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Sep 5, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 05th September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 05th September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Extremist right-wing fringe organisations on rise? Part of: GS Mains III – Internal Security In news: Four thinkers – Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, M.M. Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh — were killed in Maharashtra and Karnataka between 2013 and 2017. Investigations have found that an unnamed group, some of whose members have been associated with the right-wing Hindu outfit, are behind these killings. Investigations have identified over 60 recruits, who were radicalised and trained to use firearms. This is an army of highly radicalised youth, trained in arms, to “protect Hindu Dharma”. Examples of such Extremist right-wing fringe organisations – Sriram Sene, Hindu Yuva Sene, Shivapratishthan Hindusthan and recently formed gaurakshak samitis. GM mustard and GEAC Part of: Prelims and Mains III – GM Crops; Agriculture; Science and Tech; Biodiversity and Environment In news: Environment ministry and GEAC to decide on field-trial approvals for the controversial transgenic mustard developed by the University of Delhi’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP). CGMCP had applied to grow transgenic mustard (Dhara Mustard Hybrid, DMH -11) in plots in Delhi and Punjab to test the plant. GEAC had initially cleared the GM crop for “commercial cultivation”, however later backtracked and demanded more tests and additional data on honeybees and other pollinators and on soil microbial diversity. About GEAC GEAC is the apex regulator of genetically modified crops and transgenic products. GEAC is constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989’, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. GEAC is responsible for approval of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle The GEAC is also responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials (Biosafety Research Level trial-I and II known as BRL-I and BRL-II) Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International; Multilateral organizations; Indian Economy In news: RCEP, 16-nation group, accepts some key demands from India: on differential tariff regimes for different country groups like China, and in allowing a 20-year implementation period of the agreement. Another key area where India scored was in establishing a linkage between services and goods negotiations, given that some countries were not as welcoming of allowing movement of labour. Do you know? RCEP includes 10 ASEAN nations + India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Of the 16 countries that have been negotiating for the RCEP, India does not have Free Trade Agreements with three countries — Australia, New Zealand and China Person in news: Justice Ranjan Gogoi Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra recommends Justice Ranjan Gogoi as his successor and the 46th Chief Justice of India. CJI Misra has followed convention by recommending the next senior most Supreme Court judge, Justice Gogoi, as his successor. Jalaluddin Haqqani Haqqani network founder - Jalaluddin Haqqani – dies Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/09/05/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_14/8b52c348_798b873e_101_mr.jpg Miscellaneous Google to help EC track political ads After Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, an orphanage for girls in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar is under the scanner for alleged sexual exploitation of its minor inmates. Japan to test mini ‘space elevator’ - It’s the world’s first experiment to test travel between two mini satellites in space. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Social issue; Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice(Social Services related to Education and Human Resources) Still too many children out of school Introduction: Education is the right of every child guaranteed by Indian constitution; also it is part of social justice. Objective of universal education will only be fulfilled if sincere efforts are made by the States under the guidance and prodding of a committed Centre. Do you know? The Directive Principles of State Policy mandate the state to provide children the right to access education (Under Articles 41, 45, 46). The 86th constitutional amendment Act of 2002 (inserting Article 21A under fundamental rights) and the RTE Act of 2009 dictate its implementation. Official Data: How Far it to be reliable? The official numbers of out-of-school children in India are either out of date or contradictory. According to the 2011 Census, the number of out-of-school children in the 5-17 age group was 8.4 crore. According to a survey commissioned in 2014 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the number of out-of-school children in the 6-13 age group was only 64 lakh. This is a gross underestimation. It is quite unlikely that the number of out-of-school children came down so drastically from 2011 to 2014, especially given that there were no significant changes in objective conditions, warranting such a miraculous reduction. Most recent estimates A study on the basis of the 71st round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) carried out in 2014 and taking into account the 6-18 age group, out-of-school children in this age group were more than 5 crores in the country, which is 16.1% children of this age group. The proportion of out-of-school children was higher in rural India (17.2%) than in urban India (13.1%). In rural areas, the proportion of out-of-school girls (18.3%) was higher than of boys (16.3%). The proportion of children from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) was the highest, followed by Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Among religious groups, the proportion of Muslims was as high as 24.1% in rural areas and 24.7% in urban areas. There are seven states, Odisha, UP, Bihar, MP, Rajsthan, Gujrat and West Bengal, where nearly one fifth of the children of 6-18 age group, are out of the school. Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, Himachal Pardesh and Tamil Nadu are the states where out of the school children are less than the national average. Frequent and Common Reasons for dropping out of school: The most important reason for boys to drop out of school was to take up jobs to supplement the family earning. For girls, it was the compulsion to participate in household work. There is also a prejudice against educating girls that is prevalent in India. An important reason for drop-out is the socio-economic conditions of the parents of the children. Therefore, calls for a more comprehensive approach that is not reflected in the RTE Act. The most important social reason for drop-out is a lack of awareness of the importance of school education. According to the RTE Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, these out-of-school children fall under the category of child labour. It is, therefore, not surprising that the largest number of child labourers in the world is in India. What can be done to bring more children to school? We would not have been confronted with this high proportion of drop-outs if all the provisions of the RTE Act had been implemented within the time limit prescribed in the Act (latest by April 2015). The Act provided for the availability of a school at a distance of 1 km from the residence of the child at the primary level and 3 km at the upper primary level. Until an adequate number of schools at the prescribed distances from the children’s homes become available, it would be necessary to provide secure modes of subsidised travel to schools, particularly for girls. If all the infrastructure facilities prescribed in the Act would have been put in place, another reason for drop-out (environment not friendly) will disappear. Another important provision which ought to have been included in the RTE is financial support to poor parents, adequate to enable them to send their children to school. Conclusion: The RTE aimed to provide a framework for private schools to supplement the efforts of the state to uplift disadvantaged sections of society through the means of education. We need to act immediately to address the gaps in the implementation of the law. The future of our children depends on it. There is need to create awareness of the fact that education is now a legal fundamental right. Ironically, education is the most important instrument for creating this awareness. Thus, education is a quintessential example of being vested with intrinsic as well as instrumental value being both the means and the end. Connecting the dots: Even after a decade of enactment of Right to Education Act, 2009, we have not achieved objectives in terms of quantity as well as quality. Critically comment. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests BIMSTEC Summit: Green shoots of revival Introduction Fourth BIMSTEC summit is going to held this week at Kathmandu, Nepal. Basic aspects about BIMSCTEC has been covered in Mains Focus of 30 August 2018 IASbaba DNA. There some positives which this summit is going to contribute in the progress of BIMSTEC and also there are some concerns which needs to be taken care for further developments. The Positives: The work begins now on drafting a charter for BIMSTEC, which has functioned so far on the basis of the Bangkok Declaration of 1997, and outcomes of the past three summits and the Leaders’ Retreat in 2016. A Permanent Working Committee will be set up to provide direction during the period between two summits and also to prepare the Rules of Procedure. The Secretariat has been promised additional financial and human resources and enhancement of its role to coordinate, monitor and facilitate the grouping’s activities. As the institution has been handicapped due to lack of financial muscle, the leaders took the decision to establish the BIMSTEC Development Fund. A push to increase its visibility and stature in the international fora will also be made. Recognising that 16 areas of cooperation represent too wide a spectrum, the BIMSTEC governments will make a serious endeavour to review, restructure and rationalise various sectors, identifying a few core areas. In this exercise, Thailand has proposed a new strategy of five pillars (viz. connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contacts, security, and science and technology). This will be considered, although the difficulty in dropping specific sectors dear to individual member-states should not be minimised. Concerns As to the debit side of the balance sheet, it should be noted that of at least six legal instruments awaiting finalisation, only one, the Memorandum of Understanding on Grid Interconnection, could be inked in Kathmandu. Fourteen years after signing the framework agreement on Free Trade Area (FTA), final agreement is yet to be signed. The Thai Prime Minister bravely urged participants to accept making BIMSTEC a Free Trade Zone by 2021 as “our common goal”, but this did not find a place in the summit declaration. The Myanmar President pointed out that the grouping had established its Energy Centre in 2009, but it is waiting for operationalization. India rightly emphasised that “the biggest opportunity is connectivity — trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity.” Every participant dwelt on the advantages and potential of connectivity. The Kathmandu Declaration has spelt out a number of measures, old and new, to secure this objective. However, the Motor Vehicle Agreement and the Coastal Shipping Agreement would still need more time for finalisation. BIMSTEC summit is not an annual or regular affair. Probably the timing of the next summit will be determined by the degree of progress ministers and officials achieve in the coming months. If the grouping succeeds in holding its next summit in 2019, it will be seen as a healthy sign. Other facets Plans to revitalise the Business Forum and the Economic Forum should be welcome if they help in fully engaging business and industry. Cooperation in the security domain has been progressing satisfactorily, with a new instrument added to the arsenal: a meeting of home ministers. This will be in addition to annual meetings of national security advisers and the first meeting of army chiefs, which is due to take place in Pune this month. Also envisaged is a sound plan to establish forums for parliamentarians, universities, cultural organisations and the media community. The summit articulated a vision for the Bay of Bengal Region heading towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future. The region is now widely viewed as a common space for security, connectivity and development. Conclusion Think tanks are fond of advising governments that they should walk the talk. But the Nepalese Prime Minister and the summit chairman asserted: “Now is the time not just to deliberate, but also to deliver. Now is the time to translate promises into performance.” If this prescription is followed by all, BIMSTEC can become a dynamic, effective and result-oriented organisation. Connecting the dots: Though there are many prospects and challenges, BIMSTEC is a natural choice for India. Analyse. (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) The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) It is under the Ministry of Science and Technology It is the apex body for approval of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants It is responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements about Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) It is associated with ASEAN All the members of RCEP are members of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Cambodia is the only land-locked country among RCEP members Select the INCORRECT statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 Only 2 Q.4) Which of the following countries is NOT a part of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)? Myanmar Japan Bangladesh Singapore Q.5) Which of the following countries is/are NOT a part of RCEP? India Russia China Japan Select the appropriate option using the code below 2 only 1 and 4 only 2 and 3 only 2 and 4 only MUST READ Routes to Afghanistan: on 2+2 talks The Hindu ‘Drugs are not sweets’ The Hindu Addressing soil loss The Hindu Where interests meet Indian Express Dissent Is Democracy Indian Express Make India Vishwaguru again Indian Express Re-imagining the university Indian Express Teacher vs System Indian Express

Sep 4, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 58]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 58] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Kanthasth’ It is aimed at making the learning of Hindi language easier It is developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Which of the following countries was the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18? Singapore Mauritius Seychelles United Arab Emirates Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Krishna Kutir’ It has been developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development under the 'Swadhar Greh' scheme. It is developed to mitigate the plight of widows living in pathetic condition in Vrindavan. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) was launched by? World Bank UN-Environment Green Climate Fund (GCF) Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Q.5) What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government's 'Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme' and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy To reduce Indian's dependence on gold imports Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

Sep 4, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 04th September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 04th September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Swachh Iconic Place - Ajmer dargah Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I - Conservation of Heritage sites and monuments In news: Ajmer dargah is included among the Swachh Iconic Places, a clean-up initiative focused on iconic heritage, spiritual and cultural places through a multi-stakeholder approach model. MoU signed to give facelift to Ajmer dargah - Ajmer Municipal Corporation and Hindustan Zinc to spend ₹5.68 crore to clean and manage the shrine. In Ajmer, the Collector will act as the project’s nodal agency with the Dargah Committee and ‘khadims’ (workers) being the primary stakeholders. The campaign was initiated under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2016. Important Value Additions: Ajmer dargah - is a 13th-century Sufi shrine of sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti. (located in Rajasthan) The Dargah Committee, appointed by the Government, takes care of the maintenance of the shrine. Do you know? The Swachh Iconic Places - project envisioned by the Prime Minister is being coordinated by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation with the support of State governments and local administration. Bal Gangadhar ‘Lokmanya’ Tilak Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – History; Role of freedom fighters and their contributions In news: Of late there have been heated arguments over – who organised the first public festivities? — the 19th century physician Bhau Laxman Javale or freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar ‘Lokmanya’ Tilak. According to our books, in 1893, the Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak praised the celebration of sarvajanik Ganesha utsav in his newspaper, Kesari, and dedicated his efforts to launch the annual domestic festival into a large, well-organised public event. It is unclear when the festival started, it became a major social and public event with sponsorship of Shivaji after Mughal-Maratha wars, and again in the 19th century after public appeal by Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, who championed it as a means to circumvent the colonial British government ban on Hindu gatherings through its anti-public assembly legislation in 1892. NECTAR and Green Gold: Bamboo Part of: GS Prelims and Mains Paper III – Agriculture sector (Indian Economy) In News: In Union Budget 2018, government had allocated a whopping Rs 1,290 crore to promote the bamboo sector — through restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM). Government also removed bamboo grown outside forest areas from the definition of trees. However there are some concerns whether all these efforts help to achieve $10 billion market potential of bamboo. Concerns: Failure of National Mission on Bamboo Application (NMBA), National Bamboo Mission (NMB) and North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) Department of Science and Technology (DST) had in 2004 launched the National Mission on Bamboo Application (NMBA) with an outlay of ₹200 crore. NMBA failed. NMBA neither developed any technology nor facilitated technology transfer. ₹1,400-crore National Bamboo Mission (NMB) also failed from 2007-2014 Even related initiative called the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) has also failed. NECTAR is an autonomous society registered and headquartered in Shillong with a fund allocation of ₹292 crore. However, even after five years of its creation, NECTAR yet to shift to Shillong headquarters (from New Delhi). The entire team that made NMBA a failure was rehabilitated in NECTAR without any responsibilities being fixed. NECTAR functioned under DST and no proper functioning. About NECTAR The Central government had in 2013 approved the creation of an autonomous society registered and headquartered in Shillong with a fund allocation of ₹292 crore. The society was called North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach. Key pointers: Northeast part of India grows 67% of India’s bamboo. India has the world’s largest fields of bamboo. It grows on nearly 13% of the country’s forest land. The eight North-eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura – grow 67% of India’s bamboo and have 45% of global bamboo reserves. Nearly 35 species of superior quality bamboos are found in the region. Do you know? Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is now under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) under Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme called Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in which National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is being implemented as a sub scheme. Animal in news: Indian Roofed Turtles Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III - Conservation of Biodiversity and Animal About: Indian Roofed turtle – got its name because of the peculiar shape of its shell (carapace). It is a part of the Asian river turtle family, Geoemydidae. It is most commonly found in Southeast Asia (India, Bangladesh). It is locally known as the Kori Kaitta. IUCN – Least Concern Pic: http://www.kidzone.ws/animal-facts/turtles/images/roofed01.jpg In news: Indian Roofed Turtles are usually found in temple ponds and were struggling to survive due to the pollution caused by devotees throwing oil, incense sticks, flowers and other ritual offerings into the small waterbody. Innovative idea helps revive these turtles – through tapping religious sentiments of devotees An idol of Vishnu in his Kurma (turtle) avatar was installed at the temple complex (Lota Devi temple, West Bengal), therefore devotees can place their offerings near the idol rather than directly polluting the pond. India – Russia ties: Logistics agreement Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations India and Russia are in the process of concluding a logistics agreement The proposed agreement follows a series of such agreements India has signed since the first logistics agreement with the U.S. We already know that - India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), with the U.S. in August 2016 after a decade of negotiations. Since then it has concluded several such agreements with France, Oman, Philippines, Singapore and for access to the Sabang port in Indonesia. Australia too has sent a draft agreement. Do you know? Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing operational turnaround of the military when operating away from India. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/09/04/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_11/5e771632_2367594_101_mr.jpg Miscellaneous India and Cyprus signed two agreements on combating money laundering and cooperation in the field of environment. @ Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) - China offers $60 bn aid to Africa - to boost industry, counter hunger and enhance security. China proposed Africa to tap new multilateral lenders such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the New Development Bank (NDB) of the emerging economies, as well as the Silk Road Fund (marshalled by China). (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/HEALTH TOPIC: General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Indigenization of technology The need for growth in Indian biosimilars Introduction (Background) Due to a soaring demand for generic drugs, India’s pharmaceutical producers emerged as world market leaders in this sector and were a major business success story in the 2000s. In the process, Indian producers made a valuable contribution to reducing costs and to expanding access to life-saving treatments for patients, both in emerging markets and in developed countries. Emerging challenges Globally, and especially in developed countries, waves of consolidation among pharma retailers, stiffer competition from Chinese pharma manufacturers and wider acceptance of generic drug applications have combined to put downward pressure on drug prices. India’s stock market has reacted quite negatively to these developments, wiping nearly 20% off the value of Indian pharma stocks between August 2016 and August 2018. Given these adverse headwinds, it is imperative that India’s pharmaceutical manufacturers create new markets to restore market confidence in their growth prospects. Some positive moves There is a new push to produce more so-called complex generics. These are hybrid medicines that often contain complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (the part of the drug that produces its effects) or formulations, or routes of delivery. Things are still at an early stage in this segment but the signs are promising, with Indian firms having succeeded in capturing 19% of the global market in complex generics thus far. Another, they would be well-advised to pursue is to expand their footprint in the biosimilars market. Biosimilars are the generic versions of biologics medicines made from animal or plant proteins as opposed to chemicals. Biologics are notable for targeting the underlying causes of diseases as opposed to just the symptoms, with fewer side effects. Biologics are important market disrupters because they are transforming how we treat diseases, including certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The growth in the biosimilars market is welcome from a human development standpoint because they are more affordable than biologics, the high cost of which often puts them out of reach of many patients. While it is encouraging to see Indian firms beginning to ramp up biosimilars production, there is a lot of room for additional growth. Biosimilars currently account for just $5 billion of the $240 billion global market in biologics. Non-communicable diseases There is an alarming spike across developing countries in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. To take one example, diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in developing countries, with rates rapidly catching up with those of the developed world. In India also, with 69 million diabetics in 2015, a number projected to exceed 100 million by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. The number of diabetics across the South-East Asia region, which includes Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia, rose more than fivefold between 1980 and 2014, WHO has reported. Therefore, promoting the production of complex generics and biosimilars can have a positive development impact given how targeted they are toward treating non-communicable diseases such as cancer, asthma, and arthritis. Way forward Governments can support growth in production of complex generics and biosimilars by clarifying the regulatory framework for them, which is still evolving in many countries. China is a recent example, where the government has identified biopharma, including biosimilars, as a priority area for the country. Biosimilars, like biologics, require a large investment outlay both because of the high cost of product development and regulatory compliance, and the significant amount of time it takes to bring a product to market. For private sector, partnerships can make for a more cost-efficient pipeline. For example, it is often in manufacturers’ best interest to forge partnerships with contract research organisations that have the scientific expertise to develop that specific product, and such other partners. They can partner up with companies that are specialised in commercialising and marketing these products and have acquired the know-how to meet the regulatory requirements. There are many ways that partnerships can be structured but the bottom line is that new business models that increase patients’ access to innovative and cost-effective treatments should be encouraged. Conclusion It is increasingly clear that the segment of the pharmaceutical market where we will see demand grow the fastest in the coming years is products that treat non-communicable diseases. We should, therefore, strive to promote strong, indigenous producers of complex generics and biosimilars as this has enormous potential to improve public health in emerging markets. Connecting the dots: Write a brief not on Role of India in global pharma market. Give an overview of opportunities and challenges ahead. NATIONAL/HEALTH TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution- significant provisions Functions and responsibilities of the government Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability Protecting the dissenters Introduction: Recent arrest of activists has started Political debate on right to dissent and right to ask questions on grounds of state accountability. India’s constitutional democracy is predicated on the people’s right to call state power to account. Do you Know? Right to Dissent The Supreme Court observed that “dissent is the safety valve of democracy”. Therefore, Right to dissent, right not to agree becomes very important aspect of any democratic institution The citizens’ have right to disagree with, denounce, and decry a situation or state of affairs that is unjust and oppressive. This pluralism of views and liberty to express any thought process within constitutional boundaries is one of the salient features of a democracy. Recently, while hearing a petition on the ban of protest on the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the SC held that Right to peaceful protest is the fundamental right guaranteed under the constitution. This particular right is also subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, as well as public order. A distinguishing feature of any democracy is the space offered for legitimate dissent, which cannot be trampled by any executive action. Thus, the Court recognises that legitimate dissent is a distinguishable feature of any democracy. Also observed that, every individual or a group of individuals, whether they are minority or poor or marginalised, have the right to express their dissent to the government policies and fight their social circumstances. Protest strengthen representative democracy by enabling direct participation in public affairs where individuals and groups are able to; Express dissent and grievances Expose flaws in the governance Demand accountability from state authorities as well as powerful entities Article 19 Freedom of speech The constitution under Article 19(1)(a) provides for freedom of speech and expression and also under Article 19(2) provides for reasonable restrictions on such freedom. Like other fundamental rights, it is not absolute and is subject to; Sovereignty and integrity of India Security of the state Friendly relations with foreign states Public order Decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court Defamation or incitement to an offence Hate Speech Law commission of India in its 267th report on “hate speech” suggested adding new provisions to make speech inciting hatred and speech that causes fear, alarm or provocation of violence, a criminal offence under Indian Penal Code (IPC). Hate speech is an expression which is likely to cause distress or offend other individuals on the basis of their association with a particular group or incite hostility toward them. In order to protect this group from discriminatory attitude and practices, it is necessary to curb such forms of expressions that have the potentials of inciting fear, hatred or violence and such speeches must be regulated by law. Hate speech can be curtailed under Article 19(2) on the grounds of public order, incitement to offence and security of the state. Sedition Section 124A of IPC defines sedition as “whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representations, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring hatred, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India, shall be punished for imprisonment for life. The disaffection includes disloyalty or all feelings of enmity.” In the kedarnath singh vs State of Bihar 1962, a constitutional bench ruled in favour of thee constitutional validity of Section 124A (sedition) in the IPC, but said that- a person could be prosecuted for sedition only if his acts caused “incitement to violence or intention or tendency to create public disorder or cause disturbance in public peace”. Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the government, with a view to obtain their alteration, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence of sedition. Conclusion: The course of democracy anywhere in the world is defined by events that test the resilience of democracy and also add to it. The philosophy of dissent and democracy has also inspired our freedom movement and defines India’s constitutional democracy, which is predicated on the people’s right to call state power to account, albeit within the constitutional framework. Connecting the dots: What do you understand by sedition? Critically comment on the way the courts have interpreted the Section 124(A) of the penal code. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements about Swachh Iconic Places Swachh Iconic Places campaign was initiated under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2016. Ajmer dargah is included among the Swachh Iconic Places. The Swachh Iconic Places - project envisioned by the Prime Minister is being coordinated by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Which of the following statements about Bal Gangadhar Tilak is/are correct? He founded the Fergusson College in Pune. He was part of the extremist faction of Indian National Congress. He was associated with the Hindu Mahasabha. Select the correct answer using code below 1 and 2 Only 2 1 and 3 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Which of the following was termed as the ‘Green Gold’ in the Budget 2018-19? Bamboo Electric Vehicles Tendu tree Bonds issued to mobilize funds for Green energy projects Q.4) As per Indian law, Bamboo is taxonomically a Grass Tree Shrub Weed Q.5) Consider the following statements Bamboo is called as poor man’s timber. Nearly 35 species of superior quality bamboos are found in North-eastern States. India has the world’s largest fields of bamboo. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 2 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.6) In Union Budget 2018, government had allocated a whopping Rs 1,290 crore to promote the bamboo sector. The fund will be spent mainly through which among the below scheme – National Mission on Bamboo Application (NMBA) Green Gold Mission (GGM) Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) Q.7) Consider the below statements with respect to National Bamboo Mission: It is under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) It is under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) The Mission is expected to bring more than 100000 ha area under plantation during the period 2018-19 & 2019-20. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Green shoots of revival: on BIMSTEC summit The Hindu Still too many children out of school The Hindu When the levee breaks The Hindu Why rupee fall remains a worry Indian Express Higher mountains to scale Indian Express

Sep 3, 2018 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : Ease of Doing Business in India

Ease of Doing Business in India ARCHIVES TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Listen to the Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx Ease of doing business: This index is an aggregate figure that includes different parameters which define the ease of doing business in a country. Report: ‘Doing Business 2018: Reforming to Create Jobs’, by World Bank India’s Rank: Leapfrogged to 100th among 190 countries India has jumped over 30 ranks to attain 100th spot from 130th position in 2017 Ease of Doing Business Index. Its score also increased from 56.05 in 2017 to 60.76 in Doing Business 2018 Ease of Doing Business Index Indicators: Starting a business Dealing with construction permits Getting electricity Registering property Getting credit Protecting minority investors Paying taxes Trading across borders Enforcing contracts Resolving insolvency Each one of these indicators carry equal weightage. New initiatives by the government: The SPICe form merges 5 processes — PAN, TAN, DIN, Company Incorporation and Name Reservation – into a single application. Trading across Borders ranks at a low 146. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which India has actioned, encouraged reforms in the area Initiatives including the shift to paperless compliance system, enhanced customs clearances under the integrated Risk Management System, encouragement to Direct Port Delivery and development of an effective Port Community System, have helped lower transaction costs for exports as well as imports and would be reflected in the next ranking. Registering property is witnessing many administrative changes, especially at the state level. States are defining clear timelines for processing applications for land allotment, adopting a model sale deed format for property registration, and enhancing the efficiency of land banks. Many states have introduced Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and digitised land records across departments. To improve ranking, there must be additional effort in strengthening our weakest areas: Dealing with Construction Permits (181/190) States have aimed to reduce time and costs for obtaining building and construction permits and introduced the provision of deemed approvals. To expedite the building plan approvals, inspections are being integrated and made risk-based. b) Enforcing Contracts (164/190) - Enforcing Contracts has suffered owing to lack of a well-defined system for dispute resolution. National Judicial Data Grid is being introduced which serves as a monitoring tool to identify, manage and reduce pendency of cases. Several states have established dedicated Commercial Courts at the district level to ensure speedy resolution of commercial disputes and have published model contract templates. They are also implementing e-Courts, entailing facilities such as e-cause lists, e-payments, e-filing and e-summons. Starting a Business (156/190) Supply side reform is important – focussing on the micro regulatory regime — such as making it easy to start or close down business. It is here that India still has a lot of ground to cover, as local entrepreneurs would testify. The World Bank report flags the areas where the country lags — local entrepreneurs need to go through 12 procedures to start a business in India’s commercial capital, which is way higher than many high-income economies, besides cumbersome procedures for construction permits, registration of property and enforcement of contracts. Institutional Challenges in the Indian system Mismatch between the intent of reforms and quality of actual enforcement and transparency on the ground, — the governance challenge A high level of discretion still exists with the officer enforcing rules on the ground. Aggravated by the lack of a time-bound grievance redress mechanism, and the absence of independent ‘auditors’ who monitor on-ground enforcement quality and ensure there is accountability for poor decisions made in the field. Design challenge: Procedures are often designed to cater to the few instances of failure or non-compliance and not for efficiency and facilitation. Management challenge: There is a tendency to blame poor quality of government services on lack of infrastructure or human resources. This often over-looks the fact that there are many examples of better services with effectively less resources. The Way Ahead: While we can truly be proud of the extent of India’s macro-policy reforms, it is time we started to focus on the micro-policies of enforcement. Top down macro reforms can only be effective if they are twinned with bottom-up micro reforms. Unless the day-to-day experience of doing business improves, we will continue to under-perform relative to our true potential. To secure changes in the remaining areas will require not just new laws and online systems but deepening the ongoing investment in the capacity of states and their institutions to implement change and transform the framework of incentives and regulation facing the private sector. India's focus on 'doing business' at the state level may well be the platform that sustains the country's reform trajectory for the future Must Read: Link 1 + Link 2 Connecting the Dots: While the government deserves credit for the impressive improvement in the Doing Business rankings for 2018, it should not lose sight of the distance India still needs to cover. India has no other way but to improve its ‘ease of doing business’ scenario, if it’s most important manufacturing campaign ‘Make in India’ has to be successful. Elucidate. What do you understand by ‘ease of doing business’ index? Why so much significance is attached to this index? What are the parameters that determine the index? Discuss.

Sep 3, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 57]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 57] Archives Q.1) ‘Chola Naikar’ tribe is found in Odisha Kerala Manipur Mizoram Q.2) ‘Brow-antlered Deers’ are found in which of the following countries? Cambodia Myanmar India Select the correct code: 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 2 and 3 3 Only Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis’. It selectively affects motor neurons, the cells that control voluntary muscles of the body. It is characterized by stiff muscles, muscle twitching, and gradually worsening weakness due to muscles decreasing in size. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about ‘Chitosan’ It is found in the shell of crab, shrimp and also in the cell wall of fungi. It is among the biological adsorbents used for heavy metals removal without negative environmental impacts It is useful in bandages to reduce bleeding and as an antibacterial agent Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.5) Tinkhatia system is associated with Bardoli Satyagraha Ahmadabad Mill Strike Kheda Satyagraha Champaran Satyagraha To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

Sep 3, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 03rd September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 03rd September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India and the US: 2+2 dialogue Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; Fast recap: In previous DNA (India and the U.S. — it’s complicated), we read about – Significance of 2+2 dialogue Emerging strategic convergence between India and the US Growing defence cooperation Obligations and challenges Crux - Overview of India – US defence and strategic relations. In news: 2+2 dialogue to be held on September 6, in New Delhi An announcement could be made about an in-principle agreement between the two sides on the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), but its signing is doubtful Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/09/03/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/77018382_2365011_101_mr.jpg About COMCASA and other foundational agreements COMCASA is one of the four foundational agreements that helps the U.S. to intensify its defence cooperation with a partner nation. The four foundational agreements are – Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), COMCASA, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA). Apart from the foundational agreements, the U.S. is also keen on a broad based intelligence-sharing agreement with India as the two countries have vastly expanded their counter-terror cooperation. (needs signing of BECA) Do you know? COMCASA and BECA are the two foundational agreements that India is yet to sign. It has already signed the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). The most significant of them is LEMOA, which gives both nations access to each other’s military facilities. But it does not make it automatic or obligatory. The U.S. has been engaging India since 2002 on the foundational agreements, but successive governments have been wary of giving in to the U.S. demands. Role of NGT in conserving Western Ghats Part of: GS Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Conservation of Biodiversity In news: Green Tribunal steps in to conserve Ghats Curbs States from activities that may have adverse impact Do you know? The six Western Ghats States? Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the Gadgil Commission after its chairman Madhav Gadgil. Western Ghats and reports: Seven years ago, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel issued recommendations for the preservation of the fragile western peninsular region. Madhav Gadgil, who chaired the Union Environment Ministry’s WGEEP, has said the recent havoc in Kerala is a consequence of short-sighted policymaking, and warned that Goa may also be in the line of nature’s fury. The State governments that are mainly responsible for the Western Ghats — Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Maharashtra — must pay heed to the reports of both the Gadgil Committee and the Kasturirangan Committee, which was set up to examine the WGEEP report. The entire system is globally acknowledged as a biodiversity hotspot. But population estimates for the sensitive zones vary greatly, based on interpretations of the ESZs. In Kerala, for instance, one expert assessment says 39 lakh households are in the ESZs outlined by the WGEEP, but the figure drops sharply to four lakh households for a smaller area of zones identified by the Kasturirangan panel. The WGEEP had earlier proposed “much larger areas for being included in the eco-sensitive zone” though the Kasturirangan-led High Level Working Group, also appointed by the MoEF and CC to look into the WGEEP report, had reduced it. Smartgram Yojna by Pranab Mukherjee Foundation Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Rural development; Role of CSOs/NGOs In news: Former President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Smartgram Yojna Projects in Haryana The Smartgram Project in Haryana started in July 2016, when Shri Pranab Mukherjee adopted some villages as the serving President. Under the scheme, Pranab Mukherjee had adopted five villages in 2016, when he was still the President. He had adopted the villages as he wanted the standard of living of the people staying there to be on a par with that in the cities. Now its numbers had swollen to 100. Pranab Mukherjee said more and more villagers must be connected with the “Smartgram” project to ensure peaceful, happy and prosperous villages. UN to regulate High Seas soon Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Role of International Organization; Environment and Ecology; Conservation of Biodiversity In news: United Nations kicks-off talks on a 2020 treaty that would regulate the high seas. Four sessions of talks are planned to take place over two years, with the goal of protecting marine biodiversity and avoiding further pillaging of the oceans. Talk will focus on the high seas and the international zone of marine waters – spaces beyond national jurisdictions, or areas that belong to no country in particular. Important Value addition: About High Seas High Seas: the open ocean, especially that not within any country's jurisdiction. High seas cover half the planet yet lack adequate environmental protection. Do you know? In 1982, the UN adopted the Convention on the Law of the Sea, but left the high seas free from restrictions. All States enjoy the traditional freedoms of navigation, overflight, scientific research and fishing on the high seas. The convention took effect in 1994, without the participation of the U.S. Since then, shipping routes have expanded considerably, and the resources of the ocean deep have aroused significant interest, whether by fishing or mineral extraction. Talks will focus on creating protected areas on the high seas, more sharing of maritime resources and technology, and research on environmental impacts. U.S. did not ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Conditions in Rohingya camps are disastrous Part of: GS Mains II – Role of UN or international organization; Refugee/Social issue In news: It’s been a year since nearly a million Rohingya refugees poured into Bangladesh and the situation is yet to stabilize. UN official warns about the disastrous conditions in Rohingya camps. UN warns of a humanitarian crisis ahead of cyclone season. Do you know? This year’s UN joint response plan (JRP) has received only 34% of the funds needed, in contrast to about 85% last year. We recently read about Human Rights Council report which spoke about the Myanmar military leadership should be investigated for “genocide” in the violence in August 2017. National Park in news: Orang National Park Part of: GS Prelims III – Environment and Conservation of Biodiversity About: Orang National Park also known as Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is located in Assam. The park has a rich flora and fauna, including great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, pygmy hog, elephants, wild buffalo and tigers. It is the only stronghold of rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river. Public Credit Registry Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian economy (basics) In news: Recently, RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya made a case for setting up a Public Credit Registry (PCR), incorporating unique identifiers: Aadhaar for individual borrowers and Corporate Identification Number for firms. What is PCR? A public credit registry is an information repository that collates all loan information of individuals and corporate borrowers. A credit repository helps banks distinguish between a bad and a good borrower and accordingly offer attractive interest rates to good borrowers. PCR will address issues such as information asymmetry, improve access to credit and strengthen the credit culture among consumers. A PCR may also help raise India’s rank in the global ease of doing business index. Panel’s proposals The committee has suggested the registry should capture all loan information and borrowers be able to access their own history. Data is to be made available to stakeholders such as banks, on a need-to-know basis. Data privacy will be protected. Why PCR is necessary? Credit information is now available across multiple systems in bits and pieces and not in one window. Data on borrowings from banks, non-banking financial companies, corporate bonds or debentures and external commercial borrowings, among others, are not available in one data repository. PCR will help capture all relevant information about a borrower, across different borrowing products. It can flag early warnings on asset quality by tracking performance on other credits. Miscellaneous: S. to cancel $300 mn aid to Pak. Pentagon says Islamabad has not taken ‘decisive action’ in support of America’s new South Asia strategy. Mauritius remained the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18 followed by Singapore, whereas total FDI stood at $37.36 billion in the financial year, a marginal rise over the $36.31 billion recorded in the previous fiscal, according to RBI data. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. India policy towards Naya Pakistan Introduction: With Imran Khan, as Pakistan Prime Minister, many committed democrats in South Asia (especially India) hope that – Pakistan is about to emerge into a new dawn and it would also bring to an end many of the issues that afflict India-Pakistan relations today. However, India must remain cautious as – It is not sure, how far can it be said that real democracy exists in Pakistan today, even though an election process was gone through? Also it is not clear, can merely a political newcomer turn around the situation in a country whose attempts at democracy have never been fulfilled all these years? The new Pakistan Foreign Minister and many of the other key Ministers in Mr. Khan’s Cabinet are holdovers from previous administrations – who hardly endeared themselves to audiences in India. Role of Pakistani ‘deep state’ Democratic leaders in Pakistan, especially more recent ones like Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, have paid a heavy price whenever they sought to enlarge their democratic constituencies. They have been unable to withstand the machinations of the Pakistani ‘deep state’, which controls almost every single aspect of political activity in Pakistan. For the Pakistani ‘deep state’, the main enemy is India. No democratically elected leader can afford to ignore this fact. Over the years, the ‘deep state’ has co-opted some of the key levers of power, including the judiciary, to maintain its stranglehold on Pakistan. Generals like Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf openly declared their intention to seek power and take charge of the state. Today, the ‘deep state’ adopts more insidious/stealthy means to maintain control over the levers of power. Hence, India needs to assess the situation in Pakistan in somewhat greater depth, and not jump to any conclusion of better prospects in India-Pakistan relations in the immediate, or even medium, term. Being optimistic History contains well stocked instances or examples of how transformational leaders, who embody particular ideas and ideologies, are able to turn around the fortunes of their countries. Can Imran Khan, who has the capability of inspiring people through well-considered and carefully thought out ideas and suggestions, become such transformational leader who can articulate a new vision for Pakistan? With regard to India-Pakistan relations, Mr. Khan has expressed desire to initiate talks with India, resolve differences between the two countries, improve trade relations, resolve the Kashmir conflict, and alleviate poverty in both countries. Whatever may be the initial excitement, an individual functioning in complex setup where ‘deep state’ use all kind of tactics, he is unlikely to be able to navigate an independent path that could lead, at least a part of the way, to eventual success. The way ahead: India should cautiously design its policy. India will need to create a framework that leads to realistic outcomes, given that it genuinely believes in peace with Pakistan. There needs to be clarity regarding short- and medium-term goals, before embarking on the ultimate objective of bettering India-Pakistan relations. The first step should be an acknowledgement that the new government in Pakistan faces threats, from elements both within and outside the government. Furthermore, the threat to better India-Pakistan relations comes from the ‘deep state’ embedded within the Pakistani establishment. Indian state should step back and provide greater scope for people’s initiatives, strengthen the existing democratic order initiatives driven by people’s groups, and enhance the constituency for peace in the subcontinent. Towards this end, it should coordinate strategies among different agencies within the government on how to enlarge the constituency for peace and liberal tendencies in both countries. The effort should also be on increasing the share of people in Pakistan who recognise the need to act responsibly, and rally the ‘likeminded’ who seek peaceful co-existence with India. (In simple, India should encourage people’s initiatives to forge a ‘coalition of the willing’) It should involve appealing to people in Pakistan, much beyond those involved in the administration. The short message is for people’s groups in India to engage, and engage with whomsoever it is possible to in Pakistan with a view to creating a suitable climate for peace and better relations. India should also take steps to encourage the rest of the democratic world to advance, and defend, democracy in Pakistan, and implicitly improve relations with India. Connecting the dots: What challenges does India face in cultivating gainful ties with Pakistan? Examine. DISASTER MANAGEMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3 Disaster management Environmental degradation and conservation For a shift in gear Introduction: Kerala’s unique topography — of coastal plains and rolling hills between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats — is vulnerable to several natural hazards, landslides, flooding and coastal erosion being the most common. Incidents of flooding have become frequent, aided by human intervention. In thee recent floods, millions were displaced along with an estimate losses of 21000 crore. While the Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel had recommended the gradation of the Western Ghats into three eco-sensitive zones, with significant restrictions, this was not acceptable to the State government. Vulnerable country About 70% of its coastal areas are prone to tsunamis and cyclones, about 60% of its landmass vulnerable to earthquakes, and 12% of its land to floods. Multi-storied housing is booming in urban India, built on a framework of beams, pillars and brick walls. With parking spaces prioritised at the ground level over structural stability. Most Indian houses are made of brick masonry walls, with fire/unfired bricks and stones, and yet few if any undergraduate civil engineering courses consider these materials, focussing instead on reinforced cement and concrete. Earthquake engineering is taught as a specialisation at just a few universities, leading to a serious shortage of retrofitting-trained civil engineering manpower The gaps: Risk management in India is still in its infancy. In the case of Kerala, in 2003, the Home Ministry had proposed the formation of specialist teams to manage disasters using four battalions from the Central Industrial Security Force and Indo Tibetan Border Police. Kerala was required ‘to identify a State-level training institution’ for the purpose. The project has been forgotten. It has been the same response, even after the Ockhi disaster when the Centre proposed forming a special team and funding. We are far behind even in forecasting disasters that occur annually. Even now, after the Kedarnath floods in 2013, Uttarakhand still has few if any Doppler radars to provide early alerts about cloudbursts and heavy rain. There are few guidelines on construction in flood-prone regions, or even a map of safe zones. Few States have prepared emergency action plans for the over 5,000 large dams in India, with reports of just 200 dams having been covered so far. Mitigation projects for upgradation of the observatory network have barely commenced. The effectiveness of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been hampered by a shortage of trained manpower, training, infrastructure and equipment. The Comptroller and Auditor General highlighted the National Disaster Management Authority’s performance in projects such as vulnerability assessment and mitigation projects of major cities as “abysmal”. On the ground Disaster norms are also skewed more towards rural areas, focussing on agriculture, fisheries, livestock and handicrafts from a relief perspective. Current disaster norms do not differentiate between States, offering, for example, the same amount per unit for disaster relief in Bundelkhand as in Goa. Such practices are bound to lead to an inadequate recovery. Typically, after a disaster, revenue officials are responsible for visiting affected areas and identifying people for relief, in turn offering scope for misuse and corruption. In addition, any disaster relief will typically exclude anyone living in an unauthorised area. Such norms also exclude share-croppers and agricultural labourers, while focussing only on small and big farmers. Unlisted disasters which are not neatly bucketed in the specifications under the Calamity Relief Fund are restricted to a relief of 10% of the fund’s annual allocation. Way Forward Planned urbanisation can withstand disasters, a shining example being Japan which faces earthquakes at regular intervals. The India Disaster Resource Network should be institutionalised as a repository for organised information and equipment gathering. India needs a strong disaster management agency. It must be built on anticipatory governance, emphasising studies that embed foresight and foster citizen awareness. Disaster preparedness should be focussed on meeting the immediate contingency, implementing a conceptual, long-term rehabilitation strategy while maintaining an ethnographic understanding. The NDRF must fill its vacant specialist positions while being given better control over transfers and deployment of its personnel. Need to revise the norms for disaster relief in India. Each State and district has different costs for labour and construction, making the idea of a uniform amount for relief redundant. It’s time to move on from being focussed only on managing natural disaster emergencies to improving resilience. Connecting the dots: There has to be a change from focussing only on managing natural disasters to improving resilience. 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) Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) is associated with European Union Shanghai Cooperation Organisation North Atlantic Treaty Organization None of the above Q.2) LEMOA, GSOMIA, COMCASA and BECA are often in news. It deals with – Four foundational agreements that helps the U.S. to intensify its defence cooperation with a partner nation. Super Computers developed by NASA. Trade Agreements that help India and Italy to augment collaboration in areas of mutual benefit. 4 approaches suggested for India-China ties. Q.3) Consider the following statements India and the US recently signed Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) was recently renamed Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Which of the above statement[s] is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Rohingya refugee issue is related to which of the following countries Myanmar and Bangladesh North Korea and South Korea Thailand and Cambodia Myanmar and Thailand Q.5) Orang National Park is located in Odisha Arunachal Pradesh Assam West Bengal Q.6) Consider the following statements Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are declared under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 The government can prohibit industrial operations such as mining, sand quarrying and building thermal power plants in these areas Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.7) International law identifies which of the following as ‘Global Commons’? High Seas Atmosphere Antarctica Outer Space Select the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.8) Consider the following statements about UNCLOS: In 1982, the UN adopted the Convention on the Law of the Sea, but left the high seas free from restrictions. U.S. did not ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Only ratified States enjoy the traditional freedoms of navigation, overflight, scientific research and fishing on the high seas. Which of the statements above is/are correct? Only 1 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.9) Which of the following is correct about Public Credit Registry (PCR)? The purpose of PCR is to manage the foreign exchange of India. The purpose of PCR is to address the twin balance sheet problem of the banking sector and the corporate sector. The purpose of PCR is to keep the records of government borrowings. None of the above MUST READ Protecting the dissenters The Hindu Risks remain: on GDP growth The Hindu Jurisprudence of inverted commas The Hindu Court to the rescue Indian Express Maharashtra vs Market Indian Express

Sep 3, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- Indian Economy: RBI's Outlook

Indian Economy: RBI's Outlook Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. In News: The Reserve Bank report expects India's economic growth rate to accelerate to 7.4 per cent in the current financial year based on pick up in industrial activity and good monsoon. RBI's Economic Outlook for India RBI’s monetary policy will continue to be guided by the objective of achieving the medium-term target for retail inflation of 4 per cent, within a tolerance band of +/- 2 per cent, while supporting growth. India's external sector will have to confront global headwinds, but the Current Account Deficit would largely be financed by foreign direct investment. The CAD might widen owing to persistent high oil prices and large trade deficit. Agricultural production is likely to remain strong Growth impulses in industry are strengthening Corporates are reporting robust sales growth and improvement in profitability Services sector activity is also set to gather pace Revenue-earning freight traffic of railways has picked up, driven by stepped-up movement in coal, fertiliser and cement. Even though exports have gathered momentum in April-June quarter of 2018-19, the worsening global trade environment as a result of "protectionist policies" may impinge upon external demand Elevated crude oil prices and the strengthening of domestic demand may push up the import bill. Infrastructure holds the key to unleashing the impulses of faster growth. In particular, the reasonable success achieved in the transportation space is worthy of emulation in other areas There are clear signs of recovery in terms of growth in terms of even investment and in terms of industry. Three areas of concern that need to be weighed very closely – Inflation: It is an election year where the government will be hard-pressed to allow continued transition or transmission of international crude oil prices increases into the retail crisis. There will be pressure to reduce the excise duty on petroleum product prices - if that happens then there will obviously be a problem of adhering to the 3.3 percent of GDP fiscal deficit target. NPA resolution process is far from over. The report actually tells us very clearly that the size of the NPA's in the banking sector will actually go up by the end of March 2019. Investment growth: This will take time as people are not going to invest ill they see demand growth. So we have to judge and the best way of generating demand growth is during times of trade wars between the major economies in the world - an opportunity for us. Conclusion: Up-tick in credit growth is likely to be supported by the progress being made under the aegis of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in addressing stress on balance sheets of both corporates and banks, recapitalisation of state-owned banks, and a positive outlook on the economy. Over the medium-term, the pace and quality of growth will be anchored by progress on the unfinished agenda of structural reforms in - resolution of banking and corporate financial stress; taxation; agriculture; liberalisation of the economy's external interface, especially with FDI; and galvanising the business environment. The confidence of the global system in Indian economy to a large extent would depend upon how stable is our currency. Already 11 percent depreciation has occurred since the beginning of this year. Indian currency must be allowed to depreciate without much disruption, without much volatility and in a gradual way. It is important to keep the currency stable and less volatile but at the same time, India needs to let the currency reflect its true competitive worth and exchange value. A lot more needs to be done and it needs to be done soon. Connecting the Dots: Pro-active liquidity management is the key to the effectiveness of monetary policy. Discuss.

Sep 2, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Beautiful Mind – Inspirational Educative Articles

Beautiful Mind: We are more critical and rude to ourselves than to anybody else. Just for a moment pause and reflect on how you treat yourself; your mind, your body and your life. You will not be surprised to find out that you don’t treat yourself as well as you can. If there is any one person to whom you have been the rudest, it has to be you. The reason for this is that your entire focus is on the outside. If your entire life is an attempt to impress someone else, how can you do things that resonate with your inner being? If you are constantly trying to adjust yourself to everything that is happening around you, when will you have time for yourself? The rudest thing you can do to yourself is not to listen to your inner voice. The rudest thing you can do is ignore your basic needs of happiness, peace, contentment, and simply get lost in a mad race to achieve something. Yes, we all have a purpose in life. We all have to move towards certain goals and desires, but this does not mean that we ignore ourselves in the process. Unless you make your mind and your body your priority, everything else you achieve in life is useless. Just to give an example; if you tell yourself that for the next few years, you will work towards attaining to a certain goal and then you will take some time off for yourself to exercise and take care of your body, just at the moment of saying this, you have become extremely rude to yourself. If you decide to postpone taking care of your body, the body will come back to disturb you in ways you cannot even imagine. This is just one example to help us understand our priorities. This is also true with our mind. If we are not spending enough time working on our minds to understand it, eventually our mind will become our biggest disturbance. The first priority has to be the mind and body. Only a healthy mind and body can move towards achieving its goals. What is the point in losing your mind and body in the process of finding something outside of you? Fortunately, the younger generations is now a lot more health conscious. They are at least willing to take care of their bodies. Although this might be to impress someone else, it still helps. The whole problem is with the mind. Very few people take time off to assess the situation of their minds. Very few people reflect on their thinking, attitude and behavior. Very few people pay attention to their minds. This is the root cause of stress, anxiety, fear, worry, frustration and depression. When we ignore our minds, we simply become a bundle of problems. Let us take some time to understand our minds. Let us spend some quiet time every day to simply sit and watch our thought process. Let us make it habit to be with ourselves quietly for a few moments each day. This will tremendously help in understand our minds and dealing with it accordingly. A mind that is clear, sharp and without negativity can achieve anything. Only a beautiful mind can experience a beautiful life. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

Sep 1, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 1st September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 1st September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Law Commission on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Part of: GS Mains I and II – Indian Polity; Issues affecting secularism and integrity of the nation In news: Law Commission of India views on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) UCC is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. Secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. In other words, ‘Cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation’. Diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority. At the same time, discriminatory practices within a religion should not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/09/01/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/1fff480e_2359702_101_mr.jpg Do you know? Uniform civil code is the ongoing point of debate within Indian mandate to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen. Article 44 of the Directive Principles expects the state to apply these while formulating policies for the country. Apart from being an important issue regarding secularism in India & fundamental right to practice religion contained in Article 25, it became one of the most controversial topics in contemporary politics during the Shah Bano case in 1985 (dealing with Triple Talaq issue). Although Article 44 of the Indian Constitution guarantees UCC to all citizens,the debate arouse when the question of making certain laws applicable to all citizens without abridging the fundamental right of right to practice religious functions. India-Pakistan issues: Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) meeting Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbourhood- relations In news: India and Pakistan concluded the 115th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in Lahore. India has invited Pakistan to visit sites of the Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnal hydro-electric projects on the Chenab. As per the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, technical discussions were held on implementation of various hydroelectric projects including Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) in Jammu and Kashmir. For fast recap on Indus Water Treaty – refer the link https://iasbaba.com/2018/08/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-prelims-mains-focus-28th-august-2018/ Person in news: Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk receives 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Awards In news: Two Indians, Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk, receive Ramon Magsaysay awards. Ramon Magsaysay Award, is often referred to as Asian version of the Nobel Prize. Cambodian activist Youk Chhang, Filipino Howard Dee, Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen and East Timor’s Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz were also honoured for their work at a ceremony in Manila. All of them have worked for the poor or those who have suffered violence. Do you know? Sonam Wangchuk, a 51-year-old educational reformer from Ladakh, widely regarded as the inspiration for Aamir Khan’s character, Phunsuk Wangdu in the film ‘3 Idiots,’ received the award. The other is Bharat Vatwani, a psychiatrist who works for mentally ill street people in Mumbai. Mr. Vatwani has dedicated his life to rescuing mentally ill people from the streets and providing them with shelter and treatment through his Shraddha Rehabilitaion Foundation. Miscellaneous Census 2021 to collect OBC data, use maps/geo-referencing at the time of house listing GDP grows 8.2% in April-June: The Indian economy grew 8.2% — the highest in two years — in the April-June quarter, driven by robust growth in the manufacturing, construction and farm sectors. Vodafone, Idea merge; overtake Bharti (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 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, Indian diaspora. India and the U.S. — it’s complicated Introduction The first round of the India-U.S. 2+2 talks at the level of External Affairs Minister and Defence Minister from India and their US counterparts, is scheduled for September 6 in Delhi. Significance of 2+2 dialogue It is a significant development but one that appears perfectly logical when seen against the two-decade-old trend line of India-U.S. relations. The trend line has not been smooth but the trajectory definitively reflects a growing strategic engagement. From estranged democracies, India and U.S. can worst be described today as prickly partners. The emerging strategic convergence Three factors have contributed to the emerging strategic convergence. First, the end of the Cold War provided an opportunity to both countries to review their relationship in the light of changing global and regional realities. Second, with the opening of the Indian economy, the American private sector began to look at India with greater interest. Trade grew and today stands at more than $120 billion a year with an ambitious target of touching $500 billion in five years. If U.S. foreign direct investment in India is more than $20 billion, Indian companies too have invested $15 billion in the U.S., reflecting a sustained mutual interest. The third factor is the political coming of age of the three-million-strong Indian diaspora. Its influence can be seen in the bipartisan composition of the India Caucus in the U.S. Congress and the Senate Friends of India group. The U.S. is used to dealing with allies and adversaries. India is neither, and is also determined to safeguard its strategic autonomy. Developing a habit of talking to each other as equal partners has been a learning experience for India and the U.S. Both countries also consider themselves to be ‘exceptional’, the U.S. as among the oldest democracies and India as the largest. Indians become wary of the U.S.’s attempts to drive unequal bargains, and Americans find the Indian approach rigid and sanctimonious. Growing defence cooperation: Evolution The parallel tracks of dialogue began in the 1990s. The strategic dialogue covering nuclear issues shifted gears following the nuclear tests of 1998 and imposition of sanctions by the U.S. The over a dozen rounds of talks between both the countries during 1998-2000 marked the most intense dialogue between the two countries. It helped change perceptions leading to the gradual lifting of sanctions. The next phase was the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership steered by the then National Security Advisers, Brajesh Mishra and Condoleezza Rice. The momentum received a new impulse, thanks to the warmth between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush, eventually leading to the conclusion of the India-U.S. bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008. The defence dialogue began in 1995 with the setting up of the Defence Policy Group at the level of the Defence Secretary and his Pentagon counterpart and three Steering Groups to develop exchanges between the Services. A decade later, this was formalised and enlarged into the India-U.S. Defence Framework Agreement which was renewed for 10 years in 2015. Today, the U.S. is the country with which India undertakes the largest number of military exercises which have gradually evolved in scale and complexity. During the Cold War, more than three-fourths of India’s defence equipment was of Soviet origin. This gradually began to change, and in recent years, the U.S. and Israel emerged as major suppliers. The Indian Air Force went in for C-130J Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster aircraft, along with Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift helicopters. The Indian Navy acquired a troop carrier ship and the P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. An agreement for 24 multi-role helicopters for the Indian Navy is expected soon. The Indian Army went in for the M-777 howitzers and artillery radars. From a total of less than $400 million of defence acquisitions during 1947-2005, the U.S. has signed defence contracts of over $15 billion since. During the Obama administration, the US Defence Secretary understood that a defence supply relationship needed to be backed by technology sharing and joint development and came up with the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTII). To get around export control licensing and other bureaucratic hurdles, an India Rapid Reaction Cell in the Pentagon was set up. In 2016, India was designated as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ country. Another step forward in the middle of this year was the inclusion of India in the Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) category, putting it on a par with allies in terms of technology access. The U.S. proposed its standard logistics support agreement text in 2003 which was finally concluded in 2016, after it was made into an India-specific text. It facilitates logistics supplies during port visits and joint exercises and does not contain any obligations for joint activity or any basing arrangements. The India-specific Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), is likely to be signed. With the possibility of acquiring armed Sea Guardian drones, COMCASA was necessary to ensure optimal use. Obligations and challenges Acquiring U.S. high technology comes with its own set of obligations in terms of ensuring its security. These take the form of various undertakings often described as foundational agreements. Two difficult issues loom large and the 2+2 offers an opportunity for addressing these. The first is the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) enacted last year which enables the U.S. government to sanction countries that engage in ‘significant transactions’ with Russian military and intelligence entities. The proposed purchase of the S-400 missile defence system would attract CAATSA sanctions. A waiver provision has now been introduced to cover India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The second relates to U.S. sanctions on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Iranian crude imports have grown significantly in recent years and India also stepped up its involvement in developing Chabahar port. Conclusion: Creative thinking will be needed in the 2+2 dialogue to overcome these challenges, which should also ensure that there are no nasty surprises and difficult issues are settled through quiet diplomacy. In order to realise the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (2015), both countries will have to nurture the habit of talking and working together to diminish some of the prickliness in the partnership. Connecting the dots: Give an overview of India – US defence and strategic relations. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution- significant provisions Functions and responsibilities of the government Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,. The sedition debate: Section 124-A of IPC Introduction: Controversial Section 124-A of IPC, regarding sedition, is being hotly debated. Whether such draconian provision deserves a place in the statute of a modern democracy like India? About Section 124-A and Criticism on it Rulers everywhere tend to treat trenchant criticism as attempts to excite disaffection and disloyalty. That is perhaps the only reason that Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, enacted under colonial rule, remains on the statute book. The foremost objection to the provision on sedition is that its definition remains too wide. ‘Overbroad’ definitions typically cover both what is innocuous and what is harmful. Under the present law, strong criticism against government policies and personalities, slogans voicing disapprobation of leaders and stinging depictions of an unresponsive or insensitive regime are all likely to be treated as ‘seditious’, and not merely those that overtly threaten public order or constitute actual incitement to violence. In fact, so mindless have some prosecutions been in recent years that the core principle enunciated by the Supreme Court — that the incitement to violence or tendency to create public disorder are the essential ingredients of the offence — has been forgotten. However, as long as sedition is seen as a reasonable restriction on free speech on the ground of preserving public order, it will be difficult to contain its mischief. Misuse of Section 124-A There have been repeated instances of its misuse. Regimes at the Centre and the States have often been shown in poor light after they invoked the section against activists, detractors, writers and even cartoonists. Since Independence, many have seen the irony of retaining a provision that was used extensively to suppress the freedom struggle. Despite all this, Section 124-A has tenaciously survived all attempts by successive generations to reconsider it, if not repeal it altogether. In particular, it has raised the pertinent question: how far is it justified for India to retain an offence introduced by the British to suppress the freedom struggle, when Britain itself abolished it 10 years ago? Law Commissions' observations The Law Commission, for the third time in five decades, is now in the process of revisiting the section. Its consultation paper calls for a thorough reconsideration and presents the various issues related to it before the public for a national debate. In an earlier report in 1968, the Law Commission had rejected the idea of repealing the section. In 1971, the panel wanted the scope of the section to be expanded to cover the Constitution, the legislature and the judiciary, in addition to the government to be established by law, as institutions against which ‘disaffection’ should not be tolerated. The only dilution it mooted was to modify the wide gap between the two jail terms prescribed in the section (either three years or life) and fix the maximum sanction at seven years’ rigorous imprisonment with fine. Conclusion There can only be two ways of undoing the harm it does to citizens’ fundamental rights: Either it can be amended so that there is a much narrower definition of what constitutes sedition, or the far better course is to do away with it altogether. Connecting the dots: Do you think that difference between dissent and sedition is diminishing day by day? Critically 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) Uniform Civil Code has been in discussion for quite sometime. Uniform Civil Code refers to the body of laws governing rights and duties pertaining to property and personal matters like marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance. Which of the following Statements are correct about UCC? Article 45 of DPSP of the Constitution of India speaks about the Uniform Civil Code. It is based on Gandhian Philosophy. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements: The State shall endeavour to secure for all the citizens a Uniform Civil Code. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws. Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment. Which of the above given provisions reveal the secular character of the Indian State? 1 only 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements with regard to Ramon Magsaysay Award Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk are among six who have been declared winners of 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award. The award was established in 1957 in the memory of British Prime Minister Raman Magsaysay, who started Communal Award during 1930s. Choose the correct answer: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnal hydro-electric projects, which are in news recently, is over – Chenab river Sutlej river Beas river Jhelum river MUST READ India and the U.S. — it’s complicated The Hindu Story of a leaking ship The Hindu Nowhere to hide The Hindu Not a question of cash Indian Express Chanakya In Our Times Indian Express

Sep 1, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- India-Pak Indus Matters

India-Pak Indus Matters Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests In News: India and Pakistan are holding crucial talks over various aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty. This is the first engagement between the two nations since Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took office. Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – Signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 Under the treaty, India has full use of the three “eastern” rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej), while Pakistan has control over the three “western” rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum), although India is given rights to use these partially as well for certain purposes. The biggest sticking point in negotiating the treaty in the 1950s was the conditions under which India could use the hydro-electric potential of the Chenab and the Jhelum before the rivers reached Pakistan. The principle incorporated into the IWT was that, indeed, India could develop this potential, but only under a set of well-defined limitations on the amount of manipulable storage which could be created by India in the process, thus assuring Pakistan that India would not have the ability to manipulate either the timing or the quantities of the flows reaching Pakistan. 1990s: A difference arose about the Baglihar Dam being built by India on the Chenab. Pakistan claimed that low gates installed for flushing sediments violated the specifications of the treaty and endangered Pakistan’s water security because it gave India a capacity to manipulate the timing of flows into Pakistan. 2010: Pakistan took a new case, that of the Kishenganga hydro-electric project on the Jhelum river, to the International Court of Arbitration. On December 20, 2013, the court issued its final judgment which comprised of two elements — Was India within its rights to build the project and was India able to insert low gates – India was allowed to proceed. While it might be convenient for India to build low gates and practise sediment flushing, this was not the only way to manage sediments, and that convenience for India had to be balanced against the threat this would pose to Pakistan’s water security. Mandated a small, constant release which was less than 10% of what Pakistan claimed to be necessary – representing an appropriate balance between the needs of the environment and India’s right to power generation Challenges & Solutions: Climate change-induced glacier melting in the Himalayas threatens future water supply in the Indus basin. There is increasing global warming, but the rise in temperature in the Himalayas has been much higher than the global average. Thus, harnessing the Indus river system sustainably is a crucial issue for improving human development and contributing to regional peace and security in South Asia. While India and Pakistan remain the largest stakeholders due to the size and volume of the waters and vis-à-vis their usage, Afghanistan (a small area due to Kabul river) and China - as Indus and Sutlej originate in Tibet - too are part of the basin. The river system in the basin includes: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Swat, Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar, Shyok, Indus, Shingo, Astor, Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul. The Indus Basin epitomises a grand challenge due to its high poverty rates, high groundwater extraction, increased environmental degradation and risk of floods and droughts due to climate change. There is a need for integrated development of the basin as there are possibilities of building more storage facilities across the Indus and its tributaries to ensure better use of the scarce water. Water projects can be situated at optimum locations, notwithstanding geographic divisions along political lines. For appropriate and competent management of Indus systems, it is necessary to explore establishing an effective and independent river basin organisation, involving all the four riparian sates, which will have the capability of taking decisions on its own and remain out of the political control of any national government. Conclusion: India needs to take the opportunity to work for a comprehensive and integrated form of basin management, the benefit sharing of the Indus river system will not be limited only to water resources; it can have other peace-enhancing effects and significantly contribute to regional peace, security and development. Connecting the Dots: Why was the Indus Water Treaty in news recently? Do you think the treaty is unfair to India? Critically examine. The Indus Water Treaty remains a major irritant in Indo-Pak relations. Do you agree? Examine the issue and associated developments in the recent past. Refer below: Map for practice

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