IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Gig Economy Archives NOTE – Instructions to download Mind Maps/Images Right Click on the image and ‘Open in a new tab’ Remove/Delete the resolution part from the URl. Eg. “-1024×869” and Press Enter/Load Again Afterwards the URL will look something like this – “iasbaba.com/…./…/..-IASbaba.jpg” Right Click and Save As/Download (You’ll get the maximum resolution)
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 21st February 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Mahanadi Tribunal Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Inter-State Water Disputes Key pointers: Pic credits: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article22811042.ece/alternates/FREE_660/TH20-JACOB-KOSHGI53FG1HG1jpgjpg The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a tribunal to settle a row between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on sharing the waters of the Mahanadi river. This is in keeping with a Supreme Court order last month directing the Centre to set up a tribunal in response to a plea by the Odisha government to stop the Chhattisgarh government from constructing several weirs on the river. The tribunal is expected to determine water sharing among basin States on the basis of the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin, the contribution of each State, the present utilisation of water resource in each State and the potential for future development, official sources said. The order on constituting a new tribunal comes even as the government plans to introduce a new bill that would have a single tribunal to replace all existing water tribunals. Issue with such tribunals: According to the provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, the tribunal is required to submit its report and decision within a period of three years, which can be extended for a period not exceeding two years. Only three out of eight tribunals have given awards accepted by the States. Tribunals for Cauvery and Ravi Beas have been in existence for several decades. Delays are on account of there being no time limit for adjudication by a tribunal, no upper age limit for the Chairman or the Members, work stalling due to occurrence of vacancy and no time limit for publishing the report of the tribunal. Article link: Click here India-Canada: Agreement to open market access to startups Part of: Mains GS Paper II, III- International relations, Indian economy Key pointers: Amid Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s India visit, India and Canada have signed a bilateral agreement to provide market access for startups from both countries. The programme has been sanctioned by both the governments and will be launched in India in partnership with Zone Startups India (ZSI), a private accelerator. Under the bilateral agreement signed recently, both the governmentswill guide and support potential startups to grow over the next two years. Zone Startups India will identify 40 startups that can be eligible for the programme. The programme will focus especially on women entrepreneurs. To boost the support for selected startups pertaining to legal and operational aspects, both Canadian and Indian government will invest an undisclosed amount in Zone Startups India. The selected startups will be mentored and connected with several corporates and investors while gaining access to the Canadian market along with the rest of the North American startup market, which is worth $19 Tn. Ottawa’s Carleton University and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced an international acceleration program to support 100 women led student tech startups. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests India-Iran relations: Recent visit by President of Iran Background: President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani to India, was on a three day visit to India this month. The visit is within a month of the six-day visit to India of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran's implacable foe in the region. A four-nation tour was undertaken by the PM to West Asia where he visited Palestine (the first by an Indian PM), Oman, UAE and Jordan. India is one of the few countries to have warm and mutually beneficial relations on all sides of the divide in West Asia including the Shia/Sunni split and the Iran/Israel rift. Rouhani's visit will give a decisive shot in the arm to India's growing engagement with West Asia. The visit: Rouhani’s visit provided a welcome opportunity to the two sides to give a vigorous push to bilateral ties in the areas of connectivity, energy, infrastructure, trade, investment, security, defence, culture and people-to-people contacts. Rouhani's presence in India was evidence of the keen interest that both countries have in promoting bilateral ties and taking them to the next higher level. Domestic challenges: Rouhani is under considerable pressure both on the domestic front, in political as well economic areas, and in the realm of Iran's international ties. Huge street protests and demonstrations in several cities of Iran against lack of employment, corruption and high prices. He won a second term in 2017 on the point that the nuclear deal or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed with P5+1 in 2015 would result in increased investment from foreign countries, improve production and productivity, bring in new technology, create more jobs and be beneficial to the common people. This unfortunately has failed to materialise principally because of the aggressive and belligerent posture adopted by President Trump against the nuclear Agreement. Connectivity: As expected, connectivity through Chabahar port emerged as one of the most significant aspects of bilateral Talks. India's recent accession to the Ashgabat Agreement in which Turkmenistan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Oman are members, and to the TIR Convention will help enhance its engagement with the region. The trilateral agreement- The Trilateral Agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan on the use of Chabahar, which was signed in May 2016, has been put into operation in a little more than a year. Chabahar provides a strategic option to India to connect with Afghanistan and Central Asia and beyond by sidestepping Pakistan. Indian projects- India has invested USD 85 million in upgrading the first phase of the port from 2.5 million tons to 8.5 million tons. India has also committed to construct the railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan, which is close to Zaranj on the Afghanistan-Iran border. To maintain its credibility, India will need to ensure that there is no slackness in implementation of the project. Challenges: Gwadar port in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan is barely a 100 kms away from Chabahar and is being developed by China. Chabahar will face stiff competition from Gwadar. India and Iran will have to make certain that to-and-fro business handled by Chabahar is significant. Chabahar enjoys several advantages over Gwadar- It is located in a peaceful region as opposed to Gwadar which is situated in a violent and terrorism prone province. The possibilities for establishing manufacturing and downstream petrochemical industries in Chabahar are much greater as ready, easy, cheap natural gas is available in plentiful in Iran. Chabahar is a natural harbour and can serve as the sourcing point for the International North-South Transport Corridor. For Afghanistan, the Chabahar port could prove to be, as Modi said, ''a Golden Gateway.'' Energy: India will set up ''plants in sectors such as fertilizers, petrochemicals and metallurgy in Chabahar Free Trade Zone (FTZ) on terms mutually beneficial to the concerned parties.'' This will be a win-win investment as it will promote India's energy security while providing financial resources and employment opportunities to Iran. Discussions on the exploitation of Farzad B gas field, which was discovered by an Indian consortium comprising OVL, OIL and IOCL in 2007, have been going on for the last many years. It was mentioned in the Joint Statement. Trade and Investment: Facilitating issuance of visas to promote tourism and people-to-people contacts. It will be mutually beneficial if more businessmen and common people travel to each other's countries as they will provide a huge boost to Iran's economy and also promote understanding and cooperation between the two countries. The Agreement on Avoidance of Double taxation was signed to promote bilateral trade and investment. India has also decided to permit Indian investments in Iran in Indian rupees. Currently, this facility is available only for Bhutan and Nepal. This decision, which has been taken in view of the absence of international banking facilities in Iran and also given the uncertainty due to continuing pressure by the United States on Iran. The opening of a CII Office in Iran last year can also be expected to give strong boost to two way business and economic ties. Bilateral cooperation in security, defence and fight against terrorism emerged as significant areas of discussion during Rouhani’s visit. A Bilateral Extradition Treaty was signed and it was also decided to have enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain. The two countries “agreed to hold dialogue to look into measures for cooperation in defence sphere, including port calls by naval ships, training and regular exchanges of defence delegations.'' Challenges: Ensuring security and stability in Afghanistan, which is vital to peace in the region, poses a challenge to both India and Iran. Both countries desire peace in Afghanistan but their approaches are markedly different. India's position- India maintains that there cannot be a distinction between ''good Taliban'' and ''bad Taliban.'' It contends that the Taliban and Haqqani network are the root cause of the problem and that these groups cannot be a part of the solution. India views the presence of US troops as beneficial since they maintain pressure on Pakistan to give up support for terrorist elements acting against Afghanistan. Iran's position- Iran’s wants US troops to leave Afghanistan. In addition, it has expressed readiness to collaborate with Pakistan and China to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. Other challenges in bilateral relations relate to India's growing ties with USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE, all of which are intractable rivals of Iran. Conclusion Both India and Iran seem to have come to the conclusion that there are a large number of areas in which their interests coincide and converge. They also recognize that they have divergent views on some issues. Notwithstanding the fact that the two countries do not see eye to eye on some issues, India and Iran have decided to focus their energies on areas of concurrence and rapidly embark on a mutually beneficial and fruitful partnership. Connecting the dots: India is one of the few countries to have warm and mutually beneficial relations on all sides of the divide in West Asia including the Shia/Sunni split and the Iran/Israel rift. Analyze. Rouhani’s visit provided a welcome opportunity to the two sides to give a vigorous push to bilateral ties in the areas of connectivity, energy, infrastructure, trade, investment, security, defence, culture and people-to-people contacts. Discuss. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 1: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Language: Much more than a means of communication Background: Nineteen years ago, in November 1999, the General Conference of the Unesco proclaimed February 21 as the International Mother Language Day to coincide with the Language Day Movement in Bangladesh. The genesis of this commemoration lies in widespread protests by the Bengali-speaking majority in the region, then known as East Pakistan, against the Government of Pakistan’s language policy. Importance of language: A language is far more than a means of communication; it is the very condition of our humanity. Our values, our beliefs and our identity are embedded within it. Language is clearly an emotive issue because it is embedded in our social life. It enables us to communicate our emotions and ideas. It fosters group identity and fraternity. Usually, we express our thoughts much better in our mother language. It has been found that children learn better, especially at the primary stage, if they are taught in their mother tongue. Language is intertwined with identity and is, therefore, a contested issue. Preservation of languages has inevitably been linked to the preservation of a culture as well as artistic and intellectual heritage. As the UN has noted, “Language is fundamental to communication of all kinds, and it is communication that makes change and development possible in human society. Using — or not using — certain languages today can open a door, or close it, for large segments of society in many parts of the world.” Language is the lifeline of a culture and, in a way, defines the larger social milieu. It plays an important role not only in communication but also in forging bonds among people who speak the same tongue. It provides a collective identity to people and forms an essential component of their cultural values. Need to preserve languages: We need to preserve the multicultural nature of our world and the best way to do that is to preserve all its languages and also enrich them. Gandhiji once remarked: “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.” India has always believed in diversity and plurality. It has respected all languages. However, since language and culture are intertwined, there is an absolute need to strengthen the indigenous languages, including those spoken by the many tribal groups in our country. However, what is most important is to promote the use of the mother tongue. A child can grasp knowledge better in his or her mother tongue compared to any other language. A child will also be able to communicate and articulate her thoughts effectively in her native language. Large-scale promotion of mother tongue is the best way to increase literacy in India beyond the current level of 74 per cent. With strong language competency in the mother tongue, a student will be able to learn other languages faster and can become a true polyglot in a multicultural, globalised world. International comparison: English has become the link language in the country and is used in government offices and elsewhere. Unfortunately, many people, especially the urban-educated Indians, feel it infrerior to speak or read and write in their mother tongues. This undesirable trend has to be reversed. World over, people not only take pride in speaking in their mother tongues, but also try to propagate them. Various heads of state, for example, from Russia, France, Switzerland, China, Germany and Iran, use their national languages. This is simply because they take pride in their languages. They use language to assert their national identity. What needs to be done? We need to have- An educational system that incorporates mother languages. A publishing industry that encourages Indian language publication. An internet regime that allows communication and transmission of knowledge in different Indian languages. Conclusion: A multilingual and multicultural world will be possible only by strengthening individual mother languages. Individuality and plurality can and must go hand in hand. That has been the essential Indian vision. It is the same vision that can enable us to be true Indians as well as global citizens at the same time. Connecting the dots: A language is far more than a means of communication; it is the very condition of our humanity. Our values, our beliefs and our identity is embedded within it. Discuss the need of preserving languages. Also suggest how it can be done in India. 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UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 147] Archives Q.1) Afrin region is located in Afghanistan Syria Iran Iraq Q.2) Arabica & Robusta are varieties of Tea Coffee Jute Wheat Q.3) Consider the following statements about Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve It is located at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border The area consists mostly of Nilgiri Hills Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Cassowary is found in which of the following places? Papua New Guinea Indonesia Australia Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) Great Indian Hornbill is found in Bhutan Thailand Mongolia Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 20th February 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Implementation of the National Nutrition Mission in Rajasthan Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Government interventions in important sectors Key pointers: Rajasthan is gearing up for implementation of the National Nutrition Mission with a State Vision Document-2022 being formulated. The idea is to ensure convergence of work by all stakeholders for improving nutrition levels of women and children and reducing undernutrition and low birth weight by 2% each year. The NNM, approved by the Union Cabinet, will be implemented in 24 of the 33 districts in Rajasthan. The NNM's guidelines would enable the functionaries to formulate plans of action. UNICEF-Rajasthan chief Isabelle Bardem said the UN body would extend help and render assistance at all levels to make NNM a success. About NNM: More than 10 crore people in the country are expected to benefit from the NNM. It has set the target to reduce stunting from 38.4% as per the National Family Health Survey-4 to 25% by 2022. It will cover 235 districts in 2018-19 and the remaining districts in the next two years. Article link: Click here The World Congress on Information Technology being held in Hyderabad Part of: Mains GS Paper II, III- Infrastructure, Science & Technology Key pointers: The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2018) or the ‘Olympics of IT’, is being held for the first time in India at Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on re-skilling of existing workforce in the backdrop of emergence of new technologies. As the nature of jobs are changing in the emerging age of intelligent automation. Disruptive technologies such as Blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things) would have “deep impact in the way we live and work. They will require rapid adaptation in our workplaces.” FutureSkills platform, a Nasscom initiative to upskill 2 million technology professionals in India was also launched by the PM. PM on digital technology in India: The country not only has a growing number of innovative entrepreneurs, but is also a growing market for tech innovation. With over 1 lakh villages linked with optical fibre, 121 crore mobile phones, 120 crore Aadhaar and 50 crore internet users, India is best placed to leverage the power of technology and leap-frog into the future. Technology is becoming enabler of the deeply imbibed Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, if used well for public good technology can deliver lasting prosperity to mankind and sustainable future for the planet. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT 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: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Fixing the Compensatory Afforestation Model Introduction: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (CAF Act), 2016 has raised serious concerns about the human and environmental costs of compensatory afforestation (CA). Numerous evidences have established that CA plantations destroy natural forests, harm biodiversity, undermine the rights and nutrition of local communities, and disguise rampant misuse of public funds. By allocating more than Rs50,000 crore, the Act enables the forest bureaucracy to entrench its control over forests. It subverts democratic forest governance established by the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and Panchayats (Extension to Schedule Areas) Act (Pesa), 1996. Such human and environmental costs are set to aggravate further unless the model of CA is fixed. About CFA Act, 2016: The legislation provides an institutional mechanism to ensure utilization of amounts realised in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest purpose. The amount should be used such that we can mitigate impact of diversion of such forest land. About FRA, 2006: The law concerns the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades. A Survey: A macro-analysis of 2,548 plantations, and case studies of 63 CA plantation sites in Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, by forest rights group Community Forest Rights—Learning and Advocacy (CFR-LA) reveals that 60% of these are monocultural commercial plantations, sometimes set up in the name of “forests”. These plantations have been carried out over forest lands both claimed and titled under the FRA, and even over dense natural forests. The consent of the communities was not sought, violating their legal rights and leading to livelihood distress. Issues: The compensatory afforestation (CA) funds have become a tool to further strengthen the forest departments, undermine the authority of gram sabhas and defeat forest rights claims. The draft rules recently released by the the Union environment, forest and climate change ministry does not address concerns regarding FRA and the role of gram sabhas. Across the states CA plantations have been set up on community forests, common lands, homesteads, cultivable land, pastures and religious sites which belong to communities, without their free, prior and informed consent. At least half the lands claimed as “government forest” are forests belonging to communities under the FRA. The ministry of tribal affairs (MoTA) has not intervened with the MoEFCC to defend the FRA and has allowed it to issue guidelines for creating land banks for CA out of revenue forest-lands and degraded forests on which people have recorded rights. Sections 3(1)(i) and Section 5 of the FRA vests the right and authority for governance of forests in the gram sabha. The potential of FRA is hindered by a lack of political will. Formal recognition is issued to a mere 3% of claims, and gram sabhas are marginalized from decision making. The Act lacks a mechanism to monitor expenditure of funds, despite the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) report, 2013 finding massive misutilization by the forest department (FD). Communities are the best managers for the governance and conservation of forests: Forest Survey of India reports show that forest cover in tribal districts, constituting 60% of the country’s total forest cover, contradicted the national trend and increased by 3,211 sq. km over 2001-03. In Odisha alone, more than 12,000 self-initiated forest protection groups cover more than 2 million hectares of forest. These community-led initiatives have successfully regenerated forests by adopting sustainable- use practices, regeneration through traditional knowledge of forests and species, guarding and penalizing poachers, among others. Way forward: One option can be the repeal of, or amendments to, the CAF Act, adopting a framework of democratic forest governance as per the FRA as the principal approach for the governance of CA. The CAF Act needs to be integrated with the FRA and Pesa by centering the role of gram sabhas and incorporating land and forest rights guarantees. Conclusion: The political class must show the will and take bold steps to review the CAF law, implement the FRA in letter and spirit, and promote community-led conservation initiatives. Connecting the dots: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (CAF Act), 2016 conflicts the Forest Rights Act. Analyze. Communities are the best managers for the governance and conservation of forests. In this light it is required that the CAF Act, 2016 is brought in sync with the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Discuss. ENVIRONMENT 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: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Bringing in behavioral change to tackle climate change Introduction: Some changes in our lives creep upon us and before we know it they become part of our daily habits. This is true of changes in society as well as in nature. For instance, consider the case of changes in Bengaluru city. Earlier, Bangalore used to be known for its gardens and greenery. People use to drink water off the taps and had no fans in their houses. Today, Bengaluru has become a developed city. People boast of the world’s first burning lake, of increasing incidences of diseases related to the low quality of air, and a falling public health profile. These problems are part of every town and city in India. Environmental Performance Index 2018 India is among the bottom five countries according to EPI, 2018 (biennial report by Yale and Columbia Universities along with the World Economic Forum). The report ranks India 177 out of 180 countries. India ranks 178 out of 180 as far as air quality is concerned. Its overall low ranking is linked to poor performance in the environment health policy and deaths due to air pollution categories. It is not just about pollution of nature but also of our behaviour As our numbers continue to grow, we continue to increase our need for far more water, far more food, far more land, far more transport and far more energy. As a result, we are accelerating the rate at which we're changing our climate. In fact, our activities are not only completely interconnected with but now also interact with, the complex system we live on: Earth. It is important to understand how all this is connected. Our relationship with nature has now become purely economic. We do not associate ourselves as a part of nature because we use it for profit. Forests are cut down for the profits of the lumber industry and to make room for livestock. Animals that we are undoubtedly related to, that have senses and the ability to socialize are slaughtered by the billions to feed an increasingly carnivorous population. Resources such as oil and food are all unevenly distributed throughout the world and therefore used as a platform for profit. All the while the environment bears the grunt of our greed. This is how hegemonic power changes the natural and social worlds and we all tend to accept these changes without much protest. This change is so powerfully naturalised that those who question its nature and pace are often portrayed negatively. This includes being termed as ‘anti-national’ or ‘anti-technology’. Humans have arrived at a situation where the very idea of development is only understood as a means to appease the incited desires of individuals. We live in a world where nations are increasingly being viewed as a machine. We live in a society where it is so difficult to change certain social habits. And with the above ‘secular’ notion of development - every town and city are affected in ways that have been detrimental to the people living there. Conclusion: The naturalisation of negative changes to our environment by us doesn't bode well for the future of our planet. Habits of consuming as required, not wasting, being efficient while using resources etc may go a long way in helping us check the menace of climate change. Overall a behavioral change is required to win the battle of climate change. Connecting the dots: Climate change is the result of our unsustainable of living. This was not so a few decades back. The issue is that the changes in our way of living over decades have been naturalised by us. Thus, to tackle change what is required is behavioral change. Analyze. MUST READ A Nepal-India win-win The Hindu Old friends The Hindu Ease of doing scams Indian Express A positive index of improving health Business Line
Economic Survey: Key Takeaways Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. What economy survey says- The economic survey collates the latest information on every sector and represents the same in a comprehensive form. There are some projections related to the GDP while there are various suggestions made on various aspects of economy. The main purpose is to define the risk so that no exaggeration is brought frequently regarding the current issues. The analysis helps to define the risks more carefully. The speculation, uncertainty and rumour mongering has to be calmed down. The Economy Survey, 2017 signals that there are pressures such as rising oil prices, indirect tax collections, non-tax revenue, non-debt capital receipts etc. While the survey suggestion is not binding, it may a give a clue that fiscal deficit target for FY 19 will not be 3% but higher. Key takeaways Given the uncertainty due to demonetization and GST have produced, one of the purposes of the survey was to analyse and make things clear to public and analysts. It says that the worst is over and India is on a recovery path. The next year, GDP is expected to be 7-7.5%. Unless the GST gets stabilized, the indirect tax collection cannot go up. Though preliminary analysis of the GST data reveals 50% increase in the number of indirect taxpayers. Banking reforms are needed to address the twin balance sheet problem. Disinvestment of Air India completely. Emphasis on institutional structure of GST council. It talks about exports and investment led growth. In the Indian context, the household savings and the public savings have good opportunity to increase the investment led growth. There is an apparent shift from investments in housing, land and gold to financial markets. This inflow from domestic sector has been phenomenal. More representation of women needed in decision making process in the country as their political participation has been low despite them accounting for 49% of the population. Extreme weather adversely impacts agriculture yields. The agricultural credit will be touching 11 lakh crores this year but the number of beneficiaries is stagnant at 4-5 crore farmers. So how to expand this base is critical. Indian parents continue to have children until they get desired number of sons. States’ prosperity is positively correlated with their international and inter-state trade. Education, Agriculture and Employment and jobs- These are three focus areas by the government in the medium term. A look at significant data Limitations The oil prices will not give cushion to the Indian economy any more with low or moderate oil prices. Hence there is a need for policy vigilance. There may not be same 1 lakh crore revenue like last year from disinvestment in year 2018-19. There is not much room to tinker with indirect taxes and direct tax collection by states, local governments significantly lower than those in other federal countries Fall in agricultural growth had direct impact on GDP. Indian banks have to resolve their twin balance sheet problem with 4 ‘R’s - Recognition, Resolution, Recapitalisation and Reforms. Conclusion The policy agenda for next year will be to support agriculture, privatise Air India and finish bank recapitalization. The government need not take any radical step now and instead focus on finishing the reforms undertaken by reaching its goal. Investment climate is slowly changing. Till now India was banning too much on public spending so now it is expected that the private investment will pick up. Where the money is spent is important and what kind of output was received out of the spending will determine the areas of importance and need to invest more in those areas. Though the GDP estimates is at 6.75% in current year, the expected growth between 7-7.5% will be a major boost for Indian economy. Connecting the dots: The economic survey highlights current fiscal’s health and gives way for future course of action. Do you agree? Explain with reference to 2017 survey.
UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 146] Archives Q.1) Recently ‘SWIFT’ was in news. Consider the following statements It provides a network that enables financial institutions worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions in a secure, standardized and reliable environment It is headquartered in Geneva Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about GLASS It is a platform for global data sharing on antimicrobial resistance worldwide It has been launched by WHO as part of the implementation of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Which of the following states borders Myanmar? Manipur Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Nagaland Select the correct statements 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 All of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements about Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) It was established by the Treaty of Lagos Western Sahara and Mauritania are not members of the grouping Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following? The Preamble The Fundamental Rights The Directive Principles of State Policy The Fundamental Duties To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba
IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Economic Convergence Archives NOTE – Instructions to download Mind Maps/Images Right Click on the image and ‘Open in a new tab’ Remove/Delete the resolution part from the URl. Eg. “-1024×869” and Press Enter/Load Again Afterwards the URL will look something like this – “iasbaba.com/…./…/..-IASbaba.jpg” Right Click and Save As/Download (You’ll get the maximum resolution)
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 19th February 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) State of women in India: Caste and rural-urban divide Part of: Mains GS Paper I- Social Issues Key pointers: According to a report released by the United Nations, the caste of a women in India can increase her exposure to mortality due to various factors like inadequate healthcare and poor sanitation. Caste disparity- It has been reported that women belonging to Dalit caste dies 14.6 years younger than women from other castes at an average. Rural-Urban disparity- The report also brings out how it is more likely for a woman from rural household to get married under the age of 18, and become an adolescent mother as compared to women from urban households. It also points to how it is less likely for a rural household woman to go to school as compared to those from urban areas. About the report: The report released is called Turning promises into action: gender equality in the 2030 Agenda. The UN report covers 89 countries and has been released two years after the adoption of UN’s 2030 Agenda. The report examines through a gender lens the progress and challenges in the implementation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It emphasises on how the progress of a woman is essential for an overall development to be achieved. It focuses on the importance of providing benefits and services to one and all and is complemented with a pledge to leave no one behind on the journey to sustainable development. The report states that strategies should be built by creating a sense of solidarity through redistribution, risk sharing, and universal services, to ensure no one is left behind on the path of development. Article link: Click here Geo-tagging of MGNREGS assets in Kerala Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure Key pointers: Kerala is soon to get assets generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme geo-tagged and perhaps become the first State to achieve this distinction. Geo-tagging is being done under the GeoMGNREGA, a software solution, to photo geotag all completed assets under the MGNREGS using space technology and to integrate the details of wage and materials into public domain to ensure transparency and accountability, according to the MGNREGS website. The objective of GeoMGNREGA is to create Geographical Information System solution to explore the data of assets created under the MGNREGA. It essentially enables to view such assets across India on a map. Article link: Click here Hyperloop between Mumbai and Pune Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure Key pointers: The Virgin Group, a British multinational corporation, has signed an ‘intent agreement’ with the Maharashtra government on to build a hyperloop transportation system between Mumbai and Pune. The hyperloop route will be a fully electric system that can travel at up to 1,000 kmph. Benefits of the hyperloop: The hyperloop is expected to reduce travel time between the cities to 20 minutes, from the present three hours. With easier access to airport gates, the loop will be able to ferry 15 crore passengers every year. The proposed hyperlink system will transform the transportation system and make Maharashtra a global pioneer in the space. The socio-economic benefits of the project is $55 billion, and will create thousands of jobs. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighborhood and 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 and It's Neighbors Introduction: India’s salience in global matters has grown over time. The presence of 10 leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at India’s Republic Day celebrations. The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Palestine. India now need to contemplate and reflect deeply on what is happening in our immediate neighbourhood. In the vicinity: Far more than East, South-east Asia, or West Asia, it is India’s immediate neighbourhood that directly impacts it geopolitically, geo-strategically and geoeconomically. Whatever be the ambit of India’s reach elsewhere, India’s principal focus should be on its neighbourhood. In West Asia: India still possesses enough leeway to engage in skilful manoeuvre around contentious issues in West Asia. India successfully handled an Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to India just prior to Mr. Modi’s visit to Palestine, and yet avoid a negative fallout. Mr. Modi, during his Palestine visit concluded as many as six agreements and express the hope that Palestine would soon emerge as a sovereign independent country in a peaceful manner without having to specifically refer to a “united” and “viable” Palestine. With the UAE, trade and economic ties along with counter-terror aspects have improve over time. With Oman, an established friend, the option of closer naval co-operation and of reaching an agreement to give the Indian Navy access to Duqm port should be explored. In South Asia: Nepal and Bangladesh: India needs to contemplate ways to deal with a new government in Nepal (comprising the Left Alliance of the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre). India also needs to now contemplate the prospect of prolonged unrest and possibly violence, both communal and terror-related, in neighbouring Bangladesh, prior to scheduled elections in 2019. Dealing with both Nepal and Bangladesh will need closer monitoring. In Maldives: An imminent challenge for India is to sort out the imbroglio in the Maldives which is threatening to spill out of control. India cannot afford not to be directly engaged in finding a proper solution. Relations between India and the Maldives have undergone significant changes since the days of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. After the Maldivian Democratic Party, headed by former President Mohamed Nasheed, came to power, for the first time anti-Indian forces within the Maldives gained some support. Under the current President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, anti-Indian tendencies have steadily increased and there has been a pronounced tilt in favour of China. The free trade agreement that the Maldives signed recently with China has been providing China with an excellent opportunity to enhance its influence and retain de facto possession of the Southern Atolls in the Maldivian archipelago. With the U.S. taking a step back, China has begun to display a great deal of interest in the area. The Maldives today occupies a crucial position along the main shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. India cannot, hence, afford to remain idle and must come up with an answer soon enough that is consistent with its strategic interests. Reference article: Maldives in the midst of deep political crisis Across the border: Pakistan and Afghanistan, similarly demand our focussed attention. India should act with a sense of responsibility expected of a regional superpower. Pakistan: India is facing a daily haemorrhaging of human lives due to cross border firing and terrorist violence from Pakistan. In spite of its internal political crisis, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatening Pakistan with dire consequences if it failed to amend its ways, Pakistan shows no sign of altering its anti-India trajectory. Afghanistan: Issues- The daily massacre of innocents, men, women and children, civilian officials and military personnel, experts from several countries and diplomats, marks the start of the complete collapse of a system of governance. Despite periodic optimistic forecasts of the Taliban being in retreat, terrorists under check, and that the Afghan government is still in charge, Afghanistan’s position today is the worst ever since the 1970s. This January, the capital city of Kabul witnessed one of the worst ever incidents of violence anywhere, in which over 100 civilians were killed following a series of terror strikes. The prolonged period of chaos demonstrates that the Afghan state has virtually disintegrated. As a regional power, India has significant stakes in Afghanistan. New Delhi has spent over $2 billion in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. India’s true stake lies in sustaining the future of the Afghan state. Absence of peace in Afghanistan will only revive memories of the worst days of the Afghan jihad in the 1980s and 1990s. If Afghanistan were to cease to exist, its civilisational links with India would also evaporate. For a variety of reasons, therefore, India cannot allow Afghanistan to collapse or cease to exist as a state in the modern sense. This is something that demands India’s critical attention, and specially for a display of its leadership skills. Conclusion: The outcome of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the turmoil in the East and South China Seas, or other big-ticket issues across the world are important, but it is South Asia and the neighbourhood that demands our concentrated attention. Only after India actively involves in ensuring that the region is at peace and functions in conformity with its world view, the claims to its leadership will sound justifiable. Connecting the dots: For India to gain leadership position in global affairs, it is required that our foreign policy is reframed so as to priorities our neighborhood. Analyze. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 3: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections Operation Greens Background: The finance minister announced Operation Greens, on the lines of Operation Flood, with a seed capital of Rs 500 crore in his speech on February 1. Three days later, the Prime Minister said farmers are his TOP priority — T is for tomatoes, O for onions, and P for potatoes. Operation flood: Operation Flood changed the face of milk production in India, making the country the largest producer of milk in the world — in 2016-2017. Key lessons- Operation Flood was driven largely by smallholders. The AMUL model ensured that 75-80 per cent of the price paid by milk consumers goes to the farmers. Operation Greens wants to replicate that success story in fruit and vegetables, starting with tomatoes, onions and potatoes. Objectives of Operations Greens: The main objective of this project is to reduce price volatility in these commodities, thereby helping farmers augment incomes on a sustainable basis. It also aims to provide these vegetables to consumers at affordable prices. Overall the scheme aims to check the booms and busts in prices. India is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world with about 180 MMT. But China produces four times more vegetables than India. Checking prices collapse with rise in production: Issue: The problem with vegetables is that their prices collapse when their production rises sharply. Reason behind: The country lacks modern storage facilities and the links between processing and organised retailing are very weak. As a result, farmers often end up receiving less than a fourth of what consumers pay in major cities. Way out: Operation Greens needs to ensure that farmers receive at least 60 per cent of what consumers pay. In the case of milk, the producers get more than 75 per cent of what consumers pay. The basic principles of Operation Flood would be useful to operationalise Operation Greens as well. What needs to be done? Linking major consumption centres to major production centres with a minimal number of intermediaries. One needs to map mega consuming centres and link their retail networks with the producing centres of each commodity. Farmers can be organised in farmer producer organisations (FPOs). The Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act will have to be changed to allow direct buying from FPOs, and giving incentives to these organisations, private companies and NGOs to build back end infrastructure as was done in the case of milk. The announcement of tax concessions to FPOs for five years is a welcome step in that direction, if it encourages building such critical infrastructure. Investment in logistics, starting with modern warehouses, that can minimise wastage should be done. An example is of cold storage for onions, where wastage is reduced to less than 10 per cent, compared to the 25-30 per cent wastage in traditional storage facilities on farmers’ fields. Linking the processing industry with organised retailing. On an average, about one-fourth of the produce must be processed. India is way behind on this curve compared to most Southeast Asian countries. Dehydrated onions, tomato puree and potato chips should become cheap, so that an average household can use them. Processing industry adds value and absorbs surpluses. In this light, the government’s announcement of increasing the allocation for the food processing industry by 100 per cent is a welcome step. Conclusion: By developing forward and backward linkages under Operation Greens, the government can ease large price fluctuations, raise farmers’ share in the price paid by the consumer and at the same time, ensure lower prices for the consumers — a win-win situation for all. Connecting the dots: The government announce Operation Greens this year. Discuss its objectives. Also suggest measures to meet desired objectives. MUST READ Me too Indian Express Parting the waters Indian Express Building maritime capacity in SouthEast Asia Livemint Healthy competition Business Line
UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 145] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Tomara dynasty They ruled parts of present-day Delhi and Haryana They were displaced by the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Forest owlet is found in which of the following states? Maharashtra Kerala West Bengal Punjab Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Darshak’ app It allows real-time museum visitors gather all details about objects or artefacts simply by scanning a QR code placed near the object It is developed by Centre for Development for Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Atal Bhujal Yojana It is conceived to arrest the rampant overuse of groundwater in India It is supported by the Word Bank It is a sub-scheme under National Groundwater Management Improvement Scheme (NGMIS) Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) Consider the following statements about Malacidins They are a class of chemicals made by bacteria found in soil They target only gram-negative bacteria Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba
IASbaba Press Information Bureau 4th Feb to 17th Feb, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 Efforts of the Government towards Affordable Housing (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Government has granted infrastructure status to affordable housing which will enable these projects to avail the associated benefits such as lower borrowing rates, tax concessions and increased flow of foreign and private capital. Provision has been made to include rural areas falling within the notified Planning/Development areas, under ambit of PMAY (U). It would leverage availability of additional land at cheaper cost for construction of affordable houses. Responding to the demand and supply gap in affordable housing the Government of India launched Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana (PMAY)-Urban in 2015. The larger goal is to fulfill the housing need of homeless urban poor and enable them to own decent pucca houses with basic infrastructure facilities by 2022. Based on demand assessment at the state level, the nation has the mammoth task of constructing about 12 million houses under EWS/LIG segment of the society in order to achieve the goal of Housing for All Steps that are going to be effective in spurring the housing and construction activities, providing huge relief to real estate developers. Also, these would attract private and foreign investments in the housing sector, having a positive multiplier effect on GDP and labor market. Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act 2016 Higher tax breaks on home loans Goods and Services Tax (GST) Land related reforms Optimizing development control rules Rationalizing of the stamp duty and registration charges Digitalization Digital Gender Atlas (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Digital Gender Atlas has been developed to identify the low performing geographic pockets for girls, particularly from marginalised groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and Muslim minorities, on specific gender related education indicators. The Atlas is designed around the two broad areas of performance of girls' education and vulnerabilities visualized in the following five sections: Comparative Composite Index based Quartile Ranking grouped under categories of access, infrastructure, teachers and outcome indicators and based on 25 indicators pertaining to primary, upper primary and secondary level which can be visualized at State, district and block level. A Trend Analysis of the performance status of 25 individual indicators can be visualised at State, district and block levels over three years viz 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14. Spatial Distribution of Special Focus Districts. These are districts with a population of 25% and above of people belonging to Schedule Tribes (109 districts), Schedule Castes (61 districts), Muslims (88 districts with a muslim population of more than 20%), minority community (121 districts as identified by Ministry of Minority Affairs under PM’s 15 PPP), Left Wing Extremist affected districts (88 districts identified by Ministry of Home Affairs), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) districts (161 districts) and Educationally Backward Blocks (3479 blocks). Vulnerability status of an area based on a composite index of 3 broad indicators (i) rural female literacy (ii) percentage girls/boys married below the legal age of marriage and (iii) working children can be visualized. Separate visualisations are given for working children for the following sub-indicators: disaggregation by gender and age for the 5-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-19 years age groups as well as for marriage below the legal age. These maps are available up to the district level. Children with Disabilities: The performance status of six individual indicators can be visualized at state and district level across three years i.e. 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.This Digital Gender Atlas can be accessed at website www.rmsaindia.gov.in® Gender Atlas. All the states have been mapped in the Digital Gender Atlas. The states have been using it as a planning tool to come up with strategies for inputs for the state SSA and RMSA annual plans. Launch of Startupindia Ranking Framework (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Ranking Framework will measure the impact of each step initiated at the local level for building a strong Startup ecosystem. The Ranking Framework will also enable continuous learning through the dissemination of good practices. Aim: To act as catalysts to help the Startup India initiative to drive India’s economic growth and to encourage States and UTs to take proactive steps towards strengthening the Startup ecosystems at the local level. The tools are: State and Union Territory Startup Ranking Framework Compendium of Good Practices for Promoting Startups in India Startup India Kit New Consumer Protection Bill (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Establishment of an executive agency to be known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of the consumers and will be empowered to investigate, recall, refund and impose penalties Provision for product liability action in cases of personal injury, death, or property damage caused by or resulting from any product Provision for mediation as an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) making the process of dispute adjudication simpler and quicker and simplification of the process of adjudication by the Consumer Fora. GS-3 World Sustainable Development Summit 2018 (Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment) Theme: Partnerships for a Resilient Planet Aim: Seeks to create action frameworks to resolve some of the most urgent challenges facing developing economies in the backdrop of climate change - combating land degradation, effective waste management mechanisms to make cities free of landfills free, combat air pollution effectively, measures to increase resource and energy efficiency, facilitate transition to clean energy and create financial mechanisms to enable effective climate change mitigation About: WSDS is the flagship forum of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and seeks to bring together on a common platform, global leaders and thinkers in the fields of sustainable development, energy and environment sectors. Please Note: Police + Prisons + Public Order: State subjects The Health Index (Healthy States, Progressive India): First attempt to establish an annual systematic tool to measure and understand the heterogeneity and complexity of the nation’s performance in Health. It is a weighted composite Index, which for the larger States, is based on indicators in three domains: Health Outcomes (70%) Governance and Information (12%) Key Inputs and Processes (18%), with each domain assigned a weight based on its importance. 3. Making school education qualitative: Shagun portal: To create a repository of best practices in school education and to monitor the implementation of SSA Swachh Vidyalaya Campaign: For the provisions of separate toilets for girls and boys in every school Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat: To ensure that students of classes I & II are able to read with comprehension as well as basic numeracy skills; Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan: To motivate children of the age- group of 6-18 years in study of Science, Mathematics and technology; The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act has been amended to include reference on class-wise, subject-wise Learning Outcomes to ensure that all children acquire appropriate learning level; E-pathshala webportal: To disseminate e-resources including e-books developed by NCERT, SCERT/ SIEs, State boards etc Shaala Siddhi: A comprehensive instrument for school evaluation leading to school improvement Automated Monitoring System at the school level under Mid Day Meal Scheme has been introduced for real time monitoring of the scheme 4. ISRO sets up 473 Village Resource Centres for rural development through satellite technology: To demonstrate the potential of satellite technology for development of rural areas; VRCs have provided various space technology enabled services such as tele-healthcare, tele-education, natural resources information, advisories related to agriculture, career guidance to rural students, skill development and vocational training etc. 5. E-prisons project: Supplements the Prisoner Information Management system (PIMS), developed by National Informatics Centre, which provides a centralized approach for recording and managing prisoner information and generating different kinds of reports. The PIMS records Prisoner’s Basic Details, Family Details, Biometrics (fingerprint), Photograph, Medical Details, Prisoner Case History, Prisoner Movements, Punishment details etc. The availability of these details on an electronic platform will be useful to track the status of prisoners and smooth functioning of the prison system. 6. Multi-pronged approach for security arrangements at the Indo-Pakistan Border (IPB) and Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB): Deployment of Border Security Force (BSF) Construction of border fence Construction of border roads Installation of floodlights Construction of border out posts (BOPs) Introduction of Hi-Tech surveillance equipments Providing weapons and Specialised Vehicles to Security Forces 7. River Sal: At Navelim town in Goa 8. Intensified Mission Indradhanush: To increase the full immunization coverage to 90% 9. Public Health & Hospitals: State subject 10. India State of Forest Report 2017: India is ranked 10th in the world, with 24.4% of land area under forest and tree cover, even though it accounts for 2.4 % of the world surface area and sustains the needs of 17 % of human and 18 % livestock population Andhra Pradesh (2141 sq km), followed by Karnataka (1101 sq km) and Kerala (1043 sq km) have shown the maximum increase in forest cover Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover of 77,414 sq km in the country in terms of area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 66,964 sq km and Chhattisgarh (55,547 sq km). In terms of percentage of forest cover with respect to the total geographical area, Lakshadweep with (90.33 per cent) has the highest forest cover, followed by Mizoram (86.27 per cent) and Andaman & Nicobar Island (81.73 per cent) 11. Chandrayaan-2 is the country's second mission to the moon. 12. National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change: To support concrete adaptation activities which mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the National Implementing Entity (NIE) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under its scheme “Development of Solar Cities” has approved/sanctioned 60 Cities including 13 Pilot and 5 Model Cities up to 12th Five-year Plan period. 13. All-India Tiger Estimation 2018: The Tiger Estimation exercise is the world’s largest wildlife survey effort in terms of coverage, intensity of sampling and quantum of camera trapping. India conducts the All India Tiger Estimation every four years. The current assessment uses Android phone-based application and desktop version of M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) for collecting, archiving and analyzing data. The phone application automatically records the track log of surveys and line transects, as well as authenticates the recorded data on signs and animal sightings with geo-tagged photographs. With increased camera trap density and the use of android technology, estimates arrived at are likely to be more robust – both in terms of accuracy and precision. 14. Defence Sector: Reform Measures: Based on the recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee, the Government has decided to restructure posts of different corps of Army. This will free up approximately 57,000 positions of Officers/JCO’s/OR’s and civilians which will be redeployed to improve the “teeth to tail” ratio of the Indian Army in future. Policy initiatives in respect of Defence Production: ‘Make in India’ in defence sector is primarily driven by providing preference to procurement from Indian vendors under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), promoting indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, and other policy measures such as liberalization of the licensing regime & FDI policy by raising the cap on FDI in the defence sector, simplification of export procedure, streamlining of defence offset guidelines etc. 15. New Weapons Procurement Policy: The new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) - 2016 has been implemented by the Government. DPP-2016, inter alia, focuses on institutionalizing, streamlining, and simplifying procedure to give a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India, through Indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment, platforms & systems. The ‘Make’ procedure has been simplified to ensure increased participation of the Indian industry. In order to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipment, DPP-2016 has introduced a new category for capital procurement viz. ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured). While categorising a case, this category is accorded highest priority by the Buyer. 16. Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artistes: To improve financial and socio-economic status of the old aged artistes and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. in their active age or are still contributing in the field of arts, letters etc. but leading a miserable life or are in penury condition. The Scheme has also provision to provide medical aid facility to such Artistes and his/her spouse by covering them under a convenient and affordable Health Insurance Scheme of the Government. 17. Address by the hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion of inauguration of the Nobel Laureates Seminar Three things are needed for success. First, our scientists, from PhD students to senior technologists, must have a shared sense of purpose. They must address quality capacity building, participate in national missions, and take on frontier research. Fragmented, individual-driven approaches must move to building teams of the highest quality. Second, our research institutes and universities must cooperate with intelligence and harmony to form research hubs. These hubs can set new standards of excellence not only for India but also for the world. The tech hub in Bengaluru is a case in point. We need many more. And third, because the world is constantly changing and ideas flow from every side, our scientists must be connected to the latest advances in research and technology. Science is nothing if not a global enterprise. It is this last point which is our focus today. How do we build world class institutions and universities and how do these connect to our society – both within our national boundaries and beyond? A quote to quote: India, which is a largest democracy in the world, is moving ahead with the formula of Reform, Perform and Transform with an able and stable government.
