MONTHLY NEWS DIARY - Sosin Classes...2020/03/04 · +91-99899 66744 / 90000 66690 H.NO. 1-10-196...

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MONTHLY NEWS DIARY

(MnD)

(FOR UPSC – PRELIMS & MAINS) MARCH-2020

Dear Student,

Warm Greetings.

➢ MnD aims to provide news analysis of monthly events in sync with the

UPSC pattern.

➢ It is targeted at UPSC – Prelims & Mains

➢ The articles are provided in the form of Question and Answers

• To have a bank of mains questions.

• Providing precise information that can he carries straight to the

exam, rather than over dumping.

Enjoy reading.

THE HINDU - TH

INDIAN EXPRESS - IE

BUSINESS LINE - BL

ECONOMIC TIMES - ET TIMES OF INDIA - TOI

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INDEX

ESSAY PAPER

EDITORIAL

1. US – Taliban Peace Deal.……………………………………………………………………….……….……..…..………05

2. Bailout proposal for Yes Bank.………………………………………………………………..……….…….………….05

3. Indo-US Nuclear deal ……………………………………………………………………………………….…………….…06

4. Domestic Violence & Childhood Trauma…………………………………………………………….……….….…07

5. Trumps Unilateralism………………………………………………………………………………….……………...….…07

6. China’s high-tech battle against COVID-19….…………………………………………………………….……...08

7. US-Taliban Agreement..……………..……………….…………………………………………………....……….……..09

8. Trends in Sex selective abortion & Infanticide.……………..………………….……………………….…..….10

9. Oils rout….……………….……………………………………………………………………………………….…….....…....11

10. HRD Parliamentary Committee’s report on Education Sector ...……….………….…..….…….…..…12

11. Economic uncertainty ……………………………………………………………………………….….…………...….….12

12. Motor Vehicles Act …………………………………………………………………………………….…….……….....….13

13. Consequences faced by India due to COVID-19....………………………………..…………..…………...….13

14. USA's Indo-Pacific Strategy..………………………….…………………………………..…………………..……..….14

15. Regularize the stay of Sri Lankan Refugees …..……..………………………………………….........…….….14

16. In the face of SARS-CoV-2 …………………………………………………………………………..….…………..…....15

17. A Case for more Policewomen …………………………………………………………………..………..……………15

18. Nomination of ex-CJI to RS……………………………………………………………..……….…….……………....…16

19. Challenges being faced by the state universities……………..……………………………………………..….17

20. SC's recent verdict on Nirbhaya's Case...................................................................................17

21. Schemes to boost domestic manufacturing of electronic goods………………..…………….…………18

22. Perils of an all-out lockdown…..……………………………………………………………….………………..…..….19

23. Concept of Nation and Nation State………………………..………………………………………..………….…..19

24. Measures taken by the Government of India in view of the COVID-19 outbreak……………….20

25. Keqiang Index ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21

26. Up-scaling food rationing .......................................................................................................21

27. Relaxation of FRBM Rules in Kerala………………………………………………………………………..………….22

28. Apathy to Action………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....…23

GS 1 Snippets

➢ Indian History and Culture

1. Sites and monuments under States ASI list………………………………………………….…………….…..….24

2. ‘Sanskrit speaking’ villages………………………………………………………………………….………....………...24

3. “Ganpatrao Mhatre’s” art…………………………………………………………………………….…………...………24

4. “World’s Oldest Pyramid”………………………………………………………………………….….………..………...24

5. Final Dossier………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….….25

➢ Geography

6. Rain over West & Northern India……………………………………………………………………..…..…………...25

7. La-Nina, 2020………………………………………………………………………………………….………….…..………….25


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GS2 ➢ Governance

1. Recent Reforms taken by the Ministry of Rural Development…………………………..…………25

2. COVID-19 .………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….25

3. To reduce risk of increasing SARS-CoV-2 into India………………………………………….….……...26

4. Government to make Social Media more accountable……………………………………..….……..26

5. ‘NCLAT Bench’s’ roles in Chennai…………………………………………………..……….…………...……..26

6. ‘Economic Task Force’ ……………………………………………………………………………………..….…..…26

➢ Constitution

7. Role of Standing Panels in Parliament…………………………..…………..…….……….…….….……….27

➢ Polity

8. ‘The Freedom in the World 2020 Report’..………………………………………………….………....…..28

9. Parliamentary Panels take on Government Vacancies………………………..…………….…….…..28

10. Election Commission………………………….............................................................................28

11. Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2019 ……………………………………………………………….….…...29

12. Appropriation Bill………………………………………………………………………………….……………………..29

13. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020...........................................30

14. New Definition to MSME’s……………………………………………………………………..…………..……….30

15. ‘Institution of National Importance’ Tag……………………….................................................30

➢ Bio Diversity

16. Wildlife Trade Report Analysis…………………………………………………….……….…………….…..…..30

➢ Regional

17. Telangana pegs 2020-21 tax free budget…………………………………………………………..……..….31

➢ Social Justice

18. QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking…………………………………….….…..…..31

19. Initiatives by the Food Processing Ministry under SAMPADA Yojana…………………………...31

20. Association for Democratic Reforms………………………………………………………..…...…..…..……32

21. PM Ujjwala Yojana............................................................................................................32

22. World Happiness Report…………………………………………………………………………………..…….……32

➢ International Relations

23. India joining ‘Indian Ocean Commission’ as Observer..………………………………….….….…..…32

24. Free trade agreement………………………………………………………………………………...……............33

Snippets

➢ Governance

1. CAA clashes. ………………………………………………………………………………………….….......................34

2. New self-declaration forms for parties …………………………………………………..………............…..34

➢ Polity

3. State funding of polls..…………………………………………………………………………….…...…...…………..34

4. UN rights body to be Amicus Curiae………………………………………………………..……………………..34

5. Bills passed amid protest by opposition ………………………………………....................................34

6. Controversies raised about NPR ..……………………………………………………………..…………......……34

7. Insolvency and Bank ruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Mineral

Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 …………………………………………………………………………………….…..35

8. 'VIVAD SE VISHWAS' BILL …………………………………………………………………………….…...……........35


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9. Population curbs and devanagari for official

languages.………..…………………….……..…..........35

10. Emergency SAARC Fund ……………….………………………………………………………….……………...……35

➢ Social Justice

11. World Bank Water Scheme. …………………………………………………………………………………….…....35

12. Dearness allowance……………………………………………………………………………….……………….………35

➢ International Relations

13. WTO Focus on Trade Benefit …………………………………………………………………………………..……..36

➢ Technology

14. 1st manned flight ………….……………………………………………………………………….………….…..……...36

➢ Security

15. Defense Ministry’s new deals …………………………………………………………………………………..…….36

GS 3 ➢ Environment

1. Water crisis in Himalayan Region..………………………………………………………………….……………...36 2. CMS List.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….……37 3. Black Carbon and its effects on India….………………………………………………………………....…..…..37 4. Great Barrier Reef's Heat Stress..……………………………………………………………………….…......…..38 5. Green energy on the raise ……………………………………………………………..………………….….….…...38 6. Environment Impact Assessment Act ……………………………………………………………….……....…..39

➢ Economic Development

7. New Income Tax slabs. ……………………………………………………………………….…………….…...……...39 8. OECD states ‘Global Economy at its worst’.……………….………………………………..……..….……….39 9. Shield banking system from Covid-19 risks. …………………………………………….…….…..…..………40

10. Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS)……………………………………………………….….………..40 11. Global Trade Impacts of COVID-19. ……………………………………………….…………………..….……....40 12. Cabinet’s measures towards economy. ………………………………………………………………..………..41 13. Yes Bank under Moratorium. …………………………………………………………………...……….…....…….41 14. ADB’s GDP estimates…..…………………………………………………………………………………………..……..41 15. Capital to Risk (Weighted) Asset Ratio (CRAR). ……………………………………………....………........42 16. Shared Economy ……………….…………………………………………………………………………….….……..…..42 17. Thermal Coal Imports…………………………………………….…………………………………………….……..….42 18. Reconstruction scheme for YES bank.………………………………………………………………............... 43 19. Fall in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).………………………………………..………….…………..................43

➢ Technology 20. CSIR–IICT’s safe process of making API’s…………………………………………………………….……….….44

➢ Security 21. Global arms sales………………………………………………………………………………………..……….……..….44

➢ Disaster Management. 22. NDRF’s contingency plans in place……………………………………………………………………..…...…...45

Snippets ➢ Economic Development

1. Auto Sales .……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….…..….45

2. Manufacturing Sector. ……………………………………………………………………………………….….……..…45

3. Unemployment Rate. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…...45

4. FDI dip ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………..…...…45

5. Tourism. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...45

6. SC scraps RBI circular Allows Crypto Trading. ……………………………………………….………………...45


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7. SBI’s Initial Public Offering (IPO). ……………………………………………………………………….....…….46

8. EPFO’s (Employees Provident Fund Organisation ………………………………………..……….……..46 9. Saudi Slashes Oil Prices ……………………………………………………………………………………..…………46

10. IMPS (Inward Immediate Payment Service) & NEFT National Electronic Funds Transfer …………………………………………………..…….….…………..….……….……..46

11. USFD……………………………………………………………………………………...…..…………..…………….……..46 12. Retail Sales Of Automobiles …………………………………………………….…………………….……………..46 13. Rise Of Exports ………………………………………………………………………….………….……..….……........46

14. FPI sell shares at a record high …………..…………………………………….………..……..…..…………….46 15. RBI's OPO.…..……………………….…………………………………………………….……………….………………..47 16. G7 meeting……………………….………………………………….……………………………………….…………..…47 17. Crisil's GDP Forecast..........................................................................................................47

➢ Technology

18. New drug NLX-112…………………………………………………………………………………….…………..…..…47

19. Psyche Mission. …………………………………………………………………………………………….……….…....47

20. Telco package …………………………………………………………………………….………………….……….…...47

➢ Environment

21. SIF ISLAND. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..47 22. EU’s Green Deal. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…..……..47 23. Avian flu in kerala ………………………………………………………….………………………………….…..……..48 24. Bannerghatta national park…………………………………………………………………….……….….………..48

➢ Bio Diversity

25. White throated laughing thrush birds.…………………………………………………….…………….….…..48 26. Albino Orangutan .………………………………………………………………….…………….…………………48 27. The Araucaria..……………………………………………………………………………..…………….……………......48 28. Bovine TB.……………………………………………………………………………………..…………….………………..48

29. Malabar Large Spotted Civet.……………………………………………………..………….……..………..48

30. Sea Otters…………………………..………………………………………………………..………….………….….49

31. Palm Oil Yields in A.P…………………………………………………………………..……….……………..49

➢ Security

32. Tejas - Light Combat Supersonic Aircraft (LCA)………………………………..………………………49 ➢ Sports

33. UEFA Postponed………………………………………………………………………………….…….….……..…..49 34. Olympics Games rescheduled..……………………………………………………..……………………………….49


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ESSAY PAPER

Editorial

1. Critically analyze US – Taliban Peace Deal?

INTRO = Post 9/11, USA enter Afghanistan to eliminate Al-Qaeda and decimate Taliban. While

in contrast, Taliban’s growing influence has extended to controlling almost 50% of Afghan

territory, works against democratically elected afghan government, Advocates imposition of

strict Sharia Law and maintains close relationship with Pakistan.

With this information, lets now aim at understanding the US – Taliban Peace deal –

US Taliban

• To reduce troops from 13000 to 8,600

• Not to use or allow usage of Afghan territory to plan plots against US or its allies

• Complete withdrawal of all foreign troops within 14 months

• Agree to permanent & Comprehensive ceasefire. Along with accent to participate in Intra-Afghan Peace talks

• Release 5000 Taliban fighters • Release 1000 Afghans

While, the concerns remaining with the trade deal being –

1) Strained Intra Afghan relations would make talks difficult

2) Concerns about India’s Investment (Strategic, Infrastructure, Military) in Afghanistan for its

development.

3) Greater tensions along Indo-Pak border with Taliban ruling over Afghan-Pak border.

4) Weak Afghan Government & Weak Afghan National Army (Ashraf Ghani Abdullah Abdullah).

5) Withdrawal of foreign troops would make International community less interested in Afghan.

Internal security and peace.

6) Would give leeway to greater strategic depth for Pakistan in Afghanistan.

2. Explain all about the bailout proposal for Yes Bank, its effects and several questions rose that

need addressing?

INTRO = The Reserve Bank of India announced a draft ‘Scheme of Reconstruction’ (Bailout

Proposal) that entails the State Bank of India (SBI) investing capital to acquire a 49% stake in

the restructured private lender.

And Given that Yes Bank’s stock tumbled 56% on the BSE on Friday, along with –

• Moratorium impact

1. On the domestic front, investor sentiment was hit after the country’s fourth largest private sector lender Yes Bank was placed under moratorium and sensex plunges 2.3%.

2. Shares of Yes Bank lost nearly 85%, before settling the day and plummeting to Rupee 16.02.

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MONTHLY NEWS DIARY MARCH-2020


3. RBI has superseded the board and appointed the chief financial officer and deputy managing

director of State Bank of India Prashant Kumar as an administrator of Yes Bank, to maintain

stability of financial and banking sector.

4. The Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI), the umbrella body of stock

brokers, wants the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to consider exempting at least the outstanding

capital market transactions wherein a Yes Bank account is involved, so that investors do not

default on existing payment obligations even as money is lying in their account due to the

moratorium.

5. The sudden moratorium has also put in peril many fund houses that have exposure towards the

troubled lender by way of debt instruments like bonds or non convertible debentures.

Ex - Nippon India Mutual Fund, Baroda Mutual Fund, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund and etc.

6. ICRA and Moody’s downgrade Yes Bank Tier I and Tier II bonds as it failed to honor bond

payments, limits lending and deposit mobilization.

▪ Questions Raised

1. The fact that the lender ended up at the resolution stage, without ever being placed under the

central bank’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework?

Explanation = some have pointed to the fact that the lender’s stated operational metrics had

not breached the pre-set thresholds for triggering the PCA action, but this could still be a good

opportunity for the RBI to review its PCA guideposts and revise them to ensure that such a

slipping under the radar does not recur.

2. The choice of SBI as the investor?

Explanation = reflects the paucity of options the government has. With several other public

sector banks currently engaged in merging with weaker peers as part of the Centre’s plan, it has

fallen on the country’s largest bank to play the role of a white knight to a private rival. While

Yes Bank’s depositors are sure to heave a huge sigh of relief, India’s banking sector is still far

from out of the woods. Clearly, the RBI and Centre have their task cut out in ensuring that the

need for such bailouts is obviated.

3. Indo-US Nuclear deal considered a zombie deal fraught with serious concerns. Discuss? INTRO = Given the dismal history of India’s nuclear establishment and a small fraction of 3% electricity generated by nuclear power remaining stagnant for years, the recent joint statement issued by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump encouraged the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and Westinghouse Electric Company to finalize the techno-commercial offer for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India at the earliest date. With expected benefits for India being given a push in the Atomic energy sector that is struggling to regain its relevance with the rapid growth of renewable. US and Mr. Trump have reasons to press for the sale too, centrally involving the revival of U.S. manufacturing. Red flags in the deal are –

1. Electricity from American reactors would be more expensive than competing sources of energy, with the 6 reactors being offered costing almost Rupees 6 Lakh Crore.

If India purchases these reactors, the economic burden will fall upon consumers and taxpayers. The first year tariff for electricity would be about ₹25 per unit.

On the other hand, recent solar energy bids in India are around ₹3 per unit. Lazard, the Wall Street firm, estimates that wind and solar energy costs have declined by around 70% to 90% in just the last 10 years and may decline further in the future.

3. Moreover, nuclear reactors can undergo serious accidents, as shown by the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Westinghouse has insisted on a prior assurance that India would not hold it

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responsible for the consequences of a nuclear disaster, which is effectively an admission that it is unable to guarantee the safety of its reactors.

4. Nuclear power can also impose long-term costs. Large areas continue to be contaminated with radioactive materials from the 1986 Chernobyl accident and thousands of square kilometers remain closed off for human inhabitation, with also the cost of clean up being in variously high and not a 100% effective.

Understanding these and also the existing problems with currently imported and mostly shut down nuclear reactor plants, such as Kudankulam 1,2 & Tarapur 1, 2. The Prime Minister should take a cue from his own State (where an earlier plan to install AP1000s in MithiVirdi, Gujarat was cancelled because of strong local opposition) and make a similar announcement for the rest of the country.

4. Lacunae’s in Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and Policies on domestic violence that ignore the

effect of trauma on children. Discuss? INTRO = According to WHO (World Health Organization), one in every three women face domestic violence. In the case of which each successive government has tried to put in place legal and judicial recourses for these women, but has left children unprotected and exposed. Witnessing such widespread violence at home affects children seriously-

1. First, there are recorded physiological effects of trauma on the brain. CT scans show that children who have been exposed to trauma develop smaller corpus callosum and smaller hippocampus regions, which means that their learning, cognitive abilities and emotional regulation are affected.

2. Second, inter-generational transmission of violence is a disturbing consequence of violence in families. Which according to studies occur at 40%.

Thus the existing Lacunae’s in the system, with needed steps to be taken are – The current policies have ignored the effect of trauma on children, which led to a habitual suppression of childhood fear and deep insecurity to cope with the trauma.

India’s domestic policies include numerous reactive policies every time a new case of violence comes to the fore, such as –

Announcing certain offences against women as criminal offences- ▪ setting up all women police stations

▪ Capital punishment for fatal rape cases, all focusing on Women (Mother) safety alone. 3. The Mental Healthcare Act 2017, needs to do more in terms of –

▪ linking the provision of professional mental health care services to families recovering from domestic violence.

▪ needs more mental health practitioners.

▪ needs accredited system to train and track the quality of mental health trauma care providers.

▪ connecting such networks to peer supportive groups to help the families heal. According to Dr. John Bowlby, a renowned psychiatrist known for his pioneering work in developing attachment theory, the “internal working model” of a child is developed based on familial patterns of showing love and resolving conflicts, based on the behavior of his/her caregivers for the first 2 years of his life. Thus it is crucial as of, what we teach our children about the ways of maintaining healthy relationships between partners and family. Falling from eight year high of 55.3 to 54.5 in February. In the PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) Parlance a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.

5. How is Trumps Unilateralism making India wary and prepared for more arbitrary duties? INTRO = Mr. Trump has gone about gutting the international trading order with his beggar-thy-neighbor mercantilism and flagrant disregard for multilateral trade law. Given India’s post-1990 globalising reforms, the government will find it hard to escape unscathed. While the

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government has already, fleetingly, been burnt by Mr. Trump’s slash-and-burn unilateralism through –

1. In March 2018, ‘national security’ tariffs of 25% and 10% were imposed on $1.01 billion worth of Indian steel and aluminum exports, respectively. This use of Section 232(b)-based ‘national security’ authority was clearly at odds with WTO/GATT law, which requires that such action be “taken in time of war or other emergency in international relations” and should touch upon the member state’s “essential security interests.

2. The tariffs were followed by New Delhi’s eviction from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme in June 2019 — in turn, affecting an additional $5.7 billion of exports.

3. In December 2019, Mr. Trump took his wrecking ball to Geneva, incapacitating the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) dispute settlement function. This as a result has kicked India’s challenge against the U.S.’s imposition of countervailing duties against Indian steel exports into the long grass.

4. The U.S. Commerce Department recently publishing a new — and wildly WTO non-complaint — regulation that treats an undervalued currency as a countervailable subsidy, more such arbitrarily arrogated duties on Indian primary goods exports can be expected.

5. On February 10th, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) was stripping India of its ‘developing country’ classification for ‘special and differentiated treatment’ purposes.

6. And finally to add fuel to the fire, A U.S.-European Union-Japan led effort is currently under way to introduce stark new industrial subsidies and technology transfer disciplines that will inevitably crimp India’s development policy space — even as the trio luxuriate in multi-billion-dollar trade distorting agricultural subsidies. As noted above, It matters not to Washington that these unilateral 301 duties violate the very first two articles of WTO/GATT law. Thus, the government must brace for its consequences and craft next moves wisely. In addition to winnowing the bilateral trade deficit, Commerce Ministry mandarins would be well-advised to thumb through the intellectual property, technology transfer, financial services and agricultural biotechnology product approvals-related chapters of the U.S.-China Phase One agreement.

6. China’s high-tech battle against COVID-19. Discuss? INTRO = “I think the key learning from China is speed. The faster you can find the cases, isolate the cases, and track their close contacts, the more successful you’re going to be.” China thus from March 4 since when the outbreak has began, has taken key steps such as, Effectively quarantining close to 60 million people which slowed down the spread outside of Hubei, Ensured free treatment, testing and as well provided prescriptions to patients for 3 months rather than 1 month to ensure supply of medicines. Along with the above, the High-tech Apps for tracking and testing are –

1. New COVID-19 app that tells people whether they have been in close contact with anyone confirmed infected, based on flight and train records and also by checking their national identification numbers.

2. An app called Pingan Good Doctor, which has 300 million users and connects patients at home with doctors and pharmacies, has noted a surge in the number of users this past month.

3. Alibaba’s Alipay app has rolled out a health QR code system, assigning colour codes to citizens marking their risk level, drawing on their travel history and contacts. A green code means you can travel freely, yellow requires seven days of quarantine, while red requires a 14-day quarantine.

4. From the billions of dollars invested in AI, Beijing-based Face++ has come up with a sophisticated temperature screening tool that can work in crowded places and screen thousands of people. Two other prominent AI players, Baidu and Sense Time, are helping police identify people who aren’t wearing masks in public places and offices.



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5. In North western Yinchuan, authorities have deployed drones armed with loudspeakers emending residents to keep a distance from each other and to wear masks — and to spray sanitizers.

6. In Sichuan province, doctors are using a new 5G telecom network to help remote hospitals, assess CT scan to detect COVID-19 cases. Technology is also, in less direct ways, helping a hunkered down population cope with the many stresses of living amid an outbreak –

While schools remain closed, classes haven’t stopped, with millions of students receiving lessons every day through live-streaming apps.

Food delivery apps & delivery workers who are the unsung heroes of China’s COVID-19 crisis.

1. Are delivering essentials on a daily basis, and deployed autonomous vehicles for “contactless” deliveries to hospitals and high-risk areas.

2. Virtual classes are booming, whether for fitness, cooking or music. 3. While the outbreak has crippled much of China’s economy, some businesses have thrived

with Technology aiding the state’s fight against the virus with a ray of hope.

7. Concerns over US-Taliban agreement and its effects on India? INTRO = The US-Taliban agreement signed on February 29th in Doha aimed to end the 18 year war in Afghanistan has been hotly debated and criticized based upon the ulterior motives on either ends of the deal, where Trump’s main goal was to demonstrate to his domestic constituency that he was serious about brining American troops back home. Thus giving a boost to the odd chances of him getting re-elected in the near next presidential election. While Taliban also achieved its primary goal of removing foreign troops and along with this withdrawal has expanded its control to almost half of the country’s territory at the expense of the governments poorly trained forces. The associated route map of the withdrawal is- Divided into 3 categories – 1. the pullout of U.S. troops, 2. the denial of space to foreign terrorist groups and any violence against the U.S. and allies, 3. And intra-Afghan dialogue.

With the concerns being – ➢ The deal is “entirely one-sided”. “Taliban cannot deliver on the assurances it has given, and

yet the U.S. has handed over Afghanistan to them. There is no reference to the Constitution, rule of law, democracy and elections.

➢ The actual terms of the ‘peace deal’ are yet to be negotiated between the Taliban and the Afghan side, facilitated by the U.S. So, much of the heavy lifting remains.

➢ Impact of the Prisoners release – 1. “Mainstreaming of the Haqqani network” 2. The U.S. commitment to taking Taliban leaders off the UN Security Council’s sanctions list by

May 29, 2020, which could considerably bring down the number of terrorists Pakistan is accused of harboring, according to the FATF grey list conditions. This might benefit Pakistan during the June 2020 FATF Plenary, when it faces a blacklist for not complying.

• US Sidelining the Intra-Afghan Dialogue - 1. U.S. has committed to clearing five bases and bringing troop levels down to 8,600 in four-

and-a-half months, and even appears to submit to the possibility of a Taliban-led government, by extracting promises that the Taliban will not provide “visas, passports, travel documents or asylum” to those threatening the U.S. and its allies. This appears to sideline the “Intra-Afghan” dialogue, and India’s support for the election process for leadership in Afghanistan.

➢ Possibility leading to further Intra-Afghan Fighting 1. Major reason for this is the inability of both the Kabul government and the Taliban to speak

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2. Ethnic fissures within Kabul government may descend into open conflict. ➢ People left at the mercy of Violent, Tribal Islamists

1. US priority to the Taliban, deliberately excluding the Afghan government remains a fundamental issue and calls into question the legitimacy of the government it backs. And has practically abandoned the Kabul government and millions of Afghans who do not support the Taliban’s violent, tribal Islamism, to the mercy of insurgents

2. The Taliban was not stressed enough to declare a ceasefire, and settled for a 7 day “reduction of violence” period before signing the deal. And with the many semi auto nomous tribal groups in Taliban, there is always a risk of them may not being amenable to following the directions of its top leadership and resorting to assaults and violence in the near future.

3. Taliban, whose rule is known for strict religious laws, banishing women from public life, shutting down schools and unleashing systemic discrimination on religious and ethnic minorities, has not made any promises on whether it would respect civil liberties or accept the Afghan Constitution. Effects on India – ➢ One, we have invested considerable resources in the country’s development. ➢ Two, India has a major stake in the continuation in power of the present dispensation,

which it considers a strategic asset vis-à-vis Pakistan. ➢ The term “US and Allies” in deal, is unclear whether India is included in this scope of

protection or not and also India has recognized Ashraf Ghani’s Government as a winner in the 2019 election and etc.

Thus, “The bottom line is that India cannot look at the agreements or the route to Kabul via Washington’s view” and also ensure India must not be cut out of the region’s (Afghanistan’s) security architecture.

8. What are the trends in Sex selective abortions & Infanticide, along with the initiatives taken by

government to contain them?

INTRO = Data on sex ratio at birth (SRB) culled from the Civil Registration system; show an

alarming fall over the years. From 903 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2007, it dropped to 877 in

2016.

Years after it was believed that awareness generation and targeted behavior change

communication had led to people giving up the inhuman practice of feeding female infants with

the toxic milk of a local herb, the news that a couple had reportedly used the same method, is

wringing Child Rights Activists in frustration. Four States have an SRB equal to or below 840:

Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan (806), Bihar (837), Uttarakhand (825) and Tamil Nadu (840).

Activists point out that while infanticide may have come down, sex selective abortion at scan

centres continues as the preferred vehicle for parents (and grandparents) obsessed with son

preference.

These happen despite the efforts of Government by introducing –

1) Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, enacted to arm the state to wage

a war against this pernicious practice.

2) The Centre’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign aimed at saving girl children has a huge

unfinished task in front of it.

3) Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, effectively employed the Cradle Baby Scheme to counter

infanticide, along with effective awareness campaigns. The cradles are still there, and the

babies are coming too, but the SRB has been steadily dropping since 2011And numerous

more-



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Thus, this is proof enough for government to ramp up –

1) awareness building exercises

2) use of technology to monitor every single pregnant woman right down to taluk levels

until at least one year after birth

3) Provide better Pre & Post natal check up incentives

4) Strict implementation of policies, with vigilant monitoring over sex selective abortions in

Private nursing hospitals and government hospitals. And identified cases to be punished

accordingly.

While punitive aspects might offer a measure of deterrence, true change can only be brought

about by a change in attitude. Thus, the weapon that the government needs to use now is

one that will be powerful enough to eliminate the perversion of son preference from

people’s minds.

9. Oils rout? INTRO = The fall in prices may bring cheer, but India will have to deal with a global slowdown..! In the global markets Saudi Arabia is ready to cut the prices of oil and declared its intention to increase output. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest exporter in oil, and it is the 2nd largest in the world for its oil reserves ,and it produces 5 types of crude oil , namely :- 1. Arabian heavy

2. Arabian medium

3. Arabian light

4. Arabian extra light

5. Arabian super light The Saudi reaction followed the organisation of OPEC cartel and Russia, the largest NON-OPEC producer, falling to reach an agreement to deepen existing production cuts to cope with the falling demand . Oil prices crashed overnight by almost a third to 31$ a barrel. This is a situation of the demand and supply. The COVID-19 cases had already depressed oil prices in the last couple of weeks . China being a major importer, has cut its imports by a third from Saudi Arabia. The fall in prices is good news for major consumers like India and China which depend on

imports for a major part of their oil needs; it may be bad for those big oil companies and the

smaller shale oil players who are highly leveraged.

For India though, sharp dip in oil prices is good news, for now. This will reduce the oil import bill at a time when merchandise exports are likely to suffer due to the freeze in the developed economies. But the oil price fall may be bad for the centres disinvestment programme as the scale of BPCL could run into headwinds. BPCL disinvestment scheme :- Moody's said the proposed stake sale in BPCL would remove the company's links and prompt bond redemption, a credit negative. On 30 September, the group of secretaries on disinvestment gave its approval for to sell government's entire 53.29 per cent stake in BPCL, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the country's biggest oil firm, will decide on bidding to buy Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) after the government lists out. The government will sell its 53.29% stake in BPCL after taking out Numaligarh refinery from its portfolio; these companies will be shortlisted by officials. The government proposes to raise Rs 1.05 Lakh crore from disinvestment. Saudi Aramco interested in buying government's stake in BPCL.

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It aims to garner 1.05 Lakh crore in divestment proceeds which includes privatisation of BPCL,

Container Corp of India and Shipping Corp of India.

10. Analyse our Education Sector and the HRD Parliamentary Committee’s report on it? INTRO = As taken note of by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development in its latest report on budgetary grants for school education and literacy for 2020-21, the absence of playgrounds and electricity in govt. schools speaks poorly of policy priorities. As a founder-leader of the International Solar Alliance, India has not yet electrified a significant number of government schools, only 56.45% of government schools had electricity and 56.98% a playground. Other depressing insights from the district information database as of end-2019 are: 1) Neglect of toilet construction for children with special needs. 2) Failure to build toilets for girls in a third of secondary schools. 3) Lack of laboratories for higher secondary science students. 4) 40% of these government schools lacked even the minimum boundary wall 5) The allocation to the School Education and Literacy department has suffered a cut of 27.52%, amounting to ₹22,725 crore in the Budget Estimate for 2020-21. 6) The tardy progress on such important facilities, in spite of the projects having been

sanctioned, shows the low priority that school education is being accorded.

Despite the Centre’s Schemes and programs covering the states such as – Samagra Shiksha, Mid Day Meal Scheme and 100 day programme, focused on training of schoolteachers and opening of central schools. Should now also adapt to infrastructure Development, ensuring that no school is left behind. Through - 1. Solar power to be installed in schools and toilets built for all students in 100 days. 2. Community participation to make sure that the objectives are satisfactorily met. 3. Problem of attached playgrounds, can also be overcome by identifying suitable commons

that can be upgraded to accommodate students, while permanent arrangements are made.

4. The government-run school sector needs a fund infusion. A public school system that

guarantees universal access, good learning and all facilities has to be among the highest

national priorities.

11. Economic uncertainty becoming a threat to world? What is it’s impact on India?

INTRO = Economy going in the negative way or which is falling down is economic uncertainty. Uncertainty has a cross cutting impact across all sectors of the economy as it affects households, businesses and financial markets. Major impacts of the economic uncertainty in India and world – 1. COVID -19 2. BANKS 3. WHO 4. DEMAND AND SUPPLY.

1. COVID -19:- Stock markets globally have declined from few days. They are reacting to the expected slowdown in the world economy due to the rapid spread of the SARSCoV2 virus to more than 100 countries. Crude oil prices also began dropping due to fears of global recession and drop in de mand for energy.

2. BANKS:- The Financial sector is not very much attuned to catering to their demand and, hence, they have to depend on the more expensive source of private funds. Also, as the economy declines, the already substantial nonperforming assets (NPAs) of banks and the nonbanking Financial companies (NBFCs) will increase in India. The Re serve Bank of India (RBI) has already reported falling business and consumer confidence and a decline in capacity P

age1

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utilisation in the organised sectors of the economy. These factors are being aggravated by the virus related impact, further denting investment.

3. WHO:-World Health Organization (WHO) says that not enough is known about this virus. Due

to the virus there are many problems going on which will take more time resolve.

4. Demand and supply:- from the past many years Chinese goods are the top rated good which can be bought at a very cheap price and it cannot be compared with any other country. Even if alternative sources of supply are found within India, their prices will be higher, so Inflation will go up. This Inflationary tendency will be countered by the global decline in demand and a fall in commodity prices, similar to what is being witnessed in the case of energy.

12. Explain the measures needed to be taken by government at district level to reduce deadly

road accidents? INTRO= As the Government of India, amended Motor Vehicles Act by imposing stringent penalties for road rule violations, reduction in crashes was reported, notably in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, J &K, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. But it has not reached the targeted reductions. The measures needed to be taken by Government are-

• Implementation of first tier reforms which include quality of infrastructure, facilities for vulnerable users and zero tolerance enforcement of rules by a trained, professional and empowered machinery.

• A mandatory monthly public hearing of District Road Safety Committees involving local communities which can highlight safety concerns which further supervised by the Member of Parliaments Road Safety Committees.

• It is also essential to make collector, local body and police accountable.

• Making dashboard cameras mandatory, with video evidence accepted in investigation, would protect rule-abiding motorists and aid enforcement.

• Providing Quality trauma care at district levels.

• Providing Good hospitals and cashless free treatment.

• All these measures will reduce road accidents and deaths of accident victims.

13. Recent Multi faceted consequences faced by India due to COVID-19? As there are 82 cases of corona virus reported in India with 2 death cases each from Karnataka and Delhi, country wide containment efforts were made, such as - • Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha announced the closure of schools,

colleges, malls and theatres and cancellation of public events till March 31. • Haryana ordered ban on religious gatherings and festivals. • PM Narendra Modi called for video conference of SAARC leaders to discuss a common

strategy to tackle COVID-19. • The BCCI postponed the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) from March 29 to April 15

following the COVID-19 scare. • The remaining two ODI'S between India and South Africa has been cancelled. • IMA Resource person on COVID-19 Dr.K.K.Agarwal, recommended a three feet distance

between people and this is the distance to be maintained for anyone who has cold, cough or sneeze, or some form of visible respiratory distress.

• Director General of ICMR, Balram Bhargava said that India is only the fifth country in the world besides Japan, Thailand, U.S and China to have successfully isolated the COVID-19 virus strain, helping it to take the first step towards expediting the Development of drugs, vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits in the country.

Centre notified an order under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to declare 2 ply and 3 ply

surgical masks, N95 masks and hand sanitizers as essential commodities till June 30,2020. It

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has also issued an advisory under the Legal Metrology Act, so that States can ensure these

items are not sold for more than the MRP.

14. How is USA through its Indo-Pacific Strategy meaning to isolate China. And What should be

India's course of action?

INTRO = Indo Pacific strategy of US Government is largely made up of empty phrases, with no

explanation for any of the terms emphasised repeatedly in it. Such as promoting 'free', 'fair'

and 'reciprocal' trade - needing elaboration. Buried in these documents is a much deeper

agenda of the US Government to use 3 large Asian states - Australia, India and Japan to isolate

China, through-

US government's opinion that it finds China's BRI most objectionable. As,

1. BRI is intended as a mechanism to end China's reliance upon the west and to develop new

markets in other continents.

2. And to use china's massive surpluses to build infrastructure in key parts of Africa, Asia and

Latin America. Even Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the US, has made BRI one of the

cornerstones of its Saudi Vision 2030 Plan

• US bragging about its 2.9$B spent on through Department of State, USAID (United States

Agency for International Development) & 100's of millions of dollars lined up through its US

CC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) in the Indo Pacific Business Forum in July, 2018.

While if you add up all the money that the US wants to spend for economic projects, is still

a fraction of the amount spent by China.

• The U.S. government is making a rhetorical argument that it has more respect for

“transparency, human rights, and democratic values” than China, which “practices

repression at home and abroad”. While it appears as if U.S. investments will come with

military claims alone.

• In May 2018, the U.S. military’s Pacific Command was renamed the Indo-Pacific

Command, a symbolic gesture that provides a military aspect to the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The U.S. government has made it clear that for all its talk of a “free and open Indo-Pacific”,

what it actually wants is an Indo-Pacific with fewer Chinese ships and more U.S. warships.

• Apart from that, the U.S. government has already indicated that it is uninterested in

multilateral deals — it withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017.

This is a very dangerous war that the US seeks to impose on Asia. India would be advised to

study the U.S. project rather than jump into it eagerly. Room for an independent foreign

policy for India is already narrowed, and room for an independent trade policy is equally

suffocated. To remain the subordinate ally of the U.S. suggests that India will miss an

opportunity to be part of a reshaped Asia. As it is hard to imagine the US being transparent

with their trade deals and not to put countries into debt.

15. What are the ways in which Indian Government can regularize the stay of Sri Lankan

Refugees, with yet no legal scope for Dual Citizenship?

INTRO = The constitutional and legal provisions clearly state against no Indian holding the

citizenship of any other country. Even with the OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) Scheme offering

a limited version of Dual Citizenship, defying all logic, then, to seek dual citizenship for those

who are not Indian nationals.

Nevertheless, given the need to treat the refugees in a humane manner and in the absence of

a law on refugees –

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• The Centre should stop seeing Sri Lankan refugees as “illegal migrants”.

• As for those who wish to remain in India for studies or to earn a livelihood, the authorities

should tweak the OCI Cardholder scheme or offer an exclusive long-term visa. Which would

regularize 95,000 odd refugees stay in India.

• For those keen on returning home but are unable to do so for want of support from Sri

Lanka, New Delhi should lean on Colombo to help enable their early return

• Also, the two countries should formulate a scheme of structured assistance to expedite

voluntary repatriation.

• The above steps can lead to a lasting resolution of issues concerning the Sri Lankan

Refugees who have been in India for over 30 years.

16. Health budgetary allocation & an Unpredictable epidemic. Discuss?

INTRO = In the face of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases on the rise, and the number of deaths going

up as well, the question is whether national and state health systems will be able to cope with

ever-rising demands — for testing kits, for hospital beds, ventilators, why, even masks and

hand sanitizers. Thus, It is an incontrovertible truth that material resources are finite and the

fight is now on for the Finite!

For years, India’s health expenditure as a percentage of GDP has been abysmal at about 1%.

While the Per capita public expenditure on health in nominal terms went up from ₹621 in

2009-10 to ₹1,112 in 2015-16. A WHO bulletin of 2018 records that out-of-pocket payments

remain common in India, which in 2014, was estimated at 62% of total health expenditure.

Thus, given the meagre Health Budgetary allocations, India needs to –

• Factor in the substantial skew in different States in terms of public sector health infrastructure

and wherewithal. There is evidence to show that increased public spending on health care has

resulted in less financial hardship for communities and better health outcomes. Prime

Minister Narendra Modi made a promise to increase public health spending to 2.5 % of GDP

by 2025.

To conclude, Epidemics are known to change the course of history; and India must steer this

one to harness finite resources optimally for the benefit of all.

17. Discuss Women Recruitments and their challenges in the Police Forces?

INTRO = In 2019, women comprised less than 10% of police personnel, when the Home

Ministry set 33% as the target for women’s representation in the police. Reservation has been

the primary tool to increase women’s representation. Yet, no government has developed an

action plan with clear timelines to meet the quota within a specified time period. Thus, it is

not surprising that the annual change in the share of women in the police force from 2012 to

2016 was found to be less than 1% across States, according to the India Justice Report, 2019.

Myriad Challenges Include –

Selective Implementation - Very few States apply reservation for women at all the entry

points (constable, sub-inspector, and deputy superintendent of police levels) or to all posts at

each level. Some States (Kerala and Karnataka) have reservation for women only at the

constable rank. Some (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu) extend it to the

constable and sub-inspector ranks.

• Here too there are restrictions: reservation is limited to specific cadre posts within each rank.

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1. Selective implementation not only shrinks the potential pool of women recruits in a given

year but also reduces the proportion of women likely to get promoted to leadership and

supervisory positions.

2. As a consequence, there are not enough women personnel to perform exclusive functions

when gender-based crimes are reported. For instance, in 2013, the Home Ministry said that at

least three women sub-inspectors should be available in a police station as investigating

officers.

3. Frequent inter-district transfers

4. disallowing postings in home districts for specified periods of time

5. coupled with poor childcare support systems and lack of adequate facilities and infrastructure

present distinct difficulties for women

6. Sexual harassment at the workplace that policewomen suffer is not adequately acknowledged

7. There is even less recognition of the impact that the policing sub-culture, its Masculinity and

Coercive force’s effect on the participation of women. Pressing upon ‘A Case for more

Policewomen, than just Policemen alone’.

The underlying assumption that an increase in numbers will automatically make the

organizational culture more egalitarian. This is far from the truth. Women are typecast — for

example, they are asked to deal with crimes against women, while they are kept outside the

mainstream of varied experiences. As a result, in the absence of a framework to guide their

career path. Increasing the number of recruits alone will not be enough; institutional changes

embedded in principles of diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunities are as important.

18. Issues highlighted in nominating the former Chief Justice of India as a member of Rajya

Sabha?

INTRO = The main Issues highlighted are –

1. Competitive Impropriety (leading to failure in observing standards of honesty or modesty)

2. Conflict of Interest (due to scope for Quid pro quo)

3. Affecting Independence of Judiciary, Constitutional provisions in place for it (ex –

Fundamental Rights etc).

The lure of post-retirement postings has plagued India’s constitutional courts for many decades,

irrespective of the government or party in power. The question is not whether a pre-retirement

ruling had led to securing a post-retirement government job, but whether a sitting judge who is

exposed to the lure of potential future career prospects could be publicly perceived as acting fairly

and impartially. Judges are but fallible human beings and personal biases can never be ruled out

in decision-making.

Thus, Keeping the above issues in mind, the Way Forward could be -

• Ban from appointment

Law Commission in its 4th report as early as 1958 noted that retired Supreme Court judges

should be banned from post-retirement government employment.

• Cooling-off period

1. CJI R M Lodha has recommended a cooling-off period before appointment to government

offices after retirement.

2. Cooling-off period can be of six years and no judge should be appointed before completing

this period.

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3. The logic for 6 year cooling off period is that the government’s tenure is of five years and

cannot appoint anyone in its incumbent term.

19. What are the Issues and challenges being faced by the state universities and the way forward

in the need to re-orient them?

Challenges being –

1) Government/political interference in the management of the university, lack of autonomy-

Since they are opened and run by state government and hence they lack autonomy.

2) Poor governance structures, Lack of State acts which establish such institutions are poorly

conceived.

3) Poor quality of teachers – frequent allegations regarding recruitment crops up and most

appointments are challenged in the courts.

4) Outdated curricula - There has not been a review of syllabus of these universities since 3

decades. That is the reason that the graduates from these institutions do not get absorbed in

industry.

5) Plagiarism - One of the most cases of plagiarism from the world are reported from India and

in India most such cases come from these state universities. The sad part is that hardly any

action is taken to deter such acts from recurring again.

• Apart from the above they also confront Poor infrastructure and facilities and Overcrowding

of students.

Way Forward –

In order to receive much more funding and support from the State system, state universities

must come up with a new vision and programmes specifically addressing the needs of the

State, its industry, economy and society, and on the basis of it make the State-level players

commit to providing full ownership and support to them.

Also establish a contract between the State universities and the State system similar to what

seems to be existing between the Central Institutions and the Central government and other

national-level stakeholders.

20. Discuss the developments brought in by the Nirbhaya Case and the Way Forward after the

SC’s recent verdict?

Justice Verma Committee: In 2012, the government of the day set up the Justice J.S. Verma

Committee to look into the rape laws.

• The report, led to stringent changes through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013

• The 2013 Act expanded the definition of rape.

• The courts’ discretion to give rapists a sentence lesser than the minimum of seven years

was abolished.

• Separate punishments for repeat offenders were also introduced, including the possibility

of the death sentence.

• The amendments also included an improved standard of consent – consent now needs to

be unequivocal and clearly communicated, and lack of physical resistance isn’t assumed as

consent.

• Several rules of evidence that were regressive, that encouraged victim-shaming, and

actually had nothing to do with the crime, like the two-finger test, or questioning the

victim’s previous sexual history were repealed.

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• But several key recommendations of the Verma Committee on criminalisation of marital

rape, monitoring of illegal patriarchal village councils like khappanchayats, police reform

and review of security laws in conflict zones have been ignored.

• Mandatory sex education including gender sensitization in schools was one of the key

recommendations by the Verma Committee that is yet to see the light of the day.

Issues

• Despite, the Nirbhaya Case’s execution - countless other victims of rape and sexual violence

await judicial redress and rehabilitation.

• An insensitive police force and a tardy justice system have failed to deter the crime of rape.

• Need to look at the rehabilitation of rape victims and preventive aspects such as the

changing social attitudes towards women.

• The changes made to criminal law after the 2012 Nirbhaya case have not yielded the desired

results as the problem lies with implementation, to make the law a deterrent. Unless laws

are implemented effectively, no progress can be made on the ground.

way forward

• Rape accused should be prosecuted within a time frame and the application of laws must be

equal for all.

• Each case has to be treated with the same pace and sensitivity.

• We need to sensitize police and other probe agencies.

• Digitalization of the process is required for early disposal.

• Focus on women’s safety and improving the conviction rate in genuine rape cases by

significantly upping the level of investigation and evidence gathering is the need of the hour.

21. What are the 3 Schemes introduced by the Cabinet to promote Electronic Manufacturing in

India?

INTRO = The Union Cabinet has recently approved three major schemes to boost domestic manufacturing of electronic goods and to enable India to get integrated into Global value chains (GVCs). The current status of Electronics Industry accounts for 2.3% of India’s GDP, which has a fast growing potential, as we are only the 2nd largest manufacturer of mobile phones after China.

Thus the Respective Schemes are – 1) Production Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing,

With Production linked incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India for a period of 5 years subsequent to the base year as defined, to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units.

2) Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), To promote the domestic manufacturing of Electronic components and to focus on "Assemble in India", to slowly merge it into “Make in India”.

3) Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC2.0), The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme would support setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centres (CFCs). For the purpose of this Scheme, an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) would set up in geographical areas of certain minimum extent, preferably contiguous, where the focus is on



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development of basic infrastructure, amenities and other common facilities for the ESDM units.

These schemes can generate manufacturing revenue potential of Rs 10 lakh crore and as highlighted in the Economic survey this would increase India's export share of the world from current 1.6% to 3.5% by 2025 and 6% by 2030. Further, this would create 4 crore well-paid jobs by 2025 and about 8 crore jobs by 2030.

22. What are the perils of an all-out lockdown?

INTRO = While lockdown in several states is one of the timely precautions to tackle the health crisis, the economic crisis looms large posing a challenge particularly to the vulnerable sections of the society. Thus tackling the dual crisis should involve prioritizing continuity of public service delivery on which the dependence of the poorest is highest. Issues flagged Informal sector -

• It is the informal sector that is worst hit with migrant workers, street vendors, contract workers etc. facing mass lay-offs

Inter-state dependence • Given the spread of supply chains across various states, economic standstill in one state is

affecting other States. • The lockdown of some states have disrupted transport routes creating bottlenecks in the

supply chains • Though the lockdowns may be needed to slow down the epidemic, the resultant economic

crisis calls for urgent, massive relief measures. What should be done? 1. Step up social security schemes including PDS, midday meals, MGNREGA etc. This includes advance payments, enhanced rations, clearing of wage arrears, and expanded distribution of take-home rations at schools and anganwadis. 2. Continue public service delivery. States governments should notify an explicit list of essential services and continue public service delivery in these areas. 3. Better social distancing arrangements in public premises

23. Explain the concept of Nation and Nation State?

Nation

• Refers to a body people coming together sharing a feeling of togetherness on the basis of

common culture, common language, common ideology etc. Thus Nation is a psychic

integration. The roots of nationalism lie in the ancient city-states of Greece.

State

• State is a distinct institution that deals with power. Power is exercised for the wellbeing of

society. Though State as an institution existed ever since organized life evolved, it took

concrete shape in 18th and 19th century Europe. In the modern sense state refers to

institutions of governance.

• Its origin lies in the concept of private wealth. The 17th century relation in Europe was

predominantly feudalism (vassal-lord relationship) under which the lands were given to

vassals by lords for production. In order to protect the land as private property of the lords

the institution of monarchy supported by church evolved in 17th century Europe.

Nation-State

• As the feudal area evolved as more of apolitical entity, the concept of territorial integrity was

concretized giving rise to the modern concept of nation-state.


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Nation-state essentially has the following characteristics

1. Territorial sovereignty

2. Legitimate power

3. Allegiance of the people living with the territory

4. Lack of external control

Illustration

• The State of Palestine including West Bank and Gaza Strip as recognised by UN is an example

of ‘State’.

• India became a ‘nation-state’ after integration of princely states to British Indian territories.

Thus, According to the author the COVID 19 pandemic has demonstrated the resilience of

nation-state as an institution.

24. List out the measures taken by GOI on statutory and regulatory compliance matters related

to several sectors?

INTRO = The Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister has announced several important

relief measures taken by the Government of India in view of the COVID-19 outbreak –

• Deadlines for filing income tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns have been

extended to June 30, 2020 with the interest rate on delayed payments reduced to 9% from

12%, as part of a slew of relaxations of financial year-end compliance announced by the

Finance Minister.

• Bank account holders would not be charged extra for using a debit card to withdraw

money from the ATMs of other banks for the next three months, and charges for not

meeting minimum balance requirements would also be waived.

• Bank charges for digital transactions are also being reduced.

• The last date for linking Aadhaar with PAN has also been extended.

• Other taxpayer compliance deadlines, including for investment in savings instruments or

for roll-over benefit of capital gains, under the Income Tax Act and other laws have also

been extended.

• The deadline for filing GST returns for March, April and May, as well as for opting for the

composition scheme, has been extended to June 30 for smaller companies — with less

than ₹5 crore aggregate annual turnover — without any interest, late fee or penalty being

charged.

• Payment date under Sabka Vishwas Scheme shall be extended to 30th June, 2020.

Composition Scheme:

• The composition scheme is an alternative method of tax levy under GST designed to

simplify compliance and reduce compliance costs for small taxpayers.

• The main feature of this scheme is that the business or person who has opted to pay tax

under this scheme can pay tax at a flat percentage of turnover every quarter, instead of

paying tax at normal rate every month.


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https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/goods-services-tax-gst-one-nation-one-tax-2-for-upsc-current-affairs/https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-pib-summary-analysis-nov25-2019/#Sabka%20Vishwas%20(Legacy%20Dispute%20Resolution)%20Scheme,%202019http://www.sosinclasses.com/

• To be eligible for the composition scheme, the registered tax payer must provide a

declaration on the GST portal before the beginning of each financial year and not anytime

during the year.

25. All about the Keqiang Index and its comparison to Indian Statistics?

DETAILS ABOUT LI KEQIANG INDEX -

In 2007, Li Keqiang, China’s current PM, who was then provincial leader had expressed

concerns about overstated GDP numbers in Chinese Economy. He was of the opinion that

GDP numbers were unreliable and hence in order to measure the real economic activity, one

should track 3 indicators on a real time basis- Railway cargo volume, Electricity consumption

and loans disbursed by Banks. Based upon this, the Economist Magazine has constructed Li

Keqiang Index to measure the growth rate of Chinese Economy.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR INDIA?

There has been a raging controversy in India over the current GDP figures on account of

questionable methodologies and databases used. Some of the economists have highlighted

that India may be overestimating its GDP estimates due to this flawed approach.

For instance, former Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian has suggested that the

annual GDP growth rates during the last few years may have been overestimated by 0.36 to

2.5 percentage points.

26. What does up scaling food rationing mean in India?

INTRO = The Finance Minister has announced a ₹1.7-lakh crore package of social security

measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the period of the 21-day lockdown.

The burden of the current lockdown is borne disproportionately by the large unorganized

workforce, comprising hundreds of millions of casual daily wage-workers and self-employed

workers. In respect of food security, the package falls far short of what is needed.

1. In the on-going pandemic situation, Kerala is the first State in India to have announced a

package with income support measures and in-kind measures including free rations of 15

kg (grain) and provision of cheap meals.

2. The government of Tamil Nadu announced free rations of rice, sugar, cooking oil and dal to

all ration card holders. The supply of rations for unorganized workers is to be through Amma

canteens.

3. The Delhi government will give 1.5 times existing entitlements at no cost to all ration card

holders.

Details:

• To ensure that all people have access to adequate food in the midst of this unprecedented health and economic crisis with potentially high levels of mortality, the need of the hour is to expand the food security system.

• It is argued that there is a need to immediately ensure universal rationing with an expanded food basket, and special measures for cooked food in urban areas for the vulnerable population.

• In India a system of expanded rations must have the following components:

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1. For all rural households, free rations of rice and wheat at double the normal entitlement

must be distributed.

The provision of rations must be universal: this is not the time to demarcate households by

type of ration card or whether they have a ration card or by any form of biometrics.

• The system of identification of priority households is not error-proof, and no household

wrongly excluded should be outside the ambit of rationing today.

• For all rural households, additional rations of cooking oil, sugar, salt and lentils should be

provided on a regular basis.

• Supplies have to be arranged, the distribution could be weekly or fortnightly in order to

ensure smooth availability.

• If milk, eggs and vegetables (or one or more of them) can be supplied, we can not only

ensure basic food security at the time of a major health crisis, but actually address the

burden of malnutrition.

• For urban areas, there is a need for combination of provision of dry goods and of cooked

food. All households with ration cards can be given the same entitlements as proposed for

rural households.

• For the vast numbers of workers and migrants in towns and cities, however, arrangements

for preparation and delivery of cooked food must be set up.

• The large numbers of closed community kitchens (schools and colleges, company and office

canteens, for example) and restaurant workers now sitting idle or laid off can be brought

together to undertake a massive programme of provision of cooked meals at subsidised

rates.

• This will require careful planning and technology to distribute food while ensuring physical

distancing.

All the measures proposed must continue for at least three months, and be reviewed after

wards. An imaginative massive exercise of expanded rations could not only provide aid in

this pandemic but also bring in a policy shift that will help sustain a nourished and healthy

population.

27. Explain the need for relaxation of FRBM Rules in Kerala?

INTRO = Kerala’s current fiscal position means that it can borrow about ₹25,000 crores during

the financial year 2020-21.Given that Kerala proposes to raise ₹12,500 crore through

borrowings in April 2020 itself, it could be severely constrained in its borrowing and

spending ability over the remaining 11 months of the financial year, due to the stringent

borrowing cap under the fiscal responsibility laws. This could affect the State’s socio-

economic programs as well as the post-pandemic recovery apart from undermining the

state’s continued mitigation efforts against COVID-19.Kerala has urged the Centre to provide

Kerala with flexibility under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.

Relaxation under the FRBM act:

• The FRBM act does contain provisions for relaxation from FRBM clauses. This is commonly referred to as an ‘escape clause’.


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• Under Section 4(2) of the Act, the Centre can exceed the annual fiscal deficit target citing

grounds that include:

• National security,

• War,

• National calamity,

• Collapse of agriculture,

• Structural reforms and

• A decline in real output growth of a quarter by at least three percentage points

below the average of the previous four quarters.

Arguments in favour of suspending Fiscal targets:

• The following two aspects could be used for suspending both the Centre’s and States’ fiscal

deficit targets.

1) Given the extraordinary circumstances, COVID-19 pandemic could be considered as a national calamity.

2) The ongoing pandemic in conjunction with the ongoing lockdown will cause a severe contraction in economic output.

This would allow both the Union government and States including Kerala to undertake the much-needed increases in expenditure to meet the extraordinary circumstances.

28. What are the steps to be taken by GOI to shift from Apathy to Action?

In dealing with the health and economic crisis, the Central government’s apathy is

disappointing.

Such as-

1. The lack of acknowledgement of, let alone relief for, the millions of migrant workers who

are stranded without work, money or transport was perplexing.

STEPS TO ACTION = School buildings, community halls and stadiums can serve as

temporary shelters. Food grains ca

MONTHLY NEWS DIARY - Sosin Classes...2020/03/04 · +91-99899 66744 / 90000 66690 H.NO. 1-10-196...

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