Dec 15, 2018 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Safe Childhood Strong Nation

Safe Childhood Strong Nation ARCHIVES Search 4th December, 2018 Public Speak here: http://www.newsonair.com/Audio-Archive-Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes Violence against children is violence against humanity and society. Dignity of a child is very important and when it is lost in childhood, everything is shattered. Our silence is shocking. While we have successfully brought in children-specific legislations such as the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO) and the amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, our performance in creating robust and reliable preventive response systems has been markedly poor. The spate of brutal crimes against children demonstrates that our collective approach to child safety in schools remains ad hoc, laissez-faire and poorly monitored, highlighting the lack of both soft and hard preventive infrastructure. Key Statistics Every six minutes, a child goes missing. More than 4.5 lakh children have been victims of trafficking, bought, sold for commercial and sexual exploitation. Over 50% children in India were subjected to one or another form of physical abuse. More boys are abused physically than girls. In 94.8 percent of cases, children were raped by someone known to them, according to data collected by the National Crime Records Bureau. The number of child abuse cases registered under Prevention of Sexual Offences against Children (POCSO) Act rose from 8,904 in the year 2014 to 14,913 in 2015. Uttar Pradesh led the highest number of child abuse cases with 3,078 followed by Madhya Pradesh with 1,687 cases, Tamil Nadu with 1,544 cases, Karnataka with 1,480 cases and Gujarat by 1,416 cases Provision related to Children in “Constitution of India” Article 14 and 15 Article 21A. The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine. Article 24. No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. Article 39. The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing— that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment. Article 45. The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years. Article 51A. It shall be the duty of every citizens of India- who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years] National Policy for Children 2013 To “build a preventive and responsive child protection system and promote effective enforcement of punitive legislative and administrative measures against all forms of child abuse and neglect”. The Policy recognises every person below the age of eighteen years as a child and covers all children within the territory and jurisdiction of the country. It recognizes that a multi-sectoral and multidimensional approach is necessary to secure the rights of children. The Policy has identified four key priority areas: Survival Health and nutrition Education and development Protection and participation Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO) The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) was enacted in 2012 to address the growing sexual violence against children and the inability of the Indian Penal Code to deal with this concern. The Act provides – A graded classification of sexual offences against children Prescribes higher mandatory minimum sentences for such crimes Mandates several processes and safeguards to ensure a child-friendly trial such as the designation of “special courts” Child-friendly process of recording victim testimony Provision of compensation Protection of the identity of the child, etc. The Act also contains extensive mandates for procedures to be followed by the police, magistrates and medical personnel handling victims of child sexual abuse. Although more than five years have elapsed since it came into force, the system is replete with failures and shortcomings. Protection in Schools The ministry has comprehensive guidelines that take into consideration physical infrastructure such as separate and age-appropriate toilets to safeguard children in school. These also take into account issues related to a school’s staff such as background checks and mental make-up. However, these guidelines need to be made mandatory and compliance must be made non-negotiable. The policy should emphasise ‘gatekeeping’ to ensure that the recruitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff is done after thorough police verification and psycho-social assessment. Many private and government-aided schools already follow this process, but it must now become compulsory for all. It should also be mandatory for schools to enrol trained counsellors who can both prevent and detect abuse of children — this could be an existing teacher who has undergone the requisite training or a separate counsellor. In addition, all teachers need to be sensitised about child abuse, taught to recognise it and made aware of laws such as the POCSO Act which makes reporting such acts compulsory. Sessions with children on safety and prevention of abuse ought to become part of the curriculum. They need to have a designated point of contact and rest assured that there is a safe space where they can speak and be heard. An open dialogue involving all three stakeholders (schools, parents and the Government) can go a long way towards creating the right ecosystem for building preventive response mechanisms. Parents need to realise that even though they have entrusted their children to the school, the safety of their child is a collective responsibility. Sexual offence: Why do the perpetrators choose children as targets? Many child abuse cases go unreported because the victim is traumatised and therefore reluctant to confide in anyone. In a majority of the cases, the family of the victim may not want to confront the abuser if he or she is an influential family member or an influential person in society, for the fear of backlash or shame. To ensure a safe childhood – Way Forward Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi Policy initiatives Institutional mechanism in place Education Capacity building to eradicate the social evil Accountability of the authorities in particular and citizens in general Technological interventions Societal engagement Safety should begin at home: There is a need to reform education – to guide them during their exploration years, to make them understand about the right ethical behaviour and to make them understand between good touch and bad touch. As in most of the cases, rape is committed by people known to child such as relatives, and neighbours, there is an urgent need for the family to be sensitised, and the deep-rooted attitudes that view them as inferior to men need to be also tacked with. Law is not vengeance – it is meant to punish, to deter, and to reform In order to provide an effective response, it is imperative to analyse the present system and understand why it has failed. The low rates of conviction do not even have the effect of creating a fear of accountability in the first place. Our investigation needs to be quick and scientific. Instead of pursuing drastic remedies, we need to urgently devise ways to bolster the existing criminal justice and child protection systems and ensure higher convictions, higher reporting of offences, put in place preventive strategies, and address a large number of systemic and operational gaps. Victims should be provided with proper counselling at different stages, for life. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi has advocated setting up a national children’s tribunal, on the lines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to deal with cases of crime against children in a time-bound and expeditious manner. Must Read: Link 1 + Link 2 Connecting the Dots: Investment in children is an investment in the future. Discuss There is an urgent need of an argument for a culture of moral responsibility and accountability among our institutions, as opposed to the prevalent culture of superficial, convenient responses. Critically examine. Numerous legislations regarding ‘Rights of children’ in India have failed to tap the real essence of ‘Right to have a Childhood’. In the light of the statement critically discuss how effective the Indian legislations have been in securing the ‘Rights of children’?

Dec 14, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 14th December 2018

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 14th December 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Punganur cow Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Animal conservation; Agriculture/Livestock In news: Punganur cow is considered one of the world’s smallest breeds of cattle. The breed is on the verge of extinction, due to cross-breeding conducted by farmers. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Animal Genetic Resources list the breed as facing extinction. The Punganur cow is diminutive, with a height of 70 cm to 90 cm and weighing around 115 to 200 kg. In comparison, the famous Ongole bull stands tall at 1.70 metres and weighs 500 kg. Both breeds trace their origins to Andhra Pradesh. Animal genetics and breeding scientists are now engaged in efforts to save the unique breed from extinction. Do you know? Gir - This breed is highest producer of milk among all breeds in India. Sahiwal - This cow is also called ‘Red Gold’ and identified by its prominent red colour. Rathi, Tharparkar, Dhanni, Deoni, Hariana, Ongole, Nimari, Hallikar, Vechur (smallest cattle in the world) Umblachery - The bulls are used in the sport of Jallikattu or bull-taming Migratory birds at Chilika face flu threat Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Health issue; Animal conservation; Bird Sanctuary in news In news: Lakhs of migratory birds at Chilika are facing a threat to their lives following the detection of avian influenza virus barely a few kilometres away from the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. Samples have tested positive for H5N1 virus. Avian influenza Avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred. Groundwater extraction will invite a fee Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Conservation of Water; Government policies and schemes In news: In a bid to promote conservation of groundwater, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has notified a water conservation fee (WCF). Industries will need to pay on groundwater extraction starting from June 2019. Do you know? As per the CGWA notification, industries extracting groundwater, including mining-dewatering units and those that use groundwater for packaged drinking water, will need to apply for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the government. Individual households that draw groundwater using a delivery pipe of a greater than 1” diameter, too, will need to pay a WCF. However, the agriculture sector — the largest consumer of groundwater in the country — will be exempt from the fees. Important facts: In India, extracted groundwater is mainly used for irrigation and accounts for about 228 BCM (billion cubic metre) — or about 90% of the annual groundwater extraction. The rest, 25 BCM, is drawn for drinking, domestic and industrial uses. India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, and accounts for about 25% of the global water extraction. Lack of basic rights for the aged a concern: SC Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social issue; Government schemes and policies; Fundamental Rights In news: Supreme Court has expressed its disappointment over lack of basic rights and inadequate welfare provided to senior citizens and the aged. The court said it was a statutory right of every aged person under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007 to be provided dignity, health and shelter. All the three are important components which make the fundamental right to life under Article 21. Do you know? The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act makes it obligatory for children or relatives to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents. It also provides for the setting up of old age homes by State governments. Lack of knowledge of rights, the inherent inability of the elderly to approach a tribunal for recourse under the law, and poor implementation of the Act by various State governments are other concerns The increase in the number of elderly people in the country calls for responsible policies and programmes for their protection and care. Indian Scenario India is expected to be home to 300 million elderly people by 2050 18 per cent of the population is going to be over 60 years of age by 2050 In India, about 50 per cent of the elderly are being financially dependent on others Most of the elderly have been turned out from their homes, or have lost a partner, or just can’t manage to live on their own anymore Elderly Population need to thrive not just survive It is time India pay heed to the problems of those who are old, else the country will be faced with a large incidence of degenerative diseases, accompanied with serious gaps in the geriatric medical ecosystem, a changing joint family structure, the lack of ‘grey-friendliness’ in public spaces, transport, housing, and a virtually non-existing policy framework to tackle these issues. The court directed that the Centre should prepare a plan of action for giving publicity to the provisions of 2007 Act and ensure that the State governments carry out and execute the provisions of the law. SC bats for rights of death row convicts Part of: GS Mains II – Social issue; Fundamental Rights In news: According to a recent judgment by the Supreme Court – Death row convicts should be allowed to meet with family, friends, lawyers and mental health professionals for a “reasonable period of time with reasonable frequency” like any other prisoner. It is part of their fundamental right to dignity and equality. The court said prison manuals or laws depriving condemned prisoners of their basic rights should be nixed. The court banked on generalities, referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and reiterated that right to life includes the “right to live with human dignity.” India, Russia to boost joint production in defence Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – India and Russia; International Relations; Defence In news: 18th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) took place recently. India and Russia have agreed on ways to simplify export clearances to take forward joint manufacturing in defence. Focus – expanding military-to-military and defence industrial engagement. Both Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) and private sector to manufacture spares for Russian systems in India. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/POLITY TOPIC:General studies 2  Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Need for an effective ‘Legal Culture’ to maintain judicial independence Introduction: The below article deals with assessment of whether Indian Judiciary is really free from political influence? According to the author there are series of instances where judges outright favour particular political affiliations. Therefore, the author stresses for the need for an effective ‘Legal Culture’ to maintain Judicial independence (free from political influence). Once a Judge takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, his/her past connections or inclinations, should not weigh in their decision making process. Independence of Judiciary We know that our Constitution is designed to ensure that judges can do their work “independent” of government influence: fixed salaries security of tenure and an appointments process that is insulated from executive control Independence, however, means something more. It also requires that judges perform their constitutional role independent of personal biases, political and moral beliefs, and partisan ideologies. While adjudicating, a judge should not turn into a politician. At all times, he/she is bound to maintain primary fidelity to the law and the Constitution: to the text of legal instruments, to the canons of legal interpretation, and to the body of judicial precedent that holds the field – These are crucial checks upon judicial power. ‘Role of Legal Culture’ Judicial independence depends on judges recognising that law and adjudication must remain autonomous from partisan politics in important ways. Judges need to be insulated from any external control; they should be accountable only to themselves, and their own sense of the limits of their constitutional role. However, accountability only to oneself is a very weak form of constraint. The temptation to overstep is always immense, more so when such immense power has been placed in one’s own hands. Therefore, it is here that “legal culture” plays a critical role in establishing judicial accountability. A Legal Culture – which has a set of unwritten, but clearly established, norms that determine what is or is not acceptable in the process of adjudication. A Legal Culture – which has not sprung up out of a vacuum, but created and nurtured by judges, lawyers, legal academics, the press and the citizenry. The roots of the crisis and where the legal culture got exactly failed? Post Independence During the first 17 years of India’s republic, by and large, the Supreme Court reposed faith in Parliament. Most MPs were freedom fighters, and the court trusted them. But as amendment after amendment was used to undo the core values of the Constitution, the court had to apply the brakes in 1967. The court refused to trust elected representatives with the amendment process, and ruled that fundamental rights could not be curtailed except by the Constituent Assembly. 1980s In the 1980s, there was a rapid expansion of judicial power. Supreme Court began to dispense with procedural checks upon its power. Some of these steps were important and necessary, such as allowing “public interest” cases to be filed on behalf of those who were unable to access the courts. However, other steps were double-edged swords, such as diluting the evidentiary standards required to prove disputed facts, and vastly expanding the courts’ discretion to shape and fashion remedies. (for complete justice) The 1980s Supreme Court was highly praised for this. Judges were painted as crusading heroes. 1990s and 2000s By the 1990s and the 2000s, under the misleading label of “judicial activism”, the court was beginning to engage in a host of administrative activities, from managing welfare schemes to “beautifying cities” to overseeing anti-corruption initiatives. The constitutional court had become a Supreme ‘Administrative’ Court. This, too, was justified on the altar of necessity: politicians were corrupt, bureaucrats were inefficient, and things didn’t move. Someone had to come and clean it all up. Judiciary was viewed as an infallible solution to all social problems. In other words, the Judiciary was considered to be flawless, incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. Is Indian Judiciary really flawless? Is it free from political influence? Some of the judgments show that Judiciary has failed to maintain its legal culture and has many times sided with government’s agenda – Recent Meghalaya High Court Judge Justice S.R. Sen's ill-advised and ill-judged remarks (had some sort of biasness towards current government or political posturing) A judge, who wrapped up in patriotic zeal, did not stop to think whether he is authorised to compel all cinema halls in the nation to play the national anthem. Another did not consider whether he has the power to mandate that every student in Tamil Nadu must study the Tirukkural. Judiciary taking over the entire process of preparing a National Register of Citizens (NRC). The record of the courts in protecting civil rights has also been a mixed one. In far too many cases, courts have tended to defer to the executive and the government. Courts simply missed the thought whether the Constitution ever contemplated a task such as this to fall within the judicial domain. Conclusion Above judgments like the national anthem order, the Tirukkural order, the NRC process, and Justice Sen’s recent foray – raise an altogether more frightening prospect: that of an “executive court”. **An “executive court” – is a court whose moral and political compass finds itself in alignment with the government of the day, and one that has no compunctions in navigating only according to that compass. Instead of checking and limiting government power, an executive court finds itself marching in lockstep with the government, and being used to set the seal of its prestige upon more controversial parts of the government’s agenda. Connecting the dots: Do you think Indian Judiciary is really free from political influence? Is it really independent and flawless? Critically analyze. “Legal culture” plays a critical role in establishing judicial accountability and judicial independence. Substantiate. ECONOMY TOPIC:General studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. MSMEs: Changing the Indian state from bully to ally Introduction Policy makers often romanticize MSMEs over large employers because it believes that MSMEs are a source of massive job creation, are the salvation of less-skilled job seekers, and embody solid middle-class values. However, MSMEs view the Indian state as a bully rather than an ally, because of its 60,000-plus employer compliance universe that changes 5,000-plus times a year and 3,300-plus possible filings for enterprises. Therefore, there is a need for massive regulatory rationalization, simplification and digitalization because no MSME can possibly keep track of 60,000 plus regulatory compliances. Pic: https://www.livemint.com/r/LiveMint/Period2/2018/12/14/Photos/Processed/opinionchart.jpg India’s next wave of Ease of Doing Business (EODB)  should have three vectors— rationalization (cutting down the number of laws), simplification (cutting down the number of compliances and filings) and digitization (architecting for true paperless, presence-less and cashless). Rationalization could start with clustering the 44 labour laws into a single labour code. Simplification would include replacing our 25-plus different numbers issued by various government arms to every employer with a unique enterprise number (an Aadhaar for enterprises). Finally, we must move away from the current approach to digitization as a website and shift to open architecture-based API frameworks, where multiple players compete in providing services to employers. Other concerns: MSMEs remain, by their predominantly informal nature, vulnerable to structural and cyclical shocks, at times with persistent effects. Some of the critical issues that hamper their development were absence of access to easy finance and credit instruments, serious regulatory constraints, lack of access to modern and affordable technology, lack of basic infrastructure, lack of access to modern marketing and distribution networks, shortage of skilled labour and inflexible and archaic labour laws. The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been impacted adversely by the twin shocks of demonetisation and goods and services tax (GST). Conclusion: India is expected to emerge as one of the leading economies in the world over the next decade and the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment is expected to play a significant role. The development of this segment is extremely critical to meet the national imperatives of financial inclusion and generation of significant levels of employment across urban, rurban and rural areas across the country. Further, it can nurture and support development of new age entrepreneurs who have the potential to create globally competitive businesses from India. Connecting the dots: Explain in brief the significance of MSMEs in Indian economy. Also discuss the challenges faced by the MSME sector in India. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) H5N1 is often in news. It is concerned with which of the following diseases? Avian Influenza Swine Flu Tuberculosis Pneumonia Q.2) Famous breeds – Punganur, Ongole, Nimari, Hallikar, Vechur relates to – Cow Buffalo Sheep Goat Q.3) The practice of mating of animals of the same breed, having no common ancestors, is called In-breeding Cross-breeding Out-crossing Interspecific hybridization Q.4) The spread of Avian Influenza in Odisha is in news. Consider the following statements with respect to Avian Influenza: It is a viral infection spread from bird to bird. A particular strain of H5N1 virus is believed to cause avian influenza. Human beings catch bird flu by close contact with birds or bird droppings. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2, and 3 Q.5) Mangalajodi, the second largest hotspot for birds is on the banks of Chilika Lake Pangong lake Dal Lake Pulikat Lake Q.6) It is said that the one issue which highlights the need to unify the Central Water Commission and the Central Ground Water Board is the drying up of peninsular rivers, the single most important cause of which is Climate Change Over-extraction of groundwater Construction of excessive number of dams Excess population in the peninsular region MUST READ The anatomy of a police station The Hindu Is it time to abolish the death penalty? The Hindu How Governor’s rule and President’s rule set J&K apart from other states Indian Express The anti-argumentative Indian Indian Express  Panacea that isn’t Indian Express The political roots of falling wage growth Livemint

Dec 14, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 130]

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 130] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’ It is developed by the Ministry of Labour & Employment It was developed to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of compliance Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)’ It incentivises employers for generation of new employment, where Government of India will be paying the full employer's contribution towards EPF & EPS both It is targeted for employees earning wages less than Rs 5,000/- per month Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) The ‘HELP’ and ‘OLAP’ Policy is associated with Exploration and production of conventional as well as non-conventional Hydrocarbon resources Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Eco-Sensitive Zones and Environmental Impact Assessment Women Safety Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)’ It provides deposit-free LPG connections to women belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families It is aimed at rationalizing LPG subsidies based on approach to cut subsidy leakages, but not subsidies themselves Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Advanced Motor Fuels (AMF)’ It is one of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) transportation related Technology Collaboration Programmes It provides an international platform for co-operation to promote cleaner and more energy efficient fuels and vehicle technologies Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Dec 13, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – International Disability Day

International Disability Day Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders General Studies 3 Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. Aim: To promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development To increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Building on many decades of UN’s work in the field of disability, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006, has further advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, the New Urban Agenda, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. Definitions: The United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disability tells us that persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full participation in society on an equal basis with others. The Rights of persons with Disability Act of India, 2016, also clarifies that disability includes people with mental illness, epilepsy, intellectual impairment and other disabilities which are not evident to a casual observer. 2018 Theme: Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality This year’s theme focused on empowering persons with disabilities for an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda pledges to “leave no one behind”. In India: India has around 80 million people with disability, which may be age related, accident related or due to some medical conditions. According to the Word Bank, one in every 12 households in India has a person living with disability. In 2015, the Prime Minister rolled out the “Accessible India” (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) campaign, with a motive to make it convenient for persons with disabilities to access administrative buildings and transport, among other things. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 The Act replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. It fulfils the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory. The Act came into force during December 2016. Salient Features: Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept. The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21. It includes Speech and Language Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Acid Attack Victims, Dwarfism, muscular dystrophy. It also included three blood disorders: Thalassemia, Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease have been added for the first time. Reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased from 3% to 4% for certain persons or class of persons with benchmark disability. In addition benefits such as reservation in higher education, government jobs, reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes etc. have been provided for disabilities. The Act claims that every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education. The government will fund educational institutions as well as the government recognized institutions to provide inclusive education to the children with reasonable accommodation to disables. Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs. The Act provides for penalties for offences(imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years along with fine of 10000 to 5 lakh) committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law. The Act provides power to government to notify additional disabilities, a clear recognition of the need to factor in conditions that may arise as a result of an ageing population, an inevitable part of the demographic transition. The new law will not only enhance the Rights and Entitlements of Divyang-Jan but also provide effective mechanism for ensuring their empowerment and true inclusion into the Society in a satisfactory manner. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/12/05/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/843c0c39_2572113_101_mr.jpg Invisible Disabilities – A Question mark on Inclusiveness: People with invisible disabilities continue to be excluded from participation and inclusion by the general public, the media and even the disability movement. Within the disability movement and disability networks in India and across the world, it is evident that there a hierarchy of disability. People with invisible and psycho-social disabilities are not equally included, represented or given equal voice or resources. Within India, disabled persons organisations are typically led and represented by men who use crutches and wheelchairs. Lack of Access to Public Places: The appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development, provide for — (a) Ramps in public buildings (b) Adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users (c) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts (d) Ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions. Measurement of Disability – We still approach disability from a medical or pathological angle, focusing on a condition regarded as “abnormal”. In contrast, in most developed countries, the focus has shifted to a social approach, highlighting institutional and social arrangements preventing those with impairments from leading normal lives. The census essentially functions on the basis of self-reporting of disability and, sometimes, the question isn’t even asked. In all probability, the gap between true disability and measured disability is more for mental disability than for physical disability. The Way Forward: Identification: The criteria and process for identifying people and certifying people with disability must find processes to recognise the disability of people with fluctuating disability such as that experienced by many with severe mental illness. Inclusion and empowerment of people with visible and invisible disabilities must include policy action by the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice. The criteria and process for identifying people and certifying people with disability must find processes to recognise the disability of people with fluctuating disability such as that experienced by many with severe mental illness. It must also include active responses to include people with invisible disabilities from agencies working in Inclusive sports, inclusive sanitation and inclusive community-based development are the catch-cries of organisations working in disability. Education and overall development: The enlargement of reservation scheme to all educational institutions in all disciplines, reading non-compliance of the law for providing accessibility facilities in educational institutions as an act of discrimination and proposing the in-house body to supervise the well-being of PWDs in educational institutions. We, as a nation, need to fully understand that inclusive learning is not only about people with disabilities, it is also about educating and sensitising the society about different individual needs. Attitudinal shift is what is necessary to make our society inclusive. We must fulfil the responsibility of ensuring that all students, with or without disabilities, have all the means and support they need to exercise their right to education. Smart City projects must be aligned to the needs of the disabled and also linked to the Start-up India initiative: The objectives of the Smart City Mission for persons with disabilities are to: (a) Ensure access to pathways, junctions, footpaths, bus shelters, crossings and public transportation; (b) Create accessible websites, applications, government portals or community engagement platforms; (c) Create accessible digital technology for websites, mobile applications, products and services and; (d) Design accessible buildings, parks, playgrounds, schools, colleges, hospitals, recreational areas, public toilets, etc. Time to avoid phrases that mock disabilities: In our day-to-day interactions, we come across words and phrases like ‘turning a blind eye’; ‘falling on deaf ears’; ‘a paralysed economy’; ‘institutions running on crutches’; and ‘mute leadership’. What is common among these is that they all signify negative connotation, while referring to physically disabled people. The normalisation of such terms is not a coincidence — there is a sociological reason behind their genesis and usage. Apathy on the part of society towards people with disabilities has led to these terms becoming commonplace, to such an extent that no one bats an eyelid while using them. Further, the society easily derives certain meanings out of these words. For instance, ‘turning a blind eye’ and ‘falling on deaf ears’ signify ignorance. ‘Paralysed economy’ implies that the economy is in a bad or unwanted situation, while ‘institutions running on crutches’ refers to dysfunctional or powerless institutions. Note: First state to have a disability census: Kerala; covers 22 kinds of disability — in movement, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological disorders, multiple-sclerosis, hunched backs, dwarfism, blindness, seriously impeded vision, in learning, in speech, mental retardation, mental illness, autism, deafness, leprosy-free persons, haemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, deafness and blindness and multiple-disabilities. Must Read: Link + Link 2 Connecting the Dots: Disability is a matter of perspective. Comment. What measures have been taken by the government to create a conducive ecosystem for the disabled community. It is ironical that despite a large number of well-meaning constitutional provisions and laws aimed at protecting and safeguarding the welfare and interest of the disabled communities, the process of marginalization of people with disabilities has gone on unabated. Paradoxically, at the root of such marginalization are the laws themselves. Discuss.

Dec 13, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 13th December 2018

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 13th December 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Mekedatu project Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Centre State Relations; Inter-State Relations; Inter-state river dispute In news: Tamil Nadu has expressed its concern over the unilateral approval granted by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to Karnataka to proceed with the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project. TN alleges that the approval is in violation of the decisions of the tribunal and apex court for equitable apportionment of Cauvery water. (therefore, contempt of court) According to TN, the proposed construction of any new dam by Karnataka would result in impounding the flows in the intermediate catchment below KRS and Kabini reservoirs and Billigundulu, which is located in the common border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India gets submarine rescue system Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence; Security; Defence partnership In news: Indian Navy joined a select group of naval forces in the world when it inducted its first non-tethered Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. In March 2016, the Indian Navy had signed a ₹2,000 crore contract with the U.K.-based James Fisher Defence (JFD) for two submarine rescue systems as well as maintenance for 25 years. This project is yet another milestone in the defence partnership between India and the United Kingdom. Do you know? The DSRV is used to rescue crew members from submarines stranded under water in the high seas. The DSRV can be operated at a depth of 650 metres and can rescue 14 people at a time. The DSRV can also be transported by air, enabling it to conduct rescue operations across the globe. The Indian Navy currently operates five different classes of submarines. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/12/13/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/671aac9a_2590197_101_mr.jpg ‘NSG must have its own air wing’ Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence; Security In news: A Parliamentary panel has recommended that the Centre urgently take steps to ensure that the National Security Guard (NSG) is equipped with its own dedicated air wing. Currently, the two Mi-17 helicopters procured by the NSG in 1988-99, were grounded and unavailable. Ministry of Home Affairs should make urgent and sincere efforts to commission a dedicated Air Wing of NSG and provide requisite types and number of air assets to strengthen the aviation capability of the force. About National Security Guard (NSG) National Security Guard (NSG) — is the country’s premier counter-terrorist and contingency force. The NSG was raised in 1986 following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Operation Blue Star. The force, which is trained to operate as an elite urban anti-terrorist and anti-hijack force, doesn’t have a cadre of its own or direct recruitment and is instead dependent on personnel sent on deputation from the army and the central armed police forces. Miscellaneous We live in ‘Age of the Chicken’? Do you know? There are about 23 billion chickens on Earth at any given time, at least 10 times more than any other bird. The combined mass of those 23 billion chickens is greater than that of all the other birds on Earth. Chickens seem to have been domesticated about 8,000 years ago, and gradually bred to be larger and meatier than their jungle fowl ancestors. But it was not until production of broilers ramped up in the 1950s and farming practices changed that the bird was transformed. Some facts about broiler chicken The modern broiler chicken has a genetic mutation that makes it eat insatiably so that it gains weight rapidly. It has five times the mass of its ancestor. It is subject to numerous bone ailments because it has been bred to grow so quickly. And because of its diet — heavy on grains and low on backyard seeds and bugs — its bones have a distinct chemical signature. Japan picks ‘disaster’ as symbol for 2018 Japan selected the Chinese character for ‘disaster’ as its ‘defining symbol’ for 2018. 2018 saw the country hit by deadly floods, earthquakes and storms. It faced a series of natural calamities. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC:General studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Questions being raised about the new GDP back series Introduction: Three years after the shift to the new base year of 2011-12, the CSO and NITI Aayog, in a join press conference, released the back series detailing growth numbers for 2005-06 to 2011-12. In its new GDP back series data, average growth during UPA regime is down from previous estimates while growth during NDA is pegged higher than during UPA. Do you know? Mundle expert panel, which was constituted to prepare the back series under the revised methodology, had not come up with the counter-intuitive estimates that have just been released. They estimated the average GDP growth at market prices at 8.37% (2004-05 to 2008-09), and then 7.69% (2009-10 to 2013-014). Three changes occurred in the revision that was first announced in 2015: Base Year Methodology from GDP at factor cost to GDP at market price (this is the international norm and the basis of the current government’s claim that this is what CSO has followed) Method of estimating company output/revenue - which has been done in a much more detailed manner using new data collected by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA 21). Questions are being raised from experts If most important indicators (provided below) of the Indian economy were better in 2004-2014, how is the GDP growth rate higher in estimates just released (7.4% per annum since 2014 and only 6.7% per annum in 2005-2014)? Questions arise over the new GDP series for the following substantive reasons: Agricultural growth rates at constant prices were much higher from 2004-05 to 2013-14 than since then. Two back-to-back drought years (2014 and 2015) notwithstanding, policies have not been exactly supportive. (Also farmers agitation year after year has increased) The Index of Agricultural Production, with a base of 100 for the triennium ending 2007-08, had risen to 129.8 in 2013-14. But after falling, it barely recovered to 130 in 2017-18. Agriculture, like the non-agricultural informal sector, collapsed first after demonetisation and then after a poorly implemented Goods and Services Tax. Both measures affected output as well as jobs, especially in the unorganised sector which constitutes nearly half of GDP and half of all exports. Exports have performed much worse in the last four years than over the preceding 10 years. Exports were only $50 billion in 2002-03, but had risen to $250 billion in 2010-11, and reached $315 billion in 2013-14. They have not recovered to that level even in 2017-18. In 2003-04, India’s savings rate had risen from 9.5% of GDP in 1950-51, and stood at 25.9%. It rose sharply thereafter to peak at 36.8% — precisely because of a rise in per capita income growth — to a level unprecedented in India’s economic history, and not achieved since. This rising savings rate contributed to an unprecedented increase in the investment to GDP ratio. Then the investment to GDP fell in the wake of the global economic crisis. It is investment that mainly drives growth. (Investment to GDP rise peaked at 36.8% in 2007-08 → 31.3% in 2013-14 → 30.4% in 2014-15 → 29.3% in 2015-16 → 26.4% in 2017-18) Index of Industrial Production (IIP, which consists of manufacturing, mining, electricity) also rose sharply during 2004-05 to 2013-14. In crux, the entire exercise casts doubt on the credibility of India’s growth numbers.   Connecting the dots: “A double digit growth for Indian economy in near future is difficult.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. AGRICULTURE/S&T TOPIC:General studies 3 Agriculture Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Science and Technology – Role of GM technology, Various research related to GM crops Don’t believe the anti-GMO campaign? Introduction: We recently read about few highlights on GM crops (Fast Recap) According to a research paper – “Modern technologies for sustainable food and nutrition security” – co-authored by geneticist P.C. Kesavan and leading agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan: GM crops are considered to be a failure. GM crops such as Bt cotton, the stalled Bt brinjal as well as DMH-11, a transgenic mustard hybrid – has failed as a sustainable agriculture technology It has also failed to provide livelihood security for cotton farmers who are mainly resource-poor, small and marginal farmers. It raised questions on the genetic engineering technology itself on the grounds that it raises the cost of sowing. Swaminathan emphasised that genetic engineering technology is supplementary and must be needbased. Only in very rare circumstance (less than 1%) may there arise a need for the use of this technology. However, the research paper was criticised by India’s Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), K. VijayRaghavan as ‘deeply flawed’.  According to him, it has the potential to mislead the public and the political system. Proponents of GMO argue that – Anti-GMO campaign is scientifically baseless and potentially harmful to poor people in the developing world. Genetic modification is the technology of choice for solving abiotic problems like drought flood, salinity, etc. Genetic modification allows different parents to be combined easily, helping yields go up substantially. Major science academies of the world such as the U.S.’s National Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy have supported GM technology. Data from a large number of peer-reviewed publications have shown that, on average, GM technology adoption has reduced pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yield by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68%. Data from a billion animals fed on GM corn have not indicated any health hazards. Yield and profit gains are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. Those in the Americas and elsewhere consuming Bt corn or soybean for over 15 years have not reported any health issues. Reports on the probable carcinogenic potential of the herbicide have not been accepted by major science academies. Bt cotton - Not a failure in India Bt cotton is not a failure in India The yields hovering around 300 kg/ha at the time of introduction of Bt cotton (2002) have increased to an average of over 500 kg/ha, converting India from a cotton-importing country to the largest exporter of raw cotton India has one of the strongest regulatory protocols for field trials of GM crops. It is unfortunate that farmer distress is being wrongly attributed to Bt cotton failure. Farmers continue to grow Bt cotton. On Bt brinjal Bt brinjal trials were scuttled in India The moratorium on Bt brinjal is the most unfortunate step taken by the government in 2010 and has crippled the entire field of research and development with transgenic crops. Bangladesh has used India’s data to successfully cultivate Bt brinjal, despite all the negative propaganda. Reports indicate that as many as 6,000 Bangladeshi farmers cultivated Bt brinjal in 2017. Proponents raised the question – How long will it take for Bt brinjal to enter India from Bangladesh? Conclusion: According to proponents of GM crops, The paper by Dr. Kesavan and Dr. Swaminathan seems to have got most things wrong. GM technology is not a magic bullet. It needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is definitely scope for improvement in terms of technology and regulatory protocols It is time to deregulate the Bt gene and lift the embargo on Bt brinjal. A negative review from opinion-makers can only mislead the country. In the end, it is India that will be the loser. Connecting the dots: Genetic engineering technology is supplementary and must be need-based. Only in very rare circumstance (less than 1%) may there arise a need for the use of this technology. Do you agree? Critically analyze the benefits and risks associated with GM foods. (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) Mekedatu project is often in news. It has become a bone of contention between – Kerala and Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Q.2) Which among the following is considered as queen of the Arabian Sea? Kochi Kanyakumari Panambur Port Meenakshi Q.3) India has achieved the milestone of induction of its first non-tethered Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system, with the help of – Defence partnership with Russia Defence partnership with US Defence partnership with UK Defence partnership with France Q.4) Consider the following statements about National Security Guard (NSG) It is a branch of the Indian Army under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Defence. It is a counter-insurgency force made up of soldiers deputed from other parts of the Indian Army and is currently deployed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following regarding National Security Guard (NSG) It is one of the security forces under Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) It is a Federal Contingency Deployment Force under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both None MUST READ Engaging with climate change The Hindu Upside Of Scaling Down Indian Express Democracy’s demons Indian Express When terror came to the House Indian Express Energy efficiency and climate change Livemint

Dec 13, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 129]

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 129] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Chiller Star Labelling Program’ It has been formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) It envisages providing rating in terms of its energy performance Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) PRAAPTI App and web portal is associated with Power Purchases Coal Block Allocation Road Safety Trafficking of Women and Children Q.3) Which one of the following is a purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government? Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2020 Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time Q.4) Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana –“Saubhagya” Poor households identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 would be provided with free electricity Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) is the nodal agency for the operationalisation of the scheme Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) have been subsumed under the ‘Saubhagya’ scheme Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 Only 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)’ It focuses on feeder separation (households & agricultural) It focuses on strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution infrastructure including metering at all levels in rural areas Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Dec 13, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – A new life – Charles Darwin

A new Life : Charles Darwin Charles Darwin doesn’t need any introduction. He is one of the most significant figures of the scientific world. He did his best work on the theory of evolution when he was in his 20’s. A curious scientific thinker from a very early age, he has opened up the understanding of the nature of reality around us in ways that is hard to imagine. A new life is a collection of some of his best writings. It offers a unique perspective into the nature of his mind and his approach to understanding life. In his book “The origin of species” he expounded one of the greatest theories of all time, the theory of natural selection. It is a book that stands as a testimony to his great skill as a scientific thinker and experimental genius. Of course there are people who dispute his theory and some of its basic tenets are being questioned. Yet, it does not take away anything from the fact that he has remained in the hearts and minds of people for over 500 years as the most progressive thinkers of mankind. Read “A Life” to get a glimpse of some of his works. They will put in you on a path of scientific thinking and exploring. It is a book that has all the ingredients to make it a fabulous read.

Dec 12, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 12th December 2018

Daily Current Affairs [IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam] – 12th December 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Person in news: Shaktikanta Das In news: After the sudden resignation of Governor Urjit Patel, Shaktikanta Das was appointed as RBI Governor. (25th Governor) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Shaktikanta Das, IAS Retd., former Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, as Governor, Reserve Bank of India, for a period of three years. Das is currently a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and represents India at the G-20 in the role of a sherpa. He is a 1980 batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. Do you know? Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) It is responsible for all appointments of higher ranks in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Public Enterprises and Financial Institutions. The committee is composed of the Prime Minister of India (who is the Chairman), the Minister of Home Affairs. House sparrow conservation through artificial nests Part of: GS Prelims - Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation In news: Odisha’s Ganjam district to become the first house sparrow-friendly district of Odisha. Artificial nests will reach all the 22 blocks of Ganjam district by the end of 2018. Do you know? As sparrows nest and lay eggs almost four times a year, an increase in their population at a particular village would encourage inhabitants of nearby villages to take up similar measures. Ganjam is the flag-bearer of sparrow conservation in the State. Apart from providing protection to olive ridley turtles, volunteers of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee had also started sparrow conservation through artificial nests at Purunabandha village in 2007. Sparrow conservation through artificial nests experiment has been replicated in 10 other Odisha districts and States including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand as well. IUCN Status: Least Concern Odisha celebrates its traditional lac doll marriage Part of: GS Prelims and Mains – Art and Culture; Indian tradition and heritage; Folk dances In news: Odisha celebrated its traditional lac doll marriage — the bride and the groom were beautiful dolls made of lac. The marriage was organised in conformity with the Odia tradition of ‘jau kandhei bahaghara (lac doll marriage)’ The aim of this unique marriage ceremony was to promote traditional folk and tribal art forms and create awareness against social evils like dowry and child marriage. The marriage procession included performers of several folk dance forms such as - Bagha Nacha (tiger dance), Ghoda Nacha (horse dance), Sakhi Nacha. SC directs Centre to declare 10 km area around national parks as eco-sensitive Part of: GS Prelims and Mains - Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation; Protected Areas In news: Supreme Court directed the Union Environment Ministry to declare 10 km area around 21 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country as ‘eco-sensitive zones’. We have already covered about ‘eco-sensitive zones’ About Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)  - Recap Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India around Protected Areas , National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas. They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. The new ESZ guidelines include a broad list of activities that could be allowed, promoted, regulated or promoted. The guidelines said activities, including commercial mining, setting of saw mills and industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood and major hydro-power projects, are prohibited in such areas. It also prohibits tourism activities like flying over protected areas in an aircraft or hot air balloon, and discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies or terrestrial areas. Felling of trees, drastic change in agriculture systems and commercial use of natural water resources, including groundwater harvesting and setting up of hotels and resorts, are the activities regulated in the areas. Activities permitted in the areas include ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, adoption of green technology and use of renewable energy sources. The width of the ESZ and type of regulation may vary from protected area to area. However, as a general principle, the width of the ESZ could go up to 10 kms around the protected area. Do you know? The rules for the ESZ or the Eco-Fragile Zones are based on the Environment Protection Act, 1986. However, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”. The Act says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards. Water traces found on asteroid Bennu Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Tech; Space programmes In news: NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has discovered ingredients for water on asteroid Bennu. The discovery may hold clues to the origins of life on the earth. OSIRIS-REx found traces of hydrogen and oxygen molecules — part of the recipe for water and thus the potential for life — embedded in the asteroid’s rocky surface. Do you know? The probe was launched in 2016. Bennu orbits the Sun at roughly the same distance as the earth. The spacecraft will later fly back to the earth, return samples from the asteroid to earth for study. (in September 2023) OSIRIS-REx The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) is a NASA asteroid study and sample-return mission. The mission's main goal is to obtain a sample of about 60 grams (2.1 oz) from 101955 Bennu, a carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid, and return the sample to Earth for a detailed analysis. Don’t reveal identity of rape victims: SC Part of: GS Mains – Social/Welfare issue; Women and Child issue In news: Supreme Court prohibited the media from publishing or airing the names or any material which may even remotely reveal the identity of victims of sexual crimes. No person can print or publish in print, electronic, social media, etc. the name of the victim or even in a remote manner disclose any facts which can lead to the victim being identified and which should make her identity known to the public at large. The intention of the law makers was that the victim of such offences should not be identifiable so that they do not face any hostile discrimination or harassment in the future. SC also barred the police from putting in public domain FIRs under Sections 376 to 376E (the range of sexual offences under IPC) and those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Miscellaneous Fashion giants commit to cut emissions – Dozens of top fashion industry firms have pledged at the UN climate talks to reduce their combined greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/HEALTH TOPIC:General studies 2  Government policies and schemes; Health services   International relations and cooperation  Providing health for all; About Universal Health Coverage Introduction December 12 is Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day. According to the World Health Organisation, UHC means “ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access essential quality health services without facing financial hardship”. It sounds basic, yet the basics often pose a major challenge. Case Study of Japan Japan has been leading the international efforts towards UHC, including its inclusion in the sustainable development goals and G20 agenda under our chairmanship next year, because health is one of our fundamental rights. Japan created national health insurance coverage in 1961, when it was yet to take off economically. A major political decision was required to expand national health insurance and establish medical schools all over Japan. The implementation of UHC could only have been possible through an early and vast national investment, and through a comprehensive government effort, with the Ministries of Health, Finance and Education, as well as local governments, working together. This investment has paid off. UHC has increased the number of healthy people and healthy workers in Japan. It has contributed to the economic miracle of Japan. UHC has also ensured social equity by functioning as a mechanism for redistribution of incomes. Even in the remotest of places in Japan, one do not have to worry about healthcare. The peace of mind which UHC ensures to the Japanese is an indispensable ingredient of overall well-being. UHC in India and Indo-Japanese efforts & collaborations India has taken the vital first step towards UHC through Ayushman Bharat. This challenge is in resemblance of the path that Japan took more than half a century ago. Japan is also partnering with India in wide-ranging projects for better healthcare. It has previously worked with India to eradicate polio in India. Today, Japanese and Indian doctors are exchanging ideas and expertise at a research and control centre on diarrhoea established by Japan in Kolkata, and precious lives of newborns are being saved daily in a children’s hospital constructed in Chennai. In 17 cities across Tamil Nadu, urban healthcare systems are being strengthened with cooperation of both the countries. India and Japan signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation on healthcare to pursue the synergies between Ayushman Bharat and Japan’s Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative. Conclusion Both the countries aim to pursue their cooperation in various fields, such as honing skills of doctors in surgery of trauma as well as providing technical training for Indian nurses studying in Japanese caregiving facilities. These efforts will lead to a better health ecosystem and the promotion of UHC in India as well as Japan. Both the countries can share their experiences in health sector, for example, Ayurveda can bring a new dimension to Japan’s healthcare system. Connecting the dots: Briefly analyse the Indo-Japanese cooperation in Universal Health coverage efforts. NATIONAL/ECONOMY TOPIC:General studies 2  Government policies and issues arising out of their design and implementations Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability General studies 4 Information sharing and transparency in government  Challenges of corruption An invitation to corruption? On Electoral Bonds Introduction The concept of electoral bond was introduced in the Budget of 2017-18 for political funding. Electoral Bond is a bearer Banking Instrument to be used for funding eligible Political Parties. Do you know? Features of Electoral Bond: Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person, who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals. The purchaser would be allowed to buy Electoral Bonds only on fulfillment of all KYC norms and by making payment from a bank account. It will not carry the name of payee. Only the Political Parties registered under Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than 1% of the votes polled in the last General or State Election, will be eligible for such donations. The Electoral Bond(s) shall be cashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with the authorized bank. Bond(s) would be issued/purchased for any value, in multiples of Rs.1,000, Rs.10,000, Rs.1,00,000, Rs.10,00,000 and Rs.1,00,00,000 from the Specified Branches of the State Bank of India (SBI). Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen days from the date of issue. Criticism of Electoral bonds Security threats: The Election Commission cannot monitor the funding through Electoral Bonds as there is secrecy of donor, therefore it becomes difficult to know what is coming in is black money or not. Electoral Bonds can be misused for routing foreign money and thereby increase ability of other countries to influence Indian elections. Corporate sponsorship without oversight: Anonymity promotes unnecessary secrecy in corporate funding whereby the shareholders of a corporation be unaware of the company’s contributions. The programme removes an existing condition that had prohibited companies from donating anything more than 7.5% of their average net-profit over the previous three years. This now means that even loss-making entities can make unlimited contributions. The requirement that a corporation ought to have been in existence for at least three years before it could make donations — a system that was meant to stop shell concerns from being created with a view to syphoning money into politics — has also been removed. Electoral Bonds can be misused to bribe the Government of the day, to induce policies that will help the company in its business. Voters' right to know is silenced Voters will have no idea of how, and through whom, a political party has been funded and for free and fair elections, voters require free and complete access to information about the parties for which they were going to vote. Conclusion Electoral Bonds has been criticised that they violate an essential condition of political equality. Whereby, the absence of complete knowledge about the identities of those funding the various different parties is against the voters' right to informed decision. It can be concluded that Electoral Bonds' Scheme prioritizes the donor over a voter. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the concept of electoral bonds; introduced in the Budget of 2017-18 for political funding. (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) ‘OSIRIS-REx mission’ is concerned with Saturn Bennu Trojan asteroids Pluto Q.2) Which of the following is true about spacecraft OSIRIS-REx? (OSIRIS-REx) is NASA’s first unmanned asteroid sampling mission. (OSIRIS-REx) is NASA’s first manned asteroid sampling mission. (OSIRIS-REx) is NASA’s first unmanned meteoroid sampling mission. None of the above. Q.3) Which Cabinet committee is often described as a 'Super Cabinet'? Appointment committee Parliamentary affairs committee Economic affairs committee Political affairs committee Q.4) Appointments Committee of the Cabinet is chaired by – Home Minister Prime Minister Parliamentary affairs Minister Finance Minister Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Rushikulya river’ It flows through three states The Rushikulya river mouth beach is a major nesting site of the endangered olive ridley turtles Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.6) Which of the following species is the State bird of Delhi? Peacock Wood Pigeon House Sparrow Indian Jungle Fowl Q.7) The traditional lac doll marriage - ‘jau kandhei bahaghara’ – is celebrated in which state? Jharkhand Odisha West Bengal Chhattisgarh MUST READ Never waste a good crisis The Hindu Providing health for all The Hindu Putting the public back in public health Livemint  Forecasts for 2019 will be wrong, random or worse Livemint

Dec 12, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 128]

UPSC Quiz - 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 128] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements GM foods are within the scope of the Cartagena Protocol only if they contain LMOs that are capable of transferring or replicating genetic material. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC;). Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Land Acquisition Act, 2013’ It replaced the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 The scope of the Act includes all land acquisition whether it is done by the Central Government of India, or any State Government of India, except the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The provisions of the Act does not apply to acquisitions under the Railways Act, 1989 Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) ‘Noney’ was in recently in news. Where is it located? Mizoram Manipur Arunachal Pradesh Assam Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CCEW)’ It was launched during the Paris Climate Summit in 2015 It is a brainchild of India and China Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Edaphic factors are included in Abiotic components Biotic components Consumers Producers To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Dec 12, 2018 UPSC Interview Discussion-TRP

Interview Discussion IAS UPSC: Think, Rethink and Perform (TRP)-Day 5

Interview Discussion: Think, Rethink and Perform; (TRP)- Day 5  ARCHIVES Set 1: Ask these questions to yourself; contemplate and come out with a concrete answer (not to be discussed on this forum). Invest at least 30 minutes on this set of questions. Usually people try to follow some idol from the field they want to enter into. For example an aspiring cricket might have Sachin Tendulkar as his/ her idol, a badminton player might revere Saina Nehwal. Now you are an aspiring civil servant. Who is your idol from the civil services? Do you even have one? Think about it. What in your opinion should an ideal civil servant be like. Can you picture the image? Why in your opinion civil servants become corrupt in due course of their career? Have you wondered that this might happen to you as well. Set 2: Analyse the following issue: Do you think politics in India has taken few steps back in the past? Why do political parties focus more on religion, caste and language than real issues that matter? Why can’t human development be the focus of political discourse? Is it symptomatic of an immature constituency or is it true for any society? Why even after 70 years of independence elections are fought on the issues of temples and mosques and not on employment and inclusive growth? Can you think of sociological and psychological dimensions associated with this paradigm? Think.