Oct 27, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 27th October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Understanding the basics: CBI and CVI Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity: Constitutional and Non Constitutional bodies, Statutory bodies and other bodies –  their functions and roles In news: Many reports have surfaced stating dishonesty and harassment of the public by those at top positions in the CBI. It is important to know basics – about CBI, its functions and role of CVC About CBI CBI was established under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1941. It is the primary central government body responsible for policing. It comes under the Department of Personnel and Training which is under the PMO. Hence, the head of the CBI reports directly to the PMO as FBI reports directly to the President of the United States. CBI is not a statutory body as it was created by executive resolution. In the last 65 years, the organisation has evolved from an anti corruption agency to a multi faceted, multi disciplinary central police law enforcement agency. Today it has following divisions Anti Corruption Division Economic Offences Division Special Crimes Division Directorate of Prosecution Administration Division Policy & Coordination Division Central Forensic Science Laboratory Do you know? Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation. With enactment of CVC Act, 2003, the Superintendence of Delhi Special Police Establishment vests with the Central Government except investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in which, the superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission. CBI has been provided security of two year tenure in CBI by the CVC Act, 2003. The CVC Act also provides mechanism for selection of Director, CBI and other officers of the rank of SP and above in CBI. The CBI is subject to three ministries of the Government of India and Two Constitutional bodies:- Ministry of Home Affairs: Cadre Clearance DoPT: Administration, Budget and Induction of non IPS officers Union Public Service Commission: Officers of and above the rank of Deputy SPECIES Law and Justice Ministry: Public prosecutors Central Vigilance Commission: Anti-corruption cases. About CVC and its role with regard to CBI Central Vigilance Commission is a statutory body under CVC Act and serves as the apex anti-corruption body. CVC was established in 1964 under the recommendations of Santhanam Committee, it gained statutory authority in 2003 CVC Act. It superintends the work of CBI in corruption cases. CVC has no investigation wing of its own as it depends on CBI and the Chief Vigilance Officers of central organizations, while CBI has its own investigation wing. Functions and powers of the Central Vigilance Commission under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 Exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; or an offence under the Cr.PC for certain categories of public servants – section 8(1)(a); Give directions to the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) for superintendence insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – section 8(1)(b); To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made on a reference by the Central Government – section 8(1)(c); To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any complaint received against any official belonging to such category of officials specified in sub-section 2 of Section 8 of the CVC Act, 2003 – section 8(1)(d); Review the progress of investigations conducted by the DSPE into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or an offence under the Cr.PC – section (8)(1)(e); Review the progress of the applications pending with the competent authorities for sanction of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – section 8(1)(f); Tender advice to the Central Government and its organizations on such matters as may be referred to it by them – section 8(1) (g); Exercise superintendence over the vigilance administrations of the various Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organizations of the Central Government – section 8(1)(h) Crux: Remember Section 8 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 In simpler words, CBI works under the guidance of CVC when the matter is related to public corruption. CVC doesn't have any control or oversight over CBI as its officers are appointed, transferred and promoted by DoPT which comes under PMO. CBI investigates other high-profile cases other than the matters of public corruption while CVC's role is only limited to matters of corruption and probity in public life. Person in news: M.S. Swaminathan 1ST World Agriculture Prize for Swaminathan In news: Renowned agricultural scientist and the chief architect of the green revolution in India, M S Swaminathan, was awarded the first World Agriculture Prize for his contributions to Indian agriculture . The prize, instituted by the private think tank Indian Council for Food and Agriculture (ICFA), includes a $100,000 cash award. (₹73,45,500) Receiving the prize, Swaminathan said: “There is no agriculture without farmers. It is the basic need of people and it cannot be commercialised”. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Touching base Introduction India and Japan institutionalised annual meeting since 2006, since then both the countries have held a closely aligned world-view. In the forthcoming annual summit both the countries are expected to take stock of all the challenges they are facing, notably with regard to the U.S. and China. Challenges before India and Japan Trade tariffs applied by U.S., sanctions against Iran and Russia, as well as the U.S.’s exit from several multilateral and security regimes are impacting both countries in different ways. For India, the impact is more direct, as the economy has been hurt by new American tariffs, review of its GSP (trading) status, and restrictions on visas for professionals. The possible U.S. sanctions over Indian engagement with Iran as well as defence purchases from Russia pose a looming challenge. For Japan too, U.S. trade tariffs are a concern and Washington’s exit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership is corralling Southeast Asian countries into a free trade regime under Chinese domination. The U.S.’s on and off nuclear negotiations with North Korea is cause of concern for Japan. The other common concern is managing an increasingly influential China. To resolve multilateral issues India and Japan must closely cooperate on how to manage these challenges while maintaining their growing security ties with U.S., as members of the trilateral and quadrilateral formations in the Indo-Pacific. India and China had decided to compare notes on the way forward with their common neighbour, especially on building and financing alternatives to China’s Belt and Road projects for countries along the “Asia-Africa growth corridor”. Bilateral negotiations The Shinkansen bullet train project (Bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmadabad) has gathered speed with respect to finances but it could still run into delays over land acquisition issues. India and Japan have stepped up military exchanges, and will begin negotiations on a landmark acquisition and cross-servicing logistics agreement. The purchase of ShinMaywa US-2 amphibian aircraft proceedings are still pending. In bilateral trade, level of trade between both the countries has declined as compared to what was there five years ago. Conclusion India and Japan are facing many similar challenges but none of these issues is insurmountable. The larger concerns of how to navigate uncharted and stormy geopolitical terrain, while maintaining strong positions on the international rules-based order, are likely to dominate this annual summit. (This news is in early stages, larger picture will be clear after the conclusion of summit.) Connecting the dots: In the changing world order, India and Japan has a bigger role to play for sustaining rule based global order. Discuss. (MAINS FOCUS) HEALTH/POLLUTION TOPIC:General studies 2 & 3 Health and public services Local governance and administration Infrastructure Environment and pollution Think small Introduction Bad sanitation is India’s worst-kept secret, but recent data from Uttar Pradesh show that in spite of working in mission mode to expand sanitation, 87% of faecal sludge expelled from toilets in urban areas is untreated. Study conducted by Centre for Science and Environment The study in U.P. conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment has now exposed the grim situation. Viewed against the 2030 goal to achieve clean water and sanitation for all under the UN Sustainable Development Agenda, this depressing statistic shows how much work remains to be done. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/23/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/d2b1bef2_2476469_101_mr.jpg Steps taken by state and their effects State support for improved housing and planned development has never been strong, and the National Urban Sanitation Policy of 2008 has not changed that significantly. At the national scale, a United Nations report of 2015 estimates that 65,000 tonnes of untreated faeces is introduced into the environment in India annually. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan promised a major shift, but it has focussed more on the basic requirement of household and community toilets in rural and urban areas. The study The study by CSE has exposed broken links, of faecal sludge and septage being collected from household tanks and simply discharged into drains, open land and wetlands. The problem of the waste not being contained collected without manual labour, transported and treated safely is becoming graver. Need of new approach The CSE study is being followed up with a mapping exercise on the flow of faecal waste streams in individual cities. The collection efficiency for sludge in Varanasi, Allahabad and Aligarh and such cities ranges from just 10% to 30%. It is now time for a new approach. This has to be decentralised and different from the strategy being used to clean the Ganga. Clean Ganga strategy relies on large sewage treatment plants for riverside cities and towns. Immediate investments in decentralised sludge management systems would bring twin benefits: of improving the environment and reducing the disease burden imposed by insanitary conditions. Way forward One immediate intervention needed is the creation of an inter-departmental task force to identify land to build small treatment systems for sludge, and to provide easily accessible solutions to houses that are currently discharging waste into open drains. The business of emptying faecal material using tanker trucks needs to be professionalised and de-stigmatised. It is unacceptable that manual scavengers continue to be employed in violation of the law to clean septic tanks in some places, and caste factors play out in the recruitment of workers even in the mechanised operations. All aspects of the business of sanitation need reform if India is to meet Goal Number 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals with egalitarian policies. A large State such as Uttar Pradesh provides the opportunity to demonstrate commitment to policy. Success here can transform lives. Connecting the dots: Decentralised sludge management systems are vital to achieve clean water goals of SDG by 2030. 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) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up on the recommendation of: Santhanam Committee Administrative Reforms Commission of India Gorwala Report Ashok Mehta Committee Q.2) Consider the following about Central Vigilance Commission The Central vigilance Commission is an apex body setup by Parliament on the recommendations of Santhanam committee report. The jurisdiction of the Commission extends only over Central government agencies. It also exercises superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 3 1 and 2 2 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements about CVC and CBI: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was established by an executive resolution of the Central government. CVC establishment was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. Which of the above given statements are correct? 1, 2 and 3 only 1 and 2 only 3 and 4 only All of the above Q.4) The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor or AAGC is an economic cooperation agreement between the governments of India and Russia Japan and Russia India and Japan USA and Japan MUST READ Who will speak truth to unfreedom? The Hindu Proceed with caution The Hindu Punjab’s burning problem The Hindu East meets east Indian Express A gulf too wide Indian Express Courting anarchy Business Line

Oct 26, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 26th October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Mammals of India (MaOI) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Conservation of animals In news: Scientists and researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore have come up with a new citizen-science repository on Indian mammals, called Mammals of India (MaOI). Mammals of India (MaOI) is an online, peer-reviewed, freely-accessible portal – The website provides an opportunity to anyone to upload photographic observations on mammals to be reviewed by experts and uploaded on the website. Do you know? As per current estimates, 426 species of mammals are found in India; of them 47 species are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. China, Japan to partner in building Asia infrastructure Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations In news: Japan and China to partner in building Asia infrastructure 40th anniversary of the China-Japan treaty of friendship Both leaders are expected to seek areas of convergence between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Japan’s concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific. India set to be third largest aviation market In news: India will be the third largest aviation market globally. While China will climb up one spot to displace US as the world’s largest aviation market in the mid-2020s, India will take the third place by surpassing the U.K. around 2024. Asia-Pacific region is expected to see the fastest growth at the rate of 4.8%, followed by Africa (4.6%) and west Asia (4.4%). Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/26/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_05/92d571e0_2483606_101_mr.jpg (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 3 Economy; Tax and GDP In the net: on direct tax base Introduction Government released the new back series data, according to it, the direct tax base has significantly widened in the last few years. The steps taken by the Union government over the last few years to widen its tax base may finally be yielding some rewards. Do you know? Tax to GDP ratio: The tax-to-GDP ratio is a ratio of a nation's tax revenue relative to its gross domestic product (GDP). The tax-to-GDP ratio drops, when a country's tax revenues grow at a slower rate than the GDP,. As tax revenue grows quicker than the GDP, the ratio will increase. The government's ability to spend on socioeconomic development depends on the tax to GDP ratio. Tax buoyancy: Tax buoyancy is an indicator to measure efficiency and responsiveness of revenue mobilization in response to growth in the Gross domestic product or National income. A tax is said to be buoyant if the tax revenues increase more than proportionately in response to a rise in national income or output. Analysis of data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes: The total number of tax returns filed in the country increased by over 80% over the last four financial years, from 3.79 crores in 2013-14 to 6.85 crores in 2017-18. Further, the direct tax to GDP ratio rose to 5.98% in 2017-18, the highest it has been in the last 10 years. The average income reported by individual and corporate taxpayers also witnessed a significant rise in the last three years. The total direct tax collection is estimated to be over ₹10 lakh crore in 2017-18, an increase of about 18% from the previous year. With tax growth rate surpassing the growth in GDP, the tax buoyancy factor rose to 1.81. Reason behind rise in tax compliance This rise in tax compliance has been attributed to the various measures taken by the Union government to increase compliance. It includes better gathering of information about sources of income, ease of getting refunds, and lowering of various other tax compliance costs. Criticism The widening of the tax base is clearly good news for a government which, from the very beginning of its tenure, has declared its intent to improve tax collections. But the contribution of direct taxes to the total amount of taxes collected by the government, which is currently 52.29%, is still below what it was in 2013-14. In fact, the share of direct taxes has fallen every single year since 2013-14, except this year. It is also far too low when compared to its peak of over 60% in 2009-10. In other words, most of the rise in the total tax collection in the last few years has come from indirect tax collections. This year, direct tax collection increased at a higher rate compared to the collection of indirect taxes. Way forward A further increase in the share of direct taxes will help the government to lower regressive indirect taxes that impose a significant burden on the poor. Direct taxes are also a better choice from the standpoint of economic efficiency as they help avoid the severe distortionary effects of indirect taxes such as the Goods and Services Tax. Amidst increasing global tax competition, India is likely to face pressure to bring down corporate tax rates if it wants to maintain its stature as an attractive investment destination. Efforts to draft a new direct tax cod are caught in the net bureaucratic delays. There is need to address this issue. Connecting the dots: Even though there is significant increase in direct tax base, there is need to bring the Direct Tax Code. Discuss. NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 3 Infrastructure: Energy Sustainable agriculture Environment and climate change Our time begins now Introduction Even at the time of its signing in 2015, it was clear that the Paris Agreement on climate change would not be enough to avoid global warming of 1.5° C over pre-industrial temperatures. In fact, early analyses revealed that the collective effect of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) would result in 3-5° C of warming. More recently, there has been mounting pressure on India to raise its pledges further. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on 1.5° C has come at a time when there are multiple alarms for India. Another study in Nature Climate Change identifies India as the country with the most expected damage from rising levels of carbon dioxide. India and global scenario India’s NDC is already ambitious and it has made decisive changes in its energy sector. Meanwhile, the U.S. has pulled out of the climate treaty, and the support of Australia and Brazil teeters on the outcome of their respective elections. Some countries are also doing less than they claim. According to a study, with aviation, shipping and trade counted, the U.K. has made no reduction to its greenhouse gas emissions. Socio-economic challenges before India India has two complex and inter-related problems; to bring a vast population out of poverty and into decent lives, while dealing responsibly with the global carbon challenge and building resilience to climate change. India ranks 130 among nations in the Human Development Index. In spite of remarkable recent improvements, India still has 364 million living in multidimensional poverty. Nearly a third (27.5%) are multidimensionally poor and about a fifth (19.1%) are vulnerable to becoming poor. Almost half the country is therefore at high risk from events such as loss of a job or ill health of a family member. Combined with damage from a severe cyclone, flood or drought, each subsequent shock will have a multiplier effect on hundreds of millions, potentially pushing them deeper into poverty. Add to this the current rural distress and the large youth bulge with few job prospects, and the country is in dire straits. It is clear that past development frameworks have not improved well-being across social strata. Evidence indicates that economic growth has gone hand-in-hand with rising inequality and the creation of a small but powerful class of the super-rich. SDGs are crucial To deal with these complex challenges it is needed to deepen and expand India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Only the transformative and cross- scale changes can realise the synergies of meeting SDGs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate. Further, “scaling up” may not be the correct way for size and diversity of India rather, relevant modifications and local and institutional innovation will be more appropriate. India has a large number of successful examples of transformative innovation around energy production and access, land, livelihoods and climate resilience. Infrastructure The Bureau of Energy Efficiency showed how government ‘nudges’ are made effective through appliance labelling and large-scale procurement of efficient devices. In the building and cement industry, innovation around housing and new materials, including natural fibre composites, could make far-reaching changes in infrastructure through low-carbon modular technologies. Affordable and clean energy India expects to reach its ambitious solar target of 100 GW capacity by 2022 primarily through large centralised solar power plants. To achieve these targets, significant amounts of land, water and evacuation infrastructure and support from mega-corporations is required. Some States have shown, renewable-based microgrids can become an important feature of electricity policy. Jharkhand, which has 249 remote villages powered by solar microgrids, is now considering their use even in villages that are already grid connected. With modern power electronics and innovations in hybrid waste to energy, water recycling and community gardens could be integrated into larger grids. Sustainable approaches to land are evident in cases such as forest conservation in Mendha-Lekha village in Maharashtra and community delivery of public services in Nagaland. These and several other instances are documented in initiatives such as Vikalp Sangam. India has for long had strongly rooted cultural movements about living sustainably with land and its ecology that provide  practical models. Sustainable agriculture Agro-ecology methods are best suited for increasing crop yield, raising profits, trapping soil carbon, reducing dependence on fertilisers and pesticides. Successful models are already effective in some states, one such example is "Zero Budget Natural Farming" of Andhra Pradesh. If similar methods were used for the entire country, the savings would be substantial. Conclusion Energy and livelihood gains from alternative visions could be far more significant than conventional ways of replacing fossil-fuelled infrastructure  with renewables. It involves a lot of learning-by-doing, living laboratories and innovation, practice, patience and support from government and academia. Large investments are needed to make the transitions in each sector that would take the country to a near zero-carbon economy. But given the shortage of external support and the need for rapid deployment, India will not be able to rely entirely on external funds. Some of this could instead be financed through a ‘luxury’ carbon tax that curbs non-essential consumption. Savings can also be expected from the economic and social transformation itself. Political pressure and activism across the globe may soon turn the tide in other countries, but India needs to begin now with its enormous untapped successes. We cannot be pressured from outside, but need to change from within. Connecting the dots: India has to bring a vast population out of poverty and into decent lives, while dealing responsibly with the global carbon challenge and building resilience to climate change. Comment. (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 below statements with regard to mammals: The drastic feature which separates a mammal from an animal is that mammals have mammary glands, which all animals do not have. Rodents make up the largest order of mammals and Shrews and moles are second largest group of mammals. The smallest mammal is the Bumblebee Bat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Which of the following mammals are exclusively endemic to India? Elvira rat Namdhapa flying squirrel Malabar Civet Markhor Select the code from following: 1,2 and 3 2,3 and 4 1,3 and 4 All of the above Q.3) Which among the following are features of Mammal? Sweat glands and oil glands are found on skin Tooth comes twice in these animals There is no nucleus in its blood cells All non-egg laying animals are mammals and hence man is also a mammal Choose the correct code 1 and 4 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only All the above Q.4) According to energy efficiency of an electrical appliance, a star rating is given to it. This guides a customer to go for more energy efficient appliance. Which of the following organizations gives Star rating in India? Bureau of Energy Efficiency Bureau of Indian Standards Department of Science and Technology DRDO Q.5) On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? Ceiling fans Electric geysers Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct code 1 and 2 only 3 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Our time begins now The Hindu Think small: on Ganga rejuvenation The Hindu #MeTooIndia: Will it change the way men behave? The Hindu Custom vs law Indian Express CBI is dead, long live CBI Indian Express Retrieving the spoils of colonialism Livemint Is it time to introduce wholesale banks in India? Livemint

Oct 26, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 96]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 96] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Biodiversity Atlas – India’ It provides a powerful natural history web-platform for species-based bioinformatics Mammals of India (MaOI) is a part of the Biodiversity Atlas. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management’ It provides a forum for the active exchange of innovations, knowledge and practice in citizen-centred service delivery, leadership development and growth, and public service management It is under the aegis of United Nations (UN) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘PRISM’ is a tool used to collect private electronic data belonging to users of major internet services. It is associated with which of the following countries? United States of America France India China Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GEPI)’ It is a public-private partnership led by national governments World Health Organization (WHO) and e United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are partners of the GEPI Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Where is the famous ‘Kamakhya temple’ located? Hampi Chidambaram Srikalahasti Guwahati To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Oct 26, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – Awareness – Anthony De Mello

Awareness - Anthony De Mello: Awareness is a beautiful and thought provoking book about the nature of reality within and around us. Anthony De Mello has written this engaging book to help us understand the real meaning of awareness and what we have to do get ourselves back to the present moment. We are all sleep-walking. More often than not we are simply lost in our thoughts. We are rarely in the present moment. Awareness is a call to wake up to our inner reality. It is also a reminder of who we really are. Mankind has been asleep for a very long time. This book is a call for awakening. Throughout history, great minds have always spoken about the importance of being in the moment and practices that can help us to do it. Meditation, Mindfulness and other spiritual practices are all about learning how to be in the present moment. Anthony helps us to understand all this in a unique and characteristic style of his. Pick up this book if you want to understand more about your inner life. This will be a good introduction to understanding yourself better. The book offers a breezy read, and at the same time helps you to think deeper about the situation of life and how to understand it. All we are missing in this world is Awareness.

Oct 25, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 95]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 95] Archives Q.1) ‘Bangaram Island’ was in news recently. Where is it located? Lakshadweep Goa Odisha West Bengal Q.2) What is ‘Hiyang Tannaba’? A traditional boat race of Manipur Martial Art of Arunachal Pradesh Colourful Motifs done with hands and paint made of rice and flour on auspicious occasions in Mizoram. An instrument played by Buddhist Monks Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Bala Bodhisattva’ It was found in Sarnath in early 1900s The inscription on it states that Kanishka I had several kshatrapas under his commands in order to rule his vast territory Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) ‘Gandikota Gorge’ is formed by which of the following rivers? Brahmaputra Godavari Pennar Krishna Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Hiuen Tsang’ He was known as ‘Prince of Pilgrims’ He travelled India during the reign of Chandra Gupta II Choose the appropriate code 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Oct 25, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 25th October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Centre sets up GoM on sexual harassment Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social/Women issue; Polity In news: The Centre established a Group of Ministers to recommend measures to effectively implement the law against sexual harassment at the workplace and to strengthen the legal and institutional framework in response to the #MeToo campaign. The GoM to come up with a comprehensive plan within three months and devise ways to ensure its time-bound implementation. Earlier, the Centre had set up a panel of legal luminaries, recommended by Ms. Gandhi on the lines of the Justice Verma Committee, to do the above task. (However, now that panel has been quietly junked and task is transferred to GoM) Important Value Additions What is "Groups of Ministers (GoMs)" in relation to Indian Polity? Group of Ministers (GoM) are ad hoc bodies or inter-Ministerial panel formed to give recommendations to the cabinet on certain emergent issues and critical problem areas. During the UPA regime (from past two decades), the institution of GoMs had become a viable and effective instrument of coordination among the ministries. Ministers heading the concerned ministries were inducted into the relevant GoMs and when the advice is crystallised they were disbanded. The system of GoMs was intended to operate as a single window clearance on crucial issues related to various ministries with the objective of expediting policy making and good governance. Do you know? Both Group of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered GoMs (EGoMs) get appointed under the Government of India’s Transaction of Business Rules 1961, which at para 6 (4) provides that ‘Ad hoc Committees of Ministers including Group of Ministers may be appointed by the Cabinet, the Standing Committees of the Cabinet or by the Prime Minister for investigating and reporting to the Cabinet on such matters as may be specified, and, if so authorised by the Cabinet, Standing Committees of the Cabinet or the Prime Minister, for taking decisions on such matters.’ Panel on sustainable development goals Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Governance; Issues relating to development and management of Social services In news: The Cabinet approved the setting up of a high-level steering committee chaired by the Chief Statistician of India and Secretary to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to review if India was on track to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The panel would decide if there was a need to “refine” indicators by reviewing the National Indicator Framework periodically. The committee would recommend measures to “mainstream” SDGs into ongoing national policies, programmes and strategic action plans to address the developmental challenges. About SDG The SDGs are a list of 17 goals, including elimination of poverty, ending hunger, ensuring provision of quality education, clean water and sanitation, that countries must achieve by 2030. Indian Institutes of Skills: Skill development centres on PPP Model Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Skill development; Education, Human Resources development ; Government schemes and policies In news: Government approves scheme for setting up Indian Institute of Skills The Centre has decided to set up skill development institutes on government land, in partnership with private players, across the country. The public-private partnership model will be adopted to set up the institutes — to be called the Indian Institutes of Skills — at select locations, based on demand and available infrastructure. The institutes are expected to help boost the global competitiveness of key industry sectors by providing high-quality skill training, applied research education and a direct and meaningful connection with the industry. Do you know? Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid foundation stone of the country’s first Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh to make India the Skill Capital of the World. About Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) The IIS is being opened by the Union Skill Development Ministry in partnership with the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore. The idea of IIS was conceptualised by PM Modi during his visit to Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education. Its primary objective is to empower India’s youth to be more employable and self-sustainable. The Union Skill Development Ministry has planned to set up six such institutes across country in coming years. SC to ban sale of BS-IV vehicles from 2020 Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environmental concerns; Pollution In news: The Supreme Court banned the sale and registration of motor vehicles conforming to the emission standard Bharat Stage-IV in the entire country from April 1, 2020. It said - ‘No compromise on public health’ The country will have to shift to the cleaner Bharat- VI fuel from April 1, 2020. About Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms BS norms are standards instituted by the government to regulate output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. Do you know? The BS-IV norms have been enforced across the country since April 2017. In 2016, the Centre had announced that the country would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020. Centre’s nod for ₹7,522 cr. fisheries fund Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III - Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Infrastructure; Fisheries and Aquaculture In news: The Centre has set up a ₹7,522-crore fund to create infrastructure facilities for the fisheries sector. The move is expected to boost annual fish production to 20 million tonnes by 2022-23 from the current production of 11.4 million tonnes. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) The establishment of the FIDF was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC) and all scheduled Banks (hereinafter referred as Banks) shall be the nodal Loaning Entities. Benefits: Creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors. To augment fish production to achieve its target of 15 million tonne by 2020 set under the Blue Revolution; and to achieve a sustainable growth of 8% -9% thereafter to reach the fish production to the level of about 20 MMT by 2022-23. Employment opportunities to over 9.40 lakh fishers/fishermen/fisherfolk and other entrepreneurs in fishing and allied activities. To attract private investment in creation and management of fisheries infrastructure facilities. Adoption of new technologies. Do you know? Under FIDF, loan lending will be over a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23 and maximum repayment will be over a period of 12 years inclusive of moratorium of two years on repayment of principal. Israel, India sign $777 mn missile deal Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International relations; India and the world; Defence In news: India and Israel has signed a $777 mn deal Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to supply additional Barak-8 Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) systems for seven warships of the Indian Navy. The LRSAM can intercept aerial targets up to a range of 80 km. It is being co-developed by the DRDO in India and IAI, and will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 3 Defence and security Science and technology; Indigenisation of technologies At digital war Introduction Indian Prime minister has a vision of a Digital Armed Force. Importance of dominating the cyber space is increasing. He also emphasised on the role of the services in encouraging the development of domestic capabilities. Progress in cyber space The government has sanctioned the raising of a cyber agency that will steer the planning and conduct of cyber warfare in the military. Once the doctrine has matured, the cyber agency will be expanded to a much-needed cyber command. Building domestic capability for the manufacture of sophisticated weapons and equipment is a major challenge. Despite Indian products being available, a concerted effort to use indigenous solutions is conspicuously absent, with the Army being the most laggard in this regard. A case study The existence of the PRISM programme, under which the United States National Security Agency (NSA) collected data from internet communications. Leaked documents showed the very close involvement of US technology companies like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Apple in the programme. According to the documents, the NSA was collecting data directly from the servers of US service providers. Further revelations, disclosed by The Guardian showed that Microsoft had actively helped the NSA to circumvent its own encryption of web chats. America is not the only country that uses these practices. A recent Bloomberg report pointed out that China’s intelligence services had ordered subcontractors in China to plant malicious chips in Supermicro server motherboards bound for the US. Many countries have moved to restrict foreign products from use in critical networks. Examples of such ban are China and US banning each other's products. India seems to be unaware of the vulnerabilities that exist in our critical networks due to foreign hardware and software. Hardware and software in Indian armed forces Despite Huawei being probed for hacking a BSNL network in 2014, over 60 per cent of software and hardware being used by BSNL is sourced from either Huawei or ZTE. Even Australia, with a billion lesser population than India, has banned Huawei from supplying equipment for 5G mobile network, citing national security risks. The Air Force Network (AFNET) was launched in 2010. Present on that occasion was the Cisco country head because his company was a major supplier of equipment for AFNET. The army’s latest communication backbone, Network for Spectrum (NFS), also uses Cisco equipment. The Indian Army mostly uses the Microsoft Windows operating system on its official computers. Windows is an outstanding system but is a closed-source software owned by a company that is bound by US laws and historically tied to the American intelligence community. India is a prime target for American spying; in the overall list of countries targeted by PRISM, India stood at the fifth place. An indigenous experiment: BOSS In 2015, the Northern Command of the army decided to adopt the Bharat Operating System Solutions (BOSS) for all its official computers. BOSS is an indigenously developed open-source system by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). CDAC is the R&D; organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. At the start, there were many teething problems. The user-friendliness of Windows could not be replicated and re-training of a generation that had grown up with Windows was not easy. They were convinced that national security cannot be subordinated to the ease of making a PowerPoint presentation. Three years later, the army is still debating the merits of BOSS, and the arguments are still centred on simplicity of usage, not security of networks. Instead of supporting BOSS, there is a push to return to Windows. Despite the clear dangers in cyber space, we remain inexorably tied to past practices and show little desire to make changes that are essential to protect our national interests. Conclusion The Indian military should take the lead in indigenising its IT infrastructure. A policy decision to indigenise our cyber space will have greater and more far reaching national security implications. Connecting the dots: To win the cyber space face-offs, India should indigenise the IT infrastructure of the military, soon. Comment. NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 3 Indian economy Banking and NBFCs Liquidity squeeze hurts NBFCs Introduction Recently, shares of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have witnessed a steep fall in recent weeks after concerns over whether they can successfully meet their short-term dues. Housing finance companies (HFCs) in particular were worst affected. The current crisis began with the default of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&F;) on several of its dues last month. The Union government subsequently decided to step in and assure lenders to the company that their money would be paid back safely without any default. DO you know? NBFC A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority or other business institutions. It does not include any institution whose principal business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods or providing any services and activities related to immovable property. A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in one lump sum or in instalments by way of contributions or in any other manner, is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company). NBFCs lend and make investments and hence their activities are similar to that of banks; however there are a few differences as given below: NBFC cannot accept demand deposits; NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself; Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs, unlike in case of banks. For more about NBFCs frequently asked questions on NBFCs How did they get into trouble? Many NBFCs use short-term loans borrowed from the money market to extend long-term loans to their customers. This leads to a mismatch in the duration of their assets and liabilities and exposes NBFCs to the substantial risk of being unable to pay back their lenders on time. NBFCs usually resort to rolling over, or refinancing, their old short-term debt with new short-term debt to compensate for the mismatch in duration. But even though NBFCs usually manage to roll over their short-term debt smoothly, there are times when they may fail to do so. Such risk is high particularly during times of crisis when lenders are affected by fear. In such cases, they may have to resort to sale of their assets at distress prices to meet their dues. This can turn a liquidity crisis into a more serious solvency crisis, wherein the total value of the assets of a company falls below the value of its total liabilities. Further, NBFCs also face the risk of having to pay higher interest rates each time they refinance their short-term debt. As interest rates rise across the globe, equity investors believe that the cost of borrowing of NBFCs will rise and affect their profit margins. Investors may be pricing in the prospect of falling profits for NBFCs in the coming quarters. Way forward It is hoped that banks will offer a helping hand to NBFCs to meet their short-term dues to lenders like mutual funds. Many further believe that a widespread financial panic may not be on the cards as the government will act as a lender of last resort. Such bailouts create the risk of moral hazard in the wider financial system. NBFCs, for instance, may continue to borrow short-term to extend long-term loans to their customers because they expect the government to bail them out if they get into trouble. In fact, some believe that financial institutions in general have traditionally resorted to borrowing short-term to finance long-term loans simply because there is an implicit guarantee extended by the government. As the cost of borrowing funds rises, NBFCs may have to settle for lower profits unless they find a way to pass the burden of higher rates on to borrowers. Connecting the dots: What are NBFCs? Explain their role in stability of Indian economy. (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 with regard to Group of Ministers (GoMs): GoMs are ad hoc bodies formed to give recommendations to the cabinet on certain emergent issues and critical problem areas. GoMs get appointed under the Government of India’s Transaction of Business Rules 1961. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None Q.2) The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the "universal, integrated and transformative" 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Identify the correct goals Gender Inequality Affordable and clean energy Combat desertification End of nuclear energy Clean water and sanitation Food security Select the correct code 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 2, 3, 5 and 6 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Q.3) With regard to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consider the following statements: These are also known as "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". The SDGs build on the principles agreed upon in entitled "The Future We Want". Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None Q.4) National Skill development Fund and National Skill development Corporation have been set up by Ministry of Finance Ministry of Skill development Ministry of Commerce Ministry of MSME Q.5) Which of the following can reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect? Use of light-colored concrete and white roofs. Planting trees in cities. Implementation of Bharat Stage VI. Implementation of Energy Conservation Building Code Select the correct answer using the codes given below. 1, 2 and 4 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only All the above Q.6) Which of the following emissions get regulated under Bharat stage VI? Carbon dioxide Hydro carbons Nitrogen oxides Particulate Matter Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1, 2, 3 and 4 1 and 4 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 Q.7)  Consider the following statements with regard to Bharat stage emission standards (BSES) The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by Central Pollution Control Board India will be skipping BS-V and directly move to BS-VI from BS-IV Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.8) Long Range Surface to Air Missile recently handed over to Indian Navy is Jointly covered by India and Russia Jointly covered by India and Japan Jointly covered by India and USA Jointly covered by India and Israel MUST READ An ‘anti-national’ regulation The Hindu A city terrorised out of character The Hindu At digital war Indian Express The Allahabad in Prayagraj Indian Express Why arms control is doomed to failure Livemint How to successfully set a minimum wage in India Livemint

Oct 24, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 24th October 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 24th October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) SC moves to make festivals less noisy Part of: GS Mains II and III – Health issue; Pollution; Environmental concerns In news: The article deals with right to public health. Supreme Court held that only green or improved crackers would be used during religious festivals and other occasions, including weddings. It has fixed time limit - for bursting crackers during Deepavali and other festivals to two hours: between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. For Christmas and New Year, the time slot allowed is half-an-hour, between 11.55 p.m. and half-past midnight. CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and PESO to make collaborative efforts for setting up of standards with regard to air pollution caused by the bursting of fire-crackers. The judgment said though the right to health was part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 and assumed “greater importance,” the “endeavour” of the court right now was to strive for a balance between the right to public health and the right to occupation of the industry. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/24/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/298c4cf2_2478571_101_mr.jpg Important Value Additions: About Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) PESO is the apex department to control and administer manufacture, storage, transport and handling of explosives, petroleum, compressed gases and other hazardous substances in India. It functions under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives It is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is responsible for the administration of a host of laws pertaining to the regulation of explosives. These include the Explosives Act, 1884; the Inflammable Substances Act, 1952 and the Explosives Rules, 2008. The PESO has been testing samples of crackers only for adherence to the sound limit of 125 decibels at a distance of four meters. Direct tax base widens sharply over 4 years, compliance rises Part of: Prelims and mains GS III – Indian economy: Tax base In News: Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/23/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_13/3cc19cae_2476327_101_mr.jpg The direct tax base has significantly widened in the last few years, according to new back series data released by the government. The data showed a growth of more than 80% in the number of returns filed in the last four financial years from 3.79 crore in financial year (FY) 2013­14 to 6.85 crore in FY 2017­18. Further, the number of persons filing income tax returns also increased by about 65% during this period from 3.31 crore in FY 2013­14 to 5.44 crore in FY 2017­18. The data is showing higher level of compliance resulting from various legislative and administrative measures taken by the government, including effective enforcement measures against tax evasion. The data also showed that the direct tax­GDP ratio rose to 5.98% in FY 2017­18, the highest it has been in the last 10 years. Some of the measures One, the effect of demonetization. Two, the increase in the use of information being collected digitally and being used by the tax department. Three, the movement towards digital assessment and decrease in the number of cases being picked up for scrutiny, and Four, the ease of getting refund, majorly by small and medium taxpayers. Xi opens world’s longest sea bridge Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International affairs In news: Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated a 55-km bridge that will deepen the integration of Hong Kong and Macao with the rest of China. The world’s longest sea-crossing bridge will be at the heart of an integrated Greater Bay Area (GBA) covering 11 major neighbouring cities, which include Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The giant GBA is expected to rival the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S., as well as the Tokyo Bay Area of Japan. Mission Antyodaya Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Rural development; Government schemes and Policies About Mission Antyodaya Mission Antyodaya is a convergence framework for measurable effective outcomes on parameters that transform lives and livelihoods. ‘Real Difference comes about through Convergence’ as it alone simultaneously addresses multi dimensions of poverty. Professionals, Institutions and Enterprises make it possible. Poverty Free India by 2022 WHY MISSION ANTYODAYA? Evidence of convergence reducing poverty, raising incomes – IRMA Study. ‘Communitization’ through Women SHGs improves education, health, nutrition indicators. Saturation approach creates many more ‘islands of success’ Leveraging Bank loans promotes an enterprise model. Many initiatives provide for universal coverage of the eligible beneficiaries – Ujwala, SBM, PMAY, Skills, Power, Roads, internet, Bank accounts. Integral positive co-relation among infrastructure, human development and sustainable economic well-being. 5000 islands of successful Rural Clusters over 1000 days will be transformational. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/24/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_11/627d9463_2477835_101_mr.jpg (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Bilateral, regional or global agreements involving India and or affecting India’s interests Effects of policies of developed or developing countries on India’s interests Outcomes versus promises Introduction Russian President's visit to Delhi, came just a month after the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between India and US. Both the events were historic in India’s diplomatic history. There are challenges ahead for India to maintain a balance between the relations with respect to her own interests. Summit versus dialogue The summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is now an annual event, the protocol having been agreed upon by Mr. Putin and Manmohan Singh in 2005. Summits have often led to spectacular breakthroughs — in the 2009 meeting, the log-jam in the long pending sale to India of the Russian aircraft carrier, Gorshkov (since renamed Vikramaditya) could be resolved and, in the latest instance, the inking of the $5.4 billion S-400 Triumf missile defence system. The recent 2+2 Dialogue between India and the U.S., on the other hand, is a new concept. while it has been hailed as a path-breaking event paving the way for an avalanche of state-of-the art defence equipment from the U.S., the outcomes from this initial meet were clearly dwarfed by what took place during Mr. Putin’s visit. The 2+2 Dialogue — a format the U.S. employs with some of its closest allies including Japan and Australia — has given the impression that India has come within the U.S. orbit of influence, detaching itself further from Russia. This impression is further heightened by India signing on to the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) recently. On the other hand India still fancies a close relationship with Russia, one of its and most dependable allies. A comparison of the Russia-India summit outcome with the promises made during the 2+2 Dialogue can hardly be a true index of what lies in the future. The summit’s mega missile defence deal clearly took the shine off any promises made at the 2+2 Dialogue regarding future defence acquisitions from the U.S. Russia’s S-400 Triumf, possibly the best missile defence system in the world, comes with no strings attached. There is no Russian equivalent of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in place. The S-400 Triumf can be deployed against all enemies, irrespective of any other defence choices that India might have. Russian steadfastness India and Russia signed on to a document to expand civil nuclear energy cooperation and agreed on a second site for Russian nuclear reactors. They signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint programme in the field of human space-flight, enabling Indian astronauts to be trained in Russia. They also agreed on the virtues of a regional security architecture to provide security to all countries in Asia and in the regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This seemed to demonstrate a clear ‘mutuality of interests’. Significance of 2+2 dialogue The 2+2 Dialogue, for its part, marks a paradigmatic change in the nature of India-U.S. relations. It hence needs to be viewed, more appropriately, as the culmination of a long-standing attempt by the U.S. to woo India, something that has been in the works for some time. As a prelude to this, the U.S. had renamed the Asia-Pacific as the Indo-Pacific. It had blocked more than $1.5 billion in U.S. security aid to Pakistan, allotting a mere $150 million in 2019. S.-India economic cooperation was stated to have grown exponentially within two decades, with the total goods and services trade between India and U.S. increasing from $11.2 billion in 1995 to $126.2 billion in 2017. S. foreign direct investment into India substantially increased during this period. The most important bait was India being accorded the status of a ‘major defence partner’. The underlying theme of the 2+2 Dialogue aimed at forging a possible containment of China strategy, with India partnering the U.S. in this effort. The U.S., at present, perceives China as posing a major challenge to its supremacy, and ‘the most significant threat to U.S. interest from a counter-intelligence perspective’. Choices before India Differences in the outcomes of the Putin-Modi summit and the promises made in 2+2 dialogue are thus quite apparent. Russia was essentially seeking to cement a relationship with India that has existed for several years. It was not insisting on any exclusivity as far as relationships go. The U.S. wanted India to view foreign policy perspectives largely through a U.S. prism, and thereafter make a choice. Russia has already given a hint that it has the option of other choices, which might not exclude Pakistan. The situation is greatly complicated by the fact that the world today faces a post-Cold War situation. The rise of China’s economic power and its growing military might, and the re-emergence of Russia are significant pointers to this situation. The U.S., hence, no longer holds all the cards. Additionally, many existing precepts are undergoing changes. For example, the threat to the rules-based international order today comes as much from within existing democracies. India can hardly alienate Russia as it re-emerges as a key presence in Asia and Eurasia. Appearing to reject U.S. overtures, while the latter is seen making every effort to provide India with state-of-the art defence equipment, and acting in tandem with it in groupings such as the Quadrilateral, could prove short-sighted. India and China have differences on several issues, including problems at several points along the border between the two countries. There is also a subliminal struggle between them for the leadership of Asia. Nevertheless, neither India nor China appears ready for an open conflict as it would cost both countries dearly. India is also not unaware of a U.S. lack of resolve to actively resist China’s territorial expansion in the South China Sea, and in preventing China from expanding its naval activities in the IOR. The abortive U.S. “pivot to Asia” is a stark reminder of the limitation of U.S. capabilities today. Conclusion India needs to ponder deeply on what is in its best interests. It should not allow itself to be easily persuaded in the belief that democracies, by and large, offer better choices. It should not reject, without due consideration, what is in its best interest. Its decision needs to be dictated by the cold logic of circumstances. Strategic integrity and autonomy, and mature strategic judgment are required in a world where disruption is the order of the day. Connecting the dots: While Russia is seeking to cement its relationship with India, the U.S. wants India to make strategic choices. How India can balance her relations with both the countries, without compromising her own interests? POLLUTION/ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General studies 3 Environment and ecology Pollution and degradation  Recycle and build Introduction The growing menace of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Indian cities has harmful effects on environment and public health. The municipal corporations, municipalities and other urban local bodies have the crucial responsibilities in responding to the challenge of the rapidly growing volume of C&D waste in India. It is their duty to build awareness among waste generators for the common cause of clean, healthy and sustainable cities. Steps taken by respective governments C&D Waste Management Rules were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in March 2016. For these to be translated into action, municipal corporations, municipalities and other urban local bodies need to prepare waste management plans, notify bye-laws with penalties for non-compliance, and put in place enforcement mechanisms. Facilitating the recycling of C&D waste has to be an important plank of the waste management plans. All this is still a work in progress and there is wide variation across cities. Waste generators must be made aware of the nature of the hazard posed by C&D waste as cooperation from the community is critical for the success of the efforts of urban local bodies. Hazards of C&D waste on environment and ecology C&D waste increases particulate matter in the air and leads to air pollution. Compared with municipal solid waste, it causes more traffic congestion and also pollution from dust. Water gets trapped in the debris, this becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and no amount of spraying can reach the hidden pockets of water. Lakes, stormwater drains, ponds and other water bodies get choked, the city becomes more vulnerable to floods. Dumping C&D waste in lakes for encroachment, a common practice in large cities, also results in loss of wetlands which are necessary for water purification. Way forward: Disposal and recycling Local bodies should begin with the first basic principle of waste management that unmixed discards can almost all be put to use. The deconstruction of buildings enables a much larger recovery of unmixed materials for reuse than mechanical demolition. According to a report, manual demolition by hammer and pickaxe is the norm in northern India, primarily due to the higher rates of reuse of building materials, especially good quality whole bricks, and the low wage rate. For example, Mumbai requires all debris from repairs to be brought down from upper floors only in used cement bags, not loose, and stacked for rapid removal. An example of citizen cooperation is how housing societies in Mumbai encourage this by providing used sacks for a small fee, which covers the cost of transporting the waste off-site. A proactive effort on the part of the municipalities is called for to keep C&D waste off the roads, pavements and vacant sites and encourage its transport to recycling units. Bengaluru, while giving sanction to building plans, also collects ground rent for the use of pavement for storing C&D materials for 1-2 years of construction. Such pavement use should be limited to 2-3 months or until completion of the first slab and thereafter progressive escalation of the ground rent should be explored, to discourage on-site stacking of construction materials. Municipalities must also remove unauthorised dumpsites on vacant land — public or private — while recovering the cost of transporting the waste to the recycling plants through a penalty from the owner. Property tax on unfenced vacant sites should be the same as the tax on a ground floor building on a similar plot area, and interest must be charged on tax dues. Backward and forward linkages need to be forged with all recycling plants so that C&D waste reaches the recycling plants and there is an effective demand for the output from these plants. Government construction works can set an example by using the recycled products as prescribed in Sec 9 (4) of C&D Waste Management Rules (2016). Reputed builders can also take a lead in this respect. Following international practice, it is important to set standards and have quality certification for the recycled materials so that more and more builders are encouraged to use these materials and contribute to the cause of sustainable urban development. Conclusion A proactive effort from municipalities and citizens towards recycling of construction and demolition waste will go a long way in curbing pollution. Connecting the dots: Rapid urbanisation, though a symbol of development, has grave footprints on the environment and ecology. Examine the concerns related to construction and demolition waste; also suggest some measures to contain it. (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 with regard to Ammonium Nitrate: It is not an explosive by itself. It is used as an ingredient for manufacture of explosives, anaesthetic gases, fertilizers, cold packs, etc. It is classified as an oxidizer as per UN classification for Dangerous Goods. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) The PESO has been testing samples of crackers for all types of pollutions. It functions under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None Q.3) Consider the following statements with reference to taxation Higher direct taxes help in controlling Inflation in the economy Higher indirect taxes help in controlling the Inflation in the economy Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following are the Direct taxes in India? Customs duty Security Transaction Tax Capital Gains Tax Professional Tax Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1, 2 and 3 only 1, 3 and 4 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.5) With reference to India's tax system, consider the following statements: Indian tax system is progressive. Corporation tax is the largest contributor among the taxes. Which of the statements given above is/are true? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Must Read  Outcomes versus promises The Hindu Churn in the Neighbourhood: Sri Lanka | President v PM v ex-President Indian Express  Policy paralysis Indian Express    India and the new face of globalization Livemint  Lessons from the Amritsar train accident Livemint

Oct 24, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 94]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 94] Archives Q.1) ‘Druzhba’ is a joint military exercise between Russia and China Pakistan and Russia Pakistan and China India and Kazakhstan Q.2) ‘Sittwe Port’ is a deepwater port constructed by India. Where is it located? Myanmar Maldives Sri Lanka Seychelles Q.3) ‘Amitava Roy’ Committee is constituted to look into Prison Reforms Non-Performing Assets Cross Border Insolvency Railway Safety Q.4) ‘Iron Magic’ is a bilateral exercise between Israel and Jordan India and Israel US and Canada US and UAE Q.5) Islands Development Agency (IDA) is chaired by Union Home Minister Prime Minister Cabinet Secretary Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Oct 24, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV - How safe are high rises?

How Safe are High Rises? Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Disaster and disaster management In News: A Good Samaritan in her early thirties died of asphyxiation after a fire broke out at a condominium in the National Capital region in the wee hours of Monday. The interior designer saved many lives in a high-rise tower at Tulip Orange. Thanks to her, almost everyone escaped to safety, but unfortunately she couldn’t. The Issue – Such tragedies are the result of “a crumbling metropolis” where planning is haphazard and safety norms brazenly flouted. A fire, accidental or otherwise, is likely to cause 12 times more deaths than injuries as per the NCRB data available in the country. The data shows 51 deaths are caused by fire every day. The data shows residential buildings are more likely to catch fire than factories manufacturing combustible items. Incidents at residential buildings account for 29% of the total number of fires caused. Modern day buildings sport corrugated plastic roofs, partition walls, plastic doors, false ceiling panels, interior finish material, and have equipment like washing machines, refrigerators, air-conditioners, televisions, mobile electronic gadgets and computer hardware. These new amenities have, no doubt, made life easier. However, they also pose higher fire risk since many of them are made of material that have higher calorific values and thus more inflammable. For instance, paper work has given way to digital records in offices and homes. This has meant that less of cellulose and more of plastic, which has higher calorific value, is being and stored and used. The National Building Code (NBC), 2016, guidelines lists every detail when it comes to construction, including fire safety. The code lists requirements for different users (residential and commercial buildings, for instance), like the number of exits, placement of extinguishers, a dedicated water supply, fire-retardant building materials, and so on. But implementation is often substandard. The NBC is just that: a guideline, not a mandatory rule of law. Though the fire engines reach, they too are of little help if there is not enough space for their movement, or no adequate space for them to use hoses to douse the fire. The unauthorised parking shed also restrict their movement. Also, the not enough space to use a hydraulic lift to rescue those caught on the upper floors. Over-loading: A new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, has warned that the fire load in modern day buildings in India is three times greater than what was even as late as 1990s. To cut corners, contractors do not use star-rated electrical wiring and instruments. Due to poor quality, the wires and instruments are not able to take the heavy load and it results in fire accidents A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) is required from the Chief Fire officer (CFO) before a new structure can be occupied. The NOC comes only after checking that access to refuge areas (designated spots where occupants must gather to facilitate rescue) is unhindered and that all the requirements of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention Act and the Life Safety Measures Act are adhered to. But the rules are flouted after people shift in, and routine checks are rare. When it comes to granting the NOCs, it is unfair to expect that the Chief Fire Officer, who is essentially a fire fighter, be able to grasp the complexities of engineering and civil works. Ideally this should fall under a specialised body. The Way Forward As Indian cities increasingly grow vertically, it’s important to remember that fires in high-rises are best fought from within. Given the space crunch in Mumbai, often the turntable ladders of fire vehicles cannot be adequately manoeuvred. In such cases, fire engines are just aids; the real fire fighters are the residents. There are some things all citizens must be watchful about. For instance, in some cases, where the conveyance deed is not effected, the terrace, which may be marked as a refuge area, is in the builder’s possession, illegally. Also, commercial users who are co-members in residential premises must be watched with utmost care to prevent them from usurping common areas. It’s essential to attend fire drills and insist on periodic safety checks of our buildings. Invest in fire curtains and smoke barriers that block the spread of flames and smog Merely having sprinklers isn’t enough: they should be checked periodically. Investing in fire hydrants is a must, as is being trained in using them. While having a fire refuge area is mandatory, it’s just as important to check that the doors to fire exits actually open, and that such areas are not encroached upon. An alert managing committee can go a long way in preventing hazards. Basic lessons on fire safety need to form part of academic curriculum of the students Fire safety starts with YOU Ensure all exits are marked clearly. Ensure all refuge areas are accessible and unlocked. Ensure stairways are clear. Do not allow vehicles to park in areas demarcated for rescue vehicles or blocking access for rescue vehicles. Ensure window grills can be opened. Invest in fire-fighting equipment, and learn how to use it. Insist on fire drills. Take action against unauthorised sheds. If your building society does not act, report it to the Fire Department and municipal authorities.

Oct 24, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 23rd October 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 23rd October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Repeated violations by journalists and media organisations Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Justice and governance In news: SC has alleged that media regulators tend to be soft when it comes to dealing with journalists and media organisations whose actions, like revealing the identity of a rape survivor, make them criminally liable. Statutory bodies like the Press Council of India (PCI), Editors Guild of India, National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), and the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) failed to take responsibility to inform the police when a journalist or a media outlet commits such a crime in the course of reportage. The court gave three weeks to PCI, Editors Guild and IBF to respond. Do you know? It is a crime under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code to disclose the identity of victims of sexual abuse, especially if they are children. Important Value Additions: About POCSO Act Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the POCSO Act. It aims to effectively address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children through less ambiguous and more stringent legal provisions. Features of the Act The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age. Act regards the best interests and well-being of the child as being of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the child. It defines different forms of sexual abuse (includes sexual harassment and pornography) People who traffic children for sexual purposes are also punishable under the provisions relating to abetment in the Act. The Act prescribes stringent punishment graded as per the gravity of the offence, with a maximum term of rigorous imprisonment for life, and fine. For more details: National Commission for protection of children's Rights Where Ganga meets the Bay of Pollution Part of: Prelims and mains GS I & III – Culture, Environment and ecology In News An exponential increase in the number of pilgrims coming to the Ganga Sagar Mela, which takes place at the Sagar Island every year during Makar Sankranti, has been responsible for the worsening water pollution, prompting scientists to raise serious concerns about the likely outbreak of several diseases. The number of pilgrims descending on the Sagar Island to take a dip at the place where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal, has risen from 2 lakh in 1990 to 20 lakh in 2018. Health concerns It is found that diseases like cholera, dysentery, and skin disease were predominant in the post­Ganga Sagar Mela period. It was noted that the focus of the administration is mostly on managing the mela, and that it should also manage the pollution with sustainable strategies. Several studies have shown that the island is at the frontline of climate change, facing serious erosion due to rising sea level and tidal surges. Do you know? Sagar Island: Sagar island is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 km (54 nautical miles) south of Kolkata. Although Sagar island is a part of Sunderban Administration, it does not have any tiger habitation or mangrove forests or small river tributaries as is characteristic of the overall sunderban delta. This island, also known as Gangasagar or Sagardwip, is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Neelakurinji flowers fail tourists Part of: Prelims and mains GS III – Biodiversity In News Large number of tourists who could reach Mullayyana Giri and Seethalayyana Giri hoping to catch a glimpse of the flowers returned disappointed. Do you know? Neelakurinji flowers, a shrub belonging to the genus Strobilanthes, blossom once in 12 years. ‘In urban U.P., 87% of waste from toilets goes to rivers, farmlands’ Part of: Prelims and mains GS III – Environment and ecology: Pollution In News While urban Uttar Pradesh has 80% coverage of toilets, inefficient sanitation systems ensure that almost 87% of the excreta being generated by these toilets is being dumped in water bodies or agricultural lands, according to a new analysis of 30 cities by the Centre for Science and Environment. With 2019 just round the corner, the number of toilets and onsite sanitation systems being built in the State are all set to increase exponentially — if not managed scientifically and sustainably, the amount of faecal sludge that these new toilets will generate will swamp the State. The report argues that building more toilets will only worsen the environmental, sanitation and manual scavenging situation, unless sewerage connections increase from the current 28% of households in the 30 cities studied. Onsite sanitation systems — such as septic tanks or pit latrines — are far more prevalent, and are used by 47% of households. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/23/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/d2b1bef2_2476469_101_mr.jpg Manual scavengers Without a sewerage system, the effluent from the septic tank, along with greywater from the kitchen and bathroom flows out into stormwater drains and open drains or nullahs. The faecal sludge, on the other hand, has to be periodically emptied from the septic tank, either manually or mechanically using vacuum trucks or tankers. CSE’s analysis found that half of all emptying work in these cities is done manually, despite the legal prohibition of the employment of manual scavengers. An African island’s troubled waters Part of: Prelims and mains GS III – International affairs: conflicts between countries In News A rounded, rocky outcrop covered with metallic shacks, Migingo Island rises out of the waters of Lake Victoria like an iron­plated turtle. The densely populated island is barely a quarter of a hectare large. For over a decade, Migingo has been a source of tension between Uganda and Kenya, who have been unable to decide to whom it really belongs. The ‘smallest war’ They were once pushed to the brink of what some said would have been Africa’s “smallest war” over the island. While fishing communities around Lake Victoria have seen their catches slowly diminish over the years, the deep waters surrounding Migingo abound with catch such as Nile perch. It was in the early 2000s when the island was barely inhabited — then situated within Kenya on all maps — that it began drawing the attention of Ugandan authorities who sent officials to Migingo to tax fishermen and offer protection against pirates. Kenyan fishermen in return began complaining they were being shaken down by the Ugandans in their own waters and chased from the island. They called on Kenya’s government, which deployed security forces to Migingo in a move that nearly brought the two nations to blows in 2009. Kenya and Uganda then decided to create a joint commission to determine where the watery border is relying on maps dating from the 1920s whose interpretation is a key point of contention. But nothing has come of the commission, and in the absence of any decisions on the boundary, the island is co­managed by both countries. Faced with mounting complaints from their constituents, local Kenyan politicians have called on Nairobi to ask the International Court of Justice to intervene and make a decision on the border — to no avail. Panel for adopting UN model on cross-border insolvency Part of: Prelims and mains GS II – International bodies and organisations In News The Insolvency Law Committee (ILC), tasked with suggesting amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of India, has recommended that India adopt the United Nations’ model to handle cross­border insolvency cases. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law of Cross Border Insolvency, 1997 provides for a comprehensive framework to deal with cross­border insolvency issues. The UNCITRAL Model Law has been adopted in 44 countries and, therefore, forms part of international best practices in dealing with cross border insolvency issues, the government said. The advantages of the model law are the precedence given to domestic proceedings and protection of public interest. The necessity of having a cross­border insolvency framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code arises from the fact that many Indian companies have a global footprint and many foreign companies have a presence in multiple countries, including India. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Social justice and rights Governance Ripe for prison reform Introduction In an acknowledgment that the more than a century-old system of prisons in India needs repair, the Supreme Court formed a committee on prison reforms. Headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Amitava Roy, it is to look into the entire gamut of reforms to the prison system. But this is not the first time that such a body is being set up, examples being the Justice A.N. Mulla committee and the Justice Krishna Iyer committee on women prisoners (both in the 1980s). While marginal reforms have taken place, these have not been enough to ensure that prison conditions are in tune with human rights norms. Punish or reform? The formation of Roy committee comes at a time when controversy surrounds the Tamil Nadu government’s recommendation that the seven convicts in the assassination, in 1991, of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi be released. This is the crux of the debate: Confinement in any form is uncivilised, especially when it is so long-drawn-out, and when the objective of criminal punishment should be one of reform rather than inflicting revenge on a perpetrator of crime. Those pleading for clemency in this case are outnumbered, which is reflective of popular sentiment that a gruesome crime needs to be dealt with severely. It is also about the unresolved conflict in attitudes about incarceration — punishment or reform — which also explains the halfway jail reforms agenda seen in many countries. Why delay in prison reforms? There are those who believe that if you keep improving prison conditions, there is likely to be an attendant impact on the incidence of crime. This accounts for the reluctance of many criminal justice administrators to employ or enlarge non-prison alternatives such as community service. The offshoot of all this is growing numbers of prisoners and the woeful incapacity of governments to build more and larger prisons. The question often asked by governments is, in these days of extreme fiscal stress, why should state resources be diverted to a ‘negative exercise, whose benefits are dubious’? This is why jail officials are often asked to ‘somehow manage’ with existing modest facilities. Packed to the gills The data on prison overcrowding are frightening. Except in parts of Europe, where crime is still low or at acceptable levels, overcrowding is rampant. In the U.S., for example, which has a humongous crime problem, complicated by gun violence and a strident racist overtone in combating crime, the prison system is creaking under the stress of numbers. At any time, it is estimated, there are more than two million prisoners in state and federal prisons. In the U.K., the latest available data (July 2018) show a current prison population of approximately 92,500. In India, the publication, Prison Statistics India, brought out by the National Crime Records Bureau will provide food for thought for the Justice Roy Committee. In 2015, there were nearly 2 lakh inmates in 1,401 facilities, with an average occupancy rate of 114% in most. About 67% of total inmates were undertrials, a commentary on the speed and efficiency of India’s criminal justice system. There is an obvious poverty of ideas in justice administration. While public officials and social workers are agreed upon the need to reduce overcrowding, there is hardly any convergence on how to go about this delicate exercise. There is also an obvious fear of backlash against any move to decriminalise what is now prohibited by statutes. Handling white collar crimes There is a popular view that in order to reduce prison populations, proven non-violent offenders could be dealt with differently. But it is frustrating that no consensus has evolved across the world on this relatively uncomplicated issue. White collar crime has assumed monstrous proportions but there is no reason why we should continue to lock up offenders instead of merely depriving them of their illegal gains. Devising swift processes of attachment of properties and freezing of bank accounts are alternatives to a jail term. There are legal impediments here, but these can be overcome by ensuring certain fairness in the system, of the state taking over illegally acquired wealth. The argument that not all gains made by an economic offender are open is not convincing enough to opt for incarceration over punitive material penalties. In India, progress has been made in freezing ‘benami’ holdings of major offenders even though it may not be a 100% effective step of cleaning up. But these are the first steps towards making economic crimes unaffordable and unattractive for the average offender. Prison officials and political will Another complaint against prisons is the brutality and venality of prison officials, again common across the world. A solution will be a point to ponder over for the Justice Roy Committee. Finally, improving prison conditions has no political leverage. Just as humane prisons do not win votes, the bad ones do not lose votes for any political party. As long as there are no stakes here for lawmakers, one can hardly hope for model prisons, where inmates are accommodated with due regard to their basic human needs and are handled with dignity. Conclusion: More than a century-old system of prisons in India needs an urgent repair. Overcrowding, more number of undertrails than convicted prisoners, delayed justice, inhumane conditions, brutality and lack of basic human need facilities are some of the major issues in Indian prisons. Justice Amitava Roy committee is a ray of hope in the direction of prison reforms, but without political reforms in India’s criminal justice system are impossible. Connecting the dots: India's prisons and criminal justice system are in the dire need of reforms. Analyse INFRASTRUCTURE/ENERGY TOPIC: General studies 3 Infrastructure: Energy  An agenda for energy Introduction You need energy to grow. This is as true for economies as it is for humans. Whether it is the use of machines in a factory, appliances like washing machines and refrigerators in households that help save time on chores, or automobiles to move people and goods faster, energy is needed to grow output. Even the use of materials like metals, plastics, chemicals, bricks and cement, without which a decent quality of life is now hard to imagine, means use of more energy. The production of steel accounts for nearly 9 per cent of India’s total energy needs, and brick-making is the second largest industrial use of energy. Put simply, an un-electrified house with mud walls and a thatched roof only needs manual energy to build, but a brick-and-cement house needs much more. Correlation between energy and productivity Energy consumption per person for a country is correlated to its average output per person. Higher productivity also needs denser energy. For example, grass has lower energy density than cooking gas: Cooking a bowl of rice by burning straws would take a lot more time than by using a gas cylinder. While traditional societies across the world all relied on biomass (that is, sources like firewood and crop residue, which are less-dense), their growth in productivity was associated with a move to denser fuels: Imagine running a car directly with coal or wheat-straw. It is said that the transition of the fuel for ships from the less-dense coal to the higher-density oil contributed to the success of the British navy in the First World War. India is one of the fastest growing economies. So, the Indian economy’s energy needs will rise with growth, and demand for denser energy sources will grow even faster. Some statistics on energy needs In the early 1990s, biomass was 30 per cent of China’s energy, but is only 5 per cent now. India’s ratio currently is 30 per cent, but should start to fall as household electrification picks up, and government policy raises the penetration of cooking gas cylinders. Between 2000 and 2015, when India’s output (as measured by GDP) grew at 7 per cent a year, its energy demand grew at 4.5 per cent a year, implying that efficiency of energy use improved at about 2.5 per cent annually. The problem was that the annual growth in domestic production of energy was only 3 per cent, and imports therefore had to grow at 8.5 per cent to meet the demand. The share of energy needs met through imports rose from 21 per cent in 2000 to 36 per cent by 2015. If similar trends persist, we estimate that nearly half of the demand in 2040 would be met by imports. The main constraint in India is the lack of reserves of oil, gas and metallurgical coal (used for steel-making), but poor management of what India does have is also a reason. The problem Importing large amounts of energy is by itself not a problem (except possibly for security reasons — one can imagine the problems of this vulnerability in times of war). But how does one pay for it? The energy import bill this year is already at a record high of $125 billion, despite energy prices being half of what they were at the peak a decade back: Volume growth has more than offset the price decline. Three years from now, even if the recent surge in prices reverses, the value of energy imports would be nearly $40 billion higher than this year. By 2040, even with minimal price growth, the import bill could be $660 billion. As a share of national income, this will most likely be a manageably low number, but the constraint would be in getting that quantum of dollars. The recent troubles for the currency have originated from slowing foreign capital inflows coinciding with rising energy prices. Capital inflows as a share of GDP this year have fallen to 2002 levels, and paying for imports has become a struggle. Only part of this decline is cyclical: That is, it may pick up over time without any policy level changes; the rest may need policy changes. The necessary dollars can also come from exports, but export growth has slowed too, particularly for services. A decade back, rapid growth in services had prevented the external balances from deteriorating during the oil price spike. The fact that India may struggle to pay for the energy it needs to grow the economy at even 7 per cent a year is concerning, and challenges the widely held view that 8 per cent growth is just around the corner. Way forward Structural changes on several fronts may be necessary to overcome these hurdles. Improve capital inflows, grow domestic energy production, increase energy efficiency, and also accelerate the transition to more domestic sources of energy. Energy pricing should be freed up, not just in electricity but also coal and gas. Controlled and distorted pricing drives inefficiency in usage, and also inhibits a supply response at times like now, when rupee depreciation has made domestic energy so much cheaper than imported energy. The legal monopoly of Coal India on merchant mining of coal was unwound a few years back, but no licences have been issued yet to private enterprises. A national level planning is needed to move away from carting country's low-grade coal over hundreds of kilometres instead of moving power, which is cheaper, easier and less wasteful. The ambition on solar and wind power may need to be reset substantially upwards. Even if solar and wind capacity reaches 650 Gigawatts by 2040 (a nine-fold increase from now), they would only be able to cater to 4 per cent of India’s energy needs that year. Given the scale of required capacity, self-sufficiency in such equipment should also be sought. Further, given the natural fluctuations in output from renewable sources, the grid would need to be re-planned/architected. India also needs to accelerate electrification of various energy-guzzlers. Electric vehicles are expected to be just 6 per cent of cars globally by 2030: This may be too slow for Indian requirements. Conclusion India is expected to drive almost a fourth of global energy demand in the next two decades. Not only should it be pulling its weight on global forums and influence global policy and choices, there needs to be significant investment in India-specific solutions, otherwise the country’s medium-term growth potential could be at risk. Connecting the dots: India is expected to drive almost a fourth of global energy demand in the next two decades. Suggest some measures to make India self-sufficient in energy sector and to alleviate the import bill. (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: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 defines a ‘child’ as any person below the age of sixteen years National commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Sagar island is an island located in the - Ganges delta Andaman and Nicobar islands Indonesia Krishna delta Q.3) Consider the following statements about Neelakurinji It is found in Nepal, India and Tibet It blossoms only once in 12 years Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which among the following is considered as Tamil Nadu’s State flower? Gloriosa superb Neelakurinji Sacred Lotus Pride of India Q.5) Migingo Island is located in which of the following? Danube River South China Sea Gulf of Maine Lake Victoria Must Read The judiciary’s #MeToo moment The Hindu The value of a health scheme The Hindu  Fanning the flames The Hindu   How to read the ‘war’ in CBI Indian Express The law will not hold Indian Express From Akbar to Ayyappa Indian Express