by removing executive from it.  (Conclusion will be awarded with some marks). 3. PILs are manifestations of judicial activism which aims to widen judicial access to citizens. Elucidate. Approach: It expects students to explain PIL as the manifestation of judicial activism along with how various section of the society got access of judiciary through PIL with relevant examples. Introduction: The PIL was envisioned by the Supreme Court’s legendary judges as a powerful instrument to preserve the rule of law and to ensure the accountability of and transparency within structures of governance. Since 1980s, It has been successful in enforcing rights of the citizen and redressal of common grievances. Body: PILs as manifestations of judicial activism: Public Interest Litigation is product of judicial activism. Supreme Court being apex court in the country under article 142 of Indian constitution allowed passing any order necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it. PILs have introduced a new dimension to judiciary's involvement in public administration. The issue of locus standi and the procedural complexities has taken a back seat in the causes brought before the courts through PIL. In the beginning, the PIL was confined only to improving the lot of the disadvantaged sections of the society, who by reason of their poverty and ignorance was unable to seek justice and, therefore, any member of the society was permitted to file a case for appropriate directions. Consequently, the expectations of public went high and the demands on the courts to improve the administration by giving appropriate directions for ensuring compliance with statutory and constitutional prescriptions increased. Supreme Court of India has taken a goal-oriented approach in the interest of justice by simplifying highest technical and anachronistic procedures and brought justice to the doorstep of the weak, the unprivileged and exploitative section of society. Supreme Court highlighted essential aspect of PIL in words, ‘person who moves the court has no personal interest in the outcome of the proceedings, apart from a general standing as a citizen before the court.’ PIL widened Judicial Access: Scope of Fundamental rights widened: The Courts in exercise of powers under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution can entertain a petition filed by any interested person in the welfare of the people and constitutionally bound to protect the Fundamental Rights of such disadvantaged people and direct the State to fulfill its constitutional promises. Through judicial review Supreme Court expanded scope of Fundamental rights under Article 19, 21 and 23 substantially. Reforms in judicial approach towards under trials: In HussainaraKhatoon case, Supreme Court addressed the issue of under trial prisoners and helped to create a precedent over the speedy trial and equitable justice for the under trial prisoners. This case was stated to be a landmark case in India. Many times inadequacy of the law or regulation in concerned matter obliged court to issue guidelines regarding. E.g. Vishakha guidelines issued by Supreme Court because there was no Sexual harassment at workplace act put in place. Progressive societal change: Rights of LGBTQ community were long ignored by state. Political compulsions of ruling parties hindered radical societal changes. PILs helped to decriminalize the homosexual relations. Environment protection: Indian Judiciary is always vocal in support of Environment and healthy life for the people through its judgements. In various cases, courts had preferred environment over developments. E.g. in M.C. Mehta case the Supreme Court held that air pollution in Delhi caused by vehicular emissions violates right to life under Art. 21 and directed all commercial vehicles operating in Delhi to switch to CNG fuel mode for safeguarding health of the people. Electoral reforms: In the case of Association for Democratic Reforms, the judiciary brought about a major electoral reform. Court gave various directions making it obligatory on the part of candidates at the election to furnish information about their personal profile, background, qualifications and antecedents. Public Interest Litigation has done tremendous amount of good. It has practically tried to wipe away every tear of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and illiterate sections of the society. Conclusion: PIL is a radical procedural innovation that allows the court to overcome conventional, constitutional norms of the separation of powers, dilute procedural norms and devise unique and far-reaching institutional remedies. This may only be justified if it is used as an extraordinary instrument that compensates for the political and legal marginality of groups or interests otherwise excluded by current institutional practices. 4. India’s geopolitical interests are in close alignment with a stable and moderate Arab centre. Do you agree? Substantiate your views. Approach: It expects students to write about - in first part write about why stable Arab centre important for India geopolitically - in second part mention challenges in west Asia -  in third part write about what should be India's future policy towards West Asia. Introduction: India’s relations with the West Asian countries are historical since the independence. India has interests in economic, political, security and strategic fields with the West Asian nations. India has huge stakes involved in the region such as energy, trade and safety of Indian community in the region. Body: Geopolitical interest of India in west Asia: Geopolitically West Asia occupies an important position in international relations due to its geographical location and proximity to continents and countries South Asia, China, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa. The region is strategically significant due to its enormous energy resources, trade route links to different parts of the world. It is the world's largest oil-producing region accounting for 34% of world production, 45% of crude oil exports and 48% of oil proven reserves. Gate way to central Asia: West Asia is gate way to land locked and energy rich central Asia. Geostrategic importance: To reduce the influence of china in west Asia and in Arabian Sea. China is continuously making in road to west Asia through OBOR initiative. Challenges in west Asia: The security situation in West Asia has been continuously deteriorating ever since the onset of the Arab Spring in December 2010. The internal security situation in Syria, Iraq and Yemen has gone from bad to worse. The regional powers continue to fight proxy wars on sectarian lines, pumping huge amount of money and weapons to bolster their favoured groups. The involvement of extra-regional players such as the USA and Russia in the internal conflicts in West Asia has further aggravated the situation. The GCC-Iran rivalry, Shia-Sunni conflict, external intervention in the region, the fear of rise of religious radicalism etc. have further contributed to instability in West Asia. Terrorism: Terrorism has emerged as the biggest security threat to the region. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the most disturbing trend. Saudi-Iran rivalry: destabilizing West Asia and influencing West Asian geopolitics. Pakistan factor: Pakistan is very close ally of many west Asian countries especially with GCC. India’s close relation with Iran may antagonize Saudi Arabia. India has to balance its ties with all three regional power in west Asia-Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia. India’s geopolitical interests are in close alignment with stability in West Asia. Therefore, standing up for the region and opposing the forces of regional destabilisation should be at the very heart of India’s foreign policy in the region. In this context, India’s West Asia policy should adhere to following four principles: Acting as a Peace Negotiator: India should act as a mediator to normalize the relationship between West Asian countries, especially between Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey and Iran. Opposing Foreign Interventions in the Region: In the past, those came from the West and Israel. Today, most Arabs see the greatest threat to their security from Turkish and Iranian interventions. Aiding Arab Economic Integration: India should extend support to Arab economic integration, intra-Arab political reconciliation and the strengthening of regional institutions. Strengthening Ties with All Major Players in the Region: India’s geopolitical interests are in close alignment with those in the Arab Centre including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman. Thus, India needs to make strong ties with the region. Conclusion: The geopolitical realignment in the Middle East, marked by agreement on the normalisation of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, intersects with the equally significant reorientation of the Subcontinent’s relationship with the region. As Pakistan rediscovers its tradition of aligning with non-Arab powers, India must renew its defence of Arab sovereignty. 5. Collaboration between India and Australia can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific. Comment. Approach: It expects students to write - in first part write how India and Australia can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific - In second part write about challenges before it - in third part write way forward Introduction: India and Australia has shared a cordial relation with each other since a very long time and has witnessed an increased commitment in recent past. Multiple engagement in fields such as bilateral trade, strategic relations, student exchange programs, similar commitments towards sustainable development has made this relationship all the more dynamic. As the global momentum is markedly shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region it becomes imperative for both the nations to stand in unison and provide the stability the region desires owing to the over-indulging nature of China. Body: Geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific: China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) raises concerns among other nations like China Pakistan Economic Corridor Passing through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. China’s alleged ‘String of Pearls Policy’ aimed at encircling India using infrastructural projects in countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China is also building artificial islands in SCS and establishing naval ports of Hambantota and Gwadar in Indian periphery. Japan is also wary of China’s capability to influence the energy supply chains on which East Asia depends. It is estimated that IPR will witness more than 50% of world’s submarines and advanced combat aircraft movement in next two decades. Debt Book Diplomacy followed by China of leading to China acquiring Hambantota Port of Sri Lanka for a lease period of 99 years. China’s has declared its ambition to make its military world class’, one that is capable of ‘winning wars’ is not the right signal for regional peace and prosperity. The recently released Doklam report by Indian Parliamentary Panel even also suggested not to take China’s strategic intentions casually. In 2016, International Court’s (ICJ) held that China’s claim over whole of SCS is baseless compromising the sovereignty of many other nations. China’s out rightly refused to accept this verdict on South China Sea. Lack of holistic Legal mechanism for multilateral cooperation on maritime security in the IPR makes resolution of issues difficult. For example, the recently concluded Caspian Sea deal is a legal mechanism evolved to recognize the sovereign rights of all the littoral nations. Presence of Organized Crime and Piracy in the IPR the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle region. Also, there is still presence of Pirate groups in the Somalia and adjoining regions. Presence of major nuclear weapons states like India, China, USA and rouge nuclear states like Pakistan and North Korea, in this region. India and Australia can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific as follows: The two countries must order their security establishments to develop strategic coordination in the various sub-regions of the Indo-Pacific littoral. The eastern Indian Ocean that lies between the shores of peninsular India and the west coast of Australia ought to be the top priority. Eastern Indian Ocean, connecting the two oceans, is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific. This is where Delhi and Canberra can initiate a full range of joint activities, including on maritime domain awareness, development of strategically located islands and marine scientific research. The sea lines of communication between the Indian and Pacific oceans run through the Indonesian archipelago. Given the shared political commitment to the Indo-Pacific idea between Delhi, Jakarta and Canberra and the growing pressures on them to secure their shared waters, India and Australia must seek trilateral maritime and naval cooperation with Indonesia. The current trilateral dialogue between Japan, Australia and India (JAI) can be expanded from the diplomatic level to practical maritime cooperation on the ground. Paris and Canberra are eager to develop a trilateral arrangement with Delhi that will supplement the bilateral cooperation among the three nations. Delhi must endorse the initiative. India and Australia must explore the possibilities for engagement between India and the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA). FPDA was set up back in 1971, after Britain pulled back most of its forces from the East of Suez. The FPDA brings together the armed forces of the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Challenges: There are also a growing number of non-traditional and trans-boundary security challenges, including terrorism, natural disasters and pandemics. Also, India faces unfavourable trade with Australia and despite opening talks for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement in 2011, the agreement which would have significantly lowered the trade balance in favour of India, has remained elusive. The region faces a range of traditional security challenges that relate to issues of trust in the form of China which has emerged as a regional power and has little faith in rule based order. Way Forward: Shared values, shared interests, shared geography and shared objectives are the bedrock of deepening India-Australia ties and the cooperation and coordination between the two countries have picked up momentum in recent years. India no longer sees Australia at the periphery of India’s vision but at the centre of its thoughts. Both India and Australia share a vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region and cooperative use of the seas by adherence to international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and peaceful resolution of disputes rather than through unilateral or coercive actions. The opportunity as well as challenge is that the two nations are at very different levels of development. There can be converging and diverging interests. It is only by building a series of overlapping bilateral and minilateral platforms for regional security cooperation that Delhi and Canberra can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, the future must be woven around the three pillars, which are economic relationship, geostrategic congruence and people-to-people ties, and the glue that can bind this is a sustained momentum. Conclusion: It is only by building a series of overlapping bilateral and minilateral platforms for regional security cooperation that Delhi and Canberra can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific.   TLP HOT Synopsis Day 10 PDF

Oct 23, 2020 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 23rd Oct 2020

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. This is a part of our recently launched, NEW INITIATIVE IASbaba’s INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN (IRP) 2020 – Road Map for the next 100 Days! FREE INITIATIVE! We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE 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

Oct 23, 2020 TLP Mains 2020

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 4 Questions[23rd OCTOBER,2020] - Day 11

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 4 Questions[23rd OCTOBER,2020] - Day 11   We will make sure, in the next 3 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. We are giving 5 Mains Questions on Daily basis so that every student can actively participate and keep your preparation focused. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE   Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. Examine the importance of value based learning in the age of social media.  सोशल मीडिया के युग में मूल्य आधारित शिक्षा के महत्व की जांच करें। 2. What do you understand by ‘perseverance’ as a human value. Explain its importance.  मानव मूल्य के रूप में 'दृढ़ता' से आप क्या समझते हैं इसका महत्व समझाएं। 3. Decline of family as an institution is a disturbing social reality. Do you agree? What are its implications? Discuss.  एक संस्था के रूप में परिवार का विघटन एक सामाजिक वास्तविकता है। क्या आप सहमत हैं? इसके निहितार्थ क्या हैं? चर्चा करें। 4. Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy success. Comment.  मनुष्य को जीवन में कठिनाइयों की आवश्यकता होती है क्योंकि यह सफलता का आनंद उठाने के लिए आवश्यक है। टिप्पणी करें। 5. The happiest people are those who lose themselves in the service of others. Do you agree? Substantiate your views.  सबसे खुश लोग वो हैं जो खुद को दूसरों की सेवा में खो देते हैं। क्या आप सहमत हैं? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm everyday. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each others answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

Oct 22, 2020 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 22nd October 2020

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) States show reduction in Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Sci & Tech In news Recently, Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) was in news. Several states have shown reduction in the infection. Important value additions Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) It is also known as parasitic intestinal worm infection. It is known to have detrimental effects on children’s physical growth and well-being and can cause anaemia and under-nutrition. Regular deworming is advised by the WHO. It eliminates worm infestation among children and adolescents living in areas with high STH burden. In India, there were an estimated 64% children in the age group (1-14 years) at risk of STH as per WHO Report on STH published in 2012. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) completed the baseline STH mapping across the country by the end of 2016.  The data showed varied prevalence ranging from 12.5 % in Madhya Pradesh to 85% in Tamil Nadu. Do you know? The National Deworming Day (NDD) was launched in 2015. Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and technical assistance from WHO It is implemented as a biannual single day programme implemented through the platforms of schools and anganwadis. India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Sci & Tech In news The 6th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held virtually in 2020. The 5th edition was held in Kolkata in 2019. IISF 2020 will be spearheaded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Important value additions India International Science Festival (IISF)  It is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, technocrats, etc. from India and abroad. It was launched in 2015. Objective: (1) To promote Science and Technology; (2) To demonstrate how science could lead India towards a developed nation within a short span of time. Aim: (1) To engage the public with science and celebrate the joy of science; (2) To show the ways how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) provide solutions to improve people's lives. Organised by: Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) Stand-Off Anti-Tank (SANT) Missile successfully test-fired Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Defence & Security In news India successfully test-fired the Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile off the coast of Odisha. Key takeaways Developed by: DRDO’s research centre, Imarat, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. It will have both Lock-on After Launch and Lock-on Before Launch capability. It is, reportedly, an upgrade on India’s Helina missile believed to have a range of 7 to 8km. The new missile is said to have a range of between 15 and 20km. It also comes equipped with a nose-mounted active radar seeker, enabling the launch platform to be located at a safe distance from the target area. Ministry for Shipping e-launches the development of Indigenous Software solution for VTS/ VTMS Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Infrastructure; Science and Technology In news Recently, the development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel traffic services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) was launched.  Launched by: Ministry for Shipping  The Shipping has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 10 Crore to IIT, Chennai for development of indigenous VTS software. Key takeaways VTS and VTMS are software which determine vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway. Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment. VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). The VTMS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as radar, AIS, direction finding, CCTV and VHF or other co-operative systems and services. Do you know? A modern VTMS integrates all of the information into a single operator working environment for ease of use and in order to allow for effective traffic organization and communication. Implementation of National Maritime Domain Awareness programme of Indian Navy shall become feasible with Indian VTS software at low cost. Place in news: Nazca Lines Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I – Geography In news Recently, Peru’s famous Nazca Lines was in news.  A massive carving of a resting cat on the slope of a steep hill was discovered there. Important value additions Nazca Lines The Nazca Lines are a group of very large geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving differently coloured dirt exposed. There are many figurative designs of animals and plants.  The figures include pelicans (the largest ones sized around 935 feet long), Andean Condors (443 feet), monkeys (360 feet), hummingbirds (165 feet), and spiders (150 feet). Geometric shapes, such as triangles, trapezoids and spirals, are also found. Some designs have been associated with astronomical functions as well. The Lines were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Trial run of Delhi's buses on Hydrogen-blended CNG (HCNG) launched Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Technology; Environment In news The trial run of Delhi's buses on Hydrogen-blended CNG (HCNG) was recently launched. Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Key takeaways HCNG is a hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (CNG). In Delhi, instead of physically blending hydrogen with CNG, hydrogen spiked CNG will be produced using compact reforming process patented by Indian Oil Corporation. H-CNG blends can be produced directly from CNG, bypassing the energy-intensive electrolysis process and high-pressure blending costs. The flexible and robust process allows the production of H-CNG on-site, in less severe conditions, and under low pressure. It provides a higher yield H-CNG mixture by up to 4% to 5% compared to CNG's input quantity. The cost of H-CNG production by the above process is about 22% cheaper than conventional physical blending. Do you know? The Supreme Court had suggested in 2019 to look at hydrogen-run vehicles as a solution for Delhi NCR’s poor air quality  An SC directive in July 2018 had led to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) collaborating to put up this first semi-commercial plant. Mixing hydrogen with CNG physically is a difficult proposition and that is why IOCL came up with the compact reforming process, which reforms CNG and there is no need for mixing. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx to collect samples from Asteroid Bennu Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Space In news NASA’s OSIRIS-REx — Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer — spacecraft shall collect samples of dust and pebbles from asteroid Bennu and deliver them back to Earth in 2023 Important value additions Asteroid Bennu The asteroid was named after an Egyptian deity by a nine-year-old boy from North Carolina in 2013 who won NASA’s “Name that Asteroid” competition. The asteroid was discovered by a team from the NASA-funded Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research team in 1999. Bennu is an asteroid located at a distance of about 200 million miles away from the Earth. Asteroids Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, much smaller than planets.  They are also called minor planets.  Asteroids are divided into three classes. First, those found in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is estimated to contain somewhere between 1.1-1.9 million asteroids. The second group is that of trojans that share an orbit with a larger planet.  NASA reports the presence of Jupiter, Neptune and Mars trojans.  In 2011, they reported an Earth trojan as well. The third is Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which have orbits that pass close by the Earth Over 1,400 NEA are classified as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). Do you know? OSIRIS-REx mission is NASA’s first mission meant to return a sample from the ancient asteroid.  The mission was launched in 2016, it reached its target in 2018 and since then, the spacecraft has been trying to match the velocity of the asteroid. Scientists study asteroids to look for information about the formation and history of planets and the sun since asteroids were formed at the same time as other objects in the solar system.  Another reason for tracking them is to look for asteroids that might be potentially hazardous. Aditi Urja Sanch inaugurated Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Sources of energy In news The Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences recently inaugurated the Dimethyl ether (DME) fired “Aditi Urja Sanch” unit along with the DME-LPG blended fuel cylinders. It is a newly designed Burner. Key takeaways The new design is efficient for both DME and the blend of DME and LPG. Novel design and flexible air access. The new nozzle design allows optimum oxygen access for combustion. The angles at which nozzles are placed maximize the heat transfer area across the utensils. Optimum flame velocity can be obtained. The length of the flame (high, low, and medium) can be adjusted by altering the oxygen ingress. The experiment shows that it increases the heat transfer rate as well. Do you know? Dimethyl ether (DME) is an ultra-clean fuel. CSIR-NCL has developed nation’s first kind of DME pilot plant with 20-24Kg/day capacity. The conventional LPG burner is not suitable for DME combustion as DME density is different than LPG.  To address this issue, CSIR- NCL’s “Aditi Urja Sanch” was developed. The new Burner is fully designed and fabricated by NCL for DME, DME -LPG blended mixtures and LPG combustion. Kavaratti to be commissioned into the Indian Navy Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Defence & Security In news The last of four indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes (a small warship) “INS Kavaratti” under Project 28 (Kamorta class) is scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy on 22 October 20. Key takeaways It is referred to as a potent Stealth ASW Corvette. It has anti-submarine warfare capability Indigenously designed by: The Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design(DND) Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata Kavaratti has a state-of-the-art weapons and sensor suite capable of detecting and prosecuting submarines.  The ship also has a credible self defence capability and good endurance for long-range deployments. Environmental Clearance given to the Kaleshwaram project void Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Defence & Security In news Recently, the National Green Tribunal has ruled that the Environmental Clearance given to the Kaleshwaram project in December 2017 was void. This was so because the Telangana government subsequently changed the design of the project to increase its capacity. Key takeaways The petition filed in 2018 stated that while the Kaleshwaram Project was a lift irrigation system, the state government had wrongly claimed, until the grant of environmental clearance (EC), that the project was not for lift irrigation, but only for drinking water supply. The NGT has now directed that until the Telangana government obtains final forest clearance, it should stop all work except the drinking water component. Important value additions The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System is considered to be one of the world’s largest multi-purpose projects. It is designed to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes to districts in Telangana, apart from Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The project starts at the confluence point of Pranahita River and Godavari River. Miscellaneous CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs (CuRED) Recently, Union Health and Science and Technology Minister launched CuRED. It is a website that gives comprehensive info about the numerous COVID-19 clinical trials that the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is engaged in partnership with industry, other government departments and ministries. It provides information about the drugs, diagnostics and devices including the current stage of the trials, partnering institutions and their role in the trials and other details. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE/ S&T Topic: General Studies 2,3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Potholes on the digital payment superhighway Context: Digital payments have found strong ground, especially in India, increasingly relegating all other modes of payments to the background. Payment Ecosystem steered by the RBI 1. RTGS and Large Value Payments Initiative of RBI: A major thrust toward large value payments was effected through the Real Time Gross Settlement System, or RTGS, launched by the RBI in March 2004. Impacted Capital Markets: The large value payments on stock trading, government bond trading and other customer payments were covered under the RTGS, providing finality of settlement in short time period Reduced Risks: The payment system greatly reduced the risks such as the Harshad Mehta scam and improved the confidence in financial system thus attracting more participation (domestic and foreign players) 2. NEFT and Bulk Retail Payments The RBI introduced National Electronic Funds Transfer, or NEFT, and bulk debits and credits to support retail payments around the same time.  Now, NEFT is available round the clock and RTGS will follow from December 2020 — only a few countries have achieved this. 3. Setting up of NPCI as Umbrella Organisation for retail payments National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was set up by 10 lead banks at the instance of the RBI in 2009. Learning from other successful models: In 2004, a four-member team of RBI visited the Riksbank, the central bank of Sweden and learnt that a not-for-profit organisation owned by eight Swedish banks was set up in Sweden for providing retail payment and related services. The model appeared as an attractive proposition as payments is basically a public good.  Thus the idea of the NPCI as a not-for-profit company has a link from Sweden’s financial system The corporation was fully supported by the RBI and the government as an extended arm of the sovereign The setting up of such an umbrella organisation to build a super highway for digital payments led to humongous success in the coming years Challenge Ahead for NPCI- Demand to convert into for-profit Company There is a demand from some quarters that the NPCI should be converted into a for-profit company to withstand competition.  But this will be a retrograde step with huge potential for loss of consumer surplus along with other strategic implications. Instead, like the RBI providing free use of the RTGS and other products, the strategy should be to assist the NPCI financially, either by the RBI or the government, to provide retail payment services at reduced price (in certain priority areas).  Issue of Merchant Discount Rate(MDR) MDR is charged to merchants for processing debit and credit card transactions. To accept debit and credit cards, merchants must set up this service and agree to the rate.  The amount that the merchant pays for every transaction gets distributed among three stakeholders--the bank that enables the transaction, vendor that installs the point of sale (PoS) machine and the card network provider such as Visa, MasterCard, RuPay. In Budget 2020-21, the government prescribed zero MDR for RuPay and UPI, both NPCI products, to popularise digital payments benefiting both customers and merchants. For reasons unknown, the government left out other providers of digital payment products from this MDR prescription, which is unjustified and had adverse effects.  Taking advantage of this dichotomy, many issuing banks switched to mainly Visa and Master cards for monetary gains.  As customers were induced by such supplier banks, it created a kind of indirect market segmentation and cartel formation, though there is hardly any quality difference in payment products. Way Ahead The ideal pricing for digital payments products should be based on an analysis of producer surplus, consumer surplus (i.e. gain or loss of utility due to pricing) and social welfare for which we need cost-volume-price data. Digital payment system is like a national superhighway, for which the government has a crucial role to play in protecting consumers against exploitation. A free market should not deny a fair amount of return to payment service providers including Fin-Tech companies. But this should not be at the cost of huge loss of consumer surplus. FEDERALISM/ POLITY Topic: General Studies 3: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure,  Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of farmers Punjab’s three new farm Bills Context:  To nullify the possible impact of the three farm acts passed by the Parliament, the Punjab government not only rejected the laws by a unanimous resolution but also passed three farm amendment Bills removing Punjab from the ambit of the central laws. The three bills passed by Punjab Legislature are as follows: Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020 Strengthens MSP: One of the key provision of this bill is that the sale of wheat and paddy shall be valid only if the seller pays a price equal to or greater than the MSP announced by the central government. Protects MSP through Punishments: Stating that one of the direct consequences of the central Act will be to nullify the MSP mechanism, this Bill also provides for punishment to sellers who buy wheat or paddy at less than the MSP. Grievance Redressal: This Bill also allows the farmer to approach a civil court, besides seeking remedies available under the central act in case of any differences with the buyer of his produce. Levy of Market Fees: While the central law abolished any market fees or licences for private players outside the APMCs, the Punjab bill have reintroduced it.These fees will go towards a fund for the welfare of small and marginal farmers Critical Analysis Objective: The Bill seeks to address the fears of state farmers about being forced to sell their produce at less than the minimum support price (MSP) Against Spirit of Free Market: This law has been passed to meet the demands of the farmers, and will discourage private players to participate in food procurement Cereal Centric: The benefits should have covered the whole gamut of crops where the state has marketable surplus of cotton, maize, some pulses and even milk and also for which the state decides the MSP. The Farmer’s Produce and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment Bill 2020? It declares status quo in the state with regard to the APMC Act 2016. By bringing the entire state under APMC ambit, the Bill ensures that the private players will also be regulated by the rules of government mandis.  The Bill also states that no punitive action will be taken against anyone for violating the provisions of the central Act Amendments in The Essential Commodities (Special Provisions and Amendment) Bill, 2020 Objective: This Bill aims to protect consumers from hoarding and black marketing of agri produce.  Voices opinion against Central Act: Underlining that production, supply, and distribution of goods is also a state subject, the Bill claims the central Act seeks to give unlimited power of stocking essential commodities to traders. Power to regulate trade: The state of Punjab will have the power to order, provide for regulating or prohibiting the production, supply, distribution, and imposing stock limits under extraordinary circumstances, which may include famine, price rise, natural calamity or any other situation. Significance of the bills The three Bills mention the agriculture census 2015-16 to underline that 86.2% of farmers in the state are small and marginal, with the majority owning less than two acres of land.  Consequently, they have limited access to multiple markets, and lack the negotiation power needed to operate in a private market. All the three Bills underscore the importance of farmers getting a level playing field in the form of a fair price guarantee. The Bills also point out that agriculture, agricultural markets, and land is the primary legislative domain of the state. Will these Bills supersede Central Bills? Apart from the Governor, the Punjab government's new farm Bills need the assent of the President since they seek to amend laws passed by the central government.  If not, they can at best serve as a symbolic political statement against the Centre's farm laws. Politics now threatens to complicate the process of providing remunerative prices to agricultural produce. Conclusion Both Central and State government need to set aside their politics so as to provide adequate safety nets to farmers in the wake of agriculture facing threats from Climate Change. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.  Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) causes infection in which of the following?  Children  Rice crops  Earthworms  Both adults and children Q.2 Nazca desert is situated in which of the following country?  Peru  Brazil  Argentina  Columbia Q.3 Consider the following statements regarding hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas (H-CNG):  It is produced directly from CNG.  It does not involve energy-intensive electrolysis process. The production process is costlier than conventional physical blending between hydrogen and CNG.  Which of the above is/are correct?  1 and 2 only  2 and 3 only  1 and 3 only  None of the above ANSWERS FOR 22nd October 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B Must Read About festivals in the time of COVID: The Hindu About Politics in West Asia: The Hindu About Virtual Courts and its drawbacks: The Indian Express

Oct 22, 2020 TLP Mains 2020

SYNOPSIS [21st OCTOBER,2020] Day 9: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

  SYNOPSIS [21st OCTOBER,2020] Day 9: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. Bring out the most striking differences between the Indian and the US constitutions with respect to federalism, separation of powers and electoral system.  Approach:  As included in our syllabus the question belongs to the area of comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. Hence, it's a straightforward question. One can start with defining what is constitution besides mentioning one important feature of Indian and American constitution.  Here, a candidate is expected to put forth most striking differences between the Indian and the US constitutions with respect to federalism, separation of powers and electoral system. For value addition part it is expected that a candidate can write about the lacunas respective constitutional schemes and how these constitutional schemes have worked in the respective countries. One can conclude by showing importance of constitution in brief and later on explaining what is the current status of constitutions of India and USA.  Introduction: A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any country in the world, while the Constitution of the United States is the oldest active codified constitution. Body: Originally, the India Constitution consisted of 395 Articles in 22 Parts, with 8 Schedules. Presently (2019), it consists of 470  Articles in 25 Parts, with 12 Schedules. Whereas American Constitution is a very rigid constitution consisting of only Seven Articles and twenty-seven amendments, so far. Though Democracy is a form of polity in both the countries, their nature of constitutional democracy is different due to difference in constitutional scheme of both the countries.  Most striking differences between the Indian and the US constitutions with respect to federalism, separation of powers and electoral system: Federalism: In the US, the President is the head of the state and so his government is popularly referred as the Presidential form of government. India, on the other hand, has a Parliamentary form of Government as the Prime Minister with his cabinet exercises real power with the President being only a nominal head. India has only one Constitution, wherein the Central government interferes with functions of State governments in the form of, inter alia: Appointment of Governors. Governor having the power of reserving the States’ bills for consent of the President. Central government’s power to impose President’s rule in the States. On the other hand, The American Constitution is described as a truly Federal Constitution. It was ratified by 50 Independent States. Further, the Federal Government and States have their own Constitutions and do not interfere in each other’s functions.  India is a Cooperative Federation i.e. Interdependence of Centre and state govt. Neither of them is independent of the other. Centre usually has the role of big brother.  While USA is a Dual Federation i.e. both the Centre and state are completely independent. They are complete governments. India follows Asymmetrical federalism. States have been given representation in Rajya Sabha on the basis of their population.  Articles 371 provide special provisions to few states. Whereas USA follows Symmetrical federalism. All states are given equal representation in Senate. USA is a Legislative federation. This means that States have dominance in law making. Whereas, India is an Executive federation. This means that states are important at the executive level only. India is an indestructible union of destructible states, while USA is an indestructible union of indestructible states. USA's constitution provides a role to states in ratifying the international treaties through the Senate. There is no such provision for states in the Indian Constitution.  The Constitution of India recognises single citizenship. On the other hand, USA's Constitution provides for a double citizenship that is a US citizen can have citizenship of two countries, USA and some other country. Separation of powers: Theoretically, we may say that the doctrine of Separation of Power is adopted in our Constitution, but it is only between the Executive and Judiciary. Separation of Power is complete in US. With respect to India, The President is a part of the Union Executive. Yet, it is the Prime Minster and the Council Ministers who are the real executive because the President has to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. Whereas in USA All the three branches of the government have separate functions. The American President has no privilege of law making power. Moreover, he is neither a member of the House of Representative nor that of Senate. Whereas in Indian scenario every bill has to get an assent from President.  The Presidential system (USA) provides Separation of Power w.r.t. all three organs of the government, whereas in the Parliamentary system (India) there is a fusion of legislative and executive powers. In Indian scenario, No organ of the government can be given complete liberty. Hence there have to be checks and balances. For instance, Judiciary checks on other branches of the government, by judicial review of the legislative acts.  While in USA, by confirming veto power but equally not confirming the law-making power to the President, the Congress controls the Presidents and vice versa. In this way, ‘Checks and Balance’ are maintained. Electoral System: Electoral method: In the US, head of the government, President is indirectly elected by the electoral college. Whereas in India, The President is indirectly elected by means of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the Parliament of India and the Legislative assemblies of the States of India and the Union territories of Delhi, and Puducherry. Election Body: There is no centralised election management body in US like the Election Commission in India. In US all 50 states & countries within it have different management bodies. Though the US has two federal bodies. the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) , but both of them together do not add up to anything as powerful or effective as the Election Commission in India(ECI). Effectiveness of Election Bodies: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) are not powerful and effective as Election Commission in India.   In the US, elections are actually conducted by local authorities, working under local, state, and federal law and regulation, as well as the US Constitution. It is a highly decentralized system. Whereas  in India, under Article 324,  ECI has the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections to parliament, state legislature, the office of president of India, and the office of vice-president of India.  Simultaneous Election System: In India where we have one election at a time, whereas there is a bunch of simultaneous elections in the US. In many states, a voter will be choosing not just the US president but 20 different contestants on a single ballot, including the member of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, state senate, governor, state attorney general, supreme court judge, among others. Voting system: No uniform ballot system formed across the US states, where in India, EVMS would be placed in all the poll booths to ensure efficiency and correctness  We choose only one candidate using on a single ballot in India but in many states in US a voter will be choosing different contestants on a single ballot apart from the president. Voter system: In US voting is at polling stations on poll day, provision of early voting in person & absentee voting by mail. In India there is no provision of early voting. However, there are provisions of postal ballot but restricted to armed forces Central govt. staffs posted outside India. Polling Stations: The polling stations in US can be variety of buildings including shopping malls, churches court houses etc. and the polling staffs can be drawn from variety of source like private & elected. In India govt. or semi govt. buildings are preferable although provision for private buildings exists too. However polling staffs in India are drawn from govt. authorities & institutions as well as from local bodies. US Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government and India's constitution is written after ransacking many constitutions of other countries they still pose some challenges which are as follows. American Constitution is a very rigid constitution consisting of only Seven Articles and twenty-seven amendments, so far. In Indian constitution, Certain features that have effect on federal characteristics require amendment by special majority along with state’s concurrence under article 368. Indian constitution, Being lengthiest written, it has detailed polity and administrative principles, which need to be followed by the legislature, judiciary, and executive. Defiance of which could result in unconstitutional acts like prescribed age for elections, trying to subvert judicial independence leading to terming non-constitution even a majority backed law like NJAC. However, In the USA, each state has its own written constitution. Which makes the task of governing and adjudicating difficult for the three organs of the government. Whereas an answer to this challenge is can be observed in the foresight of our constitution makers as  Indian Constitution, a living document that responds to changing time along with making it durable to protect the basic tenet of democracy, ideals on which the country was formed like those enshrined in the Preamble.  Indian constitution due to its flexible nature has evolved over the time and maintained its secular, democratic character. Also it is in tune with the diverse nature of society as it enshrines and embodies welfare of every section of society. Despite the fact that states in USA have their own constitutions and they have a right to secede, USA is still one nation, it's actually a well performance of this constitutional scheme.  Also, Indian constitutional scheme maintains equal distance from all religions and intervenes only when necessary. Whereas USA follows strict separation between religion and government. Despite this contrast, both the constitutions have performed in harmony with their respective societal differences over the years.  The constitution forms the basic structure of any government: The constitution of any country is important because of the fact that it lays down all the legal and cultural aspects under which its people and the governmental bodies will be governed and that too when there are foreign interactions in the personal affairs. Conclusion: When it comes to comparison between different constitutions, they might have some similarities and some stark differences. However their performance with respect to political-social and economical conditions of their respective countries matters the most. Such as proved by Constitution of USA which maintained USA's status as one nation and as India which evolved over time to be known as a 'living document'.  (Note: 1. Candidate can also adopt  table format to answer this question. 2. Though the challenges and performance of constitutional schemes is            mentioned in the synopsis, its advised to write the core points first and only if time permits, then only go for value addition.) 2. How does the Indian Parliament ensure executive accountability? Explain with the help of suitable examples. Approach:  Demand of the question is quite direct – Role of Parliament in holding the Executive accountable. Explain different mechanisms and instruments available for this purpose. Introduction: Accountability of the executive to Parliament is the very essence of parliamentary democracy. While recommending the Parliamentary System of executive, the framers of the Constitution preferred “more responsibility to more stability”. Body: Indian Parliament ensures executive accountability through various mechanisms and at various stages: Constitutional Checks on the Executive Constitution of India has envisaged Parliamentary form of government where the Parliament is supreme. Certain provisions in the constitution authorises the Parliament to exercise control over the Executive. Principle of Collective Responsibility: Article 75 provides that the Executive (i.e. Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head) is collectively responsible to the House of the People and this constitutes the primary means of Parliament/Legislative control over the Executive. (One can also provide about motion of ‘no-confidence’ in the Lok Sabha) Principle of Individual Responsibility: Article 75 also states that the ministers (who are also part of Executive) hold office during the pleasure of the president. Ministers are individually responsible for acts specific to their departments. Parliamentary Control Relating to Legislative Matters Participation in Legislation: The executive drafts all legislation to be introduced in the Parliament and the executive cannot carry out these policies and laws without the approval of the Legislature/Parliament. Ordinances: The President can proclaim ordinances in the absence of House in session. However, the ordinance lapses if the Houses pass a resolution disapproving it. Emergency Provisions: The power of the executive to declare emergency at the State level is subject to parliamentary control. Parliamentary Control Relating to Financial Matters Financial supremacy of the Legislature is one of the basic feature of a Parliamentary democracy. No money in the Consolidated Fund will be available to the Government for any purpose unless it obtains a grant from the Lok Sabha; further the House cannot authorize a grant unless there is a demand by the Government specifying the need and amount which it plans to spend. The Parliament has established a Contingency Fund under the disposal of the President with a view to meet unforeseen expenditure of an emergent nature. Any amount expended form the Contingency Fund is returned to the Fund from the Consolidated Fund of India after approval of the Parliament. Procedural devices: The Parliament exercises control over the ministers through various devices such as question hour, discussions, adjournment motion, no confidence motion, etc. These devices constitute very potent instruments for effecting parliamentary surveillance over administrative action. Parliamentary committees: Standing committees and ad hoc committees are constituted from time to time and they play important role in ensuring legislature and executive efficiency and accountability. They deliberate and scrutinize the policy, help in obtaining public feedback and building political consensus, allow the views of diverse stakeholders, offer an opportunity for detailed scrutiny of bills and their reports allow for informed debate in Parliament. Conclusion: The modern executive is a very powerful institution of government and enjoys greater powers compared to other organs of the government. This generates a greater need to have democratic control over the executive. Hence, the makers of our Constitution thought with foresight that the executive must be put firmly under regular supervision and control. Thus, a parliamentary executive was chosen. Q3. Deference to parliamentary processes builds public trust. Do you agree? Comment in the light of the recent controversy related to the passing of important legislations in the parliament. Approach: It expects students to write about the issues related to the parliamentary processes in recent time in the first half and in latter half how deference to parliamentary processes builds public trust. Introduction: Parliament has a central role in our system of governance. Government is collectively responsible to Parliament for its actions.  This implies that Parliament can hold the government accountable for its decisions, and scrutinize its functioning.  This may be done using various methods including, during debates on Bills or issues on the floor of Parliament, by posing questions to ministers during Question Hour, and in parliamentary committees. Bypassing crucial processes in parliament is disservice to the trust of people.  Body:  Issues related to the parliamentary processes in recent time: Ordinance to avoid discussion: Minority governments or coalition governments usually resort to Ordinances, but the Current government has used it more than any of his predecessors despite enjoying a majority in the Lok Sabha. The average number of ordinances jumped from six a year under previous government to 11 a year under present.  Money Bill:  several key pieces of legislation have been passed as Money Bills, despite the fact that they did not fit this category. E.g. Aadhaar act. The Rajya Sabha is second house but certainly not a secondary house. Use of Finance Bill to amend other laws: Finance Bill of 2019, in addition to amending the tax laws, also amends several other laws unrelated to taxation in the country. E.g. Reserve Bank of India Act, National Housing Bank act. The 2017 Finance Bill, Changed the composition of 19 tribunals such as the Securities Appellate Tribunal, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, the National Green Tribunal. The Finance Bill, 2018, had 218 clauses, half of which were matters unrelated to the imposition of taxes.   Ordinary Bills are not much discussed: Many of the ordinary bills are currently not discussed either because their texts are handed over to the MPs at the last minute or because there is little time for debates. Tendency of passing the bills on same day has increased. E.g. in last session of parliament three of the 22 Bills were passed the same day of introduction. Among them were The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020.  It is increasingly the case with important pieces of legislation that they are not being either referred to committees, nor are they being fully debated in Parliament. In the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-19) 25 per cent of the Bills introduced were referred to committees. This number was much lower than 71 per cent and 60 per cent in the 15th (2009-14) and 14th (2004-09) Lok Sabha, respectively. Ignorance of processes evident in boycott:  When the Labour reform laws were in discussion, opposition MPs were against it however, eight of them were suspended, several opposition parties chose to boycott the rest of the session, even thereafter government passed it along with other 15 Bills. Truncated Monsoon Session: No Question Hour and curtailed Zero Hour. This is certainly making both the houses to cease to debate. Question Hour, which was unnecessarily suspended, using the pandemic as an excuse. Even in taking that decision, the Speaker did not accede to the demand for a division. Practice of division: If a member of a House asks for a division of votes, the Speaker needs to grant it. The Speaker can refuse under some circumstances, but even then he has to take something like an informal headcount vote before refusing division. E.g. ruckus in Rajya Sabha and suspension of MPs over refusal to grant division. Deference to parliamentary processes builds public trust: Public trust can be harnessed through consultation and involvement of the public in the work of legislatures. Dedicated TV channels and live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings has contributed to a discernible increase in public interest in parliamentary proceedings. More scrutiny will keep chances open for more evolved mechanism: The sharp debate on the floor of Parliament cannot replace the careful analysis done by Parliamentary Committees, which act as a bridge between Parliament and people. E.g. in the act regarding APMC, states could have got ‘opt out’ option. More discussion and deliberations: A lot of the farmers legitimate fears have less to do with the text and more with the context. More reasoned deliberation will avoid hasty legislation. E.g. Select Committee for surrogacy bill met with representatives of different groups and heard the testimony of the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and multiple state governments along with the government department piloting the Bill. Based on its own study, evidence and feedback from experts and citizens, the committee suggested certain changes to the government’s Bill. Sanctity of law making process: Throwing papers, sloganeering, breaking mikes lowers the sanctity of the parliamentary processes and reduces deference of the house in the eyes of people. This was on full display during the debate and passage of the two agricultural Bills in the Rajya Sabha. The machinery of the government has to be proactive and not reactive while making laws. There must be an attempt to moderate differences and forge common ground and the greater onus for this is on the government. ‘In a parliamentary system, the opposition should have its say and the government will have its way.’ If the former is not possible, parliament as a democratic institution cannot survive for long. Conclusion: Accessible, accountable and open legislatures can reinforce public confidence in their representative institutions and thus, ensure a robust decision-making process. Parliamentary practice will not be able to knit an enduring social contract between labour, capital and farmers if it does not inspire confidence. There is need to work together by both government and opposition to improve trust. 4. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the plight of working people in the informal sector in urban areas. What measures would you suggest to address it? Discuss. Approach: It expects students to write about - in first part write about importance of informal sector in urban development - in second part mention issues faced by worker of informal sector in urban areas - in last part suggest some measures to address this problem. Introduction: The unorganised sector refers to those enterprises whose activities or collection of data is not regulated under any legal provision or do not maintain any regular accounts. Informal/unorganized sector has a predominant place in the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to the GDP and employment. Out of the total workers, nearly 72 per cent in the urban areas are engaged in the informal sector. Body: Importance of informal sector in urban development: To put things in perspective, as per the Economic Survey of India, about 90% of India’s total workforce of about 500 million workers is engaged in the informal sector. The migrant labourer is the builder of not just modern India, but modern Singapore, modern Dubai and every modern country that prides itself on the glamour list of modernity. A key feature of the urban economy in India, consistent with most developing economies, is the role played by informal workers and the unorganized sector. In many ways this is back-end India that offers the much-needed daily support to front-end India to keep the wheels of the modern economy moving. Factories, industrial units, hotels, restaurants and many other establishments, irrespective of their scale of operations, depend on such workers. They come in many avatars. There is a hierarchy even. There is the Uber and Ola driver who has migrated from Patna to Mumbai. There is the mason, the carpenter, the food delivery boy, the painter, the plumber and many, many others. Labour migration within India is crucial for economic growth and contributes to improving the socio-economic condition of people. Migration can help, for example, to improve income, skill development, and provide greater access to services like healthcare and education. Issues faced by worker of informal sector in urban areas: Huge Gap in Data About informal sector worker: Though the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 has specified the role of urban local bodies in registering numbers of informal sector worker and disseminating information regarding welfare schemes to them, these provisions are not obligatory. Due to this, there is lack of any credible data on how many informal sector workers enter and leave our states and cities. Challenge of informalisation: According to the Economic Survey of India 2019, about 90% of India’s total workforce of about 500 million workers is engaged in the informal sector. This made them more vulnerable to the economic crisis induced by Covid-19. Some of the major challenges due to the informalisation of the workforce include lack of job security, limited or no access to banking and insurance channels, a generally under-developed public health system. Lack of Basic Amenities: According to the recent “Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition” survey by the government, there continue to be glaring gaps in water access in urban and rural India. Also, informal sector workers are likely to have relied more on public amenities such as hand pumps and public taps or standpipes which are connected to a municipal connection. These sources are generally unreliable — hand pumps and municipal pipes, for example, do not always supply water of potable quality. Given the importance of washing hands in combating the infection, the lack of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) makes migrant labourers subject to work in an unsafe work environment Measures to make Urban spaces more inclusive for the informal sector worker: Formalisation of Economy: The central and state governments need to continue their efforts to address the informality of the Indian economy, the rural-urban divide, the uneven growth within states and between regions in the country, and the social and economic inequalities associated with the poorest and vulnerable. The informal sector worker need to be supported with relevant information and counselling for job search and employment opportunities based on their skills and previous experience through their local governance and panchayat structures. Recently proposed Unorganised Worker Index Number Card by the Labour Ministry would also help in formalisation of the workforce. Focusing on Public Health Infrastructure: Smart cities project does well by focusing on creation of hard infrastructure for urban renewal. There is a need to strengthen the public health emergency infrastructure also. This social and financial inclusion would make the Smart Cities Mission truly holistic. Supporting Financially: There is a need to expedite the proposed Social Security Fund under the Code on Social Security, 2019. This could go a long way to provide a sense of financial security and act as a tool to monitor this segment of the population better. Creation of a Database of Migrant Workers: Recognition and identification of migrants is the first step towards a more enhanced framework to provide basic amenities. To begin with, an effort to create a database of migrant workers is most necessary. Creating a digital Pan-India database to ensure coordination with their home districts and respective states. Eventually, convergence around this could create a framework of health, banking, microfinance and insurance networks centred around workers and migrants in urban areas. Labour Migration Governance System: A fair and effective labour migration governance system for workers within the country is an urgent need of the hour. This is necessary for the realisation of decent work opportunities for all migrant workers while respecting fundamental human rights. Also, there is a need to ensure the protection of the labour rights of workers while taking into account the views of the employers to foster innovation in business and enterprises. Conclusion: From workers walking for days to reach home to the long queues for a single meal, the Covid-19 crisis has reiterated the perilous situation of informal workers. Neither their rights as labour nor their rights to state welfare are adequately addressed by the existing approach. Only a radically-altered development model, which addresses the conditions that foment informalisation, can ameliorate these conditions. These would include significant investment in agriculture, ensuring stable livelihoods in the villages to prevent the hunt for precarious jobs by the rural masses; formulating new state policies that address the increased dependence on metropolises; increasing state capacity to implement existing laws covering the informal sector. 5. What are asset reconstruction companies? What role do they play in the economy? Discuss. Approach: It expects student to write about - in first part explain what is Asset Reconstruction Companies - in second part write about what role they play in economy - in last part mention few suggestions.  Introduction: In a recently released paper “Indian Banks: A time to reform” Viral Acharya and Raghuram Rajan argued for a greater role for Asset Reconstruction Companies. They argue that when there are fewer bids in a bankruptcy auction, the value on loans is better realised if read an asset reconstruction company takes over the borrower and places the firm under new management. Body: Asset Reconstruction Companies: An Asset Reconstruction Company is a specialized financial institution that buys the NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions so that the latter can clean up their balance sheets. Or in other words, ARCs are in the business of buying bad loans from banks.   ARCs clean up the balance sheets of banks when the latter sells these to the ARCs. This helps banks to concentrate in normal banking activities. Banks rather than going after the defaulters by wasting their time and effort, can sell the bad assets to the ARCs at a mutually agreed value. The Asset Reconstruction Companies were set up in India on the basis of legal status provided by the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002; enacted in December 2002.  However, due to various reasons, performance of many asset reconstruction companies has not been in expected lines. The new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) gives a critical role to the ARCs in settling the bad assets through the insolvency process. It is expected that the performance of ARCs will improve with more legal support.   Role played by ARC in economy: An Asset Reconstruction Company or ARC is a financial institution that buys the bad assets or NPAs from banks and other lending institutions.  ARCs are specialized institutions that pay focused attention on recovery. Banks and other financial institutions sell their non-performing assets to ARCs to clean up their balance sheets.  By selling bad assets to asset reconstruction companies, financial institutions save themselves from the duty of chasing defaulters. Their precious time, energy and efforts can be invested in better assets.   The sale of asset is carried out at mutually agreed value. This value is arrived at based on mutual negotiation between the bank and ARC based on the realizable value of assets and other parameters and subject to the guidelines stipulated by the regulator.   ARCs which buy bad loans have expert teams with adequate knowledge in legal and recovery matters to ensure better recovery or revival.   The main intention of acquiring debts / NPAs is to ultimately realise the debts owed by them. However, the process is not a simple one. The ARCs have the following options in this regard: Change or takeover of the management of the business of the borrower Sale or lease of such business Rescheduling the payment of debts – offering alternative schemes, arrangements for the payment of the same. Enforcing the security interest offered in accordance with the law Taking possession of the assets offered as security Converting a portion of the debt into shares Need for extending the role of ARCs: In 2002, India lacked an effective bankruptcy system. There was no market for corporate control of distressed firms. ARCs were originally designed for this peculiar institutional ecosystem. They were required to hand over the distressed business back to the original promoter once they had generated enough value to repay the debt. Consequently, ARCs had little incentive to turn around distressed businesses. This situation completely changed in 2016 as the IBC seeks to maximise the value of distressed businesses through a market for corporate control. ARCs should be able to fully participate in this market and attempt successful turnarounds by acquiring strategic control over distressed businesses. In a solvent company, shareholders have stronger incentives than creditors to maximise enterprise value. This is because an increase in enterprise value automatically increases the value of its equity. In contrast, creditors do not benefit from increases in enterprise value beyond their individual claims. If ARCs could hold more equity instead of debt in the resolved company, they would also have a stronger incentive to take strategic control to ensure successful turnaround. Way forward: The law should enable ARCs to invest in a distressed company’s equity, whether by infusing fresh capital or by converting debt into equity. Effectively, an ARC should act more like a private equity fund, as Acharya and Rajan suggested. This in turn would make the market for corporate control under IBC deeper and more liquid, improving ex-ante recovery rates for banks. Conclusion: If only ARCs are allowed to directly participate in IBC resolutions by infusing equity, they could emerge as the most efficient vehicle for turning around distressed Indian businesses.   TLP HOT Synopsis Day 9 PDF

Oct 22, 2020 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 22nd Oct 2020

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. This is a part of our recently launched, NEW INITIATIVE IASbaba’s INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN (IRP) 2020 – Road Map for the next 100 Days! FREE INITIATIVE! We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE 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

Oct 22, 2020 TLP Mains 2020

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 2 Questions[22nd OCTOBER,2020] - Day 10

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2- ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies 2 Questions[22nd October, 2020] - Day 10   We will make sure, in the next 3 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. We are giving 5 Mains Questions on Daily basis so that every student can actively participate and keep your preparation focused. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE   Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. Do you think industrial pressure groups enjoy higher clout and influence in India’s polity than their agricultural counterparts? Critically examine.  क्या आपको लगता है कि औद्योगिक दबाव समूह अपने कृषि समकक्षों की तुलना में भारत की राजनीति में उच्च दबदबे और प्रभाव का आनंद लेते हैं? समालोचनात्मक जांच करें। 2. Examine the evolution of the issue of judicial appointments in India. What are your views on the current system? Substantiate your views.  भारत में न्यायिक नियुक्तियों के मुद्दे के विकास की जांच करें। वर्तमान व्यवस्था पर आपके क्या विचार हैं? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें। 3. PILs are manifestations of judicial activism which aims to widen judicial access to citizens. Elucidate.  जनहित याचिका न्यायिक सक्रियता की अभिव्यक्ति है जिसका उद्देश्य नागरिकों तक न्यायिक पहुंच को व्यापक बनाना है। स्पष्ट करें। 4. India’s geopolitical interests are in close alignment with a stable and moderate Arab centre. Do you agree? Substantiate your views.  भारत के भूराजनीतिक हित एक स्थिर अरब केंद्र में निहित हैं। क्या आप सहमत हैं? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें। 5. Collaboration between India and Australia can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific. Comment.  भारत और ऑस्ट्रेलिया के बीच सहयोग इंडो-पैसिफिक में बढ़ते भू-राजनीतिक असंतुलन के खतरों को सीमित कर सकता है। टिप्पणी करें। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm everyday. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each others answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

Oct 21, 2020 TLP Mains 2020

SYNOPSIS [20th OCTOBER,2020] Day 8: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [20th OCTOBER,2020] Day 8: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies) 1. What do you understand by multi-level planning? What are its benefits? How has it evolved in India? Discuss. Approach: As the directive is discuss, a candidate is expected to discuss various perspectives and present a logical argument. For introduction, candidate can adopt an approach where he/she defines the multi-level planning and then in brief explains how it is beneficial. In main body part, candidate has to write in detail on multi-level planning and its benefits. In the later part of body candidate has to explain how it is evolved in India besides explaining its benefits and drawbacks with respect to India and in general, along with it a way forward while explaining how it can be utilised more efficiently for betterment of India.  Introduction: Multi-level Planning (MLP) opposed to centralized planning is an exercise where local institutions are actively involved not only at the implementation level but MLP is a more integrative effort that seeks to involve all hierarchies of administrative, geographical, political and regional levels in the planning process. It is more beneficial than centralised planning as it ensures people's active participation, cost effectiveness, checks corruption, maintains regional parties and balances etc. Body: It seeks to ensure the active participation of the lower hierarchical levels in information generation, data collection, policy suggestions, plan implementation & monitoring of all developmental activities. With respect to India, various levels of planning in India are as follows: at National level, at State level, at district level, at Block level and at village level.  A planning process can be either single-level or multi-level. In the single-level planning, the formulation of plans and decision making are done at the national level; the process is centralized and the lower territorial levels come into the picture only at the implementation stage. Whereas, in the multi-level planning process, the national territory is divided into small territorial units, their number depending upon the size of the country, the administrative, the geographical and cultural settings. The concept of multi-level regional planning may be defined as 'planning for a variety of regions which together form a system and subordinate systems'. In such plans, there is direct participation of the people in the planning process. In multi-level planning, every region/unit constitutes a system and hence, the planning process becomes more effective. Similarly, the higher-level regional plans provide the basic frame-work for the lower-level plans. In multi-level planning, the various levels of planning provide bases for higher-level planning. which can be observed in Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Multi-level planning  Benefits of Multi-Level Planning:  Financial integration of all levels takes place because of responsibility sharing.  Active popular participation increases: As a natural corollary to the decentralisation of planning, mechanisms for peoples' involvement need to be intensively explored for each level for more 'relevant' policy since interests cannot be adequately articulated without the active participation of people who are the intended beneficiaries. Affordable operations: Multi-level planning is expected to make operations affordable by providing better linkages between relevant sectors and ready access to required information, which would remove many implementation blockages. Addresses regional disparities and imbalances: Through inclusive decisions, Multi-level planning is expected to reduce regional disparities and bring more equity in development, since the chief factor behind persistent regional imbalances has been diagnosed as an unstudied application of the macro plan at micro levels without necessary modifications/detailing by the local development planners to address the particular requirements of an area/target group. Checks Corruption: Corruption is a persistent problem. For instance, the main problem with poverty alleviation programs has been the identification of beneficiaries and articulation of their needs, which has been far from orderly. Omissions/commissions alleged/inadvertent have largely thwarted efforts. Addresses local demands: Local development planners can decide on the territorial level based on its needs and requirements, viz. gram sabha, Samiti or Zilla Parishad, where a function can be performed with maximum impact and economy. Realisation of "Gram Swaraj": As per the MLP approach, the establishment of local "self-government" would renew local administration, which would have positive spin-off effects on business generally. It's in general realisation of Gandhji's dream of 'Gram Swaraj', as people at local level take their own decisions and govern themselves.  Evolution of Multi-level planning in India:  The 1st and 2nd Five Year Plans (FYP) gave the concept of community development where planning scope was expanded from mere law & order maintenance towards welfare and development oriented objectives.  In 1960's formal lower level organisations were recognised because in 1957 Balwant Rai Mehta committee recommended 3 tier Panchayati Raj system for decentralisation and effective democracy.  In 1967, ARC suggested that district level planning should be related to local area planning. Every plan must indicate resource availability at local level. Districts should have authority to decide sectorial financial outlay.  In 1978, Dantewala working group suggested block level planning while Ashok Mehta Committee recommended strengthening of planning at Jila Parishad level by placing district level officers under DRDA (District Rural Development Agency). Today DRDA is at the lowest level in plan implementation.  In 1982 Hanumantharao committee suggested Sharing resources for administrative and financial independence. The main objective of this kind of recommendations was to absorb local labour surpluses and greater involvement of people in the formulation and implementation of development plans. Hence, by the end of 1983 adopt system of block-level planning integrated into national system was available. In 1985 Sarkaria commission suggested for setting up of state finance commissions for financing of districts.  At the apex of multilevel planning, in 1992, 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments took place to planning as a subject devolved up to local levels.  Here, Panchayati Raj institutions attained Constitutional status with mandates as was envisaged under Article 40 of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).  Further to this development, PESA was enacted by Government of India to cover the "Scheduled Areas", which are not covered in the 73rd Constitutional amendment. This particular act extends the provisions of Part IX to the Scheduled Areas of the country. PESA brought powers further down to the Gram Sabha level. In this way evolution of multi-level planning in India took place. However, it has some drawbacks which needs to be addressed. Though powers are devolved to local levels, they are not that much empowered to act decisively. For instance, a village Panchayat has very low economic resources to collect as a tax or revenue from the people.  Due to this they are more of dependent on the state governments and central governments for finances. Hence, their decision making also gets hampered. Sometimes planning at local levels gets hijacked by the dominating class, which makes vulnerable classes more vulnerable and pushes them out of decision making process.  Conclusion: In determining appropriate area levels, there is a need to take into account not only planning requirements in terms of techniques and processes but also social, political and administrative structures. There is a need to introduce Constitutional provisions to ensure continuity and authenticity to such arrangements, particularly in regard to elections for bodies at sub-state levels which will help us to realise Gandhiji's dream of 'Swaraj' in true sense.  2. How can e-governance initiatives empower Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI). Illustrate. Approach:  One needs to explain about e-governance or facts (e-governance) in the Introduction. In body, objective of e-governance initiatives in empowering Panchayat Raj Institution. (Student needs to mention the examples as well). Illustrate: Such an answer will generally involve the use of many examples, such as tables, figures, graphs, or concrete research statistics and evidence. The aim is to use these examples to demonstrate knowledge of the subject of the question and to further explain or clarify your answer). Introduction: E-Governance is the application of Information Technology to improve the ability of the government to address the needs of society. It includes the publishing of policy and program-related information to transact with citizens, integration of various stand-alone systems between government to citizen (G2C), government-to-business (G2B), and government-to-government (G2G). It extends beyond the provision of online services and covers the use of IT for strategic planning and reaching the development goals of the government.  (Note: One can also explain about e-governance providing facts (ranking or performance of PRIs pre-digitalization or post-digitalization)) Body: National e-Governance Plan was launched with the objective “Make all Public Services accessible to the common man in his locality, through common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency, transparency and reliability of such services at affordable costs to realize the basic needs of the common man”. (To reduce the word limit, students can use the block diagram) Figure: Objectives of e-governance Some of the e-governance initiatives which help to bring governance in PRI mentioned below: E-Panchayat – This Project intends to improve quality of governance in PRIs. Further, it also enhances the coordination between Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India and PRIs. The central objective of this project is to ensure local area development and strengthen local self-governance by providing variety of services to its stakeholders. Bhoomi Project (Karnataka government’s initiative): Online Delivery of Land Records, Bhoomi is a self-sustainable e-Governance project for the computerized delivery of 20 million rural land records to 6.7 million farmers of Karnataka. It helps farmers to access instant information about the land. KHETI – The Knowledge Help Extension Technology Initiative – This Information Communication and Technology (ICT) design solution, has helped to bridge socio-economic divide digitally. KHETI uses participatory interactive designing methodologies which have resulted in a customized solution for so called ‘less privileged groups’ such as poor farmers. PFMS, e-FMS & Geo-tagging – has been stated for bringing transparency & accountability in management of finances available to Panchayat under Fourteenth Finance Commission award, helps in financial inclusion. Digital Inclusiveness in Auditing a Success Story – Good governance practices of e-initiative in the field of audit has revealed effectively the responsiveness and accountability to public money and its usage issues. This has aired the spirit of transparency and inclusiveness with the financial governance agenda. There has been success in e-auditing application by the state of Madhya Pradesh in MGNREGS fund monitoring. Every individual are getting benefited and helped to reduce the ghost accounts. Sevana is a major software solution developed by Information Kerala Mission (IKM). The Sevana civil registration is utilized to register deaths and births in Panchayats and municipalities. Through these kiosks, deaths and births are registered instantly. Citizen can download birth/death certificates within 24 hours of registration at the kiosk. It helps to reduce the travelling time of the public to the nodal office, Increases the efficiency.   Sulekha software was developed to monitor the annual plans of local government institutions in the State. Annual plans are prepared, evaluated and approved in a time bound manner through this software. It is helping to provide the better service to citizen. Conclusion: The effective decentralization lies in its contribution towards people’s empowerment by way of providing them a significant role in decision-making and in the entire process of governance. Implementing ICT in the governance will helps to achieve political democracy.  3. What are the merits of Indian federalism? With the help of suitable examples, explain the ways in which India’s federal polity has shaped governance. Approach: It expects students to write about merits of Indian federalism in the first part. In the second half write about ways in which India’s federal polity has shaped governance with the help of examples.  Introduction: The term federalism refers to the constitutionally allocated distribution of powers between two or more levels of government in the modern nation-state system. In the words of Granville Austin Indian federalism is cooperative federalism, which is exemplified by innovations like interstate council, GST council and NITI Aayog.  Body:  Merits of Indian federalism:  The most salient aspect of a federal form of government is that the governments at both the national and the state level function in their respective jurisdictions with considerable independence from one another. Division of Powers: In a federation both the federal and state governments are independent and autonomous in the spheres of their powers. 'One is not subordinate to the other. Both derive their powers from the constitution which is the supreme law of the land. The powers enjoyed by the units are, therefore, original and not delegated by the centre. E.g. Schedule 7 divided subjects under union, state and concurrent areas. Separate Government: In a federal form of government both the centre and the units have their separate set of governmental apparatus like state legislature or Gram Sabha. Still all India services provide connect between them. Written constitution and amendment regarding federal issue need consent of at least half number of states. Supreme Court also regarded federalism as part of basic structure doctrine; it helps in decentralized form of government. States cannot secede from Indian union; single citizenship allows Indians to reside in any part of the country yet states can make special provisions for reservations for domiciled residents. A Better Understanding of Local Issues and Demands: State Governments can be More Responsive to Citizen Needs. The closer a government entity is to its citizens, the more likely it is the respond to the needs of citizens.  Protection against Tyranny: Spreading the national government’s power among three branches that serve as a check and balance on each other, is that it serves as a deterrent to tyranny and runaway power.     Linguistic reorganization of states yet there is no ‘one language-one state’ formula. Concurrent powers improve cooperation and collaboration among union and states.  Competitive spirit among states proves healthy for overall development. Post 1991, state governments now got relative autonomy to initiate business endeavors and bring in foreign investments to their respective states. Ways in which India’s federal polity shaped governance:  Nations are described as federal or unitary, depending on the way in which governance is organized. Governance is nothing but process of decision making and implementation.  Decentralization of governance: The diverse regional aspirations have managed to constantly assert themselves, resulting in the decentralization of governance in India. E.g. creation of new states, Autonomous district councils. Effective and efficient governance: India realized one size fits all approach cannot sustain. Importance of states in economic development policies, replacement of powerful planning commission by more facilitating NITI Aayog.  Innovation in Law and Policy: Indian union and states adopted each other’s best practices of policy to replicate in their own jurisdiction. E.g. Mid day meal scheme of Tamilnadu. It also facilitated to create new system altogether. E.g. Policy innovations like GST council. Participatory governance: 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment helped to increase participatory democracy in India. Federal structure also helped to bring consensus based governance at grass root level.  Accountability and transparency in governance also improved due to federalism as government went close to people. In apparatus like Gram Sabha, it is lot more easy to ask question to representatives.  The most important moment for federalism in this phase is the revelation of the vital role of state governments on the ground in managing the COVID-19 crisis. After initial challenges, the Union government ceded adequate space and autonomy to the states for strengthening their healthcare facilities, managing the localized lockdowns, and implementing social security measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.  However, there is need to bring some reforms to improve federal governance in India like the contentious role of the governor in suppressing the states for the Centre’s interest needs to be reviewed, proper utilization of the institutional mechanism of the Inter-state Council must be ensured to develop political goodwill between the Centre and the states on contentious policy issues and the gradual widening of the fiscal capacity of the states has to be legally guaranteed Conclusion: In culturally diverse, developing countries like India; federalism is chosen not merely for administrative requirements but for the very survival of the nation. Strong federalism and good governance are necessary to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 as it is dedicated to improvement in governance, inclusion, participation, rights, and security. 4. With its focus on equity and critical learning, NEP addresses present, future challenges. Elucidate. Approach: It expects students to write - in first part about present challenges faced by Indian education system - in second part write how different provisions of NEP addressed present and future challenges while focusing equity and critical learning. In end write 1-2 points about few lacunas.   Introduction: The Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy (NEP) in July 2020. This policy will usher in sweeping changes to the education policy of the country, including a renaming of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as the Education Ministry. The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. Body: Currently Indian Education system faces following challenges:  School Education Inadequate public funding in the sector. Disproportionate focus on school infrastructure as opposed to learning outcomes. Challenges in governance and monitoring mechanisms for learning outcomes. Accountability systems in government schools. Inadequate teacher training, large number of teaching vacancies and rampant absenteeism. Limited options for vocational education in the school system. Inadequate support and counselling given to children in schools. Higher education Outdated and multiple regulatory mechanisms limit innovation and progressive change. Outdated curriculum results in a mismatch between education and job market requirements, dampens students’ creativity and hampers the development of their analytical abilities. Quality assurance or accreditation mechanisms are inadequate. There is no policy framework for participation of foreign universities in higher education. There is no overarching funding body to promote and encourage research and innovation. Public funding in the sector remains inadequate. There are a large number of faculty posts lying vacant, for example in central universities, nearly 33 per cent of teacher posts were vacant in March 2018; faculty training is inadequate. NEP 2020 addressed present and future challenges by focusing on equity and critical learning as follows: NEP is important for several quantitative, and more importantly, qualitative changes. These range from pre-school to higher education with thrust on practicality and skill development; breaking the stereotypical divide of arts, commerce and science streams in high school; reorganising schooling years; making the education system more inclusive; permission to foreign universities to establish branches in India; and thrust on Indian and ancient languages.  Other transformative changes relate to education in the local language or mother tongue at least up to the fifth grade and if possible, eighth and beyond; universal access and early childhood education; curriculum change leading to learning outcomes (LOs) and competencies; stress on equity, gender, special needs and promotion of multilingualism. It focuses on early child development, the endeavour to reduce the dropout rate, putting in place different forms of assessment, the emphasis on essential learning and critical thinking and the centrality of the teacher and teacher education.  The NEP will bring two crore out-of-school children back into the mainstream. The policy aims at a 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030 and 50 GER in higher education by 2025 – it’s currently about 25 per cent. Some elements of the overarching Universal Access to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) framework relate to the NCERT’s National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Education (NCPFECE). It also involves aligning NCPFECE with the latest research on ECCE and national and international best practices. The integration of vocational education with basic education in all institutions by identifying focus areas based on skills gap analysis and mapping of local opportunities will develop entrepreneurial competencies. Innovations in the higher education ecosystem include high-quality universities and colleges, multidisciplinary education, learning optimisation, extension of the graduate course from three to four years, multiple entry and exit points, college teachers’ education, replacement of the UGC, AICTE and NAAC, dispensing with the MPhil programme and the proposed National Research Foundation. The key principles of the NEP relate to accessibility, equality, accountability, affordability, and quality of education.  The “fragmented” ecosystem of higher education will be integrated once NEP’s vision of combining different institutions into multidisciplinary universities and “higher education institution clusters” or “knowledge hubs” is realised. By upgrading the digital infrastructure, emphasising on learning at your own pace and underlining the importance of online courses, the NEP attempts to bridge the digital divide. The policy talks of solving mathematics problems through a variety of innovative methods, including the regular use of puzzles and games. There is a provision to teach coding at the middle-school level.  The philosophy of access, equity, infrastructure, governance and learning has ultimately to be grounded in action to drive India’s growth, modernisation and structural transformation. The policy justifiably aims to increase the spending on education from the current 3.2 per cent of GDP to 6 per cent of the GDP.   However, mobilising funds could be difficult because of the resource crunch, low tax-to-GDP ratio, kick-starting the economy, strife with neighbours and competing development requirements. The policy’s success will also hinge on its integration with the government’s other polices — the New Industrial Policy, Digital India, Skill India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the “vocal for local” programme. Conclusion: NEP 2020 present wide-ranging reforms in the policy are aimed at making the Indian education system more contemporary and skill-oriented. Proper implementation of the reforms and ideas envisioned in the NEP 2020 will fundamentally transform India. With the emphasis on knowledge-economy driven growth in the 21st century, this is precisely what India needs to dominate in the future decades of growth and drive the education requirements of our young population. 5. The Quad offers a great opportunity for reforming China-centred economic globalisation. Comment. Approach: As the directive is comment, it is important to pick out the main points and give one's opinion based on the information or the arguments originated from the reading. One should take a neutral ground and write facts and viewpoints. Introduction for this question may start with explanation of what is quad, what are subsequent developments and what is the main focus of this group.  Introduction: The Quad, or the quadrilateral security dialogue between India, US, Japan and Australia, is now emblematic of the geopolitical churn in the eastern hemisphere. Less noted but equally significant is its geo-economic agenda that has drawn South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand into the post-pandemic consultations in the so-called "Quad Plus" format. In both the domains, China is the natural focus. Body: The policy discourse is about blunting Beijing’s ambition to exercise regional hegemony and preventing it from bending the global economic order in China’s favour. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. The idea of Quad was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. However, the idea couldn’t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it, apparently due to Chinese pressure. In December 2012, Shinzo Abe again floated the concept of Asia’s “Democratic Security Diamond” involving Australia, India, Japan and the US to safeguard the maritime commons from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China). China has been the chief beneficiary of the globalisation of the world economy which began accelerating since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.   This phase of relatively free movement of capital and technology and goods and services enabled China to transform itself into a low-cost manufacturing hub for the world.  It became an export powerhouse leveraging its access to the large consuming markets of the US, Europe and Japan. Thanks to its brand of state capitalism and managed markets, China emerged relatively unscathed from the global financial and economic crisis (GFEC) of 2007-8 while the advanced capitalist economies of the West faced prolonged disruption and stagnation. The Western consensus behind globalisation has been eroded as competition from China has sharpened. As China, accelerated its ambition of becoming a world super power through its Belt and Road Initiative, Cheque book diplomacy etc. and by becoming a hub of global manufacturing industry. Due to this there is a rise in protectionist sentiments in the West, a greater scrutiny of inward investment particularly for acquisitions in the high-tech sector, and growing sensitivity over loss of intellectual property to Chinese firms. Also, Chinese aggression with its neighbours regarding Land boundary and maritime boundary issues forced the global leaders to think about opening a wide front against China on diplomatic table.  QUAD a great opportunity for reforming China-centred economic globalisation:  As of now, it is an ad hoc grouping that has the potential to develop itself into a full-fledged economic and security-based international organisation. It is clear by now that India’s foreign and domestic policies have started countering China’s rise with the banning of several Chinese Apps and upholding the 'self-reliance' model of economic growth. The US has described China, along with Russia, as a strategic rival in its National Security Strategy, National Defence Strategy and the Pentagon’s report on Indo-Pacific Strategy. Quad is an opportunity for like-minded countries to share notes and collaborate on projects of mutual interest. Members share a vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific. Each is involved in development and economic projects as well as in promoting maritime domain awareness and maritime security. It is one of the many avenues for interaction among India, Australia, Japan and the US and should not be seen in an exclusive context. Confronting an expansive Chinese aggression on its frontiers and Beijing’s growing strategic influence in the subcontinent and the Indian Ocean, Its and opportunity for Delhi to explore security coalition-building with its Quad partners. India has also been a pioneer in economic decoupling from China. For instance, its withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in 2019 and its opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative first articulated in 2017. USA has laid out a comprehensive framework for addressing the ideological, political, economic, technological and security challenges posed by China. But disentangling the web of economic interdependence woven over the last four decades is not easy. Free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. Hence, Quad shows a great potential to check China’s ambitions be it in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. However, global community is of the opinion that China’s rise cannot be halted but can only be countered with an equally strong economic and security-oriented organisation and the Quad fits the setting. However, some of the following challenges persists in-front of QUAD grouping.  Undefined Vision: Despite the potential for cooperation, the Quad remains a mechanism without a defined strategic mission. Maritime Dominated: The entire focus on the Indo-Pacific makes the Quad a maritime, rather than a land-based grouping or an economic counter grouping, raising questions whether the cooperation extends to the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions. India’s Aversion of Alliance System: The fact that India is the only member that is averse to a treaty alliance system, has slowed down the progress of building a stronger Quadrilateral engagement. Conclusion: The challenge before the quad grouping lies in finding areas of mutual interest. However, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s "Confluence of Two Seas” address to the Indian Parliament gave a fresh impetus to the Quad concept. Which recognises the economic rise of India at par with the developed nations in the west. Hence, QUAD holds the potential to reform China-centred economic globalisation besides ensuring a multi-polar world.  TLP HOT Synopsis Day 8 PDF

Oct 21, 2020 Yojana

IAS UPSC YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine ‘SEPTEMBER’ 2020

Archives Hello Friends, Here we are with the SEPTEMBER 2020, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Yojana/Kurukshetra: SEPTEMBER 2020 – Download  

Oct 21, 2020 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st October 2020

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Asafoetida (Heeng) cultivation to be introduced in India Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Economy; Agriculture In news CSIR constituent laboratory, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, recently made history by introducing asafoetida (Heeng) cultivation in Indian Himalayan region. Key takeaways The cultivation shall take place in the Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh. India imports about 1200 tonnes of raw asafoetida annually from Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan and spends approximately 100 million USD per year. CSIR-IHBT has now introduced six accessions of seeds from Iran through ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi. In the past thirty years, this has been the first attempt for introduction of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) seeds in the country. However, the challenge for the scientists is that heeng seeds remain under a prolonged dormant phase and the rate of seed germination is just 1%. Important value additions Heeng It is a herbaceous plant of the umbelliferae family.  It is a perennial plant. Its oleo gum resin is extracted from its thick roots and rhizome. The plant stores most of its nutrients inside its deep fleshy roots. It is endemic to Iran and Afghanistan, which are also the main global suppliers of it.  It thrives in dry and cold desert conditions.  It can tolerate temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees. It can also survive in temperatures up to minus 4 degrees. Ideal growth conditions: Sandy soil, very little moisture and annual rainfall of not more than 200mm  However, during extreme weather, the plant can get dormant. It has medicinal properties, including relief for digestive, spasmodic and stomach disorders, asthma and bronchitis. The herb is used to help with painful or excessive bleeding during menstruation and premature labour. Do you know? Asafoetida is one of the top condiments and is a high value spice crop in India. Although there are about 130 species of Ferula found in the world, only Ferula assa-foetida is the economically important species used for the production of asafoetida. In India, Ferula assa-foetida is not found, but other species Ferula jaeschkeana is reported from the western Himalaya (Chamba, HP), and Ferula narthex from Kashmir and Ladakh Ayushman Sahakar scheme launched Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health In news Ayushman Sahakar scheme was recently launched. Launched by: Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Formulated by: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture. It is a unique scheme to assist cooperatives to play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country. Key takeaways NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs.10, 000 Crore in the coming years. There are about 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives. The NCDC fund would give a boost to provision of healthcare services by cooperatives. Ayushman Sahakar specifically covers establishment, modernization, expansion, repairs, renovation of hospitals and healthcare and education infrastructure. Any Cooperative Society with suitable provision in its byelaws to undertake healthcare related activities would be able to access the NCDC fund.  NCDC assistance will flow either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives. The scheme shall provide working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements. The scheme shall also provide interest subvention of 1% to women majority cooperatives. It is in line with the National Digital Health Mission and National Health Policy, 2017. Do you know? NCDC was set up under an Act of Parliament in 1963 for promotion and development of cooperatives.  Since 1963, it has extended around Rs.1.60 lakh crore as loans to cooperatives. District Development Councils (DDCs) to be set up in J&K Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Governance In news The Central Government recently amended the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The amendment shall facilitate the setting up of District Development Councils (DDC). The members will be directly elected by voters in J&K. Key takeaways The DDCs will act as a new unit of governance in J&K.  This structure will include a DDC and a District Planning Committee (DPC). J&K Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996, have also been amended to establish DDCs. This system shall replace the District Planning and Development Boards in all districts. It will also prepare and approve district plans and capital expenditure. The term of the DDC will be five years.  The electoral process will allow for reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women. The Additional District Development Commissioner (or the Additional DC) of the district shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the District Development Council. CMIE data highlights paradoxes in Indian Economy Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Economy In news Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data has recently highlighted some paradoxes for India during the economic recovery after the lockdown.  Key takeaways The data shows that there is a revival in employment but a fall in labour force participation.  However, the usual trend is when more people find jobs, a greater number should have looked for jobs. This unusual trend could be due to a rural-urban disaggregation of the data.  Rural India is seeing an increase in jobs due to post harvest activity whereas employment in urban India is decreasing. Besides, better quality and higher paying jobs in urban areas are not available. These are getting replaced by lower-paid rural jobs. This also points to the fact that a reversal of migration back to the cities is not happening as expected level. The lower rates of supply side due to lockdown have led to an increase in headline inflation leading to increase in food prices. However, there is a rise in core inflation also which is unusual. Ideally, the reduced demand due to lockdown should have decreased core inflation. Also, households have reported better prospects or hopes for the future. Do you know? Headline inflation is a measure of the total inflation within an economy, including commodities such as food and energy prices. Core inflation is the change in the costs of goods and services but does not include those from the food and energy sectors. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL/ ECONOMY Topic: General Studies 2,3: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. Strategic implications of Bangladesh’s economic rise Context:  The International Monetary Fund’s latest update on the World Economic Outlook. Key Findings of Report In the IMF’s estimation, in 2020, growth of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) will witness a contraction of over 10% But more than the sharp contraction, what has caught everyone’s attention is that in 2020, the per capita income of an average Bangladeshi citizen would be more than the per capita income of an average Indian citizen. For Critical analysis of the report from economic perspective: Click Here Five key Strategic implications of Bangladesh’s economic success are: Altering the International Perception of Subcontinent First, rapid and sustained economic growth in Bangladesh has begun to alter the world’s mental maps of the subcontinent. Over the last five decades and more, South Asia, for most purposes, has meant India and Pakistan. The economic rise of Bangladesh is changing some of that. Changing Weights of Pakistan & Bangladesh in region The second implication is about the changing economic weights of Bangladesh and Pakistan in South Asia.  A decade ago, Pakistan’s economy was $60 billion larger than Bangladesh. Today, Bangladesh’s weight is bigger than Pakistan by the same margin.  A US dollar today gets you 85 Bangladeshi taka and 162 Pakistani rupees. The trend is unlikely to change in future: Bangladesh has controlled its population growth and Pakistan has not. Dhaka has a grip over its inflation and Islamabad does no Scope for acceleration Regional Integration in India’s East Third, Bangladesh’s economic growth can accelerate regional integration in the eastern subcontinent.  Instead of merely praying for the revival of Saarc, Delhi could usefully focus on promoting regionalism among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Attracting Investments Fourth, the economic success of Bangladesh is drawing attention from a range of countries in East Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.  The US, which traditionally focused on India and Pakistan, has woken up to the possibilities in Bangladesh. Impetus to India’s Act East Policy Finally, the economic rise of Bangladesh could boost India’s national plans to accelerate the development of its eastern and north-eastern states.  Bangladesh’s economy is now one-and-a-half times as large as that of West Bengal; better integration between the two would provide a huge boost for eastern India. So would connectivity between India’s landlocked Northeast and Bangladesh. Conclusion In using Dhaka’s impressive economic performance to attack Delhi’s government, India is missing the bigger story about the strategic consequences of Bangladesh’s economic rise Connecting the dots: SAARC vs BIMSTEC 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and the lingering Bangladeshi migrant issue INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY Topic: General Studies 3: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.  India-US defence deals Context:  India and the US are preparing for the third 2+2 ministerial meeting (Defence & Foreign Ministers of both countries) In the last two meetings, agreements known as LEMOA and COMCASA were signed One of the items on the agenda of this year’s (2020) 2+2 meeting will be the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) — a pact with deep military implications.  What is BECA? The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.  Anyone who sails a ship, flies an aircraft, fights wars, locates targets, responds to natural disasters, or even navigates with a cellphone relies on geospatial intelligence. Signing BECA will allow India to use the US’s advanced geospatial intelligence and enhance the accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones.  It will give access to topographical and aeronautical data and products that will aid navigation and targeting. To use an everyday example, just like an Uber cab needs a good GPS to reach its destination quickly and efficiently, BECA will provide Indian military systems with a high-quality GPS to navigate and missiles with real-time intelligence to precisely target the adversary. This could be key for Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation. About the Other two agreements LEMOA: The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement  It was signed between India and the US in August 2016. It allows the military of each country to replenish from the other’s bases: access supplies, spare parts and services from the other country’s land facilities, air bases, and ports, which can then be reimbursed.  This is extremely useful for Navy-to-Navy cooperation, since the US and India are cooperating closely in the Indo-Pacific. Again, to put this simply, it is like going to a friend’s garage and workshop to refuel one’s car and getting repairs done. But, by doing this, one is also exposing one’s car and technology to the friend, and that requires trust. If signing LEMOA needed trust, its application enhances the trust. It took almost a decade to negotiate LEMOA.  COMCASA: The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement  It was signed in September 2018, after the first 2+2 dialogue. It allows the US to provide India with its encrypted communications equipment and systems so that Indian and US military commanders, aircraft and ships can communicate through secure networks in peace and war. To explain in lay terms again, it is like WhatsApp or Telegram for the two militaries, which is safe and real-time communication is possible hassle-free. COMCASA paved the way for transfer of communication security equipment from the US to India to facilitate “interoperability” between their forces — and potentially with other militaries that use US-origin systems for secure data links. So, what do these three pacts put together mean? LEMOA means one partner trusts the other enough to expose its valuable assets. COMCASA means one is confident that it can rely on encrypted systems to connect the two militaries. BECA means it can share highly classified information in real time without fear of being compromised.  All this signals the level of trust that has developed between the two countries and their militaries, faced with an increasingly aggressive China So, what does this mean in the context of the ongoing border standoff? Amid the longest stand-off on the India-China border in three decades, India and the US have intensified under-the-radar intelligence and military cooperation at an unprecedented level, especially since June. The cooperation includes sharing of high-end satellite images, telephone intercepts, and data sharing of Chinese troops and weapons deployment along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Indian defence establishment also has enhanced capability with some American equipment. The armed forces have used at least five American platforms at the LAC which are—  C-17 Globemaster III for military transport Boeing’s Chinook CH-47 as heavy-lift helicopters Boeing’s Apache as tank-killers P-8I Poseidon for overland reconnaissance Lockheed Martin’s C-130J for airlifting troops. Now, with these key defence pacts in place, cooperation can happen in a more structured and efficient way, rather than episodic. What are the obstacles/Challenges ahead? Apprehensions of US: The US wants India to move away from Russian equipment and platforms, as it feels this may expose its technology and information to Moscow.  So far, India is going ahead with the purchase of the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia, and this has been a sticking point for American interlocutors. Apprehensions of India: For its part, India is wary of Pakistan’s deep-rooted ties with Pentagon, and US dependence on Pakistan military for access to Afghanistan as well as its exit strategy. Conclusion Chinese aggressive behaviour being the clear and present danger, New Delhi’s strategic embrace of Washington is the obvious outcome. Every administration in the last 20 years have left the Indo-US relationship in a better shape than how they inherited it. Connecting the dots: Indo-US Nuclear deal and its progress (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.  Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Ayushman Sahakar scehme was launched by which of the following Ministry? Ministry of Health Ministry of Education Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises Q.2 Consider the following statements: In India, Ferula assa-foetida is found but not cultivated. Assafoetida crop remains dormant under extreme weather conditions. Which of the above is or are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  ANSWERS FOR 21st October 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 A 3 A 4 B Must Read About India and Innovation potential: The Hindu On working of Foreigners Tribunal: The Hindu About Punjab’s three new farm bills: The Indian Express