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OFFICERS'

Pulse
ISSUE NO. 4 | 1ST JULY TO 7TH JULY

Coverage.
The Hindu
PIB
Yojana
Rajya Sabha TV
All India Radio

At a Glance &
In Depth.
Polity and Social Issues
Economy
International Relations
Environment
Science and Tech
Culture.. 
CURRENT AFFAIRS
WEEKLY
THE PULSE OF UPSC AT
YOUR FINGER TIPS.
Table of Contents
Iran nuclear deal .......................................................... 13

Science & Technology .......14


News @ a glance
Agni V ............................................................................... 14
Polity & Social Issues .......... 3 Immunotherapy ........................................................... 14
Aanchal mother s milk bank.......................................3 Away From Reactor Facility .................................... 14
DISHA initiative ...............................................................3 Efflux in bacteria .......................................................... 15
Island Development Agency (IDA) ..........................3 Pad Abort Test PAT ............................................... 16
Master of the roster .......................................................4 Leprosy ............................................................................ 16
Mission Antyodaya.........................................................4 Pancreatic cancer & Multiple Sclerosis ............... 16
2021 census ......................................................................4
Environment .......................18
CWMA & CWRC ...............................................................5
Alternative cereals ...................................................... 18
Fake News and Click Bait ............................................5
Bio-plastics..................................................................... 18
Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA),
2010 .....................................................................................6 Decreasing greenness of forests ............................ 18
cVigil App.........................................................................6 Tow-an-iceberg plan ................................................ 19
DNA Profiling Bill ...........................................................7 Koala Bear ...................................................................... 19

Special Category Status (SCS) ....................................7 Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.................................... 20

Economy.................................. 9 Culture ..................................22


Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ........................9 Ramanuja ........................................................................ 22

Tariff war ...........................................................................9 Languages in India ...................................................... 22

Import Cover ....................................................................9 Miscellaneous .....................23


FDI & FPI ......................................................................... 10 Golden Globe Race (GGR) ......................................... 23
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ............... 10
Base Year ........................................................................ 10
In Depth:
Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) ......... 11
The Hindu Editorials ........24
Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) ....................... 11
The dream of being an AI powerhouse ............... 24
Moody s Investors Service ....................................... 11
Aiming to be like Sikkim ........................................... 25
International Relations .. 13 How to list cases better ............................................. 26
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Reforming higher education ................................... 26 TEJAS: The Flying Daggers ..................................... 38
Turning the Tables on TB ......................................... 27 Delhi: The demand for statehood.......................... 39
Triggered By Air........................................................... 29 Tackling NPA: The New strategy ........................... 39
Linked By Light ............................................................ 30 Police Reforms: The challenges ............................. 40
Risky Recourse ............................................................. 30
All India Radio – News
One Year After .............................................................. 31
Gearing up for space wars........................................ 33
Analysis ................................42
Actions to Curb Black Money .................................. 42
Yojana (July) – Part I ....... 35 Rise in MSP and its Impact....................................... 43
Affordable Housing ..................................................... 35 4th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Ayog ... 44
Universal Village Electrification in 1000 Days . 36 Increase in oil Production and Its impact .......... 46
RSTV Corner........................ 38

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News @ a glance
Polity & Social Issues
Aanchal mother s milk bank ▪ More than 20,000 infants have benefited
What is it? from the programme.
▪ It is a mother s milk bank, set up in
district government hospitals of Rajasthan DISHA initiative
in 2016 for the first time in India What is DISHA initiative?
Why is there a need for such a bank? ▪ Comes under the Ministry of Rural
▪ Sometimes mothers are unable to feed Development.
their infants due to clinical reasons. ▪ It is initiated with a view to ensure better
▪ In certain cases, where the infants are coordination amongst all elected
orphans or abandoned, they have no scope representatives in the centre, State & Local
for getting breast milk. Governments.
▪ If the baby is premature, it is unable to ▪ It will also help in monitoring government
suck. schemes by geography in real time.
▪ This is to ensure efficient and time-bound
development of districts in our country.
▪ Will be used in effective development
coordination for almost all the
programmes of Central Government,
whether it is for infrastructure
development or Social development
Why in news?
Why is breast milk important? ▪ Centre recently renamed District
▪ Breast milk fights potential infections and Development coordination and Monitoring
also diseases like diabetes & cancer at an committee is named as (DISHA)
early stage ▪ It announced that the initiative is for
▪ It supplies all necessary nutrients needed effective development coordination and
for the baby and prevents any potential timely implementation of the schemes.
allergies ▪ Currently 41 Central Government Schemes
▪ Mother s milk reduces neonatal mortality are listed under DISHA
by 22%
▪ Recovery of newborns admitted to Island Development Agency (IDA)
intensive care units increases by 40% What is IDA?
▪ Breastfeeding has positive health ▪ IDA was formed in 2017 for the holistic
implications for the mothers as well. development of islands.
▪ World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is ▪ It is chaired by the Union Home Minister.
celebrated by World Alliance for ▪ At present, 26 islands have been listed for
Breastfeeding Action, UNICEF, WHO, held such focused, holistic development.
every year from 1st to 7th August. Why in news?
Why in news? ▪ The PM reviewed the progress towards
▪ The project has seen tremendous growth holistic development of the islands.
from 800 donors in 2016 to more than
16,000 donors in 2017.
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▪ Emphasis was given on steps taken to ▪ It assumes Gram Panchayats as the basic
promoting Lakshadweep Tuna as a unit for planning and follows a saturation
brand. approach .
▪ It is a state-led rural-transformation
Master of the roster initiative aiming to target 1 crore rural
What does 'master of the roster' mean? households in 50,000 Gram Panchayats.
▪ It refers to the privilege of the Chief Justice What is saturation approach ?
to constitute Benches to hear cases. ▪ Saturation Approach signifies total
▪ It means, the Chief Justice decides the coverage of a targeted population (rural
method of organisation of judges and the poor in this case) with a number of
allocating the cases to specific benches . interventions or developmental schemes,
so that with the passage of time, every
household, with the support of such
interventions; is able to overcome poverty
and deprivation, and the covered
population of the area is able to lead a
socially & economically dignified life.
▪ Mission Antyodaya strives to saturate its
Why in news? targeted area in line with its
▪ The SC recently held that the CJI is the developmental activities and cover the
spokesperson of the court and the entire population under its different
master of the roster . interventions depending upon the needs
▪ It says that he/she has the ultimate and requirements of the community.
authority to distribute judicial work Why in news?
among judges. ▪ As many as 166 villages have been
▪ This is the 3rd time the SC is ruling that the identified for the Union government s
CJI is the master of the roster in the past Mission Antyodaya scheme in Dakshina
8 months. Kannada.
▪ This judgement was given in response to a
petition that said that the master of roster 2021 census
may end up being a absolute, singular and Census of India
arbitrary power . ▪ Census means the official count or survey
▪ To prevent misuse of the power, the of the population, where various details of
petition asked that the collegium should individuals are recorded.
collectively allocate the cases instead of ▪ It is conducted every 10 years since 1871
one man deciding. and the first complete census was taken in
Can the CJI be accountable? 1881.
▪ The judgement clearly implies that the ▪ All Censuses since independence are
moral responsibility the CJI owes to his conducted under Census of India Act,
colleagues and the public at large while 1948.
exercising his powers as master of roster Why is Census important?
to allocate cases in the Supreme Court is ▪ Census is the most credible source of
sufficient to prevent any misuse of power. information on Demography, Economic
Activity, Literacy & Education, Housing &
Mission Antyodaya Household Amenities, Urbanisation,
What is Mission Antyodaya? Fertility and Mortality, SC/ST, Language,
▪ A scheme to alleviate the struggles of the Religion, Migration, Disability and many
rural poor by convergence of all other socio-cultural data
government intervention schemes.
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▪ It provides valuable information for (CMB), recommended by the Cauvery
planning and formulation policies for Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007
Central and the State Governments and is ▪ It is a two tier body with a technical arm:
widely used by National and International Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
Agencies, Scholars, business people, (CWRC)
industrialists, and many more. ▪ It consists of a Chairman, 2 whole-time
▪ The Delimitation/reservation of Members (one from Ministry of Water
Constituencies- Resources and another from Ministry of
Parliamentary/Assembly/Panchayats and Agriculture), 2 Part-Time Members (one
other Local Bodies is also done on the from Ministry of Water Resources and
basis of the demographic data from the another from Ministry of Agriculture) and
Census. 4 part-time members from party states
▪ Census is the basis for reviewing the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)
country's progress in the past decade, ▪ CWRC will report to CWMA
monitoring the ongoing Schemes of the ▪ The committee will monitor day-to-day
Government and most importantly, plan activities, including observing the water
for the future. inflow and outflow of Cauvery basin
Why in news? reservoirs and release of water to
▪ The data from the upcoming census in irrigation canals
2021 will be stored electronically, for the Why in news?
first time. ▪ CWMA has directed Karnataka to release
▪ Any tampering of the electronic data will 34 tmcft of water
invite punishment under IT Act, 2000.
▪ Earlier, the schedules a tabular form Fake News and Click Bait
containing details of individuals), were What is Fake news?
being stored in a physical form at the ▪ They are news or news sources that
government s storehouse in Delhi. intentionally fabricate information,
IT Act, 2000 disseminate deceptive content, or grossly
▪ The IT Act of 2000 was developed to distort actual news reports.
promote the IT industry, regulate e- ▪ They are inaccurate, sometimes
commerce, facilitate e-governance and sensationalistic report that is intended to
prevent cyber crime. gain attention, mislead, deceive or damage
▪ The Act also sought to foster security a reputation.
practices within India that would serve the ▪ They may also be used to influence
country in a global context political views or
▪ It is based on the United Nations Model What is Click-bait?
Law on Electronic Commerce ▪ It is something (such as a headline or an
1996 (UNCITRAL Model) recommended by image) designed to make readers want
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to click on a link especially when the link
leads to content of dubious value or
CWMA & CWRC interest
Cauvery Water Management Authority ▪ They are strategically placed and use
(CWMA) misleading/exaggerated or questionable
▪ CWMA is the umbrella body to implement headlines or images, thus baiting the user
the SC verdict on the Cauvery water to click it.
dispute. ▪ They are generally used to entice a person
▪ CWMA is of the same nature and template to visit a website and generate more Ad
of the Cauvery Management Board revenue.
Why in news?
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▪ Union Minster of State for Home has told ▪ The app requires an Android smartphone
the states to fight Fake News and Click equipped with a camera, good internet
Bait stories. connection and GPS access.
▪ He reckons that rumours and fake news
has become a big menace.
▪ Around 20 people have been lynched
across the country following Child-lifting
rumours through Whatsapp

Foreign Contributions Regulation


Act (FCRA), 2010
What is FCRA, 2010?
▪ It is a regulating Act that replaces the
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act,
1976
What is the need for such an app?
▪ It regulates/prohibits the acceptance of
▪ Complaints about violations of Model Code
foreign contribution as well as foreign
of Conduct often could not be followed
hospitality given to a specific list of
instantly
individuals (eg: political parties, judges,
▪ The violators escape from action in most
civil servants etc)
cases
▪ The Act aims to ensure that there are no
▪ There is also a lack of documented
foreign influences on India s sovereignty
evidence for the EC to taking action
or in its decision making
against violators
Why in news?
▪ Identifying/locating the scene of the
▪ The SC has sought response from the
violation has been a problem earlier.
government on the recent amendments to
cVigil app bridges all these gaps and assists the EC
FCRA which allows foreign funding to
to enforce MCC effectively.
political parties.
How it works?
▪ Note: Both the ruling as well as the
▪ Citizens can immediately report on
opposition party has been found guilty of
incidents of misconduct within minutes of
accepting foreign contributions in 2014
having witnessed them and without
Background
having to rush to the office of the
▪ The NGO Association for Democratic
Returning Officer (RO) to lodge a
Reforms has challenged the amendments
complaint.
to the FCRA through Finance Act 2016 and
▪ Photos and videos of malpractices can be
Finance Act 2018.
uploaded in the app
▪ The amendments were passed as a money
▪ After reporting, the vigilant citizen gets a
bill with retrospective effect from 1976.
Unique ID (for each report) to track and
▪ However, the Representation of the People
receive the follow up updates on her or his
Act bars political parties from receiving
mobile.
foreign funds.
▪ The uploaded information will be used by
flying squads for further action
cVigil App ▪ The identity of the complainant will be
What is it? kept confidential.
▪ An App released by the Election Prevention from misuse
Commission for citizens to report any ▪ It will receive complaints only about
violations of the model code of conduct Model Code of Conduct violations.
during elections.
Requirement
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▪ The app will not allow uploading of the abuse in terms of the privacy rights of our
pre-recorded or old images and videos citizens.
▪ The app will not allow saving of the photos ▪ The bill allows the government to collect
or videos recorded using cVIGIL' into the DNA samples, create DNA profiles and
phone gallery. special databanks for the purpose of
▪ cVigil will be active only in States where forensic-criminal investigations.
elections have been announced. The ▪ The intended purpose is to identify
moment a citizen exits an election-bound persons involved in crimes and for
State, the app will become inactive. identifying missing persons.
▪ The bill creates a National DNA Data Bank,
DNA Profiling Bill and a DNA profiling Board which is the
What is DNA profiling? final authority that authorises the creation
▪ DNA profiling is the process where a of state-level DNA databanks approve the
specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is methods of collection and analysis of DNA-
obtained from a person or sample of technologies.
bodily tissue ▪ The databanks will only store information
▪ DNAs, being unique to individuals help in with regards to criminal investigations
processing the characteristics of an and delete the details of the suspects
individual. Criticisms
▪ DNA profiling is commonly used as a ▪ The main issue is whether DNA technology
forensic technique in criminal is foolproof and also, whether the
investigations proposed law adequately addresses the
possibility of abuse.
▪ There are remote changes where a false
match is generated by DNA profiling, so
can the profiling results be taken as the
ultimate evidence?
Privacy concerns
▪ Whose DNA can be collected and under
what circumstances?
▪ Whether the consent of the individual is
required?
Examples
▪ Who can access the database?
▪ Comparing the profiles to DNA found at a
▪ To what uses the DNA information can be
crime scene so as to assess the likelihood
put apart from identifying an individual?
of a person's involvement in the crime.
▪ What are the circumstances under which a
▪ Identification of an unidentified body.
record can be deleted?
▪ Parentage testing
▪ Many other research purposes
What is India s DNA Profiling bill about? Special Category Status (SCS)
▪ Primary purpose: Expanding the What is SCS?
application of DNA-based forensic ▪ It is a concept which was introduced in the
technologies to support and strengthen 5th Finance Commission (1969) where
the justice delivery system of the country. certain disadvantaged states were given
▪ The Bill seeks to ensure that with the preferential treatment in the form of
proposed expanded use of this technology central assistance and tax breaks by the
in the country, there is also the assurance central government
that the DNA test results are reliable and ▪ The constitution does not provide any
the data remain protected from misuse or provision for such categorisation, the
National Development Council (a former
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body of the erstwhile Planning hill areas, tribal sub-plans and border
Commission), awards SCS to certain states. areas.
▪ These states, by inherent features such as ▪ Beyond that they enjoy concessions in
lack of resources, cannot mobilize excise and customs duties, income tax
resources for development. rates and corporate tax rates as
How are they categorised? determined by the government.
The NDC granted this status based on a number of What changed after 14th Finance Commission
features of the States which included: recommendations?
▪ Hilly and difficult terrain ▪ 14th FC recommendations subsumed
▪ Low population density or the presence of central plan assistance in an increased
sizeable tribal population devolution of the divisible pool to all states
▪ Strategic location along international (from 32% to 42%).
borders ▪ Besides this, assistance to Centrally
▪ Economic and infrastructural Sponsored Schemes for SCS States was
backwardness given with 90% Central share and 10%
▪ Non-viable nature of State finances. State share (as earlier).
What are the types of central assistance? ▪ Today only the north-eastern states and
▪ Normal Central Assistance (NCA) the 3 other hilly states (HP, Uttarakhand,
▪ Additional Central Assistance (ACA) and J&K) enjoy SCS benefits.
▪ Special Central Assistance Why in news?
What benefits do the SCSs enjoy? ▪ The central government has held that it
▪ SCS states receive 30% of the total cannot give special category status to
assistance while the other states share the Andhra Pradesh and that it had fulfilled all
remaining 70% its financial commitments to the state.
▪ The NCA is split into 90% grants and 10% ▪ The union government representatives
loans for special category states, while the have told that the state has been receiving
ratio between grants and loans is 30:70 for increased inflow of funds from increased
other states. devolution due to the 14th FC
▪ Special category states also receive recommendations.
specific assistance addressing features like

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Economy
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ▪ It is the economic batter between the two
What is FATF? countries and it ultimately results in
▪ An inter-governmental policy-making raising the total cost of those products.
body that designs and promotes policies &
standards to combat financial crimes such
as money laundering or terror financing.
▪ It has no investigative authority.
▪ Established during the 1989 G7 meet, it
has 37 members, with headquarters at
Paris.
▪ India is a member.
FATF Black List
▪ FATF releases a list of Non-Cooperative
Countries or Territories NCCTs , also
known as FATF Blacklist . Why in news?
▪ These are countries FATF considers as ▪ The US and China are engaged in a tariff
non-cooperative in the global fight against war.
money laundering and terror financing. ▪ They are raising the tariff for each others
Why in news? products in their respective countries.
▪ Pakistan has been put in FATF Grey-List ▪ USA has announced a 25% tariff on
recently for failing to check terrorism Chinese products worth $34 Billion and
financing in its territory. China has retaliated with 25% tariff on
▪ To avoid being blacklisted, Pakistan has American goods worth the same value
submitted a plan to curb terror financing A side-note
to FATF. ▪ China may be forced to reconsider the ban
▪ If Pakistan does not implement, it will it has placed on India s Oil meal import as
move from grey list to the black list . an alternative source for their oil meal
What are the implications? requirements.
▪ Black listing implies adverse economic ▪ Oil meal is the meal made by grinding oil
implications for Pakistan as well as cake and fed to livestock or used as
affecting its international standing. fertilizer.
▪ Borrowing or raising money from
international donors or markets will
Import Cover
become more difficult for Pakistani
What is import cover?
businesses as well as the government.
▪ Countries hold Forex reserves and a main
▪ Currently Iran and North Korea are in the
reason for it is to protect themselves from
Black List
external crisis.
▪ Import cover is the number of months of
Tariff war imports the forex reserve of that country
What is a tariff war ? can cover.
▪ The scenario when a country raises the tax ▪ It is also an indicator of the currency
rate on products coming from another stability
country and that country, in retaliation How vast should it be?
raises the tax rate on products exported ▪ Typically, 10 months of import cover is
from the first country, is called a tariff war. adequate for the stability of a currency.

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▪ Russia and China has more than years ▪ FDI growth in India hits a 5 year low in
worth import cover. 2017-18
Why in news? ▪ Overseas investors (FPIs) have pulled out
▪ India s import cover fell to . months in nearly Rs. 48,000 crore from Indian capital
December 2017 from 11.3 months in markets in the first six months of 2018,
March 2017 – RBI report making it the steepest outflow in a decade.

FDI & FPI Confederation of Indian Industry


What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)? (CII)
▪ It is the investment made by a person or a What is CII?
company in one country into businesses ▪ CII is a non-government, not-for-profit,
located in another country industry-led and industry-managed
▪ Generally, FDI takes place when an organization, founded in 1895
investor establishes foreign business ▪ It has members from private as well as
operations or acquires foreign business public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs
assets. ▪ It works with the government on policy
▪ It may also include establishing ownership issues and economic reforms.
or controlling interest in a foreign ▪ CII played a role in the 1991 liberalisation
company. of the Indian Economy.

Why in news?
▪ According to a CII report on the transition
to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), its
implementation led to increased efficiency
What is Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI)? for businesses by reducing their
▪ It is the similar to FDI but here, the transportation time, on account of absence
investor holds only passive financial assets of state-level barriers.
of a foreign company.
▪ The investor may simply hold equities or Base Year
securities of foreign-based companies. What is a base year ?
A Key difference ▪ It is the year used as the beginning or the
▪ FDI involves establishing a direct business reference year for constructing an index.
interest in a foreign country, while FPI ▪ For example, suppose the base year is 200
refers to investing in financial assets such 1, andthe initial value of an index is 100. If
as stocks or bonds in a foreign country. the index is 150 in 2009, it means that the
▪ FDI aims to take control of the company in value of the index is 50% higher in
which investment is made whereas FPI 2009 than it was in 2001. It is also called t
aims to reap profits by investing in shares he reference year.
and bonds of the invested entity without Why in news?
controlling the company. ▪ The Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Why in news? Implementation (MOSPI) will soon change

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the base year to 2017-18 from the current Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)
2011-12 What is PMI?
▪ This is for GDP calculation and other ▪ It is an economic indicator which indicates
national accounts (like IIP numbers) the business activity, & economic health of
▪ The change aims to capture changes in the the manufacturing and service sectors.
economy in a more accurate fashion ▪ PMI of India is published by Japanese firm
Nikkei but compiled and constructed by
Generalised System of Preferences Markit Economics.
(GSP) ▪ Unlike the Index of Industrial Production
What is it? (IIP) which indicates the changes in
▪ It is a preferential tariff system by which production volume or output, the PMI is
opportunities are given to the world s an investor sentiment tracking index and
poorest countries to use trade to grow is more dynamic in nature.
their economies and climb out of poverty. How is it calculated?
▪ GSP exempts countries having the ▪ They are derived from monthly surveys of
programme from WTO s Most Favoured about 400 private sector companies.
Nation (MFN) principle. ▪ Variables used for calculating the PMI are:
What is MFN principle? Output, New Orders, Employment, Input
▪ It means each of the WTO member Costs, Output Prices, Backlogs of Work,
countries should treat all the other Export Orders, Quantity of Purchases,
members equally as most-favoured Suppliers‟ Delivery Times, Stocks of
trading partners. Purchases and Stocks of Finished Goods.
▪ Thus it requires a country to provide any How to read PMI?
concessions, privileges, or immunities ▪ PMI >50 implies expansion of business
granted in a trade agreement to one and economic activity. PMI <50 implies
nation to all other World Trade contraction of business and economic
Organization member countries. activity.
▪ This principle does not apply in cases of Why in news?
preferential treatment of developing ▪ Services PMI expanded from 49.6 in May
countries, regional free trade zones and 2018 to 52.6 in June 2018
customs unions. ▪ Also, the composite PMI (manufacturing &
▪ Countries allowing GSP can give service sector combined) has improved
preferential treatment to certain nations from 50.4 to 53.3 in the same period.
as they enjoy exemptions from the MFN Implications
clause. ▪ The index implies that demand in service
Why in news? sector is improving.
▪ Though India enjoys GSP status from the ▪ As a result of increased demand, service
US, some US lawmakers want to remove providers are raising their staff levels at a
India from the list. faster pace
▪ In the ongoing tariff war on each other s
products, USA and India are planning to Moody s Investors Service
negotiate and prevent any further What is it?
escalation. ▪ Founded by John Moody in 1909, it is an
▪ As per the negotiations, USA is likely to American Bond Credit Rating agency held
keep India within the GSP, while India will by Moody s Corporation.
change the price restrictions imposed on ▪ Moody's, along with Standard &
medical devices imported from America to Poor's and Fitch Group, is considered one
trade margin rationalisation. of the Big Three credit rating agencies.

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▪ In India Moody s and leading measures expected investor loss in the
financial/investment institutions, event of default.
commercial banks and financial services ▪ Securities are assigned a rating from AAA
companies of India has established ICRA to C, with AAA being the highest quality
▪ ICRA is an Indian independent and and C the lowest quality.
professional investment information Why in news?
and credit rating agency Recently, Moody s Investor Service has noted 3
What it does? credit risks for the Indian Economy:
▪ The company ranks ▪ Oil prices (highest risk)
the creditworthiness of borrowers using a ▪ Cleaning-up of bank balance sheets
standardized ratings scale which ▪ Investment

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International Relations
Iran nuclear deal ▪ Iran insisted that its nuclear programme
What is it? was entirely peaceful, but the
▪ Also, known as the Joint Comprehensive international community did not believe
Plan of Action (JCPOA), it is a preliminary that.
framework agreement between Iran and a ▪ JCPOA came after years of tension over
group of world powers (USA, Germany, Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear
UK, France, China, Russia, & EU), regarding weapon.
Iran s nuclear programme. Why in news?
▪ Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its ▪ The US earlier announced that it is
sensitive nuclear activities and allow in withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal.
international inspectors in return for the ▪ But the other global powers (Germany, UK,
lifting of crippling economic sanctions. Russia, China and France vowed to adhere
Background to their end of the deal despite US threats
of Sanctions.

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Science & Technology
Agni V ▪ Immunotherapy trains the body s immune
What is Agni V? cells, to detect and kill cancer cells, which
▪ It is India s longest range around 5000 otherwise can adapt and hide from the
km) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile body s immune system.
(IRBM) What is chemotherapy?
▪ Agni-V is a three-stage solid fuelled missile ▪ Chemotherapy (chemo) usually refers to
and the Agni series of missiles constitute the use of medicines or drugs to treat
the backbone of India s nuclear weapons cancer.
delivery. ▪ Surgery and radiation therapy remove,
▪ It brings most parts of China within India kill, or damage cancer cells in a certain
striking distance. area, but chemo can work throughout the
whole body.
Chemotherapy vs. Immunotherapy
▪ Chemotherapy along with cancer cells also
kills normal cells thereby making the body
weak.
▪ On the other hand, Immunotherapy fights
cancer by training the immune system and
does not result in damage of normal cells.
In other words, immunotherapy is more
specific in treating cancer cells than
chemotherapy
How Ballistic Missiles work?
▪ Chemotherapy results in lots of side-
▪ A ballistic missile is one that has a ballistic
effects including nausea, diarrhoea, weight
trajectory over most of its flight path.
loss, hair loss.
▪ Once the missile burns up the fuel that
▪ Immunotherapy however, is a better
propels it, its direction can't be altered.
alternative with very little side effects.
▪ It follows the path of any object thrown
Why in news?
upwards in parabolic path which falls
▪ Immunotherapy is being considered as a
down.
turning point in cancer treatment
▪ Ballistic missiles travel well outside the
▪ Over 30 immunotherapy drugs are in
earth s atmosphere and it depends on
development and can change the face of
gravity to reach its target.
cancer treatment
Classification of Ballistic Missiles
▪ Short-range (up to 480 km)
▪ Medium-range (up to 480 – 965 km)
Away From Reactor Facility
▪ Intermediate-range (up to 965 - 5310 km) Spent Fuel Pool (SFP)
▪ Intercontinental (More than 5310 km) ▪ It is the storage pools for spent fuel from
Why in news? nuclear reactors and it is designed for a
▪ Agni-V will be inducted into the nuclear specific reactor and is situated at the
arsenal very soon, says official sources. reactor site.

What is an Away From Reactor (AFR) Facility?


Immunotherapy ▪ The away-from-reactor (APR) facility is
What is immunotherapy?
also used for storing the spent-fuel
▪ Immunotherapy is treatment that uses
storage.
your body's own immune system to help
fight cancer.
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▪ However, it is located outside a reactor ▪ Bacteria are acquiring properties of
site boundary, normally involving interim antibiotic resistance even when they are
storage of irradiated fuel from one or not exposed to antibiotics.
several nuclear power plants.
Need for AFR storage facility
▪ Normally, the spent fuel is stored in the
reactor pool storage by increasing storage
densities.
▪ However, when the storage space runs up
further, AFR facilities are needed
▪ With AFR, it becomes possible to extend
the reactor s operation lifetime. Exposure to stress
▪ AFR storage facility will provide for ▪ Bacteria were exposed to varying pH, salt
storage until the future destination or any and oxidative stresses.
other plans for the spent fuel are available. ▪ The complex and unpredictable stresses
Why in news? were exerted for 30 days (170
▪ The SC has given time for the Nuclear generations) and for 100 days (900
Power Corporation of India Ltd. generations).
(NPCIL) till April 2022, to build AFR Findings
facility for storing the spent fuel for ▪ After 30 days the bacteria developed
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant tolerance to novel stresses to which it was
NPCIL not exposed to, like antibiotics and heavy
▪ A Public Sector Enterprise under the metals.
administrative control of the Department ▪ This ability only increased for the bacteria
of Atomic Energy. which were exposed for 100 days
▪ Its objective is to operate atomic power ▪ The efflux pumps of bacteria that throw
plants and implementing atomic power out the antibiotics that enter it, showed
projects for generation of electricity in greater activity.
pursuance of the schemes and ▪ How the organism developed resistance to
programmes of the Government of India antibiotics when exposed to unpredictable
under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 stress is astonishing the scientists
▪ NPCIL is responsible for design, A Public Health Alarm
construction, commissioning & operation ▪ Scientists say that it is alarming that
of nuclear power reactors. bacteria exposed to complex,
▪ It is presently operates 22 commercial unpredictable fluctuations can lead to
nuclear power reactors (capacity: 6780 resistance to antibiotics or heavy metals,
MW) and it could happen in about 30 days.
Why should we be alarmed?
Efflux in bacteria ▪ Climatology studies have shown that
What is an efflux mechanism? variability in the environment has
▪ The efflux mechanism in bacteria is drastically increased in many parts of the
responsible for ejecting bio-molecules, world
compounds and toxins. ▪ As a result, there is a possibility that
▪ For bacteria, the efflux plays a vital role in bacteria could show increased efflux
moving out the antibiotics that enters it, activity and greater resistance to
thereby assisting in resisting antibiotics . antibiotics even when not exposed to them
Why in news? ▪ This means, antibiotic resistance can come
back to bite us from unknown origins and
when we least expect it.

Page | 15
Other examples ▪ Exact mechanism is not known, however,
▪ Gut-bacteria of the Amazonian tribe which transmission is suspected to happen
remained isolated from civilization until through nasal secretions or droplets.
recently exhibited resistance to the latest Symptoms
antibiotics including synthetic drugs. And ▪ Skin lesions (single or multiple) with
these drugs are not usually found in soil. definite sensory loss, with or without
thickened nerves.
Pad Abort Test (PAT) ▪ Loss of sensation in the affected area of
What is a Pad abort test? the skin, weakness of muscles
▪ A Pad Abort Test is a trial run for a Diagnosis
spacecraft s launch abort system. ▪ Positive skin smears
▪ It is also called as launch escape system Why in news?
▪ The system is designed to quickly get the ▪ SC has directed the government to
crew and spacecraft away from the rocket constitute a devoted wing for creating and
in the event of a potential failure. extending public awareness that leprosy is
▪ This is similar to an ejection seat for a curable and not contagious by contact.
fighter pilot, but instead of ejecting the ▪ The court also directed the government to
pilot out of the spacecraft, the entire erase the stigma against those suffering.
spacecraft is ejected away from the ▪ Earlier, the judiciary had asked the
launch vehicle. government to stop referencing leprosy
▪ USA, Russia and China have their own as a disability as it resulted in statutory
crew escape system in place stigma .
Why in news?
▪ ISRO has performed a Pad abort test Pancreatic cancer & Multiple
successfully, by ejecting a 1260-kg crew Sclerosis
module which parachuted into the Bay of What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Bengal and retrieved successfully. ▪ Pancreas is an organ located in the human
▪ The crew module has 7 motors which abdomen and secreted digestive enzymes
kicks in after ejection and performs as well as hormones.
different functions ▪ Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which
▪ The Pad Abort System is necessary for malignant (cancerous) cells form in the
India s plans for future manned mission to tissues of the pancreas.
Space. ▪ Desmoplasia (formation of a rich collagen
deposition around tumour) is a serious
Leprosy hindrance for delivering the drug to the
What is Leprosy? tumour.
▪ Also known as Hansen s disease, it is a ▪ Gemcitabine is the drug currently used to
chronic infectious disease caused treat pancreatic cancer, but it itself causes
by Mycobacterium leprae. desmoplasia, thereby reducing its own
▪ Affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, effect
mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory What is Multiple Sclerosis?
tract and the eyes ▪ It is a chronic disease which attacks the
▪ Occurs at all ages ranging from early central nervous system (the brain, spinal
infancy to very old age cord, and optic nerves)
▪ It is curable and early treatment averts ▪ It can cause problems with vision, balance,
most disabilities. muscle control, and other basic body
Transmission functions.
▪ MS happens when the immune system
attacks a material called myelin, which
Page | 16
wraps around the nerve fibres to protect ▪ When the sclerosis drug was used in
them. combination with the gemcitabine,
▪ Without this outer shell, your nerves decreased cancer cell proliferation and
become damaged meaning, your brain increased apoptosis (cell death) was
can t send signals through your body observed.
correctly. ▪ Also, the sclerosis drug was found to
▪ Its exact causes are unknown, it could be loosen up the tumour and aids
environmental or because of an infection. gemcitabine to penetrate into the tumour
Why in news? thereby increasing the bio-availability of
▪ Indian scientists have found that a gemcitabine.
multiple sclerosis drug was effective in Significance
treating pancreatic cancer. ▪ The combination strategy showed no
▪ The drug was also found to increase the toxicity to the normal human and mouse
efficacy of gemcitabine, when used in cell lines
combination. ▪ Also, using combination drugs can reduce
Findings the dosage of the drugs thus reducing side-
▪ The sclerosis drug binds to S1PR1 effects
receptor on the cancer cell and prevents ▪ More importantly, repurposing existing
the progression of cancer. drugs cuts down the time taken to bring
new drugs to clinical testing

Page | 17
Environment
Alternative cereals oils, agriculture by-products and other
What are alternative cereals? used plastic bottles using microorganisms.
▪ They are cereals other than rice and Why in news?
wheat. Example: Millets, sorghum, maize ▪ Over periods of days, weeks or even
etc. months, a bioplastic item could present
just as much threat to marine life as a
conventional plastic item, warns experts
Context
▪ Every second, 250 kgs of plastics are being
dumped in the oceans (8 million tonnes /
year)
Significance
▪ The world wants to move away from
single use plastics and towards eco-
friendly alternatives.
▪ Major countries and food giants are
Why in news?
moving towards bio-plastics for that
▪ The nutrient-rich alternative cereals could
cause.
reduce the demand for irrigation water by
▪ But it should be understood that even bio-
33%, in comparison to rice and wheat,
plastic wastes will need a separate
finds a study. Also, they contain more
collection system if we truly want to be
nutrition than rice or wheat.
eco-friendly, as they can cause as much
▪ The crop water requirement (CWR) for
damage as plastics if they are simply
alternative cereals is less than that of rice
dumped in the environment (or oceans)
or wheat.
Implications of the findings
▪ Replacing rice with maize, finger millet, Decreasing greenness of forests
pearl millet, or sorghum could save What s in the news?
irrigation and improving production of ▪ By studying NASA s MODIS satellite
nutrients such as iron by 27% and zinc by imaging of Indian forests for about 15
13% years, Indian scientists have observed that
▪ Moreover, it can help distribute nutrient the seasonal greenness of forests
production across the country and also (including protected areas) exhibited a
reduce the impact of a single local climate negative trend over the years.
shock to national grain production. ▪ This greenness has reduced in almost all
Crop Water Requirement (CWR) types of forests in different parts of India
▪ It is the product of the water required by a right from wet evergreen forests of
crop and the harvested area. eastern Himalayas and western ghats, to
moist deciduous forests of Chhattisgarh,
Bio-plastics mangrove forests of West Bengal, etc
Why is greenness important?
What are bio-plastics?
▪ Greenness displays the strength of the
▪ Common plastics are petroleum-derived
forests and the ecosystem.
▪ A bio-degradable material sourced from a
▪ Reduction in greenness displays
biological substance/biomass.
vulnerability
▪ Bio-plastics are usually derived from
How is this finding important?
sources such as vegetable fats and

Page | 18
▪ The vulnerable areas mapped out in this using collection channels and a milling
study can be used for prioritisation and machine.
planning of conservation programmes. ▪ It can contribute 150 million litres of
usable water every day for a year.
▪ However, even if the project is successful,
the iceberg can only provide 20-30% of
the requirement.
Other measures
▪ The city authorities are working on
desalination & instructing the people to
reduce the use of water to mitigate the
crisis

The problem Koala Bear


▪ Though the problem is identified, its cause What is unique about it?
is not identified yet. ▪ It is an arboreal, herbivores, marsupial
▪ The reduction in greenness could be due found in Australia
to natural or anthropogenic factors or a ▪ They weigh about 14-kgs and measure
combination of both. about 60-85 cm long.
▪ Scientists are still trying to figure out ways ▪ They dwell among eucalyptus trees and
to identify it. their diet primarily consists of eucalyptus
leaves.
▪ Because this eucalypt diet has limited
Tow-an-iceberg plan
nutritional & caloric content, they are
Background
largely sedentary and sleep up to 18 hours
▪ South Africa s Cape Town recently came
a day.
within weeks of shutting off all its pipes
Meaning?
and forcing residents to queue for water
▪ Arboreal implies locomotion in trees
rations at public standpipes.
▪ Herbivore implies, it is a plant eating
▪ But due to conscious reduction in the
animal
usage of water by the people, averted the
▪ Marsupial are mammals which carry their
cut-off of the water supply in the city.
young in a pouch.
▪ Nevertheless, the threat is still looming
Joey
over the city and return next year.
▪ Newborns are called Joey and they are
What is the plan?
born after only 34-36 days of gestation
▪ Icebergs are made of freshwater and
▪ They weigh ½ a gram at birth and do not
▪ The Tow-an-iceberg plan looks at towing
have a proper immune system.
an iceberg from Antarctica to supply fresh
▪ They spend 6 months developing in the
water to Cape Town.
mother s pouch.
Details
Why in news?
▪ An ice-berg of dimensions 1 km length,
▪ Koala bear genome (26,000 genes) has
500 meters width and 250 meters deep,
been decoded for the first time
with a flat tabletop surface will be selected
Detoxification
using drones.
▪ While eucalyptus leaves are poisonous for
▪ The block can be dragged using tugboats
most mammals, the P450 gene present in
for 2000 km using ocean currents. The
Koalas liver, help in detoxifying them.
journey can take up to 3 months.
▪ This is how they are able to live on
▪ Once positioned near Cape Town, the
eucalyptus leaves.
melted water could be gathered each day
Nursing the young
Page | 19
▪ Novel lactation proteins were found in global conservation status of biological
Koala s milk, which helps the young in species
developing a strong immune system. ▪ It has observer and consultative status at
▪ The milk may have an antimicrobial role, the United Nations
showing activity against a range of The 9 Categories under IUCN Red List
bacterial and fungal species, including 1. Extinct (EX) – No known individuals
Chlamydia pecorum, the strain known to remaining
cause ocular and reproductive disease in 2. Extinct in the wild (EW) – Known only to
koalas. survive in captivity, or as a naturalized
▪ Moreover, scientists have identified genes population outside its historic range
that allow the koala to fine-tune milk 3. Critically endangered (CR) – Extremely
protein composition across the stages of high risk of extinction in the wild
lactation, to meet the changing needs of 4. Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction
their young. in the wild
5. Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of
endangerment in the wild
6. Near threatened (NT) – Likely to become
endangered in the near future
7. Least concern (LC) – Lowest risk
(widespread and abundant taxa are
included in this category.)
8. Data deficient (DD) – Not enough data to
make an assessment of its risk of
extinction
IUCN Classification 9. Not evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been
▪ The koala bear has a highly specific diet evaluated against the criteria
and habitat loss and clearing of native The vulnerable, endangered and critically
vegetation has brought down its endangered species are colloquially called
population. threatened species.
▪ Around 80% of koala habitat has been
lost to human homes, drought and forest
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
fires
What is it?
▪ IUCN classifies the species as vulnerable’
▪ Oxybenzone is the main active ingredient
What is IUCN?
in most sunscreens.
▪ IUCN is an organisation headquartered in
▪ Octinoxate, is an active ingredient in
Gland, Switzerland, composed of both
sunscreens. It is also found in shampoos,
government and civil society
lipsticks and other products.
organisations.
▪ Octinoxate absorbs Ultra Violet Rays and
▪ Created in 1948, it is the global authority
prevents burns.
on the status of the natural world and the
Why in news?
measures needed to safeguard it.
▪ Hawaii has banned the use of sunscreen
▪ IUCN is the world s largest and most
containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate,
diverse environmental network, that
which is also the world s first ban on
provides public, private and non-
sunscreens containing the two chemicals.
governmental organisations with the
▪ The ban kicks in from 2021
knowledge and tools that enables
▪ Sunscreens containing these chemicals
sustainable use of natural resources.
will only be available to those with a
▪ It releases the IUCN Red List of
prescription from a physician.
Threatened Species which is the world's
Impact of chemicals
most comprehensive inventory of the
Page | 20
▪ Oxybenzone disrupts coral reproduction, Significance
causes coral bleaching, and damages coral ▪ Climate change is the biggest contributor
DNA (present in 70% of sunscreens) to the depletion of coral reefs around the
▪ Octinoxate is shown to cause coral world.
bleaching. (present in 8% of sunscreens) ▪ However, swimmers wearing sunscreens
are dumping 14000 tonnes of the
chemicals in oceans, causing more
destruction.

Page | 21
Culture
Ramanuja Ramanuja who himself was against all
Who is Ramanuja? forms of discrimination 1000 years ago.
▪ A Bhakti Saint who is also the central
philosopher of Sri Vaishnavism , a Languages in India
denomination within the Vaishnavism Why in news?
tradition of Hinduism According to the recently released census data:
▪ He developed the ▪ More than 19,500 languages or dialects
Vishishtadvaita ("qualified non- are spoken as mother tongues
dualism") Vedanta sub-school of Hindu ▪ There are 121 languages which are spoken
philosophy. by 10,000 or more people
▪ He lived in the 11th century CE and ▪ Urdu has a unique status among major
preached equality Indian languages in the sense that its
Why in news? speakers are not confined to any
▪ A giant statue of Saint Ramanuja is being particular region and are spread across
erected in Shamshabad in Telangana the country
▪ At ft, it is the world s nd tallest statue ▪ Hindi has added about 10 crore speakers
of a seated figure after the Great Buddha of between 2001 and 2011.
Thailand (302 ft) ▪ 96% of the population have one of the 22
▪ The statue will be made of Pancha Loha (a scheduled languages as their mother
combination of 5 metals) tongue.
▪ The entire project is named The Statue of
Equality Project , a dedication to Saint

Page | 22
Miscellaneous
Golden Globe Race (GGR) Indian-built boat Suhaili, in 1968, without
About GGR the use of modern technology.
▪ It is a race, to sail around the world ▪ He is conducting the 2018 GGR.
(30,000 miles) without the use of modern Why in news?
technology. ▪ Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian
▪ Participants will rely on traditional means Navy is participating in the race
of navigation, such as physical maps and ▪ There are 18 participants and he is the
observing stars. only invitee from Asia to the prestigious
▪ The sailors are provided with a satellite GGR.
phone for medical emergencies. ▪ He is sailing in the indigenously built
Who is conducting it? sailing vessel Thuriya, a replica of Suhaili.
▪ 2018 GGR is taking place 50 years after the ▪ He is also the only Indian to complete (in
Sunday times Golden Globe Race in . 2012-13) solo, non-stop circumnavigation
▪ 50 years ago, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston of the globe yet.
sailed around the world on-board the

Page | 23
News in-depth
The Hindu Editorials
The dream of being an AI powerhouse

▪ Artificial intelligence means the use of o With India planning to install 100 GW
computers to make decisions instead of of solar power by 2022, such AI will
human beings. Examples of Artificial play central role in power planning.
intelligence: Spam filters; uber driverless ▪ However, there are various hurdles in
cars. achieving these goals:
Lack of data
▪ India is largely a data deficit country.
▪ Deep Learning is an artificial intelligence
function that imitates the workings of the
human brain in processing data and
creating patterns for use in decision
making.
▪ Deep learning is a subset of machine
learning in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that
has networks capable of learning
▪ Recently, NITI Aayog in its report has unsupervised from data that is
chalked out an ambitious strategy for unstructured or unlabeled.
India to become an artificial intelligence ▪ Deep learning is not able to work for all
powerhouse. companies in India because of lack of data.
▪ NITI Ayog also envisioned that if India is ▪ Presently, the firm uses traditional
able to harness its human potential well machines learning technologies such as
India can have up to % of the world s AI regression analysis that work with less
projects in the future. data.
▪ NITI Aayog sees AI solutions for India Finding the right people
especially in 5 key areas: Agriculture, ▪ As per the NITI Aayog s report, only about
Smart cities, healthcare, education, 50 Indian scientists carry out serious
infrastructure, and transport. research and are concentrated in elite
▪ In Agriculture sector, machines will be institutions.
helpful in the following manner: ▪ Only 40% of AI professionals have worked
o Provide information to farmers on in emerging technologies like deep
various aspects related to agriculture learning.
like quality of soil etc. ▪ According to survey of Linkedin, only 386
o India could see a farming resolution out of the 22,000 people with PhDs in AI
because the country has 30 million across the world are Indians.
farmers with smart phones but poor What can be done?
extension services. ▪ The government must collect and digitize
data under its existing programmes.
▪ To close the skill gap, NITI Aayog
suggested setting up a network of basic
Page | 24
and applied AI research institutes. These ▪ However experts say that AI will only
institutes must collaborate with increase the blue coloured job for which
agricultural universities, medical colleges Indian government has to take quick steps
and infrastructure planners. to provide skill education.
Fears about joblessness due to AI Conclusion
▪ Demographically rich India is also worried ▪ NITI Aayog s ambitious road map does not
about job loss due to AI because already mention deadlines or funding.
service sector has led the country into ▪ Without these, it lacks accountability.
jobless growth . ▪ The government must specify its
commitments on these fronts.

Aiming to be like Sikkim

Background ▪ Despite being small and isolated, and with


▪ Last week the Maharashtra government its people leading their lives in extremely
banned the usage of consumer plastic. tough mountainous terrain, Sikkim has
Imposition and dilutions of rules emerged as one of India s environmental
▪ Various State governments as well as the leaders.
Centre are trying to curb the growing ▪ Sikkim, in 1998 became the 1st Indian state
menace of virtually indestructible plastic to ban disposable plastic bags, is also
waste that is choking our planet. among the first to target single-use plastic
▪ The fight against plastic goes as far back as bottles.
1999 in India, when the Centre notified ▪ In 2016, Sikkim took two major decisions.
rules controlling the manufacture, sale and It banned the use of packaged drinking
usage of plastic. The rules have been water in government offices and
amended since then. government events.
▪ Changes introduced in 2016 were ▪ Second, it banned the use of Styrofoam and
considered the most environment friendly, thermocol disposable plates and cutlery in
extending responsibility to producers and the entire state in a move to cut down
generators of plastic, and imposing toxic plastic pollution and tackle its ever-
responsibilities on industry, consumers increasing garbage problem.
and civic bodies for segregating, managing, ▪ Through penalties, state-level policies and
recycling and reducing the usage of plastic. a mass awareness programme, this tiny
So, why are the rules not working? state is well on its way to becoming free of
▪ India has a large consumer base which the scourge of plastic pollution.
gets a plastic cover for almost any product Conclusion
bought. ▪ Above all, we need social change. Sikkim
▪ Alternatives to plastic are either costly or has shown the way.
inefficient in protecting the product from ▪ Massive awareness campaigns backed
rain, dust etc. with policy change has led to a noticeable
▪ Blanket ban will not work until decline in plastic use in the tiny State.
behavioural change is brought like Sikkim. ▪ Unless India does a Sikkim, the dystopian
How Sikkim is working to end-plastic- earth of Wall-E will be the home of future
pollution? generations.

Page | 25
How to list cases better

▪ Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently flagged ▪ Accelerate case movement is by making
rising pendency in appeals lying with High case listing more systematic. Instead of
Courts based on the findings of the listing 100 cases a day, number of quality
Supreme Court s Arrears Committee. The hearing can be focussed.
work of the Arrears committee is to ▪ The list preparation can be made more
formulate strategy to reduce pendency. scientific if supported by a consistent
▪ He has since directed High Courts to study of the variance in the number of
prepare action plans for disposal of five cases listed across courts, identifying the
and 10-year-old cases. The CJI also exact stages at which cases are clogging
requested the courts to function even on the pipeline for the longest duration, and
vacation to reduce the pendency. the nature of cases left over.
▪ He has also asked for High Court Arrears ▪ The court can decide on a minimum and
Committees to periodically review the maximum number of hearing for
situation. particular matters.
The pendency of cases: ▪ The disposing of old and pending matters
▪ The total number of pending cases in the must be prioritised.
apex court as on December 2017 was Conclusion
54,719 ▪ The quality and efficiency of court
▪ Over 30% of cases in the Supreme Court functioning can be improved with simple
are more than five-year-old. tweaks
▪ Fast disposal of the cases reduces the ▪ Therefore, it is time that the judiciary as
credibility and efficiency of judgement. an institution opens itself to the services of
▪ And the pendency causes the ignorant and competent external agencies that can
the victims to wait too long for the justice. help them record, manage and analyse
▪ Listing system of cases in the court is seen their data better, to build and sustain a
to be inefficient in causing huge backlog. healthy institution.
What can be done?

Reforming higher education

▪ The government is set to replace the apex colleges, the Ministry of Human Resource
higher education regulator, University Development (MHRD) will be responsible
Grants Commission (UGC), with a higher for funding universities and colleges.
education commission by repealing the ▪ Another key feature is that the Regulator
UGC Act, 1951, for better administration of will have powers to enforce compliance to
the HE sector. the academic quality standards and will
The Draft Bill have the power to order closure of sub-
▪ The draft bill takes away funding standard and bogus institutions.
powers from the proposed regulator ▪ Moreover, non-compliance could result
and gives it powers to ensure academic in fines or even a jail sentence (Till now,
quality. the UGC had no such powers. All it could
▪ While Higher Education Commission of do was to release a list of bogus
India (HECI) will be in charge of ensuring institutions and not recognise their
academic quality in universities and degrees)

Page | 26
▪ All institutions approved by the UGC will appointments to critical leadership
have to comply with the academic positions at the institutional level
standards laid down by HECI within three irrespective of university started under
years after the new law is passed by any law.
Parliament and notified by the union Significance
government. ▪ The transformation of the regulatory set-
▪ If an institution fails to do so, its approval up is based on the principles of minimum
will be revoked. government and maximum governance,
Composition separation of grant functions, end of
▪ The HECI will have a Chairperson, a Vice- inspection raj and focus on the academic
Chairperson and 12 other members to be quality.
appointed by the central government, ▪ The draft Act is in accordance with
including ex officio members, eminent commitment of the government for
academics and a doyen of industry. reforming the regulatory systems that
▪ Of the 12 members, three members will provide more autonomy to higher
represent union government namely: education institutes to promote excellence
secretary of higher education, secretary of and facilitate holistic growth of the
ministry of skill development and education system.
entrepreneurship and secretary, ▪ UGC staff would be retrained to adapt to
department of science and technology. the HECI regime, which would be fully
▪ The secretary of the commission will act as digital and do away with file work.
the member-secretary. Other plans to reform Higher Education sector
Functions ▪ Over the last four years, the HRD ministry
▪ HECI is tasked with the mandate of has deliberated on several models like a
improving academic standards with single regulator for higher education by
specific focus on learning outcomes, merging UGC, National Council of Teacher
evaluation of academic performance by Education (NCTE) and All India Council for
institutions, mentoring of institutions, Technical Education (AICTE); however,
training of teachers, promote use of the plans were not taken forward.
educational technology, etc. ▪ Once the HECI Bill is passed by Parliament,
▪ It will develop norms for setting standards the technical education regulator AICTE
for opening and closure of institutions, and the teachers education regulator
provide for greater flexibility and NCTE will also be reformed on similar
autonomy to institutions, lay standards for lines.

Turning the Tables on TB

Tuberculosis (TB) ▪ Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) - Drug


▪ An infectious Bacterial disease caused by resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampicin,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. known as first line drugs to treat TB.
▪ Contagious and spreads through air when ▪ There is an increase in MDR TB cases both
infected person coughs or sneezes. globally and in India in last 10 years.
▪ Affects the Respiratory system, especially ▪ Fluroquinolones are a class of drugs also
the lungs. used in TB treatment.
Drug Resistant Strains ▪ Extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) -
▪ TB causing bacteria showing resistance to MDR-TB with additional resistance to at
drugs which are generally used to treat least one fluoroquinolone and one second
them. line inject-able drug.

Page | 27
Global TB Report ▪ Quality of treatment and support system
▪ Released by World Health Organisation needed are absent in private sector.
(WHO) every year since 1997. ▪ Extension of DST to private sector is
▪ 2017 report mentions 10.4 million new TB needed.
cases worldwide by 2016. ▪ Engaging with private sector is needed for
▪ India tops with 27.9 lakhs TB patients in fighting MDR TB.
2016, roughly 27% of global TB cases. ▪ Mumbai, Patna and Meshna (Gujarat)
▪ Patients having MDR TB is also high in shows successful engagement of Private
India. sector.
▪ Underreporting and under-diagnosis of India s Strategy to TB
the disease, a serious problem. ▪ Eliminate TB by 2025 via the National
▪ Globally treatment success remains low at Strategic Plan (NSP) in the period: 2017-
54%, where in India it is lower than that. 2025 (WHO defines elimination as less
National Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance than 1case of TB for 1 million people)
survey (2014-2016) ▪ Revised National TB Control Programme
▪ India s first National survey of drug provides the treatment formulated by the
resistance to TB. government sector.
▪ Conducted by Ministry of Health and ▪ NSP s ambitious target may require
Family Welfare. doubling of funding.
▪ The survey is the largest National drug ▪ CB-NAAT, which is a diagnostic tool, will
resistant TB survey ever conducted by any be rolled-out across the country.
country. ▪ Bedaquiline and Delamanid, used in
▪ Released report on (World TB day) March treating MDR TB are also scheduled to roll
24, 2018. out.
Findings of the survey What is CB-NAAT?
▪ More than 6% of TB patients have MDR ▪ A molecular test which detects the DNA in
TB. TB bacteria. It detects the genetic
▪ It includes 3% of new cases and 12 % of mutations associated with resistance to
patients with TB. the drug Rifampicin
▪ Resistance to fluoroquinolones is 22%. ▪ Uses sputum sample and can give a result
Short comings of the Survey in less than 2 hours.
▪ It surveyed limited patients of over 5000. Global Strategy
▪ Only from the public sector excluding the ▪ Ending TB epidemic is a Sustainable
private sector. Development Goal (3.3) by 2030.
How to test for MDR-TB? ▪ WHO s End TB strategy adopted by World
▪ Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) is done to Health Assembly in 2014
determine if a patient has MDR-TB. ▪ It aims at reducing TB incidence by 80%,
▪ In enables diagnosis and treatment deaths by 90% and the total catastrophic
promptly and used only in existing TB high costs.
risk patients of MDR TB Way Forward
▪ In 2017, Government introduced universal ▪ The engagement with private sector model
DST in 19 states, removing such in India will help in conducting similar
restrictions on use of DST. drug resistance survey over them.
Need for Public-Private Partnerships ▪ Future extension of Universal DST to
▪ 50% to 60% of TB patients are treated in private sector.
private sector. ▪ The pace and scale of the implementation
needs a boost.

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Triggered By Air

▪ A recent research found out the direct diameter and is the main component of
relationship between pollution and urban pollution.
Diabetes. ▪ It enters the blood stream through Lungs.
▪ Rise in pollution levels directly results to ▪ It results in reduced production of insulin
the rise in Diabetes, especially in low and inflammation of Lungs, consequently
income countries. resulting in increase of the Diabetic
Diabetes population.
▪ Commonly known as Diabetes mellitus is a Permissible Limits
long term condition in which the person ▪ World Health Organisation set 10
has high blood glucose level. microgram per cubic metre as the
▪ High blood sugar is either due to the concentration of pollutants (PM 2.5)
inadequate secretion of insulin or because permissible in the air.
the body s cells do not respond properly to ▪ However, concentration of 12 microgram
insulin, or both conditions. per cubic metre of PM 2.5 in air is enough
▪ Frequent urination, thirstiness and to increase the diabetic risk.
hungriness are common symptoms. ▪ In India though, 40 microgram per cubic
Types of Diabetes Mellitus metre is the limit which is considered safe.
▪ Type 1 Diabetes ▪ In cities like Delhi it exceeds 100.
o No insulin production in the body Rising Trends
and Insulin must be taken ▪ Air pollution (PM 2.5) added 3.2 new
regularly. million diabetic cases in 2016.
o Usually develops in childhood and ▪ That is 14% of all new diabetic cases in
in adolescence but also in adults at 2016, of which India s shares 20% of all
times. those new cases.
▪ Type 2 Diabetes ▪ Pollution linked diabetes caused more
o Inadequate production of Insulin than 2 lakh deaths in 2016.
in the body or the inability of cells ▪ Global PM 2.5 average stands at 42.3
to use the insulin produced. micrograms per m3. Whereas, Indian
o Proper diet, physical activity and average stands at 72.6 micrograms per
medications should be followed. m3.
o Usually develops in adults, but DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years)
children can also be affected ▪ The measure of life lost due to sickness,
▪ Gestational diabetes disease or any disability due to them.
o A temporary condition that occurs ▪ India tops the list in DALY due to pollution
during pregnancy. linked diabetes.
o 3-20% of pregnant women ▪ India lost 1.625 million years of healthy
develop gestational diabetes. life where global average is 8.2 million
o It generally resolves once the baby years.
is born. Way Forward:
o However, having gestational ▪ Higher economic growth leads to higher
diabetes may increase the risk of pollution burden on the world.
developing diabetes for both ▪ Developing and under developed
mother and child. countries are the ones which suffers this
Pollution linked Diabetes burden more.
▪ Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) is made of ▪ Modest reduction in levels of PM 2.5 will
fine dust particles less than 2.5 microns in lead to reduction in diabetic cases in India.
Page | 29
Linked By Light

▪ Quantum Theory is the science dealing ▪ Einstein was awarded Nobel Prize in 1921
with the behaviour of energy and matter for his paper on Photoelectric effect (PE).
on the scale of atomic and sub-atomic Photoelectric effect
levels. ▪ When light rays or photons fall on a metal
▪ It helps to study the matter and energy at surface it leads to emission of electrons.
its most fundamental level. ▪ It is transfer of energy from light or
▪ Max Planck, for his contributions was photons to electrons.
called father of Quantum Physics. ▪ Change in the intensity of light can change
▪ Black body radiation modelled by him the kinetic energy of the electrons.
aroused the idea of particle nature of light. Quantum Optics and the Future
Quantum Theory ▪ Quantum optics is the study of behaviour
▪ Both light and matter consists of tiny of light at the atomic and subatomic level.
particles which have wave like properties. ▪ The recent detection of Gravitational
▪ Light is composed of Photons whereas waves by LIGO (Laser Interferometer
matter is composed of electrons, protons Gravitational Wave Observatory) led to
and neutrons. extension of another dimension.
▪ When the mass of the particle gets small to To explore in the future
a certain level, its wave property shows ▪ Crystals are solids that show a repeating
up. arrangement in space of a basic structure,
Einstein & Photoelectric effect the unit cell.
▪ The Quantum Theory of Light explains the ▪ Subjects such as time crystal , importance
particle nature of Light. of nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond
▪ It was a great leap in quantum physics ▪ Time crystals show the same both in space
with the help of Albert Einstein who and time.
discovered it. ▪ Diamonds are used in building quantum
computers.

Risky Recourse

Why in News? non-performing assets rising beyond a


▪ The Insurance Regulatory and threshold.
Development Authority of India (IRDA) What is Prompt Corrective Action?
has approved a proposal to allow the Life ▪ RBI has issued a policy action guideline in
Insurance Corporation of India to increase the form of Prompt Corrective Action
its stake in the ailing state-owned IDBI PCA Framework if a commercial bank s
Bank to 51%. financial condition worsens below a mark.
Background ▪ The PCA framework specifies the trigger
▪ The plan envisages the insurer injecting points or the level in which the RBI will
much- needed capital into the financially intervene with corrective action. This
stressed lender. trigger points are expressed in terms of
▪ IDBI was placed under the Reserve Bank parameters for the banks.
of India s prompt corrective action What are those parameters?
framework in May 2017 because of its ▪ Capital to Risk weighted Asset Ratio
(CRAR)

Page | 30
▪ Net Non-Performing Assets (NPA) and operative banks, non-banking financial
▪ Return on Assets (RoA) companies (NBFCs) and FMIs.
▪ Leverage ratio Critical Assessment
What happens upon reaching the threshold? ▪ There is a certain level of
▪ When these parameters reach the set 'Interconnectedness' in the financial
trigger points for a bank (like CRAR of 9%, system, and the proposed transaction may
6%, 3%), the RBI will initiate certain expose the entire system to adverse risks.
structured and discretionary actions for ▪ The risks in increasingly banking on state-
the bank. controlled cash-rich corporations to help
▪ As per the revised framework by the RBI, bail out other state-owned companies or
capital, asset quality and profitability lenders are significant, and may have an
continue to be the key areas for adverse impact on the fiscal discipline.
monitoring. ▪ The IRDA is reported to have exempted
▪ Along with this, the leverage of banks also the LIC from the well-reasoned 15% cap
will be monitored. on the extent of equity holding an insurer
Restrictions can have in a single company. This puts at
▪ There are 2 types of restrictions: risk the interests of the premium-paying
mandatory and discretionary. customers of the LIC.
▪ Restrictions on dividend, branch ▪ The SEBI has in the past waived the
expansion, director s compensation, are mandatory open offer requirement under
mandatory while discretionary its takeover regulations when it involved a
restrictions could include curbs on lending state-run acquirer and another state
and deposit. enterprise as the target. This may have a
Applicability negative impact on small investors.
▪ The PCA framework is applicable only to
commercial banks and not extended to co-

One Year After

Why in News? India by integrating the major existing


▪ July 1st 2018 marked the first anniversary indirect taxes of the centre & the states.
of the Goods and Services Tax. ▪ It is a comprehensive tax levied on the
manufacture, sale, and consumption of
goods and services.
▪ It is collected on value-added goods &
services at each transactional stage of the
supply chain or process.
Salient Features of GST
Destination-Based Tax
▪ It is a destination based consumption tax.
▪ This means that tax accrues to the State or
the Union Territory where the
What is GST? consumption takes place.
▪ Taxes are generally two types – indirect Dual GST
taxes and direct taxes. Indirect taxes are ▪ It is a dual GST with the Centre and States
taxes on goods and services. simultaneously levying tax on a common
▪ The Goods and Services Tax, (GST) is a tax base.
major indirect tax reform introduced in

Page | 31
▪ The GST to be levied by the Centre on ▪ The Union Minister of State in charge of
intra-State supply of goods or services is Revenue or Finance, and
called the Central GST (CGST) and that ▪ The Minister in charge of Finance or
levied by the States & Union territories is Taxation or any other Minister, nominated
called the State GST (SGST) & Union by each state government
territory GST (UTGST) respectively. GST Council Decision Making
Applicability ▪ The decisions of the GST Council will be
▪ It applies to all goods other than alcoholic made by a three-fourth majority of the
liquor for human consumption and five votes cast.
petroleum products, viz. petroleum crude, ▪ The centre shall have one-third of the
motor spirit (petrol), high-speed diesel, votes cast, and the states together shall
natural gas and aviation turbine fuel. have two-thirds of the votes cast.
▪ It applies to all services barring a few Benefits of GST
specified services. ▪ GST aims to make India a common market
▪ The list of exempted goods and services with common tax rates and procedures
are common for the Centre and the States. and remove the economic barriers thus
Threshold Exemption paving the way for an integrated economy
▪ Taxpayers with an aggregate turnover in a at the national level.
financial year up to Rs.20 lakhs are exempt ▪ By subsuming most of the Central and
from tax. State taxes into a single tax for the
▪ For the 11 Special Category States the transactions across the entire value chain,
exemption threshold is Rs. 10 lakhs. it would mitigate the ill effects of
Composition levy cascading, improve competitiveness and
▪ Small taxpayers with an aggregate improve the liquidity of the businesses.
turnover in a financial year up to Rs. 50 ▪ GST is expected to bring buoyancy to the
lakhs shall be eligible for composition levy. Government Revenue by widening the tax
▪ Under the scheme, a taxpayer shall pay tax base and improving the taxpayer
as a percentage of his turnover during the compliance.
year without the benefit of Input Tax ▪ The strongest sign of this is the entry of
Credit (ITC) over . million entities in the country s
▪ A taxpayer opting for composition levy tax net, many of which would have so far
shall not collect any tax from his been part of the cash-driven, informal
customers nor shall he be entitled to claim economy.
any input tax credit. The composition ▪ This expansion of the tax net will also help
scheme is optional. increase direct tax collections.
Use of Input Tax Credit GST - Major Concerns
▪ Taxpayers are allowed to take credit of I-T Preparedness
taxes paid on inputs (input tax credit) and ▪ Small-scale Enterprises (which is a major
utilize the same for payment of output tax driver of Indian economy) may have
GST Network (GSTN) trouble in making the transition to an
▪ A Special Purpose Vehicle called the GSTN online IT platform and expect no errors in
has been set up to cater to the needs of return filing.
GST. ▪ After its initial days were marred by
▪ GSTN provides a shared IT infrastructure stuttering IT systems, the deadline for
and services to Central and State filing returns was pushed forward till most
Governments, taxpayers and other taxpayers got a hang of the system and the
stakeholders for implementation of GST. GST Network could augment its capacity.
GST Council composition ▪ A unique component envisaged in India s
▪ The Union Finance Minister (as Chairman) GST regime, matching of invoices for

Page | 32
granting tax credits, has been kept on hold ▪ It is also imperative that rates not be
for fear of adding to taxpayers transition tinkered with too often and pricing
pains. disputes should not be a default option
Tax Slabs under anti-profiteering norms for
▪ The industry had anxieties about the industry.
multiple tax rates, ranging from zero to ▪ In its second year, the GST Council must
28%, with a CESS on demerit goods. pursue a time-bound approach to execute
▪ But gradually, the number of goods under plans already announced to ease
the 28% bracket has been brought down taxpayers woes, such as an e-wallet for
to 50 from around 200. exporters and a simpler return form.
Way Forward ▪ Besides, there must be a road map to bring
▪ The tax slabs should be reduced. If not a excluded products — petroleum, real
single rate, there is certainly room for estate, electricity, alcohol — into the GST
collapsing at least two of the current rates. net.

Gearing up for space wars

Why in News? Disarmament to negotiate a treaty


▪ U.S. President Donald Trump recently prohibiting the weaponisation of outer
announced the creation of a space force space. Other countries, including Pakistan,
or a sixth branch of the American armed have supported the proposal.
forces. ▪ The Conference on Disarmament, which
What is the Outer Space Treaty ? functions by consensus, has been unable to
▪ The treaty entered into force in 1967 and move forward on China's proposal
forms the basis of international space law. because of the opposition of some
▪ The Outer Space Treaty represents the countries, primarily the US which claims
basic legal framework of international that there is not an arms race in outer
space law. space and thus there is no need for such
▪ Among its principles, it bars party-states negotiations.
from placing weapons of mass destruction Background
in Earth orbit, installing them on the Moon ▪ The imperative by America to build space
or any other celestial body, or otherwise weapons goes back to the Cold War, an
stationing them in outer space. example being the Strategic Defense
▪ As of April 2018, 107 countries are parties Initiative of the Reagan Administration.
to the treaty, while another 23 have signed ▪ The creation of the new force represents
the treaty but have not completed an important shift at least at an
ratification. institutional level.
Prevention of an arms race in outer space Reasons to not fear
(PAROS) ▪ However it is important to note that the
▪ In 1959, the UN General Assembly President's verbal order does not
established the Committee on the Peaceful necessarily translate into something more
Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). UN since concrete.
then has adopted a number of resolutions ▪ The creation of a sixth branch of the
calling for negotiations to prevent an arms military to join the Army, Navy, Air Force,
race in outer space. Marine Corps and Coast Guard would
▪ China has proposed the establishment of require congressional authorization and
an ad hoc committee in the Conference on approval.

Page | 33
Key Issue ▪ China has responded by stating that it
▪ The fundamental difficulty of a space corps opposes the weaponisation of space.
is that the physical environment of space ▪ However it has its own space military
is not conducive to the conduct of military programme, which i s dedicated to
operations without incurring serious building Assassin Mace technologies an
losses in the form of spacecraft and debris. array of kinetic and non-kinetic means of
▪ And despite efforts to make spacecraft attack) —that help win wars rapidly.
more fuel efficient, the energy ▪ Russia has stated clearly that it will
requirements are enormous. vigorously take on the U.S. However, given
▪ Further, the technical demands of its lack of the resources for competition, it
defending assets in space make the will in all probability, for tactical reasons,
possibility of dominance and space as a align itself with China.
domain for war-fighting unrealistic. Implications for India
US Domestic Views ▪ India is officially committed to PAROS, or
▪ First, it could undercut ongoing missions. the prevention of an arms race in outer
▪ Second, it could very well increase space, it is yet to formulate a credible
budgetary allocations in the future. official response to the Trump plan.
▪ Third, a space corps could undermine ▪ Also India has yet to establish a credible
American efforts in the domain of joint space command of its own. And, its inter-
warfare. services rivalries will have to be resolved
▪ A new space force is not merely a brand about the command and control.
new service; it potentially increases ▪ China's reaction to USA's space force could
greater organizational uncertainty within be far stronger than anticipated in
the U.S. military. addition to this it already possess a
▪ The military and Congress have warned formidable space military programme that
against the plan. far exceeds current Indian capabilities
China and Russia s responses

Page | 34
Yojana (July) – Part I
Affordable Housing

▪ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) or ▪ Electricity connection


Affordable Housing For All Mission was ▪ Tapped water connection
launched in 2015 ▪ Door-to-door waste collection
▪ It aims to build 1.2 crore affordable homes Redefining the Role of the State
with water connection, toilet facilities, ▪ In India we were never short of ideas
24x7 electricity supply and access in published through numerous papers and
urban centres by 2022. recommendations from the bureaucracy.
▪ The mission is divided into two parts ▪ The success of PMAY (U) has been in its
PMAY (Gramin) comes under Rural implementation which includes constant
Development and PMAY (Urban) which and consistent monitoring and evaluation.
falls under Ministry of Housing and Urban PMAY (U) Implementation
Affairs. There are four verticals
PMAY vs. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban ▪ In-Situ Slum Redevelopment
Renewal Mission (JNNURM) ▪ Affordable Housing In Partnership (AHP)
▪ Under JNNURM (2004-2014) only 13.46 ▪ Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)
lakh homes were sanctioned and 5.65 lakh ▪ Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC)
were occupied. Coverage &
▪ In 4 years under PMAY (U) 47.5 lakh ▪ It covers people from all walks of life from
homes were sanctioned and 8 lakh homes slum dwellers to middle income groups.
were handed over. ▪ It also gives option to the people to choose
▪ PMAY (U) home can be registered under which vertical is best for them. It is an
the lady of house or jointly. example of bottom up approach.
Enhancing Urbanization Cooperative federalism
▪ Today agriculture employs over 40% but ▪ The PMAY is an example of cooperative
contributes only 16.4% to GDP whereas federalism and the state governments can
the services sector contributes 55.2 % to themselves accord approvals for projects
the GDP unlike the earlier housing schemes.
▪ The nature of service sector is such that it Government as Catalyst
is found in urban areas and people seeking ▪ Affordable housing was given
employment in service sector would move infrastructure status
to urban areas. ▪ To boost financing Affordable Housing
▪ It is estimated that by 2030, almost 600 Fund has been created under the National
million Indians or 40% of population will Housing Bank
live in urban areas. ▪ To encourage private participation, 100%
Comparison with SDG deductions of profits for Affordable
▪ Goal 11 of SDG envisages making cities Housing Projects is provided
and human settlements safe, resilient and Hazards of earlier times
sustainable. ▪ politician-bureaucrat-builder nexus fixed
▪ PMAY (U) was planned even before SDG the rules
was announced ▪ individual wanting to buy house was
▪ Moreover, the target in PAMY (U) is 2022 forced to indulge in corruption
whereas for SDG it is 2030. ▪ no guarantee that property would be
Definition of home under PMAY handed over to true owner
▪ Functional toilet A regulatory framework to end this

Page | 35
▪ Real Estate ( Regulation and Deregulation ▪ To meet the urban demand, India needs to
) Act 2016 or RERA has been passed and a build 700-900 million square meters of
regulator for real estate sector was residential and commercial space every
established year till 2030 which is like building a new
▪ The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code bars Chicago every year.
willful defaulters from submitting a ▪ The success of PMAY (U) needs to looked
resolution plan and puts home buyer in conjunction with other urban schemes
alongside financial creditors thus like: Swachh Bharat Mission, Atal mission
removing corrupt actors in this sector. for rejuvenation and urban transformation
Conclusion (AMRUT), and Smart cities mission

Universal Village Electrification in 1000 Days

▪ In 2015 it was announced that the Strategy


remaining 18500 odd un-electrified ▪ Proper identification of villages with
villages in the country would be electrified census 2011 code
within 1000 days. ▪ Solar PV based off-grid solutions for
▪ The primary recognized administrative remote/inaccessible villages
unit in rural areas is a census village and o Villages in remote areas,
the first step was to provide electrification o Areas with difficult terrain in snow
to all census villages. bound hills or deep forest
▪ Access to electricity alone is not sufficient, o Left Wing Extremism affected
ensuring quality and reliability of power areas
supply is essential to meet the ▪ Standard bidding documents
expectations of rural people. ▪ Innovative financing
▪ The government launched the Deen Dayal o Ministry of Power raised money
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). through issue of bonds
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana o Through financial institutions like
(DDUGJY) PFC and REC.
The scheme envisages: ▪ Flexibility to states for execution of works
▪ Electrification of un-electrified villages o States were given adequate liberty
▪ Intensive electrification of already to execute projects as per the
electrified villages to provide access to diverse geographical, demographic
households and other conditions
▪ Strengthening and augmentation of sub- o One size fits all approach was not
transmission and distribution followed.
infrastructure to improve quality and ▪ Handholding states/Discoms
reliability of power supply o Nodal agency opened office in
▪ Feeder separation to provide assured almost all states to interact on
power supply to farmers daily basis & provide help in
▪ Metering of feeders, distribution organizing
transformers and consumers to facilitate o Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta was
energy audit and reduction of losses appointed at village/district level
Planning to assist Discom/power dept. in
▪ The task of electrification under DDUGJY monitoring and expeditious
was taken up in mission mode implementation.
▪ Detailed consolations were done with all ▪ Milestone based monitoring
stakeholders.
Page | 36
o The entire process was divided ▪ Inaccessibility and non-feasibility of
into steps right from award of conventional grid system
work, survey, material ▪ Difficult hill terrain
procurement, erection and ▪ Head loading of material over 1-10 days
commissioning etc. ▪ Material transportation by choppers
▪ Transparency and accountability ▪ Areas affected with left wing extremism
o Mobile app Garv was launched to activities
spread information regarding ▪ Forest clearance
progress on electrification in ▪ Railway clearance
public domain created an Way forward
enhanced accountability system ▪ The dynamism of the project can be
▪ Regular review and monitoring accessed from the fact that 9 states found
o A system for review and another 1227 un electrified villages and
monitoring was established at that villages too were electrified
centre; state and DISCOM level ▪ With the support of all stake holders the
Progress task was completed within the stipulated
▪ Progress on village electrification time of 1000 days
improved exponentially during 2015-16 What next?
where 7108 villages were electrified as The next target is to provide electricity to all
against households through the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli
o 2587 in 2012-13 Har Ghar Yojana – Saubhagya
o 1197 in 2013-14 ▪ To provide last mile connectivity and
o 1405 in 2014-15 service connections
Implementation Challenges and Remedial ▪ both urban and rural areas
Measures ▪ Achieve universal household
electrification by March 2019.

Page | 37
RSTV Corner

TEJAS: The Flying Daggers

▪ Indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas of No 45 dependency on foreign countries is


Squadron (The Flying Daggers) of Indian reduced.
Air Force (IAF) has formally commenced ▪ Inducting new aircraft need long trials and
operations from Sulur Air Force station in negotiation as we have seen in the case of
Tamil Nadu. Raphael, which may also fail contrary IAF
▪ Key Facts: Southern Air Command (SAC) need fighter aircraft in quick succession of
based at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala has time to maintain its operational
been entrusted with responsibility of capabilities.
integrating Tejas fighter aircraft in IAF ▪ Tejas is less expensive when compared to
operations. its foreign counterparts and it is also a
boost to make in Indian and self reliance in
defence technology.
▪ Once its Mark – I version inducted HAL can
start developing its upgraded version with
more capabilities.
Limitations
▪ Its engine is being imported from America
so its technology is not 100% indigenous.
▪ It is yet to get the Final Operation
Clearance.
Tejas fighter aircraft ▪ It is to replace MiGs aircraft which were
▪ Tejas is the 1st advanced fly-by-wire Light the most successful aircraft in their time,
Combat Aircraft (LCA) designed, so meeting the capability of Tejas to that of
developed and manufactured indigenously MiGs would be a tough call.
by state owned Hindustan Aeronautical ▪ Rate of production of HAL is too slow. It
Limited (HAL). may take years to form 2-3 squadrons.
▪ It was developed and manufactured under Conclusion
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, ▪ Though TEJAS aircrafts are not having
which began in the 1980s to replace 100% indigenous but looking the urgent
India s ageing MiG-21 fighters. operational requirement of IAF it is best
▪ It is lightweight single-seat multi-role jet option for now.
fighter and has been pegged as world s ▪ It becomes more crucial when Raphael
smallest and lightest supersonic fighter. deal is in ambiguity and impasse in
▪ It is powered by a single engine and is negotiations even if clear Indian will not
equipped with satellite-aided Inertial get even single aircraft before 2019
Navigation system. ▪ For now Tejas squadrons may be raised
Is Induction of Tejas worth the wait? but main stress must be given in its up
Positives gradation and developing more
▪ It is an indigenous aircraft which can be sophisticated aircraft in order to raise the
manufactured in the country, so operational capabilities and hone the
supremacy of Indian Air Force.

Page | 38
Delhi: The demand for statehood

▪ In a landmark verdict on the power tussle ▪ Delhi is the home of Indian parliament,
between the Delhi government and the Supreme Court and various embassies
Centre, a five-judge SC bench unanimously which needs Central control.
held that Lieutenant Governor does not ▪ The Balakrishnan committee report1987
have independent decision-making clearly denied giving state hood to Delhi.
powers, and is bound to act on the aid and ▪ The Centre gave Delhi a legislative
advice of the Council of Ministers. assembly without compromising on its
▪ It said all decisions of the Council of status of a union territory through 69th
Ministers, who are elected representatives constitutional amendment act.
of the people of Delhi, must be Way forward:
communicated to the LG but that does not ▪ When we look at examples from the world
mean his concurrence is required. over, the practice is the same.
▪ However the demand for Delhi statehood ▪ In Washington DC, there is only a mayor.
is still on. There isn t an elected government to avoid
Why Delhi cannot be given statehood? disruption in capital city.
▪ Delhi is the National capital and hence it ▪ When already a state government is
belongs to the union giving it separate provided and the judiciary restoring the
statehood will put Delhi under definition powers of elected government when
of state as per the constitution and not the disrupted, the demand for statehood is
Union territory which will cause huge purely political in nature.
disruption.

Tackling NPA: The New strategy

▪ Union Finance Minister approved the Sunil Committee for resolution of such bad
Mehta Committee s suggestions of a - assets within 90 days.
pronged strategy to tackle the Non- ▪ Resolution of consortium loans between Rs
Performing Assets (NPA). 50-500 crore within 180 days: It suggested
▪ The committee submitted its draft report the Bank Led Resolution Approach (BLRA)
titled 'Sashakt' to the Finance Ministry for loans between Rs 50 and Rs 500 crore.
with a strategy to tackle stress in the It also suggested constitution of an
banking sector. However, there is no Independent Screening Committee to
proposal or recommendation to create a examine resolution of such loans within
bad bank. 180 days and if there is no resolution in
▪ The recommendations now await the 180 days, then these bad assets will be
approval of the Reserve Bank of India moved to the National Company Law
(RBI) Tribunal (NCLT).
Recommendations of the Committee ▪ Resolution of loans above Rs 500 crore:
The 'Sashakt' Report highlights nine guiding The loans above Rs 500 crore will be dealt
principles aimed at the operational turnaround of via AMC/AIF-led resolution process. The
the banking sector. panel proposed creation of a national
▪ Resolution of bad assets below Rs 50 crore Asset Management Company (AMC) to
within 90 days: Banks will be required to take over such Non-Performing Assets
create a Focused Vertical for bad assets from banks.
below Rs 50 crore and set up a Steering
Page | 39
▪ Recommendations included creating come amid the mounting bad loans in the
platforms where banks can trade in system leading to bleeding balance sheets
bunched loan assets. of banks.
Creation of National Asset Management Significance
Company (AMC) ▪ The banks can now focus on core banking
▪ The committee suggested setting up of an activities of lending and growing their
AMC with an equity contribution from balance sheets.
banks, foreign funds and infrastructure ▪ They opine that the transfer of NPA
funds such as the National Infrastructure management to a specialised entity would
Investment Fund (NIIF) help clean up the long due loans and
▪ The AMC could be set up under an existing experts can help restructure the loans.
Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) As on March 31, 2018, bad loans across listed
▪ The National AMC will determine the price banks stood at over Rs 10 lakh crore. As per the
of individual accounts after due diligence RBI s recently released Financial Stability Report,
and once the asset is sold, turnaround the number of gross NPA ratio is set to rise by
specialists would be appointed. The asset March 2019 to 12.2 percent from 11.6 percent in
would be sold down to strategic buyers March 2018. And hence instead of setting a bad
over a period of time. bank expert companies will be able to handle NPA
▪ The plan to set up a national ARC or AMC better.
over and above existing private ARCs

Police Reforms: The challenges

▪ Recently Madras High court upheld the ▪ Numerous commission have given their
validity of providing one day off to the recommendations in past like Dharam
police. Veera commission, Julia Ruberio
▪ Police which is essential for the law and Committee, Soli Sorabjee Committee
order is facing crisis due to increased (Model code), SC 7 point
suicide of officers due to work pressure recommendations (Prakash Singh Case)
and hence urgent reformation is needed to etc.
protect the protectors. ▪ But ultimately, we need political will to
Challenges faced by the Police implement these.
Administrative Challenges What were 2006 SC directions?
▪ Too much political interference in police ▪ Establishing a State Security Commission
functioning (SSC) as a watchdog with members from
▪ Frequent transfers/postings the government, judiciary and the civil
▪ 24X7 working conditions; Low salary; No society. The commission was supposed to
respect. frame policies which make sure that state
▪ There are a total of about 1.8 million government does not exercise
police personnel employed by Indian state unwarranted influence or pressure on the
police organizations today and there are state police .
also 300,000 vacancies ▪ The order asked for tenure of DGP and
Logistical Challenges field officers to be fixed at two years.
▪ Lack of training However, Centre told the Supreme Court
▪ Weak infrastructure that states were misusing the SC direction
▪ Low people to police ratio. to give two-year tenures to directors
▪ Police is a state subject in Schedule VII general of police and were appointing
What to do?

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officers nearing retirement to the posts to commissions with all their reports
give them two additional years in service. gathering dust.
▪ A police establishment board, instead of ▪ But, it is imperative that more needs to be
the government, would deal with transfers done than mere structural changes within
of policemen. the system.
▪ It also asked for separation of ▪ It is essential to now look at the police as a
investigation and law and order units for service organization meeting those needs
speedy probe. of the society that are essential for safety,
Conclusion security, quality of life and peace.
▪ The demand for police reforms is over 100 ▪ Community involvement, problem
years old with the first such attempt made oriented policing and proactive policing
by Indian Police Commission of 1902-03 strategies need to be adopted in the
under British rule. changing scenario of society.
▪ Since then, there has seen 5 state
commissions and 6 national-level

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All India Radio – News Analysis

Actions to Curb Black Money

Background ▪ In addition to this, institutional


▪ The Finance Minister recently issued a mechanism such as RERA will also ensure
statement on the sudden spurt reported transparency and accountability and help
by the Swiss bank in the accounts of in curbing the menace of black money.
Indians. Steps taken by the Govt to curb black money
▪ He said that the govt will take action and ▪ Constitution of the Special Investigation
all the money that has been deposited Team (SIT) on Black Money under
might not necessarily be black money Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship of
What is black Money? two former Judges of the Hon ble Supreme
▪ Black money or black income refers to the Court
income that is not revealed to the tax ▪ Proactively engaging with foreign
authorities and thus has not paid any governments with a view to facilitate and
taxes. It is also called unaccounted money enhance the exchange of information
or illegal income. under Double Taxation Avoidance
▪ Black Money creates several problems. It Agreements (DTAAs)/Tax Information
decreases the govt. tax revenue, gives rise Exchange Agreements
to a parallel economy, used for drug (TIEAs)/Multilateral Convention etc
trafficking, terrorism funding, toppling ▪ Global efforts to combat black money-
governments etc. India has joined the Multilateral
Factors that lead to the creation of Black Competent Authority Agreement in
Money respect of Automatic Exchange of
▪ High Tax rates People generally tend to Information (AEOI) and also has an
hide their income to avoid payment of information sharing arrangement with
taxes. USA under its Foreign Account Tax
▪ Political Funding is another key area Compliance Act (FATCA ).
which promotes the creation of Black ▪ India has signed an agreement with
Money. Switzerland for automatic sharing of tax-
▪ If the foreign exchange rate regime is very related information from January 2019
stringent it also promotes the creation of with an aim to combat black money.
black money, since people may decide to ▪ Under the automatic information exchange
take the money out of the country through framework, confidentiality and data
illegal routes. protection requirements are to be strictly
▪ Black money is also generated through followed.
real estate transactions. ▪ This process will ensure that signatory
▪ In real estate, the sector which absorbs always maintains control over its
and generates maximum amount of black exchange partners and treatment of data
money, the uniform tax structure will exchanged as per OECD norms.
improve tax compliance by developers, Project Insight
local builders, property dealers, investors ▪ It is an integrated platform that will utilize
and occupiers. the vast amount of information easily
▪ The mandatory paper trail that GST will available on social media to conduct raids
create will go a long way in improving tax online rather than the traditional way of
compliance. conducting random searches, known as
tax raids.
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▪ It will primarily monitor high-value ▪ The biggest mission of demonetization
transactions, with a view to curbing the was described as fighting black money.
circulation of black money. ▪ However, demonetisation alone will not
Operation Clean Money fight black income. The most important
▪ Launching of Operation Clean Money on policy should be tax administration where
31st January 2017 for collection, collation the tax authorities can monitor
and analysis of information on cash expenditure and matching it with the
transactions, extensive use of information income of the respective individuals.
technology and data analytics tools for ▪ The effectiveness of demonetization
identification of high risk cases. against black money depends upon the
Income Disclosure Scheme follow-up and supportive measures were
▪ It provided a one-time opportunity to made by the government.
those who had not paid full taxes in the Impact of introduction of GST on Black Money
past. It had provided four-month window ▪ The implementation of GST which is an
for declaring undisclosed income or black indirect tax also had an effect on direct
money. taxes.
Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana ▪ It has helped in widening of the tax base
▪ Union Government s second income and increasing the taxes collections.
disclosure scheme (IDS) to allow tax ▪ Transparency in GST is ensured through a
evaders to come clean with unaccounted paper trail which can be accessed by the
wealth. income tax department.
▪ It provides for 50 per cent tax and ▪ The dual monitoring structure proposed
surcharge on declarations of unaccounted within GST, involving the Centre and the
cash deposited in banks. states will also curb income tax evasions.
Impact of Demonetization on Black Money

Rise in MSP and its Impact

Background ▪ It gives sufficient remuneration to the


▪ Giving a major boost for the farmers farmers, provides food grains supply to
income, the Cabinet Committee on buffer stocks and supports the food
Economic Affairs has approved the security programme through PDS and
increase in the Minimum Support Prices other programmes.
(MSPs) for all kharif crops for 2018-19. ▪ It is announced by the Government at the
What is MSP? beginning of the sowing season for certain
▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic crops. Support prices generally affect
Affairs (CCEA), Government of India, farmers decisions indirectly, regarding
determines the Minimum Support Prices land allocation to crops, the quantity of the
(MSP) of various agricultural commodities crops to be produced etc.
in India based on the recommendations of ▪ It is in this angle that the MSP becomes a
the Commission for Agricultural Cost and big incentive for the farmers to produce
Prices (CACP). more quantity.
▪ MSP is the price at which government The minimum support price is aimed to
purchases crops from the farmers. It helps ▪ Assure remunerative and relatively stable
to incentivize the framers and thus price environment for the farmers by
ensures adequate food grains production inducing them to increase production and
in the country. thereby augment the availability of food
grains.

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▪ Improve economic access of food to the impact of hike in MSP could be
people. aggravated.
▪ Evolve a production pattern which is in Issues with Agricultural policy
line with overall needs of the economy. ▪ India should prepare towards becoming a
Rationale behind increase in MSP supplier of superior quality food across
▪ The Historic move to increase MSP by 50% the globe.
in almost all crops covered under MSP ▪ However the present agricultural policies
fulfilled the promise made in this year s are such that they distort the cropping
budget that MSPs would be determined on pattern and are not in line with the agro-
the principle that the harvest should get climatic conditions of our country.
the farmers 150% of the cost of planting ▪ Hence a balanced approach to
and tending to the crop. policymaking must be evolved such that it
▪ This year s increase in support prices for is not entirely consumer centric or
the Kharif, or summer-sown, crops are the exclusively producer centric but optimal in
highest ever, and would help fulfill the ensuring that the prices are aligned to
objective of doubling farmers income by global levels.
2022. ▪ We have been restricting the export of
▪ The increase in MSP will result in higher various food items so as to keep our
disposable income in the hands of rural domestic prices low, this prevents the
consumers. This would certainly boost farmers from realizing that exists in the
consumer sentiments in the hinterland all global market.
also give a push to the rural economy. ▪ Keeping on increasing the MSP without
Drawbacks investing in agricultural infrastructure and
▪ There will be dual impact. Prices of raw strengthening the back-end supply chain
materials could go up which in turn could will make us non-competitive in the global
result in price hikes. At the same time, market.
higher farm income will lead to an Way Forward
increase in consumption across segments. ▪ The hike in MSP will boost the rural
▪ Analysts say that higher MSP would have economy to a certain extent.
an impact on the fiscal deficit, increase ▪ However, in the long term, farmer's
inflation and put pressure on the central prosperity and increase in productivity
bank to raise rates. and efficiency will come only when the
▪ On the other hand some experts believe Farmers are able to capture as much as the
that the hike in MSP alone will have a Value addition that happens before the
marginal impact on Inflation and Fiscal product reaches the consumer.
deficit. ▪ The huge expenditure towards MSP,
▪ However considering the global scenario - subsidy and insurance schemes should be
depreciation of rupee, potential rise in oil channelised towards in creating
prices, and an impending global trade war, infrastructure and development of
backend supply chain.

4th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Ayog

About NITI Ayog providing both directional and policy


▪ NITI Ayog is the premier policy 'Think input.
Tank' of the Government of India, ▪ While designing strategies and long term
policies and programmes for the

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government of India, NITI Aayog also Sikkim, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West
provides relevant technical advice to the Bengal and Andhra Pradesh to work
centre and states. together to make recommendations on a
Structure coordinated policy approach on the
▪ Chairperson - Prime Minister of India subject of Agriculture and MNREGA .
▪ Governing Council - It comprises of the ▪ Farmers issues such as Doubling Farmers
chief ministers of all states, Chief Ministers income by 2022 and Farmer distress is
of UT with legislatures (Delhi and high on the agenda of both centre and
Pondicherry) and Lt. Governors of other states.
UT. ▪ The PM encouraged States to explore
▪ Regional Council - These are formed to opportunities to increase corporate
address specific issues and contingencies investment in agriculture, such as in food
impacting more than one state or a region. processing, warehousing and logistics.
▪ These are formed for a specified tenure. Terms of Reference of 15th Finance
They are convened by the Prime Minister Commission
and comprise of CM of states and Lt ▪ The Prime Minister took into
Governors of UT. consideration States concerns over the
▪ They are chaired by the Chairperson or its Terms of Reference of the Fifteenth
nominees. Finance Commission and encouraged
▪ Special Invitees - Experts, specialists and States to think of new ideas or a new
practitioners with relevant domain formula, which incentivizes states for their
knowledge. performance, such that if certain allocation
Cooperative Federalism is made to the states the stress should be
▪ The meeting of the Governing council acts on a result-oriented policy in a Mission
as a tool of cooperative federalism where Mode manner.
the centre and states come together to Developing the Agenda for New India -2022
review the progress of policies and ▪ NITI Aayog has been working on a number
schemes and to delegate upon the future of strategic papers and development
course of actions. agendas.
Highlights of the 4th Governing Council ▪ NITI Ayog has said that the foundation for
Meeting- freedom from 6 major issues facing the
Aspirational District Programme Indian Society - Poverty, dirt, corruption,
▪ It aims to quickly and effectively transform terrorism, casteism and communalism will
115 of India s most underdeveloped be laid by 2022 when India celebrates 75
districts. It will identify areas of immediate years of Independence.
improvement, measure progress, and rank 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
districts. ▪ All Chief Ministers expressed their
▪ PM reiterated the Union Government's commitment to celebrating the 150th
commitment to provide 100% coverage of Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a
seven flagship schemes to 45,000 befitting manner.
additional villages and those in 115 ▪ The Prime Minister in his closing remarks
Aspirational Districts by August 15th, said the best manner of showing respect to
2018. the Father of the Nation would be to not
▪ He urged States to identify 'Aspirational only achieve a 100% Open Defecation Free
blocks to take development to the (ODF) status for the country but also to
grassroots. make India free from dirt and squalor by
Agriculture and MNREGA October 2, 2019.
▪ The Prime Minister called upon the Chief $5 Trillion Economy
Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,

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▪ The PM called upon States to fix growth the other hand NITI Aayog s policies are
targets for their economies as the world shaped by a 'bottom up approach ' rather
looks towards India soon becoming a USD than a 'top down model'.
5 trillion economy. ▪ The planning commission was a cold war
▪ He advised the States to pay special era concept, a vestige of the socialist
attention to expanding their exports and world. In 2015 when the NITI Aayog was
attracting export oriented investment created, it was mandated with not only
while organizing their investments evolving policies but also tasked with their
summits and events. monitoring and implementation.
Review of key schemes ▪ Planning Commission was an advisory
▪ The Governing Council reviewed the body, and so is Niti Aayog. But the key
implementation of key programmes like difference between them is that while the
Ayushman Bharat, Electrification of former had powers to allocate funds to
Villages, Universal Immunization and ministries and states, for Niti Aayog, this
other development schemes. function will be of the finance ministry.
▪ Elaborating on the Union Government's Niti Aayog is essentially a think tank and a
guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka truly advisory body. The states participate
Vikas, he said that the schemes of the actively in the deciding the development
Union Government are no longer limited agenda.
to certain people, or to certain regions, ▪ The role of states in the planning
and are reaching everyone without commission era was limited. The states
discrimination, in a balanced way. annually needed to interact with the
Simultaneous election planning commission to get their annual
▪ The Prime Minister called for exploring plan approved. They had some limited
the possibility of holding simultaneous function in the National Development
and the advantages of a common voter list Council. Niti Aayog has given a boost to
for each State. cooperative federalism, all chief ministers
Difference between Planning Commission and of states and administrators of UT are part
NITI Ayog of its Governing Council, thus the states
▪ NITI Ayog replaced the erstwhile Planning have greater role and say in planning/
commission which was marked by a implementation of policies.
centre to state one-way flow of policy on

Increase in oil Production and Its impact

Background thus globally the oil production went


▪ In June 2016 the crude oil prices had come down by 2.8 million barrels per day,
down to 28$ from 110$ in 2014 . resulting in a hike in oil prices.
▪ In order to deal with the rapid fall in crude ▪ Recently the OPEC decided that the
oil prices, the OPEC which comprises of overheating of the oil market would be
the 14 member countries decided to cut detrimental in the long run and hence
their oil production by 1 million barrels decided to increase production.
per day. Problem with Iran
▪ Along with it came disruption in oil ▪ Iran which is the 3rd largest producer of oil
production from Venezuela , Libya and among the OPEC was initially against the
Angola which resulted in an additional increase in production. This is because
shortage of 1.8 million dollars per day, such a move along with the US sanctions

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being place on it would be highly so that domestic production goes up and
disruptive to its economy. dependence on oil imports is reduced.
▪ However , Iran has been assured that the ▪ There is also the need to promote foreign
increase in production will be introduced investment in India for oil production.
in a phased manner and will be restricted Steps taken by government for energy security
to 600,000 barrels per day so that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
global price cool but remain remunerative ▪ Central Government under phase I of SPR
at around 70$ per barrel. programme had announced to build three
Alternative resources to mitigate oil prices underground crude oil storage facilities
▪ Increase in domestic oil production in the with total capacity of 5.33 million tonnes
US will mitigate global crude oil prices at Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh),
because USA is one of the three major Mangalore (Karnataka) and Padur
importers of crude oil along with Japan (Kerala) to provide energy security of 10
and India. days of consumption in response to
▪ Also, if the Crude oil prices remain above external supply disruptions.
65$ Shale gas becomes commercially ▪ In 2017-18 budget, Government as part of
viable. phase 2 of SPR programme had announced
Indian Scenario to set up two more such SPR at
▪ When the crude oil prices were falling Chandikhole (Odisha) and Bikaner
since 2014, Indian economy was highly (Rajasthan)
benefitted. ▪ This will take the strategic reserve
▪ The tax revenues went up, the oil capacity to 15.33 million tons.
companies under recovery came down, ▪ The SPR are maintained by ISPRL, a
and the fiscal deficit was also under check special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is
largely because of oil taxes. wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry
▪ In the last few months the crude oil prices Development Board (OIDB) under
have gone up, and the government is Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas.
under pressure to reduce taxes, but it is in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy
the dilemma. (HELP)
▪ If it decides to reduce taxes, the fiscal ▪ HELP is a new policy adopted by
consolidation plan will be under threat. Government of India 2016 indicating the
Domestic Production new contractual and fiscal model for
▪ There is no sign of domestic production award of hydrocarbon acreages towards
going up. In fact in the last 6 yrs domestic exploration and production (E&P) . It will
crude oil production has been declining. help enhance domestic oil and gas
▪ This is because in the past few years when production and bring substantial
the oil prices were low, the government of investment
India did not go in for more discoveries, Salient Features of HELP
drilling and investment in assets abroad. ▪ Uniform License: It provides for a
▪ With no uptake in domestic production, uniform licensing system to cover all
the import bill will go up. hydrocarbons such as oil, gas, coal bed
▪ This combined with the falling rupee will methane etc. under a single licensing
create pressure on Current account deficit. framework, instead of the present system
▪ So the real concern on the oil side is not of issuing separate licenses for each kind
retail prices but macroeconomic of hydrocarbons.
management. ▪ Open Acreages: It gives the option to a
▪ In the long run the government should hydrocarbon company to select the
focus more on creating domestic oil assets exploration blocks throughout the year

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without waiting for the formal bid round receive a share of the gross revenue from
from the Government. the sale of oil, gas etc.
▪ Revenue Sharing Model -Under the new ▪ Marketing and Pricing Freedom has
regime, the Government will not be been granted, subject to a ceiling price
concerned with the cost incurred and will limit.

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