Jun 8, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 8th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 8th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Nationalism Part of: Mains Essay and GS II – Nationalism, Secularism and Tolerance Key points: Secularism and inclusion were a matter of faith to the country. “Any attempts at defining our nationhood in terms of dogmas and identities of religion, region, hatred, and intolerance will only lead to dilution of our national identity.” Our national identity has emerged through a long- drawn process of confluence, assimilation, and co-existence. We derive our strength from tolerance. We accept and respect our pluralism. We celebrate our diversity. These have been a part of our collective consciousness for centuries. Constitution is “not merely a legal document but a Magna Carta of socio-economic transformation.” It represents the hopes and aspirations of billion plus Indians. From our Constitution flows our nationalism. The construct of Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism, which consists of an appreciation of our inherited and shared diversity. The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. Important Value Additions: IASbaba recommends you to finish following chapters from Class 11 NCERT (Political Science) – Political Theory Chapter 7 Nationalism – Class 11 NCERT Political Theory Chapter 8 Secularism – Class 11 NCERT Political Theory Article link: We derive our strength from tolerance, says Pranab at RSS event Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Part of: GS Prelims and Mains Paper II – Welfare and social issue In news: Indian government is not yet ready to sign the Hague Convention on inter-country abduction of children by parents fleeing a bad marriage. We had read last month (DNA 7th May 2018) about this Hague Convention on inter-country abduction. Recap: Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multi-national treaty that seeks to protect children wrongfully removed by one of the parents from the custody of the other parent. There has been immense pressure from the U.S. on the government to sign the treaty. However, Indian government has long held the view that the decision could lead to harassment of women escaping marital discord or domestic violence. In 2016, the government had decided not to be a signatory to the treaty. Justice Rajesh Bindal Committee was set up in 2017 to suggest model legislation in regard to issue of inter-country parental child abduction. Important value additions: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). The Convention was drafted to ensure the prompt return of children who have been abducted from their country of habitual residence or wrongfully retained in a contracting state not their country of habitual residence. The Convention applies only to children under the age of 16. Under the Convention, contracting countries must establish a central authority to trace unlawfully removed children and secure their return to the country of habitual residence, irrespective of the country’s own laws on the issue. Do you know? Since Indian government is  not yet ready to sign the Hague Abduction Convention, it is planning to put safeguards by setting up a Child Removal Disputes Resolution Authority to act as a nodal body to decide on the custody of the child as well as a model law to deal with such disputes. Article link: India not yet ready to sign the Hague treaty: Maneka UN India-NITI Aayog Investor Consortium for Women Entrepreneurs Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian Economy; Inclusive development In news: The UN India Business Forum and the Women Entrepreneurial Platform of NITI Aayog formed a consortium to reduce gender disparities in start-up investments. The consortium aims to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship by creating an enabling ecosystem for investments. Women entrepreneurs will be identified through key partners, including WEP, UN Women, and UNDP. Article link: UN India business forum, NITI Aayog form consortium to help women ... DEFENCE: Defence Acquisition Council and ‘Buy (Indian) IDDM’ category Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence and Security In News: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of high powered radars for the Indian Air Force and air cushion vehicles for the Army and the Coast Guard. The 12 high power radars will be procured indigenously under the ‘Buy (Indian) IDDM’ category. Important value additions: Do you know? ‘Indian (Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’, or Buy (IDDM), this category replaces ‘Buy (Indian)’ as the most preferred category in the hierarchical order of procurement categories. Besides these two categories, the hierarchy of categories consists of ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’, ‘Buy and Make’, and ‘Buy (Global)’, in that order. The ‘Buy (IDDM) category has ostensibly been devised to encourage indigenisation of defence products. About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) DAC – is the government’s highest decision-making body on procurement. DAC is chaired by Union Defence Minister. To counter corruption and speed up decision-making in military procurements. Do you know? The decision flowing from the Defence Acquisition Council are to be implemented by the following 3 Boards – Defence Procurement Board headed by the Defence Secretary Defence Production Board headed by the Secretary (Defence Production) Defence Research & Development Board headed by the Secretary (Defence Research & Development) Article link: DAC approves procurementof radars, air cushion vehicles (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT TOPIC:General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Environmental conservation and biodiversity Sustaining earth for the future Introduction: India is blessed with an extraordinary richness of life. A great number of unusual and exquisite species occur in the countless ecosystems spread across our vast lands, rivers and oceans. Woven into this rich fabric of biodiversity is a stunningly vibrant and colourful tapestry of peoples, cultures and traditions. India’s unique bio-cultural life and diversity has been able to withstand difficult changes and conditions for centuries. However, with the unleashing of unprecedented economic and environmental forces, it is now subject to increasing wear and tear. Ultimately, these forces could destroy our vibrant and colourful life, cultures and traditions — and in the process, ourselves. Major concerns – Biologists all over the world have been documenting the ongoing loss of life forms. Modern extinction rates are more than a thousand times greater than the rates of the geological past. In recent decades, populations of more than 40% of large mammals have declined and insect biomass has decreased by more than 75%. Natural habitats all over the world have shrunk. For these losses, our country ranks higher than most. Anthropocene era According to scientists, we have entered Anthropocene era — a new period in earth’s history, when humans have begun to impact environment at the global scale. Forests have degraded and diminished, rivers are getting vanished and our air has become unfit to breathe. It is not just only river Ganga which requires cleaning but all life forms including our body requires nurturing. Concept of Half-Earth To protect life on earth, the famous American biologist E.O. Wilson has described an ambitious project he calls “Half-Earth”. He calls for formally protecting 50% of the earth’s land surface in order to conserve our rapidly disappearing natural heritage. India’s forest policy calls for forests to cover almost a third of the country (33%), and if we include other natural systems such as grasslands and wetlands, the area to be protected could amount to almost 40%. In a populous country such as ours, that would be a huge achievement. Some areas could be fully protected while others might be managed by stakeholders for sustainable use and enrichment of biodiversity. The way ahead: We need a massive new effort to catalogue, map, and monitor life, using fundamentally different approaches. Current efforts to map India’s biodiversity are largely restricted to forestlands, while plans for species monitoring are even more inadequate. Today, we have the digital tools and artificial intelligence today to efficiently catalogue, map, and monitor life’s fabric in a manner never before attempted — and with the potential engagement of millions of students and citizens. This mapping effort would include not only all life, including cultures, ethnicities, and dialects, but also the use of biodiversity and its vulnerability to changes in land use and climate. Therefore, effective cataloguing, mapping and monitoring life will give us a glimpse of what we have, and what is most vulnerable. It is important to understand how society interacts with biodiversity, and how economic, social and political forces can erode the biodiversity that ultimately sustains us. It is important to learn how myriad species interact to drive our ecosystems, and how these systems in turn maintain our soils, water and breathable air. For instance, it is vital to learn how the wild pollinators, the microbiota of soils, and the many enemies of agricultural pests — and many other natural services — underpin our agricultural productivity and mitigate climate change. Need for a new science? Academic institutions need to place far more emphasis on the scientific study of life at higher levels. We also need a comprehensive inquiry into how our society is shaping as well as responding to changes in biodiversity. A new biodiversity science is taking shape across the globe, focused on the intimate interweaving of nature with human societies. India has not been, but must be, at the forefront of this emerging science, because nowhere on Earth are natural and human systems tied together more inextricably than on the subcontinent. Fortunately, some in the Indian science establishment, such as the Departments of Biotechnology and of Science and Technology, have recently started programmes and initiatives in the broader areas of science and society. Several non-government think tanks in the civil society sector have strong interdisciplinary programmes in environmental sustainability. The India Biodiversity Portal has the ambitious goal of mapping India’s biodiversity with the engagement of civil society though the portal relies largely on private support. However, the scale of the problem is so massive and its importance so vital for our future that government and private philanthropy need to bring together multiple stakeholders to develop a programme to document, map and monitor all life, and develop a new knowledge enterprise to fully explore various dimensions of biodiversity and ecosystem services and their critical link to our future. Connecting the dots: In spite of environmental moments dating back to post independence years India’s progress in environment conservation and management is not noteworthy. Critically discuss. Can biodiversity be integrated with development? Examine. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Hague Abduction Convention’ It is an international treaty to ensure the prompt return of a child who has been “abducted” from the country of their “habitual residence”. Under the Convention, contracting countries must establish a central authority to trace unlawfully removed children and secure their return to the country of habitual residence, irrespective of the country’s own laws on the issue. The Convention only applies to children under the age 16. India is yet to ratify the convention Select the correct statements 1 and 2 1, 2 and 3 1, 2 and 4 All of the above Q.2) Recently, Centre had constituted a Committee to suggest a model legislation to safeguard the interest of the child as well as to deal with issue of inter-country parental child abduction. The committee is headed by – Rajesh Bindal Committee Geetam Singh Committee Preetham Reddy Committee Mahendra Lama Committee Q.3) Consider the following with regard to Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) DAC is the government’s highest decision-making body on procurement. DAC is chaired by Union Defence Minister. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Arrange the below categories from most preferred category to least in the hierarchical order of procurement categories. Buy and Make Buy (IDDM) Buy and Make (Indian) Buy (Global) Code: 4-3-2-1 2-3-1-4 3-2-4-1 3-2-1-4 MUST READ Is the Indian economy on an upswing now? The Hindu Green good deed for the day Indian Express India must take action before it runs dry Livemint Why 15th Finance Commission should provide states greater resources, autonomy Livemint

Jun 7, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- The Big Picture : To Abort or Not

To Abort or Not Archives TOPIC:  General Studies 1: Women related issues General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources In News: Ireland has said an overwhelming yes to a woman’s right to safe abortion — unthinkable in this largely Catholic country even a decade ago. The Irish voted overwhelmingly to repeal the Eighth amendment to the country’s constitution, which was passed in 1983 and which placed a foetus’s right to life and that of its mother on an even keel, making abortion all but completely illegal. Currently, abortion is only allowed when a woman's life is at risk, but not in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality. Background: Halappanavar, a young dentist who was 17 weeks pregnant, had been admitted to a hospital in Galway with back pain, which ended up into a raging infection and sepsis. Doctors refused her requests for an abortion, in fear of violating the law, leading to her death. Halappanavar’s death galvanized a generation of young Irish women to fight for their reproductive freedom because it revealed to them the horrors of the Eighth Amendment and made plain how the law could affect — and even end — their lives. Right to ‘Safe’ Abortion – Human Right In countries where abortion is heavily restricted, lawmakers are less likely to be invested in reproductive health, and this includes prenatal care and access to other reproductive health services. Where individuals are denied abortion care, they also tend to be denied lifesaving medical care at other stages of their reproductive lives, including before and after pregnancy. Combating maternal mortality must go hand in hand with ensuring access to safe and legal abortion for everyone who needs it. When we restrict abortion access, we force people to go to great lengths to get the care they need, which often means traveling out of state and taking time off work. This is an especially difficult burden for those who are low income. If the pregnancy was the result of sexual violence and the woman does not want to continue with the pregnancy, then forcing her to do so represents a violation of the woman’s bodily integrity and aggravates her mental trauma, impeding her healing and recovery from violence. Unsafe abortion takes the lives of 47,000 people worldwide every year, making it a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity globally. These are all preventable deaths. Ensuring access to safe, legal abortion, coupled with the promotion of effective contraceptives, is quite literally the only way to reduce complications and mortality rates connected to abortion worldwide. Abortion is often the only essential health care service not provided by people’s regular reproductive health care provider and within their usual health care system. We know that when abortion is legal, it is extremely safe. It is a basic human right to decide whether and when to have a child without putting your health and very life at stake. The Way Forward For women in India, access to abortion has been marred by extreme stigma, lack of awareness about its legality, unavailability of safe services near the community, and high costs charged by providers. Unsafe abortion practices were the third largest contributor of maternal deaths in India. While India has legalised abortion by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, this privilege is clouded by the fact that unsafe abortions remain the third highest cause of pregnancy-related deaths. We need to urgently address this – First, recognise a woman’s right to exercise her choice and protect her by amending the Indian Penal Code to decriminalise abortion for the woman. Second, support and provide last-mile access and availability of safe abortion by widening the provider base as proposed by the pending amendments to the MTP Act. Third, acknowledge the termination of pregnancies with major abnormalities as a part of standard medical care any time in pregnancy as was traditional practice, without having to seek legal exception for each case. Fourth, further grounds should be incorporated for the abortion – for example it should be extended to 24 weeks and not just 20 weeks as other abnormalities may surface then. Finally, identify and avoid potential conflation of the MTP Act with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act that results in stigmatisation of all doctors providing abortions to ensure women are not denied abortion. Awareness amongst women is of paramount importance. The judiciary and lawmakers need to maintain a secular outlook and strive to ensure that the women citizens of this country have equal citizenship rights in consonance with the Constitution and with accepted international covenants on human rights. These include a right to life for the woman, as also a right to dignity and a right to benefit from scientific progress. Religion and other traditional frameworks are inherently imbued with patriarchy and cannot be used by a secular state to direct its laws and policies.

Jun 7, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – This Moment – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Present Moment: It is very easy to get lost in the conceptual understanding of time and forget that all we are given at any point in time is just one moment. We are not given an hour, a week or a month to accomplish something. We are only given a moment. Once this understanding sinks in, it becomes extremely easy to understand how we waste most of our time. Most of our time is wasted in thinking about either the future or the past. We are rarely in the present moment fully. Just think about this; is it possible to accomplish any task in the future or the past? Is it possible to go back and change what has happened or go into the future and accomplish something? If the answer is yes then the conceptual understanding of time is enough to manage it well. If the answer is a no, then we have to re-look at the concept of time from an altogether fresh perspective. Whatever that we need to accomplish can be accomplished only this moment. The story that we tell ourselves to either accomplish or not accomplish something is all that matters. Every moment we are confronted with a choice to do or not to do something. What we tell ourselves in this moment is what determines our actions. More often than not, we keep telling ourselves stories that keep moving us into the future. We keep postponing things by telling a story that is convenient and easy to accept. Pay close attention to the language you use to talk to yourself. If your language is filled with stories of past and the future, then for sure you are a procrastinator. You will be finding it difficult to accomplish a task if you are a good story teller. It is very easy to convince yourself if you are a good story teller. You can convince yourself on why you should not be doing that all important thing right now. When we shift from the conceptual understanding of time of past and future and pay close attention to the present moment, it becomes extremely easy to focus and accomplish any particular task. When we realize that all we have is this moment, then we will use that moment to do what matters the most. The moment we start telling ourselves that we will accomplish something in the next one hour, or a week, or a day, we will be moving too far away from the present moment. It is very easy to keep drifting into the future. The ability to observe this story telling quality of ours and pulling ourselves back from the future to the present is the whole secret of managing time effectively and accomplishing anything we want. Don’t listen to your mind when it is trying to give some justification for postponing an action. Be in the present moment all the time. This is where you can accomplish all that you want to accomplish. Remember, there is no past and there is no future. All you have is this moment. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

Jun 7, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 7th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 7th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) RBI MPC Policy Highlights and REPO RATE Part of: GS Prelims and Mains Paper III – Indian Economy - Monetary Policy; RBI Reforms and its functions In News: The six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) of the RBI increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%. This is the first rate hike in four-and-a-half years; the last was in January 2014. Key pointers: Reasons for increase of repo rate – RBI raised rates after 4.5 years as crude price surges and due to inflation. Immediate effect – RBI lends money to commercial banks at higher rate and banks will raise their lending rates. Since, lending rates are high, people abstain from borrowing and consequently it leads to decrease in money supply in economy and decrease in inflation rate. Do you know? What is Repo rate? Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country (RBI in case of India) lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. Repo rate is used by monetary authorities to control inflation. RBI increases the repo rate during inflation and decreases it during deflation. Important value additions: Let’s see what happens when RBI increases and decreases Repo rate – When RBI increases repo rate In order to control excess money supply and inflation in the economy, central bank increases repo rate and lends to commercial banks at a higher rate. Now, because of increased repo rate, funds come to commercial banks at a higher cost, so in order to cover those increased costs of acquiring funds, commercial banks increase their lending rates for loans and advances. Since, lending rates are increased, people abstain from borrowing and postpone their purchases thereby decreasing demand for products and services, consequently it leads to decrease in money supply in economy and decrease in inflation rate. When RBI decreases repo rate: In order to cure depression and lack of effective demand, central bank decreases repo rates and lends to commercial banks at a reduced rate. Because of reduced rates, commercial banks can acquire funds at a lower cost and in order to acquire new consumers and markets they pass their benefit of lower cost to consumers by decreasing their prime lending rates on loans and advances. Since, lending rates are reduced by banks, credit is cheap and this induces people to venture in new business activities and purchase of capital goods leading to increased demand for capital goods and increased employment rates. Key takeaways from RBI MPC Policy Repo rate: 6.25% Reverse repo: 6% FY19 growth projection retained at 7.4 % RBI increased its inflation projection to 4.8%-4.9% It sees major upside risk to the inflation path as crude prices rose 12% Says volatile crude oil prices adds uncertainty to its inflation outlook Geo-political risks, financial market volatility, trade protectionism to impact domestic growth Adherence to budgetary targets by the Centre and states will ease upside risks to the inflation outlook Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/07/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/75e6c72c_2154768_101_mr.jpg Article link: RBI hikes repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% Co-op banks can become small finance banks Part of: GS Prelims and Mains Paper III – Indian Economy - Monetary Policy; RBI Reforms and its functions In news: RBI has decided to allow urban co-operative banks (UCB) to convert into small finance banks (SFB) Detailed scheme will be announced shortly. UCBs currently face regulation by both the RBI and the respective State governments. By turning into SFBs, they will be regulated only by the RBI. Article link: Co-op banks can become small finance banks, says RBI Maternal mortality ratio drops Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Welfare and health; Social issue In news: Maternal mortality ratio in the country drops to 130 from 167, according to latest Sample Registration System (SRS) data MMR (number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births) Do you know? Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes. Key points: Kerala remains at the top with an MMR of 46 (down from 61). Maharashtra retains its second position with 61. Tamil Nadu with 66 is in the third position. Three States have already achieved the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of MMR 70. Fresh impetus is required to bring the MMR below 30 for all States. Article link: Maternal mortality ratio in the country drops to 130 from 167 - The Hindu World Bank to fund Atal Bhujal Yojana Part of: Prelims and Mains – Government schemes In news: World Bank and Indian Government join hands to address concerns about depleting groundwater reserves in India. World Bank nod for ₹6,000 cr. scheme called the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY). Important Value Additions About Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) Central Sector Scheme to be implemented over a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23 aims to improve ground water management in priority areas in the country through community participation The priority areas identified under the scheme fall in seven States – Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating ground water development in 23 States/UTs. Do you know? Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources to ensure sustainability and availability are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. Difference between Central sector schemes and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Under Central sector schemes, it is 100% funded by the Union government and implemented by the Central Government machinery. Central sector schemes are mainly formulated on subjects from the Union List. In addition, the Central Ministries also implement some schemes directly in States/UTs which are called Central Sector Schemes but resources under these Schemes are not generally transferred to States. Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) a certain percentage of the funding is borne by the States in the ratio of 50:50, 70:30, 75:25 or 90:10 and the implementation is by the State Governments. Centrally Sponsored Schemes are formulated in subjects from the State List to encourage States to prioritise in areas that require more attention.Funds are routed either through consolidated fund of States and or are transferred directly to State/ District Level Autonomous Bodies/Implementing Agencies. Article link: World Bank nod for ₹6000 cr. groundwater recharge plan India improves in global peacefulness rankings Part of: GS Prelims In news: India’s rank has marginally improved in global peacefulness, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) India’s GPI rank was 137 out of 163 countries in 2017, when the year 2016 was assessed. India’s rank moved up to 136 for 2017. Pakistan’s rank too has improved marginally. Pakistan’s rank moved from 152 to 151. However, the best performer of South Asia, Bhutan, slipped from 13th to 19th position, while Bangladesh’ peace index deteriorated sharply. Bangladesh moved from 84th to 93rd position. About Global Peace Index (GPI) Global Peace Index (GPI) is released by Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The GPI gauges global peace using three broad themes: the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization. Do you know? Peace continues to record a “gradual, sustained fall” across the world, the report noted. Syria remained the least peaceful country in the world, a position that it had held for the past five years. Iceland continues to remain the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. Article link: India's rank marginally improves in peace index (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General Studies 2: India and its International relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. India-US Relations: No longer seeing eye to eye? India and the U.S. “shares similar vision” of an open and secure Indo-Pacific region. However, their equation is not quite balancing out recently. Concerns for US: According to US, Indian government views its relation with the U.S., Russia and China in equal measure. Last year, the NDA government had hinted at challenging the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to back a Quadrilateral grouping of India, the U.S., Japan and Australia to maintain an open Indo-Pacific. Today, the Doklam issue has been buried, the BRI isn’t as much a concern as before, and the government’s non-confrontational attitude to the Maldives and Nepal indicates a softened policy on China in the neighbourhood. India’s closer engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a relationship reset with China after the Wuhan meeting. The Quad formation has been given less attention. India rejected an Australian request to join maritime exercises along with the U.S. and Japan this June. Indian Navy Chief alsi hinted that there was no plan to “militarise” the Quad. India’s acceptance of military exercises with countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Russia-China led grouping. Delay in signing of outstanding India-U.S. foundational agreements. India intends to continue energy deals with Iran and Venezuela in defiance of American sanctions. Concerns for India: There has been a surge in disputes between the two countries: Trade protectionism is clearly the other big point of divergence between India and the U.S. Several issues/disputes in World Trade Organisation (WTO) Disputes on the new American steel and aluminium tariffs the proposed cuts in H1B professional visas and cancellation of H4 spouse visas, disputes on India’s tariffs and resistance to U.S. exports of dairy and pork products, disputes on Indian price reductions on medical devices, and Reserve Bank of India rules on data localisation on Indian servers for U.S. companies. The row over Harley-Davidson motorcycles, where US calling for India to scrap its 75-100% tariffs, given that the U.S. imposes zero tariffs on the import of Indian Royal Enfield motorcycles. India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile system. The biggest challenges to a common India-U.S. vision are now emerging from the new U.S. law called Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act and the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal with the threat of more secondary sanctions. Both actions have a direct impact on India, given its high dependence on defence hardware from Russia and its considerable energy interests in Iran. Conclusion: From the above differences, it is equally clear that the India-U.S. equation isn’t balancing out quite the way it did last year. Connecting the dots: India-Us trade relation holds huge potential. However the key to tap this potential lies in focusing on reaping low hanging fruits rather than trying to address major concerns. Discuss. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the following statements about the reverse repo rate It is an interest rate at which the Banks deposit their cash with the RBI If reverse repo rate is increased the bank’s lending rates to customers will also increase Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Match the following statements with the related terms given below: It is rate at which scheduled banks can borrow funds overnight from RBI against government securities. It is amount that banks have to maintain a stipulated proportion of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in form of liquid assets. It is amount of funds that banks have to keep with RBI. It is rate at which banks lend funds to RBI. Terms: Reverse Repo Rate Repo Rate Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) Select the correct answer using the following codes: 1-E; 2-C; 3-B; 4-A 1-E; 2-C; 3-A; 4-B 1-C; 2-E; 3-D; 4-A 1-C; 2-E; 3-D; 4-B Q.3) Consider the following: Currently, urban co-operative banks are regulated by both the RBI and the respective State governments. Currently, urban co-operative banks are regulated only by the RBI. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with regard to Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY): It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is the Nodal Ministry for the overall policy, planning, funding and coordination of the programme. It aims at providing every person in both rural and urban India with adequate safe water for drinking and cooking. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 only 1, 2 and 3 None Q.5) The primary entry in the Constitution relating to water is in the – State List Union List Concurrent List None Q.6) Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY), a ₹6,000 cr. scheme is collaboration between – India and UN Environment India and World Bank India and Israel India and IMF Q.7) Global Peace Index (GPI) is released by – World Justice Project International Court of Justice The Office of UN Commissioner for Human Rights None of the above MUST READ Pre-emptive strike The Hindu What RBI’s rate hike indicates Indian Express Nagaraj: The law on SC/ST promotions Indian Express Merge ideas, not cadres Indian Express The plastic ban needs a management plan Livemint Is the great FII sell-off a cause for concern? Livemint Informal enterprises should be encouraged Livemint

Jun 6, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 6th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 6th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Long-Range S-400 Triumf Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence and Security Key Pointers: India has decided to purchase S-400 Triumf long-range air defence system from Russia. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated that India would go ahead with the deal. Value Additions: S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile system is one of the most advanced long-range defence systems in the world. It can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, stealth fighters, missiles and drones at ranges of up to 400-km. It is referred to as SA-21 Growler by NATO. India will be the second export customer, after China to purchase this most advance defence system. Do you know? Article link: Army will abide by govt. peace plan, says Nirmala Sitharaman Controversy over Article 35A Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian polity; Indian Constitution In news: Article 35A is often in news. The Article, which was unknown to the public domain till recent times, has raked up an intense debate in the country when a Kashmiri woman, Charu Wali Khan filed a petition to change the constitutional provision as she wanted succession rights in the state though she is settled outside the state. An NGO, ‘We the Citizens’ had also filed a writ petition to strike down Article 35A. The NDA Government wants to have a larger debate over the Article 35A challenging the constitutional validity of the clause. What is Article 35A? Article 35A of the Indian Constitution is an article that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and confer on them special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare. The provision mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be challenged for violating the Constitution or any other law of the land. It was added to the constitution through a presidential order of 1954 with the then J&K government's concurrence. Article 35A does not allow people from outside the state of Jammu & Kashmir to work, settle or own property in the state. (For time being, let us remember only this. Analysis part will be dealt in future once we come across any editorials or op-eds) Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/06/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/ec87954a_2152744_101_mr.jpg Article link: Centre not to file counter-affidavit on Article 35A World Environment Day: Outcomes Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper III – Environment and Ecology; Pollution In news: Yesterday we read about Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP); theme for the World Environment Day 2018 – "Beat Plastic Pollution". India is committed to reducing the use of plastic and would join the Clean Seas programme — a Sweden-led initiative to reduce littering of marine ecosystems. Delegation of the European Union (EU) and embassies of the member states adopted a ‘Green Pledge’, under which the 28 EU member-states made a commitment to green their embassies. Miscellaneous points: Animal Discoveries, 2017 – publication released by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) lists 300 newly discovered species of fauna. Plant Discoveries, 2017 – publication released by Botanical Survey of India (BSI) lists 239 newly found flora species. Among the States, Kerala recorded the highest number of discoveries — 66 species, sub-species and varieties of plants and 52 species of animals. Article link: Environment Day bouquet: 539 species discovered in India in 2017 ... Classical Music: Jugalbandi Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – Indian Culture; Music Do you know? Jugalbandi is a performance in Indian classical music, especially in Hindustani classical music, that features a duet of two solo musicians. The word jugalbandi means, literally, "entwined twins." The duet can be either vocal or instrumental. What defines jugalbandi is that the two soloists be on an equal footing. Nitrogen: largest PM2.5 Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper III – Environment and Ecology; Pollution What is PM2.5? PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Fine particles can come from various sources. They include power plants, motor vehicles, airplanes, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, volcanic eruptions and dust storms. Key Pointers: Nitrogen particles make up the largest fraction of PM2.5 While the burning of crop residue is said to be a key contributor to winter smog in many parts of North India, it contributes over 240 million kg of nitrogen oxides. Though agriculture remains the largest contributor to nitrogen emissions, the non-agricultural emissions of nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide are growing rapidly, with sewage and fossil-fuel burning — for power, transport and industry — leading the trend. As fertilizer, nitrogen is one of the main inputs for agriculture. Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of N2O emissions from India in 2010, followed by waste water (12%) and residential and commercial activities (6%). Since 2002, N2O has replaced methane as the second largest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) from Indian agriculture. Chemical fertilizers (over 82% of it is urea) account for over 77% of all agricultural N2O emissions in India, while manure, compost and so on make up the rest. Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/06/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_11/b3c0ed88_2152794_101_mr.jpg Do you know? Cattle account for 80% of the ammonia production, though their annual growth rate is 1%, due to a stable population. India is globally the biggest source of ammonia emission, nearly double that of NOx emissions. But at the current rate of growth, NOx emissions will exceed ammonia emissions and touch 8.8 tonnes by 2055, studies highlight. Nutrient recovery/recycling from waste water for agriculture could cut down N2O emissions from sewage and waste water by up to 40%. Article link: Nitrogen emissions going up: study - NATIONAL - The Hindu (MAINS FOCUS) SOCIAL ISSUES TOPIC:General Studies 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to Poverty and hunger Preventing the next health crisis: Over-nutrition and Obesity Introduction: Government had announced that it would release an annual “state of nutrition” report, detailing India’s level of stunting, malnutrition and feature best practices for States to scale up nutrition interventions. Concerns: 26 million children in India suffer from wasting (a low weight-for-height ratio) - more than in any other country. Country has the second highest number of obese children in the world — 15.3 million in China and 14.4 million in India. Between 1980 and 2015, obesity doubled for children and tripled for adults; an additional 2.6 million children will be obese in India by 2025, a trend that will not reverse without action. Research shows that Indians have higher levels of body fat and lower levels of lean muscle when compared to many other populations. The rise in obesity is deeply concerning because just as growing up underweight gives that person a lifetime of health problems so does a childhood of being overweight. Over-nutrition: Becoming an emergency What is ironic is that over-nutrition is emerging as an emergency in India. As per the recent findings of the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 15.5% of urban women was found to be less than 18.5 kg/m2, whereas 31.3% of urban women were in the category of overweight or obese (BMI of or more than 25.0 kg/m2). Around 15% of urban men were underweight, while 26.3% belonged to the category of overweight and obese. Reason– Dramatic changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns in recent decades have contributed to an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The potent combination of Indian children eating more junk food while becoming increasingly sedentary puts them at an even greater risk. Research has shown that early warning signs for fatty liver disease can be found in children as young as eight. Fallout– If this double burden of undernutrition and growing percentage of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases is not controlled, it can have serious implications for the economy. Way forward: While tackling under-nutrition through assurance of adequate nutrition (usually interpreted as dietary calories), policy makers should also ensure appropriate nutrition (the right balance of nutrients). India must step up its efforts to fight overweight and obesity just as it has been doing with wasting and stunting. To ensure food and nutrition security, there is a growing need for a multi-sectoral approach. The policies and programmes of various ministries should be converged for better results. Apart from transforming India’s agricultural practices, we also need to spread awareness about nutritious food among key target groups, including tribals, women and children. Policy responses should include agricultural systems that promote crop diversity (to enable dietary diversity) as well as regulatory and fiscal measures (to decrease the availability, affordability and promotion of unhealthy foods, while making healthy foods more accessible). India should ban the sale of junk food in and around schools. Legislators should also put into practice the results of a recent Lancet study on India. It showed that higher taxes on junk food can actually lead those on lower incomes to live healthier lives. We need to focus on the role of micronutrients. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as zinc, folic acid, magnesium, selenium and vitamin D needs to be given adequate attention. The Sustainable Development Goal-2, which aims to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, is a priority area for India. India should link obesity and undernutrition and treat them as twinned challenges to be jointly addressed under the universal health coverage umbrella. By tackling obesity through prevention and early care, financially debilitating NCDs can be avoided. Connecting the dots: The double burden of undernutrition and growing percentage of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases can have serious implications for the economy. Discuss. A multi-sectoral approach is required to ensure food and nutrition security. Analyze. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the following pairs and choose the correctly matched pair/s from below options: Missile deal : : Associated country SPIKE anti-tank guided missile : : India-US S-400 Triumf long-range surface-to-air missile systems : : India-Russia SPYDER Surface-to-Air Missile System : : India-Israel Choose appropriate code from options below: 1 only 2 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only Q.2) Consider the following statements: Article 35A of the Indian Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of its state. Article 35A does not allow people from outside the state of Jammu and Kashmir to work, settle or own property in the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Clean Seas Campaign is - a global UN Environment initiative a Green Pledge taken by 28 EU member-states Both a and b None of the above Q.4) Which among the following is the largest contributor to nitrogen emissions from India? Waste water Fertilizers used in Agriculture Residential and commercial activities Automobile Q.5) Which among the following is the largest contributor to ammonia production in India? Fertilizers used in Agriculture Residential and commercial activities Automobile Cattle MUST READ Life in plastic The Hindu A tale of two countries The Hindu Who is a citizen — in Assam, India? Indian Express The West Asia Stalemate Indian Express The Shangri-La moment Indian Express

Jun 6, 2018 Yojana

YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine: MAY 2018

Archives Friends, Here we are with the MAY 2018, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Yojana/Kurukshetra: MAY 2018 – Download Download Mind Maps - Click here

Jun 6, 2018 Important Articles

2018 UPSC Prelims : Answer Key and Explanation - Toughest Prelims in History of UPSC!

Dear Friends, In the Annals of UPSC history , June 3 , 2018 would go down as one of the weirdest days. For one, most of you were left at the mercy of dice for more than 20 questions. These are tough days for UPSC aspirants. It is understandable but at the same time we don’t completely buy the arguments that UPSC has been erratic or unreasonable in its approach. After all it is an independent Constitutional body and is free to use any means to eliminate maximum aspirants in the very first stage of CSE. We can have passionate discussions over it and even cry for that matter but that won’t help! But then we at IASBaba are upbeat that YES in spite of being the toughest paper in UPSC history , the year in which who’s who of coaching were targeted we were still able to make a tangible and substantial difference in your preparation ! We are only happy that we helped students prepare better. And this for the fourth successful year , We have done it!! Some of the examples Q) Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India? Indian Banks’ Association National Securities Depository Limited National Payments Corporation of India Reserve Bank of India Solution (c) National Financial Switch (NFS) is the largest network of shared automated teller machines (ATMs) in India. It was designed, developed and deployed by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) in 2004, with the goal of inter-connecting the ATMs in the country and facilitating convenience banking. It is run by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). IASbaba Reference: ILP 2018 (Set 3 Block 2) Q.33) Solution AIPTS 2018 (Test 29 – Q.82)   Q.) In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’ The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards. The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA. The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG. Solution (a) Reference: IASbaba Value Add Notes- ILP 2018: Science Series - Energy and Defence Series and Set 2 Block 3-Solution Q.74 Q.) Consider the following pairs: Towns sometimes mentioned in news       Country Aleppo – Syria Kirkuk –     Yemen Mosul –     Palestine Mazar-i-sharif –     Afghanistan Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? 1 and 2 1 and 4 2 and 3 3 and 4 Solution (b) Reference: IASbaba 60 Days Full Mock 1- You could have easily eliminated if solved Q.69 sincerely knowing Kirkuk’s and Mosul’s location. https://iasbaba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IASbaba-Prelims-2018-Open-MOCK-1-60-Day-Plan.pdf UPSC has its own way of asking questions. A sincere aspirant consistent with all the initiative must have got through many of the questions with ease. Many direct references are there and our followers will easily relate with them In the PDF, we have tried to give detailed explanation and IASbaba’s references. UPSC is still manageable if you give your 100% while preparing and while attempting the paper. Download this for Detailed ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATION - DOWNLOAD HERE   2017 2016 2015   For the first time, UPSC has allowed the candidates to file grievances against the discrepancies/ ambiguities in the Prelims questions between 4th June to 10thJune 2018. You can go through the detailed Key Explanation given by IASbaba and if you still feel there is any anomaly in the questions, you can register your grievance. Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) - https://upsconline.nic.in/miscellaneous/QPRep/   Thank  You IASbaba  

Jun 6, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 5th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 5th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) ‘Green GDP’ and a ‘Green skilling’ programme Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper III – Environment and Ecology; Pollution; Environment and Development In News: Government to begin a five-year exercise to compute district-level data of the country’s environmental wealth The data will be used to calculate every State’s ‘green’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) The government has also launched a ‘green skilling’ programme under which youth, particularly school dropouts, would be trained in a range of ‘green jobs’. Important Value Additions: World Environment Day on June 5. India is the host country for this year's celebration. The theme for the World Environment Day 2018, "Beat Plastic Pollution". About Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) GSDP aims to get 80, 000 people imparted green skills and in filling the skill gaps in the environment sector. Green Skill Development Programme will go a long way in reaping the demographic dividend of the country; GSDP to cover nearly 5 lakh people by 2021. About Green GDP – Refer to this link (Calculating ‘Green GDP’: Developing a feasible transition path to a green economy) Article link: Centre to start measuring 'green GDP' of States Ban obscene depiction of women on Net Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Welfare and Social issue; Women issue In news: Ministry of Women and Child Development has proposed to ban obscene depiction of women on the Internet and through SMS/MMS by amending the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986. Ministry has also suggested for stricter punishments for such crimes on par with those recommended under the IT Act, 2008. Ministry has proposed amendment in definition of the term ‘advertisement’ to include digital form or electronic form or hoardings, or through SMS, MMS, etc. Keeping in mind the technological advancements, it has been decided to widen the scope of the law. Laws which punishes Indecent Representation of Women The IRW Act provides for punishment of up to two years in jail for an offence committed for the first time and imprisonment of six months to five years for a second conviction. Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act lay down a punishment of three to five years for circulating obscene material and five to seven years for circulating sexually explicit material respectively. Article link: Ban proposed on obscene depiction of women on Net - The Hindu (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT TOPIC:General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment To be an environmental world power About: Impact of ecosystem destruction on life and livelihood is very high in South Asia. Distress is paramount in the northern half of the subcontinent – especially from the Brahmaputra basin to the Indus-Ganga plain. However, countries of South Asia have failed to come up with a concrete and coordinated plan to tackle this ecological ruin. Need for cross-border environmentalism Do you know? Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries. Pollution can originate in one country but can cause damage in another country’s environment, by crossing borders through pathways like water or air. Pollution can be transported across hundreds and even thousands of kilometers. Wind and water too don’t respect national boundaries. One country’s pollution quickly can, and often does, become another country’s environmental and economic crisis. Examples: Bihar is helping destroy the Chure/Siwalik range of Nepal to feed the construction industry’s demand for boulders and conglomerate, even though this hurts Bihar itself through greater floods, desertification and aquifer depletion. Air pollution is strangling the denizens of Lahore, New Delhi, Kathmandu and Dhaka alike, but there is no collaboration. Wildlife corridors across States, provinces and countries are becoming constricted by the day, but we look the other way. Therefore, there is a need for South Asian people to join their hands across borders to save our common ground. As the largest nation-state of South Asian region and the biggest polluter whose population is the most vulnerable, India needs to be alert to the dangerous drift. Unfortunately, despite being a vast democracy where people power should be in the driving seat, the Indian state not only neglects its own realm, it does not take the lead on cross-border environmentalism. Big Concerns: There is a need for ecological sanity. India has to connect the dots between representative democracy and ecological sanity. India’s environment ministry is invariably the least empowered in the major countries of South Asia. Inaction of governments and weakened activism. On water, the subcontinent is running out of the resource due to the demands of industrialisation and urbanisation, and continuation of the colonial-era irrigation model based on flooding the fields. Everywhere, natural drainage is destroyed by highways and railway tracks elevated above the flood line, underground aquifers are exploited to exhaustion. Reduced flows and urban/industrial effluents have converted our great rivers into sewers. Climate change to fuel disturbances: Climate change is introducing massive disturbances to South Asia – most notable is rise of sea levels. The entire Indian Ocean coastline will be affected, but the hardest hit will be the densely populated deltas where the Indus, the Irrawaddy and the Ganga-Brahmaputra meet the sea. Yet, there is no proper mechanism and framework to deal and address the tens of millions of ‘climate refugees’, who will move inland in search for survival. Concept of ‘Atmospheric brown cloud’ and ‘Seet lahar’ Scientists are studying about ‘atmospheric brown cloud’ and its influence on excessive melting of snows in the central Himalaya. This cloud is made up of ‘black carbon’ containing soot and smog sent up by stubble burning, wood fires, smokestacks and fossil fuel exhaust, as well as dust kicked up by winter agriculture, vehicles and wind. It rises up over the plains and some of it settles on Himalayan snow and ice, which absorb heat and melt that much faster. Seet lahar – a violent type of mudflow or ground-hugging fog that engulfs the subcontinent’s northern plains for ever-extended periods in winter -  is one more concern. (observe fig below) Pic link: http://footage.framepool.com/shotimg/qf/647957811-lahar-yogyakarta-mount-merapi-ash.jpg The way forward: Environmental impact assessments have become a ritualistic farce in each country. The task of preserving the forests and landscapes has mostly been relegated to the indigenous communities. We usually see the Adivasi communities of the Deccan organising to save ancestral forests, and the indigenous Lepcha fighting against the odds to protect the upper reaches of the Teesta. The urban middle class is not visible in environmentalism, other than in ‘beautification projects’. Tomorrow’s activists must work to quantify the economic losses of environmental destruction and get local institutions to act on their ownership of natural resources. The activists must harness information technology so as to engage with the public and to override political frontiers, and they must creatively use the power of the market itself to counter non-sustainable interventions. There is need for an “environmental system” inbuilt into the infrastructure of state and society. Local government needs to be empowered and elected representatives in cities and districts must be challenged to emerge as the bulwark of environmentalism. When ‘organic environmentalism’ rises from the grassroots and makes state authority accountable, South Asia and its peoples will be protected. Connecting the dots: Discuss why India should take the lead for a clean planet? Also discuss what changes are required to keep our planet safe for the future? NATIONAL TOPIC:General Studies 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. About: The state governors of India, a product of a time long-past, have been under the scrutiny of the public eye for a long time now (especially after the high-drama which happened after recent Karnataka Elections). Yet, despite their notorious reputations, little seems to have been done. Some of the actions taken by the Governor were part of uncertain grey area of “discretion” — partisan enough to skew the process in favour of the BJP, but not illegal enough to warrant judicial intervention. In the aftermath, some have called upon the Governor to resign; others have suggested that the post of the Governor be reserved for non-political appointees and some questioned the need for office of Governor; and still others have urged the Supreme Court to lay down the law on how the Governor ought to act when an election yields a fractured verdict. (The below article is excerpt from the Hindu editorials which analyzes and answers some of these questions.) Office of Governor during colonial era and pre-independent India: It is important to understand the origins of the office in the colonial British regime. Through the course of the early 20th century, the Indian nationalist movement managed to extract gradual and incremental reforms towards responsible government from the British rulers. These reforms culminated in the Government of India Act, 1935 which established provincial legislative assemblies elected from a limited franchise. However, in order to ensure that overriding power remained with the British, the Act retained the post of Governor (a holdover from the old, “diarchy” system), and vested him with “special responsibilities” that, in essence, allowed for intervention at will. K.T. Shah (one of the most articulate members of the Constituent Assembly, or CA), wrote that the Governor would inevitably be biased in his functioning, and his actions would remain at odds with those of popularly elected Ministers. Despite the nationalist movement’s bitter experience with Governors over almost three decades, the CA chose to retain the post, and continue to vest it with discretionary power. During CA debates, it was pointed out that the Articles dealing with the powers of the Governor were almost verbatim reproductions of the Government of India 1935 Act. Defenders of the office raised two broad arguments: First, that there was a dearth of competent legislators in the States; and Second, that a certain amount of centralisation of power was necessary in a nascent state such as India. They felt that there is need for office of Governor who would stand as a bulwark against secessionism and to act as a check upon both federalism and popular democracy. Concerned members of the CA were assured that the Governor would remain only a constitutional post, and would have no power to interfere in the day-to-day administration of the State. But, even though the framers insisted that it was only a “constitutional post”, Karnataka has just been the most recent example demonstrating that the Governor has enough discretion to skew the political process in the direction that the Central government desires. Now the question arises whether the above arguments of CA serve any valid purpose in 2018 –and if not, whether it should continue to exist. Is there a need for clearly specifying the rules governing government-formation in the Constitution itself? Misuse of office and flaw in appointment process There are numerous examples of the Governor’s position being abused, usually at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre. The root lies in the process of appointment itself. The post has been reduced to becoming a retirement package for politicians for being politically faithful to the government of the day. Consequently, a candidate wedded to a political ideology could find it difficult to adjust to the requirements of a constitutionally mandated neutral seat. This could result in bias, as appears to have happened in Karnataka. The Governor has the task of inviting the leader of the largest party/alliance, post-election, to form the government; overseeing the dismissal of the government in case of a breakdown of the Constitution in the State; and, through his report, recommending the imposition of President’s rule. There are examples of the last two having been frequently misused to dismiss “belligerent” State government, but this has been checked substantially by the Supreme Court through S.R. Bommai v. Union of India. Since the Bommai verdict allows the Supreme Court to investigate claims of mala fide in the Governor’s report, a similar extension to cover mala fide in the invitation process could be a potential solution. Why the office of Governor is important? Governor: An important overseer Under the constitutional scheme, the Governor’s mandate is substantial. From being tasked with overseeing government formation, to reporting on the breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State, to maintaining the chain of command between the Centre and the State, he can also reserve his assent to Bills passed by the State Legislature and promulgate ordinances if the need arises. Further, under Article 355, the Governor, being the Central authority in a State, acts as an overseer in this regard. Governor: An important link In India, the balance in power is tilted towards the Union. Governor acts as a crucial link within this federal structure in maintaining effective communication between the Centre and a State. He is also “a mentor and a guide to the State governments”. As a figurehead who ensures the continuance of governance in the State, even in times of constitutional crises, his role is often that of a neutral arbiter in disputes settled informally within the various strata of government, and as the conscience keeper of the community. Therefore the institution of Governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and constitutional framework of our country. Misuse of a position of power should not serve as a justification for removing the office altogether, unless such a position has totally lost its relevance. Connecting the dots: Governor has a constitutional obligation to preserve, protect and defend the constitution. They must not only be fair but also be seen to be fair. Elucidate. What are the functions of the Governor with regard to protecting and promoting the interests of the state concerned? Do you think governors are acting as if they are the employees of the Central government? Examine. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) The theme of Earth Day 2018 is – “Beat Plastic Pollution” “Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future” “End Plastic Pollution” “Nature for Water” – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century Q.2) Seet lahar deals with - a type of cloud which is made up of ‘black carbon’ containing soot and smog a violent type of mudflow or ground-hugging fog that engulfs plain areas ban obscene depiction of women on the Internet and through SMS/MMS None of the above MUST READ Available, accessible, but not stable The Hindu  The rot in rehabilitation The Hindu  Mending The Frame Indian Express Abandoned at sea Indian Express Raja Mandala: Securing the littoral Indian Express

Jun 6, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 4th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 4th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Providing energy access to all: India on right track Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Energy security Key pointers: India’s efforts in providing energy access to those without it have come in for praise by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Since 2000 around half-a-billion people have gained access to electricity in India “with political effort over the last five years significantly accelerating progress”. The IEA in its World Energy Outlook 2017 reported that India’s growth was on course to achieving “access to electricity for all” by 2020, which is “a colossal achievement”. It noted that the pace had accelerated in recent years, with the country adding annually 40-million people to those with access to electricity, since 2011. Access to clean cooking fuels: Around 78-crore people in India depend on biomass for cooking, but the country is making progress. Almost 3.6-crore LPG connections have been made since the government launched the PAHAL scheme in May 2016 to provide free connections to families living below the poverty line. The World Energy Outlook 2017 report had similarly noted that “the share of the population relying primarily on biomass for cooking fell to 59 per cent in 2015 from 66 per cent in 2011. Globally, nearly 300-crore people are forced to cook using wood and other fuels that produce smoke, resulting in 28-lakh premature deaths each year – twice more than the number of deaths related to malaria and AIDS combined. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Corporate Social Responsibility: A different model Introduction: The Indian Companies Act (2013) mandates that Indian corporates, public and private, must allocate at least 2 per cent of their net profits for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The Act defines broadly the social framework within which companies should spend their CSR funds but beyond that, companies have the freedom to identify the projects and determine the modalities of implementation. A significant amount on eligible CSR activities has been spent over the last three years. Is the current individualistic model with every company doing its own thing, the optimal model for the utilisation of these statutorily sequestered funds? Issues with current model: Corporates have limited experience and expertise in addressing the complexities of social development. That is not their business and whilst they may be genuinely committed to social upliftment, this is not an activity they are trained to lead or manage. They do hire resources to bridge the lacuna but there are many entities with a deeper understanding of social issues and better placed to deploy CSR funds. The MCA data shows that the bulk of the CSR money (almost 75 per cent) is allocated to just three sectors — education, health (including sanitation and water) and rural poverty. These are the most pressing issues facing the country. But this focus raises questions. Is there duplication of effort? Are there inter se synergies to be garnered through cooperation? The MCA data also reveals a skew in the distribution of the CSR funds. Almost 40 per cent of the money goes to just a few relatively well-developed states — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Reason- India’s most profitable companies (Reliance, Infosys, Wipro, ITC, IOC, HDFC) invest preponderantly in these states and Section 135(5) of the Act encourages companies to “give preference to the local area and areas around it where it operates, for spending the amount earmarked for CSR activities.” The current model, thus, aggravates rather than alleviates existing regional and social disparities. Attitudinal shift: Increasing corporate involvement in social issues Increasing number of Indian companies, especially large-cap professionally managed companies have woven social responsibility into the fabric of their corporate values. Their leaders have distanced themselves from the Friedmanite dictum (Business had a singular responsibility to their shareholders and that “the business of business was business”). They, of course, hold themselves responsible for their “business” but not to create value just for the benefit of “business”. They acknowledge a responsibility towards stakeholders that falls outside the boundaries defined by the shareholder community. A different model: Corporates can pool their CSR funds into a common “CSR trust” and allow an autonomous body to manage and disburse the funds. This body should be a confederation of corporates, NGOs, domain experts and government. CSR trust's role can be to define the CSR agenda, identify the CSR projects, select the local partners, allocate the resources and oversee implementation. Such a collaborative model would be an improvement on the present individualistic approach. Benefits: It would enable the pooling of knowledge and experience, the sharing of best practice and the leveraging of scale economies. It would provide a forum for learning from the grassroots experience of NGOs and the local community. It would facilitate back-office synergies and reduce duplication of efforts (as mentioned, CSR money is concentrated on just three sectors). It would allow for a more equitable geographic distribution of funds. It would provide a platform for the delivery of holistic solutions developed by leveraging the financial and non-financial assets of corporates and by creating development “joint ventures” between companies with complementary assets and skills. Thus , for example, a JV between Reliance JIO, TCS, Unilever and Larsen and Toubro could bring to a CSR project on education not just the hardware of a school building , tables and chairs but also Internet connectivity by Jio , IT by Wipro, marketing skills by Unilever, vocational training by Larsen and internship by all. And thereby generate sustainable income generating opportunities. Conclusion: The government is responsible for social development. Corporates cannot replace them in this role. But governments need help. Corporates can make a meaningful contribution especially if there is a platform that allows them to offer the totality of their skills, technology and resources. The above model for CSR provides such a platform. Connecting the dots: A significant amount on eligible CSR activities has been spent over the last three years as part of CSR. The individualistic model (where each company spends and implements CSR projects individually) is not an apt model. Instead a collaborative approach should be adopted. Comment. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission: Issues Part II Introduction: A reliable system of intergovernmental fiscal transfers is the key to a viable and stable federal polity. After the abolition in 2014 of the Planning Commission, which played a critical role in the Indian transfer system, the UFC has emerged as the principal agency to handle this delicate task. Article 280(3) and its first three clauses clearly spell out the core duties of the UFC: tax devolution, grants-in-aid, and augmenting the resources of panchayats and municipalities. Concern: Over the years, the open-ended subclause, 280(3)(d), that provides for “any other matter... in the interests of sound finance”, has been exemplified in the Terms of References of recent UFCs. The Terms of Reference of the 15th FC have attracted considerable public debate. Some States even held ‘conclaves’, and six of them submitted a memorandum to the President to alter clauses which allegedly violate constitutional propriety, long-standing precedents, and the “fiscal rights” of States. Reference article: Terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission: Issues Issues: The fiscal consolidation roadmaps that entail expenditure compression which ultimately reduce vital public spending on health, education, food security entitlements, drinking water, and so on disturb the finer fabric of India’s cooperative federalism — especially in the context of India’s lowest share of direct taxes in total taxes in the world, disreputable tax-GDP ratio, imprudent transgression into States’ autonomy, alarming growth of economic inequality etc. Transfers to local governments: The Terms of Reference of the 15th FC introduces “performance-based incentives” which inter-alia want, “Provision of grants in aid to local bodies for basic services, including quality human resources, and implementation of performance grant system in improving delivery of services.” This subclause is not constitutionally neat because grants to local governments constitute a separate core mandate. Including transfers to local governments among the “performance-based incentives”, the efforts to link local grants to the divisible pool via Article 275 are apparently ignored. The need for an integrated federal public finance that takes local governments into account in macro policymaking and in formulating strategies to ensure regional equity and for evaluating the revenue potential and fiscal capacity does not seem to have occurred to the decision-makers of the country. This omission is tantamount to tearing the web of a ‘holding together’ federation which seeks “inclusiveness” as a national goal. The Terms of Reference debate and the memorandum of the State Finance Ministers are silent on this vital issue. In mandating the 2011 population, no alternate compensatory device has been envisaged. From a larger cooperative federalism perspective, the issue of population should refer to demographic dividend, inter-State migration, ageing population, and the like. For example, Kerala reaped its demographic dividend long back in 2001 and now accommodates nearly three million migrants from places like Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar. This takes a heavy toll on the State and local government resources. Conclusion: Indian public finance needs to be restructured to focus on local governance. In preparing the Terms of Reference for a quasi-judicial body like the UFC, it is important not to use it as a platform to impose the Union government’s agenda on the States. Connecting the dots: The drawing up of a Terms of Reference of a constitutional body (Finance Commission) is a serious exercise to be handled with sagacity and skill, based on proper consultations in the true spirit of cooperative federalism. Comment. MUST READ About a small Mauritian island The Hindu An Irish vote, an Indian face Business Line Preventing a re-occurrence of Thoothukudi Business Line

Jun 4, 2018 PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 28th May to 2nd June, 2018

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 28th May to 2nd June, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 POCSO Act – Male child victims of sexual abuse (Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections) POCSO Act is gender neutral and safeguards the interest of not only the girl child but also the male child Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, has urged the States/UTs To issue necessary directions to the concerned departments to take necessary steps for including male child victims of sexual abuse in the Victim Compensation Scheme/Fund Compensation including interim compensation may be given to the victim on time Must Read: Link 1 + Link 2 + Link 3 SevaBhojYojna Scheme (Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population) For: Reimbursing the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on purchase of raw items such as ghee, edible oil, atta/maida/rava/flour , rice pulses, sugar, burra/jiggery etc which go into preparation of food/Prasad/langar/bhandara offered free of cost by religious institutions Objective: To lessen the financial burden of such Charitable Religious Institutions who provide Food/Prasad/Langar (Community Kitchen)/Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees. Charitable Religious Institutions who shall be eligible Such as Temples, Gurudwara, Mosque, Church, Dharmik Ashram, Dargah, Matth, Monasteries etc. Have been in existence for at least five years before applying for financial assistance/grant Which serves free food to at least 5000 people in a month Institutions covered under Section 10 (23BBA)  of the Income Tax Act or Institutions registered as Society under Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) or as a Public Trust under any law for the time being in force of statuary religious bodies constituted under any Act or institutions registered under Section 12AA of Income Tax Act   India signs Loan Agreement with the World Bank for USD 21.7 Million (Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) For: Strengthening the Public Financial Management in Rajasthan Project Objective: To contribute to improved Budget execution, enhanced accountability and greater efficiency in Revenue Administration in Rajasthan The project involves Strengthening of the Public Financial Management Framework Strengthening of Expenditure and Revenue Systems Project Management and Capacity Building Government of India and World Bank signs $500 Million Additional Financing (Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) For: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Rural Roads Project (WB has supported PMGSY since its inception in 2004) Implemented by: Ministry of Rural Development – will build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies The PMGSY and the Bank’s involvement under this additional financing will emphasize on managing the rural road network through green and climate-resilient construction using green, low-carbon designs and new technologies – far beyond merely funding civil works. This will be done through the following measures: Climate vulnerability assessment during the design process to identify the critical locations affected by floods, water-logging, submergence, cloud bursts, storms, landslides, poor drainage, excessive erosion, high rainfall, and high temperatures. Special treatment for flood-affected areas through adequate waterways and submersible roads to allow easy passage of water, use of concrete block pavements, and improved drainage; Use of environmentally optimized road designs and new technologies which uses local and marginal materials and industrial by-products such as sand, local soils, fly ash, brick kiln wastes, and other similar materials in place of crushed rocks; Innovative bridges and culverts through use of pre-fabricated/pre-cast units for roads and bridges having better ability to withstand earthquakes and water forces such as continuous beams, bearing free construction, and river training works; Use of hill cutting material in hill roads ensuring its productive use and resolving its disposal problem, use of bio-engineering measures, improved drainage and other treatments for landslide prone areas and providing adequate slope protection. The Additional Financing will also fill the gender gap by creating employment opportunities for women in construction and maintenance. The earlier project had piloted community-based maintenance contracts through women self-help groups (SHGs) for routine maintenance of 200 km of PMGSY roads in Uttarakhand, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. India Signs Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore (Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) This is the first MRA being signed by India with any of our FTA partners. In a major gain for India, Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA.   This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad.   It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries. Please Note: Exercise SURYA KIRAN: Between India and Nepal – The aim of exercise is joint training of troops in counter insurgency/ counter terrorism operations in both jungle & mountainous terrain and disaster management Island nation of Tuvalu: Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia Note: Locate it on the World Map Leading country in coconut production and productivity: India 2019 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: Varanasi, India Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban): Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the construction of another 1.5 lakh affordable houses for the benefit of urban poor India’s First Advanced Forensic Lab dedicated to women related cases: Chandigarh - will contribute to address the gap in forensic DNA analysis of pending sexual assault cases in the country Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken a decision to vaccinate all healthcare workers who are at an increased risk of acquiring Hepatitis-B infection such as those involved in conducting deliveries, giving injections and exposed to blood or blood products. Hepatitis-B Infection – Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It is transmitted when blood, semen or another body fluid from a person infected with the Hepatitis B virus, enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles/syringes, needle injuries; or other invasive equipment; or from mother to baby at birth. There is no specific treatment for acute Hepatitis B disease. Clinical management is based on supportive therapy and relief of symptoms. It is estimated that about 780,000 people die each year due to consequences of Hepatitis B, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification and Analysis in Power procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of generators): To bring transparency in power purchase transactions between Generators and Discoms Allow users to know the details related to the payments made by the Discoms to the power generation company and when they were made Enable the consumers to evaluate financial performance of their Discoms in terms of payments being made to the generation companies. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana: To “fund the unfunded” by bringing such enterprises to the formal financial system and extending affordable credit to them. Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, MUDRA has already created the following products / schemes. Shishu: covering loans upto 50,000/- Kishor: covering loans above 50,000/- and upto 5 lakh Tarun: covering loans above 5 lakh and upto 10 lakh The new cloud-enabled National Data Centre aims to offer round-the-clock operations with secure hosting for various e-governance applications of Central and State Governments and has ability to support 35,000 virtual servers. Agriculturist has been defined to mean an individual or an HUF who undertakes cultivation of land- By own labour By the labour of family By servants or wages payable in cash or kind or by hired labour under personal supervision or the personal supervision of any member of the family Refer: Link 1 Quotes The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Both science and religion are the tools in the hands of the people in their quest for prosperity and internal peace. Scientific advancements illuminate our understanding of the universe, whereas the religion provides answers to the unexplored universe. The issues of ‘mind and soul’ and the relentless internal unrest and lack of internal peace constitute this vast unexplored universe. It is the religion which provides some answers to these raging issues. The process of questioning and seeking solutions lies at the heart of research. Human progress is not possible without the quest for deeper understanding of the world around. Research and innovation make us grow and they transform the world we inhabit. The Indian word for education is "Vidya". This means, literally, "knowing what it is". Please note that the emphasis is on "knowing" not on being "taught" what it is. The learners must become active explorers, researchers who try to find out the truth.