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SOCIAL ISSUES
1.1. Mahila Shakti Kendra Will Be Set-Up At Village Level
In the Union Budget 2017-18, the government has announced a new plan of setting up
Mahila Shakti Kendras or womens empowerment centres at the village level in 14 lakh
Anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Scheme.
The Mahila Shakti Kendras will provide one stop convergent support services for
empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, digital
literacy, health and nutrition.
While details about the scheme and its implementation are yet to emerge, those working in
the field of rural womens empowerment raised some preliminary concerns.
Concerns Raised By Activists
Only 500 crore has been allocated to the 14-lakh Anganwadis in the country, which would
amount to a meagre Rs 3,571 for each Mahila Shakti Kendra. It is a very less amount
compared to the tasks assigned to these centres.
Activists are also concerned about the governments proposal to attach the Mahila Shakti
Kendras to Anganwadis in the first place. According to them, it will lead to undermining of
ICDS.
Anganwadi workers are overburdened with duties beyond their primary jobs, such as
working for the census and other government schemes. Often, they are paid less than
minimum wage. Using ICDS to implement a new scheme will affect their efficiency further.
During NDD single dose of Albendazole is administered to children from under 1 to 19 years
of age group through the platforms of schools and anganwadi centers.
This year, for the first time, the Ministry has decided to give the deworming tablets to the
private schools children also.
The government of India had launched the initiative in 2015, making it one of the largest
single-day public health initiatives in India.
Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) interferes with nutrients uptake in children; can lead to
anaemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental and physical development.
According to a study, the infected children cannot concentrate on their studies and they find
very hard to put up their daily activities.
In this context, National Deworming Day is a commendable step that will go a long way in
ensuring healthy India. On Indias glorious record sheet of eradicating Polio, Guinea worm,
Small pox, Maternal and neonatal tetanus, this may become yet another entry.
However, we must remember that the cycle of parasitic infections cannot be broken with
drugs alone. Proper hand washing and sanitation play an important role in preventing such
diseases.
The single vaccine will replace the currently given two doses of measles vaccine at 9-12
months and 16-24 months of age.
The new single shot vaccine will be given to all children aged between 9 months and less
than 15 years irrespective of their previous measles or rubella vaccination status or measles
or rubella disease status.
Need For This Campaign
On the other hand, CRS causes birth defects such as irreversible deafness and blindness in
nearly 40 000 children every year.
The UIP provide free of cost vaccines to all children across the country to protect
them against 11 life threatening diseases.
It covers 11 diseases - Tuberculosis, Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis B,
Polio, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to HaemophilusInfluenzae type b (Hib),
Measles, Rubella, Rotavirus diarrhoea and Japanese Encephalitis (JE). (Rubella,
JE and Rotavirus vaccine are given in select states and districts).
According to the scheme, about 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the Financial Year
2016-17, progressively increasing over the years to 300 lakh candidates in the 2018-19.
To ensure proportionate geographical reach, an average of 200-300 candidates would be
registered from each 250,000 Gram Panchayats.
After getting digital training, each personnel would be able to operate computers and other
digital devices like smart phones and tablets, send and receive emails, browse internet,
access Government Services, search for information, and undertake cashless transactions.
Some Facts
As per the 71st NSSO Survey on Education 2014, only 6% of rural households
have a computer. This highlights that more than 15 crore rural households (94%
of 16.85 crore households) do not have computers and a significant number of
these households are likely to be digitally illiterate.
Earlier, the Government had implemented the Digital Saksharta Abhiyan
(DISHA) or National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) to impart IT training to
52.5 lakh persons, including Anganwadi and ASHA workers and authorised ration
dealers in all the States/UTs across the country.
Its aim was to enable citizens to actively and effectively participate in the
democratic and developmental process.
The atlas has been developed in Hindi and English by the National Atlas and Thematic
Mapping Organisation (NATMO).
It is made using indigenously developed silk-screen painting technology.
The maps are embossed with simple lines and point symbols while the area coverage is
easily distinguishable in terms of shapes and textures.
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 4
For their innovative effort, NAMTO was awarded the National Award for Science and
Technology Intervention in Empowering the Physically Challenged in January 2017 at the
Indian Science Congress held at Tirupati.
The National Productivity Day 2017 was observed in India on 12 Feb 2017. Besides country
also observed National Productivity week from 12-18 Feb.
Theme of 2017 From Waste to Profits-through Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.
The day was organized by National Productivity Council for encouraging all the stakeholders
to implement productivity tools and techniques with contemporary relevant themes.
It implements the productivity promotion schemes of the GoI and carry out
programmes on behalf of the Tokyo based Aisan Productivity Organization (APO),
an inter-governmental body of which India is a founder member.
The school has been opened under the initiative undertaken by All Loktak Lake Fishermans
Union with the support of an NGO People Resources Development Association (PRDA).
The lake is lifeline for many people. It serves as a source of water for hydropower
generation, irrigation and drinking water supply in the region, other than being the
source of income for many fishermen who largely depend on it.
Keibul Lamjao National Park is located at the southwestern part of the lake. It is
the worlds only floating national park and is home to the endangered Manipuri
brow-antlered deer, Sangai.
Sangai is the state animal of Manipur. Its hooves are adapted to walk on
the phumdis.
It was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar
Convention in 1990. Later it was also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993.
Loktak is a birders paradise. The most commonly sighted birds in the region
include black kite, northern hill myna, East Himalayan pied kingfisher, lesser
skylark, lesser eastern jungle crow, Burmese pied myna, and more.
The lake is now endangered, with innumerable threats like pollution, decline in
diversity of avifauna and thinning of phumdis. All this, in turn, threatens the Sangai
deer.
The MoU provides for continuous and extensive collaboration between Office of DC
(Handicrafts) and NSFDC, aiming at the following:
o Need assessment and gap identification through popularising various schemes by
holding awareness camps.
1.10. SAATHIYA Resource Kit and SAATHIYA SALAH Mobile App for Adolescents
One of the key interventions under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
programme is introduction of the Peer Educators (Saathiyas) who act as a catalyst for
generating demand for the adolescent health services and imparting age appropriate
knowledge on key adolescent health issues to their peer groups.
In order to equip the Saathiyas in doing so, the Health Ministry has launched the Saathiya
Resource Kit (including Saathiya Salah Mobile App) for adolescents.
Necessity Of Such Kit
India is home to 253 million adolescents, which is largest in the world in terms of absolute
numbers. Adolescents are the critical mass of asset which in future would be the biggest
dividends to the countrys economy; thereby their health and wellness are of utmost priority
When RMNCH (reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health) programs were launched
globally, India was the first country to add the +A i.e. adolescent component to the RMNCH,
making it todays RMNCH+A program.
In this context, Kit is being launched to enable the 1.6 lakhs Peer Educators towards taking
their job forward and answering all the queries in the minds of an adolescent in-spite of the
plethora of media (Magazines, TV, internet etc.) available.
This Resource Kit comprises i) Activity Book, ii) Bhranti-Kranti Game iii) Question-Answer
Book and iv) Peer Educator Diary.
In addition to the kit is the mobile app Saathiya Salah (downloadable from Google play-
store) which acts as a ready information source for the adolescents in case they are unable
to interact with the Peer Educators.
The mobile app is also linked to another important piece of cost-effective information
platform of a toll-free Saathiya Helpline (1800-233-1250) which will act as an e-counselor.
While the short films will be played by the Peer Educators at their group meetings, the
activity book and games will bring about discussion and resolve adolescent queries.
Encashing on mobile technology, the shy adolescents or those unable to interact with the
peer educators due to family reasons, can access the information through the free mobile
app as well the toll free helpline.
Some Facts
Indian Constitution through Article 350A in Part XVII deals with instruction in
mother language. According to it, State and local authorities will provide adequate
facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to
children in linguistic minority group.
As a part of Digital India initiative, digitized content will be made available in 22
scheduled languages which will be extended to other 234 recognized languages of
India.
The work of digitization has begun in June 2016 through "Bharatavani Project" at
CIIL, Mysore and by the February 2017, content in 60 Indian languages have been
made available for free.
The circuit will connect famous Dwarkadish Haveli and Hanuman Dandi (only temple
housing Hanumanji and his son Makardhwaj) in Dwarka district of Gujarat.
The scheme aims to preserve and revitalise soul of the heritage city to reflect the citys
unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative &
secured environment.
The Scheme supports development of core heritage infrastructure projects which shall
include revitalization of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage assets identified /
approved by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and State Governments.
These initiatives shall include development of water supply, sanitation, drainage, waste
management, approach roads, footpaths, street lights, tourist conveniences, electricity
wiring, landscaping and such citizen services.
This legislation will allow the State police and investigating agencies to collect and store
DNA samples in a centralised database.
Focus on sex crimes: A centralised DNA database on convicts would help track repeat
offenders in sexual assault and rape.
Centres Initiatives:
o A similar bill, prepared by the Centre in 2012, was put on hold because legislation ran
into severe opposition from activists on the ground that it violated privacy.
o Human DNA Profiling Bill, 2015, was prepared by the Department of Biotechnology
and the Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA-Fingerprinting and Diagnostics but is yet
to be cleared by the Union Cabinet.
Last year, the AP govt. launched a DNA collection-kit developed by IntegenX, Inc, a US
company that enables DNA to be extracted from saliva and blood samples within a matter of
2 hours.
Apprehensions
1. The bill will give over-arching powers to the govt. to use the database for purposes beyond
solving crimes which would infringe upon the privacy of the citizen.
2. Also, the DNA sample contains crucial biological information that can reveal their ethnicity
or how susceptible they are to disease. The risk of data abuse is therefore potentially high.
3. As genetic databases become increasingly common in other countries (over 60 countries are
now operating one), the sharing of data between international police forces is likely to
increase. This may increase the vulnerability of databases to abuse and hacking.
4. Critics argue that State officials were relying on extremely expensive technology and a
database wouldnt be useful without supportive Central legislation.
5. Also we need to first train people in collecting DNA from crime scenes and storing them
properly. A database can come later.
Conclusion
DNA Database
Also known as DNA databank, it is a database of DNA profiles.
DNA Profiling
Also called DNA fingerprinting, DNA testing, or DNA typing, is a forensic technique
used to identify individuals by characteristics of their DNA.
A DNA profile is a small set of DNA variations that is very likely to be different in all
unrelated individuals, thereby being as unique to individuals as are fingerprints.
DNA profiling uses repetitive sequences that are highly variable, called variable
number tandem repeats (VNTRs), in particular short tandem repeats (STRs),
also known as microsatellites, and minisatellites. VNTR loci are very similar
between closely related individuals, but are so variable that unrelated individuals
are extremely unlikely to have the same VNTRs.
It is used in parentage testing and criminal investigation, to identify a person or to
place a person at a crime scene, techniques which are now employed globally in
forensic science to facilitate police detective work and help clarify paternity and
immigration disputes.
It must be noted that although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in
every person, enough of the DNA is different that it is possible to distinguish one
individual from another, unless they are identical twins.
1. The limit on cash donations has been reduced from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 2,000.
o There was and is no limit to how much a party can receive from anonymous donations.
o More importantly, there was and is no limit to how much overall a party can receive in
cash from all sources put together.
o So far, the accountant who had to covert, say, Rs 100 crore had to make sure than the
entire amount was broken down into entries of Rs 20,000 or below. Now they will
absorb the same amount by breaking it down into entries of Rs 2,000 or below. All that
Electoral Bonds
The detailed rules are yet to be framed, but the basic outline of the scheme is clear.
Electoral bonds are likely to be a bearer bonds issued by banks to customers. It can be
purchased by digital or cheque payment.
Bearer bond is a bond or debt security issued by a business entity such as a corporation, or
a government. As a bearer instrument, it differs from the more common types of investment
securities in that it is unregistered no records are kept of the owner, or the transactions
involving ownership. Whoever physically holds the paper on which the bond is issued owns
the instrument. This is useful for investors who wish to retain anonymity.
These would be redeemable only in the designated account of a registered political party.
These bonds will be redeemable within a prescribed time from the issuance of the bond.
Anyone who wants to donate to a political party would be able to purchase bonds from
authorised banks. This purchase will have to be in white money against cheque and digital
payments only. Once purchased, these bonds will be like bearer bonds and will not contain
the name of the eventual beneficiary.
So, the source would be legal and at the recipient level, there is accountability because s/he
has to declare it in his tax return. The tax return will not show the identity of the donor and it
will provide anonymity to the donor.
Advantage: This will make the donations anonymous for the political party, which will not
know the source of money. Each party will specify only one bank account. The parties will be
required to file returns of donations with a consolidated amount, instead of specifying each
donation received within a specified time period under the Income-tax Act.
Disadvantage:
o The donors bank would know about who bought how much of Electoral Bonds, but
not the name of the party which received it. The partys bank would know the amount
deposited through Bonds, but not the identity of the donor.
o The Income Tax authorities and the Election Commission would not know anything:
reporting of donor, beneficiary, or even the amount of contribution has been
RBI Act amendment required: The issuance of electoral bonds will require modification in
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act.
Conclusion
So the combined effect of the amendments is that political parties will be under no obligation
to disclose any donation or contribution that they receive at all, unless it is made
electronically or through cheques.
These would allow political parties to keep confidential any funding through electoral bonds.
In essence, oversight and scrutiny of the RBI, IT department and the EC on political finance
could be reduced substantially
Reducing the political anonymous donations limit to Rs 2,000 from Rs 20,000 per individual
may not be fool-proof but is certainly a step forward. Along with this, the other big move by
Finance Minister to bring in electoral bonds is an out of box idea.
While there is a popular pressure for full transparency and disclosure of names of both the
donors and the receivers of the political funds, there is also a merit in the government
contention about protecting the identity of the donors as their identification could lead to
bigger problems.
Violence broke out in Nagaland after the State government decided to accord 33%
reservation to women in the municipal body elections scheduled for 1 February.
For the constitutional rights of the women, Naga Mothers Association (NMA) had moved to
the Supreme Court in 2012 for implementation of 33 % representation for women in the
urban local bodies as it is implemented in most of the other states.
The SC ruled in the favour of the women in 2016, following which the state cabinet gave a
go-ahead to conduct the polls which had not taken place in Nagaland for well past a decade
and a half.
However, going by the provisions of Article 371A, any law passed by Parliament or the
Supreme Court directives are not binding to the state. That is where the root of conflict lies.
Various tribal bodies, including the Naga Hoho have called for a boycott to oppose 33 per
cent reservation for women arguing that reservation (for women) would infringe on Naga
customary laws and tradition as protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.
However, the Chief Minister TR Zeliang supported the women activists and explained that 33
per cent reservation for women doesn't infringe upon Naga customary laws because towns
and municipalities are new concepts and have nothing to do with tradition and customary
practices of the Nagas.
Internet and phone lines are down and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC
(Code of Criminal Procedure) have been issued in Dimapur and Kohima.
Reasons For Protests
Traditional angle: The tribals think that it goes against the societal design for women. For
them, it is a matter of not disturbing the traditional set-up of society.
Article 371 (A): Granting 33% reservation for women would infringe on Naga customary
laws and tradition as protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.
Current Status
The CM of Nagaland T.R. Zeliang stepped down from the post of chief minister and Dr.
Shrhozelie has been chosen as a consensus leader.
NTACs second demand of suspending the personnel involved in 31 January police firing on
the protesters leading to the killing of two youths in Dimapur has been partially fulfilled as
they have been transferred.
Shri Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu is the current chief minister of Nagaland following the
resignation of T.R. Zeliang. He belongs to Angamitribe which is one of the major tribes in
Nagaland.
Conclusion
Ever since the state of Nagaland came into existence in 1963, not a single woman MLA has
been elected except one. The established prejudices against women which led to their
discrimination have to be done away with.
The womens representative body went to the court which gave an order for equality. Now
this cannot be challenged so easily by any State Government. This is an issue at the state
level.
A negotiation is not a one stop business but is a continuous process. The
Government and people of different groups and civil society have to talk together. The
failure of negotiation is the key issue in Nagaland. Hence the deliberations must be
initiated between the representatives of all the parties and the women should be provided
their legal, constitutional and moral right.
There are some groups which are not interested in final resolution of problems which are
present in the state. These groups have to be identified and dealt with. These divisive forces
must be tackled expeditiously.
Women reservation is an essential ingredient of gender equity and must be promoted.
Such violence in the name of customary laws promotes backward looking practices in
various traditions and revocation of such great measure (reservation) means bowing down to
patriarchy.
Article 371(A)
It was inserted in the Constitution when Nagaland State was created in 1963.
2.4. SC Issued Contempt Notice Against Sitting Calcutta HC Judge C.S. Karnan
This is the first time that the highest court of the country has issued a contempt notice
against a serving judge of another court.
The contempt notice has been issued for impeding justice administration and bringing
discredit to the judicial institution of the country by writing scurrilous letters about sitting
and retired judges.
The court has stripped justice Karnan of all administrative and judicial work until he makes
an appearance in court. He has also been directed to return all judicial and administrative
files in his possession to the Registrar General of the high court.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that Supreme Court as an apex judiciary is empowered
under Article 129 (power to punish for contempt of itself) read with its extraordinary
powers under Article 142 (2) to punish a member of the High Court and subordinate
judiciary for contempt.
Justice Karnan defied the contempt notice on the grounds that it affects his fundamental
rights of equality and dignity and a violation of the principles of natural justice. The suo motu
contempt order against a dalit judge and restraining his judicial and administrative
assignment is unethical and goes against the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
Background
2011: He accused the fellow judges of discriminating him because he was Dalit.
2015: He accused then Chief Justice of the Madras high court SK Kaul of harassing him
because he was a Dalit and belittling him by giving him insignificant and dummy portfolios
while his juniors were given high profile matters.
2017: He once against raised the banner of revolt by writing letters to the PM.
Conclusion
Court must take action and set an example as this brings disrepute to the administration of the
process of justice but it has to be very careful in the way the case is handled and would require
assistance from members of the bar in evaluating the course ahead in this peculiar situation.
Article 142: The Court Has Power To Make Any Order Necessary For Doing
Complete Justice In Any Case.
(1) The Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or
make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or
matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or orders so made shall be
enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed
In Bombay vs. Narasu Appa Mali 1951 case, the Bombay High Court had held that
personal law is not a law under Article 13. It had observed that reformation of personal laws
is best left to the legislature as "chosen representatives of the people" and not the judiciary.
It said the phrase customs and usages in Article 13 does not include personal laws of
various religions. It held that Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) acquiesced the existence of
varied personal laws. This 1951 judgment was never challenged in the Supreme Court.
Recently in Dec 2016, the Allahabad High Court had observed in a case that triple talaq
was cruel and judicial conscience was disturbed.
For more judgments and debates on triple talaq, refer Section 2.3 in Part 5 (September
2016) Of CA Magazine.
Conclusion
A judicial declaration from a Constitution Bench under Article 13 that personal laws are liable
to comply with the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution would bring
religious law, even uncodified practices, under judicial review.
If the Supreme Court agrees that personal laws are included in the definition of laws under
Article 13, the door will be opened wide for an aggrieved person to challenge in court a
particular personal law of a religion as violative of the fundamental rights.
This would provide greater sense of relief to the aggrieved victims that are inflicted with
various physical and psychological traumas in the name of religion and bring India closer to
the implementation of Uniform Civil Code as mandated by the DPSP under Article 44.
The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 24
the territory of India.
According to the decennial Indian census, the sex ratio in the 0-6 age group in India went
from 104.0 males per 100 females in 1981, to 105.8 in 1991, to 107.8 in 2001, to 109.4 in
2011. The ratio is significantly higher in certain states such as Punjab and Haryana (126.1
and 122.0, as of 2001).
NHRC
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous
public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human
Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.
It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
NHRC is responsible for protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the
Act as "rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual
guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants".
Composition
Chairman (retd. CJI) + 4 members (Serving or retired SC judge, Serving or retired HC
judge, 2 persons having knowledge or practical experience with respect to human
rights.) + 4 ex-officio members (The chairman of the: National Commission for
Minorities, National Commission for SCs, National Commission for STs, National
Commission for Women)
Appointment
The chairman and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations
of a 6-member committee consisting of Prime Minister (head), Leader of Opposition
in Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of Opposition in
both the houses of Parliament and the Home Minister.
Under this scheme, middle class people who cannot afford the expensive litigation in the
apex can avail the services of the society for a nominal amount.
About The Scheme
The Middle Income Group Scheme is meant to provide legal services to litigants in the
Supreme Court whose gross income does not exceed Rs. 60,000 per month or Rs. 7.5 lakh
per annum.
A society will be created with Chief Justice of India (CJI) as Patron-in-Chief. Attorney
General will be its ex-officio Vice President, Solicitor General its Honorary Secretary and
other senior advocates as its members.
A sum of Rs 500 shall be payable to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group (MIG) Legal
Aid Society as service charges.
A case will be registered under the MIG Legal Aid Scheme and forwarded to Advocate-on-
Record/ Senior Counsel/Arguing Counsel on the panel for their opinion.
If Advocate-on-Record is satisfied that case is fit, then the society will consider that applicant
is entitled to legal aid.
The view expressed by Advocate-on Record will be final in determining eligibility of the
applicant for obtaining the benefit under the scheme.
While the scheme permits the applicants to provide their preference of Advocates, the final
right to assign rests with the Society.
If an advocate, appointed under the scheme, is found negligent in pursuing the case
entrusted to him, he will be required to return the brief together with the fee received by him
from the applicant.
3.1. Globalisation And India - Emerging Challenges From The West Protectionism
Why In Focus
Critical events in recent times like Brexit, Trump victory and a growing importance of anti-
trade and anti-immigration policies in Germany, the Netherlands and France has posed new
challenge called protectionism for Indian economy.
Protectionism is the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from
foreign competition by taxing imports. In this context there is looming BoP challenge in India
because of several reasons.
The developed countries anti globalisation stance is the result of low growth, low
employment, and growing inequality. In contrast, developing countries have benefitted
greatly from globalisation. The success of China and the Southeast Asian countries
testifies to that. These countries adopted trade reforms to focus on linking its
manufacturing and services to global value chains to boost exports, growth and
employment.
Indian IT giants are already affected by the impending H-1B visa reforms.
Trade barriers related to the emerging issues in data privacy and data restrictions are now
the areas of maximum concern for the future growth of offshore professional and technical
services models(such as BPO or KPO).
Continuation of rising oil prices as a result of tensions in West Asia may increase our import
bill.
This is vital to sustain high growth and job creation. India with its low share of world exports,
is in strong position to boost exports even in this depressing global scenario.
Tariffs are no longer the primary barriers to trade. The critical challenges relate to non-tariff
barriers, both at the border and behind the border, and issues related to trade facilitation,
that is, the cost and efficiency logistics due to both poor regulation and/or poor infrastructure.
o Reducing trade transaction costs
o Streamlining regulations
o Promoting trade and investment in professional services
o Strategic regional integration to link its manufacturing to the vast and rapidly
expanding regional and global supply chains
o Logistic reforms: transport infrastructure(road, rail, ports and airports)
The critical elements of policy required to integrate India into global supply chain are as
follows:
a) Relatively low tariffs(to allow easy importation of intermediates) and a simplified tariff
structure
b) Regulatory environment that is attractive to FDI in manufacturing
c) A taxation system that ensures that no domestic taxes are exported(that is, zero rating of
exports)
d) Introduction of a first rate goods and services tax(GST)
e) An environment of low transaction costs of operating across borders
The current institutional arrangement that take strategic decisions in international economic
relation are the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MOCI) and the Ministry of External
Affairs(MEA). Both lacks the necessary depth. These ministries are being run by bureaucrats
Conclusion
The supply chain efficiency is critical to manufacturing competitiveness. Rapid changes
fuelled both by technology and shifting consumer preferences and behaviour(driven by the
emergence of the global middle-class) is going to bring some changes in how manufacturing
is organised and managed.
Some of these trends are already visible in the growth of greater customisation of goods and
use of e-commerce platforms. Thus it is crucial for logistics, trade and business facilitation to
integrate with the global value chain.
Given the cross-cutting nature of the 21st century trade agenda. India need an apex entity
like the USTR(United States Trade Representative) that has a clear mandate from the
highest authority to consult with stakeholders and manage the process of developing a new
trade strategy.
Globalisation has been one of the biggest forces of reducing poverty in the world. Hence,
India has to take up institutional and economic reforms to increase its share in world trade.
Given this scenario, there is no point hitching our bandwagon to what will soon be an
obsolete patent game.
o The existing trade channel (market system) had failed to eliminate the chances of
unethical practices(due to asymmetry of information) in the context of a
traumatised patient suffering heart ailment and reaching a hospital.
Conclusion
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 32
It is welcome measure from a short term perspective. Government has to invest more in
public health care as resorting to more price controls is not a long term solution.
Awareness schemes among citizen (about generic drugs and NLEM) so that the asymmetry
of information get reduced in health sector between the service provider and the consumer.
Since hospitals are neither doing any value addition in the supply chain nor having any
financial stake in the trade of medical supplies, hospitals need to be dissociated from the
trade channel for the fixation of the prices.
The price regulator should develop a standard operating procedures (SOP) so that it can
discharge its functions in more transparent and predictable manner. Because an arbitrary
price control is not likely to yield any sustainable benefits to the consumers.
In 2015, as per the WTO, global e-commerce in goods and services was worth about $22
trillion, and has grown the fastest in emerging economies.
The ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) and B20 (The business associations from
G20 members) proposed a holistic package of trade disciplines, rules and assistance to
boost MSME e-commerce with an overriding objective to promote inclusive growth. These
are:
1. enhancing connectivity and capacity building for e-commerce;
2. enabling MSMEs to get goods sold online to consumers more efficiently (Trade
Facilitation 2.0);
3. digital rules to support online growth and build consumer trust; and
4. A standstill on customs duties: WTO Members agreed in 1998 to a standstill whereby
no customs duties are imposed on e-commerce transmissions. The ICC and B20
recommended to make this standstill permanent to build confidence in the growth of
e-commerce.
Trade facilitation looks at how procedures and controls, governing the movement of
goods across national borders, can be improved to reduce associated cost burdens
and maximise efficiency while safeguarding legitimate regulatory objectives.
Indias Concern
India has been opposing attempts, mainly by the rich nations, to incorporate what it calls, new
issues such as e-commerce and investment in the ongoing Doha Round talks of the WTO on
the grounds that it would lead to the dilution of the development agenda (that is to improve the
trading prospects of developing countries) of the negotiations.
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 34
Fear of MNCs: Indian companies expressed reservations regarding a global, regional or
bilateral pact on e-commerce fearing it would favour multinational firms.
Indias e-commerce policy is not yet evolved for it to take a stand regarding a global e-
commerce pact.
Inter-ministerial discussions were also being held regarding policies on cyber security and
hacking, fake goods and piracy, net-neutrality as well as on safeguards to protect consumer
data and ensure privacy.
There were differences between ministries on issues such as data localisation.
Information that flows through the internet, or digital data, is critically important to
our societies and the global economy. Businesses rely on data for their daily
operations, governments use data to make policy decisions, researchers analyze
data to solve complex local and global problems, and everyday internet users send
and receive data each time they connect, use online applications, send or receive
email, or post on social media.
The free flow of data across national borders and around the world is a core
function of the internet, but the proliferation of data also creates challenges for
policymakers.
Unfortunately, in an attempt to protect privacy and security and to promote
economic growth, some governments have taken troubling measures to
require that data be stored, processed, or handled within their borders.
These misguided policies, called data localization, can have serious, harmful, and
unintended consequences to economies and citizens alike.
The WTO needs to develop rules and standards to make sure that the efficient growth of e-
commerce is secured, since it has the potential to revolutionise trade flows around the world.
Having an informal and non-binding discussions on these issues.
New Delhi has said these topics cannot be made part of the formal agenda of WTO
negotiations without consensus among all the WTO member nations.
New Delhis Proposal To WTO For A Global Pact To Boost Services Trade.
Issues To Be Discussed
The expert team will discuss the following issues before the next ministerial conference in
Argentina in Dec 2017.
Indias opposition is towards the attempts by some rich countries to work towards a global
investment agreement at the WTO-level that would incorporate a contentious Investor-State
Dispute Settlement mechanism.
To place its demands for a permanent solution to stockpiling food grains and the proposed
trade facilitation agreement (TFA) on services.
For a permanent solution, India had proposed either amending the formula to calculate the
food subsidy cap of 10 per cent, which is based on the reference price of 1986-88, or
allowing such schemes outside the purview of subsidy caps
The rising protectionist measures and growing voices against trade had resulted in slower
international trade growth.
Intellectual Property
Further as part of Doha Development Agenda developing countries managed to modify
Agreement on Trade related aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) in favor of developing
countries by allowing compulsory licensing in certain circumstances.
US not only want this concept to be done away with, it also wants a liberal IPR regime which
allows ever-greening of patents.
Indian Patent Act as amended in 2005 allows protection of both product and process but it
allows patent only when there is enhanced efficacy of the substance. If a company re-invents
a previously known substance in to new form e.g. from Solid to Liquid, then protection cant
be granted.
India due to its promising pharmaceutical industry exploits these powers religiously. Since
Indias course is not violative of TRIPS hence question of India being challenged in WTO
doesnt arise.
Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) in Solar Panel
India lost the case of DCR in solar panel to US in WTOs dispute resolution body. India has
prescribed domestic content requirement for procurement of Solar cells/panels for its target
of installing 100 GW of solar power by 2022.
Under this about 5% procurement was reserved to be bought from Indian vendors to
promote indigenous industry. US alleged that this is against principles of Non Discrimination
and National Treatment.
India now has appealed against this decision and can get 2 year reprieve from rolling back of
scheme.
Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures
This agreement was one of the results of Uruguay Round of negotiation entered into force
with the establishment of the World Trade Organization on 1 January 1995.
The Agreement sets out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health
standards. It allows countries to set their own standards.
But it also says regulations must be based on science. They should be applied only to the
extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health. And they should not
arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate between countries where identical or similar conditions
prevail.
Anti-dumping Measures
Anti-dumping measures are unilateral remedies which may be applied by a Member state
after an investigation and determination by that Member in accordance with the provisions of
the Anti-dumping Agreement of WTO that an imported product is dumped and that the
dumped imports are causing material injury to a domestic industry producing the like
product.
The cases against India regarding anti-dumping measures are: Anti-Dumping Duties on USB
Flash Drives from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu by
the complainant China.
At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the worlds
trading nations and ratified in their parliaments.
The goal of the WTO is to help producers of goods and services, exporters and
importers conduct their business.
The WTO was established in 1995 and its predecessor organization the GATT
has helped to create a strong and prosperous international trading system
thereby contributing to unprecedented global economic growth.
The WTO currently has 164 members .WTO activities are supported by a
Secretariat (situated at Geneva,Switzerland) led by the WTO Director-General.
RBIs corporate debt restructuring scheme failed in helping the companies to recover.
Corporate debt restructuring is the reorganization of a company's outstanding obligations,
often achieved by reducing the burden of the debts on the company.
Why PARA Is Needed
Because of the limitations in current strategy that deals with bad loan, PARA is required. It
has been proposed by the Economic Survey 2016-17 to resolve the issue of bad loans. It will
be much bigger in scale and will have substantial government equity.
PARA is a bad bank. It will buy bad loans from banks and companies and allow them to
restart their operations without those bad assets.
A centralised PARA could take charge of the largest, most difficult cases and make politically
tough decisions to reduce debt.
It could solve the coordination problem since debts would be centralised in one agency; it
could be set up with proper incentives by giving it an explicit mandate to maximise
recoveries within a defined time; it would separate the loan resolution process from concerns
about bank capital.
PARA have been adopted by many countries facing TBS problems, notably during the East
Asian crisis cases. East Asian countries were able to resolve their much larger TBS
problems within two years.
Other Alternatives
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor Viral Acharya floated two proposals to
restructure stressed debt in troubled sectors.
System will have to put in place to carefully ensure that lending for affordable housing
projects is not siphoned off by promoters to draw down their overall debt.
3. Redevelopment: Most of the smart cities in India have adopted the redevelopment model for
ABD (Area Based Development). This gives an opportunity to address the housing needs of
the informal sector by redeveloping the area with quality housing, since most of the existing
urban informal housing is in such locations.
4. Improved Infrastructure: The Smart Cities mission aims to create and maintain high-quality,
100 percent efficient civic infrastructure. Electricity, sewerage, storm water drainage and
water supply will be strengthened in Smart Cities, relieving the stress that large-scale
housing projects invariably create on a citys infrastructure.
5. Multiple Financing Options: For Smart Cities availability of funding is ensured through
convergence with other government schemes like funds raised from the state governments,
municipal debt, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), infrastructure debt funds, and the
PPP vehicle.
Conclusion
The convergence of schemes such as the Housing for All and Smart Cities missions will be
most appropriate to achieve optimal results with proper implementation. Isolated policies will
yield much lower results.
Overall, the goals for urban development in India should be to create sustainable, inclusive
and smart urban centers with good housing standards and participation of the private sector.
Just 3% of the MSMEs are registered as limited companies. And, only these will enjoy lower
tax according to the budget proposal.
More than 90% of MSMEs, especially micro-units, are not private limited companies as
registered companies have to comply with several norms and maintain a plethora of
documents.
Not enough incentive. Though the micro-units risk losing their competitiveness to
corporate peers, the 5% lower tax may not be enough incentive to spur them to become
limited companies.
Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a form of company which is quite like a limited
liability partnership and sole trade business with limited legal procedures. No partner
is individually responsible for any other's misconduct or liability as per the company
rules and regulations. Limited liability company registration is almost same like a
private or public limited company in order to get the registration certificate from the
Registrar of the companies. Limited liability companies have been impeccably
growing due to its many advantages over other form of companies in India.
Conclusion
The Centre should frame simpler rules for micro and smaller companies, especially family-
owned firms, so that more MSMEs are encouraged to become LLPs or limited companies.
A slew of measures has been taken in the Union Budget 2017 to boost the agriculture sector like
higher agricultural credit, higher allocation for irrigation projects, a crop insurance scheme and
increased allocations for MGNREGA to dig farm ponds.
4. For cultivation-related expenses, the farmer is mostly dependent on loans and the
NSSO survey revealed that half of the farm households were neck-deep in debt.
The budget proposes to come out with a model law on contract farming for adoption by
the states. This would enable farmers to legally enter into long-term production and
marketing arrangements with processors, retail chains and other big buyers.
The subsidy hike of 6% for the phosphatic and potassic fertilizer is seen as a positive thrust
for the manufacturers and traders of these fertilisers.
Hike in the corpus of the long-term irrigation fund (under NABARD) by another Rs 20,000
crore, taking the total fund size to Rs 40,000 crore. The setting up of a dairy processing and
infrastructure development fund at NABARD, with a corpus of Rs 8,000 crore over three
years, was also appreciated by them.
The government made a paltry allocation to the National Adaptation Fund for Climate
Change. This is disturbing in the wake of the fact that the country faced unprecedented
drought affecting 330 million people last year.
Farmers needed an incentive to go organic as high input costs of fertilisers had raised farm
debts. Organic farming did not get any attention in the Budget.
The terms of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Bima Yojna(PMKBY) spell out that the amount of
insurance cover depends on the premium paid and extent of cover, so a farmer may not
necessarily recover all losses sustained from crop damage in case of an eventuality.
Indian farmers do not constitute a homogenous community. There are rich, land-owning
farmers and then there are poor, landless farmers.
o The All India Kisan Sabha observed that a new nexus was now emerging comprising farm
contractors and big traders combined with rich landowners in rural India, which was
replacing the feudal landowning structures of the past.
o It is this new class of rural landlords that will largely benefit from the Budget announcements
of higher loan allocation and online trading of farm produce.
The Way Forward
Commodity Pricing: For any real increase in income, farmers require higher returns for their
produce.
o Central government has to provide incentive to state government so that they can bring
changes in their APMC Act and in contract farming rules so that it can benefit the farmers
especially the small and marginal one.
Availability of agriculture credit to women. Nearly 50% of farmers are women, who often do
not benefit from credit policies as they do not have land titles in their name. Unless land
titling recognises female ownership of land for cultivation, half of Indias farmers cannot claim
institutional credit.
Drought-proofing farming: Tackling climate change and its potential impact requires a budget
to safeguard farmers. Given the drought and errant rainfall affecting farmers, the
governments step to create five lakh more farm ponds that will work as a drought-proofing
measure in gram panchayats is welcome, but everything depends on how well the schemes
are executed on the ground.
Changes in the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Bima Yojana so that farmers can recover all losses
during crop damage.
Focus upon high value horticulture and dairy sector as there is limit to augmenting farmers
income through cereals. Investment in food processing industry, cold storage, warehousing
etc is necessary in doubling the farmers income.
Conclusion
With rising level of rural distress and farmers suicide the government is making efforts in right
direction to double their income. But this sector requires a cooperative federalism attitude among
all the federal units. However, given the complex and fractured political system, there is no time
to wait for the reforms being initiated by governments(i.e, supply side of reforms). The CSO,
NGO, market and common citizenry has to work towards building public opinion in favor of
progressive agriculture reforms. The people needs to demand agriculture reforms(i.e, demand
side of reforms) from the political system.
Brief Summary Of Rural Infrastructure Flagship Program
Context
The ambitious goals set for Bharat is building over 1.3 crore pucca houses with toilets plus
electricity and LPG connections for poor rural families apart from all-weather roads
connecting every single habitation.
Budget as a political instrument: The government has set the timeline of 3 years ending
March 2019 ahead of the next general elections. An apt example of convergence of politics
and economics in a democracy. There is an intrinsic political appeal of rural housing and
road roads among citizens.
While 122,706 out of the eligible 178,184 habitations, identified as per the laid down criteria,
have already been covered as on January 31, the target is to connect the remaining by
March 31, 2019.
Also refer section 4.6 in Part 4 (Aug 2016) for performance audit report on PMGSY.
Rural Housing
According to the SECC-2011, rural India had 17.98 crore households, of which 3.91 crore
comprised those with no homes or living in one/two room dwellings with kutcha wall and
kutcha roof.
Between December 2016 and December 2017, the central government plans to construct 44
lakh new houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) programme
and do another 56 lakh by March 31, 2019. Besides, some 30 lakh houses under the earlier
Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) are pending completion.
The stepped-up allocation for the PMAY-G scheme: The 2017-18 Budget has provided Rs
23,000 crore towards rural housing, against Rs 16,000 crore for 2016-17 and Rs 10,116.20
crore last fiscal.
Under PMAY-G, the minimum house size has been raised to 25 square metres from 20
square metres under IAY along with enhanced government assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh
(Rs 70,000) in plains and Rs 1.30 lakh (Rs 75,000) for hilly/difficult areas. Further,
beneficiaries can take bank loans of up to Rs 70,000 through government facilitation.
Beneficiaries are also entitled to additional support of Rs 12,000 for building toilets through
the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin scheme and 90 days of wages worth Rs 18,000
towards construction of house under MGNREGA (which they can avail themselves or use to
pay other workers).
The PMAY-G fund releases are made electronically to the beneficiaries Aadhaar-
seeded bank accounts, with the first instalment payable within a week after the
issue of sanction order.
Subsequent fund releases are also based on similar capturing and uploading of
photographs with geo-coordinates and timestamps of the houses at each
construction stage: foundation, plinth, lintel, roof-casting and completion.
Rural Energy
The aim isnt just to build houses, but homes equipped with basic amenities.
Convergence is being sought with the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and the Deen
Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). Both PMUY and DDUGJY are fully
centrally sponsored scheme providing free LPG and power connections, respectively to
poor rural households have March 2019 as their targeted deadlines.
So far, the Centre has identified 31 schemes where the Aadhaar number can be used as
identification for providing various benefits. Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 makes the
use of Aadhaar an identifier for delivery of various subsidies or benefits or schemes to
beneficiaries.
Some of the identified schemes include direct cash transfer of food subsidy under the
National Food Security Act, supplementary nutrition to children below six and pregnant
mothers, along with monthly honorarium for anganwadi workers under the Integrated Child
Development Services, and subsidy on housing loans under the Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana (Grameen).
From April, Aadhaar will also be a must to demand work under the MGNREGA.
More than a 100 million school children will compulsorily need Aadhaar to avail their mid-
day meal from 1 July.
Some facts:
India ranks 97 of 118 countries on the Global Hunger Index.
o In Madhya Pradesh, 20 per cent of devices have malfunctioned and have been
returned to vendors.
o In Jharkhands capital, at the outset almost half the cardholders were not able to
prove their identity. Five hundred leprosy survivors without fingers in Ranchi were
insensitively denied foodgrains for three months for want of fingerprints.
o The ouster of these eligible, impoverished families is often then heroically projected
as savings.
In PDS implementation the ration dealer can still give less grain than the printed receipt.
Only Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have electronic weighing scales connected to stem
quantity deception. But they too work only when there is electricity.
o Besides, the greatest pilferage occurs from godowns, not ration shops.
o Even the best of technologies are often no match for large-scale insider fraud.
Recently, across Karnataka, 45,000 bogus ration cards linked to fictitious 12-digit
Aadhaar numbers were discovered.
Biometrics are not foolproof the calloused fingers of labourers and the elderly frequently
throw up errors. Aadhaar also requires continuous access to mobile signals or the internet,
which is a tall order in rural areas that barely have 24 hours electricity.
A rare genetic disorder has left 84 people in Arai, Poonch district(Kashmir) with disfigured
hands and hence unable to register for Aadhaar Cards.
Way Forward
1. The use of technology has become a necessity in making the service delivery platform more
effective. It has curbed corruption and removed intermediaries. It has brought transparency
and accountability in the implementation of welfare schemes. It has empowered the citizenry.
2. However, the problems being raised are of serious nature and need to be tackled. The
government have to devise a system for people who do not have hands, or are blind or
whose hands are disfigured. With every government service delivery linked to Aadhaar,
many people may not be able to even get a bank account opened to get their benefits like
disability pension.
3. One size fit all solution is not viable in a diverse country like India. Customization of
technology is the need of the hour rather than the standardisation.
a) For example if the aim was to ensure that unsold foodgrains are not siphoned off with
accounting dodges, there are other alternatives like Bihars barcoded coupons which
have reduced leakages from 91 to 24 per cent within six short years.
b) Previously, Tamil Nadu had relied on offline handheld billing devices (similar to those
with bus conductors). Andhras ration shops now use iris scanners, with a lower
error rate than biometrics.
3.8. Blockchain Revolution And India Banking System
Context
Blockchain technology is increasingly gaining currency in banking sector and may bring
about a second revolution for modern day banking. Finding uses across banking channels,
trade finance, insurance industry, company voting and record keeping.
The GST Council has finalised a four-tier GST tax structure of 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18
per cent and 28 per cent, with lower rates for essential items and the highest for luxury and
de-merits goods, including luxury cars, SUVs and tobacco products, that would also attract
an additional cess.
The cess is expected to provide additional resources to the central government to
compensate states for losses incurred. This will be based on the compensation formula.
Moreover, with a view to keeping inflation under check, essential items including food, which
presently constitute roughly half of the consumer inflation basket, will be taxed at zero rate.
For GST, refer cover story in Part 4 (Aug 2016) of CA Magazine.
According to the 1943 Cairo Declaration (a statement of wartime objectives toward Japan
issued by the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Republic of China),
the bifurcation of Korea took place.
It was aided by the US and Soviet Union based on geopolitical considerations and not on
any pre-existing geographic or cultural divisions within Korea.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south was declared independent on August 15, 1948
and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north followed a month later.
The Soviet Union installed the Kim Regime as the Communist rulers of North Korea. In 1950,
North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung invaded South Korea starting a Three Year War that killed
nearly 2.5 million people (Korean War 1953).
In 1953 North and South Korea signed an armistice (Formal agreement to end war) but not a
peace treaty and the two countries remain at war.
The border between North and South Korea at the 38th Parallel known as the De-Militarized
Zone (DMZ) is the most heavily fortified region in the world.
Over 28,000 U.S. military personnel live on dozens of bases across South Korea. The United
States has signed two bilateral treaties that commit Washington to defending South Korea
and Japan from any North Korean attack.
Internal Situation of Korea
In North Korea the freedom of Movement is strictly prohibited. It is illegal for the North
Korean people to leave their country without the regimes permission and without any
specific purpose. The regime attempts to restrict the peoples movement even inside their
own country.
The criticism of the regime or the leadership in North Korea is the criminal offence. There is
no free media inside the country. The only opinion allowed to be voiced inside the country is
the regimes.
In addition, it is illegal to own a tunable radio in North Korea, there is no access to the
Internet (except for a few hand-picked and monitored officials) and North Korean landlines
and mobile phones cannot make international calls.
Organized religion is seen as a potential threat to the regime and therefore nothing apart
from token churches built as a facade of religious freedom for foreign visitors are allowed.
The regimes refusal to effectively reform its failed agricultural policies has led to the severe
food security crisis and acute malnutrition in the masses.
The public health infrastructure is crippling. Majority of the public healthcare infrastructure
collapsed in the 1990s with only prioritized hospitals in areas such as Pyongyang kept
functioning.
Human trafficking is also a severe issue in North Korea. Many women trafficked to China
due to lack of marriageable women in the northeastern villages of China.
Nuclear Proliferation
Despite years of international condemnation, diplomacy and pressure, North Korea has
succeeded in developing a nuclear arsenal.
North Korea has conducted various nuclear tests. It has a history of proliferating nuclear and
missile technology abroad and the possibility of future nuclear proliferation remains a source
of major international concern.
North Korea is reliably estimated to possess approximately 30 to 50 kilograms of plutonium,
enough for perhaps six to eight weapons.
There are allegations that North Korea began receiving centrifuge-related equipment and
know-how from the A.Q. Khan (Pakistani Nuclear Scientist) network in the 1990s.
In 2012, North Korea revised its constitution to declare itself a nuclear state and in 2013
adopted a law declaring it a full-fledged nuclear weapons state.
This law has provided some clarity into Pyongyangs official nuclear posture indicating that
nuclear weapons will be used for deterring and repelling the aggression and attack of the
enemy against the DPRK and dealing deadly retaliatory blows at the strongholds of
aggression.
Exhaustive diplomacy to dismantle North Koreas nuclear program has proved disappointing
since years.
North Korea signed the NPT in 1985, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which forbids
signatory states from pursuing nuclear weapons. However, international inspectors
Until 2009, negotiations were conducted through the Six Party Talks between North Korea,
United States, South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia.
The Six Party Talks which aimed to find a diplomatic solution to North Koreas nuclear
program have not convened since 2008 and Pyongyang has since repeatedly declared that it
has no interest in denuclearization.
US-China cooperation on sanctioning North Korea is crucial but the fundamental challenge
for Beijing and Washington is that they diverge in their preferred strategy to deal with the
North Korean problem.
Challenges In Front Of Global Efforts
Non effectiveness of NPT: North Korea was a member of NPT until 2003. Still, it managed to
get hold of the technology.
Defying stand of North Korea
o North Korea has decided to be a powerful nuclear state based on lessons from Iran,
Iraq and Libya while the United States cannot accept the global security risks of
allowing a totalitarian nuclear North Korea to defy the NPT proliferate or pursue
nuclear blackmail against its neighbors.
o Despite sanctions, DPRK is pursuing this technology.
o North Korea has been able to successfully exploit the geostrategic divisions of the
region in its favour.
Mistrust between U.S and China
o North Korea lives in the space created by Sino-U.S. geostrategic mistrust.
Way Forward
U.S. needs to close the gaps with allies and neighbors of North Korea so as to create a
pressure. U.S. along with Japan, South Korea and China can work closely to achieve the
goal.
Appoint a senior envoy for North Korea who reports directly to the president as a way of
signaling the urgency of the North Korea issue, mobilizing bureaucratic and political support
to maintain steady focus and follow-through on a time-consuming and urgent issue, and
separating the issue from the already overloaded agenda in Sino-U.S. relations.
Promote internal debates among North Korean elites over the costs of North Koreas nuclear
development as a way of bringing Kim Jong Un to realize that nuclear development puts his
regimes survival at risk.
Q. Dictatorial regime in North Korea is a threat to not only its neighbouring countries
but also to the global peace. Critically Analyse.
The order has prioritized refugee claims on the basis of religious persecution, so long as the
applicant belongs to a religion that is a minority in their country of origin. This provision would
allow the White House to prioritize Christians from the Middle East over Muslims.
Reasons
Nearly 500,000 people from the seven nations have received green cards in the past
decade, meaning hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of being barred from the US or
separated from their families.
Universities, hospitals and tech companies reeled from the order, which threatens or has
already banned thousands of doctors, students, researchers, engineers and others. The
orders will almost certainly affect how companies hire employees and commit to trade deals.
Refugees persecuted for their sexual orientation or suffering from medical crises are in limbo
with the other people denied entry, because the order makes no exception besides for
minority religion applicants.
So far, the vagueness of the orders appears to leave great authority in the hands of local law
enforcement at ports and borders, creating chaos and arbitrary detentions and questionings.
USA has been subjected to international criticism as this measure has been termed as
divisive and discriminatory. Chancellor of Germany, members of Arab League etc. have
criticized USA.
The immigration orders were against the Geneva Conventions which require the
international community to take in war refugees on humanitarian grounds. Hence, it has
acted as a dent on USAs international image as world leader.
While U.S. and Iranian officials have both stated that the missile test did not violate the terms
of the 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. contended that it did violate an agreement governing
conventional weapons.
Iran's ballistic missile programme and continued support for terrorism poses a significant
threat to regional and global security hence it will continue to be subject to international
sanctions.
Q. What was the Iran nuclear deal? What has led to U.S.s sanctions on Iran?
The very existence of the settlements violates Palestinian human rights including the right to
property, equality, a decent standard of living and freedom of movement.
These settlements complicate the peace process and justify the Israel dominance in the
nominally Palestinian area.
The establishment of settlements contravenes international law which states that an
occupying power is not allowed to make permanent changes to the territory it occupied.
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 66
According to international law, it is also prohibited for the occupying state to relocate its own
citizens to the occupied territory. Notwithstanding, Israeli governments have implemented a
consistent and systematic policy in violation of international law designed to encourage its
citizens to relocate to the West Bank.
Impact Of The Current Law
The act for the first time provided the legal authority to the occupied territories and further
complicated the resolution of the age old Israel-Palestine conflict.
It undermined the international efforts and encouraged the Jewish settlers to dominate in the
Palestinian land.
The legislation allowed the Israeli government to transfer private Palestinian land if the land-
owners are unknown hence it will prove disastrous to the two state solution.
Current Status
The Israeli Attorney general denied defending the law in the high court of Israel as it is
unconstitutional and violating the international law.
The judiciary might declare the laws null and void and nullify its execution.
The critics expressed that this step of Israels government is anti-democratic which is leading
to the annexation of the land.
The international community and global leaders supported the Palestinian stand and are
severely against this step of Israel as the global leaders convened the Middle East peace
conference and United Nations passed a resolution to halt these activities in the settlement
areas while Israel is acting totally against it.
Hence, the government wants to temporarily relocate them to another place to provide them
with better facilities.
Though there are apprehensions that the Bangladesh government want to develop the Coxs
Bazar area into a tourist spot hence the relocation is being done.
Criticism Of The Relocation Plan
The human rights groups have raised objections against the government's plan to relocate
Rohingyas at Thengar Char near Hatiya Island because it is surrounded by several feet of
water at high tide years round and submerged at the time of monsoon.
The island was formed about a decade ago by sediments from the River Meghna and it has
no road connectivity or flood defences also.
The relocation plan was last proposed in 2015 but the government quietly suspended it after
criticism from international aid groups and rights activists.
The place was only accessible during winter and is a haven for pirates hence in the absence
of any facilities with these challenges it is very difficult to live in such an uninhabitable area.
There is also a criticism that the government has pushed the relocation of the refugees
stating that it is hampering the tourism of the Cox's Bazar district hence human rights groups
have raised strong objections to the plan declaring it a forced relocation.
Please refer Section 4.3. in Part 8 (Dec 2016) of Current Affairs Magazine for details on
Rohingya crisis.
In News
A suicide bomber had detonated near a parking lot of Supreme Court in the capital of
Afghanistan which resulted into the death of around 20 people.
Hitherto no terrorist group had claimed the responsibility but it had been speculated that the
terror act was done by Taliban terrorist organization.
Later, on the social media platform ISIS claimed the responsibility of the attack.
2. The terrorist group has taken advantage of a security vacuum to establish a foothold in
Afghanistans northeastern border. ISIS has announced that it was forming a new province
in Afghanistan.
3. ISIS has launched several attacks including bombing the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad,
killing seven people and the recent one near Kabul Supreme Court.
4. Locals were attracted to ISIS because of unemployment and deprived socio-economic
conditions in the country.
Terrorism in Afghanistan
Modern Afghanistan is seen as a place of terrorism and fear but it hasn't always been that
way. Afghanistan had always been a good trade location.
Due to its popular trade background, Afghanistan attracted many invaders throughout its
history and it has been fought over and ruled by many people.
Afghanistan has been a place of constant war since the 1980's. Terrorism started when The
Taliban came into power.
The Taliban are a political terrorist group which conquered Afghanistan and its people. In
1996 when The Taliban first rose into power, they took a series of rights away from Afghans
and they started attacking and victimizing them.
They forced all Afghans to convert to Islam and when the Afghans tried to fight back and
sieze the help of other countries, The Taliban started attacking other countries as well.
The Taliban started making planned attacks on states all over the world including 9/11.
September 11 Attack and U.S., U.K. Intervention
The hijacking and crashing of four U.S. jetliners on Sept. 11, 2001 brought instant attention
to Afghanistan. The plot had been hatched by al-Qaeda and some of the 19 hijackers had
trained in Afghanistan.
In the aftermath of the attacks, the administration of U.S. coalesced around a strategy of
first ousting the Taliban from Afghanistan and dismantling al-Qaeda.
ISAF forces fought alongside the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) as
the international community worked to improve ANDSF capabilities.
In support of the Afghan government, ISAF assisted the Afghan National Security Forces
(ANSF) in the conduct of security operations throughout the country, helping to reduce the
capability of the insurgency.
An important priority for ISAF was to increase the capacity and capabilities of the Afghan
forces. This became the main focus of the mission from 2011 onwards, as responsibility for
security was progressively transitioned to Afghan lead and ISAF shifted from a combat-
centric role to training, advising and assisting.
The multinational force also helped to create the space and lay the foundations for
improvements in governance and socio-economic development for sustainable stability.
The massive protests in Romania were being held against the deliberated dilution of anti-
corruption laws in the country.
The government's pullback could be seen as a victory for President Klaus Iohannis, who filed
a Constitutional Court challenge against the decree arguing that it undermined the rule of law
and efforts to combat corruption.
A new bill lobbying for reforms in the H-1B visa programe was tabled in the US.
The legislation regarding hike in the salaries of workers possessing H-1B visa and the
anticipated changes to be done in the H- 1B visa policy has concerned the Indian I.T.
industry and technological skilled workers operating in USA.
What Is H- 1B Visa
It is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa category for temporary workers.
For such a visa, an employer must offer a job and apply for employees H- 1B visa petition
with the US Immigration Department. If approved, this work permit allows the employees to
obtain a visa stamp and work in the U.S. for that employer.
About H- 1B Visa Programme Bill
To curb the number of immigrant workers the Bill has been presented in the U.S. congress,
which prohibits companies from hiring H- 1B employees more than 50% of their total
employees.
The enhancement in the job opportunities for the American workers was one of the
declarations in the election campaign of the newly elected President. This provision would
crack down on outsourcing companies that deploy large numbers of H-1B workers for short
training periods and then send these workers back to their home country to do the work for
Americans.
The Bill seeks to give the Department of Labour enhanced authority to review, investigate
and audit employers compliance as well as to penalise fraudulent or abusive conduct.
According to the Bill, the minimum salary of H- 1B visa holders will be increased to $ 1,
30,000 per annum from $ 60,000 annually. This will negate the benefit which companies
have in appointing outsourced workers thus discouraging outsourcing.
Currently the firms need not go through extensive paperwork if the potential H- 1B employee
has an equivalent of a Masters degree. The Bill aims to do away with the Masters degree
exemption as they are easily obtained by foreign workers.
The Indian multinational companies might have to make changes in their policies and
business strategies which can hurt their cost and profits.
These anticipations raised tensions in the sector and are causing instability in the STEM
sector.
Concerns For U.S. Companies
Indian IT sector contributes 9.3% to the U.S.A.s GDP and employs 3.7 million people.
The uncertainty caused by the new visa policy might lead to instability in the sector which
may result in reduced employment rate.
The risks to the IT services sector include an increase in cost per professional because of
more local hiring and a disruption in service continuity which may have a negative impact on
the profitability of companies that are visa-reliant.
If these reforms will be implemented they may force the companies to make fundamental
changes in their business strategies including hiring more American workers and raising
salaries they pay to employees working on client sites in the US.
Indian skilled professionals many of whom became US permanent residents and citizens
through the guest worker route, have founded scores of companies in America and
generated tens of thousands of jobs and billions in revenues in the nearly 25 years since the
guest worker programme began. The new policies might hit this successful guest worker
programme.
Response By Indian Government
The Indian Prime Minister raised the issue during his interaction with US Congress members
and suggested that restrictions on professionals would be an unwelcome step.
The Prime Minister hailed the role of Indians in enriching US economy and their contribution
to the US economy.
Q. The change in H1 b visa policy will have severe effects on Indian STEM sector.
Critically analyse.
The discussions also took place on Africa, Iran and related international political situation.
Both the officials during their discussions also talked upon the situation evolving in US after
President Donald Trump took office.
India-China Relations
In 1993, the signing of an Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the
Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the India-China Border Areas during Prime Minister
Narasimha Raos visit reflected the growing stability and substance in bilateral ties.
India and China have common interests on several multilateral issues of global importance
like climate change, WTO and reform of the international financial institutions etc.
The close cooperation and coordination is reflected between the two sides within the BRICS,
G-20, SCO and other multilateral fora.
Economic Relations
The relationship in economic aspect has seen rapid progress in the last few years.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at $70.73 billion in 2015-16 making China
Indias largest trading partner in goods, replacing the USA.
Apart from trade, India is one of the largest markets for project exports from China.
Cultural Relations
The broad contours of the India-China cultural cooperation was laid down in the Agreement
on Cultural Cooperation signed in May 1988, which provides for an executive Cultural
Exchange Programme(CEP) for implementation.
In 2003, Prime Minister Vajpayee had commanded to build an Indian style Buddhist temple
in Luoyang, Henan province and President PratibhaDevisinghPatil inaugurated the temple
during her visit to China in May 2010.
In June 2008, joint stamps were released, one stamp depicting the Mahabodhi temple at
Bodhgaya and the other depicting the White Horse temple at Luoyang.
A Centre for Indian studies was set up in Peking University in 2003.Chairs of Indian Studies
have also been established in Shenzhen University, Jinan University, Fudan University,
Guangdong University and in Shanghai International Studies University.
1. Border Issue
The Border issue is rooted in the disputed status of the McMahon Line which defines the
border between India and Tibet.
India recognizes this agreement as the basis for its territorial claim while China objected the
validity of McMahon Line which was drawn in 1914 Shimla convention because China was
not a party to Shimla Convention so it is not bound to accept the boundary demarcated by
Shimla convention.
India claims 43,180 squares Kilometers of Jammu and Kashmir is occupied by China
including 5180 square kilometers which was ceded to China by Pakistan under a 1963
China-Pakistan boundary Agreement.
On the other hand, China claims 90,000 square kilometers of territory is held by India in
Arunachal Pradesh.
There has not been a remarkable progress in resolving the border dispute between the two
sides due to the importance of Aksai Chin to China as the main link between Tibet and
Xinjiang province of China and Arunachal Pradesh to India as crucial to stability in Indias
north-eastern insurgent affected areas.
After the 1962 war, relationship between China and India remained hostile for several
decades. Indias grant of statehood to Arunachal Pradesh in the late eighties (February
1987), which China claims as a part of South Tibet, caused hostility on the bilateral relations
to such an extent that another war seemed imminent.
China claimed the major territorial concessions in populated areas of Arunachal Pradesh
particularly Twang as it is central to Tibetan Buddhism given that the sixth Dalai Lama was
born there.
In the same way, as China seeks return of Arunachal Pradesh on religious grounds, India
demands the return of the sacred Mount Kailash Manasrovar in Tibet since it is a sacred
place associated with the Hindu religion and Indian ancient history.
Between China and India water issues are becoming major area of concern.
Chinas plan of constructing big dams and diverting the water of rivers to its own advantage
has discontented India.
There are four rivers that flow from China to India which are the tributaries of Brahmaputra
and Ganga river, the two countries must have a better understanding relating to water
sharing and other attending benefits out of these rivers.
In order to build a number of water projects in Tibet including a dam on Brahmaputra,
Chinese scientists have recently completed a comprehensive satellite study of cross border
Tibetan rivers completed determining their exact sources besides measuring the length of
their drainage basins.
Chinas strategic advantage over these rivers being an upper riparian state makes it possible
to counter-balance India on many other issues. The immense water resources in Tibet are a
critical factor in Chinas Tibet policy.
India being the lower riparian state is vulnerable to any major storage projects planned on
the YarlungTsangpo (Brahmaputra). Due to the political situation between the two countries
it is hard to imagine China playing the role of a responsible upper riparian state.
The problem gets more complicated in the absence of international law on shared waters
and when one such was attempted China voted against the convention on the law of the
Non-Navigational uses of International water courses in the UN General Assembly in 1997.
In spite of India and China having entered into agreements in the recent past on sharing of
hydrological data for flood control, the Chinese have not been consistent in sharing of the
information.
3. Stapled Visas
In 2011, China stopped issuing such visas for people from Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Tibet Issue
At the very heart of Indias relations with China is the unresolved issue of Tibet. In 1950,
Chinese troops invaded Tibet to reclaim and re-assert its sovereignty (Tibet declared
independence from China in 1913) over the region which was confirmed after both parties
signed the Seventeen Point Agreement.
In 1950 following an uprising in Tibet Dalai Lama fled to India with many of his followers
joining him in exile where he established the Central Tibetan Administration (commonly
known as the Tibetan government-in-exile).
When the uprising took place, India was accused of aiding the rebels.
India had sought to maintain Tibet as a buffer zone and restore its semi-independent status.
In 2003, when then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Beijing, India
recognized the Tibet Autonomous Region as an integral part of the Peoples Republic of
China.
However while Indias official position on the Dalai Lama is to consider him a spiritual leader
and an honored guest, China on the other hand opposes any country that provides a
platform for his (the Dalai Lamas) anti-China activities in any form.
5. String Of Pearls
One of Indias growing concerns is Chinas ever-expanding sphere of geopolitical influence
in the Indian Ocean.
Termed as string of pearls it involves the development of commercial ports in various
countries as part of its new Silk Route.
The route which China claims as an important trade corridor extends from its naval base in
Hainan Island (South China Sea) to Bagamayo in Tanzania, Africa, with several of the ports
encircling mainland India.
These include Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Gwadar (Pakistan), Chittagong (Bangladesh) and
Marao Atoll (Maldives).
Strong Chinese regulatory systems have put off exports from India especially from sectors
like information technology (IT), meat and pharmaceuticals where India is believed to have
the upper hand.
India is an exporter of raw materials to China with India importing finished goods from China
that have virtually invaded the markets in various sectors like toys, consumer electronics and
even areas like firecrackers thereby affecting Indias own manufacturing sector.
Various other goods like glasses, ceramics, bathroom fittings among many others are also
getting easier to import from China.
Traders prefer buying finished goods from China as theyre better in quality and come cheap,
compared to the rising production costs and other related taxes and duties back home and
offer them better margins.
The other areas where the relation between India and China are tensed include increased
trade and development projects in Africa and Latin America. Indias trade with Africa is
expected to rise to a $100 billion in 2015, while Chinas annual trade with Africa is worth
$200 billion
7. Other Issues: Along with these issues China is also acting as an irritant in several more
issues such as Indias bid for the membership in Nuclear Suppliers group, vetoed Masood
Azhar designation as terrorist in United Nations, Dumping measures against Indias domestic
industries and favouring Pakistan.
Q. Recently the strategic talks were held between foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Chinese
Foreign Ministerin Beijing. In the light of above mentioned strategic dialogue, discuss the
key contentious issue between India and China.
US politicians including the former secretary of state John Kerry has so far failed to convince
the Indian government to relax financial restrictions on Compassion International.
What Are The Challenges Faced By NGOS In India
The stringent regulations under FCRA (Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act) affect the
functioning of the NGOs.
In the pretext of national security and other allegations on NGOs there are accusations that
the Indian government curbs the voice of civil society organization against it.
To have their hold on the NGOs, the government has increased the ambit of the Lokpal Act
and with the notification the act was extended to those who are working in NGOs.
Under the Lokpal Act the senior employees of NGOs has been included in the definition of
public servant which make them prosecutable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
(PCA).
The notification under Lokpal Act makes it mandatory for senior staff of NGOs to provide
details of cash, bank balances, immovable propertiesand loans of themselves, their spouses
and dependent children has caused a deep discomfort within a section of the NGOs.
Findings of IB Report on NGOs
According to the IB report the significant number of NGOs has been noticed to be using
public centric issues to create an environment which can cause stalling of projects such as
nuclear power plants, mining projects, hydel projects and mega industrial projects. It is
estimated to be negatively affected the G.D.P. growth by 2.3 % per annum.
The report revealed that the identified NGOs cleverly disguised the use of money in the
pretext of utilizing in the human rights, rehabilitation of displaced people and protecting
livelihood of the affected people.
As per the report few of the NGOs spearheaded the campaigning against the industries
working in the development of genetically modified organism.
According to the report at times these NGOs were successful in influencing the
governmental policies and programmes.
The report alleged that these groups were acting on behalf of foreign entities rather than in
the best interests of the Indian people and argued that foreign influence should be controlled
to protect Indias national economic security.
After the revelation of the findings the inspection of records and accounts of such
associations had been conducted under Section 20 and 23 of Foreign Contribution
(Regulation) Act, 2010 to ascertain receipt of foreign contribution and to verify its proper
utilization.
Based on the studies of the report the government of India has taken stricter actions against
the NGOs which acts as impediment for economic growth and affects the national security of
the country.
The roots of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act [FCRA] lie in the period of
emergency declared in India during the period between 1975 and 1977.
The legislation was passed in 1976 with the purpose of regulation of acceptance
and utilization of foreign contributions and hospitality by certain category of
persons.
The Act was promulgated in 2010 and the FCR amendment act addresses some
of the key issues of the 1976 legislation without bringing into account any
significant changes into the scope or structure of the existing framework.
Being a special act the FCRA supersedes and prevails over other legislation such
as FEMA therefore even if some transactions are allowed as per FEMA,
restrictions if any, imposed by FCRA shall prevail.
Applicability
The act applies to the whole of India and even covers associates/branches and
subsidiaries of Indian companies and bodies registered or incorporated in India.
Further it is also applicable to citizens of India outside India.
Foreign Contribution
Foreign governments
International agencies [ not including agencies as specified by the government]
Foreign companies, corporations and MNCs
Foreign Hospitality
Foreign hospitality is another regulated element forming part of this regulation. The
following individuals can receive foreign aid only with the prior permission of the
central government:
Member of legislature
Office bearer of political party
Judge
Government servant
Employee of government corporation
Registration And Administration Under FCRA
Organisations with a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social
programme can accept foreign contributions however to do so they have to
register themselves with the central government under section 11 of the FCRA.
To be so registered with the government the organization must be in existence for
a period in excess of 3 years.
The funds so received by the organisationmust be used only for the purpose for
which they were received. And the organization must not use the funds for
speculative purposes.
Q. Various international NGOs have criticized India for stricter regulations of funding? What is
Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act? Do you think the stand of the Indian government
is justified?
India successfully hosted the 6th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Amritsar in
December 2016 which called for immediate elimination of terrorism to help the war-ravaged
country in its political and economic transition.
Our consistent signaling on the political inclusivity and peaceful transfer of power was
appreciated by all sections of the Afghans.
Commercial Relations
India recently announced an additional Rs 600 crore (approximately US$ 120 million) to
meet the escalation cost of the Salma dam power project which generate 52 MW of power
and irrigate 40,000 hectares of farmland.
India is also providing training and assistance to Afghans national security forces. For the
first time, India gifted Mi-25 attack helicopters to the Afghan forces.
Pakistan has made several attempts to side-line India in Afghanistan. It initially tried to link
stability in Afghanistan to the resolution of the Kashmir issue and then accused India of
destabilising Pakistan through its consulates in Afghanistan.
In the face of Pakistans unwillingness to change its view, Russian reluctance and Chinese
ambiguity, India has emerged as a clear choice. From being marginalised due to Pakistan,
India is poised to play a larger role to protect its interests in the post-withdrawal security
situation.
Indias Involvement in Afghanistan Aims To:
Support a plural government in Afghanistan representing all the ethnic groups and thereby
strengthening of democracy.
Help Afghanistan to become a viable state that can pursue an independent foreign policy.
Connectivity therefore becomes the key issue and India is supportive of the Silk Route.
Help Afghan forces becoming combat capable and to take responsibility in the post-transition
period. The Strategic Partnership Agreement that the two countries signed in October 2011
is an important step in this regard.
Help Afghanistan to emerge as a self-sustaining economy. India is engaged in the economic
development of Afghanistan, which is likely to sustain its presence in the post-transition
phase.
Bring peace and stability in the region.India is engaged with the regional countries in finding
a solution to Afghanistan and at least support the Afghan governments multilateral political
and economic initiatives.
Enable Kabul to fight against drug problems and extremism.
The visit of Minister of State for External Affairs was in keeping with the tradition of close
political consultations and exchanges between India and Maldives.
The Minister reiterated Indias support for a stable, democratic, peaceful and prosperous
Maldives fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens during the visit.
Both the nations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed to impart fresh
momentum for further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide spectrum.
The discussions were focussed on areas of defence and security, counter-terrorism and
economic ties including substantial investment in the tourism sector in Maldives.
There was also discussion on developmental partnership, capacity building, youth and
cultural exchange.
President Yameen conveyed his appreciation for the consistent support of India and
reiterated the high priority attached by his Government to India in keeping with their "India
First policy.
India Maldives Relations
Refer Section 2.6 in Part 4 (August 2016) Issue of Current Affairs
Between India and U.K. the MLAT has been signed in 1995.Recently Enforcement
Directorate of India has invoked the treaty for the extradition of Vijay Mallya in the alleged
bank loan fraud.
For India-UK Bilateral relations, refer section 5.2 in Part 7 (Nov 2017) of CA Magazine.
The two countries signed the agreement in Feb. 2007 to rule out risks related to nuclear
accidents. This is the second extension of the agreement originally signed in 2007. The
agreement is the only major nuclear-related pact signed by the two countries after the
Lahore Declaration of 1999. The agreement last extended in 2012 completed its term of five
years.
The agreement provides for immediate exchange of information between the two countries in
the event of an accident relating to nuclear weapons, under their respective jurisdiction and
control which can create the risk of radioactive fallout with adverse consequences for both
sides or can create the risk of an outbreak of a nuclear war.
The agreement is part of the nuclear confidence building measures that the two countries
have taken and have remained intact despite prevailing tension in the bilateral relationship.
Furthermore, India and Pakistan have been regularly exchanging lists of their nuclear
facilities under the 1988 Agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and
Facilities. Additionally, the two have an Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of
Ballistic Missiles.
About FATF
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established
in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions.
The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective
implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating
money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of
the international financial system.
The FATF is a policy-making body which works to generate the necessary political
will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary
measures, reviews money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and
counter-measures and promotes the adoption and implementation of appropriate
measures globally.
The FATF's decision making body, the FATF Plenary, meets three times per year.
The 28th session of African Union summit had been organized in Addis Ababa, Ehiopia to
reiterate the commitment for peace and security in the African continent.
The U.N. secretary reiterated the will of the UN to support the African people and
contribute fully to the peace missions in the continent. He expressed gratitude to African
countries for providing the majority of UN peacekeepers around the work, for being among
the worlds largest hosts of refugees and among some of the worlds fastest growing
economies.
During the AU Summit the leaders deliberated on a report to reform the AU. The idea to
reform the AU follows a decision made during the 12th AU summit held in Ethiopia in 2009
where it was agreed to set up a committee to look into the modalities of turning the AU
secretariat into an authority.
Another major issue for the leaders at the annual summit was the establishment of a
Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by 2017.
The summit was also expected to consider a request by Morocco to rejoin the AU.
Morocco withdrew from the OAU 32 years ago in protest at the continental bodys support for
the Polisario Front and its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as an
independent state. The admission of Morocco will bring the membership of the AU to 55.
The political situation in some hot spots in the continent including the Democratic Republic of
Congo was also discussed along with the other issues includes trade, food security and
climate change.
Issues of peace and security dominated many of the presentations by the African and visiting
Heads of State and Government. Many of the leaders condemned terrorism in very strong
terms. Various speakers at the summits opening ceremony expressed their commitment to
mainstreaming youths programs in all socio- economic activities.
About African Union
Founded in 2002, African Union is an international organization headquartered at Addis
Ababa and consists of 54 African member states.
The Lome Summit of 2000 adopted the Constitutive Act and the Lusaka Summit of 2001
drew the roadmap for implementation of the African Union.
The birth of the AU is a legacy of the Pan-African movement towards creating institutions to
achieve the objectives of peace, political stability, democracy, economic integration and
good governance.
The commission is responsible for the running and delivery of the AU agenda aimed at
advancing greater continental integration for a more prosperous Africa.
The report highlighted hardline stance on refugees such as Hungarys migrant crisis
and Australia's system of offshore detention.
The report warns that a lack of human rights leadership on the world stage will see ongoing
crises worsen in 2017. It even goes so far as to suggest that the values laid out in the 1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations after World War II, are
in danger of dissolution.
There are various issues such as discrimination and violence faced by dalits, discriminatory
labour laws, and the marginalized communities continued to be frequently ignored in the
governments push for faster economic growth.
In the report the tensions between India and Pakistan intensified following an attack by
gunmen on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir were highlighted.
The report threw light upon the demonetization process which was intended as a crackdown
on the countrys black market severely affected the livelihoods of millions.
The report also raised the issue of armed groups in central India, northeastern states and
Jammu and Kashmir committed a range of human rights abuses. The CPI (Maoist) armed
group was suspected of extortion, abductions and unlawful killings including of local
government officials and suspected police informers in states such as Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. .
According to statistics released, the report highlighted the increase in crimes against
children. In addition the report mentioned the new laws that came into force in January,
juvenile justice authorities ordered that children aged 16 to 18 be treated as adults in cases
of serious crimes.
The report highlighted the approach of development which is harming the tribal masses for
example the central government continued to acquire land using the Coal Bearing Areas Act
which allows for the acquisition of Adivasi land without consent.
Extrajudicial executions are also highlighted in the report. According to the data that former
Manipur state policeman told journalists that he had been involved in more than 100
extrajudicial executions in the state between 2002 and 2009.
The report raised concerns about the continued use of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation)
Act (FCRA) by restricting civil society organizations from receiving foreign funding to harass
NGOs.
The issue of LGBT and the Supreme Court judgment re-criminalizing Section 377 was also
highlighted in the report.
The report emphasized the increase in crimes against women and girls. According to
statistics of report over 327,000 crimes against women were registered in 2015. Women
It is based on the most recent data available (for 2015) to provide a comprehensive picture
of global air pollution and health levels and trends (since 1990).
The State of Global Air 2017 is the first of a new series of annual reports and accompanying
interactive website designed by Health Effects Institute in cooperation with the Institute of
In 2015 the report revealed that the long-term exposure to PM2.5 contributed to 4.2 million
deaths and to a loss of 103 million years of healthy life. China and India together accounted
for 52 per cent of the total global deaths attributable to PM2.5.
It found that increasing exposure for a growing and aging population have meant that India
can surpass China for among the highest air pollution health burdens in the world with both
countries facing some 1.1 million early deaths due to it in 2015.
Bangladesh and India have experienced the steepest rise in air pollution levels since
2010 and now have the highest PM2.5 concentrations among the countries according to the
report.
The report raised concerns about the alarming rise in the number of premature deaths
caused by the particulate matters in India. The rise in number deaths due to air pollution
increased up to 50% from 1990 to 2015.
Among the worlds 10 most populous countries and the EU, the biggest increase (14 per
cent to 25 per cent) in seasonal average population-weighted concentrations of ozone over
the last 25 years were experienced in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Brazil.
According to the report Pakistan, Bangladesh and India had PM2.5 attributable Disability
Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) rates that were 5 to 10 times the lowest rates, which were
found in the US and Japan.
There are no clear indications of a big push being given to Make-in-India in defence.
There is a very insignificant allocation under the budget head: Technology Development -
Assistance for prototype development under the Make procedure.
Among others, the government has promised to reduce income tax from present 30 % to 25
% for MSMEs with an annual turnover of upto Rs. 50 crore. This is likely to benefit some
6000 MSMEs which are presently supplying parts, components and sub-systems to players
like DRDO, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Ordinance factories and the large private
companies.
The meager increase of 5 % in the official defence budget is grossly inadequate especially in
view of the vast voids existing in military capability and the diminished and incremental effect
on modernisation and operational preparedness.
There is a need to augment resources substantially particularly under two critical heads of
the defence budget: stores and capital procurement, which have come under severe
pressure in the last several years with a huge negative consequence on Indias defence
preparedness.
From the MoDs perspective while the demand for higher allocations is a genuine one it must
also be fully geared up to utilise the available resources in a time-bound manner. There is
hardly any merit in asking for more resources while the present capacity to utilise the
available resources particularly those under the capital head is constrained.
The defence establishment must look inward and find lasting solutions to procurement
impediments.
At the same time, the MoD also needs to look at the current profile of the defence budget
and lose no opportunity for controlling manpower costs so as to allow other items of
expenditure to grow in a healthy manner.
The Indian navy is focusing on the utilization of solar energy in naval vessels. In this context the
naval survey vessel INS Sarvekshak has innovatively deployed the zero-maintenance solar
power system.
The system is maintenance free whereas the diesel generator requires regular
maintenance.
The Southern Command has two of these survey ships based at Kochi. Besides carrying out
their primary role of hydrographic survey as allotted by the Chief Hydrographer, they also
assist in times of war and natural calamities.
o Give in principle approval to Capital acquisitions in the Long Term Perspective Plan
(LTPP) covering a 15-year time span at the beginning of a Five Year Plan period.
(The approval will, in particular, identify the Make projects in the Perspective Plan
where long gestation periods are involved).
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 103
o Give in principle acceptance of necessity to each Capital acquisition project for
incorporation in the forthcoming Five Year Plan, at least nine months before the
commencement of the first year of that plan. The approval will involve the
identification of Either - Buy Projects (outright purchase) Or - Buy and Make
projects (purchase followed by licensed production/ indigenous development) Or -
Make Projects (indigenous production and R&D).
o Monitor the progress of major projects on a feedback from the Defence Procurement
Board.
What Is The Need Of Defence Procurement Organisation
Autonomy
o DAC is currently spearheading the task of defence acquisition but it works under the
ministry of defence due to which its autonomy hampers.
o The autonomy through this organisation will bring in professionalization in the
process of acquisition and will bring down the time taken to complete defense
acquisitions.
Capacity Building Of Armed Forces: The sole intent of defence procurement is to provide
Armed forces with robust capability to enable them to protect the nations security and
advance national interests, both in the short and long terms.
Value For Money: Affordability and obtaining the best possible value for money by setting
aside a balanced defence budget and management thereof is extremely vital. The
organization specifically functioning in that aspect is beneficial for the better management of
budgetary allocation in accordance with the need of the defence system.
Overcoming Systematic Hurdles: To overcome problems of defence acquisition,
subsequent blacklisting of firms, delays, allegation of corruption and various systemic
hurdles an independent organization is needed.
The committee appointed by the government has recommended an independent
organization with legal, financial and technical experts under one roof.
Delays in defence acquisition creates impediment for the preparedness of the defence
system of country hence a dedicated organization is needed for the expeditious and effective
procedure of defence acquisition.
After monitoring a small sample of these shell companies, it has been found that Rs1,238
crore has been deposited in the accounts of such entities in the November-December
period.
Further, 49 shell companies and other proprietorship concerns have been identified wherein
it was found that hundreds of beneficiaries laundered money amounting to Rs3,900 crore
with the help of 54 professionals including chartered accountants.
The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has filed for criminal prosecution of these
entities and initiated the process for winding them up. Hence a task force to coordinate with
other agency and to check these ill-practices has been established
Laws Regarding Shell Companies
a) Company Law
o The Companies Act 1956 is a comprehensive set of laws and regulations governing the
formation and operations of companies in India.
o The main objectives for which the company is formed are listed in the subclause. It
must be observed that an act which is either essential or incidental for the attainment of
the main objects of the company, is deemed to be valid.
o The other objects are mentioned in the sub-clause of Other objects and if a company
wishes to undertake a business included in this sub clause it has to either pass a
special resolution or pass an ordinary resolution and get central governments approval
for the same.
o This is the enabling provision which may lead to the formation of shell companies. The
sole business purpose of these companies is to consummate a merger with another
company. It does not intend to carry out any kind of business of its own.
o The shell company though itself is not illegal but when they indulged in illegitimate
practice in the pretext of their main objective they should be held as illegal entity.
b) Norms of Securities and Exchange Board of India
o A Shell company obviously would not be able to satisfy the above norms. It would
neither have any net tangible assets nor an operating track record and as such it
would be difficult for it to issue capital.
c) Listing Norms: In order for a Shell company to function it needs to get listed on one of the
national stock exchanges, BSE or NSE. But instead they get registered themselves in the tax
havens.
d) The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 gives the government
powers to confiscate benami assets those held in the name of another person or under a
fictitious name to avoid taxation and conceal unaccounted-for wealth.
Panama Leak:
A Delhi court has set aside six-day simple imprisonment of a man in a drunken driving case.
Court has raised doubts over the efficacy of the alcoholmeter and the ability of the police
officers to operate it
An alcoholmeter is a hydrometer that indicates the alcoholic strength of liquids.
7.3. Blazars
A small part of this infilling material becomes redirected into a pair of particle jets, which blast
outward in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light.
In view of this study, the Government of Bihar has already introduced some interventions
such as asking parents to restrict litchi consumption by children, making sure no child goes
to bed without eating a meal, measuring blood glucose level and infusing 10% dextrose
immediately on admission to the hospital.
Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain.
It is mostly caused by a microorganism (bacteria, virus or parasite).
In a few cases, the offending agent can be any toxic compound
7.9. Wolbachia
Wolbachia is a natural bacterium present in up to 60% of all the different species of
insects around us, including some mosquitoes.
Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment. It is a naturally occurring
bacterium already found in the environment in many insect species.
Research on it to control Dengue: It is not usually found in the Aedes
aegypti mosquito, the primary species responsible for transmitting human viruses such
as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. For many years scientists, have been
studying Wolbachia, looking for ways to use it to potentially control the mosquitoes that
spread human diseases.
A hostile missile needs to be intercepted at boost (launch) point, mid-course (flight through
space) or terminal phase (during atmospheric descent).
The BMD is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) as a two layered system to tackle incoming targets at endo and exo atmospheres.
The BMD is a fully automated system which comprises of:
o Overlapping network of early warning and tracking radars
o Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile: The PAD is for high altitude interception and
intercepts missiles at altitudes between 50km-80km.
o Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile: The AAD is a low altitude interception system
and the destroys the target at altitudes of 15km-30km.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scripted history on February 15, 2017 by
successfully launching a record 104 satellites using PSLV C 37, including India's earth
observation satellite, on a single rocket from the spaceport in Sriharikota.
This is the highest number of satellites ever launched in a single mission.
Of the total 104 satellites, three were Indian and remaining 101 belonged to international
customers.
Indias three satellites included earth-mapping Cartosat-2 satellite (main payload) and nano
satellites INS-1A and INS-1B.
Foreign Satellites: Of the 101 co-passenger satellites, 96 belong to US and remaining 5 from
Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, respectively.
This mission beat the previous record held by Russia, which in 2014 had catapulted 37
satellites in a single launch, using a modified inter-continental ballistic missile.
It also broke ISROs previous national record set in June 2016, after it had successfully
launched 20 satellites, including 13 from the US in single mission.
The data from its satellites can be used to measure agricultural yields, monitor natural
resources and help first responders during natural disasters.
Space Diplomacy Of India
Space diplomacy is the way of using cooperation in space technology as an instrument to
enhance diplomatic ties and to develop the geo strategic interests. It has the potential to
enhance Indias diplomatic relations with developed as well as developing countries.
The ability to complete an immunisation regime in 10 days will facilitate the use of PfSPZ-
CVac in mass vaccination programmes to eliminate the malaria parasite and to prevent
malaria in travelers.
This ambient-air process for graphene fabrication is fast, simple, safe, potentially scalable,
and integration friendly.
7.17. Bharat QR
Payment networks such as MasterCard, American Express and Visa have collaborated with
National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch and promote the Bharat QR
payment method.
It is the easiest method of payment for users. Scanning the QR code through your mobile will
help in transferring money from one source to another.
Payments made through QR code will directly get transferred to the bank accounts unlike
other digital wallet where payments are received from e-mails.
Even though various banks and private companies already have this facility in their mobile
app, what makes the QR code different from others is that it is interoperable with all the
banks and it is not a closed-loop system.
Benefits of Bharat QR
It is ideal for small roadside merchants who find it tough to invest in point-of-sale terminals
for card payments.
It will allow the customers of any bank to use their smart phone app to make payment using
their debit card. For them, Bharat QR is an asset-light and cheap payment solution.
Also that the merchants will not face the problems with regard to limits on the amount of
money that they can accept every month through Bharat QR Code unlike Paytm, Freecharge
and Mobikwik.
The hassle of transferring money from wallet to bank account will be eliminated as well
further making it easier to accept digital money.
In case of Bharat QR Code, the transaction is completed with boosted security and the card
details remains under the control of the customer which is a great security advantage.
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 121
7.18. Biosimilar drugs
A biosimilar product is a biological product that is approved based on a showing that it is highly
similar to an already approved biological product, known as a reference product, and has no
clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety and effectiveness from the reference product.
How Are Biologic Products Different From Other Drugs?
7.19. Fluorosis
A large population in Odishas Nuapada district suffering from crippled backbones on account of
consumption of high fluoride-laced water.
Why This Disease
Fluorosis is usually caused by a high level of fluoride in drinking water.
These rich mangroves ecosystems are threatened mostly by conversion into agriculture and
aquaculture (shrimp farms), urban and tourism development and rising sea levels.
8.2. NCR Pollution Crisis: SC Asks Centre And States To Prepare Comprehensive Plan
SC has slammed the Centre for not taking a decision to ban polluting fuels like furnace oil
and pet coke in NCR region.
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 124
It has directed the centre to sit with Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana governments
to chalk out a comprehensive plan to tackle the pollution crisis.
As the pollution level in the national capital has reached alarming level, the Environment
Pollution Control and Prevention Authority (EPCA) has recommended to the Supreme Court
to implement a blanket ban on the polluting fuels.
EPCA is a Central Government constituted committee for the National Capital Region as per
the SC directions in 1998.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee had declared these fuels hazardous and unacceptable in
the capital way back in 1996.
Key Concerns
Since they are not banned outside Delhi border and are being increasingly used by
industries in NCR, they pose a grave danger to aggravate already alarming pollution level in
the city.
Main culprit: Quality of fuel played a critical role in quantum of pollution generated
especially sulphur level in furnace oil and pet coke was multiple times higher in comparison
of acceptable fuel.
The major aim of this project is to assess the status of phasinidaes and fringillidaes;
particularly globally threatened species found in Himalayan region and evaluate their
distribution.
Long Term Objective: This long-term monitoring project also aims to assess the socio-
economic activities of local communities and involve them in conservation efforts and
sensitize the local forest department staff.
Why Himalayas
Current Affairs For 2017- Part 10 (February 2016) Page 125
The Himalayas hold a rich natural heritage with diverse flora and fauna enhancing the
beauty of the region.
The Indian subcontinent is home to nearly 50 species of pheasants and 62 species of
finches, with several species listed in 'Globally Threatened' category by IUCN. Both these
groups are spread across the Himalayas.
Shrinking habitats combined with several biotic factors along with trapping and poaching
pressures in many areas have pushed several of them to near extinction.
Also Himalayan ecology is vulnerable to the threats of global warming and climate
change.Climate change can highly influence vertical and horizontal distribution of these
groups making boundaries of protected areas messy.
The species that can adapt will survive but habitat specialist and species sensitive to
temperature will suffer.
Importance of The Project
The project is part of a long-term programme of BNHS which intends to understand the
impact of climate change on biodiversity of the Himalayan region.
In order to conserve biodiversity, the local communities play a crucial role and hence their
involvement is important for the success of this project.
The project will contribute in making an inventory of pheasants and finches, documentation
of local specific conservation issues.
It will also help in designing local as well as species specific conservation action plan with
the community participation.
The conservation action plan of these sites is a first step towards the protection of the
ecosystem which benefits both biodiversity as well as the people in the system.
Keralas Nilambur teak, famous all over the world for its superior timber quality and elegant
appearance, will be included to the list of Kerala produces with the Geographical Indication
(GI) tag.
Nilambur is renowned for the oldest teak plantation in the world. The place is also noted
for its settlements of primitive tribes called Cholai Naikars, the world's first Teak Museum,
vast rain forests, waterfalls and ancient kovilakoms - residences of maharajas.
IPR Cell of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) with the support of the Nilambur Teak
Heritage Society, the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and the Department of Forests
have applied for GI tag for this purpose.
This superior and unique quality of teak was first identified by the Britishers from Keralas
Nilambur plantations and forests. Later, the region became the major supplier of quality teak
throughout the world. Nilambur was christened as the Mecca of Teak.
Due to its superior mechanical and physical properties as well as aesthetic appearance, the
teak was exported to England and other parts of the world. However, as the fame of
Nilambur teak increased, fake products with false tags also started flooding the wood and
furniture markets.
What is Geographical Indication (GI) tag?
GI tag is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over
centuries with regards to its special quality or reputation attributes.
The status to the products marks its authenticity and ensures that registered authorised
users are allowed to use the popular product name.
Benefits of GI Status
Legal protection to the products
Prevents unauthorised use of a GI tag products by others.
Key Facts
Irrawaddy Dolphins are found in three places namely Chilka Lake, Bhadrak Wildlife
sanctuary and Bhitarkanika.
The Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon of the country, recorded a marginal drop
in the population of Irrawaddy dolphins from 144 in 2015 to 134 in 2016. About 55 dolphins
were sighted this year in Bhitarkanika, compared to 58 spotted in 2015. In the Bhadrak
Wildlife Sanctuary jurisdiction, only five Irrawaddy dolphins were sighted.
Humpback and Bottlenose dolphins are not distributed uniformly in the State. Sighting of
Dolphins depends on the weather conditions. Migration of dolphins also continuously takes
place in waters close to the coast.
About Irrawaddy Dolphin
Irrawaddy Dolphin is not a true river dolphin, but an oceanic dolphin that lives in brackish
water near coasts, river mouths and in estuaries in South and Southeast Asia.
It has established subpopulations in freshwater rivers, including the Ganges and the
Mekong, as well as the Irrawaddy River from which it takes its name.
Threats:
o Deaths due to entanglement in fishing nets,
o developmental projects like construction of dams
Wetlands are defined as areas of land either temporarily or permanently covered by water
with a depth varying from 3 to 6 meters.
In 2011 ISRO prepared a national wetlands atlas on the basis of satellite image According to
it total wetland area estimated is 15.26 Mha, which is around 4.63 per cent of the geographic
area of the country. Area under inland wetlands is 10.56 million hectare and area under
coastal wetlands is 4.14 Mha.
Wetlands play a key role in the maintenance of hydrological cycle in storm and flood control,
water supply, providing food, fibre and raw materials.
They support lakhs of migratory birds from colder regions of the world in summers, apart
from mangroves that protect coastlines and filter pollutants.
Threats Faced By The Wetlands
With wetlands endangered by land grabbing activities, along with releasing lands for
commercial development,
Other threats include reclamation by draining and filling, besides pollution, and are exploited
for their natural resources, leading to the loss of biodiversity.
Largest and well-known lakes in India Wular in Kashmir (fresh water), Sambhar in
Rajasthan (salt) to Chilka in Orissa (brackish) are rapidly shrinking due to uncontrolled
development and illegal encroachment.
Pulicat Lake, Indias second largest lagoon bordering Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is
threatened by the Dugarajapatnam port project.
Government Measures
The Centre has formed a comprehensive scheme of National Plan for Conservation of
Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands.
The ministry has so far identifies 115 wetlands and 63 lakes in 24 states and 2 union
territories for conservation and management under the scheme.
So far, since 1987-88 an amount of Rs 780 crore has been released for undertaking various
conservation activities.
The court has directed the government to notify all wetlands under Wetlands (Conservation
and Management) Rules so that they could be preserved.
National Wetlands Conservation Programme since 1985-86 that provided financial support
for the protection of 115 wetlands in different states.
India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention (February 1982), an international treaty for the
conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
The National Fishermen Forum (NFF) has urged the central government to ban the disposal
of micro plastic into the sea.
Recent research shows the micro plastic and plastic nano-granules can damage the deep
sea organisms, rejecting the earlier view that plastic causes damage only to
the environment and ecology of shallow waters.
Why Ban Is Necessary
Fish resource fulfils the food demand of the people and protects the livelihood of the fishing
communities.
The organic material that is found in the top layers of the sea and that reach the sea bottom
is called marine snow. This marine snow becomes part of the food for the living organism
that live in the deep seas.
However the micro plastic granules and fibres can reach the bottom of the deep sea and
cause damage to the marine organisms in the deep sea.
Micro plastic fibres and micro beads are smaller than 5 mm in length. Micro particles of
polyester, nylon, acrylic acids enter the sea and get to the depth and consumed by the
marine organisms.
By dumping plastic waste into the sea, a great damage to the sea organisms is caused it.
Since the fishes contain micro plastic residues of the waste in their body, it would adversely
affect the human beings who consume it.
It would deprive humans of nutritious and sustainable food resources.
What India Can Do
United States of America and the United Kingdom have passed the laws to ban disposal of
micro plastic into the sea.
Similarly, Union Environment Ministry should take necessary steps to ban disposal of micro
plastic into the sea. Also the usage of micro plastic fibres in cosmetic and cleansing products
should be totally banned.
It is important to improve the waste disposal method using the latest scientific technology.
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change in collaboration of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and four states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Sikkim and Uttarakhand will launch 'safe Himalayas project from April.
It will maintain the balance between the livelihood security and development.
It aims to bring the people of this remote region to the mainstream of development as well as
add to ensure their participation in conservation of the Himalayan region.
Components of the Project
Eco-tourism
Emphasis on cultivation of traditional herbs and medicines.
Animal Husbandry and forest development schemes
Horticulture especially better distribution of Apple species.
Promotion of eco friendly building structures
8.10. A New Technology To Convert Waste To Energy Might Help India Deal With Its
Mounting Garbage Woes
Plastic and tire pyrolysis takes place in pyrolysis reactor. Pyrolysis reactor creates following
process conditions to carry out plastic or tire pyrolysis:
o Absence of oxygen
Consumer goods companies and waste paper recycling mills will have to be more
responsible towards disposal of plastic waste
It also attempts to bring out new approaches for an inclusive development considering that
participation and grassroots empowerment are key drivers of equitable and sustainable
development.
The State Board of Wildlife (SBW) of Karnataka has deferred the decision on declaring
Kappatagudda in Gadag district as a conservation reserve.
This has escalated ongoing tug-of-war between environmentalists who are seeking the tag
and the mining lobby opposing it.
Issue has become more intense after the board empowered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to
take a final call.
It is also opposed on the grounds that Karnataka was the only State where the precious
mineral was found.
The government allowed setting up of 250 windmills to generate power but is now trying to
make a decision that will be detrimental to the villagers and ultimately to the forest.
Most of the seizures were in India, while the rest were from Bangladesh, Thailand and
China. Of the amphibians seized, the turtles were established as having come from India.
Despite the strengthening of smuggling network, India continues to bear the ignominy of
being the source of the illegal trade and export of tortoises and freshwater turtles (TFT).
Gangetic Plains A Red Zone
Within India, the Gangetic Plains accounted for 46% of all seizures, with Lucknow and
Kanpur being major hubs.
This was linked to tightening of the enforcement (including an active Special Task Force) in
Uttar Pradesh and the Gangetic belt.
There is a tradition of turtle poaching in this area given the diversity of TFT population along
the river.
Other Vulnerable Areas: Apart from the Ganga and its tributaries, TFTs have been
poached in rivers of the Western Ghats and, in smaller numbers, in the Eastern Ghats. The
cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have seen large-scale seizures, mostly poached for
export.
Major Cause
Domestic consumption of turtle meat in West Bengal and Bangladesh acts as a major
reason.
Also the international export (pet trade) to south-east Asian countries and China bringing in
profits for smugglers is another cause.
Conclusion
Turtles form an important part of the riverine system, acting as scavengers in cleaning up
water bodies and generally being indicators of river health. So. It has to be protected.
National Mission for Clean Ganga envisages breeding and release of turtles to clean
wetlands, even as poaching and trade continues across the Gangetic belt.
Enforcement of anti-poaching laws especially Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and fishing
regulations are a must.
Community outreach programme to spread mass awareness and providing alternate
livelihood programmes can also help.