YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine: DECEMBER 2017
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All India Radio (AIR) : Initiatives for Tribal Welfare
Initiatives for Tribal Welfare ARCHIVES Search 15th November 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. General Studies 2 Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. A great freedom fighter belonging to the tribal community of Jharkhand, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 142nd birth anniversary was celebrated across several states. He fought against the might of the British Empire and has a place of pride in the Indian culture especially among the tribal communities. The tribal welfare scenario in India Ministry of Tribal Affairs was setup in 1999 to uplift tribal communities of India which is extremely marginalised simply because of their cultural practises and habitation in faraway areas thereby getting geopolitically excluded. Some of the initiatives taken for their development are: Ministry has tribal institutes which are spread across the country in almost 11 predominant states. These institutes are engaged in the work of providing planning inputs to state government, conducting research and evaluation of studies, collection of data on tribal communities, capacity building of the stake holders etc. Education- Tribal education is the most important aspect for the development. Ministry has taken very prompt steps towards establishing schools in tribal areas especially girls school and they have scheme of eklavya model schools. A lot of girls’ hostels are set up in tribal dominated blocks and Ashrams are being set up to ensure that tribal children can go to school and later on pursue higher education. TRIFED- It is engaged in marketing development of tribal products and provides marketing support to the products made by tribals through a network of retail outlets. Since 1987, it has taken various activities such collection of MFP (Minor Forest Produce) also called as Non Timber Forest Produce, by insuring proper price for their product so that tribal who are aware of its real value and thereby are protected from the exploitation of the middlemen. Minor Forest Produce is main source of livelihood of tribal in the country. Recently the government initiated the fixing of the MSP of the Minor Forest Produce and its range. The tribal community needs to know MSP of particular Minor forest produce, for instance Sindupata will have a different MSP, Indri will have a different MSP, Bamboo and other products. For their awareness and educational purpose, Ministry of tribal affairs and TRIFED has organised national workshop by inviting top officials like Chief sectaries, Secretary Tribal Welfare and forest, MDs of state tribal federations and forest corporations so that prestigious scheme of government of India to ensure proper price for MFPs. There are 24 commodities identified for which there is national level committee which fixes the price taking into account how many manhour tribal is investing, how much he will be collecting and what will be his at least wages. 75% of the funds for the procurement will be provided by the government of India to the State government’s tribal welfare department and this department will provide 25% of the funds to the implementing agencies for the procurement. TRIFED showrooms with the name of TribesIndia have been established where 8 categories of handicrafts are being marketed like tribal textile, tribal jewelleries, tribal metal, can and bamboo TRIFED is intervening for their improvement of the livelihood of the tribal. TRIFED is importing training and capacity buildings thereby they up gradation of the skill so that they can make this products which are acceptable in the market. Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana -aimed at the social economic empowerment of the tribal It aims at overall development of tribal people with an outcome-base approach by bringing tribal population of the country at par with other social groups and include them in overall progress of the nation. Delayed recognition Traditionally for a very long time, there was no recognition of the rights of forest dwellers. Traditional forest dwellers were recognised as the traditional owners of the land where they were residing for ages only through the Forest Rights Act of 2005. It was a very welcome step and lot of community rights, papers were given out to individual as well as community. Forest Rights Act recognised the traditional forest dwellers as the legitimate owners of the forest land but also for the very first time made conservation accountable as the old forest acts of India were designed to suit the British Empire. Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA in scheduled area was introduced where the Gram Panchayat has the authority and ownership to deal with forest, forest produces and various forest resources. Challenges Over 58 lakh people have applied and just about 14 lakh patas have been issued individually and just some more have been issued on the community level. Tribal community is facing nutrition and health issues. Sickle cell anaemia is one of the major diseases afflicting the tribal community in the country and a lot of effort is now been made to improve the health status of the tribal community. Independent researchers as well as researches by ICMR have shown that the schedule tribe community is generally at a lower level of health and nutrition. Most of the tribals live in single room houses and faced challenges in accessing potable drinking water, Sanitation and electricity access. Way forward Today, there are all kinds of livelihood challenges for this particular sector about the livelihood integration because STs like to otherwise dwell in their own areas but now their children want to come out of the traditional forest dwelling region and experiment with all sorts of jobs like may be horticulture or diversified crop production, dairy development etc. It is crucial to ensure need based integrated livelihood initiated for tribal because employment opportunities for tribal are shrinking on account of the shrinking forest cover. The government has taken up many schemes, many organisations and many teams are working for the development of the tribal which has made some achievements but yet many things need to be done especially in infrastructure facilities like road connectivity, electricity, water and education. Connecting the dots: A lot has been said on tribal welfare and development. Now is the time for robust implementation of existing policies. Do you agree? Explain with reasons.
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 8th January 2018
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 8th January 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOUCS) Social security code for informal labour Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Inclusive growth Key pointers: The central government is readying the blueprint for a social security scheme that is specifically aimed as a safety net for workers in the informal labour sector. The draft social security code, drafted by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, aims for universal coverage that includes those who are outside the ambit of the EPFO and the ESIC. The scheme envisages mandatory pension, insurance against disability and death, and maternity coverage, alongside optional medical and unemployment coverage. Background: According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) in 2011-12, about 83 per cent or 39.14 crore persons out of total 47.41 crore employed persons were employed in unorganised sector. The organised sector is already covered through social security legislations like the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, while the labour law coverage for unorganised sector is lacking in the country. Article link: Click here Kerala's plan for tackling AMR Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Issues related to health Key pointers: With antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerging as a major concern in the health as well as allied sectors such as veterinary, dairy, fisheries and poultry, Kerala is all set to launch its strategic action plan for tackling AMR. The State intends to set up an AMR surveillance network to have a clear understanding of the drug-resistant pathogens in the community, reducing the irrational consumption of antibiotics, and ensuring that rational antibiotic prescription policies are followed by medical fraternity. The government is coordinating with stakeholders in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry, dairy sectors also The draft AMR action focusses on five strategies- Pic credit: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/article22388176.ece/alternates/FREE_300/07tv%20AMRcol The concept of One Health: Kerala will be dealing with the AMR situation from the ‘One Health’ platform. One Health is a fairly recent global concept that the health of humans is linked to the health of animals and environment). Article link: Click here Food poisoning: A common outbreak in India Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Issues related to health Key pointers: A data by the Union Health Ministry’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has indicated that food poisoning is one of the commonest outbreaks reported in 2017. This is apart from acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD). Acute diarrhoeal disease and food poisoning have been common outbreaks since 2008. This is followed by chickenpox and measles. Food poisoning, also called food-borne illness, is caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites or their toxins are the most common causes. Pic credit: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article22392233.ece/alternates/FREE_660/TH08Food%20poisoningcol Article link: Click here (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. Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders 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 Inefficient land use by government Introduction- the problem of unused land: A large proportion of government land lies unused. The Ministries of Railways and Defence, respectively, have 43,000 hectares and 32,780 hectares of land lying vacant, without even any proposed use. According to reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the 13 major port trusts have 14,728 hectares of land lying idle. Land is a crucial and often constraining input for production, not only in agriculture but also in secondary and tertiary sectors. The problem of land scarcity has been aggravated by grossly wasteful land use by government agencies. While stock of land is fixed, its supply as an input in production is not — it crucially depends on land use patterns. Issues: Land hoarding by government agencies has created artificial scarcity and is one of the main drivers of skyrocketing urban real estate prices. Even after the recent correction in property prices, middle- and lower-income households find adequate housing unaffordable. High land prices also reduce competitiveness by increasing the cost of industrial and development projects. The allocation of unused land is rife with corruption. Scams involving the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, the Srinagar airfield project, and the Kandla Port Trust are a few of the many examples of alleged complicity between private developers and local officials to misuse government land. The CAG also reports that none of the government agencies maintains adequate ownership records. For instance, the 13 major ports have failed to produce title deeds for as much as 45% of their land holdings. This makes squatters difficult to evict, and so they gravitate to these areas. Large areas of unused or underutilised government land with an irresponsibly low FSI is an issue. The problem is most acute in government residences and office locales. Indian metros thus have the lowest FSI compared to those in other developing countries with similar population densities. The FSI in Shanghai is four times of that of Delhi and Mumbai. A report by the CAG on Special Economic Zones shows that as much as 31,886 hectares, or 53% of the total land acquired by the government for these zones, remains unused — land which would have been put to more productive use by its original owners. Way ahead: In a welcome initiative, the Centre has asked departments to identify surplus land. Unfortunately, agencies aren't cooperating. The need of the hour is a comprehensive inventory of land resources and usage patterns for all government branches. It should include information on the location of each property, its dimensions, the legal title, current and planned use, and any applicable land use restrictions. This will enable effective identification of suboptimal land use, as well as of the land that is surplus. Surplus land should be utilised to meet the ever-growing demands for services, such as water and waste disposal, as well for government-sponsored housing and transportation projects. Land intended for future use can be rented out till such time it is needed, through a transparent auctioning process. This will prevent plots of land lying waste for years. A public-government partnership can be the way out. We could take a cue from Britain. There, the government has pledged to provide details of ownership, location, and intended use for all properties. Citizens are invited to contest official land use and suggest alternatives. Conclusion: The problem of inefficient land use by government departments and public sector units is complicated and endemic. Given the importance of land for the country, we need to be creative in finding solutions. As a first step, the government should agree to disclose its land use and release of excess land, the use of which it cannot justify. Connecting the dots: Land has become a scarce resource in India. In this light discuss the problem of inefficient land use by government departments and public-sector units. Suggest how the issue can be resolved. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders General Studies 3: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Achieving SDGs in an effective manner Introduction: The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are inspiring many people around the world. It seems there is a consensus about the goals. The question is, how can the stakeholders work together more effectively to achieve them. Background: The Club of Rome warned in 1972 that humanity would face a “Tragedy of the Commons” if it persisted with its paradigm of economic growth. Its warnings were largely ignored. Since then, more reforms within the prevalent paradigm enabled long periods of economic growth around the world. Meanwhile, systemic problems of environmental degradation, climate change, and economic inequities got worse. The SDGs are a realization that humanity cannot postpone much longer the development of new strategies for the management of the commons. The 17 SDGs: These fall into four groups. Poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender equality relate directly to human development. Water, energy, climate action, life below water, and life on land belong to the environment group. The third group relates to the economy: decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, and industry innovation. The fourth group, of the last two SDGs, viz. “peace, justice and strong institutions”, and “partnerships for growth”, is the means by which results will be produced in the other groups of goals. Systemic issues: Problems such as persistent poverty and inequality, poor health, and environmental degradation that the SDGs aim to solve are systemic issues. They have multiple interacting causes. They cannot be solved by any one actor. Working with the commons: Philanthropists are “giving back” to society in programmes aligned with the SDGs—as are business corporations through CSR (corporate social responsibility). Philanthropists and corporates ties up with NGOs. Large, international NGOs, working on any issue around the world—such as the care of children, the concerns of the elderly, or the protection of the environment—know that they must work in partnership with local communities. “Government by the people”, which is the essence of good, democratic governance, requires government executives to work with local communities to improve the commons. Issue- Top down programmes: The issue is that Governments construct centralized, top-down programmes. And corporate CSR, as well as international NGO programmes, are managed centrally to achieve scale and to improve efficiency by deploying best practices. There are three problems with this approach. One size does not fit all. Many different capabilities that must be brought together to address systemic issues are unable to collaborate with each other easily on the ground when all of them, whether in government, an international NGO, or a global philanthropy, are “reporting up” to their respective bosses at their centres. The people who must be the ultimate beneficiaries of the solutions, and who can contribute significantly to their design and implementation, have inadequate voices in the design and management of expert-driven, top-down programmes. Way forward: Strong institutions founded on principles of partnership, cooperation, and universal justice, which the last two SDGs underline, are essential. A new model of enterprises is required: Faster progress towards the SDGs will require new models of enterprises in which the people must have a much greater say in governance. Issue: The tragedy of the commons is caused by the clash of two sets of rights along with two fundamental principles of good governance. The fundamental principle driving democracy is human rights. Every individual, rich or poor, has a right to fundamental human needs such as health and education, and also to equal political rights in the governance of their societies. The fundamental principle driving the growth of capitalist economies is the right to private property—which is consonant with a concept in economics that human beings are self-interested agents who will take care of only what they own. These two principles lead to very different principles for the governance of enterprises. Whereas in democratic governance every human being, even if she owns nothing, must have equal voice, in capitalist enterprises, those who own more (e.g. shares of a company) must have proportionally more weight in governance. Way out: An innovation in enterprise design to reconcile this dilemma is the concept of “social enterprises” promoted by Muhammad Yunus and others. The owners of social enterprise are the beneficiaries of its services and profits. Social enterprises stand in between the domains of for-profit corporations on one side (which extract and accumulate wealth from the commons) and charity, philanthropy, and CSR on the other side (which then “give back” to repair damage to the commons and “do good”). Conclusion: Strong institutions and partnerships for growth could be the keys to progress on the SDGs. Innovations in the design of cooperative institutions—of the people, by the people, for the people—are required to reconcile the democratic principle of equal human rights, with the capitalist principle of property rights. Connecting the dots: Strong institutions and partnerships for growth could be the keys to progress on the SDGs. Analyse. 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UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 117]
UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 117] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) It is under the auspices of United Nations It was developed from the Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases set up in 1985 by the International Council of Scientific Unions Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Atal Pension Yojana (APY) It is a pension scheme for unorganised sector workers The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Which of the following statements about Polar vortices is/are correct? They are weakest during summer and strongest during winter They rotate counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Q.4) Consider the following statements about Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) It regulates the price volatility of important agri-horticultural commodities It is under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Famers Welfare (DAC&FW) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements about Tobacco Control Act (COTPA, 2003) National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) looks into the enforcement of the COTPA, 2003 The Act prohibits all direct and indirect advertisements, promotion and sponsorship The Act prohibits smoking of tobacco in public places, except in special smoking zones in hotels, restaurants and airports and open spaces Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba
Creative Guidance – Life is Learning – Inspirational & Educative Articles
Life is Learning: Learning is not a particular phase of life; it is rather, the whole of it. Life becomes simple and magical the moment we embrace learning. Throughout history Learning has always remained relevant, but in the constant changing world we live in now, continuous learning is indispensable. Learning is not limited to a particular topic or subject; it is not limited to time or age; it is not limited to occupation or livelihood. Learning is a pure passion to know; it is an unquenchable thirst to enquire, question and understand continuously. Learning is the fuel for an inquisitive soul. Unfortunately most of your childhood learning experiences have made learning into a purely mechanical and academic process; very few of you learn for the sake of learning; very few of you enjoy the process of learning; most of you, in the name of learning, you are constantly fighting the learning process. Teaching is an art. There are very few teachers who are good at it. If you have been fortunate to have found those good teachers then they would have a natural tendency to learn, otherwise learning is almost always a burden. The easiest way to assess this is by observing your learning process. If you find it difficult to accept change; if you have to force yourself to learn something new, then you have been introduced to the wrong concept of learning. There are some for whom learning is a sheer joy. They can spend hours at a stretch learning without getting tired. Their only disappointment is not finding enough time to learn. They have such zeal and enthusiasm for learning that it cannot be matched by anything else they do, so they keep coming back to learning again and again, irrespective of all the obstacles. If you have not been given this gift of learning, it is never too late to acquire it. Instead of blindly pushing through your learning process, slow down and enjoy it. There is absolutely no such thing as boring subject if you know how to learn. Spending some time understanding your learning process and falling in love with it is the best thing you can do. Acquiring a natural knack for learning takes time but it is worth striving for. Instead of constantly trying to push yourself towards learning, develop enough passion for learning and it will pull you towards it. Learning can be the most enjoyable of experiences if you can develop the right attitude towards it. The best of minds accept the learning process so completely that they become one with it. They acquire an effortless knack for learning and they just keep on learning. Everything great that happens in their lives is just a natural consequence of this love for learning. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”
All India Radio (AIR) : ASEAN-India Summit
ASEAN-India Summit ARCHIVES Search 14th November 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. India and ASEAN India will hold ASEAN leaders as its Chief Guest on Republic Day celebrations 2018. ASEAN has very important role in India’s foreign policies. ASEAN was established in 1967 and hence now celebrating the 50th anniversary of its establishment. A permanent dialogue was started with India 25 years ago in 1992. India's engagement with the ASEAN and wider Indo-Pacific region has acquired further momentum following the enunciation of the ‘Act East Policy’. So ASEAN meet at Manila in 2017 had a special significance. India and ASEAN have been working together in cooperation on political issues, security issues, economic issues and cultural issues. India has very ancient trade links, cultural links and civilizational links with the countries of South East Asia. Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia have so much of Indian influence- Hindu temples, Buddhist temples and now tourist and investment also There is more than 70 billion dollar trade treaty between India and ASEAN member countries and comprises 10.85% of India’s total trade with the world. There is a very major investment- 17% of India’s Foreign Direct Investment comes from the ASEAN countries which has been almost 17 billion dollars in the last 17 years and Indian investment in ASEAN countries have been 40 billion US dollars. ASEAN countries are also important from any security point of view, defence point of America and Russia. Geopolitics in South East Asia The South East Asian region is changing with the rise of China through its economic progress and military progress as it should not be at the expense of other countries. Philippines President stated that bigger danger to ASEAN in the region was from terrorism, fundamentalism and danger of radicalisation. India has extended its support to ASEAN nations in these matters. The highlight of the dialogue was that no single country should be allowed to dominate the whole of Asian region. India’s foreign policy is multi-directional as it has established good relationships with USA, Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and all the ASEAN member countries. India also strives to have good relation with China but response of China on some issues of core concern to India is not very positive, thus creating challenges for India’s foreign policy. India wants China to understand the concerns of other countries and does not act in a manner which can raise the fear, apprehensions of its neighbours. However recently, the realisation for the same came from the Chinese side in the sense that China and ASEAN Nations are about to start dialogue on code of conduct on the South China Sea. China has taken these concerns on board where they shall try to resolve their issues, particularly of the South China Sea where lot of artificial islands are being built by China. It had been a long standing desire of the ASEAN member countries to have a code of conduct in South China Sea, how different countries should act and behave. As China has agreed to work on that code of conduct, it is a very positive sign because whole of East Asia can progress well if all the countries stand together, work together and the area remains peaceful and stable. For a stable grouping, ASEAN does not discuss any internal issue of any member country. Thus, Rohingya issue was not taken up despite it being a human right issue. However, there still are some countries like Laos who are pro-China and oppose their own member countries like Vietnam, Malaysia when they express strong opinion against ASEAN countries and importance of regional security In the new Afghanistan-Pakistan Policy of USA, there is greater understanding of India’s concerns and it has warned Pakistan to eliminate all terrorist groups operating from their country. ASEAN has supported India to fight against terrorism. Another interesting point about the concern was North Korea and the whole region. The confrontation between US and North Korea has made entire world wary about proliferation of nuclear technology to countries having confrontation and trouble maker reputation. Here, china and Pakistan have been passing nuclear technology to North Korea, as a result of which North Korea is able to flex its muscles today. Conclusion Security of Indian ocean and Pacific is inextricably linked. India and South East Asian countries together with the ‘Quad’ have to maintain a peaceful region with open and secure maritime access. India can cooperate and coordinate with other countries on various issues like maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation, irregular migration, etc. hence, this is a win-win equation for both India and ASEAN. Also read All India Radio (AIR) : Prime Minister’s Visit to Manila and its Significance Connecting the dots: Quad has the strength and ASEAN-India partnership has the capability to restrict ‘One China’. Examine the above statement in context of changing geopolitics in region.
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 6th January 2018
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 6th January 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOUCS) United States suspends security assistance to Pakistan Part of: GS Paper II- International relations Key pointers: The United States has suspended more than $1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of harbouring terror groups like the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network within its border and showing unwillingness to take “decisive actions” against them. The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan comes days after President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of providing “safe haven” to terrorists. Prominent among the suspended amount include $255 million in Foreign Military Funding (FMF) for the fiscal year 2016 as mandated by the Congress. In addition, the Department of Defense has suspended the entire $900 million of the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) money to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2017. The U.S. will now not be delivering military equipment or transfer security-related funds to Pakistan unless it is required by law. The action is not irreversible. All the funding will be available to Pakistan, if it undertake to take adequate measures against terrorism. Article link: Click here Decelerating Growth Part of: GS Paper III- Indian economy Key pointers: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) on recently forecast that GDP growth in the current financial year ending March 31 will slow to a four-year low of 6.5% dragged down by deceleration in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. In agriculture, it will be because of a base effect because last year saw a very high growth rate because it followed two years of drought. Pic credit: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article22378941.ece/alternates/FREE_615/TH06new%20Page%201%20GDPcol Article link: Click here Labelling on the package of organic food made mandatory Part of: GS Paper II- International relations Key pointers: It will be illegal to sell organic food that was not appropriately labelled so from July 2018. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued regulations that required food companies selling organic produce to get certified with one of the two authorities — National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) or the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India). Labelling on the package of organic food shall convey full and accurate information on the organic status of the product. S For nearly two decades now, organic farming certification had been done through a process of third party certification under the NPOP. It was run by the Ministry of Commerce and was used for certifying general exports. The PGS-India programme, in contrast, had been around for only two years and — unlike the top-down approach of the NPOP — involves a peer-review approach. Here, farmers played a role in certifying whether the farms in their vicinity adhered to organic-cultivation practices. Pic credit: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article22378458.ece/alternates/FREE_660/TH06Organic%20foodcol 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 Pragmatic engagement with Russia Background: Since the end of the Cold War, the West and especially America viewed Russia with unbelievable superiroity. Through his eight-year tenure, US president Barack Obama dismissed Russia as a “regional power”. Nearly three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, America and Europe are now calling Russia a political and military threat. This transformation of the Western perceptions of Russia is because of actions taken by President Vladimir Putin. He has surprised the West by putting Russia right back at the centre of great power politics. Russia at centre of great power politics: Putin’s military modernisation, a robust nuclear doctrine and a penchant for coercive diplomacy have become a cause of concern for Russia’s European neighbours. Beyond Europe, Russia has joined China in reshaping the geopolitics of Eurasia. It has re-emerged as a critical player in the Middle East. In partnership with Beijing, Moscow also created regional institutions like the SCO, challenging Western primacy in international institutions. Moscow has demonstrated the capability to disrupt Western plans with an asymmetric strategy. Pragmatic engagement: Russia’s tightening embrace of China and its way of handling the Taliban and the Pakistan army are generating unease. Instead of lamenting, Delhi must reimagine India’s relations with Russia in 2018 and beyond on the basis of clear-eyed realism. Three elements must constitute this pragmatic engagement: Having long-wished and campaigned for a multipolar world, Delhi must learn to live with it. A world of many powers is far more unstable than the Cold War duopoly and the unipolar moment. Realignment, dealignment and multi-alignment are the features of the contemporary world. India, on its part, has sought to hold onto Russia while rapidly expanding its ties with the US. Russia, which drew closer to India in the 1960s to counter China, now hangs on trilateralism with Delhi and Beijing. But the reality is India is trying to balance China by turning to America and Japan. Russia is trying to balance the West by aligning with China. India can’t expect a veto over Russia’s China policy, nor it can cede one to Moscow on India’s ties with the US. India’s bilateral ties with Russia must necessarily be defined by these boundary conditions in the near term. India needs to appreciate Russia’s long-term strategy towards the West. What Putin wants is an honourable accommodation with the West that Russians feel was denied after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In a world of changing distribution of power, Russia is aware that it can’t reinvent a duopoly with America. Putin wants to make Russia a “swing state” in the global balance of power marked by the rise of China and the uncertain evolution of America. If Russia is conscious of its limitations, Delhi’s strategic community seems hesitant to acknowledge India’s strengths. India’s GDP today, at $2.4 trillion, is nearly twice that of Russia. Many in Delhi’s foreign policy establishment, who grew up thinking of Russia as a warm blanket in a cold and uncertain world, are unprepared for a relationship that is more in tune with the changed circumstances in which India is emerging as a power in its own right. Russia’s relative weight may have diminished, but it has a long tradition of great power diplomacy. It has military capabilities and the political will to use force that together can shape global and regional balances. As middle powers, there is much that Delhi and Moscow can do with each other. Conclusion: In the new circumstances, Delhi and Moscow must move towards a practical relationship that focuses on give and take wherever possible. The two sides must also carefully manage the inevitable differences that arise. Connecting the dots: India has always strived for multi-polar world. In this light Russia's actions should not be seen as a threat. It is time that India engaged pragmatically with Russia. Discuss. 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-ASEAN: 25 years of relationship Background: ASEAN has subtly resisted to the concept of “Indo-Pacific”, and preferred “Asia-Pacific”, which, by definition, seems to exclude India. Such views need to be addressed by our foreign policy establishment, because we are at a defining moment in the Indo-ASEAN relationship. Not only was 2017 the golden jubilee year of ASEAN’s founding, it also happens to mark 25 years of Indo-ASEAN engagement, and 15 years of summit-level meetings. 10 ASEAN leaders will be the guests of honour at India’s 2018 Republic Day celebrations, and their exchanges could decide the future course of this relationship. Issues: ASEAN has been blamed for a false sense of complacency and for sidestepping hard security issues. The 2012 ASEAN Summit saw emerging tensions between the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos, under Chinese pressure, on South China Sea issues. There is also criticism that having painstakingly built a set of multilateral processes in the security arena, ASEAN has failed to develop proactive agendas that would take the grouping beyond trade and commerce, towards collegiate diplomacy and collective conflict management. An “emerging China” had transmuted into an “erupting China”, an alarming phenomenon that, calls for multi-lateral efforts to “bring under control”. Chinese diplomats have left little doubt, that China would avail the earliest opportunity to create a new “rules-based order”, framing international laws and rules that not only provide retrospective endorsement of its conduct, but also facilitate its vision of the new “China Dream”. For over six decades, peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific had been underwritten by America, sustained by US naval presence. Neither the US “pivot to Asia” nor the subsequent “rebalance” has served to restore regional equilibrium disturbed by China’s assertive behaviour. China’s creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea and their militarisation are now a fait accompli unlikely to be reversed. This blatant disregard of UN Laws of the Seas as well as the international justice system has triggered regional fears about the impending imposition of a Chinese hegemony on the region. Having stood up to China, on Doklam as well as OBOR, India’s supporters in ASEAN visualise it as a rising economic and military entity worth having on their side. Others argue that India has, so far, brought little to the ASEAN table, and point to its diplomatic equilibrium, that stands in stark contrast to Chinese activism on the Rohingya and North Korean issues. Way forward: The geo-physical Malacca Strait barrier is important but we need to equally focus on Indo-ASEAN integration. PM Modi’s “Act-East” vision must not lose steam due to sub-continental and domestic distractions, as well as an understaffed and overstretched diplomatic officials. India’s domain of maritime interest — now stretching right across the Indo-Pacific — offers a wide range of opportunities quite apart from the nascent “quadrilateral”. In 2015, PM Modi had defined his vision of “Sagar” as “a future for the Indian Ocean that ensures security and growth for all in the region”. This vision needs to be unshackled from its Indian Ocean moorings and adapted for an all-round maritime outreach. Sustaining “good order at sea” is a vital enterprise that demands collaborative multi-lateral action. Safety of shipping, anti-piracy operations, search-and-rescue and disaster relief are responsibilities — so far outsourced to the Americans and Europeans — which Indo-Pacific navies must jointly shoulder. Conclusion: Without relying on the crutch of US endorsements about its status as a “global power”, India must envision broader horizons for itself. The initiation of an “Indo-Pacific Maritime Partnership” that seeks mutually-beneficial maritime security cooperation with ASEAN nations will put it in a leadership role. But slogans need to be backed up by strategies — thus India should craft a National Maritime Strategy. Connecting the dots: India and ASEAN are celebrating 25 years of their engagement. Discuss how far the partnership has been strengthened and what more needs to be done. India's focus over 'Quad' grouping or usage of Indo-pacific term has created apprehensions in ASEAN. On the other hand the ASEAN nations too want India too play a defining role. In this light discuss the importance of being pragmatic and adopting a balance approach. MUST READ Enabling a law The Hindu Memory, myth and memorial The Hindu This too is a right The Hindu An anti corruption bond Indian Express All is not well with Aadhaar Indian Express
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 5th January 2018
IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 5th January 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOUCS) Exclusive Human Rights Courts Part of: Mains GS Paper I- Social Issues Key pointers: The human rights law of 1993 makes States responsible for setting up exclusive human rights courts with special public prosecutors in every district. But till now not a single State has done it. The Supreme Court recently asked States why exclusive human rights courts had not been set up yet. In the light of the rampant problem of orphanages trafficking children under their care, the Court decided to step in to protect the dignity of the child. “The future of the country depends on our children. States have a great role to play... It is necessary to have a comprehensive view regarding the running of orphanages, mode and method of adoptions, care given to children in these institutions, treatment meted out to the children,” the Supreme Court observed. Article link: Click here Pakistan on ‘special watch list’ for ‘severe violations of religious freedom’ Part of: Mains GS Paper II- International relations Key pointers: The United States of America has put Pakistan on its ‘special watch list’ for ‘severe violations of religious freedom’. Around ten other nations have been listed as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ by the US. Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have been listed as Countries of Particular Concern, and Pakistan as part of a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom”. The United States Secretary of State annually designates governments, which have undertaken or allowed measures to violate religious freedom, as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ observing the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The government of Pakistan continues to perpetrate and tolerate systematic, ongoing, religious freedom violations. Religiously discriminatory constitutional provisions and legislation, such as the country’s blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws, continue to result in prosecutions and imprisonments. Article link: Click here Iceland become first country to legalise equal pay Part of: Mains GS Paper II- International developments Key pointers: A new law making it illegal to pay men more than women has taken effect in Iceland. The legislation makes Iceland the first country in the world to legalise equal pay between men and women. Under the new rules, companies and government agencies employing at least 25 people will have to obtain government certification of their equal-pay policies. Iceland, an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean that is home to approximately 323,000 people, has a strong economy, based on tourism and fisheries. For the past nine years, it has been ranked by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the world's most gender-equal country. The Icelandic government plans to completely eradicate the wage gap by 2020. Global Gender Gap Report: World Economic Forum The Global Gender Gap Report uses markers such as economic opportunity, political empowerment, and health and survival to gauge the state of gender equality in a country. The report began in 2006. , Iceland has closed around 10 percent of its total gender gap, making it one of the fastest-improving countries in the world. Gender inequality worldwide According to the latest WEF report, the top five best performers in the global gender gap are Iceland, Norway, Finland, Rwanda and Sweden. Yemen, on the other hand, is currently the lowest-ranked of the 144 countries measured in the report. Hungary was the only European country to be ranked lower than the global average, having scored poorly on political empowerment. 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 25 years of India-ASEAN relationship Background: India and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are currently celebrating 25 years of their rapidly expanding partnership. They are also marking 15 years of their Summit engagement and five years of Strategic their Partnership. In addition, ASEAN completed 50 years of its establishment in 2017. To mark the 25th anniversary of the partnership, all 10 Heads of States/Governments of ASEAN States will participate as Chief Guests in the Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2018. The presence of the entire ASEAN leadership on this occasion is a natural extrapolation of the Act East Policy (AEP). India and ASEAN: India and ASEAN account for about 30 per cent of the global population (i.e., 1.85 billion people) and a combined GDP of approximately USD 5.1 trillion. Together, they would form the third largest economy in the world. Given their combined clout, it is but natural for them to expand their areas of collaboration particularly in view of the rapidly changing and uncertain global and regional scenario. Originally conceived as an economic initiative in 1991, this engagement has evolved in terms of geographical expanse and sectoral reach across the three pillars of politico-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. Besides geographical proximity, historical commonalities, cultural affinities and commercial interests, India's AEP has been driven by geo-strategic concerns as well. Relations with ASEAN have become multi-faceted to encompass security, connectivity, strategic, political, space technology, counter-terrorism and anti-insurgency operations, anti-radicalisation, trade and investment, maritime security and defence collaboration, in addition to economic ties. Economic partnership: India’s two-way trade with ASEAN now stands at approximately USD 76 billion. The India-ASEAN Free Trade pact in services and investments, which was concluded in 2014, has the potential to reduce India's trade deficit with the region as also impart a strong impulse to bilateral exchanges. India is also a part of the ASEAN-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which, when concluded and implemented, will cover almost 40 per cent of the world’s population, 33 per cent of global GDP and 40 per cent of world trade. Strategic partnership: The ASEAN-India Centre (AIC), established in 2013, has enhanced the strategic partnership by concentrating on policy research and recommendations as well as organising meetings between think-tanks and similar institutions in India and ASEAN countries. AIC seeks to bridge the existing information divide amongst the people of the two regions. Exchange programmes have been put in place for frequent interaction between students, senior officials, diplomats, academics, media professionals, etc. Connectivity between India and ASEAN: Better infrastructure connecting Northeast India and ASEAN has become the sine qua non for stronger economic and trade partnership and vital contributor to prosperity and economic development of the region. Two major connectivity projects, viz., the Trilateral Highway between north-east India and Myanmar and onwards to Thailand (and Laos and Vietnam) as well as the Kaladan multi-modal transit and transport project, have been under implementation for several years. Act East Policy: AEP is the successor to the Look East Policy (LEP) that was put in place by then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in 1992 under radically different geo-political and economic circumstances. LEP was primarily focused on strengthening economic ties between India and ASEAN states. The end of the cold war and disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 provided a welcome opportunity for India to reach out to South-East Asia to capitalize upon its historical, cultural and civilisational linkages with the region. ASEAN continues to form the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India, ASEAN, and the Chinese Conundrum: In a rapidly evolving geo-political scenario marked by China’s assertive military, political and economic rise, the AEP has imparted greater dynamism to India’s ties with ASEAN. The issue of ownership, control, use and exploitation of oil, gas, mineral and fisheries resources in the South China Sea has emerged as a major dispute between China and several ASEAN countries like Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. There is no unanimity amongst the ASEAN countries on how to deal with China on this issue. Importance of SCS for Inida: 40 per cent of India's trade passes through the South China Sea. India is also interested in harnessing fossil fuel resources in the region for meeting its energy needs. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) entered into an agreement with Vietnam to prospect in oil blocks 127 and 128 off the Paracel islands which fall within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Vietnam. India and several other countries have supported freedom of navigation, ensuring maritime security, expeditious resolution of disputes according to provisions of international law, viz., the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas 1982, developing a Code of Conduct, and settlement of disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. China’s actions have added to the anxieties and concerns of countries in South East Asia and beyond. They want India to play a more active countervailing role in the region. This interest and desire on the part of these countries goes with the efforts by India to pro-actively reach out to countries of the region for mutually beneficial engagements. India – U.S. Partnership in the Region: Relations between India and USA have progressed and grown in recent years. Trump’s consistent use of the expression ''Indo-Pacific'' throughout his visit, instead of the more commonly used ''Asia Pacific'' to signify that India is a significant player in the region, sent out a clear message about the common position held by India and USA regarding developments in the region. It also signalled that the USA and India will partner each other to promote a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. A meeting of the Quad (USA, Japan, Australia and India) at the level of officials also gave a strong indication of the interest of these countries in working together to ensure a free, open, inclusive and prosperous region. Challenges and Opportunities: Stronger relations between India and Myanmar have helped to quell insurgency and extremism in the north-eastern states of India. Peace, stability and security of north-east India will be further preserved and promoted with more robust ties and understanding with Myanmar. India has recognized that the success of the AEP will be determined by its contribution to security and economic development of Northeast India. The large Indian diasporas in many Southeast Asian countries help strengthen diplomatic, economic and security relations between India and ASEAN as they contribute to expand and intensify bonds. The Indian diaspora comprises an important instrument of India’s soft power. The promotion of India’s geostrategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region depend on India’s bilateral and multilateral/regional engagements with the countries in the region. It is hence essential to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN as an organisation as well as with individual Southeast Asian countries. Conclusion: Despite progress made over the last 25 years in India-ASEAN ties, there remains immense scope for further growth in the relationship. This is one of the most dynamic regions of the world today, and it is necessary for both India and ASEAN to actively collaborate to shape the so-called ‘Asian century’. A stronger partnership and enhanced cooperation should be prioritised by both sides if the full potential of this engagement is to be realised. Connecting the dots: India and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are currently celebrating 25 years of their partnership. Discuss how the relation has evolved over time and also the challenges and opportunities for India when it comes to ASEAN. 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. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Updated National Register of Citizens(NRC) of Assam Introduction: The first draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) of Assam has been published recently by the Office of the State Coordinator of NRC on December 31, 2017. The objective behind updating and publishing the 1951 NRC is to compile a list of the names of genuine Indian citizens residing in Assam and, in the process, detect foreigners (read Bangladeshis) who may have illegally entered the state after March 24, 1971. Of the 3.29 crore residents of Assam who applied for the inclusion of their names in the NRC by submitting legacy documents, 1.9 crore names have been included as citizens in the initial list. Background: The publication of the initial NRC list is the outcome of a long-standing demand of the Assamese people to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants from their state. The Assam Accord of 1985 did not contain any specific mention of updating the NRC. The Government of India constituted a number of Tribunals and Appellate Courts under both the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act of 1983 and the Foreigners Tribunal Act of 1964 to detect illegal Bangladeshis. In May 2005 that the first step towards updating the NRC of 1951 was taken, when a tripartite meeting between the Centre, the Assam government and AASU was held to review the progress made in the implementation of the Assam Accord. Successive governments have been extremely reluctant to update the NRC of 1951 due to various political considerations and vested interests. Supreme Court ordered the Union and State governments to begin the process of updating of the NRC in Assam. Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued the notification for starting the work of updating the NRC. The Supreme Court constituted a Committee “to take care of any clarification that would be required with regard to the modalities in the preparation of the NRC.” Significance of updated NRC: The publication of the updated NRC is a positive step in so far as- It is an important milestone in dealing with the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into that state. It puts to rest wild speculations about the extent of the illegal migrant population in Assam and the resulting polarization that political parties have been exploiting to make electoral gains. Issues and apprehensions: Given that a proper documentation system does not exist in the country, for most of those whose names do not appear in the NRC, procuring the required documents, especially birth certificates, in order to establish their citizenship is difficult. Another issue is what happens to those people whose names do not figure in the final NRC and are declared illegal entrants into the state. The popular rhetoric for dealing with such illegal migrants has always been to deport them to Bangladesh, but this is easier said than done. Bangladesh has consistently denied that its citizens have illegally emigrated to India. Although the Supreme Court in its order of 2014 had instructed the Government of India to enter into discussions with Bangladesh on streamlining the deportation of illegal Bangladeshis, nothing has happened on the ground. The absence of any clear policy as to how to deal with the proclaimed illegal migrants has created a sense of unease in the minds of many presently residing in Assam. Many illegal migrants who were earlier declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals have either absconded to other states to evade arrest or are dead. Since the deportation of illegal migrants is not feasible, the only option before the government is to let them reside in the country on humanitarian grounds but after stripping them of all citizenship rights. While the NRC is being updated for Assam, there is no plan to prepare similar NRCs for the other states in the North East where illegal migration continues to be a volatile issue. Conclusion: The need of the hour is for the Union Government to allay apprehensions presently in the minds of the people of Assam and take steps to contain any adverse fallout after the publication of the final draft of the NRC. At the same time, it also needs to spell out what it intends to do with the persons whose names do not figure in the final NRC. Connecting the dots: An updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) of Assam has been published this year. What was the need of the list? Discuss its significance and associates issues, if any. 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IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Electoral Bonds
IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Electoral Bonds 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)
UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 116]
UPSC Quiz- 2018 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 116] Archives Q.1) Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by Carbon dioxide and nitrogen Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide Ozone and carbon dioxide Nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide Q.2) Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in Federalism Democratic decentralisation Administrative delegation Direct democracy Q.3) In which one of the following is Malta located? Baltic Sea Mediterranean Sea West Philippine Sea North Sea Q.4) Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Project is An irrigation project involving India and Myanmar A joint tourism initiative of some Asian countries A hydroelectric power project involving India, Bangladesh and Myanmar A defence and security agreement of India with its eastern neighbours Q.5) During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf AIi was a major woman organizer of underground activity in Civil Disobedience Movement Non-cooperation Movement Quit India Movement Swadeshi Movement To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best IASbaba