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All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Simplification of Goods and Services Tax

Simplification of Goods and Services Tax ARCHIVES Search 19th Nov, 2019 Money talk  here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Federalism In News: In an attempt to simplify the process of filing GST, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a meeting with chartered accountants, traders and other stakeholders as part of efforts to further simplify Goods and Services Tax (GST) forms and make the filling process more user friendly. To highlight the problems faced by GST filers, the stakeholders attempted to file specific returns on a real-time basis in the meeting and tried to show where they were facing difficulties. The Finance Minister assured the stakeholders that their suggestions on simplification of GST filing will be implemented soon. After the recent extension given for filling GST annual returns for 2017-18 and 2018-19, the Finance Ministry reached out to stakeholders to understand and resolve the pending issues being faced in filing the returns. Technical glitches were one of the main issues faced by taxpayers when the new indirect tax regime was rolled out in July 2017. With the new GST returns proposed to be rolled out from April 1 next year, hearing out and resolving taxpayers’ issues and a constant exchange between the CBIC and the GSTN will help in improving compliance and preparing for a smoother roll-out of the new returns system. What were the issues?  Many believe that the Goods and Service Tax is the cause of the sluggish economic growth. When there was a persistent demand from trade and industry to reduce tax rates, it was shocking to hear reports that there was further increase in GST rates in the offing. Any more increase would sound the death knell to the already sagging economy. The unrealistic high rates of tax had induced evasion of tax besides driving away honest traders from the industry. Non-availability of any Minister or authorised officials to directly discuss and submit their grievances and problems in GST continues to hamper development of trade, industry and service activities which led to economic crisis in the country. Some of the issues are also related to taxpayers not knowing the existence of a functionality in the system, while some other problems occur because of manual errors. What had happened: The Centre released ₹35,298 crore to the States in Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation, just two days before a crucial meeting of the GST Council. Earlier in Nov 2019, the Centre had written to States voicing concern that due to lower GST collections, the compensation cess might not be enough to pay for the losses arising out of the adoption of the tax system. While the government had budgeted for ₹6,63,343 crore in GST collections for the current fiscal, 2019-20, it had garnered only about 50% of its budget estimate in the first eight months. Some suggestions that have come in by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry The tax rates should be refixed at 5, 10, 15 and 18% only and that the 28% tax rate which was not in vogue in any other country, should be withdrawn. Essential food products — both branded and unbranded — should be tax-exempted. The HSN Code system, which comprises about 5,000 commodity groups, is divided into several chapters that are ambiguous about the GST rate of the product. The government should fix only one rate of tax for all the products covered in the chapters. For intra-State transactions, one consolidated GST should be levied similar to that of inter-State transactions. Tax payers with annual turnover up to ₹ 5 crore should be exempted from filing annual returns and auditor’s certificate. Changes in tax provisions, rules and clarifications given should only be prospective and not retrospective. There should be no levy of tax on goods and services without input tax credit benefit.  Also, there should be further simplification of monthly return formats.  In order to enable submissions and discussions directly to the GST council, a high-level committee with representatives from leading chambers of commerce and industry must be constituted Conclusion It would probably be a better idea for the government to forget the forms for 2018 and focus instead on the forms for March 31, 2019, which is not only one full financial year ahead, but also a period with some stability in the laws. The government should ensure that a concerted effort is made to ensure that the law is not further complicated. In 2020, we would hope to see a new system of invoicing and a fresh set of GST returns that take us back to the concept of matching of invoices, which was thought of during the early days of the GST but never saw its way into the legislation. About GST Council The GST Council is a constitutional body established under Article 279A of Indian Constitution It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax (GST). The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. Its other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.

PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 16th December to 21st December – 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 16th to 21st December, 2019 ARCHIVES GS-2 GEM launches National Outreach Programme - GEM Samvaad (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Government e Marketplace (GeM) is the national public procurement portal offering end to end solutions for all procurement needs of Central and State Government Departments, PSUs, autonomous institutions and local bodies. Since its commencement on 9th August 2016, GeM has transformed public procurement in the country by leveraging technology and making procurement contactless, paperless, and cashless. GeM has more than 15 lakh products and around 20,000 services, more than 3 lakh registered sellers and service providers and more than 40,000 Government buyer organizations. In its short journey of three years, GeM has processed more than 28 lakh orders worth Rs. 40,000 crores in Gross Merchandise Value out of which 50% has been transacted by MSMEs. National Broadband Mission (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Aim: To fulfill all aspirations of the people and enables fast track growth of digital communication infrastructure To fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, facilitate digital empowerment and inclusion and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all. Some of the objectives of the Mission which is structured with strong emphasis on the three principles of universality, affordability and quality are: Broadband access to all villages by 2022 Facilitate universal and equitable access to broadband services for across the country and especially in rural and remote areas Laying of incremental 30 lakhs route km of Optical Fiber Cable and increase in tower density from 0.42 to 1.0 tower per thousand of population by 2024 Significantly improve quality of services for mobile and internet Develop innovative implementation models for Right of Way (RoW) and to work with States/UTs for having consistent policies pertaining to expansion of digital infrastructure including for RoW approvals required for laying of OFC Develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) to measure the availability of digital communications infrastructure and conducive policy ecosystem within a State/UT. Creation of a digital fiber map of the Digital Communications network and infrastructure, including Optical Fiber Cables and Towers, across the country Investment from stakeholders of USD 100 billion (Rs 7 Lakh Crore) including Rs 70,000 crore from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) Address policy and regulatory changes required to accelerate the expansion and creation of digital infrastructure and services Work with all stakeholders including the concerned Ministries / Departments/ Agencies, and Ministry of Finance, for enabling investments for the Mission Year End Review -2019 of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is responsible for co-ordination of all skill development efforts across the country, removal of disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower, building the vocational and technical training framework, skill up-gradation, building of new skills, and innovative thinking not only for existing jobs but also jobs that are to be created. The Ministry aims to Skill on a large Scale with Speed and high Standards in order to achieve its vision of a 'Skilled India'. Convergence National Skill Development Mission (NSDM): Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) formed in 2014 to give a fillip and focus to the skill development and entrepreneurship efforts in the country. Because of the efforts under NSDM, more than One Crore youth are being imparted skills training annually under various programs of the Central Government. Skill India Portal: A strong IT Platform, namely Skill India portal launched to converge the skilling data of various Central Ministries, State Governments, Private Training Providers and Corporates on a single platform. This will now enable data driven decision making by the policymakers and help remove information asymmetry in the skilling ecosystem. This will also be single touch point for the citizens of India to access skilling opportunities and seeking related services. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Launched the Flagship Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (1.0 & 2.0) in 2015 to provide free skill training avenues to youths of India. Under the program about 87 Lakhs youth have been trained till date. Under the placement linked program under PMKVY 2016-19, more than 54% have been linked to employment. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK): Out of the 812 allocated PMKKs, 681 centres had been established and target to train over 18 Lakh candidates under PMKVY scheme was allotted out of which training has been imparted to 9,89,936 candidates, 8,85,822 Assessed, 7,40,146 certified and 4,35,022 candidates have been placed successfully. 501 centres had been inaugurated. STRIVE: The main focus of the scheme is to improve the performance of ITIs. Under phase one, 314 ITIs have been selected & 198 Performance Based Grant Agreements have been signed. The scheme also works towards increasing Capacities of State Governments to Support ITIs and Apprenticeship training. Till date, 31 States have signed MoU i.e. Performance Based Funding Agreement (PBFA). To improve Teaching and Learning techniques, NSQF Trainings are being imparted to training officers, Principals and Instructors across the 36 States and UTs for NSQF. PM-YUVA Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan): The project aims to promote entrepreneurship as an alternative career choice and enable sustained long-term mentoring support through the journey to potential and early stage entrepreneurs, by imparting entrepreneurship education and mentoring support to trainees/ beneficiaries from skilling ecosystem. Launch of an MIS portal for Jan Shikshan Sansthan: An MIS portal was launched for Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS). The benefits from the adoption and implementation of the solution have been enhanced monitoring & management capabilities, along with scaling up scheme operation. ADB, India sign $250 million loan to expand energy efficiency investments in India (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) To expand energy efficiency investments in India that will benefit agricultural, residential and institutional consumers. In addition, $46 million financing will be provided from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), to be administered by ADB. The project is expected to contribute to the mission of Government of India to promote energy efficiency and meet Government’s commitments to reduce energy intensity of the economy. Introduction of energy-efficient technologies in eligible states including smart meters, distributed solar photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles will help reduce electricity network losses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is one of the few ADB projects specially focused on demand-side energy efficiency targeting upstream efficiency opportunities and business models that can be scaled up in India and other ADB developing member countries. The project’s smart metering component will help address billing and collection inefficiencies. EESL will also explore business models to generate greater public demand for e-vehicles to support India’s current push for electric vehicles. Promoting awareness of the benefits of using energy efficient technologies is another feature of the project. Awareness campaigns will engage local organisations in knowledge-sharing and training, with a focus on women electricity consumers. Capacity building for electricity distribution, regulatory agencies, and other government bodies will also be carried out. India-US 2+2 Dialogue  (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) This 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries and provides for a review of the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States.  This was the second 2+2 meeting and the first in US. At the Dialogue, both sides have Positively appraised the growing partnership between India and the United States, and noted that important milestones had been achieved since the inaugural 2+2 dialogue in 2018. Both sides reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.  Committed to further deepen military-to-military cooperation, including between the Indian Navy and the US Navy Fleets under US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command, and Africa Command and intend to expand similar cooperation between their respective Armies and Air Forces. A number of other initiatives to enhance military-to-military cooperation were also agreed upon.  Concluded the Industrial Security Annex during the visit. Priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme. Also concluded a standard operating procedure for this process. These measures are expected to provide momentum to collaboration between the private defence industries of both India and the US. Agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation.  GS-3 Successful launch of two BrahMos missiles from land and air platforms (Topic: Space) Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force (IAF) and BrahMos jointly successfully conducted two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles tests, one each from land and air platforms. The first missile launch was from a land based mobile launcher, where most of the components were indigenous, including the missile airframe, fuel management system and DRDO designed seeker. The second launch of the missile was carried out by Indian Air force (IAF) from SU-30MKI platform against a sea target.  The test conducted in user configuration, revalidated the ship attack capability of the advanced air-launched cruise missile. During the test, the missile was gravity dropped from the air combat platform's fuselage and the two-stage weapon’s engine fired up and the missile straightaway propelled towards the intended target positioned at the sea, piercing it with pin point accuracy. DRDO successfully flight-tests Pinaka Missile System (Topic: Space) The Pinaka is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision. The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation, Control and Guidance System to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The mission achieved all the objectives including enhancing the range, accuracy and sub-system functionality. CSIR and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France ink MoU for Promotion and Support of Scientific and Technological Research (Topic: Technology) Aim: To establish a framework for cooperation between the two towards promotion and support of scientific and technological research. In view of the potentially beneficial and synergistic cooperation possibilities for translating science into technology CSIR and CNRS may explore strengthening their cooperation to foster joint innovation and transfer of technologies applicable to India or/and France and to other nations. This cooperation could include sharing good practices, promoting technology transfer and enhancing industry-academia cooperation. The broad research areas of mutual interest include  Biotechnology including plant and marine biotechnology Health research Environment and climate change studies Engineering science and technology Material science and technology Energy science and technology  Water research Prelims oriented News Exercise SURYA KIRAN-XIV: A joint military training exercise between India and Nepal Global Innovation Index: India ranked 52nd; India became the first developing country to launch the Global Innovation Index (GII) in association with World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and Confederation of India (CII). EChO Network: A national program to provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India with the specific focus of increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment. EChO Network would develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology, and technology. With no precedent for such a network anywhere in the world, EChO Network establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society. India’s remarkable jump in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report 2020 India ranks 63rd among 190 countries improving by 14 ranks from its rank of 77 in 2019.  The 2020 edition of the Report acknowledges India as one of the top 10 improvers, third time in a row, with an improvement of 67 ranks in 3 years. It is also the highest jump by any large country since 2011. Launch of Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS) called ‘NIRVIK’ for exporters in which increased insurance cover for export credit has been extended by banks from existing average of 60% to 90% for both Principal and Interest. The online “Origin Management System” gives single access point for all exporters, for all Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) and for all agencies. India has 15 FTAs/PTAs and 7 lakh ‘Certificates of Origin’ are issued annually. Launch of Phase III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Aims at consolidation of 1,25,000 Kms Through Routes and Major Rural Links that connect habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals with an estimated cost of Rs. 80,250 crores (Central Share of Rs. 53,800 crores) for the period 2019-20 to 2024-25.  The funding pattern for the PMGSY-III will be 60:40 between Centre and the States for States other than NE & Himalayan States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States as applicable for Central sponsored schemes. As on 16 December 2019, a total of 1,53,491 rural road works have been completed under the PMGSY Scheme connecting 97.27% of the eligible and feasible habitations and adding up a road length of 6,07,900 Kms across the country. Out of the above, a road length of 36,063 Kms has been constructed using green technologies, a major portion of which includes Waste plastic and cold mix technology. Annular Eclipse of the Sun on 26th December The next solar eclipse will be visible from India on June 21, 2020. It will be an annular solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs on a new moon day when the Moon comes in between the Earth and the Sun and when all the three objects are aligned. An annular solar eclipse will occur when the angular diameter of the Moon falls short of that of the Sun so that it cannot cover up the latter completely. As a result a ring of the Sun’s disk remains visible around the Moon. Eclipsed Sun should not be viewed with the naked eye, even for a very short time. It will cause permanent damage of the eyes leading to blindness even when the moon covers most portion of the Sun. Safe technique to observe the solar eclipse is either by using proper filter like aluminized Mylar, black polymer, welding glass of shade number 14 or by making projection of Sun’s image on a white board by telescope.   Quotes There is a need to create a ‘Sankalpit Bharat, a ‘Sashakt Bharat’, a ‘Swachch Bharat’ and a ‘Shrestha Bharat’”.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Somali Dervish movement: Negatives of ‘lost’ 1985 Somali epic found at NFAI Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I Decolonization In news: The negatives of an epic Somali film thought to have been lost were ‘discovered’ in the vaults of the Pune-based National Film Archive of India (NFAI). Value addition For Prelims: The Somali Dervish movement  was an armed resistance to the colonial powers – particularly the British – in the Horn of Africa, between 1899 and 1920 It was led by the Sufi Muslim poet and militant leader Sayyid Mohamed HORN OF AFRICA Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 Src: Click here It is a peninsula in Africa. It consists of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. It extends hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden Uighur Muslims: Indonesian Muslims protest China's treatment of Uighurs Part of: GS Prelims  In news: Nearly  thousand Muslims marched to the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia’s capital  to protest China’s treatment of its Uighur Muslims Value addition For Prelims: Uigurs, are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. China rejects the idea of them being an indigenous group Since 2016, it is estimated that over a million Uyghurs have been detained in Xinjiang re-education camps.(UN) International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the main feature of the camps is to ensure adherence to Chinese Communist Party ideology. Non-Performing Asset:  Gross NPAs may rise to 9.9% by next Sept., says RBI report Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III Economy Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 SRC: The Hindu For Mains: The gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio of banks may increase to 9.9% by September 2020 from 9.3% in September 2019. due to change in macroeconomic scenario, marginal increase in slippages and the denominator effect of declining credit growth. The asset quality of agriculture and services sectors, as measured by their GNPA ratios, deteriorated to 10.1% Reviving the twin engines of consumption and investment remains the key challenge even while remaining vigilant about spillovers from global financial markets. Value addition For Prelims: A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days. NPAs classified further into Substandard, Doubtful and Loss assets. Substandard assets: Assets which has remained NPA for a period less than or equal to 12 months. Doubtful assets: An asset would be classified as doubtful if it has remained in the substandard category for a period of 12 months. Loss assets: As per RBI, “Loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted, although there may be some salvage or recovery value.” MGNREGA: fewer jobs since July, wider demand-supply gap Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III Policy Vulnerable sections In news Jobs generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have shown a dip compared to last year after July. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)  is  also witnessing a deceleration of activity . 2018-19, the year that preceded the Lok Sabha elections, saw a record number of households demanding as well as being provided employment under the flagship rural public works programme. In 2018-19, demand was registered from 5.88 crore households, and 5.27 crore of them were provided work. Funds: For 2019-20, the Modi government has allocated Rs 60,000 crore towards MGNREGA. But out of this budgeted sum, Rs 9,493.80 crore would be required for clearing the liabilities of wages, material and administrative costs for previous years.  Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 SRC: IE Fall in Employment due to: The fall in MGNREGA employment after July has been largely due to the onset of the southwest monsoon. Rainfall during the monsoon season (June-September) this year was 10% above the historical long-term average — the highest since 1994 — whereas it was 9.4% below average in 2018 Value addition For Prelims: PM-KISAN Scheme  It aims to extend direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year to farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares. This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers, in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 each. Around 12 Crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to benefit. This programme will be funded by Government of India. This programme will entail an annual expenditure of Rs.75,000 crore. PM-KISAN would pave the way for the farmers to earn and live a respectable living. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.  The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. China, Iran and Russia:  held joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman In news: China, Iran and Russia held joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States. This is being seen as a response to recent US manoeuvers in the region. exercise has been launched from the port city of Chabahar (The Chabahar port, which is near Iran’s border with Pakistan, was built with Indian assistance and is operated by India) Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 SRC:TOIsreal Why tensions? Last year U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy. Several attacks recently on international merchant vessels, including Saudi tankers, in Gulf waters which the United States blamed on Iran. US accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks on oil fields in Saudi Arabia. The attacks had immediately reduced Saudi Arabia’s oil production by half (5% of global oil production), Since attacks US sent a number of its troops to the region, and provided Saudi Arabia with missile defence systems. Gulf of Oman: The Gulf of Oman connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz (through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes), which then runs to the Persian Gulf.  It borders Iran and Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 SRC: CNN Why Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman? The Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman are key areas for international trade and maintaining security in the waterways is an important task Significance: The Gulf of Oman, where the exercise is being held, is a critical waterway as it connects the Arabian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, a 33-km wide passage which opens into the Persian Gulf — located between energy producers Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman (the exclave of Musandam), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A fifth of the world’s oil passes through this waterway — around 30% of all sea-borne crude oil globally. Since 2019, Gulf of Oman has been a focal point of global tensions. Conclusion: The three-nation drill is expected to further provoke US It may bolster security of international maritime commerce, combating piracy and terrorism and sharing information… and experience The most significant challenge to the post-Cold War international order is the growing power of ambitious states opposed to the West. Iran, Russia, and China are taking advantage of the U.S. withdrawal from the world stage and while they seek opportunity, cooperation between them remains fragmentary. Connecting the dots: Do you think this Tri- lateral exercise is going to Impact India? What do you think will be the next step of US? POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. National Population Register (NPR) : The Union Government to conduct Census 2021 and update the National Population Register The Union Cabinet recently approved a proposal to conduct Census 2021 and update the National Population Register (NPR) in all the States/UTs except Assam.  To spend Rs 8,754 crore for the Census 2021 and Rs 3,941 crore for updating the NPR. Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th December 2019 SRC: ET National Population Register (NPR): The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR. It includes both Indian citizens as well as a foreign citizen.  The objective of the NPR: To create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country.  The first National Population Register was prepared in 2010 and updating this data was done during 2015 by conducting door to door survey. Also essential for providing good governance Citizenship Act: It is being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The announcement on the NPR came amid continuing protests against the recent Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, in many parts of the country Concerns: NRC or NPR exercise, in combination with the recently enacted Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, could lead to disenfranchisement and harassment of the poor and undocumented segments of the population was not born out of anyone’s imagination Criticisms The NRC, as it was rolled out in Assam, puts the burden of proof on citizens to establish that they are indeed citizens. The undocumented and the poor will bear the brunt of this approach.  The proposed format for enumerating the NPR only exacerbates this concern and adds a third axis to the ongoing confusion and turmoil. With the passage of the CAA, and the announcement of the NRIC, there is enough factual basis for doubting the government’s claim that the NPR has nothing to do with the NRIC. Way forward: If the government has a rethink on its strident position on the NRC, it must say so upfront, and at any rate desist from denigrating critics. Conclusion: The NPR is not about citizenship but only about residency. However, when additional questions such as “place of birth of father and mother”, etc are being proposed for the forthcoming exercise, the concern that this may be a prelude to the NRIC is logical. Connecting the dots: Do you think NPR creates Confusion among people? Do you think NPR NRC and CAA are Inter related? 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) Consider the following statements  Increase in the Rainfall contribute to the fall in MGNREGA employment PM-KISAN aims to extend direct income support for the veterans Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements  Somali Dervish movement was an armed resistance to the British colonial powers Somalia is a part of Horn of Africa Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Uyghurs community recently in news are recognized as native to_______________ China India Somalia Bangladesh ANSWERS FOR 27 DEC 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B 3 B 4 C MUST READ Fuel to the fire: On Cabinet announcement on NPR The Hindu Decisive shift: On Chief of Defence Staff The Hindu Endless wait: on Afghanistan Presidential election The Hindu The Mig-27 flies into the sunset, bringing a bitter-sweet career to an end. IE CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) ACT: Don’t pander to the vote bank ET RBI’s rate advice Live mint More than 235,000 flee northwest Syria flare-up: UN TOI

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Successful Launch of Earth Observation Satellite

Successful Launch of Earth Observation Satellite ARCHIVES Search 27th Nov, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Development in Space Technology In news: India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its forty ninth flight (PSLV-C47), successfully launched Cartosat-3 along with 13 Nanosatellites of USA from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. Cartosat 3 is (India’s) highest-resolution (a panchromatic resolution of 0.25m) civilian spacecraft. It is also the most complex and advanced Earth observation satellite ISRO has built so far. This is the 21st flight of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in 'XL' configuration and 74th launch vehicle mission overall from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.  The PSLV-C47 has 6 solid strap-on motors. The Cartosat 3 satellite will be placed at an orbit of 509 km and inclination of 97.5 degrees. The spacecraft is designed to study our planet from low-Earth orbit for at least the next five years. The CARTOSAT-3, which has an overall mass of over 1,600 kilograms, will address the increased users' demands for  large-scale urban planning rural resource infrastructure development coastal land use Land cover Among the 13 nano-satellites are FLOCK-4P, 12 in numbers, with mission objective of earth observation, and one satellite named MESHBED, whose mission objective is a communication testbed. All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Successful Launch of Earth Observation Satellite Source: Click here

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th December 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th December 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Golden Jubilee Celebrations Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Art & Culture; Modern history In Newscc Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu at the Tri-junction of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment at this place in 1892, prior to his famous Chicago trip The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India.  BrahMos Missile: Latest upgrades Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II- International Affairs; GS-III- Security In News DRDO carried out two successful tests of the latest variant of the BrahMos missile, one from the land platform and the other from air.  BrahMos is a cruise missile, meaning it can be guided towards a pre-determined land- or sea-based target. With a capability to attain speeds 2.8 times that of sound (Mach 2.8), BrahMos is classified as supersonic cruise missile.  An amalgam of the names of the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva, BrahMos is being produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by DRDO and Mashinostroyenia of Russia in 1998. Its land-to-land, submarine-fired and now air-fired variants have been developed stage by stage A newer version under development is aimed at flying at speeds greater than Mach 5. These are called hypersonic cruise missiles.  BrahMos Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM): Another test was carried out from air, using the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets of the Indian Air Force as the base. The missile destroyed a target at sea Cruise Missile Vs Ballistic Missile The ballistic missile is targeted as a projectile from a single launch force with not much-added guidance. A cruise missile locates its target, or has a preset target, and navigates there. It generally consists of a guidance system, payload, and aircraft propulsion system, housed in an airframe with small wings and empennage for flight control. Good Governance Index (GGI) Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Governance In News Good governance can be referred as an effective and efficient process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented) keeping the amelioration of citizens as the topmost priority. Resource allocation, creation of formal establishments, setting up rules and regulations etc., are part of achieving this goal The objectives of GGI are to provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and UTs, enable states and UTs to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result oriented approaches and administration GGI will consider 10 sectors: agriculture and allied sectors, commerce and industries, human resource development, public health, public infrastructure and utilities, economic governance, social welfare and development, judicial & public security, environment, and citizen-centric governance. These ten Governance Sectors are measured on total 50 indicators. The states and UTs are divided into three groups: a). Big States, b). North-East & Hill States and c). UTs. On the index, Tamil Nadu has got the highest score (5.62), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh (5.4, 5.1, and 5.05) respectively. In economic governance ranking, Karnataka leads, followed by Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Modern History In News December 25 is the birth anniversary of Madan Mohan Malaviya, the famed Indian educationist and freedom fighter who is also called ‘Mahamana’ Malaviya is known for founding the Banaras Hindu University and for becoming one of the torchbearers of the freedom struggle — acting as a bridge between the Moderates and the Extremists in the Congress. Malaviya joined the Indian National Congress at its Calcutta session in 1886 — it had been founded a year previously at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Mumbai He became president of Congress four times — in 1909 (Lahore), in 1918 (Delhi), in 1930 (Delhi), and in 1932 (Calcutta). Malaviya was part of the Congress for almost 50 years. Malaviya was one of the early leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha, and helped found it in 1906.  He was a social reformer and a successful legislator, serving as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council for 11 years (1909–20). Malaviya espoused free and compulsory primary education, opposed the system of indentured labour in the British Empire, and supported the nationalisation of railways. In 2015, the government bestowed Malaviya with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, 68 years after his death. In 2016, the Indian Railways started the Varanasi-New Delhi Mahamana Express in the leader’s honour. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Good Governance Index: Measure governance in Indian states Context: The MoS (PP) Dr Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Good Governance Index’ at an event organized by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, on the occasion of Good Governance Day. Good Governance Day  : Good Governance Day  is observed in India annually on the 25th  December, the birth anniversary of former-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to honor Prime Minister Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the Indian people of accountability in government. Good governance: Good governance is significant in public institutions to conduct and manage public affairs and resources to guarantee human rights in free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. It is significant because it promises to deliver on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Good governance is thus, a function of installation of positive virtues of administration and elimination of vices of dysfunctionalities. Elements of good governance: Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th December 2019 SRC: IASBABA Good Governance Index: GGI is a uniform tool that will help in assessing the status of governance and the impact of interventions undertaken by governments across all states and UTs. GGI had been “scientifically designed” to reflect various parameters of governance.   “Good governance can be referred as an effective and efficient process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented) keeping the amelioration of citizens as the topmost priority. Resource allocation, creation of formal establishments, setting up rules and regulations etc., are part of achieving this goal.” Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances  Objective of Good Governance Index: To provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and UTs,  Enable states and UTs to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result oriented approaches and administration Measuring GGI: GGI will consider 10 sectors Agriculture and allied sectors,  Commerce and industries, Human resource development,  Public health,  Public infrastructure and utilities,  Economic governance,  Social welfare and development, Judicial & public security,  Environment,  Citizen-centric governance. The states and UTs have been grouped into three categories: big states, Northeast and hill categories, and UTs. On the index, Tamil Nadu has got the highest score (5.62), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh (5.4, 5.1, and 5.05) respectively. Among the Northeastern and hill states, Himachal Pradesh is at the top with a score of 5.22, followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura, and Mizoram at 4.87, 4.5, and 4.41 respectively. In the list of environment rankings, West Bengal is on top, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar. In economic governance ranking, Karnataka leads, followed by Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Conclusion: Few challenges that are faced in accomplishment of good governance are weak institutions, lack of participation and democratisation, lack of social capital, corruption and other.  It is essential to address these challenges to achieve good governance that plays a paramount role in the transformation of predatory state to welfare state. Connecting the dots: Do you think Good Governance Index brings in healthy competition among the states? Whata are the challenges of Good Governance? ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Atal Bhujal Yojana — Why a scheme for groundwater? Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Atal Bhujal Yojana, or Atal Jal, a day after the Cabinet approved it.  Atal Jal is a World Bank-funded, central scheme aimed at improving groundwater management.  It was approved by the World Bank Board in June 2018. Background: The idea first came up in 2015, in view of depleting groundwater resources.  The government announced its intention to start a programme for management of groundwater resources in the Budget of 2016-17, with an estimated cost of about Rs 6,000 crore. Scarcity of water in India: India accounts for 16 per cent of the world’s population living in less than 2.5 per cent of the global area, and has just 4 per cent of the global water resources.  According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the estimated water resources potential of the country, which occurs as natural runoff in the rivers, is 1,999 billion cubic metres. Of this, the estimated utilisable resources are 1,122 billion cubic metres per year — 690 BCM per year surface water and 432 BCM per year replenishable groundwater. With the population rising, demand for water will increase manifold in coming years.  According to the CWC, per capita availability in the country will decrease from 1,434 cubic metres in 2025 to 1,219 cubic metres in 2050. By CWC benchmarks, a water-stressed condition happens when per capita availability is less than 1,700 cubic metres, and a water-scarcity condition when per capita availability falls below 1,000 cubic metres.  Some river basins are facing a water-scarcity condition.( Krishna, Cauvery, Subarnarekha, Pennar, Mahi, Sabarmati and east-flowing rivers, and west-flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra including Luni. ) Water scarcity is most acute in the basins of the Cauvery, Pennar, Sabarmati and east-flowing rivers, and west-flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra including Luni. Groundwater situation: Water and Related Statistics 2019’, a report published by the CWC, the annual replenishable groundwater resources in India (2017) are 432 BCM, out of which 393 BCM is the annual “extractable” groundwater availability.   Jal Shakti Ministry in Parliament recently. Among the states where at least 100 wells were monitored, the highest depletion has been in Karnataka (80%), Maharashtra (75%), Uttar Pradesh (73%), Andhra Pradesh (73%), Punjab (69%). Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th December 2019 SRC: IE Atal Bhujal Yojana seek to address: For now, the Atal Bhujal Yojana will be implemented in seven states – Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and UP over five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25. It is expected that it will benefit about 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts.  According to Jal Shakti Ministry sources, if the scheme meets its objectives in water-stressed areas, it will be extended to other parts of the country. Major components of the scheme: One is institutional strengthening and capacity building for sustainable ground water management in the states including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of water user associations.  The second component is incentivising the states for achievements in improved groundwater management practices.  Beneficiaries: Priority areas in seven states will be identified.  The seven states are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.  The scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts in these states.  How does the scheme works ? The focus will be on arresting the rate of decline of groundwater levels as well as water consumption. The scheme will seek to strengthen the institutional framework and bring about behavioural changes at community level for sustainable groundwater resource management. It envisages community-led Water Security Plans. Connecting the dots: Do you think groundwater management is a solution to agrarian crisis? Do you really think India’s Ground water is in Distress? (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) Consider the following statements about Vivekananda Rock Memorial It is a monument in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu at the Tri-junction of Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment at this place Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about BrahMos Missile It is a ballistic missile with a range of 3000 Kms It is being produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by DRDO and Russia in 1998. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Good Governance Index It is being designed and released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with World Bank The objective is to provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and UTs and enable them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya He was one of the early leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha, and helped found it in 1906.  He was staunch critic of Congress and opposed its policies & working style. He founded the Banaras Hindu University for which he served as Vice-Chancellor from 1919 to 1938. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 ANSWERS FOR 26 DEC 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 B 3 B 4 D MUST READ Endless wait: on Afghanistan Presidential election The Hindu Cracks in the relic: on U.S.-Turkey relations The Hindu Future of India’s Green Fund From Coal ET CDS should have unified command ET Poverty eradication, a top priority or not? DTE

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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th December 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th December 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Locust invasion in Gujarat Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Environment, Agriculture In News According to the Agriculture Ministry’s Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) in Jodhpur, locusts (species of grasshoppers) are flying in from Pakistan’s Sindh province and spreading in villages in Rajasthan and Gujarat where south western monsoon was prolonged this year. Originally, the locusts emerged in February this year from Sudan and Eritrea on Africa’s Red Sea Coast and travelled through Saudi Arabia and Iran to enter Pakistan. Locust invasions usually occurs in areas that receive less than 200 mm of rain annually. This is about 16 million sq km consisting of about 30 countries. The insects fly in during the day and settle on the farms at night, making it difficult to ward them off negatively impacting farm output. The last major upsurge in India occurred in 1993 which saw the incursion of 172 locust swarms. India has only one locust breeding season- from July to October How to tackle? Government also explored the possibility of sprinkling pesticides and chemicals through choppers in affected areas. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention under discussion Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I- Society In News India continues to have the dubious distinction of recording the highest number, or 34% of all suicides in the world. According to provision of Section 309 of the IPC attempted suicide continues to be a criminal offence. It says that suicide attempt is punishable with simple imprisonment, which may extend up to one year. However, Section 115 of the MCHA, 2017 states that “any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code (Section 309 of IPC).”  After the Mental Healthcare Act (MCHA), 2017, the Section has become “redundant” but still remains in law books. Therefore, once National strategy of prepared, it is expected to remove confusion surrounding inconsistencies between IPC and MCHA Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Governance; GS-III- Environment Conservation In News The Central Sector scheme aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is the implementing agency for the scheme. Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire amount shall be passed on to the States as Grants. ATAL JAL has two major components: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for sustainable ground water management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User Associations, etc. Incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices namely, data dissemination, preparation of water security plans etc. Do You know? Out of 17.87 Crore rural households in the country, about 14.6 Crore which accounts for 81.67% are yet to have household water tap connections. Government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024. Intersex Person: Call for National ban on unnecessary medical surgeries Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Society In News The term intersex is confused with transgender, the two in-fact have very different meanings. Individuals who identify as transgender or transsexual have a gender that is different from the one traditionally associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. Intersex refers to people born with biological or physical characteristics that are more diverse than stereotypical male or female bodies.  Intersex individuals and rights organisations have sought a national ban on unnecessary medical surgeries conducted on children with intersex traits and appealed to the Union government to protect their human rights. Call for nation-wide ban comes after the Tamil Nadu government banned normative surgeries on infants and children except in life-threatening situations after a historic judgment of the Madras High Court on April 22, 2019 WHO and the UN Human Rights Council have called upon Member States to end invasive and irreversible medical surgeries and other medical treatment on intersex children.  If adopted nationally, India could become only the third country after Malta and Taiwan, to have a legal regime which protects the rights of intersex children. Saptamatrikas: Earliest Epigraphic evidence for the cult found Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I- Art & Culture In News The Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered the earliest epigraphic evidence so far for the Saptamatrika cult.  It is also the earliest Sanskrit inscription to have been discovered in South India as on date. Saptamatrikas are a group of seven female deities worshipped in Hinduism as personifying the energy of their respective consorts. The inscription is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters and was issued by Satavahana king Vijaya in 207 A.D. It was discovered in Chebrolu village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. So far the Nagarjunakonda inscription of Ikshavaku king Ehavala Chantamula issued during 4th century A.D. was considered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India Bharatnet Project: Free WiFi to all villages Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III- Infrastructure (Digital) In News To promote uptake of the Internet in rural areas, government promised free Wi-Fi to about 48,000 villages, which are connected through the government’s flagship Bharatnet project With the BharatNet initiative, the Centre aims to connect all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats through optical fibre. Digital Village, which was conceptualised by the Common Service Centre (CSC) SPV under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, is a village where citizens can avail various e-services of the central and the State governments, as well as of private players.  These services include banking, insurance, tele-medicine, pension and e-governance services. Such villages are also equipped with LED bulb assembly unit, sanitary napkin unit, and rural-Wifi infrastructure. There were about 3.6 lakh CSCs in the country covering 2.25 lakh gram panchayats. (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT  TOPIC: General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Desertification: Another 30% of the India’s land is undergoing degradation Context: Every year during the monsoon, Hemant Waman Chowre faces a peculiar situation. On the one hand, he hopes for good rainfall to water his crops but on the other, he is scared, for even a mild shower can destroy his saplings. These are clear signs of desertification which, as per the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is degrading 12 million ha of productive land across the world every year. This is over 80 times the size of Delhi and is enough to grow 20 million tonnes of grain. Dry lands affected by desertification not only lose their ability to support plant life, but also their ability to offer ecosystem services, such as management of water systems and storage of carbon use in global warming. Desertification has occurred throughout history. But what’s alarming is that its pace has accelerated 30 to 35 times the historical rate in the recent decades. With changing climate, prolonged droughts and increasing incidences of floods, landslides and frost heaving are in any case reducing the amount of productive land. The World Atlas of Desertification, 1997, shows overgrazing is responsible for 90 per cent of dryland degradation in Australia and 60 per cent in Africa. Deforestation has caused 40 per cent dryland degradation in South America and Europe and 30 per cent in Asia. Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th December 2019 SRC: U.S. Department of Agriculture map from 1998  “According to Desertification and Land Degradation of Selected Districts of India, an atlas published by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad in 2018, some 96.40 million ha, or about 30 per cent of the country’s total area, is undergoing degradation” SAC mapped India’s 76 drought-prone districts and two sub-basins in Ladakh to prepare the atlas and found that in drylands, which span 228.3 million ha, or 70 per cent of the country’s total land, 82.64 million ha is under desertification. TERI’s conservative estimate shows land degradation costs $48.8 billion to the country’s exchequer annually. This is almost 2.08 per cent of India’s GDP in 2014-15 and over 13 per cent of gross value added from agriculture and forestry that year.  The economic cost of forest degradation accounts for 55 per cent of the total loss. There has been a consistent increase in the area under water erosion, said the report. State-wise plight: In Maharashtra, the timber mafia was eating into already thin forests, leading to soil erosion. More than a million trees were felled between 2005 and 2014, using permits issued by the state's forest department every year. Another 0.26 million were cut illegally. Excessive mining in Jharkhand has triggered soil erosion and aggravated water scarcity in the state. Data with the Central Ground Water Board shows that water table in the entire block has lowered from 8 m below the ground level in 2013 to about 10 m in 2017. Rampant mining and expanding urbanisation has taken a toll on Goa. Lack of planning could, further, degrade land in the state. In Nagaland, shifting cultivation (where people slash trees and burn them to prepare the land for farming), deforestation and rising population are to blame for desertification. The rapidly vanishing vegetation cover has intensified soil erosion in the state. In Andhra Pradesh, low rainfall and increased dependence on borewells have led to soil aridity, while less snow and more rainfall has deepened the desertification crisis in Himachal Pradesh. Overgrazing and encroachment of grassland for agricultural activities have affected Gujarat. On the other hand, in Rajasthan, canals, tubewell irrigation and shelterbelts have led to an increase in the green cover. Various schemes by the Government of India which are helping to reduce land degradation: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Soil Health Card Scheme Soil Health Management Scheme Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PKSY) Per Drop More Crop Launch of a flagship project on enhancing capacity on forest landscape restoration (FLR) and Bonn Challenge in India, through a pilot phase of 3.5 years implemented in the States of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Karnataka. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in partnership with The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through this flagship project aims to develop and adapt best practices and monitoring protocols for the Indian states and build capacity within the five pilot states on FLR and Bonn Challenge. This will be eventually scaled up across the country through subsequent phases of the project. Connecting the dots: Discuss the problem of desertification. Which parts of the world are suffering from this phenomenon? POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Three Capital of Andhra Pradesh : there was nothing wrong in having the capital at three places says CM Context: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy hinted in the Legislative Assembly recently that there was nothing wrong in having the capital at three places, similar to the South African model.  He hinted that the High Court could be based in Kurnool, Amaravati could continue to be the Legislative capital and Visakhapatnam the Executive capital. History of the formation of Andhra Pradesh State: The first reference of decentralisation was made in the Sri Bagh pact, which was signed by the then political leaders from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema on November 16, 1937. According to the pact, for a balanced decentralisation, it was decided to continue with Andhra University in Visakhapatnam and the High Court and the capital be divided between the two regions. Visakhapatnam has all the settings to become a good living space. Even after Amaravati was carved out, most of the bureaucrats did not shift their families and they continued to stay in Hyderabad.  Sri Krishna panel: The advantages and qualities of Visakhapatnam to become the capital was discussed not only in the Sri Bagh pact but was also elaborately deliberated by the Sri Krishna Committee. The Sri Krishna Committee primarily took up three things for consideration — creation of single city or super city in Greenfield location, expanding existing cities and distributed development. The Committee however did not consider a single large capital city as a feasible option available to Andhra Pradesh as of then. But the State government had pushed the VGTM (Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali, Mangalagiri) area for development. Visakhapatnam was in the radar, as it was felt that it has all the requirement. Cosmopolitan: Rapid industrialisation, the presence of Eastern Naval Command and a number of public sector units, Visakhapatnam  only city in the State that wears a cosmopolitan fabric. the presence of such culture lends peace and gives readymade quality manpower, Decentralisation: Decentralisation was elaborately described in the Sri Bagh pact.  The pact clearly defined decentralisation, for the benefit of all three main regions such as Coastal AP, Godavari and Krishna districts and Rayalaseema. Land: There is about 10,000 acres of government land.  Land is not an issue, as the requirement to set up a few new offices and quarters will not exceed 2,000 to 3,000 acres. Conclusion: Decision is a win-win situation both for the government and the city Connecting the dots: Do you think there is nothing wrong in 3 capitals ? (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) Consider the following statements about Saptamatrikas They are a group of seven female deities worshipped in Hinduism as personifying the energy of their respective consorts The earliest epigraphic evidence so far for the Saptamatrika cult was recently discovered in Haryana which is also the earliest Sanskrit inscription of North India Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Locust Invasion Locust invasions usually occurs in wet areas that receive more than 300 mm of rain annually India has only one locust breeding season- from July to October Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Bharatnet Project It is being implemented by Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with NITI Aayog It aims to connect all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats through optical fibre. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Atal Bhujal Yojana It aims to improve ground water management through community participation in all states & UT of India It is a centrally sponsored scheme whereby 70% of the project cost shall be through Central Assistance and the remaining 30% through State funding. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 25 DEC 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 C MUST READ Dangerous doublespeak: On government’s NPR-NRC talk The Hindu Double trouble: On uneven inflation and sluggish growth The Hindu Mind the gap: On gender gap The Hindu The right count IE Towards jointness IE A move to end coal imports, finally! ET Indian research quality lags quantity ET Indian agriculture is under an invisible emergency DTE

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – Leviathan – Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes Written during the Civil War, Leviathan explores the political philosophy in a world of violence and horror. It explores ways of avoiding slipping into anarchy during times of war. This book was burnt as sedition during its time, however one cannot ignore the impact and penetrating insight it offers on the political philosophy. Leviathan explores the complex subjects of politics, religion, violence, crime and war. It spans across several centuries of human understanding and development. It also urges one to revisit some of the assumptions of our socio-political system to find solutions for current and future conflicts. Although heavy in subject matter, the style and manner of presenting helps the reader to easily grasp the complex subject at hand. Read this book to gain new insights into age old human predicaments.

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Successful Trial of Missile Agni-II

Successful Trial of Missile Agni-II ARCHIVES Search 17th Nov, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Developments in Science & Technology In news: India successfully conducted first night trial of its indigenously developed medium-range nuclear-capable versatile surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile Agni-II with a strike range of 2,000 km, from a test range in its eastern state of Odisha Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), has already been inducted into the armed forces. The two-stage ballistic missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg over a distance of 2,000 km. This was the first time that the sophisticated missile was test-fired at night The trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully tested the country’s longest-range indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile Agni-V in January and short-range nuclear-capable ballistic Agni-I The entire trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and two naval ships located near the impact point in the down-range area of Bay of Bengal The two stage missile equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system, was guided by a novel state-of-the-art command and control system and propelled by solid rocket propellant system. ‘Agni-11’ is part of the Agni series of missiles which includes Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV and Agni-V both having long range capabilities. The Agni-I, on the other hand, has an operational range of 700-900 kilometers and can carry a 1,000-kilogram conventional or nuclear payload. The Agni-I, fitted with an accurate inertial navigation system, was last successfully test fired on November 22, 2017. Named for the Vedic god of fire, Agni-I is the father of the Agni family of non-nuclear and nuclear-capable missiles.

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