Current affairs (19th-24th August)–2019

19^th August, 2019

TOPIC- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

1. What is the procedure for the creation of new states in India?

Ans:

Introduction

To protect the unity and integrity of India, Article 3 of the Constitution vests the power to form new States in Parliament, which may pass the law on the subject.

Procedure for the creation on new states

• Article 3 empowers the parliament make changes in area, boundaries, territory, name of states even if such proposal does not come from the concerned state.
• For this purpose, the central government can simply get a bill passed in the parliament.
• However, constitution mandates that whenever such things need to be done, states must be given an opportunity to express their views. Thus, first central government will create a bill, but this bill can be introduced in parliament only by recommendation of the president.
• Before making such recommendation, President would send this bill to concerned state legislature and give it a fixed time to express its view on that matter. However, state’s view has no actual impact for fate of such bill.
• Whether the state says yes or no, once the time given to it has passed, the President may recommend the bill to be introduced in any house of parliament.
• Once passed, a new state is created out of the existing state.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded:

• Alternation of names, boundaries etc. of states is a prerogative of parliament and parliament has final say on this matter.
• Such a bill is introduced in parliament by prior recommendation of president {because states’ interests may be involved here}
• States are asked to express their views in stipulated time but practically their view does not matter. Once that time is expired, parliament can enact the law even if they say no.

Reference: M Laxmikanth

Indian Express

 

TOPIC- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges( therein

2. What is the procedure for delimitation of Lok Sabha and state assembly seats in India?

Ans:

Introduction

Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats to represent changes in population. In this process, the number of seats allocated to different states in Lok Sabha and the total number seats in a Legislative Assembly may also change. The main objective of delimitation is to provide equal representation to equal segments of a population.

Procedure for delimitation of seats in India

• Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census. Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up a Delimitation Commission made up of a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner and the respective State Election Commissioners.
• The Commission is supposed to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same.
• The Commission is also tasked with identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; these are where their population is relatively large.
• All this is done on the basis of the latest Census and, in case of difference of opinion among members of the Commission, the opinion of the majority prevails.
• The draft proposals of the Delimitation Commission are published in the Gazette of India, official gazettes of the states concerned and at least two vernacular papers for public feedback.
• The Commission also holds public sittings. After hearing the public, it considers objections and suggestions, received in writing or orally during public sittings, and carries out changes, if any, in the draft proposal.
• The final order is published in the Gazette of India and the State Gazette and comes into force on a date specified by the President.

Reference: Indian Express

M Laxmikanth

 

20^th August, 2019

TOPIC- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein

1. What is the procedure for the creation of legislative council in a state? What are the powers of a legislative council vis-a-vis Rajya Sabha?

Ans:

Introduction

India has a bicameral system of legislature. Just as Parliament has two Houses, the states can, if they choose, have a Legislative Council in addition to the Legislative Assembly. The Constitution provides for this option under Article 171. As in Rajya Sabha, members of a Legislative Council are not directly elected by voters.

Procedure for the creation of legislative council in a state

Under Article 169, a Legislative Council can be formed “if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting”. Parliament can then pass a law to this effect.

Powers of legislative council vis-a-vis Rajya Sabha

• The legislative power of the Councils is limited.
• Unlike Rajya Sabha which has substantial powers to shape non-financial legislation, Legislative Councils lack a constitutional mandate to do so;
• Assemblies can override suggestions/amendments made to legislation by the Council.
• Again, unlike Rajya Sabha MPs, MLCs cannot vote in elections for the President and Vice President.
• The Vice President is the Rajya Sabha Chairperson; an MLC is the Council Chairperson.

Reference: Indian Express

 

TOPIC- Land reforms in India

2. Transforming agriculture in the medium to long run requires fundamental reforms in land institutions. Discuss.

Ans:

Introduction

Restrictive land leasing laws have forced tenancy to be informal, insecure and inefficient. Informal tenants are most insecure and inefficient, as they do not have legal sanctity and access to institutional credit, insurance and other support services. In this context, some experts have argued that transforming agriculture in the medium to long run requires fundamental reforms in land institutions.

Reforms required in the land institutions

• Most state governments have either legally banned or imposed restrictions on agricultural land leasing. Current restrictions on land leasing have reduced the occupational mobility of landowners who want to take up employment outside agriculture but are forced to stick to their land due to the fear of losing it.
• Moreover, legal ban or restrictions on land leasing has led to ‘concealed tenancy’ due to which tenant farmers do not have any incentive to invest in land improvement.
• In this context, a Model Land Lease Act should be passed that allows land owners to lease out agricultural land to tenant farmers without the fear of losing it.
• This would allow fallow land to be used productively, enable tenant farmers to invest in the land and also access credit and insurance facilities.
• The growth of an active land lease market, would be helpful for the rural poor to get out of poverty trap.
• Marginal and small farmers would be better off leasing out their land to more viable farmers for rent, while seeking paid employment within or outside agriculture.

Conclusion

The critical need of today is to legally allow farmers to lease out without any fear of losing land ownership right and provide support for their upward occupational mobility by way of access to either self-employment or wage employment.

Reference: Indian Express

Livemint

 

21^st August, 2019

TOPIC- Environment

1. Highlight the role that industries can play in managing water scarcity.

Ans:

Introduction

Water scarcity is one of the biggest problems facing the humanity. Not just communities, businesses are also finding themselves in ever-greater competition for this finite resource as growing population drains reservoirs and rivers. Industries will have to start evaluating how their business models can be transformed in support of a water-secure future.

What role can industries play?

Industries must look at leveraging the right technology to reduce water usage. The ‘right’ technology is one that not just looks good for a ‘sustainability report’, but also ensures RoI.

A water footprint audit that includes flows and chemical changes to water across a plant can throw insights on where to invest for reducing/reusing water.

Automation and predictive analysis can optimise performance of water-intensive assets, like boilers and cooling towers.

One large steel plant has reduced its water consumption by 30% over the last three years—by adopting best-in-class technology and driving a culture of continuous improvement.

Industries must look at a basin approach. This requires looking beyond their boundaries to adjoining companies and municipalities to optimise water consumption in the entire area or basin (water source). Not only does this create economies of scale for investment, it also highlights some interesting cost-saving opportunities.

Conclusion

Companies should explore such opportunities, so that total water consumption of both industries as well as communities in the vicinity is optimised. The water resources ministry has passed a law requiring all power plants within 50 km of a city to use treated municipal waste. That is an excellent move to protect water in an entire basin. The government must play a role by ensuring optimal pricing of water, incentives (for conservation), and providing the right water and wastewater infrastructure.

Reference: Financial Express

 

TOPIC- India and its bilateral relations

2. Highlight the significance of Gulf region for India. Also suggest the way forward to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Gulf countries.

Ans:

Introduction

In recent years, India’s ties with the Gulf countries have moved beyond a basic buyer-seller relationship. Apart from the economic convergences between India and the Gulf countries, the relationship has progressed thanks to increasing agreement on issues pertaining to terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

 Significance of Gulf region for India

• Today, the Gulf is an integral part of India’s ‘extended neighbourhood’, both by way of geographical proximity and as an area of expanded interests and growing Indian influence.
• Historic maritime and cultural links have developed into strong relation- ships of ‘energy, expatriates and economy’.
• India is dependent on the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for 42 per cent of its overall oil imports; three of the top five oil suppliers to India are Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia, the largest, providing 20 per cent of India’s total oil imports.
• Qatar is also India’s dominant supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Any disruption in energy imports from the Gulf will have serious implications for India’s economic growth.
• Indian nationals make up the Gulf states’ largest expatriate community, with an estimated 7.6 million Indian nationals living and working in the region. The safety and security of these Indian nationals are a key priority for the government.
• The GCC is India’s one of the largest regional-bloc trading partner.

Way forward

• Paying greater attention to the domestic dynamics in the different kingdoms. A new trend has been the effort to promote moderate Islam in the region. UAE has been at the forefront of this effort. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince has taken some small but significant steps to liberalize the economy and society. India should offer strong public support for the reform agenda in the region.
• India must reciprocate the strategic economic cooperation ranging from energy and digital innovation to arms production and space technology. China has moved quickly to elevate its economic and commercial profile in the region.
• Expanding security cooperation: The highly vulnerable Gulf has long depended upon Britain and the US to protect themselves from threats. Trump’s talk on downsizing America’s role in the Gulf is encouraging the region to diversify its security partnerships. India must have a proactive strategy for defense cooperation in the region.

Conclusion

India’s instinct was to avoid getting drawn into the conflicts. But it can’t be a permanent Indian security strategy in the Gulf. India must vision itself contributing to the regional security in whatever manner it can.

Reference: Indian Express

 

22^nd August, 2019

TOPIC- India and its neighbourhood relations

1. In a world of growing options, it remains in India’s and Bhutan’s best interests to make each other’s concerns a top priority. Discuss.

Ans:

Introduction

Indo-Bhutan relationship is built on a traditional closeness, one that is unique in today’s world. Open borders, close alignment and consultation on foreign policy, and regular, open communications on all strategic issues are the hallmark of the relationship that has maintained its consistency for the past many decades. However, in a world of growing options, it remains in India’s and Bhutan’s best interests to make each other’s concerns a top priority.

What are the concerns in Indo-Bhutan relationship?

• In the past few years, ties came under a strain over India’s sudden change in its power purchasing policy, rigid rates and refusal to allow Bhutan to join the national power grid and trade with third countries like Bangladesh.
• Another concern that could create differences is over Bhutan’s worry that too much trade, transport and tourism from India could put its environment at risk. India’s plans for a Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal grouping have been held up, and a Bhutanese proposal to levy entry charges on Indian tourists could cause differences with India.
• Earlier generations of Bhutanese students never looked beyond India, but in recent years young Bhutanese have shown a preference for education destinations in Australia, Singapore and Thailand. There is thus much to repair in the ties.

Conclusion

New Delhi will have to remain alert to strategic powers which are courting Bhutan assiduously, as is evident from the high-level visits from China and the U.S. In a world of growing options, it remains in India’s and Bhutan’s best interests to make each other’s concerns a top priority.

Reference: The Hindu

 

TOPIC- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

2. Critically anayse Ujjwala as a policy for reducing national air pollution levels and bringing down premature deaths.

Ans:

Introduction

One of the most effective and under-acknowledged schemes of the government that has the potential to significantly reduce air pollution is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides clean LPG cooking gas to first-time users to in an attempt to replace chulhas that use traditional fuels and biomass for cooking. However, by making Ujjwala about providing cooking gas to those who don’t have it, without strongly focusing on the health benefit of cooking with clean fuel in a targeted way, government has lost an opportunity to use the policy for reducing pollution at national levels.

Role of Ujjwala in reducing pollution at national levels

• By focusing on increasing access versus increased use by new beneficiaries, the government is missing out on key benefits of such a programme.
• The data shows that although 7.75 crore new connections have been given to first-time users at subsidised rates, the actual uptake of LPG hasn’t risen concomitantly. This means that people are accepting new LPG connections, but not using, or not refilling.
• While the first cylinder is free, subsequent cylinders need to be paid for, which BPL users are likely to find challenging, especially if the alternative remains free biomass like wood or cow dung.
• Unless a direct benefit of using higher-cost fuel is demonstrated—like better health for family—people may switch to a free LPG connection on paper, but will continue to use free or low-cost biomass to burn for heating and cooking purposes when they have to pay out of pocket for a refill.
• If the government had emphasised health benefits of using clean cooking gas while giving out free connections, it would have been easier to drive behavioural change.
• If it had especially focused on improved health of women, the government would have been able to claim the credit for improved health of an entire voting demographic, while ensuring better re-uptake of cylinders.

Conclusion

Ujjwala is an excellent policy for reducing national air pollution levels and bringing down premature deaths. However, it is essential to not just bring the last 5% of the households into the clean cooking and heating fuel net, but also to ensure existing users don’t fall back into biomass use.  Government should focus even more on universal access to cleaner fuels like LPG, while encouraging increased usage by emphasising health benefits, thus making it a signature programme that promotes not only social justice, but also environmental justice.

Reference: Financial Express

23^rd August, 2019

TOPIC- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

1. Write a short note on narco-analysis and polygraph test.

Ans:

Narco-analysis: This test involves the intravenous administration of a drug (such as sodium pentothal, scopolamine and sodium amytal) that causes the subject to enter into various stages of anaesthesia. In the hypnotic stage, the subject becomes less inhibited and is more likely to divulge information, which would usually not be revealed in the conscious state. He or she may also divulge all his/her fantasies, personal wishes, impulses, instinctual drive, illusions, delusions, conflicts, misinterpretations, etc. The main drawback of this technique is that some persons are able to retain their ability to deceive even in the hypnotic state, while others can become extremely suggestible to questioning. This is especially worrying, since investigators may frame questions in a manner that may prompt incriminatory responses. The drugs used do not guarantee that the subject will speak only the truth. The statements made in a hypnotic state are not voluntary and are also not in a clear state of mind; hence these have not been admitted as evidence in the court of law. Narco-analysis “without consent” raises certain issues such as (i) a physical assault on the body by giving injections and also multiple painful stimuli such as slapping, pinching, pushing, hitting, shaking the body and so forth to wake a person from hypnotic state to answer the questions, and (ii) mental assault through the effect of the injection on his/her mind and also an unrestricted access to the utmost privacy, the privacy of his/her own mind. In the era of evidence-based medicine, it does not have any significant role in the treatment of any psychiatric conditions. Though this technique is known since the Second World War, it has not been supported with adequate research to justify its claim.

 

Polygraph: This is also called a lie detector test, but this term is a misnomer. The theory behind polygraph tests is that a guilty subject is more likely to be concerned with lying about the relevant facts about the crime, which in turn produces a hyper-arousal state which is   picked up by a person trained in reading polygraph results. Measurement of hyper-arousal state is based on a number of parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin conductance and electromyography. The principle behind these tests is questionable because the measured changes in arousal state are not necessarily triggered by lying or deception. Instead, these could be triggered by nervousness, anxiety, fear, confusion, hypoglycaemia, psychosis, depression, substance induced (nicotine, stimulants), substance withdrawal state (alcohol withdrawal) or other such emotions. This state has also been attributed to the way the questions are asked by the investigating officers. At the same time, it is not difficult to beat polygraph tests by a trained person, who is able to control or suppress his/her arousal symptoms through relaxation exercises, Yoga, meditation, etc. Hence, the reliability of the polygraph test has been repeatedly questioned in empirical studies.

Reference: Indian Express

 

TOPIC- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

2. The government must direct efforts towards bringing more people into the formal job sector where they can get benefits of social security, health benefits, among others. Highlight the importance of flexi jobs in doing the same.

Ans:

Introduction

Jobs is the most critical concern in India, and more so in the formal sector. The country is in dire of policies that will help create a healthy economy that can bring formal jobs. The labour reforms are clearly ‘in crying need of change’. India has the advantage of the right working-age population and also the numbers, but has the worst ratio of employable people available.

Importance of flexi jobs

• these remove the burden of the unorganised sector and bring a larger workforce in formal employment
• From the perspective of organised temporary staffing, the staffing industry acts as a force multiplier for ‘formal jobs for all’.
• It provides a platform for recognised employment, work choice, even compensation, annual benefits and health benefits for the temporary workforce
• A regulated contract staffing industry can be the employment mobiliser that can help in upskilling the freshers and also the dropouts to become employable and industry-ready.

Conclusion

Formal jobs’ is the aspiration to the much-needed productivity the country needs, to boost the economy. An inclusive      roadmap for creating quality jobs across sectors and improving job opportunities through potential job creators can be addressed by bringing enablers through secure employment avenues.

Reference: Financial Express

 

24^th August, 2019

TOPIC- India and its bilateral relations

1. India and France recognise the urgency of constructing coalitions that can provide a measure of stability in an increasingly unstable world. In this context, highlight the areas of cooperation between India and France.

Ans:

Introduction

India and France have excellent bilateral ties, which are reinforced by a shared vision to cooperate for further enhancing peace and prosperity for the two countries and the world at large. The strong strategic and economic partnership is complemented by a shared perspective on major global concerns such as terrorism, climate change, etc. It was the first P-5 country to support India’s claim for a permanent seat in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. France supports India’s membership of Multilateral Export Control regimes- NSG and MTCR. Its support was vital in India’s admission to MTCR in 2016.

Areas of cooperation between India and France

• Enhancing bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors-
• France has always been an important partner in the development of advanced technologies.
• This is set to advance further with the consolidation of civil nuclear cooperation and enhancing space cooperation.
• The summit this week saw the placing of artificial intelligence and the unfolding digital revolution at the top of the bilateral agenda.

Defence–

• The new commitment to go beyond the buyer-seller relationship in the field of weapons procurement.
• Synergies between India’s large defence market and the French strengths in armament production
• The signing of Agreement regarding the Provision of Reciprocal Logistics Support
• Political cooperation began with French support for India in limiting international sanctions on Delhi after its 1998 nuclear tests. Today, France has emerged as India’s most reliable partner on issues relating to terrorism and Kashmir.

Regional Cooperation-

• To intensify maritime and naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean and more broadly the Indo-Pacific.
• There is a sweeping and ambitious ocean agenda awaiting the two countries — from maritime governance to oceanographic research and from interoperability between their armed forces to capacity building in the littoral.

Bilateral trade and Economic relations-

• The India-France Administrative Economic and Trade Committee (AETC) provides an appropriate framework to assess and find ways to further promote bilateral trade and investment as well as to speed up the resolution of market access issues to the benefit of economic operators

Global agendas–

• Climate change, biodiversity, renewable energy, terrorism, cybersecurity and digital technology, etc:
• There have been joint efforts to limit climate change and develop the Solar Alliance
• Both countries have agreed on a road map on cybersecurity and digital technology.

Conclusion

France, which had sought strategic autonomy within the framework of its alliance with the US, and India, which has valued independent foreign policy, are natural partners in building the new coalitions for an uncertain era.

France also opens the pathway for deeper engagement with Europe on global issues, especially after uncertainty in the region due to BREXIT.

The new partnerships with France, Germany and other like-minded countries like Japan would hopefully turn out to be far more consequential for India’s influence on the global stage.

Reference: Indian Express

 

TOPIC- Indian Agriculture

1. The proliferation of technologies and digital applications will address many of the agriculture-related issues and give a multi-dimensional push to agriculture. Discuss.

Introduction

Agriculture sector plays a crucial role in India’s economic development. Considering that India has 60.45% of its land area as agricultural land and leads in the world in terms of area under cultivation (1.8 million km2 area) is a testimony to this fact. However, steadily increasing population is posing a threat to food security, and requires streamlining of the entire agri-value chain to match the food availability needs of this rapidly growing population.

What needs to be done?

• The proliferation of technologies and digital applications will address many of the agriculture related issues stated above and give a multi-dimensional push to agriculture.
• From the supply side, the range of technologies from automated farm equipment to a wide array of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that measure soil moisture and drones that keep track of crops have changed the agriculture landscape in the last few years.
• From the demand side, the potential exists for the farmers to develop micro processing centres (MPCs) closer to their farms.

The Way Forward

A significant share of our agricultural growth is possible through application of new technologies. Adoption of new technologies is certainly changing the entire agricultural model, and going forward will ensure growth without compromising the man-machine linkages. However, such innovation-led growth will need to ensure that all stakeholders in the agricultural chain contribute and benefit, starting with the farmer. Therefore, using this agri-model optimally will be a key driver for improving competitiveness in the sector.

Reference: Financial Express