IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue - BIMSTEC 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- 2017 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 58] Archives Q.1) The Mathamma system is same as British perception of pre-colonial Indian castes Jati System Dowry System Devadasi system Q.2) Consider the following statements about ICAN It is an intergovernmental body which support negotiations for a treaty banning nuclear weapons It was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Which of the following are benefits of using Embryo transfer technology (ETT) in animals? It greatly reduces the risk for transmission of infectious diseases It will have a greater influence on the genetic advancement of a herd/flock It will lead to increase in number of offspring Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements about Global Financial Centres Index 22 (GFCI) It is produced bi-annually by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) has been ranked tenth in the September 2017 edition of GFCI Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Uday Kotak Committee is associated with Corporate Governance Digital Inclusion Contract Labour Reforms Extradition Laws To Download the Solution - Click here All The Best IASbaba
Man and Nature: Man is not just a part of nature; he is an extension of nature. It is nature’s desire to think, move and talk that manifests as a human being. We did not drop from heaven to inhabit the earth; we arose from the womb of the earth as a joyful expression of life. Man’s utter disregard and disrespect for nature is probably his single biggest downfall. He has already changed the landscape of earth more than required. Every single day he is contributing to change the natural balance of the planet. It is not the need of man that is destroying the planet; it is his greed. If we consider the rate at which we are cutting down the trees and the rate at which the human population is growing; it is not very difficult to imagine a day when just living on earth will prove to be a challenge. The single biggest cause of concern for the future is over population and dwindling of resources as a result of it. There is always a natural balance of animals and plants in nature. Nature knows how to control the population of trees using animals and it knows how to control the population of animals using other animals. This balance is vital for a living ecosystem to function. Man has gone far beyond the clutches of this system. Now, if he doesn’t decide to change his ways, nature will not be able to change it. All it takes to change our ways is a little bit of intelligence. We have to see that we are drilling holes in the boat we are travelling in. If we don’t stop doing this, soon we will drown. Man’s intelligence is his gift and curse. At this point in time in history, he is using his intelligence to fuel his greed and destroying the planet. This is not to suggest that the only thing man can do now is go back to living in the forest. Acting responsibly by keeping the needs of the present and the future generations in mind is what is needed. Every single decision of his should take plants, animals, nature and existence around him into consideration. He has to make only necessary changes for survival and leave the rest for nature to handle. The time has come for man to see a newer and fresher imagine of humanity on this plant. He has the power to reimagine his view of the future; he has always had this power. Thomas L Friedman in his book ‘Hot Flat and Crowded’ says ‘The stone age did not end because we ran out of stones’. It ended because we found better alternatives. Man is now at the precipice of a new tomorrow. He has to start searching for new alternatives to fuel his dreams and imaginations. If progress and movement is what separates man from all other animals; if moving is his obsession, then he has to move in a way that is sustainable and manageable. The only hope for the future of humanity is re looking at our place on earth. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”
IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 7th Oct 2017 Archives ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Reviving Economy- Recapitalising Banks Background: From a peak of 9.2 per cent in January-March 2016, GDP growth has fallen every successive quarter: First to 7.9 per cent, then 7.5 per cent, followed by demonetisation which reduced it further to 7 per cent in October-December 2016, then 6.1 per cent and finally 5.7 per cent in April-June 2017. One major challenges is the rising Non-Performing Assests (NPAs) of the public-sector banks (PSBs). How grim is the situation? According to the RBI’s Statistical Tables Relating to Banks in India 2015-2016, NPAs were 3 per cent of gross advances of all banks in India in 2013. By 2016, they had grown to 9.3 per cent. The increase was much more pronounced for nationalised banks — from 2.9 per cent in 2013 to 13.8 per cent in 2016 — compared to privately-owned banks where the NPAs rose from 2 per cent of gross advances in 2013 to 3.1 per cent in 2016. For the 10 worst PSBs, gross NPAs averaged 16.4 per cent of gross advances as on December 2016, from 22.4 per cent for the Indian Overseas Bank to 14.1 per cent for the Central Bank of India — in effect, each having thoroughly destroyed its balance sheet. The system does not have enough capital to take care of its bad loans. What led to this situation? In an exuberant milieu that started with the UPA 1 government and continued until three years after the global financial crisis of 2008, large corporations conceived major projects proposals in capital-intensive sectors such as power, ports, airports, housing and highway construction. Banks were only too keen to lend, often without sufficient evaluation of risks and returns. Things started worsening with the policy paralysis brought about by the spectrum and coal mining scandals. Soon, most projects were getting stuck, especially in power and highways; and banks found their loans going sour. Initially, the extent of non-performing loan assets (NPAs) was hidden by “ever-greening”. They were revealed as the RBI tightened the norms. How are businesses getting affected? When an entrepreneur gets an order, he uses working capital from banks which finances the raw material inventory and work-in-progress. After production, delivery and collection of final payments, he pays interest on that working capital and draws it down with the bank until the next order. If the working capital cycle remains intact and accommodative, businesses are not hit by a squeeze on financing. But with severe constraints on such finance, all businesses are hit, irrespective of how good demand may be. Public sector banks (PSBs), comprising 21 “nationalised banks” and six of the State Bank of India group, account for almost 70 per cent of the assets and liabilities of the system. How have the PSBs behaved in such circumstances? With large losses on account of heavy provisioning and bad loans eroding their balance sheets, the PSBs have curtailed loans and advances. What’s the solution? The NPA crisis in the 1990s was mitigated by a $500 million World Bank loan backed by a corresponding budgetary outlay. This time the cost will be higher and, therefore, one must target the banks carefully. But if we do so, we will strengthen distressed balance sheets and give space to the recapitalised bank to behave as they should. Recapitalisation will raise their enterprise value, which can then be leveraged through selective divestment. The finance minister thus should begin selective PSB recapitalisation. Connecting the dots: Indian economy is facing slowdown. In such a scenario to keep the economy going its necessary that the private sector has enough fund to invest in the economy. In this light reviving public-sector banks has become a necessity. Discuss what should be done to revive the PSBs. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability Simultaneous Elections: Possible Logistically Background: The idea of simultaneous elections to Parliament and state assemblies has been around for some time now. It has been examined by the parliament standing committee and the Niti Aayog. NITI Aayog has made it an important item of its three-year action agenda report. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated it. Now, the Election Commission has said it would be possible, logistically, to hold simultaneous polls to the central and state legislatures by September 2018. The most critical questions pertaining to the debate, however, have less to do with logistics but political necessity, Constitutional validity and, indeed, multi-party democracy. Debate: The idea, however, remains a fundamentally contested one. In favor: Reduction of expenditure- the growing sums of money spent by the candidates, political parties and government, and the routine flouting of all caps and limits on expenses will be curtailed. Improved governance- A price is also to be paid on the governance front, with ruling parties succumbing to the populist promise and scheme because of an impending election. Curtailing imposition of the Model Code of Conduct- Government slows to a standstill after the code of conduct comes into force ahead of over-long multi-phase polls. Minimising disruption of normal public life. Lessening pressure on crucial manpower deployed for prolonged periods in poll-bound States. Concerns: Yet, there are important concerns about imposing simultaneity on the election calendar. If simultaneous elections are to be held in 2018-19, what happens to assemblies in states that went to polls last year or this year? After simultaneous polls are held, what if a full five-year term is interrupted by political realignments in an assembly, or assemblies? In a vigorous and diverse democracy, there is no guarantee, either, that the Lok Sabha will run for its full term. Are State Assemblies, whose tenure is not coterminous with the Lok Sabha’s, to be dissolved prematurely or extended? A conjoint reading of Articles 83(2) and 172(1) of the Constitution makes it clear that the tenure of the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies cannot be extended beyond five years except in the case of proclamation of emergency. Democratic politics cannot be, it must not be, circumscribed by an artificial fixity of tenure of the legislature. Such an insistence on uniformity would only undermine the people’s will by making politics more unresponsive and unrepresentative. Can fractured verdicts and unstable governments be avoided altogether in a multi-party democracy like India? Is the early dissolution of Assemblies desirable through proclamation of President’s Rule under Article 356? Holding simultaneous elections is certain to influence voter behaviour in such a manner as to tilt the polls in favour of national issues and national parties. This could marginalise issues pertaining to States and regional parties. The federalisation of the polity, in particular, has deepened democracy in India, with every state evolving its own specific format and time-table of political competition, and throwing up its own set of priorities and issues. The first election in independent India was held simultaneously at the Centre and in the states. But election cycles soon diverged once the realities of mid-term polls, a multi-party system, coalition politics and a federalising polity kicked in. The parliamentary, federal system has worked well for a country of diverse voices and many minorities. The idea of simultaneous polls — one nation, one polls — threatens to curb the plural and layered federal system by giving it a more presidential and unitary character. It must be resisted. Conclusion: All the measures required for holding simultaneous elections requires political consensus which has so far not been reached. The Congress, Left, TMC and the NCP have termed the move “impractical... and leading to a scenario where the necessary balance in Indian democracy given the diversity of the country is lost”. Clearly, this is too critical and nuanced an issue to be forced through the strength of numbers in Parliament. The present government must strive to evolve a consensus. Polls may be cumbersome or expensive, but any attempt at reforms must be weighed against whether they strengthen or erode democratic rights. Connecting the dots: With present day government, NITI Aayog, Law Commission and now Election Commission in favor of holding simultaneous elections various concerns are being raised by other political parties especially the regional ones. What are these concerns. The need of the hour is to develop a consensus. Discuss. MUST READ An artist of the world The Hindu Symbols of a deeper stirring The Hindu Law, faith unreason The Hindu Mainstreaming terror Indian Express Section 66A, once more Indian Express Drowned by the dam Indian Express Reviving growth- a delicate balancing act Business Line
IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue - Smaller States 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 – 6th Oct 2017 Archives 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. India and its International relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Involving States in foreign diplomacy Background: The concept of competitive federalism, particularly in matters of foreign affairs, was on display in Kerala during the five-day visit of the Sharjah ruler, Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi. Apart from holding discussions with the Sultan on trade and commercial cooperation and presenting a road map on joint projects between Kerala and Sharjah, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced at a convocation ceremony of the Calicut University to confer a D.Litt on the Sultan that the ruler had agreed to release 149 Indian prisoners from Sharjah jails. Although traditionalists may argue that foreign affairs are in the exclusive domain of the Union government, the successful outcome of the meet has been widely applauded. Greater inclusion of States in policymaking: The optimal use of such linkages is what Mr. Modi envisaged in the BJP manifesto: “Team India shall not be limited to the Prime Minister-led team in Delhi, but will also include Chief Ministers and other functionaries as equal partners.” Modi is acutely aware of the need for inclusion of State governments in foreign policymaking, particularly in matters relating to trade and investment. He had visited Japan, China and Singapore and seen for himself the potential for the States to play a role in securing the best deals for themselves within the overall policy of the Central government. In his earlier stint as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu negotiated with foreign governments to make Hyderabad an IT capital, prompting even presidents and prime ministers to visit the city on state visits. Given his personal reputation, the Government of India invited Mr. Naidu to lead an Indian delegation on IT. The policy of countries like the U.S. and China to encourage their State governments to take economic delegations to foreign countries and even to establish their own trading offices abroad has been the model. Government's policy encouraging State's involvement: The government claims that the basic mechanism for the States to play an important role in not only implementing foreign policy, but also in formulating it has been established. The Ministry of External Affairs now has a States division, which keeps in touch with the States to assist them in building bridges with the countries in which they have a special interest on account of proximity or the presence of diaspora from that State. IFS officers have been asked to choose a State each to understand its special requirements and to advise them. States' leader's interest at the cost of national interest: Pandit Nehru wrote letters to the Chief Ministers, explaining certain aspects of foreign policy, but did not solicit their views, though they could ask questions or make suggestions. As regional parties began to exert influence at the national level, States began to dictate terms even in foreign policy. The States exercised veto on crucial issues, making it difficult for the Prime Minister to have his way in formulating policy. The Chief Minister of West Bengal stopped then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from signing an agreement on sharing of Teesta waters with Bangladesh after the agreement was negotiated. Political parties in Tamil Nadu not only insisted that India should support the U.S. resolution against Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council, but also stopped the Prime Minister from attending a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on the ground that Sri Lanka was not safeguarding the interests of the Tamil minority. Kerala itself had insisted that the Italian marines who killed two fishermen should be tried in India and punished here, causing a rift in India’s relations with the European Union. In all these cases, the larger interests of India on the global scene were sacrificed to make life easier for the leaders of the States concerned. Even strategic and security issues were ignored in the process. Half-hearted measures: The promise that States would be involved more in foreign affairs has not been kept as yet as the moves made so far are half-hearted. A State's division in the Ministry of External Affairs, by itself, cannot make a difference in policymaking. Way forward: A new structure, in which the States are fully represented, should be established and the Ministry of External Affairs should have offices in key States. Think tanks should be established in States to facilitate policy options and to provide inputs to the States and the Centre. A new architecture needs to be devised to involve the States in issues identified as crucial to them. A major change in mindset is necessary to accomplish it. The States must also develop expertise on foreign affairs to be able to take responsible decisions in their interaction with foreign lands Conclusion: States' diplomacy can be made successful by a deliberate allocation of responsibilities to the State and the Centre. The above-mentioned steps must be implemented on urgent basis. Connecting the dots: Discuss how the concept of competitive federalism, particularly in matters of foreign affairs is evolving. What are the challenges being faced and what needs to be done given the benefits of such an engagement? GOVERNANCE TOPIC: General Studies 2: Role of civil services in a democracy. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability and institutional and other measures. Reforming Civil Services Background: India is at the confluence of two trends that are fundamentally challenging the world: The rise of Asia, with the growing importance of the Asian consumer, and digitisation. The Asian consumer’s rise between 2010 and 2020 will in dollar terms add a new United States to global consumption. Digitisation (ubiquitous connectivity, unlimited storage, massive and growing computing power, enormous growth in data, artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, computer capable mobile handsets) is profoundly changing not just how people live and interact, but also how businesses and governments are, or will need to be in future. The modern era’s need for specialisation fundamentally challenges Macaulay’s notions of a well-rounded generalist on which the Indian civil service was founded. How should our bureaucracy evolve to navigate the challenge? Our government is spread thin. It is understaffed when compared with governments in developed countries and many important government departments are staffed by people who do not have the requisite skills to discharge their increasingly specialised jobs. Issues: Lost attractiveness: It is widely recognised that the prestige of the service has fallen since the 1991 reforms — the reduced controls and the accompanying reduction in licensing reduced their power. Reforms also saw the emergence of alternative professions in the private sector whose pay was considerably higher. The equation between the politician and the bureaucrat also changed decisively in favour of the politician. The service, therefore, lost a lot of its attractiveness. The recruitment examination: Though extremely competitive, is not targeted. Candidates can choose any two subjects and have one common general knowledge paper. Thus, people who get in are from different backgrounds. The nature of jobs that are performed in the state secretariat and the Centre encompass disparate departments (education, health, finance, public works department, urban development etc). Many of these require specialists like accountants, town planners, environmental experts, economists, architects, management degree holders et. Generalists today perform all these different roles. Skill mismatch: All the officers get a year-long training at their respective academies and then are posted to a district. They get trained to become good administrators. In today’s highly specialised world, it does not prepare them well for many of the roles they are expected to perform in the secretariat, whether in the state or at the Centre. After a few years in the state secretariat, there is a race among them to get the jobs at the Centre. Further, most jobs in the states are not as attractive as the posting in Delhi. It shows that the best officers prefer to do jobs for which they have not been explicitly trained rather than do the jobs they are actually good at in the states. The skills and aptitude required to work as a district magistrate are different from that required to work as a joint secretary at the Centre. Way ahead: We need to move away from the colonial paradigm. We need to staff specialised ministries, at the Centre or in the state, with people with the requisite skills irrespective of how bright they are. The time has come to set up a high-powered committee to work out the correct bureaucratic structure for India. This is urgent. Conclusion: To make this century an Indian century we need the state to be able to address the challenges we face and facilitate the changes we need. This requires a qualified and effective bureaucracy. We expect them to do what they were never trained to do in an increasingly specialised, complex and changing world. We need to fix this now. Connecting the dots: The rise of Asia and digitisation have resulted into new challenges. To tackle it we need a change in the way administrative system works in India. In this light discuss the need of reforming the civil services. Also read: Civil Services reforms: The need for lateral entry MUST READ Protecting the street vendors The Hindu Tri-service integration or consolidation The Hindu Does India need a bullet train? The Hindu Partners, naturally Indian Express What the new cricket laws tell us? Livemint The instrumental harms of inequality Livemint Let's be realistic about Aadhaar Business Line
UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 57] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements An Extradition Treaty is a mutually agreed text signed and ratified by two Governments. An Extradition Arrangement is made in the absence of an Extradition Treaty on the assurance of reciprocity including under an International Convention. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Choppiness index refers to Financial Markets IP Generation Agricultural Output of G20 nations Misuse of public power for private benefit Q.3) Which of the following statements is/are correct? GSTR 1 contains details of all outward supplies GSTR 2 is a monthly return with the summarized details of sales, purchases, sales during the month along with the amount of GST liability Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Q.4) Which of the following organisations are associated with ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017’? Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) World Food Programme (WFP) World Health Organization (WHO) Select the correct code: 1, 3, 4 and 5 2, 3, 4 and 5 1, 3 and 5 All of the above Q.5) Global Slavery Index is published by International Labour Organization (ILO) Walk Free Foundation Oxfam International World Trade Organisation (WTO) To Download the Solution - Click here All The Best IASbaba
IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 5th Oct 2017 Archives NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. 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. A Low Learning trap Background: An unacceptably large number of Indian children are attending school but not learning enough. Now, research shows that this is not just an Indian problem but a global epidemic that threatens several low- and middle-income countries across the globe. A global epidemic: New estimates from the Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS) indicate that about 617 million children or six out of every 10 children are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics. The numbers are the worst for sub-Saharan Africa where, according to UIS data, about 88% of children are not able to read properly or do simple math by the time they finish middle school. South and central Asia comes a close second, with 81% of children in the region not learning the basic minimum. In rural India, the latest edition of the “Annual State of Education Report” (Aser) shows that only 47.8% of class V students can read a class II-level text and only 43% of class VIII students can do class V-level arithmetic. A moral crisis and not just learning crisis: In its annual “World Development Report”, released late last month, the World Bank describes this as not just a “learning crisis” but a “moral crisis”—amplifying inequalities between and within nations. International assessments of literacy and numeracy have consistently shown that students from low-income countries perform worse than those from high-income countries. Even top performers from strong middle-income countries are ranked below their rich country peers, and are struggling to catch up. The World Bank report points to Indonesia, which has significantly improved its performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) over the last 10-15 years—and yet, at its 2003-15 rate, will still take another five decades to reach the developed world’s average score for mathematics and another seven decades for reading. Learning crisis despite high enrolment levels: The learning crisis comes at a time when enrolment levels have increased across the board. India has achieved near-universal enrolment and, globally, the gap between children attending school in developed and developing countries is closing. So, access to education has improved but the quality of education hasn’t. Why do some systems succeed while others fail? Lack of resources may be one of the reason behing such failure. But at the same time there are the success stories of post-war South Korea, or of Vietnam and Peru, Malaysia and Tanzania—which have only recently improved learning outcomes. Essentially, because the latter aren’t able to effectively integrate their key elements. The World Bank lists four such elements—students, teachers, school administration and school infrastructure. If any one malfunctions, the entire system is threatened. Fixing the ecosystem means tackling each element individually and collectively. The students: If children come to school sick or hungry, or if parents aren’t able to care for them, not just after birth but also in the womb, then their learning levels will be adversely affected. Dealing with it: Early interventions targeting pregnant women, new mothers and their infants can be particularly effective. India’s integrated child development services scheme and the mid-day meal scheme are good examples. The teachers: The importance of teachers’ skills and capabilities receive little attention. Most developing countries struggle to attract the best and the brightest to their schools even when pay is competitive. Teachers, once hired, are given almost no training or professional development support, leaving them ill-equipped in the classroom. Education systems also rarely offer incentives to improve pedagogical skills, and instead add non-teaching responsibilities. In Ethiopia and Guatemala, only one-third of the total instructional time was used for teaching. In India, teachers from government schools double up as census workers and election officers. School administration: School principals and school managements also suffer from similar problems. A 2015 study by Stanford University showed that better management produced better educational outcomes, and schools with greater autonomy did especially well (explaining at least in part the success of the UK academies and the US charter schools). In the developing world, school managements are rarely empowered or incentivized to improve learning outcomes. In terms of school infrastructure, the relationship between learning levels and learning aids and tools such as laptops and laboratories is often overemphasized. Several studies have shown that similar investments can produce vastly different outcomes, depending on how the investment is utilized. For example, one assessment of Brazil’s One Laptop Per Child scheme showed that more than 40% of teachers rarely used the devices in classrooms. A disproportionate focus on such inputs, and, by extension, inadequate attention towards outcomes, is one of the most important reasons why India’s right to education legislation has performed below potential. Way ahead: For there to be a shift in policy and practice, one has to start with assessing outcomes. This is the World Bank’s top recommendation for making education systems more effective. Conclusion: The ASER survey has highlighted the issues and there’s a long way to go. India finds itself at the bottom of the pile in any of the international assessments. Assessing, measuring and benchmarking performance is the first step. Ultimately, breaking out of the low learning trap will require planned action and evidence-based policymaking. Connecting the dots: An unacceptably large number of Indian children are attending school but not learning enough. The issue of low learning trap is not just with Indian but is a global epidemic. The need of the hour is planned action and evidence-based policymaking. Discuss. INTERNATIONAL 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 Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Nuclear deal with Iran: In question Background: West Asia is in a period of heightened uncertainty. Regional powers are scrambling to fill the vacuum created by the steady dismantling of the Islamic State’s sham caliphate across Syria and Iraq. Kurds, buoyed by their pivotal position in this race to Raqqa, have held an independence referendum, annoying Iraqi, Turkish and Iranian neighbours. Turkey continues its authoritarian descent, as its relations with Europe worsen by the day. In the Persian Gulf, a crisis within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), pitting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against Qatar, has entered its sixth month, with no sign of resolution. Within Saudi Arabia, the young and ambitious heir to the throne, Mohammed bin Salman, is experimenting with an unpredictable mix of reform and repression. The JCPOA: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal agreed between Iran and six major powers is in its second year now. Significance: It recognised Iran’s right to enrich uranium in exchange for a battery of tough, but time-bound, limits on nuclear activity. It helped defused a crisis that had burned since the 1990s, threatening to spiral into a war in the 2010s. Critics of the agreement: The conservative forces in Israel, the Arab world, and the U.S. have denounced the agreement. They complained that it did not address Iran’s non-nuclear behaviour, such as support for Hezbollah and other militant organisations, and that the “sunset” clauses, which progressively relax the constraints on Iran over the next three decades, were too generous. Donald Trump has called the deal “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into”. Mr. Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly, but falsely, claimed that Iran is violating the agreement. In case US denies the agreement: The U.K., France, Germany and the European Union have all expressed their categorical support. If the U.S. re-imposes so-called secondary sanctions, which cover foreign companies, Europe would most likely take legal and diplomatic steps to protect its substantial commerce with Iran, even at the cost of a transatlantic crisis. China, Iran’s main trading partner, and Russia, Iran’s military ally in Syria, would defy U.S. sanctions with even greater enthusiasm. In short, it would be virtually impossible to rebuild today the broad, multinational sanctions regime that helped push Iran to the negotiating table during 2013-15. Futility of war: Not only would a war fail to eradicate Iran’s nuclear know-how, it would have far-reaching regional consequences. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards could unleash Shia militia against U.S. troops in Iraq, and expand support to Afghan insurgents just as Mr. Trump’s surge gets underway. Saudi-Iran tensions would increase. The risks of a U.S.-Russia confrontation in West Asia would jump dramatically. Abrogation of the JCPOA would be devastating for Washington’s credibility in future diplomacy. All this would have negative implications for India. While Indian imports of Iranian oil have been falling regardless, the Chabahar project, scheduled for completion next year, could face fresh obstacles. Iran-Pakistan relations may also shift unpredictably, and in ways that work against Indian interests. Connecting the dots: West Asia is facing a period of heightened uncertainty. In such a scenario the abrogation of JCPOA deal would only complicate matters. Critically analyze. US president Donald Trump is too critical about the nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers including US. In case the deal is not abrogated by US it would have negative implications for India. In this light discuss how India can get benefitted by collaborating wit European powers, Russia and China on the issue. MUST READ The telecom battle lines The Hindu Taking aim at the messenger The Hindu The terms of consent The Hindu Coal fired projections The Hindu A new dalit hero Indian Express Cariappa for Jammu and Kashmir Indian Express Do rural migrants favour class or caste in the city Livemint The Rohingyas pose a regional challenge Business Line
UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 56] Archives Q.1) Ministry of Water resources has approved setting up of a Turtle sanctuary in Allahabad. Consider the following statements It will be set up under Namami Gange Programme It would include development of River Biodiversity Park at confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Mythical Saraswati Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Which of the following statements about INS Chakra is/are correct? It is a Shardul class amphibious warship It is on a 10-year lease period from Russia Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) mobile app was launched by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Ministry of Coal Department of Public Enterprises Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion Q.4) Which of the following statements about BIRAC is/are correct? It is under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) The National Biopharma Mission will be implemented by BIRAC Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Q.5) India’s Million Death Study’ is associated with Bhopal gas tragedy Female foeticide Extrajudicial execution None of the above To Download the Solution - Click here All The Best IASbaba
Disinvestment of Air India ARCHIVES Search 29th June 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Infrastructure: General Studies 3 Infrastructure: Airports In news: Air India, the national carrier, is once again up for disinvestment. Air India has a total debt of around ₹52,000 crore which comprises of ₹22,000 crore as aircraft loan and the rest as working capital loan and other liabilities. It is not yet clear how much the government wants to offload- whether it will fully exit Air India or it will retain a minority stake is yet to be decided. Air India came into existence in 1932 as starter airline. It was nationalised in 1953. Why it makes sense? For many years the government had been considering the option that whether Air India should be helped in coming out of its current situation or disinvested. This is not first instance. In 2000 also it was tried for disinvestment but it was not materialised due to lack of political will. At that time, the Tatas, the actual promoters of airlines, wanted to buy it back along with Singapore Airlines. Now this time, Air India cannot make a turnaround without disinvestment. Air India is operational today because previous government had given a bailout package of Rs. 25000 crore. Today the situation is once again that currently it is in debt of 50000 crore. So out of the choice to run the company, to allow to change its working and to disinvest, the last option is the most rational one. It has been not able to change or improve its situation in financial health in last few years so the debt and losses are growing. If this time there is no disinvestment of Air India, it will be difficult even to disinvest the company in future. So it’s a right step in right direction. Enough political will for disinvestment now? The ministry of civil aviation is not completely in favour of this decision. The ministry believes that if the government is going to write off debt, then why not let the airline run. But now the time for that is gone. What is process of disinvestment? A committee of Group of Ministers, headed by finance minister will prepare a roadmap according to which the disinvestment process will go. NITI Ayog has also proposed that Air India should be completely given in private hands. But before that, following steps should be undertaken Identify the assets of 5 subsidiaries of Air India, out of which, 3 are profit making. So these can be divested with a favourable price. Identify Rs. 25000-30000 crore worth of physical assets of Air India and get the maximum possible from them. Identify good buyers Once the best of all is done, then there will a situation where there will be best price for Air India. That would be the time to decide the best company to take over Air India in terms of giving best price. Air India express, Air India transport services and Allianz air are profit making. By selling them, the government can realise Rs. 20000 crore rupees. Air India is sitting on huge land parcel. This can be divested which can also generate sizeable amount of money. Thus, the government should focus on this and not on how much to keep it with itself. Why government should get best price? Air India has 140 aircrafts, operates in 41 international destination, goes to 72 domestic destination, has 14% share in domestic market and 17% share in international market running from India. Thus, it will get best price for such a huge airline. This is true that every airline would like to take over a company in healthy state of affairs which is not the case with Air India. So it is necessary to bring it to best possible state and then divest it. Way forward Some may say it is distress sale as the airlines is sold after stripping off all assets. However, it shouldn’t matter what kind of sale it is at this juncture. The final goal should be proper disinvestment of Air India which should take place by 2018. GOM has to decide whether it is distress sale, of debt write off or asset realisation. Some sections of the government feel that foreign investors shouldn’t be allowed as it is national airline, pride of country and foreigners shouldn’t be running it after privatisation. This is despite the fact that government of India has now opened up Indian airlines to foreign airlines after keeping them away for 25 years. Since then, 49% equity a foreign carrier was allowed to take in Indian carrier. In 2016, the rules were amended with 100% overtake by the foreign carrier in participation with foreign funds and foreign investors. Hence, the government wouldn’t be restricting the foreign players to bid in the process. India is a destination where record FDI is coming. There were apprehensions a few years back about foreign companies coming into Indian businesses but right now there is no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to participate in this disinvestment process. Many foreign companies are working in critical sectors such as telecom. So, it is possible in Air India also. It comes without any doubt that national interest in terms of security will be taken care of during the process of disinvestment. In brief, the journey 1932: Founded by J.R.D. Tata as Tata Airlines – country’s first scheduled airline 1946: Tata Airlines became a public limited company under the name of Air India 1948: Government of India acquires 49% stake in the company; starts international operation under brand of Air India International 1953: Air Corporation Act enacted to nationalise all existing airline assets and Indian Airline Corporation (domestic operations) and Air India International were established 1962: Air India International named as Air India 1994: Air Corporation Act repealed to allow private airlines to operate on domestic routes; Air India, Indian Airlines converted into Limited Companies under Companies Act, 1956 2000: Previous NDA govt drops privatisation plan after deciding to sell 51% of equity of Indian Airlines and 60% of Air India 2007: Erstwhile Air India and Indian Airline were merged into single entity named as National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL) 2010: NACIL renamed as Air India Limited 2012: UPA govt rule out AI privatisation; Turnaround plan to infuse over Rs 30,000 crore till 2021 approved 2017: NDA govt approves in-principle approval of Air India's disinvestment Connecting the dots: The disinvestment process is a proof of government realising its true role in democracy. What is this role and how does it affect the democratic functioning? Critically analyse.
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