Current Affairs May 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLITY ..................................................................................................................................................
Election related news ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Closing Gender gap may have influenced Elecion oucome........................................................................................................................................ !
"on#disclosure of spouse$s Asses ground for dis%ualificaion .................................................................................................................................. !
Candidaes o add cos of illegal voer slips o elecion e&pendiure ....................................................................................................................... !
Crucial amendmen for voer proecion sill pending ................................................................................................................................................... !
EC can in%uire ino paid "ews .................................................................................................................................................................................................... '
SUPREME COURT Judgments ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
SC comes down heavily on Secion 'A of (S)E Ac .......................................................................................................................................................... '
SC refuses o say *ifurcaion of Andhra )radesh ............................................................................................................................................................. +
SC refuses o inerfere wih decision regarding Ar,una Award .................................................................................................................................. +
SC uphelds he Consiuional validiy of he -.E Ac .................................................................................................................................................... /
0inoriy insiuions and 2111 verdic .................................................................................................................................................................................. /
-ecording of -ape Vicims Saemens o *e 2as .rac3ed .......................................................................................................................................... /
Polity Miscellaneous .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
"ew 4o3 Sa*ha will have no 4eader of 5pposiion .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
7loc3ing all we*sies wih pornographic conen no possi*le .................................................................................................................................. 6
4aw commission wans review of (eah )enaly ............................................................................................................................................................11
-esoring 4egiimacy o )I4 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................11
CentreState Relations ........................................................................................................................................................................... !!
.amil "adu governmen re,ecs "IA pro*e........................................................................................................................................................................11
0ulleperiyar Issue ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................12
ECONOMY .......................................................................................................................................... 14
"ndia #ecame t$ird largest economy in %&!!' (orld )an* ................................................................................................. !+
"ndia,s growt$ remains su#dued at +.-. in %&!/!+ ............................................................................................................. !5
0o1ernment and Economy ................................................................................................................................................................... !5
-esoring *alance in 0acroeconomy 8 Challenges *efore he new Governmen ............................................................................................1!
)rioriies for he Incum*en Governmen ..........................................................................................................................................................................1!
0easures o *e a3en9 *udgeary measures .....................................................................................................................................................................1!
Policy 0uidelines #y R)" ........................................................................................................................................................................ !6
0inors over 11 years can operae *an3 accouns ...........................................................................................................................................................1'
Governance reform in 7an3s 8 "aya3 Commiee -epor...........................................................................................................................................1+
-7I as3s *an3s o ma3e all A.0s disa*led#friendly ......................................................................................................................................................1/
:or3ing Group on -esoluion -egime for 2inancial Insiuions ...........................................................................................................................16
SE)" 2ro2oses new listing3 disclosure re4uirement norms ................................................................................................... !9
5MC s2eci6ies new rules 6or regulating COME7 8Commodity E9c$ange: #usiness .................................................... %&
President to dedicate RuPay to t$e nation ................................................................................................................................... %&
Mo1e to let #an*s 2ro1ide 2artial credit en$ancement to cor2orate #onds ................................................................ %&
Centre recommends antidum2ing le1y on U.S.3 C$inese solar cells ................................................................................. %!
SOCIAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................................. 22
O1er /&& Maa#ari centres to #e o2ened in tri#al areas in Ra;ast$an ............................................................................ %%
Ear2$ones a ma;or reason 6or railway trac* deat$ ................................................................................................................ %%
E(;CA.I5" ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2<
0o1ernment cannot im2ose a <anguage as t$e only teac$ing medium ......................................................................... %/
Pri1ati=ing 2ro6essional education .................................................................................................................................................. %/
Englis$ a casualty in go1ernment sc$ools .................................................................................................................................... %+
=EA4.= ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2!
>ig$er ta9 on to#acco 2roducts ........................................................................................................................................................ %5
?nti#iotic resistance a t$reat to 2u#lic $ealt$ glo#ally ........................................................................................................ %5
"ndia continues to $a1e largest num#er o6 2eo2le de6ecating in t$e o2en ................................................................... %6
"ndia,s maternal mortality rate and its woes ............................................................................................................................. %6
5.5 Million @in1isi#le, #a#ies die eac$ year ................................................................................................................................... %-

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Surrogacy <aws and discrimination ............................................................................................................................................... %-
ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................... 2!
SC #ans Jalli*attu ..................................................................................................................................................................................... %9
?ntarctica "ce <oss $as dou#led ........................................................................................................................................................ %9
Climate c$ange is ma*ing 6ood cro2s less nutritious .............................................................................................................. %9
Ae2al glaciers s$rin* #y !B+
t$
in last /& years ........................................................................................................................... %9
Carnata*a agrees 6or #an on Mining in western 0$ats ......................................................................................................... /&
Aewly disco1ered s2ecies...................................................................................................................................................................... /&
En1ironment a non issue "n elections ........................................................................................................................................... /&
Declining 2o2ulation o6 migratory and domestic s2ecies o6 #irds in "ndia .................................................................. /!
IN"IA AN" #ORL" ........................................................................................................................ $$
<eaders 6rom S??RC nations in1ited at swearing in ceremony o6 new go1ernment ............................................... //
:orld 4eaders congraulae "arendra 0odi for vicory in Indian General Elecions ...................................................................................<<
"ndia E US ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... //
Enhanced .rade -elaions ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................<<
=#17 visa holders hail move o le spouses wor3 ............................................................................................................................................................<>
"ndia E C$ina .............................................................................................................................................................................................. /+
"ndia E Pa*istan ........................................................................................................................................................................................ /+
)a3isan as3s ,ournaliss from ).I and .he =indu o leave .......................................................................................................................................<>
"ndia E Srilan*a ........................................................................................................................................................................................ /5
7an on 4..E e&ended for five years .....................................................................................................................................................................................<!
"ndia Singa2ore ........................................................................................................................................................................................ /6
Sim*e& 211> ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................<'
Singapore replaces 0auriius as op source of 2(I in India .......................................................................................................................................<'
Mauritius to 2ro1ide automatic ta9 in6ormation e9c$ange 6or india ............................................................................. /6
"ndia signs loan agreements wit$ (orld )an* 6or assistance 6or Sar1a S$i*s$a ?#$iyan """ ............................. /-
#ORL" AFFAIRS ............................................................................................................................ $%
Elections in "ra4 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ /F
5pinion9 :hy Ira% elecions can? fi& chaos lef *ehind *y ;.S. ................................................................................................................................</
Ae2al issues ................................................................................................................................................................................................ /9
Pa*istan "ssues .......................................................................................................................................................................................... /9
:=5 sounds aler on polio .........................................................................................................................................................................................................<6
)a3isan governmen opposes 0usharraf going a*road .............................................................................................................................................>1
Islama*ad@ .ehran agree on coninuaion of pipeline...................................................................................................................................................>1
C$ina issues ................................................................................................................................................................................................. +&
.error aac3s in china .................................................................................................................................................................................................................>1
Ain,iang9 <6 senenced on error charges ...........................................................................................................................................................................>1
US issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... +!
;.S. signs sraegic 21#year lease on (,i*oui *ase .........................................................................................................................................................>1
Complee Afghan roop pullou *y 211'#end ....................................................................................................................................................................>2
;S 8 I"(IA Inellecual )ropery -ighs BI)-C Issues ...................................................................................................................................................>2
Military cou2 in T$ailand .................................................................................................................................................................... +/
U*raine crisis ............................................................................................................................................................................................. +/
T$e menace o6 #o*o $aram in Aigeria ........................................................................................................................................... ++
.he core issue ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................>>
@)orn 5ree, elections in sout$ ?6rica ............................................................................................................................................... +5
Syria truce Gto let re#els wit$draw 6rom #esieged >omsG ..................................................................................................... +6
C$ina Hietnam Oil Rig issue ................................................................................................................................................................ +6
:ha is moivaing ChinaD ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................>+
"ran nuclear issue .................................................................................................................................................................................... +-
"nternational Criminal Court to reo2en "ra4 war 2ro#e ..................................................................................................... +-
?6g$an 2residential election $eads to runo66 in June .............................................................................................................. +F

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Eurosce2tic 2arties stri*e it ric$ in EU 2oll ................................................................................................................................. +F
Sino Russia deal #oosts strategic 2artners$i2 .......................................................................................................................... +9
Russia3 Ca=a*$stan3 )elarus 6orm Eurasian Economic Union ............................................................................................ +9
SCIENCE & TEC' ............................................................................................................................. 0
>y#rids can ma*e t$e most o6 "ndia,s c$aotic roads ............................................................................................................... 5&
)luetoot$I tec$nology ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5&
Pro;ect Perse2$one ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5!
T$e R$ino DA? "nde9ing System 8R$oD"S: .................................................................................................................................. 5!

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POLITY
ELECTION RELATE" NE#S
CLOSIN( (EN"ER (AP MAY 'AVE INFLUENCE" ELECTION OUTCOME
As per experts the rising number of women voters in 2014 might have had an impact on the outcome of the
Lok Sabha election.
he gender gap in voting is the closest it has ever been.
!omen"s turnout #the number of women who actuall$ voted as a proportion of all those registered% has
grown much faster than men"s& b$ nearl$ 10 percentage points between 200' and 2014.
(n 2014& men outnumbered women b$ over 40 million on the electoral rolls& giving the electorate a sex ratio
of '0) women for ever$ 1&000 men. *ut shockingl$ this is more adverse than the sex ratio of the general
population& which stood at '4+ in the 2011 ,ensus.
NON)"ISCLOSURE OF SPOUSE*S ASSETS (ROUN" FOR "IS+UALIFICATION
As per a latest S, -udgment non.disclosure of assets and propert$ owned b$ spouse and children of a person
filing nomination for elections is a ground for dis/ualification
0owever& the court also noted that it was not possible to re-ect a nomination at the time of filing candidature
for a detailed examination ma$ not be possible b$ a returning officer at that time.
*ut if later a court acting on an election petition found non.disclosure of information it would result in the
election being declared null and void
ANALYSIS
(t is important that ever$ candidate who is contesting elections should disclose information about his assets
and other affairs which is important for conducting free and fair elections.
Such a right of the voter to know the antecedents of the candidate is also a part of article 1'#1% of the
,onstitution.
he landmark Supreme ,ourt verdict in Association for Democratic Reforms !""!# established that the (ndian
voter has a right to have all such information.
he verdict places an additional burden on candidates to be diligent and conscientious in compl$ing with
norms of disclosure.
CAN"I"ATES TO A"" COST OF ILLE(AL VOTER SLIPS TO ELECTION E,PEN"ITURE
1,( has asked members of two political parties in 2orth 3umbai ,onstituenc$ to add the cost of voter slips
issued in violation of rules to their election expenditures.
As per the 3odel code of conduct candidates are not permitted to hand over voter slips containing the name
or s$mbol of a political part$
CRUCIAL AMEN"MENT FOR VOTER PROTECTION STILL PEN"IN(
A ke$ Law 3inistr$ recommendation for an amendment to the ,onduct of 1lection 4ules to protect the
identit$ of voters has been pending for nearl$ four $ears
he existing 4ules permit tall$ing of votes b$ individual 1lectronic 5oting 3achines #153s% at the polling
station& rendering the voters of the area vulnerable to backlash b$ supporters of candidates.

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(n a background paper prepared in 2010 on 1lectoral 4eforms& 1,( recommended that an amendment be
made to the ,onduct of 1lection 4ules to provide for the use of the 6totali7er" for counting of votes cast at
more than one polling station where 153s are used& so that the trend of voting in individual polling station
areas does not get divulged and the electors ma$ not be sub-ected to an$ harassment or victimi7ation on that
account.
*ut because of lack of political will this and man$ other such crucial electoral reforms are pending.
EC CAN IN+UIRE INTO PAI" NE#S
he Supreme ,ourt has observed that the 1lection ,ommission could in/uire into complaints of paid news
against a political leader if the expenditure incurred on it was not disclosed.

SUPREME COURT -U"(MENTS
SC C50ES (5:" =EAVI4E 5" SEC.I5" 'A 52 (S)E AC.
#'AT IS SECTION .A "SPE ACT/
(t re/uires the ,*( to seek government sanction before probing an officer of or above the rank of -oint
secretar$
Section 8A had been inserted into the 9elhi Special :olice 1stablishment Act in 200+ to make sure that the
,entral government"s permission was necessar$ to investigate senior officials.
SUPREME COURT VIE#S
he protection in Section 8A has propensit$ of shielding the corrupt
he provision ;suffers from the vice of classif$ing offenders differentl$ for treatment thereunder for in/uir$
and investigation of offences& according to their status in life. S, feels that such a sanction is violation of
Article 14
he bench expressed the opinion that this provision in the 9S:1 Act defeated the ob-ectives of the :revention
of ,orruption Act& framed to deal with corruption and to act against senior public servants.
E,PERT VIE#S
<ormer ,*( chief 4an-it Sinha held that this section was an impediment in the free and fair functioning of the
investigating agenc$.
As per him sending such re/uests under 8A provision sometimes compromised probes and led to evidence
getting disappeared
Conflict of interest= 0e feels that officers of -oint secretar$ level of above are the ones who deal with polic$
matters and the$ cannot do so without the permission or knowledge of the minister. *ut it is the minister
who has to give the 8A permission and this leads to a conflict of interest.
ANALYSIS
his -udgment will certainl$ empower the ,*( to pursue cases more effectivel$& and speed up investigation
(nstead of fixing a timeline for government decisions& after which the sanction would be assumed to have
been given& the court has simpl$ done awa$ with that prerogative.

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here are some dangers& too& in the removal of this section& given that ,*( functioning itself is far from
perfect
3an$ have warned of the dangers of police agencies leaping to guesses about wrongdoing in complex& multi.
faceted polic$ matters.
,riminal prosecution should be based on intention and culpabilit$& not honest -udgment calls that turn out to
be wrong. 3ala fide polic$ decisions of the government can be contested b$ -udicial review& but over7ealous
investigators can cramp decision.making& and encourage officials to cover their tracks& rather than bringing
about greater accountabilit$.
he effectiveness of this section therefore depends on the sobriet$ of the ,*("s investigative approach& its
understanding of governmental discretion& and the conse/uences of rashl$ putting public servants in the
dock.
SC -E2;SES .5 S.AE 7I2;-CA.I5" 52 A"(=-A )-A(ES=
Supreme ,ourt has refused to sta$ the bifurcation of Andhra :radesh as granting a sta$ would have
amounted to granting the final relief itself
1ven though the court assured the petitioner that if the court found the notification unconstitutional& it could
set the clock back i.e. take the situation to same as before
BAC0(ROUN"
Senior counsel and had contended that the government had failed to follow due procedure in this matter
his grievance arouse from the fact that state assembl$ had re-ected the Andhra :radesh 4eorgani7ation *ill
but center didn"t seem to care about this.
0e also contented that bill was cleared in Lok Sabha within 2+ minutes and in 4a-$a Sabha it was passed
without carr$ing out an$ amendments suggested b$ members.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS TO CREATE NE# STATE
o protect the unit$ and integrit$ of (ndia& Article + of the ,onstitution vests the power to form new States in
:arliament& which ma$ pass the law on the sub-ect.
*efore drafting the *ill& it is open to the ,entre to appoint a ,ommission to fix boundaries and for sharing
waters& providing other guarantees and location of capitals& 0igh ,ourts and all other re/uirements of the
States to be formed. (t is onl$ on receipt of a report of the ,ommission that the :resident ma$ recommend
the *ill& on the advice of the >nion ,ouncil of 3inisters.
hereafter& the *ill is referred to the state assembl$ for its view& consideration and ratification within a
prescribed period. !hile such reference is mandator$& the :resident need not take a decision as per the
opinion expressed b$ the Assembl$. his means& even if there is opposition to the 6referred *ill&? or such
reference is not responded to within the prescribed time& or when such a *ill is approved& the :resident can
go ahead with formation of a new State.
SC -E2;SES .5 I".E-2E-E :I.= (ECISI5" -EGA-(I"G A-F;"A A:A-(
Supreme ,ourt has refused to interfere with decision of the government to withdraw the award to an athlete
As per the court it is not a sub-ect matter of -udicial review since it is not a fundamental right.
he court observed that man$ more deserving athletes have not got the award in past but a person can still
be a good sportsperson .

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BAC0(ROUN"
4en-ith 3aheshwar$ a triple -ump athlete was named in the award list on 14th August 201+.
Later in 2'th August he sta$ed in 9elhi along with other award winners and participated in a rehearsal at
4ashtrapati *havan too.
he next morning he was told to sta$ awa$ from the ceremon$ as the award had been withdrawn.
SC ;)=E4(S .=E C5"S.I.;.I5"A4 VA4I(I.E 52 .=E -.E AC.
Supreme ,ourt has upheld the constitutional validit$ of the 4ight of ,hildren to <ree and ,ompulsor$
1ducation.
he court ruled that Article 21A #right to education% and Article 1@ #@% #relating to economicall$ weaker
sections% did not alter the basic structure or framework of the ,onstitution and the$ are hence
;constitutionall$ validA.
he contention of the unaided institutions that excellence will be compromised b$ admission from amongst
the backward classes of citi7ens and the S, and S in private educational institutions as per the court is
contrar$ to the :reamble of the ,onstitution which promises to secure to all citi7ens 6fraternit$ assuring the
dignit$ of the individual and the unit$ and integrit$ of the nation.
MINORITY INSTITUTIONS AN" 2010 VER"ICT
(n 2010 S, had held that even minorit$ institutions& aided or unaided& had to reserve seats.
his was severel$ critici7ed b$ the minorit$ communities as an attack on their fundamental right
(t has also ruled that minorit$ institutions were not obligated under it to reserve 2@ per cent seats for the
economicall$ and sociall$ weaker sections of societ$.
his is in contrast to the 2010 verdict of the court
he court said that such a compulsion on them would be ;ultra viresA of the ,onstitution and will ;abrogateA
their right enshrined under the ,onstitution.
#'AT ARE ARTICLE 112 AN" ARTICLE 21A/
Article 1@ #@% enables the State to make a special provision for the advancement of sociall$ and educationall$
backward sections
Article 21A of the ,onstitution provides that the State shall provide free and compulsor$ education to all
children aged between six and 14.
-EC5-(I"G 52 -A)E VIC.I0S S.A.E0E".S .5 7E 2AS. .-ACGE(
Supreme ,ourt has ordered fast tracking the procedure for recording statements of the victim and witnesses.
he court has ordered that upon receipt of information relating to the commission of offence of rape& the
(nvestigating Bfficer shall make immediate steps to take the victim to an$ 3etropolitanCpreferabl$ Lad$
Dudicial 3agistrate for the purpose of recording her statement under Section 184 ,r.:.,
he court noted that if such a procedure was introduced at least for trial of rape cases it was bound to reduce
the duration of trial and thus offer a speed$ remed$ b$ wa$ of a fast track procedure.
(f there is an$ dela$ exceeding 24 hours in taking the victim to the 3agistrate& the (nvestigating Bfficer should
record the reasons for the same in the case diar$ and hand over a cop$ of the same to the 3agistrate.

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#'AT IS SECTION 1.4 OF CR P.C/
Section 184 A ,r. :. ,. imposes an obligation on the part of (nvestigating Bfficer to get the victim of the rape
immediatel$ medicall$ examined.
POLITY MISCELLANEOUS
"E: 45G SA7=A :I44 =AVE "5 4EA(E- 52 5))5SI.I5"
As per Subhash ,. Eash$ap& Secretar$ Feneral of Lok Sabha& new house cannot have the leader of opposition
A part$ needs 10 per cent of the strength of the 0ouse #@@ in the Lok Sabha% to stake claim& and the largest
Bpposition& the ,ongress& with 44 seats is wa$ short of that number.
Although the >:A has 80 members& this is of no relevance in appointing Leader of the Bpposition.
*ecause& the post of Leader of the Bpposition can go onl$ to the leader of a political part$ and not to the
leader of an alliance& whether formed before the election or after
(t would be ;highl$ irregularA to give the post to the leader of an$ part$ in the current Lok Sabha as no part$
meets the minimum re/uirement of seats.
*esides& public funds are involved= the Leader of the Bpposition en-o$s the rank of a ,abinet 3inister with all
attendant perks and benefits.
ANALYSIS
3an$ political experts have pointed out& since the 10G rule came about as part of a decision b$ the ver$ first
Speaker& F5 3alvankar& the decision on appointment of the Leader of Bpposition remains a prerogative of
the Speaker.
<ailing to appoint a Leader of Bpposition could have a negative effect on (ndian democrac$. his official sits
on panels to choose members of the ,entral 5igilance ,ommission& members of the Lokpal and 9irector of
the ,entral *ureau of (nvestigation. he absence of a countervailing opinion on these committees would
allow the government completel$ free rein.
Some of the important appointments such as ,5,& ,*( chief& Lokpal etc. re/uire the opinion of Leader of
Bpposition.
745CGI"G A44 :E7SI.ES :I.= )5-"5G-A)=IC C5".E". "5. )5SSI74E
,entral government has told the Supreme court that it is not possible to block all the websites with
pornographic content
1arlier a petition had been filed in the court contending that pornograph$ and availabilit$ of porn on internet
was one of the ma-or causes of crime against women
he petition said that sexual content that kids are accessing toda$ is far more graphic& violent and brutal and
has put the entire societ$ in danger
Bver 20 crore porn videos or clippings are available on the internet which can be directl$ downloaded or
copied on to ,9s etc.
Supreme ,ourt had therefore issued a notice to 9epartment of elecom seeking a response on action to be
taken to block these websites.
ANALYSIS
*locking all websites with pornographic content is not possible even good literature containing ob-ectionable
words would be blocked causing huge literar$ harm

<or such a move software would have to be installed on each s$stem for which directions would have to be
issued all the computer manufacturers to install it.
hose against the petition argue that it encourages a ver$ binar$ view of the situation that pornograph$ leads
to violence against women or it does not.
4ather the petitioner could have encouraged the state to do more toward its international obligations under
the ,onvention on the 1limination of 9iscrimination against !omen #,19A!%.
$%DA&'s (eneral Recommendation No. )* is about violence against women and recommends steps to be
ta+en to reduce violence against women.
1ven though the debate about removal of pornograph$ ma$ continue& there is no doubt that child
pornography should be strictl$ banned as children ma$ be harmed in making of such a pornograph$
he (nformation echnolog$ Act #( Act% contains a separate provision for material depicting children
explicitl$ or obscenel$& stating that those who circulate such content will be penali7ed. he ( Act also
criminali7es watching child pornograph$
(ndividual and institutions can proactivel$ identif$ and report child pornograph$ online. Bther countries have
tried& with reasonable success& s$stems using hotlines& verification of reports and co.operation of internet
service providers to take down child pornograph$. 0owever& these s$stems have also sometimes resulted in
the removal of other legitimate content.
herefore an$ s$stem for filtering or blocking content from the (nternet needs to build in safeguards to
ensure that processes designed to remove child pornograph$ do not end up being used to remove political
speech or speeches that are constitutionall$ protected.
4A: C500ISSI5" :A".S -EVIE: 52 (EA.= )E"A4.E
In a discussion paper released *y he 4aw Commission has called for a reassessmen of he need for he
deah penaly. .he commission has also solicied views from he pu*lic on he maer.
India is one of he !6 naions ha reain he deah penaly.
:orldwide@ over 1>1 counries have a*olished he deah penaly and over 21 oher counries H hough
hey reain i H have no e&ecued capial senences in 11 years
.he Commission poined ou ha he Supreme Cour had commued he deah senences of 1! convics
on he ground ha he inordinae delay in deciding heir mercy pleas consiued a violaion of he
fundamenal righs.
.he commission has o*served ha commuaion of deah senence as a conse%uence of violaion of heir
IconvicsJ fundamenal righs *egs he %uesion wheher he e&ising power of mercy is an ade%uae
safeguard agains erroneous convicions.
-ES.5-I"G 4EGI.I0ACE .5 )I4
BAC0(ROUN" TO PILS
:ublic (nterest Litigation #:(L% emerged in the 1'H0s as a legal innovation b$ academics& social activists and
activist law$ers& abl$ supported b$ -udges of the Supreme ,ourt
(n 0ussainara Ehatoonand Sunil *atra & the court developed a new approach to secure access b$ the poor and
the marginalised to -ustice I b$ relaxing the strict rules of standing to allow representative standing and
modif$ing the rules of -udicial notice to allow the court to take suo motu notice of public events and
transform them into litigation.
(t allows politicall$ and legall$ marginalised constituencies #that have no effective representation in the
political or administrative state and no regular access to the courts% a special dispensation to approach the
0igh ,ourt and Supreme ,ourt to redress their grievances either directl$ or through representatives.

PILS A SOURCE OF COURT "ELAYS/
A commonl$ misconceived claim is that the :(Ls are a source of court dela$s and clogging courts.
*etween 1''+ and 2011 :(Ls make up a relativel$ minuscule percentage of the Supreme ,ourt"s docket being
-ust about one per cent of the court"s workload.
Around )8 per cent of the admitted matters are Special Leave :etitions under Article 1+8 of the ,onstitution
while -ust about 1.2 per cent of the docket consists of writ petitions filed for fundamental rights violations.
"O PIL REPRESENT T'E #EA0 AN" T'E MAR(INALISE"/
(n all appeals before the Supreme ,ourt in 2011& 1).8 per cent came from :un-ab and 0ar$ana and 10.8 per
cent from 9elhi itself. Larger but poorer neighbouring States were less well represented.
(n :(L cases involving a violation of fundamental rights between 2000 and 200)& the win rates of ;advantaged
social classA claimants was a H+ per cent probabilit$ while the win rates of the ;disadvantaged social classA
was 4H per cent.
he court received a total of 24&888 letters& out of which the court staff forwarded onl$ 228 letters before the
-udges& who then accepted or re-ected them for regular hearing. Surprisingl$& there is no publicl$ articulated
rationale for the selection of these cases b$ the court.
2evertheless issues generall$ at the crest of the media c$cle I cricket and corruption I invariabl$ make it to
regular hearing
aken together& one ma$ conclude that :(Ls toda$ are not exclusivel$ focused on remed$ing deficient access
to the courts.
PIL AN" PARTISAN CONTESTATION
ime and again& persons with political motives& obli/ue considerations and partisan interests filed :(Ls and
the$ should be denied -urisdiction
4ecentl$& 9r. Subramanian Swam$& previousl$ of the Danata :art$ and currentl$ with the *harati$a Danata
:art$& when asked b$ *ar J *ench in an interview about the :(Ls filed b$ him candidl$ observes ;K that ( filed
a large number of :(Ls and have lost count now
hrough this and man$ such cases it can be clearl$ seen that the Supreme ,ourt has allowed itself to become
a forum for partisan contestation& amplif$ing the interests of individuals and groups who are alread$ deepl$
embedded in political and legal institutions.
(t is essential for the court to revitalise :(Ls b$ constraining them to their foundational -ustification before
their legitimac$ is eroded be$ond repair.
CENTRE)STATE RELATIONS
TAMIL NA"U (OVERNMENT RE-ECTS NIA PROBE
he amil 2adu government has re-ected the ,entre"s offer to order a 2ational (nvestigation Agenc$ #2(A%
probe into the twin blasts in the *angalore.Fuwahati 1xpress at the ,hennai ,entral station
State governments argues that two agencies cannot probe one case
>nion 0ome 3inistr$ on the other hand feels that acts like these could lead to a confrontation between the
,entre and the States and other states too resisting ,entral intervention in terrorism.related cases.

CENTER*S RI('T TO IMPOSE A NIA PROBE
>nder Section 8 #@% of the 2ational (nvestigation Agenc$ #2(A% Act& 200)& is empowered to suo motu order an
2(A investigation for an$ scheduled offence such as an act of terror.
As per reports ,entral Fovernment was considering the ,hennai blasts as an act of terror as defined in
Section 1@ of the >nlawful Activities #:revention% Act& 1'8H& a scheduled offence under the 2(A Act.
"EFINITION OF A TERRORIST ACT
,he provision defines a terrorist act as -&hoever does any act with intent to threaten or li+ely to threaten the
unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India or with intent to stri+e terror or li+ely to stri+e terror in the people
or any section of the people in India or in any foreign country, commits a terrorist act..
MULLEPERIYAR ISSUE
BAC0(ROUN"
he Supreme ,ourt has given permission to amil 2adu to raise the height of a 118.$ear.old 3ullaperi$ar
9am from 1+8 feet to 142 feet /uashing the ob-ections raised b$ Eerala which opposed the move citing safet$
concerns of the dam and nearb$ areas.
,ourt has invalidated a Eerala amendment to circumvent the 2008 -udgment& allowing the raising of the
storage of the 3ullaperi$ar 9am from 1+8 feet to 142 feet.
he dispute was between Eerala"s stand that the dam built in 1)'@ is not safe enough to store water above
1+8 feet and that there should be a new structure& and amil 2adu"s position that it is structurall$ sound and
needs onl$ strengthening& not replacement.
VIE#S FOR SUPREME COURT*S -U"(EMENTS
he -udicial outcome has some valuable lessons for our /uasi.federal polit$. <irst& it proves that unilateral
action in inter.State matters is ill.advised.
Secondl$& it shows the courts are able and willing to ad-udicate impartiall$ on sensitive issues with political
overtones that could inflame regional passions.
herefore& merel$ harping on ;protecting the rightsA of one"s own State to the detriment of another is not an
option.
(n the 3ullaperi$ar case& safet$& and not appropriation of water& was the issue. he finding that the dam is
safe on structural& h$drological and seismic aspects ought to be given the respect that -udicial finalit$
deserves.
4egretting the rigid and inflexible stand taken b$ the two parties& the ,ourt has flagged the two alternatives
suggested b$ an 1mpowered ,ommittee that can be implemented if the two States come to an agreement= a
new dam& or a new tunnel at a particular elevation so that some currentl$ unused /uantum of water ma$ be
evacuated when the dam is under strain.
A CASE OF -U"ICIAL OVERREAC'/
Some of the experts argue that Supreme ,ourt on the 3ullaperi$ar dam case& and the earlier -udgment of
2008& are in error& in the sense that the$ go be$ond the -udicial domain
he /uestion under consideration is that of dam safet$. his is a matter for experts to decide and not for the
Supreme ,ourt -udges.
he Supreme ,ourt has gone b$ the findings of a ,ommittee appointed b$ it. (t was onl$ b$ assuming that the
safet$ of a dam was a matter on which it could make a -udicial pronouncement that the ,ourt proceeded to

1< www.visionias.in Vision IAS
appoint a ,ommittee& rather as per the critics Supreme ,ourt should have refrained from interfering in such a
technical issue
Possible solution could have been that the two States could have appointed a -oint 1xpert ,ommittee and
gone b$ its findings. he (nter.State ,ouncil& a constitutional bod$& could have taken up the matter and tried
to bring about a settlement. 1minent persons in both States could have tried for a rapprochement.
Approaching the court for determining the safet$ of the dam should have been the last step and even in such
a case court should have refrained itself from such an issue.

1> www.visionias.in Vision IAS
ECONOMY
IN"IA BECAME T'IR" LAR(EST ECONOMY IN 20113 #ORL" BAN0
(Important with regard to data and state of the world economy#
(n a matter of six $ears& (ndia emerged as the world"s third.largest econom$ in 2011 from being the tenth largest in
200@& moving ahead of Dapan& while the >S remained the largest econom$ closel$ followed b$ ,hina& latest figures
have revealed.
;he economies of Dapan and the >E became smaller relative to the >S& while Ferman$ increased slightl$ and
<rance and (tal$ remained the same&A according to data released b$ the (nternational ,omparison :rogram #(,:%&
hosted b$ the 9evelopment 9ata Froup at the !orld *ank Froup.
he world produced goods and services worth over >S9 '0 trillion in 2011 and that almost half of the total output
came from low and middle-income countries& it said.
According to the ma-or findings of the (,:& six of the world"s 12 largest economies were in the middle.income
categor$ #based on the !orld *ank"s definition%.
!hen combined& the 12 largest economies accounted for two.thirds of the world econom$ and @' per cent of the
population& it said.
he purchasing power parities #:::s%.based world F9: amounted to >S9 '0&84H billion& compared with >S9
H0&2'4 billion measured b$ exchange rates& it said& adding that the share of middle.income economies in global
F9: is 4) per cent when using :::s and +2 per cent when using exchange rates.
he six largest middle.income economies I China, India, Russia, ra!il, Indonesia and "e#ico $ account for %&'%
per cent of world ()P& whereas the six largest high.income economies I >S& Dapan& Ferman$& <rance& >E and (tal$
I account for +2.' per cent& the report said.
Asia and the :acific& including ,hina and (ndia& account for +0 per cent of world F9:& 1urostatIB1,9 @4 per cent&
Latin America @.@ per cent #excluding 3exico& which participates in the B1,9 and Argentina& which did not
participate in the (,: 2011%& Africa and !estern Asia about 4.@ per cent each.
;,hina and (ndia make up two.thirds of the Asia and the :acific econom$& excluding Dapan and South Eorea& which
are part of the B1,9 comparison. 4ussia accounts for more than H0 per cent of the ,(S& and *ra7il for @8 per cent of
Latin America. South Africa& 1g$pt& and 2igeria account for about half of the African econom$&A said the report.
,hina and (ndia account for about )0 per cent of investment expenditure in the Asia and the :acific region.
he report said low.income economies& as a share of world F9:& were more than two times larger based on :::s
than respective exchange rate shares in 2011. Let& these economies accounted for onl$ 1.@ per cent of the global
econom$& but nearl$ 11 per cent of the world population.
4oughl$ 2) per cent of the world"s population lives in economies with F9: per capita expenditure above the >S9
1+&480 world average and H2 per cent are below that average.
he approximate median $earl$ per capita expenditure for the world I at >S9 10&0@H I means that half of the
global population has per capita expenditure above that amount and half below& it said.
he five economies with the highest F9: per capita are Matar& 3acao& Luxembourg& Euwait and *runei. he first
two economies have more than >S9 100&000 per capita& the (,: report said.
1leven economies have more than >S9 @0&000 per capita& while the$ collectivel$ account for less than 0.8 per cent
of the world"s population. he >S has the 12thIhighest F9: per capita.

1! www.visionias.in Vision IAS
he five economies with highest actual individual consumption per capita are *ermuda& >S& ,a$man (slands& 0ong
Eong and Luxembourg.
he world average actual individual consumption per capita is approximatel$ >S9 )&84H& it said.
IN"IA*S (RO#T' REMAINS SUB"UE" AT 4.45 IN 201$)14
(ndia"s econom$ grew b$ 4.8G in the last /uarter #Danuar$.
3arch%of the financial $ear 201+.14 due to high inflation&
lower industrial growth and global slowdown& as per the
data published b$ ,entral Statistics Bffice #,SB%
1conomic growth stood at 4.HG& which is slightl$ better
than 4.@G growth witnessed in the previous financial $ear
but this is the second successive $ear of sub @G growth
which is the worst performance of (ndian econom$ in last
2@ $ears.
<arm sector posted 4.HG growth in <L 201+.14 compared
to 1.4G in <L 2012.1+ which helped to push the overall
F9: growth higher for the previous financial $ear.
1lectricit$ sector saw @.'G growth in <L14 compared to 2.+G in <L1+ while manufacturing sector was contracted b$
0.HG in <L14 compared to 1.1G growth in <L12.
(ov67n86n9 an: E;ono8<
RESTORIN( BALANCE IN MACROECONOMY = C'ALLEN(ES BEFORE T'E NE#
(OVERNMENT
Current State of *conomy= ,his bac+drop defines the immediate priorities of the incoming government#
1conomic growth has averaged around 4.H per cent for the past two $ears.
Fross fixed investment is at a standstill& barel$ increasing b$ 0.2 per cent in 201+.14 after a dismal
growth of 0.) per cent in 2012.1+.
3anufacturing output is now lower than it was a $ear ago.
9espite collapsing growth& inflation has averaged H.1 per cent per annum& suggestive of stagflation.
he high inflation is driven b$ agricultural prices& which have increased at an average 11.@ per cent
despite a relativel$ high growth average of +.1 per cent.
he current account deficit shot up to 4.) per cent of gross domestic product #F9:% but has come down
one to 1.) per cent in 201+.14& partl$ due to restrictions on gold imports.
PRIORITIES FOR T'E INCUMBENT (OVERNMENT
he first priorit$ of the new government must be to restore macro.economic balance.
he second priorit$ is to accelerate investment and growth.
he third priorit$ is to address the structural factors driving agricultural prices.
MEASURES TO BE TA0EN3 BU"(ETARY MEASURES
1
st
ma-or ob-ective would be to put the fiscal situation on a firm improving trend.

1' www.visionias.in Vision IAS
Secondl$ to address the problem of non.performing assets #2:As% and capital ade/uac$ of public sector
banks #:S*s%.
he Fovernment should aim to reach the <4*3 #<iscal 4esponsibilit$ and *udget 3anagement% targets
of three per cent for the fiscal deficit and 7ero per cent for the revenue deficit within two $ears with the
ob-ective of halving the difference from 201+.14 in each $ear which re/uires a corresponding reduction
in consumption expenditures and subsidies& particularl$ petroleum product.related subsidies.
<urther& the damage done to corporate confidence b$ the retroactive changes in tax laws and
harassment of corporate tax pa$ers #what the *D: manifesto calls ;ax terrorismA%& must be corrected.
(n addition& some progress must be shown with respect to implementation of Foods and Services ax
#FS% and simplification of income taxes.
IN A(RICULTURAL SECTOR 1CAN BE USE" IN PAPER III2
he disastrous management of the agriculture sector has resulted in almost 10 $ears of high farm price
inflation.
he minimum support pries must be restrained for the next few $ears& the huge build.up of stocks that
has resulted in double.digit price increases in wheat and J cereal prices corrected.
Steps must also be taken to reform the <ood ,orporation of (ndia.
<urther& the likelihood of a below normal monsoon also makes it imperative to move /uickl$ from the ad
hoc changes in /uantitative restrictions and export controls to a stable s$stem of import tariffs and
export duties.
his will help moderate price inflation& and provide an incentive to farmers to invest in productivit$
improvement.
Freater efforts must also be made to convince States to abolish the Administered :rice 3echanism or
remove vegetables and fruits from its purview.
POLICY (UI"ELINES BY RBI
0I"5-S 5VE- 11 EEA-S CA" 5)E-A.E 7A"G ACC5;".S
Policy . he 4eserve *ank of (ndia allowed minors above the age of 10 to open and operate savings bank
accounts independentl$.
+b,ecti-e - o promote the ob-ective of financial inclusion and to bring uniformit$ among banks in
opening and operating minors" accounts.
(uidelines. he central bank said a savings Cfixed C recurring bank deposit account could be opened b$ a
minor of an$ age through hisCher natural or legall$ appointed guardian.
1arlier& banks were allowed to open minors" accounts #fixed and savings deposit accounts% with mother
as guardian.
0owever& the 4*( asked banks to fix limits in terms of age and the amount up to which minors might be
allowed to operate the deposit accounts independentl$& keeping in view their risk management s$stems.
*anks can also decide& in their own discretion& what minimum documents are re/uired
Bn attaining ma-orit$& the 4*( said& the erstwhile minor should confirm the balance in hisCher account
and if the account is operated b$ the natural guardian C legal guardian& fresh operating instructions and
specimen signature of the erstwhile minor should be obtained and kept on record for all operational
purposes.
<urther& banks are free to offer additional banking facilities such as (nternet banking& A3C debit card
and che/ue book facilit$

1+ www.visionias.in Vision IAS
G5VE-"A"CE -E25-0 I" 7A"GS 8 "AEAG C500I..EE -E)5-.
he ,ommittee to 4eview Fovernance of *oards of *anks in (ndia #:.D. 2a$ak ,ommittee% submitted a
report recentl$. (ts terms encompass all categories of banks and if its recommendations are implemented& it
would fundamentall$ change the face of state owned ban/s& while making incremental changes in the
governance of private banks.
BAC0(ROUN"
C>776n9 Co8?osi9ion o@ Boa7:s9
he present composition of the boards of public sector banks #:S*% could theoreticall$ be termed as a
model in corporate governance.
he boards represent diversit$ #except on gender% and multiple public interests.
A t$pical :S* bank has three directors representing minorit$ #non.government% shareholders? interestsN
three directors who are expected to represent societal interestsN
a director each representing the union government& workmen& officers& and regulator #4*(%.
(n addition an independent chartered accountant is appointed as a director and the person usuall$ heads
the audit committee. he bank also has three or four whole.time directors including the ,hairman and
3anaging 9irector #,39%.
PROBLEM #IT' T'E CURRENT SYSTEM
!hile the above composition looks good& there is still a huge problem about the process of identif$ing
individuals to represent these diverse interests.
he 2a$ak committee rightl$ identifies it. (t terms the boards as Onon.independentO except for the
shareholder directors.
he process of the election of even these so called OindependentO directors ma$ also show that the$ are
largel$ nominees of the government& albeit through a different process.
he$ are elected b$ shareholders excluding the government. he non.government share.holding in
man$ of the banks are substantiall$ held b$ institutions indirectl$ controlled b$ the government .
insurance companies& financial institutions etc.
hese institutions largel$ select the OindependentO directors as well. !e thus have a situation where the
public sector banks end up not having a semblance of good corporate governance.
RECOMMEN"ATIONS
+wnership of Public Sector an/s 0PSs1. All :S*s should be incorporated under the ,ompanies Act&
201+. he government should transfer its holdings in :S*s to a *ank (nvestment ,ompan$ #*(,%. Some of
the constraints faced b$ :S*s could be removed if the government reduces its holding below @0G.
oard appointments in PSs. he process of board appointments in :S*s needs to be professionalised in
a three.phase process. (n the first phase& a *ank *oards *ureau comprising former senior bankers should
advise on all board appointments. (n the second phase *(, should take over the process. (n the third
phase& *(, should delegate these powers to :S*s" boards.
Pri-ate sector ban/s. 9iversified investment funds should be allowed to hold 1@.20G stake in a private
sector bank without regulator$ approval #currentl$& @G%. Bther investors can hold up to 10G stake. he
promoters should be permitted to hold up to 2@G stake in a private sector bank #currentl$& 1@G%

1/ www.visionias.in Vision IAS

ANALYSIS
!hile arguing for fundamental changes in the wa$ the public sector banks function& the committee
presents a compelling case b$ examining the performance of these banks in comparison with the private
sector counterparts.
he committee& starts its report b$ pressing the alarm bells on the performance of these banksN moves
to anal$se what cripples themN and then addresses the issue of governance.
he of governance of bank boards is not a stand.alone issue that could be tinkered b$ recommending
some changes here and there& but has to be examined comprehensivel$
Lowering the governmental stake would be a beneficial trade.off for the government because it would
continue to be the dominant shareholder and& without its control in banks diminishing& it would create
the conditions for its banks to compete more successfull$
*eing highl$ critical of the bank boards& the report said that it is unclear that the boards of most of these
banks have the re/uired sense of purpose& in terms of their focus on business strateg$ and risk
management& in being able to provide oversight to steer the banks through their present difficult
position. he boards are disempowered& and selection process for directors is compromised
<urther the report argued that banks falter if the focus shifted awa$ from financial returns& the
government being a good example of a bank shareholder& which has suffered deepl$ negative returns
over decades.
Conclusion.
his report is insightful& constructive and radical in its approach. 0owever& accepting these recommendations
needs political will. !e are not sure that the ball lobbed into the court of the Fovernment . b$ a committee
appointed b$ 4*( can find instantaneous resonance. !e hope that the new government has the will to address
these issues and reform the governance and management of banks& particularl$ :S*s.
-7I ASGS 7A"GS .5 0AGE A44 A.0S (ISA74E(#2-IE"(4E
All new A3s to be installed b$ commercial banks from Dul$ 2014 onwards would provide audible
instructions and *raille ke$pads to customers
he 4*("s directive came on its prior advice to banks in 200' to make bank branches and A3s accessible
to people with disabilities and make at least one.third of the new A3s installed as talking A3s with
*raille ke$pads.
<urther& banks should la$ down a road map for converting all existing A3s as talking A3s with *raille
ke$pads and the same ma$ be reviewed from time to time&A
4*( also asked banks to make necessar$ arrangements to provide all existing A3sCfuture A3s with
ramps so that wheel chair usersCpersons with disabilities can easil$ access them.
0owever& 4*( said this re/uirement ma$ be dispensed with in cases it is impracticable to provide ramps.
<urther& 4*( also asked banks to provide the facilities of magnif$ing glasses at all bank branches for the
use of persons with low vision.
he branches should displa$ at a prominent place notice about the availabilit$ of magnif$ing glasses and
other facilities available for persons with disabilities& it added.
o ensure compliance of new directives& 4*( also asked banks to report the progress made in this regard
periodicall$ to their customer service committee.

:5-GI"G G-5;) 5" -ES54;.I5" -EGI0E 25- 2I"A"CIA4 I"S.I.;.I5"S
he 4eserve *ank of (ndia had constituted a high level !orking Froup to suggest measures to strengthen the
resolution regime for financial institutions and <inancial 3arket (nfrastructures #<3(s%. he !orking Froup
submitted its report in Danuar$ 2014& and has invited comments on it b$ 3a$ +1& 2014.
he main recommendations of the !orking Froup are=
Comprehensi-e framewor/= he ,ommittee recommends a separate comprehensive legal and polic$
framework for resolving financial institutions #banks& companies in insurance& pensions& securities& etc.%
and <3(s #including pa$ment s$stems& securities settlement s$stems& etc%.
+b,ecti-e of resolution. he ,ommittee stated that the aim of resolution was not to preserve the
financial institutions& but to ensure continuit$ of the functions that are critical for the financial s$stem as
a whole& and limit an$ use of taxpa$er"s mone$.
Structure of resolution authority. he ,ommittee recommends a single independent <inancial
4esolution Authorit$ #<4A%& mandated under law for resolving all financial institutions and <3(s& in
coordination with the respective financial regulators. his is in consonance with the recommendation of
the <inancial Sector Legislative 4eforms ,ommission.
*arly inter-ention. 1ach regulator will develop a prompt corrective action #:,A% framework for
institutions under its regulator$ -urisdiction. !hen the :,A framework signals that an institution is at the
risk of failing #but has not $et failed%& the institution shall be passed on to the <4A. he <4A will have
resolution tools at its disposal to resolve financial institutions while protecting consumer interests.
SEBI PROPOSES NE# LISTIN(A "ISCLOSURE RE+UIREMENT NORMS
he Securities and 1xchange *oard of (ndia #S1*(% released draft S1*( #Listing Bbligations and 9isclosure
4e/uirements% 4egulations& 2014 on 3a$ @& 2014
,urrentl$& there are separate norms for listing different categories of securities on financial exchanges.
he draft regulations provide listing conditions and disclosure re/uirements for multiple categories of
securities.
Ee$ features of the draft regulations are=
)efinitions= 9efinitions of some of the terms like financial $ear& holding #parent% compan$& subsidiar$&
,hief 1xecutive Bfficer and global depositor$ receipts have been aligned with those provided in the
,ompanies Act 201+.
International norms. he draft regulations introduce overarching principles for disclosures& obligations
and corporate governance. hese principles are in consonance with the international norms.
Common obligations. Bbligations of a listed entit$ regarding filing of information responsibilities of
compliance officer& fees etc.& will be applicable to all t$pes of listed securities. :rior disclosure of fund
raising events has been made mandator$.
2niformity. :rovisions of listing agreement will also appl$ to Small and 3edium 1nterprises& debt
securities and redeemable preference shares.

FMC SPECIFIES NE# RULES FOR RE(ULATIN( COME, 1COMMO"ITY E,C'AN(E2
BUSINESS
ac/ground= :ost 2S1L #2ational Spot 1xchange Limited% crisis& <orwards 3arket ,ommission& tightening
shareholding norms of commodit$ exchanges said no resident individual could hold more than @ per cent
stake in them and scrapped the concept of promoters and anchor investors for such bourses.
3ew Rules. the <3, said at least @1 per cent of the shares of an$ commodit$ exchange will have to be
held b$ the public. his is to ensure broader participation in commodit$ bourses.
Bnl$ a commodit$ exchange& stock exchange& depositor$& bank& insurance compan$ or public financial
institution can hold up to 1@ per cent in such an exchange.
As per the norms& an$ shareholding in excess of the specified norms will have to be lowered to the
threshold level within five $ears. he previous guidelines had allowed promotersCanchor investors to
hold up to 28 per cent stake in a bourse.
<oreign investors will not be allowed to hold more than a @ per cent stake. he combined holdings of
people resident outside the countr$ have been restricted at 4' per cent.
2o foreign institutional investor can have an$ representation on the governing board of a commodit$
exchange& the regulator said. he revised shareholding norms come into force immediatel$.
he regulator said a commodit$ exchange needs to have a net worth of at least 4s.100 crore at all times.
he <3, directed all six commodit$ exchanges to amend their rules.
PRESI"ENT TO "E"ICATE RUPAY TO T'E NATION
he :resident dedicated 64u:a$" India4s own card payment networ/ to the nation in 2ew 9elhi
enefits= he 4u:a$ card is accepted at all A3s #1.8 lakh plus%& '@ per cent of :oS terminals #'.4@ lakh
plus% and most of the e,om merchants #about 10&000% in the countr$& an official statement said.
A variant of the card called 6Eisan ,ard" is now being issued b$ all the public sector banks in addition to
the mainstream debit card which has been issued b$ 4+ banks.
A variant of pre.paid 4u:a$ card would shortl$ be launched b$ (4,,. 3ore than 1@0 cooperative banks
and the regional rural banks #44*s% have also issued 4u:a$ A3 card.
he total number of cards issued as on date is 1H million and is growing at a rate of about + million per
month& the statement added.
4u:a$& a new card pa$ment scheme& is the coinage of two terms 4upee and :a$ment.
he card will s$mboli7e the capabilities of banking industr$ in (ndia to build a card pa$ment network so
that dependenc$ on international card scheme is minimised
ac/ground . 64u:a$" is developed b$ 2ational :a$ments ,orporation of (ndia #2:,(% I a 6not.for.profit"
compan$ envisioned b$ the 4eserve *ank and created b$ the banking industr$.
MOVE TO LET BAN0S PROVI"E PARTIAL CRE"IT EN'ANCEMENT TO CORPORATE
BON"S
he 4eserve *ank of (ndia #4*(% proposes to allow banks to enhance credit to corporate bonds issued for
financing infrastructure pro-ects b$ ,ompaniesC Special :urpose 5ehicles #S:5s%& sub-ect to certain
guidelines.
ac/ground. (ndian corporates are dependent on banking finance as the (ndian corporate bond market
is not mature. Long term investors like provident funds and insurance providers cannot invest in
corporate bonds issued b$ infrastructure companies and S:5s since these do not carr$ high credit
ratings.

Salient features of the proposal are=
Credit enhancement. he partial credit enhancement will involve=
o separating the debt of a pro-ect compan$ into senior and subordinate tranches& and
o *anks providing a loan or a contingent line of credit to support these senior pro-ect bonds& which
improves the bonds ratings. his should allow infrastructure companies and S:5s access to the
corporate bond market.
o ,redit enhancement will be the lower of= #a% enhancement re/uired to raise the credit ratings b$
two levels& and #b% 20G of the entire bond issue.
(uidelines. ,ertain guidelines have to be followed such as=
o banks cannot provide guarantees&
o disclosure of effect of credit enhancement on bond rating in the bond offer document&
o banks cannot invest in bonds the$ have provided partial credit enhancement for& nor can the$
provide an$ other credit facilit$ to the pro-ect&
o he pro-ect should have robust financial structure before credit enhancement as well
CENTRE RECOMMEN"S ANTI)"UMPIN( LEVY ON U.S.A C'INESE SOLAR CELLS
he ,ommerce 3inistr$ has recommended lev$ing anti.dumping dut$ on solar cells imported from the
>.S.& 3ala$sia& ,hina and ,hinese aipei& a move that would provide relief to struggling domestic
manufacturers.
,oncluding the one.and.a.half $ear long probe into allegations that cheap solar cells are being dumped
into (ndia& the 3inistr$ has suggested restrictive dut$ in the range of P0.11 to 0.)1 per watt.
he notification to impose anti.dumping dut$ is likel$ to be issued b$ the new government& which will
assume office after swearing in of 2arendra 3odi as :rime 3inister on 3a$ 28.
5he )irectorate (eneral of Anti-dumping and Allied )uties 0)(A)1 has recommended dut$ on imports
of solar cells from 3ala$sia& ,hina& ,hinese aipei and the >.S.
he lev$ would be applicable ;whether or not assembled partiall$ or full$ in modules or panels or on
glass or some other suitable substrates& originating in or exportedA from these countries& a ,ommerce
3inistr$ notification said. ;...
the product under consideration has been exported to (ndia from sub-ect countries below its normal
value& thus resulting in dumping of the productN the domestic industr$ has suffered material in-ur$ due
to dumping of the product under consideration&A the 9FA9 probe has concluded.
o protect the interests of local pla$ers& the panel has proposed that ,hinese imports should attract
duties of P0.84.0.)1 per watt while the lev$ suggested for such cells coming from the >.S. is P0.11.0.4)
per watt. Similarl$& duties of P0.82 per watt and P0.@' per watt have been recommended for solar cell
imports from 3ala$sia and aipei& respectivel$.

SOCIAL ISSUES
OVER $00 MAABARI CENTRES TO BE OPENE" IN TRIBAL AREAS IN RA-AST'AN
(n order to control the drop out from schools in tribal areas of 4a-asthan Fovernment has said it would open
+2@ new government sponsored mother and child care centres on a pattern similar to 6Anganwadi"

"AAARI C*35R*S
,hildren in the age group of 8 to 12 $ears and living in distant tribal areas would be provided basic education
and da$ care at these 6maabari" centres& with or without their parent.

EARP'ONES A MA-OR REASON FOR RAIL#AY TRAC0 "EAT'
Three people on an average are killed every day in Delhi while crossing the railway tracks
Major reason for these deaths is people crossing the tracks with earphones plugged in.
The department has in the past taken several steps like constructing high-walls across railway tracks near all
the major railway stations in order to avoid trespassing on the tracks but people still find their way.
Administration is trying to avoid such incidents by deploying police personnel along the tracks

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E"UCATION
(OVERNMENT CANNOT IMPOSE A LAN(UA(E AS T'E ONLY TEAC'IN( ME"IUM
Supreme ,ourt has held that government cannot impose mother tongue as a medium of instruction
in schools of an$ kind whether government recogni7ed& aided or private unaided.
his -udgment comes in the background of the State government of Earnataka passing the order that the
medium of instruction should be either the mother tongue or Eannada for classes ( to (5.
PREMISE (IVEN BY SUPREME COURT
he right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 1'#1%#a% of the ,onstitution includes the
freedom of a child to be educated at the primar$ stage of school in a language of the choice of the child and
the state cannot impose controls on such choice -ust because it thinks that it will be more beneficial for the
child if he is taught in the primar$ stage of school in his mother tongue
Such a compulsion& also violates the fundamental right of the minorit$ and private unaided schools to carr$
on an$ occupation under Article 1'#1% #g% of the ,onstitution.
<urther& state has no power under Article +@0A of the ,onstitution to compel the linguistic minorities to
choose their mother tongue onl$ as a medium of instruction in primar$ schools.
ANALYSIS
he political attempt to tap into linguistic chauvinism is not peculiar to Earnataka as this trend has been
observed in other states too.
Fovernments need to recogni7e the aspirational urge of masses towards 1nglish as a language modernit$ and
technolog$
(t is also true that studies have revealed that children learn well in their home language& even as the$ imbibe
other languages& and that in the earl$ $ears& the world is more intelligible in nuances of the home languageC
mother tongue. *ut the idea of a mother tongue is complicated in (ndian contexts.
(mposing a single language in a state assumes a linguistic homogeneit$ that does not alwa$s exist.
!hich language suits the children etc. are complex and delicate /uestions best left to schools and parents to
navigate.
PRIVATIBIN( PROFESSIONAL E"UCATION
AR(UMENT IN FAVOUR OF PRIVATISATION
:roponents of private education start with the observation that the suppl$ of publicl$ provided professional
education has not expanded commensuratel$ with the growth in demand& thus signalling a failure.
(ndia ma$ have come to a stage where it needs to invest in upgrading its school education.
:rofessional education could& on the other hand& be largel$ privati7ed& and public.funded higher education
could be made available to the talented poor in the form of scholarships and monetar$ assistance
here ma$ be no need to create new taxpa$er.funded institutions.
2ew government ma$ need to look at the issue afresh with a focus on maximum governance and minimal
governmental control. A good beginning would be to reduce legislation on education at the central level and
encourage States to follow suit.
0igher and professional education can now be left to the private sector to provide education to those who
can pa$ for it. 1lse& government scholarships can be provided on a merit.cum.need criteria.
Student loans at subsidised rates of interest will take care of those who do not have famil$ resources or
government funding.
(ndia"s path to economic development will be best achieved b$ creating polic$ incentives in education so that
the middle class which can afford education need not rel$ on the government in this area.

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AR(UMENT A(AINST PRIVATIBATION
Argument that private sector should have increased role is fine but the contention that government should
cease regulating institutions that it does not fund& is surel$ wrong
1ven the answer to the malaise of brain drain is surel$ not the privati7ation of professional education& but to
expect that these $outh in /uestion serve in (ndia& if not in the public sector itself& for a brief period after
graduation& in lieu of which the$ repa$ the cost of their education.
2o public interest is served b$ an overbearing government& and we need continuing social audit of regulation
in higher education.
1ven though it has been seen that regulators in past have been susceptible to political maneuvering& this
deficit onl$ provides an argument for drasticall$ reforming how our regulator$ bodies are populated and run
rather than a case for dismantling them.
he most important reason for the state to remain in higher education is that the private sector is $et to
demonstrate its capacit$ to create knowledge on a sufficient scale. 1ven in these 6professional" courses there
is more research in public institutions than in the private ones.
he case for retaining the public sector in higher education the strongest because of the lack of interest
shown b$ the private sector in arts and sciences courses.
he need toda$ is to adopt a balance approach and to strengthen the regulator$ mechanism in the countr$
and once that is done there would be little sense in holding back the private sector in the space of higher
education.
EN(LIS' A CASUALTY IN (OVERNMENT SC'OOLS
As per a 2,14 report& most children stud$ing 1nglish in government primar$ schools across the countr$ can
barel$ frame sentences
(n most cases& the teachers themselves were trained poorl$ with little emphasis given to hands.on training&
and this was then reflected in poor classroom practises.
,hildren were being taught grammar b$ being made to memorise the rules.
Local language was resorted b$ most teachers to teach and the$ placed more importance on reading and
writing than actuall$ speaking 1nglish
(n almost '0 per cent of the classrooms studied& the main focus was on /uestions and answers.
3ost teachers asked the /uestions depriving the students to learn the art of communicating with confidence
and also depriving them of the experience of asking /uestions.

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'EALT'
'I('ER TA, ON TOBACCO PRO"UCTS
>nion 0ealth 3inister 0arsh 5ardhan has signalled that he supports higher taxes on cigarettes and tobacco
products.
!0B 4epresentative to (ndia& estimated that an increase in tax would raise the price of tobacco products b$
10G& which in turn would reduce tobacco consumption b$ 4.@G.
ECONOMIC BUR"EN OF TOBACCO RELATE" "ISEASES IN IN"IA
he cost incurred for treating diseases caused b$ -ust tobacco use was an estimated 4s 18&)00 crore in 2011.
1conomic costs attributable to tobacco use from all diseases in (ndia in 2011 for people aged +@.8' at over 4s.
1 lakh crore& or 1.18G of the Fross 9omestic :roduct.
,ardiovascular disease was the biggest contributor #4s. +&800 crore% followed b$ respirator$ diseases&
tuberculosis and cancer.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE A T'REAT TO PUBLIC 'EALT' (LOBALLY
As per !0B Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to public health
4esistance to antibiotics used as a last resort to treat life.threatening infections caused b$ a common
intestinal bacteria I E. pneumonia I has spread to all regions of the world
hese drugs #antibiotics% have been given with such profligac$ that pathogens resistant to them have evolved
and spread with alarming rapidit$.
6Superbugs" resistant to almost all antibiotics have become a problem& raising worries of a return to the bad
old da$s if much greater care was not exercised when prescribing existing drugs and sufficient
encouragement for finding new ones was lacking
!ithout urgent& coordinated action b$ man$ stakeholders& the world is headed for a post.antibiotic era in
which common infections and minor in-uries& which have been treatable for decades& would kill once again
#'AT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE/
Antimicrobial resistance #A34%& as antibiotic resistance is also known as& is a technical term that means
resistance to medicines used against microorganisms& thereb$ making the drugs ineffective.
IN"IA*S SITUATION
(n (ndia& the eas$ availabilit$ and higher consumption of antibiotics have contributed to the inappropriate use
of the drugs& creating a situation where resistant microorganisms are becoming more common
he infectious.disease burden in (ndia is among the highest in the world and the inappropriate and irrational
use of antimicrobial agents against these diseases has led to an increase in development of antimicrobial
resistance.
*acteria that have ac/uired a 62ew 9elhi metallo.beta.lactamase #293%" gene are resistant to even last.
resort carbapenem antibiotics& forcing doctors to turn to colistin& a drug that is more than @0 $ears old.
<or (ndia& preventing antibiotic resistance from spiralling has to be a matter of urgenc$.
#'AT NEE"S TO BE "ONE
he >nion Fovernment has taken an important first step in that direction b$ introducing a stringent rule that
prohibits medical stores from selling 24 ke$ antibiotics without a doctor"s prescription.
3uch more needs to be done& including getting doctors to prescribe antibiotics onl$ when essential. 0ospitals
must pa$ attention to proper infection control.

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IN"IA CONTINUES TO 'AVE LAR(EST NUMBER OF PEOPLE "EFECATIN( IN T'E
OPEN
As per a >2 report& with as man$ as @'H million people practicing open defecation& (ndia still has the largest
number of people defecating in open in the world.
)2 per cent of the one billion people practicing open defection in the world live in -ust 10 countries.
EFFORTS FROM NEI('BOURS S'A"O# IN"IA
(ndia"s immediate neighbour *angladesh and 5ietnam& are among the top 10 countries that have achieved
the highest reduction in open defecation since 1''0.
9espite having some of the highest numbers of open defecators& (ndia does not feature among the countries
making great strides in reducing open defecation.
LIN0 BET#EEN OPEN "EFECATION AN" OT'ER SOCIAL IN"ICATORS
,ountries where open defecation is most widel$ practised have the highest number of deaths of children
under the age of five& as well as high levels of under.nutrition& high levels of povert$ and large disparities
between the rich and poor.
here are also strong gender impacts= lack of safe& private toilets makes women and girls vulnerable to
violence and is an impediment to girls" education
:oor sanitation and contaminated water are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera& diarrhoea&
d$senter$& hepatitis A& and t$phoid. (n addition& inade/uate or absent water and sanitation services in health
care facilities put alread$ vulnerable patients at additional risk of infection and disease.
IN"IA*S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE AN" ITS #OES
1ven though prima facie (ndia ma$ appear to have made great strides in reducing the maternal mortalit$ rate
b$ 8@ per cent& from @8' per one lakh live births in 1''0 to 1'0 in 201+ the realit$ is from this
(n 201+& (ndia had 1H per cent #@0&000% of the global maternal deaths.
ogether with 2igeria at 14 per cent #40&000%& the two countries accounted for one.third of total global
maternal deaths
PRO(RESS #AY BELO# "ESIRE" TAR(ETS
he 334 of 1'0 last $ear is much higher than the government"s target of below 100 b$ 2012.
(ndia is $et to achieve the expected average annual maternal mortalit$ rate decline of @.@ per cent or more
during the period 1''0.201+ to reach the 3illennium 9evelopment Foal @ target.
!ith onl$ a 4.@ per cent decline in 334 during the last 2+ $ears& the countr$ falls under the ;making
progressA categor$ and would fail to meet the 334 target of 10' before 201@.
REASONS FOR POOR MATERNAL MORTALITY
3edical reasons like severe bleeding and infections after childbirth and high blood pressure levels during
pregnanc$
Lack of skilled care ;before& during and after childbirth.A
3aternal mortalit$ is counted when deaths occur during pregnanc$ or in the first 42 da$s after the birth of
the child& caused either directl$ or indirectl$ b$ pregnanc$. Bne wa$ of tackling this is b$ having more
institutional deliveries.
(ndia launched DSL in 200@ to facilitate such deliveries but the results were not encouraging
(n 200)& more than @0 per cent of women in >ttar :radesh and *ihar& and 41 per cent in 4a-asthan& continued
to deliver at home

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herefore& a greater focus on increasing the number of well.trained birth attendants should go hand in hand
with promoting institutional deliveries.
(nsufficient availabilit$ of health workers at primar$ care levels and ;gapsA in the availabilit$ of e/uipment
and supplies are some of the other reasons.
. MILLION CINVISIBLE* BABIES "IE EAC' YEAR
About @.@ million babies I nearl$ three million neonates and about 2.8 million stillbirths I die ever$ $ear
(n other words& ever$ da$& about )&000 neonates are d$ing and the number of stillbirths is about H&000.
<ive countries account for half of all the newborn deaths across the world
!ith H&H'&000 deaths& (ndia accounts for the highest number of newborn mortalit$ in the world.
he other four countries are 2igeria #2&H8&000%& :akistan #2&02&400%& ,hina #1&@H&000%& and the 9emocratic
4epublic of ,ongo #1&1)&000%
PRO(RESS STILL BELO# RE+UIRE" LEVELS
!hile great strides have been taken in halving the number of deaths in children aged under.five& the progress
in reducing the number of newborn deaths has been ;slower.A
(n the case of stillbirths& the progress has been even worse I it is substantiall$ slower than even that of
reducing newborn mortalit$. Stillbirths are not counted in the 3illennium 9evelopment Foals.
Shockingl$& the 2.8 million stillbirths ever$ $ear across the world are largel$ ;invisible.A ;(n most countries
stillbirths do not get birth or death certificates& which contributes to their invisibilit$.
:reterm babies are less likel$ to be counted& even in rich countries.
A ke$ reason for slower progress in recent decades for prevention of newborn deaths compared with
maternal and child mortalit$ reduction.
SURRO(ACY LA#S AN" "ISCRIMINATION
Bne of the most crucial outcome of the meetings of government ministries on possible amendments to A4
*ill 201+ #Assisted 4eproductive echnolog$% is to restrict surrogac$ in (ndia to ;infertile (ndian married
couplesA onl$.
2on.resident (ndians #24(s%& :ersons of (ndian Brigin #:(Bs% and Bverseas ,iti7ens of (ndia #B,(s% would be
eligible but foreigners& unless the$"re married to (ndian citi7ens& will not be eligible
he purpose of this is to prevent exploitation of (ndian women who ma$ be tempted to take the risk of
surrogac$ in the face of financial hardships.
E,ISTIN( POLICY
>nder the 2ational Fuidelines for Accreditation& Supervision and 4egulation of A4 ,linics in (ndia& there was
no legal bar for the use of Assisted 4eproductive echnolog$ #A4% b$ a single or an unmarried woman& and
the child born would have legal rights on the woman or man concerned.
hereafter& several versions of the *ill have consistentl$ proposed that A4 in (ndia would be available to all
persons including single persons and foreign couples.
1ven the Supreme court in its -udgment in *ab$ 3an-i Lamada vs >nion Bf (ndia case in 200) took due notice
that in cases of ;commercial surrogac$&A an intended parent ma$ be a single male.
1arlier 3inistr$ of 0ome Affairs back in 2012 restricted surrogac$ to foreign nationalsN i.e. a man and a
woman married for at least two $ears would be re/uired to take a medical visa for surrogac$ in (ndia.
4estricting surrogac$ to infertile (ndian married couples onl$& and debarring all foreigners other than B,(s&
:(Bs and 24( married couples& is a turnaround in the thought process.

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ANOMALY IN T'E LA#
here seem to be a number of contradictions between the existing laws and the intended polic$ provision.
he most important contradiction and inconsistenc$ seems to be that arising from the Fuidelines Foverning
the Adoption of ,hildren& 2011& for inter.countr$ adoptions& which now have statutor$ sanction b$ virtue of
them having being enacted under the Duvenile Dustice #,are and :rotection of ,hildren% Act& 2000. he
Duvenile Dustice Act clearl$ provides that a court ma$ allow a child to be given in adoption to an individual&
irrespective of his or her marital status.
*arring single parents to adopt is not statutor$ but can be a restraint in a particular case upon examination b$
a competent court. herefore& debarring single persons and foreign nationals from being parents will amount
to rewriting laws in existence which have been enacted b$ :arliament.
LATEST COURT -U"(EMENTS
he Supreme ,ourt in Stephanie Doan *ecker vs State in 201+ permitted a single @+.$ear.old lad$ to adopt a
female orphan child aged 10 b$ relaxing the rigour of the guidelines of the ,entral Adoption 4esource
Authorit$ #,A4A%.
(n Shabnam 0ashmi vs. >nion of (ndia& 2014& the ,ourt upheld the recognition of the right to adopt and to be
adopted as a fundamental right.
he latest verdict of the Supreme ,ourt recognising transgenders as the third gender sa$s ;discrimination on
the basis of sexual orientation or gender identit$ includes an$ discrimination& exclusion& restriction or
preference& which has the effect of nullif$ing or transposing e/ualit$ b$ the law or the e/ual protection of
laws guaranteed under our ,onstitution.A
#AY A'EA"
he sum and substance is not to shut the door to surrogac$ which is an accepted societal practice in (ndia and
grown slowl$ over almost two decades.
!hether (ndians or foreign nationals& law treats persons as individual parents when re/uired. A restrictive
meaning to the word ;personA cannot /ualif$ or change the definition b$ restricting it to an (ndian national
he more pragmatic approach would be to make a law hedged with safeguards& checks and balances. he
appropriate and desirable method would be to create a mechanism to -udge the suitabilit$ of proposed
surrogate parents rather than to debar all single and foreign persons.

ENVIRONMENT
SC BANS -ALLI0ATTU
he Supreme ,ourt has banned amil 2adu?s centuries.old Dallikattu bull fights
he court also struck down a 2011 amil 2adu law regulating the conduct of Dallikattu.
he law provided for conducting Dallikattu from Danuar$ to 3a$ in various places in amil 2adu to ensure
the protection of not onl$ the participants but also of the spectators.
ANALYSIS
*$ taking such a decision S, has made it clear that law on prevention of cruelt$ to animals over rides the
culture and tradition
he -udgment flows from two principal considerations= the avoidance of cruelt$ and the continued inabilit$
of organisers and authorities to avoid in-uries and fatalities to human participants and bulls
here is no doubt that -allikattu has imparted colour to culture and tourism in amil 2adu and banning it
altogether will cause consternation and disma$
*ut as in case of man$ old traditions that have been given up as repugnant to modern da$ standards& it
would be good if the government does awa$ with this sport
BAC0(ROUN"
(n 200'& amil 2adu enacted a law to regulate -allikattu.
(nspite of these regulations animals were sub-ected to different forms of cruelt$ in their training
Bn the da$ of the event& the bulls are kept for hours without food or water& dragged into the narrow
passage through which the$ enter the arena in a terrified or angr$ state.
ANTARCTICA ICE LOSS 'AS "OUBLE"
As per new satellite observations Antarctica is shedding 180 billion tonnes a $ear of ice into the ocean& twice
the amount of a few $ears ago
Some of the earlier reports had stated that the collapse of the western Antarctica ice sheet has alread$
begun and is unstoppable
Flobal warming is pushing up sea level b$ melting the world"s ma-or ice caps and b$ warming and expanding
oceans.
he loss of the entire western Antarctica ice sheet would eventuall$ cause up to 4 metres of sea.level rise&
devastating low.l$ing and coastal areas around the world.
CLIMATE C'AN(E IS MA0IN( FOO" CROPS LESS NUTRITIOUS
As per a new scientific research rising carbon dioxide emissions are set to make the world"s staple food
crops less nutritious
he field trials of wheat& rice& mai7e and so$beans showed that higher ,BQ.2Rlevels significantl$ reduced the
levels of the essential nutrients iron and 7inc& as well as cutting protein levels
!ith 2@ million more children under five at risk of malnutrition b$ 20@0 because of climate change& action
to cut emissions and support communities to adapt is crucial
NEPAL (LACIERS S'RIN0 BY 1D4
T'
IN LAST $0 YEARS
,limate change has caused 2epal"s 0imala$an glaciers to shrink b$ nearl$ a /uarter in -ust over +0 $ears&
raising the risk of natural disasters in the ecologicall$ fragile region

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IMPACT OF (LACIAL MELTIN(
Flacial melting is creating huge& expanding lakes that threaten to burst and devastate mountain
communities living downstream
he accelerated glacial loss raises concerns over future access to water resources& particularl$ in regions
where groundwater is limited and monsoon rains are erratic.
0ARNATA0A A(REES FOR BAN ON MININ( IN #ESTERN ('ATS
Eeeping in conformit$ with the Easturirangan report Earnataka government has agreed to put a complete
ban on mining in the !estern Fhats.
*ut it has not banned /uarr$ing and sand mining within the 1co sensitive 7ones.
As per the government /uarr$ing and mining can be regulated as a total ban would affect the local
development needs.
YoucanreadabouttheKasturiranganreportanditsreccomendationsinearlierdocumentsofcurrentaffairs
SOME "ISA(REEMENTSDPOINTS OF CONTENTION #IT' T'E REPORT
State government has not agreed to committee"s recommendation to prohibit construction pro-ects
exceeding 20&000 s/ km
Also& the committee had suggested declaring 80&000 s/ km of natural landscape as 1cologicall$ sensitive
which would have included more than 1&@00 villages #he criteria for selection of such villages was if 20G of
their area was found to be eco sensitive%
he Earnataka government has recommended reduction in the geographical extent of 1SA #bringing onl$
those villages that have @0G of more area as ecologicall$ sensitive under the ambit of 1SA%
NE#LY "ISCOVERE" SPECIES
As per the (nternational (nstitute for Species 1xploration& a scientific group& as man$ as 1)&000 are discovered
annuall$& about half of them insects or arachnids.
he$ also released a top.10 list of newl$ discovered species
A group of scientists working in Antarctica found a sea anemone named 1dwardsiella andrillae & the onl$
anemone known to live in ice.
And two Australian biologists tracked down a new leaf.tailed gecko&Saltuarius eximius & in the rain forests of
eastern Australia.
he list includes an orange fungus found hiding in the soil in unisia& a giant amoeba living in the
3editerranean and a transparent shrimp found near ,atalina (sland& off Southern ,alifornia.
"ANCIN( FRO(S IN #ESTERN ('ATS
Scientists have discovered 14 new species of so.called dancing frogs in the !estern Fhats&
he tin$ acrobatic amphibians& earn their name with the unusual kicks the$ use to attract mates
Bnl$ the males dance= it"s actuall$ a uni/ue breeding behaviour called foot.flagging. he$ stretch& extend and
whip their legs out to the side to draw the attention of females who might have trouble hearing mating
croaks over the sound of water flowing through perennial hill streams.
ENVIRONMENT A NON) ISSUE IN ELECTIONS
(RAVE T'REATS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL "E(RA"ATION
(n 3arch& the !orld 0ealth Brgani7ation released its latest stud$ which estimated a total of H million deaths
worldwide in 2012 caused b$ exposure to air pollution I one in eight of all global deaths

(ndoor air pollution was linked to 4.+ million of the deaths that occurred in homes which depend on biomass
or coal for cooking.
(n 1''H& alone a total of 2.@ million premature deaths took place as a result of air pollution& both indoor and
outdoor. he ma-orit$ of these were caused b$ pollution indoors that stemmed from cooking on inefficient
cookstoves burning largel$ inferior forms of biomass.
"URIN( ELECTIONS ENVIRONMENT REMAINS A NON)ISSUE
here is& no doubt& a credible framework of legislation in place in (ndia to support an$ attention given to
environmental issues& but the institutions and processes that translate intent into action remain weak and
ineffective.
PROBLEMS "UE TO USE OF 0EROSENE AN" BIOMASS
!hile outdoor air pollution gets some attention from the public and decision.makers& indoor air pollution&
which afflicts at least two.thirds of (ndian homes& remains neglected.
3ore than +00 million people in (ndia have no access to electricit$& and those that do still do not have a
stable suppl$ as a result these people are dependent on kerosene lamps and candles which cause a lot of
indoor air pollution
!omen and children are particularl$ vulnerable because the$ spend more time at home. :erhaps even more
serious is the dependence of around H00 million people on the burning of biomass in their homes& using
inefficient stoves that emit large /uantities of smoke& leading to high doses of air pollution.
SILVER LININ() SOME SOLUTIONS 'AVE BEEN "ESI(NE"
As part of its Lighting a *illion Lights campaign& the 1nerg$ and 4esources (nstitute has reached almost +&000
villages in (ndia and Africa& introducing the decentralised use of photovoltaic panels
An important aspect of this campaign is that a local female entrepreneur is trained to set up a central
charging station in a village using solar panels on rooves. She charges lightweight& L19 solar lanterns& with a
socket for charging mobile phones.
After charging the lanterns for the whole village in the da$time& she rents them out at night. his provides the
entire village with clean& efficient and reliable lighting& based on a sustainable& market.oriented model.
Similar programmes have been launched with improved stoves in a large number of villages& reducing indoor
air pollution drasticall$.
"ECLININ( POPULATION OF MI(RATORY AN" "OMESTIC SPECIES OF BIR"S IN
IN"IA

(>,2 red list has recentl$ categori7ed fifteen bird species in (ndia remain criticall$ endangered and three bird
species that were in the ?least concern? categor$& so far& face greater danger than before.
he avian species that fall under the criticall$ endangered categor$ include migrator$ and non.migrator$
birds found in wetlands& grasslands& forests as well as scavengers.
Ohe 0imala$an Muail and :ink.headed 9uck are practicall$ extinct although the$ are listed as criticall$
endangered.A
(n the latest list& two birds . the 4iver Lapwing and 4iver ern . that were listed as species of least concern
have been registered as near threatened.
A third bird& the long.tailed duck& which has been sighted in (ndia on a few occasions& has moved from ?least
concern? to ?vulnerable? on the red list.
CAUSES
0uman pressures on riverine ecos$stems and the construction of dams.
<actors contributing the most to the decline of several bird species reveal that -ust like wetlands& most
other habitats such as grasslands and forests also face severe threat due to developmental pressures.

9rastic loss of grassland habitat over the past decades has severel$ threatened species such as the Freat
(ndian *ustard& *engal <lorican and Derdon?s ,ourser.
9estruction of deciduous forests in central (ndia has led to the decline in <orest Bwlet numbers.
1ven destruction of forests in the fragile !estern Fhats and the 0imala$as continues to endanger the
existence of man$ other species.
he drastic decline in bird population in *ird Sanctuar$ due to high water level as excess water released
b$ (rrigation 9epartments is detrimental to the ecolog$ of man$ wetlands.
At times& the water level is ver$ high& while at others the sanctuar$ faces drought.like conditions. As a
result& conditions have been made unfavourable for water birds. he$ need to be cautious while
releasing water.
CRITICALLY EN"AN(ERE" BIR"S IN IN"IA
"igratory 6etland Species . *aer?s :ochard #A$th$a baeri%& Siberian ,rane #Leucogeranus
leucogeranus%& Spoon.billed Sandpiper #1ur$norh$nchus p$gmeus%.
3on-migratory 6etland Species . !hite.bellied 0eron #Ardea insignis%.
(rassland Species . *engal <lorican #0oubaropsis bengalensis%& Freat (ndian *ustard #Ardeotis nigriceps%&
Derdon?s ,ourser#4hinoptilus bitor/uatus%& Sociable Lapwing #5anellus gregarius%.
7orest Species . <orest Bwlet #0eteroglaux blewitti%.
Sca-engers . (ndian 5ulture #F$ps indicus%& 4ed.headed 5ulture #Sarcog$ps calvus%& Slender.billed
5ulture #F$ps tenuirostris%& !hite.backed 5ulture #F$ps bengalensis%.
Practically e#tinct . 0imala$an Muail #Bphr$sia superciliosa%& :ink.headed 9uck #4hodonessa
car$oph$llacea%.

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IN"IA AN" #ORL"
LEA"ERS FROM SAARC NATIONS INVITE" AT S#EARIN( IN CEREMONY OF NE#
(OVERNMENT
:rime 3inister.elect 2arendra 3odi invited the heads of the governments of all South Asian states to attend
his swearing.in& in a gesture& which diplomats and experts claimed was without precedent.
hough foreign envo$s stationed in 2ew 9elhi had attended past swearing.in& 3inistr$ of 1xternal Affairs
sources said& no world leader had been invited to attend what has traditionall$ been seen as a domestic
event.
(nvitations were sent to the :residents or :rime 3inisters of Afghanistan& *angladesh& *hutan& 3aldives&
2epal& :akistan and Sri Lanka.
he initiative was considered as a success as the prime minister concluded that Ohe entire world got a
message and the$ are still talking about it& what happened& how it happened. (t shows how effective a right
decision taken at the right time can be.O
Leaders round the world welcomed (ndian government?s initiative to invite SAA4, leaders to attend the
swearing.in ceremon$ of :rime 3inister.elect 2arendra 3odi. (t was a general consensus that the increased
engagement between (ndia and :akistan is a Opositive stepO for the peace and development of south Asia.
(ndia& the regional heav$weight& has long had difficult ties with its neighbours& most notabl$ :akistan& but
also smaller nations& such as 2epal and *angladesh& over trade& immigration and river sharing issues. *ut in
reaching out to members of the South Asia Association for 4egional ,ooperation at the ver$ start of his
administration& 3odi ma$ also be seeking to address concerns that long.time rival ,hina is making inroads in
the region.
#ORL" LEA"ERS CON(RATULATE NAREN"RA MO"I FOR VICTORY IN IN"IAN
(ENERAL ELECTIONS
Leaders of several countries congratulated *D:?s :rime 3inisterial candidate 2arendra 3odi& for leading the
*D: to a decisive win in the general elections.
,ongratulator$ message came from round the globe including countries like >S& 4ussia& ,hina& >E& (srael&
:akistan& Sri Lanka& *angladesh& Australia etc.
he leaders expressed their desire to boost relations with (ndian government and built upon existing
relations.
3r. 3odi was invited b$ most of the nations for visit in official capacit$.
>.S. :resident *arack Bbama effectivel$ reversed a nine.$ear >.S. visa ban when he congratulated Fu-arat
,hief 3inister 2arendra 3odi on his part$"s ;historicA victor$ in the (ndian general election& and then invited
3r. 3odi to visit the >.S. at a ;mutuall$ agreeable time to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.A
he leaders expressed their desire for prosperous and smooth relations after the mandate was given b$
(ndian electorate for a government with ma-orit$ of its ownN working without pressure of coalition politics
and domestic pressure.
IN"IA = US
EN'ANCE" TRA"E RELATIONS
(n the first telephonic conversation with the new government& >nited States Secretar$ of State Dohn Eerr$
stressed on the shared commitment to boost trade and economic ties to P@00 billion.
3r. 3odi and 3s. Swara- have a string of upcoming opportunities to meet with their counterparts in the
>nited States& notabl$ during the >nited 2ations Feneral Assembl$ in 2ew Lork in September and the F.20
meet to be held in 2ovember in *risbane.

<> www.visionias.in Vision IAS
Leaders of both the countries have been pushing for expanding trade& but efforts have remained deadlocked
over a number of contentious issues. he >nited States.(ndia *usiness ,ouncil& representing corporations
from both countries& said efforts were needed to increase foreign direct investment in the defence sector& e.
commerce and insurance. (t also called for reforms in tax legislation& and progress in implementing the (ndia.
>.S. civilian nuclear deal.
')1B VISA 'OL"ERS 'AIL MOVE TO LET SPOUSES #OR0
A >.S government website that is currentl$ inviting public comments on whether to allow the spouses of 0.
1* visa.holders to work has provided a glimpse at the trials and tribulations of (ndians who go abroad to
work 6onsite" at various ( firms.
he 9epartment of 0omeland Securit$& a >.S government bod$& had& a few months ago& decided to allow
spouses of 0.1* visa.holders& who are seeking green cards& to get work authori7ation.
he department is of the view that these steps will help the >.S. maintain competitiveness with other
countries in our efforts to attract the best and the brightest high.skilled workers from around the world to
support companies here at home. *usinesses continue to need these high.skilled workers& and these rules
ensure we do not cede the upper hand to other countries competing for the same talent.
hese will allow the spouses to appl$ for work according to their eligibilit$N these options were not available
in the past for the spouse of the visa holders irrespective of their /ualifications.
he proposal has seen overwhelming response from the (ndian working abroad in favour of the proposed
regulation.
IN"IA = C'INA
,hinese :remier Li Ee/ian/ called up :rime 3inister 2arendra 3odi and expressed his government"s desire
to establish a ;robust partnershipA with (ndia. 0e was the first foreign leader to call up 3odi after he was
sworn in.
,hinese <oreign minister !ang Li is coming to 9elhi on Dune )& and could become the first foreign minister
to visit (ndia after the new government took over.
(ndian :3 noted that ,hina ;was alwa$s a priorit$A in (ndia"s foreign polic$& and welcomed ;greater
economic engagementA between the two countries.
he two leaders agreed to keep up fre/uent high.level exchanges and communication. 3odi also thanked Li
for his earlier message of felicitation& and extended an invitation through him to :resident Si Dinping to pa$ a
visit to (ndia later this $ear.
IN"IA = PA0ISTAN
:akistan :rime 3inister 3r. 2awa7 Sharif attended the oath taking ceremon$ of :rime 3inister 2arendra
3odi. 0e said that he has come with a message of peace and reciprocates the spirit to strengthen bonds
between (ndia and :akistan.
his maiden meeting between the two leaders would go a long wa$ in improving relations which could
eventuall$ help in addressing certain contentious issues.
Sharif"s decision comes in the face of stiff opposition from hardliners& including the :akistan militar$&
signaling that he was willing to expend political capital to tr$ and match 3odi"s bold first step aimed at
rebuilding ties.
PA0ISTAN AS0S -OURNALISTS FROM PTI AN" T'E 'IN"U TO LEAVE
(n a sudden decision denounced as a ;retrograde stepA b$ 2ew 9elhi& :akistan has asked 3eena 3enon of
he 0indu and :("s Snehesh Alex :hilip to leave the countr$ within seven da$s. (slamabad did not offer an$
reason for the move.

<! www.visionias.in Vision IAS
he two -ournalists received letters from the :akistan Fovernment"s 1xternal :ublicit$ !ing& informing them
that an unnamed ;competent authorit$A had decided against an$ extension of their visas.
:akistan gives visas to (ndian -ournalists for a few months at a timeN the$ are re/uired to repeatedl$ seek
extensions. 3enon and :hilip& the onl$ two (ndian -ournalists in :akistan& have been in (slamabad for about
nine months.
(ndian -ournalists working in :akistan have complained of living under heav$ surveillance and being denied
permission to travel outside (slamabad. he expulsions come despite the ambition of the :rime 3inister&
2awa7 Sharif& to improve relations between the two countries& which have gone to war four times since
gaining independence from *ritain in 1'4H.
4eacting strongl$ to the decision& the 3inistr$ of 1xternal Affairs said not allowing independent -ournalists to
function was a ;retrograde stepA and termed the expulsion of the scribes as ;regrettable and unfortunateA.
Asserting that free flow of information between (ndia and :akistan has long been recognised as an important
confidence.building measure& the 3inistr$ spokesperson said this should be safeguarded b$ all concerned
and added that (ndia intends to take the issue up with :akistan.
(ndia and :akistan had reached an understanding in the late 1'H0s& with each countr$ allowing two media
persons from the other. :( has regularl$ posted correspondents in :akistan since then and some :akistani
-ournalists have been stationed in (ndia& although currentl$ there is none from the countr$.
IN"IA = SRILAN0A
(n the first meeting between :rime 3inister 2arendra 3odi with Sri Lankan :resident 3ahinda 4a-apaksa&
3r. 3odi asked him to deliver on his promises to devolve wide powers to the countr$"s amil.ma-orit$
regions I a formula called 6hirteen.:lus" that was promised during diplomatic negotiations with former
:rime 3inister 3anmohan Singh and >nited 2ations Secretar$ Feneral *an Ei 3oon in 2010.
1arl$ and full implementation of the 1+th Amendment and going be$ond would contribute to this process.
6hirteen.:lus" has never been precisel$ defined& but the 1+th Amendment to Sri Lanka"s ,onstitution which
created provincial councils and made both amil and Sinhala official languages.
amil 2adu ,hief 3inister D Da$alalithaa had bo$cotted 3r. 3odi"s swearing.in ceremon$ to protest against
his invitation to 3r. 4a-apaksa.
3eanwhile& the fishing communit$ and fishermen leaders are elated at reports from Sri Lanka that all 14
fishermen from amil 2adu& who were arrested on charges of drug trafficking& will be released. he news has
come as a relief to the families of the fishermen I 11 from 4ameswaram (sland and three from
Arcottuthurai in 2agapattinam district I as getting ac/uittal of drug trafficking charges was not so eas$.
BAN ON LTTE E,TEN"E" FOR FIVE YEARS
he >nion 0ome 3inistr$ on 3a$& 14
th
2014 issued a fresh notification extending ban on the Liberation
igers of amil 1lam #L1% in (ndia for five $ears.
he Fovernment of (ndia& under the provisions of the >nlawful Activities #:revention% Act& 1'8H& has
proscribed the Liberation igers of amil 1lam #L1% as an 6>nlawful Association".
L1 was banned in (ndia after the assassination of former :rime 3inister 4a-iv Fandhi in 1''1. he ban on
the outfit was extended the last time in 3a$ 2012. he ga7ette notification then noted that L1 was an
association based in Sri Lanka& but having its supporters& s$mpathi7ers and agents in (ndiaN and that its
ob-ective for a separate homeland #amil 1lam% for all amils threatened the sovereignt$ and territorial
integrit$ of (ndia for the >nion and thus& fell within the ambit of an unlawful activit$.
According to government notification& he L1& even after its militar$ defeat in 3a$ 200' in Sri Lanka& has
not abandoned the concept of 61lam" and has been clandestinel$ working towards the 61lam" cause b$
undertaking fund raising and propaganda activities in 1urope. he remnant L1 leaders or cadres have also
initiated efforts to regroup the scattered activists and resurrect the outfit locall$ and internationall$.
he notification also mentioned that the 9iaspora continued to spread through articles in the (nternet
portals& anti.(ndia feeling amongst the Sri Lankan amils b$ holding the top (ndian political leaders and
bureaucrats responsible for the defeat of the L1. Such propaganda through (nternet& which remains
continued& is likel$ to impact 55(: securit$ adversel$ in (ndia.

<' www.visionias.in Vision IAS
IN"IA SIN(APORE
SIMBE, 2014
he 2014 edition of the 6S(3*1S 14" series of annual bilateral naval exercises between the (ndian 2av$ #IN%
and the 4epublic of Singapore 2av$ #RSN%& is being conducted in the Andaman Sea from 22 3a$ to 2) 3a$
14. 0osted b$ (ndian 2av$& S(3*1S 14 will be the 21
st
in the series& designed to enhance inter.operabilit$ and
mutual understanding between the two navies.
*ilateral 2aval cooperation between the two navies was first formali7ed when 4S2 ships began training in
Anti.Submarine !arfare #AS!% with the (ndian 2av$ in 1''4. S(3*1S is an acron$m for
6Singapore Indian "aritime ilateral *xercise".
Since its inception in 1''+& S(3*1S has grown in tactical and operational complexit$. (t has transcended the
traditional emphasis on Anti.Submarine !arfare #AS!% to more complex maritime exercises& involving
various facets of naval operations like Air 9efence& Air and Surface practice firing& 3aritime Securit$ and
Search and 4escue Bperations. *oth navies derive considerable value form the conduct of S(3*1S. (nter.
operabilit$ between the two navies has matured to a point where Standard Bperating :rocedures for the
conduct of exercise have been formali7ed.
his $ear& the (ndian 2av$ is being represented b$ IN ships 8uthar and 8armu/ from the 1astern 2aval
,ommand. (n addition& a 3aritime :atrol Aircraft and a 0elicopter each from Andaman and 2icobar
,ommand is also participating in the exercise. he Singapore 2av$ is represented b$ the missile corvette&
;Valour" and the patrol vessel& 6Independence". he 4S2 ships are making a port call at :ort *lair form 22 to
2+ 3a$ 14 for harbour phase of the exercise.
IN and 4S2 share a long standing relationship with regular professional interactions. his includes exchange
programmes& staff talks and cross.attendance at courses. S(3*1S is an important outcome of this
comprehensive process of bilateral engagement and it is through these interactions that the two navies
continue to reinforce the strong maritime bridges of friendship that connect our respective nations.
SIN(APORE REPLACES MAURITIUS AS TOP SOURCE OF F"I IN IN"IA
Singapore has replaced 3auritius as the top source of foreign direct investment into (ndia& accounting for
about 2@ per cent of <9( inflows in 201+.14.
9uring the last financial $ear& (ndia attracted P@.').billion <9( from Singapore& whereas it was P4.)@ billion
from 3auritius& according to the 9epartment of (ndustrial :olic$ and :romotion #9(::% data.
According to experts& the 9ouble axation Avoidance Agreement #9AA% with Singapore incorporates the
Limit.of.*enefit #Lo*% clause which has provided comfort to foreign investors based there.
<9( inflows from 3auritius have started dr$ing up on fears of the impact of Feneral Anti Avoidance 4ules
#FAA4% and possible re.negotiation of the tax avoidance treat$.
(nflows from 3auritius during last fiscal are lowest since 2008.0H. Bn the other hand& <9( inflow of P@.')
billion in 201+.14 was the highest.ever received from Singapore since 2008.0H.
he controversial Feneral Anti Avoidance 4ules provision& which seeks to check tax avoidance b$ investors
routing their funds through tax havens& will come into effect from April 1& 2018 in (ndia. he FAA4 provision
will appl$ to entities availing themselves of tax benefit of at least 4s + crore. (t will appl$ to foreign
institutional investors that have claimed benefits under an$ 9AA.
he (ndia.3auritius 9AA is being revised amid concerns that 3auritius is being used for round.tripping of
funds into (ndia even though the countr$ has alwa$s maintained that there have been no concrete evidence
of an$ such misuse. <oreign investments are crucial for (ndia& which needs about P1 trillion b$ 3arch 201H to
overhaul infrastructure such as ports& airports and highwa$s and boost growth.
MAURITIUS TO PROVI"E AUTOMATIC TA, INFORMATION E,C'AN(E FOR IN"IA
Seeking to alla$ apprehensions about 3auritius being used for mone$ laundering activities& its (ndian.origin
:rime 3inister 2avin 4amgoolam said the island nation has decided to provide automatic exchange of tax
related information with (ndia.

<+ www.visionias.in Vision IAS
4amgoolam& on his trip to attend *D: leader 2arendra 3odi?s swearing.in as :rime 3inister& also said that
3auritius would not allow an$bod$ to abuse or misuse its -urisdiction for an$ illicit activities.
Bn the contentious issue of revision of a tax treat$ between two countries& the 3auritius :rime 3inister said
that Othere must be a /uick resolution to resolve all issues related to the direct tax avoidance agreement
between the two countriesO
A proposed revision of the tax treat$ has been hanging in the balance for a long time and there have been
reports that 3auritius was not agreeable to certain suggestions made b$ (ndia& which has been seeking to
make the agreement stronger to check an$ possible round tripping of (ndian funds through the (ndian Bcean
island nation.
4amgoolam said that 3auritius has made new proposals that alla$ the concerns of (ndia with respect to the
tax treat$. !ith respect to (ndia?s concerns about Limitation of *enefit #Lo*% in the 9AA& he said Owe have
absolutel$ no problemO in addressing the issues. 3eanwhile& (ndia and 3auritius have decided to have an
innovative partnership to strengthen their bilateral relations.
1mphasising that both countries need to go be$ond 9AA& 4amgoolam said there is Oenormous prospectsO in
Oocean econom$O for (ndia and 3auritius.
Bnce known as the biggest gatewa$ for flow of funds into (ndia& 3auritius has slipped in recent months to
second position in terms of /uantum of mone$ being brought in b$ overseas investors into (ndian markets&
as also in terms of funds coming through <9( route. (n terms of funds brought in b$ foreign institutional
investors into the (ndian e/uit$ and debt markets& the >S has overtaken 3auritius& while Singapore is now
on top for <9(. he <oreign 9irect (nvestment inflows from 3auritius have also fallen sharpl$ on fears of
possible re.negotiation of the tax avoidance treat$ between the two countries.
IN"IA SI(NS LOAN A(REEMENTS #IT' #ORL" BAN0 FOR ASSISTANCE FOR
SARVA S'I0S'A AB'IYAN III
he (ndian Fovernment and the !orld *ank on hursda$ signed the Loan Agreement for !orld *ank #(9A%
assistance of >SP 1008.20 million for Sarva Shiksha Abhi$an (((.
!ith more than '8G of children having access to elementar$ education& the new agreement would focus
not onl$ on access but also on improving /ualit$ under the Sarva Shiksha Abhi$an #SSA%.
he !orld *ank has earlier supported the government.funded scheme with two rounds of loans totaling
P1.)@ billion.
Several studies have indicated that the /ualit$ of school education is deteriorating in (ndia& though the
countr$ has made significant progress in terms of access.
Sarva Shiksha Abhi$an #SSA% is the largest ongoing 1ducation for All #1<A% program in the world. (t is the
flagship programme for universali7ing elementar$ education. he overall goals of the program include
universal access and retention& reducing gender and social categor$ gaps in elementar$ education and
enhancement of learning levels of children.
he pro-ect will also focus on children with special needs. his will also steer smooth and effective
implementation of the whole Sarva Shiksha Abhi$an pro-ect.
he assistance from the !orld *ank will be in the form of ,redit under (9A 18 at a concessional rate from
the (nternational 9evelopment Assistance #(9A%.
he pro-ect will directl$ benefit about 200 million children enrolled in elementar$ schools and 4.@ million
teachers in the sector. he benefits of the pro-ect also include development of grade and sub-ect specific
learning indicators to measure children?s progress in ac/uiring expected knowledge and skills at different
grade level. (t will also strengthen monitoring and evaluation for teachers? accountabilit$.

</ www.visionias.in Vision IAS
#ORL" AFFAIRS
ELECTIONS IN IRA+
:arliamentar$ elections were held in (ra/ on +0 April 2014. he elections decided the +2) members of the
,ouncil of 4epresentatives who will in turn elect the (ra/i :resident and :rime 3inister.
he open list form of part$.list proportional representation& using the governorates as the constituencies& is
the electoral s$stem used. he counting s$stem has been changed slightl$ from the largest remainder
method to the modified Sainte.LaguT method due to a ruling b$ the Supreme ,ourt of (ra/ that the previous
method discriminated against smaller parties.
he coalition led b$ :rime 3inister 2ouri al.3aliki?s won the most seats in (ra/?s parliamentar$ elections&
boosting his chances for a third term in office& election officials said.
he results from the election commission showed 3aliki?s State of Law alliance garnered '2 out of +2)
parliamentar$ seats& with the incumbent himself winning more than H21&000 personal votes.
*ut he still fell short of a ma-orit$& meaning he will have to win the support of rivals from across the
communal spectrum& some of whom have sharpl$ critici7ed 3aliki and refused to countenance his bid to
remain in power.
(ra/?s political parties have for weeks been meeting and maneuvering as the$ seek to build post.election
alliances& but the formation of a new government is still expected to take several months.
As in previous elections& the main blocs are expected to agree on an encompassing package that ensures the
prime minister& president and parliament speaker are all selected together. >nder a de facto agreement
established in recent $ears& (ra/?s prime minister is a Shia Arab& the president is a Eurd and the speaker of
parliament is a Sunni Arab.
Although the run.up to the election& (ra/?s first since >S troops withdrew at the end of 2011& was plagued b$
attacks on candidates and campaign rallies& and allegations of malpractice that contributed to lower turnout
in areas populated b$ disgruntled minorit$ Sunnis. *ut the election has nevertheless been hailed largel$ as a
success b$ the international communit$& with the >nited States and >nited 2ations praising voters for
standing up to militanc$.
OPINION3 #'Y IRA+ ELECTIONS CANET FI, C'AOS LEFT BE'IN" BY U.S.
Although there were man$ differences among the political parties& the$ agree on one thing= the fierce
urgenc$ of change. he election is an important milestone in (ra/?s fragile state& but it is unlikel$ to resolve
the countr$?s severe political crisis and generate a new social contract and a constitution that enshrine e/ual
citi7enship before the rule of law.
At the heart of (ra/?s structural crisis lies a d$sfunctional political s$stem based on muhasasa or distribution
of power along communal& ethnic and tribal lines& a s$stem put in place after the >.S. invaded and occupied
the countr$ in 200+.
Although the rules of the game influence the conduct of the political class& politicians of all colors #Shiites&
Sunni Arabs and Sunni Eurds% have not transcended their narrow parochial concerns and have not risen up
to the historic challenge. (ra/ faces a two.pronged s$stemic and leadership challenge.
0aving taken ownership of the countr$ after >.S. occupation and ouster of Saddam 0ussein& the Shiite
leadership has treated Sunni Arabs like second.class citi7ens and has e/uated its numerical ma-orit$ with a
license to monopoli7e power at the expense of others.
Bf all actors& :rime 3inister 2uri al.3aliki bears greater responsibilit$ for the steep deterioration of the
securit$ situation and the /ualit$ of life of (ra/is& including corruption that infects all aspects of (ra/i societ$.
>nder his watch& al Maeda factions .. or the (slamic State in (ra/ and al.Sham #Freater S$ria% known b$ its
Arabic acron$m& O9aishO .. has revived and found shelter among dissatisfied Sunnis. (ndeed& (ra/ is deepl$
polari7ed along social& ideological and communal lines& witnessing a resilient Sunni insurgenc$ in late 2012
that has exacted a heav$ human toll and has almost plunged the countr$ to the brink of civil war.
(t is doubtful if either al.3aliki?s coalition or an$ other would gain an outright electoral ma-orit$ because of
the extent of inter. and intra.communal fragmentation. 3ore than '&000 candidates from nearl$ 2)0
political entities are v$ing for +2) seats in parliament.

3ost of the (ra/is have low expectations of the voteN the$ are c$nical about the politicians who promise
deliverance but fall far too short. 4ather more modestl$& (ra/is hope that the new leadership will prevent the
countr$ from sliding to all.out war and putting its house in order.
NEPAL ISSUES
he national convention of the >nited ,ommunist :art$ of 2epal #3aoist% held in *iratnagar& 2epal ended in
a humiliating defeat for its influential leader 9r *aburam *hattarai.
he convention& which was aimed at strengthening the part$ b$ resolving the differences between its two
big leaders :ushpa Eamal 9ahal aka :rachanda and *hattarai onl$ aggravated the situation and exposed&
once again& it"s irreparable fissures.
*hattarai has been completel$ sidelined and it is certain now that :rachanda will continue to en-o$ the
absolute authorit$ in the part$. 3an$ of *hattarai"s old friends and associates too have left him in the lurch
to -oin the ultimate winner of the $ears" old battle for part$"s control.
After the second ,onstituent Assembl$ election last 2ovember& in which the part$ performed poorl$&
*hattarai lo$alists were pressuri7ing :rachanda to step down from the top post.
(n the convention :rachanda proposed the ,,& which was later ratified& in wa$ that he will alwa$s never be&
unless something unusual happens& in the minorit$ again. (n the new '' member ,, there are less than +0
members from *hattarai factions. After a long wait :rachanda has again got the un/uestionable authorit$
over the part$.
he relationship in between :rachanda and *hattarai is not in a good shape now. Split doesn?t benefit
an$one. hough the situation is favorable for *hattarai to constitute a new part$& however& what is
important is how to move ahead with the national politics and also to bring in what sort of new ideas for the
new part$. 0e has himself admitted that he will not bring in the split instead he& said *hattarai& that he will
engage himself in research works. his he has spoken in public.
PA0ISTAN ISSUES
#'O SOUN"S ALERT ON POLIO
he !orld 0ealth Brganisation #!0B% said :akistan& ,ameroon& and the S$rian Arab 4epublic posed the
greatest risk of spreading wild poliovirus in 2014 and recommended that these states declare that the
interruption of the poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergenc$.
he recommendations came after members of the !0B"s 1mergenc$ ,ommittee met on April 2) and 2'.
he three countries would have to take steps including ensuring that all residents and long.term visitors
#those who sta$ more than four weeks% receive a dose of Bral :olio 5accine #B:5% or inactivated poliovirus
vaccine #(:5% between 4 weeks and 12 months prior to international travel.
:akistan reported '+ cases in 201+& most of them from the <ederall$ Administered ribal Areas #<AA%
where polio vaccination teams have little access. (n 2014& so far @8 cases have been reported& 44 of them
from <AA. Also cases of the wild poliovirus in S$ria were traced to :akistan last $ear.
he !0B also declared the international spread of wild poliovirus a :ublic 0ealth 1mergenc$ of
(nternational ,oncern #:01(,%.
here was increasing evidence that adult travelers contributed to the spread in 201+& !0B said.
he !0B said these states have to maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met= #i% at
least 8 months have passed without new exportations and #ii% there is documentation of full application of
high /ualit$ eradication activities in all infected and high risk areasN in the absence of such documentation
these measures should be maintained until at least 12 months have passed without new exportations.
Bnce a state has met the criteria to be assessed as no longer exporting wild polio virus& it should continue to
be considered as an infected State until such time as it has met the criteria to be removed from that
categor$& the !0B said.

>1 www.visionias.in Vision IAS
PA0ISTAN (OVERNMENT OPPOSES MUS'ARRAF (OIN( ABROA"
he :akistan government has opposed taking off the name of the former :resident& Feneral #retd.% :erve7
3usharraf from the 1xit ,ontrol List #1,L%. he government stated that orders to put his name on the 1,L
were given b$ the Supreme ,ourt last $ear. As such the$ cannot be challenged in the 0igh ,ourt.
According to a medical report the former president has a spinal fracture which cannot be treated in :akistan
due to lack of expertise. 3edical experts are of the view that :akistan lacks technolog$ to treat such an
in-ur$.
he medical team recommended that 3usharraf should travel to 9ubai& 2orth America and 1urope as he
re/uires surger$.
According to the federation"s response the Sind 0igh ,ourt was not authori7ed to hear the case pertaining to
removing 3usharraf"s name from the 1,L as the order to place the former president on the list was issued
b$ the Supreme ,ourt.
ISLAMABA"A TE'RAN A(REE ON CONTINUATION OF PIPELINE
(ran and :akistan agreed to go ahead with the gas pipeline pro-ect which was discussed in a meeting
between :rime 3inister 2awa7 Sharif and (ranian :resident 0assan 4ouhani in ehran. *oth the leaders
agreed to continue with the pro-ect as it will be beneficial for the people of the two countries.
he gas pipeline has been hampered b$ >.S. sanctions and while (ran has almost completed its share of the
pipeline& construction in :akistan has not $et begun due to lack of funds.
ehran has agreed to grant exemption to (slamabad regarding the imposition of fine of P+ million per da$
and extend the pro-ect"s deadline. he waiver& in an attempt to avoid P+ million per da$ heav$ penalt$& was
sought from (ran& as :akistan lagged behind in la$ing the H)1.km.long gas pipeline on its side& while (ran had
almost completed its part of the pipeline.
3r. Sharif and 3r. 4ouhani reiterated their commitment to enhance bilateral trade between the two
countries and said that there was a lot of scope to enhance trade to P@ billion.
he leaders also discussed border securit$ matters and agreed that better border management and
improved securit$ measures would result in increased bilateral trade and cooperation. 3r. Sharif also
extended an invitation to the 3r. 4ouhani to visit :akistan& which was accepted.
C'INA ISSUES
TERROR ATTAC0S IN C'INA
A wave of organi7ed knife attacks b$ groups of armed assailants targeting railwa$ stations has unnerved
,hinese authorities& with six people left in-ured in the latest violence on 3a$ H
th
2014& in the southern
metropolis of Fuang7hou U the third such attack in two months.
he two earlier attacks& the government said& had been carried out b$ terrorists linked with separatist groups
in Sin-iang& home to the ethnic urkic >ighurs& which has seen a spate of violent attacks in recent $ears.
*eside& at least +1 people were killed and close to a 100 in-ured in the biggest ever terror attack on ,hinese
soil in recent memor$& as explosive.laden vehicles ploughed through a market in the provincial capital of
,hina"s far.western Sin-iang region on 21
st
3a$ 2014.
he attack appeared to be a carefull$ planned assault b$ a group that intended to inflict as much damage as
possible= witnesses said two unmarked vehicles ploughed into shoppers I most of them elderl$ ,hinese
residents on their dail$ visit to a morning market I as attackers hurled bombs. he two Sports >tilit$
5ehicles #S>5s% appeared to be laden with explosives& blowing up as the$ drove into stalls.
he attack was the latest I and most bra7en I of a string of recent incidents linked to extremist (slamist
groups in Sin-iang.
AI"FIA"G )-52I4E
,hina?s Sin-iang province is the countr$?s most westerl$ region& bordering on the former Soviet states of
,entral Asia& as well as several other states including Afghanistan& 4ussia& and 3ongolia.

he largest ethnic group& the 3uslim& urkic.speaking >ighurs& has lived in ,hina?s shadow for centuries. he
region has had an intermittent histor$ of autonom$ and occasional independence& but was finall$ brought
under ,hinese control in the 1)th centur$.
1conomic development of the region under ,ommunist
rule has been accompanied b$ large.scale immigration
of 0an ,hinese& and >ighur allegations of discrimination
and marginali7ation have been behind more visible
anti.0an and separatist sentiment since the 1''0s. his
has flared into violence on occasion.
he econom$ of this once agricultural region has
developed fast since 1'4'& and oil and petrochemicals
now account for about 80 per cent of its F9:. (t is also
an important trade and pipeline route into ,entral Asia
and be$ond.
,ommunist ,hina established the Autonomous 4egion in 1'@@& and began to encourage 0an ,hinese to
settle there in new industrial towns and farming villages run b$ the /uasi.militar$ Sin-iang :roduction and
9evelopment ,orps.
(nternational attention turned to Sin-iang in Dul$ 200' when blood$ clashes between >ighurs and 0an
,hinese in the region?s main cit$& >rum/i& prompted the ,hinese government to send large numbers of
troops to patrol the streets.
*ei-ing has sought to deal with the unrest with a mix of repression and efforts to stimulate the region?s
econom$& including through increased investment b$ state.owned firms.
(n 201+ there was a sudden upsurge in violence& when the authorities accused OterroristsO of attacks in
Eashgar that left 21 dead in April. here was further violence in the summer& and exiled >ighur groups
accused ,hina of exaggerating the threat in order to -ustif$ repression.
,IN-IAN(3 $! SENTENCE" ON TERROR C'AR(ES
At least +' people in ,hina"s far.western 3uslim.ma-orit$ Sin-iang region have been sentenced to up to 1@
$ears in -ail on charges of ;taking part in terrorist activitiesA.
he mass sentencing follows a number of attacks targeting railwa$ stations that left at least +0 people killed
and more than 200 hundred in-ured in three cities. he incidents were blamed on >ighur terrorist groups
from Sin-iang.
he 4egional 0igher :eople"s ,ourt in Sin-iang& which borders :akistan.occupied Eashmir #:oE% and ,entral
Asian countries& said +' people were sentenced in 18 separate trials conducted over the past month. he$
were found guilt$ of ;spreading videos that incited violence& organising and taking part in terrorist activities&
advocating ethnic hatred and illegall$ manufacturing firearms.A
he court said recent months had seen ;a surge in organi7ed terrorist crimesA& with the sentences aimed at
serving ;a warning to those who have religious extremist thoughtsA.
US ISSUES
U.S. SI(NS STRATE(IC 20)YEAR LEASE ON "-IBOUTI BASE
>S has signed a 20.$ear lease on its militar$ base in 9-ibouti in the 0orn of Africa& the onl$ >.S. installation
on the continent and a staging ground for counterterrorism operations in Lemen and Somalia.
9-ibouti& a countr$ of fewer than one million people the si7e of 2ew Derse$ that borders the 4ed Sea and Fulf
of Aden& has pla$ed an increasingl$ significant role in seeking to stabili7e regional crises. he deal reflects the
small countr$"s outsi7e strategic importance in helping the >.S. and other !estern allies combat terrorists&
pirates and smugglers in the region.
>S operations in the region take place at ,amp Lemonnier& a sprawling base of 4&000 >.S. service members
and civilians that serves as a hub for counterterrorism operations and training.

he renewal of the long.term lease illustrates the base"s rise from an expeditionar$ stopping point for >.S.
troops in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11& 2001& to the focus of a :entagon plan to
invest nearl$ P1 billion to upgrade the camp and other facilities.
he agreement reinforces strategic ties between the two nations& which were strained last $ear after the
:entagon was forced to relocate a large fleet of drones from the base in 9-ibouti"s congested capital to a
desert location several miles awa$ after a string of crashes heightened local fears that the remotel$ piloted
aircraft might collide with passenger -ets.
he deal also appears to end speculation that 9-ibouti might lease a small parcel of land to 4ussia and grant
it militar$ landing rights at a time when relations between !ashington and 3oscow have badl$ deteriorated
over the crisis in >kraine. 4ussia has been an active contributor to the international anti.pirac$ effort in the
region since it first deplo$ed warships in 200).
COMPLETE AF('AN TROOP PULLOUT BY 201.)EN"
>.S. :resident *arack Bbama has outlined a plan to withdraw all but '&)00 American troops from
Afghanistan b$ the end of the $ear and pull out the rest b$ the end of 2018& ending more than a decade of
militar$ engagement triggered b$ the Sept. 11 attacks on the >nited States.
he decision means that Bbama will leave office in earl$ 201H having extricated the countr$ from the longest
war in >.S. histor$. 0e ended !ashington?s combat presence in (ra/ in 2011.
he announcement prompted criticism from man$ corners including 4epublicans that the hard.fought gains
made against the aliban could be lost in much the same wa$ that sectarian violence returned to (ra/ after
the >.S. withdrawal.
>nder his plan& '&)00 >.S. troops would remain behind into next $ear. *$ the end of 201@& that number
would be reduced b$ roughl$ half. *$ the end of 2018& the >.S. presence would be cut to a normal embass$
presence with a securit$ assistance office in Eabul& as was done in (ra/.
he '&)00 troops would take an advisor$ role backing up Afghan forces. he$ would train Afghan troops and
help guide missions to rout out remaining al Maeda targets.
An$ >.S. militar$ presence be$ond 2014 is contingent on Afghanistan?s government signing a bilateral
securit$ agreement with the >nited States.
Butgoing Afghan :resident 0amid Ear7ai has refused to sign it. *ut >.S. officials were encouraged that the
two leading candidates in Afghanistan?s presidential race& Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Fhani& have both
pledged to sign /uickl$ should the$ be elected in the second round of voting set for Dune 14.
US = IN"IA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RI('TS 1IPR2 ISSUES
!hile the differences between (ndia and the >.S. over intellectual propert$ rights #(:4% have threatened to
derail economic relations& the general consensus is that the$ can be solved b$ discussions onl$.
Bne encouraging sign is the decision of the >.S. rade 4epresentative #>S4% not to designate (ndia a :riorit$
<oreign ,ountr$ #:<,% on account of alleged ;deteriorationA in its environment for (:4s& in its Special +01
report released on April +0. hat label is reserved for the worst (:4 offenders.
As a follow.up to such a designation& the >.S. could have imposed trade sanctions such as withdrawing
preferential tariff for (ndia"s exports. (n an election $ear (ndia would most likel$ have retaliated through anti.
dumping duties or tariff hikes on >.S. imports. he conse/uent all.round deterioration in economic relations
between the two countries is something both countries can ill afford.
0owever& while there has been a distinct softening of the >.S. position& (ndia still faces the possibilit$ of a
downgrade later this $ear. he >S4& which has retained (ndia on the less.serious :riorit$ !atch List& sa$s it
will conduct a mid.$ear review. (ndia"s response has been measured. he ,ommerce Secretar$ has said that
(ndia will not be a part$ to an$ unilateral investigation b$ the >.S. but is prepared to discuss the matter on a
bilateral basis.
he disagreement between the two countries over (:4s goes back to 1''4 when at the >rugua$ 4ound of
trade talks (ndia and a few developing countries managed to incorporate a few flexibilities in the 4(:S
#rade 4elated Aspects of (ntellectual :ropert$ 4ights% Agreement. 0owever& since 200@ when (ndia
incorporated patent protection into its domestic laws& it has made use of the flexible provisions onl$ twice.

>< www.visionias.in Vision IAS
(n 3arch 2012& a compulsor$ license was issued to an (ndian manufacturer of a cancer drug whose patent.
holder& the Ferman multinational *a$er& had priced it well be$ond the reach of a ma-orit$ of (ndian patients.
he second case involves the denial of patent on a drug to the Swiss compan$ 2ovartis on the ground that
onl$ incremental innovation was involved. he 2008 decision of the (ndian patent office was upheld b$ the
Supreme ,ourt in 201+.
,learl$ it is not these two instances but the possibilit$ of other countries emulating (ndia that has rattled big
:harma& whose influential lobbies have been in the forefront of the moves against (ndia"s (:4s regime. he
(:4s regime itself is full$ compatible with the rules of the !orld rade Brganisation. (t is noteworth$ that at
the hearings before the >.S. rade ,ommission three of the world"s largest corporations #*oeing& Abbott and
0one$well% claimed that the$ faced no significant (:4 violations in (ndia. Bn a strong wicket& (ndia should
present its case effectivel$ to counter the pressure from the >.S. lobbies.
MILITARY COUP IN T'AILAN"
hailand?s militar$ declared on 3a$ 22
nd
& 2014 that it has taken control of the countr$ in a coup. wo da$s
earlier& the militar$ declared martial law& sa$ing the aim was to calm tensions. he coup follows months of
political turmoil in hailand.
he militar$ toppled the remnants of former :rime 3inister Lingluck Shinawatra?s administration after
months of protests forced ministries to close& hurt business confidence and caused the econom$ to shrink.
Lingluck herself was ordered to step down two weeks before the coup when a court found her guilt$ of
abuse of power.
he cabinet has been told to report to the militar$& 5 broadcasting is suspended and political gatherings are
banned. A nationwide curfew will operate from 22=00 to 0@=00 local time. he arm$ has detained members
of the political class& shut down the media and put men in uniforms in charge of government ministries. he
borders have been closed& on an off.and.on basis.
Ee$ political figures& including opposition protest leader Suthep haugsuban and pro.government protest
leader Datuporn :rompan& were taken awa$ from the talk"s venue after troops sealed off the area.
roops fired into the air to disperse a pro.government protest camp on the outskirts of *angkok but there
are no reports of ma-or violence.
Bn 3a$ 24th& the -unta dissolved the senate #the parliament"s upper house% and assumed total control. <or
the time being all powers lie with the 2ational :eace and Brder 3aintaining ,ouncil #2:B3,% headed b$ a
general& :ra$uth ,han.ocha.
U0RAINE CRISIS
(n an overwhelming vote for ;sovereignt$A& >kraine"s 4ussian.speaking region has declared its independence
from Eiev and asked for -oining 4ussia. he referendum threatens to deepen divisions in a countr$ alread$
heading perilousl$ toward civil war.
Almost '0 per cent of voters in 9onetsk region and more than '8 per cent in the neighbouring Luhansk
region supported ;state sovereignt$A in a referendum held on 3a$ 11
th
& 2014. he turnout was H@ per cent
in both regions.
3eanwhile Eiev condemned the referendum as a sham that would have no legal conse/uence. *$ contrast&
4ussia welcomed the outcome of the referendum and called for dialogue between Eiev and the rebel
regions.
>kraine"s ousted :resident 5iktor Lanukov$ch said the referendum was people"s reaction to Eiev"s ;fascism.A
>krainian troops have been tr$ing to wrest back control of eastern cities where separatists have sei7ed
government buildings and set up checkpoints manned b$ militias.
25;-#)5I". -5A(0A)
he BS,1 four.point roadmap calls on all sides in the >kraine conflict to refrain from violence and urges
disarmament of irregulars and amnest$& national dialogue on decentrali7ation and elections.

>> www.visionias.in Vision IAS
3oscow said that in order to stop >kraine"s ;sliding to catastropheA Eiev must compl$ with the ;ke$A
provisions of the BS,1 roadmap I call off its ;punitiveA campaign in the southeast& pull back its militar$ and
free all political prisoners.
3eanwhile& >kraine signed a deal with the 1> on uesda$ for 1 billion euro #P1.+H billion% aid for Eiev"s
government as well as for assistance to help build >krainian institutions. 3oscow& for its part& asked >kraine
to pa$ in advance for 4ussian natural gas or face a supplies cutoff.
)-5 E;-5)EA" 7;SI"ESS0E" )E.-5 5. )5-5S=E"G5 C4AI0S VIC.5-E I" ;G-AI"E
)-ESI(E".IA4 V5.ES
,aught in a battle for influence between 4ussia and the !est& >krainians elected :etro B. :oroshenko as
president& turning to a pro.1uropean billionaire to lead them out of six months of turmoil.
he special election was called b$ :arliament to replace 5iktor <. Lanukov$ch& who fled Eiev on <eb. 21 after
a failed but blood$ attempt to suppress a civic uprising& and whose toppling as president set off 4ussia"s
invasion and annexation of ,rimea.
!hile the election allows >kraine to open a new chapter in its histor$& and even :resident 5ladimir 5. :utin
of 4ussia has indicated recentl$ that he would accept the result& 3r. :oroshenko now faces the
excruciatingl$ difficult task of tr$ing to calm and reunite a countr$ that has been on the edge of financial
collapse& and on the verge of a civil war.
(n his remarks& 3r. :oroshenko said he would push for earl$ parliamentar$ elections I this $ear I
answering a demand b$ critics of the Lanukov$ch government who have said installing a new president is
not sufficient.
3r. :oroshenko has vowed repeatedl$ to set >kraine on a pro.1uropean course& and has pledged to sign the
political and trade agreements with the 1uropean >nion that 3r. Lanukov$ch abandoned& setting off the
uprising last fall.
>kraine will be under continuing pressure from 4ussia& which is demanding billions of dollars for unpaid
natural.gas bills& and has made clear that it could cripple the >krainian econom$ at an$ moment with trade
sanctions. here is also pressure from the (nternational 3onetar$ <und& which has laid out strict
re/uirements& including austerit$ measures& in exchange for P2H billion in emergenc$ credit that saved the
countr$ from default.
T'E MENACE OF BO0O 'ARAM IN NI(ERIA
he sei7ure of hundreds of schoolgirls b$ a 2igerian extremist group named *oko 0aram has repelled people
as a viciousl$ inhumane act. (t began as a localised event in a running (slamic insurgenc$ against the
government of a ,hristian president& 3r. Food luck Donathan& but became a cause celebre when :resident
*arack Bbama lent his voice to an international campaign for their release. (ntercessions ma$ have worked
as *oko 0aram is believed read$ to exchange the girls? freedom for members held in detention.
1arlier& *oko 0aram had has claimed responsibilit$ for the abduction of 2H8 schoolgirls during a raid in the
village of ,hibok in northeast 2igeria last month.
he apparent lack of capabilit$ of the militar$ to prevent the ,hibok attack or rescue the abducted girls after
three weeks has triggered anger and protests in the northeast and in the capital Abu-a.
*oko 0aram& now seen as the main securit$ threat to Africa?s leading energ$ producer& is growing bolder and
extending its reach.
he group seems to be embarking on a new phase of its campaign against the 2igerian state .. piling further
pressure on the government of :resident Foodluck Donathan. here have been brutal attacks and suicide
bombing in Eano . the largest cit$ in the north. !hat alarms anal$sts is the wa$ *oko 0aram and its
supporters are able to carr$ out multiple attacks on targets far apart& all within da$s of each other.
here have been some negotiations between the government and the militant outfit for release of girls in
lieu of some captured militants. he >E& the >S& ,hina and <rance are among countries which have sent
teams of experts and e/uipment to help to locate the girls.
T'E CORE ISSUE

>! www.visionias.in Vision IAS
his is not the end of the matter& even if the girls are home safe. he kidnap was episodic of a war for
legitimac$ that has scarred 2igeria. *oko 0aram wants the (slamic north excised from the ,hristian south& as
the group sa$s the former has been kept in penur$ b$ a government for the few& even as the oil.rich countr$
has en-o$ed high economic growth. his is the old stor$ of Africa . tribal and religious divisions to entrench
the ruling class& mismanagement and plunder.
(f this was a matter of political disaffection fed b$ unresolved grievances& it should be left to the 2igerian
people to sort out. *ut it gets complicated as *oko 0aram is said to espouse -ihadism and the mental
enslavement of
women& somewhat
like the aliban of
Afghanistan. here is
a fine line between
prosecuting an
insurgenc$ to gain
social -ustice and
championing a
doctrine for which
pogroms and
servitude are means
to an end. *efore it
sei7ed the girls& *oko
0aram had been
accused of killing
,hristians and
burning churches&
aside from waging
guerilla war. *ut&
again& religious strife
if contained within is for the people to resolve.
he difficult$ in grappling with the group?s emergence in the (slamic activist ummah knows where the fight
for -ustice ends and religious extremism corrupting the good name of mainstream (slam begins. (f the latter
becomes dominant& the world would be their stage and *oko 0aram would not be unlike extreme -ihadist
organisations which have sown discord and miser$ in !est Asia& the 3aghreb& :akistan and South.east Asia.
he >nited States with the support of <rance and *ritain sent to 2igeria a vanguard of securit$ and militar$
people to help in the search for the girls. (t should keep to its brief. A meeting of !est African nations has
declared war on *oko 0aram since it has moved be$ond 2igeria to instigate 3uslims in neighbouring
countries. he insertion of old colonial powers into African affairs carries risks. his is a situation that
demands sensitivit$ in the handling because so little is known of motives and agendas.
CBORN FREE* ELECTIONS IN SOUT' AFRICA
3illions of determined South Africans I including hundreds of thousands of first.time ;born freeA voters I
turned out in ;extremel$ highA numbers for a landmark general election held on 3a$ H
th
& 2014.
5ote watchdog& the (ndependent 1lectoral ,ommission& reported ;extremel$ high turnout at voting stations&
especiall$ those in urban and metro areas where long /ueues continue to be experienced.A
he elections were called 6*orn <ree 1lections" as a new generation of South Africans I numbering around
two million& with around 848&000 registered to vote I were born after the end of apartheid and will have
cast their ballots for the first time.
After the declaration of the results& South Africa was looking at its most fractious parliament in $ears& with a
surge in opposition representation. South Africa"s longtime ruling part$& the African 2ational ,ongress& easil$
won the election battle& taking 82 percent of the nation"s votes in last week election. *ut with a surge in
opposition representation in parliament the next five $ears in South Africa promise to provide great political
entertainment.

>' www.visionias.in Vision IAS
SYRIA TRUCE ETO LET REBELS #IT'"RA# FROM BESIE(E" 'OMSE
he evacuation of rebel.held parts of S$ria"s 0oms began on 3a$ H
th
& 2014 under an unprecedented deal
which hands back control to the government weeks before the presidential election.
After nearl$ two $ears of government siege& wear$ civilians and rebel forces made their wa$ out of the
shelled.out ruins of the Bld ,it$ and surrounding areas on buses taking them to opposition.held territor$ to
the north.
he deal effectivel$ turns over the cit$ once dubbed the ;capital of the revolutionA to government control
ahead of a Dune + election expected to return :resident *ashar al.Assad to office.
*$ the end of the da$ around 400 of the approximatel$ 1&200 people believed to be in the Bld ,it$ had left&
according to the S$rian Bbservator$ for 0uman 4ights& a *ritain.based monitoring group.
C'INA VIETNAM OIL RI( ISSUE
he current face.off between 5ietnam and ,hina over
the latter"s installation of its deep.water oil rig 0ai$ang
Shi$ou ')1 deep within 5ietnam"s claimed exclusive
economic 7one #11V% is probabl$ the biggest test for their
bilateral relations since normalisation in 1''1.
,hina"s decision to deplo$ the rig came despite the fact
that the two countries have achieved significant
improvements in their relations over the last two
decades& with ,hina now 5ietnam"s biggest trading
partner and one of its two 6comprehensive strategic
partners".
:rotesters& upto 20&000 in number& began looting and
burning factories at industrial parks near 0o ,hi 3inh
,it$& in what are being called the worst outbreak of
public disorder in 5ietnam for $ears. heir main targets
were factories owned b$ foreign owners.
he protests were sparked when *ei-ing deplo$ed an oil
rig in waters claimed b$ 5ietnam on 3a$ 1. he 0ai$ang
Shi$ou ')1 now sits about H0 miles inside the exclusive
economic 7one #11V% that extends 200 miles from the
5ietnamese shore as part of the 1')2 >.2. ,onvention on the Law of the Sea.
5ietnam claims the rig?s presence is Oillegal&O while ,hina sa$s it has ever$ right to drill and has castigated the
5ietnamese government for failing to ensure the safet$ of its nationals.
he problem is that ,hina doesn?t reall$ care about 5ietnam?s 11V. !hat matters to *ei-ing is the nine.dash
line= A loosel$.defined maritime claim based on historical arguments which ,hina uses to claim much of the
land mass in the South ,hina Sea.
he nine.dash line isn?t a problem -ust for 5ietnam. Foing b$ its >.shaped curve& the larger group of the
Spratl$ (slands also falls within ,hinese territor$& despite competing claims b$ the :hilippines& *runei&
3ala$sia& aiwan and 5ietnam. he 200 or so mostl$ uninhabitable islands and rocks also are thought to be
rich in oil and gas.
(n view of the large scale protests& two ,hinese ships arrived at the coast of 5ietnam on 3onda$ to begin
efforts to collect thousands of ,hinese citi7ens who are fleeing the countr$ after deadl$ attacks. Along with
two other ships that are still en route& the vessels are being used to bring back almost 4&000 ,hinese citi7ens.
!hile maintaining its demands for ,hina to leave the contested area& the 5ietnamese government sa$s its
taken steps to dampen further protests. (t has characteri7ed the protests as Ospontaneous actsO b$
individuals who are exploiting the situation to Ocause social disorder.O 0undreds of people have been
arrested and the government has reassured foreign investors that it attaches a Ospecial importanceO to
ensuring their safet$.

>+ www.visionias.in Vision IAS
#'AT IS MOTIVATIN( C'INA/
Bn the surface& oil would seem to be the reason ,hina has waded into the disputed area but anal$sts sa$
politics are clearl$ at pla$.
According to experts& this kind of a move b$ putting an oil rig in this sort of place& $ou could sa$ it?s a carte
blanche to allow ,hina to enhance its naval operations in the region and to pro-ect its power further out into
the South ,hina Sea.
(t?s not the first time ,hina has stepped on regional sensitivities b$ making high profile and deliberate
incursions into contested tracts. here have been tense encounters between Dapan and ,hina over the
Senkaku or 9iao$u (slands in recent $ears& and ,hina has locked horns with the :hilippines over competing
claims to the Scarborough Shoal.
(n its statement& the >.S. State 9epartment characteri7ed ,hina?s latest move as a Opart of a broader pattern
of ,hinese behavior to advance its claims over disputed territor$ in a manner that undermines peace and
stabilit$ in the region.O
IRAN NUCLEAR ISSUE
As per (A1A& (ran has agreed to address some of the man$ long.held allegations that it conducted research
into making nuclear weapons before 200+ and possibl$ since.
he (nternational Atomic 1nerg$ Agenc$ said that (ran& which denies ever having sought nuclear weapons&
has undertaken to implement five new ;practical measuresA b$ August 2@. hese included two steps related
to what the (A1A calls the ;possible militar$ dimensionsA #:39% of (ran"s nuclear programme I in other
words efforts to design a nuclear bomb.
he announcement comes after an apparentl$ largel$ fruitless fourth round of talks between (ran and six
world powers in 5ienna towards a comprehensive deal over ehran"s nuclear programme b$ a Dul$ 20
deadline.
Bne of the ke$ elements in this sought.after deal would be (ran addressing the :39 allegations& which the
(A1A set out in a ma-or report in 2ovember 2011 and which it has been pressing (ran to answer ever since.
he first new :39 step is ;exchanging informationA with the (A1A on allegations related to the initiation of
high explosives& ;including the conduct of large.scale high explosives experimentation in (ranA
Another ma-or step is (ran providing ;mutuall$ agreed relevant information and explanations related to
studies made andCor papers published in (ran in relation to neutron transport and associated modeling and
calculations and their alleged application to compressed materialsA.
he 2011 (A1A report said that it was ;unclearA how the application of such modeling studies could be used
for ;an$thing other than a nuclear explosiveA and that it was ;essentialA that (ran provide an explanation.
(n their mooted nuclear deal with (ran& the six powers want ehran to reduce drasticall$ its uranium
enrichment activities& something which the (slamic republic is loath to do.
he final step involves giving the (A1A greater oversight on (ran"s new Arak reactor& which !estern countries
fear could provide ehran with weapons.grade plutonium once it is operational.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT TO RE)OPEN IRA+ #AR PROBE
he (nternational ,riminal ,ourt #(,,% in he 0ague announced to take up a ;preliminar$ examinationA of the
torture of (ra/is b$ *ritish troops stationed in (ra/. Several senior *ritish militar$ and political figures face the
possibilit$ of being interrogated for their alleged role in war crimes.
he :rosecutor of the (,, <atou *ensouda announced on 3a$ 1+
th
& 2014 that she was re.opening the war
crimes investigation that had been closed in 2008.
She cited as reason the ;submission of further information to the Bffice of the :rosecutor in Danuar$ 2014&A
which ;alleges the responsibilit$ of officials of the >nited Eingdom for war crimes involving s$stematic
detainee abuse in (ra/ from 200+ until 200).A
he victims allege a gamut of torture techni/ues used b$ *ritish soldiers against (ra/is I from hooding and
sensor$.cum.sleep deprivation to emotional abuseN from mock executions and rape threats to severe
ph$sical torture. he petitioners allege that the same techni/ues were used in man$ >.E. facilities in (ra/ and
were therefore ;s$stemicA.

>/ www.visionias.in Vision IAS
he victims have implicated personnel going up the chain of command of the >.E. arm$& and have demanded
that all officers above the rank of divisional task force officers be investigated. >ltimate responsibilit$& the
petition alleges& lies with the Secretar$ of State for 9efence and the 3inister of State for Service :ersonnel.
he *ritish government in its statement said that it ;completel$ re-ectsA claims that *ritish forces had been
responsible for s$stemic abuse and pledged to do whatever is necessar$ to show that the *ritish -ustice
s$stem is dealing with such allegations.
AF('AN PRESI"ENTIAL ELECTION 'EA"S TO RUNOFF IN -UNE
he Afghanistan election commission announced that no candidate won enough votes to secure outright
victor$ in the first round of the Afghan presidential poll. he election will proceed to a runoff on Dune 14
between former <oreign 3inister Abdullah Abdullah and former <inance 3inister Ashraf Fhani& the two
candidates who received the highest number of votes.
(n the first.round& in which around H million Afghans voted on April @& Abdullah secured 4@G of the vote&
while Fhani got +1.8G. A candidate needs to receive more than @0G of the votes to win the first round and
avoid a runoff.
he final results from the runoff will be announced on Dul$ 22
nd
& 2014.
(t?s the third election since the fall of the aliban in 2001& and is set to be the first democratic transfer of
power in the fragile& war.torn countr$.
!hile 3r. Fhani is a former academic and >.S. citi7en who gave up his passport to run for the Afghan
presidenc$ in 200'. 0e worked as an adviser to Ear7ai and also as finance minister in his ,abinetN 0is
opponent Abdullah was a vocal critic of the aliban during their $ears in power& and although he was once an
all$ of incumbent :resident 0amid Ear7ai& serving in his government as foreign minister& he has in later $ears
become an opponent. 0e challenged Ear7ai in the 200' election but dropped out after the first round to
protest what he said was large.scale voting fraud.
EUROSCEPTIC PARTIES STRI0E IT RIC' IN EU POLL
1urosceptic parties U both of the far.right and the left I have registered the biggest gains in the recentl$
held elections to the 1uropean :arliament. heir performance rides on the wave of a protest vote b$ the
citi7ens of 2) countries against the damaging post.recession economic policies of their own national
governments and of the 1uropean >nion.
(n the >nited Eingdom& it was the anti.1> and anti.immigration >nited Eingdom (ndependence :art$ #>E(:%
under the leadership of 2igel <arage that stormed to victor$ with 2H.@ per cent of the vote& and 24 of the H+
seats the >E has in the 1uropean parliament.
he victor$ of >E(:& described b$ the colourful and controversial 3r. <arage as a ;political earth/uake&A is a
test of the popular mood in the countr$ before the Scottish referendum this September and the general
elections in 3a$ 201@.
(n the rest of 1urope too& the popular antipath$ to the 1uropean pro-ect has driven these elections U in some
countries it is the right.wing anti.immigration parties that have capitalised on that sentiment& while in some
countries it is the left parties.
<rance and Ferman$& countries considered the centre of the 1> pro-ect& both saw a surge in eurosceptic
votes. (n <rance this was decisive with 3arine Le :en"s far.right <ront 2ational riding to victor$N in Ferman$
the ,hristian 9emocrats though still dominant lost seats& and the anti.1> Af9 made a breakthrough.
(n 9enmark& the far.right 9anish :eoples :art$ triumphed& winning 2H per cent of the vote and doubling its
31:s from two to four. he 9:: wants curbs on immigrants both from within the 1> and from outside.
he turnout in the elections averaged 4+.1 percent& a shade higher than the 200' turnout at 4+ percent.
he recent 1uropean :arliament elections are seen as an expression of the 1> lacking legitimac$ in the e$es
of 1> citi7ens& both due to the handling of the Weuro7oneX crisis and the perceived disconnect amongst
selection.makers and publics. 0owever& it is of the view that the sting would be taken awa$ if economic
circumstances improved& adding that the 1> also necessar$ to boost its public accountabilit$.

SINO) RUSSIA "EAL BOOSTS STRATE(IC PARTNERS'IP
(n 1'@0& 3ao Vedong traveled to 3oscow to sign the Sino.Soviet reat$ of <riendship& Alliance& and 3utual
Assistance. he 3a$ 2+& 2014 agreement between ,hina and 4ussia has produced a flurr$ of parallel
arguments about the two great powers.
he highlight of the deal is 4ussian exports of P400 billion worth of natural gas to ,hina over +0 $ears. he
deal also ramped up entr$ of ,hinese investment inside 4ussia& dealing with aviation& transportation and
infrastructure. (t also would give the ,hina 2ational :etroleum ,orporation a 1' percent stake in 4osneft&
the spearhead of 4ussia"s petroleum industr$.
:utin was in Shanghai for an Asian securit$ conference where ,hina?s president called for a new model of
Asian securit$ cooperation based on a regional group that includes 4ussia and (ran and excludes the >nited
States.
According to experts& 4ussia is shifting its energ$ market awa$ from 1urope and toward the voracious
appetites of Asia. his will allow 3oscow greater flexibilit$ in foreign polic$ in light of anti.4ussian moves b$
>kraine& 1urope and the >nited States. !hat is often missed b$ man$ in the media is this e/uation= (f 1urope
is dependent on 4ussian energ$N 4ussian energ$ is dependent on 1uropean cash. A huge fora$ into Asian
energ$ markets diversifies 4ussian markets and sends a powerful diplomatic signal in one fell swoop. Also&
the deal enhances the strategic partnership between the two countries. 0istor$ informs us that strategic
securit$ alliances and cultural ties are often built on economic agreements that are dismissed b$ man$ of the
contemporaries of that time.
he new friendship between :residents 5ladimir :utin and Si Dinping has sent diplomatic ripples throughout
the world. he American government"s public reaction has been muted and continues to maintain the
fantas$ that there is nothing to fear or be concerned about in the burgeoning relationship between 4ussia
and ,hina.
*esides boosting the economic relations& 4ussia and ,hina took part in 4ussian.,hinese naval exercise Doint
Sea 2014N aimed at strengthening the fleets" practical cooperation and countering various threats at sea.
he exercise involves 12 ships& six on either side. he chief goals of the exercise& as per 9eput$ ,ommander
in chief of the 4ussian 2av$& are training the 4ussian and ,hinese crews in the spirit of friendship& mutual
understanding and cooperation.
RUSSIAA 0ABA0'STANA BELARUS FORM EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION
4ussia& *elarus and Ea7akhstan have agreed to set up a full.fledged economic bloc that should act as a bridge
between 1urope and Asia and a counterweight to !estern integration unions.
he :residents of the three countries signed the 1urasian 1conomic (ntegration agreement on 3a$ 2'
th
&
2014 in the Ea7akh capital of Astana.
!hen the 1urasian 1conomic >nion comes into force on Danuar$ 1& 201@& it will create a market of 1H0
million people& with a combined annual F9: of P2.H trillion and a /uarter of the world energ$ resources.
he establishment of the 1urasian >nion crowns 3r. :utin"s decade.long efforts at re.integrating the post.
Soviet states& but the conspicuous absence of >kraine at the table in Astana marks his failure to draw the
second largest econom$ of the erstwhile Soviet >nion into the new bloc.
he new code of the union will give the citi7ens of member states e/ual emplo$ment and education
opportunities across all three nations.
>kraine has opted in favour of integration with 1urope& with its newl$ elected :resident :etro :oroshenko
planning to sign an association pact with the 1uropean >nion soon after his inauguration. he refusal of
ousted :resident 5ictor Lanukov$ch to sign the pact triggered a ma-or crisis and civil conflict in >kraine.
Armenia is to -oin the 1urasian >nion next month& and E$rg$7stan and a-ikistan are next in line for
admission.
(ndia& along with 5ietnam& 2ew Vealand& urke$& (srael and a number of other countries have expressed a
desire to sign free trade pacts with the 1urasian >nion.

!1 www.visionias.in Vision IAS
SCIENCE & TEC'
'YBRI"S CAN MA0E T'E MOST OF IN"IA*S C'AOTIC ROA"S
2ew research undertaken b$ the >.S. 9epartment of 1nerg$ has found that h$brid cars are significantl$
more fuel.efficient in (ndia and ,hina than the$ are in the >.S.& a result that has prompted the Fovernment
of (ndia to ;take noteA of the stud$ as the countr$ is ;on the brink of experiencing an explosion in the sales
of personal vehicles.A
4ecent papers published b$ the 9B1"s Lawrence *erkele$ 2ational Laborator$ in ,alifornia discovered that
the same road conditions that can make driving so frustrating in (ndia& including heav$ traffic& aggressive
driving st$le& and few highwa$s& ;makes them ideal for saving fuel with h$brid vehicles.A
Stud$ described the traffic in (ndia as ;prett$ slow& prett$ cra7$& alwa$s congested&A which in technical
terms implied fre/uent starting and stopping& considerable time spent idling& and low percentage of time
spent on highwa$s. Let each of these patterns of traffic helped h$brids save additional fuel.
Regenerati-e bra/ing. 0$brids achieve this fuel saving though regenerative braking& the option to turn off
the engine when the car is stopped or in low.power condition& and additionall$ the h$brid s$stem itself&
comprising the electric motor and the batteries.
!hen the scientists simulated drive c$cles in two (ndian cities& 2ew 9elhi and :une& based on published
studies and the 3odified (ndian 9rive ,$cle& the$ obtained engineering results that driving a h$brid would
achieve fuel savings of about 4H to 4) per cent over a conventional car in (ndia and about @+ to @@ per cent
in ,hina.
Conclusion. 9espite these findings h$brid and electric vehicles currentl$ have a tin$ share of the market in (ndia and
,hina and are seen as a higher.end product.
he Fovernment of (ndia has not missed the importance of these findings and this research performed b$ *erkele$
Lab has helped us understand in much better detail the real.world value of electric vehicles to (ndiaK and has given a
greater impetus and importance to 9the 3ational "ission on *lectric "obility': he Fovernment in 201+ launched a
national plan with the goal of getting six to seven million h$brid and electric vehicles on the road b$ 2020& and has
alread$ begun working with the *erkele$ Lab to further anal$se their results.
BLUETOOT'F TEC'NOLO(Y
/luetooth
Y
technolog$ is a wireless communications technolog$ that is simple& secure& and ever$where.
(t is intended to replace the cables connecting devices& while maintaining high levels of securit$
he ke$ features of *luetooth technolog$ are ubi/uitousness& low power& and low cost. he *luetooth
Specification defines a uniform structure for a wide range of devices to connect and communicate with
each other. ,ommunicate with each other.
!hen two *luetooth enabled devices connect to each other& this is called pairing. he structure and the
global acceptance of *luetooth technolog$ means an$ *luetooth enabled device& almost ever$where in
the world& can connect to other *luetooth enabled devices located in proximit$ to one another.
,onnections between *luetooth enabled electronic devices allow these devices to communicate
wirelessl$ through short.range& ad hoc networks known as piconets. :iconets are established
d$namicall$ and automaticall$ as *luetooth enabled devices enter and leave radio proximit$ meaning
that $ou can easil$ connect whenever and wherever it?s convenient for $ou.
A fundamental strength of *luetooth wireless technolog$ is the abilit$ to simultaneousl$ handle data
and voice transmissions. which provides users with a variet$ of innovative solutions such as hands.free
headsets for voice calls& printing and fax capabilities& and s$nchroni7ation for :,s and mobile phones&
-ust to name a few.
he range of *luetooth technolog$ is application specific. he ,ore Specification mandates a minimum
range of 10 meters or +0 feet& but there is no set limit and manufacturers can tune their
implementations to provide the range needed to support the use cases for their solutions.
*luetooth technolog$ operates in the unlicensed industrial& scientific and medical #(S3% band at 2.4 to
2.4)@ F07& using a spread spectrum& fre/uenc$ hopping& full.duplex signal at a nominal rate of 1800
hopsCsec. he 2.4 F07 (S3 band is available and unlicensed in most countries.

!1 www.visionias.in Vision IAS
*luetooth low energ$ technolog$& optimi7ed for devices re/uiring maximum batter$ life instead of a high
data transfer rate& consumes between 1C2 and 1C100 the power of classic *luetooth technolog$.
<eatures include=
Power +ptimi!ation . *$ using the high speed radio onl$ when $ou need it& *luetooth high speed reduces
power consumption& which means a longer batter$ life for $our devices.
Impro-ed Security . *luetooth high speed enables the radio to discover other high speed devices onl$
when the$ are needed to transfer $our music& pictures or other data. 2ot onl$ does this optimi7e power&
but it also aids in the securit$ of the radios.
*nhanced Power Control . Limited drop.outs are now a realit$. he enhanced power control
of /luetooth high speed makes power control faster and ensures limited drop.outs& reducing consumer
experience of impacts from power. >sers are now less likel$ to lose a headset connectionIeven when the
phone is in a coat pocket or deep inside a purse.
;ower ;atency Rates . >nicast ,onnectionless 9ata improves the customer experience of speed b$
lowering latenc$ rates& sending small amounts of data more /uickl$.
PRO-ECT PERSEP'ONE

4esearchers in :ro-ect :ersephone& investigating new bio.technologies that could one da$ help to create
a self.sustaining spacecraft to carr$ people be$ond our solar s$stem.
Scientists are developing an interstellar 2oah"s Ark U a self.sustaining spaceship that can carr$ humans
on a one.wa$ mission to find a new world to inhabit in the event of climate change or nuclear or
biological warfare.
he spaceship would incorporate into its structure organic matter such as algae and artificial soil& using
the Sun"s energ$ to produce biofuel and a sustainable source of food.
T'E R'INO "NA IN"E,IN( SYSTEM 1R'O"IS2
Assam studies 4hino (ndexing S$stem developed in S. Africa.
he 4hino 92A (ndexing S$stem& a 92A.based forensic tool. he 4hB9(S& used to investigate and
prosecute suspects in cases of rhino poaching. he tool involves the collection of each individual rhino"s
uni/ue 92A profile into a database which can be referenced when presenting legal evidence in cases of
rhino poaching.
he 4hB9(S would help provide concrete evidence before the trial court& as re/uired for conviction in
poaching cases.
:oaching had been posing a ma-or threat to rhino conservation efforts. (t was the market in ,hina and
5ietnam& which use the rhino horn for various purposes& including medicinal& that the poachers sought
to tap.
!ith extensive 92A profiles of rhinos& 4hB9(S is highl$ useful in crime.scene investigation
As man$ as 18 rhinos have been killed in the Ea7iranga 2ational :ark so far this $ear
Assam government had plans to introduce 4hB9(S in the State& where poachers often went unpunished
for want of irrefutable evidence.
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