Oct 3, 2018 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : U.S Scraps Military Aid to Pakistan

U.S Scraps Military Aid to Pakistan ARCHIVES Search 3rd September, 2018 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Audio-Archive-Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Why did U.S scrap $300 million in military aid to Pakistan? Reason: Islamabad’s lack of ‘decisive actions’ in support of American strategy in the region i.e., its perceived failure to take decisive action against terrorists and militants – including stabilising Afghanistan and according geo-political primacy to India. US officials accuse Islamabad of ignoring or even collaborating with groups, which attack Afghanistan from safe havens along the border between the two countries. The White House believes that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency and other military bodies have long helped fund and arm the Taliban for ideological reasons, but also to counter rising Indian influence in Afghanistan. It also believes that a Pakistani crackdown could be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the long-running war in Afghanistan. What does U.S want to achieve – The South Asia Strategy The administration's "South Asia Strategy" as enunciated by President Trump encompasses Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, the Central Asian nations and parts of Southeast Asia, and is aimed at strengthening American security by – Bringing peace to Afghanistan with India's help, and Further developing US strategic partnership with India. Pakistan, which has long positioned itself as an equal to India with claims of longer and closer ties to Washington, as both resented and resisted this. Bad news for Pakistan By announcing that aid would be "reprogrammed", the administration has left open the possibility that it could be reconstituted if Pakistan fell in line with U.S objectives, while signaling it is ready with even harsher steps if Islamabad remained defiant – Cutting off the international financial assistance Pakistan's frequent forays for support at IMF and the World Bank The Trump administration has also been quietly cutting scores of Pakistani officers from coveted training and educational programmes that have been a hallmark of bilateral military relations for more than a decade. What are the possible steps that Pakistan can take? Pakistan may start looking to other countries for support, particularly its longtime ally China. Pakistan’s confidence that it has an alternative in China has grown, with Beijing’s pledge of more than $100 billion in loans for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor infrastructure, power projects, and so on. Can Beijing deliver Pakistan from economic troubles? If America is to follow this up by cutting off World Bank and IMF assistance, Pakistan's economy can go into a tail spin. China can mitigate the effect only partially. With low oil prices, the Arabs are also not of much help. Does it mean anything to India? By degrading Pakistani military capability, the US is indirectly helping India. Pakistan is decisively in the Chinese camp and the US needs India to balance China in Asia. Bolstering India's conventional military capability, against China, which is likely, is in America's strategic interest. This year, with American backing, India has become a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime as well as the Wassenaar Arrangement that controls dual use technology. With technology curbs no longer in operation, India can produce high tech weapons on its own. Even with Chinese help, Pakistan cannot match this. China is not a member of these regimes and is miles behind the US in military technology. All in all, this is a win win for India, but… It is particularly important that the U.S. follow through on its ultimatums in this respect. However, all American statements so far focus on Pakistan’s support to terror groups that threaten Afghanistan, and more particularly, the U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Therefore, action against the groups that threaten India is unlikely to be an immediate priority. New Delhi must also be mindful of the impact of a more fractured U.S.-Pakistan relationship on regional security. Above all, the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, like that between India and the U.S. and India and Pakistan, is a long-standing bilateral one. While welcoming all moves to address India’s core concerns on terror, New Delhi must ensure it doesn’t get ensnared or triangulated in the equation between Washington and Islamabad. Conclusion Despite the provocations, the US does not want to completely rupture its relationship with Pakistan, where anti-American sentiment already runs high. Washington’s footprint in Afghanistan is much smaller than it was at the height of the war, but it needs access to Pakistan’s supply lines and airspace. Pakistan is still believed to have the strongest influence over the Taliban, making its co-operation necessary for peace talks.

Oct 2, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 78]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 78] Archives Q.1) ‘Middle East Strategic Alliance’ is a brainchild of United States of America Gulf Cooperation Council Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCFT)’ It is an international forum of 29 countries and the European Union with an overarching mission of reducing the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by preventing, combating, and prosecuting terrorist acts and countering incitement and recruitment to terrorism. India is one of the members of the GCFT Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Recently, The Government has constituted a Competition Law Review Committee to review the Competition Act to ensure that the legislation is in sync with the changing business environment. It is chaired by Injeti Srinivas Uday Kotak Amitabh Kant Ratan Watal Q.4) The report 'Reinvigorating Trade and Inclusive Growth' was released by the International Monetary Fund World Bank and World Trade Organization Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) ‘Goyna Bori’ is A basket that is traditionally used by the people of Kashmir to keep them warm by keeping burning charcoals in it It is a pictorial narrative painted on a cloth-based scroll It is an embroidery technique using beautiful designs of flowers on shawls, scarves, and saris A fine art of using lentil paste mix to create exquisite designs To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Oct 2, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV - Sabarimala Women of All Ages Allowed

Sabarimala Women of All Ages Allowed Archives TOPIC General studies 1: Role of women and women’s organization, women related issues, Social empowerment General studies 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections In News: The Supreme Court paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Shabrimala in Kerala, reversing the Kerala shrine’s tradition of barring girls and women of menstruating age—10-50 years. ''Right to pray'' in the temple for women between 10 and 50 years of age won over the 'right to wait' campaign as the Supreme Court condemned the prohibition as "hegemonic patriarchy". Patriarchy cannot trump freedom to practice religion Logic behind the ban: The restriction imposed on entry of women in Sabarimala is because of the nature of the deity worshipped there as a ‘naishtika brahmachari’ (celibate). Some argue that it is not because of any discriminatory attitude towards women based on biological factors such as menstruation. But many are of the opinion that it is due to the age-old practice and belief that the presence of women deviated men from celibacy. This places the burden of a men's celibacy on women thus, stigmatising women and stereotyping them. Individual dignity of women could not be at the mercy of a mob. Morality was not ephemeral. It transcended biological and physiological barriers. SC underlines the Constitution’s transformative power (Points can be used in mains answer and essay) The Constitution protects religious freedom in two ways – It protects an individual’s right to profess, practise and propagate a religion Assures similar protection to every religious denomination to manage its own affairs. Observations made by the Judges: The argument that the practice is justified because women of menstruating age would not be able to observe the 41-day period of abstinence before making a pilgrimage failed to impress the judges. To Chief Justice Dipak Misra, any rule based on segregation of women pertaining to biological characteristics is indefensible and unconstitutional. Devotion cannot be subjected to the stereotypes of gender. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said stigma built around traditional notions of impurity has no place in the constitutional order, and exclusion based on the notion of impurity is a form of untouchability. Freedom of religion Generally, the right to freedom of religion of both individuals and groups is recognised as an intrinsic facet of a liberal democracy. The Constitution memorialises these guarantees in Articles 25 and 26. The former recognises a right to freedom of conscience and a right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion, subject to common community exceptions of public order, morality, and health, and also, crucially, to the guarantee of other fundamental rights. Article 25(2)(b) creates a further exception to the right. It accords to the state a power to make legislation, in the interests of social welfare and reform, throwing open Hindu religious institutions of public character to all classes and sections of Hindus. Article 26, on the other hand, which is also subject to limitations imposed on grounds of public order, morality, and health, accords to every religious denomination the right, among other things, to establish and maintain institutions for religious purposes and to manage their own affairs in matters of religion. Connecting the Dots: The decision reaffirms the Constitution’s transformative character and derives strength from the centrality it accords to fundamental rights. Discuss.

Oct 2, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 77]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 77] Archives Q.1) ‘Oont Kadal’ is located in middle of which of the following lakes? Dal Kolleru Chilika Lonar Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Bhuli Bhatiyari ka Mahal’ It is a 14th century hunting lodge It was built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’ (CCIT) It is proposed by India in 1996 and is now adopted by the UNGA It addresses the issue of Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism in South Asia Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Global Hunger Index (GHI) is published by World Health Organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) None of the above Q.5) SAFAR – India, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at Providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs Disseminating information regarding air quality on real time Promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas Financial inclusion scheme monitored by business correspondents (BC) in rural areas To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Oct 1, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 01st October 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 01st October 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India-Pakistan: Concerns Part of: GS Mains Paper II – India and its neighbours; International Relations In news: India called off the meeting with the Pakistan Foreign Minister in New York. New Delhi had cited the brutal killings of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir. India also cited stamps issued by Pakistan to “glorify” Hizb militant Burhan Wani as a reason for cancellation. India’s stand: India had never eyed someone else’s territory maliciously. This in itself was our commitment and dedication towards peace. India is one of the largest contributors to various United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in terms of sending its personnel. India’s brave soldiers wearing blue helmets have played a stellar role in ensuring maintenance of world peace. SATAT initiative Part of: GS Mains Paper II – Government schemes and Policies In news: SATAT is an initiative aimed at providing a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs. It is a joint initiative of IndianOil, BPCL and HPCL to turn waste into green energy. Petroleum Ministry with PSU Oil Marketing Companies inviting Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential entrepreneurs to set up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and make available CBG in the market for use in automotive fuels. Benefits of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) There are multiple benefits from converting agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste into CBG on a commercial scale: Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution Additional revenue source for farmers Boost to entrepreneurship, rural economy and employment Support to national commitments in achieving climate change goals Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil Buffer against crude oil/gas price fluctuations Do you know? The Government of India had launched the GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme earlier this year to convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and compost. Amul alternative economic model: PM In news: PM said a cooperative like Amul is a viable economic alternative to capitalist and socialist models. ‘It is controlled neither by govt. nor by capitalists’, PM said. Place in news: Mansar Lake In news: Mansar Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Shivalik range of the Jammu region. The lake is facing an existential threat due to human intervention and climate change. National Park/Sactuary in news: Locate and mark the following location on your Atlas/Outline map of Odisha state Simlipal National Park Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary Satkosia Tiger Reserve Ushakothi (Badrama) Wildlife Sanctuary Bhitarkanika National Park Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution: Right to equality, Freedom and dignity Social justice and governance Dumping an archaic law Introduction The Supreme Court delivered series of land mark judgments this month, including Section 377, Sabrimala, and decriminalisation of the offence of adultery by holding Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) unconstitutional. As previously: Adultery an offence India was one of the few countries in the world that still considered adultery an offence. The Indian definition of this crime was that it did not punish the erring spouses, but instead punished the adultering man, or rather ‘the outsider’, for having extra-marital relations with a woman who he knows to be married. It was only an offence if the husband had not consented to this relation, implicitly suggesting that the wife was the property of her husband. Hence, the husband was considered to be the “victim” of adultery and could file a case. The same recourse was, however, not available to the wife. Moral wrong as crime For any act to be a crime, it has to be committed against society at large. The main argument for retaining the criminal provision was that the outsider should be punished for breaching the matrimonial unit and that the law should mandate punishment for such a moral wrong. This violation was seen as a crime against the institution of marriage, thus justifying it to be a breach of security and well-being of society, this argument was unanimously dismissed by the bench. Observations of the SC The court observed that the issue of adultery between spouses was a private matter, and could be a ground for divorce under civil law. It did not warrant the use of criminal sanction against any party involved. Moreover, no justification can be given by the state for penalising people with imprisonment for making intimate and personal choices. Addressing the issue of making the penal provisions of adultery gender neutral, the court held that even then the matter was private, and anything otherwise would be a grave intrusion into the privacy of individuals. As the law previously stood, the victim would be the husband alone, whose property (i.e. the wife) was trespassed upon. The court dismissed this regressive patriarchal notion of women being “chattels” of their husband. The court held that Section 497, as it existed, denied women ownership of their sexuality and agency over their own relationships. Rights violated by Section 497 of IPC The court relied on K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India to explain this deprivation of autonomy as a violation of their right to privacy and to live with dignity, thus violating their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. The adultery provision also violated the right to equality guaranteed under Article 14. The fact that the commission of the offence would have been in the absence of the husband’s consent proved the inequality between the spouses. Section 497 consumed the identity of a wife, as an individual with rights as an equal partner to the marriage, tipping the scales to favour the husband. Justifications given in support of Section 497 Previous challenges to this provision claimed that exempting women under Section 497 from prosecution and being prosecuted was ‘protecting’ them. Also claimed, was in consonance with Article 15(3) of the Constitution that allowed the state to make laws for the benefit of women and children. This provision was made when bigamy was prevalent and Lord Macaulay, the drafter of the IPC, did not find it fair to punish one inconsistency of the wife when the husband was allowed to marry many others. Misconception in this reasoning was pointed out by the court — the law that takes away the right of women to prosecute, just as her husband had the right to proceed against the other man, could not be considered ‘beneficial’ and was, in fact, discriminatory. Conclusion The court rightly explained: “Marriage in a constitutional regime is founded on the equality of and between spouses. Each of them is entitled to the same liberty which Part III [of the Constitution] guarantees.” Therefore, not affording both parties to a marriage equal rights and opportunities would be discriminatory and a violation of their right to equality. It is surprising to see that even after the verdict many have opposed this decision of the Supreme Court, most countries around the world have done away with this practice. While the struggle for equality in many other spheres still continues, the decision to scrap this archaic law is definitely a step in the right direction. Connecting the dots: The Indian civil and criminal codes (IPC and CrPC) designed and drafted by colonial lawmakers should be scrapped and redrafted again, according to needs of modern Indian democratic society. Do you agree? Elucidate. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution : Elections, Parliament Democratic governance and society Decriminalisation of politics: In Parliament’s court Introduction The issue of candidates facing criminal charges getting elected to Parliament and State legislative Assemblies is often raised, but initiatives to minimise the problem, if not eliminate it completely, have been rather slow. In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court has left it to Parliament to legislate on the subject, with regard to preventing such candidates from contesting elections. Steps taken by Supreme Court Some important changes in the electoral laws — making it mandatory for candidates to submit an affidavit with full disclosure of criminal cases, if any, and details of their asset and income — were made mandatory by the judiciary. The court made it mandatory for political parties and candidates themselves to make public disclosure through print and electronic media. Providing an option to voters to exercise None of the Above (NOTA) in case they do not want to vote for any of the candidate contesting an election, was also introduced by the judiciary in 2003 on the basis of the PIL filed by People’s Union for Civil Liberties. The court mentioned that it was not within its powers to disqualify politicians facing criminal cases from contesting election, but recommended that Parliament enact a strong law. Concerns and challenges There is serious doubt whether this judgment would in any way help in making our politics cleaner than before. The chances of Parliament acting fast on this issue are dim. No political party is free of this problem. The use of muscle power along with money power is a weapon used by all political parties to maximise electoral gains. In such a scenario, any move to ban candidates with a criminal record from contesting elections would mean political parties inflicting self-harm. Public opinion too is not firm on this. A survey found that opinion was divided when people were asked whether they would be willing to vote for a honest candidate who may not get their work done, or a tainted candidate who could get their work done. What data show? Data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) indicate that 179 out of the 543 elected Members of Parliament in the present Lok Sabha have some kind of criminal case pending against them. While it is true that some of these may be of a frivolous nature, it is also true that many of these cases concern allegations of their involvement in serious crimes. In the case of over 100 MPs, the cases were of a very serious nature such as crimes against women and kidnapping. There seems to be very little improvement in this regard in the last five years. In the previous Lok Sabha (2009), 163 had criminal cases pending against them, many of which were of a serious nature. The profile of members of the Upper House is no better; of 228 members of the Rajya Sabha for whom data could be analysed, 20 have cases of serious crimes pending against them. Among the current ruling party's MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), 107 (32%) have criminal cases pending against them. Of them, 64 (19%) have cases of serious crimes pending against them. The Congress is only a shade better than the BJP; 15 MPs (15%) have criminal cases pending against them, of whom eight (8%) have cases of serious criminal offences pending against them. There is hardly any difference between the national and regional parties in this regard. In the Shiv Sena, 18 MPs (86%) have criminal cases pending against them, of whom 10 (48%) are alleged to be involved in serious criminal cases. Of all MPs, six each of the Nationalist Congress Party (55%) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (67%) have serious criminal cases pending against them. Going by the ADR’s estimates, there are more than 1,500 MPs and MLAs in Parliament and State Assemblies with criminal cases pending against them. Conclusion While political parties raise concern about candidates with a tainted background contesting elections and getting elected, none of them come forward to set an example for others when it is time to act. The issue is far more important and serious than the attention being paid to it by the policy makers. While the Election Commission has limited powers to legislate on such laws, it is only Parliament which can legislate to bring about the desired change. Connecting the dots: Merely relaying on electoral reform for decriminalisation of politics is not sufficient. There is need of multidimensional approach to wipe out this disease. 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) Sunabeda National Park was in news recently. The national park is located in - Tamil Nadu West Bengal Arunachal Pradesh Odisha Q.2) SATAT is an initiative associated with – Rural Electrification Solar Pumps Compressed Bio-Gas Sustainable and Affordable Housing Q.3) Consider the following statements: Mansar Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Shivalik range of the Jammu region. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes is designated as Ramsar Convention. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both None MUST READ  An ongoing quest for equality The Hindu  The road to e-vehicles The Hindu   Liberty without statism Indian Express  The House not in order Indian Express  Looking beyond the legality of abortion Livemint Time to review India’s reservation policies Livemint

Oct 1, 2018 PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 23rd Sep to 30th Sep, 2018

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 23rd to 30th September, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 PM launches Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, etc. Health and Social Security) Vision: To provide the poorest of the poor, and the underprivileged sections of society, with better healthcare and treatment Focus is on both: "Affordable Healthcare" and "Preventive Healthcare" Two major initiatives: Health and Wellness Centre: Foundation of India’s health system 1.5 lakh centres will provide – comprehensive health care, including for non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services, provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services The budget has allocated Rs.1200 crore for this flagship programme Contribution of the private sector through CSR and philanthropic institutions in adopting these centres is also envisaged. National Health Protection Scheme: Will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) Coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a family a year will be provided for secondary- and tertiary-care hospitalization (50 crore beneficiaries) Must Read: Link1 Three Best Performing States in “Ease of Living Index” (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Andhra Pradesh Odisha Madhya Pradesh Ease of Living Index: Launched by: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Ease of Living Index is a transformative initiative of the Ministry to help the cities assess their livability vis-à-vis national and global benchmarks Will encourage all cities to move towards an ‘outcome-based’ approach to urban planning and management and promote healthy competition among cities Seeks to assist cities in undertaking a 360-degree assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats The government hopes that it will lead to a healthy competition between cities, based on the rankings, and generate acute interest, comparisons, critiques and analysis by citizens. Ease of Living framework Comprised four pillars namely Institutional, Social, Economic and Physical which are further broken down into 78 indicators across 15 categories (governance, identity and culture, education, health, safety and security, economy, affordable housing, land use planning, public open spaces, transportation and mobility, assured water supply, waste-water management, solid waste management, power, and quality of environment). It has close linkage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of the 17 SDG goals, 8 goals are directly linked to India’s ease of living assessment framework with SDG 11 SDG 11: Aimed at making our cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and is measured through a set of 30 indicators. Cabinet Approves: National Digital Communications Policy-2018 The key objectives of the policy are: Broadband for all Creating four million additional jobs in the Digital Communications sector Enhancing the contribution of the Digital Communications sector to 8% of India's GDP from ~ 6% in 2017 Propelling India to the Top 50 Nations in the ICT Development Index of ITU from 134 in 2017 Enhancing India's contribution to Global Value Chains Ensuring Digital Sovereignty The policy aims to: Provide universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps to every citizen; Provide 1 Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022; Ensure connectivity to all uncovered areas; Attract investments of USD 100 billion in the Digital Communications Sector; Train one million manpower for building New Age Skill; Expand IoT ecosystem to 5 billion connected devices; Establish a comprehensive data protection regime for digital communications that safeguards the privacy, autonomy and choice of individuals Facilitate India's effective participation in the global digital economy; Enforce accountability through appropriate institutional mechanisms to assure citizens of safe Secure digital communications infrastructure and services MoU between India and Uzbekistan On Mutual Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics, Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors: The MoU will help in Mutual cooperation in regulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and in combating drug trafficking It is an effective framework to deal with all issues requiring mutual assistance and cooperation in the areas identified. Facilitate effective institutional interaction between both the Governments Help in curbing transnational narcotics trafficking. Cooperation in the Sphere of Law & Justice: The MoU takes care of concerns and requirements in the field of exchange of experience by legal professionals, Government functionaries and their training and effective legal aid mechanism for resolution. The MoU will facilitate greater cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in providing legal services in both countries in the field of exchange of experience through information sharing visits, and training between both countries on enhancing legal capacities of Government functionaries. For strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism: Will help the two countries in creating an institutional mechanism for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector Help in increasing foreign tourist arrivals from Uzbekistan to the country. This in turn will result in economic development and employment generation. The MoU shall create favourable conditions for long-term tourism cooperation for the mutual benefits of all stakeholders within the broader framework and areas of cooperation.   It will explore to incorporate the best practices in order to implement the measures that will realizes the objectives set out in it. On cooperation for establishment of Uzbek-Indian Free Pharmaceutical Zone in the Andijan region of Uzbekistan: The MoU will create an enabling framework of cooperation for setting up an Uzbek-Indian Free Pharmaceuticals Zone in Andijan region of Uzbekistan. It will also facilitate Indian pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies to invest in and establish production facilities in the Uzbek-Indian Free Pharma Zone of Andijan for manufacture of Pharmaceutical Products. On cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied sectors: Exchange of information regarding laws, standards and product samples of mutual interest; Establishment of joint agriculture clusters in Uzbekistan; Exchange   of experience   in the field   of crop production   and their diversification; Exchange of experience in the field of seed production based on modern technology; exchange of information concerning certification of seed in accordance with the legislation of the States of the Parties; exchange of samples of seeds on beneficial terms. Application of technology for enhanced water use efficiency in agriculture and allied sectors, including irrigation; Conduct of joint scientific research on genetics, breeding, biotechnology, plant   protection, soil productivity conservation, mechanization, water resources, and mutual application of scientific results; Development and extension of cooperation in the field of plant quarantine; Exchange of experience in the field of animal husbandry, including animal health, poultry, genomics, setting up of quarantine facilities; Exchange of information between research institutes in the fields of agriculture and food industry on scientific and practical activities (fairs, exhibitions, conferences, symposia) Cooperation in agricultural and food trade; Explore setting up of food processing joint ventures; On cooperation in health and medical science: Expanding opportunities for the development of business cooperation in the field of medical equipment, including equipment for teaching and research laboratories of institutions of medical education, and pharmaceutical products; Strengthening of primary health care and setting up of health care facilities; Medical and health research development, as well as exchange of experience in these areas; Exchange of experiences and technologies in the field of telemedicine and electronic-health information systems; Maternal and child health protection; Development and improvement of the techniques and strategies for epidemiological surveillance and communicable and non-communicable diseases control; Regulation of drugs and pharmaceutical products MoU between India and South Korea for enhancing cooperation in Applied Science and Industrial Technology: To promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of applied science and industrial technologies for the purposes of promoting sustainable development and enhanced quality of life. MoU between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) ICAI and ICPAK will provide opportunities to key members of the reciprocal body's staff to learn from their knowledge and experience through informal work placements to be agreed through a work schedule. Jointly promote activities to raise awareness and the overall visibility of the ICAI/ ICPAK strategic partnership and the collaboration outlined in this MoU with members. ICAI and ICPAK will collaborate on benchmarking initiatives and trainee accountant exchange programmes. Major impact: India is Kenya's sixth largest trading partner and the largest exporter to Kenya. The Kenyan economy is expected to be amongst the top performers in Africa in 2017 in terms of growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Kenya has a largely diversified economic base and aims to seek increased access to the Indian market for Kenyan goods, while India is interested in exploring ways to become Kenya's top foreign trading partner. Considering that Kenya's economy is one of the top amongst the African countries and the kind of investments and trusts entrusted by the two counties in the recent past, India's Chartered Accountants have already been playing a significant role in the economic growth of the country; there is a lot of scope for professional opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants in Kenya. India and the United Nations to sign a Five-Year Sustainable Development Framework (2018-2022) (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) 2018-2022 outlines the work of UN agencies in India, to support the achievement of key development outcomes that have been identified in consultation with the government and are aligned to the national priorities. The NITI Aayog is the national counterpart for the UN in India for the operationalization of the UNSDF. The UNSDF 2018-22 comprises of seven priority areas that outline the work that UN agencies will undertake jointly or individually, fully aligned with the priorities of the GoI. The seven priority areas outlined in the UNSDF are: Poverty and Urbanization; Health, Water, and Sanitation; Education and Employability; Nutrition and Food Security; Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Disaster Resilience; Skilling, Entrepreneurship, and Job Creation; and Gender Equality and Youth Development GS-3 Launch of Financial Inclusion Index (Topic: Indian Economy – Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth) By: Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance Will be a measure of access and usage of a basket of formal financial products and services that includes savings, remittances, credit, insurance and pension products. The index will have three measurement dimensions: Access to financial services Usage of financial services Quality The single composite index gives a snap shot of level of financial inclusion that would guide Macro Policy perspective – The various components of the index will also help to measure financial services for use of internal policy making. Financial Inclusion Index can be used directly as a composite measure in development indicators. It enables fulfilment of G20 Financial Inclusion Indicators requirements. It will also facilitate researchers to study the impact of financial inclusion and other macro-economic variables. Air pollution control device WAYU (Wind Augmentation PurifYing Unit) (Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation) Developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) as a part of Technology Development Project being funded by Department of Science and Technology. The prototype device that has been indigenously developed has the capacity to purify air in an area of 500 meter square. The device consumes only half a unit of electricity for 10 hours of running and has a maintenance cost of only Rs. 1500 per month. The device works on two principles – Wind generation for dilution of air pollutants and Active Pollutants removal. The device has filters for Particulate Matter removal and activated carbon (charcoal) and UV lamps for poisonous gases removal such as VOCs and Carbon Monoxide. The device has one fan and filter for sucking and removing Particulate Matter. There are two UV lamps and half kg of activated carbon charcoal coated with special chemical Titanium Dioxide. To launch SATAT initiative to promote Compressed Bio-Gas as an alternative, green transport fuel (Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation) SATAT, the initiative is aimed at providing a Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs. Has the potential to boost availability of more affordable transport fuels, better use of agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste, as well as to provide an additional revenue source to farmers. To be launched on the penultimate day of the ongoing Swachhta Hi Seva fortnight, a mass movement to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's vision of a Clean India, this initiative holds great promise for efficient municipal solid waste management and in tackling the problem of polluted urban air due to farm stubble-burning and carbon emissions. Background Bio-gas is produced naturally through a process of anaerobic decomposition from waste / bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc. After purification, it is compressed and called CBG, which has pure methane content of over 95%. Compressed Bio-Gas is exactly similar to the commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy potential. With calorific value (~52,000 KJ/kg) and other properties similar to CNG, Compressed Bio-Gas can be used as an alternative, renewable automotive fuel. Given the abundance of biomass in the country, Compressed Bio-Gas has the potential to replace CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial uses in the coming years. There are multiple benefits from converting agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste into CBG on a commercial scale: Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution Additional revenue source for farmers Boost to entrepreneurship, rural economy and employment Support to national commitments in achieving climate change goals Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil Buffer against crude oil/gas price fluctuations The potential for Compressed Bio-Gas production from various sources in India is estimated at about 62 million tonnes per annum. It is planned to roll out 5,000 Compressed Bio-Gas plants across India in a phased manner, with 250 plants by the year 2020, 1,000 plants by 2022 and 5,000 plants by 2025. These plants are expected to produce 15 million tonnes of CBG per annum, which is about 40% of current CNG consumption of 44 million tonnes per annum in the country. At an investment of approx. Rs. 1.7 lakh crore, this initiative is expected to generate direct employment for 75,000 people and produce 50 million tonnes of bio-manure for crops. National Policy on Biofuels 2018: Emphasises active promotion of advanced bio-fuels, including CBG GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme: To convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and compost. The scheme proposes to cover 700 projects across the country in 2018-19. The programme will be funded under Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) component of Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) to benefit households in identified villages through Gram Panchayats. Compressed Bio-Gas can be produced from: Various bio-mass/waste sources, including agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, sugarcane press mud, distillery spent wash, cattle dung and sewage treatment plant waste. The other waste streams, i.e, rotten potatoes from cold storages, rotten vegetables, dairy plants, chicken/poultry litter, food waste, horticulture waste, forestry residues and treated organic waste from industrial effluent treatment plants (ETPs) can be used to generate biogas. Distribution: Compressed Bio-Gas networks can be integrated with city gas distribution (CGD) networks to boost supplies to domestic and retail users in existing and upcoming markets. Besides retailing from OMC fuel stations, Compressed Bio-Gas can at a later date be injected into CGD pipelines too for efficient distribution and optimised access of a cleaner and more affordable fuel. Prelims Oriented News 23rd September: International Day of Sign Languages (Theme: With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!) Rail Heritage Digitisation Project: The project is a landmark effort, first of its kind in this part of the globe, to showcase country’s Rail Heritage to National and International audience (in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture) 20th Livestock Census: A breed-wise Livestock Census which will be helpful for framing policies or programmes for breed improvement. The initiatives on collection of breed-wise reliable information of various species will give vital information for determination of threatened indigenous breeds and to take initiatives for their conservation. Brand Ambassador of Tribes India (TRIFED): Ms. Mary Kom PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana: Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters – a comprehensive package which will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. Agmark online system: To conduct quality control functions – through the Agmark online system, certificate of authorisation (domestic), permission of printing press, permission of laboratories (domestic) and services related to laboratory information management system will be provided online. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna For Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 This scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to the Bank Account in case of unemployment and while they search for new engagement. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s initiative towards creation of standardized infrastructure for delivery of skill training which are equipped to run industry-driven courses of high quality with focus on employability and create an aspirational value for skill development training. Sikkim: Sikkim's first-ever airport: At Pakyong (part of the UDAN scheme); first airport in the Himalayan State, and the 100th airport in the country. First "Organic State" of India (Union Government has initiated the "Mission Organic Value Development for North Eastern Region.") First "Open Defecation Free" (ODF) State of India Young cricketer from Sikkim, Nilesh Lamichanay, recently became the first cricketer from the State to score a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA): e-Vidhan to make the functioning of the State Legislatures paperless and integrate all 40 Legislative Houses on to ‘One Nation One Application’ Jan Dhan Darshak: Will act as a guide for the common people in locating a financial service touch point at a given location in the country. Successful Flight Test of Astra BVR Air-to-Air Missile Astra, the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) The flight test assumes significance as it was part of the series of final pre-induction trials. Astra is the best in class weapon system and has undergone more than twenty developmental trials. Quotes The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind On Swachh Bharat Drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are central to Sustainable Development Goal 6, especially targets 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3. Target 6.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for countries to end open defecation, ensure everyone has access to a basic toilet and put in place systems for safe management of excreta. Improving access to sanitation and eradicating open defecation have enormous implications. They are critical social and economic investments. The absence of a suitable toilet and appropriate hygiene and sanitation practices can lead to malnutrition and life-long disadvantages. Therefore, for us in India – as elsewhere – a mission such as Swachh Bharat is critical to securing our human capital and our demographic dividend – and to giving our children a better future. No young girl should have to give up school only because a girls’ toilet is not available. Such an occurrence would be a scar on our collective conscience. Swachh Bharat is a revolution playing out in real time. As an instrument of mass mobilisation, as a people’s movement, and as a national goal towards which there is near total commitment, Swachh Bharat represents the spirit of our Independence movement. India is striving to eliminate open defecation in its entirety by October 2, 2019. Five important themes that countries may choose to adopt while meeting the problem of insufficient sanitation. These are – Ensure people lead the planning, implementation and management of sanitation programmes; Use smart and affordable technologies for effective and efficient service delivery; Eliminate all forms of inequalities in service delivery; Create innovative financing instruments to fund and sustain the sanitation movement; Develop capacities within the government to plan, implement and monitor sanitation programmes The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu On Smart Cities Social development should be at the core of every project undertaken by Smart Cities – asked city planners to accord highest priority to the livelihood, security, health, education and skilling of the poor, migrants, and women and said that vulnerabilities of the marginalized sections of the society must be kept in mind. Vulnerabilities of the marginalized sections of the society must be kept in mind India cannot afford lopsided development by allowing the villages to lag behind – Develop Smart Village at par with Smart Cities Pedestrian non-motorized zones are the need of the hour Need to address the concerns of air, water, soil and sound pollution in cities, apart from the need to promote energy efficiency, recycling urban waste, sustainable soil and land use Governance at door step is the key objective of smart cities and he asked authorities to work towards digitization of city governance, services, certifications and approvals without unnecessary personal interface. No line but online should be the mantra to cut down red tape and provide citizen-centric services. This singular step will save the time and effort of citizens and enhance the overall efficiency of the city On Indian cuisine Indian food heritage is a mixture of art and science and is exceptionally vast and diverse. The rich cultural diversity, native ethnicity, unique flavor of each region and different customs are best encapsulated by the Indian cuisine, which became enriched over thousands of years due to the intermingling of people belonging to different religions, languages and eating habits. ‘Annam Parabrahma Swaroopam’, loosely translated as ‘Food is like God’ is a part of our collective conscience and our ethos. Indian cuisine reflects the culture and tradition of the country which includes varied landscapes, linguistic diversity, colorful festivals, and multi-ethnicity

Sep 30, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Learning from mistakes – Inspirational Educative Articles

Learning from mistakes: If there is any one fundamental factor that determines and differentiates success from failure, it has to be the ability to learn from mistakes. If you think about this a little, you will see how fundamental and crucial is the ability to learn from mistakes if one has to succeed. We are all born with pretty much the same set of abilities. Nobody takes birth as Einstein or Edison. Even Einstein himself must have been very ignorant and stupid when he was a child. If all of us are born with the same faculties, then what is it that separates one individual from another? Ability to learn from mistakes has to be that all-important of factors. Plainly because, nothing teaches us as much as failure; we learn more from our failures than from another process of life. In fact, there is no other process of learning than learning from failures. If we are not learning from failures, then we are not learning at all. This is where one individual gets separated from other. Successful people don’t succeed all the time. In fact successful people fail as much as unsuccessful people, sometimes even more. It is not the number of failures that sets individuals apart. It is rather the individual’s ability to quickly learn from mistakes and never forget the learning. There is nothing worse than making the same mistake again and again. One cannot move towards a goal in any meaningful way without learning from mistakes. If we don’t learn from our mistakes, we simply keep going in circles endlessly. Registering the mistakes deeply in our memory and always remembering to not repeat it is probably the most important skill an individual can develop. Successful people learn so quickly and so fully from their mistakes that they can re-look at problems and situations from a completely new light. They can clearly see their past mistakes and know how to steer away from them. Really, that is all there is to success. Success is all about learning from our mistakes fully. A lot of us think that we are good at learning from mistakes. But when we introspect closely, we will realize that that is not at all the case. Very few of us have mastered the art of learning from our mistakes. Most of us are so adamantly stuck in our egos that we even refuse to learn from our own mistakes. We keep blaming external circumstances and go on making the same mistakes again and again. Learning from mistakes requires a completely objective way of looking at situations and circumstances. There cannot be any involvement of the ego when you are trying to learn from your mistakes. The most important thing one has to remember to learn from mistakes is that there is no other way to become better at something other than through the process of learning from mistakes. We are very far from being naturally good at anything. Life is hard precisely because of this; we have to learn from our mistakes and that too in a hurry. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

Sep 30, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 29th September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 29th September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) All women may pray at Sabarimala Part of Prelims and mains II – Social justice, Rights In news Supreme Court lifted the centuries’ old prohibition on women from the age of menarche to enter the famed Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Why women were not allowed in Sabrimala? The prohibition was founded on the notion that menstruating women are polluted and impure; Women, in this “procreative stage”, would be a deviation from the vow of celibacy taken by the male devotees of Lord Ayyappa for the pilgrimage. Besides, the deity in Sabarimala is himself a ‘naishtika brahmachari’ or an ‘eternal celibate.’ The prohibition was in keeping with the form of the deity and the vow of celibacy of the devotees. It is assumed that the presence of women would deviate the celibacy and austerity observed by the devotees. SC observations The main opinion said that the prohibition reduced freedom of religion to a “dead letter”, and the ban was a smear on the individual dignity of women. Relation with the Creator is a transcending one. Physiological and biological barriers created by rigid social dogma have no place in this. Chief Justice held that the ban was actually a product of hegemonic patriarchy in religion. The social exclusion of women, based on menstrual status is a “form of untouchability”. The notions of “purity and pollution” stigmatised individuals. To exclude women was derogatory to an equal citizenship. The notion that women cannot keep thevratham(vow of celibacy) is to stigmatise and stereotype them as “weak and lesser human beings”. Its effect is to impose the burden of a man’s celibacy on a woman and construct her as a cause for deviation from celibacy. This is then employed to deny access to spaces to which women are equally entitled. To treat women as the children of a lesser God was to blink at the Constitution. The Chief Justice agreed with the view that the “mere sight of women cannot affect one’s celibacy if one has taken oath of it. Otherwise such oath has no meaning.” Devotees did not go to the Sabarimala temple for taking the oath of celibacy but for seeking the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. Maintaining celibacy was only a ritual. On freedom of religion The Supreme Court dismissed the argument that the prohibition was an essential part of religion. The Chief Justice said the inclusion of women, rather than their exclusion, is the essential part of the Hindu religion. By allowing women to enter Sabarimala temple for offering prayers, the nature of Hindu religion would not be fundamentally altered or changed in any manner. The devotees of Lord Ayyappa are exclusively Hindus and do not constitute a separate religious denomination. This temple is a public religious endowment. The right to practise religion, as claimed by the thanthris and worshippers, must be balanced with and yield to the fundamental right of women. The prohibition violated Section 3 of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965, which stated that “places of public worship” like the Sabarimala temple should be open to “all sections and classes of Hindus.” The law recognises an idol or deity as a “juristic person which can own property and can sue and be sued in the court of law”. But it “does not mean the deity necessarily has constitutional rights”. Fundamental rights are meant for individuals, not deities or idols. Dissenting opinion Justice Indu Malhotra, the lone woman judge on the Constitution Bench, dissented with the majority opinion. She held that the determination of what constituted an essential practice in a religion should not be based on the “personal views” of judges. She held that essentiality of a religious practice or custom had to be decided within the religion. It is a matter of personal faith. India is a land of diverse faiths. Constitutional morality in a pluralistic society gives freedom to practise even irrational or illogical customs and usages. With Sabarimala verdict, ‘Ghost of Narasu’ is finally exorcised Part of Prelims and mains II – Social justice, Rights In news The Bombay High Court in State of Bombay versus Narasu Appa Mali had held that personal law is not ‘law’ or ‘laws in force’ under Article 13. This 1951 judgment was never challenged in the Supreme Court. The decision in Narasu opined that personal law is immune from constitutional scrutiny. This detracts from the notion that no body of practices can claim supremacy over the Constitution and its vision of ensuring the sanctity of dignity, liberty and equality. The unchallenged 67-year reign of a Bombay High Court judgment that personal law, religious customs, usages and beliefs are outside the ambit of fundamental rights of equality, life and dignity came to an end. Observations of SC contrary to Narasu case SC held that the reasoning given in the Narasu Appa Mali judgment of the Bombay High Court in 1951 was based on flawed premises. Immunising customs and usages, like the prohibition of women in Sabarimala, takes away the primacy of the Constitution. Judge observed that custom, usages and personal law have a significant impact on the civil status of individuals. Custom or usage cannot be excluded from ‘laws in force’. Those activities that are inherently connected with the civil status of individuals cannot be granted constitutional immunity merely because they may have some associational features which have a religious nature. Narasu, in restricting the definition of the term ‘laws in force’ detracts from the transformative vision of the Constitution. India should choose local partner if it chooses Gripen: Swedish Air Chief Part of Prelims and mains III – Defence and security, Economy In news If India chooses the Gripen fighter jet, then the choice of the private Indian company to partner with Sweden’s SAAB to build the aircraft should be the Indian Government’s and “nobody else’s”, Swedish Air Force Chief said. The Gripen is powered by American GE-414 engine, a variant of which is on the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. The Indian Air Force issued a Request For Information (RFI) in April to procure 114 fighter jets under the Strategic Partnership model and most of them will be built in India by an Indian private partner under technology transfer. Govt. creates high-level group to advise on boosting trade Part of Prelims and mains III – Economy In news: Commerce Minister has approved the constitution of a high-level advisory group (HLAG) to look into the opportunities and ways to address the ongoing challenges in the global trade scenario. The terms of reference (ToR) of the HLAG are to examine the prevailing international trade dynamics, including, but not confined to; The rising protectionist tendencies, especially on the part of major economies, The non-engagement by some countries on outstanding trade negotiation issues and commitments, including the Doha Development Agenda, Insistence by some countries on pursuing negotiating mandates, in many cases prematurely and without efforts, To build consensus and common understanding. The HLAG would meet regularly over the next two months and make specific implementable recommendations in light of the terms of reference, including on each of the areas, to facilitate the formulation of future trade policies. The HLAG will be chaired by, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Member Surjit Bhalla. Railways to roll out smart coaches Part of Prelims and mains III – Infrastructure In news The Indian Railways are set to launch their ‘Make in India’ smart coaches with new features like black box and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered CCTVs, matching international standards. Named ‘Smart Trains’, the coaches have been equipped with sensors that can detect defects on bearings, wheels, and the railway track, giving constant inputs to those in the control room to avoid accidents, carry out maintenance, and to improve efficiency of operations. The maiden smart coach was unveiled at the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli as part of launching 100 such trains in a pilot project to improve the safety and security of commuters, and to boost efficiency. Features of smart trains The black box, being introduced for the first time by Indian Railways, has a powerful multi-dimensional communication interface to provide information on passengers and coach condition on real-time basis. The black box will act as a coach control unit with communication interfaces for passenger announcements, GPS-based announcement triggers, emergency intercom for commuters, digital destination boards, train reservation display modules, and CCTVs with remote monitoring. Six cameras installed in the coach will provide live recording. The footage can be accessed from the control room, which will be advantageous for law enforcers. An emergency talk-back system will enable communication between passengers and the guard during a crisis. A Wi-Fi hotspot information system is another innovative feature. The modern infotainment system has been installed to locate the train in real time. AI-powered CCTVs will help those in the control room to keep a tab on untoward incidents and on the behaviour of on-board staff Commuters will also be able to communicate with Railways officials. For wheel, coach and track monitoring, Railways have come up with Internet of things-based system. The vibrating-energy-based sensors will monitor the wheels, bearing and hard spots on the track, and will provide data through GPS/GPRS to the remote server for diagnosis and remedial measures. The Passenger Information and Coach Computing Unit (PICCU), an industrial grade computer, will monitor the coach maintenance and passenger interface. Smart coaches are also laden with water-level indicator technology to know whether the water in the coach is sufficient and when it needs to be filled. An SMS will be sent to the next watering station when the water level falls below half the coach capacity. Centre hikes import duty on select goods Part of Prelims and mains III – Indian economy In news The government released a list of categories of items on which it would be hiking import duties, which include white goods such as air-conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines as well as non-essential items such as gems, travel bags and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Significance of hikes in import duty The Central Government has taken tariff measures, by way of increase in the basic customs duty to curb import of certain imported items. These changes aim at narrowing the current account deficit (CAD). The significant increases in customs duties of selective items which the government perceives to be non-essential imports appears to be aimed at reducing the drain of currency reserves and boost domestic demand. Curbing imports through tariffs would help in shoring up the rupee to 68-70 levels against the U.S. dollar. India had the right to raise import tariffs within a band under the World Trade Organisation rules, this right can be exercised in the best interest of the country. The messaging seems to be clear that if you want to access the Indian market, then start manufacturing here. The move, though significant, is not surprising with what is happening globally. This increase in duty on imports with the already depreciating rupee would be quite a point of worry for the importers. However, this hike in duty may not impact importers who procure from countries with which India currently has beneficial free trade agreements. Cabinet approves 100% govt. stake in GST Network Part of Prelims and mains III – Indian economy, tax reforms In news The Union Cabinet approved increasing the government’s ownership in the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) to 100% from the existing 49% and also change the existing structure in line with a transition plan. Do you know? GST Network GST network is a not for profit company incorporated in 2013, under companies act. The Company has been set up primarily to provide IT infrastructure and services to the Central and State Governments, tax payers and other stakeholders for implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The Government of India holds 24.5% equity in GSTN and all States of the Indian Union, including NCT of Delhi and Puducherry, and the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers (EC), together hold another 24.5%. Balance 51% equity is with non-Government financial institutions. Now it is being made 100% govt. owned. Note: For more details on GSTN visit: https://www.gstn.org/about-us/ ‘MDR reimbursement pending from banks’ Part of Prelims and mains III – Indian economy In news The Payments Council of India (PCI) has said that payment service providers and merchant aggregators are yet to be received reimbursement for merchant discount rates from banks even after nine months. MDR is the fee that a merchant has to pay to a bank for every transaction that is split between the bank which issued the card, the payment service providers, and payment gateways. Payments Council of India (PCI), the representative body of non-banking merchant aggregators and acquirers, have raised serious concerns over non-receipt of reimbursements of MDR by merchant aggregators, from the related acquiring banks since January 2018. This is likely to seriously impact the operating ability of merchant aggregators and dent the efforts to promote digital payments. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution and governance Govt. Policies and issues arising out of their design and implementation Finding an equilibrium Introduction A thicket of Aadhaar litigation has now ended with the decision of a five-judge Supreme Court Bench, which had reserved its order on May 10, after a marathon 38-day hearing. The victory of the right to privacy was presaged by K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), but that nine-judge Bench had left open the question of Aadhaar: whether the “national security” perspective (the vital role of surveillance to curb terror and prevent money laundering and crime financing) and “social welfare state” perspective (Aadhaar ensured that subsidies went to the right people) provided constitutional grounds for “reasonable restrictions” (reasonable because non-arbitrary). The Money Bill question: under Article 110(3) of the Constitution Whether this decision disappoints those who had high expectations or remains enigmatic on key aspects is a question which will be debated for long. A very expansive view suggests that any bill which involves recourse to Consolidated Fund of India is a Money Bill and the finality of the Speaker’s decision is virtually unchallengeable. The other view is that the Speaker, like all constitutional functionaries, is bound to exercise the discretion reasonably; purposive as well as strict pragmatic. The scrutiny from Article 14 and 21 must ensue when a large number of bills are tagged with Money Bills. This is dangerous because it removes the rationale for bicameral legislatures, because the Constitution does not foreclose the Rajya Sabha’s collective right to meaningfully deliberate legislative change. Institutions are crucial to democracy. Debasing them can only cause a peril to democratic structures. The Constitution is not a political tactic, it is not a mere ‘play thing’ of a special majority as in Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan (1965), laying the foundations of what became the doctrine of basic structure and essential features. Justice Chandrachud fully dissents and holds the law invalid as a “fraud on the Constitution”, that is a colourable exercise of constitutional power. He maintains that the “notion of absolute power” is offensive to the Constitution and that there is need to “liberate its founding principles from its colonial past”. Its purpose cannot be to shield an excess of power from being questioned before the court, nor to clothe a high functionary with utter impunity. The proportionality test Any conflict of interest requires balancing, keeping in view constitutional first principles and its vision, values, and the mission. This leads to many welcome invalidations and dilutions of some important sections of the Act (See IASbaba current affairs September 28, 2018). But on the main aspect whether the right to privacy is violated, there is now posited a conflict with privacy and dignity, which only ‘harmonious construction’ may reconcile. SC felt that some loss of privacy is constitutionally permissible to achieve the public good to the “marginalised sections of society” and there was a collective right to privacy which may override the individual right. Conclusion The tasks of balancing begin only when all interests are translated as individual, social, or public. The sanctity of privacy lies in its functional relationship with dignity. But this relationship is “functional” only when “undue intrusion” into the “autonomy on the pretext of conferment of economic benefits” is avoided. The majority decision offers a harmonious construction, but the dissenting opinion shows why this is not the only or necessarily the best way. Connecting the dots: The recent SC judgment on Aadhaar Act draws a line between right to privacy and national objectives such as security and welfare state. Critically comment. ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian economy, macroeconomic issues Govt. Policies and issues arising out of their design and implementation Think big: on import duty hike Introduction The government released a list of categories of items on which it would be hiking import duties. This includes white goods such as air-conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines as well as non-essential items such as gems, travel bags and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The Centre’s decision to increase customs duty on imports of 19 “non-essential” items amounts to tinkering at the margins to address a structural macro-economic issue. Using tariffs to curb imports of these items will not have a significant impact on narrowing the current account deficit (CAD), which is the Centre’s stated objective. Do you know? Current account deficit The current account measures the flow of goods, services and investments into and out of the country. We run into a deficit if the value of the goods and services we import exceeds the value of those we export. The current account includes net income, including interest and dividends, and transfers, like foreign aid. India’s current account deficit (CAD) is pegged at $13 billion or 1.9% of the GDP in Q4 of 2017-18, which increased from $2.6 billion or 0.4% of the GDP in Q4 of 2016-17. However, the CAD moderated marginally from $13.7 billion (2.1% of GDP) in the preceding quarter. The Reserve Bank of India attributed the widening of the CAD to a higher trade deficit ($41.6 billion) brought about by a larger increase in merchandise imports related to exports. The central bank wants to see the current account gap within 2.5% of the GDP, which is seen as crucial for currency stability. For example, the CAD touched a high of 4.8% of the GDP in 2012-13 on rising gold and oil imports, which also impacted the rupee that depreciated rapidly. Why import duties will not have sufficient impact on CAD? The aggregate value of these imported items was just ₹86,000 crore, constitution a little less than 3% of the country’s merchandise import bill in 2017-18. With the first six months of the current fiscal having elapsed, the impact of this tariff increase in paring the import bill and thus containing the CAD is at best going to be short-term and marginal. On the other hand, the decision to double import duties on a clutch of consumer durables to 20% could dampen consumption of these products, especially at a time when the rupee’s slide against the dollar is already likely to have made these goods costlier. Here, it would be interesting to see if the government’s move turns into a psychological ‘tipping point’ that ends up altering consumption behaviour towards this category of imported merchandise. If it does, that could have the salutary effect of fostering greater investment in the domestic production of some of these goods. The tariff on aviation turbine fuel — which will now attract 5% customs duty instead of nil — may add to the stress of domestic airline operators, the rupee and rising oil prices having already hurt their wafer-thin margins. Way forward A more robust approach in addressing the widening CAD would be to institute wide-ranging measures to boost exports and simultaneously reduce the import-intensity of the economy. Policymakers must renew efforts to ensure that export growth starts outpacing the expansion in merchandise imports. This includes expediting the refunds on GST to exporters — smaller exporters have been badly hit by working capital shortfalls. Also to working to woo some of the labour-intensive supply chains that are moving out of China to countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. On import substitution, it is an irony that despite the abundance of coal reserves, thermal coal is one of India’s fastest-growing imports. This is a consequence of under-investment in modernising the entire coal production and utilisation chain and must be addressed expeditiously. With global crude oil prices showing no signs of reversing their upward trajectory, and the sanctions on Iran that may force India to look for other suppliers looming, the government will need to act post-haste to address structural imbalances to keep the CAD from widening close to or even exceeding the 3% of GDP level. Connecting the dots: What is Current Account Deficit (CAD)? Critically analyse the recent fall in rupee value and subsequent rise in CAD. (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) Saab Group is sometimes in news. It is assocaited with - Swedish aerospace and defence company. Coalition of Saudi Arabia and global “Islamic Alliance” of 34 countries to combat terrorism South Africa's largest weapons manufacturer that is offering Make in India, tech transfer and partnership with local companies. Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain . Q.2) To reduce the current account deficit in India, which of the below actions government can take? Reduction in export subsidy Devaluing the domestic currency Adopting suitable policies which attract greater FDI and more foreign funds Select the correct answer using the codes given below 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Twin deficits often in news relates to Revenue Deficit and Budget Deficit Fiscal Deficit and Budget Deficit Fiscal Deficit and Current Account Deficit Capital Account Deficit and Current Account Deficit Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN): It is a non-profit, non-government organization. It will manage the entire IT system of the GST portal. It will provide taxpayers with all services – from registration to filing taxes and maintaining all tax details. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above MUST READ The poor are left to themselves The Hindu  Dumping an archaic law The Hindu    How Gandhi was different Indian Express   Reaching for the Mahatma Indian Express   More Equal Than Others Indian Express  Court’s lost chance Indian Express

Sep 29, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 28th September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Adultery is not a crime, rules SC; strikes it off IPC Part of Prelims and mains II – Social justice, Rights In news A five-judge Constitution Bench held that adultery is not a crime and struck it off the Indian Penal Code. The bench observed that Section 497 (adultery) of the Code “commands” married couples to remain loyal to each other. Court's observations: A matter of choice Two individuals may part if one cheats, but to attach criminality to infidelity is going too far. There is no data to back claims that abolition of adultery as a crime would result in “chaos in sexual morality” or an increase of divorce. How married couples deal with adultery is “absolutely a matter of privacy at its pinnacle”. Loss of moral commitment in a marriage creates a dent in the relationship, but it is left to each individual to deal with the problem — some may forgive while others may seek divorce. Punishing each other or the wife’s lover is unlikely to re-kindle commitment. Section 497 treats a married woman as the commodity of her husband. Adultery is not a crime if the cuckolded husband connives or consents to his wife’s extra-marital affair. Section 497 treats a married woman as her husband’s “chattel”. The provision is a reflection of the social dominance of men prevalent 150 years ago. Do you know? Section 497 in The Indian Penal Code Adultery.—Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery, and shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both. In such case the wife shall not be punishable as an abettor. Rajasthan farmers benefited from solar water pumps: study Part of Prelims and mains III – Agriculture, Environment, Conservation In news A scientific study conducted by Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, has found mismatch between investment in solar energy sources and employment generation in the sector, but has stated that the farmers in Rajasthan have immensely benefited from the solar photovoltaic (SPV) water pumping systems. The study has also found a significant decline in the consumption of fuel in the agriculture sector. A micro-level analysis indicated that the SPV water pumping systems had provided some direct benefits to farmers, including the saving from diesel generators. ICSSR-funded BITS, Pilani project also found a significant decline in the consumption of fuel in the agriculture sector. ‘Greenhouse effect’ Farmers used to operate diesel generators for 6 to 7 hours a day, consuming two litres of diesel per hour. The use of SPV pumps has resulted in a drastic reduction of fuel consumption, which was also a cause of greenhouse effect. While the grid-connected electricity is supplied to agriculture sector mostly during the night, the farmers can irrigate the land during daytime with the SPV system, making their access to water easy. The SPV system has been found to be cost effective because of the State government’s subsidy and the beneficiary’s share is recovered in about four years. Power supply to the agriculture sector in Rajasthan ranges between 5 and 6 hours a day. Facing challenges in the expansion of grid-connected power because of difficult geography, the Rajasthan government has been giving subsidy on SPV water pumping systems since 2011-12. Don’t bring adultery back as crime: CJI Dipak Misra Part of Prelims and mains II – Social justice, Freedom and empowerment In news If Parliament, as it had let adultery continue in the rule book, tries to bring it back, the move would affect Article 21 of the Constitution. It would violate the dignity of husband and wife and the privacy attached to a relationship between the two, the Chief Justice held. The government had argued that adultery should continue to be a crime to maintain the sanctity of marriage. "It [adultery] is better to be left as a ground for divorce,” the judgment observed. Section 497 (adultery) is unlike any other offences relating to matrimonial relationship. Several of these other offences are like Section 498-A (dowry harassment), the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Sections 306 (abetment of suicide) or 304B (dowry death) or 494 (bigamy) of the Indian Penal Code. Uzbek President to invite India to join Afghan rail project Part of Prelims and mains II – International relations In news India will be invited to help with a key rail link in Afghanistan, during the visit of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev early next week. The rail link of approximately 650 km, connecting the Afghan cities of Mazaar-e-Sharif and Herat, which may later be extended to Kabul, is a major project agreed to by President Ashraf Ghani and President Mirziyoyev last year. Uzbek support a greater presence of India in Central Asia, and hope for some benefits of that for Afghanistan. It will open a new page in bilateral relations. India's involvement in railway construction is welcomed because of India’s proven record and experience, and because of its contribution to bringing peace to Afghanistan. The project, for which Uzbekistan has already committed $500 million, could become another major regional connectivity project for India, after its construction of the Zaranj-Delaram Highway in Afghanistan and the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar, Iran. India is also committed to building another rail route, from Chabahar to Zahedan on the Iran-Afghan border, and President Mirziyoyev is keen to join the transit trade agreement signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran. The rail route to Herat, if extended to Kabul, would also link to India’s “air corridor”, allowing trade, especially dry fruits and agricultural produce to travel along the routes from India to Central Asia and back in much shorter time. Uzbekistan has held talks with Iran, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and China, which is already running a rail route into Uzbekistan under the Belt and Road Initiative, for the same project in the past few months. Uzbekistan’s role in regional security is likely to grow as it will take over the Secretary Generalship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in January 2019. They expressed that SCO is a good platform for India and Pakistan to talk at and to maybe work with other countries on how to bring peace. President Mirziyoyev is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Sunday, and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks on Monday. Officials said more than 30 documents and agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including trade agreements, media and educational partnerships, and MoUs linking Andijan-Gujarat states, Samarkand-Agra and Bukhara-Hyderabad. Short-term rates fall as RBI eases SLR norms Part of: Prelims and mains III – Indian economy, banking In news Rates on short-term paper was eased after the RBI decided to free up funds for the commercial banks to tide over the present liquidity crunch. Rates for three-month commercial paper fell after the RBI eased liquidity coverage ratio norms for banks. Following the fund crunch triggered by the crisis at infrastructure financier IL&FS at the beginning of the month, rates on short-term papers rose by more than 100 bps (basis points) with mutual funds becoming reluctant to lend to the non-banking finance companies. To ease the situation, the central bank had been infusing liquidity through open market operations. Earlier in the day, RBI decided to allow banks to dip into their statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) reserves by another two percentage points to meet liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) norms. Do you know? Statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) is the proportion of funds that banks have to maintain as cash or government securities out of the total deposits that they hold. Open market operations (OMO) refer to the buying and selling of government securities in the open market in order to expand or contract the amount of money in the banking system. Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term debt instrument issued by a corporation, typically for the financing of accounts receivable and inventories, and meeting short-term liabilities. Maturities on commercial paper rarely range longer than 270 days. Aadhaar gets thumbs up from Supreme Court Part of Prelims and mains II – constitution, govt. services, governance In news The Supreme Court, in a majority opinion upheld Aadhaar as a reasonable restriction on individual privacy that fulfils the government’s “legitimate aim” to provide dignity to a large, marginalised population living in abject poverty. SC observations “The Constitution does not exist for a few or minority of the people of India, but ‘We the People’,” the Supreme Court observed. The majority view declared Aadhaar a “document of empowerment.” An “unparalleled” identity proof. A document that cannot be duplicated unlike PAN, ration card, and passport. “It is better to be unique than the best. The best makes number one, but unique makes you the only one.” Technology had become a vital tool for ensuring good governance in a social welfare state. Schemes like PDS, scholarships, mid-day meals, LPG subsidies, involve a huge amount of money and “fool-proof” Aadhaar helped welfare reach the poor. The majority opinion upheld the PAN-Aadhaar linkage, but declared linking Aadhaar with bank accounts and mobile SIM cards unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, in its majority opinion, said the remedy was to plug the loopholes rather than axe Aadhaar. The court further directed the government and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to bring in regulations to prevent rightfully entitled people from being denied benefits. Resolution of privacy, Data protection and other issues The statute only sought “minimal” biometric information, and this did not amount to invasion of privacy. Upholding the passage of the Aadhaar Act as a Money Bill, the Supreme Court said neither were individuals profiled nor their movements traced when Aadhaar was used to avail government benefits under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act of 2016. The court insulated children from the Aadhaar regime. The card was not necessary for children aged between six and 14 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as right to education was a fundamental right. Statutory bodies like CBSE and UGC cannot ask students to produce their Aadhaar cards for examinations like NEET and JEE. Permission of parents and guardians was a must before enrolling children into Aadhaar. Children once they attained the age of majority could opt out of Aadhaar. It said it was not trivialising the problem of exclusion faced by the elderly, the very young, the disabled and several others during the authentication process. Authentication was found to be only having a .232% failure, it was accurate 99.76% times. Dismantling the scheme would only disturb this 99.76%. Countering the argument that the Aadhaar regime would facilitate the birth of a “surveillance state”, Justice Sikri wrote that Aadhaar exhibited no such tendencies. Authentication transactions through Aadhaar did not ask for the purpose, nature or location of the transaction. Besides, information was collected in silos and their merging was prohibited. The authentication process was not expanded to the Internet. The collection of personal data and its authentication was done through registered devices. The Authority did not get any information related to the IP address or the GPS location from where authentication was performed. Aadhaar Act: Judicial Scrutiny  (IMAGE) Pic: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/d6uwi3/article25052999.ece/alternates/FREE_660/TH26-KDR-SC-AADGFR4O86RK2jpgjpg The Supreme Court quashed or read down several provisions in the Aadhaar Act in order to de-fang any possibility of the state misusing data. For one, the court held that authentication records should not be retained for more than six months. It declared the archiving of records for five years as “bad in law.” It also prohibited the creation of a metabase for transactions. G-4 for UN Security Council reform, multilateralism Part of Prelims and mains II – International organisations and groupings In news India and other Group-4 (G-4) countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for the early reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The current composition of the UNSC does not reflect the changed global realities and they stressed that Security Council reform is essential to address today’s complex challenges. Given the American disinterest in the UN and other multilateral bodies, China, one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, has slowed down the move to expand the body, according to diplomats tracking the process. The U.S. has no active opposition to the demand of these four countries to be included as permanent members of the UNSC, but the Trump administration has taken a benign approach to the proposed reform. G-4 Ministers noted that despite an overwhelming majority of UN member states supporting Security Council reform, the negotiations launched in 2009 have not produced substantive progress over the 10 years. While there is no active American support for reform, Mr. Trump’s call for other countries to step up and share the responsibility of managing the UN might support the reform, even in the face of active Chinese opposition. Germany and Japan contribute one-fifth of the UN budget while the four countries together have one-fifth of the world population. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution and Governance Govt. Policies and issues arising out of their design and implementation Aadhaar survives Introduction In a recent judgement by the Supreme Court of India, four out of five judges on a Constitution Bench ruled that the law enabling the implementation of the unique identification programme (Aadhar) does not violate the right to privacy of citizens. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and clarified areas in which it cannot be made mandatory. The court is of the view that the project empowers marginalised sections and procures dignity for them along with services, benefits and subsidies by leveraging the power of technology. Pic: https://www.thehindu.com/news/f8k550/article25051531.ece/alternates/FREE_615/vbk-aadhaar%20graphic Do you know? It is important to note that the Aadhaar Act was passed as a money bill. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha had classified this bill as a money bill. What is a Money Bill?   According to Article 110 of the Indian Constitution, a Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government, expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India. Bills that only contain provisions that are incidental to these matters would also be regarded as Money Bills. A Money Bill may only be introduced in Lok Sabha. This is done so on the recommendation of the President. It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority of all members present and voting. Following this, it may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to. If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will deemed to be passed by Parliament. Concerns related to Aadhaar In recent times, the unique identification programme was projected by sceptics, detractors and activists as an intrusion on citizens’ privacy. Many sceptics were of the opinion that the Aadhar was a grand project to appropriate personal data for commercial exploitation by private parties and profiling by the state. Last year, 2017, a nine-judge Bench had unanimously ruled that privacy is a fundamental right. Ever since this decision by the Supreme Court, opinion began to spread that the unique identification programme was vulnerable in the face of judicial scrutiny. Analysis of the judgment On studying this judgement, one draws the conclusion that the Supreme Court has restored the original intent of the programme, which is to plug leakages in subsidy schemes and to have better targeting of welfare benefits. Over the past few years, the Aadhaar came to play a large role in the lives of ordinary people. The Aadhaar has acquired the shape of a basic identity document that was required to access services, such as: birth and death certificates, SIM cards, school admissions, property registrations and vehicle purchases, etc. The recent judgment of the Supreme Court narrows the scope of Aadhaar but provides a framework within which it can work. This judgement has two views, The majority opinion and The dissenting opinion. The majority opinion: The majority opinion has sought to limit the import of the scheme to aspects directly related to welfare benefits, subsidies and money spent from the Consolidated Fund of India. Relying on official statistics, the majority favoured the scheme’s continuance for the sake of the 99.76% of people included under the scheme, rather than show anxiety over the 0.24% who were excluded because of authentication failure. The Bench made an important statement by saying that “The remedy is to plug the loopholes rather than axe the project.” The various controversial circulars and rules making it mandatory to link mobile phone numbers and bank accounts to Aadhaar numbers have been declared unconstitutional. Further, Section 57 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery Of Financial And Other Subsidies, Benefits And Services) Act, 2016, has been struck down to the extent that it authorised body corporates and individuals to use the Aadhaar number to establish someone’s identity. Schools have been barred from making the submission of the Aadhaar number mandatory to enrol children. A few other provisions have also been read down or clarified. Dissenting Judgement: Justice DY Chandrachud in his dissenting judgement said that the “Aadhaar allows constructing profiles of individuals, which is against the right to privacy and enables potential surveillance.” Justice Chandrachud said: “Bypassing Rajya Sabha to pass Aadhaar Act amounts to subterfuge and the law can be struck down.” He further observed that the Aadhaar cannot be treated as money bill and passing a bill as money bill which is not a money bill is a fraud on the Constitution,”. Justice Chandrachud said if Aadhaar is seeded with every database then there is chance of infringement of right to privacy. He said there was absence of regulatory mechanism to provide robust data protection. He went on to add that allowing private players to use Aadhaar will lead to profiling which could be used to ascertain political views of citizens. Having said this, he agreed with the majority decision that mobile companies cannot insist on Aadhaar. He also highlighted that biometric authentication failures have led to denial of rights and legal entitlements. He sighted the reason for such failures in the project’s inability to account for and remedy flaws in its network and design. It is important to note that while a dissenting judgement has no force of law, it leaves open the possibility of being referred to a larger bench at a later stage. He further ruled that the denial of benefits arising out of any social security rights is “violative of human dignity and impermissible under our constitutional scheme”. He also observed that there was no institutional responsibility of the UIDAI to protect the data of citizens. Conclusion Finally, it was the arguments in favour of benefits to the poor and the practical consequences of abandoning the scheme that won the day. Aadhaar possibly was simply too big to fail. Connecting the dots: Discuss the verdict of Supreme Court with respect to Aadhar and the implications of the verdict? NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Governance and social justice Government policies and issues arising out of their design and implementation Not a crime: on Supreme Court's adultery ruling Introduction The cleansing of the statute books of provisions that criminalise consensual relations among adults continues, with the Supreme Court finally striking down a colonial-era law that made adultery punishable with a jail term and a fine. Adultery decriminalised In four separate but concurring opinions, a five-judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, finally transported India into the company of countries that no longer consider adultery an offence, only a ground for divorce. They have removed provisions related to adultery in the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Gender biased provision According to Section 497 of the IPC, which now stands struck down, a man had the right to initiate criminal proceedings against his wife’s lover. In treating women as their husband’s property, as individuals bereft of agency, the law was blatantly gender-discriminatory; aptly, the Court also struck down Section 198(2) of the CrPC under which which the husband alone could complain against adultery. Till now, only an adulterous woman’s husband could prosecute her lover, though she could not be punished; an adulterous man’s wife had no such right. In a further comment on her lack of sexual freedom and her commodification under the 158-year-old law, her affair with another would not amount to adultery if it had the consent of her husband. “The history of Section 497 reveals that the law on adultery was for the benefit of the husband, for him to secure ownership over the sexuality of his wife,” Justice D.Y. Chandrachud wrote. “It was aimed at preventing the woman from exercising her sexual agency.” Significance The challenge before the court was not to equalise the right to file a criminal complaint, by allowing a woman to act against her husband’s lover. It was, instead, to give the IPC and the CrPC a good dusting, to rid it of Victorian-era morality. It is only in a progressive legal landscape that individual rights flourish — and with the decriminalisation of adultery India has taken another step towards rights-based social relations, instead of a state-imposed moral order. That the decriminalisation of adultery comes soon after the Supreme Court judgment that read down Section 377 of the IPC to decriminalise homosexuality, thereby enabling diverse gender identities to be unafraid of the law, is heartening. Way forward It is a matter of concern that refreshing the statute books is being left to the judiciary, without any proactive role of Parliament in amending regressive laws. The shocking message here is not merely that provisions such as Section 497 or 377 remained so long in the IPC, it is also that Parliament failed in its legislative responsibility to address them. Connecting the dots? Refreshing the statute books is being left to the judiciary, without any proactive role of Parliament in amending regressive laws. Comment in context of recent SC judgments of Section 377 and Section 497 of IPC. (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) Route 606, also known as Delaram-Zaranj Highway  connects which of the following countries? India and Myanmar India and Bhutan Iran and Afghanistan China and Pakistan Q.2) Consider the following terms Currency Deposit Ratio- Ratio of money held by public in currency to that they hold in bank deposits. Reserve Deposit Ratio- Proportion of the total deposits commercial banks keep as reserves. Statutory Liquidity Ratio- Policy instrument by RBI, which specifies the fraction of their deposits that bank must keep with RBI. Cash Reserve Ratio- Policy instrument by RBI, which requires the banks to maintain a given fraction of their total demand and time deposits in the form of specified liquid assets. Select the INCORRECT statement/s: 1 and 3 2 and 4 3 and 4 None of the above Q.3) If the RBI implements an expansionist open market operations policy, this means that it will? Buy securities from non-government holders Offer commercial banks more credit in open market Sells G-securities (government securities) in open market Openly announces to the market that it intends to expand its credit MUST READ  Finding an equilibrium The Hindu Should the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi case be released? The Hindu   Verdict as first word Indian Express  A UN for the People Indian Express  Removing biases Indian Express  A new twist in global politics Livemint  Time for Aadhaar to get back to basics Livemint

Sep 28, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 76]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 76] Archives Q.1) Which of the following statements about “Poona Pact” is/are correct? The Poona Pact was accepted by the Government as an amendment to the Communal Award It abandoned separate electorates for the depressed classes. Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) In 1932, Mahatma Gandhi began a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail against: Communal award of Ramsay Mac Donald Violation of Gandhi-Irwin Pact British repression of Satyagrahis Communal riots in Calcutta Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Digi VAARTA’ It is a platform designed to enable Financial and Social Inclusion by educating citizens on various schemes / programmes. It is under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about ‘Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics (CEDA)’ It will help the government offer better services to its citizens by analysing the data generated during the governance process It is jointly developed by NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘Economic Freedom of the World Index’ is released by World Economic Forum World Bank International Labour Organisation None of the above To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba