IAS UPSC YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine ‘JUNE’ 2019
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All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Infrastructure Sector – Budget 2019
Infrastructure Sector – Budget 2019 ARCHIVES Search 28th June, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_... 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 Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development. In 2018, India ranked 44th out of 167 countries in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2018. Budget 2019 Two king-sized numbers stand out in Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget: Rs 100 lakh crore and Rs 50 lakh crore. The numbers — estimates of investments required for infrastructure development across the country and the railways, respectively — suggest the government is now willing to make enough space for private players who can bring in the money. Overview Rs 100 lakh crore (roughly $1.45 trillion) is needed for infrastructure development across the country in the next five years. The government would have to bring in Rs 20 lakh crore a year to meet this target. The Economic Survey, presented a day before the budget, had said the country has been able to put in only $100-110 billion (Rs 6.8-7.5 lakh crore) annually into infrastructure when it needs to pump in $200 billion (Rs 13.6 lakh crore). Transportation infrastructure and allied services are critical growth engines for propelling India's rise as an economic superpower. While the public sector has played a dominant role in investing in infrastructure creation, the government will need increased private sector participation to supplement the rapidly growing industrial demand for a modern and robust transportation and logistics network at par with developed countries. Projects such as industrial corridors, DFC, Bharatmala, Sagarmala and UDAN schemes will continue to improve connectivity and increase competitiveness. Road corridor project Bharatmala, port-linked industrialization plan Sagarmala and UDAN will help in bridging the rural-urban divide and improve transport infrastructure. Setting up of a panel The private sector, which contributes one-third of the investment into the core sector in India, needs to be cajoled a lot to ensure a flood of money comes in. The FM has proposed to set up a panel to do the job. Roads: The government plans to restructure the national highways programme to create network of highways grid of a desirable capacity for better connectivity. The government has set an investment target of ₹80,250 crore for phase three of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, under which the government wants to build 1,25,000 km of village roads. The earlier phases of this scheme led to the construction of 30,000 km of village roads with green technology. Budget 2019 saw for the first time, government’s intent to have electric mobility by 2030. New India will drive on Electric Vehicles with renewables becoming a major source of energy supply, Waterways: The government envisions using rivers for cargo transportation, a move that will decongest roads and railways. Cargo movement in Ganga will increase four times in four years with the creation of transit hubs at Varanasi, Sahigbanj and Haldia. Railways Railways will be encouraged to make investments and expand network in suburban areas. Railway infrastructure will need investment of ₹50 lakh crore between 2018 and 2030 –Public Private Partnerships (PPP) will be used to unleash faster development and delivery of passenger freight services. Launch of station modernization programme Replacing walking inspection with automated inspections, upgradation of track management system into a dynamic asset maintenance and management system, improved mechanisation of track maintenance organisation across zones and greater use of RCM/CBM and IoT for real time monitoring and predictive maintenance of assets are a few steps,which would go a long way in ensuring safety. Introduction of semi high speed trains (such as Train 18 and Talgo) on moreroutes as well as fast tracking station redevelopment programme for key metro cities would go a long way in meeting passengers' needs as well as aspirations. Indian Railways should judiciously invest in track creation to strengthen stressed routes and also open up intrinsically remunerative routes. The government should attract private sector investment in various areas such as station development for effective passenger management and unlocking non-fare revenue, freight terminals for common use mainly through redevelopment of strategic goods sheds, construction of PFT terminals, and owning and maintenance of rolling stock. There has been heightened focus on increasing the modal share of railways for the movement of inland freight. Improving network capacity through signalling projects, upgrading loop line infrastructure to enable running of longer trains (2x-4x of current size) and completing ongoing line expansion projects on time would go a long way in improving average speed of freight trains. The government should create an effective ecosystem for the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to become game changers in freight logistics. Apart from speedy completion of the eastern and western DFCs as well as sanctioning additional 4 DFCs already planned, there is a pressing need to focus on developing enabling ecosystem such as marketing, commercials and operational strategies to optimize utilization of all this new infrastructure. Aviation To bring down the high taxation on aviation fuel - among the highest in the world, the Government could consider bringing aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and other related fuels (used for commercial scheduled/non-scheduled operations and training purposes) under GST. To provide a fillip to its marquee Regional Connectivity Scheme to improve air connectivity to remote areas, the Government should provide incentives/budgetary support in terms of promoting use of smaller aircrafts under the scheme, providing additional funds for VGF support under the scheme, and developing airport and seaport infrastructure in Tier-II and Tier-III cities of the country. High taxes have led airlines to outsource 80-85% of the country's $1.4 billion MRO business to international providers. The government must focus on reducing the tax burden impacting the growth of MRO industry by reducing GST rates, and removing instances of tax on certainitems which attract an import duty as well as a GST over and above that. Logistics: There has been a thrust on development of multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) in the past few years to boost multimodality and integration of logistics services in the country. In addition to the proposal for developing 35 MMLPs across the country, the government has also drafted an MMLP Policy to serve as the guiding document for the development of MMLPs in the country. Issues such as regulatory overlap between multiple agencies for MMLP development, acquisition of land for the construction of the infrastructure among others have been impediments to the development process. Some measures that may be undertaken by the government to foster logistics infrastructure development include: Setting up and empowering an independent department for Logistics and Trade/ Freight Facilitation. Instead of the present context wheremultiple agencies undertakedevelopment of MMLPs - leading to inefficiency in infrastructure planning and regulatory delays in approvals, this department should act as the nodal agency for providing approvals for all kind of terminal infrastructure, including MMLPs, ICDs, CFSs, PFTs,and logistics parks. Delineation of a dedicated land bank for logistics facilities could be considered across all states to streamline and speed up the land acquisition process. There is a need to boost private sector participation in logistics infrastructure creation. The focus should also be on developing and operating common user terminals with the government playing a facilitative role for easy access to land, providing road/rail connectivity to the facility, and supporting infrastructure in terms of water, electricity and fuel. The availability and adequacy of storage infrastructure across different commodity groups, especially for industrial goods, is a constraint in the country. Also, the lack of minimum quality standards prescribed by a government agency has led to mushrooming of facilities across the country with sub-optimal utilisation. There is scope for prescribing minimum standards/ norms for establishment of quality facilities, ensuring ease of seeking approvals through a single window mechanism, etc. Focus on “one nation, one grid" The government will introduce policy interventions to revive nearly 24GW of natural gas-powered power plants, currently stranded for the lack of natural gas supply. The government will also “examine the performance so far of the Ujwal Discome Assurance Yojana (UDAY), which had been introduced to stabilize the financial bearings of state power distribution companies. The Centre will also look into the electricity tariff policy and tweak it to benefit the sector struggling to sign long-term power purchase agreements with states. The country has raised ₹24,000 crore by monetizing public infrastructure, through infrastructure investment trusts, real estate investment trusts and the toll-operate-transfer scheme of the National Highways Authority of India. To boost investment, the government will encourage foreign portfolio investors to invest in infrastructure debt funds, introduce credit default swaps for the infrastructure sector, deepen the corporate bond market, and encourage equity investment by non-residential Indians. Liquidity is key Emphasis on creating liquidity and capital raising is welcome. Given the global headwinds that India faces due to trade wars and the like, and the slowing domestic economy, liquidity is key to pump-priming the economy. Bank capitalisation of ₹70,000 crore is timely and much-needed, given that the investment cycle is showing green shoots as per the Economic Survey. NBFCs that play such an important role in the unbanked sector clearly need liquidity solutions. The initiative to provide 10% first-loss guarantee to banks for six months against portfolio purchases from NBFCs is a positive initiative. Given that the loan maturity for NBFC is over two years, the guarantee period should cover the loan tenure rather than just six months. Deepening the bond market is a step in the right direction. This reduces corporate’s dependence on banks for the corporate sector. Opening up the economy to global funds in pension, sovereign wealth and venture capital will help broaden the investor basket. Quality of life for all is another positive in the Budget. The target of two crore affordable houses by 2022, along with drinking water, electricity and gas for all is a much-needed infrastructure that has multiple benefits. Conclusion The budget’s focus on comprehensive plans and blue prints for various infrastructure plans/ grids is a welcome one – especially in the context of: considering systemic trade-offs and development of economic and efficient infrastructure, and involving private sector in this area in a bigger way on a long-term basis Fresh PSU bank recapitalisation of Rs 70,000 crore will be a big positive for the banking ecosystem and it came as more than a pleasant surprise. This will go a long way in terms of getting lending back on track to stimulate growth in core sectors like Infrastructure. For the government, the big challenge would be to walk the talk and recreate a PPP environment that encourages the private sector. This would probably be the only route for Modi government 2.0 to come closer to achieving the two big budget numbers. Note: India and Japan have joined hands for infrastructure development in India's north-eastern states and are also setting up an India-Japan Coordination Forum for Development of North East to undertake strategic infrastructure projects in the northeast. The vote-on-account is an approval, which the government seeks from the parliament for essential spending for a limited period. Must Read: Infrastructure and North-East Connecting the Dots: How do infrastructure projects strengthen a nation’s geostrategic standing? Examine in the light of strategy adopted by China and India’s response to it.
RSTV IAS UPSC – DNA Technology Bill
DNA Technology Bill Archives TOPIC: General studies 2 Important aspects of governance, social justice Justice System General studies 3 Technology Security issues, Disaster Management In News: The DNA Technology Regulation Bill, which seeks to control the use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of a person, was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid questions being raised by opposition parties on its provisions. A similar bill was passed in Lok Sabha in January but it could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha. The bill had then lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha. The proposed law, which has been in the making since at least 2003, is the third attempt by the government to enact a law to regulate the use of DNA technology in the country after an earlier version of the Bill had been finalised in 2015 but could not be introduced in parliament. The congress was against the introduction of the bill, raising privacy and other concerns. Opposing the introduction of the bill, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, the bill violates fundamental rights as DNA of undertrials can be collected without court orders. Describing the draft law as "flawed", he said there is no provision of consent on the storage of DNA data. Shashi Tharoor (Cong) alleged that the bill will institutionalise a "surveillance state" and suggested that first a data protection law should be put in place. "You cannot put the cart before the horse," he said. The Minister for science and technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who introduced the Bill however rejected the concerns raised by the opposition saying there is “no serious substance”. Ministry: Science and Technology and Earth Sciences DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 The primary intended purpose of “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019” is for expanding the application of DNA-based forensic technologies to support and strengthen the justice delivery system of the country. The Bill seeks to create a regulatory framework for obtaining, storing and testing of DNA samples of human beings, mainly for the purposes of criminal investigations, and with the objective of establishing the identity of a person. DNA testing is already being used for a variety of purposes, such as criminal investigations, establishment of parentage, and search for missing people. The proposed law seeks to bring in a supervisory structure to oversee these practices, and frame guidelines and rules so that the DNA technology is not misused. To achieve these objectives, the bill proposes to set up two institutional structures — a DNA regulatory board, and a DNA data bank — at the national level. Regional centres of the board as well as the data bank can be set up at the state level as well. DNA Data Bank: The bill envisages that every data bank will maintain indices like the crime scene index, suspects' or undertrials' index, offenders' index, missing persons' index and unknown deceased persons' index. DNA Regulatory Board: Every laboratory that analyses DNA samples to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the board. By providing for the mandatory accreditation and regulation of DNA laboratories, the Bill seeks to ensure that with the proposed expanded use of this technology in this country, there is also the assurance that the DNA test results are reliable, and furthermore that the data remain protected from misuse or abuse in terms of the privacy rights of our citizens. Under the bill – A written consent by individuals is required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not required for offences with punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death. DNA samples can be collected from the objects found at the crime scene, or from the body of the accused or volunteer. The samples, collected by an authorised technician or medical practitioner, would have to be sent to an accredited laboratory for tests and analysis. The information generated from these tests would have to be mandatorily shared with the nearest DNA data bank, which in turn, would be required to share it with the national data bank. It also provides for removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a court order. Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons' index will be removed on a written request. Under the provisions, the data banks are required to store the information under one of the five indices — a crime scene index, a suspect or undertrial index, an offenders’ index, a missing persons’ index, and an unknown deceased persons’ index. Although information from DNA can yield a lot of information about the person, the data banks are supposed to store only that information that is necessary to establish the identity of the person. While the information in the crime scene index can be stored permanently, entries in other indices can be removed through processes prescribed. People whose DNA samples have been collected, either from the crime scene, or through voluntary written consent, can also request the removal of their information from the index. DNA samples of people who are not suspects or undertrials cannot be matched with already stored information in the suspects/undertrial index or the offenders’ index. The proposed legislation will empower the criminal justice delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold standard in crime investigations. Establishment of the National and Regional DNA Data Banks, as envisaged in the Bill, will assist in forensic investigations. The debate The main debate over the proposed law has been around three issues — Whether the DNA technology is fool-proof Whether the provisions adequately address the possibility of abuse of DNA information Whether the privacy of the individual is protected DNA information can be extremely revelatory. It can not only establish a person’s identity but also reveal a lot about physical and biological attributes of the person like eye, hair or skin colour, susceptibility to diseases, possible medical history, and possible clues to biological relatives. For years, critics of the Bill have been claiming that collecting and storing such intrusive information could lead to abuse, besides being violative of a person’s privacy. The government, on the other hand, has been arguing that since DNA tests are already happening, and frequently used as the most reliable tool to establish identity, it would be better to have regulatory safeguards so that it is carried out only in prescribed manner and by authorised personnel and institutions. The text of the Bill has undergone several changes over the years to address some of the concerns on privacy and the possibility of abuse. Conclusion: The proposed Bill will give a fillip to the development of uniform code of practices in all laboratories involved in DNA testing throughout the country .This will aid in scientific up gradation and streamlining of the DNA testing activities in the country with appropriate inputs from the DNA Regulatory Board which would be set up for the purpose. It is expected that the expanded use of this scientifically driven technology would empower the existing justice delivery system. Do you know? The genes encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which can be collected from blood, hair, skin cells and other such bodily substances, have undoubtedly proven to be an important tool in forensic science. Much like fingerprints, a person’s DNA profile is unique (except in the case of identical twins) and can, therefore, help in establishing the identity of, say, a suspect. Code of Criminal Procedure in 2005 authorises investigating officers of a crime to collect a DNA sample from an accused with the help of a medical practitioner. Connecting the dots: The DNA technology (use and application) Bill, 2018 can establish a balance between right to privacy and right to justice. Evaluate with suggestions.
Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th July 2019
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Centre had announced hike in surcharges paid by high net worth individuals Part of: GS Mains Paper III – Government Budgeting In News Centre had announced hike in surcharges paid by high net worth individuals. The increase in surcharges effectively increases the combined tax rate by 2% for those earning between Rs.2 crore and 5 crore and by 7% for those earning more than Rs 5 crore annually. The higher tax will only apply to individuals and FPIs registered as trusts, which are also treated as individuals. However, the FPIs that are registered as companies will not be affected. The decision to increase rates drew criticism that it would lead to outflow of foreign funds from India because there would be decreased income as they have to pay more taxes now. Do you know? Surcharge is an additional charge or tax levied on an existing tax. For Example: A surcharge of 10% on a tax rate of 30% effectively raises the combined tax burden to 33% Cess is also tax on tax. However, the difference is that Cess is levied temporarily for a specific purpose. Once the purpose has been fulfilled, cess is no longer levied. However, surcharges are general and permanent in nature. The revenue earned via surcharge is solely retained by the Centre and, unlike other tax revenues, is not shared with States. The proceeds of surcharges flow into Consolidated Fund of India. Surcharges, in India, are used to make the taxation system more ‘progressive’ (average tax rate increases as the income increases) as they are generally levied on wealthy individuals and companies. Foreign Portfolio Investments are those investments which hold less than 10% in a company, beyond which it is regarded as FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). FPI hold a short term view on the company and generally participate through the stock markets and gets in and out of a particular stock at much faster frequencies. They are volatile in nature. The authority monitoring the guidelines for FPI regulation is the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Misuse of Money Bills Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and issues arising out of these. In News: The opposition has charged that the 2019 finance bill had provisions to amend a number of laws including the Benami, SEBI and PMLA Acts and that these amendments to laws were not related to finance but brought as part of financial bill to avoid proper scrutiny. Types of Bills Constitution Amendment Bills: These are Bills which seek to amend the Constitution. Money Bills: A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government, expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 110 deals with Money bills. Do you know? Money bill can only be introduced only in Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President and must be passed by simple majority. Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes to the bill, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to. If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will have deemed to be passed by Parliament Who decides if a Bill is a Money Bill? The Speaker certifies a Bill as a Money Bill, and the Speaker’s decision is final. Financial Bills: A Bill that contains some provisions related to taxation and expenditure, and additionally contains provisions related to any other matter is called a Financial Bill. Article 117 deals with Financial bills. There are two categories of Financial bills under Article 117 Article 117(i) – Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of President. Rajya Sabha can reject or modify it Article 117(iii) – Can be introduced both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with prior recommendation of the President. Rajya Sabha can reject or modify it. Ordinary Bills: All other Bills are called ordinary bills. This can be introduced in either of the Houses of Parliament. No prior recommendation of President is required and requires simple majority to pass the bill Man-made highlands come to rescue of animals during floods Part of: Main GS Paper III - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster management In News: During monsoon season, Brahmaputra rivers overflows and floods the adjacent regions including the Kaziranga National Park. As a result, most of the animals seek safe places during these floods. In order to keep animals above the water level, forest department has constructed highlands which were designed scientifically with provision of adequate grass and plants yielding fruits. These islands have turned into islands of relative safety whereby animals move to such highlands during floods. This has prevented huge loss to wildlife and sustenance of Kaziranga ecosystem. Do you know? Floods are considered as necessary evil in Kaziranga, which comprises mix of wetlands, grasslands and forests. The flood water flushes out the aquatic plants and weeds that choke its ecosystem. Kaziranga National Park is known for being the residence of 'Big Five' animals, ie, Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Eastern Swamp Deer and Wild Water Buffalo. Structural reforms in Agriculture Part of: Main GS Paper III – transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers In news: CM’s panel tasked with recommending sweeping reforms in the agriculture sector has suggested the following measures at the recently held NITI Aayog meet: Scrapping of the Essential Commodities Act for the food sector Review of agricultural subsidies (The total outlay on fertilizer subsidy alone is around 70,000 crore rupees in 2018-19) Dismantling of market monopolies (which ensures that farmer’s bargaining power increases fetching him more price for his produce) Steps to increase private investment and investment credit in the sector (through tax benefits and subsidised credit). This will enhance private sector’s participation in supply chain infrastructure thereby reducing wastages and leakages in the process. Obstacles to the implementation of the digital e-NAM system to be removed. Do you know? National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. More Information about Essential Commodities Act The ECA was enacted way back in 1955. It has since been used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices. The list of items under the Act include drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products. Here’s how it works: If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period. Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity , be it wholesalers, retailers or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity. It thus empowers authorities to crack down on hoarders and black-marketeers of such commodities during crisis period. The ECA gives consumers protection against irrational spikes in prices of essential commodities. Miscellaneous Gender Equality Part of: Main GS Paper I – Role of women and women’s organization In News Presently women officers cannot be posted immediately on board ships as there are no separate facilities. In order to induct more women into services, Navy has recently issued tender for cadet training ships which has facilities catered for women This initiative will go a long way in increasing women participation in Navy who presently constitute only 6.7% of the Navy officers National Parks in news: Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Bandipur wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka India is spending 1300 Crore rupees to build 9 kilometres underpass on National Highway passing through Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh to provide safe passage for wildlife (especially Tigers) in the region. Similar demand is being made to build underpass on the National Highway between Mysuru and Waynad to protect tigers in Bandipur wildlife sanctuary. Concerns In a developing country like India with limited resources and nearly 23% of our population living below poverty line, we need to balance our developmental needs with our responsibility to protect the ecology. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests India and the World ; India and its neighbourhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) report to Xinjiang on Uighurs Context: The below article deals with OIC record on China’s Xinjiang province, which is in the news on account of alleged violations of human rights and curbs on religious freedom of Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic groups. A Human Rights Watch report issued in September 2018 had also criticised Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang. About OIC The OIC, represents 57 member states and a population of about 1.8 billion people. It is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organisation after the UN It is committed to protect the interests of the Muslim world. It routinely expresses solidarity with Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Bosnia, as well as with the peoples of the Turkish Cypriot state, Kosovo and Jammu and Kashmir Who are Uighurs? The Uighurs are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uighurs have been recognized as native to only one region, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China Indian and OIC: India became the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Abu Dhabi in March. The final declaration ignored the customary reference to Jammu and Kashmir. Reasons for the ignorance The strong personal and state-to-state ties built by the Indian government with important OIC states, especially the UAE. However, one of the resolutions did refer to Kashmir and expressed concern at the situation of Muslims in India. OIC’s report on China’s Xinjiang province: The main Abu Dhabi declaration, like the Dhaka Declaration, made no reference to China or its Muslim minorities. It is fascinating to come across the resolution passed at Abu Dhabi which chose to commend the efforts of the People’s Republic of China in providing care to its Muslim citizens. China has defended its policies and claimed that it’s so-called ‘internment camps’ are actually vocational centres meant to “to educate and save the local people of Xinjiang who were influenced by religious extremism”. Reasons for favouring China: China is a major power It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council It has a large market for hydrocarbons and a source of arms and investment Moreover, China refrains from preaching to others about human rights or systems of governance. As China’s continued import of oil from Iran suggests, countries under U.S. pressure and sanctions often turn to China for relief. In return, they do their best to guard China’s interests at the OIC. Do you know? Recently Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs urged China to lift restrictions on Muslims in Xinjiang. Pakistan chief raised concerns about the Uighur issue with the Chinese Ambassador that has cone has deep embarrassment to the OIC. Connecting the dots: What is Organisation of Islamic Cooperation? Discuss its objectives and also discuss the significance of OIC’s first-time invitation to India. (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 about Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI): Returns in FPI are in the form of dividends and interest payments Investment through FPI entails control of the management of the company FPI is the passive holding of securities and other financial assets by a foreign firm Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only All of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements: Kaziranga National park is a Ramsar site. Kaziranga National Park is a 117-year-old park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Rajya Sabha has equivalent powers as that of Lok Sabha with respect to which of the bills Ordinary Bills Money Bills Financial Bills Constitutional Amendment Bills Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 1 and 3 only 1,3 and 4 only 1 and 4 only 1,2,3 and 4 Q.4) Consider the following statements Proceeds from cess and surcharges form a divisible pool of Central resources. Only Centre can levy cess Which of the following statements is/are not correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ The threat of Ebola The Hindu Does the anti-defection law serve any purpose? The Hindu Surely, 50 years is a good time to review bank nationalisation Indian Express An AI innovation engine for New India Financial Express An Ayushman Bharat database is a good step Financial Express
UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 30
UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 30 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’ It has a membership of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It works on the basis of four-year programs, determined by the membership. It runs field projects for habitat and species conservation around the world. Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Doklam’ It is strategically located at the tri-junction of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China Hunza Valley is located in this region bordering with the Wakhan Corridor Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Ebola’ It spreads through direct contact with body fluids It is a viral haemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates 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 ‘Deeksharambh’ It targets Higher Education Institutions for mentoring with a specific focus on quality as enumerated in the UGC “Quality Mandate”. It is a Student Induction Programme to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘Mauritania’ is NOT bordered by Senegal Mali Algeria Nigeria To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba
Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th July 2019
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Kulbhushan Jadhav case and ICJ ruling Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbourhood- relations; India and Pakistan relations In news: The International Court of Justice ruled that Pakistan should “review and reconsider” Kulbhushan Jadhav’s conviction and death sentence. ICJ also ruled that Pakistan should give the Indian government consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Do you know? Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India. India moved the ICJ in the same year for the “egregious violation” of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to the 48-year-old Indian national. Important Value Additions: ICJ is the “principled judicial organ of the United Nations” (ICJ, 1945), and is based at the Hague in the Netherlands. Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is an integral part of the United Nations Charter established the ICJ. The ICJ is made up of 15 jurists from different countries (elected to nine-year terms by Permanent members of the UNSC) and no two judges at any given time may be from the same country. The court’s composition is static but generally includes jurists from a variety of cultures. The function of the ICJ is to resolve disputes between sovereign states. Karnataka crisis: What’s a ‘whip’, and what does it do? Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity; Parliament - Whip In news: Amid a looming trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly, former chief minister Siddaramaiah appealed to postpone the motion of confidence as the Supreme Court’s decision did not shed light on his rights to issue a whip. What is a whip? A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way. The term is derived from the old British practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to follow the party line. In India all parties can issue a whip to their members. Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips. Do you know? The office of ‘whip’, on the other hand, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government. Every political party, whether ruling or Opposition has its own whip in the Parliament. He is appointed by the political party to serve as an assistant floor leader. He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue. He regulates and monitors their behaviour in the Parliament. The members are supposed to follow the directives given by the whip. Otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken. Kinds of whips A whip can be classified into three types, based on the number of times it has been underlined. One-line whip A one-line whip, which is underlined once, is issued by the party to inform its members of an important vote in the pipeline, so that a quorum can be established. (A quorum is the minimum number of legislators that need to be present do that a vote can be held.) A one-line whip allows the legislators to abstain from voting if they decide to go against the party line. However, they cannot, under any circumstance, vote against the party. Two-line whip A two-line whip, which is underlined twice, demands that party members be present in the House at the time of voting. Abstention from voting, in this case, invites more scrutiny from party’s high command as compared to a one-line whip. Three-line whip A three-line whip, which is underlined thrice, is the gravest of the whips. This places the party members under an obligation to toe the party line and is usually employed when critical bills are tabled in the House or during a motion of no-confidence. What happens if a legislator does not follow the whip? Defying a three-line whip can not only lead to expulsion of the member from the party, but also risk his/her membership in the House. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the Speaker of the House can disqualify a member who goes against the party line under the anti-defection law. The only exception is when more than one-third members decide to vote against the directive. Bimal Jalan committee on RBI’s economic capital framework (ECF) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian Economy and issues related to it; RBI In news: Bimal Jalan panel was formed to address the issue of RBI reserves, one of the sticking points between the central bank and the government. The expert panel to suggest how the central bank should handle its reserves and whether it can transfer its surplus to the government. Jalan panel to submit its report soon. Issue: The government has been insisting that the central bank hand over its surplus reserves amid a shortfall in revenue collections. Access to the funds will allow finance minister to meet deficit targets, infuse capital into weak banks to boost lending and fund welfare programmes. Therefore, the Jalan panel was set up to decide whether RBI is holding provisions, reserves and buffers in surplus of the required levels. Ebola outbreak a global health emergency: WHO In news: World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. About Ebola Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The Ebola virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing evaluation. Dam Safety Bill Part of: GS Mains II and III – Government schemes and policies; Disaster Management In news: The Centre is set to introduce the Dam Safety Bill, 2019. The Bill aims to put in place a systematic procedure to ensure that India’s 5,600 dams are made and maintained safely. The Bill provides for establishment of a National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body to implement the policy. The Bill lays the onus of the dam safety on the dam owner and provides for penal provisions for wilful “commission and omission of certain acts.” National Medical Commission Bill Part of: GS Mains II – Health sector; Education reforms; Government schemes and policies In news: Centre plans to introduce the National Medical Commission Bill (NMC Bill) and repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. NMC Bill was first introduced in Parliament in December 2017 and had provoked widespread protests over a proposal for bridge courses to allow AYUSH practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines. However, the 2017 bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. The current Bill proposes to convert the final year MBBS examination into a licentiate exam, which will be a requirement for doctors to practise medicine. The examination, to be called the National Exit Test (NEXT), will also be used for entrance into post-graduate medical courses, and act as a screening test for foreign medical graduates. Miscellaneous Person in news: Hafiz Saeed In news: Pakistan recently arrested Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Hafiz Saeed has been declared a global terrorist by the U.S. and the UN He is currently held in terror financing case. Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh In news: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the ₹1,600-crore pre-investment expenditure for the Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India’s largest hydropower project. Dibang River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra that originated and flows through the Mishmi Hills & northeast India from the state of Arunachal Pradesh. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Role of UNSC; International organization International Relations India and the World India’s agenda as an UNSC member Context: India secured UNSC non-permanent membership for 2021-22 with support from Asia-Pacific group including Pakistan and China. Each year the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term at the high-table. India has been at the forefront of the years-long effort to reform the security council saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member of the council, which, in its current form, does not represent the geopolitical realities of the 21st Century. Concerns: Currently, the world is in a greater state of disorder than at any time since the end of World War II. Fear, populism, polarisation, and ultra-nationalism have become the basis of politics in many countries. The benign and supportive international system that followed the Cold War has disappeared. India finds itself in a troubled region between West and East Asia - a region with insurgencies, terrorism, human and narcotics trafficking, and great power rivalries (ranging from turmoil in Gulf, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Daesh), Iraq and Syria issue to Afghanistan’s peace process). India also faces issues in Asia such as strategic mistrust or misperception, unresolved borders and territorial disputes, the absence of a pan-Asia security architecture, and competition over energy and strategic minerals. Role of UNSC: Prime function of the UNSC should be to maintain international peace and security. It should also focus on shared goals, especially international social and economic cooperation. Try to bring coordination between 193 sovereign member nations. To this end, the permanent members (P-5) as also other UN members must consider it worth their while to reform the Council. What should India aim to do? Studies and reports predict that – by 2050, China will be the world’s number one economic power, followed by India. UNSC permanent seat will come India’s way more by invitation and less by self-canvassing. As a non-permanent member of UNSC, India’s objectives should be – to help build a stable and secure external environment to promote regional and global security to promote growth and its own people’s prosperity to promote a rule-based world order to emerge as a partner of choice for developing and developed countries alike India must leverage this latest opportunity to project itself as a responsible nation. Agenda as a member of UNSC Increase financial contribution India will have to increase its financial contribution, as the apportionment of UN expenses for each of the P-5 countries is significantly larger than that for India. Although India has been a leading provider of peacekeepers, its assessed contribution to UN peacekeeping operations is minuscule. Provide effective leadership At a time when there is a deficit of international leadership on global issues, especially on security, migrant movement, poverty, and climate change, India has an opportunity to promote well-balanced, common solutions. Responsibility to Protect India must help guide the Council away from the perils of invoking the principles of humanitarian interventionism or ‘Responsibility to Protect’. Work towards rules-based global order Given the fragile and complex international system, which can become even more unpredictable and conflictual, India should work towards a rules-based global order. Sustainable development and promoting peoples’ welfare should become its new drivers. Ensure sanctions India should push to ensure that the UNSC Sanctions Committee targets all those individuals and entities warranting sanctions. Rational internationalism Having good relations with all the great powers, India must lead the way by pursuing inclusion, the rule of law, constitutionalism, and rational internationalism. India should once again become a consensus-builder, instead of the outlier it has progressively become. It should find a harmonised response for dealing with global problems of climate change, disarmament, terrorism, trade, and development. Conclusion: A rules-based international order helps rather than hinders India. India will be a rich country in the future and will acquire greater military muscle, but its people will remain relatively poor. India is a great nation, but not a great power. India cannot stride the global stage with confidence in the absence of stable relations with its neighbours. Besides whatever else is done within the UN and the UNSC, India must lift its game in South Asia and its larger neighbourhood. India must prepare for this contingency, but, at the same time, it must champion a return to the older rules-based global order. Connecting the dots: What do you understand by the term or concept – “Rules-Based International Order”? Also discuss the challenges to the rules-based international order and its impact on India. India is a great nation, but not a great power. Do you agree? Elucidate your opinion. Does the composition and rights in the Security Council represent 21st century world dynamics? Critically examine. Why is the permanent membership in UNSC so important for India? Do you think India’s claim to permanent membership is valid? Elucidate. (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 about ‘International Court of Justice (ICJ)’ Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is an integral part of the United Nations Charter established the ICJ It is composed of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by Permanent members of the UNSC Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) The office of the ‘Whip’ is mentioned in: Constitution of India Rules of the House In a separate Parliamentary Statute None Q.3) Based on the conventions of Parliamentary government, we have an office of ‘Whip’ in Indian parliament. Every political party has its own whip. What is the function of a ‘whip’? He is responsible for ensuring the attendance of his political party members. He decides the agenda of his party on the floor of the parliament. He ensures the support of his party members in favour or against a particular issue. Select the code from following: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Zoonoses are infectious diseases of animals (usually vertebrates) that can naturally be transmitted to humans. Which of the following are zoonoses? Ebola virus disease Bird flu Swine influenza Zika fever Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1, 2 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only All the above MUST READ Takeaways from the Kulbhushan Jadhav case ruling The Hindu The benefits of blockchain The Hindu New Education Policy will ensure our higher education system remains a client of global science Indian Express Testing the waters: Mention of Blue Economy in budget must serve as an impetus for the sector Indian Express Scientists create Ramanujan Machine: what’s it for, why name it after him? Indian Express
All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Health Scenario in Bihar
Health Scenario in Bihar ARCHIVES Search 18th June, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General studies 2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes General studies 3 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health In News: Children in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts have been plagued with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which has resulted in loss of lives. The rising death toll of children in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district not only points to a health crisis, but also the crippling healthcare infrastructure in the state. Numbers indicating the sorry state According to the latest data available with the ministry of health and family welfare, about 79.5% of the 1,719 villages in Muzaffarpur district do not have a public healthcare facility. There are only 630 public healthcare facilities in Muzaffarpur. According to the census of 2011, Bihar is the third most populous state in India, with around 40% of its population below the poverty line. The major health and demographic indicators of the state, such as infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, and total fertility rate, are substantially higher than the all-India average, and reflect the poor health status of the people. The state has a shortage of 1,210 sub-centres, 131 primary health centres (PHCs), and 389 community health centres (CHCs). So far, 167 children have died in Bihar, with Muzaffarpur recording 117 deaths. Other districts include Vaishali (19), Motihari (12), Begusarai (8), Samastipur (8), and one each in Arrah, Sheohar and Purnia. Three issues emerge out of these concurrent flare-ups. First, despite this region being endemic to brain fever, there is a dearth of reliable research-based evidence on what kills so many children each year. Secondly, the serious lack of health infrastructure in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh makes handling of such outbreaks and disease epidemics more challenging. Thirdly, the Centre issued Rs 88.5 crore to the Bihar state government in the last fiscal year to strengthen its public health system. Astonishingly, the state government spent less than one-third of it. The confusion over what has killed over 100 children in Bihar is a symptom of the gangrenous rot in public healthcare in India. While even doctors are casually bandying about the term Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) to talk about the disease that has repeatedly struck one of the poorest regions in the country, the fact is untrained health workers may use the term AES to talk about an undiagnosed brain disease which manifests symptoms like convulsions, loss of consciousness, etc. But when doctors use the phrase after a 100 deaths, it is a worrying sign—the doctors themselves are not sure of what they are dealing with. While experts agree that a host of diseases and ingestion of certain toxins exhibit the symptoms seen in the current outbreak in Bihar, the fact that over 300 children have been hospitalised should have immediately pointed at lines of investigation to ascertain cause. Instead, there is confusion, with senior doctors at one of the major treatment hospitals in Bihar calling it a case of heat-wave related morbidity while a set of researchers who studied past outbreaks in the region believe it to be litchi-toxicity related critical hypoglycemia. Irrespective of whether a biological agent or malnutrition is to blame, Bihar’s poor track record in ensuring that the poorest have access to adequate nutrition and distrust in the public health care system are major causes for the deaths. The Numbers are Unsettling Malnutrition: There is enough evidence to show that malnourished children are more prone to the infection. In Bihar, 48 percent of the children are stunted, 20.8 percent are wasted and 44 percent children are underweight. For Uttar Pradesh, these numbers stand at 46 percent, 18 percent and 39.5 percent, respectively. More than 63 percent children in both the states are anaemic. Only 25 percent households in Bihar and 35 percent in Uttar Pradesh have access to sanitation facilities. Healthcare Resources: In terms of healthcare resources, each doctor in Bihar serves an average population of 28,391, and in Uttar Pradesh, the average is about 20,000 per doctor. To put this in context, each doctor in Tamil Nadu serves about 9,544 people. Bihar has one hospital bed per 8,645 people and Uttar Pradesh has 2,904 people per bed. Tamil Nadu has 899 people per bed. Total Expenditure on Health: Despite such skewed numbers, only 3.94 percent of Bihar's total expenditure is for health, the second lowest after Haryana. The Way Forward A greater push is needed for supporting the development of dedicated public health cadres in States. Whether it is combating a Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala or preventing the death of children due to the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Bihar, a strong public health system is crucial. In fact, in a rapidly urbanising and densely populated India, the risk of disease outbreaks and spreading of contagion is much higher. Prevention and efficient disease management is the key to reducing the bulging patient load. A key enabler for implementing these reforms and programmes is an increase in government health expenditure to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP by, if not before, 2025. State governments also have a key role to play in ensuring that they spend at least 8 per cent of their budget on the health sector. At a time when public health in India languishes amidst shortages of doctors and inadequate infrastructure and government spending remains low, it is important to recognise the Bihar child deaths as a preventable tragedy. With this in mind, state governments failing to make the most of what is accorded to them for public health, must be held to account. We must make the recent deaths in Bihar a turning point for prioritising public health in India! Note: Encephalopathy (Brain disease) The early morning onset and frequent finding of low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia) point to a biochemical disease related to glucose metabolism. Several hours after food intake (early morning) is when the body tends to develop hypoglycaemia. In addition, there is brain swelling caused by toxic damage to brain cells — encephalopathy, specifically, “hypoglycaemic encephalopathy”. If the fasting interval is longer than 6-7 hours, because some children were not given a night meal, the situation becomes more severe. Malnourished children do not have glucose reserves in the liver, which makes matters worse. Moreover, many children were referred to Muzaffarpur medical college, and the long delay in reaching there resulted in many deaths. Prevention is simple, as is treatment. Source: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/08/08/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/ac7e44e3_2304601_101_mr.jpg Must Read: Enhancing the Health Infrastructure of the Country
UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 29
UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 29 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)’ It assists Central and State Government Agencies for creation of appropriate infrastructure for growth of exports from the States. It provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid to Central/State Government owned agencies for setting up or for up-gradation of export infrastructure Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘‘Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana’ The scheme provides relief in case the Insured Person (IP) is rendered unemployed It is launched by Employees' State Insurance Corporation Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘Kihoto Hollohan case’ is associated with which of the following schedules of the Indian Constitution? Tenth Schedule Fourth Schedule Eighth Schedule Sixth Schedule Q.4) Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? NavIC – India GLONASS - Russia BeiDou – Japan Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) ‘Ploonets’ refers to Moon Comets Lakes created by a meteor impact Trans-Neptunian Objects To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba
Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th July 2019
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Pakistan opens its airspace after 6 months Part of : Mains GS paper II - India and its neighbourhood- relations In news : Pakistan reopened its airspace for all flights early after a gap of six months Pakistan shut its airspace in February after India carried out an air strike against what it said was a terrorist training camp in Pakistani territory. How does the curb affect India? Airlines had to take a longer route to their destinations and burn more fuel, stop midway for refuelling Roster more pilots and cabin crew as their duty hours are regulated. An increase in fuel expenses, which constitute 40% of an airline’s operational costs Advantage of lifting the curb on airspace The move will benefit Indian carriers as well as the airlines that enter or exit Pakistan from its eastern border with India. Flights between Delhi and the west will see travel times drop by up to four hours Close polluting units in critical areas: NGT Part of: Prelims and Mains GS paper III - Environmental pollution and degradation In news: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to shut down all polluting industries in “critically polluted” and “severely polluted” areas within three months. It also directed all States and Union Territories to furnish a report on the amount of biomedical waste generated and asked them to set up common treatment and disposal facilities, if not done yet. Do you know? National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to dispose of cases having environmental ramification. Its headed by retired judge of supreme court or being chief justice of high court and almost 20 experts and 20 judicial members. Mandate of NGT To dispose of cases dealing with any environment law violation, conservation of forests and natural resources. Eg: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 The Environmental Protection Act ,1986 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 etc. Indian forest act, 1927 and wildlife protection act, 1972 are out of purview from this jurisdiction. Powers: Recommend penalties and fine Recommend policies for environment protection Disposal of cases within 6 months Enforcement of any legal right relating to environment Giving relief and compensation for damages Has power of civil courts Significance Helps reduce burden on higher courts Faster resolution of cases Specialised member brings efficiency to justice Less expensive than courts Fulfils constitutional provision like article 21 i.e. right to clean environment and article 48(a) i.e. protection of environment and safeguarding of forests The rapid pace of development is harming the environment. The NGT provides a check and balance for this. It takes suo – moto cases like banning the crackers, directing states to speed up action to clean Ganga. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) demanded that the Centre scrap the Manual for Drought Management, 2016 Part of : Mains GS paper III - Agricultural produce and issues In news : Manual for Drought Management, 2016, had changed the way that droughts are declared and the circumstances under which Central help can be sought by affected States. Data: Data from the India Meteorological Department show over half the country’s land area still faces rainfall deficits of more than 20% this monsoon season. Saurashtra and Kutch are the worst affected region, with a 60% deficit Before 2016, it was considered a drought year in a particular area if there was deficient rainfall and the crop yield was less than 50% of the average of the previous 10 years. Manual for Drought Management, 2016 parameter States are required to assess conditions using five indicators: rainfall, agriculture, soil moisture, hydrology and crop health. The Manual allows States to request for support from the National Disaster Response Fund if a drought is declared as “severe”. This can only happen if three impact indicators (apart from rainfall) fall into the “severe” category, These conditions are so stringent that an area may not be officially declared as facing a severe drought even while its farmers are suffering Centre, Assam move SC for sample re-verification of NRC Part of : Mains GS paper II - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. In news : The Centre and the State of Assam made an urgent mention before the Chief Justice of India for an extension of the deadline for final publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for the State from July 31, 2019 to a “future date”. Why? To conduct a “sample re-verification process” in relation to names included in the draft NRC published on July 30, 2018. Background: The first draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) of Assam has been published recently by the Office of the State Coordinator of NRC on December 31, 2017. The objective behind updating and publishing the 1951 NRC is to compile a list of the names of genuine Indian citizens residing in Assam and, in the process, detect foreigners (read Bangladeshis) who may have illegally entered the state after March 24, 1971. The publication of the initial NRC list is the outcome of a long-standing demand of the Assamese people to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants from their state. The Assam Accord of 1985 did not contain any specific mention of updating the NRC. The Government of India constituted a number of Tribunals and Appellate Courts under both the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act of 1983 and the Foreigners Tribunal Act of 1964 to detect illegal Bangladeshis. In May 2005 that the first step towards updating the NRC of 1951 was taken, when a tripartite meeting between the Centre, the Assam government and AASU was held to review the progress made in the implementation of the Assam Accord. Successive governments have been extremely reluctant to update the NRC of 1951 due to various political considerations and vested interests. Supreme Court ordered the Union and State governments to begin the process of updating of the NRC in Assam. Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued the notification for starting the work of updating the NRC. The Supreme Court constituted a Committee “to take care of any clarification that would be required with regard to the modalities in the preparation of the NRC.” (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Impact of Climate Change and Global Warming Reducing Carbon emissions from road transport Introduction: Congested streets and polluted air are common experiences in India’s metropolises. Delhi tops the charts and emissions are more than twice as high as other Indian megacities, such as Mumbai, Bengaluru or Ahmedabad. India’s road transport emissions are small in global comparison but is increasing exponentially. The Global Carbon Project reports that India’s carbon emissions are rising more than two times as fast as the global rise in 2018. Reducing CO2 emissions of road transport leverages multiple co-benefits, for example, improving air quality and increasing physical activity, which are critical for well-being, particularly in urban areas. Factors: Climate action requires an understanding of how emissions vary with spatial context. Income and urbanisation are the key determinants of travel distance and travel mode choice and, therefore, commuting emissions. The way cities are built and the design of public transit are critical for low-carbon mobility systems. Average per capita commuting emissions are highest for the most affluent districts, which are predominantly urban, and that heavily use four-wheelers for commuting. In contrast, average per capita commuting emissions are lowest for Indian districts that are poor, and commuting distances are short and rarely use three-wheelers. Way ahead: Focusing on well-being: Mayors and town planners should organise cities around public transport and cycling, thereby improving mobility for many, while limiting car use. Uptake of non-motorised transport emerges as a sweet spot of sustainable development, resulting in both lower emissions and better public health in cities. According to the recent National Family Health Survey (2015-16), nearly 30% of all men are overweight or obese in southwest Delhi, but only 25% in Thiruvananthapuram and 13% in Allahabad. These data correlate with high reliance of car use in Delhi and low demand for walking. Increase in cycling will lower chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, while also abating emissions. Car use, in contrast, correlates with higher rates of diabetes. Fuel price increases, congestion charges or parking management could be a strategy that improves the well-being of individuals living in urban areas. Technology transition: India should double down in its strategy to transition to electric two and three-wheelers. India is the third-largest market for automobiles and is one of the world’s largest producers and consumers in two- and three- wheelers and Indian companies can take a leading role in switching to electric vehicles. This will also help in transforming India’s vision of ‘Make in India’. City planning: Compact cities improve accessibility and reduce emissions from transport and even the building sector. Most Indian cities are already very dense, with few benefits expected by further high-rise. City managers should ensure that existing urban areas provide short routes and fast access to schools, hospitals and jobs, otherwise, residents would be required to travel long distances. Conclusion: Providing access to public service, choosing rapid transit over car driving in cities and supporting the rise of electric two and three-wheelers will help drive India to a modern and low-carbon transport system fit for the 21st century. Connecting the dots: Reducing CO2 emissions of road transport leverages multiple co-benefits, for example, improving air quality and increasing physical activity, which are critical for well-being, particularly in urban areas. Comment. NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation General studies 3: Indian agriculture Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Introduction: Earlier this year, the Cabinet approved the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM). With a Budget allocation of Rs. 34,000 crore, and a similar contribution expected from the States, KUSUM aims to provide energy sufficiency and sustainable irrigation access to farmers. It is also essential to achieve the country's 100 GW solar target by 2022. Present situation: At present, despite burgeoning farm power subsidies, nearly 30 million farmers, especially marginal landholders, use expensive diesel for their irrigation needs as they have no access to electricity. More than half of India’s net sown-area remains unirrigated. Three components of the scheme: 10,000 MW of de-centralised ground- mounted grid-connected renewable power plants. Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone solar powered agricultural pumps. Solarisation of 10 lakh grid-connected solar-powered agricultural pumps Way ahead: Addressing inequity between States: KUSUM should aim to reduce the existing disparity among States with regard to solar pumps deployment and irrigation access. Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan together account for about half of the two lakh solar pumps currently deployed in the country. On the other hand, States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where penetration of diesel pumps is among the highest, have not managed to deploy any significant number of solar pumps. This disparity highlights poor State budget allocation towards solar pumps and the lack of initiative by State nodal agencies. To encourage more equitable deployment of 17.5 lakh off-grid pumps by 2022, the Centre should incentivise States through target-linked financial assistance, and create avenues for peer learning. Addressing inequity within a State: 90% of Bihar’s farmers are small and marginal. Yet, they have received only 50% of government subsidies on solar pumps. On the other hand, in Chhattisgarh, about 95% of beneficiaries are from socially disadvantaged groups due to the mandate of the State. Learning from these contrasting examples, a share of central financial assistance under KUSUM should be appropriated for farmers with small landholdings and belonging to socially disadvantaged groups. Addressing inequity between farmers: Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, KUSUM should provide greater financial assistance to smaller farmers. KUSUM proposes a 60% subsidy for the pumps, borne equally by the Centre and the States, and the remaining 40% will be the farmer’s contribution — 10% as down payment and 30% through loans. This unilateral financing approach will exacerbate the inter-farmer disparity given the inequity in access to credit and repayment capacity between small and large farmers. A higher capital subsidy support to small and marginal farmers and long-term loans with interest subsidies for large and medium farmers would be a more economical and equitable alternative. KUSUM should not woo a certain section of farmers with short-sighted objectives. Solarising existing grid-connected pumps, as proposed under the scheme, needs a complete rethink. Existing grid-connected farmers, who have enjoyed power subsidies for decades, would receive the same financial support as that received by an off-grid farmer. In addition, they would earn regular income from the DISCOM on feeding surplus electricity, furthering the inequitable distribution of taxpayers’ resources. Solarising grid-connected pumps must include replacement of the pump. Poor efficiency levels of the existing pumps would mean unnecessary oversizing of the solar panels and lesser available energy to feed into the grid. It is also essential that distribution companies pay fair rates to farmers for the electricity they purchase from their solar arrays. The scheme holds the potential of enabling farmers to become exporters of clean solar energy from importers of subsidized energy. Conclusion: If designed better and implemented effectively, KUSUM holds the potential to catapult the Indian irrigation economy from an era mired in perpetual subsidy, unreliable supply, and inequitable distribution of resources to a regime of affordable, reliable, and equitable access to energy and water. Connecting the dots: KUSUM could radically transform the irrigation economy if the government chooses an approach of equity by design and prudence over populism. Analyze. (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 about ‘Kaziranga National Park’ It has the largest population of the Wild water buffalo It has been identified as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International It is a World Heritage Site Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Which of the following statements is/are correct about National Green Tribunal (NGT)? Establishment of NGT made National Environment Appellate Authority defunct. Mumbai is one of the place of sitting of Tribunal. Code: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 None of the above Q.3) Which of the following statements is/are correct? 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UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 28
UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 28 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Markandeshwar temple’ It belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jainism It is situated on the bank of River Wainganga Select the correct statement 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Bureau of Indian Standards’ It has been established as the National Standards Body of India under the BIS Act, 2016. The standards and certification scheme of BIS supports various public policies in areas of product safety, consumer protection, food safety, environment protection, building and construction, etc. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘Pink Bollworm’ primarily affects which of the following crops? Maize Paddy Wheat Cotton Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’ It is an inter-governmental body It reviews money laundering and terrorist financing measures taken by countries Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) for Indian States and UTs will be developed by NITI Aayog Department of Telecom Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 4 2 and 4 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba