IAS Baba

Jun 28, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- What's Behind Shillong Clashes

What's Behind Shillong Clashes Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3: North East Issues In News: Shillong had been in the grip of violence in the last week of May, following a fight between Sikh residents in the city's Punjabi Lane area, also known as the Sweeper Colony, and the Khasi drivers of state-run buses. What led to the Shillong incident? Fake news Lack of decisive police action Breakdown of local institutions Historical Background – A “us versus them” tug-of-war The ethnic tension can be traced to a faultline that increasingly defines politics in Northeast — fear and hatred of the ‘outsider’ Shillong began as a colonial project in the 1870s, when Assam was carved out of the Bengal presidency. It included not just the Khasi, Garo, Jaintia Hills but also Cachar and Sylhet, those districts from which the Sylheti-speaking Bengalis came. As the town began to grow, it drew Assamese as well as Nepalis and Marwaris, who came here for work and trade. Sylhet, earlier a part of Assam, was made over to the other side, and its Hindu residents turned into refugees. The success of the anti-foreigner agitation in Assam in the 1970s triggered similar mobilisations across the region. The uneven development of local economies, chaotic urbanisation etc. has further intensified anxieties. This time, the dkhar (migrant/foreigner) is the Mazhabi Sikh community, which was brought by the British to work as scavengers and sweepers. Views of Khasi people: The tension between the two communities stems from a long-standing demand from sections of the Khasi society to evict "illegal settlers" from the area. Khasi people have been pushing the Meghalaya government to relocate Sikh residents from Punjabi Lane where they have been living since British rule in India. Views of the Sikhs: The Sikh residents claim their ancestors were brought to the area to carry out manual scavenging and were given the land to reside permanently in by the then local administration - a contention that was challenged by the Shillong district administration in the 1970s. Conclusion: The sentiment that the state requires special protection has not changed despite the fact that it has become a modern state with executive legislative and judicial power. This is a huge challenge. It's basically a toxic mixture of primordial tribalism which has become the modern state, and the modern state where if you are not the son of the soil you are not equal before law, and that you do not have equal rights. The administration must involve the local population by making them understand that in the development that is happening, the locals are stakeholders. It is the responsibility of the administration to see that factors which create disharmony must be handled with firmness. Administration should create, and administration should react but when the administration itself becomes actually so biased – one does not really want the administration to come in. This should not be the case. Note: B N Sharma Commission set up after 1991-92, estimated that 15 years of communal violence in Meghalaya had displaced thousands and killed hundreds of non-tribal people in Shillong. 1986: While the Sikhs managed to get a stay on the eviction order in 1986, they have since been struggling to retain their ‘homes’ amidst a growing clamour from various Khasi groups for their relocation. Shillong - a hilly terrain in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, once named 'The Scotland of the East' by the British Must Read: Link 1

Jun 28, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 28th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 28th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) U.S. postpones 2+2 dialogue with India Part of: GS Mains Paper II- International relations; India and the World In News: 2+2 dialogue involving the defence and foreign ministers of India and the United States has been postponed. This was the second time that USA has postponed the maiden 2+2 dialogue with India. Rift between India and US: Fast recap On Iran Sanctions: India had refused to cut down on all oil supplies from Iran. In other words, India is unwilling to accept US diktat on stopping all oil imports from Iran On India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile system: Indo-US ties are also being tested over defence supplies from Russia including S-400 missile defence system and impending sanctions if India went ahead with the purchase. Trade protectionism of Trump administration has forced India to impose retaliatory measures. We recently read that India has notified higher tariffs on several items imported from the U.S. Several issues/disputes in World Trade Organisation (WTO); Trade protectionism; Disputes on the new American steel and aluminium tariffs; disputes on Indian price reductions on medical devices Harley-Davidson motorcycles row – US calling for India to scrap its 75-100% tariffs Article link: U.S. postpones 2+2 dialogue with India - The Hindu Centre may scrap University Grants Commission (UGC) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Government policies and schemes; Education Reforms In news: Government is set to replace UGC with a higher education commission by repealing the UGC Act, 1951. Government proposes to introduce new regulator - Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) The focus of HECI will be on improving academic standards and the quality of Higher Education. The proposed commission will have 12 members appointed by the Central Government, apart from the chairperson and vice-chairperson. What does the draft Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Act, 2018 contain? HECI Bill 2018 seeks to repeal UGC Act and provides for setting up of Higher Education Commission of India. The draft HECI bill takes away funding powers from the proposed regulator and gives it powers to ensure academic quality. In other words, unlike UGC, HECI will not have grant functions and would focus only on academic matters. The ministry will deal with the grant functions. HECI will also be backed with penal powers to order closure of institutes that violate set norms, imposition of fines where necessary and provisions for imprisonment up to three years where necessary. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/28/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/7b5a094b_2205129_101_mr.jpg Article link:Centre may scrap UGC, proposes new regulator - Today's Paper Hayabusa2 probe: Ryugu asteroid Part of: GS Prelims – Science and Technology; Space missions In news: A Japanese probe called Hayabusa2 successfully settled above the Ryugu asteroid. Hayabusa2 probe to collect information about the birth of the solar system and the origin of life after a more than three-year voyage through deep space. Pic: Ryugu asteroid (https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/szvi4w/article24273216.ece/alternates/FREE_660/THJC-SPACE-JAPANPROBE) Do you know? UN’s International Asteroid Day on June 30, a global event to raise awareness about the hazards of an asteroid impact and technological progress to counter such a threat. (MAINS FOCUS) GOVERNMENT POLICY/SCHEME 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; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Ujjwala Revolution Introduction: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Last month, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) completed two years of operation. About PMUY Under the scheme, five crore (now 8 crores) LPG connections are to be provided to BPL households. The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG, so that they don’t have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas collecting firewood. The ambitious scheme also laid down a condition — that the LPG connections will be issued in the name of the women of the households. Encouraged by the rapid release of connections, the central government revised the target and scope of the scheme to eight crore connections by March 2020. Under the scheme, the union government bears the connection cost of ₹1,600 per connection, and each household pays about ₹1,500 for the stove and the first LPG cylinder. Centre to raise allocation for the project to ₹4,800 crore Key highlights: Number of LPG connections has crossed 4 crore LPG penetration in India has risen from 56% in 2014 to 80% However, greater challenge for the mission lies in refills Studying the usage of gas by PMUY customers and visiting multiple villages across the country, the following features of the programme are evident. One, interactions with PMUY subscribers suggest that they focus on the value that LPG generates for them and not on its cost. Two, the programme has also witnessed the emergence of a peer learning platform: the Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat. LPG Panchayats being held at village levels across India are helping more and more people appreciate the advantages of clean fuel. The adoption of LPG has received a boost with supplies ramping up and service improving. Conclusion: PMUY is a bold new initiative that aspires to fundamentally address one of the pressing energy–access, health and gender challenges in the country. The programme has been successful in introducing a sense of urgency into the transition to modern cooking fuels and disbursing connections. But it has been less successful in introducing a sustained change because of issues around affordability and reliability of LPG supply. Government needs to re-look at their connection focused approach, and should ensure adequate provisions for affordability, availability, and accountability. This will propel PMUY to achieve the desired objective of not only disbursing connections but making the LPG sector a real contributor to overcoming this deep-rooted challenge affecting energy access, health, and gender disparity. There needs to be a synergy in the Gas connection with the Electricity connection. Connecting the dots: Why having an LPG connection important for woman empowerment? In this regard, do you think Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana can make a difference? Examine. Also discuss its other advantages. ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and development; Commercial disputes United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on Commercial Disputes Introduction: India to participate in deliberations at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in New York UNCITRAL deliberation deals with an important issue concerning resolution of commercial disputes. Dispute redressal mechanisms: Commercial disputes are resolved not only through courts and arbitration but also through mediation. Arbitration:- It consists of hearing and determining of a dispute between parties by persons chosen by them. Conciliation:- It is the process of facilitating amicable settlement between parties. It can’t be forced on a party not intending for conciliation. Mediation:- It is devised to assist disputants in reaching an agreement on their terms and conditions in arriving at a settlement. A “process whereby parties attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute with the assistance of a third person (the mediator). UNCITRAL deliberations will consider how these settlement agreements in disputes in international commercial transactions will be implemented by courts in different countries. Key pointers: Mandatory pre-litigation mediation has been introduced in commercial disputes. Right now there are policy gaps with regard to mediation process involving cross-border disputes. Therefore adoption of the convention will address those gaps and eases mediation process which in turn helps in managing and resolving disputes that arise in their commercial transactions. Why is this UNCITRAL important for India? India has lost substantial earnings as a result of international disputes being taken for resolution outside the country. Strengthening the dispute resolution policies will encourage dispute resolution in India, where the commercial relationship once began. The convention will link laws adopted by countries to recognise domestic mediation and extend them beyond their boundaries. Once UNCITRAL formulates principles, countries will have a consistent framework for enforcing mediation agreements made in other countries. The convention is opportune and will facilitate legal reform to ease dispute resolution. Connecting the dots: Why having an international convention law on commercial disputes imperative for the Indian legal scenario? Discuss. Can you identify the existing alternative institutional arrangements for dispute resolution? Also discuss their merits and limitations. The pendency of huge number of commercial disputes cases in different courts of India demands a revolution in the field of alternate dispute resolution. Comment. What steps have been taken in this direction? Discuss. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Japan’s HAYABUSA-2 is associated with Mission to explore exoplanets Spacecraft to observe atmosphere of Pluto Spacecraft powered by plutonium Mission to explore asteroid Q.2) Which of the following statements are correct regarding Ujjawala scheme? It is a comprehensive scheme to prevent trafficking of women and children for commercial/sexual exploitation. The aim is to facilitate the rescue of victims and place them in safe custody. To facilitate the repatriation of cross border trafficking victims Select the code from following: 1 and 2 2 and 3 None 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) The aim of Ujjwala Yojana is to Electrify all rural villages by 2030 Provide free primary education to girl child Provide free LPG Connection to women below poverty line None of the above MUST READ Reality check: On bank NPAs The Hindu From little to zero tolerance The Hindu Citizens, non-citizens, minorities Indian Express The skew in education Indian Express The amalgamation of regional rural banks is poorly planned LiveMint

Jun 28, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 11]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 11] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Mycorrhiza’ In a mycorrhizal association, the bacteria colonizes the host plant's root tissues It makes the plant less susceptible to soil-borne pathogens Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) 'Global Environment Facility' serves as financial mechanism for which of the following? Minamata Convention on Mercury United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Which of the following statements about United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is/are correct? It was formed aftermath of 1948 Arab Israel conflict It is the only agency dedicated to helping refugees from a specific region or conflict Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Q.4) ‘Rohingyas’ are Muslim refugees from eastern Sri Lanka settled in Tamil Nadu An anti-communist political group in Syria Muslim refugees migrating from Myanmar to Bangladesh A political group fighting for autonomy in Catalonia Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Sampark Portal’ It is under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises It is a network for nurturing entrepreneurship and creating business models for low cost products and services in order to empower women Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

Jun 27, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 27th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 27th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India- Seychelles relations Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; India and the World Fast Recap: Confusion continues over the cooperation in the development of Assumption Island. India has been planning to build naval base on Assumption to provide a foothold in the western Indian Ocean. Grant of $100 million Line of Credit to Seychelles for the purchase of defence hardware. Cooperation in carrying out hydrographical studies of the maritime region. Exchange of necessary oceanic maps between two sides. India gifted a Dornier aircraft (built by HAL) to Seychelles. The aircraft would help to bolster the coastal surveillance of Seychelles and the policing of its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone. Background: 1976 – Independence of Seychelles 1986 – India helps Seychelles - ‘Operation Flowers are Blooming’ - INS Vindhyagiri was sent to avert a coup. 2009 – India dispatched naval ships to patrol its exclusive economic zone and guard it against piracy. 2014 – INS Tarasa was gifted to Seychelles Artice link: After aid for defence buys, India gifts plane to Seychelles Jumbo-relocation experiment Part of: GS Mains – Conservation of biodiversity/animal; Man-Animal Conflict Key Pointers: Anthropogenic activities: Human habitations and barriers such as electric fences and trenches have blocked some of elephant corridors in Assam. Assam wildlife officials are keen on Jumbo-relocation experiment. But the job is easier said than done, as other elephant habitats and corridors in Assam are also under stress. The situation of elephants have become like football, kicked around from one part of the stadium to the other. Part of reserve forests and proposed reserve forests are fragmented and interspersed with villages and illegal fishermen controlling wetland areas, which the elephants used to wallow in. Herds have become more aggressive and conflicts are happening throughout the year. Do you know? About half of 58 elephant corridors in the northeast, comprising 35% of the country’s, are in Assam. More than 15 of these corridors, used by an estimated 9,350 elephants, are under the Northeast Frontier Railway. National park in news: Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand (Jumbo-relocation experiment was tried here earlier) Article link: Elephantine threat: Assam considering sedation, relocation of ... Centre-State Relations: Centre proposed Dam Safety Bill, 2018 Part of: GS Prelims and Mains – Indian Polity; Centre State Relations; Cooperative Federalism In news: Centre has proposed Dam Safety Bill, 2018 Concerns are raised by many states esp. Tamil Nadu Certain clauses of the Bill affected the interests of Tamil Nadu and could potentially affect the State’s rights on control and maintenance of dams located in neighbouring States. Inputs of the State government were not sought while drafting the bill Dams in Tamin Nadu: Mullaperiyar, Parambikulam, Thoonakkadavu and Peruvaripallam dams (Remember just Mullaperiyar as it was often in news) About Dam Safety Bill, 2018 Union Cabinet approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament. The objective of this Bill is to help develop uniform, countrywide procedures for ensuring the safety of dams. It empowers the dam safety institutional set-ups in both the Centre and States. It will also help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country. The Bill provides for establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body. Article link: T.N. Assembly says no to Dam Safety Bill - The Hindu India most unsafe for women Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social issue; Women Issue In news: India has been ranked as the most dangerous country out of the world’s 10 worst countries for women. India is behind Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia, according to a poll conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation India was followed by Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Reasons: sexual violence and harassment the danger women face from cultural, tribal and traditional practices danger of human trafficking including forced labour, sex slavery and domestic servitude Belize’s Reef: out of risk now Part of: GS Prelims - Environment and Biodiversity Key points: The Mesoamerican Reef, an underwater wonder world whose survival was considered to be at risk for years, may now be removed from UNESCO’s list of threatened World Heritage Sites, thanks to bold steps to save it by activists and the Belizean government. Second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Caribbean reef was named to the prestigious World Heritage List in 1996, but placed on endangered status in 2009 because of Belize’s plans to allow oil exploration nearby. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/HEALTH ISSUE TOPIC: General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Adopting best practices for Organ Transplant Introduction: We had already covered about articles which dealt with misuse of organ transplant and organ transplant racket surfacing in Tamil Nadu. Issue - International patients used to get priority in cadaver transplants, bypassing long list of Indians. (It was alleged that protocol of organ transplant was misused) Key pointers from previous articles: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is an all-India apex body for coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of organs/tissues and transplantation. The legislation called the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THO) was passed in India in 1994 to streamline organ donation and transplantation activities. The aim of the THO Act is “to provide for the regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs”. Despite the THO legislation, organ commerce and kidney scandals are regularly reported in the Indian media. Key pointers from today’s editorial: Controversy: Large percentage of foreign nationals are receiving cardiac transplants from deceased donors in India, bypassing long list of Indians. Debate: Are there any fault lines in transplantation policy in India that need immediate correction? Do you know? Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant in 1967, in Cape Town, Africa. One of the first cardiac transplants in the world was attempted back in 1968 at Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial Hospital by P.K. Sen (the world’s fifth and sixth heart transplants). Dr. Sen’s transplants as well as India’s first successful cardiac transplant in 1994 (by P. Venugopal at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi) were performed in public institutions. Market pressures Along the way, organ transplantation in India (this includes Tamil Nadu) largely became a private sector activity. While the act of donation is a public act and the organs a public good, from that point onwards whatever happens is largely under the private sector. The rules of market medicine thus dictate who the organs go to. And hospitals that invest large sums in transplantation programmes which include huge payouts to surgeons look for returns. The costs of heart transplant are well beyond a large majority of the local population. This is where foreigner nationals who are often able to pay such sums fit in. Major concerns: Most of the hospitals (esp. private) are focusing on bypass and stenting and problems of advanced cardiac failure has been sidelined. There are cases and incidents where hearts of young deceased donors remaining unutilised for the lack of recipients. Trained cardiac surgeons did not have enough referrals and chose to leave or focus their attention on bypass surgery. The way ahead: Need for revisiting the policy Organ transplantation protocol should ensure transparency. In other words, organs should go to those who need them the most rather than to those who can pay for them. Therefore there is a need for hard policy changes that include strengthening the capacity of the public sector, subsidising transplantation and perhaps enabling affirmative action in the allocation process in favour of public hospitals. Every fifth or sixth organ could be mandatorily allotted to a public hospital or the private centre can be asked to perform a certain proportion of transplants free. This would also improve public trust and lead to high organ donation rates. Connecting the dots: What are the reasons behind the imbalance between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant? “Making organs a commodity is fraught with erosion of social, moral, and ethical values and is not an alternative that can be acceptable to meet organ requirements in a civilized society”. Critically analyze. ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth. “Digital India” remains a distant dream for India About: The below article is excerpt from a survey that show why “Digital India” remains a distant dream, with a majority of Indians still living on the wrong side of the digital divide. Concern: Majority of Indians live on wrong side of digital divide, shows study. The internet may have transformed the Indian economy in many ways over the past couple of decades, but India continues to lag behind peer countries when it comes to internet penetration. Only one in four Indian adults either owns a smartphone or uses the internet occasionally. India ranks the bottom of a list of 39 large economies considered in the survey, which include both developed and emerging markets. India also ranked among the very lowest, just above Tanzania, in terms of the percentage of adults owning a smartphone. Smartphones refer to mobile phones, which can access the internet and apps. India’s progress in smartphone penetration has also been slow. Reasons: Although mobile penetration has gone up significantly in the country, access to the internet and smartphones has been lacklustre. This is partly owing to India’s poverty, with the per-capita incomes of most countries surveyed higher than that of India. Yet, poverty does not fully explain the low internet penetration. Among countries with higher internet penetration are nations such as Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and Vietnam, which are poorer than India in per-capita purchasing power parity terms. While the penetration of internet and smartphones in India is relatively higher among the youth—those aged 18 to 36—it is still lower compared to the internet penetration among the youth in other countries. Only one in five adults in India uses social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter—the lowest among all the countries surveyed. The survey shows that the proportion of non-smartphone users in India is among the highest among major economies of the world. Conclusion: India’s slow adoption of smartphones has impeded the spread of internet in the country since most Indians tend to access the internet on their mobiles. As the Pew report points out, in relatively poorer countries such as India, “mobile phones can be extremely important tools— whether (in) helping people gain access to financial services or providing the much-needed assistance with health and agricultural needs”. Yet, with low penetration of smartphones and internet, only a privileged minority is able to access digital services in the country. Despite some progress, the share of those using digital payments remains among the lowest in India, a World Bank survey published earlier this year had showed Connecting the dots: ‘Digital India’ remains a distant dream. Do you agree? Critically examine the statement. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) ‘Operation Flowers are Blooming’ is associated with Maldives Seychelles Mauritius Congo Q.2) Rajaji Tiger Reserve is located in Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand Q.3) The most significant strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of Botanical Gardens National Parks Bird Sanctuaries Biosphere Reserves Q.4) Belize’s Reef or Caribbean reef was in news recently for - It will be removed from UNESCO’s list of threatened World Heritage Sites It will be added to UNESCO’s list of threatened World Heritage Sites Belize’s plans to allow oil exploration nearby and has threatened the reef None of the above MUST READ Two inequalities Indian Express Listen to the voiceless Indian Express The legacy of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency Livemint Road map for electric vehicles in India Livemint Towards an India e-commerce policy Livemint US needs to understand India Russia defence ties Livemint

Jun 27, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 10]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 10] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) It is developed by National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog It is expected to establish a clear baseline and benchmark for state-level performance on key water indicators Gujarat is the highest performer among the Non-Himalayan states Select the correct statement 1 Only 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Arrange the following from North to South Duqm Port Assumption Island Reunion Island Hambantota Select the correct code: 2-3-4-1 1-4-2-3 1-4-3-2 4-1-2-3 Q.3) Which one of the following is a purpose of `UDAY’, a scheme of the Government? Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy Providing for financial turnaround and revival of DISCOMs Providing electricity to every rural household in the country by 2022 Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants by 2030 in-line with Paris Agreement Q.4) Consider the following statements wrt. ‘BHARAT-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)’ It is managed by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund S&P BSE Bharat-22 Index includes only CPSEs and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements about Van Dhan Scheme It is aimed at creating enabling environment for need based and outcome oriented holistic development of the tribal people TRIFED is the Nodal Agency at the National Level for the implementation of this scheme Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba

Jun 26, 2018 PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 17th June to 23rd June, 2018

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 17th June to 23rd June, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Implemented by: Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Culture Archaeological Survey of India Aim: To develop synergy among all partners to effectively promote “responsible tourism” Involve public sector companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals to take up the responsibility for making our heritage and tourism more sustainable through development, operation and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities at ASI/ State heritage sites and other important tourist sites in India. The project primarily focuses on providing basic amenities that includes cleanliness, public conveniences, drinking water, ease of access for differently abled and senior citizens, standardized signage, illumination and advanced amenities such as surveillance system, night viewing facilities, tourism facilitation center and an enhanced tourism experience that will result in more tourist footfalls, both domestic and foreign. Chief Ministers Subgroup Constituted to Coordinate Policy Approaches for Agriculture and MGNREGS (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Convener: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh The move comes in the backdrop of the vision of the Prime Minister towards Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022 which requires a multi-dimensional and inclusive approach. Terms of Reference of the Sub-Group has tentatively been assigned as follows: To suggest a wider choice of State specific interventions both for pre-sowing and post-harvest to further improve the thrust on incomes, water conservation and waste to wealth. To align works under MGNREGS fully to the requirements of achieving the goal of Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022. This will improve thrust on Water Conservation, individual Beneficiary Schemes, Construction of Rural Haats, Vermi-Composting etc. To make recommendations on interventions of MGNREGS that can facilitate reduction of agrarian distress including work availability, wage rates, seasonality etc. To explore the possibilities of MGNREGS as a livelihood resource for development and diversification of livelihoods of small and marginal farmers specially belonging to SC/ST households. To suggest ways of aligning MGNREGS and its livelihood thrust with women Self Help Groups (SHGs), producer Groups, and Producer Companies to enable a better use of resources for livelihood. To explore successful convergence of program resources across Departments to ensure optimal fund utilization, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. Launch of National Digital Library of India (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education) By: Ministry of Human Resource Development under the aegis of National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) Objective of NDL: To make digital educational resources available to all citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning Developed by: IIT Kharagpur NDL is the Single Window Platform that collects and collates metadata from premier learning institutions in India and abroad, as well as other relevant sources. It is a digital repository containing textbooks, articles, videos, audio books, lectures, simulations, fiction and all other kinds of learning media. This initiative is Government’s commitment towards “Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat” Government to team up with Google for flood forecasting (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Central Water Commission (CWC), India’s apex technical organization in the field of Water Resources, has entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Google. Under this Agreement, CWC and Google will share technical expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial mapping and analysis of hydrological observation data to collaborate on Improving flood prediction systems, which will help provide location-targeted, actionable flood warnings High priority research project utilizing Google Earth Engine to help visualize and improve flood management A cultural project to build online exhibitions on the Rivers of India Help crisis management agencies to deal extreme hydrological events in a better manner. Release of National Strategy for Standardization (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) India’s quest for providing best quality begins with identifying standards, and unless products are standardised it becomes difficult to market them. Standardisation boosts both exports as well as domestic economic growth by enabling realisation of value of product and services and consumers will be the biggest beneficiary. Indian National Strategy for Standardization (INSS) Result of the combined efforts of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and industry stakeholders Provides a vision for the country to achieve the highest quality standards in production and distribution of goods and services in an attempt to reclaim Brand India. The INSS report addresses four broad pillars of Quality Ecosystem: Standards Development Conformity Assessment and Accreditation Technical Regulations and SPS Measures Awareness and Education Launch of National Health Resource Repository (NHRR) (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health) Country’s first ever national healthcare facility registry of authentic, standardized and updated geo-spatial data of all public and private healthcare establishments. Vision: To strengthen evidence-based decision making and develop a platform for citizen and provider-centric services by creating a robust, standardized and secured IT-enabled repository of India’s healthcare resources. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the project technology partner adhering to paramount Data Security. Key outcomes and Benefits: Provide comprehensive data on all health resources including private doctors, health facilities, chemists, and diagnostics labs, establish a National Health Resource Repository for evidence based decision making – aligned with Digital India mission Enhance the coordination between central and state government for optimization of health resources, making ‘live’ and realistic state Project Implementation Plans (PIPs) and improving accessibility of data at all levels, including State Head of Departments, thus, decentralize the decision making at district and state level. Create a reliable, unified registry of Country’s healthcare resources showing the distribution pattern of health facilities and services between cities and rural areas Generate real-world intelligence to identify gaps in health and service ratios, and ensure judicious health resource allocation and management Identify key areas of improvement by upgrading existing health facilities or establishing new health facilities keeping in view the population density, geographic nature, health condition, distance, etc. Please Note Chabahar Port: Iran; India Trying to Make Chabahar Port in Iran Operational by 2019 Best Performing Social Sector Ministry SKOCH Award: Ministry of Women & Child Development Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) Sets up Labs in Mumbai and Vizag: Start-up in skill development for maritime and shipbuilding sector This is First-of-Its-Kind Infrastructure in Asia Pacific Region CEMS aims to build competency in the field of maritime & shipbuilding sector through skill development in the latest manufacturing technologies for shipbuilding/ repair and ancillary sectors. CEMS will deploy an industry-relevant skill development program and equip students with employable engineering and technical skills in the areas of Ship Hull Design, Ship Detailed Design, Shipbuilding &Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and advanced digital manufacturing-factory concepts. Discovery of a Sub-Saturn like Planet around a Sun-like star: A Team of scientists and engineers led by Prof. Abhijit Chakraborty of Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, discovered a sub-Saturn or super-neputune size planet (mass of about 27 Earth Mass and size of 6 Earth Radii) around a Sun-like star. The planet will be known as EPIC 211945201b or K2-236b. Campaign to promote energy efficiency in the area of air-conditioning: Every one degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 per cent of electricity consumed Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degree Celsius, but large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degree Celsius. This is not only uncomfortable but is actually unhealthy. Under the guidance of Ministry of Power, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has carried out a study and has recommended that the default setting in the air-conditioning should be at 24 degree Celsius. The new campaign will result in substantial energy savings and also reduce greenhouse gas emission. National targets for off-shore wind power: Medium term target of 5 GW by 2022 and long term target of 30 GW by 2030 Note: India’s on-shore wind target is of 60 GW and its achievement is of 34 GW Solar target is of 100 GW by 2022 MMR: India has registered a record 22% reduction in MMR since 2013, which is the highest percentage decline so far when compared to all the previous reductions in MMR as per the earlier rounds of SRS. Maternal Mortality Ratio of India has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016. Expediting online cybercrime reporting portal: Reduce the clearance time by making use of online systems in coordination with administrative Ministries for processing the proposals. This would further improve efficiency and monitoring. Enable affected people in States/Union Territories to lodge complaints which will be investigated by the respective law enforcement agencies and action taken for removal of such content. Greater vigilance against evolving cyber threats and regular cyber auditing of IT infrastructure of all organisations under MHA Upgradation and updation of National Information Security Policy and Guidelines (NISPG) for the government sector Increasing public awareness and strengthening of institutional framework for checking Financial frauds being committed on gullible public by phone call fraudsters and stressed on. European Union (EU): The EU, which consists of 28 countries, has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 19 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability. Updates: Conference on International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-28 In the field of resource assessment India is in the process of upgrading its water resources information and management system for scientific development, conservation, and conjoint use of our ground and surface water resources. The National Water Information Centre (NWIC) is a modern platform for assessment of surface water and ground water, flood forecasting, reservoir monitoring, coastal information management system and river basin management. India has launched an ambitious national project on aquifer management (NAQUIM) to completely map 2 million sq. km. of the map-able area of the country. The mapping is followed by proper aquifer management plan. In the field of river rejuvenation Namami Gange is our flagship programme to rejuvenate and make river Ganga pollution free. We are also taking similar steps to rejuvenate other rivers to bring them to their pristine form. To increase our food grain production, India is committed to bring more areas under assured irrigation - Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-PMKSY (Prime Ministers Irrigation Project) whereby we will complete 99 large irrigation projects and thereby create additional irrigation potential of 7.62 million hectares. The other important objective of this programme is “Har Khet ko Pani” or provide water to every field by extending command area development & undertaking water management works. The other objective of PMKSY is to ensure ‘More Crop per Drop’, through promotion of micro and drip irrigation and ensuring better water efficiency. We are also settling outstanding issues on the international rivers with our neighbouring countries and within the country, on the inter-state rivers. In the field of drinking water Government is undertaking National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) with the objective of providing adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on sustainable basis through creation of infrastructure. The Government of India plans to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. Another flagship programme of my Government is Swachh Bharat Mission, which is being executed in both urban and rural areas of India, with focus on safe sanitation and aim to achieve universal sanitation coverage. This program in rural areas shall improve the level of cleanliness, solid and liquid waste management activities and make villages open defecation free (ODF), clean and sanitized. In the urban areas, Swachh Bharat Mission targets construction of 6.6 million individual house hold toilets, 0.25 million community toilets and 0.26 million public toilets. Besides, the programme aims to achieve 100% door to door collection and scientific management of municipal waste. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, water conservation and water harvesting works are being undertaken by digging wells, ponds and repairing of traditional water bodies, reservoirs and canals. India is spending about USD 5 billion on water conservation across the country in around 100,000 villages. Must Read: Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) Quotes The Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu On Media MEDIA should effectively function as Means of Empowerment for Development through Informed Actions of people Media, as the fourth pillar of democracy has an important role in facilitating such a positive discourse. It needs to highlight the problems, deficiencies in policy and governance at various levels and present different perspectives so that people can make informed decisions. Media can be and in fact needs to be critical without, however, being motivated. On Local Governance Local bodies should always place citizens at the centre of civic governance, adding that people’s participation in formulating and planning projects and services will improve execution and delivery of the services. Local bodies need to be provided with the three 3 Fs - Funds, Functions and Functionaries - for effective governance. On Agriculture Making agriculture sustainable and profitable should top the agenda of both central and state governments as food security is the key foundation of national security. We have become self-sufficient in food grains. However, this has not translated into higher incomes for the farmers. Unless agriculture is made profitable, we cannot attract more people, especially youth, to take up farming. Krishi Vigyan Kendras must act as a bridge between scientists and farmers in providing knowledge and latest farming techniques to farmers. KVKs across the country to play an active role in making agriculture remunerative by training farmers in allied sectors like sericulture, diary, poultry, fisheries, seed processing and others. On Widows We as a society need to reflect on the social attitudes towards widows and how the stigma, humiliation and isolation attached to widowhood can be overcome. A powerful social movement is required to change the mindset of people towards widows Indigent widows need to be empowered financially by providing loans to be self-employed. Preference should be given to widows while extending Mudra loans There is a need to create livelihood opportunities through vocational training programmes in various areas, including tailoring, garment making and packaging for widows. The concept of New India encompasses economically emancipated women and if that vision is realized, many of the social ills like atrocities on women and neglect of widows can become a thing of the past.

Jun 26, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 9]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 9] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) It is a brainchild of China and is headquartered in Beijing It admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) only It deals with both sovereign-backed loans and non-sovereign-backed loans Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) ‘Article 19’ in The Constitution of India specifically mentions which of the following? Freedom of Press Freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms Freedom to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 3 Only All of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements about Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) It is an intergovernmental organisation of Central and Western Asian Countries The OPEC Secretariat is located in Vienna World Oil Outlook (WOO) is published by OPEC Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 2 Only Q.4) Consider the following statements about Virtual ID (VID) in context of Aadhaar It is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped with the Aadhaar number It is not possible to derive Aadhaar number from VID It will be valid till the time a new VID is generated by the Aadhaar number holder Select the correct statements 1 Only 1 and 2 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) ‘Syria’ is bordered by which of the following countries? Jordan Iran Israel Lebanon Select the correct code: 1, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba

Jun 26, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 26th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 26th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India- Seychelles: Assumption island project Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; India and the World Key pointers: We had earlier read that - Seychelles National Assembly has refused to ratify the naval base that India has been planning to build on Assumption to provide a foothold in the western Indian Ocean. Seychelles believe allowing Indian Naval Military base would infringe on the country’s sovereignty. After meeting Seychelles President Danny Faure, PM Modi announced that both the countries will continue to work together for the welfare of each other. However, it is not clear how both sides would take the project forward in the absence of a parliamentary ratification. Highlights: Seychelles President Danny Faure met PM Modi in India India has announced grant of $100 million Line of Credit to Seychelles for the purchase of defence hardware. (especially to build its maritime capacity) Cooperation in carrying out hydrographical studies of the maritime region Exchange of necessary oceanic maps between two sides India gifted a Dornier aircraft to Seychelles. Background: Diplomatic ties were established with Seychelles after its independence in 1976 Seychelles is a small island country in the Indian Ocean comprising a group of 115 small island It has a population of 87,000 Seychelles is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society comprising of people of French, British, Indian, Iranian and Chinese descent. The country’s strategic importance traces back to the Napoleonic era when Britain gained control over this island which straddled the trade route to the East Indies. Defence Relation Seychelles has high strategic importance due to its proximity to global shipping and commerce lanes. It serves as a vital base to fight sea-terrorism and piracy. In 1986, India had executed ‘Operation Flowers are Blooming’ in Seychelles, when on a request by then-President Rene, Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi instructed then Indian Chief of Naval Staff to dispatch the frigate INS Vindhyagiri to avert a coup. In 2009, on the request of Seychelles, India dispatched naval ships to patrol its exclusive economic zone and guard it against piracy. India has also helped Seychelles’ armed forces in capacity building. In 2014, Indian Naval Ship INS Tarasa was gifted to Seychelles to help it improve its maritime security. Now, India gifted a Dornier aircraft to Seychelles. (MAINS FOCUS) SOCIAL ISSUE/HEALTH TOPIC: General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Tackling Malnutrition through effective dietary diversity About: From 22nd June DNA article , we know that – UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2018 report highlighted that - after a prolonged decline, world hunger appears to be on the rise again. There was a reduction in the rate of undernourishment since the year 2000 but it has registered a worrying increase in 2016. (Observe in fig below) Conflict and Climate Change (drought and disasters) are among the key factors causing this reversal in progress. Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/22/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/8b3b8f35_2190471_101_mr.jpg Other facts highlighted by the report: One in four children is still affected by stunting. Impact of the economic downturn, many violent conflicts, fall in commodity export revenues, and failure of agriculture owing to drought and floods are all making food scarce and expensive for many. All these represent a setback to all countries trying to meet the Sustainable Development Goal on ending hunger and achieving food security and improved nutrition. Status in India: India’s efforts at improving access to food and good nutrition are led by the National Food Security Act. There are special nutritional schemes for women and children operated through the States. In spite of such interventions, 14.5% of the population suffers from undernourishment, going by the UN’s assessment for 2014-16. Wasting rates have increased from 16.5% to 25.6%, according to recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS) Underweight rate (36%) has remained static in the last 10 years. At the national level, 53% of women are anaemic, Health Ministry data show. Institutions such as the State Food Commissions have not made a big difference either. According to NFHS 2015-16, every second tribal child suffers from growth restricting malnutrition due to chronic hunger. All this shows that the Centre and State governments are woefully short on the commitment to end undernourishment. Question arises whether government policies are ill-conceived? Whether PDS is efficient? Is PDS able to play better role in bringing about dietary diversity for those relying on subsidised food. What is the role played by rations in shaping household and nutritional security? The way ahead: A critical aspect of nutrient adequacy is “diet diversity”, calculated by different groupings of foods consumed with the reference period ranging from one to 15 days. It is recommended that each person should have diverse diet of at least eight food groups, that include: cereals, roots and tubers; legumes and nuts; dairy products; flesh foods; eggs; fish; dark green leafy vegetables; and other fruits and vegetables. But reports highlight that majority of children had food from only two/three of the eight food groups. NITI Aayog study also found that families below the poverty line consumed more cereals and less milk compared to the affluent. Complementing rice and wheat with more nutritious food items should be the goal. This low dietary diversity is a proxy indicator for the household’s food security too as the children ate the same food cooked for adult members. It is time the government looks at the root cause of the issue and finds a sustainable solution for tackling malnutrition. This is possible only when the state focusses on inclusive development by creating employment opportunities for the marginalised which would improve their purchasing power, diversify their diet and, in turn, reduce malnutrition. Connecting the dots: Rate of undernourishment in Indian children has registered a worrying increase in 2016. In fact, even well fed children suffer from chronic undernourishment due to severe lack of diet diversity. Do you agree? In light of this statement, examine the need for reforms in government policies and dietary patterns. NATIONAL/ECONOMY 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 Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Uniquely Placed Northeast Introduction: The 15th Finance Commission (FC) is in the process of figuring out a fair formula for the distribution of net tax proceeds between the Union and the States, and among States. The below article deals with how 14th FC missed to consider Northeast states as an unique entity while adopting its formula based tax devolution approach and challenges faced by Northeast due to the missed approach. The author compares 13th and 14th FC methodology and suggests for few reforms in upcoming 15th FC, which can help special category status to develop in an equitable and efficient manner. About 14th Finance Commission recommendations: We know that, The 14th FC had adopted a formula-based tax devolution approach, apart from grants-in-aid for local bodies, disaster relief, and post-devolution revenue deficit grants. The share of devolution to the States was enhanced to 42% from 32%, which gave the States considerable flexibility. However, it dispensed with sectoral grants for elementary education, the forest sector and renewable energy sector, among others. No State-specific grants were recommended. The assumption was that a higher level of devolution would offset other requirements. The devolution formula, therefore, is central to the approach of resource transfers. The 14th FC accorded 27.5% weight to the population (of which 17.5% was of the 1971 population), 15% to area, 7.5% to forest cover and 50% to income distance. Larger States with larger populations have a greater requirement of resources. Income distance was adopted as a proxy for fiscal capacity, and forest cover was given weightage for the first time, underscoring ecological benefits. Northeast: A distinct entity The Northeast represents a distinct entity for developmental planning and has a special category status. Low levels of human development indices, a low resource base, and poor connectivity and infrastructure pose a different challenge which must be taken into account in the devolution formula. Central Ministries earmark 10% of their allocations for the Northeast. By the same logic, 10% of tax proceeds could be earmarked for vertical devolution to the region. With a number of centrally sponsored schemes being rolled out the obligation of State share is huge, adding to revenue expenditure. Sometimes the real burden (as in the case of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) is far more than the mandated 10%. Many centrally sponsored schemes are discontinued midway, and the burden of employee salaries falls on the States. Maintenance of assets, such as rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, require huge expenditure, especially in hilly States. (A 20% cost disability was allowed by the 13th FC while allocating grants for road maintenance.) Did 14th Finance Commission miss something? The 13th FC acknowledged the different position of the Northeast while arriving at the formula for horizontal devolution. Its twin guiding principles were equity and efficiency. It accorded 47.5% weight to fiscal capacity distance. Per capita GSDP was taken as a proxy for fiscal capacity, but States were divided into two groups, general and special category States, given that the average tax to GSDP ratio was higher for the former. Three-year per capita GSDP was computed separately in these two groups, weighted means of tax to GSDP ratio obtained, and per capita tax revenue was assessed for each State. Fiscal distance was thereafter calculated on estimated per capita revenue with reference to the highest State, which was then multiplied by the 1971 populations to arrive at the share of each State. There was much merit in this approach, which was in contrast to the 14th FC which used per capita GSDP as an indicator of fiscal capacity uniformly for all States. The revision of the base year to 2011-12 by the Central Statistics Office from 2004-05 also has created complications. Arunachal Pradesh, for instance, saw a sudden spike in per capita GSDP. This was primarily on account of the fact that 73% of the GSDP was calculated on the allocation method as compared to 34% earlier. This saw a jump in gross value added in mining, construction, electricity, etc., even with a negligible industrial base. The Northeast also bears a disproportionate burden of natural disasters every year on account of rainfall. The 14th FC disaster relief grants bore no correlation with vulnerability but were ad hoc extrapolations of previous allocations. The disaster vulnerability index is highest for the Northeast; this needs to be factored in while allocating grants. (which the 14th FC missed to do) The region also has the highest forest cover and represents the largest carbon sink nationally. Allocating 10% for forest cover would encourage States to preserve the forests. Terms of Reference of the 15th FC The Terms of Reference of the 15th FC also mention performance-based incentives based on improvements in GST collection, Direct Benefit Transfer rollout, etc. This would definitely infuse a spirit of competition. However, the performance of the Northeastern States must be benchmarked with other Northeastern States so that apples are not compared with oranges. The challenge for the Commission, as one member said, is “to strike a balance between those who need and those who perform”. Connecting the dots: The Central assistance after the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission does not augur well with the reality of North Eastern State. Do you agree? What is your stand on this issue? The recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission and the implementation of GST have transformed centre-state relations in India. Do you agree? Examine. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) India had proposed to build Military infrastructure on ‘Assumption Island’. Where is Assumption Island located? Indian Ocean Red Sea Arctic Ocean South China Sea Q.2) Consider the following statements with reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC) It is the only pan-Indian Ocean grouping. All countries in Indian Ocean are its members. Its headquarters are located in Seychelles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Assumption Island was in news recently. It is concerned with which of the following? China’s new naval base near Horn of Africa Joint Military Exercise of the ASEAN members Somalian Pirates took over the island None of the above Q.4) Operation Cactus is associated with Maldives Seychelles Mauritius Congo Q.5) From the below statements about Finance Commission, identify the incorrect statement: It is a quasi-judicial body. They hold office for such period as specified by the President in his order. It is required to make recommendations to the Parliament on the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the states, and the allocation between the states, the respective shares of such proceeds. None Q.6) Which among the below is not a non-constitutional body? National Development Council Central Information Commission Central Vigilance Commission Finance Commission MUST READ At the crossroads: on mob violence The Hindu Reduce, segregate: On plastic ban The Hindu Through A Wider Lens Indian Express Does India need a financial policy committee? Livemint Using agriculture to tackle the water crisis Livemint

Jun 25, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 25th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 25th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India-Maldives: India cuts supply of essential commodities to Maldives Part of: GS Mains Paper II – India and its neighbours; International Relations Key points: Based on the 1981 trade agreement, India exports certain essential commodities to Maldives, whose quantities are notified every year. These items are exempt from any restrictions or prohibitions on Indian exports during the period of notification. Till last year, India had allocated largely whatever amount the Maldives government had proposed. However, in the latest notification, India has lowered the limits on the export of certain essential commodities such as potatoes, onions, and eggs. The notification with a sharply reduced amount of exports of essential commodities has been issued in a backdrop in the downturn of relations. Do you know? According to Article 9 of the bilateral trade agreement, quota allocations shall be finalised by the Indian government “with due regard to the supply availability and the overall need of the Government of the Republic of Maldives”. Fast recap: Relations between India and Maldives have soured somewhat in recent times. The following are key concerns – Turbulent Maldivian politics: Maldives under the authoritarian regime of President Abdulla Yameen. Maldives growing “closeness” with China: Both China and Pakistan stepping up their strategic inroads into the Maldives Religious radicalization: Maldives is being radicalized by the Saudi funds and influence ISIS threat: Growing Islamic radicalisation in the tiny island-nation of about four lakh people once known for its tolerant practices has many foreign governments, including India, deeply concerned. No FTA with India: Maldives and India do not have a Free Trade Agreement. However Maldives and China entered into Free Trade Agreement. Yameen government asked India to remove its Dhruv advanced light helicopters from Maldives (which India had gifted in 2013). Yameen government has alleged that tensions over the presence of the two Indian helicopters in two strategically important locations in the Laamu and Addu atolls have been growing. Work permits are not currently being issued to Indian Nationals. Article link: India cuts export quotas for Maldives - The Hindu Aerodrome in Chilika Lake Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Conservation of Biodiversity In news: Airports Authority of India has proposed to set up a water aerodrome in Chilika Lake for starting amphibious aircraft operations in Odisha. Project will most likely face a green hurdle due to possible ecological consequences. Chilika turns into a temporary habitat for lakhs of migratory and residential birds. If an aircraft flies at low height, there is every chance of the birds getting hit. Noise pollution generated by close to 10,000 boats has already taken a toll on the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the lake. The amphibious aircraft operation would add to the woes. Important Value Additions About Chilika Lake A brackish water lagoon; largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world. Spread: Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha Where: At the mouth of R. Daya—flowing into the Bay of Bengal Birds: Hosts over 160 species of birds Home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India (IUCN Status: Endangered) Irrawaddy dolphin @Chilika Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a highly endangered species. Total population of these animals in the world is estimated to be less than 7,500 with highest being little over 6,000 reported from Bangladesh. The population of Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika is considered to be the highest single lagoon population with recorded head count of 155 this year. Chilika is the single largest habitat of this species in the world. The Irrawaddy Dolphin is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as well as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Article link: Proposed water aerodrome in Chilika Lake likely to face green hurdle Operation Sagar Rani Part of: GS prelims – Health and social issue; Science and Technology Key Pointers: Operation Sagar Rani was launched by the Food Safety department last year. It ensures the safety of fish sold in the market and ensures that it was handled hygienically at the handling and distribution centres. Recently, contaminated fish preserved using formalin (formaldehyde) were seized in Kerala. Toxic preservatives are being used by people/traders in Kerala who are importing fish from neighbouring States. Unscrupulous fish wholesalers are using formalin, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical commonly used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries, to prevent fish from deteriorating during transportation. Pic: http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/2011September/fish-300_092611100319.jpg Article link: Contaminated fish seized at Walayar - TAMIL NADU Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper II and III – International relations; India and the World; Defence and Security Key points: We had read earlier that – Navies of India and Indonesia to hold their first bilateral exercise in the Java Sea India will stage a new trilateral exercise with Thailand and Singapore soon. Navy recently conducted maiden bilateral exercises with Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) Naval exercise between India and Indonesia India has deployed INS Kulish, a Kora class missile corvette, and one Dornier maritime patrol aircraft in recent CORPAT exercise. In news: India and Bangladesh have also agreed to institute a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) as an annual feature between the two navies. The Navy regularly conducts CORPATs with Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. It also conducts EEZ surveillance of Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles on their request. Person in news: Pragg Part of: GS Prelims (Sports) In news: India’s R. Praggnanandhaa became the world’s second youngest chess Grandmaster. (12 years, 10 months and 13 days) Ukraine’s Sergey Karjakin remains the youngest-ever GM (12 years and seven months). Pic: http://www.orissapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/R-Praggnanandhaa.jpg (MAINS FOCUS) SOCIAL ISSUE/ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth. SECC: Need for effective tool for counting About: Inclusion of Caste information in our Census As the 2011 Census approached, demands for inclusion of data on caste in Census increased. The then Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, opposed to collect caste data and blocked it by claiming that it was logistically impossible for the Census. But, suggested caste information could be collected via the planned Below Poverty Line (BPL) Census, later renamed the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). However, hasty inclusion of the caste question in the SECC has resulted in largely unusable data. The government tasked former NITI Aayog chairman Arvind Panagariya to look into this, but the effort has stalled. Can 2021 Census provide effective data on caste? There will be demand again for the inclusion of data on caste in 2021 Census. It also seems likely that once again India will be unprepared for a full caste census. If India really want to collect data on caste and not let the discourse about Indian society be shaped by the political exigencies of colonial India, the time to plan is now. Consequently, if we want information regarding the size and characteristics of various castes in India, we must continue to look to the Census of 1931. Big question: Should India collect data on caste? Arguments opposing Caste Census Some argue that simple act of asking about caste creates a chasm or rift within society. Part of this resistance comes from reaction to the preoccupation of colonial administrators-turned-arm-chair anthropologists who saw caste as the defining feature of Indian society. We know that, the first Census began in 1871 under Colonial Rule. Colonial censuses included questions about caste and used these data to divide and conquer India by first privileging Brahmins as interpreters of Indian culture and then targeting them as the roots of caste-based oppression and inequality. Do you know? G.S. Ghurye, the early 20th century Indian sociologist, reacted sharply by identifying this passion for caste classification as the source of anti-Brahmin movements. Veena Das, Indian anthropologist, also notes that the colonial Censuses via the process of recording caste generated a conception of community as a homogeneous and classifiable community and thereby influenced the processes of political representation. Consequently, post-Independence Censuses have shied away from including questions about caste. Critics argue that - On one hand we say that India is growing and becoming a developed nation while on the other we are agreeing to the caste based census. Are we really trying to show to the world that we are still tied in the ropes of a caste based society? In a secular and independent country like India, is there still any scope for the old caste based census that used to be followed during the British rule? The policy of the government to give quotas and reservation on the basis of caste rather than on the basis of economic status is discriminatory towards people of other caste and is often condemned by the common people. Arguments in favour for Caste Census - If caste information is not collected, we will have denied ourselves an opportunity to make quotas function in an equitable manner, says Prof. Indira Rajaraman (who was member of the Thirteenth Finance Commission) Our political systems, civil society and courts continue to assume that broad caste-based social categories — Dalits, Adivasis, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and upper castes — defined largely using data from 1931 Census and a few special purpose surveys continue to shape economic conditions in 21st century India. Without accurate data at a granular level for each of these categories consisting of thousands of jatis (castes) and upjatis (subcastes), we have no way of knowing whether this is correct. Indian society has undergone a tremendous transformation since 1931. Land ownership that bolstered the power of upper castes has lost its hold. Land fragmentation and decades of agricultural stagnation have turned many upper caste landowners into marginal farmers barely eking out a subsistence. While landlessness, once the bane of Dalit existence, has left the landless better poised to take advantage of rising rural wages, particularly construction wages. Consequently, the National Sample Survey (NSS) shows that mean consumption expenditure of forward castes is higher than that of Dalits, clusters of poverty persist among forward castes. According to NSS data, the bottom fourth of forward castes are poorer than the top half of Dalits. India Human Development Survey shows that 56% of Dalit children ages 8-11 cannot read but neither can 32% of forward caste and 47% of OBC children. Economic growth of the past century, combined with strong affirmation action undertaken by successive governments of the independent nation, may have changed relative fortunes of various groups. Some jatis may have managed to pull themselves out poverty and marginalisation, while others may have sunk into it. Hence, it is time to collect data that reflects the current situation. Drawbacks of SECC Even though SECC was conducted in both urban and rural areas, government has released only SECC data of rural India. SECC collates data regarding the caste of the people. This caste related information faces the danger of being misused by political parties for their ulterior motives. SECC data must be regularly updated in order to remove beneficiaries who have overcome their deprivations. This will put a huge burden on the part of the government. Sometimes the same caste is spelt in different ways, at other times some individuals report their jati and others upjati making it difficult to create mutually exclusive categories. Way ahead: India has nearly three years before the Census of 2021 and also has data from the SECC and technologies rooted in machine learning at its disposal. It would be possible to set up an expert group that uses the SECC data in conjunction with other data sources such as matrimonial advertisements and State-specific Scheduled Castes/OBC lists to make a comprehensive list of castes and condense them into meaningful categories via machine learning tools. These categories could then be validated by domain experts from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) institutions in various States to come up with a district specific list of castes that would cover more than 90% of individuals in any given district. Interviewers could use this precoded list to allow respondents to self-classify with a small residual group’s responses being recorded verbatim and categorised later. It will take courage for a future government to collect data on caste and to use it to rationalise reservation policies. However, without better and more current data, our discourse on caste and affirmative action remains dominated by decisions made by the colonial administration. Connecting the dots: Census in India doesn’t reveal the quality of its people – it only reveals the quantity. Critically comment. On one hand we say that India is growing and becoming a developed nation while on the other we are agreeing to the caste based census. Critically examine the need for caste based census for India. If caste information is not collected, we will have denied ourselves an opportunity to make quotas function in an equitable manner. Do you agree? Elucidate. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Identify the wetland based on the following statements: The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is the flagship species here. It was the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Nalbana Island is the core area of this wetland. Select the wetland that is best suited to the above description— East Calcutta Wetlands Deepor Beel Chilika Lake Bhoj Wetland Q.2) Irrawaddy dolphin is generally found near the coasts of Maharashtra Odisha Kerala Gujarat Q.3) The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently released an updated red list classifying the different species. It has changed the status of Irrawaddy Dolphins from Endangered to Vulnerable Vulnerable to Endangered Vulnerable to Critically Endangered Vulnerable to Extinct Q.4) Where are the Krushnaprasad, Nalaban, Kalijai, Mangalajodi, Somolo and Birds’ Islands located? Godavari river Chilika lake Brahmaputra river Lakshadweep Q.5) The 8 degree channel separate which one the following? Lakshdweep and Minicoy Islands Maldives and Minicoy Islands Andaman and Nicobar Islands Indira point and Indonesia Q.6) Consider the following statements with reference to Maldives The country has a tropical monsoon climate. It is entirely made up of atolls and associated coral structures. Equator passes through the country. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ For nutrition security: On undernourishment The Hindu Change perceptions in J&K; The Hindu Smoke and mirrors The Hindu Lessons from dark times Indian Express No zero sum game Indian Express

Jun 25, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 8]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 8] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘AmbubachiMela’ It is associated with attainment of womanhood of girls It is celebrated in Kamakhya temple in Assam Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements Deobandi movement developed as a reaction to the British colonialism which was seen by a group of Muslim Indian scholars ‘JamiatUlema-e-Hind’ has propounded a theological basis for its nationalistic philosophy ‘JamiatUlema-e-Hind’ was formed in 1886 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Select the correct statements 1 Only 1 and 2 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements bout ‘DART Mission’ It is a planetary defence-driven test of one of the technologies for preventing the Earth impact of a hazardous asteroid It will target the smaller “moonlet” of a binary asteroid called Didymos It is conceptualised by European Space Agency (ESA) Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Germany is NOT bordered by Denmark Switzerland Croatia Czech Republic Select the appropriate code: 1 and 4 3 Only 2 and 3 1 and 2 Q.5) Which of the following statements is/are correct? UNISPACE+50 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space UN-SPIDER is a programme of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba

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