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Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 40

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 40 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to PRAGATI: It is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments It involves Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 Only  2 Only  Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)’ It is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) A limited liability partnership (LLP) cannot raise ECBs Select the correct statements  1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Public Accounts Committee (PAC)’ It was first set up in the wake of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms It is formed every year with all the members from Rajya Sabha Select the correct statements 1 Only  2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘equalisation levy’ It is aimed at taxing business-to-business transactions in the digital advertising space It is an indirect tax which was introduced through Finance Act, 2016 Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘Distance to Frontier’ score is associated with which of the following organisations? World Economic Forum World Bank World Trade Organisation International Monetary Fund To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 1st August 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 1st August 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Inter-State river water disputes Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS- II - issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure In News Lok Sabha passed a bill to establish a single central tribunal for inter-state water disputes in place of the numerous existing ones so as to speed up resolution process The tribunal can set up multiple benches for different disputes Composition of Central tribunal – Chairperson (retired SC judge), a vice-chairperson, three judiciary members and three experts. Appointment of tribunal members - by the Central government on recommendation of a selection committee comprising the PM, CJI and ministers of law & justice and Jal Shakti The bill proposes to set up a dispute resolution committee of experts, headed by a secretary-level officer of the government. Once a dispute arises, it would be referred to this committee, which would have a year to resolve it, with an extension of six months If the committee fails to arrive at a conclusion, the matter would be referred to a Central tribunal whereby final award will be delivered in two years and whenever it gives the order, the verdict will be notified automatically. The decision of the tribunal would be binding on states and have the “same force as an order of the Supreme Court" Concerns raised by Opposition A major concern has been over data collection from river basins, the core of adjudication. Centralization of powers as the selection committee to recommend tribunal members does not have any representation from the States  Do you know? India has 18 % of the world's population but only 4% replenishable water At present, there are nine tribunals including those on Cauvery, Mahadayi, Ravi and Beas, Vansadhara and Krishna river.  Of the nine tribunals set up to adjudicate such disputes, only four have given their awards and the time taken to do so ranged from seven to 28 years Centre has constituted a National Water Informatics Centre on March 2018, which will collate data from all organizations including the Central Water Commission, IMD and state departments. Happiness Classes Part of: Mains GS II- Issues relating to development and management of Education. In News ‘Happiness Utsav ’was organised by the Delhi government to celebrate a year since the launch of happiness classes in Delhi government schools. “Without happiness, education can never be complete.” CJI Ranjan Gogoi said while speaking at the concluding ceremony Happiness classes in schools is need of the hour as India’s position on the World Happiness Index has dropped from 118 to 140 WHI is an annual publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Four states -Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry and Nagaland – have planned to replicate Delhi’s Happiness classes in their state-run schools. Equalization Levy Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III- Indian economy and Government Budgeting In News Domestic SMEs and start-ups have written to centre complaining about the equalisation levy as foreign companies continue to invoice Indian start-ups and SMEs from their overseas office. The equalisation levy, introduced in 2016, is a direct tax on payments made by residents to non-resident companies for online advertisement, provision of digital and advertising space or any other facility or service for online advertisement. Indian start-ups and SMEs are required to deposit 6% equalisation levy (TDS) on behalf of these foreign companies which leads to additional compliance and cost burden on these firms Since this is a levy, these firms are unable to claim Input Tax Credit for this cost incurred In order to rectify this, the start-ups have requested the government to mandate that “any global corporation having sales and marketing operations in India must be required to invoice their customers in India from a registered entity in India.” Do you know? Market for online ads on which a 6% equalization levy is applied is up from ₹9,800 crore in FY18 to ₹11,870 crore till February 2019 The idea behind the equalization levy is to tax services of digital service providers in foreign markets which has customer base in India (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: GS paper 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Fortifying the Africa outreach Context: This week two important Indian dignitaries began their respective visits to Africa. President Ram Nath Kovind commenced his seven-day state visit to Benin, Gambia and Guinea-Conakry (July 28 to August 3) and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maputo on a three-day visit (July 28 to July 30) to Mozambique. Concerns: There seems to be a conspicuous disconnect between Indian developmental assistance to and India’s economic engagement with Africa Economic ties of India and Africa: During the past five years, Indian leaders have paid 29 visits to African countries.  Forty-one African leaders participated in the last India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015 India agreed to provide concessional credit worth $10 billion during the next five years.  Trade ties of India and Africa: By 2017, India had cumulatively extended 152 Lines of Credit worth $8 billion to 44 African countries.  India has also unilaterally provided free access to its market for the exports of 33 least developed African countries India escalated its commitments to Africa in an era of low-commodity prices when most other partners, including China, have scaled back theirs. India’s trade with Africa totalled $63.3 billion in 2018-19. India was ranked the third largest trading partner of Africa having edged past the United States during the year. Issues in India and Africa Relations: India is neither a rich country nor has its hands been tainted by a history of slavery, colonisation and the exploitation of Africa.  In fact, it is a developing country with similar domestic challenges of poverty, infrastructure deficit and underdevelopment.  India’s funds committed and seats in our prestigious academic institutions offered to Africa are at the expense of the tax-paying Indians.  India’s aid to Africa should be reciprocated by acknowledgement and quid pro quo in terms of goodwill (beyond the easy-flowing official rhetoric), and institutional preference.  India cannot simply be a cash cow for Africa, particularly when its own economy is slowing down. Steps to be considered by India: we need to take direct control of our development programme instead of handing our funds to intermediaries such as the African Union, the African Development Bank Group and the Techno-Economic Approach for Africa-India Movement (TEAM 9), whose priorities are often different from India’s To make an impact, our aid should be disbursed bilaterally and aligned with national priorities of the recipient state, which should be a substantial stakeholder and co-investor in schemes and projects from initiation to operation. India’s development assistance should prefer the countries with its substantial interests, both existing and potential For Example: Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Angola and Algeria are India’s top six trading partners in Africa, accounting for nearly two-thirds of its trade and half its exports to the continent; yet, they do not figure commensurately in India’s developmental pecking order.  India’s own needs for raw materials, commodities and markets should be factored in its aid calculus We ought to prefer aiding countries which are willing to help us — from access to their natural resources to using our generics. The aided project selected should be compatible with local requirements. They should be cost-effective, scalable, future ready and commercially replicable. For greater transparency, India should prefer its public sector to implement the aid projects. The Indian Head of Mission in the recipient African state must be an integral part of the aid stream including project selection, co-ordination and implementation.  The aforementioned should not distract us from our duty to provide the needed humanitarian assistance to Africa to be rendered promptly and with sensitivity, but without noise. Conclusion: There seems to be a conspicuous disconnect between Indian developmental assistance to and India’s economic engagement with Africa.  The time has now come to integrate these two axes for a more comprehensive and sustainable engagement.  It would also facilitate aided pilot projects being scaled up seamlessly into commercially viable joint ventures. The simultaneity of the two visits may be a coincidence, but it also indicates enhanced priority to Africa. This should be welcomed. Connecting the dots: What makes India and African relations Unique? Discuss how these relations help the Indian economy? AGRICULTURE TOPIC-General studies Paper 3 Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce  Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Concept of Farm ponds Context: Ponds can be an effective tool for rainwater harvesting Concerns: With an increased variability of monsoons and rapidly depleting groundwater tables, large parts of India are reeling under water stress. A number of peninsular regions like Bundelkhand, Vidarbha and Marathwada have been facing recurring drought-like situations.  There is a need to implement innovative water management measures, stressing particularly the importance of rainwater harvesting both at the household and community levels. What are Farm Ponds? A farm pond is a large hole dug out in the earth, usually square or rectangular in shape, to harvest rainwater and store it for future use. It has an inlet to regulate inflow and an outlet to discharge excess water.  Farmers build ponds for many reasons: irrigation, water for livestock, fire protection, erosion control, aquaculture, wildlife value, recreation and aesthetics. The size and depth depend on the amount of land available, type of soil, the farmer’s water requirements, cost of excavation, and the possible uses of the excavated earth.  Water from the farm pond is conveyed to the fields manually, by pumping, or by both methods. Retention of water through Farm ponds: Farm ponds retained water for 8-10 months of the year; thus farmers could enhance cropping intensity and crop diversification within and across seasons. The area used to cultivate vegetables and other commercial crops also increased In parts of peninsular India, They are being used as intermediate storage points, accelerating groundwater depletion and increasing evaporation losses as the groundwater is brought to the surface and stored in relatively shallow structures. Why it is necessary to have  inlet and outlet provisions to the Farm ponds? Farm ponds cannot arrest the excess run-off  if there is no inlet, and therefore they cannot be used effectively for rainwater harvesting as the same happened with Maharastra Further, farmers line them at the bottom with plastic, restricting seepage and converting the ponds into intermediate storage points. Such farm ponds have an adverse impact on the water tables and accelerate water loss.  The usual practice here is to lift water from a dug well and/or a borewell, store it in the pond and then draw it once again to irrigate the fields, often using micro-irrigation. What are the advantages of Farm Ponds? Farm ponds can be cost-effective structures that transform rural livelihoods.  They can help enhance water control, contribute to agriculture intensification and boost farm incomes They aided in superior water control through the harvesting not just of rainfall but also of surface run-off and subsurface flows especially in the states of Jharkhand and west Bengal. They functioned exclusively as recharge points, contributing to groundwater replenishment. They also helped in providing supplemental irrigation in the kharif season and an enhanced irrigation coverage in rabi.  The yield of paddy, the most important crop in kharif, stabilised, thus contributing to greater food security. Conclusion: Overall, farm ponds can act as effective harvesting structures and also yield healthy financial returns. But if they are promoted merely for on-farm storage of groundwater and canal water, they could accelerate, rather than reduce, the water crisis in the countryside. Connecting the dots: Agriculture is always a gamble in India with multiple factors being contingent. Critically analyse the budget provisions for agriculture and suggest the necessary modifications. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statement about Equalization levy It is an indirect tax on payments made by residents to non-resident companies for online advertisement services provided in India Indian start-ups and SMEs are required to deposit 6% equalisation levy on behalf of these foreign companies which leads to additional compliance These start-ups and SMES are able to claim Input Tax Credit for this cost incurred Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 only 2 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.2) World Happiness Index is brought out by which of the following organisation? World Economic forum World Bank Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Q.3) Consider the following statements. Article 280 of the constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws for the adjudication of inter-state water dispute. National Water Informatics centre was setup in 2018 as a single window source of updated data on water resources   Which of the statement(s) given above is / are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following states has a serious conflict on the sharing of waters of the Vansadhara Water Disputes? Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh Karnataka and Telangana MUST READ Cauldron of sexual misconduct The Hindu In hate crime fight, a voice still feeble The Hindu Fortifying the Africa outreach The Hindu Taking down patriarchy Indian Express Filter bubbles and echo chambers are dangerous, not quite the way most people think Financial Express

Important Articles

IMPORTANT TIPS ON ANSWER WRITING - Shreyans Kumat Rank 4, UPSC CSE 2018

IMPORTANT TIPS ON ANSWER WRITING - Shreyans Kumat Rank 4, UPSC CSE 2018 My Two Cents on Answer Writing It has been almost two weeks since Prelims results are out. Also, not much time is left before Mains. In between these quite different ways of testing, one has to shift gears and prepare oneself to write 4000 words in 3 hours twice a day for a few consecutive days. And, with the Prelims results, the horn has been blown. Usain Bolts and Asafa Powells of the world are already clocking good time in the practice sessions. It is crucial to maintain this practice every day for new as well as experienced runners in order to get great timings on the final day too. In this article, I will discuss the answer writing tips which worked for me, sources I had used to cover different parts of the syllabus and will post some practice tests for your reference. Answer Writing Almost everyone faces inertia when one tries to start with answer writing but the trick is to start anyway. One will write a bad answer for the first time or the second but definitely not the 100th time. Any good answer comprises of 3 crucial elements i.e. 1) Structure 2) Content 3) Presentation In the initial days of answer writing, it is difficult to have good quality content and presentation but one can easily practice structuring. 1. Structure It may sound cliché but it is important. Any answer should have a simple structure containing Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. a) Introduction: The introduction is a crucial element of any answer because it is the time when examiner makes an impression on the examinee’s understanding of the question asked. There are different ways of Introduction: - Connect it to some recent event - Describe the significance of the subject matter asked - Use of data point or fact to explain the gravity - Connect it some historical event - Define a technical term asked in the question etc. The introduction should be crisp and must be to the point, in line with the demand of the question. Some Introductions from practice tests b) Body: The body of the answer must address exactly what has been asked in the question. The body must be broken down into different sections answering different parts of the question. Keywords like Discuss, Critically examine, etc. are crucial in determining the areas one needs to address while answering. E.g. when the question asks “Do you think..?”, One needs to explain both sides of the issues i.e. for and against before giving one's inclination. Here is a document which describes the expectation out of each Keyword As a thumb rule, the body of the answer must have as many points as the marks allotted to the question by the examiner. It must clearly address different parts of the question asked. Relevant points should take priority and fodder points should be written later. As each part of the question has some marks associated with it, one must address every part to ensure maximization of the marks awarded by examiner. Read the question twice and underline parts to ensure none of the parts are missed. c) Conclusion: The conclusion is also a crucial element because it is after reading it the examiner will award marks. A positive, forward-looking and relevant conclusion has the potential to fetch an extra half mark. There are times when it is difficult to think of a conclusion, one can save one good point from the body and use it as a conclusion. Also, SDGs, Government Schemes, Case study, and vision like Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas can be good hinges to conclude. Following article has some good examples of such vision statements for conclusion— link 2. Content For the initial one month of answer writing, I felt that my content was not up to the mark. To this doubt, one of my senior replied, ‘Initially, we have to practice structure in answer writing with our average level of content. We have to ensure that we are addressing each and every part asked in the question with good and relevant points. Once we excel at that, when we try to analyze our answers using the model and best answers, slowly we start to improve on content as well.” There were different ways I had adopted to improve upon content apart from referring to my earlier notes: a) Sources: GS I 1. Modern History: Made personality and strand-specific notes (shared in sample notes) 2. Art and Culture: Short notes on culture including some details, Maps, diagrams (shared in sample notes) 3. Geography: Model answers of few sectional tests of Vision+ NCERT diagrams 4. Society: Model answers of few sectional tests of Vision + Mains 365 5. World History: Short notes (shared) 6. Post Independence History: Short notes (shared)   GS II 1. Polity: Mains 365 + Short notes — A4 size one-pagers (shared in sample notes) 2. Governance: Short notes — A4 size one-pagers (shared in sample notes) 3. International Relations: Mains 365 + Keyword one-pager   GS III 1. Economy & Agriculture: Mains 365 + Short notes on Infrastructure and Transportation topics 2. Security: Mains 365 3. Environment: Mains 365 4. Disaster Management: Short notes — A4 size one-pager   GS IV 1. Ethics: Excel with keywords, description, and examples (Shared in sample notes)   b) Answer Writing Practice: Daily writing practice (I had followed IASbaba'sTLP Phase II) also helped in improving content. On comparing my answer with model and best answers, I got good improvement points for structure, content as well as presentation.   3. Presentation Important points w.r.t. presentation: a) Different parts and sub-parts of the answer must be clearly visible b) Headings must be concise (preferably the same phrase as asked in the question) c) Headings can be highlighted — using a box or underline d) Underlining important words — as examiner generally goes through the answer vertically rather than reading every point, underlining makes his/her life easier e) Diagrams/Amoebas/Maps/SmartArts from PowerPoint should be added as and when needed to break the monotony of the answer sheet f) Spacing between lines and paragraphs, alignment and indentation should be proper g) Figures should be boxed and a proper description e.g. Fig 1. — — — should be added For the Marathon: It is pretty much possible to do the above mentioned in one particular answer. But the problem arises when we are asked to maintain consistency in 20 answers that too in a time bound manner. Hence, daily practice in a time bound manner becomes crucial. One must aim to answer all 20 questions with good quality content if not best. Some important points to remember: Like every runner needs good shoes, identify the pen which suits you and can endure along with you Allocate 7 mins to a 10 marker and so on to ensure proper time to each question Use a table stopwatch in the initial phase to attempt answers in a time bound manner. With enough practice muscle memory will take over and one will be able to complete each answer in a time bound manner Try to maximize the score by attempting all 20 answers Necessary food and beverage items should be kept nearby. Also, carry enough stationary in case of any eventuality Have a simulation run if you are attempting mains for the first time. I had taken Simulator Test at ForumIAS a week before the final mains — these copies are not checked. Take good care of your health — physical and mental. It is only this which will allow you to give your best on the final days. My Simulator Test Copies General Studies I — GS I General Studies II — GS II General Studies III — GS III General Studies IV— GS IV Wish you all the very best for next few months. Practice regularly so that you can also clock good timings and give a tough fight to Usain Bolts and Asafa Powells of the world. My best wishes. Hope the above share will help you in some way or the other. Practice. Analyze. Improve. Repeat. SHREYAN’S BLOG HERE – CLICK HERE Telegram channel: t.me/shreyansupsc. He is regularly sharing his sample notes and strategy on it. Thank You Shreyans Kumat (Rank 4, UPSC CSE 2018)

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 39

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 39 Archives Q.1) ‘Liberica’ and ‘Robusta’ is associated with Silk Coffee Tea Cotton Q.2) ‘TOI 270’ refers to a  Malware Planetary system Regulatory Sandbox Seed Vault Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA)’ It is funded by the World Bank It is a joint initiative between Indian and the United Kingdom Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only  Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)’ It is being implemented by Department of Fertilizers, under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It ensures sufficient quantity of P&K; is available at farmer’s disposal at statutory controlled prices. Select the correct statements  1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements about Anti-dumping duty The Department of Commerce recommends the anti-dumping duty, while Ministry of Finance levies such duty It is imposed on both exports and imports The use of anti-dumping is not permitted by the WTO Select the correct statements 1 Only  1 and 2 1 and 3 All of the above To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – Capitalism – Ayn Rand

Capitalism: Ayn Rand One of the most powerful and authoritative writers of our time, Ayn Rand has touch upon an extremely crucial and relevant topic for our generation. Is capitalism dying? How much is altruism affecting our understanding of capitalism? More and more people are beginning to lose faith in capitalism. People are beginning to see the ruthless nature of capitalism and are moving towards a more compassionate and simple lifestyle. What does this mean to the future of capitalism? In her characteristic and charismatic style Ayn Rand tackles this important subject with great depth of clarity and understanding. She believes that the world is changing rapidly and capitalism is changing too. Read this book to get a broader perspective of the changing landscape of reality all around us. This book holds some great answers to the future of capitalism and life. You will thoroughly enjoy the insights shared by Ayn Rand here.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 31st July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 31st July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) First CAG report on GST Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS- III - Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources. Some of the findings of the report are: Government had failed to try out the system before its rollout, leading to inadequate compliance mechanisms, and lower tax revenues Even after two years of rollout of GST, system validated Input Tax Credit through ‘invoice matching’ is not in place. The complexity of the return mechanism and the technical glitches resulted in rollback of invoice-matching, rendering the system prone to Input Tax Credit frauds Without invoice matching and auto generation of refunds, assessments, etc, the envisaged GST tax compliance system is non-functional (resulting in falling number of returns filed month after month) The government had not been following the rules set out regarding the transfer of revenue to the States. There has been lack of coordination between the Department of Revenue, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the GST Network Do you know? The new indirect tax regime – GST - had kicked in July 2017. The transformation tax structure is aimed at reducing tax cascading, ushering in a common market for goods and services and bringing in a simplified, self-regulating and non-intrusive tax compliance regime. CAG is a Constitutional body constituted under Article 148 appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Bills to curb Mob lynching Part of: Mains GS I- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. In News Rajasthan State Assembly has tabled Bill against mob lynching, making them cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offences with life imprisonment and fine up to Rs 5 lakh. The Bill defines a "mob" as a group of two or more individuals.  "Lynching" is described as an act or series of acts of violence, whether spontaneous or planned, by a mob on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, language, dietary practices, sexual orientation, political affiliation and ethnicity  The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill mentions the Supreme Court's recommendation to enact legislation against the mob lynching. In recent past there has been spurt in mob lynching resulting in loss of livelihood, injuries and death of persons at the hands of mob A dedicated legislation along with provisions of India Penal Code will help nip the evil in bud and provide support for victims of such cases Electric Buses Part of: Mains GS III- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. In News Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant announced that an inter-ministerial panel has sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for operations in 65 cities and for intercity operations to 8 state transport undertakings. This will give huge impetus to automobile sector, clean up our cities & drive Make in India. Some of the measures taken to popularise environment-friendly electric vehicles are: GST Council headed by Finance Minister decided to cut the tax rates on e-vehicles from 12 per cent to 5 per cent with effect from August 1, 2019  In the Union Budget 2019-20, the government proposed additional income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh on the interest paid on loans taken to purchase electric vehicles Certain parts of EVs have been exempted from customs duty The Centre has also approved Rs 10,000 crore under the FAME II scheme, which aims to encourage faster adoption of such vehicles by right incentives and charging infrastructure Do you know? EVs are considered as sunrise opportunity as India has over 72% two-wheelers.  Niti Aayog has proposed that two-wheelers below the capacity of 150cc sold in the country after March 31, 2025, should be electric ones only.  It also proposed that three-wheelers sold in the country after March 31, 2023 should be electric ones. Hyperloop Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways In News The Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop project received a push with the Maharashtra Cabinet approving to appoint a consortium of DP World and Hyperloop Technologies as its Original Project Proponent (OPP). With Hyperloop travel the 150-km journey between Mumbai and Pune will be cut down to just 23 minutes, turning the region into one megacity. Project is given a ‘public infrastructure’ status, which will enable it an easier access to funds and concessions. The project will improve connectivity for the 2.6 crore residents of both cities, and expect 15 crore people to use the service annually. If all goes well India could be the first country in the world to officially commission a hyperloop.  The project is being carried out by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) and is said to have a total investment of Rs 70,000 crore. Hyperloop is a high-speed mode of transportation, where a pod-like vehicle travels through a sealed tube at near the speed of an airline. (MAINS FOCUS) TRIPLE TALAQ TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes Triple Talaq Bill passed in Rajyasabha Context: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, better known as the Triple Talaq Bill, was passed in the Rajya Sabha. What is triple talaq? ‘Triple Talaq’ or ‘Oral talaq’ is a procedure of divorce mentioned under the Sharia Law which is a body of the Islamic law. Under this, a husband can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘Talaq’ thrice. What is instant triple talaq? In the practice of talaq-e-biddat, when a man pronounces talaq thrice in a sitting, or through phone, or writes in a talaq-nama or a text message, the divorce is considered immediate and irrevocable, even if the man later wishes to re-conciliate. However, Women cannot pronounce triple talaq and are required to move a court for getting the divorce under the Sharia Act, 1937. There are three forms of talaq (divorce) in Islam: Ahsan, Hasan, and Talaq-e-Biddat (triple or instant talaq). Ahsan and Hasan are revocable but talaq-e-Biddat is irrevocable. Thus, since Shariat Act had recognised triple talaq, it was no longer a personal law to remain free of the fetters of the fundamental rights rigour but a statutory law which comes under the ambit of Article 13(1) of the Constitution Background: In the Shah Bano case in 1985, the SC granted Shah Bano, a 62-year old woman the right to alimony from her husband. But in 1986, the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act which diluted the positive impact created by the Shah Bano case. In 2001, in the Danial Latifi & Anr versus Union of India case, the SC upheld the validity of the Shah Bano judgement. In August 2017, a five-judge bench of the SC declared the triple talaq as unconstitutional in a majority 3:2 judgement. This was the culmination of a petition filed by Shayara Bano, whose husband of 15 years had divorced her through a letter where he pronounced talaq three times, to declare the divorce as void. Triple Talaq bill During the proceedings of the case, the centre had told the bench that it will come out with a legislation to regulate the marriage and divorce among Muslims. As reported by various the newspapers, the centre is all set to table the bill in the Lok Sabha. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 seeks to criminalise instant triple talaq. The bill will make instant triple talaq a cognizable and non-bailable offence The bill seeks to impose a prison term of up to three years and fine for any Muslim man who divorces his wife through instant triple talaq It also makes a provision for alimony i.e. subsistence allowance for the Muslim women and also grants her the custody of minor children What does the supporters of triple talaq say? All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a non-governmental body that supervises the application of Muslim personal law, in an affidavit before the court had maintained that courts could not decide matters of religious practices and it is for legislature to frame a law. AIMPLB is also of the opinion that the issue has been blown out of proportion by the media and the far rightist groups. Many community leaders also see this as interference in what they call as religious rights of Muslims as India has a provision for personal laws for all religious communities. They have also claimed that practice will continue as before, irrespective of the legal opinion. Empowering Muslim Women Supreme Court: In August 2017 the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict had held that the practice of triple talaq violates the constitutional rights of Muslim women.The triple talaq must come under ambit of Article-13.The personal law can no longer privilege over fundamental rights. Further SC directed  central govt to enact a law which make triple talaq an offence. Giving rights to women: The triple talaq bill passed by parliament, it will protect women who suffer from instant talaq. Talaq will not be unilaterally, the women can also put their ground. The judgment will be given in accordance with law and none of partner will suffer. The other laws for women are Anti dowry Act 1961 and The Domestic Violence Act 2005 Arguments against triple talaq It goes against the rights of equality and women’s empowerment. It propagates the dominance of men over women. According to a study, 92% of Muslim women in India wanted the triple talaq to be banned. It gave men the right to arbitrarily divorce their wives without any valid reason. New-age technology has given birth to new modes of triple talaq such as through skype, text messages and email. Many Islamic countries have outlawed this practice including Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia. There is no reason for a democratic and secular India to continue this lopsided practice. It goes against the constitutional principles of gender equality, secularism, right to life of dignity, etc. It goes against Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15(1) which states that there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the basis of gender, race, etc. and this kind of talaq is biased against the interests of women. The constitution of the country says that it shall strive to bring a uniform civil code for the entire country. Doing away with triple talaq will definitely be a step closer to the constitution-makers’ dream of having a uniform civil code for all citizens. However, the National Commission of Women says that this matter cannot be linked to uniform civil code. Nevertheless, it should be banned in order to protect the interests of Muslim women. The Supreme Court has also declared that this practice is unconstitutional and not protected by Article 25 which regards the freedom of religion. Also in December 2016, the Allahabad High Court had said that no personal law board was above the constitution. Experts also opine that only the essential or integral features and aspects of a religion are protected by the Constitution. Triple talaq was not an integral feature of Islam. Challenges in banning triple talaq: Religious groups infer the banning of a traditional practice sanctified by Sharia as interfering in the religious aspects of minorities. The courts should decide two things basically: Whether personal law can be subject to the constitution or not How to view the relationship between triple talaq and Muslim personal law The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019  This was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad on June 21, 2019. It replaces an Ordinance promulgated on February 21, 2019. The Bill makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal. Key Features The Bill makes declaration of talaq a cognizable offence, attracting up to three years’ imprisonment with a fine. (A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant.) The offence will be cognizable only if information relating to the offence is given by: the married woman (against whom talaq has been declared), or  any person related to her by blood or marriage. The Bill provides that the Magistrate may grant bail to the accused. The bail may be granted only after hearing the woman (against whom talaq has been pronounced), and if the Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail. The offence may be compounded by the Magistrate upon the request of the woman (against whom talaq has been declared). Compounding refers to the procedure where the two sides agree to stop legal proceedings, and settle the dispute. The terms and conditions of the compounding of the offence will be determined by the Magistrate. A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared is entitled to seek subsistence allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children. The amount of the allowance will be determined by the Magistrate. A Muslim woman against whom such talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek custody of her minor children. The manner of custody will be determined by the Magistrate. Conclusion Triple talaq has been one of the most debated issues in past couple of years in India as it is also connected with other issues such as secularism and uniform civil code etc. However it is important to keep in mind that what is at stake here is the dignity of women and their rights and any move to politicise the issue will undo the efforts and fight of Muslim women for equal rights. Connecting the dots: Women rights are increasingly creating space in male dominated society. Identify areas which speak of women’s fight for their rights and analyse it. Triple talaq verdict has been hailed as a progressive judgement. Analyse your opinion regarding the same WOMEN EMPOWERMENT TOPIC General studies 1: Role of women and women’s organization, women related issues, Social empowerment General studies 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections ODISHA MODEL OF EMPOWERING WOMEN Context Other States could take a cue from Odisha, which has empowered women politically and financially Concerns The number of women taking leadership roles in India is rather small compared to the global average. The representation of women MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha has seen an improvement from 11% in 2014 to 14% in 2019, but it is still lower than the world average of 24.3%.  In 2019, 715 women candidates contested the Lok Sabha election, while the number of men who contested stood at 7,334. Achievements of Odisha model by empowering women: Political: State government was among the first to reserve 50% of seats in Panchayati Raj institutions for women. Further, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik nominated women for one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha election.  Thus, seven candidates out of 21 fielded by the party for the 2019 election were women.  The success rate among the women candidates was higher than for men, as five out of seven won the elections. Economical  As of now, Odisha has six lakh self-help groups with seven million women under its flagship ‘Mission Shakti’ programme.  The programme aims at empowering women by helping them start income-generating activities.  The self-help groups are linked to the Odisha Livelihoods Mission and Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society. Members of the self-help groups are encouraged to sell products at fairs and exhibitions organised by the State round the year.  This gives them an opportunity to travel across different parts of the State and gain greater exposure. The State government had announced an interest-free loan of Rs. 3 lakh in January 2019 to each of the self-help groups.  This amount was increased to Rs. 5 lakh just before the general election.  The Women and Child Development Department has been rechristened as the Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Department. The state government has announced several sops like smartphones, award of work contracts, and higher entitlements in the State’s health insurance scheme, arguably superior to the national level scheme, Ayushman Bharat.  The State government has announced an accident insurance scheme for all members of self-help groups Conclusion: In the process of empowerment women should consider their strengths and weakness opportunities and threats and move forward  to unfold their own potential to achieve their goals through self-development . in our country empowering women through enterprise development has become an integral part of our development efforts due to three important advantage entrepreneurs , economic growth and social stability . Connecting the dots: SHGs in India are the living embodiment of a concept that has led to women empowerment. However, the success stories are few and far in between. Do you agree? Do you think the successful models of SHGs should be adopted on a much wider scale? What are the constraints? Real empowerment of women lies in ensuring their economic liberty. Do you agree? Substantiate. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Which of the following duties is NOT performed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. To Audit and report on all expenditure from the consolidated fund of India. To Audit and report on all expenditure from the contingency funds and Public Accounts. To Audit the report on All Trading manufacturing, profit and loss accounts. To control the receipt and issue of Public Money, and to ensure that the public revenue is lodged in the exchequer. Q.2) Consider the following statements. The CAG is an agent of the Parliament and conducts audit of expenditure on behalf of the Parliament. CAG submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of state to the Governor of that state. CAG holds office for a period of five years or upto the age of 65 years. Which of the above statements is / are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements GST Council headed by Prime Minister decided to cut the tax rates on e-vehicles from 12 % to 5% with effect from August 1, 2019 Department of Heavy Industry is implementing FAME-India Scheme Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements Hyperloop technology is system of magnetically levitating capsules (pods) that are sent at high speeds through low-pressure tubes  Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop project is being carried out by Ministry of Railway Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Padding up for the next UNSC innings The Hindu Focussing on the critical years of a child’s life The Hindu A leaf out of Yunnan’s book The Hindu The Odisha model The Hindu Government committee’s recommendation on cryptocurrencies is unrealistic Indian Express Cities At Crossroads: A better blueprint for the city Indian Express The government must address concerns over privacy and secrecy of data Indian Express Sugar bombs Indian Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 38

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 38 Archives Q.1) Highest tiger population is in which of the following states? Karnataka Maharashtra Uttarakhand Madhya Pradesh Q.2) India’s seed vault is located in Sahyadris Aravallis Himalayas Satpuras Q.3) ‘Malai Poondu Garlic’ is associated with Tamil Nadu Odisha Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Q.4) The terms, ‘Agent Smith’ and ‘Janus’ is associated with Cybercrime Climate Financing Green Bonds BEPS Project Q.5) ‘Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS)’ is associated with India and Russia United States of America France ASEAN To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Vector borne diseases: Awareness and Cure

Vector borne diseases: Awareness and Cure ARCHIVES Search 23rd July, 2019 Public Speak here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Public Health issues Science and technology: medical research In News: With the monsoon setting in after delay of a fortnight from the expected date, there has been a spurt in vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, which could be life-threatening in some cases and entails huge expenses for treatment. Vector borne diseases (VBDs) form a major part of the communicable diseases in India. Ignorance and impoverished conditions of people contribute in creating source and spread of vector borne diseases and hinder disease control strategy. Slums are more vulnerable to vector borne diseases because of poor environmental condition, standard of living, poverty and ignorance of the people. What are Vectors: Living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans (ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas, triatomine bugs and some freshwater aquatic snails) India is endemic for six major vector-borne diseases (VBD) namely malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and visceral leishmaniasis. India ranks very high in the list of countries with a serious malaria burden. In 2018, 3,99,134 cases of malaria and 85 deaths due to the disease were reported in the country, according to data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Six states — Odisha (40%), Chhattisgarh (20%), Jharkhand (20%), Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram (5-7%) — bear the brunt of malaria in India. These states, along with the tribal areas of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, account for 90% of India’s malaria burden. Methods for controlling mosquito breeding Release of larvivorous fish — such as gambusia fish which feed on larvae — into water bodies Indoor residual spraying (IRS) Use of insecticide treated bed nets Ensuring that water does not stagnate anywhere Disease management Detecting the diseases in early stages and providing treatment Strengthening referral services Preparedness for the epidemic Case Study: Odisha From 4,36,850 malaria cases reported in 2015, Odisha had 66,301 cases reported in 2018, an 85-per cent reduction, giving the eastern coastal state the honour of reporting the highest reduction in malaria cases across the country, according to data from the Health Ministry’s National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Surveying the period between March 2015 and March 2019, this year’s Economic Survey also stated that “malaria cases improved significantly…after implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)” – Odisha brought about the highest reduction in malaria cases among children below five years but also notes that “major focus of SBM has been on making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF)”. How it was achieved The state government relies on a three-step project to keep malaria in check, executed by 47,147 ASHAs trained in diagnosing and monitoring malaria treatment. In the Early Detection and Complete Treatment (EDCT), an ASHA tests any fever case for malaria — so that treatment begins early and the parasite is killed before mosquitoes spread it. Odisha also runs a programme called DAMAN — Duragama Anchala Re Malaria Nirakaran (or controlling malaria in remote locations) — as part of which mass screenings are organised twice a year at ‘malaria camps’ in these areas: in April-June, and September-October. Under DAMAN, the entire population of these areas undergoes a malaria test, irrespective of whether one has fever or malaria symptoms. Indoor residual spray method is used, in which a residual insecticide is applied to inner walls and ceilings of houses so that malaria vectors come in contact with the insecticide. Third, the state government has distributed nearly 1.1 crore long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) to combat malaria exposure during sleep. ASHA workers go door-to-door to explain nuances of the net’s use. Flip side of success: While successful test helps an ASHA get Rs 75, just testing, and achieving a negative result, fetches her only Rs 15 per case. As negative cases rise, malaria supervisors in Odisha worry whether the lower pay will demotivate ASHAs to work with equal fervour — or, worse, whether false cases will be reported to game the payment structure. Nine ASHAs in different low-endemic districts admitted that as negative tests keep increasing, the associated lower payment is a disincentive for them to continue testing each case of fever for potential malaria. The new malaria vaccine The vaccine (in Malawi) has taken three decades to come to fruition, and is the first one ever against a disease that kills 4,35,000 people a year, most of them children. India ranks high in the list of countries worst affected by the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine has been developed by GSK — the company is donating about 10 million doses of the product for the pilot. It was created in 1987 by GSK, and was subsequently developed with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2014, the vaccine cleared phase III clinical trials which certified that it was both effective and safe for use in humans. According to a description from PATH’s Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), “RTS,S aims to trigger the immune system to defend against the first stages of malaria when the Plasmodium falciparum parasite enters the human host’s bloodstream through a mosquito bite and infects liver cells. The vaccine is designed to prevent the parasite from infecting the liver, where it can mature, multiply, re-enter the bloodstream, and infect red blood cells, which can lead to disease symptoms”. PATH is an international nonprofit team of innovators which advises and partners with public institutions, businesses, grassroots groups, and investors to tackle the world’s toughest global health problems, including malaria. MVI works with various stakeholders towards the development of a malaria vaccine. In Phase 3 trials conducted in Africa between 2009 and 2014, children received four doses of RTS,S. The vaccine prevented four in 10 cases of clinical malaria; three in 10 cases of severe malaria; and six in 10 cases of severe malaria anaemia, the most common reason children die from malaria. There were reductions in overall hospital admissions and the need for blood transfusions. The Way Forward Synergy: In high-burden regions, there is a need for Government’s ASHA or community health workers, who are equipped with rapid diagnostic kits, to quickly test and facilitate treatment.  Negating drug resistance: The above is important to ensure that medicines are given only to those who need it. Resistance to a drug develops when people are treated randomly or when those taking the drug do not complete its full course. Tackling under-reporting: data about people being treated in private hospitals may not be getting captured. If the Government mandated that the private sector report its malaria cases to them (as is with TB), that would be “powerful”. Proactive surveillance system: There is a need to keep looking as to where the first cases emerge from and report them immediately. All clinics and hospitals, both government and private, should be able to inform the authorities immediately, when there are suspected cases of dengue or chikungunya. Rapid response emergency vector control: With a focus on eradicating breeding places, prompt action should be taken to spray and fog suspected breeding grounds. An awareness campaign to ensure that patients seek early hospitalization during an epidemic: When dengue and chikungunya cases start appearing, people need to be aware of what they should do at the first signs, such as seeking treatment from proper hospitals with facilities for blood tests. Health personnel training: Health personnel should be given continuous training in the management and monitoring of dengue patients. There is a greater need to tailoring strategies not just State by State but in some cases district by district to end the disease. It is also high time that a collective demand for timely provision of amenities is made at the community level and a sense of shared responsibility by the citizenry to ensure that the gains from government’s efforts to reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases bear fruit. Note: Why is malaria such a major global public health challenge? Malaria is a potentially life-threatening parasitic disease caused by the parasites Plasmodium viviax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P.malariae), and Plasmodium ovale (P.ovale), transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria, according to the WHO, remains one of the world’s leading killers, claiming the life of one child every two minutes. Most of these deaths are in Africa, where more than 2,50,000 children die from the disease every year. Children under the age of 5 are at greatest risk from its life-threatening complications. Rift Valley fever: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, fever-causing viral disease most commonly observed in domesticated animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels), with the ability to infect and cause illness in humans. ‘MERA India’ to eliminate malaria by 2030: By The Indian Council of Medical Research – – a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control – in order to prioritise, plan and scale up research to eliminate the disease from India by 2030. It aims to harness and reinforce research in coordinated and combinatorial ways in order to achieve a tangible impact on malaria elimination. The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) of India has developed a comprehensive framework to achieve the overarching vision of “Malaria free India by 2030”. New paper-based test kit for Malaria Detection: A group of researchers from IIT Guwahati has developed a simple detection method that uses an instrument when in the lab or a piece of chromatographic paper when in the field. Paper Test Kit for Malaria The kit can be used to detect Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria and also specifically detect Plasmodium falciparum, a notorious species. Using an ordinary syringe fitted with a small magnet, magnetic beads and few chemicals inside, the researchers were able to specifically capture the antigen released by the parasites in the blood of malaria patients. As the blood has many interfering agents, the kit used magnetic bead–tethered aptamers (two small DNA molecules), which capture only the specific antigens and separate these from the blood serum to perform the reaction. This kit also has high stability in hot and humid conditions. Working mechanism When the captured antigens interact with specific substrates inside the syringe, the blue dye turns pink. The dye is then adsorbed over a modified chromatographic paper. The formation of pink colour on the paper is a direct indication of the presence of parasites in the blood serum. The intensity of the colour increases when the concentration of antigen is high. The intensity of the colour change is measured using a spectrophotometer. This gives a quantitative measurement and can detect very low level of the antigen in blood. Connecting the Dots: Diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya claim many lives every year. The panic generated and the scale of response thereon give these diseases the essential characteristics of a disaster. Discuss. Also examine the areas that require immediate attention to address such medical disasters. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an umbrella programme for prevention and control of vector borne diseases. Vector borne diseases that are being targeted are: Malaria Dengue Lymphatic Filariasis Kala-azar Which of the above options is/are correct? 1, 2 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only All the above Figure out:  Is scrub typhus a vector borne disease? Is it possible for a patient to have Dengue and Chikungunya together? How does a patient suffer when he has Dengue? Why do our bodies require platelets and blood plasma? List of herbal remedies/plants useful to cure dengue? What’s the %ge of GDP kept for funding on health initiatives? Solution of qn 2: d. All of the above

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Geographical-Indication Tag (GI Tag) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS- III - Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources. In News After West Bengal(2017), Odisha gets GI tag for its version of Rasgulla The GI tag for the same product to both the neighbouring states recognizes the two distinct varieties of Rasgullas in taste and texture Do you know? A GI is a distinctive sign used to differentiate goods on the basis of its unique characteristics A GI tag helps in the branding and marketing of a local product It attracts penalties if copied by anybody outside that geographical region.GI enjoys legal protection under GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 While Bengalis claim the sweet was invented by Nobin Chandra Das (Birth: 1845) at his residence in Kolkata, Odias cite the tradition dating back to 12th century of rasgulla being offered at the Puri Jagannath Temple Tiger census Part of: Mains GS III- Conservation of Environment In News Tiger count rises by 33% in India with 2,967 tigers in the wild (2014 census-2226) However, the rise is uneven across states. MP had the highest rise of 218 tigers, reaching an estimated 526, while Chhattisgarh saw drastic fall in its count from 46 to 19 No tigers were found in Buxa (West Bengal), Dampa (Mizoram) and Palamau (Jharkhand), reserves that had very low numbers in earlier assessments Poaching(accounting for 24% of Tiger mortality), lack of protection and management measures, pressure on forests for expansion of human settlements are some of the hurdles in Tiger conservation Do You know? Tiger Census of India is considered to be the world’s largest wildlife survey, covering 381,000 sq. km India along with 12 other tiger range countries had committed to doubling the population of tigers in their respective countries by 2022, as part of the WWF programme Tx2 India completed its Tx2 target 4 years earlier India with 50 tiger reserves in 18 states has over 80% of the global tiger population which stands at 3,159 International Tiger Day is celebrated on 29 July annually to raise awareness about Tiger conservation National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Part of: Mains GS II- Mechanism for protection of vulnerable sections of society In News NCM has refused to entertain a plea to declare Hindus a “minority community” in those States where they do not form a majority of the population. NCM has no power/jurisdiction to declare new minority communities, such powers lie with the Central government. NCM instead works to ensure the progress and development of minorities and protect their religious, cultural and educational rights. Supreme Court in its judgement in the Bal Patil Vs Union of India case of 1999 had said that NCM’s role was to maintain the unity and integrity of India by eliminating the need for identifying communities as majority and minority Do you know? According to 2011 Census, Hindus are in monitory in eight states — Lakshadweep (2.5%), Mizoram (2.75%), Nagaland (8.75%), Meghalaya (11.53%), J&K (28.44%), Arunachal Pradesh (29%), Manipur (31.39%), and Punjab (38.40%). Constitution of India doesn't define the word 'Minority' but has used the word minorities considering two attributes religion or language of a person The Union Government set up NCM under the NCM Act, 1992 (Statutory body) Six religious communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains(6) have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities all over India Economic Census Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources In News The government started off the 7th Economic Census (EC) from Tripura. It will be launched in other states and UT in August and September EC is the complete count of all establishments/units located within the geographical boundaries of India Agriculture is not covered in Economic Census It is being conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Program implementation (MoSPI) MoSPI has partnered with Common Service Centres, CSC e-Governance Service India Ltd(SPV of Ministry of Electronics & IT) as the implementing agency for EC The data will be collected through door to door survey of each household and commercial establishment under the provisions of Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Do You know? Six Economic Censuses have been conducted till date: 1977,1980,1990,1998,2005 and 2013 The EC is the only source of information on the significantly large unorganized sector in the economy As per the last EC conducted in 2013, there were 58.5 million establishments employing around 131 million workers (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Tiger census Context The four-year tiger census report, Status of Tigers in India, 2018, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, shows numbers of the big cat have increased across all landscapes. The total count has risen to 2,967 from 2,226 in 2014 — an increase of 741 individuals (aged more than one year), or 33%, in four years. Concerns: More than 80% of the world’s wild tigers are in India, and it’s crucial to keep track of their numbers More about tiger conservation: Why is a tiger census needed? The tiger sits at the peak of the food chain, and its conservation is important to ensure the well-being of the forest ecosystem. The tiger estimation exercise includes habitat assessment and prey estimation. The numbers reflect the success or failure of conservation efforts. This is an especially important indicator in a fast-growing economy like India where the pressures of development often run counter to the demands of conservation. How the tiger census was carried out? The census was carried out in four phases. Phases 1 and 2 It covered forest beats, generally spread over 15 sq km each, by Forest Departments, to collect signs of tiger presence like scat and pugmarks. Enumerators walked paths called line transects to estimate the abundance of prey. This was followed by sampling of plots along the transects to assess habitat characteristics, human impact, and prey dung density. Phase 3 The information was plotted on the forest map prepared with remote-sensing and GIS application. Sample areas were divided in 2-sq-km parcels, and trap cameras were laid in these grids. Phase 4 Data were extrapolated to areas where cameras could not be deployed. Which states/regions have done bad? Only one of the 20 tiger-bearing states has seen a fall in numbers — Chhattisgarh, where the census counted 19 tigers, significantly fewer than the 46 of 2014. The report has cited law and order as the reason — large parts of the state are hit by the Maoist insurgency. Greater conservation efforts are needed in the “critically vulnerable” Northeast hills and Odisha. No tiger has been found in the Buxa, Palamau and Dampa reserves. Which states have done good? The biggest increase has been in Madhya Pradesh — a massive 218 individuals (71%) from 308 in 2014 to 526. In Maharashtra, the number has gone up from 190 to 312 (64%), and In Karnataka, from 406 to 524 (118, or 29%). Uttarakhand has gained over 100 tigers (340 to 442; 30%) Madhya Pradesh's Pench sanctuary and Kerala’s Periyar sanctuary emerged as the best managed tiger reserves in the country. Why Pench sanctuary was considered best for tiger reserves? Pench was a well-managed reserve because it had a season-wise biodiversity plan as well as flying squads and tactical patrolling for managing security. There were regular meetings with local communities and funds collected from tourism were largely making it to the authorities for conservation purposes. India’s five tiger landscapes : Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, North-East Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, The Sundarbans. Why the tiger population has been increased? Due to increased vigilance and conservation efforts by the Forest Department. The rehabilitation of villages outside core areas in many parts of the country has led to the availability of more inviolate space for tigers. organised poaching rackets have been all but crushed According to Nitin Desai of Wildlife Protection Society of India, there has been no organised poaching by traditional gangs in Central Indian landscapes since 2013. The increased protection has encouraged the tiger to breed. Also, because estimation exercises have become increasingly more accurate over the years App developed to estimate tiger population: Wildlife officials used mobile application M-STrIPES (Monitoring System For Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) to estimate the big cat population The M-STrIPES, the application used by forest guards, is GPS-enabled and helps to capture data relating to tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crime and ecological observations while patrolling. This mobile app records the track a forest official walks and geotags the sightings of tigers and even other animals or signs which helps in the estimation The other software used for tiger estimation was Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture (SECR) and Extract Compare, which helps differentiate between the stripes of tigers as each has a different pattern. Key notes: Project Tiger Aims at conserving India’s national animal i.e. Tiger. Launched in 1973 The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use area. The Project Tiger aims to foster an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger reserves, with an inclusive people oriented agenda in the buffer. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The All India tiger estimation is carried out once in every four years. Action and initiatives were taken by the government for Tiger conservation The government of India has taken several steps which includes legal steps, administrative steps and financial steps to ensure and promote Tiger conservation in India. 1. Legal initiatives The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was amended in 2006 to provide enabling provisions and constituting National Tiger conservation authority. Also, tiger and other endangered species crime control bureau were created through this amendment. The punishments for cases of offences related to the Tiger Reserves and its core area was increased. 2. Administrative Actions The government has taken steps for preventing poaching activities which includes a special strategy for monsoon patrolling etc. Under the chairmanship of respective Chief Ministers, state-level steering committees have been established along with the establishment of the Tiger Conservation Foundation. A special Tiger Protection Force was created by the Union budget 2008. 3. Financial initiatives The Government of India is providing financial and technical Support to the state Governments under the centrally sponsored schemes such as Project Tiger, and integrated development of wildlife habitats etc. Conclusion: Tigers are terminal consumers in the ecological food pyramid, and their conservation results in the conservation of all trophic levels in an ecosystem We have to create a healthy balance between sustainability and development. Connecting the dots: Discuss the challenges for the conservation of Tiger and suggest the measures to conserve the tigers? INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 International Relations Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership (RCEP) and India Context Australia is leading diplomats from various countries involved in the negotiations for the 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement to convince India to commit to the deal by the end of the year. Concerns: Serious concerns, including worries over the flooding of the market with Chinese goods The lack of access for Indian services in the RCEP countries What is RCEP? The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed mega-regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 16 Asia-Pacific countries. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was established in order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties’ participation in economic development of the region. It was established by the leaders of 16 participating countries on November 12, 2012 at Phnom Penh summit. The RCEP will include all the nations with which the ASEAN has trade deals — New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely People’s Republic of China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). The Partnership will account for nearly 45 % of the global population with a combined gross domestic product of $21.3 trillion How RCEP benefits India? It is expected to provide market access for India’s goods and services exports and encourage greater investments and technology into India. It would also facilitate India’s MSMEs to effectively integrate into the regional value and supply chains. On the other hand, India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) which is a grouping of twenty-one countries in the Asia Pacific region with an aim to deepen and strengthen economic and technological cooperation amongst APEC member countries. The RCEP negotiation includes: trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e-commerce, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other issues. India has consistently focused on services trade norms, such as those allowing the free movement of trained professionals across national boundaries. This would effectively allow Indian professionals — such as chartered accountants, teachers and nurses — to practice in other RCEP nations without the need for bilateral mutual recognition agreements. Since India has an abundance of trained labor that is interested in migrating while sending remittances back home, this is a prime focus area for the country. What are the hurdles where the India got stuck? The talks have seen little movement since partner nations have been unwilling to concede on crucial issues under planning since 2012. The crucial issues of goods, services including easier movement of professionals and, investment are also the areas of negotiation. The main bone of contention is market access for foreign goods and reduction of import duties on them. This is the discussion area where India is gravely cautious since manufacturing powerhouse China is part of the arrangement. India fears the RCEP pact will allow China to push its products at lower prices and finally capture the market. At present, India’s import barriers remain high to Chinese products. The $63 billion trade deficit with China remains a burning political issue for the government and security concerns have also arisen over Chinese conglomerates dictating market trends in sectors such as telecommunication. On the other hand, richer nations like Australia and New Zealand have remained adamant on issues such as seeking more leeway in selling specific products such as dairy and fruits in India. India has also moved slowly on investment norms, especially dispute settlement guidelines. The Australian High Commissioner to India : It was the industry’s responsibility to use the FTAs well. Australia is leading diplomats from various countries to convince India to commit to the deal by the end of the year. Indian negotiators like any good negotiators can get the best deal in their own country’s interests. But the second part is that industry has to use the access that they gain from the agreement to extend their reach Conclusion: Despite the challenges to be faced by industry, the government is keen to be part of the pact as once implemented the RCEP could be the largest free trade zone in the world as member countries account for 25 per cent of global GDP, 30 per cent of global trade, 26 per cent of global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and 45 per cent of the total population. Connecting the dots: Discuss the gains of India from joining RCEP negotiation table and what are the challenges to India? How RCEP is important for India? Discuss. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements National Commission of Minorities is a Constitutional Body National Commission of Minorities declares whether a Community is minority or not Article-29 and 30 in Constitution has defined the meaning of Minority Which of the above statements are incorrect? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Economic Census It is being conducted for first time in country to ascertain the size of informal sector Ministry of Statistics & Program implementation is conducting this Census All Farm and non-farm activities are considered in this census Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements National Tiger Conservation authority is a statutory body headed by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dampa Tiger reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ  A straightforward lesson on resolution The Hindu Raja Mandala: Great game in Africa Indian Express Change without reform Indian Express Understanding Articles 370, 35A Indian Express Access Denied Indian Express International Seabed Authority must strike a balance between technology, conservation Financial Express

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UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 37

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 37 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Red Mud’ It is a waste product of refining bauxite en route to alumina. It is highly acidic in nature causing environmental hazards. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) ‘Shahab-3’, is a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile by Iran North Korea Syria Afghanistan Q.3) ‘Dracaena cambodiana’, a plant which yields a bright red resin was discovered in  Assam Andaman and Nicobar Islands Kerala Himachal Pradesh Q.4) ‘Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary’, is located in Tamil Nadu Kerala Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh Q.5) ________________ is the first species to be officially declared threatened due to deep-sea mining. Sea Pangolin Vaquita Humpback Whale Narwhal To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

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