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1VISION IAS
2www.visionias.in
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4CURRENT AFFAIRS
5DECEMBER 2018
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7Copyright © by Vision IAS
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15©Vision IAS
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17Table of Contents
181. POLITY & GOVERNANCE _______________ 4
19
206. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ______________ 65
21
221.1. Demand for Abolishing the Concurrent List 4
231.2. Education as a Criteria for Local Elections _ 5
241.3. Draft IT Rules _________________________ 6
251.4. Section 4 of the RTI Act ________________ 8
261.5. Witness Protection Scheme _____________ 9
271.6. India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX) ______ 11
28
296.1. Cyber-Physical Systems _______________ 65
306.2. BullSequana Supercomputer ___________ 66
316.3. GSAT-11 ____________________________ 67
326.4. VISIONS-2 Mission ___________________ 67
336.5. Soyuz ______________________________ 68
346.6. Sunspot Cycle _______________________ 68
356.7. Telerobotic Surgery __________________ 69
366.8. National Medical Devices Promotion Council
37_______________________________________ 69
38
392. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ___________ 13
402.1. India-Bhutan ________________________ 13
412.2. India-Maldives_______________________ 14
422.3. Extradition __________________________ 16
432.4. American Retrenchment from Afghanistan18
442.5. New Peace Agreement on Yemen _______ 20
45
463. ECONOMY __________________________ 22
473.1. Farm Loan Waiver ____________________ 22
483.2. Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 _________ 24
493.3. GM Crops ___________________________ 26
503.4. Draft Electricity Amendment Bill ________ 29
513.5. Smart Meters _______________________ 30
523.6. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) __ 32
533.7. Coal Swapping Scheme Extended _______ 32
543.8. New Rules For E-Commerce ____________ 33
553.9. Angel Tax ___________________________ 35
563.10. States’ Start-up Ranking 2018 _________ 36
573.11. Retail, SME Loans to be Linked to External
58Benchmarks ____________________________ 36
593.12. GDP Back Series Data ________________ 37
603.13. National Pension System (NPS) ________ 39
61
624. SECURITY ___________________________ 41
63
647. SOCIAL ISSUES _______________________ 71
657.1. Paternity Leave ______________________ 71
667.2. Draft Child Protection Policy ___________ 72
677.3. Global Gender Gap Report 2018 ________ 74
687.4. Tribal Education in India_______________ 75
697.5. SDG India Index - Baseline Report 2018 __ 76
70
718. CULTURE ___________________________ 78
728.1. PRASAD Scheme _____________________ 78
738.2. Adopt a Heritage Project ______________ 78
748.3. Bhasha Sangam Program ______________ 79
758.4. Pietermaritzburg Station Incident _______ 79
768.5. Sikh Takhts _________________________ 80
778.6. Sri Satguru Ram Singhji _______________ 80
788.7. Hornbill Festival _____________________ 81
798.8. India’s First Music Museum ____________ 81
80
819. ETHICS _____________________________ 83
829.1. The Safety & Ethics of Gene Editing _____ 83
83
8410. NEWS IN SHORT ____________________ 85
85
864.1. Surveillance by State Agencies _________ 41
874.2. Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff
88Committee _____________________________ 43
894.3. Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean
90Region _________________________________ 43
914.4. UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination
92Compact _______________________________ 44
93
945. ENVIRONMENT ______________________ 46
955.1. Katowice COP 24 _____________________ 46
965.2. Sixth Annual Report to CBD ____________ 48
975.3. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification
982018___________________________________ 50
995.4. Sea Level Rise in India_________________ 52
1005.5. Seabed 2030 ________________________ 53
1015.6. Guidelines for Ground Water Extraction _ 54
1025.7. India Water Impact Summit 2018 and Urban
103River Management Plan __________________ 56
1045.8. Charging Infrastructure Guidelines ______ 57
1055.9. Asiatic Lion Conservation Project _______ 58
1065.10. Tiger Conservation __________________ 59
1075.11. Great Indian Bustard ________________ 60
1085.12. Gangetic Dolphin ___________________ 61
1095.13. Rat-Hole Mining ____________________ 63
1102
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11410.1. iGOT _______________________________ 85
11510.2. International Press Institute’s Death Watch 85
11610.3. Google News Initiative_________________ 85
11710.4. Gilets Jaunes Protests _________________ 85
11810.5. U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
119_______________________________________ 85
12010.6. Pokkali Paddy________________________ 85
12110.7. International Rice Research Institute _____ 85
12210.8. ENSURE Portal _______________________ 86
12310.9. RISE 2018 ___________________________ 86
12410.10. Floating Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) ____ 86
12510.11. Share Swap ________________________ 86
12610.12. Survey on Retail Payment Habits of Individuals
127(SRPHi) _________________________________ 86
12810.13. World Customs Organization___________ 87
12910.14. The Climate Change Performance Index 2019
130_______________________________________ 87
13110.15. Global Climate Risk Index 2019 _________ 87
13210.16. International Conference on Sustainable
133Water Management _______________________ 87
13410.17. Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 ______________ 87
13510.18. International Whaling Commission ______ 88
13610.19. Punganur Cows _____________________ 88
13710.20. Women Entrepreneurship Platform 2.0 __ 88
13810.21. Partners' Forum 2018 ________________ 88
13910.22. Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NKY) __________ 88
140©Vision IAS
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14210.23. National Trust _______________________ 89
14310.24. Bogibeel Bridge ______________________ 89
14410.25. International Centre for Automotive
145Technology_______________________________ 89
14610.26. India’s First Railway University __________ 89
14710.27. Train-18____________________________ 89
14810.28. Saturn Losing its Iconic Rings ___________ 89
14910.29. Avangard Hypersonic System ___________ 90
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15510.30. Ideate for India _____________________ 90
15610.31. National Accreditation Board for Certification
157Bodies __________________________________ 90
15810.32. Rajkumar Shukla ____________________ 90
15910.33. Clean Sea-2018 _____________________ 90
16010.34. Recent Military Exercises______________ 91
16110.35. State Schemes ______________________ 91
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1651. POLITY & GOVERNANCE
1661.1. DEMAND FOR ABOLISHING THE CONCURRENT LIST
167Why in news?
168The CM of Telangana has pitched for more autonomy
169to the states, suggesting that the concurrent list be
170done away with.
171Historical Underpinnings
172•
173
174•
175
176Time and again centre-state relations come under
177scanner due to rising demands from various
178corners of the country for more power devolution
179in favor of states.
180The Indian governance system though federal in
181nature has strong central tendencies which born
182out of a mix causes i.e. the inertia to stay within
183the guidelines set by the Government of India act
184of 1935, fear of cessation etc.
185
186Seventh Schedule (Article 246)
187The Constitution provides a scheme for demarcation of
188powers through three ‘lists’ in the seventh schedule.
189• The union list details the subjects on which Parliament
190may make laws e.g. defence, foreign affairs, railways,
191banking, among others.
192• The state list details those under the purview of state
193legislatures e.g. Public order, police, public health and
194sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries, betting and
195gambling etc.
196• The concurrent list has subjects in which both
197Parliament and state legislatures have jurisdiction e.g.
198Education including technical education, medical
199education and universities, population control and
200family planning, criminal law, prevention of cruelty to
201animals, protection of wildlife and animals, forests etc.
202• The Constitution also provides federal supremacy to
203Parliament on concurrent list items i.e. in case of a
204conflict; a central law will override a state law.
205Why Concurrent list?
206• The aim of the concurrent list was to ensure uniformity
207across the country where independently both centre
208and state can legislate. Thus, a model law with enough
209flexibility for states was originally conceived in the
210constitution.
211• Also, few concurrent list subjects required huge
212finances needing both centre and state to contribute.
213
214Centralization of power Vis a Vis Concurrent list
215• Since 1950, the Seventh Schedule of the
216Constitution has seen a number of amendments.
217The Union List and Concurrent List have grown
218while subjects under the State List have gradually
219reduced.
220• The 42nd Amendment Act was implemented in
2211976, restructured the Seventh Schedule ensuring
222that State List subjects like education, forest,
223protection of wild animals and birds,
224administration of justice, and weights and Sarkaria Commission Recommendation on Concurrent List
225measurements were transferred to the • The residuary powers of taxation should continue to
226remain with the Parliament, while the other residuary
227Concurrent List.
228powers should be placed in the Concurrent List.
229• The Tamil Nadu government constituted the PV
230• The Centre should consult the states before making a
231Rajamannar Committee to look into Centre-State
232law on a subject of the Concurrent List.
233relations. It spurred other states to voice their
234• Ordinarily, the Union should occupy only that much
235opposition to this new power relation born due
236field of a concurrent subject on which uniformity of
237to 42nd amendment act and Centre’s
238policy and action is essential in the larger interest of the
239encroachment on subjects that were historically
240nation, leaving the rest and details for state action.
241under the state list.
242• The Sarkaria Commission was set up to look into Centre-State relations after opposition shown by states.
243However, the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission were not implemented by successive central
244governments.
245Issues with Concurrent list
246•
247•
248
2494
250
251Limited capacity of states: Some laws enacted by Parliament in the concurrent list might require state
252governments to allocate funds for their implementation. But due to federal supremacy while the states are
253mandated to comply with these laws they might not have enough financial resources to do so.
254Balance between flexibility and uniformity: Some laws leave little flexibility for states to sync the laws
255according to their needs for achieving uniformity. A higher degree of detail in law ensures uniformity across
256the country and provides the same level of protection and rights however, it reduces the flexibility for states
257to tailor the law for their different local conditions.
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265Infringement in the domain of states: Some Bills may directly infringe upon the rights of states i.e. relates to
266central laws on subjects that are in the domain of state legislatures. E.g. anti-terrorist laws, Lokpal bill, issues
267with GST and Aadhar etc. where states’ power are taken away in a cloaked manner.
268
269This asymmetry highlights the need for a detailed public debate on federalism and treatment of items in the
270concurrent list.
271What can be done?
272•
273
274•
275
276Strengthening of Inter-State Council: Over the year committees starting from Rajamannar, Sarkaria and
277Punchi have recommended strengthening of Interstate Council where the concurrent list subjects can be
278debated and discussed, balancing Centre state powers. There is far less institutional space to settle inter-state
279frictions therefore a constitutional institution like ISC can be a way forward.
280Autonomy to states: Centre should form model laws with enough space for states to maneuver. Centre
281should give enough budgetary support to states so as to avoid budgetary burden. There should be least
282interference in the state subjects.
283
2841.2. EDUCATION AS A CRITERIA FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS
285Why in News?
286Rajasthan Government has scrapped education
287criteria for Panchayati Raj elections.
288Background
289•
290
291•
292
293•
294
295•
296•
297
298Panchayati Raj Elections
299• 73rd and 74th Amendment Act in 1992 provided for
300mandatory constitution of Panchayati Raj Institution as third
301tier of government at local level.
302• Under Article 243 (K) (4) of Indian Constitution State
303Government by law can lay down the qualification for
304elections to local bodies.
305• Article 243 (O) bans the interference of courts in electoral
306matters. If there is any dispute in the Panchayat Elections,
307courts have no jurisdiction over them.
308• Panchayat Election can be questioned in the form of an
309election petition presented to an authority which the state
310legislature can by law prescribe.
311• Haryana Government had passed the Haryana 
312Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015 requiring minimum
313qualification for those contesting in panchayat election.
314• States like Assam and Uttarakhand have also brought in
315legislations to make minimum education criteria for
316contesting local polls.
317
318Under Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Second
319Amendment) Act, 2015 it was made
320mandatory for people contesting zila
321parishad, panchayat samiti and municipal
322elections to have passed Class 10.
323Those contesting sarpanch elections to have
324passed Class 8 and those standing for
325sarpanch elections in panchayats in
326scheduled areas to have cleared Class 5.
327Constitutional Validity of the law enacted by
328Haryana government was challenged in
329Supreme Court in Rajbala vs State of Haryana
330case, in which court upheld the validity of law
331barring the illiterate from contesting panchayat polls in the state.
332SC held that the Right to Contest is neither fundamental rights, nor merely statutory rights, but are
333Constitutional Rights. Further, the Right to Contest can be regulated and curtailed through laws passed by
334the appropriate legislature.
335The Supreme Court’s interpretation is based on the fact that uneducated or illiterate people getting elected
336to the local bodies can easily be misled by officials if they don’t know how to write and read.
337
338Arguments against educational criteria
339•
340•
341•
342•
343
3445
345
346Against grassroots democracy: When there is no minimum education criteria to become MLA or MP, it is
347unfair to make such a criteria for panchayat elections.
348Misplaced Focus: Experts have said that primary role of an elected public representative is to put forward the
349point of her/his electorate rather than being well-versed in technicalities of administration.
350Discriminatory towards Women & Weaker Sections: Since the rate of literacy is low among the Dalits, Tribals
351and Women in particular due to societal and historical reasons, this law had disenfranchised a large number
352of Dalits and Women.
353Exclusionary Move: As per 2011 Census, over 70% of the overall rural population over the age of 20 years got
354barred from contesting the sarpanch elections in Rajasthan. It defeats the very purpose of the Panchayati Raj
355institutions, to include citizens in multi-tier local governance from all sections of society.
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363Weakens the Panchayati Raj System: Due to lack of candidates who meet the education criteria, the number
364of sarpanch candidates who have been elected unopposed has more than doubled in the state as compared
365to the previous polls.
366Abdication of Responsibility: The education criteria penalised the people for failure to meet certain social
367indicators, when in fact it is the state’s responsibility to provide the infrastructure and incentives for school
368and adult education.
369
370Arguments in favor of educational criteria
371•
372•
373•
374•
375
376Progressive Legislation: It will encourage people to focus on education. People who were till now illiterate will
377now be encouraged to take up minimum education even if at a later age.
378Need of the Hour: This move may further the debate about having educational criteria for MPs and MLAs too.
379As in the present era, governance has become a complex issue and we must have educated people as our
380representatives.
381Improvement in Social Indicators: Experts argue that having Educational Criteria will lead to betterment of
382other social indicators like lowering of child marriages, female feticide, and overall improvement of health and
383wellbeing. Having two child norm as a criterion has already lowered the fertility rates in states.
384Role-Model Effect: States rationale is that it will lead to the role-model effect, and citizens in the
385constituencies will emulate their panchayat leaders, which will lead to social progress.
386
387Conclusion
388•
389
390•
391
392In his memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1928, the father of the Indian Constitution B.R. Ambedkar
393said, “Those who insist on literacy as a test and insist upon making it a condition precedent to
394enfranchisement, in my opinion, commit two mistakes. Their first mistake consists in their belief that an
395illiterate person is necessarily an unintelligent person…Their second mistake lies in supposing that literacy
396necessarily imports a higher level of intelligence or knowledge than what the illiterate possesses…”.
397This decision should force a recasting of the debate on finding ways and means by which elected bodies are
398made more representative. This is because to mandate paternalistically what makes a person a ‘good’
399candidate goes against the spirit of the attempt to deepen democracy by taking self-government to the
400grassroots.
401
4021.3. DRAFT IT RULES
403Why in news?
404The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) has sought public comments on the proposed
405amendments to the rules under Information Technology (IT) Act 2000 that seek to make it mandatory for platforms
406such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to trace “originator” of “unlawful” information.
407Key Suggestions of Draft IT [Intermediaries Guidelines (Amendment) Rules] 2018
408•
409•
410•
411•
412•
413
4146
415
416Definition of intermediaries: Any social media platform with more than 50 lakh users or in the list notified by
417the government is defined as an “intermediary”. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook,
418Instagram, Twitter etc. and search engines like Google fall under the definition of intermediary.
419Privacy Policy: The intermediary must publish their privacy policy informing the user not to host, display,
420upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, harassing, blasphemous,
421defamatory, obscene, threatens security of the state etc.
422Informing non-compliance: A new rule 3(4) requires intermediary to inform its users at least once every
423month, in case of non-compliance with rules and regulations, user agreement and privacy policy.
424Nodal person of contact: The intermediary is liable to provide information sought by any government agency
425within 72 hours of the query. They are expected to appoint a ‘nodal person of contact’ for 24X7 coordination
426with law enforcement agencies and officers to ensure compliance.
427Removal of unlawful content: The intermediary after being notified by the appropriate authority should
428remove or disable access to unlawful content within 24 hours. The intermediary is also expected to preserve
429such information and associated records for at least 180 days for investigation purposes (as against 90 days
430now).
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437•
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439Traceability of originator: The modified Rule 3(5)
440will introduce a “traceability requirement” to
441enable tracing the originator of information on
442the platform. It will in effect require a platform
443to break end-to-end encryption and introduce
444systems for retaining information specific to each
445bit of user data sent/received, including
446WhatsApp messages.
447Tools to identify unlawful content: The modified
448Rule 3(9) requires online platforms to deploy
449automated tools to identify and disable access to
450unlawful content. It requires online platforms to
451report cyber security incidents with the Indian
452Computer Emergency Response Team.
453
454Need for such regulations
455•
456
457•
458•
459
460Information Technology Act 2000
461• It is the primary law in India dealing with cybercrimes
462and electronic commerce, based on United Nations
463Model Law on Electronic Commerce 1996.
464• It formed the basis on e-governance in India as it gave
465recognition to electronic records and digital signatures.
466• It defines several cyber-crimes like tampering with
467computer source documents, hacking, cheating using
468computer resource, publishing obscene information in
469electronic form, cyber-terrorism etc. and prescribes
470penalties for them.
471• Section 79 of the IT Act elaborates on the exemption
472from liabilities of intermediaries in cases where they are
473merely acting as ‘conduits’ for information transmitted
474& published by end-users. Section 79(2)(c) mentions
475that intermediaries must observe due diligence while
476discharging their duties, and also observe guidelines as
477prescribed by the Central Government.
478
479Social media has brought new challenges for the
480law enforcement agencies, as it is being used for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content,
481spread of disharmony, incitement of violence, public order, fake news etc. An active cooperation &
482coordination between government and technology companies is needed for effective enforcement of the law.
483A number of lynching incidents were reported in 2018 mostly alleged to be because of fake news/rumors
484being circulated through WhatsApp and other Social Media sites. The government needed to strengthen the
485legal framework and make the social media platforms accountable under law.
486Supreme Court also recognized the need for online platforms following due diligence and enforcing
487‘reasonable restrictions to free speech’ under Article 19(2) of the Constitution so that their platforms are not
488used to commit and provoke terrorism, extremism, violence and crime. It allowed government to frame
489Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with publication of such content.
490
491Challenges posed
492•
493
494•
495•
496
497•
498•
499
5007
501
502Definition of “unlawful content”: The definition of unlawful content is in terms of violation of sovereignty,
503friendly foreign affairs, public order, decency or morality under Article 19(2) of the Constitution. The scope of
504such as definition is wide and allows the government to curb any information that goes against it. The activists
505fear that this might lead to the “Chinese model of censorship”.
506o This also goes against the spirit of SC judgement in Shreya Singhal case whereby it struck down Sec 66A
507of IT Act 2000. It was asserted in the judgement that vague and subjective used in the law such as
508"annoyance", "inconvenience", "danger" etc. doesn't come under the purview of a criminal proceeding.
509A penal law can be declared void on the ground of vagueness, if it fails to define the criminal offense
510with definiteness.
511Government Interference: The draft amendments allow breaking of encryption on messaging platforms such
512as WhatsApp, but lack any judicial safeguards against governmental abuse or interference. This infringes on
513the constitutional right to informational privacy and goes against the spirit of Puttaswamy judgement (2017).
514Pro-active censorship: Allowing intermediaries to block any “unlawful” content on the Internet or using
515automated tools for the same, without any oversight, makes them arbiters without any right & violates the
516right to free speech. The Rules don’t provide the procedure or the object for such an exercise. They differ
517from the requirements governing content of other media like newspapers and television. Moreover, no
518provision for content creator to appeal against the takedowns goes against the principle of natural justice.
519Longer data retention: The phrase, “government agencies” is not defined and the specific conditions for data
520retention, for a longer period, are also not defined. Such retention will be without the information of the user
521and even despite the user deleting the data on the servers of the intermediary.
522Induce self-censorship: Draft Rule 3(4), which inserts a monthly requirement to inform users about the legal
523requirements, may induce self-censorship. Such a measure by law will require product side changes for smaller
524startups and entrepreneurs, thereby increasing costs.
525
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530There is a need to keep the privacy-security balance intact and limit the scope for executive overreach. But, such
531changes in digital information architecture must be brought after a consultative process with all stakeholders on
532board.
533
5341.4. SECTION 4 OF THE RTI ACT
535Why in News?
536Recently, Central Information Commission (CIC) has
537undertaken a transparency audit to ascertain the
538quality of suo-motu disclosures under Section 4 of the
539RTI Act made by various public authorities.
540Finding of Audit
541•
542•
543
544It found that, out of the 838 public authorities audited, over 85% did not disclose information related to:
545Budget and programming, Publicity and public interface and e-governance.
546It observed that most public authorities had taken transparency-related measures, however, vital information
547is not fully displayed on official websites.
548
549Major
550Reason
551behind
552NonCompliance to Section 4 of RTI.
553•
554
555•
556
557•
558
559•
560•
561•
562•
563
5648
565
566Related news
567• India recently ranked 6th in the global RTI ranking.
568• The Right to Information Rating is a programme
569founded by Access Info Europe (AIE) and the Centre
570for Law and Democracy (CLD) and is conducted by
571Transparency International.
572
573Section 4 of the RTI Act
574• It states that, every government department has to voluntarily disclose
575information through annual reports and websites.
576• It mandates that public authorities shall maintain all its records duly
577catalogued and indexed in a manner and form which facilitate the RTI
578Act.
579Advantages of Suo-moto Disclosure:
580• Limiting Corruption: Publishing information about the actions of the
581government keeps public officials under the constant watch of the
582public, makes governments to be more accountable and less corrupt.
583• Increasing Participation: It empowers citizen with information which
584increase their voice in decision making process and policies, which are
585more likely to benefit them and less likely to be hijacked by special
586interest groups.
587• Equality in Access: Proactive disclosure makes the information available
588to the public rather than particular or few individual(s).
589• Security: Publishing information also protects the security of individuals
590within society. Requesting information for some individuals can
591sometimes be dangerous, particularly if it threatens powerful interest
592groups.
593• Improving Information Management: Proactive disclosure is also a
594more efficient means of disclosing information than processing
595individual information requests both in terms of the number of people it
596reaches and the public administration burden.
597
598Lack of Awareness among PIO’s:
599According to an annual report of
600State Information Commission
601(SIC), 80% of Public Information
602Officers (PIO) and Appellate
603Authorities (AAs) do not know the
604basics of the RTI Act.
605Demand Based Supply: There is
606focus on furnishing information
607on demand rather than effectively
608ensuring voluntary disclosures by
609public authorities.
610Poor quality of information
611provided: Information proactively
612disclosed is not updated regularly
613leading to obsolescence of
614information provided, lack of
615important items of information on
616websites and relevant facts, which
617reflect lack of transparency in
618processes
619and
620inadequate
621training provided to the concerned PIO.
622Obsolete record management Guidelines: The current record management guidelines at Centre and in most
623states are inadequate to meet the requirements specified under the RTI Act as there is lack of any electronic
624document management system in many of the Departments.
625Neglect of record keeping: Leading to a tendency to provide bulk unprocessed information rather than a
626relevant and intelligible summarization.
627Lack of Accountability: Currently there exist inadequate measures and processes for an Information
628Commission to view the adherence levels of this important provision of the Act, also there is no provision to
629fix responsibility on any officer at the level of public authority in case of non-compliance.
630Non-availability of basic Infrastructure: Lack of basic infrastructure such as photocopier machines at each
631Public Authority and basic level of automation such as necessary applications and connectivity hampers its
632implementation.
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637Way Forward
638•
639•
640•
641
642•
643•
644•
645
646Awareness drive: Government should make awareness programmes targeting the public as well as
647governmental bodies, for educating them and promoting about suo-moto disclosure under RTI Act.
648Training of public authorities: Public officials should be trained on how to comply with proactive disclosure
649rules and how to make most effective use of both ICTs and traditional dissemination channels.
650Establishing Public Records Office (PRO) for website monitoring and auditing: PRO would have responsibility
651to oversee proper record keeping in all public offices including preparation and up-dating of manuals,
652modernization and digitization, monitoring, inspections and other relevant functions. The Public Records
653Office should function under the overall guidance and supervision of CIC or SIC.
654Improving Infrastructure: The ARC report had mentioned that GoI may allocate one per cent (1%) of the funds
655of the ‘Flagship Programmes’ for a period of five years for improving the infrastructure requirements.
656Strict Punishment: Government officials hide truth/facts of information for camouflaging their acts of
657corruption/carelessness. This act should come under criminal offence.
658Improving Record Management: Record keeping procedures need to be developed, reviewed and revised;
659catalouging, indexing and orderly storage should be mandatory; all documents need to be converted into
660rational, intelligible, retrievable information modules.
661
6621.5. WITNESS PROTECTION SCHEME
663Why in News?
664Recently Supreme Court asked the states to adopt Witness Protection Scheme.
665More on News
666•
667•
668
669•
670
671Supreme Court under Article 141/142 of the Constitution of India has provided legal sanctity to the scheme
672until Parliament/state legislature enacts a law on the matter.
673Although National Investigation Agency (NIA) act
674Related Information
675provides for witness protection, the scheme has extended
676Art. 141 - law declared by the Supreme Court shall
677it to the witnesses in all other cases as per the threat
678be binding on all courts within the territory of India.
679perception.
680Judgments/Committees in the matter
681Art. 142- Under this, SC can grant appropriate relief
682o Zahira sheikh vs. State of Gujarat SC observed that for doing complete justice (where there is some
683manifest illegality, want of jurisdiction or where
684witness protection is necessary for free and fair trial.
685th
686some pulpable injustice is shown to have resulted).
687o 14 report of Law commission and subsequently in
688Curative petition owes its origin to this article.
689and reports indicated about the need to protect
690witnesses.
691o Concerns in the matter were also raised by the 4th Report of the National Police Commission (1980).
692
693Need of Witness Protection Scheme
694•
695•
696•
697•
698
699Rule of Law: it is imperative to ensure that investigation, prosecution and trial of criminal offences is not
700prejudiced because of threats or intimidation to witnesses. It will help in strengthening the Criminal Justice
701System in the Country and improve national security scenario.
702Rights of Witness: While offenders have range of constitutional and legal rights, witnesses have limited rights
703and protection in current setup. This imbalance of rights many times compels the witnesses to turn hostile.
704Threats to Witness: In many high-profile cases/scams like NRHM scam in UP, Fodder scam in Bihar key
705witnesses were killed adversely affecting the investigation in these cases.
706International Practice: Countries like US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand have separate programme/acts for
707the protection of witnesses. In many countries, local police may implement informal protection as the need
708arises in specific cases.
709
710Challenges
711•
712
7139
714
715Lack of resources: Indian police force has acute shortage of manpower (136 personnel per lakh population)
716and funds even to handle day to day policing. The witness protection duties will further increase the pressure.
717
718www.visionias.in
719
720©Vision IAS
721
722•
723
724•
725
726•
727
728•
729
730Right of accused: Law Commission
731mentioned that concealing the
732identity of witness for his/her
733protection can compromise the
734rights of the accused to demand a
735fair trial in case he/she wants to
736establish authenticity of witness.
737Privacy of Witness: Providing
738physical security to witnesses may
739not be appreciated by witness as it
740curtails the privacy and movement.
741Time frame of protection: It may be
742difficult to assess the time frame for
743protection. E.g. protection of
744witnesses may be required not only
745before, but also during and after
746trail and that too for years
747considering the delays in Criminal
748Justice System.
749Issue in implementation: Indian
750Penal Code, Juvenile Justice Act and
751Whistleblowers Protection Act etc.
752already have provisions for witness
753protection but lack of availability of
754appropriate structure limits the
755implementation.
756
757Way forward
758•
759
760•
761
762•
763
764•
765
766•
767
76810
769
770Witness Protection Scheme
771• Procedure:
772o Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) can pass
773witness protection order for the witness protection under this
774Scheme for protection of identity/change of identity/relocation
775of a witness, categorization of threat etc.
776o The Threat Analysis Report shall be prepared by the ACP / DSP
777after investigation on direction from DLSA. The police officer will
778categorize the threat perception and suggest corrective
779measure.
780o The responsibility of implementation lies on witness protection
781cell constituted under the scheme.
782• Physical safety:
783o Ensuring that witness and accused do not come face to face
784during investigation or trial.
785o Concealment of identity of the witness by referring to him/her
786with the changed name or alphabet.
787o Escort to and from the court and provision of Government vehicle
788date of hearing.
789o Close protection, regular patrolling around the witness’s house.
790• Use of Technology:
791o Holding of in-camera trials, videoconferencing, teleconferencing
792etc.
793• Judicial Support:
794o Ensuring expeditious deposition of cases during trial on day to day
795basis without adjournments.
796• Financial provisions:
797o Witness Protection Fund for the purpose of re-location,
798sustenance or starting new vocation/profession.
799• The scheme aimed to enable a witness to depose fearlessly and
800truthfully. Under it, witness protection may be as simple as providing
801a police escort to the witness up to the courtroom or, in more complex
802cases involving an organised criminal group, taking extraordinary
803measures such as offering temporary residence in a safe house, giving
804a new identity, and relocation at an undisclosed place.
805
806Effective
807witness
808protection
809legislation should be enacted
810clearly defining the role of police,
811government and judiciary. This will
812create confidence among witnesses.
813In this regard, Witness Protection Bill 2015
814can be enacted with suitable amendments.
815Witness protection cell established under
816scheme should arrange for the provisions of
817false identities, relocation, employment and
818follow up.
819In some cases medical facilities, social
820services, state compensation, counseling,
821treatment and other support should be
822provided to the witness.
823The witness should be treated with fairness,
824respect and dignity and protection from
825intimidation, harassment or abuse must be
826prevented throughout the criminal justice
827process.
828Overhauling the Criminal Justice System with
829reduce the need of witness protection.
830
831Witness Protection Bill 2015
832The proposed Bill seeks to ensure the protection of witness by• Formulation of witness protection programme and
833constituting National Witness Protection Council and State
834Witness Protection Councils to ensure its implementation
835• Constitution of a "witness protection cell" to prepare a
836report for the trial court to examine and grant protection to
837the witness referred as "protectee" after being admitted in
838the programme;
839• Providing safeguards to ensure protection of Identity of
840witness;
841• Providing transfer of cases out of original Jurisdiction to
842ensure that the witness can depose freely;
843• Providing stringent punishment to the persons contravening
844the provisions and against false testimonies;
845
846faster and scientific investigation, trails and convictions will
847
848www.visionias.in
849
850©Vision IAS
851
8521.6. INDIA URBAN DATA EXCHANGE (IUDX)
853Why in News?
854Recently, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has launched a pilot project for the Indian Urban Data Exchange (IUDX)
855in Electronics City (a township of Bangalore).
856Data Exchange - Concept Background
857•
858•
859•
860
861•
862
863Cities around the world have learned that they possess a new valuable asset, namely the data generated by
864their various departments and agencies with each data set having its own security and privacy consideration,
865as well as commercial, monetary or subscription aspects.
866Cities such as Copenhagen, and Manchester have taken ownership of their data assets by creating data
867exchanges, which are software platforms that allow controlled sharing of data by providing common ways of
868accessing and representing the data
869An important idea behind a data exchange is that data silos are actually not a bad thing, as each silo often
870represents a domain-optimized service that performs that function very well. Instead of breaking silos or
871moving data into a central repository, this approach chooses to interconnect the disparate and distributed
872entities through a common data exchange.
873In addition, there is an opportunity for thirdICCC
874party providers of data, or third-party • It’s a center where the entire city's information is collected,
875providers of data analytics or data annotation,
876viewed and analysed through a City operations center
877to participate in what becomes a data
878application.
879marketplace.
880• Significance: Government can take pro-active measures
881
882India Urban Data Exchange
883•
884
885•
886•
887•
888•
889
890and informed decisions on the basis of the data on a single
891dashboard. This system would control street lights, parking
892lights, parking, traffic (including violations and
893congestions), waste management, water supply etc.
894through sensors.
895As of June 2018, ICCC were operational under 10 smart
896cities in India with the latest being Naya Raipur.
897
898It’s a platform intended to facilitate easy and
899efficient exchange of data among various
900stakeholders
901of
902Smart
903Cities
904by
905interconnecting disparate urban data •
906platforms, and enabling co-creation and
907innovation.
908Smart City Mission aims to develop an innovative city that uses information and communication technologies
909(ICTs) and will spend over Rs 16,000 crore (8% of the total Rs 2.04 lakh crore investment) on IT.
910After digitising municipal operations, such as waste flow, water supply, traffic patterns, and surveillance
911systems, the aim is to feed all data into an Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC).
912In this manner, it reflects the two-way partnership of information sharing between funding agencies and
913service providers, enabling both to find smarter and more efficient ways of improving service delivery and the
914overall outcomes achieved for individuals, families and their communities.
915Monitoring of IUDX: Open Smart Cities of India (OSCI) will be setup as a non-profit, start up company with
916central and state government officials, Smart City officials, researchers, and industry players to set up and
917scale IUDX.
918
919Advantage of IUDX
920•
921•
922•
923
924Good Governance: It will serve as a foundation for City Administration to build City Operations Center through
925which the city Administrators can monitor & operate the various city services Intelligently & efficiently.
926Informed policy making: It will empower Citizen, Industry, Academic and Research institution with direct
927access to a wide variety of data and make informed policy and decision making.
928Data Monetization: IUDX would essentially create a unified single-point data market place for various smart
929cities ecosystem stakeholders. This will help cities with new revenue sources and create a fertile environment
930for innovation.
931
932Concern and Way Forward
933•
934
93511
936
937Data Protection and Usage: Regulations and laws should detail how consent for gathering data should occur,
938how data can be used and shared.
939www.visionias.in
940
941©Vision IAS
942
943•
944•
945
94612
947
948Privacy and Personal Right Protections: Smart cities will face challenges of privacy as they strive to balance
949innovation with personal privacy. Therefore, cities will need to establish laws and regulations that determine
950how the privacy of its citizens will be protected.
951Reliability and Liability: Laws will need to determine exactly who is liable for damages incurred by
952malfunctioning IoT technology. Standards must be developed that outline how reliable an IoT device must be
953in order for it to be embedded in a smart city.
954
955www.visionias.in
956
957©Vision IAS
958
9592. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
9602.1. INDIA-BHUTAN
961Why in news?
962PM of Bhutan is on a trip to India as his first state visit after being sworn in as the new PM in the recently held
963elections.
964Bhutan’s significance for Indian Foreign policy
965•
966
967•
968
969•
970
971A trusted partner: India Bhutan ties are governed by 1949 Friendship Treaty (amended in 2007) which states
972that both countries will ensure perpetual peace, friendship and protect each other’s national interests.
973o Bhutan stands out as an exception in South Asia as a country whose relations with India do not oscillate
974between China and India based on the party in power.
975o Bhutan has time and again stood by India be it 1971 or the immediate action against Indian insurgents in
976its territory. Similarly, India has shown its respect by visiting Bhutan first on the state visit or standing
977beside Bhutan during Dokhlam crisis, both countries has stood the test of good neighborly relations.
978Strategic Relevance: Bhutan acts as a buffer between two big powers that is India and China. The Chinese
979finger problem where it claims Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal to be a part of its territory,
980jeopardises Indian and Bhutanese sovereignty. Thus, for both Bhutan and India it is imperative to avoid such
981territorial claims together.
982Economic overlapping: India continues to be the largest trade and development partner of Bhutan. India has
983contributed generously towards latter’s Five Year Plans since 1961.
984o Cooperation in hydropower has over the years intensified as main pillar of economic ties and has evolved
985to become Bhutan’s major export item and a major source of its revenue. The hydro relations has
986benefitted India to tackle it energy deficiency and helped Bhutan’s economy to grow simultaneously.
987o Also three Hydropower projects developed with Indian assistance have already been completed, they are
9881020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project, 336 MW Chukha Hydroelectric Project, 60 MW Kurichhu
989Hydroelectric.
990
991Changing Dynamics
992•
993
994•
995
99613
997
998Friendship under strain: Though the friendship treaty is the bedrock of relationship it is ironical that Bhutan
999takes it with the pinch of salt. India’s big brotherly attitude in its neighborhood is not taken well even by
1000Bhutan. Though Dokhlam was a diplomatic victory but some political analysts branded it as India’s self image
1001as a protectorate.
1002o Also, the political meddling, regime management and economic arm twisting (blockade in 2013) increases
1003Bhutan’s mistrust for India’s intention.
1004Biased strategic approach: Bhutan has often accused India of India first approach rather than a bilateral one.
1005Bhutan sees itself a sovereign and often India’s sovereignty comes first anytime when there is instability in the
1006neighbourhood. E.g.
1007o To India the most immediate concern is Chinese increasing incursion in the trijunction area in general
1008and its physical presence in Chumbi valley in particular. Chumbi valley is very close to the Siliguri corridor
1009(Chicken neck) to which if China gets complete access from Bhutan and its contested territory settlement;
1010it can give a strategic edge to China threatening Indian sovereignty once and for all. That is why India held
1011its ground during Dokhlam.
1012o Also, China is expanding through Belt Road Initiative (BRI) a mega connectivity project with strategic
1013implication for India particularly. The western contested China-Bhutan territory is essential for the project
1014i.e. for the railway line from Lhasa-Shigatse to Nepal and later to Bhutan. Therefore, China is keen to swap
1015northern part for territories in western Bhutan.
1016o India sees Bhutan from a Chinese prism, increasing sensitivities on the Bhutanese side. Dokhlam
1017upstanding of India was seen by many to protect its own interest not the territorial interest of Bhutan.
1018Bhutan has become skeptical of India protecting its national interest as China looms larger in the region
1019due to its growing military and economic prowess.
1020
1021www.visionias.in
1022
1023©Vision IAS
1024
1025•
1026
1027Economic Drift: India Bhutan economic ties are stronger but Bhutan now sees itself as a self reliant economy
1028which is being thwarted due to one sided Indian commercial policy. According to Bhutanese analysts,
1029Bhutan’s economy has become auxiliary to India’s economic intervention model.
1030o The study has found that over 60% of government expenditure goes into the import of goods from
1031India. Further, 75 per cent of the country's external debt is accounted by hydropower loans and
1032India accounts for 80 per cent of Bhutan's exports.
1033o India’s stranglehold over Bhutan’s economy along with unfair business practices often leads to
1034economic crisis such as the debt and rupee crunch. The fundamentals of economic dependency
1035including the hydropower projects are becoming subjects of debate, with the unfair tariff rates, time
1036runs and a jobless growth.
1037o The remedy they see lies in diversifying its economy from a hydropower based economy to
1038Multidiverse one and China has a great role to play in this diversification being an economic
1039powerhouse.
1040
1041Way Forward
1042•
1043
1044•
1045
1046•
1047
1048Recalibrating the friendship: India should take Bhutan’s perspective of India’s dominant status in south Asia
1049for a balanced approach in implementing the friendship treaty.
1050o It has to build Bhutan’s trust on India’s intention by following the treaty in letter and spirit and not on a
1051chose and pick basis. The carrot and stick policy should
1052be abandoned to rebuild the faith in the friendship treaty.
1053Strategic balancing: Bhutan and India bilaterally should look
1054at all matters of territorial incursions. India needs to develop
1055a standalone Bhutan policy that is independent of Chinese
1056lens.
1057o In various regional grouping, India-Bhutan should
1058cooperate and coordinate their national interests. The
1059BRI of China can have huge implication for sovereignty
1060and security of both countries therefore both needs to
1061connect by lessening the barriers.
1062o The operationalisation of BBIN motor vehicle agreement
1063(Bhutan Bangladesh India Nepal) can be good for starters.
1064Inclusive Economic ties: India has to make efforts to reduce
1065Bhutan’s debt fears. Operationalisation of the pending
1066projects can reduce the fears.
1067o Also, the PM came with four agendas i.e. a fair tariff for the 720 MW bilateral Mangdechhu project;
1068seeking India’s support for Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (FYP); starting the 2,560 MW Sunkosh Reservoir
1069project and waiving off the Central GST for Bhutan. These are critical for Bhutan’s economic future and
1070commercial plans and India has to adopt an open, participative approach to achieve them.
1071o There is no harm in diversifying one’s economy and India should see it as a new opportunity to partner
1072with Bhutan and help diversify its economy. It should transform its relation from an aid provider to an
1073investment led developer. Skilling Bhutan’s youth, developing a bilateral tourism policy and increasing
1074private investment can be helpful for both.
1075
10762.2. INDIA-MALDIVES
1077Why in news?
1078The President of the Republic of Maldives, within a month of assuming office visited India on his first State Visit.
1079Background
1080India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural links, steeped in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multidimensional relations. However there have been various recent developments which left a strain the ties like• Political partnership: India-Maldives ties were cordial under President Nasheed regime. But his eviction in
10812012 had put India-Maldives ties under strain since then. This was followed by India showing its dissatisfaction
1082over the ouster, the imposition of emergency and crackdown on democratic institutions.
108314
1084
1085www.visionias.in
1086
1087©Vision IAS
1088
1089•
1090
1091Strategic partnership: Under President Yameen’s government
1092Maldives improved its proximity with China with the signing of FTA
1093for leasing out strategic land to China under debt-equity swap,
1094China’s help in development of 3 islands Chinese loan assistance,
1095amending the Maldivian Constitution in 2015 allowing foreigners to
1096own land etc. This increased China’s strategic footprint in southern
1097Indian ocean under the garb of development.
1098
1099Significance of change in regime in Maldives
1100•
1101•
1102
1103Political Bonhomie: The return of democracy is expected to
1104improve the mutual trust between the two countries as well as may
1105further lead to betterment of ties.
1106Strategic Advantage: Maldives is advantageously located
1107geographically in Indian Ocean. Also, China’s large presence since
1108the inception of Belt and Road Initiative has huge implications for
1109Indian security. The new government’s insistence on the implementation of India First Policy in letter and
1110spirit is crucial for India.
1111
1112Recent developments exemplifying recalibration of ties
1113•
1114•
1115•
1116
1117India recently announced $1.4 billion financial assistance to the island nation in a bid to bail out its debttrapped economy.
1118Backed by India, Maldives recently became Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Member. Also, it is helping
1119expedite its inclusion in the Commonwealth again.
1120Apart from the increasing official visits between the two countries (Indian PM visited Male before the current
1121visit by Maldivian President), both sides reiterated commitment to maintain close relations with each other.
1122For instance, Maldives reaffirmed commitment to 'India First' policy.
1123
1124Challenges
1125•
1126•
1127•
1128•
1129
1130Political Uncertainty: Like initial euphoria over Srilanka democratic government victory and the later unfolding
1131of subsequent events there is similar concerns with Maldivian coalition government. Thus, India cannot fully
1132rely on Maldivian government.
1133China Factor: Though the Maldivian government has said it will rework the FTA but the huge debt owed to
1134China may force Maldives to tread cautiously without antagonising China. Thus, India cannot stop its
1135neighbour to engage actively with China due to its growing economic prowess in its backyard.
1136Terrorism Concern: In the past decade the number of Maldivians drawn towards terrorist groups like the
1137Islamic State (ISIS) has grown in number due to political instability and socioeconomic underdevelopment. This
1138has perpetual security concerns for India.
1139No
1140independent
1141Island
1142policy: Though India is
1143working towards a regional
1144security architect under IORA
1145and
1146trilateral
1147security
1148arrangement it lacks an
1149independent policy dealing
1150collectively with archipelagos
1151like Seychelles, Maldives,
1152Madagascar and Mauritius
1153amidst increasing Chinese
1154presence along these islands.
1155
1156Way Forward
1157•
1158
115915
1160
1161India needs to actively and diplomatically engage with its southern neighbours including Maldives. Political
1162support and people to people participation has to be readily increased. An independent archipelago foreign
1163www.visionias.in
1164
1165©Vision IAS
1166
1167•
1168•
1169
1170policy needs to be developed to systematically partner with them. Also, the trilateral and bilateral security
1171arrangements need to be reinforced in order to address the changing power structures in Indian Ocean.
1172More sustainable investment policies favouring socioeconomic development in an atmosphere of trust once
1173developed can have long term benefits to both countries relationship.
1174India may further its approach of non intervention in Maldives to manage a lighter diplomatic influence on a
1175similar stance as it did during the previous regime. This may help India to build trust in the region and to get
1176past its Big Brotherly image in the region.
1177
11782.3. EXTRADITION
1179Why in News?
1180Recently, UK Court ordered the extradition of
1181fugitive Vijay mallya to India to face fraud
1182charges resulting from the collapse of his
1183defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
1184Bakcground
1185•
1186
1187•
1188
1189Increasing Absconding: Globalisation and
1190increased interconnectivity poses significant
1191hurdles to bring high profile cases to justice,
1192as, it has become relatively easier for
1193offenders in India to escape to foreign
1194countries and evade arrest and prosecution
1195in the country.
1196Low Extradition Success: India’s success
1197rate in extraditing fugitives is abysmally low
1198i.e only one in every three fugitives are being
1199successfully extradited to India.
1200
1201Significance of Extradition
1202•
1203
1204•
1205
1206•
1207
1208•
1209
1210For Serving Justice: Bringing back offenders
1211from foreign countries is essential for
1212providing timely justice and grievance
1213redressal.
1214Deterrence to Future Absconding: It serves
1215as a deterrent against offenders who
1216consider escape as an easy way to subvert
1217India’s justice system.
1218National Security and Safety: Extradition of
1219person responsible for terror and criminal
1220activity, will create an environment of
1221Justice and sense of Justice in the people of
1222country.
1223Economic Growth: Bringing Economic
1224fugitives back, could improve the health of
1225financial institution of India and tackling
1226NPA crisis.
1227
1228What is Extradition?
1229• Extradition is the delivery on the part of one State to another
1230of those whom it is desired to deal with for crimes of which
1231they have been accused or convicted and are justifiable in the
1232Courts of the other State
1233• Extradition Act 1962 provides India’s legislative basis for
1234extradition.
1235Extradition Treaties: Extradition treaties help provide a defined
1236legal framework for the return of fugitives between countries.
1237• Section 2(d) of Extradition Act 1962 defines an ‘Extradition
1238Treaty’ as a Treaty, Agreement or Arrangement made by India
1239with a Foreign State, relating to the Extradition of fugitive
1240criminals and includes any treaty, agreement or arrangement
1241relating to the Extradition of fugitive criminals.
1242• General Conditions of Extradition
1243o Principle Of Extraditable Offences lays down that
1244extradition applies only with respect to offences clearly
1245stipulated as such in the treaty.
1246o Principle Of Dual Criminality requires that the offence
1247for which the extradition is sought be an offence under
1248the national laws of the extradition requesting country as
1249well as of the requested country.
1250o Rule of Specificity: The extradited person must be
1251proceeded against only against the offence for which his
1252extradition was requested.
1253o Free & Fair Trial: He must be accorded a fair trial (part of
1254international human rights law now). Judiciary and other
1255legal authorities are likely to apply these principles
1256equally to situations where no extradition treaty exists.
1257• Nodal authority for Extradition in India: Ministry of External
1258Affairs, Government of India is the Central/Nodal Authority
1259that administers the Extradition Act and it processes incoming
1260and outgoing Extradition Requests.
1261Difference Between Extradition and other process
1262• In deportation, a person is ordered to leave a country and is
1263not allowed to return to that country.
1264• In exclusion, a person is prohibited from staying in a
1265particular part of a sovereign state.
1266• Deportation and Exclusion are non-consensual orders that do
1267not require a treaty obligation. Deportation is governed by
1268the Foreigners Act, 1946.
1269
1270Challenges for India
1271•
1272
127316
1274
1275No treaty: India has a fewer number of bilateral extradition treaties compared to other countries and of
1276particular concern is the fact that India does not have extradition treaties with several neighbouring states,
1277such as China, Pakistan, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Eg: India don't have treaty with Antigua and Barbuda,
1278which delays the extradition of Mehul Choksi.
1279www.visionias.in
1280
1281©Vision IAS
1282
1283•
1284•
1285
1286•
1287
1288•
1289
1290•
1291
1292•
1293
1294Crimes under Treaty: Extradition is generally limited to crimes identified in the treaty which may vary in
1295relation to one State from another, as provided by the treaty.
1296Overburdening CBI: Multiple extradition cases such as those related to money laundering, terrorism and
1297economic offences, are either taken up by the CBI or sent to the CBI, by the state police, for investigation. The
1298CBI was created to deal with
1299corruption cases, and is Related News - Interpol Issued Red Corner notice against Mehul Choksi
1300understaffed to take up larger About Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization)
1301cases involving extradition.
1302• It is an international organization facilitating international police
1303cooperation. It has 192 member countries and has HQ at Lyon, France.
1304Double Jeopardy Clause: It
1305•
1306Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing
1307debars punishment for the same
1308police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
1309crime twice. It's the primary
1310reason for India's failure to • The CBI is the nodal authority that executes and handles the issuance of
1311all Interpol Notices in India. There are liaison officers in every state police
1312extradite David Headley from
1313force as well.
1314the US.
1315Human Right Issues: UK and
1316other European countries have
1317often
1318denied
1319extradition
1320requests on the possibility that
1321the requested person will be
1322subject to poor conditions or
1323custodial violence in India’s
1324prisons. Indeed, overcrowding,
1325crumbling infrastructure, poor
1326sanitary conditions and lack of
1327basic amenities, among others,
1328all contribute to making Indian
1329prisons less of places for
1330rehabilitation and mostly for
1331punishment.
1332Absence of Anti torture
1333legislation: It has resulted in
1334difficulty to secure extraditions
1335because there is a fear within the
1336international community that
1337the accused persons would be
1338subject to torture in India. For
1339e.g. Denmark denied extradition
1340of Kim Davy in Purulia Arms case
1341due to risk of “torture or other
1342inhuman treatment” in India.
1343Diplomacy, Bilateral relations and Domestic politics: Extradition process depends on bilateral relations and
1344the opportune use of diplomacy and negotiations to push for the process by the requested country.
1345
1346Way Forward
1347•
1348•
1349•
1350
135117
1352
1353Enhancing Bilateral Relation: Leveraging diplomacy and bilateral negotiations to persuade countries to
1354process requests expeditiously. In return, India should on the basis of reciprocity and comity process, expedite
1355extradition requests received from foreign states swiftly and efficiently.
1356Sign More Extradition Treaties: India has extradition treaties with 47 countries, but till date has managed to
1357get only 62 accused extradited.
1358Effective Preventive Law and Policy measures: It can deter the escape of offenders, like Fugitive Economic
1359Offenders Bill, 2018, signifies the government’s efforts to shift its focus to preventive, ex ante legal
1360mechanisms.
1361
1362www.visionias.in
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1364©Vision IAS
1365
1366•
1367
1368•
1369•
1370•
1371
1372Expedite Prison Reform to dispel concerns regarding poor prison conditions and potential human rights
1373violations of the requested person.
1374o India may ratify the UN Convention Against Torture (1984) (already signed by India) to establish India’s
1375zero tolerance towards torture and custodial violence.
1376Addressing investigational delays: To improve the capacity and organisational efficiencies of law enforcement
1377agencies so that they may conduct speedy investigation in these cases
1378Adopt the Good Practices: Like by placing suitable organisational mechanisms to familiarise itself with laws
1379and regulations of treaty states. It will also help in improving the synergy between the MEA and law
1380enforcement agencies.
1381Setting up a Separate Cell: This will help to provide expert legal advice and assistance on drafting, certification
1382and translation of evidence, will help mitigate the possibility of rejection of requests.
1383
13842.4. AMERICAN RETRENCHMENT FROM AFGHANISTAN
1385Why in News?
1386US President Donald Trump is ordering an American drawdown in Afghanistan, planning to bring home 50% of the
138715000 US troops over next 2 months.
1388Why US is pulling out?
1389•
1390
1391•
1392
1393•
1394
1395The withdrawal is in consonance with President Trump’s America First rhetoric. According to Trump, US has
1396been wasting its “blood and treasure” on distant conflicts, instead of rebuilding itself. In 17th year since its
1397inception in 2001, the Afghanistan conflict is US’s longest running war & has had huge economic as well as
1398human costs. Despite prolonged investment of financial and human resources, the political solution is
1399nowhere in sight and this has resulted in growing skepticism within the US administration over the futility of
1400military involvement.
1401Related News - US withdrawal from Syria
1402Also, he added a trade dimension to his
1403• The US has begun withdrawing its troops from Syria, where
1404argument on the uneven distribution of
1405they are supporting rebel fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian
1406security costs. Despite enjoying massive
1407Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance.
1408trade surpluses, many US allies like • Reasons behind the pullout:
1409Germany, Japan, India etc. are not
1410o Objective of defeating IS achieved as it no longer holds
1411spending enough for their own security.
1412territory and has been flushed out of all urban centres in
1413Iraq and Syria.
1414Under the new AfPak policy formulated in
1415o
1416US’s strategic objective of dismantling Assad-regime and
14172017, US marginally increased troops in
1418reducing Iranian influence isn’t in the sight of getting
1419Afghanistan, declared their engagement to
1420achieved.
1421be open-ended with no fixed timeline for
1422o US’s balancing act between Turkey & Kurds didn’t achieve
1423withdrawal & took unprecedented hard
1424any long term stability, especially in northern Syria.
1425stance against Pakistan. It also sought • Negative consequences:
1426enhanced Indian role in peace and
1427o Possible return of IS in the region in case of a pullout.
1428reconstruction process. But this didn’t
1429Though no longer fully controlling territory, there are
1430seem to achieve the desired objective, in
1431about 14,000 IS militants in Syria and 17,000 in Iraq.
1432light of Pakistan-China nexus.
1433o Increase conflict between Syrian Kurdish forces and
1434
1435Why United States has not been successful in
1436Afghanistan?
1437•
1438
143918
1440
1441o
1442
1443Turkey, which considers them as terrorists.
1444Uncertainty may further increase over the status of an
1445autonomous Kurdish state incorporating parts of Syria,
1446Turkey, Iraq and Iran.
1447Might lead to further international competition over
1448‘spheres of influence’ within Syria. E.g. Iran’s attempt to
1449create a ‘Shia crescent’ from western Afghanistan to the
1450Mediterranean Sea.
1451
1452Domestic political factors:
1453o
1454o US has failed to integrate the Taliban
1455into Afghan society beginning in 2001,
1456when Taliban leaders were hunted
1457down instead of being co-opted. On
1458the other hand, it has failed to contain the influence of Taliban as it still controls more than 14 districts
1459(4% of the country) & is openly challenging Govt in other areas as well.
1460o Labeled as weak and ineffective, the National Unity government has been plagued by corruption and
1461inefficiency.
1462www.visionias.in
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1465
1466•
1467
1468•
1469
1470•
1471
1472Military factors: U.S. and Western governments has
1473tried to win the war for Afghans by deploying large
1474numbers of Western military forces and flooding
1475Afghanistan with large amounts of assistance, which
1476has irked the indigenous tribes. Given the terrain and
1477the tactics of avoiding set-piece battles adopted by
1478the Taliban, the continuous use of air power has
1479failed to change the trajectory of the war.
1480Role of Pakistan:
1481o The Taliban’s sanctuary in Pakistan and support
1482from Pakistan’s spy agency, Inter-Services
1483Intelligence (ISI) allowed senior Taliban leaders
1484to run the war in relative security.
1485o The Americans didn’t realize that they were
1486fighting the “wrong war in the wrong country”
1487and they were too late to turn the screws hard
1488on the real enemy, Pakistan – the stoppage of aid by the Trump administration was too little too late and
1489needed to be backed by similar sanctions as imposed on Iran and North Korea.
1490Socio-cultural factors: The nomadic and tribal polity in Afghanistan comprises of multiple tribes like Pashtuns,
1491Turks and Persians, each dominant in different regions, asserting their own traditions and culture. The tribal
1492factionalism didn’t allow the democratically elected government to settle in Afghanistan, and therefore,
1493dented long-term strategic objective of the US intervention.
1494
1495The withdrawal is acknowledgment of the fact that US was not winning the war in Afghanistan and fateful
1496submission to the fact staying the course in Afghanistan wouldn’t change the situation in their favour.
1497Consequences of withdrawal
1498•
1499•
1500
1501•
1502
1503•
1504•
1505•
1506
1507Impact on the peace process: A strong U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is needed to bolster diplomatic
1508peace efforts. U.S. officials are currently engaged in talks with the Taliban. However, the withdrawal at this
1509time will reduce the incentive for the Taliban to strike a deal.
1510Fall of the democratic government & Resurgence of Taliban: There are a large number of fence sitters in the
1511fractitious polity of Afghanistan that don't cross over to Taliban's side because National Unity Government is
1512seen to have the backing of US force. Hence, symbolic presence was seen to be necessary, as observed in the
1513US’s AfPak policy in 2017. With the U.S. presence gone, the Taliban — with support from Pakistan & limited
1514assistance from Russia and Iran — might seize all the remaining cities in the country that it currently does not
1515control.
1516Breeding ground for terrorism: A precipitous U.S. exit would allow Afghanistan to emerge as epicenter of
1517global terror, as during the 1990s & would only embolden other transnational terror organizations like Islamic
1518State Khorasan (the Islamic State’s local province), Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (al-Qaeda’s local
1519affiliate) and Haqqani Network to operate freely inside Afghanistan.
1520Poor capacity of Afghan forces: With the withdrawal of forces, the missions now underway, including training
1521Afghan forces, advising them in the field, and waging an air campaign, against the Taliban and other militant
1522groups, will face challenges. It will reduce the willingness of chronically under strength Afghan forces to fight.
1523Regional instability: The withdrawal might further cement regional instability between nuclear powers India
1524and Pakistan. An Islamist regime in Afghanistan would make Pakistan a central player in the country.
1525Refugee crisis: The civil unrest might lead to a mass exodus of Afghans trying to flee the country could trigger
1526another refugee crisis.
1527
1528Consequences for India
1529•
1530•
1531
153219
1533
1534A destabilized and Talibanized Afghanistan might lead to upsurge of violence in Jammu and Kashmir & can be
1535used as a staging post for launching attacks on rest of India, as had been the case in late 1990s (IC 814
1536hijacking).
1537There is also an imminent security threat to India’s investments & developed infrastructure in Afghanistan.
1538
1539www.visionias.in
1540
1541©Vision IAS
1542
1543•
1544•
1545•
1546
1547Since India is increasing its physical presence in the region through connectivity projects like Chabahar, INSTC
1548etc., an adverse national government will halt the connectivity efforts, increase in refugee crisis and will have
1549a major impact on India’s energy security and regional ties in the Middle East.
1550US’s isolationism through non-interventionist foreign policy could open gates to Chinese military intervention
1551in Afghanistan.
1552India must start preparing for the inevitable geopolitical turbulence, including the resurgence of the Islamic
1553State and the potential return of the Taliban to power in Kabul.
1554
1555Way Forward
1556•
1557•
1558•
1559•
1560
1561•
1562•
1563•
1564•
1565
1566It is important that the Western nations keep funding the Afghan state and provisioning their armed forces
1567so that there is a possibility of Afghan forces pushing back Taliban forces.
1568It is important to ensure the involvement of Afghan Government in any peace talks between Taliban and US
1569officials to ensure that meaningful democracy remains in place in Afghanistan.
1570As America pulls out, it leaves room for Russia and Iran to influence the region. India now needs to cooperate
1571with both of them to push forward peace process.
1572Over 17 years of US presence in Afghanistan, India was not able to use the opportunity to achieve strategic
1573objectives. India’s has been hesitant on using the instruments of hard power – weapon systems & platforms
1574- due to fear of being interpreted as adversarial by neighbours. India must step beyond conventional and
1575conservative diplomacy to give monetary and material assistance to the Afghans more pro-actively.
1576India needs to use the goodwill it has earned and the links it has established to cement the anti-Taliban
1577forces, without interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
1578Domestically, India needs to increase its military presence in the border areas, develop cooperation among
1579intelligence and military organization and modernize the armed forces.
1580India has to check radicalization in the country through awareness camps through social media and
1581community engagement.
1582A more nuanced Pakistan policy has to be adopted in order to fight a better positioned Pakistan in the region.
1583
15842.5. NEW PEACE AGREEMENT ON YEMEN
1585Why in news?
1586A UN mediated ceasefire has been reached between Houthi rebels in Yemen and President Hadi’s forces in the
1587port city of Hodeida.
1588Yemen Crisis- Why is there a war?
1589•
1590•
1591
1592Yemen, one of the Arab world's poorest countries and one presently facing the worst humanitarian crisis has
1593been devastated by a civil war.
1594The civil crisis was initiated due to Arab Spring and further intensified due to Saudi’s political history influence,
1595Saudi-Iran regional competition and International interference.
1596
1597Impact of ceasefire
1598•
1599•
1600
1601•
1602
160320
1604
1605Halt the humanitarian Crisis: UN has played a major role in the ceasefire which was pushed most importantly
1606on humanitarian grounds. According to UN, it is the world's worst man-made humanitarian disaster.
1607Regional Stability: The region is long struggling with political instability and socioeconomic crisis riding on a
1608regional Saudi-Iran hegemonic competition. The cease fire will bring the rival groups on table for a long term
1609political solution. UN will monitor the ceasefire thus bringing an international surveillance to the whole
1610process.
1611Arab Spring
1612Energy and trade security: There have been constant fears
1613regarding the blockade near Gulf of Aden which may choke • The mass movement in the Middle East for
1614regime change (political) and socio
1615the trade routes which comprises of huge oil shipment
1616economic equality is termed as Arab Spring.
1617business and thus jeopardizing energy security around the • It began in 2011 in Tunisia and was spread
1618globe as Middle East is the biggest energy security provider.
1619to Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Bahrain etc.
1620
1621www.visionias.in
1622
1623©Vision IAS
1624
1625Conclusion
1626•
1627•
1628•
1629•
1630
163121
1632
1633Though there are constant fears about the sustenance of the ceasefire but this is a right step. UN should
1634continue the talk process among rebel groups and the government.
1635Iran and Saudi Arabia should also be convinced of the futility of the proxy wars in the region which are
1636equally inimical to their respective governments.
1637A people to people community should be developed in the region to break the sectarian divide for long term
1638solutions.
1639The whole international community should force US and Russia to bring to an end the cold war ideological
1640divide.
1641
1642www.visionias.in
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1644©Vision IAS
1645
16463. ECONOMY
16473.1. FARM LOAN WAIVER
1648Why in news?
1649Newly elected state governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, have declared packages for
1650loan write-offs for farmers.
1651More on News
1652•
1653•
1654
1655Farm Loan Waiver: It is a consistent demand by the farmers because of the persistent distressed farm
1656situations across the country.
1657Since 2014, eight states have written off loans to farmers and four more states — Rajasthan, Assam,
1658Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh — had announced the waiver. The debt relief is paid through state budgets.
1659
1660Issues with the Farm Loan Waiver
1661
166222
1663
1664www.visionias.in
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1666©Vision IAS
1667
1668Macro-economic impacts of Farm Loan Waiver: At its most basic, farm loan waivers simply transfer liabilities from
1669private sector to public sector balance sheets. The waivers will have four effects on aggregate demand:
1670•
1671•
1672•
1673•
1674
1675Private consumption impact: Loan waivers will increase the net wealth of farm households pushing
1676consumption up. However, World Bank study on the “ADWDRS” of 2008-09 found no rise in consumption
1677after the loan waivers.
1678Public sector impact: Loan waivers involve spending that does not add to demand (because these are liability
1679transfers to the states’ balance sheets) but the actions taken to meet Fiscal Responsibility Legislation (FRL)
1680targets (higher taxes and/or lower expenditure) will reduce demand.
1681Crowding out impact: Loan waivers will result in higher borrowing by the states with fiscal space. This could
1682squeeze out private spending by firms.
1683Crowding in impact: Bank balance sheets will improve to the extent that non-performing farm loans are taken
1684off their books. So they might be able to provide additional financial resources to the private sector, leading
1685to greater spending.
1686
1687Way Forward
1688The primary reason for persistent farm distress is the inability of farmers to get remunerative prices, due to the
1689prevailing disconnect with the value chain resulting from market asymmetry, and lackadaisical institutional and
1690infrastructure support.
1691A loan waiver is only an element of immediate relief. Greater focus is required on enhancing their loan repayment
1692capacity via smooth supply and value chains, and better price realisations along with farm credit reforms . This
1693could be achieved by following measures:
1694•
1695
1696•
1697
1698•
1699
1700Institutional Strength: The most important constraint of Indian farmers is their small and uneconomical size
1701of holdings. This can be overcome by
1702o Encouraging the formation and working via farmer producer organisations (FPOs) that act as aggregators
1703and help farmers overcome their unorganised nature.
1704o Government spending in the creation of suitable storage capacities - either independently or in publicprivate partnership (PPP) model- will not only help farmers to store their produce, but also connect them
1705to institutional finance through a much more secure mechanism of warehouse receipt finance through
1706FPOs.
1707o Ensure reach of minimum support price & crop insurance across the geography and crops.
1708Better Decision-Making: Agriculture and markets remain highly disconnected, with poor information flow
1709across unusually long supply chains in most agricultural commodities.
1710o An independent national set-up could be created with a PPP at the block/district level to provide necessary
1711information that would empower farmers to make the right decisions- from choice of crop and cropping
1712practices, to harvesting and sales.
1713✓ This would augment input purchase support to small and marginal farmers, in line with direct cash
1714transfer, as well as strengthen the efficacy of free market mechanism for ensuring remunerative
1715prices.
1716Agriculture Credit Reforms
1717o Extend period of crop loan to four years, to account for the erratic pattern and spatial distribution of
1718rainfall. Like industrial loans, extend provision of restructuring and one-time settlement for industry to
1719farm loans.
1720o A specific, region and crop-based scheme of loan concessions and one-time settlement would ensure that
1721credit discipline is not eroded.
1722o Institutionalise a mechanism, with a regulatory authority supervising the scheme of de-stressing farm
1723loans, based on a scientific basis for calculating stressed assets and restructuring them. NABARD should
1724be utilised for this purpose.
1725
1726Conclusion
1727While there is a case for loan waiver in exceptional circumstances, this could not be the only solution, especially given
1728the associated moral hazard, which actually incentivizes defaults on loans. It can, for a host of reasons being faced by
1729the Indian economy in general, and agriculture in particular (e.g. rising pressure of population, uncertain policies and
173023
1731
1732www.visionias.in
1733
1734©Vision IAS
1735
1736regulations and other production risks such as diseases, shortage of inputs like seeds and irrigation, coupled with
1737drought, flooding and unseasonal rains), be part of the bucket of various solutions. DBT scheme similar to Rythu
1738Bandhu Scheme of Telangana could be well emulated as a way forward.
1739
17403.2. AGRICULTURE EXPORT POLICY, 2018
1741Why in news?
1742•
1743
1744With an aim to double farmers’ income by 2022, and to double agricultural exports by 2022, Government of
1745India has recently come up with the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018.
1746The Cabinet has also approved the proposal for establishment of Monitoring Framework at Centre with
1747Ministry of Commerce as the nodal Department with representation from various Ministries/Departments
1748and Agencies and representatives of concerned State Governments, to oversee the implementation of
1749Agriculture Export Policy.
1750
1751•
1752
1753Current Agriculture Trade Scenario
1754•
1755
1756Objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy
1757• To double agricultural exports from present $ 30+ Billion to
1758$ 60+ Billion by 2022 and reach $ 100 Billion in the next few
1759years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.
1760• To diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high
1761value and value added agricultural exports including focus
1762on perishables.
1763• To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional
1764and non-traditional Agriculture products exports.
1765• To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market
1766access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
1767• To strive to double India’s share in world agriculture
1768exports by integrating with global value chain at the
1769earliest.
1770• Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in
1771overseas market.
1772
1773World agricultural trade has been relatively
1774stagnant in the last five years (2013-2017)
1775due mainly to fall in global prices.
1776Due to effect of fall in global prices and back
1777to back droughts during 2014-15 and 2015-16
1778India’s agricultural export dropped by 5%
1779compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
1780Indian agricultural exports grew at 9%
1781compared to China (8%), Brazil (5.4%) and
1782USA (5.1%) between 2007 and 2016.
1783However, India’s agriculture exports are
1784lower than countries like Thailand and
1785Indonesia with much smaller agricultural land
1786thus depicting a higher potential.
1787While India occupies a leading position in global trade of agricultural products like rice, its total agricultural
1788export basket accounts for little over 2% of world agriculture trade.
1789Also, India has remained at the lower end of the global agricultural export value chain given that majority of
1790its exports are low value, raw or semi-processed and marketed in bulk.
1791The share of India’s high value and value added agricultural produce in its agriculture export basket is less
1792than 15% compared to 25% in US and 49% in China. India is unable to export its vast horticultural produce due
1793to lack of uniformity in quality, standardization and its inability to curtail losses across the value chain.
1794
1795•
1796
1797•
1798
1799•
1800•
1801•
1802
1803Elements of the Agriculture Export Policy Framework
1804Vision of the Agriculture Export Policy: “Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable
1805policy instruments, to make India global power in agriculture and raise farmers' income.”
1806The policy recommendations are organized in two broad categories: strategic and operational
18071. Strategic Recommendations
1808Policy
1809Stable Trade Policy Regime
1810Measures
1811• Providing assurance that the processed agricultural products and all kinds of organic products will
1812not be brought under the ambit of any kind of export restriction.
1813• Identification of a few commodities which are essential for food security in consultation with the
1814relevant stakeholders and Ministries.
1815Reforms in APMC Act and streamlining of mandi fee
1816• Using the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) field offices, Export Promotion Councils,
1817Commodity Boards and Industry Associations to act as advocacy forum for reform by all the states
1818including removal of perishables from their APMC Act.
1819• State Governments would also be urged to standardize/ rationalize mandi taxes for largely
1820exported agricultural products.
182124
1822
1823www.visionias.in
1824
1825©Vision IAS
1826
1827Infrastructure
1828•
1829and Logistics
1830Support
1831•
1832•
1833Holistic
1834•
1835approach
1836to
1837boost exports
1838•
1839•
1840Greater
1841involvement of
1842State
1843Governments
1844in Agriculture
1845Exports
1846
1847•
1848•
1849•
1850•
1851•
1852
1853Pre-harvest and post-harvest handling facilities, storage & distribution, processing facilities, roads
1854and world class exit point infrastructure at ports facilitating swift trade.
1855Mega Food Parks, state-of-the-art testing laboratories and Integrated Cold Chains.
1856Identifying strategically important clusters, creating inland transportation links alongside
1857dedicated agricultural infrastructure at ports with 24x7 customs clearance for perishables.
1858Involve important organizations related to agricultural production to make special efforts towards
1859promotion of export. Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be involved to take export oriented technology to
1860farmers and create awareness among farmers about export prospects.
1861Work towards similar agencies like the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) /
1862United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which
1863cover all aspects of agricultural-food production and trade in a effective and calibrated manner.
1864A holistic response to Sanitary and PhytoSanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
1865barriers faced by Indian products
1866Identification of a nodal State Department / Agency for promotion of agriculture export
1867Inclusion of agricultural exports in the State Export Policy
1868Infrastructure and logistics to facilitate agricultural exports
1869Institutional Mechanism at Union level, State level and cluster level to support exports
1870Encourage the industry bodies/associations to play a more pro-active role and greater involvement
1871of industry in R&D
1872
18732. Operational Recommendations
1874Focus
1875on • Put in place institutional mechanism
1876• The concept of Agri Export Zone (AEZ) was
1877Clusters
1878for effective involvement and
1879introduced in 2001, through EXIM Policy 1997-2001,
1880engagement of small and medium
1881to take a comprehensive look at a particular
1882farmers for entire value chain as
1883produce/product located in a contiguous area for the
1884group enterprise(s) within cluster of
1885purpose of developing and sourcing the raw
1886villages at the block level for select
1887materials, their processing/packaging, leading to
1888produce(s). This will help to realize
1889final exports.
1890actual benefit and empowerment of
1891• AEZ focuses on convergence of existing Central and
1892farming community to double their
1893State Government schemes to take care of financial
1894income through entire value chain.
1895and policy interventions required at various stages of
1896o Subject
1897to
1898successful
1899value chain
1900implementation
1901of
1902these
1903• In all 60 Agri Export Zones (AEZ) were notified by the
1904clusters, a transition to Agri
1905Government till 2004 - 05. No new AEZs have been
1906Export Zones (AEZs) could
1907set up after 2004. All the notified AEZs have
1908facilitate
1909value
1910addition,
1911completed their intended span of 5 years and have
1912common facility creation and
1913been discontinued.
1914higher exports from such zones.
1915Promoting
1916• Product development for indigenous commodities and value addition
1917value
1918added • Promote value added organic exports
1919exports
1920o Marketing and branding of organic products
1921o Develop uniform quality and packaging standards for organic and ethnic products
1922o Organic products in North East- development of ‘AMUL’ – style cooperatives
1923• Promotion of R&D activities for new product development for the upcoming markets
1924• Skill development
1925Marketing and • Constituting separate funds dedicated to marketing of organic, value added, ethnic, GI, Region
1926promotion of
1927specific and branded products.
1928“Brand India”
1929Attract private • Benefits of private investment include better quality compliance; smooth logistic handling;
1930investments in
1931expansion to distant markets.
1932export oriented • The Infrastructure proposed to support agriculture exports from the Focus States includes:
1933activities and
1934Packhouse, Processing infrastructure, Exit Point Infrastructure, Air cargo and Infrastructure abroad.
1935infrastructure
1936• Ease of Doing Business (EODB)& Digitization: Farm level – digitization of farmer land records,
1937Market Intelligence cell at Department of Commerce and Portal for Information dissemination,
1938Trade procedures and facilitation and Grievance cell.
1939
194025
1941
1942www.visionias.in
1943
1944©Vision IAS
1945
1946•
1947
1948Establishment
1949•
1950of
1951Strong •
1952Quality
1953Regimen
1954•
1955Research and •
1956Development
1957
1958Miscellaneous
1959
1960•
1961
1962Developing Sea Protocol: Developing sea protocols for perishables must be taken on priority for
1963long distance markets. Export of perishables requires special storage, transportation and handling
1964at desired temperatures where Time is a major constraint.
1965Establish and maintain single supply chain and standards for domestic and export market
1966SPS and TBT Response Mechanism: it is suggested to create an institutional mechanism under the
1967aegis of Department of Commerce with representation of relevant Ministries, Agencies to address
1968India’s market access request, calibrate it with trading partner’s market access request for accessing
1969the Indian market and quickly respond to SPS/TBT barriers.
1970Conformity Assessment: Many importing countries do not recognize India’s export inspection and
1971control processes. The lack of recognition of Indian testing procedures and conformity standards
1972proves costly to exporters and therefore farmers.
1973Agricultural research and development (R&D) led by private industry along with higher
1974infrastructure spend by the government will be the key to boosting agricultural exports. Along with
1975this, innovations in packaging, improving shelf life of products and greater R & D in developing
1976products to suit the palates of importing countries would be a priority.
1977Creation of Agri-start-up fund: Entrepreneurs are to be supported to start a new venture in Agri
1978products exports.
1979
1980Challenges in Policy Implementation
1981•
1982
1983•
1984
1985•
1986
1987•
1988•
1989
1990Related News
1991
1992Achieving an agriculture export target of $60 billion by UAE and Saudi Arabia had decided to use India as a
19932022 looks ambitious, given the current global market base to address their food security concerns. In
1994conditions. More so, because India’s export basket accordance with the Agriculture Export Policy, the
1995largely comprises meat, marine products, and basmati farm-to-port project will be similar to a special
1996economic zone but in the style of a corporatised
1997rice whose demand in the world market is inelastic.
1998farm, where crops would be grown keeping a
1999India has a track record to open up imports whenever
2000specific market in mind.
2001prices of crucial food items (potato, onion, pulses, etc.)
2002start climbing. This hurts local producers. The Indian government is always "pro-consumer", backing cheap
2003imports to keep inflation in food prices low.
2004There are several instances of sudden increase in export duties and lowering of import duties to keep food
2005prices in check. The Centre cut the import duty on wheat by a fifth when prices increased in 2016-17, leading
2006to imports from Australia and Ukraine flooding the market. Similarly, a zero import duty on palm oil hurts
2007domestic oilseeds farmers.
2008The current minimum support price (MSP) of wheat and rice make India foodgrain quite dear in the domestic
2009market. In such cases, India cannot export it into the international market.
2010A dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) can also not be ruled out. Already, the United States accuses
2011India of subsidising farmers heavily to keep prices low.
2012
20133.3. GM CROPS
2014Why in News?
2015Recently a research paper co-authored by leading agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan questioned the utility of
2016GM crops in improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.
2017About GM Crops
2018•
2019•
2020
202126
2022
2023Definition: According to WHO, Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms in which the genetic
2024material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural
2025recombination. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are referred to as GM foods.
2026Indian Scenario
2027o Till now, Bt cotton, a non-food crop, has been the only GM crop cultivated in India.
2028o Attempts to commercially release Bt Brinjal were stalled by a moratorium in 2010 by the Environment
2029Ministry.
2030o With respect to DMH -11, atransgenic mustard developed at Delhi University, GEAC has demanded more
2031tests before its commercial cultivation.
2032
2033www.visionias.in
2034
2035©Vision IAS
2036
2037GM Crops Complementing Green Revolution
2038Increased Yield
2039
2040Food Security
2041
2042Increased crop
2043resilience
2044
2045Reduction
2046Imports
2047
2048in
2049
2050Socio-economic
2051Development
2052
2053Green Revolution
2054Green revolution helped to increase
2055productivity of various crops over the
2056years.
2057Prior to the Green Revolution, India was
2058the largest importer of food aid, mainly
2059under the PL480 programme of the U.S.
2060leading to India being labelled as a nation
2061surviving on a “ship-to-mouth” basis.
2062Over the years, post the Green revolution,
2063new challenges to crop productivity have
2064emerged such as new diseases, insects,
2065climate change, etc.
2066The Green revolution reduced import
2067dependence with respect to Rice and
2068wheat.
2069The Green revolution has brought
2070prosperity amongst the medium & large
2071farmers in the Punjab-Haryana-Western
2072UP belt.
2073
2074Complementing via GM Crops
2075GM crops can help to continue this trend and hence help
2076increase farmers’ income. For example cotton yields over
2077the years have almost doubled in India over the years.
2078GM crops offer a solution to further enhance the India’s
2079food security needs. This is in tune with the goals of the
2080National food Security Act ,2013.
2081•
2082
2083GM crops have greater resistance to diseases, pests,
2084herbicides, etc without excessive use of chemicals.
2085• GM crops have greater tolerance to cold/heat,
2086drought, flood, salinity, etc. which is even more
2087important due to climate change.
2088GM crops can help provide the next great leap by helping
2089to eliminate import of edible oil, Pulses, etc.
2090GM crops provide an opportunity to bring an “evergreen”
2091revolution that benefits landless, marginal and small
2092farmers in other corners of India.
2093
2094Issues and Challenges with GM Crops
2095•
2096
2097•
2098•
2099•
2100
2101•
2102•
2103
2104•
2105
210627
2107
2108Ever Green Revolution
2109
2110Monopoly: Critics claim that patent laws give • M S Swaminathan coined the term ‘’Evergreen
2111developers of the GM crops a lot of control over the food
2112Revolution” to highlight the pathway of
2113supply. This can lead to domination of world food
2114increasing production and productivity in a
2115manner such that short and long term goals of
2116production by a few companies.
2117food production are not mutually antagonistic.
2118o There’s also controversy over the “terminator
2119•
2120It targets increased production from less land,
2121seeds”, which allows farmers to use the seeds just
2122less pesticide, less water, etc. and Integrating
2123once; hence every growing season fresh seeds have
2124ecology and technology is the way forward
2125to be bought.
2126towards an evergreen revolution.
2127Outcrossing: The migration of genes from GM plants
2128into conventional crops or wild species may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security.
2129Decline in yield: There has been witnessed a decline/stagnation in yield after few years with respect to many
2130GM crops which in turn leads to diminishing returns.
2131Concerns for human health: Gene transfer from GM foods to humans can be problematic if the transferred
2132genetic material adversely affects human health. This would be particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance
2133genes were to be transferred.
2134o Allergenicity: While no allergic effects have been found relative to GM foods currently on the market, this
2135remains a concern.
2136Resistance developed by Pathogens: There is always a concern of pathogens becoming resistant to the toxins
2137produced by GM crops. For example the pink bollworm has grown resistant to the toxins produced by BT
2138cotton seed of Monsanto.
2139Concerns for the environment: The susceptibility of non-target organisms (e.g. bees and butterflies) and the
2140loss of biodiversity of crop/plant species remains a concern.
2141o Toxins produced in GM crops are present in every part of the plant, so when the parts that have not been
2142harvested decompose, a considerable amount of the toxin may reach the soil/water table.
2143Regulatory Challenges
2144o Possibility of data manipulation: The GEAC does not conduct the closed field trials on their own but are
2145solely dependent on the data provided to them by the technology developer making it susceptible to
2146manipulations and fudging the data.
2147o Concerns regarding GEAC: Issues such as adhocism in its constitution, criteria adopted for selection of its
2148members, dominance of bureaucrats, no representation from civil society or states where Bt Cotton has
2149been introduced, head not being from field of Biotechnology etc. remain.
2150www.visionias.in
2151
2152©Vision IAS
2153
2154o
2155
2156Functioning of DLCs: The presence of District Level
2157Committee (DLC) which regulates GM crop at the ground l
2158evel is hardly felt in any of the States.
2159Negative public perception: Public attention has focused on
2160the risk side of the risk-benefit equation owing to lack of
2161transparency and ignorance about the scientific facts related
2162to GM crops. Moreover, India has imported edible GM
2163soybean and canola so the resistance to growing the same is
2164contradictory.
2165
2166•
2167
2168Way Forward
2169•
2170
2171•
2172•
2173•
2174•
2175
2176Improved legal regime:
2177o An independent authority, the Biotechnology Regulatory
2178Authority of India (BRAI), to regulate organisms and
2179products of modern biotechnology should be setup.
2180o The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Biological
2181Diversity act, 2002 must be effectively implemented.
2182o Proactive Patent regime: It must be ensured that proper
2183legislative and judicial safeguards exist to prevent
2184monopolisation of the GM seed market. For example the
2185recent Supreme Court held that US company Monsanto
2186cannot claim patents on its GM cotton seeds.
2187Transparency: The GEAC reports must be made public and
2188effective discussion should be held with scientific community
2189and civil society to allay their fears.
2190Cooperation: The state governments must be consulted
2191before taking a decision related to GM crops issue as agriculture is a state subject.
2192Providing Choice to Consumers: Mandatory labelling of GMOs should be enforced to provide an option to
2193consumers.
2194Analyse Cost-Benefit of New Technology: It can be argued that while technological changes inevitably have
2195led to some negative externalities, a broader picture should be kept in mind when deciding to include them
2196in our day to day life.
2197
2198The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity
2199• It aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
2200biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.
2201• It was adopted in 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force
2202in 2003.
2203•
2204It establishes an advance informed agreement (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries are provided with the
2205information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory.
2206• It also establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House to facilitate the exchange of information on LMOs and to assist countries
2207in the implementation of the Protocol.
2208Biological Diversity act, 2002
2209• The Act aims at conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of
2210benefits arising out of utilization of genetic resources..
2211• The Act covers foreigners, non-resident Indians, body corporate, association or organization that is either not
2212incorporated in India or incorporated in India with non-Indian participation in its share capital or management.
2213• The Act is implemented through a three-tiered institutional structure:
2214o The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at central level (Union Territories are also placed under NBA)
2215o The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at state level
2216o Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at local level.
2217• BMCs have been mandated to prepare People’s Biodiversity Register in consultation with local people which would
2218have comprehensive information about local biological resources, their medicinal use or any other traditional
2219knowledge associated with them.
2220• States in consultation with local bodies may notify areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites
2221(BHS).
222228
2223
2224www.visionias.in
2225
2226©Vision IAS
2227
22283.4. DRAFT ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL
2229Why in News?
2230Ministry of Power has sought comments on a revised draft of the Electricity Amendment Bill after incorporating
2231suggestions from the Standing Committee on Energy and other stakeholders.
2232Background
2233•
2234•
2235•
2236•
2237
2238The three segments of the electricity sector in India (generation, transmission, and distribution) were initially
2239bundled together with the state owned electricity boards. In the 90s, the generation segment was opened up
2240to the private sector and later a few states restructured the system by segregating the three segments.
2241The Electricity Act, 2003 was the next big reform attempt at the electricity sector regulation.
2242However, competition in the transmission and distribution segments has been limited in India with very little
2243participation from the private sector.
2244The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced to: (i) increase competition in the sector by segregating
2245the distribution segment into distribution and supply, (ii) rationalise tariff determination, and (iii) promote
2246renewable energy.
2247
2248Key Features of the Bill
2249•
2250•
2251•
2252
2253•
2254
2255•
2256
2257•
2258•
2259
2260Segregation of distribution network and retail supply of electricity: The bill provides for separate licences for
2261maintaining the distribution network (distribution licence) and for the supply of electricity (supply licence).
2262Purchase and sale of power: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) is a legal contract between the power plant
2263(generation company) and the power distribution company (discoms). The amendments provide that all
2264purchase or sale of power will be done through long/medium/short term PPAs.
2265Tariff ceiling by CERC/SERC: For the retail sale of electricity, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and
2266State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will determine only the ceiling tariff, and the supply licensee may
2267charge any tariff below this ceiling. However the Commissions will not determine the tariff if the electricity
2268has been procured through competitive bidding.
2269Reforms w.r.t Subsidy Regime:
2270o Move toward direct subsidy: Typically electricity subsidy is transferred to the state discoms that
2271incorporate these into the tariffs. The bill says that now subsidy can be provided only through direct
2272benefit transfer to the beneficiary.
2273o Elimination of cross subsidy: The draft amendments provide that the cross subsidisation of tariff within a
2274distribution area will not exceed 20%. Further, such cross-subsidies will be progressively reduced and
2275eliminated within three years.
2276Renewable energy:
2277o Renewable energy Definition: Currently the Act does not define renewable sources of energy. The draft
2278bill defines renewable energy sources to include hydro (limit notified by the central government), wind,
2279solar, bio-mass, bio-fuel, waste including municipal and solid waste, geo-thermal, tidal, co-generation
2280from these sources, and other sources as notified by the central government.
2281o Renewable Purchase and Generation Obligation (RPO, RGO): The amendments define RPO and RGO
2282which will be notified by the central government.
2283Smart grid and metering: The draft amendments define smart grid and suggest that smart meters should be
2284installed at each stage, for proper measurement of consumption.
2285Composition of the SERC selection committee: The draft amendments change the composition of the SERC
2286selection committee to: (i) have more central government members, and (ii) be chaired by a serving Supreme
2287Court judge.
2288
2289Benefits of the proposed amendments
2290• Choice to consumers: Separation between the infrastructure builder (for power distribution) and the licensee
2291to supply would entail more than one electricity supplier in an area and consumer will have options to of
2292changing their power supplying company or utility based on the efficiency of their services.
2293• End Sectoral Bias due to cross subsidy: Differential pricing and subsequent cross subsidising raises the input
2294costs for manufacturing and service sectors.
229529
2296
2297www.visionias.in
2298
2299©Vision IAS
2300
2301•
2302•
2303•
2304•
2305
2306Breaking the cycle of subsidy and losses: The DBT feature introduced has potential to eliminate losses
2307incurred by the DISCOMS and is also beneficial to the end consumer as subsidy shall be directly transferred to
2308the beneficiary.
230924*7 Power supply: The draft amendments propose that 24X7 power supply is an obligation and the state
2310electricity regulatory commission can penalise the power distribution company (discoms), if it fails to do so.
2311Violation of PPA to be penalised: This feature provides a major relief for power generators which lately have
2312been facing brunt of states cancelling PPA citing high cost or lack of funds.
2313Boost for Renewable Sector: The bill’s features for renewable energy will help India to achieve its targets wr.t
2314clean energy.
2315
2316Issues with the Amendment
2317•
2318
2319•
2320•
2321•
2322
2323Ability of consumers to switch between suppliers:
2324o Consumers should have the facility to easily switch from one supply licensee to another and the supply of
2325power to the consumer should not be interrupted during such transition. The amendments do not
2326explicitly provide for how such switching will work, and what will happen during the transition from one
2327supplier to the other.
2328o The 2003 Act provides for multiple licensees to set up their own distribution network in the same area,
2329thus allowing for competition. However, the electricity distribution segment has not seen much
2330competition. Setting up a new network requires significant capital investment and hence acts as an entry
2331barrier for new participants.
2332Procurement exclusively via PPA: Supply companies may face unanticipated demand at times and thus the
2333question is why they are not allowed to procure any power through ways other than PPAs.
2334Composition of Selection Committee for SERCs: The proposed SERC selection committee has only one
2335representative from the state, and five from the centre. Additionally, the rationale for having a serving judge
2336of the Supreme Court on the selection committee of all SERCs in the country is unclear.
2337Issues with removing cross subsidies may increase subsidy burden on exchequer:
2338o Increased tariffs for low paying consumer: It could increase the tariffs for the currently low paying
2339consumers (agricultural and residential) who are being subsidised.
2340o Subsidy burden on the exchequer: The state or central government may choose to alleviate any increase
2341in their tariffs by giving them explicit subsidies through DBT. This could increase the subsidy burden on the
2342exchequer.
2343
23443.5. SMART METERS
2345Why in news?
2346The government plans to make all electricity meters
2347smart prepaid in three years (from April 1,2019).
2348About Smart Meters
2349•
2350•
2351
2352Other related decisions
2353• The Draft Electricity Amendment Bill has defined smart
2354grid and suggested that smart meters should be installed
2355at each stage, for proper measurement of consumption.
2356• Under Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), the
2357government has targeted to install 35 million smart
2358meters by 2019.
2359
2360They are part of the advanced metering
2361infrastructure solution that measures and
2362records electricity use at different times of the day and send this information to the energy supplier.
2363They allow two-way communication, between energy providers and consumers of electricity.
2364
2365Advantages of Smart Metering
2366•
2367
236830
2369
2370For utilities
2371o Reduce operational costs of energy companies as fewer call-outs are needed, and the accuracy of billing
2372is improved.
2373o Enable remote monitoring: utilities can monitor households or commercial establishments that do not
2374pay their bills and can shut down their services remotely.
2375o Load management: Smart meters can relay information back to Distribution companies as to when the
2376demand for power is maximum, so that suitable strategies such as time of day (TOD) tariffing can be
2377adopted.
2378
2379www.visionias.in
2380
2381©Vision IAS
2382
2383o
2384
2385•
2386
2387Prevention of theft and pilferage: Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses
2388With “Smart” meters in place, a • It is the difference between energy input units into the system
2389feedback can be sent back to the
2390and the units for which the payment is collected.
2391utility in case of theft and pilferage to • It has two components:
2392o Technical Loss is due to flow of power in the transmission
2393reduce aggregate technical &
2394and distribution system. This should normally be in the range
2395commercial losses (currently about
2396of 8-12% considering the Indian networks.
239720.58% according to Ministry of
2398o
2399Commercial loss is due to theft of electricity, deficiencies in
2400Power).
2401metering, misuse of category on realization of revenue etc.
2402For consumers
2403Impact of AT&C Losses
2404o Monitoring the quality of supply:
2405• Saving from this loss can mitigate the impact of escalating
2406“Smart” meters can also provide
2407operating costs and progressively higher quantum and costs of
2408customers a real time analysis on the
2409power purchase to meet growing power needs, resulting in lesser
2410quality of power being supplied.
2411burden on the consumer.
2412o Eliminate the hassle of monthly or
2413quarterly meter readings: In the past, to make it easy for utilities’ personnel to take readings, meters were
2414placed outside of buildings. Smart meters can however be placed anywhere within the house.
2415o Closer eye on energy usage: This gives consumers better access to information and allows them to make
2416more informed decisions on the use of electricity in their homes, leading to reduced power wastage, and
2417long-term carbon and financial savings.
2418o Equitable Tariff: The insights provided by the smart meter infrastructure can be used for the creation of
2419an even more customer-centric tariff structure.
2420
2421Disadvantages of Smart Metering
2422•
2423
2424For the Electric Companies
2425Short-term increase in costs: The cost in terms of personnel training and equipment development and
2426production to transition to a new technology and new set of processes.
2427o Data management: Managing and storing vast quantities of the metering data collected and ensuring the
2428security and privacy of metering data.
2429o Resistance by customers: Managing negative public reaction and acquiring customer acceptance of the
2430new meters.
2431For Consumers
2432o Data privacy issue: There's no way to protect the privacy of the personal data collected.
2433o Short-term cost: There is an additional fee for the installation of the new meter.
2434o
2435
2436•
2437
2438Way forward
2439To ensure adoption and seamless working of smart metering, following steps need to be taken:
2440•
2441•
2442•
2443•
2444•
2445•
2446
244731
2448
2449Developing robust and accessible IoT platform: A key building block for a meaningful smart meter
2450infrastructure is the IoT platform which will enable consolidation, storing, securing and analysis of the data
2451received by the individual measuring devices.
2452Ensuring widespread and high quality electric and telecom connectivity: To connect the meters to the IoT
2453platform that they depend on for functioning, they need a robust connection that is not always available
2454Open platforms for smart metering services: This will ensure that entry into such an extensive infrastructure
2455market does not put many smaller players like regional energy providers and start-ups at a disadvantage.
2456Developing a robust policy and regulatory framework: Such a roadmap will create an enabling environment
2457for market players, utilities and consumers as well as ensure synchronization between policies at central and
2458state level.
2459Building technological capacity and expertise: currently, the smart meters manufactured in the country rely
2460heavily on imported components. Development of domestic capacity to produce meter components can go a
2461long way in reducing per meter costs for the country.
2462Designing of effective demand side management programmes: to ensure adoption of energy efficiency
2463measures across consumer segments is needed.
2464
2465www.visionias.in
2466
2467©Vision IAS
2468
24693.6. PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA (PMUY)
2470Why in News?
2471Recently, government has extended the scope of beneficiaries to be
2472covered under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
2473About the move
2474•
2475•
2476•
2477
2478Earlier, beneficiaries under the PMUY included all the BPL
2479families who suffer with at least one deprivation under Socioeconomic caste census 2011.
2480It has been expanded to cover all SC/ST households, beneficiaries of Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), PMAY
2481(Gramin), forest dwellers, most backward classes (MBC), Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, people residing in
2482Islands or rivers island.
2483Expected outcomes of PMUY
2484Now, the scheme will cover all the poor households of the • It was launched to make clean energy
2485country. Under this, new beneficiaries will be those among
2486affordable and accessible because airholders of both ration cards and Aadhaar, who will identify
2487pollution in rural households becomes
2488themselves as poor through self-declaration.
2489lethal due to use of wood or cow dung
2490
2491About the PMUY
2492•
2493•
2494
2495•
2496
2497Achievement of PMUY
2498• LPG penetration in India has risen from
249956% in 2014 to 80% in May 2018.
2500• Till now, of the 5.8 crore connection
2501released, 3.8 crore are beneficiaries
2502from the SECC list and 2 crore from the
2503other seven categories added later.
2504
2505•
2506
2507as cooking fuel.
2508It would lead to savings in cost and
2509time spent in collecting wood,
2510resulting thereby in improved
2511opportunities to earn income and
2512spend time with the family.
2513It would have a positive outcome on
2514health, especially that of women,
2515children's education and employment.
2516
2517It aims to provide 8 crore deposit free LPG connections to
2518women from BPL households by 2020.
2519The LPG Connection is released in the name of adult woman of
2520the BPL Family, with a financial support of RS 1600/- subject to
2521the condition that no LPG connection exists in the name of any •
2522family member of the household.
2523Consumers will have the option to purchase gas stove and refills
2524on EMI (zero interest), recovered through LPG subsidy received by the beneficiary.
2525
2526Challenges in further adoption
2527•
2528•
2529•
2530
2531Overall Cost: Most of the states cited initial high cost as a major barrier for adoption of this scheme. Similarly,
2532non-support by the government at the refilling stage forces the poor to pay more than rich in urban areas.
2533Long waiting time and sparse LPG distribution centres: The number of distributors has not kept pace with the
2534increasing number of active LPG consumers e.g. between 2016-2018, the total number of active LPG
2535consumers increased by 31 per cent, while total number of distributors went up by 9 per cent.
2536Information Gap: Data on PMUY connection is provided only at the state level and district-wise disaggregation
2537is not available. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that households are moving away from using solid fuels
2538for cooking. They are possibly being used for other purposes.
2539
2540What needs to be done?
2541•
2542
2543•
2544•
2545
2546Demand-side intervention: There is a need for more information about the scheme in the public domain for
2547a comprehensive evaluation and mid-course correction. For this, village-level ASHA workers can be roped in
2548to create awareness about the ill-effects of traditional chulhas, which will create a bottom-up demand for
2549cleaner fuels.
2550Strengthening the supply chain: By ensuring adequate provisions for affordability, availability, and
2551accountability of the scheme.
2552Diversified Options: Government should try to diversify fuel options and make cylinders in different portable
2553sizes and make door-to-door refilling service available, in order to reduce leakages and pilferages.
2554
25553.7. COAL SWAPPING SCHEME EXTENDED
2556Why in news?
2557Government has decided to extend the Coal Swapping Scheme to private power producers and non-regulated
2558cement and steel sectors.
255932
2560
2561www.visionias.in
2562
2563©Vision IAS
2564
2565What is Coal Swapping Scheme?
2566•
2567•
2568•
2569•
2570
2571It’s a coal supply rationalization scheme to private power producers and non-regulated cement and steel
2572sectors that are importing coal or have domestic supply linkages.
2573Now bilateral arrangements can be signed between two consumers for swapping full or part of their entitled
2574quantity of coal allocation for at least six months.
2575This will be facilitated via an electronic platform where participants can register, and on a pre-decided time
2576applicants can swap coal supplies with the registered participants.
2577Coal India would be the nodal agency for the swapping arrangement.
2578
2579Requirement of Coal Swapping Scheme
2580•
2581
2582•
2583
2584•
2585
2586•
2587
2588Scheme to Harness and Allocate Koyla (Coal)
2589
2590Inadequate quantity of domestic coal, rising imports and Transparently in India (SHAKTI) Policy
2591• Adopted in 2017, it is the new policy of
2592high price for imported coal necessitates government
2593allocating Coal to Thermal Power Plants.
2594intervention while allocating the available coal among
2595•
2596State/Central Power Plans to get coal linkages
2597power producing firms
2598as per Ministry of Power recommendations.
2599Even after implementing SHAKTI, the desired coal supplies
2600• Coal Linkage on auction basis for private
2601were still not being fulfilled. SHAKTI has been facing other
2602producers.
2603logistical issues like the Coal India approach of taking
2604advance payment without committing to any assured supply creating cash flow problems for already stressed
2605power generators.
2606Supply Costs
2607o In the current scenario, coal supplies are based on allocations made over the years to power plants and
2608the coal blocks are not necessarily the nearest to the generation units.
2609o Many times distance between coal mine and power plant is more than 1000 km. This creates erratic
2610availability and high transportation costs to be added to the cost of coal. Coal Swapping will reduce the
2611supply cost of coal enabling production of cheaper power.
2612Coal Swapping will now allow state run coal producers to divert more coal to efficient power plants,
2613benefitting both coal producer and easier availability of coal to power plants.
2614
26153.8. NEW RULES FOR E-COMMERCE
2616Why in news?
2617Recently, government introduced changes in e-commerce norms which are said to be clarificatory in nature and
2618are not new restrictions.
2619Changes introduced by the new rules
2620• From February 1, 2019, e-commerce companies running marketplace platforms — such as Amazon
2621and Flipkart — cannot sell products through companies, and of companies, in which they hold equity stake.
2622• It put a cap of 25% on the inventory that a marketplace entity or its group companies can sell from a
2623particular vendor. Inventory of a vendor will be deemed to be controlled by e-commerce marketplace entity
2624if more than 25% its purchases are from the marketplace entity or its group companies.
2625• No seller can be forced to sell its products exclusively on any marketplace platform, and that all vendors on
2626the e-commerce platform should be provided services in a “fair and non-discriminatory manner”. Services
2627include fulfilment, logistics, warehousing, advertisement, cashbacks, payments, and financing among others.
2628• The marketplaces will not be allowed to offer deep discounts through their in house companies listed as
2629sellers (check price cartelization).
2630• E-commerce marketplace entity will be required to furnish a certificate along with a report of statutory
2631auditor to Reserve Bank of India, confirming compliance of the guidelines, by September 30 every year for
2632the preceding financial year.
2633• E-commerce entities will have to maintain a level playing field and ensure that they do not directly or
2634indirectly influence the sale price of goods and services.
2635The above mentioned rules explain certain principles laid down in a 2017 circular on the operations of online
2636market places, wherein 100% foreign direct investment through automatic route is allowed. Some other
2637discussion points in the circular were as follows:
263833
2639
2640www.visionias.in
2641
2642©Vision IAS
2643
2644•
2645
2646•
2647
2648•
2649
2650Scope of Marketplace Model: E-Marketplace would include warehousing, logistics, order fulfillment, call
2651centre, payment collection etc.
2652o The move was aimed at bringing Models of E-Commerce
2653Marketplace Model
2654new entrants/smaller players in the
2655• E-commerce Company provides an IT platform on a digital or
2656e-commerce business.
2657electronic network to act as facilitator between buyers & sellers
2658o It would also increase the need for
2659without warehousing the products.
2660office spaces, warehouses & • It aggregates various retailers/brands and provide a sales channel
2661logistics, providing a boost to the
2662(offers shipment, call centre, delivery and payment services) to
2663real estate business.
2664them but cannot exercise ownership of the inventory.
2665o It would also check tax evasion • It allows for a superior customer service experience, as many
2666smaller brands have greater outreach now, with their fulfillment
2667through illegal warehousing.
2668processes taken care of by online marketplaces. E.g. EPredatory Pricing: Predator pricing
2669Bay/Shopclues etc
2670(dominant player reducing prices to such
2671•
2672100% FDI is allowed in marketplace model of e-commerce.
2673an extent to edge out other players) is an
2674Inventory Model
2675anti-competition
2676practice
2677under
2678• Products are owned by the online shopping company. The whole
2679Competition Act 2002. The government
2680process end-to-end, starting with product purchase, warehousing
2681would appoint a regulator to check
2682and ending with product dispatch, is taken care of by the
2683discounts offered by e-commerce
2684company.
2685players, so that they don’t sell below • Allows speedier delivery, better quality control and improved
2686market prices & compliance with FDI
2687customer experience and trust. But, it restricts cash flow and is
2688norms.
2689difficult to scale
2690•
2691FDI in multi-brand retail is prohibited, including e-commerce
2692Cap on % sale by single vendor to 25%
2693retail (B2C);
2694(explained above).
2695
2696Impact
2697•
2698
2699•
2700
2701•
2702•
2703•
2704
270534
2706
2707•
2708
2709E.g. Jabong, YepMe etc.
2710
2711E-commerce companies:
2712o Most of e-commerce firms source goods from sellers who are related 3 rd party entities. E.g. WS Retail
2713contributes to 35-40% of Flipkart’s overall sales. Cloudtail India, the biggest retailer operating on Amazon,
2714has its 49% equity held up by Amazon or its subsidiaries. Amazon also holds up 48% equity in another
2715major retailer, Appario Retail. This will impact backend operations of e-commerce firms, as group entities
2716would now have to be removed from the e-commerce value chain.
2717o Also, players like Amazon and Flipkart, who have their private labels, will not be able to sell them on their
2718platforms if they hold equity in the company manufacturing them.
2719o Currently, most of the e-commerce are burning cash to attract consumer base and hence, are in deep
2720losses. In the long run, this will help large companies build a viable business rather than just depend on
2721discounts.
2722Retailers:
2723o The absence of large retailers will bring relief to small retailers selling on these platforms. Traditional brickand-mortar stores, who now find it difficult to compete with the large e-commerce retailers with deep
2724pockets, will become more competitive.
2725o Marketplaces are meant for independent sellers, many of whom are MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium
2726Enterprises). These changes will enable a level playing field for all sellers, helping them leverage the reach
2727of e-commerce.
2728o But, it may also become difficult for small start-ups to raise funds from big e-retailer companies. Also,
2729mandatory listing of inventory on different platforms may increase sales cost for MSMEs.
2730Consumers: Consumers may no longer enjoy the deep discounts offered by retailers that have a close
2731association with marketplace entities.
2732Employment: The threat of job losses in the supply chain network has emerged as a major concern, as the
2733number of e-commerce orders will go down, warehouse expansion plans may take a hit and the utilization of
2734delivery executives will reduce, leading to significant job losses.
2735Growth of the sector: By 2022, the size of digital economy in India will be approximately $ 1 trillion and by
27362030, it could constitute almost 50% of the entire economy. Licensing and price controls may depress a fast
2737growing sector.
2738www.visionias.in
2739
2740©Vision IAS
2741
2742•
2743
2744International Trade Outlook: As 71 members led by countries like China, Japan and the US began exploring
2745possible WTO framework on free cross-border e-commerce at Buenos Aires ministerial (2017), the new
2746guidelines preempt any possible obligations on e-commerce imposed by WTO. It would enable Govt. to take
2747a stand in international trade negotiations and discussions, which is fully cognizant of the need to preserve
2748flexibility and create a level-playing field for domestic players.
2749
2750Way Forward
2751•
2752
2753E-Marketplaces should change their business model and begin to look at franchise channels, rather than
2754equity investments channels, to do business in India.
2755The Government should come out with an E-Commerce policy which establishes a commonly accepted
2756definition of e-commerce, provides a level playing field for domestic & foreign businesses. Draft ECommerce Policy has already been submitted by the commerce ministry.
2757A single legislation should be enacted to address all aspects of e-commerce so that the legal fragmentation
2758seen across the various laws is reduced, viz. the Information Technology Act, 2000, Consumer Protection Act
27591986 etc.
2760Setting up an accreditation system for vetting e-commerce platforms which adhere to good business
2761practices is the need of the hour.
2762
2763•
2764•
2765•
2766
27673.9. ANGEL TAX
2768Why in news?
2769Recently, several startups raised concerns regarding taxation of angel funds after 'angel tax' notices were sent to
2770them under Section 56 (2) of the Income Tax Act, which provides for taxation of funds received by an entity.
2771About Angel Tax
2772•
2773
2774It is a levy of 30.9 per cent on the amount exceeding the fair market value of shares issued by unlisted
2775companies (mainly start-ups) which will be treated as income from other sources.
2776Fair value is a rational and unbiased estimate of the potential market price of a good, service, or asset.
2777The fair value is determined by the tax authorities
2778after the investments are made by the angel Related facts
2779• Earlier in April, the government gave relief to
2780investors and are taxed accordingly.
2781startups by allowing them to avail tax concession if
2782Angel Tax was introduced in 2012, with the purpose
2783total investment, including funding from angel
2784of keeping money laundering in check.
2785
2786•
2787•
2788•
2789
2790Issues with Angel tax
2791•
2792
2793There is no definitive or objective way to measure
2794the ‘fair market value’ of a startup.
2795Several startups find it difficult to justify the higher
2796valuation to tax officials.
2797The problem is that start-ups are valued subjectively
2798on the discounted cash flow model (valuation
2799method used to estimate the value of an investment
2800based on its future cash flows), which does not take
2801into account factors such as goodwill and can result
2802in differences of opinion on what constitutes “fair
2803value”.
2804While the India-based companies are getting hefty
2805tax notices, start-ups with a base in Singapore and
2806other tax havens have escaped the tax notices.
2807
2808•
2809•
2810
2811•
2812
2813Identity
2814investor
2815
281635
2817
2818of
2819
2820Angel Investor
2821They are individuals looking to invest their
2822own funds.
2823
2824investors, does not exceed Rs 10 crore with the
2825approval from eight-member inter-ministerial
2826board.
2827• Moreover, an angel investor picking up stakes in a
2828startup should have a minimum net worth of Rs 2
2829crore or an average returned income of over Rs 25
2830lakh in the preceding three financial years.
2831• For startup founders, venture capital firms and
2832overseas investors are also the key sources of funds
2833and both these funds are exempt from this tax.
2834Angel Investor
2835• It is a private individual, mostly high net worth,
2836usually with business experience, who directly
2837invests part of his or her personal assets in new and
2838growing unquoted businesses.
2839• Angel investments are typically the earliest equity
2840investments made in startup companies.
2841
2842Venture Capitalist
2843They are firms or companies that pool money from
2844groups of investors into a combined fund to invest in
2845emerging businesses.
2846
2847www.visionias.in
2848
2849©Vision IAS
2850
2851Stage
2852company
2853
2854of
2855
2856Investment
2857amount
2858Length
2859of
2860investment
2861Level
2862of
2863Contribution
2864And
2865Involvement
2866
2867Generally they are looking to invest in
2868startups and early-stage businesses that
2869are just starting to engage in technical
2870development and market research.
2871They invest in smaller amounts than
2872venture capitalist.
2873They are commonly invested for a period of
2874two to five years before exiting the
2875investment.
2876They frequently have industry experience or
2877contacts to offer, but very rarely want to
2878have any sort of direct involvement in the
2879running of the business.
2880
2881They rarely back startups and mostly invest in emerging
2882businesses that are more established, seeing them
2883through their growth stages and into IPOs or mergers.
2884They hold more funds to invest as they pool money from
2885number of investors hence they invest in higher amount.
2886They typically stay invested for at least 10 years before
2887getting out.
2888They typically expect to have a high level of involvement
2889in the business’s decision-making, often going so far as to
2890demand a seat on the board of directors.
2891
28923.10. STATES’ START-UP RANKING 2018
2893Why in News?
2894•
2895•
2896
2897The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
2898(DIPP) announced results of the first ever States’ Startup Ranking 2018.
2899Gujarat ranked the best performer and Karnataka,
2900Kerala, Odisha, And Rajasthan are the top performers.
2901
2902About State Start-up Ranking 2018
2903•
2904
2905•
2906
2907•
2908
2909Start-up definition by government
2910Start-up means an entity, incorporated or registered
2911in India not prior to seven years, with annual
2912turnover not exceeding INR 25 crores in any
2913preceding financial year, working towards innovation,
2914development, deployment or commercialization of
2915new products, processes or services driven by
2916technology or intellectual property.
2917
2918Government had launched this initiative in 2016 with the objective of encouraging States and Union
2919Territories to take proactive steps towards strengthening the Start-up ecosystems in their states. The
2920methodology has been aimed at creating a healthy competition among States to further learn, share and
2921adopt good practices.
2922States have been identified as leaders across various categories such as Start-up policy leaders, incubation
2923hubs, seeding innovation, scaling innovation, regulatory change champions, procurement leaders,
2924communication champions, NorthEastern leader, and hill state Start-Ups in India
2925• India is the third largest start up hub in the world with 20% of the startleader.
2926ups emerging from tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
2927The tools for ranking are –
2928• The major start-ups in India comprise of tech based (close to 45%) and
2929o State and Union Territory
2930about 72% being young founder below the age of 35 years.
2931Start-up Ranking Framework.
2932•
2933The growth drivers of the flourishing start-up ecosystem are –
2934o Compendium
2935of
2936Good
2937government focused on policy start-ups, demographic dividend, rapid
2938Practices for Promoting Starturbanisation, large number of internet users and India being an
2939ups in India.
2940emerging market.
2941o Start-up India Kit – It is a onestop guide on all the benefits available to start-ups from the Startup India initiative.
2942
29433.11. RETAIL, SME LOANS TO BE LINKED TO EXTERNAL BENCHMARKS
2944Why in News?
2945Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the banks to link the floating interest rate on retail loans and loans extended
2946to micro and small businesses to external benchmarks like Repo Rate or Treasury Bills.
2947Need for Change
2948•
2949•
2950
295136
2952
2953This move comes because Banks were slow to pass on the reduction in their MCLRs in January 2017 to their
2954actual lending rates.
2955For example – Of the 12 banks whose spreads widened, six banks took up to six months to pass on the benefit
2956of lower MCLRs to their lending rates; remaining six banks passed on the benefit of their lower MCLRs, but
2957only partially even after six months. Even though changes in MCLRs are expected to be passed on to at least
2958fresh borrowers immediately.
2959www.visionias.in
2960
2961©Vision IAS
2962
2963•
2964
2965These changes are the culmination of the recommendations made by an internal study group on working of
2966MCLR of the RBI headed by Dr. Janak Raj.
2967
2968New RBI Guidelines
2969•
2970
2971•
2972•
2973
2974•
2975
2976Interest Rate policy over the years
2977• October 1994: Banks were required to declare Prime Lending Rate (PLR)
2978which was the rate it would charge to its most credit worthy customer.
2979• April 2003: Benchmark Prime Lending Rate to overcome rigidity and
2980inflexibility of PLR.
2981• July 2010: Base Rate - Under this system, Banks were required to announce
2982their base rates which would be the minimum rate under all circumstances
2983• April 2016: Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) - RBI decided
2984to shift to MCLR because the rates based on marginal cost of funds are more
2985sensitive to changes in the policy rates
2986• December 2018: External Benchmark Based Rate (proposed, final
2987guidelines to be out soon).
2988How MCLR was calculated
2989As per RBI guidelines, the MCLR comprise of:
2990• Marginal Cost of funds: The marginal cost of funds shall comprise of
2991Marginal cost of borrowings and return on net worth.
2992• Negative Carry on CRR: Negative carry on the mandatory CRR which arises
2993due to return on CRR balances being nil.
2994• Operating Costs: All operating costs associated with providing the loan
2995product including cost of raising funds shall be included under this head. It
2996shall be ensured that the costs of providing those services which are
2997separately recovered by way of service charges do not form part of this
2998component.
2999• Tenor premium: These costs arise from loan commitments with longer
3000tenor. The change in tenor premium should not be borrower specific or loan
3001class specific. In other words, the tenor premium will be uniform for all
3002types of loans for a given residual tenor.
3003
3004The RBI said the lending rate on
3005such loans should be linked to
3006one of the four benchmarks
3007o Reserve Bank of India’s
3008policy repo rate.
3009o Government of India 91day treasury bill yield.
3010o Government of India 182day treasury bill yield.
3011o Any other benchmark
3012market
3013interest
3014rate
3015produced by the Financial
3016Benchmark India Private
3017Ltd.
3018Banks have to implement the
3019new scheme from April 1, 2019.
3020The Move is expected to end
3021the practice of lowering
3022interest rates to only new
3023customers to attract more
3024business while the existing
3025customers continue to pay
3026higher rate.
3027The spread (margin) over the
3028benchmark rate — to be decided wholly at banks’ discretion at the inception of the loan — should remain
3029unchanged through the life of the loan, unless the borrower’s credit assessment undergoes a substantial
3030change and as agreed upon in the loan contract.
3031
3032Advantages of new system
3033•
3034
3035•
3036•
3037
3038•
3039
3040Financial Benchmarks India Pvt Ltd
3041• It is an independent benchmark administrator to develop
3042and administer benchmarks relating to money market,
3043government securities and foreign exchange in India.
3044• It was created on the recommendation of Shri Vijaya
3045Bhaskar Committee on benchmark administration of India.
3046• The FBIL, jointly owned by FIMMDA, FEDAI and IBA, was
3047formed in December 2014 as a private limited company
3048under the Companies Act 2013.
3049o FIMMDA: Fixed Income Money Market & Derivatives
3050Association of India
3051o FEDIA: Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India
3052o IBA: Indian Banks Association
3053
3054The Linking of floating rates to external
3055benchmarks will lead to reduction in credit
3056costs in the long run for retail and MSME
3057Sector.
3058All banks will have to benchmark their loan
3059against a common benchmark, which will
3060make it easier for borrowers to track it.
3061This is one of the series of steps taken by RBI
3062to increase Credit flow to MSME Sector as it
3063is crucial for economic growth and
3064employment.
3065Banks around the world have already moved to external benchmarking system so this step brings Indian
3066system in line with International Banking practices.
3067
30683.12. GDP BACK SERIES DATA
3069Why in News?
3070NITI Aayog and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the 'back-series' of India's gross domestic product
3071(GDP) data from 2005-06, using a new methodology.
3072
307337
3074
3075www.visionias.in
3076
3077©Vision IAS
3078
3079Background
3080•
3081
3082•
3083
3084In 2015, the government adopted a new
3085method for the calculation of the gross
3086domestic product of the country.
3087o adopted the Gross Value Added measure to
3088better estimate economic activity.
3089o change also involved a bringing forward of
3090the base year used for calculations to 201112 from the previous 2004-05.
3091However, this led to the problem of not being
3092able to compare recent data with
3093the years preceding 2011-12. The
3094back series data released provides
3095the earlier years’ data using the
3096new calculations.
3097
3098Gross Domestic Product (GDP) vs Gross Value Added (GVA)
3099• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value all
3100final economic goods and services produced in a country
3101during a specific period of time.
3102• GVA is measure of value of goods and services produced
3103in economy.
3104• GVA + taxes on products - subsidies on products = GDP
3105• GVA is sector specific while GDP is calculated by
3106summation of GVA of all sectors of economy with taxes
3107added and subsidies are deducted.
3108
3109Highlights of the New Data
3110•
3111
3112•
3113
3114The new data shows that, contrary
3115to the earlier perception, the Indian
3116economy never graduated to a
3117‘high growth’ phase of more than
31189% in the last decade or so.
3119It was also pointed out that the newer data, especially for the mining and manufacturing sectors, shows that
3120India did not recover from the global financial crisis as quickly as initially thought.
3121
3122Why there is a difference in old and new data?
3123•
3124•
3125
3126•
3127
3128There is a revision of base year to a more recent year.
3129While doing the exercise, the government adopted the recommendations of the United Nations System of
3130National Accounts, which included measuring the GVA, Net Value Added (NVA), and the use of new data
3131sources wherever available. One of these data sources is the Ministry of Corporate Affairs MCA-21 database,
3132which became available since 2011-12 only.
3133o The key difference between the two was that the MCA-21 Database
3134old method measured volumes — actual physical • It is an e-governance initiative that was launched
3135in 2006 to allow firms to electronically file their
3136output in the manufacturing sector, crop
3137financial results and advance filing of corporate
3138production, and employment for the services
3139accounts, to calculate national accounts.
3140sector. MCA-21’s approach has been discussed in • It allows for a more granular approach, looking
3141the box.
3142at the balance sheet data of each company and
3143The new method is also statistically more robust as it
3144aggregating the performance of the sector from
3145tries to relate the estimates to more indicators such as
3146that, after adjusting for inflation.
3147consumption, employment, and the performance of • It also include addition to the volume index of
3148Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and
3149enterprises, and also incorporates factors that are more
3150establishment-based dataset of Annual Survey
3151responsive to current changes, unlike the old series that
3152of Industries (ASI).
3153usually took 2-3 years to register an underlying change.
3154
3155Issues in New Data
3156•
3157•
3158•
3159
316038
3161
3162Difference with earlier findings: The new back series data diverges from the estimates made in a draft report
3163released by the National Statistical Commission in August 2018. The clear example of this is agriculture, where
3164no new database has been used and all the data on prices, production and inputs is based on same data set.
3165Not enough explanation on Datasets and proxies: There is not enough explanation for the choice of datasets
3166and proxies, especially those datasets that didn’t exist before 2011-12. Though the CSO release mentioned
3167usage of several proxies, there were no details about why those were selected over other datasets.
3168Credibility debatable: The role of the NITI Aayog in the release of the statistical exercise of CSO, which comes
3169under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has been questioned.
3170www.visionias.in
3171
3172©Vision IAS
3173
31743.13. NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS)
3175Why in News?
3176The Union Cabinet recently approved
3177the proposal for streamlining the
3178National Pension System (NPS).
3179About National Pension System
3180•
3181
3182•
3183
3184•
3185•
3186•
3187•
3188•
3189
3190NPS offers two accounts
3191• Tier I Account: This is a non-withdrawable account meant for savings for
3192retirement.
3193• Tier II Account: This is simply a voluntary savings facility. The subscriber
3194is free to withdraw savings from this account whenever subscriber
3195wishes. No tax benefit is available on this account.
3196EEE v/s EET status
3197• EEE-Exempt Exempt Exempt:
3198o The first exempt means that your investment qualifies for a
3199deduction, i.e., the part of your salary invested in NPS is not taxable.
3200o The second exempt implies that the interest earned during the
3201accumulation phase is also exempted from taxation.
3202o The third exempt means that the income you generate from this
3203investment would not be taxable at the time of withdrawal.
3204• EET – Exempt Exempt Taxable:
3205o The first two exempt means the same, i.e., no taxation for amount
3206invested and interest on accumulated amount.
3207o However, the lump sum amount you withdraw is taxable.
3208
3209It is an initiative by the
3210Government of India which is a
3211defined contribution scheme
3212wherein the final corpus depends
3213upon the contribution made by
3214subscribers and the investment
3215returns.
3216The new entrants to the central
3217government service (except the
3218armed forces) on or after
321901.01.2004 are covered under the
3220National Pension System (NPS).
3221It was launched in January 2004 for government employees and was opened to all sections in 2009.
3222A subscriber contribute regularly in a pension account during his/her working life, withdraw a part of the
3223corpus in a lumpsum and use the remaining corpus to buy an annuity to secure a regular income after
3224retirement. Employees and employers both contribute to the scheme.
3225It is being implemented and regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in
3226the country.
3227Recently cabinet has approved the coveted EEE tax status (tax exempt at entry, investment, and maturity) for
3228the NPS (earlier it was EET).
3229All Citizens (resident or non-resident) Impact of new proposal
3230who are age between 18 & before 60
3231• Increase in the eventual accumulated corpus of all central
3232years of age are eligible.
3233government employees covered under NPS.
3234
3235New Proposals
3236•
3237
3238•
3239
3240•
3241•
3242
324339
3244
3245Increased contribution by Government:
3246Enhancement
3247of
3248the
3249mandatory
3250contribution by the Central Government
3251for its employees covered under NPS TierI from the existing 10% to 14%.
3252Freedom of choice: Central Government
3253employees are provided freedom of
3254choice for selection of Pension Funds and
3255decide pattern of investment.
3256Payment of compensation for nondeposit or delayed deposit of NPS
3257contributions during 2004-2012.
3258Tax exemption: Tax exemption limit for
3259lump sum withdrawal on exit has been
3260enhanced to 60%. With this, the entire
3261withdrawal will now be exempt from
3262income tax. (At present, 40% of the total
3263accumulated corpus utilized for purchase
3264of annuity is already tax exempted. Out of
3265
3266•
3267
3268Greater pension payouts after retirement without any
3269additional burden on the employee.
3270• Benefit to approximately 18 lakh central government
3271employees covered under NPS.
3272• Augmenting old-age security in a time of rising life expectancy.
3273• By making NPS more attractive, government will be facilitated
3274in attracting and retaining the best talent.
3275• The hike in the government’s contribution will make NPS better
3276than the defined pension under the old system where the
3277pensioner got 50% of his last drawn salary.
3278Concerns in NPS
3279• Fiscally expensive reform: The impact on the exchequer on this
3280account is estimated to be to the tune of around Rs. 2840 crores
3281for the financial year 2019-20, and will be in the nature of a
3282recurring expenditure.
3283• Unfair: For one generation, the government is paying
3284contributions to new workers (with a 10 per cent wage hike) and
3285pensions to those hired earlier. The fiscal gains only arise from
3286the deaths of employees hired prior to January 1, 2004. These
3287gains would be spread over the 75 years starting from 2004.
3288• Off balance sheet Liabilities: These problems fall in the context
3289of the larger question of off-balance-sheet liabilities of the
3290Indian state. NPS is conceived as a low-cost, no-frills marketlinked product.
3291www.visionias.in
3292
3293©Vision IAS
3294
3295•
3296•
3297
329840
3299
330060% of the accumulated corpus withdrawn by the NPS subscriber at the time of retirement, 40% is tax exempt
3301and balance 20% is taxable.)
3302Tier II Account: Contribution by the Government employees under Tier-II of NPS will now be covered under
3303Section 80 C for deduction up to Rs. 1.50 lakh for the purpose of income tax benefits provided that there is a
3304lock-in period of 3 years.
3305Withdrawal for skill development activity: Apart from partially withdrawing money for exigencies like health,
3306marriage, house and education, subscriber can also withdraw 25 percent of the contributions after three years
3307of joining for skill development activity like startups, new ventures.
3308
3309www.visionias.in
3310
3311©Vision IAS
3312
33134. SECURITY
33144.1. SURVEILLANCE BY STATE AGENCIES
3315Why in news?
3316The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday issued an order
3317authorizing 10 Central agencies to intercept, monitor, and
3318decrypt “any information generated, transmitted, received
3319or stored in any computer.”
3320More about the order
3321•
3322
3323•
3324
3325•
3326
3327The agencies given such authoritative access are:
3328Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau
3329(NCB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of
3330Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate of Revenue
3331Intelligence (DRI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
3332National Investigation Agency (NIA), Cabinet
3333Secretariat (R&AW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence
3334(for service areas of Jammu & Kashmir, North-East and
3335Assam only) and Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
3336According to it, the subscriber/service provider/ person
3337in charge of the computer resource will be bound to
3338extend all facilities and technical assistance to the
3339agencies and failing to do will invite 7-year
3340imprisonment and fine.
3341The order derives its basis from Section 69 of the IT Act
3342and its 2009 rules, which gives power to intercept,
3343monitor, and decrypt “any information” generated,
3344transmitted, received, or stored in “any” computer
3345resource to the central and state governments, or “any
3346of its authorized officers”.
3347
3348Government’s stand
3349•
3350
3351•
3352•
3353
3354The order is based on the principle that the right to
3355privacy is not absolute. Surveillance is essential to
3356ensure national security and pre-empt terrorist threats
3357and thus, constitutes a ‘reasonable restriction’ under
3358Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
3359It is in the very nature of surveillance that it must take
3360place outside the public eye.
3361The above order only nominates the agencies, which
3362on a case-to-case basis and subject to oversight, will
3363obtain orders from designated judicial authorities to
3364intercept. It doesn’t intend to provide any blanket
3365powers.
3366
3367Challenges
3368•
3369
337041
3371
3372Surveillance Framework in India
3373• Telephonic surveillance is sanctioned under the
3374Section 5 of the Telegraph Act 1885 (and its
3375rules). It allows disclosure of Call Data Records
3376(CDRs) which includes numbers involved,
3377duration, time & date of call.
3378• Electronic surveillance is authorized under the
3379Section 69 of Information Technology Act 2000
3380(and its rules).
3381• Section 69 of the IT Act directs any person or
3382organisation to assist law enforcement agencies
3383to decrypt information, deemed to be in interest
3384of sovereignty/integrity of India, security of the
3385State, friendly relations with foreign countries or
3386public order.
3387• The procedural requirements were laid down by
3388the Supreme Court in PUCL v Union of India
3389[1997]: Surveillance requests must be authorized
3390by an authority at least at the level of a Joint
3391Secretary. The safeguard was inserted in
3392Telegraph Act in 2007 under Rule 419(A).
3393• Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 allows
3394the information intercepted under Telegraph Act
3395to be used as evidence.
3396• CrPC sections 91 and 92 lay out how courts,
3397police & district magistrates can summon any
3398document or “thing” from any person, postal or
3399telegraph authority for investigations, inquiries
3400and trials.
3401Possible avenues of surveillance in India
3402• Central Monitoring System is a centralized
3403telephone interception provisioning system.
3404Under CMS, all the data intercepted by Telecom
3405Service Providers (TSPs) is collected & stored in
3406central & regional databases. Law enforcement
3407agencies can get access to intercepted
3408communication on near real time basis.
3409• National Intelligence Grid linking multiple Govt
3410databases (such as banks, airlines, SEBI, railways
3411and telecommunication operators) to aggregate
3412citizen information.
3413• NeTrA (Network Traffic Analysis) is a dragnet
3414electronic surveillance system that monitors
3415internet traffic using dynamic filters based on
3416keywords.
3417• DNA Profiling bill
3418• Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System
3419(CCTNS)
3420• Stored biometrics under Aadhaar database
3421• Brain Mapping, Iris Scans, Fingerprinting and
3422bodily scans in investigation
3423
3424Lack of oversight: Decisions about surveillance are
3425taken by the executive branch (including the review
3426process), with no parliamentary or judicial supervision
3427either ex-ante or ex-post, of surveillance measures.
3428Although mandated by the SC, the actual notification
3429itself does not clearly require the Union Home Secretary to pre-approve such surveillance orders.
3430www.visionias.in
3431
3432©Vision IAS
3433
3434•
3435
3436•
3437•
3438•
3439
3440•
3441
3442•
3443
3444Vague grounds of application: Under Section 69 of the IT Act, the grounds of surveillance have been simply
3445lifted from Article 19(2) of the Constitution, and pasted into the law. They include very wide phrases such as
3446“friendly relations with foreign States” or “sovereignty and integrity of India”. The Act doesn’t provide does
3447not provide the procedure or the object for such an exercise or the quantum of period for which a person’s
3448private data could be intercepted.
3449Opaque regime: No information available about the bases on which surveillance decisions are taken, and how
3450the legal standards are applied. E.g. According to a 2014 RTI request, 250 surveillance requests are approved
3451every day on an average.
3452Potential of misuse: State control of public lives and surveillance excesses as evident in the past cases of
3453privacy breach and snooping. Individual officers responsible for executing automated process may use private
3454information for personal gain in absence of safeguards.
3455Against Privacy: In its Puttaswamy judgment [2017], SC asserted that the government must carefully balance
3456individual privacy and the legitimate concerns of the state, even if national security was at stake. Any invasion
3457of privacy must satisfy tests on 3 parameters - need (legitimate state aim), proportionality (least restrictive
3458method to achieve state’s goals) and legality (postulated by the law) – to ensure that fair, just and reasonable
3459procedure is followed without any selective targeting and profiling. A blanket power to wide range of
3460government agencies to access an individual’s encrypted material is a clear violation of the judgement.
3461Moreover, an individual can never know that she is being surveilled means that challenging it before a court
3462is a near-impossibility.
3463Procedural Challenges: Platforms such as WhatsApp have end to end encryption, which are very difficult to
3464break. Also, Internet communication can be sent using proxy servers with mail encryption which makes it
3465untraceable. Most of the companies don’t have servers in
3466Case Study-PRISM surveillance program in the US
3467India (in absence of any data localization laws). Law
3468• In 2013, ex-NSA contractor and whistleblower
3469Enforcement Agencies request data through mutual legal
3470Edward Snowden revealed the industrial-level
3471assistance agreements, which takes long time to process.
3472surveillance of private communications
3473No data privacy legislation: No national privacy
3474undertaken by the American government,
3475legislation is in place which assigns the liability in case of
3476officially known as the PRISM project.
3477data-theft and can make parties – Government or private • One feature of the American surveillance
3478program was “telephony metadata collection“,
3479- pay damages when they injure the individual by losing
3480where all the details of phone conversations
3481their personal data.
3482(numbers involved, duration, time of call
3483etc.) minus the actual content of the call were
3484intercepted and stored in a database
3485maintained by the National Security Agency.
3486NSA surveillance was challenged on statutory
3487and constitutional grounds in American Civil
3488Liberties Union vs. James Clapper [2013].
3489The appeals court found that out of more than
349050 instances where terrorist attacks had been
3491prevented, not even a single successful preemption was based on material collected from
3492the NSA’s surveillance regime. It asserted that
3493collection of ‘staggering amount of metadata’
3494doesn’t satisfy the reasonability clause of
3495Section 215 of the Patriot Act and has a chilling
3496effect on an individual’s expression.
3497
3498Way Forward
3499•
3500
3501•
3502
3503•
3504•
3505
350642
3507
3508Parliamentary Oversight: It must be acknowledged that
3509a system of government surveillance may have a chilling
3510•
3511effect upon the right to freedom of expression and
3512privacy. Thus, a privacy commission can be appointed to
3513help regulate and oversee surveillance activities, with •
3514regular briefings to Parliament.
3515Judicial Oversight: In Aadhaar case, SC held that allowing
3516disclosure of information in the interest of national
3517security to be in the hands of a joint secretary only is
3518unconstitutional. Indian Privacy Code, 2018, is a model
3519Bill that stipulates that all communications surveillance
3520and data access orders require approval by serving high
3521court judges designated to special surveillance review
3522tribunals.
3523Mandatorily specify a probable cause for potential threat: Any such sweeping power is liable to be misused
3524if the grounds of application remain broad and vaguely worded. Any evidence obtained through
3525unconstitutional surveillance must be statutorily stipulated to be inadmissible in court.
3526Privacy Law: To achieve the balance between national security and individual privacy, a privacy law on the
3527lines of recommendations of BN Shrikrishna Committee would be a good starting point. Any system of data
3528collection should factor in privacy risks and include procedures and systems to protect citizen information.
3529
3530www.visionias.in
3531
3532©Vision IAS
3533
3534•
3535•
3536
3537Although the target cannot know of the proposed surveillance, there must exist a lawyer to present the case
3538on behalf of the target of surveillance so that objective decision is made.
3539Additionally, there is a need for discussion and explanation of legal measures on surveillance before actual
3540implementation, to build a better trust with civic society.
3541
35424.2. PERMANENT CHAIRMAN OF THE CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
3543Why in News?
3544The three services have agreed on the appointment of a
3545Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCCoSC).
3546About PCCoSC
3547•
3548•
3549•
3550•
3551•
3552•
3553
3554Current Structure in India
3555• The Chief of Staff Committee (CoSC)
3556consists of Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs.
3557• It is headed by the senior-most of the three
3558chiefs in rotation till the he retires.
3559• It is a platform where the three service
3560chiefs discuss important military issues.
3561
3562It is proposed to be headed by a four-star military officer,
3563who will be equivalent to chiefs of army, airforce and navy.
3564He would look into joint issues of the services like training of troops, acquisition of weapon systems and joint
3565operations of the services.
3566He would also be in-charge of the tri-services command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
3567The post has also been referred to as Chief of Defence Staff.
3568He will head the Chiefs of Staff Committee meetings.
3569Various committees such as the Kargil Review committee led by K Subramaniam and the Naresh Chandra
3570committee of 2011 recommended a permanent chairman.
3571
3572Arguments in favour of PCCoSC
3573•
3574•
3575•
3576•
3577
3578Better Coordination: It will improve jointness in military command by integration in projects and resource
3579sharing. For example during 1962 and 1965, all three segments of the armed forces face difficulties in
3580coordination.
3581Unfragmented advice: The PCCoSC is envisaged as a single-point military adviser to the government.
3582Better defence acquisition: It would also improve capacity of the armed forces on defence acquisition by
3583removing time and cost overruns.
3584Quick Decision-making during War: Often during war a difficult decision can only be made by a specially
3585selected defence chief and not by a committee like the CoSC that operates on the principle of the least
3586common denominator.
3587
3588Challenges to setting up PCCoSC
3589•
3590•
3591•
3592
3593•
3594•
3595
3596Threat to Democratic Process: It is apprehended that the Defence Services will become too powerful and
3597subvert civilian control over the military with possibilities of a military coup.
3598Status Quo: The present arrangement of Chief of Staff Committee (CoSC) has served us well over the years
3599and hence there is resistance against “unnecessary change”.
3600Resistance within the armed forces:
3601o There is said to be inhibition amongst Service Chiefs over the years that their position would get
3602undermined if the CDS were to be appointed.
3603o The feeling among the smaller Services, particularly the Air Force, of Army dominance in defence policy
3604formulation. Some fear that a CDS may lead to a situation like the one that prevailed before 1947, when
3605the Army was the dominant Service.
3606Resistance within Bureaucracy: There is said to opposition by the civilian bureaucracy as their control over
3607the higher defence set up would be diminished.
3608Ceremonial Post: There is also a concern that the post may become a ceremonial post without any clear cut
3609roles and responsibilities.
3610
36114.3. INFORMATION FUSION CENTRE - INDIAN OCEAN REGION
3612Why in news?
3613The Navy recently inaugurated the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
361443
3615
3616www.visionias.in
3617
3618©Vision IAS
3619
3620Information Fusion Centre
3621•
3622•
3623
3624The Information Fusion Centre (IFC) is a 24/7 regional
3625information sharing centre.
3626The IFC has been established at the Navy’s
3627Information Management and Analysis Centre
3628(IMAC) in Gurugram. IMAC is the single point centre
3629linking all the coastal radar chains to generate a
3630seamless real-time picture of the coastline of the
3631nation.
3632
3633What functions will it perform?
3634•
3635
3636•
3637•
3638•
3639•
3640
3641Related News
3642• India has recently signed the ascension agreement
3643to the Trans Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN)
3644which facilitates information exchange on the
3645movement of commercial traffic on the high seas.
3646• The multilateral construct comprises of 30
3647countries and is steered by Italy.
3648• It will give the country access to information about
3649ships passing through the Indian Ocean Region,
3650thereby helping to check suspicious and criminal
3651activities and illegal trade across the ocean.
3652
3653The IFC-IOR is established with the vision of strengthening maritime security in the region and beyond,
3654by:
3655o building a common coherent maritime situation picture
3656o acting as a maritime information hub for the region
3657o enabling mutual collaboration
3658o understanding the concerns and threats to ensure safety and security
3659Through this Centre, information on “white shipping”, or commercial non-military shipping, will be exchanged
3660with countries in the region to improve maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean.
3661All countries that have already signed white shipping information exchange agreements with India are IFC
3662partners.
3663Subsequently, the IFC-IOR would host liaison officers from foreign countries to enable better
3664interconnection, quicker analysis of information and timely inputs.
3665Additionally, the Centre would undertake conduct of exercises and training capsules in maritime
3666information collection and sharing.
3667
36684.4. UN GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM COORDINATION COMPACT
3669Why in News?
3670Recently, UN launched a new framework “UN
3671Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination
3672Compact”.
3673About UN Global
3674Coordination Compact
3675•
3676
3677Counter-Terrorism
3678
3679Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
3680• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted it in
36812006 and it is a unique global instrument to enhance national,
3682regional and international efforts to counter terrorism.
3683• UNGA reviews the Strategy every two years, making it a living
3684document attuned to Member States’ counter-terrorism
3685priorities.
3686• The four pillars of the Global Strategy include:
3687o Measures to address the conditions conducive to the
3688spread of terrorism.
3689o Measures to prevent and combat terrorism.
3690o Measures to build states’ capacity to prevent and combat
3691terrorism and to strengthen the role of the United Nations
3692system in that regard.
3693o Measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the
3694rule of law as the fundamental basis for the fight against
3695terrorism.
3696
3697It is an agreement between the UN chief,
369836
3699organizational
3700entities,
3701the
3702International Criminal Police Organisation
3703(INTERPOL) and the World Customs
3704Organisation, to better serve the needs of
3705Member States when it comes to tackling
3706the scourge of international terrorism.
3707• Objective
3708o To ensure that the United Nations
3709system provides coordinated capacity-building support to Member States, at their request, in
3710implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and other relevant resolutions.
3711o To foster close collaboration between the Security Council mandated bodies and the rest of the United
3712Nations system.
3713• The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Compact Coordination Committee will oversee and monitor the
3714implementation of the Compact which will be chaired by UN Under-Secretary-General for counter-terrorism.
3715o It will replace the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, which was established in 2005 to
3716strengthen UN system-wide coordination and coherence of counter-terrorism efforts.
3717
371844
3719
3720www.visionias.in
3721
3722©Vision IAS
3723
3724Why there is a need for global compact for counter terrorism?
3725•
3726
3727Coordination: Given the number of players involved, the enormity of the task for Counter terrorism, and the
3728limited resources available, effective coordination is crucial.
3729Porous borders: In recent years, terrorist networks have evolved, moving away from a dependency on state
3730sponsorship and many of the most dangerous groups and individuals now operate as nonstate actors. Taking
3731advantage of porous borders and interconnected international systems—finance, communications, and
3732transit—terrorist groups can operate from every corner of the globe.
3733Incapacity of countries to control terrorist threats: Multilateral initiatives bolster state capacity to build
3734institutions and programs that strengthen a range of activities, from policing to counter radicalization
3735programs.
3736Emerging challenges: Vigilance against misuse of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, drones
3737and 3D (three-dimensional) printing, as well as against the use of hate-speech and distortion of religious
3738beliefs by extremist and terrorist groups.
3739
3740•
3741
3742•
3743•
3744
3745Counter-terrorism - India’s involvement at UN
3746• India has prioritised the adoption of an intergovernmental framework to combat terrorism.
3747• India introduced the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in 1996 that defined terrorism and
3748enhanced “normative processes for the prosecution and extradition of terrorists.”
3749• Active participation in several counter-terrorism discussions, such as drafting a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in
3750the General Assembly in 2006, serving as a founding members of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), and
3751supporting counterterrorism mechanisms established by UN Security Council Resolutions, such as Resolutions 1267,
37521988, and 1989 related to sanctions against Al-Qaeda/Taliban, Resolution 1373 establishing the Counter-Terrorism
3753Committee, and Resolution 1540 addressing the non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction to terrorist
3754organisations.
3755
375645
3757
3758www.visionias.in
3759
3760©Vision IAS
3761
37625. ENVIRONMENT
37635.1. KATOWICE COP 24
3764Why in news?
3765th
3766
3767The 24 Session of the of the Conference of the
3768Parties to the United Nations Framework
3769Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) was held
3770in Katowice, Poland.
3771Agenda of COP 24: The conference focused on
3772three key issues
3773•
3774
3775•
3776
3777•
3778
3779Finalization
3780of
3781guidelines/
3782modalities/rules
3783for
3784the
3785implementation
3786of
3787Paris
3788Agreement.
3789Conclusion of 2018 Facilitative
3790Talanoa Dialogue (to help
3791countries implement NDC by
37922020)
3793The stocktake of Pre-2020
3794actions implementation and
3795ambition
3796
3797Key outcomes in Katowice
3798Rulebook Specifics
3799•
3800
3801•
3802
380346
3804
3805“Double counting” means counted once by the country of
3806origin when reporting its emissions inventory, and again by the
3807receiving country (or other entity) when justifying emissions
3808above their pledged climate effort, usually via “offsetting”
3809provisions.
3810Allowing trades to be double counted means that, in actuality,
3811none of the reported emissions reductions are achieved.
3812
3813Comparing SDM and CDM building blocks
3814SDM
3815CDM
3816Must contribute to overall emission Established as a pure offsetting
3817reductions/net mitigation
3818mechanism, shifting, not reducing,
3819emissions
3820Must account for mitigation targets Based on Kyoto Protocol where
3821of all countries under the Paris developing countries did not have a
3822Agreement,
3823including
3824their reduction target and did not take
3825progression over time
3826future climate commitments into
3827account
3828Should promote ambition and Created perverse incentives to
3829encourage implementation of continue business as usual practices
3830climate friendly policies
3831and in some cases increase
3832emissions beyond business as usual
3833in order to be paid to reduce them
3834Must reflect and reinforce changing Credited many non-additional
3835low emission technology and policy projects
3836landscape
3837Must contribute to real, measurable Made questionable contribution to
3838and long-term mitigation and sustainable development, including
3839sustainable development that a lock in of fossil fuels
3840contributes to overall shift away
3841from fossil fuel lock in
3842
3843Accounting Guidance Rules to
3844guide the countries for their
3845Climate pledges (“nationally
3846determined
3847contributions”,
3848NDCs), will make it easier to
3849compare pledges and to add
3850them up as a global aggregate.
3851o All countries “shall” use the
3852latest emissions accounting guidance from the IPCC, last updated in 2006, but now in the process of being
3853reformed next year.
3854Market mechanisms: This provides for the trading of carbon credits i.e. overachievement of NDCs
3855(cooperative approaches and internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs)), as well as individual
3856projects generating carbon credits for sale. Following is the status on this front:
3857o Accounting Rules to prevent “double counting” of emissions reductions by the buyer and seller of offsets
3858could not be finalised.
3859o The schemes and methodologies for the implementation of Sustainable Development Mechanism- SDM
3860would be discussed in COP-25. The SDM is intended to replace the Kyoto Protocol’s “Clean Development
3861Mechanism” (CDM) for carbon offsets.
3862o Overall Mitigation in Global Emissions (OMGE): It is a central and critical new element under the Paris
3863Agreement, that takes carbon markets beyond the offsetting approaches of the existing markets like
3864the CDM. The primary purpose of OMGE is to deliver on cost-effectively reducing greenhouse gas
3865emissions, rather than creating carbon markets for their own sake.
3866✓ Small island countries wanted a mandatory automatic cancellation or discounting for an OMGE
3867applied to all the activities under market mechanism. However this option was removed from the
3868COP decision and made voluntary.
3869
3870www.visionias.in
3871
3872©Vision IAS
3873
3874•
3875
3876•
3877
3878•
3879
3880•
3881
3882•
3883
3884•
3885
388647
3887
3888Climate finance reporting: Developed country Parties shall biennially communicate indicative quantitative
3889and qualitative information on programmes, including projected levels, channels and instruments, as available
3890public financial resources to be provided to developing country Parties. Other Parties providing resources are
3891encouraged to communicate biennially such information on a voluntary basis.
3892o The UNFCCC secretariat to establish a dedicated online portal for posting and recording the biennial
3893communications.
3894Global stocktake: Paris Agreement requires the CMA (Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the
3895Parties to the Paris Agreement) to periodically take stock of the implementation of the Paris Agreement and
3896to assess collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and its long-term goals. This
3897process is called the global stocktake.
3898o
3899The rules set the structure for the stocktake process, which is to be divided into three stages:
3900Information collection, technical assessment and consideration of outputs.
3901Transparency: The purpose of the transparency framework is to provide a clear understanding of climate
3902change action in the light of the objective of the Paris Convention. This includes clarity and tracking of
3903progress towards achieving Parties’ individual NDCs, and Parties’ adaptation actions, including good practices
3904and gaps, to inform the global stocktake.
3905Moreover, it provides clarity on support provided and received by relevant individual Parties in the context of
3906climate change actions, and, to the extent possible, to provide a full overview of aggregate financial support
3907provided, to inform the global stocktake.
3908o The final rulebook applies a single set of rules to all countries, however with flexibility for “those
3909developing country parties that need it in the light of their capacities”, reflecting CBDR-RC principle.
3910Loss and damage: Loss and damage caused by the unavoidable impacts of climate change was a touchstone
3911issue for vulnerable countries, such as small island developing states. The rulebook mentions this issue,
3912however, in a diluted version.
3913o The global stocktake rules do add loss and damage clause. The stocktake rules now say it “may take into
3914account, as appropriate, efforts to avert, minimise and address loss and damage associated with the
3915adverse effects of climate change”.
3916o The transparency rules also say countries “may, as appropriate” report on loss and damage.
3917Other matters: Rules were finalised in a number of other areas, including how compliance with the Paris
3918Agreement is to be monitored.
3919o COP24 agreed to set up an expert compliance committee that is “facilitative in nature, non-adversarial
3920and non-punitive”. It will not impose penalties or sanctions. The committee will be able to investigate
3921countries that fail to submit climate pledges.
3922o COP decided that the “adaptation fund” – a financial mechanism set up under the Kyoto Protocol – should
3923continue under the Paris Agreement.
3924o Talanoa Dialogue: The final text simply “invited” countries to “consider” the outcomes of the Talanoa
3925dialogue in preparing their NDCs and in efforts to enhance pre-2020 ambition.
3926✓ The text also “welcomes” the 2018 stocktake on pre-2020 implementation and ambition, and
3927reiterates its decision to convene another stocktake next year.
3928o Pre-2020: With respect to the “pre-2020” commitments –first agreed by developed countries in 2010 in
3929Cancun – the COP called for developed countries to ratify the Doha Amendment so that it can enter into
3930force. This would extend the Kyoto Protocol on developed country emissions till 2020.
3931o The COP also “strongly urges” developed countries to increase their financial support in line with the
3932promise to jointly mobilise $100bn per year in climate finance to poorer countries by 2020. It
3933acknowledges that “the provision of urgent and adequate finance” will help developing countries in order
3934to up their own pre-2020 action.
3935o 'Welcoming' the IPCC 1.5°C report: Despite the majority of countries speaking in favour of the report, four
3936countries – the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait – refused to “welcome” the report. The COP welcome
3937its “timely completion” and “invited” countries to make use of the report in subsequent discussions at the
3938UNFCCC.
3939
3940www.visionias.in
3941
3942©Vision IAS
3943
3944Analysis of the outcomes
3945•
3946
3947•
3948
3949•
3950
3951•
3952
3953Provision of finance by developed countries: Rules on financial contributions by developed countries have
3954been diluted making it very difficult to hold them accountable.
3955o Now, developed countries have the choice to include all kinds of financial instruments, concessional and
3956non-concessional loans, grants, aids etc, from various public and private sources, to meet their
3957commitments.
3958o The rules on ex-ante (forecasted) financial reporting and its review for adequacy has been significantly
3959weakened.
3960o Developed countries now have the freedom to decide the amount and the kind of financial resources they
3961want to give to the developing countries and do this without any strong mechanism of accountability.
3962Loss and damage: The Warsaw International Mechanism, which has to deal with averting, minimizing and
3963addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, has no financial resources
3964to support vulnerable countries. With no financial provisions, the countries are now left on their own to
3965address the impacts of climate change.
3966Global stocktake (GST):
3967o The non- Policy prescriptive rulebook for GST ensures that the process will neither give any
3968recommendation to individual countries or a group of countries, nor will it give any prescriptive policy
3969to everyone. This would result in collection of a lot of technical information without any clear
3970recommendation to increase ambition on mitigation or finance.
3971o Also, equity has been mentioned in the text, but there is no mechanism to operationalize it.
3972Carbon market Mechanism:
3973o There has virtually been no progress made on non-market mechanisms (sub-article 6.8 of Paris
3974Agreement) to reduce emissions and enhance sinks in forests and land.
3975o There is no firm decision on OMGE mechanism. Also, the rulebook has different rules for different
3976markets, which is non-transparent and makes emissions reductions unverifiable. Trading is allowed for
3977sectors which are not covered in a country’s emissions targets, which will dilute the overall mitigation
3978effect.
3979o Countries are on their own: The Paris Agreement had both bottom-up and top-down elements. Most of
3980the top-down elements have been diluted in the rulebook. The Paris Agreement and its rulebook is now a
3981totally ‘self-determined’ process. Countries are now on their own to mitigate, to adapt, and to pay the cost
3982of climate impacts.
3983
39845.2. SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT TO CBD
3985Why in News?
3986Recently, India submitted Sixth National Report (NR6) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).
3987More on News
3988•
3989
3990•
3991
3992Submission of national
3993reports is a mandatory
3994obligation on Parties to
3995international
3996treaties,
3997including CBD.
3998NR6 provides an update of
3999progress in achievement of
400012 National Biodiversity
4001Targets (NBT) developed
4002under the Convention, in line
4003with the 20 global Aichi
4004biodiversity targets.
4005
4006Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
4007• It seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services,
4008including threats from climate change.
4009• It aims to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its
4010components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
4011use of genetic resources.
4012• It’s a near universal convention with a participation of 196 member countries.
4013Protocols adopted under the Convention.
4014• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: It seeks to protect biological diversity from
4015the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern
4016biotechnology.
4017• Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing: It aims at sharing the benefits
4018arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way,
4019including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate
4020transfer of relevant technologies.
4021
4022Highlight
4023•
402448
4025
4026Objective of NR6: To provide information on measures taken domestically to conserve biodiversity.
4027www.visionias.in
4028
4029©Vision IAS
4030
4031•
4032•
4033
403449
4035
4036India has achieved two NBTs (6&9), it is on track to achieve 8 NBTs and in respect of the remaining 2 NBTs.
4037Threat to Wildlife: In India has a total of 683 animal species in the International Union for Conservation of
4038Nature’s (IUCN) critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable categories, as compared to 646 species in
40392014 when the fifth national report was submitted, and 413 in these categories in 2009.
4040
4041www.visionias.in
4042
4043©Vision IAS
4044
40455.3. COASTAL REGULATIO N ZONE (CRZ) NOTIFICATION 2018
4046Why in news?
4047The Union Cabinet has approved the
4048Coastal
4049Regulation
4050Zone
4051(CRZ)
4052Notification, 2018.
4053Background
4054•
4055
4056•
4057
4058•
4059
4060•
4061
4062To conserve and protect the coastal
4063environment, and to promote
4064sustainable development based on
4065scientific principles Ministry of
4066Environment and Forest and Climate
4067Change (MoEFCC), under the
4068Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,
4069notified the CRZ Notification in 1991,
4070subsequently revised in 2011.
4071Various Coastal States/UTs, besides
4072other stakeholders, were demanding
4073for a comprehensive review of the
4074CRZ Notification, 2011, particularly
4075related to the management and
4076conservation of marine and coastal
4077eco-systems, development in coastal
4078areas, eco-tourism, livelihood option
4079and sustainable development of
4080coastal communities etc.
4081In June 2014, Shailesh Nayak
4082Committee was constituted by the
4083MoEFCC to review the the CRZ
4084Notification, 2011.
4085Government in April 2018, released
4086a draft notification on coastal
4087regulation zone taking inputs from
4088states/UTs and recommendations of
4089Shailesh Nayak Committee.
4090
4091Salient Features
4092•
4093
4094•
4095
4096•
4097
4098•
4099
410050
4101
4102CRZ: The MoEFCC declares the coastal stretches and the water area up
4103to territorial water limit, excluding the islands of Andaman and Nicobar
4104and Lakshadweep and the marine areas surrounding these islands, as
4105Coastal Regulation Zone as under:
4106• Land area from High Tide Line (HTL) to 500 mts on the landward
4107side.
4108• Land area between HTL to 50 mts or width of the creek whichever
4109is less on the landward side along the tidal influenced water bodies
4110connected to the sea.
4111• The intertidal zone i.e. land area between the HTL and the Low Tide
4112Line( LTL).
4113• The water and the bed area between the LTL to the territorial water
4114limit (12 Nautical miles (Nm)) in case of sea and the water and the
4115bed area between LTL at the bank to the LTL on the opposite side of
4116the bank of tidal influenced water bodies.
4117Classification of the CRZ
4118• CRZ-I areas are environmentally most critical and are classified as
4119under:
4120o CRZ-I A: The ecologically sensitive areas and the
4121geomorphological features which play a role in the maintaining
4122the integrity of the coast viz. Mangroves; Corals and coral reefs;
4123Sand Dunes; Biologically active Mudflats; Salt Marshes; Turtle
4124nesting grounds; protected areas etc.
4125o CRZ-I B: The intertidal zone.
4126• CRZ-II: The developed land areas up to or close to the shoreline,
4127within the existing municipal limits or in other existing legally
4128designated urban areas.
4129• CRZ-III: Land areas that are relatively undisturbed (viz rural areas
4130etc) and those do not fall under CRZ-II. CRZ-III is further classified as:
4131o CRZ-III A: Areas with population density more than 2161 per sq
4132km as per 2011 census.
4133o CRZ-III B: areas with population density of less than 2161 per sq
4134km, as per 2011 census.
4135• CRZ- IV: It constitutes the water area and further classified as:
4136o CRZ- IV A: The water area and the sea bed area between the LTL
4137up to 12Nm on the seaward side.
4138o CRZ- IV B: the water area and the bed area between LTL at the
4139bank of the tidal influenced water body to the LTL on the
4140opposite side of the bank, extending from the mouth of the
4141water body at the sea up to the influence of tide, i.e., salinity of
4142five parts per thousand (ppt) during the driest season of the
4143year.
4144
4145Easing FSI norms: This notification defreezes the restrictions imposed on
4146Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor
4147Area Ratio (FAR) under CRZ, 2011 in accordance to 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels.
4148No development zone (NDZ) reduced for densely populated areas: For CRZ-III areas
4149o CRZ-III A areas shall have a NDZ of 50 meters from the HTL on the landward side as against 200 meters
4150from the HTL stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011.
4151o CRZ-III B areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL.
4152Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to be promoted: The notification allows for temporary tourism
4153facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc on beaches at a minimum
4154distance of 10 metres from HTL. Such temporary tourism facilities are also now permissible in the NDZ of the
4155CRZ-III areas.
4156CRZ Clearances streamlined:
4157o CRZ clearances are needed only for projects located in CRZ-I and CRZ IV.
4158o States to have the powers for clearances w.r.t CRZ-II and III with necessary guidance.
4159www.visionias.in
4160
4161©Vision IAS
4162
4163•
4164•
4165•
4166•
4167
4168NDZ of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands: in the wake of space limitations and unique geography
4169and to bring uniformity in treatment of such regions.
4170All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance: Through Specific guidelines related
4171to their conservation and management plans.
4172Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus: By permitting construction of treatment facilities in
4173CRZ-I B area subject to necessary safeguards.
4174Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.
4175
4176Benefits
4177•
4178
4179•
4180•
4181
4182•
4183
4184Enhanced activities in the coastal regions
4185thereby promoting economic growth while
4186also respecting the conservation principles
4187of coastal regions.
4188o Boost tourism in terms of more activities,
4189more
4190infrastructure
4191and
4192more
4193opportunities in creating employment
4194opportunities.
4195o greater opportunities for development of
4196densely populated rural areas in the CRZs.
4197CRZ, 2018 is also in sync with the thrust being
4198given to port-led industrialisation and the
4199Coastal Economic Zones projects.
4200Additional opportunities for affordable
4201housing which will benefit not only the housing
4202sector but the people at large looking for
4203shelter.
4204It is expected to rejuvenate the coastal
4205areas while reducing their vulnerabilities.
4206
4207Concerns
4208The new notification has done away with or
4209diluted many stringent restrictions in place at
4210coastal areas. The emphasis of the new CRZ
4211norms is on promotion of tourism facilities,
4212quicker dispensation of defence and strategic
4213projects and liberal licensing for the installation
4214of treatment plants.
4215•
4216•
4217•
4218•
4219•
4220•
4221
422251
4223
4224CRZ helps in reducing the ecological vulnerability through:
4225• Regulated activities in ecologically most sensitive areas
4226(CRZ-I A)
4227o Regulate activities such as Eco-tourism subject to
4228approved Coastal Zone Management Plans(CZMPs),
4229exceptional construction of public utilities in the
4230mangrove buffer etc.
4231o Construction of roads and roads on stilts, by way of
4232reclamation shall be permitted only in exceptional
4233cases for defence, strategic purposes and public utilities,
4234subject to a detailed marine/terrestrial environment
4235impact assessment, to be recommended by the Coastal
4236Zone Management Authority and approved by the
4237MoEFCC.
4238o compensatory plantation of mangroves (Minimum
4239three times the mangrove area affected/destroyed/
4240cut).
4241• Areas requiring special consideration in the CRZ
4242o Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA): Sunderban
4243region of West Bengal and other ecologically sensitive
4244areas identified as under Environment (Protection) Act,
42451986 such as Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutchchh in
4246Gujarat, Malvan, Achra-Ratnagiri in Maharashtra,
4247Karwar and Coondapur in Karnataka, Vembanad in
4248Kerala, Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, Bhaitarkanika in
4249Odisha, Coringa, East Godavari and Krishna in Andhra
4250Pradesh shall be treated as CVCA and managed with the
4251involvement of coastal communities including fisher
4252folk who depend on coastal resources for their
4253sustainable livelihood.
4254o CRZ for inland Backwater islands and islands along the
4255mainland coast.
4256o CRZ falling within municipal limits of Greater Mumbai.
4257
4258Eco-sensitive regions could see flurry of
4259construction activity thereby hampering the coastal eco system and biodiversity.
4260The notification violates the balance between ecosystem and development. The mandatory 50 m buffer zone
4261for mangrove forest in private land with an expanse of more than 1,000 sq m has been done away with.
4262The fishermen are worried that the entry of the tourism sector will attract the real estate lobbies, who will
4263eventually displace the coastal community and deny them the access to the seas.
4264Further, the reduction of NDZ is done without taking consideration of sea level rise. The coastline is already
4265vulnerable due to erosion, fresh water crisis and loss of livelihoods. The new changes will only increase this
4266vulnerability and promote commercialisation of the coast.
4267The Hazard Line, mapped by the Survey of India has, however, been de-linked from the CRZ regulatory
4268regime and will be used only as a tool for disaster management and planning of adaptive and mitigation
4269measures.
4270The treatment facilities, allowed in CRZ-I to reduce coastal pollution, means several ecologically fragile areas
4271will have sewage treatment plants transferring pollution from land to sea.
4272
4273www.visionias.in
4274
4275©Vision IAS
4276
4277•
4278
4279The notification permits activities like reclamation of land for commercial activities, interference with sand
4280dunes, large scale recreation and drawing of ground water within the 200-500 metres from the HTL, which is
4281detrimental to the coastal ecology
4282Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): This concept was born in
4283and that will displace the local
42841992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro. This was a World Bank
4285communities and affect the bio- assisted project with the objective of building national capacity for
4286diversity.
4287implementation of comprehensive coastal management approach in the
4288
4289Conclusion
4290
4291country, and piloting the integrated coastal zone management approach
4292in states of Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal.
4293• The project’s multi-sectoral and integrated approach represents a
4294paradigm shift from the traditional sector-wise management of
4295coastal resources where numerous institutional, legal, economic and
4296planning frameworks worked in isolation, at times with conflicting
4297aims and outputs.
4298• The project puts equal emphasis on conservation of coastal and
4299marine resources, pollution management, and improving livelihood
4300opportunities for coastal communities.
4301
4302The sustainable management depends
4303on the nature of the social system,
4304comprising political, economic and
4305industrial infrastructure and its linkages,
4306with the knowledge about coastal
4307systems
4308as
4309well
4310as
4311local
4312communities. India need to move from
4313a purely regulatory approach towards an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
4314
43155.4. SEA LEVEL RISE IN INDIA
4316Why in News?
4317As per the study by Hyderabad-based Indian
4318National Center for Ocean Information
4319Services, Sea levels along the Indian coast are
4320projected to rise between 3.5 inches to 34 inch
4321(2.8 feet) by the end of century due to global
4322warming.
4323Impact of Sea Level Rise
4324•
4325
4326•
4327
4328•
4329
4330•
4331•
4332
433352
4334
4335Sea Level Rise
4336• It is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming:
4337o the added water from melting ice sheets; and glaciers
4338o the expansion of seawater as it warms.
4339• A report by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says
4340that the Global Mean Sea Level from January to July 2018 was
4341around 2 to 3 mm higher than for the same period in 2017
4342• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
4343Special report said in October this year that there is no safe
4344level of global warming and sea levels would continue to rise
4345for centuries even if we cap warming at 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, prescribed in the lower limit of the Paris
4346Agreement.
4347Contribution in Sea Level Rise
4348
4349Large-scale displacement: A large
4350population in the world lives along coastal
4351areas (about 10% of world’s population), a
4352sea level rise will force a large population to
4353migrate from coastal areas creating huge
4354economic and social costs.
4355o A disruption in socio-economic life and
4356large scale internal and external
4357migration may crate social strife across
4358nations.
4359Reduction in Drinking Water: Sea Level
4360Rise will increase salinity in underground
4361water in coastal areas, significantly
4362reducing the available drinking water.
4363Impact on Food Security: Due to flooding
4364and salt water intrusion into the soil, the
4365salinity of agricultural lands near the sea
4366increases, posing problems for crops that
4367are not salt-resistant. Furthermore, salt intrusion in fresh irrigation water poses a second problem for crops
4368that are irrigated. Newly developed salt-resistant crop variants are currently more expensive than the crops
4369they are set to replace.
4370International Conflicts: Sea Level Rise will change the exclusive economic zones of nations, potentially creating
4371conflicts between neighboring nations.
4372Impact on Island Nations: Maldives, Tulavu, Marshall Islands and other low lying countries are among the
4373areas that are at highest level of risk. At current rates, Maldives could become uninhabitable by 2100. Five of
4374the Solomon Islands have disappeared due to combined effect of Sea Level Rise and stronger trade winds.
4375www.visionias.in
4376
4377©Vision IAS
4378
4379•
4380
4381Impact on India: Mumbai
4382and other west coast
4383stretches
4384such
4385as
4386Khambat and Kutch in
4387Gujrat, parts of Konkan
4388and South Kerala are
4389most vulnerable to sealevel rise. Deltas of
4390Ganga,
4391Krishna,
4392Godavari, Cauvery and
4393Mahanadi
4394are
4395also
4396threatened. 171 million
4397people live in coastal
4398districts who are at risk
4399due to sea level rise
4400which is about 14.2% of
4401India’s Population.
4402
4403Way forward
4404•
4405•
4406•
4407
4408•
4409
4410Adaptation to Sea Level Rise
4411• Adaptation options to sea level rise can be broadly classified into retreat,
4412accommodate and protect.
4413o Retreating is moving people and infrastructure to less exposed areas and
4414preventing further development in areas that are at risk. This type of
4415adaptation is potentially disruptive, as displacement of people might lead to
4416tensions.
4417o Accommodation options are measurements that make societies more flexible
4418to sea level rise. Examples are the cultivation of food crops that tolerate a high
4419salt content in the soil and making new building standards which require
4420building to be built higher and have less damage in the case a flood does occur.
4421o Protect: areas can be protected by the construction of dams, dikes and by
4422improving natural defenses.
4423• These adaptation options can be further divided into hard and soft.
4424o Hard adaptation relies mostly on capital-intensive human-built infrastructure
4425and involves large-scale changes to human societies and ecological systems.
4426Because of its large scale, it is often not flexible.
4427o Soft adaptation involves strengthening natural defenses and adaptation
4428strategies in local communities and the use of simple and modular technology,
4429which can be locally owned. The two types of adaptation might be
4430complementary or mutually exclusive.
4431
4432Arresting
4433Climate
4434Change: Prime Source of Sea Level Rise is Global Warming caused by excess carbon dioxide in atmosphere.
44352015 Paris Climate Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5° C should be implemented by Nations.
4436Evolving Adaptation Strategies: All coastal & Island Nations should have comprehensive national adaptation
4437plans involving both hard and soft options to deal with rising sea levels.
4438Acknowledging ‘Climate Refugees’: A Global Convention on Climate Refugee should be seriously
4439contemplated by the UN. Recently adopted Global Compact on Refugees recognized climate change as one
4440of the possible reason for migration but shied away from calling them ‘Climate Refugees’ or covering them
4441under UN Convention on Refugees.
4442Limiting Coastal Settlements: Keeping the future sea level rise in mind, countries should limit and regulate
4443coastal settlements so that number of people at risk doesn’t increase further.
4444
44455.5. SEABED 2030
4446Why in News?
4447The U.N.-backed project Seabed 2030 is pooling data from the countries and companies to create a map of the
4448entire ocean floor.
4449About Seabed 2030:
4450•
4451•
4452•
4453
4454•
4455
445653
4457
4458It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data (measures of depth and shape of the seafloor) to
4459produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030
4460and make it available to all.
4461About GEBCO
4462It is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation • GEBCO is an international group of
4463mapping experts which aims to provide
4464and General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
4465the most authoritative publicly-available
4466The project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean
4467bathymetry of the world's oceans.
4468Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's
4469•
4470It operates under the joint auspices of the
4471Sustainable Development Goal #14 to conserve and
4472International Hydrographic Organization
4473sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
4474(IHO) and the Intergovernmental
4475Central to the Seabed 2030 strategy is the creation of Regional
4476Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of
4477Data Assembly and Coordination Centres (RDACCs), with
4478UNESCO).
4479each having a defined ocean region of responsibility. A board
4480will be established for each region consisting of local experts to identify existing bathymetric data, and to help
4481coordinate new bathymetric surveys.
4482
4483www.visionias.in
4484
4485©Vision IAS
4486
4487Significance Sea-bed Mapping
4488•
4489•
4490•
4491•
4492•
4493
4494Bathymetric data from the deep ocean is critical for studying marine geology and geophysics. For example,
4495Bathymetric data obtained in 1950s and ‘60s led to modern understanding of Plate tectonics.
4496The shape of the seabed is a crucial parameter for understanding ocean circulation patterns as well as an
4497important variable for accurately forecasting tsunami wave propagation.
4498Bathymetric data illuminates the study of tides, wave action, sediment transport, underwater geo—hazards,
4499cable routing, resource exploration, extension of continental shelf (UN Law of the Sea treaty issues), military
4500and defence applications.
4501In coastal regions, bathymetry underpins marine and maritime spatial planning and decision-making,
4502navigation safety, and provides a scientific basis for models of storm surges, while also informing our
4503understanding of marine ecosystems and habitats.
4504Detailed knowledge of bathymetry is a fundamental prerequisite for attaining an improved understanding of
4505the subsea processes.
4506
4507Challenges
4508•
4509•
4510•
4511
4512Even using the RDACC model, the goal of mapping the entire world ocean is a significant challenge, and can
4513only be accomplished if new field mapping projects are initiated.
4514Crowdsourcing bathymetric data from fishing vessels and recreational small boats etc. represents one
4515approach for gathering information in shallower water regions, but is less efficient in deeper waters due to
4516depth limitations of standard echo sounders.
4517Deep water mapping remains a major challenge due to the cost involved and the limited number of available
4518research vessels that are equipped with modern deep, water multibeam sonars.
4519
4520Way forward
4521•
4522•
4523•
4524
4525Reach out to the national and international funding agencies, to get adequate funding to support Seabed
45262030 vision.
4527Keeping up with technology overtime to make sure that processes, products and services are forward looking
4528and well-positioned to make use of new technologies as they become available.
4529Given the sheer size of the ocean the Seabed 2030 goals can only be achieved through international
4530coordination and collaboration with respect to data acquisition, assimilation and compilation.
4531
45325.6. GUIDELINES FOR GROUND WATER EXTRACTION
4533Why in news?
4534The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) notified
4535revised guidelines for ground water (GW) extraction to be
4536effective from 1st June 2019.
4537
4538CGWA has been regulating ground water
4539development for its sustainable management in the
4540country through measures such as issue of
4541advisories, public notices, grant of No Objection
4542Certificates (NOC) for ground water withdrawal.
4543
4544Brief Background
4545•
4546
4547•
4548•
4549•
4550
455154
4552
4553Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA),
4554constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act
4555of 1986 has the mandate of regulating ground water
4556development and management in the country.
4557
4558India is the largest user of ground water in the worldabout 25% of the global ground water extraction. Out of
4559the total of 6584 assessment units, 1034 have been
4560categorized as ‘Over-exploited’; 253 as ‘Critical’; 681 as
4561‘Semi-Critical’ and 96 assessment units have been classified as ‘Saline’.
4562The Easement Act, 1882, provides every landowner with the right to collect and dispose, within his own limits,
4563all water under the land and on the surface. Landowners are not legally liable for any damage caused to water
4564resources as a result of over-extraction.
4565In its various orders, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the CGWA to regulate the GW extraction by
4566various users through system of registrations and No Objection Certificate (NOC) and user fees with a limit on
4567quantum of GW to be extracted.
4568In compliance with the NGT orders, the CGWA had circulated the draft guidelines for grant of ‘No Objection
4569Certificate’ on the 11th October 2017. After considering all the suggestions from various stakeholders, govt
4570now notified the revised guidelines.
4571www.visionias.in
4572
4573©Vision IAS
4574
4575Salient features of the revised guidelines: The revised
4576guidelines aim to ensure a more robust ground water regulatory
4577mechanism in the country through system of NOC and user fee.
4578•
4579
4580•
4581
458255
4583
4584For Industries
4585o Introduction of the concept of Water Conservation Fee
4586(WCF) which varies with the category of the area, type
4587of industry and the quantum of ground water extraction
4588and is designed to progressively increase from safe to
4589over-exploited areas and from low to high water
4590consuming industries as well as with increasing
4591quantum of ground water extraction.
4592✓ The high rates of WCF are expected to discourage
4593setting up of new industries in over-exploited and
4594critical areas as well as act as a deterrent to large
4595scale ground water extraction by industries,
4596especially in over-exploited and critical areas.
4597✓ The WCF would also compel industries to adopt
4598measures relating to water use efficiency and
4599discourage the growth of packaged drinking water
4600units, particularly in over-exploited and critical
4601areas.
4602o NOC to industries shall be granted only for such cases
4603where government agencies are not able to supply the
4604desired quantity of water.
4605o Encouraging use of recycled and treated sewage water
4606by industries.
4607o Provision of action against polluting industries, and
4608measures to be adopted to ensure prevention of ground
4609water contamination in premises of polluting
4610industries/ projects.
4611Related News
4612o Mandatory requirement of
4613digital flow meters, piezometers National Green Tribunal Order (3 January 2019): NGT noted that:
4614and digital water level recorders • The guidelines have, rather than laying stricter norms, liberalised
4615extraction of groundwater adding to the crisis unmindful of the
4616(with or without telemetry
4617ground situation and likely impact it will have on environment.
4618depending upon quantum of
4619•
4620The water conservation fee virtually gives licence to harness ground
4621extraction).
4622water to any extent even in OCS areas. There is no institutional
4623o Mandatory water audit by
4624mechanism to monitor removal and replenishment of ground water.
4625industries abstracting ground
4626Delegation provision is virtual abdication of authority.
4627water 500 m3/day or more in safe • There was no check on injection of pollutants in the ground water in
4628and semi-critical and 200 m3/day
4629the notification and there is no provision with regard to check on
4630or more in critical and overwater quality and its remediation, if there is contamination.
4631exploited assessment units.
4632Hence NGT stayed the enforcement of the guidelines
4633o Mandatory roof top rain water
4634The bench further directed the MoEF&CC to constitute an expert
4635harvesting except for specified
4636committee by including representatives from IIT, IIM, Central Pollution
4637industries.
4638Control Board (CPCB), NITI Aayog and any other concerned agency or
4639The entire process of grant of NOC is department. The panel will examine the issue of appropriate policy for
4640done online through a web based conservation of ground water.
4641application system of CGWA. It shall
4642be renewed periodically, subject to compliance of the conditions. The applicant shall apply for renewal of NOC
4643at least 90 days prior to expiry of its validity.
4644o For Drinking & Domestic use, -request for NOC shall be considered only in cases where the water supply
4645department / agency concerned is unable to supply adequate amount of water in the area.
4646
4647www.visionias.in
4648
4649©Vision IAS
4650
4651•
4652
4653Flexibility to states: States may suggest additional conditions/ criteria based on the local hydro geological
4654situations which will be reviewed by CGWA before acceptance.
4655Monitoring: Monthly water level data shall be submitted to CGWA through the web portal.
4656Exemptions
4657o Exemption from requirement of NOC has been given to agricultural users, users employing non-energised
4658means to extract water, individual households (using less than 1 inch diameter delivery pipe) and Armed
4659Forces Establishments during operational deployment or during mobilization in forward locations.
4660o Other exemptions (with certain requirements) have been granted to strategic and operational
4661infrastructure projects for Armed Forces, Defence and Paramilitary Forces Establishments and
4662Government water supply agencies in safe and semi critical areas.
4663
4664•
4665•
4666
4667Issues with the Policy Guidelines
4668• Rather than banning extraction of groundwater in areas which have been alarmingly overexploited, the
4669government has made the issue negotiable. Experts say the more one pays, the more they can withdraw water.
4670• NGT also, expressed its concern stating that merely imposing a cost was not enough to curb groundwater
4671extraction.
4672• The draft rules, which were released in 2017 for public suggestions, had done away with the mandatory limit
4673of reuse of water extracted by the industries. This is when the earlier set of rules had very specific limits
4674depending upon the type of area. It ranged from 40 per cent to 100 per cent depending on if the area was
4675safe, semi-critical, critical or over-exploited for groundwater. However, those limits do not exist anymore.
4676• Agriculture, amounting 90% of the annual ground water extraction is kept out of regulations. Only an
4677indicative list of demand side measures are provided to minimise the water uses.
4678• All categories exempted from requirement of NOC shall also be exempted from paying WCF.
4679• WCF rates are too low to discourage the GW extraction (varying from Rs 1-100 per cubic meters of
4680groundwater based on the nature of areas).
4681• Textiles industry would be hurt a lot due to its heavy water dependency. It will have impact on overall
4682economy.
4683
46845.7. INDIA WATER
4685MANAGEMENT PLAN
4686
4687IMPACT
4688
4689Why in news?
4690rd
4691
4692Recently, 3 India Water Impact Summit 2018
4693was jointly organized by the National Mission
4694for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Centre for
4695Ganga River Basin Management and Studies
4696(C-Ganga).
4697
4698SUMMIT
4699
47002018
4701
4702AND
4703
4704URBAN
4705
4706RIVER
4707
4708C-Ganga
4709•
4710It has been established at Indian Institute of Technology,
4711Kanpur (IITK) as a centre of excellence to further the
4712development of Ganga River Basin.
4713•
4714It channelizes scientific inputs from international experts and
4715organizations for Ganga River Basin Management Plan.
4716• It will act in the capacity of a comprehensive think-tank for the
4717Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga
4718Rejuvenation, in its stated goals and objectives vis-à-vis the
4719Ganga River Basin.
4720
4721About India Water Impact Summit
4722• It is an annual event where stakeholders
4723get together to discuss, debate and
4724develop model solutions for some of the
4725biggest water-related problems in the country.
4726• Ganga Finance Forum was introduced which brought together financial sector experts to provide various
4727innovative financial instruments e.g. social impact bonds, masala bonds, long-term debt financing, and use of
4728blockchain in the financial sector were proposed.
4729• It highlighted the need of decentralization and community driven treatment of sewage and decided to set
4730up a working group to build a model Urban River Management Plan.
4731Urban River Management Plan for Ganga River Basin(GRB) - It will have a planning horizon of 25 years and will essentially
4732be a compendium of all ‘actions’ to be undertaken during this time for comprehensive riverbank management and
4733wastewater management in the town.
4734• Why URMPs are essential?
4735o At the present time, many projects on riverbank and wastewater management in various towns are being
4736sanctioned by various ministries under various programmes with the general objective of improvement of the
473756
4738
4739www.visionias.in
4740
4741©Vision IAS
4742
4743•
4744
4745•
4746
4747state of rivers in the GRB. However, in the absence of URMPs, it appears that the micro‐level planning that is
4748required for obtaining the optimal benefits from such projects is not in place.
4749o Preparation of URMPs thus provides the underlying planning structure that is required for obtaining the optimal
4750benefits from implementation of such projects.
4751Salient Features of Proposed URMPs
4752o Removal of encroachments and land acquisition for riverbank beautification and related development works.
4753o Restriction/banning of certain activities on the riverbank or in the river, viz., open defecation, disposal of solid
4754waste, washing of clothes, etc.
4755o Development/restoration of the riverbank area, i.e., construction / restoration of ghats, provision of public baths
4756and toilets, etc.
4757o Prevention of the discharge of treated and untreated sewage into the river through construction of sewers and
4758‘nala’ diversion works.
4759o Disposal of sludge generated due to sewage treatment in an acceptable manner and reuse of sludge and sludge‐
4760derived products, i.e., manure, compost, etc. within the town and/or elsewhere.
4761URMPs vs Other City‐Specific Development Plans
4762o City‐specific development plans, e.g, city master plans, city development plans, etc. are ‘city‐centric’, i.e., their
4763main objective is the development in the town and not necessarily the prevention and management of adverse
4764impacts to the river bank and the river.
4765o In contrast, the proposed URMP is a river‐centric plan, whose main purpose is the delineation of a roadmap for
4766prevention and management of adverse impacts on river bank and the river from adjoining urban centers.
4767
47685.8. CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES
4769Why in News?
4770Recently, Government released guideline on Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles.
4771Background
4772Challenges in setting Effective Charging
4773• Need of charging infrastructure: It play a pivotal role on Infrastructure in India:
4774Electric Vehicle (EV) deployment, and, in the absence of
4775• Lack of Crucial Resources: India has very little
4776a proactive plan and schedule, is a major impediment to
4777known reserves of lithium; other crucial
4778components such as nickel, cobalt and batterymass market adoption.
4779grade graphite are also imported.
4780• According to McKinsey’s 2016 EV consumer survey of
4781•
4782Lack of Skill: We still lack sufficient technical
4783buyers, not having enough access to efficient charging
4784know-how in lithium battery manufacturing.
4785stations as the third most serious barrier to EV
4786• Time consuming: It still takes longer to charge an
4787purchase, behind price and driving range.
4788electric vehicle than it does to refuel a
4789
4790conventional car at the pump.
4791Highlight of Guidelines
4792Suitability:
4793Heavy-duty
4794truck
4795• Objective: To enable faster adoption of electric vehicles • Sector
4796transportation
4797and
4798aviation,
4799will
4800remain
4801difficult
4802in India, promote an affordable tariff system for EV
4803to electrify without drastic advances in battery
4804owners and operators of charging stations, generate
4805technology.
4806employment and income opportunities for small
4807• Chemical pollution: Lack of eco-friendly disposal
4808business owners, support the creation of EV charging
4809facilities of batteries in India to curb pollution.
4810infrastructure and eventually create a market for this
4811business
4812• Promoting Private Participation in charging Infrastructure: They will be permitted to set up charging stations
4813at residences, and distribution companies (DISCOMs) are to facilitate the same.
4814• Ease of Setting: No license will be required for setting set up a public charging station and any individual or
4815entity is free to set up one if they follow the standards and guidelines
4816• Location of Public Charging Station: Charging station must cater to slow as well as fast-charging requirements
4817and it mandates minimum one station in a 9-sq. km area.
4818• Rollout plan: Phase I (1-3 years) will cover all mega cities with population above forty lakh, and the associated
4819expressways and highways. Phase II (3-5 years) will cover state and UT capitals.
4820• Tariff: The Central or State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will determine the tariff for supply of electricity
4821to the public charging stations. However, such tariff will not be more than the average cost of supply plus
482215%. Domestic tariffs will apply for domestic charging of EVs.
4823• Open access: Charging station has been allowed to source electricity from any power generation company
4824through open access.
482557
4826
4827www.visionias.in
4828
4829©Vision IAS
4830
4831Steps taken by Various Ministries and department for Promoting Charging Infrastructure in India
4832
48335.9. ASIATIC LION CONSERVATION PROJECT
4834Why in News?
4835The Ministry of Environment, Forest and
4836Climate Change launched the “Asiatic
4837Lion Conservation Project” with an aim
4838to protect and conserve the world’s last
4839ranging free population of Asiatic Lion
4840and its associated ecosystem.
4841Background
4842•
4843
4844•
4845
4846•
4847
484858
4849
4850Asiatic lions that once ranged from
4851Persia (Iran) to Palamau in Eastern
4852India were almost driven to
4853extinction by indiscriminate hunting
4854and habitat loss.
4855A single population of less than 50
4856lions persisted in the Gir forests of
4857Gujarat by late 1890's. With timely
4858and stringent protection offered by
4859the State Government and the
4860Center Government, Asiatic lions
4861have increased to the current
4862population of over 500 numbers.
4863Recently 23 Lions died in short
4864period of 20 days, due to Canine
4865Distemper Virus (CDV) and tick-bore
4866Babesiosis, again raising a concern
4867for their conservation.
4868
4869Asiatic Lion
4870• Asiatic Lion, Panthera Leo Persica is listed in Schedule 1 of Wildlife
4871Protect Act, 1972 and in Appendix-I of CITES, while IUCN lists it in
4872endangered category.
4873• The lion is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting India, along with
4874the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard.
4875• Their population is limited to only five protected areas in Gujarat – Gir
4876National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary
4877and Girnar Sanctuary.
4878• This remains the only home for the lions even five years after India’s
4879top court ordered the translocation of Asiatic lions. The single habitat
4880is akin to keeping “all eggs in one basket”, which increases risks for
4881the lion population.
4882Asiatic vs African Lions
4883• Size: Asiatic lions tend to be smaller than their African cousins. Adult
4884Asiatic Lion males typically weigh between 350 and 420 pounds While
4885African Adult males average between 330 and 500 pounds in weight,
4886with most weighing around 410 pounds.
4887• Mane: Compared to the African lion, the male Asiatic lion has a
4888relatively short, sparse mane. As a result, the male Asiatic lion's ears
4889tend to remain visible at all times. In addition to being less welldeveloped, the mane is generally darker than that of African lions.
4890• Skin Fold: The most distinguishing characteristic of the Asiatic lion is
4891a longitudinal fold of skin that runs along the belly. This trait is found
4892in all Asiatic lions. While it is absent in African Lions.
4893• Pride Size: Just like African lions, Asiatic lions are highly sociable and
4894live in social units called prides. However, Asiatic prides tend to be
4895smaller than their African counterparts.
4896www.visionias.in
4897
4898©Vision IAS
4899
4900About the Project
4901•
4902•
4903
4904It will be funded from the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-DWH) with the
4905contributing ratio being 60:40 of Central and State share.
4906The project activities is envisaged in a manner to cause habitat improvement, scientific interventions, disease
4907control and veterinary care supplemented with adequate eco development works for the fringe population in
4908order to ensure a stable and viable Lion population in the Country.
4909
49105.10. TIGER CONSERVATION
4911Why in news?
4912•
4913
4914•
4915
4916Recently a new study by
4917World Wide Fund for Nature
4918(WWF) found that under
4919optimal conditions, tiger
4920numbers can triple in 18 sites
4921across the world, including
4922eight in India.
4923Another study by researchers
4924has found Royal Bengal Tiger
4925in the snow-capped regions
4926of the Eastern Himalaya at an
4927altitude of more than 4,000m
4928in Dibang valley of Arunachal
4929Pradesh.
4930
4931Important Facts
4932• Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the sub species found in
4933India.
4934• Conservation status of Tiger
4935o IUCN Red List: Endangered
4936o Wild life protection Act : Schedule 1
4937o CITES: Appendix 1
4938• The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas
4939have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary. The buffer or
4940peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a
4941multiple use area.
4942• India is home to 70 per cent of global tiger population.
4943• The tigers are an "umbrella" species as by rescuing them, we save everything
4944beneath their ecological umbrella - everything connected to them.
4945• Highest number of tigers are in Karnataka followed by Uttarakhand.
4946
4947More on News
4948•
4949
4950•
4951
4952This new assessment could guide
4953planning for tiger recovery globally and
4954help inform more effective, integrated
4955approaches to tiger conservation.
4956The presence of the big cats in Dibang
4957valley which is not even a tiger reserve is
4958a tribute to the ways the people there
4959have been coexisting with the animals.
4960
4961Threats to Tiger Population in India
4962•
4963
4964•
4965•
4966•
4967
496859
4969
4970Habitat loss:
4971o Industrial Development has led to
4972increased pressure on their natural
4973habitat
4974due
4975to
4976increased
4977deforestation.
4978o Forest fires and floods leading to
4979habitat loss also continue to pose a
4980threat to their survival.
4981o National Highways often run through the tiger reserves which in turn lead to habitat fragmentation.
4982Poaching: Tigers have been illegally hunted due to their demand in traditional Chinese medicines, decorative
4983works, etc.
4984Man-Animal conflict: Growing incidents of human–tiger conflict protected also pose significant challenge.
4985Inbreeding of the tiger species is also a major concern as inbred animals are prone to acquiring crippling
4986defects, lack of capacity to adapt and psychological issues.
4987
4988www.visionias.in
4989
4990©Vision IAS
4991
4992Conservation Efforts in India
4993•
4994•
4995•
4996
4997Project Tiger: The Government of India launched the centrally Sponsored Scheme the ‘Project Tiger’ in 1973
4998for for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves. The Project Tiger coverage has increased
4999to 50 tiger reserves at present.
5000The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): It is a statutory body established in 2006 under MoEFCC
5001performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Presently It implements major tiger
5002conservation initiatives like project tiger, Tiger conservation plan etc.
5003Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES): It is a software-based
5004monitoring system launched across Indian tiger reserves by the NTCA.
5005
5006Global Conservation Efforts
5007•
5008
5009•
5010•
5011•
5012
5013The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI): It was launched in 2008 as a global alliance of governments, international
5014organizations, civil society, the conservation and scientific communities and the private sector and includes
5015organization like the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), etc. It aims to work together to save
5016wild tigers from extinction. In 2013, the scope was broadened to include Snow Leopards. The initiative is led
5017by the 13 tiger range countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
5018Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam).
5019The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is the only inter- governmental international body established with members
5020from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the Tiger.
5021TX2: In 2010, the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation was adopted under the GTI and the Global
5022Tiger Recovery Programme or TX2 was endorsed. Its goal was to double the number of wild tigers across their
5023geographical areas. The WWF is implementing the programme in 13 tiger range countries.
5024Conservation Assured Tiger Standards CA|TS: It is a new tool for tiger conservation management. It is a set
5025of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger conservation. It is
5026an important part of Tx2 programme.
5027
5028Way Forward
5029•
5030•
5031•
5032•
5033•
5034
5035Awareness: Awareness about tiger conservation through discussions, exhibitions and local campaigns, etc
5036should be spread.
5037Strengthening monitoring activities by authorities is a crucial element in tiger conservation. Improving the
5038intelligence and information sharing mechanism is a major aspect in this regard. Drones can also be widely
5039used for monitoring.
5040Stopping Illegal trade: Items prepared from tiger killed must be tackled as it effectively fuels the poaching
5041process.
5042Involving Local communities: Peaceful coexistence with voluntarily participation of the local communities is a
5043must. For example villagers must be instantaneously compensated for their cattle loss or crop damage due to
5044tiger and other wildlife activities.
5045Relocation of tigers: It should be done in a well-planned manner else there is a high chance of losing the
5046animal. This can also help to prevent inbreeding of the tiger species and thus increase the viability of the tiger
5047population.
5048
50495.11. GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD
5050Why in News?
5051A recent study suggests that, Great Indian Bustard population has been falling continuously, from around 1,260
5052in 1969 to less than 200 in 2018.
5053About Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps)
5054•
5055•
5056•
5057
505860
5059
5060It’s among the heaviest bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich like appearance.
5061Habitat: Arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation.
5062It avoids irrigated areas.
5063It is endemic to Indian Sub-continent, found in central India, western India and eastern Pakistan.
5064
5065www.visionias.in
5066
5067©Vision IAS
5068
5069•
5070
5071Currently, it is found in only six states in the
5072country — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat,
5073Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and
5074Karnataka.
5075Protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife
5076(Protection) Act, 1972 and Critically Endangered
5077on the IUCN Red List
5078It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES and covered
5079under CMS or Bonn Convention.
5080Bustard Species Found In India: Great Indian
5081Bustard, the Lesser Florican and the Bengal
5082Florican; Houbara also belong to Bustard family
5083but it's a migratory species.
5084Importance to Ecosystem: GIB is an indicator
5085species for grassland habitats and its gradual
5086disappearance from such environments shows
5087their deterioration.
5088o Once the species is lost, there will be no other
5089species to replace it, and that will destabilise
5090the ecosystem of the grassland and affect
5091critical bio-diversities, as well as blackbucks
5092and wolves, who share their habitat with the
5093GIB.
5094Threat: Hunting, poaching, habitat erosion,
5095'greening' projects that transform arid grasslands to wooded areas, change of land use from grassland to
5096farmland, collisions with high tension electric wires, fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in villages
5097Conservation Steps: Great Indian Bustard, popularly known as 'Godawan', is Rajasthan's state bird. The state
5098government has started "Project Godawan" for its conservation at Desert National Park (DNP) in Jaisalmer.
5099It’s one of the Species for The Recovery Programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats
5100of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
5101
5102•
5103•
5104•
5105
5106•
5107
5108•
5109•
5110
5111Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats
5112• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where GoI provides financial and technical assistance to the State/UT
5113Governments for activities aimed at wildlife conservation. The scheme has three components viz- Support to
5114Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves), Protection
5115of Wildlife Outside Protected Area and Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.
5116Bustard Recovery Programme
5117• It recommends linking local livelihoods with bustard conservation
5118• A profitable and equitable mechanism to share revenues generated from eco-tourism with local communities should
5119be developed
5120• For effective conservation, the guidelines direct state governments to identify the core breeding areas for bustards
5121and keep them inviolate from human disturbances
5122• The guidelines suggest restriction on infrastructure development and land use diversion for roads, high tension
5123electric poles, intensive agriculture, wind power generators and construction
5124• Only low intensity, traditional pastoral activities should be allowed, that too, not during the breeding season, say the
5125guidelines
5126Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) or Bonn convention
5127• It is the only convention under UNEP which provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of
5128migratory animals and their habitats ( and their migration routes). India is a member of the convention.
5129• Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the Convention.
5130
51315.12. GANGETIC DOLPHIN
5132Why in news?
5133Recently, study showed that rising salinity in Sunderbans region of India is causing a decrease in population of the
5134Ganges River Dolphins.
513561
5136
5137www.visionias.in
5138
5139©Vision IAS
5140
5141About Gangetic dolphins
5142•
5143•
5144•
5145•
5146•
5147•
5148
5149It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and
5150Bangladesh.
5151It is among the four freshwater dolphins found in the world – the other three are found in the Yangtze River
5152(China), the ‘bhulan’ of the Indus (Pakistan) and the ‘boto’ of the Amazon River (Latin America).
5153It is fluviatile (riverine) in habitat, it may also be found in brackish water. It never enters the sea.
5154A long thin snout, rounded belly and large flippers are its characteristics.
5155It is a mammal and cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds.
5156Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
5157
5158Conservation Status
5159•
5160
5161•
5162•
5163
5164•
5165
5166•
5167
5168•
5169
5170What is CITES?
5171• It is an International agreement between governments,
5172drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting
5173of members of International Union for Conservation of
5174Nature (IUCN).
5175• It ensures that international trade in the specimens of wild
5176animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
5177• CITES regulates international trade in species by including
5178species on one of the three Appendices.
5179o Appendix I - includes species threatened with extinction.
5180Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in
5181exceptional circumstances e.g. Tiger, Himalayan brown
5182bear, elephant, and Tibetan antelope.
5183o Appendix II - includes species not necessarily threatened
5184with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in
5185order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival
5186e.g. Hippopotamus, bigleaf mahogany, and the gray wolf.
5187o Appendix III - a species included at the request of a
5188country which then needs the cooperation of other
5189countries to help prevent illegal exploitation, e.g. walrus,
5190Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, and the red-breasted toucan.
5191
5192It is the national aquatic animal and had
5193been granted non-human personhood
5194status by government in 2017.
5195It is also protected under the Schedule I of
5196the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
5197Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
5198(VGDS) in Bihar is India's only sanctuary for
5199the Gangetic dolphin.
5200It has been categorised as endangered on
5201the Red List of Threatened Species by the
5202IUCN.
5203It is listed under the Convention on
5204International Trade in Endangered Species
5205of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I
5206(See Box).
5207The presence of Dolphins in a river system
5208signals a healthy ecosystem. Since the
5209river dolphin is at the apex of the aquatic
5210food chain, its presence in adequate
5211numbers symbolizes greater biodiversity in the river system and helps keep the ecosystem in balance.
5212
5213Reasons mentioned in study for decreasing population
5214•
5215•
5216•
5217
5218The hyper-saline zone in Sunderbans, caused by the rising temperature and sea-level.
5219Hydrological modifications like water diversion, deepening, widening and straightening waterways and
5220commission of large barrages upstream.
5221Other reasons include pollution(water and noise), deliberate killing for dolphin oil, bycatch in gillnets and line
5222hooks etc.
5223
5224Conservation Efforts
5225•
5226
5227•
5228
522962
5230
5231A Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin 2010-2020 has been formulated by the Ministry of
5232Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It provides following recommendations:
5233o Potential sites for intense dolphin conservation should be demarcated and States with Gangetic Dolphin
5234populations should have a regional Dolphin Conservation Centre.
5235o The use of nylon monofilament fishing gillnets should be banned and Critical water flow and minimum
5236depths for all river dolphin habitats should be determined.
5237o Trans-boundary Protected Areas between India, Nepal and Bangladesh
5238National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): In its efforts of biodiversity conservation in Ganga River basin, it
5239has been working further on the Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Action Plan and has taken up steps to
5240coordinate with various institutions for capacity building, generated awareness, involvement of stakeholders
5241for Ganga River Dolphin Conservation and Management.
5242
5243www.visionias.in
5244
5245©Vision IAS
5246
52475.13. RAT-HOLE MINING
5248Why in News?
5249Recently, the collapse of a coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills in which 15 workers were trapped, has thrown
5250the spotlight on a procedure known as “rat-hole mining”.
5251About rat-hole mining
5252•
5253•
5254•
5255
5256It involves digging of very small tunnels, usually only 3-4 feet high, without any pillars to prevent collapse, in
5257which workers (often children) enter and extract coal.
5258The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014 on grounds of it being unscientific and unsafe for
5259workers. However, the state government appealed the order in the Supreme Court.
5260Even after ban, it remains the prevalent procedure for coal mining in Meghalaya as no other method would
5261be economically viable in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is extremely thin.
5262
5263Negative impacts of Rat Hole Mining
5264•
5265•
5266•
5267
5268•
5269•
5270•
5271
5272Advantages of Rat-hole mining
5273
5274Environmental Degradation: It has caused the water in • Less Capital Intensive: This type of mining when
5275done in a scientific way, with suitable equipment
5276the Kopili river (flows through Meghalaya and Assam)
5277is less capital intensive.
5278to turn acidic.
5279• Less Polluting: Unlike big mine fields which leave
5280Pollution: Roadsides used for piling of coal leads to air,
5281the nearby area nearly uninhabitable, rat-hole
5282water and soil pollution.
5283mines are less polluting to soil, air and water.
5284Exploitation of workers: Maximum mining in • Easy self-employment: rat-hole mining provides
5285Meghalaya is from rat hole mining where workers put
5286easy self-employment to people.
5287their lives in danger but benefits are cornered by few
5288private individuals.
5289Risk to Lives: Rat-holes mines without adequate safety measures pose high risk to miner’s lives. According to
5290one estimate, one miner dies in these rat-holes mines every 10 days.
5291Fueling illegal activities: Illegal money earned from these unlawful mines also end up fueling insurgency in the
5292state.
5293Encouraging Child Labor: According to a Shillong based NGO, rat-hole mining employs 70,000 child laborers.
5294
5295Why does it continue?
5296•
5297•
5298•
5299
5300•
5301
5302•
5303
530463
5305
5306Political Influence: Maximum politicians are either owners of mines or have stakes in the largely
5307unregulated coal mining and transportation industry.
5308Populism: Directly and indirectly about 2.5 lakh people are dependent on rat-hole mining economy, having
5309influence on 16 out of 60 assembly seats.
5310Lack of Adequate Policy: The
5311Coal Mine Safety in India
5312NGT finds The Meghalaya
5313• In India, the operations in Coalmines are regulated by the Mines Act 1952,
5314Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012
5315Mine Rules – 1955, Coal Mine Regulation-1957 and several other statutes
5316inadequate. The policy does not
5317framed thereafter.
5318address rat-hole mining and • Directorate-General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Union Ministry of
5319instead states: “Small and
5320Labour & Employment (MOL&E) is entrusted to administer these statutes.
5321traditional system of mining by • One of the reasons why the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act was enacted
5322in 1973, taking over private sector mines, was their poor safety records.
5323local people in their own land
5324Yet, work at public sector mines remains highly dangerous.
5325shall not be unnecessarily
5326• The frequency of incidents has increased in the recent years, as flagged by
5327disturbed”.
5328the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its 2014 report titled
5329Use of Violence by Mining
5330‘Views on Mine Safety in India’, while official statistics show otherwise.
5331Mafia: Anyone who reports on
5332• However, in a bid to attract private players, the Coking Coal Mines
5333these illegal mining activities is
5334(Nationalization) Act, 1972 and the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act,
5335met with violence.
53361973 were repealed on 8 January 2018.
5337Lack
5338of
5339alternative
5340• When it comes to coal mining accidents, India has a higher proportion of
5341Employment opportunities: It
5342deaths resulting from strata fall than from the use of explosives, which
5343forces people to work in these
5344account for the bulk of the accidents in countries such as China and the US.
5345dangerous mines.
5346www.visionias.in
5347
5348©Vision IAS
5349
5350•
5351•
5352•
5353
535464
5355
5356Lack of Monitoring: Mining activities are spread across too vast an area spreading over four districts.
5357Legal Framework: Mining activities are a state subject, but safety of mine workers is a central subject which
5358creates problems in implementation of safety policies.
5359Misuse of Sixth Schedule Provisions: The 6th Schedule of the Constitution intends to protect the community’s
5360ownership over its land and the community’s autonomy and consent over its nature of use. Coal mining
5361currently underway in Meghalaya was a corruption of this Constitutional Provision wherein private individuals
5362having private interests in earning monetary benefits from minerals vested under the land are engaging in coal
5363mining.
5364
5365www.visionias.in
5366
5367©Vision IAS
5368
53696. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
53706.1. CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
5371Why in News?
5372Recently cabinet approved the launching of National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS) which is to be implemented by Department of Science &Technology for a period of five years.
5373What is Cyber-physical system (CPS)?
5374•
5375•
5376•
5377
5378CPS is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the deployment of computer-based systems that do things in
5379the physical world. It integrates sensing, computation, control and networking into physical objects and
5380infrastructure, connecting them to the Internet and to each other.
5381Examples of cyber physical systems are Smart Grid Networks, Smart Transportation System, Enterprise Cloud
5382Infrastructure, Utility Service Infrastructure for Smart Cities, etc.
5383CPS and its associated technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (Al), Internet of Things (loT), Machine Learning
5384(ML), Deep Learning (DP), Big Data Analytics, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication,
5385Quantum encryption (Quantum Key Distribution), Data Science & Predictive analytics, Cyber Security for
5386physical infrastructure and other infrastructure plays a transformative role in almost every field of human
5387endeavor in all sectors.
5388
5389Advantages of CPS technologies
5390•
5391
5392•
5393
5394•
5395
5396•
5397
5398•
5399
5400•
5401
540265
5403
5404About National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems
5405• It is a comprehensive mission which would address technology
5406development, application development, human resource
5407development, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up
5408development in CPS and associated technologies.
5409• Implementation:
5410o It aims at establishment of 15 numbers of Technology
5411Innovation Hubs, six numbers of Application Innovation Hubs
5412and four numbers of Technology Translation Research Parks
5413(TTRP).
5414o These Hubs & TTRPs will connect to Academics, Industry,
5415Central Ministries and State Government in developing
5416solutions at reputed academic, R&D and other organizations
5417across the country in a hub and spoke model.
5418o They mainly focus on four areas: Technology Development,
5419HRD & Skill Development, Innovation, Entrepreneurship &
5420Start-ups Ecosystem Development and International
5421Collaborations.
5422• Significance of Mission
5423o It will support other missions of the government, provide
5424industrial and economic competitiveness.
5425o It would act as an engine of growth that would benefit
5426national initiatives in health, education, energy,
5427environment, agriculture, strategic cum security, and
5428industrial sectors, Industry 4.0, SMART Cities, Sustainable
5429Development Goals (SDGs) etc.
5430o It will bring a paradigm shift in entire skill sets requirement
5431and job opportunities.
5432o It is aimed to give impetus to advanced research in CPS,
5433technology development and higher education in science,
5434technology and engineering disciplines, and place India at
5435par with other advanced countries and derive several direct
5436and indirect benefits.
5437
5438Enhanced security capabilities: It can
5439play role in expediting design and
5440delivery of trustworthy, adaptable and
5441affordable systems, operations in
5442cyberspace and autonomous systems to
5443augment security operations.
5444Disaster
5445Management:
5446CPS
5447technologies including next generation
5448public safety communications, sensor
5449networks, and response robotics can
5450dramatically increase the situational
5451awareness of emergency responders
5452and enable optimized response through
5453all phases of disaster events.
5454Energy: They are essential for the
5455creation of energy infrastructure,
5456optimization and management of
5457resources and facilities and allowing
5458consumers to control and manage their
5459energy consumption patterns like smart
5460meters.
5461Healthcare: CPS correct-by-construction
5462design methodologies are needed to
5463design cost-effective, easy-to-certify,
5464and safe products.
5465Transportation: They can (potentially)
5466eliminate accidents caused by human
5467error, Congestion control, traffic-based
5468grid jams.
5469Agriculture: They will play a key role in helping to increase efficiency throughout the value chain, improving
5470environmental footprint and creating opportunities for a skilled and semi-skilled workforce.
5471www.visionias.in
5472
5473©Vision IAS
5474
5475Challenges in CPS
5476• Privacy issues: CPS technologies that enhance privacy and enable the appropriate use of sensitive and
5477personal information while protecting personal privacy are needed.
5478• Computational Abstractions: Physical properties such as laws of physics and chemistry, safety, resources, real
5479time power constrained etc. must be captured by programming abstractions.
5480• Collaborations, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Addressing the R&D gaps will require close collaborations
5481between industry, R&D systems/Academics/ University and Government.
5482• Data related challenges: It allows flexible control and resource use; provides conduits for information leakage;
5483prone to mis-configurations and deliberate attacks by outsiders and insiders.
5484• Infrastructural bottlenecks: This system requires a Sensor and mobile networks hence essential requirement
5485to increase system autonomy in practice requires self-organization of mobile and Adhoc CPS networks.
5486• Human Interaction: Human interaction with CPSs often encounter a critical challenge when interpreting the
5487human-machine behavior and designing appropriate models that consider the current situational
5488measurements and environmental changes which are crucial in the decision-making processes, particularly in
5489systems such as air traffic systems and military systems.
5490• Technical barrier: One of the biggest problems that such integrations face is the lack of consistent language
5491and terminology that need to exist to describe cyber-physical interactions.
5492• Consistency: There are challenges in maintaining the same required level of accuracy, reliability, and
5493performance of all system parts.
5494CPS
5495• They are physical and engineered systems
5496whose operations are monitored, coordinated,
5497controlled and integrated by a computing and
5498communication core.
5499• CPS engineering has a strong emphasis on the
5500relationship between computation and the
5501physical world.
5502• They are not necessarily connected with
5503internet.
5504• Ex: It may be individual system which integrates
5505the physical and cyber technology like smart
5506electricity meters.
5507
5508Internet of things
5509• It is the network of devices such as vehicles, and home
5510appliances that contain electronics, software, actuators, and
5511connectivity which allows these things to connect, interact
5512and exchange data.
5513• IoT has a strong emphasis on uniquely identifiable and
5514internet-connected devices and embedded systems.
5515• They are connected to internet.
5516• The Internet of Things (IoT) forms a foundation for this cyberphysical systems revolution.
5517• Ex: Smart Home in which all appliances are connected to each
5518other through internet like TV is connected to mobile, lights
5519are connected to mobile etc.
5520
55216.2. BULLSEQUANA SUPERCOMPUTER
5522Why in news?
5523France-based company Atos signed agreement with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
5524for designing, building and installing BullSequana – the supercomputer in India.
5525About BullSequana
5526• Atos will supply BullSequana XH200 super computer to India to create a network of over 70 high-performance
5527supercomputing facilities with a cumulative computing power of more than 10 petaflops, for various
5528academic and research institutions across India.
5529• BullSequana will be set up in India under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
5530Challenges to Supercomputing in India:
5531• Limited funding: Limited investments and delayed release of funds have held India back. Even after launching
5532NSM, only 10 per cent of its total budget has been released at the end of three years.
5533• Hardware development: India’s stronghold is in software development, it has to depend on imports to
5534procure the hardware components required for building supercomputers. Cutting edge technology in
5535hardware components is difficult to procure as supercomputing is a niche field. Even a large part of
5536BullSequana will only be assembled in India.
5537• Brain Drain: Large Multi-National Corporations (like Google) have also entered the supercomputing field.
5538Competing with such MNCs to retain talent for developing and maintaining supercomputers proves difficult
5539for Government.
554066
5541
5542www.visionias.in
5543
5544©Vision IAS
5545
5546•
5547
5548Actual chip design and
5549manufacturing
5550is
5551difficult to achieve
5552(due to many factors
5553like
5554high
5555initial
5556investment needed,
5557limited availability of
5558rare earth metals).
5559However, India has
5560software skills and
5561personnel base which
5562can be effectively
5563leveraged to propel
5564innovation on the
5565software components
5566of
5567supercomputer
5568technology.
5569Also,
5570Exascale system, which
5571is now used in
5572supercomputers, may
5573reach its speed barrier
5574soon. Thus, India could
5575focus its research on
5576new approaches like
5577Quantum Computing
5578and
5579Optical
5580Computing.
5581
5582Some facts
5583• China is global leader in supercomputing with more than 225 out of top 500
5584supercomputers in world.
5585•
5586Currently India’s fastest and 39th fastest supercomputer in the world, Pratyush is
5587installed in Pune’s Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. It is used for simulating
5588and predicting ocean and atmospheric systems.
5589•
5590India has become the only country worldwide to have an Ensemble Prediction
5591System (EPS), running weather models at a 12-km resolution due to Pratyush.
5592About C-DAC
5593• C-DAC was setup in 1988 under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,
5594for indigenous development of Supercomputers.
5595• C-DAC developed India’s first supercomputer - Param 8000.
5596• It was established after denial of import of Cray Supercomputer (dual use technology
5597which could be used for nuclear weapon simulation), due to arms embargo.
5598National Supercomputing Mission
5599• NSM was launched in 2015 with following objectives:
5600o To make India one of the world leaders in Supercomputing capability.
5601o To empower our scientists and researchers with state-of-the-art
5602supercomputing facilities.
5603o To minimize redundancies and duplication of efforts, and optimize investments
5604in supercomputing
5605o To attain global competitiveness and ensure self-reliance in supercomputing
5606technology
5607• It is spearheaded by Department of S&T and Department of Electronics and IT.
5608• Under NSM, 70 supercomputers will be installed in India. These machines will be part
5609of the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network, aimed
5610at establishing a strong network for secured & reliable connectivity between
5611institutions.
5612
56136.3. GSAT-11
5614Why in News?
5615GSAT-11, the heaviest satellite built by ISRO was
5616launched from French Guiana by Areane 5 Rocket of
5617European Space Agency.
5618
5619Ku vs Ka Band
5620• Ku band ranges between 12-18 GHz while Ka Band
5621ranges from 26.5-40 GHz.
5622• Ka-band has data transmission rates that are
5623hundreds of times faster.
5624• Most satellites today use Ku Band Transponders
5625because it is difficult to build hardware and software
5626for Ka Band Transponders.
5627• Allocation and regulation of electromagnetic
5628spectrum into different frequency bands is done by
5629the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
5630
5631About GSAT-11
5632• It weighs around 5855 Kg, double the size of biggest
5633satellite built by ISRO till now. ISRO’s most powerful
5634launcher GSLV-Mk III can launch satellite weighing
5635up to 4000 kg only.
5636• It is part of ISRO’s new family of high-throughout
5637communication satellite (HTS) fleet that will drive the country’s Internet Broadband from space to untouched
5638areas. It is built to provide throughput data rate of 16 gbps.
5639o The broadband domain is currently ruled by underground fiber and covers partial and convenient
5640locations.
5641• It carries 40 transponders in Ku (32)/ Ka (8) Band. For the First time use of Ka-Band is introduced in India
5642through GSAT-11.
5643• It will be placed in a circular geo-stationary orbit almost 36,000 Km. away and settle at 74° E in India.
5644
56456.4. VISIONS-2 MISSION
5646Why in news?
5647NASA has launched Visualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral Atom Sensing-2 (VISIONS-2).
5648
564967
5650
5651www.visionias.in
5652
5653©Vision IAS
5654
5655More about VISIONS-2
5656•
5657
5658•
5659•
5660•
5661
5662•
5663
5664•
5665
5666Sounding Rocket (Probe Rockets)
5667• It makes brief, targeted flights into space before falling
5668back to Earth just a few minutes later which is designed to
5669probe atmospheric conditions and structure at heights
5670(80–160 km) during its sub optimal flight.
5671Aurora Borealis
5672• The auroras are formed when energetic electrons,
5673accelerated in the electric and magnetic fields from sun
5674in near-Earth space, crash into and excite atmospheric
5675gases, which emit bright hues of red, green, and yellow as
5676they relax back to a lower energy state.
5677•
5678The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the
5679northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as
5680'Aurora borealis' in the north and 'Aurora Australis' in the
5681south.
5682
5683It is a sounding rocket mission to get a closer
5684look at the how the Earth’s atmosphere is
5685slowly leaking into space.
5686The Earth is losing weight as observations show
5687that several hundred tons of atmosphere is
5688getting “leaked” into space every day.
5689The aurora borealis is of keen interest to the
5690VISIONS-2 team as they are fundamental
5691drivers in the process of atmospheric escape.
5692Scientists had long thought that oxygen was
5693too heavy to escape Earth's gravity. But nearEarth space has much more Earth-borne
5694oxygen than anyone had expected. This is as a Polar Cusps
5695• At almost any location near the surface of the magnetopause,
5696result of processes that energize the oxygen
5697the Earth's magnetic field provides a natural barrier to the
5698enough to escape. The aurora is one such
5699solar wind particles. However, there are two regions,
5700process.
5701located above each pole, where solar wind particles have
5702It is the first of nine sounding rockets launching
5703a direct access to the Earth's ionosphere. These regions
5704over the next 14 months as part of the Grand
5705are known as the polar cusp.
5706Challenge Initiative - cusp, an international
5707collaboration to explore the unusual portal between Earth and space.
5708Importance: Understanding atmospheric escape on Earth has applications all over the Universe – from
5709predicting which far off planets might be habitable, to understanding how Mars became a desolate and
5710exposed landscape.
5711
57126.5. SOYUZ
5713Why in News?
5714Recently, a Soyuz Rocket
5715carrying astronauts from
5716Russia, USA and Canada was
5717successfully launched into
5718orbit since a failed launch in
5719October.
5720
5721International Space Station (ISS)
5722• ISS is a space station, or a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit.
5723• Its first component was launched into orbit in 1998, with the first long-term
5724residents arriving in November 2000. The Station is expected to operate till 2030.
5725• It is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit and can often be seen with
5726the naked eye from Earth.
5727• It serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.
5728• It is a joint project among five participating space agencies: NASA (USA),
5729Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
5730• China launched its first experimental space station, Tiangong 1, in September
57312011.
5732
5733About Soyuz
5734• The Soyuz is a Russian
5735spacecraft which carries
5736people and supplies to and from the space station.
5737• It has room for three people to ride in it. The spacecraft also brings food and water to the space station.
5738• It is like a lifeboat. At least one Soyuz is always attached to the space station. If there were an emergency on
5739the space station, the crew could use the Soyuz to leave the space station and return to Earth.
5740• Currently only this Russian spacecraft carry people to ISS after USA retired its space shuttle in 2011.
5741
57426.6. SUNSPOT CYCLE
5743Why in news?
5744Recently, scientists from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research have developed a way of predicting
5745the intensity of activity in the next solar cycle (approximately from 2020 to 2031).
5746What is Sun-spot Cycle?
5747•
5748
574968
5750
5751The amount of magnetic flux that rises up to the Sun's surface varies with time in a cycle called the solar cycle.
5752This cycle lasts 11 years on average. This cycle is referred to as the sunspot cycle.
5753www.visionias.in
5754
5755©Vision IAS
5756
5757•
5758
5759They are darker, magnetically strong, cooler areas on the surface of the sun in a region called the photosphere.
5760
5761Why this is important?
5762•
5763•
5764
5765It will help in understanding of the long-term variations of the Sun and its impact on earth climate which is
5766one of the objectives of India’s first solar probe – ‘Aditya L-1 Mission’.
5767The forecast will be also useful for scientific operational planning of the Aditya mission
5768
5769How does Sunspot Cycle affect the Earth?
5770•
5771•
5772•
5773
5774An important reason to understand sunspots is that they affect space weather.
5775During extreme events, space weather can affect electronics-driven satellite controls, communications
5776systems, air traffic over polar routes and even power grids.
5777Some believe that they are correlated with climate on earth. For instance, during past periods of low sunspot
5778activity, some parts of Europe and North America experienced lower-than-average temperatures.
5779
57806.7. TELEROBOTIC SURGERY
5781Why in news?
5782India became the world's first to successfully perform a
5783telerobotic coronary intervention.
5784What is telerobotic coronary intervention?
5785•
5786•
5787
5788•
5789•
5790
5791Tele-robotics Applications
5792• Space: Most space exploration has been
5793conducted with telerobotic space probes.
5794• Telepresence and videoconferencing: The
5795prevalence of high-quality video conferencing has
5796enabled a drastic growth in telepresence robots
5797to help give a better sense of remote physical
5798presence for communication.
5799• Marine applications: Marine remotely operated
5800vehicles (ROVs) are widely used to work in water
5801too deep or too dangerous for divers. They repair
5802offshore oil platforms and attach cables to sunken
5803ships to hoist them. They are usually attached by
5804a tether to a control center on a surface ship.
5805
5806It is a robotic method of performing heart surgery.
5807With the help of the internet and a robotic tower, a
5808surgeon is able to treat patients from a distance.
5809This technology is especially important for high
5810emergency situations of heart attacks and stroke,
5811where ideal treatment must be received within 90
5812minutes or 24 hours.
5813This platform has the potential to improve patient
5814access in rural & under-served populations and reduce
5815treatment time, benefitting those groups, who have geographical barriers and low socio-economic status.
5816It will also reduce the variability in operator skills and improve clinical outcomes.
5817
58186.8. NATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICES PROMOTION COUNCIL
5819Why in News?
5820To give a fillip to the medical device sector, a National Medical Devices Promotion Council will be set up under
5821the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
5822About National Medical Devices Promotion Council
5823• The Council will be headed by Secretary, DIPP. Apart from the concerned departments of Government of
5824India, it will also have representatives from health care industry and quality control institutions.
5825• It will act as a facilitating and promotion & developmental body for the Indian Medical Devices Industry (MDI).
5826It will give a boost to domestic manufacturing and for exports.
5827• It will identify redundant processes and render technical assistance to the agencies and departments
5828concerned to simplify the approval processes involved in medical device industry.
5829• It will enable entry of emerging interventions and support certifications for manufacturers to reach levels of
5830global trade norms and lead India to an export driven market in the sector.
5831• Drive a robust and dynamic Preferential Market Access (PMA) policy, by identifying the strengths of the Indian
5832manufacturers and discouraging unfair trade practices in imports.
5833Medical Devices Industry (MDI) in India
5834•
5835
583669
5837
5838MDI plays a key role in the healthcare ecosystem and “is indispensable in achieving the goal of health for all
5839citizens of the country. However, the medical device market is dominated by imported products, which
5840www.visionias.in
5841
5842©Vision IAS
5843
5844•
5845
5846•
5847
584870
5849
5850comprise of around 80% of total sales.
5851The domestic companies are largely
5852involved in manufacturing low-end
5853products for local and international
5854consumption.
5855Opportunity: Given the higher
5856disposable incomes in the country,
5857increasing public spending in
5858healthcare (higher penetration of
5859health insurance), improving medical
5860tourism along with luxury healthcare
5861markets and increasing FDI in the
5862sector, India presents an important
5863opportunity for medical device
5864industry both domestically and
5865internationally.
5866Challenges: Along with numerous
5867opportunities, the market faces
5868various challenges in terms of
5869presence of multiple regulators,
5870archaic laws (which do not permit
5871manufactures and importers of
5872medical device to promote their
5873product directly to the customer),
5874weakening rupee (making it difficult
5875for some medical device importers to
5876promote their product directly to the
5877consumers), and government’s price
5878control (e.g. stent capping).
5879
5880Medical Devices Rules, 2017
5881Salient features:
5882• It allows the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to
5883notify 15 medical devices as drugs, effectively bringing them
5884automatically under price control regulation.
5885• Medical devices will, under the new Rules, based on associated
5886risks and the manufacturers of medical devices will be required to
5887meet risk proportionate regulatory requirements.
5888• Separate provisions for regulation of Clinical Investigation
5889(clinical trials) of investigational medical devices (i.e. new
5890devices) have also been made at par with international practices.
5891• It will be for the first time that there will be no requirement of
5892periodic renewal of licences. Accordingly, manufacturing and
5893import licences will remain valid till these are suspended or
5894cancelled or surrendered.
5895National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority [NPPA]
5896• It is an independent body under Department of Pharmaceuticals
5897under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
5898•
5899Its functions are:
5900o To fix/revise the controlled bulk drugs prices and
5901formulations.
5902o To enforce prices and availability of the medicines under the
5903Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995/2013.
5904o To recover amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the
5905controlled drugs from the consumers.
5906o To monitor the prices of decontrolled drugs in order to keep
5907them at reasonable levels.
5908Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
5909•
5910It is the national regulatory body for Indian pharmaceuticals &
5911medical devices under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
5912
5913www.visionias.in
5914
5915©Vision IAS
5916
59177. SOCIAL ISSUES
59187.1. PATERNITY LEAVE
5919Why in News?
5920As per the recent DoPT notification, male personnel in the central government who are single parents to
5921dependent children can now avail of child care leave (CCL) of a total 730 days during their entire period of service,
5922a provision that till now applied only to women employees.
5923More on News
5924•
5925•
5926•
5927•
5928•
5929•
5930
5931Child Care Leave was introduced by the 6th Pay Commission. Since then rules pertaining to CCL have been
5932changed depending on need. Initially it applied only to women employees.
5933Current move comes after the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission. A single male government
5934employee has been defined as “an unmarried or widower or divorcee government servant”.
5935During the period of child care leave, a female Government servant and a single male Government servant
5936shall be paid 100% of the salary for the first 365 days, and at 80% of the salary for the next 365 days.
5937Child care leave may not be granted for a period less than five days at a time.
5938It shall not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations
5939where the leave sanctioning authority is satisfied about the need of child care leave to the probationer,
5940provided that the period for which such leave is sanctioned is minimal.
5941It shall not be granted for more than three spells in a calendar year
5942
5943Paternity Leave in India
5944•
5945
5946•
5947
5948•
5949
595071
5951
5952In Government Sector: The Central Government in 1999, by notification under Central Civil Services (Leave)
5953Rule 551 (A) made provisions for paternity leave –
5954o for a male Central Government employee (including an apprentice and probationer)
5955o with less than two surviving children
5956Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
5957o for a period of 15 days to take care
5958• It provides for full paid absence from work for a period of 26
5959of his wife and new born child.
5960weeks (earlier 12 weeks) to take care of the child.
5961In private sector: There isn’t any such
5962• The Act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more
5963law that mandates private sectors to
5964women.
5965provide the paternity leaves to its
5966• To be eligible for maternity benefit, a woman must have been
5967employees. Therefore, paternity leave is
5968working as an employee in the establishment for a period of at
5969open to interpretation by individual
5970least 80 days in the past 12 months.
5971companies. Some of the major MNCs • For women who are expecting after having 2 children, the
5972have already taken steps through their
5973duration of paid maternity leave shall be 12 weeks.
5974HR policies such as Microsoft (12 • Maternity leave of 12 weeks to be available to mothers adopting
5975a child below the age of three months from the date of adoption
5976weeks), Infosys (5 days), Facebook (17
5977as well as to the “commissioning mothers”.
5978weeks), TCS (15 days).
5979•
5980The Act makes it mandatory for employers to educate women
5981Paternity Benefit Bill, 2017 was
5982about the maternity benefits available to them at the time of
5983introduced in Lok Sabha in 2017 as a
5984their appointment.
5985Private Member Bill:
5986o As opposed to the Maternity
5987Paternity Leave Policies around the World
5988Benefit Act which is only
5989• Iceland: Both the parents have an independent right to parental leave of
5990applicable to women in the
5991three months and also have a joint right to three additional months, which
5992formal sector, this Bill aims
5993may be either taken by one of the parents or equally divided between
5994to extend the paternity
5995them.
5996benefit to both formal and • Spain: Fathers are entitled to 30 days paid leave at 100% of covered pay.
5997informal
5998sector,
5999thus • UNICEF had the provision of four weeks paid paternity leaves to its male
6000covering the entire 32 crore
6001employees but now it has been extended to sixteen weeks across all its
6002offices worldwide.
6003male workforce.
6004
6005www.visionias.in
6006
6007©Vision IAS
6008
6009o
6010o
6011o
6012
6013The maximum period for which any man with less than two surviving children shall be entitled to paternity
6014benefit shall be fifteen days.
6015It also talks about providing similar benefits to adoptive fathers and those who have had a child through
6016surrogacy.
6017The government should constitute a Parental Benefit Scheme Fund in which all employees (irrespective
6018of gender), employers and the Central government shall contribute in a pre-defined ratio.
6019
6020Benefits of Paternal Leave
6021•
6022•
6023•
6024•
6025•
6026
6027Better Childcare: It leads to improvements in prenatal & postnatal care, including decrease in infant mortality.
6028Employee Retention: It will also lead to higher employee retention rate and higher job satisfaction.
6029Life-long positive impact: Various studies have shown that when fathers are more hands-on with their
6030parenting it can lead to improved cognitive and mental health outcomes for children.
6031Positive Impact on Women career: When fathers take more paternity leave, mothers can increase their fulltime work and it often leads to higher wages for women and has a positive impact on the female labor force.
6032Less burden on women: When men increase their use of paternity leave, time studies show that the amount
6033of household work fathers and mothers perform may become more gender-balanced over time.
6034
6035Issues in paternal leave
6036•
6037•
6038•
6039
6040Loss of Productivity: Frequent Leaves may disrupt work and affect productivity.
6041Lack of legal framework: Just like there is Maternity Benefit Act in place for women to get adequate time off,
6042there is need of legislation to ensure Fathers too can spend time with Child after birth. Parliament should
6043consider the proposed National Paternity Benefit Bill, 2017.
6044Gender biased perceptions: Recent order for single parent seems to be “against the spirit of equality” as it is
6045“officially announcing that care giving of children is solely a woman’s responsibility and the men are supposed
6046to do it only if there is no woman in the family”.
6047
60487.2. DRAFT CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
6049Why in News?
6050Recently, Ministry of Women and Child Development has released Draft Child Protection Policy.
6051Background
6052•
6053•
6054
6055Increasing Child Abuse: According to social audit conducted by the MWCD from 2015 to March 2017, 1,575
6056children were abused and were living in the shelter homes.
6057Supreme Court recent judgments: It said the existing mechanism was "not adequate" to curb incidents of
6058sexual abuse of children and girls at shelter homes and asked the Ministry of Women and Child Development
6059(MWCD) to apprise it on the formulation of a child protection policy.
6060
6061Highlight of the draft Policy
6062•
6063•
6064•
6065
6066•
6067•
6068
606972
6070
6071It’s a first policy dedicated to the protection of children, which until now was only a part of the broader
6072National Child Policy, 2013.
6073Aim: It aims at providing a safe and conducive environment for all children through the prevention and
6074response to child abuse, exploitation and neglect.
6075Framework for institutions: It provides a framework for all institution, and organization (including corporate
6076and media houses), government or private sector to understand their responsibilities in relation to
6077safeguarding/ protecting children and promoting the welfare of children; individually and collectively and have
6078a zero tolerance of child abuse and exploitation
6079Ensure Accountability: Institutions should designate a staff member to ensure that procedures are in place to
6080ensure the protection of children as well as to report any abuse.
6081Complaint Procedure: Any individual who suspects physical, sexual or emotional abuse must report it to the
6082helpline number 1098, police or a child welfare committee.
6083
6084www.visionias.in
6085
6086©Vision IAS
6087
6088•
6089
6090•
6091
6092•
6093
6094•
6095
6096Child Friendly Module: Institutions and organizations
6097working directly with children must develop ageappropriate modules and materials for orientating
6098children on child abuse, online safety and services
6099available for them.
6100Humanistic Orientation: Organizations who undertake
6101research and collect data on children, directly from
6102children or indirectly from parents/community must
6103ensure that children are not harmed or traumatized in
6104any way during the process. All research staff must be
6105trained on ethical practices and child friendly
6106procedures.
6107Deter Child Labour: Corporate houses and industries
6108must establish and strengthen monitoring mechanisms
6109to ensure that industry/subsidiaries are not using child
6110labour in any form.
6111Safety Mechanism: Child friendly zones must be
6112developed in all places for public dealing and safe
6113spaces for mothers to keep their infants.
6114
6115Legal Provisions for Safeguarding Children in India
6116•
6117
6118•
6119
6120•
6121
6122•
6123
6124•
6125•
6126•
6127•
6128•
6129•
6130
613173
6132
6133Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act
61342015: provides for strengthened provisions for both
6135children in need of care and protection and children in
6136conflict with the law.
6137The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
61382012 (POSCO): to protect the children against offences
6139like sexual abuse, pornography etc. and provide a childfriendly system for trial against the perpetrators.
6140Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques
6141(PCPNDT) Act 1994: to prohibit prenatal diagnostic
6142techniques for the determination of the sex of the fetus
6143leading to female feticide.
6144The Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act
61452005: provides for the constitution of National & State
6146Commissions for Protection of Child Rights and
6147Children's Courts to provide speedy trial of offences
6148against children.
6149The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: prohibits detention of children till they
6150complete elementary education i.e., class 8.
6151Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: The Act prohibits solemnization of child marriage.
6152Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016: widened the scope against child labour and
6153provides for stricter punishments for violations.
6154National Policy of Children 2013 - It has four priority areas - Survival, health and nutrition; Education and
6155development; Child Protectionand; Child Participation
6156National Action Plan for Children (NPAC), 2016 – It links the 2013 Policy to actionable strategies under its
6157priority areas.
6158United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child: India is a signatory to this convention.
6159
6160www.visionias.in
6161
6162©Vision IAS
6163
61647.3. GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT 2018
6165Why in News?
6166Recently, World Economic Forum released Global
6167Gender Gap Report, 2018.
6168Highlight of Report
6169•
6170
6171•
6172•
6173
6174•
6175•
6176
6177•
6178
617974
6180
6181World Economic Forum
6182• It was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit
6183foundation and is headquartered in Geneva,
6184Switzerland.
6185• It is the International Organization for Public-Private
6186Cooperation and the Forum engages the foremost
6187political, business and other leaders of society to
6188shape global, regional and industry agendas
6189Major Reports and Indices by WEF
6190• Global Competitiveness Report
6191• Global Gender Gap Report
6192• Global Human Capital Report
6193• Inclusive Development Index
6194• Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
6195• Global Energy architecture performance index report
6196• Global Risks Report
6197• Global Enabling Trade Report
6198• Global Information Technology Report
6199
6200About report: Global Gender Gap Report
6201benchmarks 149 countries on their progress
6202towards gender parity across four thematic
6203dimensions:
6204Economic
6205Participation
6206and
6207Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and
6208Survival, and Political Empowerment.
6209Gender Parity: World has closed 68 per cent of its
6210gender gap and at the current rate of change, it will
6211take 108 years to close the overall gender gap.
6212Sectoral Performance: Economic gender gap
6213narrowed in 2018, however, access to health and
6214education, and political empowerment suffered
6215reversals due to limited access to childcare, low selfconfidence, outdated skill sets, family biases and lack of women-friendly company policies.
6216South Asia was the second-lowest ranking region in the index, with only 65 per cent of its gender gap now
6217closed.
6218Gender Gaps in Artificial Intelligence (AI): Only 22% of AI professionals globally are female, compared to 78%
6219who are male. Impact of Gender Gap in AI:
6220o It may exacerbate gender gaps in economic participation and opportunity in the future.
6221o It implies that AI use across many fields is being developed without diverse talent, limiting its innovative
6222and inclusive capacity.
6223o It also indicates a significant missed
6224opportunity in a professional domain where
6225there is already insufficient supply of
6226adequately qualified labour.
6227Performance of India: India (108th, 66.5%)
6228records improvements in wage equality for
6229similar work and fully closed its tertiary education
6230gap for the first time, but progress lags on health
6231and survival, remaining the world’s least improved
6232country on this sub-index over the past decade.
6233o India and AI: India has the second-largest
6234artificial intelligence (AI) workforce but one of
6235the largest AI gender gaps, with only 22 per
6236cent of roles filled by women. Reason for low
6237performance are:
6238✓ Low representation in growing areas of
6239employment that require STEM (science,
6240technology,
6241engineering
6242and
6243mathematics) skills and knowledge.
6244✓ Increasing Automation is having a
6245disproportionate impact on roles traditionally performed by women.
6246
6247www.visionias.in
6248
6249©Vision IAS
6250
62517.4. TRIBAL EDUCATION IN INDIA
6252Why in news?
6253Recently Government approved
6254revamping of 'Eklavya Model
6255Residential Schools' set up for Tribal
6256students.
6257Status of Tribal Education in India
6258•
6259
6260•
6261
6262•
6263
6264Low Literacy Level: According to
6265census 2011 literacy rate for STs is
626659% compared to national
6267average of 73%.
6268Interstate
6269disparity:
6270Wide
6271Interstate disparity exists across
6272the states e.g. in Mizoram and
6273Lakshadweep STs literacy is more
6274than 91% whereas in Andhra
6275Pradesh it is 49.2%. In fact, in most
6276of the north eastern states like
6277Meghalaya,
6278Mizoram
6279and
6280Nagaland, STs are at par with the
6281general population.
6282Gender disparity: Literacy level
6283among ST men is at 68.5% but for
6284women it is still below 50%
6285
6286Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
6287• Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Eklavya Model Residential
6288Schools (EMRS) in tribal areas for providing education on the pattern of
6289Navodaya Vidhalaya, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and the
6290Kendriya Vidyalayas.
6291• The establishing of EMRSs is based on the demand of the concerned
6292States/UTs with the availability of land as an essential attribute.
6293• EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the
6294Constitution of India.
6295• Management of each EMRS is under a committee which include, among
6296others, reputed local NGOs involved with education.
6297Objectives of EMRS
6298• Provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST)
6299students in remote areas.
6300• Enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational
6301courses and in jobs in government and public and private sectors.
6302• Construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical,
6303environmental and cultural needs of student life.
6304Coverage of Scheme
6305• As per existing guidelines at least one EMRS is to be set up in each
6306Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)/ Integrated Tribal
6307Development Project (ITDP) having 50% ST population in the area.
6308• As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% ST
6309population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model
6310Residential School by the year 2022.
6311
6312Constitutional provisions for Tribal education
6313•
6314•
6315•
6316•
6317•
6318
6319Article 46 of Indian constitution lays down that, the state shall promote, with special care, the educational
6320and economic interests of weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the scheduled caste and
6321scheduled tribes.
6322Article 29(1) provides distinct languages script or culture. This article has special significance for scheduled
6323tribes.
6324Article 154(4) empowers the state to make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and
6325educationally backward classes of citizen or for SCs or STs.
6326Article 275(1) provides Grants in-Aids to states (having scheduled tribes) covered under fifth and six schedules
6327of the constitution.
6328Article 350A states that state shall provide adequate facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary
6329stage of education.
6330
6331Challenges to tribal education
6332•
6333
6334•
6335•
6336
633775
6338
6339Poor socio-economic condition
6340o Most of the tribal community is economically backward and sending their children to school is like a luxury
6341to them. They prefer their children to work to supplement the family income.
6342o Illiteracy of parents and their attitude towards education is indifferent, as well as their community never
6343encourages the education of children.
6344o Parents are not willing to send their daughters to co-educational institutions due to safety concerns.
6345Lack of infrastructure: Schools in tribal regions lacks in teaching learning materials, study materials, minimum
6346sanitary provisions etc.
6347Linguistic barriers: In most of the states, official/regional languages are used for class room teaching and these
6348are not understood by the tribal children at primary level. Lack of use of mother tongue cause hindrance in
6349initial basic education and learning (despite article 350-A).
6350
6351www.visionias.in
6352
6353©Vision IAS
6354
6355•
6356•
6357
6358•
6359
6360Teacher related challenges: Inadequate number of trained teachers is a big problem in imparting education
6361to tribal children. Also, Irregularity of the teachers in school and their different background lead to failure in
6362establishing a communication bridge with tribal students.
6363Apathy of tribal leadership
6364o Tribal leadership generally remains under the outside influences and agencies such as the administration,
6365political parties. Tribal leaders began to exploit their own people politically, socially and economically.
6366o Village autonomy and local self-governance has still not properly established. Poor law and order situation
6367and loss of respect for authority is also a hurdle.
6368High illiteracy rate among tribal women: The disparity in educational levels is even worse as the Scheduled
6369Tribe women have the lowest literacy rates in India.
6370
6371Suggestions for improving tribal education
6372•
6373•
6374•
6375•
6376•
6377•
6378•
6379•
6380
6381Infrastructural development: More EMRSs in remaining tribal regions as well as better infrastructure in other
6382schools such as adequate class rooms, teaching aids, electricity, separate toilets etc. should be furnished.
6383Emphasis on career or job-oriented courses: E.g. Livelihood College (Dantewada, Bastar) offers nearly 20
6384courses, in soft and industrial skills, and has created many job opportunities for tribal youth.
6385Local recruitment of teachers: They understand and respect tribal culture and practices and most importantly
6386are acquainted with the local language. TSR Subramanian committee suggested Bilingual Systemcombination of local language and mother tongue.
6387Teacher Training: New teacher training institutes should be opened in tribal sub plan areas to meet the
6388requirement of trained teachers.
6389Student safety: There must be strong machinery to protect students from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and
6390violence.
6391Establish separate school for girls: This would reduce hesitation of some parents to send their daughters to
6392co-educational institution.
6393Enhance awareness: Government should take some specific initiative such as awareness camp, street drama,
6394counseling etc. which can create awareness among the tribals about the importance of education.
6395Regular monitoring by high level officials: This is necessary for smooth functioning of school administration.
6396
63977.5. SDG INDIA INDEX - BASELINE REPORT 2018
6398Why in news?
6399NITI Aayog recently came up with the SDG India IndexBaseline report 2018.
6400SDG India Index
6401•
6402•
6403•
6404•
6405•
6406•
6407•
6408•
6409
641076
6411
6412Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
6413• It is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental
6414organization dedicated to supporting and promoting
6415strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in
6416developing countries and emerging economies.
6417• India is not yet a member country of the GGGI but is
6418recognised as a partner.
6419
6420NITI Aayog has developed the SDG India Index in
6421collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics &
6422Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Global Green Growth Institute and United Nations in India.
6423The SDG India Index tracks progress of all States and U Ts on 62 Priority Indicators selected by NITI Aayog,
6424which in turn is guided by MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework comprising 306 indicators and based on
6425multiple-round consultations with Union Ministries/Departments and States/UTs.
6426It measures their progress on the outcomes of the interventions and schemes of the Government of India.
6427The SDG India Index is intended to provide a holistic view on the social, economic and environmental status
6428of the country and its States and UTs.
6429SDG India Index spans across 13 out of 17 SDGs (excluding Goals 12, 13, 14 and 17).
6430A composite score has been computed between the range of 0-100 for each State and UT.
6431If a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies that it has achieved the 2030 national targets.
6432Classification Criteria based on SDG India Index Score is as follows:
6433o Aspirant: 0-49
6434o Performer: 50-64
6435o Front Runner: 65-99
6436o Achiever: 100
6437www.visionias.in
6438
6439©Vision IAS
6440
6441•
6442•
6443•
6444
6445•
6446
6447Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the top performers
6448among states with a score of 69. Chandigarh leads the
6449UTs with a score of 68.
6450The index score range for states is 42-69 while for UTs
6451it is 57-68.
6452According to the SDG India Index, the nation as a
6453whole has a score of 58, showing the country has
6454reached a little beyond the halfway mark in meeting
6455the sustainable development goals
6456The Index can be useful to States/UTs in assessing
6457their starting point on the SDGs in the following ways:
6458o Support States/UTs to benchmark their progress
6459against national targets and performance of their
6460peers to understand reasons for differential
6461performance and devise better strategies to
6462achieve the SDGs by 2030.
6463o Support States/UTs to identify priority areas in
6464which they need to invest and improve by
6465enabling them to measure incremental progress.
6466o Highlight data gaps related across SDGs for India to develop its statistical systems at the national and State
6467levels.
6468
6469For more details on SDGs refer to the supplement at the end of the document.
6470
647177
6472
6473www.visionias.in
6474
6475©Vision IAS
6476
64778. CULTURE
64788.1. PRASAD SCHEME
6479Why in news?
6480Recently Gangotri, Yamunotri, Parsanath have been included in the list of sites under PRASAD scheme bringing the
6481number of sites under the scheme to 41 in 25 states.
6482About the sites
6483•
6484•
6485•
6486
6487Gangotri and Yamunotri, Uttrarakhand: Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi
6488and origin of River Ganges while Yamunotri is the source of river Yamuna.
6489Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh: It is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of
6490the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum. It is a Hindu pilgrim site where
6491the Narmada River, the Son River and Johila River emerge.
6492Parasnath, Jharkhand: It is the highest mountain peak in the state, the Shikharji temple, an important Jain
6493pilgrimage site, is located here.
6494
6495Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme
6496•
6497
6498It aims at integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in planned, prioritised and sustainable manner
6499to provide complete religious tourism experience. It focuses on the development and beautification of the
6500identified pilgrimage destinations. Its objectives include:
6501o Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic
6502development.
6503o Enhance tourist attractiveness while ensuring sustainable development of world class infrastructure at
6504religious destinations.
6505o Promotion of local culture, art, handicrafts, cuisine, etc.
6506
65078.2. ADOPT A HERITAGE PROJECT
6508Why in news?
6509Recently Ministry of Culture informed Parliament that ten
6510monuments have been adopted under ‘Adopt a Heritage’ (Apni
6511dharohar Apni pehchan) project.
6512About ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project
6513•
6514
6515•
6516
6517•
6518•
6519
652078
6521
652210 monuments adopted
6523Red Fort
6524Delhi
6525Gandikota Fort
6526Andhra Pradesh
6527Jantar Mantar
6528Delhi
6529Hampi (Hazara Rama
6530Karnataka
6531Temple)
6532Leh Palace, Leh
6533Jammu & Kashmir
6534Ajanta Caves
6535Maharashtra
6536Qutub Minar
6537Delhi
6538Surajkund
6539Haryana
6540Mt. Stok Kangri Trek,
6541Jammu & Kashmir
6542Lakakh
6543Area surrounding
6544Uttrakhand
6545Gangotri Temple and
6546Trail to Gaumukh
6547
6548It’s a joint collaborative effort of The Ministry of Tourism,
6549Ministry of Culture, Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and
6550State/UTs Governments to develop the heritage sites/
6551monuments and making them tourist-friendly.
6552Under the project private sector companies, public sector
6553companies and individuals with best vision for the heritage
6554site will be selected through a bidding process (Vision
6555Bidding). Successful bidders will be tagged as Monument
6556Mitra.
6557These ‘Monument Mitras’ are expected to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for providing
6558amenities like toilets, drinking water, accessibility for the disabled, signage, audio guides etc. No funds are
6559given by Ministry of Tourism.
6560As of now government has put up a list of over 93 ASI monuments under this project.
6561
6562www.visionias.in
6563
6564©Vision IAS
6565
65668.3. BHASHA SANGAM PROGRAM
6567Why in News?
6568The Department of School Education & Literacy under
6569MHRD has initiated Bhasha Sangam Program – As part of ‘Ek
6570Bharat Shrestha Bharat’.
6571About the Program
6572•
6573
6574•
6575•
6576
6577Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
6578• Launched on 31st Oct, 2015 on 140th Anniversary
6579of Sardar Patel, this program intends to
6580enhance interaction between people of
6581different States/UTs.
6582• Under this, there is a pairing of States/UTs for
6583one year, during which they will exchange and
6584connect people through culture, tourism,
6585language, education, trade etc.
6586
6587Its objectives are:
6588o To enhance linguistic tolerance and respect, and
6589promote national integration.
6590o To introduce school students to all the 22 Indian Languages of Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India.
6591This will be run by the State/UT Department of School Education.
6592This initiative is not mandatory and there would be no formal testing of any kind.
6593
65948.4. PIETERMARITZBURG STATION INCIDENT
6595Why in news?
6596India and South Africa jointly issued Postage Stamps on the theme “125 th Year of Mahatma Gandhi’s
6597Pietermaritzburg Station Incident”.
6598The Pietermaritzburg Station Incident
6599•
6600•
6601
6602In May 1893, while Gandhi was on his way to Pretoria, a white man objected to Gandhi's presence in a firstclass carriage, and he was ordered to move to the van compartment at the end of the train.
6603Gandhi, who had a first-class ticket, refused, and was thrown off the train at Pietermaritzburg. Gandhi made
6604the momentous decision to stay on in South Africa and fight the racial discrimination against Indians there.
6605Out of that struggle emerged his unique version of nonviolent resistance, Satyagraha.
6606
6607Mahatma Gandhi’s experiments in South Africa
6608•
6609
6610•
6611•
6612•
6613•
6614•
6615
661679
6617
6618Indian immigration issue: When Mahatma Gandhi arrived in 1893, the issue was rampant. Indians, who had
6619initially arrived in the Natal region as indentured labour stayed back for economic reasons. But, their increased
6620population was resented by the white colonists.
6621o Mahatma Gandhi setup the Natal Indian Congress, which became a driving force behind
6622the satyagraha campaigns between 1906 and 1913. Despite the efforts, a law was passed in 1896
6623disqualifying voters who were not of European origin.
6624Second Anglo-Boer (South African War), 1899: He advised the Indian community to support the British cause,
6625on the ground that since they claimed their rights as British subjects, it was their duty to defend the Empire
6626when it was threatened.
6627Transvaal British Indian Association (BIA), 1903: The organization formed by Mahatma Gandhi aimed to
6628prevent proposed evictions of Indians in the Transvaal under British leadership.
6629Asiatic Registration Law (the Black Act): It required all Indians - young and old, men and women - to get
6630fingerprinted and to keep registration documents on them at all times. Gandhiji officially used Satyagraha for
6631the first time in 1907 when he organised opposition to the act.
6632Tolstoy farm: He built it in 1910 to support the families of jailed passive resisters.
6633March into Transvaal: It was illegal for Indians to cross the border between Transvaal and Natal without a
6634permit. Gandhiji led a march from Natal Colony into Transvaal to purposefully defy the Immigrants Regulation
6635Act of 1913 and was arrested.
6636o There were about fifty thousand indentured labourers on strike and several thousand other Indians in jail.
6637Reports in India relating the arrest of Gandhi and police brutality caused uproar. Gandhi was released in
66381914. The British government was forced to concede to the main Indian demands.
6639
6640www.visionias.in
6641
6642©Vision IAS
6643
66448.5. SIKH TAKHTS
6645Why in News?
6646Recently, a proposal was made for a sixth Sikh takht at Guru Nanak Dev’s birth place in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
6647About Sikh Takhts
6648•
6649•
6650
6651•
6652
6653Panj Takht: Panj Takht are 5 important Gurudwaras of Sikhism which have a significant respect and take
6654Religious, Social and Political decisions as required by Sikh community. Takht is a Persian word that means
6655imperial throne.
6656Location:
6657o Akal Takht(Amritsar), set up in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, is the Supreme of Panj takht.
6658o Four Other Takhts: Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib); Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo,
6659Bhatinda); Takht Patna Sahib (Bihar) and Takht Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra).
6660✓ These 4 are linked to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru. It was at Keshgarh Sahib that Guru Gobind
6661Singh raised Khalsa, the initiated Sikh warriors, in 1699
6662Control: The three takhts in Punjab are directly controlled by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak
6663Committee (SGPC) which appoints the jathedars (who leads Takht) for these while the two takhts outside
6664Punjab have their own trusts and boards.
6665
66668.6. SRI SATGURU RAM SINGHJI
6667Why in News?
6668Recently Ministry of Culture inaugurated an International Seminar to commemorate the 200th Birth Anniversary
6669of Sikh philosopher, Sri Satguru Ram Singhji, also known as Ram Singh Kuka.
6670About Sri Satguru Ram Singhji
6671•
6672•
6673•
6674
6675He was born in 1816 in Ludhiana and was a great spiritual guru, a thinker, a seer, philosopher, social reformer,
6676and a freedom fighter.
6677He fought against the caste system among Sikhs and encouraged inter-caste marriages.
6678He preached against killing the girl child in infancy, stood firmly against the Sati Pratha and advocated widow
6679remarriage.
6680
6681Namdhari/ Kuka Movement:
6682•
6683•
6684•
6685•
6686•
6687•
6688
668980
6690
6691The movement was founded in 1840 by Bhagat Jawaharmal in Western Punjab.
6692Its basic tenets were abolition of caste and similar discriminations among Sikhs, discouraging the eating of
6693meat and taking of alcohol and drugs, and encouraging women to step out of seclusion.
6694After the British took the Punjab, the movement transformed from a religious purification campaign to a
6695political one.
6696During the Mutiny of 1857, Satguru Ram Singhji formally inaugurated the Namdhari movement, with a set of
6697rituals modelled after Guru Gobind Singh’s founding of the Khalsa.
6698He strongly opposed to the British rule and started an intense non-cooperation movement against them. Led
6699by him, the people boycotted English education, mill made cloths and other imported goods. The Kuka
6700followers actively propagated the civil disobedience.
6701All followers of satguru are distinguished by the white dress, straight and pressed turban and a woolen rosary.
6702They were required to wear the five symbols of Sikhism, with only exception of the Kirpan (sword). However,
6703they were required to keep a Lathi (a bamboo stave) with them.
6704
6705www.visionias.in
6706
6707©Vision IAS
6708
67098.7. HORNBILL FESTIVAL
6710Why in news?
6711The Hornbill festival culminated recently in Nagaland.
6712About the festival
6713•
6714
6715The Hornbill Festival is one of the largest celebrations
6716of the indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland. The aim
6717of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture
6718of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and
6719traditions.
6720The festival is named after Hornbill, one of the most
6721venerated bird species in the state whose importance
6722is reflected in a number of tribal cultural expressions,
6723songs and dances.
6724It starts on 1st December which happens to be
6725Nagaland Formation Day and lasts 10 days.
6726
6727•
6728
6729•
6730
6731Species found in India
6732Great Hornbill
6733
6734Tribes in Nagaland
6735Angami Nagas
6736Ao tribe
6737Chakhesang tribe
6738Chang tribe
6739Dimasa tribe
6740Khiamniungan tribe
6741Konyak tribe
6742Kuki tribe
6743Lotha tribe
6744Phom tribe
6745Pochury tribe
6746Rengma tribe
6747Sangtam tribe
6748Sumi tribe
6749Yimchunger tribe
6750Zeliang tribe
6751
6752Associated Dances/ festivals
6753Melo Phita Dance
6754Moatsu festival
6755Sekrenyi festival
6756Chang Lo Dance
6757Bushu Jiba festival
6758Miu and Tsokum festival
6759Traditional Head hunters
6760Kuki Dance
6761Rukhyo Sharu Dance
6762Monyu Aasho Dance
6763Yenshe festival
6764Ngada festival
6765Amongmong festival
6766Angushu Kighilhe Dance
6767Metemneo festival
6768Zeliang Dance
6769
6770Areas/ sites
6771Western Ghats, North east India
6772
6773Rufous-necked Hornbill
6774Wreathed Hornbill
6775Narcondam Hornbill
6776
6777Conservation status
6778Near Threatened (IUCN)/ Schedule I of Wildlife
6779(Protection) Act 1972 (WPA)
6780Vulnerable (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6781Least Concern (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6782Endangered (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6783
6784Malabar Pied Hornbill
6785
6786Near Threatened (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6787
6788Oriental Pied Hornbill
6789White-throated Brown
6790Hornbill
6791Malabar Grey Hornbill
6792Indian Grey Hornbill
6793
6794Least Concern (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6795Near Threatened (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6796
6797Western Ghats and Central India Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and
6798Eastern parts - Bihar, Orissa
6799North east India
6800North east India
6801
6802Least Concern (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6803Least Concern (IUCN)/ Schedule I of WPA
6804
6805North east India
6806North east India
6807Narcondam island (Narcondam
6808Hornbill) at the northern tip of
6809Andaman and Nicobar Island
6810
6811Western Ghats
6812Himalayan foothills, North east India
6813and Western Ghats
6814
68158.8. INDIA’S FIRST MUSIC MUSEUM
6816Why in News?
6817•
6818•
6819
6820India’s first music museum will be set up in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, which is the birth place of Saint
6821Tyagaraja.
6822The Tyagaraja Aaradhana Music Festival is also held in Thiruvaiyaru which attracts musical talents from all
6823over the world.
6824
6825Saint Tyagaraja
6826•
6827•
6828•
6829
683081
6831
6832Saint Tyagaraja is one of the Trinity of Carnatic music (other two are Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri)
6833and his compositions are outpourings of love, prayer and appeal. He was the most illustrious composer among
6834the trinity and bhakti was the keynote of his compositions.
6835He firmly believed that nadopasana (the practice of music as an aid to cultivate devotion and contemplation)
6836can lead one to salvation only if it was combined with bhakti.
6837He mastered selfless devotion without any desire and it was Nishkama Bhakthi. He was an ardent devotee of
6838Lord Rama and majority of his krtis are in praise of Rama.
6839www.visionias.in
6840
6841©Vision IAS
6842
6843•
6844
684582
6846
6847He set his face against 'narastuti', praise of men for profit or benefit - a philosophy and principle underlying
6848Hindu thought not to debase learning and knowledge. This principle was responsible for the old system of
6849'gurukulavasa' - of disciples learning at the feet of the master and the master imparting knowledge but not
6850for money.
6851
6852www.visionias.in
6853
6854©Vision IAS
6855
68569. ETHICS
68579.1. THE SAFETY & ETHICS OF GENE EDITING
6858Why in news?
6859Recently, He Jiankui, an independent Chinese researcher, triggered global controversy over claims that his
6860experiments produced the world’s first genetically altered babies using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology.
6861What is Gene Editing?
6862•
6863•
6864
6865It is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted or replaced in the genome of an organism
6866using artificially engineered nucleases, or “molecular scissors”.
6867These nucleases create site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) at desired locations (e.g. where anomalous
6868gene is present). Such breaks are then repaired through recombination or inserting new gene, resulting in
6869targeted mutation.
6870Benefits
6871Many proponents of gene editing justify its use on
6872the basis of utilitarian principles, that we may have
6873a duty to cure or prevent diseases.
6874• Human genome editing can be used to treat
6875many human diseases & genetic disorders like
6876HIV/AIDS, haemophilia etc.
6877• It could substantially bolster disease resistance
6878in humans & increase life span.
6879• It could form the basis of highly efficient & cost
6880effective next generation antibiotics (based on
6881bacteriophage viruses).
6882• Gene editing can be used to protect
6883endangered species or bring to life extinct
6884species.
6885• It can be used to grow healthier food (via
6886fortification) and increasing harvest.
6887• It has the potential to slow down the spread of
6888diseases by eliminating its means of
6889transmission. E.g. Gene editing can be used to
6890introduce sterile mosquitoes into the
6891environment.
6892
6893Safety Concerns
6894•
6895
6896•
6897
6898•
6899
6900•
6901
6902Balance Risks & Benefits: Due to the possibility of offtarget effects (edits in the wrong place creating
6903properties different from those that were intended) and
6904Mosaicism (when some cells carry the edit but others do
6905not, leading to presence of two or more populations
6906of cells), safety is of primary concern.
6907Application of the technique to human germline: Until
6908now, all therapeutic interventions in humans using
6909genome editing have been performed in somatic cells (i.e.
6910only patient gets affected, no chance of inheriting the
6911altered genes by patient’s offspring). Safety concerns
6912have been raised regarding genome editing in
6913human germline, where unpredictable changes can be
6914transmitted to following generations.
6915Ecological impacts: A ‘gene drive’ can propagate a set of
6916genes with negative traits throughout a population which
6917may lead to disappearance of whole targeted population
6918with severe ecological consequences.
6919Difficulty in regulation: The precise genetic modifications
6920obtained through CRISPR Cas9 technique makes it more difficult to identify a genetically modified organism
6921once outside the lab and also to regulate such organisms in the market.
6922
6923The moral question that arises is whether benefits from the use of such unpredictable technology outweigh
6924potential threats.
6925Ethical Challenges around Gene Editing
6926•
6927•
6928
6929•
6930
693183
6932
6933Concerns over ‘Designer Babies’: Engineering human embryos raises the prospect of designer babies, where
6934embryos are altered for social rather than medical reasons e.g. to increase height or intelligence.
6935Justice and Equity: There is concern that genome editing will only be accessible to the wealthy and will
6936increase existing disparities in access to health care and other interventions. Taken to its extreme, germline
6937editing could create classes of individuals defined by quality of their engineered genome (e.g. superintelligence/extra-ordinary beauty). Thus the use of genetic enhancement would lead to an abhorrent form of
6938social inequality, and that is unjust.
6939Informed consent: Critics say that it is impossible to obtain informed consent for germline therapy because
6940the patients affected by the edits are the embryo and future generations. Testing new technology on humans
6941which may have inter-generational adverse impact without necessary safeguards amounts to treating humans
6942as means to an end, a violation of Kantian ethical principle.
6943www.visionias.in
6944
6945©Vision IAS
6946
6947•
6948•
6949
6950Genome-Editing Research Involving Embryos: Many people have moral and religious objections to the use of
6951human embryos for research. India & Canada doesn’t allow genome-editing research on embryos, while US
6952has banned federal aid from being used to support germline gene editing.
6953Regulations for consumers: Regulation of patents is challenging as many economic interests are involved and
6954may lead to litigations. The case of biotechnological companies patenting human genome sequences for
6955therapeutic use puts too much emphasis on profits, which raises ethical issues.
6956
6957Moral Analysis
6958•
6959
6960•
6961•
6962
6963Risk Benefit Argument: There is a common agreement that if gene editing techniques are inherently
6964dangerous, they should not be used on humans as of now. But, scientists think that with enough research, our
6965understanding of genetic manipulations will improve and so will their safety and effectiveness. In that
6966scenario, it would cause good to a large number of people and would be accepted based on utilitarian
6967principles.
6968Principle of Beneficence: We are morally obligated to do good to others and to refrain from doing them harm.
6969If we have an obligation to help people using conventional medical care, don’t we also have a duty to help
6970them using extraordinary means (genetic interventions)?
6971Principle of Autonomy: Proponents of both gene therapy and enhancement also appeal to the principle of
6972autonomy, the idea that persons have a right of self-determination. Since we have reproductive freedom (right
6973to produce children or not), we also have the right to take pre-emptive measures that could save them from
6974a disease or disability. A counterargument is that the principle of autonomy is not absolute: there are limits to
6975our right of self-determination, and genetic interventions (especially germ-line changes) take it to an extent
6976where society as a whole would be harmed (against utilitarian principles).
6977
6978Way Forward
6979•
6980
6981•
6982
6983•
6984
698584
6986
6987The scientific community must lay down principles to distinguish between ‘good’ & ‘bad’ uses of gene
6988editing:
6989o Promoting Wellbeing: Research must be designed to increase human health and wellbeing. Early stage
6990and uncertain applications must minimize risk.
6991o Transparency: Researchers must fully disclose information about benefits, risks, and implications to
6992stakeholders.
6993o Due Care: Clinical research involving human patients must proceed cautiously and conservatively, only
6994upon full evaluation of evidence, and under strict supervision.
6995o Responsible Science: Research must adhere to the highest experimental and analytical standards.
6996o Respect for Persons: Research must acknowledge the dignity of all individuals and that all individuals have
6997equal moral value, regardless of their genetic profile.
6998o Equity: Benefits & burdens of the research must be broadly and equitably accessible.
6999o Transnational Cooperation: Researchers must commit to international collaboration to harmonize
7000regulation of the application of genome editing technologies.
7001Bioethicists & researchers believe that human genome editing for reproductive purposes should not be
7002attempted at this time until more safety and effectiveness research can be done, risks & benefits weighed,
7003and a social consensus reached. All clinical trials proceeding in human germline editing should be permitted
7004only when there are no reasonable alternative forms of disease prevention.
7005It is important to have continuing public deliberation to decide whether or not germline editing should be
7006permissible. Till that time, studies that would make gene therapy safe and effective should continue.
7007
7008www.visionias.in
7009
7010©Vision IAS
7011
701210. NEWS IN SHORT
701310.1. IGOT
7014•
7015
7016•
7017•
7018
7019Recently, Department of Personnel and Training,
7020Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
7021(DoPT) launched an iGOT (Integrated Government
7022Online Training Programme).
7023This online training programme will be targeted to
7024the requirements of officers and training inputs will
7025be available on site and on flexitime basis.
7026It would act as a single point of access to the
7027repository of training resources to numerous training
7028institutions.
7029
703010.2.
7031INTERNATIONAL
7032INSTITUTE’S DEATH WA TCH
7033•
7034•
7035
7036•
7037•
7038
7039•
7040
7041•
7042
7043•
7044
7045•
7046
704785
7048
7049•
7050
7051•
7052
7053•
7054
7055As per IPI’s Death watch, 79 journalists were killed in
70562018.
7057The Vienna based International Press Institute (IPI) is
7058a global network of editors, journalists and media
7059executives from digital, print and broadcast news,
7060who share a common dedication to quality,
7061independent journalism.
7062IPI has been compiling annual data on the killings of
7063journalists since 1997 as part of its press freedom and
7064safety of journalist programmes.
7065Mexico and Afghanistan were
7066the
7067deadliest
7068countries for journalists were overall, with 13 deaths
7069each.
7070
7071Recently ten news organizations out of 87 have been
7072selected from India for Google News initiative (GNI).
7073GNI provides YouTube innovation funding to
7074newsrooms and publishers to strengthen their online
7075video capabilities and experiment with new formats
7076for video journalism.
7077Through GNI, Google is trying to develop an
7078ecosystem where established and trustworthy news
7079organizations are better equipped to create accurate
7080digital content.
7081
7082Recently France has witnessed a mass movement
7083called Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) Protests which is
7084also spreading to other countries like Belgium, Italy,
7085Bulgaria, Germany, etc.
7086A grassroots citizens’ protest movement began in
7087early November against a planned rise in the tax on
7088diesel and petrol, which French President insisted
7089would aid the country’s transition to green energy.
7090The movement was named “gilets jaunes” (yellow
7091vests) because protesters wear the fluorescent yellow
7092high-vis jackets that all motorists must by law carry in
7093their cars.
7094
7095EMERGENCY
7096
7097The United Nations announced health and nutritional
7098aid for crisis-stricken Venezuela through CERF.
7099CERF is a humanitarian fund established by the UN
7100General Assembly in 2006 to enable more timely and
7101reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by
7102natural disasters and armed conflicts.
7103It has 126 UN Member States and observers, and
7104receives support from regional Governments,
7105corporate donors, foundations and individuals. The
7106fund is replenished annually through contributions
7107from these entities.
7108CERF objectives:
7109o Promote early action and response to avoid loss
7110of life.
7111o Enhance response to time-critical requirements.
7112o Strengthen core elements of humanitarian
7113response in underfunded crises.
7114
711510.6. POKKALI PADDY
7116•
7117•
7118•
7119•
7120
7121•
7122
7123•
7124
712510.4. GILETS JA UNES PROTESTS
7126•
7127
7128•
7129
7130PRESS
7131
713210.3. GOOGLE NEWS I NITIATIVE
7133•
7134
713510.5. U.N. CENTRAL
7136RESPONSE FUND (CERF)
7137
7138Various agriculturists raised their concern about the
7139growing threat to local-community driven Pokkali
7140Paddy cultivation.
7141Pokkali Paddy is a saltwater-tolerant paddy in the
7142coastal fields of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur
7143districts of Kerala.
7144Pokkali cultivation is a traditional indigenous method
7145of rice-fish rotational cultivation practiced in the
7146coastal belts.
7147This GI-Tagged paddy is a single-season (only one
7148yield in a year) paddy raised in saltwater fields
7149between June and November followed by a season of
7150fish-farming. After the harvest, the paddy stubble in
7151the fields acts as food and shelter for shrimp and small
7152fish.
7153It is an example of how new stress tolerant genotypes
7154have evolved under natural selection pressure. To
7155elaborate, in order to survive the tides, the plant
7156adapts itself by growing taller, around 1.5 meters.
7157Unscientific and unseasonal prawn culture, high
7158operation cost etc. are some of the threats being
7159faced by this variety.
7160
716110.7.
7162INTERNATIONAL
7163RESEARCH INSTITUTE
7164•
7165•
7166•
7167
7168www.visionias.in
7169
7170RICE
7171
7172The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 6th
7173International Rice Research Institute South Asia
7174Regional Centre (IRRI SARC) in Varanasi.
7175International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an
7176independent, nonprofit, research and educational
7177institute, founded in 1960.
7178It is the world’s premier research organization
7179dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through
7180©Vision IAS
7181
7182•
7183•
7184•
7185
7186•
7187•
7188
7189•
7190
7191rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice
7192farmers and consumers; and protecting the ricegrowing environment for future generations.
7193The institute is headquartered in Los Baños,
7194Philippines.
7195IRRI is known for its work in developing rice varieties
7196that contributed to the Green Revolution in the
71971960s.
7198The institute will help farmers of the region to
7199develop varieties of paddy which grow in minimum
7200water and have low sugar content and high nutritional
7201value.
7202It will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to
7203develop special rice varieties.
7204It will support in adopting value chain based
7205production system in the country. This will reduce
7206wastage, add value and generate higher income for
7207the farmers.
7208The farmers in Eastern India will benefit in particular,
7209besides those in South Asian and African countries.
7210
7211•
7212
721310.10. FLOATING NUCL EAR POWER
7214PLA NT (FNPP)
7215•
7216•
7217
7218•
7219
7220•
7221
722210.8. ENSURE PORTAL
7223•
7224
7225•
7226
7227•
7228
7229•
7230
7231The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has
7232launched an online portal “ENSURE- National
7233Livestock Mission- Entrepreneurship Development
7234and Employment Generation (EDEG)” to make
7235subsidy transfer process quicker & faster.
7236The National Livestock Mission’s component EDEG,
7237under which subsidy payment for activities related to
7238poultry, small ruminants, pigs etc. were given through
7239Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and goes directly to the
7240beneficiary’s account.
7241Now, controlling officer/branch manager of the bank,
7242after scrutinizing & sanctioning of proposal, will
7243upload the subsidy claims in the portal. The subsidy
7244will be approved within 30 days from the date of
7245sanction of loan.
7246This portal has been developed by NABARD and
7247operates under the Department of Animal Husbandry,
7248Dairying & Fisheries.
7249
7250•
7251
7252•
7253
7254•
7255•
7256
725786
7258
7259•
7260
7261The latest edition of the Regulatory Indicators for
7262Sustainable Energy (RISE) report finds that in the past
7263decade, number of countries with strong policy
7264frameworks for sustainable energy has more than
7265tripled – from 17 to 59.
7266RISE is a global inventory of policies and regulations
7267that support the achievement of SDG7 (electricity
7268access, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
7269clean cooking).
7270This RISE 2018 report, produced by World Bank
7271Group, is the second edition (first in 2016).
7272RISE indicators have equal weight for three areas:
7273universal access, renewable energy, and energy
7274efficiency.
7275
7276Akademik Lomonosov –the world's first floating
7277nuclear power plant is operational in Russia.
7278It is basically a mobile, low-capacity reactor unit
7279operable in remote areas isolated from the main
7280power distribution system, or in places hard to access
7281by land.
7282They are designed to make it possible to supply
7283electricity to hard-to-reach areas, regardless of
7284transport infrastructure, landscape, and cost of fuel
7285delivery.
7286For fossil fuel-based electricity generation, up to 40
7287per cent of the cost is attributed to the price of coal,
7288oil or gas, as well as to the cost of their delivery. This
7289figure is even higher for especially remote locations.
7290The small size, lightweight, and fixed cost of the FNPP
7291eliminate many such challenges.
7292The small nuclear reactor can operate non-stop
7293without the need for refuelling for three to five years,
7294thereby considerably reducing the cost of electricity
7295generation.
7296
729710.11. SHARE SWAP
7298•
7299•
7300•
7301
7302•
7303
730410.9. RISE 2018
7305
7306Scores are grouped into three categories based on a
7307“traffic light” system: green for the highest third of
7308scores (67 – 100), yellow for the middle range (34 –
730966) and red for the lowest scores (0 – 33).
7310
7311•
7312
7313Hindustan Unilever (HUL) announced the merger of
7314Glaxo SmithKline Consumer (GSK Consumer) and this
7315deal has been structured as a share swap.
7316Share swap is when a company pays for an acquisition
7317or merger by issuing its own shares (used as a
7318currency) to the shareholders of the target company.
7319The number of shares to be issued in lieu of their
7320existing holdings in the target company called the
7321swap ratio and it is determined by valuing the target
7322company after looking into metrics such as its
7323revenues and profits, as well as its market price.
7324If the target company is listed, the market value of its
7325shares is often a key consideration to arrive at the
7326right price to be paid. Paying a premium to the market
7327usually indicates healthy prospects and high
7328potential, while a discount could indicate a distress
7329sale.
7330Its major benefits include sharing of risks and benefits
7331and cash savings as there is no cash outgo involved for
7332the acquirer.
7333
733410.12. SURVEY ON RETAIL PAYMENT
7335HABITS OF INDIVIDUA LS (SRPHI)
7336•
7337•
7338
7339www.visionias.in
7340
7341The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will capture payment
7342habits of individuals in six cities via the ‘Survey on
7343Retail Payment Habits of Individuals (SRPHi)’.
7344The survey will cover a sample of 6,000 individuals
7345from various socio-economic backgrounds across
7346©Vision IAS
7347
7348•
7349
7350Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and
7351Guwahati.
7352The survey seeks qualitative responses from
7353individuals on their payment habits.
7354
735510.13.
7356WORLD
7357ORGA NIZATION
7358•
7359•
7360•
7361
7362•
7363•
7364
7365•
7366
7367•
7368
7369•
7370•
7371•
7372
7373CUSTOMS
7374
7375Recently, 80th Session of the Policy Commission
7376Meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO)
7377was held in India.
7378In July, 2018, India became the Vice-Chair (Regional
7379Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of WCO for a period
7380of two years.
7381WCO was established in 1952 as the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), it’s an independent
7382intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance
7383the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs
7384administrations.
7385It’s the only global organization which defines global
7386standards and procedures for customs clearances at
7387the border and their implementation.
7388Membership: It has a membership of more than 180
7389countries (India since 1971).
7390
739110.14.
7392THE
7393CLIMATE
7394PERFORMA NCE INDEX 20 19
7395
7396•
7397
739887
7399
7400•
7401•
7402
7403Recently, India ranked 11th in Climate Change
7404Performance Index (CCPI), improving from the
7405previous 14th as a result of an improved performance
7406in renewable energy, comparatively low levels of per
7407capita emissions and a relatively ambitious mitigation
7408target for 2030.
7409Sweden and Morocco were the leading countries with
74104th and 5th rank respectively. First three positions
7411were unoccupied, because none of the 56 countries
7412or the EU were clearly on a well below two degrees
7413Celsius pathway in their overall performance.
7414Climate Change Performance Index is issued by
7415Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the
7416Climate Action Network.
7417The report ranks 56 countries and the European
7418Union, which together are responsible for 90% of
7419global greenhouse gas emissions.
7420Countries are ranked across four categories —
7421Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Renewable Energy,
7422Energy Use and Climate Policy.
7423
7424Recently, Germanwatch launched Global Climate Risk
7425Index 2019 which analyses to what extent countries
7426and regions have been affected by impacts of
7427weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat
7428waves etc.)
7429It may serve as a red flag for already existing
7430vulnerability that may further increase due to climate
7431change.
7432
7433For the examination of the CRI, the following
7434indicators were analysed:
7435o
7436Number of deaths
7437o
7438Number of deaths per 100 000 inhabitants
7439o
7440Sum of losses in US$ in purchasing power parity
7441(PPP)
7442o
7443Losses per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
7444Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka and Dominica were at the top
7445of the list of the most affected countries in 2017.
7446India moved from 6th rank to 14th rank as a result of
7447efficient cyclone prediction system and gradual
7448improvement in its disaster response system.
7449
745010.16. INTERNA TIONA L CONFERENCE
7451ON
7452SUSTAI NABLE
7453WATER
7454MANAGEMENT
7455•
7456
7457•
7458
7459CHA NGE
7460
746110.15. GLOBAL CLIMAT E RISK INDEX
74622019
7463•
7464
7465•
7466
7467•
7468
7469•
7470
7471First International Conference on Sustainable Water
7472Management was organized by Bhakra Beas
7473Management Board under the aegis of National
7474Hydrology Project at Mohali, Himachal Pradesh.
7475National Hydrology Project is a central sector scheme
7476under Ministry of Water Resources, River
7477Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with following
7478components
7479o In Situ Hydromet Monitoring System and
7480Hydromet Data Acquisition System.
7481o Setting up of National Water Informatics Centre
7482(NWIC).
7483o Water Resources Operation and Management
7484System
7485o Water Resources Institutions and Capacity
7486Building
7487It will help in providing real time information on a
7488dynamic basis to the farmers about the ground water
7489position for them to accordingly plan their cropping
7490pattern;
7491This will also provide information on quality of water.
7492
749310.17. ECO NIVAS SAMHITA, 2018
7494•
7495
7496•
7497•
7498•
7499
7500Recently Ministry of Power has launched Energy
7501Conversation Building Code for residential buildings
7502named Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 in order to promote
7503energy efficiency in design and construction of homes
7504and generate awareness towards conservation.
7505This new code is applicable to all residential buildings
7506built on a plot area of ≥500 m 2. However, states and
7507municipal bodies may reduce the plot area.
7508Energy Conversation Building Code is formulated and
7509implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
7510Energy Conversation Building Code for commercial
7511buildings is already in place. Together, Commercial
7512and residential buildings together account for about
751330% of the country's total energy consumption.
7514
7515About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
7516•
7517
7518www.visionias.in
7519
7520It was set up in 2002 by Ministry of Power, under
7521Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
7522©Vision IAS
7523
7524•
7525•
7526
7527It assists in developing policies and strategies based
7528on self-regulation to reduce energy intensity of the
7529Indian economy.
7530Functions of BEE includes Conducting energy audit,
7531developing Energy Conservation Building Codes,
7532implementing Standards and Labeling Program.
7533
753410.18. INTERNATIONAL
7535COMMISSION
7536•
7537•
7538
7539•
7540
7541•
7542
7543•
7544•
7545•
7546
7547•
7548
7549•
7550
7551Recently Japan announced its withdrawal from
7552International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume
7553commercial whale hunting.
7554The IWC was constituted under the International
7555Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1946
7556with an aim for orderly development of the whaling
7557industry by putting catch limit, designating whale
7558sanctuaries, coordinating conservation work etc.
7559The 1946 Convention does not define the term
7560‘whale’. While Some Governments accept IWC
7561competence to regulate catches of only great whales
7562(the baleen whales and the sperm whale). Others
7563believe that all cetaceans (aquatic mammals which
7564include whales, dolphins, and porpoises) fall within
7565IWC jurisdiction.
7566Currently a complete ban is applied on commercial
7567whaling, while whaling under the scientific-research
7568and aboriginal-subsistence provisions are allowed.
7569
7570The Punganur cow, considered one of the world’s
7571smallest breeds of cattle, is said to be on the verge of
7572extinction due to cross-breeding being conducted by
7573farmers.
7574The Punganur cow, found in Andhra Pradesh is
7575diminutive, with a height of 70 cm to 90 cm and
7576weighing around 115 to 200 kg.
7577It has become a status symbol in recent years as
7578wealthy livestock farmers began buying it, believing it
7579brings good luck.
7580‘Country Report on Animal Genetic Resources of
7581India’ by the Department of Animal Husbandry and
7582Dairying shows declining trend in its population. Food
7583and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also recognizes
7584this trend.
7585The Livestock Research Station (LRS) at Palamaner in
7586Chittoor district is said to be the last bastion of the
7587breed.
7588
7589•
7590
759188
7592
7593Government
7594recently
7595launched
7596Women
7597Entrepreneurship Platform 2.0.
7598WEP 2.0: It seeks to transform the entrepreneurial
7599ecosystem in the country and shall be a one-stop
7600resource centre for future and budding women
7601entrepreneurs.
7602
7603It acts as a medium for various stakeholders in
7604the economy to come together and offer
7605integrated services such as Incubation Support,
7606Mentorship, Funding avenues, Compliance,
7607Marketing Assistance etc.
7608WEP was launched in 2017, by NITI Aayog to promote
7609and support established as well as aspiring women
7610entrepreneurs in India.
7611WEP Investment Council: It was also set up to address
7612funding related challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
7613
761410.21. PARTNERS' FOR UM 2018
7615•
7616•
7617•
7618
7619•
7620
7621•
7622•
7623
762410.20. WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHI P
7625PLATFORM 2.0
7626•
7627
7628•
7629
7630WHA LING
7631
763210.19. PUNGANUR COWS
7633•
7634
7635o
7636
7637•
7638
7639The fourth Partners’ Forum was recently held in New
7640Delhi.
7641It was hosted by the Government of India, in
7642association with the Partnership for Maternal,
7643Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).
7644The PMNCH is an alliance of more than 1000
7645organizations in 192 countries from the sexual,
7646reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and
7647adolescent health communities, as well as health
7648influencing sectors.
7649It was launched in September 2005 to accelerate
7650efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality,
7651improve adolescent, child, newborn and maternal
7652health.
7653Its Secretariat is hosted at the World Health
7654Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
7655The PMNCH Partners' Forum serves as a regular
7656global platform to consolidate and increase
7657members’ commitment to the objectives of The
7658Partnership and maintains and reinforces high level
7659political commitment.
7660This is the second time India is hosting the Partners’
7661Forum (earlier in 2012).
7662
766310.22.
7664(NKY)
7665•
7666
7667•
7668•
7669
7670•
7671
7672•
7673
7674www.visionias.in
7675
7676NIKSHAY
7677
7678POSHA N
7679
7680YOJA NA
7681
7682Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for TB patients –
7683Nikshay Poshan Yojana rolled out in April 2018 had
7684slow progress with only 26% of the registered patients
7685have received cash transfer so far.
7686Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government
7687of India announced the scheme for incentives for
7688nutritional support to TB patients.
7689All TB patients notified on or after 1st April 2018
7690including all existing TB patients under treatment are
7691eligible to receive incentives. The patient must be
7692registered\notified on the NIKSHAY portal.
7693Financial incentive of Rs.500/- per month in cash or
7694Kind for each notified TB patient for duration for
7695which the patient is on anti-TB treatment is given
7696through DBT in Aadhar-enabled bank account of
7697beneficiary.
7698Its implementation is done under the National Health
7699Mission.
7700
7701©Vision IAS
7702
770310.23. NATIONAL TRUST
7704•
7705
7706•
7707•
7708
7709Parliament recently passed the National Trust for
7710Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy,
7711Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities
7712(Amendment) Bill, 2018 amended the tenure of the
7713Chairperson and members of the Board of the
7714National Trust.
7715National Trust is a statutory body of the Ministry of
7716Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of
7717India.
7718The objectives of the National Trust in particular are:
7719o to enable and empower persons with disability to
7720live as independently and as fully as possible
7721within and as close to their community as
7722possible;
7723o to facilitate the realisation of equal
7724opportunities, protection of rights and full
7725participation of persons with disability;
7726o to extend support to its registered organisations
7727to provide need-based services; and
7728o to evolve procedures for appointments of
7729guardians and trustees for persons with
7730disabilities.
7731
773210.24. BOGI BEEL BRID GE
7733•
7734•
7735•
7736•
7737•
7738•
7739
7740•
7741•
7742
7743The Bogibeel Bridge which at 4.94 km long and is
7744India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge was recently
7745inaugurated.
7746It has been built over the Brahmaputra river in the
7747north eastern Indian state of Assam between
7748Dibrugarh district and Dhemaji district.
7749The Bogibeel Bridge was a part of Assam Accord 1985
7750and was sanctioned in 1997-98.
7751It is India’s only fully welded bridge for which
7752European codes and welding standards were
7753adhered.
7754It will reduce travel time between the Assam and
7755Arunachal Pradesh significantly.
7756The bridge is part of infrastructure projects to
7757improve logistics along the border in Arunachal
7758Pradesh such as construction of a trans-Arunachal
7759highway on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and
7760new road and rail links over the river and its major
7761tributaries.
7762It will ensure greater integration of the north east
7763region with the country and help in reducing sense of
7764alienation from rest of India.
7765The construction of the bridge also assumes strategic
7766importance as it will facilitate the rapid movement of
7767troops along India’s nearly 4,000 km border with
7768China. It will also give a boost to the Act East policy.
7769
7770•
7771
7772•
7773•
7774
7775•
7776
777710.26.
7778INDIA’S
7779UNIVERSITY
7780•
7781•
7782•
7783
7784•
7785•
7786•
7787•
7788•
7789
7790RAILWAY
7791
7792India’s first Railway University called National Rail
7793and Transportation Institute (NRTI) was dedicated to
7794the Nation recently.
7795It was first mentioned in the Union Budget-2014 and
7796is only third such in the whole world after Russia and
7797China.
7798This year, two under-graduate programmes are being
7799offered by the university - B.Sc. in Transportation
7800Technology and a BBA programme in Transportation
7801Management.
7802
7803Recently, the Indian Railways successful ran the trial
7804of Train 18 by reaching the speed limit of 180 km/h.
7805It is an indigenously developed high-tech, energyefficient, first self-propelled train (without
7806locomotive engine) in India.
7807It is scheduled to run between Delhi to Varanasi in
78082019.
7809It was manufactured by Integrated Coach Factory
7810(ICF), Chennai, under Make in India Initiative.
7811It is capable of touching 200 kmph, for which the
7812railway track network will need to be upgraded
7813because only 0.3% of India’s rail tracks are fit to
7814handle trains running at the speed of up to 160 km per
7815hour.
7816
781710.28. SATURN LOSI NG ITS ICONIC
7818RINGS
7819•
7820
7821•
7822
7823•
7824
782589
7826
7827FIRST
7828
782910.27. TRAIN-18
7830
783110.25. INTERNA TIONA L CENTRE FOR
7832AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
7833International Centre for Automotive Technology
7834(ICAT) recently launched Certification with high
7835
7836security features in order to prevent use of forged
7837certificates.
7838This is a first of its kind initiative taken by any
7839automotive certification agency in India for
7840enhancing the security of the CMVR (Central Motor
7841Vehicle Rules) certificates which includes Certificates
7842for vehicles, engines and components.
7843Some unique features in the certificate include
7844ultraviolet ink, troymark, microprint, pantograph,
7845secure code, print code.
7846ICAT is the premier certification agency authorized by
7847Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH)
7848for providing testing and certification services to the
7849vehicle and component manufacturers situated
7850within India and abroad.
7851ICAT also provides extensive testing services for
7852product development and validation under the aegis
7853of NATRiP (National Automotive Testing and R&D
7854Infrastructure Project).
7855
7856www.visionias.in
7857
7858The new NASA research confirms that Saturn is losing
7859its iconic rings at the maximum rate estimated from
7860Voyager 1 & 2 observations made decades ago.
7861The rings are being pulled into Saturn by gravity as a
7862dusty rain of ice particles under the influence of
7863©Vision IAS
7864
7865Saturn’s magnetic field. At this rate, the Saturn's rings
7866are likely to disappear in the next 100 million years.
7867The Cassini-spacecraft measured ring-material
7868detected falling into Saturn's equator and the rings
7869have less than 100 million years to live.
7870Saturn's rings are mostly chunks of water ice ranging
7871in size from microscopic dust grains to boulders
7872several metres across. Ring particles are caught in a
7873balancing act between the pull of Saturn's gravity,
7874which wants to draw them back into the planet, and
7875their orbital velocity, which wants to fling them
7876outward into space.
7877
7878•
7879•
7880
788110.29.
7882SYSTEM
7883•
7884
7885AVANGARD
7886
7887HYPE RSONIC
7888
7889Recently, Russia successfully test fired Avangard
7890Missile.
7891It’s liquid-fueled intercontinental-range ballistic
7892missile (ICBM), with the ability to fly as fast as Mach
789320 (more than 15,000 miles per hour), and can carry
7894nuclear and conventional warheads.
7895It comes with a manoeuvrable gliding feature, i.e it
7896can adjust both altitude and direction, to avoid most
7897missile defense systems.
7898Avangard deployment by 2019 will make it the first
7899operational hypersonic glide vehicle system
7900deployed anywhere in world.
7901
7902•
7903
7904•
7905•
7906
7907•
7908•
7909•
7910
7911Subsonic cruise missile flies at a speed lesser than
7912that of sound. It travels at a speed of around 0.8
7913Mach.
7914Supersonic cruise missile travels at a speed of
7915around 2-3 Mach i.e. it travels a kilometre
7916approximately in a second. E.g.: BRAHMOS
7917Hypersonic cruise missile travels at a speed of
7918more than 5 Mach. eg: BRAHMOS-II (in Developing
7919Phase).
7920
7921•
7922•
7923
7924•
7925•
7926
7927•
7928•
7929
793010.32. RAJKUMAR SHUKLA
7931•
7932•
7933•
7934
7935•
7936
793710.30. IDEATE FOR I NDIA
7938•
7939
7940•
7941
7942•
7943
7944Recently, Minister of Electronics & IT launched a
7945National Challenge for Youths, “Ideate for India Creative Solutions using Technology” with an aim to
7946give school students (class 6-12) an opportunity to
7947become solution creators for the problems.
7948The Challenge has been designed by the National eGovernance Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT in
7949collaboration with Intel India, with support from the
7950Department of School Education and Literacy.
7951Top 50 students will be declared Tech Creation
7952Champions.
7953
795490
7955
7956Recently,
7957Government
7958recently
7959released
7960Commemorative Postage Stamp on Rajkumar Shukla.
7961Raj Kumar Shukla was an indigo cultivator of
7962Champaran (Bihar), who persuaded Mahatma Gandhi
7963to come there.
7964Mahatama Gandhi arrived in Champaran with his
7965team of eminent nationalists Rajendra Prasad,
7966Anugraha Narayan Sinha, Brajkishore Prasad and the
7967Champaran Satyagraha began.
7968Stayagraha was against tinkathia system which
7969meant farmers had to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of
7970the total land.
7971
797210.33. CLEAN SEA-2018
7973•
7974•
7975
7976•
7977
797810.31. NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
7979BOARD FOR CERTIFICA TION BODIES
7980•
7981
7982Systems Certification Bodies has been accorded the
7983recognition of equivalence in the Asia-Pacific region.
7984NABCB has signed the Multilateral Recognition
7985Arrangement (MLA) of the Pacific Accreditation
7986Cooperation (PAC).
7987It is the third accreditation body in the Asia-Pacific
7988Region to become internationally equivalent in the
7989region, the other two being the accreditation bodies
7990of Hong Kong and Mexico.
7991The immediate beneficiary is the Indian Industry
7992which is exporting products to various countries
7993especially in the Asia Pacific region.
7994It is responsible for accreditation of certification and
7995inspection bodies as per the board’s criteria in
7996accordance with international standards (under an
7997international system of equivalence) and guidelines.
7998It is a constituent Board of the Quality Council
7999of India.
8000NABCB is internationally recognized and represents
8001the interests of the Indian industry at international
8002forums through membership and active participation
8003with the objective of becoming a signatory to
8004international Multilateral / Mutual Recognition
8005Arrangements (MLA / MRA).
8006
8007Recently Indian Coast Guard conducted the
8008Regional Level Marine Oil Pollution Response
8009Exercise titled ‘Clean Sea - 2018’ at Port Blair.
8010It enhances the capability of Indian Coast Guard and
8011improves coordination and communication with
8012different agencies during oil spill in line with
8013provisions of National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency
8014Plan.
8015Andaman & Nicobar is highly vulnerable to oil spills
8016as almost 200 ships cross Great Channel between
8017Nicobar Islands and Northern Sumatra that leads into
8018Malacca Straits making it among busiest sea routes of
8019world.
8020
8021The National Accreditation Board for Certification
8022Bodies' (NABCB) accreditation programme for
8023Occupational Health and Safety Management
8024
8025www.visionias.in
8026
8027©Vision IAS
8028
802910.34. RECENT MILITA RY EXERCISES
8030•
8031
8032•
8033
8034•
8035
8036•
8037•
8038
8039SHINYUU Maitri-18: This is the first air exercise
8040between The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF)
8041and Indian Air Force, recently conducted in Agra. The
8042theme
8043of
8044the
8045exercise
8046was
8047joint
8048Mobility/Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief
8049(HADR) on Transport aircraft.
8050Exercise Sea Vigil: The Indian Navy will conduct this
8051large-scale coastal defence exercise to test the
8052robustness of the entire coastal security apparatus. It
8053will involve all stake holders across mainland and
8054Island territories with participation of all operational
8055ships, submarines and aircraft as well as units of
8056Indian coast guards, Indian Army and the Indian Air
8057Force, Indian Navy.
8058Hand-in-Hand: India and China recently conducted
80597th round of their 'Hand-in-Hand' military drills after
8060a gap of one year as they could not be held last year
8061because of the standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim
8062sector.
8063Indra Navy 2018: The 10th edition of Indo-Russian
8064maritime exercise Indra Navy 2018 took place in
8065Visakhapatnam.
8066AVIAINDRA: This is the second in the series of
8067bilateral joint exercise between Indian Air Force and
8068Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFSAF).
8069
8070•
8071
8072Smart Project
8073•
8074
8075•
8076
8077•
8078
8079•
8080
8081One District One Product Scheme
8082
8083•
8084•
8085•
8086
808791
8088
8089Recently the President inaugurated the “One District
8090One Product Summit” at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
8091It is aimed at creating product-specific traditional
8092industrial hubs across 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
8093Under the scheme, financial and technical help for
8094workers in that product will be provided.
8095It is being implemented by the Department of MSME
8096and Export Promotion o f UP Government.
8097
8098Recently Maharashtra government with support from
8099World Bank launched State of Maharashtra’s
8100Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART)
8101project.
8102Its Major objectives include- Achieve sustainable
8103farming, Facilitate agribusiness investment, Support
8104resilient agriculture production, Expand access to
8105new and organized markets for producers and
8106enhance private sector participation in the
8107agribusiness.
8108
8109About KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and
8110Income Augmentation) scheme
8111
811210.35. STATE SCHEMES
8113•
8114
8115Some product-specific traditional industrial hubs in
8116UP are: Varanasi (Banarasi Silk Saris), Bhadohi
8117(Carpets), Lucknow (Chikan), Kanpur(leather goods),
8118Agra (leather footwear), Aligarh (locks), Moradabad
8119(brassware), Meerut (Sports goods) and Saharanpur
8120(wooden products).
8121
8122It was launched recently by Odisha government to
8123provide the financial supports to Small, marginal
8124farmers and also landless agricultural labourers of
8125the state.
8126Under KALIA Scheme, the government will provide 5
8127types of benefits to the beneficiaries through DBT
8128such as Support for Cultivation; Livelihood support;
8129Life insurance; Financial assistance for sustenance of
8130farmers not able to take up cultivation due to old age,
8131disability, disease etc.; Interest free crop loan.
8132
8133Mukhyamantri Krishi Aashirwad Yojana
8134•
8135
8136•
8137
8138www.visionias.in
8139
8140It was launched by Jharkhand government to provide
8141cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per acre to over 22.76 lakh
8142small and marginal farmers across the state.
8143
8144This scheme echoes the Rythu Bandhu scheme of
8145Telangana government.
8146
8147©Vision IAS
8148
8149SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND INDIA
8150
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8152
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8176
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8180
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8182
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8184
8185©Vision IAS
8186
8187Copyright © by Vision IAS
8188All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
8189in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
8190permission of Vision IAS.
819198
8192
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8194
8195©Vision IAS
8196
8197