TLP 2019 Phase1 GS3 Compilation - IASbaba...• Changed planning process- Instead of fixed five year...
Transcript of TLP 2019 Phase1 GS3 Compilation - IASbaba...• Changed planning process- Instead of fixed five year...
TLP2019Phase1GS3
1.CommentuponthetransformationofIndia’splanningphilosophywitnessedinlastdecade.
Introduction:
India’splanningstrategyhasundergonesomemajorreformsinthelastdecade,includingoverhaulofentireplanningorganization,namelyPlanningCommissionanddiscontinuationofbasicplanningschemasforthecountry,five-yearplans.
Body:
Changeswitnessedinplanningphilosophy:
• Bottom-upapproach-FormationofNITIAayoghaschangedthedirectionofplanningprocessfromcentralizeddecisionmakingtodecentralizedoneinvolvinginputsfromthestates.
• Cooperativefederalism-AutonomytostatesinvariousfunctionsincludingfiscalmatterslikeGST.
• Inclusivegrowth-BoosttoMSMEsinsteadofjustheavyindustries,handholdingofinnovativestartups,specialschemesforvariousgroupslikeminorities,backwardclasses,manualscavengersetc.
• Emphasisonsocialjusticethroughdirectintervention-Insteadofsubsidies,focushasshiftedonmoredirectapproacheslikeMGNREGA,directbenefittransfer,Janaushadhiyojana,janarogyayojanaetc.
• Evaluationbasedplanning-Planningoutcomesareevaluatedonayearlybasisandmorefocusongovernanceandtransparency.
• Changedplanningprocess-Insteadoffixedfiveyearplans,long-term,medium-termandshort-termdocumentsonvision,strategyandactionagendahavebeenreleased.
• Protectionofenvironment-Earlierenvironmentwasneglectedintheplanninganddevelopmentprocess,nowitisanimportantelementwherenoprojectcantakeoffwithoutnecessaryenvironmentalaudits.
Conclusion:
Although,planningphilosophyhashadmajorchangesinthepastdecade,stillthebasicproblemslikespreadandqualityofeducation,poverty,unemployment,andstagnant
growthinvarioussectorsdopersist.Itistimetoshowmorepoliticalcommitmentintheproperimplementationofvariousplans.
Bestanswer:LuckyVerma
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2.Whatarethethreeprimarysourcesofgovernmentrevenue.Ineachoftheseareas,suggestvariousmeasurestoincreasethecorpus.
Introduction:
Fordevelopmentalandwelfareworksanddaytodayfunctioning,Governmentrequiresfinancialresources.Theseresourcesarecollectedprimarilyfromthreesourcesviz.DirectTaxrevenue,IndirectTaxrevenueandNontaxrevenue.
Body:
DirectTaxrevenue:
Adirecttaxispaiddirectlybyanindividualororganizationtotheimposingentity.Ataxpayer,forexample,paysdirecttaxestothegovernmentfordifferentpurposes,includingpropertytax,corporatetax,incometaxortaxesonassets,etc.
IndirectTaxrevenue:
Anindirecttaxiscollectedbyoneentityinthesupplychain(usuallyaproducerorretailer)andpaidtothegovernment,butitispassedontotheconsumeraspartofthepurchasepriceofagoodorservice.Theconsumerisultimatelypayingthetaxbypayingmorefortheproduct.BestexampleofthisisGoodsandServicesTax.
MeasurestoIncreasetheRevenueCorpus:
RevenuecanbeincreasedbyimplementingtherecommendationsoftheReportofTaxAdministrationReformsCommission(TARC)orDr.ParthsarathiShomeCommission.
Someothermeasures;ForDirectTaxrevenue:
• AdirecttaxcodeonthelinesofGSTtoincreasecompliancebase.• Makingtaxingmoreprogressivethanregressive.• UseofInformationandCommunicationtechnologies.
• StricterimplementationoflawsdealingwithtaxevasionandavoidancesuchasITact,GAARetc.
• Bringingprosperousfarmersundertaxation• Strengtheninginfrastructuralandhumancapacitiesofthestatesandlocal
governmentsaswell,toimprovetaxcollection.• ProperimplementationofinternationalagreementandmechanismslikeDTAA,
OECD’sBEPSetc.
ForIndirectTaxrevenue:
• OneoftheobjectivesofGSTwasenhancedrevenuecollection,butstilltherearechallengesinitsimplementationandcompliance.Removalofthesehurdleswillhelptoachievetargetedrevenuecollection.
• Devolutionofpowerstolocalgovernmentsforimposingtaxes.• PetrolanddieselshouldbeconsideredtobringintheambitofGST.• RationalisationofmultipletaxrateswithinGST
Nontaxrevenue:
Non-taxrevenuecomesfromthemoneyearnedbythegovernmentotherthantaxes,suchasprofitsanddividendsofPublicSectorUndertakings(PSU),revenuecollectedfromsaleofspectrum,royaltyoninlandpetroleum,feescollectedfromnationalhighways,interestsandothers.
Suchrevenuecanbeincreasedby:
• RevivingofailingPSUsthroughmoreautonomy,capitalisationandincreasingcompetitionwithinandwithprivatesector.
• Public-privatepartnerships(PPPs)willenhancetheefficiencyofpublicsectorunits.• ImprovingbusinessatmosphereinIndia(easeofdoingbusiness)whichwillresultin
highercreditratingandhigherconfidenceininvestmentingovernmentbondsetc.
Conclusion:
• Forgovernment,theneedtoraiserevenueswithatighteningfiscalpolicy,thatisincreasingtaxes,iscounterproductive,whilecuttingexpenditurewillslowdowngrowthandinvestments.
• Astructured,long-termplanwillnotonlyoutlinethecourseofactionbutalsohelpprovidepredictabilitytotheearningsofthegovernment.
• Governmenthasdonewelltoimplementtax-sidereformsintheformofGSTthatwillenhancethetaxrevenuesinthelongterm.Asimilarreforms-orientedapproachtowardsindirecttaxesandnon-taxrevenuescanhelpitdoabetterjobatbalancingthefiscaldeficitandpublicexpenditure,ensuringthatthegrowthmomentumisnotlost.
BestAnswer:Disha
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3.HowdoesregionalimbalanceinIndiaimpedeoveralleconomicdevelopment?Analyse.
Introduction:
Regionalimbalanceisthedisparityintheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentoftworegions.Regionalimbalancesmeanwidedifferencesinpercapitaincome,literacyrates,health,educationservicesandlevelsofindustrializationbetweendifferentregions.
Body:
Lackofinfrastructurefacilities,adversegeo-climateconditions,lowinvestmentrate,highrateofgrowthofpopulation,andlowlevelsofurbanizationandindustrializationarecausesofregionalimbalances.
Regionalimbalanceimpedeseconomicdevelopmentinthefollowingway:
1)Growthbecomesunsustainable:depressedruralagriculturalregionswithpovertyandunemploymentlowerpurchasingpowerofpeople.Asaresult,overalldemandintheeconomycomesdownaffectingothertwosectorsofeconomy.
2)Unproductiveuseofresourcesinbackwardregions:
• Additionalfinancialsupporttospecialcategorystateshasnotyieldedanydesiredresultsandhasfurtherperpetuatedpoorgovernance.Example:Bihardespitebeingmineralrichstatehaslowerlevelsofdevelopment.
• Lackofeducationandhealthinfrastructureresultintopoorsocialindicators.Andhencetheavailablehumancapitalisunabletocontributetothegrowthoftheregion.
3)Concentrationofindustriesinurbanareasalsoaffectseconomy:
• Overdevelopedurbanareaswithoversaturatedinfrastructuralcapacitiesnegativelyaffectindustriesbydiseconomiesofcongestionandhigherinfrastructurecostthusloweringtheircompetitiveness.
• Concentrationofinvestmentbygovernmentandprivatesectorinmajorcitiesareatriskduetonaturalcalamitieslikecyclones.Itresultsintomassiveeconomiclossesat
onegothusdiversionofresourcestorebuildthesegrowthcentres.Example:coastalcitieslikeChennaiarepronetocyclonicdisturbances.
4)Lackofinclusivegrowthleadstoriseinsocialunrest,conflictsandleftwingextremism.Thusneedsdiversionofgovernmentresourcestowardssecurity.
5)GrowthofRegionalism:growingdissentagainstlaboursfromotherstatesaffectindustries.Example:recentmigrantlabourissueinGujarat.LackofcheaplabouraffectsMSME’s.
Conclusion:
InIndiatoday,alargenumberofinter-state,inter-communityandtoagreatextentcentre-statetensionsarebecauseofthepersistenceofregionalimbalances.Theneedforthebalanceddevelopment,therefore,isimportantintheinterestofbothnationalintegrationandpeople’swelfarethrougheconomicdevelopment.
Bestanswer:DeepikaSharma
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4.Innovationisthekeytoeconomicgrowth.Doyouagree?Substantiate.
Introduction:
Innovationisn’tinvention.It’stheactofrefinementandrecalibrationtoachieveparticulargoals.Andwhenthegoaliseconomicgrowth,innovationisthesinglemostimportantfactorthatdistinguishesaprosperouseconomyfromanimpoverishone.
Body:
Fundamentallytherearetwowayofincreasingoutputofeconomy;first,increasethenumberofinputwhichgothroughtheproductiveprocess,second,thinknewwaysinwhichwecangetmoreoutputfromthesamenumberofinputsandthiscanbepossiblethroughinnovation
(1)Agriculture:only20%oflandiscultivableinIsraelafterthatalsotheycontribute2.5%ofGDPandproduced95%ofitsownfoodrequirement,thisisbecauseofinnovationlikedripagriculture,soilconditioneretc.
(2)Manufacturing:accordingtooxfordbusinessgroup,Thailandistherisingmanufacturinghubwhichcontributes9.3millionofjob,inIndonesiamanufacturingcontributeaquarterofGDPetc.allthesearepossiblebecauseoftheemploymentofinnovation.
(3)Tourism:Internet,informationtechnology,worldwidewebetc.revolutionizedthetourismsector,acrosstheworldcontributestoeconomicgrowth.
(4)E-commerce:thisisitselfaninnovationa“newidea”whichresultedinAmazon,FlipkartandWalmartandnowinIndiaitcontributes4%ofGDPetc.
(5)Educationandskill:Innovationineducationandskillingcancreatedemographicdividendbyfesteringcultureofdemographictemperament.
(6)Safety:Newreliablesafetyfeaturesinpublicoffices,schoolscanensurewomentoparticipateineconomicgrowth.
(7)Administration:Newinnovativewaysofpublicservicedeliverylikevideoconferencingwithgramsabhaetc.canreducetimelagindeliveryofservicesandensuregrowthofregionbutinnovationisalonecannotleadtoeconomicgrowth
(1)Acceptancebysociety:GMcropswereinnovateddecadesagobutstill,lotsofcountryincludingIndiaonitsacceptance.
(2)Investment:investmentandinnovationbothareaparalleltoeachother,foreconomicgrowthinnovationisneededandforinnovationinvestmentisneeded.
(3)Skill:countrieslikechina,AmericaarethinkingtoemploythenewinnovationlikeIOT,AIetc.IndiaandmanycountriesofSouthAsiadoesnothavetherequiredskillforthis,atlarge.
Conclusion:
ItisoftensaidthatAmericansbuiltroadsandtheroadsbuilttheAmerica.Atthetime,roadsdidn’toffermucheconomicreturnsandsoevenanideaasbasicasconnectingeveryplacewithasphaltroadswastrulyinnovative.Ultimatelyitdeliveredunimaginativeeconomicgrowthanddriveshomethepointthateventhesmallestofinnovationscarrythepotentialtodelivermassiveeconomicdividends.
Bestanswer:RanjanaSinghRathore
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5.Whatdoyouunderstandby‘inclusivegrowth’?Whatareitsdimensions?Discuss.
Introduction:
Inclusivegrowthiseconomicgrowththatcreatesopportunityforallsegmentsofthepopulationanddistributesthedividendsofincreasedprosperity,bothinmonetaryandnon-monetaryterms,fairlyacrosssociety.(OECD)
Body:
Inclusivegrowthmeanseconomicgrowththatcreatesemploymentopportunitiesandhelpsinreducingpoverty.Itmeanshavingaccesstoessentialservicesinhealthandeducationbythepoor.Itincludesprovidingequalityofopportunity,empoweringpeoplethrougheducationandskilldevelopment.Italsoencompassesagrowthprocessthatisenvironmentfriendlygrowth,aimsforgoodgovernanceandahelpsincreationofagendersensitivesociety.
Dimensionsofinclusivegrowth:
• Removinginequality• Creatingemployment• Reductioninpoverty• Healthservices• Goodgovernance• Empowerment• Skilldevelopment• Improvementinstandardofliving• Environmentfriendly• Regionaldisparities• Humandevelopment• Gendersensitivity
Note:Explanationforanyofthe7-8pointsisneededin1-2lines.
Conclusion:
Indiahastakenseveralstepstoensureinclusivegrowth,howeverseveraldeficiencieslikelackofpoliticalwill,bureaucraticdelays,leakagesandimpropercoveragedoexistintheimplementationoftherespectivepolicies.Takingcareofthesedeficienciesisthusimperativetotheinclusivegrowthofthenation.
Bestanswer:Thelion
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Alsorefer:
https://iasbaba.com/2017/11/iasbabas-mindmap-issue-inclusive-growth
6.Whatisvoteonaccount?Howisitdifferentfromnormalbudget?Discuss.
Introduction:
Voteonaccountunderarticle116oftheconstitutionofIndiaisakindofmechanismtowithdrawmoneyfromconsolidatedfromIndiatomeetdaytodayexpendituresofthegovernmenttillthebudgetispassedforthenewfinancialyear.
Body:
ItneedstobepassedbyLokSabhaandisgenerallygrantedfortwomonthsforanequivalentamountofone-sixthofthetotalestimate.
Annualfinancialstatement(popularlyknownasBudget)containsdetailsofbothreceiptsandexpendituresofthegovernment.UnionBudget(underarticle112)andstate’sbudget(underarticle202)providesforthereceiptsandexpendituretobeincurredinthenextfinancialyearaswellasdetailsofbudgetaryestimatesforthepresentandpreviousyears.
Avoteonaccountisdifferentfromthenormalbudgetinfollowingways
• Whilevoteonaccountisrequiredfortwomonthsandgrantedforone–sixthofthebudgetaryestimate,budgetprovidesdetailsofexpenditureandreceiptsforthreefinancialyears.
• Whilevoteonaccountistemporaryprovisiontomeetexpenditureuntilthebudgetispassed,Budgetisfinancialoutlaysofthegovernmentforthewholeyear.
• Whilevoteonaccountdealswithonlyexpendituresideofthegovernment,normalbudgetdealswithbothexpenditureandrevenuesideofthegovernment.
• Whilenochangesaremadetotaxanddutystructureandnewschemesarenotannouncedinvoteonaccount,inbudgetchangesaremadeandnewschemescanbeannounced
• Outgoinggovernmentpresentsvoteonaccountonlyinelectionyear,budgetispresentedineveryfinancialyear.
• VoteonaccountispassedbyLokSabhawithoutanydiscussion,budgetpassesafterdiscussionandvotingondemandforgrant.
Conclusion:
Thusitcanbesaidthatvoteonaccountisalsoimportantpartofbudgetaryprovisionoftheconstitutionforsuccessfulrunningofthegovernment.
Bestanswer:Monikasridevi
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7.TheimplementationofpostindependentIndia’sbiggesttaxreformi.e.theGoodsandServicesTax(GST)hascompletedmorethanayear.WhatareyourviewsontheimpactofGSTonIndia’sindustrialgrowth.
Introduction:
GSTthebiggesttaxreforminIndiafoundedonthenotionof“onenation,onemarket,onetaxcompletedayearonJune12018.
Body:
ImpactofGSTonindustrialgrowth
SimplifiedTransactionbasedValuation:GSTonlyconsiderstransaction-basedvaluation.Thismakeswayforeasiertaxcalculationaswellasfosterseasyandsimplecomplianceprocedures.
NoadditionalStateEntrytax:
GSTsubsumestheentrytaxforinter-statetransfers.Thiswillbenefitconsumersbyreducingthecostofgoodsandservices.Earlier,suppliershadtopayentrytaxwhentherespectivesuppliescrossedinterstateborders.Entrytaxchangedwithborders.ThisentrytaxwouldtrickledowntotheendcustomerasanadditiontotheactualSellingPriceofgood.GSTincreasesconsumerbenefitsbyeliminatingsuchtaxstructuresbybringingallstatesunderasingleunifiedtaxumbrella.
ImprovedCashFlows:
GSTenablesmanufacturerstoclaiminputtaxrebateongoods.Thisfacilitatescontinuouscashflowthatindirectlydrivesgrowth.However,thetimetakentocreditinputtaxrebatestorespectiveaccountsmustnotbelongenoughsothatitdrivesSMEsoutofoperations.
SingleandSimpleRegistrationProcess:
Undertheoldregime,manufacturersneededtoregisterforeachandeverymanufacturingfacilityseparatelyirrespectiveofthefactthattheymightbewithinthesamestateboundaries.GSTeliminatesthisloophole.Nowmanufacturersneednotregisterseparately.Rathertheyneedtodoasingleregistrationforallmanufacturingentitieswithinthesamestate.Ofcourse,differentstate-entitieswillrequireseparateregistrationsunderGSTtoo.
CascadeEffectFreeTaxStructure:
PriortoGST,ifyouwereamanufacturer,youwerebombardedwithawidespectrumoftax.SMEsinmanufacturingweresubjectedtoExciseDutyof12.5%;CentralStateTaxof2%andattimes5.5%VATwasalsolevied.GSTeliminatesthiscascadingstructurebyfixingtheGSTrateat18%.Also,GSTfacilitatesclaimofinter-statetransactiontaxes.Alltheseenablemanufacturerstolowerthecostofproduction.Manufacturerscannowpassonthebenefitstoconsumersintheformofreducedprices.
Efficientsupplychain:
Inafirstofitskindmove,GSTregimerequiresmanufacturerstorestructuretheirsupplychain.Previously,supplychainwasdesignedtoescapeTaxregimes.GSTbeingasingletaxregimeforcebusinesstodeploysupplychainstructuresthatincreasebusinessandserviceefficiency.SupplyChainSystemswillnowbemoreefficientandputcustomerserviceontoppriority.
GSTwasacompleteoverhauloftheexistingsystem.ThebackboneofthenewTAXSystemistheGSTNNetwork.TheGSTimplementationisnotaneasytaskandoccasionallyencounterstechnicalglitchesaswellastaxpayer’sgrievances
1)ImmediateWorkingCapitalbecomesanecessityformanufacturersunderGST.StocktransfersaretreatedassupplyandhenceattractGSTirrespectiveofadvanceornopayment.Followingpointsfurthercementtheabovestatement:
Interstateorintra-statestocktransfersattractsubstantialExciseDutyontheremovalofGoods
BranchtransfersanddepotransfersaretaxableunderIGST
ReceiptofAdvanceistaxableasperGSTrules
2)GSTfacilitatesinputtaxcreditandtriestominimizemanufacturertaxburden.However,inordertoincreaseTAXComplianceGSTemploysaverystrictandtedioustransaction
managementsystem.Deployinganefficienttransactionsystemrequiresaskilledworkforce,additionalresources.Thisputsanextraburdenonmanufacturersandothertraders.
Conclusion:
GSTisawelcomemovebytheCentralGovernmentforeconomicgrowthofIndia.GSTalsoempowerspeopletobemasteroftheirdestiny.BusinessleaderscannowdrivepositiveandimpactfulgrowthbackedbytransparentGST-compliance.
BestAnswer:AniketSachan
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8.Doyouthinkthemicro,smallandmediumindustriesholdthekeytoIndia’sindustrialgrowth?Examine.
Introduction:
Micro,SmallandMediumEnterprises(MSME)havebeenclassifiedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofMicro,Small&MediumEnterprisesDevelopment(MSMED)Act,2006intwoClasses:ManufacturingEnterprisesdefinedintermsofinvestmentinPlant&MachineryandServiceEnterprisesdefinedintermsofinvestmentinequipment.
Body:
MSMEsholdthekeytoIndia’sindustrialgrowth:
• Shareinmanufacturingoutput-Around45%ofthemanufacturingoutputiscontributedbyMSMEs,thusshowingtheirimmensepotentialinindustrialgrowth.
• Employmentgeneration-Unlikelargeindustries,MSMEsprovideemploymenttoskilledaswellassemi-skilledworkersonformalandinformalbasis.
• Regionaldiversity-Owingtotheirsmallscale,theseareubiquitouslypresentthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthecountry,thusreapingthefullpotentialofourdemography.
• Encourageinnovation-Smallinvestmentencouragesnew-ageentrepreneurstocreategloballycompetitivebusinessfromIndia.
• Shareinexports-About40%ofIndia’sexportscomefromMSMEsector.Aboosttosectorcanthusboostoverallexports.
• Utilizationoflocalinputs-UnderMakeinIndia,indigenizationisboostedandrawmaterialandindigenoustechnologiesarebeingutilizedinmanufacturing.
Despitetheenormouspotential,thereareseveralfactorsthathinderthegrowthofthissector,likeaccesstofinances,accesstomarkets,technologyupgradation,easeofdoingbusiness,under-utilizationofcapacityandunorganizednatureofemployment.
Conclusion:
Recentinitiativesofgovernmentlike59minuteloanportal,SFURTIandASPIREareaimedatremovingthehindrancesinthegrowthofMSMEs.MorestillneedstobedonetoenhancethecapabilitiesofthesectorandmakethingseasiertoactuallyaidinIndia’sindustrialgrowth.
Bestanswer:Shri
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9.WhatmeasurescanbetakentomakeIndiatheglobalmanufacturinghublikeChina?Suggest.
Introduction:
In1990Chinaproducedlessthan3%ofglobalmanufacturingoutput.Chinanowproducesalmosthalfoftheworld’sgoods.ThelowcostofmanufacturinginChinaplayedahugeroleinmakingitthesecondlargesteconomy.NowChinaisrapidlymovingintomediumtohigh-techmanufacturingasitslabourcostshaverisen.
Insuchscenario,favourabledemographicdividendovernext2-3decades,availabilityoflowcostlabourandstrongdomesticmarketprovidesanopportunityforIndiatoturnasaglobalmanufacturinghub.
Body:
MeasuresIndiacantaketoachievethis
Factorcostreforms
• Landreformsmakingiteasierandaffordabletoacquireland.
• Capital:allowinggreaterflowofFDItoreducecostofborrowing.• Movingfromover-protectivetoFlexiblelabourlaws.• Predictabletaxregime.
Investmentininfrastructure
• Wellconnectedmeansoftransport(road,rail,inland-waterway)tokeeptransportationcostminimum.
• Developmentofindustrialcorridorswouldattractsettingupnewindustries.• Adequatefocustoensureavailabilityofhardandsoftinfrastructure(Powersupply,
creditflow,manpowerandother).
Businessfriendlyecosystem
• Doingawaywithobsoleteandobstructingframeworkandbringingtransparentanduserfriendlybusinessenvironment.
• Thisinvolvescomprehensiveoverhaulofoutdatedprocessesandpolicies.Examples:useofICTintaxationsystemwouldreducehumaninterface;rentseekingbehaviour;makeprocesssimplerthusreducecompliancecost.
Innovation:Innovationisnecessarytocomeupwithnewtechnology,newproductsandnewbrands.ThereforeResearchanddevelopmentneedstobegivenfocusbybringingtogetherscientists-researchinstitutes-industries.
Needtostrengthenpatentregime.
Technologyadoption:NeedtosupporttechnologyupgradationinMSME’s.HarnessingnewtechnologieslikeArtificialintelligenceandmakingcountrypartindustrialrevolution4.0.
Policysupport:AdequatemeasurestoboostgrowthofMSME’s.Needtostrengthentraditionalindustries.Focusonfoodprocessingindustries.PushtoSetupSpecialEconomicZonesandCoastalEconomicZones.
Needtosimplifytaxregimeinthecountry.
Conclusion:
Giventhepotentialofmanufacturingsectorandtheneedtoshiftworkforcefromprimarysector,GovernmentofIndiahascomeoutwith‘MakeinIndia’initiativetomakeIndiaglobalhubofmanufacturing,researchandinnovationandintegratewithglobalsupplychain.Initiativeshouldbefollowedwithadequatepolicymeasurestorealiseitsobjectives.
Bestanswer:shri
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10.Whatbenefitswouldaccruefromenhancedregionalairconnectivity?Discuss.
Introduction:
Connectivityisthecornerstoneofdevelopment.ThegovernmentofIndiahaslaunchedschemeslikeUDANtoimproveregionalconnectivity.
Body:
Benefitsfromregionalairconnectivity:
• Developmentofsmallcities:Itcouldleadtodevelopmentofsmallercitiesasfasterairconnectivitywillattractinfrastructure&investment.
• Reducethepressurefromrailwaysandroads• SignificantSocialBenefits:Providespeoplewithaccesstodecentlivelihoods,food,
healthcare,education.Ex:AirtransportisonlymeanstotraveltomanyremoteplacesinNorthEast.
• Economicbenefits:Itcontributes0.5%ofIndianGDPsupporting1.7millionjobsdirectlyandindirectly.
• Achievesustainabledevelopmentgoal:Useofadvancedfuelsystemwouldreducepollution.
• Facilitatethedeliveryofemergencyandhumanitarianaidattimeofdisasteratinaccessibleareas.
Challenges:
• SmallerplayerslikeAirOdishaandAirDeccanhavestruggledtoraisesufficientcapitalfortheiroperations,hiretrainedmanpowerandleaseplanes.
• SomeairportsownedbyStategovernmentsandprivateplayershavebeenhesitantinparticipatingasthereislittleforthemtogainwithRCSflightsexemptfrompayinglandingandparkingchargesandStatesrequiredtoprovideland,securityandfireservicesfreeofcost.
• Subsidybasedregimeareimpactedbythevagariesofpricechangesinoilprices
Conclusion:
Regionalairconnectivityhashugescopeofdevelopingtier1andtier2citieswhichcanreducetheburdenofbigmetropolitancities.ThusschemelikeUDANneedtobepursuedrelentlesslybyengagingallthestakeholders
BestAnswer:DazyRani
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11.Airtravelisgivingstiffcompetitiontotherailwayswithaggressivepricingandqualityservice.Whatmeasuresshouldtherailwaysadopttostayrelevant?Suggest.
Introduction:
IndianRailways,oftendescribedasthe“transportlifelineofthenation”,isthefourthlargestrailwaynetworkintheworld.Inrecentyearstherehasbeenadeclineinpassengergrowthinrailwaysandadouble-digitgrowthinairtravelduetocertainfactorslikenarrowingfaregapbetweenthetwo,timesavingandthequalityserviceincaseofairtravel.
Body:
Measuresrailwayscanadopttostayrelevant:
• Capacityaugmentation-Toomanytrainsrunonthesamestretchoflines,causingexcessivewearandtearanddelays.Railwaysshouldthusincreasethenumberoftracks,convertnarrowgaugestobroadgaugetomaintainuniformtracks,double,tripleandquadrupletheraillinesandmaintainseparatetracksforfreightandpassengertrains.Commissioningofdedicatedfreightcorridorsby2020willalsohelpimprovethecapacity.
• Traveltime-Thegapintraveltimebetweenairandrailcannotbeeliminatedcompletely,itcanhoweverbereduced.Onebyincreasingtheaveragespeedoftrainsandtwobyfittingthedepartureandarrivaltimeswithinthewindowof6pmto9amsoasnottoeatintoproductivehoursoftheday.
• Endcrosssubsidization-Thelower-classpassengerfaresarebeingcross-subsidizedonthebehestofACclasses,thusincreasingthefaresofACcoaches.Endofthissubsidizationcanresultinlowerfaresandthuscompetitivepriceswithairways.
• Wagecosts-Mostoftheearningsofrailways(62%inFY18)arespentonwages.Thisshouldbeoptimizedsoastoutilizetheworkforcewellandreducethecosts.
• High-endtechnology-BullettrainsandHyperloopcannotonlysignificantlyreducethetraveltimebutalsoprovideaqualitativeexperiencetotheuser.
• Investments-Investmenteitherbygovernmentorbyprivatesectorinvariousdomainslikeinfrastructure,safetyrequirements,qualitativeservicesetc.needstobepushed.
• Market-drivenandcustomercentric-Railwaytourism,holidaypackagesetc.canalsohelprailwaysinmakingitsmark.
Conclusion:
Railwayscannotbeatthespeedandefficiencyofairtravel,butwithabove-mentionedmeasuresitcandefinitelygiveitatoughcompetitionandmaintainitsownniche,soastoultimatelybenefittheconsumerbygivingthemmultipletransportationoptions.
Bestanswer:SID
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12.EnhancingtheborderroadinfrastructurehasitseconomicandstrategicadvantagesforIndia.How?Examine.
Introduction
Indiaisauniquecountrywith~15000kmlandbordersharingwithsevencountries.Thislengthofborderiscomprisedofuniquetopography,cultureandvariedsocio-economicchallenges.ConsideringunityofthenationandneighbourhoodfirstpolicyofIndia,itisimperativetodevelopmodernandcompetitiveborderroadinfrastructure.
Body:
EconomicAdvantagesofborderroadinfrastructure:
• Oneofthemostimportantadvantagesisdevelopmentoflegalandamicabletraderelationswithneighbouringcountries.ExamplesofitaretradethroughAttari-WaghaborderandBorderHaatswithBangladeshandmanymorewithNepal,Bhutan,etc.
• Properborderroadinfrawillreducetraffickingandsmuggling,whichiscurrentlyabigcauseconcernforIndiaandneighbouringcountries.
• Recently,WorldBankhasreleasedareportcalled“AGlassHalfFull:ThePromiseofRegionalTradeinSouthAsia”.Accordingtoitsfindingsintra-regionaltradeaccountsforalittlemorethan5percentofSouthAsia’stotaltradewhileitaccountsfor50
percentoftotaltradeinEastAsia.ItmeansthereishugeuntappedregionaltradepotentialinSouthAsia,wheremostofthecountriesshareborderswithIndia.
• Anothermajoreconomicbenefitisinclusivegrowthanddevelopment.Borderroadinfrastructure,especiallyinharshterrainssuchasnortheastandJammu&Kashmirprovidesavenueforself-employmentandboosttotraditionalsmallscaleIndustries.
• Furthermore,tourisminbeautifulandloftyHimalayashasnotreachedtoitsfullpotentialduetoimproperroadinfrastructure.Totapfullpotentialofnaturaltourismavenueswemustfurtherimproveourborderroadinfra.
StrategicAdvantagesofborderroadinfrastructure:
• OneofthemajoradvantagesisthatthroughborderroadinfraIndiawillbesuccessfulinpushingforherambitiousneighbourhoodfirstandacteastpolicies.Itwillactassoftpowerintermsofcreatingpeopletopeoplecontacts.BestexampleofthisisthemostrecentprojectofKartarpurCorridor.
• Borderroadinfrahelpsinmaintainingpeaceandstabilitybycontrollingthesecurityconcernsrelatedtointer-regionandintra-regionissues.
• ThetaskofnationalintegrationwhichstartedwithindependenceofIndiaandstillgoingonwillbeincompletewithoutborderroadinfra.Connectivityandinclusivityaretheimportanttoolsfornationalintegrationoffar-flungareassuchasNortheasternstatesandLadakh,etc.
• Economicavenuesprovidedbysuchinfradefinitelyleadstostrategicbenefitswithinandoutsidecountrytocontrolmenaceofterrorismandsecessionists’activities.
• Anotherimportantadvantageofborderroadsisinproperandswiftdisastermanagement.DifficultandharshterrainsofIndianbordersandrelativelylowdevelopmentofborderingcountriesmakeitinevitableforIndiatopreparedandself-sufficienttohandleanykindofdisasters.
Challengesahead:
• Roughanddifficultterrain• WeatherandClimaticconditions• Seismicallyactiveareasinmostoftheborder• Ceasefireviolationandborderintrusions• Inadequatemanpower,fundswithBorderRoadorganisation(BRO)• Redtapismandbureaucraticdelaysinprojects
Conclusion:
BROhasbeenfrequentlyinnewsduetodelaysandotherlacunaewithregardtoborderroadinfra.
Properanddefinedautonomywithrespectto3F:Funds,FunctionsandFunctionarieswillhelptoboosttherapiddevelopmentofborderroadinfra,ultimatelyleadingtoeconomicallyintegratedandstrategicallyamiableSouthAsia.
BestAnswer:YBB
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13.ExaminethepotentialofinlandwatertransportationinIndia.
Introduction:
InlandWaterwaysTransport(IWT)isamethodoftransportingcargooverrivers,backwaters,canals,andcreeks.
Itprovidesacost-effective,logisticallyefficientandenvironment-friendlymodeoftransportandwhosedevelopmentasasupplementarymodewouldenablediversionoftrafficfromover-congestedroadsandrailways.
Body:
Indiahasnearly14,500kmofnavigablewaterways.However,IWTaccountsforlessthan1%ofitsfreighttraffic.DevelopingIWTwillleadtofollowingPotentialbenefits
Industries:
• Bringdownlogisticscostthusincreasingcompetitivenessofindustries.• Dispersalofindustriesalongwaterwaysleadingtoemploymentgenerationthus
promotingbalancedregionaldevelopment.• Filliptoshipbuildingindustry.• BoosttoTourismsector.• EnhancedconnectivitywithneighbouringcountrieslikeBangladeshwillboosttrade
andcommercebetweennations.WithinIndia,itwillboostthemaritimetradeoftheIndianstatesandaugmenttheireconomies.
TowardsGreeneconomy:
• Comparativelylesspolluting:CO2emissionsarefromcontainervesselsrangemuchlesserthanroadtransportvehicles.
• Diversionoftrafficfromroadandrail.
Theirdevelopmentwillleadtothedevelopmentofintegratedtransportationsector(rail,road,water)thusconnectingports,majorcitieswithremoteareas.
Theireconomicimportancewillleadtobettermanagementofinlandwaterresources.
AstheacquisitionoflandfornationalandStatehighwaysbecomesscarceandthecostofconstructionofroads,flyoversandbridgesgoesup,inlandwaterwaysprovidebetteralternativetothegovernmentasameansofpublictransportation.
However,followingchallengesexistintheirdevelopment.
• Thereisseasonalfallinwaterlevelsparticularlyrain-fedriversofpeninsularIndiawhicharealmostdryduringsummer.
• Lessflowofwaterduetodiversionofwaterforirrigation.Hardforevensteamboatstosail.Example:Ganga.
• Reducednavigabilityduetosiltation,waterfallsandcataractsinriversandsalinityincoastalrivers.
• Dredgingcarriedouttomaintainminimumdepthofwatermaynegativelyaffectaquaticecosystem,entryofsalinewaterintocreeksincoastalareas.
• LackofPublicFunds:ThefinancingrequirementforNWsishugeandopen-ended.Heavyinvestmentwillbeneededtoprocureequipment,includingdredgers,shippingvessels,andbargesofdifferentsizes.
• DisinterestbyPrivatePlayers:Evenafterliberalisationandeconomicreforms,therehasbeenverylessactiveparticipationfromprivateplayersinthissector.
Conclusion:
GivensuchbenefitsIWTbrings,GovernmentofIndiaUndertheNationalWaterwaysAct,2016,111inlandwaterwayshavebeendeclaredasNationalWaterways(NWs)inadditiontothefiveexistingNWs,across24Statesforutilizingthemasanenvironmentfriendlyandsustainablemodeoftransport.TheJalMargVikasProjecthasbeencommissionedforcapacityaugmentationofNW–1(riverGanga)fromHaldiatoVaranasiwithanobjectivetofacilitatemovementof1,500–2,000tonnevessels.
SuchaholisticandconcertedeffortcanchangeIndia’stransportationlandscape,havemultipliereffectoneconomy,de-congestarterialroads,andevenimprovequalityoflifeacrossgeographies.
Bestanswer:SharathYerrapothu
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14.DiscussthesignificanceofportsinIndia’stradepromotion.
Introduction:
Witharound7500kmlongcoastlineandconstrainofoverlandmovementinotherside,theportledtradingbecomemoresignificantinIndia’scase.Indiacoastlinesupports13majorand200minorports.Accordingtoministryofshipping,thewaterwaytradecovers95%ofIndia’stotaltradebyvolumeand70%byvolume,makingitwayforwardthanothermodeoftransport.TheportsopentheIndia’schannelacrosstheglobeandcounteractthenumerousbarriersitfaceinlandbasedtrading.
Body:
Majorsignificanceofportsintradepromotion
• Actsasimportantlinktohinterlandandoverseas.• Italsofacilitatesgoodsmovementthroughexportandimportthusleadsto
increasedconsumerchoiceandprovisionofgoodsatcompetitiveprice.• Reductionincostoftransportationi.e.almostonetenthofair• Enhancementtoblueeconomythroughfishing,tourismandpassengertransport• Itisalsosignificantforinternaltradebyprovidinglivelihoodtolocalcommunity,
multimodalconnectivitybyrail,roadsandwaterwaysandfasterandinclusiveapproachingoodsmovement
• Lessecologicalimpact
However,tocompletelyutilisethepotentialofports,thegovernmentneedtoovercomefewchallengeslike;
1)Inadequateinfrastructureandpoorconnectivitywithhinterland.
2)Slowturn-aroundtime.
3)Red-tapeandexcessiveinterferencefromauthority.
4)Hugeenvironmentalcostandaffectingcoastalpopulation.
5)Lackofpropermanpowerandtrainingexpertise.
6)Poormaintenanceofportinfrastructure.
7)Out-datednavigationandITtools.
Thegovernment,inordertoovercomethechallengeshastakenfewstepssuchas:
1)Sagarmalaproject-Theobjectivesofthisprojectareportmodernisationandnewportdevelopment,portconnectivityenhancement,port-linkedindustrialisationandcoastalcommunitydevelopment.
2)Centralportauthorityact,2016-toprovidemoreautonomytoportandprofessionalisethegovernancestructure.
3)RevisedModelconcessionagreement-toprovideprivatesectorparticipationinportdevelopmentandmanagement.
4)Allowing100%FDIunderautomaticrouteinportdevelopment.
Conclusion:
Thewaterwayisthecheapestmodeoftransport,harnessingittotheutmostlevelwillgraduallylowertheoperationalcostoftrade.ItwillmakeIndiantrademorecompetitiveandhenceindirectlypromoteemploymentandgrowth
Bestanswer:DazyRani
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15.Whatdoyouunderstandbycommandarea?Howdocommandareadevelopmentplansaidinincreasingagriculturalproductivity?Analyse.
Introduction:
CommandAreareferstotheareawhosewaterneedsarefulfilledbyawaterbody/basinprojecte.g.:RiverGanga’scommandareaspansacross5statesofUttarakhand,UP,Bihar,Jharkhand&WestBengal.Itincludestheareawhichisotherwiseuncultivable.
Commandareadevelopmentplanwasin1974-75tonarrowthegapbetweenirrigationpotentialcreatedandactuallyutilisedinmajorandmediumirrigationschemes.
Body:
Initially,60majorandmediumprojectsweretaken,coveringacultivablecommandareaof15millionhectares.Tillnow314projectswithacultivablecommandareaof28.95millionhavebeentaken.Fromeleventhfive-yearplanonwards,schemewasimplementedasastatesectorscheme.
Planhadprovidedvariouscomponents–
• Constructionoffieldchannelsandfielddrains• Landshaping.• Introductionofrotationalsupplyofwater• Roleinincreasingagriculturalproductivity:
ItincreasedtheIrrigationPotentialcreatedinthecountry,therebyprovidingassuredirrigationfacilitiestofarmers,improvingfarmresiliencetoweathervagaries.
• Bymakingmultiplecroppingcyclesfeasiblewithinthesamecalendaryear.• Bymakingmixedfarmingfeasible.• Bymakingcommercialfarmingofcashcropsand“highvalue,lowvolume”crops
(suchashorticulturalcrops)afeasibleoptionforfarmers.• Helpedinconservationofwater.Ithelpedinmakinggreenrevolutionsuccessful
becausehighyieldingvarietyseedsandfertilizersneedtheirrigationontime.• Cropfailurebecameararephenomenon.
Butcommandareaprogrammealsoledtomanyproblemslike
1)Highcost.
2)Limitedparticipationoffarmersindesigningprojects.
Conclusion:
However,CommandAreaDevelopmentPrograminIndiahashadlimitedsuccessbecauseofitsexcessivefocusonlargerivervalleyprojects,insteadofmicro-watersheds.Recentparliamentarystandingreportshowsthatlessthan10percentirrigationprojectshavecompleted
Inordertomakeefficientimplementationofplanitisrequiredtomaketechnologysustainableandmakefarmersawareofitsbenefits.Apolicyshiftisnecessaryinthisregardtodoublethefarmers’incomeby2022.
Bestanswer:JohnNash
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16.Innovationsinthefieldofinfotechandbiotechholdthepotentialtotransformtheagriculturallandscape.Comment.
Introduction:
Agricultureemploysalmosthalfofthepopulationbutcannotguaranteeasustainablelivelihood.Technologicalinnovationsininformationandbiologycanhelpaltertheabovescenarioandtransformtheagriculturallandscape.
Body:
PotentialofInfotech:
• ArtificialIntelligence-Useofautomatedagriculturalvehicleswillmaximizetheirefficiencyandcapacity.
• Automatedequipment-automaticwateringandirrigationsystems,precisionagricultureetc.canhelpeasethewayofpracticingagricultureandreducethelabourinputforthesame.
• Block-chaintechnology-Block-chaincanbeusedforagriculturaltradingandselling,decentralizedtransactionsandself-executingsmartcontractsaswellasforresourcemanagement,liketrackingmachinerymaintenancerecordsorfortrackingothersensorsandequipment.
• Cloudbasedsolutions-helpcompaniesremotelymonitorfarms,interactwithfarmersandmakeeverycroptransparentandtraceable.Italsoaidsfarmersinadoptingglobalagriculturalpracticesandimprovesproductivitybyofferingproductivityinsightsandharvestforecasts.
• ITbasednetworkintegrators-Thesetechnologicalplatformsofferarangeofservicestofarmersinruralareasincludingfinancial,agriculturalinputsandgovernmentassistance.
• Mobiletechnology-AppslikeTrringohavebroughtrevolutioninfarmequipmentrentingprocessinIndia.
• Virtualaggregators-Farmerscanusethemobileplatformforaggregation,andthenleveragethevolumetonegotiatebetterpriceswithsuppliers.
PotentialofBiotech:
• Geneticediting-Engineeringcropsthatrequirelesswaterandthatgrowmorefood,anduseofCRISPR/CAS9tochangeacow’sgutmicrobestotryandreducethe
amountofmethanetheyareproducingaswellashowlargetheygetarefewexamplesofgenemodification.
• Highyieldingcrops-Useofbiotechnologycanresultinhighyieldingvarietiesofcropsthusimprovingcropproductivity.
• TissueCulture-Itisthescienceofcultivatinganimal/planttissueinapreparedmedium.Technologiesbasedonthiscanbeharnessedtoachievecropimprovementobjectives.
• Biofertilisers-micro-organismsandminuteplantswhichcanabsorbgaseousnitrogenandphosphorousdirectlyfromtheatmosphereandmakeitavailabletotheplantscanbeidentified,multipliedinthelaboratoriesandintroducedintotherootzoneofcropplantstosupplynitrogenandphosphorous.
• Improvedvalue-Biotechnologycanhelpenhanceflavourandnutritionalvalueofthecropwhilealsoincreasingitsshelflife.
Conclusion:
Writeabriefconclusion
Bestanswer:Gargigupta
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17.Whatisprecisionagriculture?Whatareitsadvantages?Discuss.
Introduction:
Precisionagricultureseekstousenewtechnologiestoincreasecropyieldsandprofitabilitywhileloweringthelevelsoftraditionalinputsneededtogrowcrops(land,water,fertilizer,herbicidesandinsecticides).Inotherwords,farmersutilizingprecisionagricultureareusinglesstogrowmore.
PrecisionAgricultureisaconceptwhichneedsimplementationthroughICTs,WirelessSensorNetworks,Geospatialmethodsandautomatedpositioningsystems.
Body:
NeedofprecisionagricultureinIndia
ThereisaneedtoincreaseoutputperhectareinIndiaasitislowcomparedtoothercountries.Oneofthereasonsforthelowoutputislackofaccesstomoderntechnology.
Thereisaneedforjudicioususeofwater,energyandefficientuseofvariousinputslikeseedstoenhanceproductivity.
AsIndiatakesrapidstridestoenhanceaccesstodigitaltools,itisanopportunemomenttothinkofwaysinwhichtheruralareasandfarmerscanbenefitfromthedigitalrevolution.
Thenextbigstepwehavetotakeistolinktheleapforwardinagriculturalproductivitywithdigitalapplicationsandtechnologicalinnovations.
AdvantagesofPrecisionagriculture
• Precisionagricultureseekstomakeagricultureremunerativeeventosmallandmarginalfarmersbyreducingthecostofcultivationandenhancingyields.
• PrecisionAgricultureorsitespecificcropmanagementisthekeytooptimallymanagetheresourcesforabetteryield,reducingpollutionandsavingenvironment.
• Thiscapabilitycouldbeusedforthebenefitoffarmingsectorforassessinglandandcrophealth;extent,typeandseverityofdamagebesidesissuingforewarning,post-eventmanagementandsettlementofcompensationundercropinsuranceschemes.
• Researchbyanorganizationinvolvedinprecisionagriculturehasshowedthatmobile-basedagriculturalextensionsystemamongfarmersinGujarathadresultedinincreaseineachfarmergettingRs.7,000moreperyear,whiletheyieldswentupby8.6percentforcottonand28percentforcumin.
• Technologiesfacilitatetogiveeachplantexactlywhatitneedstogrowoptimally,withtheaimtoimprovetheagronomicoutputwhilereducingtheinput.Thismeansproducing‘morewithless’,whichcoincideswithour2ndGreenRevolutionconceptof‘morecropperdrop’.
PrecisionfarminginIndia
• SomeoftheschemeslikePMKSY’s(PerDropMoreCrop)involvePrecisionAgriculturepractices.
• TheIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearch(ICAR)andtheIndianAgriculturalResearchInstitute(IARI)hasformulatedaprojectentitled“SENSAGRI:SENsorbasedSmartAGRIculture”.
• Themajorobjectiveistodevelopindigenousprototypefordronebasedcropandsoilhealthmonitoringsystemusinghyperspectralremotesensing(HRS)sensors.
• Dronetechnologyisalsobeingused.Ithasabilityforsmoothscoutingoverfarmfields,gatheringpreciseinformationandtransmittingthedataonrealtimebasis.
• Mobileappsarebeingusedtoprovidefarmerswithweatherinformationandprovideearlywarning.
Apilotproject
KISAN+(CropInsuranceusingSpacetechnologygeo-informatics);Theprogrammeenvisagesuseofhighresolutionremotesensingdata(fromIndianandInternationalSatellites),sophisticatedmodellingactivityandothergeospatialtechnology(smartphone,GlobalPositioningSystem(GPS),BhuvanServer)forimprovingtheaccuracyofcropyieldestimationthroughmoreefficientCropCuttingExperiments.
Conclusion:
Theneedofthehouristoadoptstateofthearttechnologytomakeagriculturesustainableandprofitable.
Agriculturalrenaissancecantakeshapeonastrongdigitalfoundation.
Adoptionoftechnologywillhelpinsustainingfoodsecurityandenhancedlivelihoodopportunities.
Inaddition,thefarmingcommunityneedstodiversifyandtakeupalliedactivitieslikefisheries,dairyandpoultryaswelltodoubletheon-farmincomes.
BestAnswer:SID
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DazyRani
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18.WhatinyouropinionarethedeficienciesinIndia’sMSPregime?Analyse.
Introduction:
Theminimumsupportprices(MSP)areannouncedbytheGovernmentofIndiaatthebeginningofthesowingseasonforcertaincropsbasedontherecommendationsofCACP.
TheideabehindMSPisto
• Giveguaranteedpriceandassuredmarkettothefarmersandprotectthemfromthepricefluctuationsandmarketimperfections.
• Theguaranteedpriceandassuredmarketareexpectedtoencouragehigherinvestmentandinadoptionofmodernfarmingpractices.
• Further,withtheglobalizationresultinginfreertradeinagriculturalcommodities,itisveryimportanttoprotectthefarmersandtheirinterest.
Body:
DeficienciesinIndia’sMSPregime
• Incentivisedcerealcentricproductionhasdistortedcroppingpatternaffectingcropdiversification.Situationresultsinlowerproductionofothercrops.Example:importofpulses.
• Un-sustainedagriculturalpractices:CultivationofwaterintensivecropslikeRice-Wheatinunsuitableagro-climaticconditionshasresultedinover-exploitationofgroundwater.
• Thoughfixedfor23crops,inpractice,theremaining20agrocommoditiesdonotderiveanybenefit.
• ItiscriticisedthatMSPcalculationformuladonotreallyreflectactualcostofproduction.
• Challengesrelatingtoinformationdissemination:NSSOstudyhaspointedoutthatithasmostlybenefitedlargefarmerswhile70%offarmersremainunawareaboutMSP.
• MSPhasturnedoutasaPoliticaltool.WhileGlobalcommoditypricesarefalling,InIndiadownwardrevisionunderMSPpolicyisinconceivable.
• Averagingoutthecostofproductionindifferentagro-climaticconditions,variedyieldsandcostindicesof26statesisaquestionableexerciseforthedeterminationofMSP.
• Inadequateinfrastructuretostoreprocuredgrainsresultsintowastage.• MSPProcurementisalmostnilineasternstates.
Suggestionstoimprove:
• Firstandforemost,theawarenessamongthefarmersneedstobeincreasedandtheinformationshouldbetimelydisseminatedtillthelowestlevelsothattheknowledgewouldincreasethebargainingpowerofthefarmers.
• DelaysinMSPpaymentshavenegativeeffectsontheframerssoneedtobecorrectedandtimelypaymentshouldbeensured.
• Asintendedbythepolicymakers,MSPshouldbeannouncedwellinadvanceofthesowingseasonsoastoenablethefarmerstoplantheircropping.
• Improvedfacilitiesatprocurementcentres,suchasdryingyards,weighingbridgesetc.shouldbeprovidedtothefarmers.Moregodawnshouldbesetupandmaintainedproperlyforbetterstorageandreductionofwastage.
• ThereshouldbemeaningfulconsultationswiththeStateGovernment,bothonthemethodologyofcomputationofMSPaswellasontheimplementationmechanism.
• ThecriteriaforfixingMSPshouldbecurrentyear’sdataandbasedonmoremeaningfulcriteriaratherthanthehistoricalcosts.
• ThesmallandmarginalfarmerscanbeprovidedwithsomeexemptioninFairAverageQuality(FAQ)normstoprovidethemwithasourceofincome.
• TheProcurementCentresshouldbeinthevillageitselftoavoidtransportationcosts.• TheMSPschemerequiresacompleteoverhaulinthoseStateswheretheimpactof
theschemerangesfrom‘nil’to‘at-bestmarginal’toensurethatMSPasanimportantinstrumentoftheGovernment’sagriculturalpricepolicyisnotundermined.Infact,inafewselectedStatesinEasternIndia(forinstance,AssamandWestBengal),thepoorimpactoftheschememaybejudgedbythefactthatnoneoftheselectedfarmerswereevenawareoftheexistenceofsuchaScheme.
Conclusion:
AlongwithMSPweneedarobustprocurementsystem,appropriateforeigntrade(export/import)policyandtariff(Customsduty)policyinawaythatwillprotectdomesticgrowerswithoutcompromisingtheinterestsofconsumerswithsimultaneousfocusoncrop-neutralinitiativesthatseektobuildlastingassetsaswellasscientificpost-harvestsystemstohelpfarmers.
Bestanswer:Sk
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19.Doagriculturalsubsidieshaveadistortingeffectinfreemarkets?Illustrate.
Introduction:
Agriculturalsubsidiesisafractionalamountofgovernmentincentivespaidtofarmers,agribusinessesinordertosupplementtheirincome,managethesupplyofagriculturalcommoditiesandinfluencethecostandsupplyofsuchcommodities.
WTOprovidesthreetypesofsubsidiesinwhichAmberboxsubsidyismosttradedistortingwhileothertwo–greenboxandblueboxarenot.
Body:
Thoughitisagoodmeasuretoaddresstheplightofthefarmers,itcanalsohaveanadverseeffectinthefreemarkets,whichcanbehighlightedasfollows-
1)SubsidiesdirectedbytheUnitedStatesgovernment,particularlytocornfarmers,canhaveaspilloveraffectindevelopingcountrieslikeIndia.SubsidiesgrantedtothefarmersofdevelopedcountriesarewayhigherthanthatgiventoIndianfarmers,thusitcancausedistortiontothedomesticmarketofdomesticmarketsaswell.
2)Fertilizerssubsidy,asaninputforagricultureproduction,isresponsibleforrampantuseoffertilizers,commonlythetriadNPK,inIndia.ThisactsasabarrierforentrytothedevelopedmarketlikeEuropeanUnionwhoheldthatIndia’sagriculturalproductsarenotuptothemarkofWTO’sphytosanitarymeasures.
3)WhilethedevelopingcountrieslikeIndiaandChinaarenotinanaffordablepositiontobreachthede-minimuslevelofAggregatemeasuresofsupport(AMS),developedcountrieslikeUSprovidessubsidiesexceeding50%insomeproductssuchasCanola,cotton,sugarandmorethan200%forwool.
MostbenefitsofsubsidiesareallottedtobigfarmerswhileInIndia,2/3Rsfarmersaremarginalfarmerswhichcan’tutilizethebenefitofsubsidyproperly.Thusvalueofproduceofsuchfarmersdecrease.
Itleadstooverproductionofonecrop(grains)overother(likefruit,pulses).Thussometimesgrainsarepiledupforrottinginwarehouse.Alsoinmarket,thetradeofsuchcerealstakeplaceontheexpanseofothernon-subsidisedproducts.
Example:TherecenttradewarbetweenUnitedandChinaisalsothepoliticalconsequencesoftheilleffectsofsubsidies,providedbyaparticularnationhaphazardly.Therefore,completecomplianceswiththeWTOmandatedde-minimuslevelforbothdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesneedtobeadheredtobyparties.
Conclusion:
However,agriculturalsubsidiesarenecessarytotheextentthattheysecuretheinterestsofthefarmer,theconsumer,thenationandtheenvironment.Assuch,rationalizingagriculturalsubsidiestosecurethisdelicatebalanceoughttobeanongoingexercise.TherecentstepslikeRythuBandhuschemeofTelanganaandKALIAschemeofOdishainthisregardaregoodmeasures.
Bestanswer:Beingbetter
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20.HowcanrevampingthePDSinIndiaensurefoodsecurity?Whatmeasuresshouldbetakeninthisdirection?Suggest.
Introduction:
ThePublicDistributionSystemcontributessignificantlyintheprovisionoffoodsecurity.PublicDistributionSysteminthecountryenablesthesupplyoffoodgrainstothepooratasubsidizedprice.Italsohelpstocontrolopen–marketpricesforcommoditiesthataredistributedthroughthesystem.
Body:
IssuesassociatedwithPDS
1)IdentificationofBeneficiaries:StudieshaveshownthattargetingmechanismssuchasTPDSarepronetolargeinclusionandexclusionerrors.
2)RisingFoodSubsidy:Thecostofhandlingfoodgrains(MSPandothercosts)hasincreasedduetorisingcostsofproductionandincreasingcostsforhandlinganddistributingfoodgrains.Thecostofproducingriceandwheathasgoneupprimarilyduetosharplyrisinginputcostssuchaslabourandenergycosts,includingfertilisers.
3)LeakageofFoodgrains:ThereishighdegreeofleakageinPDSschemeatrationshopsandduringtransportationoffoodgrains.
RevampingPDSwouldensurethat
• Coverageof75%oftheruralpopulationand50%oftheurbanpopulationforreceivingfoodgrains(rice,wheat&coarsegrains)athighlysubsidizedratesi.e.Rs.3/2/1perkgrespectively.
• Useoftechnologywillensuretheinclusionandexclusionerrorsareless.• Canensurethatpoorarenotonlyfoodsecurebutnutritionsecurewhichinturnwill
helpIndiaachieveSDGgoals.
MeasurestoimproveandrevampPDS:
1)Ensurecommunityparticipationalongwithuseoftechnology:Odisha,TamilNadu,Rajasthan,Chhattisgarh,MadhyaPradesh,TelanganaandGujarathaveintensifiedreformsinPDSusinglatesttechnologyandensuringcommunityparticipation—theyhavetakenstepssuchascomputerisationofofftakeofgrains,recordingofprocurement,storageanddistribution,installationofelectronicpointofsalemachinesinfairpriceshops,andregularmonitoringateverystage.Thedigitisationofbeneficiaries’databaseandverificationoftheiridentitiesthroughAadhaarhaveresultedinscrapingofover23millionfakerationcardsand
savingsofRs14,000croreofannualfoodsubsidy.ThisapproachcanbeextendednowtoPanIndia.
2)Densityoffairpriceshopsneedtobeincreased:Effortsneedtobemadetoopenshopsinremotelocation.
3)Minimisewastageloss:Continuedresearchandimprovementsinlogisticsthroughoutthedistributionchainisimperative.
4)Diversificationoffoodchoices:Biofortifiedfood,ifdistributed,canhelpinaddressingrecalcitrantmicronutrientdeficienciessuchasvitaminAandanaemia.Statescanprovidenecessarynutrientssuchaspulsesandmilletstowomenalongwithgrainsandpossiblypromotedietarydiversificationaspertheculture,tastesandpreferencesofpeople-thiswillalsoensurethesuccessofNNMmission
5)UniversalPDSwhichensuresfoodgrainsatsubsidisedpricelikeinstateofTamilnaducanalsoensurereductioninGhostbeneficiaries.
6)DoorstepdeliveryasimplementedbyDelhigovernmentcanbeextendedinextremelybackwarddistrictswhichwillensurethatnodeathoccursduetomalnutrition
7)Otheralternativeslikecashcouponsandfoodcouponscanalsobeexplored.
8)RecommendationofShantaKumarcommitteeneedstobeimplemented.
Conclusion:
PDSneedtoberevampedanddrawbacksinitsimplementationremovedtoensurefoodsecurityforallandtohelpIndiaachieveitsSDGgoals.
21.Whataretechnologymissions?Whatdothesemissionstrytoachieve?Explain.
Introduction:
TechnologyMissiongenerallyimpliesthatprojectshaveclearlydefinedobjectives,scopes,andimplementationtimelines.Theyhavemeasurableoutcomesandservicelevelswiththehelpoftechnologyadvancementsinparticularassignedsector.The“TechnologyMissions”arethebrainchildofMr.RajivGandhi,startedin1987.
Body:
ThemissionwasstartedasanoffshootoftheSeventhPlaninthefieldsofliteracy,immunization,oilseeds,drinkingwater,dairyproductsandtelecommunication.Subsequently,pulses,oilpalmandmaizewerealsobroughtwithinthepurviewofthe
Missionin1990-91,1992and1995-96respectively.ThesemissionsarefundedjointlybyCentreandStateGovt.andotheralliedinstitutions.
Objectivesofthemission:
• Drinkingwater-Improvetheavailabilityandqualityofdrinkingwaterinruralareas.Therehavebeensubstantiveeffortslikeusinggeo-hydrologicalmapping,todeterminewheretodrillnewwells,increasingwatersourcesandmakingaccessiblecleanwatertovillages.
• Literacy-Makesubstantialimprovementinthefunctionalliteracyofthepopulation.Themissionhadthedualfocusofmotivatingpeople(adultsinparticular)tolearn,andprovidingmaterialsandteachers.TheDigitalSakshartaAbhiyan(DISHA)orNationalDigitalLiteracyMission(NDLM)SchemehasbeenformulatedtoimpartITtraining.
• Immunization-Immunizeallinfantsagainstsixdiseasesandwomenagainsttetanus.WithconsistenteffortsoveryearsIndiawasdeclaredpolio-freein2013
• Dairyproduction-Thegoalofthedairymissionwastodevelopandimplementtechnologiestoimprovebreeding,animalhealth,andfodderandmilkproduction.Today,Indiaisthenumberoneproducerofmilkintheworld.
• Telecommunication-Extendandimprovethetelecommunicationnetworkespeciallyinruralareas.BharatNethasbeenlaiddownandothereffortsarealsoyieldingresultsthroughindigenousdevelopment,localyoungtalent,ruraltelecom,digitalswitchingnetworks,localmanufacturingandprivatization.
• AgricultureandHorticulture-Toimproveoverallagriculturalproductionandholisticdevelopmentofagriculture.NationalMissiononSustainableagriculture,NationalMissionforIntegratedDevelopmentofHorticultureandHorticultureMissionforNorthEastandHimalayanStatesarelaunched.
• OthertechnologymissionslikeonRailways,Nanotechnology,technicaltextilesetc.havealsobeenlaunched.
Thesemissionshavetransformedthesocio-economicparametersofIndia,buttherearestillchallengeslikeslowpaceofimplementation,bureaucratichurdlesandlackofclarityonmissionsonstakeholdersetc.,whichneedtobeaddressedsoon.
Conclusion:
Writeabriefconclusion
Bestanswer:ArvindSenta
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22.WhatsignificancedolivestockholdforanaveragedistressedfarmerinIndia?Illustrate.
Introduction:
AgricultureisoneoftheimportantsectorsofIndianeconomywithabout50%ofpopulationdependingonitfortheirsourceofincome.Despiteitssignificance,itismostsufferingsectorintermsofcroplossandmarketturbulences.
Body:
CryofDistress:
NSSOSituationAssessmentSurveyofAgriculturalHouseholds(2013)shows52%offarminghouseholdsareindebted,withratesashighas89-92%insomeStates.
Thedistressismainlyduetolackofcompensationduringdroughtanddisasters,thefailuresofthecropinsurancescheme,andthedeficitduetopricesfallingbelowtheannouncedMinimumSupportPrices.
Diversificationofsourcesofincomeforfarmersisoneofthefewsuggestedsolutions.Here,livestockplaysanimportantroleforadistressfarmer.
Significanceoflivestock:
Livestockaredomesticatedanimalsraisedinanagriculturalsettingtoproducelabourandcommoditiessuchasmeat,eggs,milk,fur,leather,andwool.Thetermissometimesusedtorefersolelytothosethatarebredforconsumption,whileothertimesitrefersonlytofarmedruminants,suchascattleandgoats.
• Labour:Adistressfarmercannotaffordmechanisedfarming.Forhimcattleprovidetheserviceoflabour.Theyhelpinverycrudeformofmechanisedfarmingforsmallandmarginalfarmers.
• Reliablesourceofincome:Unlikefarmcrops,livestockdonoteasilysufferfrommonsoonfailureorsuchothernaturalcalamity.Theycontinuetoprovidemilk,eggs,etc.inalmostallweatherconditions.Everypartoflivestockcarrieseconomicimportancesuchasleather,wool,meat,etc.
• Reducesinputcost:Dungandotherremnantsoflivestockactasgreenmanure,asubstitutetofertilisers.Theyalsohelpinweedcontrolwithoutusingchemicalsorotherscostlyandhazardousmethods.
• Anasset:Livestockareimportantassetforadistressfarmerwhichcanbeencashedatanymomentandmayhelphimtocomeoutofdebttrap.
• Nutritionalsecurity:Foradistressedfarmer’sfamily,foodprovidedbylivestockistheonlysourceofnutritionrequiredforsurvival.
Thelivestocksectorcanoffersignificantopportunitiesforbolsteringnon-farmincome.ThoughtherearemanystepstakenbygovernmentsuchasbovinedairydevelopmentprogramsandGOBARDHANprogrametc.,buttherearechallengeswhichneedtobeaddressedtomakeitmoreproductive.
Wayforward:
• Anationalbreedingpolicyisneededtoupgradethebestperformingindigenousbreeds.
• Buffalobreedingoughttobegivenmoreattention,whilepoultrybreedingshouldbefocusedonconservation.
• Stategovernmentsshouldbeencouragedtoparticipateinnationalbreedingpolicyimplementation.Geographicalinformationsystem-basedanalysismustbeutilisedtomapproductionsystems.
• Animalhealthcareshouldbecomeapriority,withgreaterinvestmentinpreventivehealthcare.
• Privateinvestmentmustalsobeencouraged.Thegovernmentneedstocreatebetterincentivestructuresforinvestmentinlivestock.
• Stategovernmentsshouldsponsorresearchandassessmentofthemarket,alongwithhighlightinginvestmentpotential.
BestAnswer:Sreelakshmyvijayanuma
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23.CommentupontheevolvingtrendsintheFMCGsectorinIndia.Doesthissectorneedabetterregulatoryregime?Examine.
Introduction:
Fast-MovingConsumerGoods(FMCG)orConsumerPackagedGoods(CPG)areproductsthataresoldquicklyandatarelativelylowcost.Examplesincludenon-durablegoodssuchaspackagedfoods,beverages,toiletries,over-the-counterdrugsandmedicines,andotherconsumables.
FMCGinAgriculturalproducts:
Variousfoodproductsandbeveragesdrivetheirrawmaterialfromagriculturalproduce,suchasbreadpackets,Maggieandcornflakes,wafers,varioussauces,etc.
TheseareveryrapidlyincreasinginIndia.
FMCGsectorinIndia
• Fastmovingconsumergoods(FMCG)arethe4thlargestsectorintheIndianeconomy.
• OutofthreemainsegmentsofFMCGsectori.e.healthcare,householdandpersonalcare,andfoodandbeverages,lastoneaccountsfor19%ofthesector.
• ConsideringthesizeofagriculturesectorinIndia,thereishugeunexploredpotentialforFMCGinagriculturesector.
• India’scontributiontoglobalconsumptionisexpectedtogetdoubleto5.8%by2020duevariousfactorssuchasincreasingdisposableincome,higherdemandespeciallyruralareas,etc.
PotentialforAgriculturalFMCGinIndia:
100%FDIispermittedinsinglebrandretail,domesticandinternationalcompaniesinFMCG.Itisgreatopportunitytoexploreinnovativeproductionandprocessingsuchaspaperpulp,sugarproducts,fermentation,foodprocessing(driedfruitsandvegetables,jamsandsauces),vegetableoilsandvanaspathi,soaps,cosmeticsandtoiletriesindustries,etc.
About50%ofIndia’sworkforceisemployedinagriculturesector.Thereishugemanpoweravailabletoharnessprocessingpotentialofagriculture.
IssuesinFMCGsectorinIndia:
• Oneofthemajorissuesislaxregulation.Thereishugepotentialforfoodprocessingineveryhousehold,especiallyofruralIndia.Butlackofawareness,lackofscientificpreservationtechniques,andabsenceoffeedbackorrecallmechanismhampersthegrowthofthispotentialonlargescale.
• Duetoaboveshortcomingsthehugeglobalmarketremainsunexplored.• Indianfoodproducts,duetotheirspicytastes,areinhighdemandoverseas.But
domesticallythissectorremainsunconsolidatedandunregulated.• Otherissuesincludeadulterationandpoorpackaging,etc.
• NeedofregulatoryregimeinFMCG:ThoughFSSAIisregulatingandmonitoringfoodproducts,butstilltherearelargenumbersofuniquehomemadesnacksandwaferswhichifbroughtunderregulatoryambit,willcontributemoretohouseholdincomeaswellasrevenuetocountry.
FMCG,especiallyinagriculturalproduce,formspartofsmallandmediumscaleindustry.TheMSMEsareoneofthelargestemployersinIndia.
ProperregulationofthesectorwillhelpMSMEstogrowandultimatelyprosperityofhouseholdswillbeachieved.
SelfHelpgroupsareanotherimportantgroupinfoodprocessing,regulatoryregimeismostneededtothesegroups.
EnvironmentalconcernsandhealthconcernsduetocheappackagingoradulterationetcarealsodemandingproperregulationofFMCGs.
FoodcontinuestobeoneofthemostunderpenetratedsegmentfororganisedFMCGplayersandthefoodindustryinparticular,andislikelytobebenefitedasAgriculturalProduceMarketCommittee(APMC)reformscontinue,andfoodsafetyregulationsaresecularlyimplemented.
Conclusion:
Consideringtherapidlygrowingdomesticandglobalconsumermarket,thereishugepotentialforIndiatotargetdoublingoffarmers’incomeby2022withthehelpofFMCGs.Foritweneedskilldevelopment,innovativeenvironmentandastrongregulatoryregime.
BestAnswer:Shri
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24.DoyouthinkthefoodprocessingindustryhasenoughpotentialtocreatejobsfortheburgeoninglabourforceinIndia?Criticallycomment.
Introduction:
India’sfoodprocessingsectorcontinuestogrowinresponsetochangingdemographics,evolvingpreferencesforbrandedandconvenientitems,retailandfoodservicesectormodernization,andgovernmenteffortstodevelopfoodmanufacturing.
Body:
ThefoodprocessingindustryisakeycontributortoemploymentgenerationinIndia.By2024,foodprocessingsectorisexpectedtoemploy9millionpeopleinIndiaandexpectedtogenerateabout8,000directand80,000indirectjobsinthestate,theASSOCHAM-GrantThorntonjointstudyon‘FoodRetail:Investment:Infrastructure’noted.
Astheconsumersinthecountryarebecomingmorehealth-conscious,thedemandfornutritiousfoodisgrowingproportionately.Inaddition,risingnumberofworkingwomenandnuclearfamiliesisresultinginhighdemandforready-to-eatandfrozenfood.Thus,overallIndia’sfoodvaluechainispoisedtocreatemultipleopportunitiesforinvestmentandemploymentinstorageinfrastructure,farming,retailandqualitycontrol.
ItisestimatedthatIndianfoodprocessingindustryispeggedclosetoUS$121billiontoUS$130billion.
Withthesecondlargestarablelandintheworld,itisthelargestproducerofmilk,pulses,sugarcaneandteaintheworldandthesecondlargestproducerofwheat,rice,fruitsandvegetables.
Despitethemassiveproduction,thedegreeofprocessingislowandrangesbetween2-35%fordifferentproduce.
Indiaisoneofthetoprankersintheproductionofbananas,guavas,ginger,papayaetcalthoughprocessinglevelsinthecountryremainlimited,whichindicatesanextensiveopportunityinthefoodprocessingsector.
IndianfoodandretailmarketisprojectedtotouchUS$482billionbyFY2020fromthecurrentlevelofUS$258billionin2015.
Employmentareas:Farmrelatedemploymentinagriculturalsector(Alliedactivitieslikedairying),self-employmentopportunitiesparticularlytowomen,developmentandmanagementofinfrastructuralfacilitieslikestorageandprocessingcentres,transportationnetwork,researchandinnovationtoaddvaluetotheproductandothers.
ThoughIndiaranksfirstinproductionofmilk,pulsesandteaandsecondinproductionoffruitsandvegetables,itsshareintheworldfoodtradeislessthantwopercent.Thusthepolicymakershaveidentifiedfoodprocessingasakeysectorinencouraginglabourmovementfromagriculturetomanufacturing.
GovernmentofIndiahascomeoutwithSAMPADAschemetogiveboosttoFoodProcessingIndustryinthecountry.Toreducepost-harvestlossesoffruitsandvegetables,Governmentplanstosetup500coldchainprojectsinthecountry.
Conclusion:
However,inordertoachievejobcreationpotential,severalissuesthatplaguefoodprocessingindustrylikeIn-adequateinfrastructuralfacilities,Poorqualityandhygienenorms,needforgreaterinvestmentandaccesstoglobalmarket,Researchandinnovationinthesectorrequireattention.
Bestanswer:DazyRani
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25.Whatdounderstandbybackwardandforwardintegration?Illustratewithrespecttothefoodprocessingindustry.
Introduction:
Foodprocessingisthetransformationofrawingredientsintofood,oroffoodintootherforms(ie.foodprocessingmaydenotedirectmanufacturingoffoodorvalueadditiononexistingfood).Foodprocessingtypicallytakesharvestedcropsorbutcheredanimalproductsandusesthesetoproducelongshelf-lifefoodproducts.
Body:
Forwardlinkageintegrationreferstoconsolidatingthechainfromprocessingindustriestomarketwhilebackwardmarketintegrationreferstoconsolidatingchainsfromfarmtoprocessingcentresandtointegrationwithancillaryindustries.
Exampleofforwardlinkageintegration
• Reductionofintermediariesbywholesalemarketingore-marketingorsupermarketsetc.
• Provisionofchillinginfrastructure,transportationinfrastructureetc.• Provisionoftestingandstandardisationfacilitytogradefinalproduct.
Examplesofbackwardlinkageintegration:
• Developmentofinfrastructurelikeroadtotransportfarmproducetoprocessingcentres.
• Landconsolidationandcontractfarmingtoensuresteadyavailabilityofsurplusmarketableproduce.
• Availabilityofpropermarketinginfrastructureforfarmerstorealizefairpricefortheirproducefor.Topreservetherawmaterialsforlongerdurations.
Integrationofforwardandbackwardslinkagesisextremelyvitalforthesuccessoffoodprocessingsector.
Benefitsofbackwardlinkageandforwardlinkageforfoodprocessingindustries
• Reducesfoodinflation• Preventingwastageofonesthirdoffood
Fore.g.PepsicollaboratedwithPunjabfororangeprocurement
Howevervariouschallengesstillremainowingtolackofinfrastructure,llargeno.Ofintermediaries,lackoftestingandgradingfacilityandlandreformissueswhichneedtobeovercometoreaptheanticipatedbenefitsofFPIintermsofimprovedefficiencyoffoodsupplychainandemploymentgeneration(andtherebyreapingourdemographicdividend).
Conclusion:
Foodprocessingindustriesaresunriseindustrieswhichhavepotentialtogrowfrompresent2%ofGDPtooptimisinghighoutputoffarmingsector.GovernmentintroducedPMkrishisampadascheme,megafoodparkschemeetc.toaddressaplethoraoftheseissues.
Bestanswer:shri
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26.WhatarethechallengesofsupplychainmanagementoffoodproductsinIndia?Analyse.
Introduction:
Anagriculturesupplychainsystemcomprisesorganizations/cooperativesthatareresponsiblefortheproductionanddistributionofvegetable/Fruits/Cereals/Pulsesoranimal-basedproducts.
Body:
ChallengesofSupplyChainManagement
• Connectivity:Thereislackofconnectivityfromvillagestomarkets• SortingandGradingtechnology:Farmerslacktheknowledgeabouttheprocess• Numerousstakeholdersworkinginisolation:Thefoodsupplychainiscomplexwith
perishablegoodsandnumeroussmallstakeholders.InIndia,theinfrastructureconnectingthesepartnersisveryweak.
• Lackofdemandestimation:Demandforecastingistotallyabsentandthefarmerstrytopushwhatevertheyproduceintothemarket.
• Lackoftechnologyapplications:Coldchainlogisticsupplychainsshouldtakeadvantageoftechnologyimprovementsindatacaptureandprocessing,producttrackingandtracing,synchronizedfreighttransporttransmittimesfortimecompressionalongthesupplychainandsupply-demandmatching.
• Lackofsystemintegration:Thesupplychainneedstobedesignedandbuiltasawholeinanintegratedmanner.Theprocessofnewproductdevelopment,procurementandordertodeliveryprocessesshouldbewelldesignedandwellsupportedwiththehelpofITtoolsandsoftware.
• Presenceoflargenumberofunorganizedretailers:Atpresenttheunorganizedretailersarelinkedwithfarmersthroughwholesalersorcommissionagents.Thecommissionagentsandwholesalersredundantsupplychainpracticesmakeunorganizedfurtherinefficient.
WaysthroughwhichSupplychainmanagementcanbeimproved
• ImprovinginfrastructurethroughschemeslikeAjeevikaGrameenExpressyojana,SAMPADAyojana(buildingwarehouses)
• Verticalcoordinationoffarmersthroughcooperatives,contractfarmingandretailchainswouldfacilitatebetterdeliveryofoutput,reducemarketrisks,providebetterinfrastructure,attractmorepublicinterest,acquirebetterextensionservices,andcreateawarenessregardingtheprevailingandnewtechnologies.
• Customizedlogisticsisanotherimportantimmediaterequirementtomakelogisticeffective.Thisreducesthecost,facilitatesmaintenanceofqualityoftheproduceandfulfilsrequirementsoftargetedcustomers.
• Informationsystemforbettercoordinationamongdifferentstakeholdersfromfarmerstoconsumersistheneedofthehour.Theinternetandmobilecommunicationcanalsobeusedtoenableinformationandfinancialtransferbetweenthestakeholders.
• Publicprivatepartnershipisanotherstrategicsolution.Supplychainlikewashing,waxing,grading,sorting,packing,pre-cooling,handlingfacilities,insurance,finance,transportandprocessingfacilitieswouldaddvaluetosupplychainfunctioning.
• EstablishmentofMegaFoodparks:Theseparkswillalsoprovidetherequiredinfrastructuralandcommonfacilitieswhichareessentialforsustenanceofthe
industries.Qualityassurancelaboratories,Warehousingincludingcoldstorages,commoneffluenttreatmentplantsetc.
Conclusion:
Thesupplychainmanagementhastobeimprovedinallthestagesofthesupplybyadoptingglobalbestpracticesinstorage,packaging,handling,transportation,valueaddedserviceetc.Andalsobydisintermediationandparticipationoforganizedplayersi.e.,modernsupplychainwithaviewtobenefitbothfarmersaswellasultimateconsumers.
BestAnswer:AniketSachan
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SurajSharma
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27.ThereisaneedtointroducesecondgenerationlandreformsinIndia.Doyouagree?Substantiateyourviews.
Introduction:
Secondgenerationlandreformsareaimedatreorganizingstateandcollectivefarmsintofamily-sizeunitsandintroducingmarket-orientedlandsystems.Itisbroadlyaboutleavingresourceallocationandproductiondecisionstomarketforcesratherthantothegovernmentinstitutions.
Body:
Needforreforms:
• Universality-Previousreformsliketenancyact,landceilingetc.benefittedmanyfarmersbutthebenefitswereunevenlydistributedacrossclassesandregions.Newreformsarerequiredtocoverallpotentialbeneficiaries.
• Landmarketdevelopment-Issuesinlandacquisition,transferandleaseoflandpreventsthedevelopmentofasoundmarketmechanismwherelandisseenjustasaresourcethatcanhelpitsownersindistresssituation.
• Improvedoutput-Landleasing,co-operativefarming,contractfarmingetc.helpfarmersgetbetterreturnsfromthesamepieceofland,butitcanonlybeexercisedwithincreasedmarketforcesatplay.
• Genderequality-Therehasbeenincreasedfeminizationofagricultureduetomalemigration,butwomenarestilldeniedownershiprightsoverland.
Howitcanbeaccomplished:
• Landrecordsmodernization/computerization-DigitalIndiaLandRecordsModernisationProgramme(DILRMP)hasbeenlaunched.
• Appropriatelandcompensation-TheRighttoFairCompensationandTransparencyinLandAcquisition,RehabilitationandResettlementAct,2013ismeanttoprovideownerswithrightfulcompensation.
• Landleasing-ModelAgriculturalLandLeasingAct,2016canhelpinthisregard.• Contractfarming-DraftModelContractFarmingAct,2018hasbeenreleasedto
strengthenrulesandregulationsregardingthis.• Consolidationoflandholdingssothathugemachineriescanbeutilized• FDIinagriculturalsector• Co-operativefarming• Useoflandbanksandlandpooling
Conclusion:
Forachievementoffaster,sustainableandinclusivegrowththereisneedforsecondgenerationlandreform.Thereformscanalsohelpinachievingthegoalofdoublingfarmers’incomeby2022.
Bestanswer:SreelakshmyViajayanUma
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28.Whataretheapplicationsofnanotechnologyindefenceandspacesectors?Discuss.
Introduction:
Nanotechnologyismanipulationofmatteronanatomic,molecular,andsupramolecularscale.Thistechnologyisemergingasan‘industrialforce’worldwide.Ithasthepotentialtoreducecostswithitsmultipleapplicationsandtheinherentabilitytoproducenewmaterialslikenon-corrodingandflexibleiron.
Nanotechnology:Definitionandconcept
NThastwodifferentbutimportantmeanings.Oneisabroad,stretchedversionthatincludesanytechnologydealingwithsomethinglessthan100nanometresinsize.
Theotheristheoriginalmeaningandreferstodesigningandbuildingmachinesinwhicheveryatomandchemicalbondisspecifiedprecisely.
• NTistechnologythatoperatesanywherewithinthenanometrelengthofscale.Onenanometreisonebillionth(10-9)ofametre.Thisistherealmoftheatom,thesmallestunitofanelement.
• NTmainlyconsistsofthe‘processing,separation,consolidation,anddeformationofmaterialsbyoneatomoronemolecule’.
• Themostimportantaspectofnanotechnology-enabledproductsistheminiaturizationofdevicesandthediversefunctionalitiesthatcanbeintegratedwithinasingularsystem.
Nanotechindefencesector
• Nanotechnologyisanareaofscienceandtechnologythatholdshighlypromisingprospectsformilitaryapplications,consideringitswideapplicabilityindefensiveaswellasoffensiveoperations.
Electronics/Computers/Sensors
• ElectronicsisoneareainwhichNTismakinggreatstrides.TheuseofNTapplicationswilldrasticallyreducethecostandincreasetheperformanceofmemory,displays,processors,solarpoweredcomponents,andembeddedintelligencesystems.
• Miniaturizationisexpectedtohelpmicroprocessorsrunmuchfaster,therebyenablingcomputationsatfargreaterspeeds.
• Insensormanufacturing,NThaslargerutilitybecauseitallowstheproductionofsmallersensorsdowntothesizeofmicrometres.
• Typicalapplicationsforsuchsensorsaresmokedetectors,icedetectorsonaircraftwings,automobileengineperformancesensors,etc.
• Fromamilitarypointofview,theutilityofNTinthefieldofelectronics,computers,andsensorswouldessentiallyrevolvearoundreducingthesizeofexistinggadgetryandmakingthemmoreefficient.
Bio-Defence
• NTisfastemergingasanewfrontierinbio-defence.Currently,NTisprimarilybeingusedinthedevelopmentofbio-sensors.
• Somecountriesareworkingonextremelysmallmachinesandtoolsthatcanenterthehumanbody.
• Byusingaperson’ssaliva,bodyfluids,orblood,Nano-biosensorscanbecreatedtoreliablyworkwithpathogenssuchasviruses.
• DrugandvirusdevelopmentcostscanbereducedbyusingNano-chipstotestvariousmedicationsoracombinationofchemicalsandvaccines.
• Treatmentandfasterrecoveryofinjuriesispossiblethroughnanotech.• Presently,NTisshowingimmensepromiseinthedevelopmentofvariousdirectand
indirectapplicationsusefulforbio-defencepurposes.
Chemicaldefence
• Inthearenaofchemicalweaponsterrorism,NTofferssolutionsagainsttheusageofchemicalagentslikeVX,HD,GD,andGB.SomenanoparticleoxideslikeCaO,Al2O3,andMgOinteractwithsuchchemicalsmuchfasterthanmicroparticlesandareideallysuitedforfastdecompositionofsuchchemicals.
• Asensingdevicefordetectionofnerve-gasagentsintheatmospherehasbeendevelopedbasedonNTapplications.
ConventionalWeapons/Ammunition
• NT-basedstrongerandlightermaterialswouldallowthebuildingofconventionalbarrel-typeweaponswithreducedmass.
• Itisconceivablethatsmallarmsandlightweaponscouldusebarrels,locksetc.madeofNano-fibrecomposites.
• Eveninrespectofballisticandair-breathingmissiles,thereducedmasscouldtranslateintoamarkedincreaseinspeed,range,orpayloadaswellasareductionincarriersize.
Maritimeapplications
• Microandnanoscaleelectronicpackagesarelikelytomaintainreliabilityunderextremelyharshconditionsresultingfromconcurrentlyactingvibrations,high-currentdensity,high-powerandhigh-temperatureloads.
• ProductssuchasfunctionallygradednanocompositesareexcitingexamplesofthepotentialforNTtobringinnovationsfromthebenchtothefleet,whilealsoprovidinganopportunityforreducingcosts.
• Expertsareoftheviewthatnanoparticlescanbeusedtomarkships,fishingboats,navigablechannels,anddelimitingsafeheavens.
• Thecrystalsaresolubleinpaints,fuel,lubricants,specialitychemicals,glues,etc.butcannotbeeasilycounterfeited,removed,oralteredbyanyoneexcepttheauthorisedagencywhichdesignedthem.
Aerospaceandotherdefenceapplications
• Lessvulnerablecorrosivematerialishelpfulinsatellitemanufacturingaswell.• Also,suchstructuralmaterialsandtheminiaturizationassuchachievedbyNTis
likelytoplayavitalroleindesigningthenextgenerationofunmannedaerialvehicles/unmannedcombataerialvehicles.
SpaceapplicationsofNanotech
Ignitors’life:
• Thelifeofsatellites,toalargeextent,isdeterminedbytheamountoffueltheycancarryonboard.
• On-boardignitorswearoutquicklyandceasetoperformeffectively.• Nanomaterials,suchasNano-crystallinetungsten-titaniumdiboride-copper
composite,arepotentialcandidatesforenhancingignitors’lifeandperformancecharacteristics.
Lightweightsolarpanels/cells:
• Apartfromon-boardfuel,satellitesinouterspaceusesolarpowerasapowersourceforvariousactivities.
• Satellitedesignersarecontinuouslyworkingonfindingthemeanstoreducetheweightofsuchsolarcells.
• Spacescientistsaretryingtoadoptnanomaterialsasalternativematerialstotheirconventionalcounterparts.
Applicationsofaerogelsinspacecraft:
• LighterNano-porousmaterialslikeaerogelsarefoundtohavewiderapplicabilityinspacecraftmanufacturing.
• Evensomespeciallightweightsuits,jacketsetc.couldbemadeusingaerogels.• Aerogelsarealow-densitysolid-statematerialderivedfromgelinwhichtheliquid
componentofthegelhasbeenreplacedwithgas.Theresultisanextremelylow-
densitysolidwithseveralremarkableproperties,mostnotablyitseffectivenessasaninsulator.
• Theyareporousandextremelylightweight,yettheycanwithstand100timestheirweight.
• Spaceweatherforecasting:KnowledgeofspaceweatherinthenearEarthandsolarspaceenvironmentiscriticalforspaceresearch.
• Nanostructuredsensorsareexpectedtoplayafundamentalroleinobtaininginformationontheionosphereandotherregionsofspace.
NanotechinIndia’sSpaceanddefencesector
• TheGovernmentofIndiainitiatedaNanomaterialsScienceandTechnologyMission(NSTM).However,IndianinvestmentsinNTarenotveryencouraging.
• Inthedefencearena,India’sDefenceResearchandDevelopmentOrganization(DRDO)isworkingonareaslikesensors,high-energyapplications,stealthandcamouflage,Nuclear,Biological,andChemical(NBC)attackprotectiondevices,structuralapplications,Nano-electronics,andcharacterization.
• Currently,itsmajorfocusisondevelopingvarioustypesofsensors,NBCprotection/detectiondevicesanddevelopingpaintwithcamouflagecharacteristics.
• ISROalsolaunchedNanosatellites,markingamilestoneinspaceresearchanddevelopments.
Concernsandwayforward:
• NTapplicationsmayharmhumanhealthortheenvironment.• Suchlegitimateconcernsdemandtheformulationoftoolstohandleissuesarising
outofbothcivilianandmilitaryapplicationsofNT.• NTcouldsuddenlychangetheregional/global‘militarybalance’.Thiswouldincrease
threatandreducestability.• Topreventoratleastreducesuchrisksandinstability,limitationscanbeagreed
uponinadvancebeforenewweaponsortechnologyaredeployed,actingmainlyatthestagesofdevelopmentand/ortesting,andsometimesattheresearchstage.
• Intheyearstocome,somenon-stateactorscouldalsodeveloporotherwiseacquiremilitary-relatedNTs.
• Sincetheexactstatusoftechnologyatthisjunctureisnotknown,someofthesetechnologieswhendevelopedtotheirfullcapabilitymayormaynotcomeunderexistingexportcontrolregulations.
• ItisarguedthatnanomedicineisonefieldwhereviolationoflawsdesignedunderBTWCandtheChemicalWeaponsConvention(CWC)islikelytotakeplace.
• Costreductionwillencouragemoreandmorenanotechdesignedsatelliteslaunchesandmayleadtofurtherincreaseinspacetrafficanddebris.
Conclusion:
MilitaryandspaceapplicationsofNTareheretostay.Statesarelikelytoinvestmoreandmoreintothistechnologyforexploitingthedual-usenatureofthistechnology.NToffersvitalandvariedapplicationsasdiscussedabove.
ForIndia,Nano-sensorswouldhaveagreatpotentialforreal-timebordersurveillancethroughwirelessnetworking.
CertainareasofNT,particularlymolecularNT,arestillinanascentformofdevelopmentanditisdifficulttoclearlyidentifytheirspecificusesindefenceandspace.
ConsideringtheleaderinspaceresearchinSouthAsia,thereishugepotentialforIndiainapplicationsofnanotechnology.
(Note:Thissynopsishasbeenmadedetailedtocoverallpossibleapplications,youcanwritesomeofthem.)
BestAnswer:SID
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29.HasIndia’sIPRregimestifledinnovation?Criticallyexamine.
Introduction:
IPRreferstoIntellectualPropertyRightswhichareexclusivecommercialrightsfornovelinnovations.Intellectualproperty(IP)isacategoryofpropertythatincludesintangiblecreationsofthehumanintellectsuchascopyrights,patents,andtrademarks.
IPiskeytoinnovation,andinnovationiscrucialineconomicdevelopment.ThustheroleoftheIndianIPRregimeisvital.IndiahasadoptedanIPRregimeinlinewithinternationalstandards.
Body:
However,India’sIPRregimeisallegedtostifleinnovationbecause:
• Itdiscouragesever-greeningofpatentswithminorchangeswithoutanysignificantimprovementineffectivenessorefficiency.
• Thebureaucraticsetupwhichisallegedlycorrupt,unresponsiveandlacksexpertisetorecognizeandpromoteinnovation.
• Allegedly,nomajorsuccessfulinitiativeshavebeentakenbytheagenciesconcernedeithertopopularizeIPRsinIndia.
• Lackofswiftandcost-effectivejudicialmeasurestoenforceIPRexclusivityandtheresultantplagiarism.
• WeaklinkbetweenlocalIndiancompanies,individualsandIndianIPauthorities:Indiafiledonly1.18%ofglobalpatentfilings,numberofforeignerfilinginIndiaishigher
• Fewpatentexaminersresultinpatentsprocessedperexaminerdeclining• Speedofgrantingpatentsmoreslowercomparedtoglobalstandards• Copycats:Allowinggenericproducts(likedrugs)etc.promoteIndianlivingstandards,
generateemploymentatthesametimeaffectingtheinnovator.
However,thecounterargumentsare:
• Ever-greeninghasbeenfoundtostifleinnovation,becomingatooltofurtherconcentrateinthehandsoffewercompanies.
• DespitethemeagrestatesupporttoR&Dinthecountry,Indiaranks6thworldwideintermsofIPRcreation.Fore.g.EricsoncompanyfoundIndiapatentfriendlynation
Stepstakentopromoteinnovation:
1)Transparency:Filingandexaminationresultsarenowpublicdomain
2)Lowcostoffilingpatentscomparedglobally
3)Start-upbenefits:Start-upIntellectualPropertyProtectionhelpsstart-upgaintaxbenefits,reducefilingcostsandprotecttrademarks,copyrightsetc.
4)EstablishmentofNewnumberingsystemcompatiblewithglobalIPoffices.
5)Preventionofevergreeningpatents(USmedicinesmostexpensivecomparedtoIndianones)
Conclusion:
Assuch,tosuggestthatIndia’sIPRregimehasstifledinnovationwouldbeanexaggeration.InitiativessuchasCIPAM,TRIPScompliancecanpromotethedelicatebalancebetweenensuringsocietalbenefitwithoutstiflinginnovationadequately.Butit’struethatbycreatingpopularawarenessaboutIPRsandbyprovidingeffective&cost-efficientjudicial-legalremediesagainstIPRviolation,wecanfurtheraccelerateinnovationinIndia.
Bestanswer:Shri
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30.Whatareyourviewsongeneediting?Shoulditbeallowed?Evaluateitsprosandcons.
Introduction:
Geneediting,whoisalsoknownasgenomeediting,involvestheinsertion,deletion,orreplacementofDNA(deoxyribonucleicacid)inagene.
Severaldifferentmethodsthatcanbeusedtoeditgenes(Notethisisextrainfo-notneededinanswer)
1)Zincfingernucleasetechnology:Hasbeenusedlongerthananyothergene-editingmethod.Firstdevelopedinthe1990s,thisapproachinvolvesthebindingofapairofZFNstoaDNAtarget.
2)TALEN(transcriptionactivator-likeeffectorsnuclease)Developedin2009.TALENsareproducedbyacommontypeofplantbacteria.LikeZFNs,TALENsbindtoandcuttargetedDNAsequences.AkeyadvantagetheTALENgene-editingmethodholdsoverZFNisthatengineeringTALENsissimplerthanusingZFNs.
3)CRISPR(thebiggestdevelopmentingeneeditingwasthediscoveryofclusteredregularlyinterspacedshortpalindromicrepeats(CRISPRs).TheCRISPRmethodusesbacterialenzymestotargetandcutspecificsectionsofDNA.CRISPRissimplerandcheaperthanearliergene-editingmethods.
Body:
ProsaboutGeneediting:
• CancerTherapeutics:NewimmunetherapiescanbedevelopedusingCRISPRtotreatcancer.ScientistscangeneticallymodifyT-cellsusingCRISPRtolocateandkillcancercells.
• CuringGeneticDiseases:CRISPRtechnologycaneliminatethegenesthatcausegeneticdiseasessuchasdiabetes,cysticfibrosis.Giventhatthescientificcommunityhasalreadymappedmanygenesthatcausethegeneticdisease,CRISPRcouldbeusedtocurefaultygenesthatcausegeneticdiseases.
• DrugResearch:ScientistsarepredictingthatCRISPRcouldpotentiallyspeedupthedrugdiscoveryprocessgiventhetechnologyisrelativelycheap,preciseandsimpletouse.SomeofthedrugmakersintheworldarealreadyincorporatingCRISPRtechnologyintheirdrugresearchanddiscoveryphase.
• PestResilientCrops:AccordingtoJenniferDoudna,CRISPRpioneer,genomeeditingcouldaddresspestandnutritionchallengesfacingagriculture,especiallyinlightofclimatechangeandrapidpopulationgrowth.
Consaboutgeneediting:
• ChangestotheGerm-lineCells:Thiscouldpotentiallyleadtodevelopmentofdesignerbabieswhichwouldcreatedivisionsinsocietyasdesignerbabywillhavemoregeneticadvantageovertheother
• BioWeapons:TheformerU.S.directorofnationalintelligencelisted“genomeediting”amongsixthreatsinthesectiononweaponsofmassdestructionin2016.Thetechnologycanbeusedtogeneticallymodifybacteriaorvirusestowagebiologicalattacksagainsthumans.
• Unknowndiseasestohuman:Thereisarisingfearthatgenomeeditingcancausedifferenttypeofdiseasesstillunknowntohuman
ShouldGeneeditingbeallowed:
• GeneeditingshouldbeencouragedtoenhancetheadvancementsinfieldofscienceandimprovethestandardoflivingofpeopleE.g.:CRISPRtechnologyistargetingtotreattherarediseasecausedbymutationofonegene.Atthesametimeacommonguidelinesneedtobedevelopedbyinternationalcommunity’swhichsettheguidelinesofwhatrisksareacceptableandwhatarenot.
Conclusion:
Likeeverynewtechnologygeneeditinghastwosidestheneedistoencouragethepositivesidewhilebeingcautiousaboutnegatives.
BestAnswer:Mudrarakshas
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31.ExaminethefactorsthathaveconstrainedresearchandinnovationcapabilitiesinIndia.Whatmeasuresbetakentopromoteindigenisation?Suggest.
Introduction:
Researchandinnovationdeterminesthegrowthtrajectoryofanationandareessentialforoveralldevelopmentbeitsocial,economicorhumandevelopmentparameter.
Body:
Factorsthathaveconstrainedresearchandinnovationcapabilities:
• Lowlevelofresearchinvestment–AsperUNESCOInstituteofStatisticsdata,Indiaspends0.8%inGDPonR&D,whichisnotablylessthanChina’s2%orthe2.7%oftheUS0r4.2%ofIsrael.
• Laggingprivatesector–InsufficientscientificresearchinIndia’sprivatesectorseemstobepartoftheproblem.Thelargepharmaceuticalsector,forexample,remainsdominatedbythefabricationofgenericproductsratherthanoriginalformulations.
• Weakindustry-academialinkage–UnlikewesterncountriesinIndiathereisadisconnectionbetweenindustryneedsandacademicscreatingavacuuminresearchandinnovation.
• Neglectatuniversitylevel–Alargesectionofthecountry’spublicresearchisconcentratedinnationalresearchcentressuchastheS.N.BoseCenter,theRamanResearchInstituteandorganizationssuchastheIndianAssociationfortheCultivationofScience.Incomparison,researchatuniversitieshasbeenneglected.
• Lackofinfrastructure–Physicalaswellasotherenablinginfrastructureismissingtohelpinresearchcapabilities.
• InsufficientFDI–FDIinIndiahasfocusedonsettingupback-endofficesforR&Dcentersindevelopedcountries.
• IssuesregardingIntellectualPropertyrights(IPR)–WeakenforcementofIPRrulespreventthedevelopmentofinnovationecosysteminthenation.
• Unethicalpractices–theurgetomakeillegalmoney,immensemisuseofpower,frivolouspublicationsandpatents,faultypromotionpolicies,victimizationforspeakingagainstwrongorcorruptpracticesinthemanagement,sycophancy,andbraindrain.
Measurestakenbygovernment:
• Variousschemeshavebeenintroducedtoimprovethequalityofresearchinstitutes,forthepromotionoftechnologybusinessincubators(AtalIncubationCentres)andresearchparksthatpromoteinnovativeideasuntiltheybecomecommercialventures.
• Governmentproceduresandapprovalsforscientistsandresearchershavebeenplacedonlineandmadetransparent,therebyassuring“EaseofDoingScience”.
• PMfellowshipschemeaimedatencouragingyoung,talented,enthusiasticandresult-orientedscholarstotakeupindustry-relevantresearch.
• AtalTinkeringLabsensurethatdedicatedworkspacesarecreatedforstudentstoinnovateanddevelopideasthatwillgoontotransformIndia.
• Platformslike“InnovateIndia”promoteandrecogniseinnovationshappeningacrossthenationbyenablingcitizenstosharetheirinnovation.
• UnnatBharatAbhiyan2.0tohelpbringtransformationalchangeinruraldevelopmentprocessesbyleveragingknowledgeinstitutionstohelpbuildthearchitectureofanInclusiveIndia.
• IMPRINTIndiaisaimedatadoptingengineeringandtechnologyasthevehicletoaddressingthesocietalneedsandachievingnationalprosperity
• ForgingtechnologyandinnovationpartnershipswithothernationslikeIndia-IsraelInnovationBridgewillactaslinkbetweenstart-upsofIndiaandIsrael.
• VariousenablingpolicieslikeScience,Technology&InnovationPolicy2013,NationalIntellectualPropertyRightsPolicy,TechnologyVisionDocument2035andSpaceVisionIndia2025havebeenframed.
Wayforward:
• IncreasedR&Dinvestmentupto2%ofGDP• Improveindustry-academialinkages• Favourablepoliciestoboostinnovationecosystem• Boosttoprivatesector• Attractforeigninvestmentinresearch• Encouragegrassrootlevelinnovators• StrengthenIPRpolicyregime• Upgradeinfrastructure
Conclusion:
Indiahasrealizedtheimportanceofpromotingresearchandinnovation,whichcanbeseenfromthefactthatitmadeaquantumleapof21placesintheGlobalInnovationIndexintwoyearsandstandsasthe57thmostinnovativenationintheworldtoday.
Bestanswer:GargiGupta
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JeanGrey
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32.Whatarethecurrentstrategiestodealwiththeproblemofnaxalism?Howeffectivehavetheybeen?Examine.
Introduction:
NaxalismcanbetracedbackedtoitsorigininNaxalbarivillageofWestBengalstate.Itstartedasamovementtovoiceitsconcernsbylandlesslabourersandtribalpeopleandgraduallyhasbecomeaninternalsecuritythreattothecountry.
Body:
StrategiestodealwithNaxalism:
• LeftWingExtremism(LWE)Division-ItwascreatedintheHomeMinistrytoeffectivelyaddresstheLeftWingExtremistinsurgencyinaholisticmanner.ItimplementssecurityrelatedschemesaimedatcapacitybuildingintheLWEaffectedStates.
• SecurityRelatedExpenditure(SRE)scheme-Formulatedforthepurposeofreimbursementofsecurity-relatedexpenditureliketransportation,communication,thehiringofvehicles,stipendtosurrenderedMaoists,constructionofinfrastructureforforcesetc.
• MediaPlan-Maoistshavebeenmisguidingandluringtheinnocenttribal/localpopulationinLWEaffectedareasbytheirSo-calledpoor-friendlyrevolutionthroughpettyincentivesorbyfollowingtheircoercivestrategy.Todealwiththeirfalsepropaganda,activitieslikeTribalYouthExchangeprogrammesorganisedbyNYKS,radiojingles,documentaries,pamphletsetc.arebeingconducted
• AspirationalDistrict-TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasbeenmonitoringAspirationaldistrictsprogrammein35LWEaffecteddistricts
• ModernisationandupgradationoftheStatePoliceandtheirIntelligenceapparatusandfortificationofPolicestations
• Ensuringrightsandentitlementsoflocalcommunities• Improvementingovernanceandpublicperceptionmanagement• BetterequipmentofCRPF• SettingupofCounterInsurgencyandAntiTerrorism(CIAT)schools
• AssistanceintrainingofStatePolicethroughtheMinistryofDefence,theCentralPoliceOrganisationsandtheBureauofPoliceResearchandDevelopment
• Facilitatinginter-Statecoordination• Assistanceincommunitypolicingandcivicactionprogrammes
Effectivenessoftheabovementionedstrategies:
• Reducedgeographicalextent-Mostoftheleft-wingextremismhasbeenrestrictedtojust30worst-hitdistricts.
• Increasedattacks-Therehasbeenanincreaseinattacksbutdecreaseinareaofinfluence.
• Militarization-TherehasbeengreatermilitarizationofthebannedCommunistPartyofIndia(Maoist)inareaswithintheRedCorridor.
• Lostleadership-Paramilitaryandpoliceactionshaveresultedinthedeathofseniorleaders
• Tribal-Maoistsdisconnect-Welfaremeasures,eveniftheyhavebeenimplementedhaphazardly,haveenabledoutreachintotribalareaswherethestatewashithertoabsent.TheseactionshaveforcedtheMaoiststoretreatfurtherintotheforestareasofcentralandsouth-centralIndia
• Changingcharacteristicsofnaxalism-Alignmentwithorganizedcrime,internationallinks,impoverishedweapons,supportfromurbanintelligentsiaetc.
Conclusion:
Thegovernment’sstrategyofusingmilitaryforcealongwithallocationoffundsforinfrastructureandwelfareprogrammesisbearingfruits.Needisoffurtherconsolidationofactionsandspeedyimplementationofwelfareschemes.
Bestanswer:Shri
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33.Doyouthinkdevelopmentdeficitistherootcauseofleftwingextremism?Criticallycomment.
Introduction:
TheLeftWingExtremism(LWE)isthemostseriousinternalthreatthecountryisfacing.Naxalismhasbeenoperatinginseveralpartsofthecountry.Ithasbeentherefromthelate60sand70sanddifferentpartsofthecountryhavebeenaffectedwithdifferentlevelsofnaxalviolence.Ithasbeentackledindifferentwaysinallthesevenaffectedstates.
AsignificantchangecameaboutwiththemergerofthePeoplesWarGroupandtheMCCtoformtheCPI(Maoist)in2004.Thus,therehadbeenafusionoftheideologywiththearmedgroups,bothcomingtogetherforthefirsttime.
Body:
Developmentdeficitinleft-wingaffectedareas:
• Landreforms:BeginningofLWEisoftenattributedtofailureoflandreformsinnewlyindependentIndia.MostofthepeoplelivinginMaoistaffectedareasareprimarilyagriculturists.Forthemlandisthemostimportantassetfromwhichtheyaredeprivedofownership.
• ResourceCurseandIndustrialisation:AlmostcompletenorthtosouthcontiguousbeltofLWEaffectedareaisrichinresources.Mineralssuchasironoreandcoalattractedmanyheavyindustries,affectingtheagricultureofthelocalpeopleandexploitationoflabour.
• Administrativeandpoliticalneglect:ApatheticbehaviourofadministratorsandlackofpoliticalwillandintegrationisanothermajordevelopmentalissueinLWEaffectedareas.
• Health,educationandotherpublicservices:Lackofbasicservicessuchasqualityhealthcare,education,sanitationandothermunicipalservicesareleadingtofurtherdeteriorationofalreadypoorcommunities.
• Infrastructure:LWEaffectedareasaremostlyremoteandinteriorforestareaswhichlackproperroad,railwaysandothercommunicationinfrastructure.Electricityandotherbasicinfrastructureisalsoinpoorcondition.
But,developmentisnottheonlycauseofLeftWingExtremism:
• Maoistsdon’tbelieveinparliamentarydemocracy.Theywanttoestablishcommunistideologyingovernanceofthecountry.
• TheobjectiveoftheMaoistagendaisthearmedoverthrowoftheIndianState.• Socio-culturalisolationisalsoanothercauseoffeelingofalienationamongpeopleof
LWEareas.Manyofthemhavetheirownlocaltribalcultureandethnicidentities.• Denialofforestrightsremainsoneofthegrievancesofaffectedpeople.• Foreignfundingbyhostilecountriestodestabilizecountryandpropagandaof
MaoismisalsoresponsibleofpersistentandviolentbehaviourofMaoistsinIndia.
Conclusion:
FromalltheaboveobservationsandpointsitcanbeconcludedthatdevelopmentisnottheonlyreasonbehindviolentLeftWingExtremism,buttherearesomeotherissues.Themostbasicisideologyitselfismajorboneofcontention.
Bestanswer:Krishnakant
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34.Howdoexternalstateactorsuseterrorismasatooltodestabilisetheinternalsecurityofastate?AnalysewithreferencetoIndia.
Introduction:
Externalstateactorsincludethegovernmentsandtheiragenciessuchasmilitary,intelligenceapparatus,Governmentrunindustriesetc.Theyhaveformalbackingofasovereignstateforcarryingoutanyintendedaction.
Body:
Stateactorsmayactagainstotherstatesifthereisclashofinterestsintermsofideology,economicorstrategicinterests.Towardsthisend,terrorismisemployedasatoolbyexternalstateactors.
CountriessuchasChina,Pakistanthroughpoliticalbacking,economicassistance,logisticsupport,militarytrainingorarmssupplieshavesupportedterroroutfitsandinsurgentgroups.TerroristgroupslikeLashkar-e-Taiba(LeT)andIndianMujahideen(IM),thoughnon-stateactors,havedefactosupportfromPakistanwhoarebehindMumbaiattackandattackonIndianparliament.Bysupportingterrorgroups,thesecountrieshaveusedterrorismasatooltodisruptpeaceanddestabilizeinternalsecurityofIndia.
Howterrorismdestabilizesinternalsecurity:
• Actsofterrorlikebombblastsinmajorcities(Mumbaiattack),attackonimportantplaces/institutionsresultsintodeathofcivilians.Violentactsinstilfearinthemindsofthepeople.
• Justifyingtheiractionsasretaliationagainstatrocitiesonminoritiesandtargetingpeopleofparticularcommunity/religiondisruptssocialharmony.Appealtoreligious
sentimentsislikelytoincreasereligioushatredleadingtocommunalconflictsandriots.
• Radicalisationofyouthandpossibilityoflone-wolfattacks.• Bysupportinginsurgentgroupspromoteregionalism/secessionisttendenciesinthe
country.Example:insurgentgroupsinNorth-East,Kashmirseparatism.• ProblemofdrugsinPunjabandcertainstatesofNorth-EastlikeManipurandthere
areenoughevidenceforlinkbetweendrugtraffickingandterrorism.
Thusinanutshellposecountrywithinternalsecuritychallengeslikecommunalism,regionalism,extremismandorganisedcrime.
Conclusion:
Indiahasbeenatthereceivingendofterrorismovertheyears.OvertheyearsGovernmentofIndiahastakenmeasureslikesettingupNationalSecurityAgency(NSA),NATGRID,strengtheningarmyandcoastalguards.However,newmeansofterrorwarrantssustainedvigilance.
Bestanswer:AnotherBeing
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35.HowdoesChina-PakistanaxisposeathreattoIndia’ssecurityecosystem?Analyse.
Introduction:
ChinaandPakistandescribeeachotheras“all-weatherfriends”.AccordingtoPakistan,Pak–Chinafriendshipissweaterthanhoneyandhigherthanthemountains.
Body:
Assuch,thisChina-PakistanaxisposesathreattoIndia’ssecurityecosysteminthefollowingways:
• Itopensatwo-frontwarpossibilityforIndia,somethingwhichwemightnotbeabletocounter,givenourweakness,especiallyvis-à-visChina.
• ChinaisabletoconstrainIndia’seconomicgrowthandmilitarymightbyforcingIndiaintogreaterdefenceexpenditure.
• ChinawantstointerfereinKashmirissue,whileIndiawantsbilateralsolution.
• Pakistanisabletosustaincross-borderterrorismdespiteadomesticBalanceofPaymentscrisis,usingChinesefundsandmaterial(includingChinese-madegrenades).
• They’reabletocombinetheireffortsindestabilizingIndianeconomybyexploitingopen&porousborderswithIndia,MyanmarandBangladeshforInfiltrationofterroristsdisguisedaslegalmigrants,SupplyoffakecurrencyandTraffickingofhumansaswellasgoods.
• Moneylaundering,Supplyofillegalarmsandammunitions• Further,ChinaishelpingPakistangainmilitarynucleartechnologylikeGhazini
includingstrategicwarheads,nucleartriadetc.whichfurtherdestabilizeIndianneighbourhood.
• ThetwocountriesarealsocollaboratingindestabilizingotherIndianneighboursincludingBangladesh,PakistanandNepaltherebyfurthercreatingthreattoIndia’ssecurityecosystem.
• PassingofCPECthroughPOKaffectsthesovereigntyandterritorialintegrityofIndia.• ImpedimentinIndia’sbidtoNSG,alsoChinavetoesresolutionagainstPakistanin
UNSC.
Conclusion:
Weneedtostrengthenoureconomicandsecurityapparatussoastoabletostrengthenbothourdomesticaswellasforeignpolicyventurestocounterthisthreat.
Bestanswer:Ankur
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36.WhatisthethreatperceptionassociatedwitChina’saggressiveinfrastructureexpansionintheborderareas?Discuss.
Introduction:
China’s“OneBelt,OneRoad”(OBOR)policyisaimedatinvestinglargesumsofmoneyininfrastructuredevelopmentintheareabetweenthetwoSilkRoads,inanefforttojointhemtogetherandcreateoneorderedarea.Thisextendsbeyondmereeconomicactivity,however,andincludesestablishingawholehostofrules,fromculturalexchangetothemovementofpeople.
Body:
ThreatperceptionwithregardtoChineseexcessiveexpansioninborderareas:
1)ThreattoIndia’sSovereignty:China-PakistanEconomicCorridor,orCPEC,whichpassesthroughPakistan-occupiedKashmir.Thecorridorthreatensterritorialintegrityofnation.
2)ExpansionofMilitary:TheinfrastructurebeingbuiltbyChina,includingroads,railwaysandports,willbenefitChina’smilitary,enablingBeijingtosecureaneffectivemeansforcommunicationandthemovementoftroopsinacontingency.Thiswouldenablerapidmobilisationofmilitaryatthetimesofconflict
3)ControlofMaritimetrade:CPECgivesChinaafootholdinthewesternIndianOceanwiththeGwadarport,locatednearthestrategicStraitofHormuz,whereChinesewarshipsandasubmarinehavesurfaced.AccesshereallowsChinagreaterpotentialtocontrolmaritimetradeinthatpartoftheworld–avulnerablepointforIndia,whichsourcesmorethan60percentofitsoilsuppliesfromtheMiddleEast.
4)CurtailIndia’sinfluenceinneighbourhood:NepalwhichwashistoricallyclosetoIndiaisnowseekinghelpfromChinatouseitsportsfortransportofgoods,proposedrailcorridorbetweenKathmanduandTibetisexampleofgrowinginfluenceofChinainNepal.
5)ThreatsofinsurgencyinNorthEast:TheillegaluseofmoneyandprovidingexternalhelpinformsofarmscancauseunrestinNorthEast.
IndiarealisesthepotentialrisksandhencehasitsownsetofconnectivityinitiativessuchasMyanmar’sKaladanproject,theChabaharportprojectwithIran,aswellasthenorth-southcorridorwithRussiawhichcouldbepotentiallyleveraged.Theproposed7200-kilometerInternationalNorthSouthTransportationCorridorisaship,railandroadtransportationsystemconnectingtheIndianOceanandPersianGulftotheCaspianSeaviaIrantoRussiaandNorthEurope.
Conclusion:
IndianeedtobecautiouswithgrowinginfluenceofChinaandatsametimestriveandimproveitsinfrastructureinNorthEastanditsrelationswithneighbouringcountries.
BestAnswer:LameName
Chinaispursuingaggressiveinfrastructureexpansionofbothhumanandphysicalinfrastructureinborderareas.Thisisevidentfrom:
• Karakoramhighway• ResettlementofChinesecitizensinTibetwiththeintentiontochangetheregional
ethnicmix.• SurveillanceofUighursinXinjiang
• Industrialdevelopmentwithpolicyreformtopromoteindustrializationinitsinteriorareas.
ThisinfrastructureexpansionentailsthefollowingthreatperceptionfromIndia’sstandpoint:
• Illegalmigrants:Socialharmonywillbedisruptedasillegalmigrants,disgruntledwithChinesesurveillanceandintrusivegovernancemightfleetoborderingIndianterritory(e.g.:Tibetans,Uighursetc.)Thesemigrantsmightalsoupsetthelocalresourcebalance,giventhatevenIndianborderareasarerelativelyunderdeveloped.
• Militarythreat:Incaseofconflict,thisinfrastructurewouldfacilitaterapidmobilizationofarmsandpersonnelagainstIndia.GivenourtopographicrealitiesalongChineseborder,wemightlagbehind.
• ThefrequencyofborderintrusionsbyChinesemilitarymightincreasefurther.• ItcurtailsIndia’ssphereofinfluenceintheHimalayanandSouthAsianregion(Nepal,
Bhutan,Myanmar,Bangladeshetc.)whereChinawouldbeabletoplayamoreproactiverole,asisevidentfromitsmobilizationduringNepalearthquake(2015).Example:ChinanowproposesatunnelrailwayprojectbetweenTibetandKathmandu.BCIMcorridorisanotherstepinthisdirection.
• Itwouldfurtherstrengthentheanti-IndiasentimentsinIndianneighbourhoodbyusingis(moneyandmilitary)hardpower,therebycreatingnewsecuritythreatsforIndia,suchasby:
• Supportinginsurgency• Illegalarms,ammunitions,• MoneylaunderingandFCNRetc.
Indianeedstoshoreupitsmilitaryandsecurityweaknessvis-à-visChinatocounterthisthreatperception.
37.Whatisparalleleconomy?Whatareitsimplicationsfortheinternalsecurityscenario?Discuss.
Introduction:
LeftWingextremism,North-eastinsurgenciesandJammu&KashmircrisisarethreeofthemostcriticalinternalsecurityissuesIndiaiscurrentlyfacing.Paralleleconomyisoneofthebiggestreasonsthatevenafterseventyyearsofindependencecountrystillstrugglingtocontaintheseissues.
Body:
Whatisparalleleconomy?
Theblackeconomyorparalleleconomyconsistsofalltheactivitiesinwhichblackincomesaregeneratedandblackincomesarefactorincomes,propertyincomes,notreportedtodirecttaxauthorities.
Aparalleleconomyinitsbroadestsensemayconsistof–
• Illegaleconomy,suchasmoneylaundering,smuggling;• Unreportedeconomyincludingtaxevasion;• Unregulatedeconomyi.e.economicactivitiesoutsidelawandregulations.• India’sparalleleconomyisestimatedtobe62%ofGDP,generatingaboutRs93lakh
croreofrevenue.
Thiseconomyisrunningwiththehelpofvariousfactorssuchascounterfeitcurrencyinfusedthroughborders,taxheaven,organisedcrimesandunorganisedmarket,andhostilebehaviourofforeignfactors.HawalaandBenamitransactions,taxheavensetcarealsosignificantfacilitatorsofparalleleconomy.
ImplicationsoftheparalleleconomyoninternalsecurityofIndia:
ParalleleconomyisthemainsourceofresourcesforallthemajorinternalsecurityissuesofIndia.
• Economicterrorism:ThecountryhastocontendwithEconomicterrorism.Pakistanhasbeenfloodingthecountrywithcounterfeitcurrencywithaviewtosubvertingitseconomyandfundingterroristactivitiesindifferentpartsofthecountry.ItisestimatedthatPakistanpumpedin16billionworthofFICNintoIndiain2010,afigurethatroseto20billionin2011and25billionin2012.
• Organisedcrime:OrganisedcrimesinIndiaespeciallyinmetrocitiessuchasMumbaiandDelhiarerisingduetoflourishingparalleleconomy.Suchorganisedcriminalsalsofundforradicalisationofyouthandterroristattacks.
• Religiousorideologicalextremism:Paralleleconomyisgreatestsourceoffinancialhelptoextremists.Financialincentiveslureunemployedyouthtowardsantinationalactivitiesinthenameofparticularreligionorideology.
• Cybercrime:Crypto-currencyandunrecordedcashtransactionine-commercearealsoemergingmeanstosupplyresourcestohostileelementsinthecountry.
• Armedviolence:ArmedviolencewhichwashithertolegacyofMaoistsorinsurgenciesisnowtakinganewformthroughoutIndiaespeciallyintheformofrightwingextremism.Recentlytherehasbeenreportofseizureofillegalweaponsandpublicfiringbyindividuals.BlackmoneyiseasysourceofillegalarmstradeinIndia.
MeasurestakenbyGovernmenttocontainparalleleconomy
• Voluntaryincomedeclarationschemes,suchasGareebKalyanYojana• Demonetisation• Taxreforms;GST• TheBenamiTransactions(Prohibition)Act• PreventionofMoneyLaunderingAct• FinancialActionTaskforce;forinternationalcooperationincaseofterrorfunding• ReviewingofDoubleTaxationAvoidanceAgreements• Formalisationofeconomy• Bankingreforms• Promotionofcashlesseconomy:Digitisationofeconomy
Conclusion:
Thoughwehavetakenmanymeasurestocontaintheparalleleconomybutsuccessisfarbelowthepotential.Politicalwilltocurbcorruptionandorganisedcrime,andpovertyalleviationalongwithsocialwilltoremovethecancerofblackeconomyfromsocietycanonlyleadtoeliminationofparalleleconomyandsubsequentlycontroloverinternalsecurityofthecountry.
BestAnswer:P29
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38.Howdoessocialmedialeadtoyouthradicalisation?Examinethemodusoperandi?
Introduction:
Intoday’sdigitizedworld,PeoplearewellconnectedthaneverbeforethankstoMobilephonesandinternetpenetration.WithusageofsocialmediaplatformslikeFacebook,Twitterworldhasturnedfrombeing‘connected’to‘hyper-connected’.
Body:
Whilesocialmediaplatformshavebroughtpeople,theirideasandexperiencestogether,theyhavealsobeenmisusedbyanti-socialelementstodisturbpeaceintheworld.Amongmany,radicalisationofyouththroughsocialmediaisonesuchmisuse.
Radicalizationisaprocessbywhichindividualorgroupcomestotakeupaviolentformofaction.Itisdirectlylinkedtoanextremistideologythatconteststheestablishedorderatthepolitical,socialorculturallevel.Peoplearesusceptibletopolitical(Rightwing&Leftwing),Religious,PsychologicalandSocio-Economicradicalization.
Radicalismhasbeenusedinterchangeablywithnotionssuchasfundamentalism-religiousapproach,indoctrination-mentalcontrol,Jihad,extremismandterrorism,amongothers.
Howsocialmedialeadstoradicalisation:
• Socialmediaplatformshavebecomeanactivevectorforviolentradicalization.• ExtremistgroupstakeadvantagesthatstemfromtheverynatureofInternetand
socialmediachannelslikecommunicationchannelsthatarenotboundtonationaljurisdictionsandthatareinformal,largegroup,cheap,decentralizedandanonymous
• Thisallowsterroriststonetworkacrossbordersandtobypasstimeandspace.Specificallythesechannelsprovidenetworksofrecruiters,workinghorizontally,inallthecountriestheytargetduetothetrans-bordernatureoftheInternet.
• Withsuchwiderreach,radicalgroupstargetvulnerableindividuals-takingadvantageofpsychologicalfactorslikeisolatedpeopleandthoselookingforbelongingnessandself-identity;appealingtotheirsocialgrievanceslikeinequality,discriminationandsocialexclusion;exploitingemotionalattachmentofpeopletowardstheirreligion.
• Thiswouldbedoneinseveralways:Createappealing,interactiveuser-friendlyplatformstoattractyoungeraudiences;Offerspaceswheregroupscanmaintainsecretbuthighlydemocraticcommunicationmodesontheassumptionthateveryonecanparticipate;Disseminateextremist,violentandcriminalcontent,whichwouldnotbewellreceivedoffline;Identifypotentialparticipantsandprovidethemwithinformationabout‘thecause’andthegroupsinvolvedindefendingit;Delivermassivepublicityforactsofviolenceandenhancingaperceptionofstrength.
• Thusthroughpropagandaandindoctrination,individualsareradicalizedandtheyresorttoviolencetothisachievetheirend.
NOTE:Youneedtosubstantiatepointswithexample.
Conclusion:
Goingforward,effortsshouldbechannelizedto
• Makeuseofthesenewtechnologies-socialmediaasatoolforpreventingradicalizationespeciallybymakingitpossibletoproposeacounter-narrativeontheInternet;toencouragecitizeneducationandcriticalthinking;insupportofhumanrights,dialogue,mutualunderstandingandtolerance;
• Followmultidimensionalapproachtoanalyseandpreventtherootcausesofradicalization.
Bestanswer:SID
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39.Whatdoyouunderstandbybenamitransactions?Howdoesitoperate?
Introduction:
BenamiTransaction,incommonparlance,referstoatransactioninwhichapropertyistransferredinthenameofaperson,whereastheconsiderationforthesameispaidbysomeotherperson.
Body:
Operationofbenamitransactions
Naamdar–He\sheisthepersononwhosenamethepropertyispurchased.Hecanbewife\husband,relatives,poorcultivatorsdependinguponthemoneylender,offshorefictitiouspersonetc.-whichevenmaynotexist,isunawareorcoerced.
Benaamdar–He\sheisthepersonwhoactuallyownstheproperty.ThismaybeinIndiancontextanybodycorporate,moneylender,politician,businessperson.ThemainmotiveistoinvestIllegalandunaccountedmoneyintoeconomyandgetreturnsoff.
Finallybyvariousmethodsofcoercion,orshellingofcompanies,falserecords,bribeetc.Thepropertyispurchasedbutremainsundercontrolofbenamdaar.
Consequences:
• Blackmoney• Skyrocketingpricesofproperty• ThecommonmansufferstoaffordaHouse• Lossofrevenuetogovernment• Moneycanbelaterusedtoillegalactivities
Conclusion:
RealEstatesRegulationact,Benamitransition(prohibition)ActandlinkingAadharwithPANhasledtoreductioninthisillicitcorruptbusinessascanbeseenfromslumpinthemarket.
Bestanswer:SurajSharma
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40.Enumeratethesecuritythreatsimposedbymisuseofcommunicationnetworksandsocialmedia.
Introduction:
SmartphoneandinternetusageinIndiaissettomassivelyswellinthenextfouryears.
By2022,therewillbe829millionsmartphoneusersinIndia,accountingfor60%ofthepopulation,accordingtoCisco’s13thannualVisualNetworkingIndex(VNI).
Withtheincreasepenetrationofsmartphones,thesecuritythreatsrelatedtocyberspacearecauseofconcern
Securitythreatsduetomisuse:
• Socialengineering:Today,‘socialengineering’isoneofthemostprevalentsocialmediathreatsandalsothemostpopulartacticforcybercriminals.Socialmediaplatformsallowattackerstofindpersonalinformationthatcanbeusedtotargetspecificindividuals.Usinginformationfromemployeeprofiles,aplausiblefakeaccountcanbecreatedtoestablishtrustovertime.Oncethetrustisbuilt,theattackermightstartaskingforspecificinformation,likeinternalservernames,projectnames,orevenhavethenewfriendopenaninfecteddocumentorvisitapreparedwebsitethatwilldropabackdoorontotheircomputer.Eg:TherecentcaseofBrahMoSEngineerbeingluredbyPakistan’sISI.
• Targetedphishingattacks:Suchattacksarecarriedouttostealmoneyorconfidentialinformation,aswasthecasewiththeHydraqattacksinearly2010thatcompromisedcriticalinformationofseveralmulti-nationalcompanies.Thissocialmediathreatisanexampleofsocialengineeringtactics,wherebyattackersexploitfearandanxiety,insteadofsystemvulnerabilitytogetuserstopartwiththeirmoney.Sincetheseattacksaresospecificandtargeted,thechancesofsuccessarehigher.RentExamplesfromIndiaincludeJuly206attackonUnionbankofIndiaswindlingbankof$171million,apromptactiondidhelptorecovertheamount,datatheftofmillionsofusersofzomato.
• Stealofconfidentialinformationofofficial.National,defenceandbusinessesthroughadvancedpersistentthreatsEg:DeepPandain2015–attackonUSofficeofpersonalmanagementbyChina,StuxWorm2010-AttackonIranianinfrastructure.
• Fakenews:Theinternethasenabledawholenewwaytopublish,shareandconsumeinformationandnewswithverylittleregulationoreditorialstandards.ThishasinturnledtodeliberatepropagandaandclickbaitarticlescausingdisharmonyinsocietyEx:Communalismofincidentsrelatedtodeathofperson
• Radicalisationofyouth:ThemodusoperandiofISISwasusageofsocialmediatospreadthemessageandtargetvulnerableyouthwhofeltalienatedleadingtoincreaseincrimeslikelonewolfattackinWest.
• CriminalActivityandMoneylaundering:Organisedcriminalsarenowusingsocialmediatorecruitsomepublicindividualstoactasunsuspectingmoneylaunderersoftheirmoneytheygotfromtheirdirtyworkslikedrugsmuggling,peopletraffickingandfraud.
Thevariousstepswhichcanbetakentosafeguardthethreatsinclude
1)PPPModelforCybersecurity:
StateCybersecurityFrameworkshallbeenvisagedinP-P-PModel
Governmentshallpartnerwiththeprivatesectorandtheacademiatostrengthcybersecuritypostureofthestate.
2)InformationSecuritypolicyandpractises:
ISPolicies&practicesshallbemandatedatgovt.functionaries&itsserviceproviders
SecurityAuditAdheringtointernationalstandardsapplicableforallgovt.websites,applicationsbeforehostingandpublishing
Govt.toensureISPsoperatinginthestateshalldeploycybersecurityplansinlinewithStatecybersecuritypolicy.
3)StateComputerResponseteams:
EstablishmentoftheStateCERTtooperateinconjunctionICERTandcoordinatewithNCIIPC
CybersecuritydrillsshallbecarriedoutunderthesupervisionofI-CERT
4)SecurityBudgets:
Govt.agenciesimplementingITProjectsshallallocateappropriatebudgettowardscompliancewiththesecurityrequirementofITAct2000andStatecybersecuritypolicy,ISMS,securitysolutionprocurementandtrainings.
5)CapacityBuildingandawareness:
Govt.shalltakeappropriatestepsforenhancingawarenessofcitizensandsmallbusinessforcybersecurity
CybersecurityCapacitybuildingandtrainingforprofessional,extendingISEAprogram,introducingcurriculaacademiaandorganizingconferences
StrengthenLEAsthroughtrainingandestablishmentofforensicslabs.
Conclusion:
WiththeincreaseinpenetrationofinternetinIndia,needistobeawareofrisksandhandlethoserisksonwarfooting.
BestAnswer:Swapnil
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41.Whatisphotochemicalsmog?Howdoesitaffectnorthernregionsinthecountry?Whatmeasureshavebeentakentoaddressthisproblem?
Introduction:
Photochemicalsmogisatypeofsmogproducedwhenultravioletlightfromthesunreactswithnitrogenoxidesintheatmosphere.Itisvisibleasabrownhaze,andismostprominentduringthemorningandafternoon,especiallyindenselypopulated,warmcities.
Body:
CausesofPhotoChemicalSmog
1)StubbleburninginareasofPunjabandHaryanaItisestimatedthatapproximately35milliontonnesofcroparesetafirebythesestates.Thewindcarriesallthepollutantsanddustparticles,whichhavegotlockedintheair.
2)Riseinvehicularpopulation:TheCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)andtheNationalEnvironmentalEngineeringResearchInstitute(NEERI)havedeclaredvehicularemissionasamajorcontributortoDelhi’sincreasingairpollutionwhichinturnincreasesphotochemicalsmog
3)Asthewinterseasonsetsin,dustparticlesandpollutantsintheairbecomeunabletomove.Duetostagnantwinds,thesepollutantsgetlockedintheairandaffectweatherconditions,resultinginsmog.
4)Industrialpollutionandgarbagedumpsarealsoincreasingairpollutionandbuilding-upsmogintheair.
5)LargescaleconstructioninDelhi-NCRisanotherculpritthatisincreasingdustandpollutionintheair.
EffectsofPhoto-ChemicalSmog:
1HealthEffects:
Photochemicalsmogiscapableofinflictingirreversibledamageonthelungsandheart.Evenshort-termexposuretophotochemicalsmogtendstohaveilleffectsonboththeyoungandtheelderly.Itcausespainfulirritationoftherespiratorysystem,reducedlungfunctionanddifficultybreathing.Highlevelsofsmogalsotriggerasthmaattacksbecausethesmogcausesincreasedsensitivitytoallergens,whicharetriggersforasthma.
2EnvironmentalEffects:
Thecollectionofchemicalsfoundinphotochemicalsmogcausesproblemsforplantsandanimallife.Someplantssuchastobacco,tomatoandspinacharehighlyresponsivetoozone,sophotochemicalsmogcandecimatethesesensitivecrops,treesandothervegetation.Ozonecausesnecrotic(dead)patternsontheuppersurfacesoftheleavesoftrees.Ground-levelozonealsocaninterferewiththegrowthandproductivityoftrees.Theeffectsofsmogonanimalsarealsosimilartoitseffectonhumans;itdecreaseslungcapacityandlungelasticity.
3Transportation:reducedvisibilityleadtoaccidentsinmanynortherncitiesduringwinter.
4Acidrain:CorrodearchitecturalmonumentslikeTajMahal
Measurestakentosolvetheproblem:
• NationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)waslaunchedbyMoEFCCinApril,2018andthiswasprecededbyCleanAirProgrammeinDelhiinFebruary2018tosensitisethepublicingeneralandimplementingagenciesinparticular.
• SignificantactionhasbeentakeninDelhiandNCR,includingtheformulationofGradedResponseActionPlan(GRAP)byCPCB.
• OtherMeasuresincludebanonpetcokeinDelhiandNCR;strictsurveillanceovercoal-firedplants;strictactionagainstconstructionactivities;regularfieldsurveillancebyCPCBteamsstartingfromSeptember2017;augmentationofairqualitymonitoringstationsinDelhiandNCR;upgradationofCentralControlRoominCPCB;integrationofdataonairqualityfromstationsofIndianMeteorologicalDepartment(IMD);DelhiPollutionControlCommittee(DPCC)andCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB);launchingaMobileAppcalledSAMEERforgrievanceredressal;
• Leap-froggingfromBS-IVtoBS-VI.
Theneedofhouristoreduceeffectsofphotochemicalsmog.SuggestionofNITIAayogoninitiative“BreatheFreeIndia“needsimplementation.
BestAnswer:DazyRani
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42.HowsevereistheproblemofgroundwatercontaminationinIndia?Whatareitsmostcausativefactors?
Introduction:
Groundwatercontaminationisthepresenceofcertainpollutantsingroundwaterthatareinexcessofthelimitsprescribedfordrinkingwater.
Body:
Severityofgroundwatercontamination:
• AccordingtotheCompositeWaterManagementIndexdevelopedbyNitiAayog,70%ofthewaterresourcesareidentifiedaspolluted.
• Astudy,publishedinEnvironmentalScienceandTechnologyLetters,hasfoundover30microgramsperlitre(mcg/l)ofuraniuminpartsofnorth-western,southernandsouth-easternIndia,whichcandamageone’skidneys.
• Arseniccontamination-WestBengal,Jharkhand,Bihar,UttarPradesh,Assam,ManipurandChhattisgarh–havereportedcontaminationlevelthatisabovethepermissiblelimitof10microgramsperlitre(µg/L.)
• Nitratelevelsabove10mg/L(10ppm)ingroundwatercaused“bluebabysyndrome”inseveralvillagesinPunjab.
• ManystateshaveahighconcentrationofFluoride,wayabovethepermissiblelimit,ingroundwater.
• MostoftheIndianstatesreporthighsalinityingroundwater.
Causesforgroundwatercontamination:
• Industries-Manufacturingandotherchemicalindustriesrequirewaterforprocessingandcleaningpurposes.Thisusedwaterisrecycledbacktowatersourceswithoutpropertreatment.Alsoindustrialwasteisdumpedincertainareas,theseepageofwhichresultsingroundwatercontamination.
• Agriculture-thefertilizers,pesticideandotherchemicalsalsocontaminategroundwater.
• Residentialareas-Thesegeneratepollutants(microorganismsandorganiccompounds)forgroundwatercontamination
• Mining-Minedraindischarge,oilfieldspillage,sludgeandprocesswateralsocontaminategroundwater.
• Coastalareas-Saltwaterintrusionincreasesthesalinityofgroundwaterinnearbyareas.
• Excessiveextraction-Itincreasestheconcentrationofmineralsintheextractedareas,thusmakingitcontaminated.
Conclusion:
RecentdecisionofCentralGroundWaterAuthority(CGWA)forindustriestopayawaterconservationfee(WCF)isawelcomestep.Itisverydifficultandcostlytotreatcontaminatedgroundwater.Hence,itisbettertominimizetheriskofgroundwaterpollution.Publicawarenessprogramsabouttheimportanceofgroundwaterandwaystominimizeitscontaminationshouldbeimplemented.
Bestanswer:DazyRani
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43.Whatissocialimpactassessment(SIA)?Whyisitimportant?Discuss.
Introduction:
VeryfrequentlywefindinnewspaperheadlinesthatsomewherepeopleareprotestingagainstanyIndustrialprojectornuclearpowerplantormetrolineconstruction,etc.Theyprotestbecausetheyfearthatthisparticularprojectwillhampertheirlives.Toamicablysolvesuchconflictsandforsustainableandinclusivedevelopment“SocialImpactAssessment”isaneffectivetool.
Body:
Whatissocialimpactassessment(SIA)?
ASocialImpactAssessmentisaprocessofresearch,planningandthemanagementofsocialchangeorconsequences(positiveandnegative,intendedandunintended)arisingfrompolicies,plans,developmentsandprojects(UNEP,2007).
Thesocialimpactsofaprojectarethedirectandindirectimpactsthataffectpeopleandtheircommunitiesduringallstagesoftheprojectlifecycle.
InpreparingtheSIA,theprojectownerisrequiredtoundertakecommunityandstakeholderengagementto;
• Understandwhoislikelytobeimpactedandhow• Understandtheaffectedcommunities• Identifyandassesspotentialsocialimpacts• Developmanagementmeasurestomitigateadverseimpactsandenhancebenefits• Supportmonitoringandreporting
SignificanceofSIA:
ThecorefocusofanSIAisontheimportantimpactsofprojectsanddevelopmentsbeyondtheimpactsonnaturalresources.Examplesofsocialimpactsinclude:
• People’swaysoflife–thatis,howtheylive,work,playandinteractwithoneanotheronday-to-daybasis.
• Theircultures–thatistheirsharedbeliefs,customs,valuesandlanguageordialect.• Theircommunity–itscohesion,stability,character,servicesandfacilities.• Theirpoliticalsystems–theextenttowhichpeopleareabletoparticipatein
decisionsthataffecttheirlives,thelevelofdemocratizationthatistakingplace,andtheresourcesprovidedforthispurpose.
• Theirhealthandwell-being–healthisastateofcompletephysical,mental,socialandspiritualwell-beingandnotmerelytheabsenceofdiseaseorinfirmity.
Fromthelistedexamplesabove,itisclearthattheSIAmustlooknotonlyatsocialissuesbutalsoattheenvironmentalimpactsandtheirinteractions.
SocialImpactAssessmentsinIndia:
• InIndia,SIAsweremandatedin2013byTheRighttoFairCompensationandTransparencyinLandAcquisition,RehabilitationandResettlementAct.
• Accordingtothe2013landacquisitionlaw,anymajorprojectisrequiredtoconductanSIAwithinsixmonthsoftheproject’sstartdate.
• BymandatingSIAGovernmentaimstodecreasesocialunrestoveruncompensatedlandacquisitionandtospeeduptheexecutionofdevelopmentprojects,andtoensurethatlocalsreceiveproperresettlementpackagesandthosedevelopersconstructivelyengagewithlocalcommunities.
• WehavemanyexamplesofprojectswheregovernmentconductedSIA.OneexampleisrecentSocialImpactAssessmentStudyforNuclearPowerProjectsinAndhraPradesh.
However,whileSIAsmaybenefitsomelandownersaffectedbylandacquisition,somehaveblamedSIAsforslowingdowndevelopmentprojectsbydrawingoutthelandredistributionprocess.
Manydevelopmentprojectsremainstalled,oftenduetobureaucracyandcomplicationsinvolvinglandacquisition.
Conclusion:
SIAscanberesourceandtime-intensive,whichleadssomebusinessownerstoviewthemasbureaucraticredtape.However,consideringtheethnicdiversityandAgricultureas
dominantoccupation,SIAsremainanimportantpartoftheinvestmentprocessinIndiathatcannotbeoverlooked.
BestAnswer:DazyRani
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44.Whatmeasuresbothpreventiveandmitigativecanbetakentoaddresstheecologicalhazardofdroughts?Suggest.
Introduction:
Droughtisaslowonsetdisaster,whichgraduallyevolvesovermonthsandyearsduetocomplexinteractionsofenvironmentalandanthropogenicfactors.
Typically,thereasonbehinddroughtisconsideredtobeprolongedperiodofabnormallylowrainfallleadingtoshortageofwater.Butlowrainfallisnottheonlycontributingfactor.
Body:
Droughtimpactsareoftenmultifacetedsocial,economicandenvironmental.
Economicimpacts:
• Reducedagriculturalproductionleadingtoreducedharvestandtherebyreductionintheearning.
• Increasedcostoffarmmaintenanceduetotheadditionalcostsofwaterprovisionsandotherresourcestothefarmproducts(includingthereducedusageoffertilizers/chemicalsleadingtolesseroutput).
• Lossoflivelihoodformarginalfarmworkers.
• Increasingcostofmaintaininglivestockduetoshortageoffodderanddrinkingwater.
SocialImpacts:
• Droughthasseriousimpactsonhealthandsocialsafety.• Nutritionalconcernsduetopoorqualitydietandalliedhealthproblems,lossof
humanlivesintheextremescenario.• Increasingoutmigrationinsearchofalternatejobstourbanareas,whichinturn
increasethevulnerabilityofmigrantsastheysettle/squatinriskyareas/unhygienicconditions.
• Increasingchilddrop-outratesandchildlabour.• Earlymarriageofdaughterstoreducefinancialburdenandthelinkingofnon-
marriageofdaughterstothedroughtoccurrence.• Increasedstressandanxietyresultinginincreasingincidencesoffarmersuicide.• Conflictsoverwaterresources.
Environmentalimpacts:
Themostsevereimpactofdroughtisupontheenvironmentalresources.Oftendroughtsresultinextensivedamagetofloraandfaunaofaregion.Thesignificantimpactsinclude:
• Increasedanimalattacksinfarmareasduetolackoffoodintheirownhabitats.• Lossordestructionoffishesandaquaticorganisms.• Lackofadequatefoodanddrinkingwaterinforestsandinextremecasesresultingin
lossofwildlife.• Migrationofwildanimalstherebyincreasinghuman-animalconflicts.• Weakanddiseasedanimals.• Lossofwetlandsandincreasingincidencesofwildfires.• Degradationofsoilqualityandsoilproductivity.• Increasederosionanddesertificationrates.• DroughtmanagementguidelinesasgivenbyNationalDisasterManagement
Authority
Preventivemeasures:identifydroughtproneareasandchannelizeeffortstoaugmentwatersupplyandconservationintheseregionsthrough
• Judicioususeofsurfaceandgroundwater.• CloudseedinginDroughtProneregionsofIndia.• Useofmodernirrigationmethodslikedripandsprinklerirrigation.• WaterConservation,StorageStructuresandManagement.• Afforestation.
Mitigationmeasures:
• ContingencyCropPlanning–Itaimstoprovideothercroppingoptionstofarmerslikedroughtresistantcrops.
• ReliefEmployment–Duetodroughtinducedemploymentloss,thearrangementcanbemadeforreliefemploymentprogrammeswithcashandfoodgrainassistance.
• Gratuitousassistanceintheformofcashorfoodgrainstopeoplewhomightnotbeabletoparticipateinthereliefemploymentprogrammesorwhoareinthecategoryofdependents.
• ReliefthroughTaxWaiversandConcessionswillhelppeopletomeettheirbasicentitlements.
• CattlecampsandFoddersupplyhelpsfarmerinprotectingtheircattlebyprovidingnecessaryassistancefortheirfodder,feedandhealth.Thisisdonetodiscouragedistresssellingofcattlewhichisanimportantassettofarmers.
• CropInsuranceschemes.
Note:QuestiondemandsonlyPreventiveandMitigationmeasures.
Conclusion:
Aspertheroughestimatesabout16percentofthetotalgeographicalareasofIndiaaredroughtproneandapproximately50millionpeopleareannuallyaffectedbydroughts.About68percentofthetotalsownareaofthecountryisdroughtprone;whichamountsto329millionhectares.AserraticIndianmonsoongetsfurtheraffectedbyclimatechange,waterconservationthroughcomprehensivestrategyneedsafocustoaddressrecurringdroughtsinfuture.
Bestanswer:SreelakshmyVijayanUma
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45.Whataretheprinciples,objectivesandstrategiesofenvironmentalimpactassessment(EIA)?
Introduction:
Environmentalassessmentistheassessmentoftheenvironmentalconsequencesofaplan,policy,program,oractualprojectspriortothedecisiontomoveforwardwiththeproposedaction.
Body:
ThereareeightguidingprinciplesthatgoverntheentireEIAprocess:TheprinciplesofEIA:
• Participation–appropriate/timelyaccessforinterestedparties• Transparency–openandaccessibleassessmentdecisions• Certainty–process/timingagreedinadvance• Accountability–decisionmakersresponsiblefortheiractionsanddecisions• Credibility–undertakenwithprofessionalism/objectivity• Costeffectiveness–environmentalprotectionattheleastcosttosociety• Flexibility–adaptabletodealefficientlywithanyproposalanddecisionsituation• Practicality–information/outputsreadilyusableindecisionmakingandplanning
ObjectiveofEIA:
TheobjectiveofEIAis
• toidentify,predictandevaluatetheeconomic,environmentalandsocialimpactofdevelopmentactivities
• toprovideinformationontheenvironmentalconsequencesfordecisionmakingand• topromoteenvironmentallysoundandsustainabledevelopmentthroughthe
identificationofappropriatealternativesandmitigationmeasures.
Strategies:
• Screening–isanSIAisrequired(ex:legislation,policies,requirements),whattypeofSIAisneeded,whenisitrequired.
• Scoping–whatistheaimofthePPP,arethereanysignificantstrategicissues,whoarethestakeholders,whatisthecurrentstateoftheenvironment.
• Impactassessment–identifyallinputsintotheSIA,constraints,projectimpacts,opportunitiesandtrends,developobjectives,criteriaandindicators.
• Developingparameters,principlesorguidelines–theseareusedtoguidetheSIAprocessandcanincluderecommendationsonaddressingenvironmentalorsocio-economicimpacts.
• ComparingandevaluatingalternativePPPs–preferredalternative/sselected,trade-offsmade,publicparticipationsought.
• Decision-making–responsibilitiesandaccountabilitiesassigned,SIAprocessischecked,finaldecisiondocumented.
• Monitoringandreview–developanimplementationplan,beginmonitoringandreviewoftheproject.
• Implementtheselectedproposal.
Conclusion:
Henceenvironmentimpactassessmentisbasicallyafeedbackprocesstomaintainsocial,economicandenvironmentalsustainabledevelopment.
Bestanswer:Mudrarakshas
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46.AnalysetheissueofcrossborderterrorisminIndia?Whydocertainexternalstateandnon-stateactorsadoptterrorismasanon-conventionaltoolofwarfare?Discuss.
Introduction:
Conventionalwarsarenotthenormsorstrategicchoiceforstateonstateconflictsduetohugecostandcollateraldamages.Asaresult,greyzoneconflicts,whichfallindualityofneitherwarnorpeace,arebecomingnewarenaofstrategiccompetitionbetweenstates.Crossborderterrorismisaconflictthatfallsinthecategoryofgreyzoneconflict.Itisanundeclaredwarandconsideredtobehighestformofstrategytobleedanationforprolongedperiodbysmallefforts.Itisanasymmetricwarstrategyemployedbyanadversaryatapointintimewhenitcannotcompeteonatraditionalbattlefield,andadversarylookstowhereyouarevulnerable.Inthiswartheprinciplefollowedbyanadversaryistoavoidgoingattheenemyblowbyblow,strengthagainststrengthsinceitisconsideredun-strategic.Indiahasunresolvedborderswithtwoofitsnuclearneighboursandsurroundedbypolitically,economicallyandmilitarilyunstablenations.Thestateandnon-stateactorshavetakenadvantageofsuchascenariotocausemilitaryandeconomicfrictiontoweakenIndiainternally.
Body:
Factorsgivingimpetustocrossborderterrorism(Extrapart–Notneededinthisanswer)
• Geographyassistsinbordertransgressionandinfiltrationofterrorists.Proximityofvulnerableareastoaroguenationensurescontinuousflowofterroristsandwarlikesupporttosustainmomentumofconflict.
• Identicalethnicdemographygivessupportandsustenancetotheterroristsduringandpostinfiltration.
• Politicalpatronagetoterrormovementisprovidedbynetworkofunarmedterrorists,overgroundworkersandseparatistssothattheycanestablishlinkagesandidentitywiththelargerpopulationofacommunity.
• Poorandcorruptgovernancegivesspacefornon-stateactorstocreateaconduciveenvironmentongroundformakingitapopularmassmovement.
• Subvertedgovernmentinstitutionsgiveimpetusbytheirinactionsandinabilitytoprotectvitalpublicspace.
• Unsettledborders,competingstrategicinterests,unstableorungovernedterritoriesintheneighbouringcountriesandspillovereffectofcommunalorreligiousconflictinthesecountriesalsoaddstothevulnerabilityfromcrossborderterrorism.
• Illegalandmassdisplacementofpopulationduetocommunalandeconomicreasonsalsoaddstothevulnerability.
• Childrenofwarorconflictareeasycannonfodderandcanbemotivatedtopursuetheagendaofstateandnon-stateactors.
• Lackofstabilityandcontiguouslandborderwithhostilenationsisoneofthemajorcausesofcrossborderterrorism.
• Mostimportantisthefactorofavailabilityofwillingterrorrecruits.Idealsituationiswhentheterrorrecruitsareavailableonbothsidesoftheinternationalborders.ThecaseofJ&Kisanaptexamplewhereyouhaveterrorfactoriesonbothsidesandtheyoperateintandemwitheachother.
• Themotivationforterroristsonbothsidesisdifferent,foreignterroristsjointheconflictduetoreligion,economicreasons,andidenticalethnicaffiliation.Thedomesticterroristsinadditiontothefactorsattractingforeignterroristsisalsoduetopoliticalalienation,personalfailureandanescaperouteforredemptioninsocietyandtofightforself-determination/homeland.
• Nexusbetweendrugcartels,gunrunnersandterrororganisationsgiveasourceoffundingandsustenance.
Themotivationforinvolvementofaforeignpowertocontinuewiththecrossborderterrorismorproxywarcomesfromthefactthatfightingwarsisuneconomical,butitisalwaysawisecourseofoptiontomaketheopponentwasteasmuchoftheresourcesaspossible.Crossborderterrorismdoesgiveadversarydeniabilityandnocollateraldamageasablowbackimpact.Thus,itisacheapwartoachievehighdividendsatlowrisk.Crossborderterrorismisconsideredtobepartofgreyzoneconflict;withthepassageoftimetheseconflictsarebecomingsophisticatedandcomplex.Thereisapossibilitythatcrossborderterrorismifnothandledwithefficiencyandprecisioncouldgoontobecomeahybridwar.
ReasonswhyStateadoptthesemethods:
• Thehighcostofmodern,conventionalwarfaremakeusingnon-stateactorsanattractivechoice,financingterrorgroupsisasmallportionofstates’muchlargerdefencebudget,makingterrorproxiesaconvenientandviableoption.
• Useofterrororganisationsdivorcesthestatefromissuesrelatedtoattribution,therebyensuringthatthestateisnotheldpoliticallyorlegallyresponsible.
• Internationalpressuretonegotiateandsanctionsincaseofrefusal• Internalpressure:Theperceptionbattlewithitsowncitizenislostifindulgedin
traditionalwarfare.
Nonstateactorsadoptingthesemethods:
1)Lackofmanpowerandmoneytoengageintraditionalwarfare
2)Lacklegitimacyandpopularsupport
3)Sourcetoweakenlegitimatelychosengovernment
Conclusion:
Thecrossborderterrorismisbeinghandledbymultipleagenciesoperatingunderdifferentministries,asaresulttheentireeffortsoffightingcrossborderterrorismlackssynergy.IntelligenceagenciesandCentralArmedPoliceForcesareoperatingunderMinistryofHomeAffairs,ArmyunderMinistryofDefenceandpoliceunderstategovernment.Alloperationsofcriticalnaturemustbehandledundersingleoperationalcommandthathastheresourcesandcapabilitytoinfluencetheoutcomeofoperations.
BestAnswer:AnotherBeing
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47.ThegeographyoftheborderareasmakesbordermanagementacomplexchallengeinIndia.Comment.
Introduction:
Indiasharesapproximately15000kmlonglandborderwithitsneighboursalongwitha7500kmlongcoastline.Thelengthofitsborderalonepresentsahugetaskforbordermanagement,whichisaggravatedbytheuniquegeographicalchallengesithasalongeveryborderarea.
Body:
Howgeographymakesbordermanagementcomplex:
• Mountains-AlongtheNorth,mountainsmaketheterraindifficulttoreachandmaintainborders.AlsoextremetemperatureslikeincaseofSiachenglacierpreventsservesasdeterrenceforeffectivemanagement.
• Deserts-TharDesertalongthewesternborderandtheColdDesertofLadakhalongnorthernborderpossessuniqueissuesofaccessibility.
• Marshlands-ThemarshlandsofRannofKutchalongIndo-PakborderandSunderbansalongIndia-Bangladeshbordermakesitdifficulttofenceandareamongthehotspotsforinfiltration.
• Forests-TheterailowlandalongIndia-NepalborderanddenseforestsalongIndia-Myanmarbordermakesitdifficultforthesecurityforcestomantheborderefficientlyandprovestobeahindranceinsurveillance.
• Rivers-FastflowingriversalongPakistanandBangladeshbordersmakesitdifficulttofenceandthechangingrivercoursescreatesborderdisputes.
• Sea-Thelongcoastlinehinderstheabilitytohaveallaroundsurveillanceandcanbeeasytoinfiltrateashappenedinthecaseof26/11Mumbaiattacks.
UseofmoderntechnologylikeUnmannedAerialVehicles,laserlight,thermalvisioncanhelpaidsurveillanceinotherwisedifficulttoreachareas.BorderroaddevelopmentcanalsoaidBordermanagement.
Conclusion:
IndiasitswithtwohostileneighboursandarangeofBorderrelatedissueswithotherneighbourslikeinfiltration,insurgency,borderdisputesetc.Asoundbordermanagementisrequiredtoefficientlydealwiththerangeofissueswithoutmakinggeographyahindrance.
Bestanswer:Indian
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48.Examinethelinkagesthathaveevolvedrecentlybetweenterrorismandorganisedcrime.
Introduction:
Organizedcrimeisacategoryoftransnational,national,orlocalgroupingsofhighlycentralizedenterprisesrunbycriminalswhointendtoengageinillegalactivity,mostcommonlyformoneyandprofit.
Activitiesoforganisedcriminalsmostcommonlyincludetraffickinginhumans,illicitgoods,weaponsanddrugs,armedrobbery,counterfeitingandmoneylaundering.
Transnationalorganisedcrimeandinternationalterrorismincreasinglysharebothorganisationalandoperationalcharacteristics,andattimesevenpartnerwithoneanother.
Often,thecoreinterestofacriminalgroupisprofitability.Ontheotherhand,theprimaryinterestofaterroristorganisationisdrivenbypoliticalorideologicalmotivations.However,thenexusbetweencrimeandterrorismfindsactivecollaborationbetweenthetwo.
Body:
Acasestudyofglobalnexus:DrugTraffickingandTerrorism
• AfghanistansurveyreportofUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrimes(UNODC)estimatesindicatethatin2017,opiumpoppycultivationincreasedsharplytoanunprecedentedrecordhighof3,28,000hectaresfromanestimated2,01,000hectaresin2016.
• ItisalsoevidentfromthereportthatthemarketsinEuropeandtheUS,whicharethemostimportantconsumptionsourceforhighqualitydrugs,havealsobecometheindirectfacilitatorsofterrorism.
• Theprofitsthatdrugsaleshelpgenerateforcriminalandterroristgroups,alloworganisationsliketheTalibantoemergeasamongstthebestfundedandrichestterrorgroupsintheworld.
• UNODCreportindicatesthat,“DrugtraffickinggroupsinEuropearefrequentlyalsoinvolvedinthecounterfeitingofgoods,traffickinginhumanbeings,smugglingofmigrantsandtraffickinginweapons.
• ThisreinforcesthetrendofmutualbenefitbetweencriminalgroupsinEuropeandtheTaliban,evenifthereisnodirectlinkagebetweenthetwo.
• Indiadoesnotfigureasamajordrugproducingcountry.IncidentsofthesamearerestrictedtosomeareasintheNaxalaffectedareasandNortheastIndia.Instead,IndiaisreferredtoasoneofthevitallinksbetweentheGoldenCrescentinthewestandtheDrugTriangleintheeast.
• BorderareasalongWesternIndiaarealsopronetosmugglingofdrugs,oftenintheformofcompositeloads.Thesetakeplaceintheformofpackagesthatincludenotonlydrugsbutalsofakecurrencyandweapons.
• ThemarketforthesecriminalproceedsinIndia,notonlysupportsthecriminalnetwork,butalsoallowsterroristgroupstoexploitthesame.
OrganisedcrimeandterrorisminIndia:
IntheNortheast,extortionisthefundamentalbasisforfundingallformsofterrorism.Inadditiontothis,kidnappinghasbeenusedextensivelyforspreadingterrorandraisingfunds.Humantrafficking,drugtraffickingandgunrunningaresomeoftheothercriminalactivitiesthathavebeencommonintheseareas.
• InJ&K,counterfeitcurrencyhasbeenamajorsourceoffundingterrorism.• IntheMaoistterrormovements,extortionisyetagainacommonphenomenon.
Theyhavealsoindulgedinrobberiesofbankstofundtheirmovement.Therehavealsobeenreportsofcutsbeingenforcedondrugyieldingcropsintheregion.
• Therearealsoanumberofinsurgentgroupswhichoveraperiodoftimehavemorphedintocrimesyndicates.Whatbeganasanideologicalmovementisnowmerelyameansofgeneratingprofit.ThisisespeciallythecasewithinsurgentgroupsinNortheastIndia.
Conclusion:
Crime,moneylaunderingandterrorismneedanidealbreedingground,whichcreatestherequisiteconditionsthatcanfacilitateexploitationofstructuresandsystemsinplace.ThisisnotpeculiarforIndiaorSouthAsiaandisauniversalcondition.
Thegrowingcomplexityandsophisticationofthemeans,especiallycorruptionandtechnology,adoptedbyadversaries,criminalsandterroristsalikehaschangedthecharacterofthethreat.
Thereisneedtoadoptmultiprongedapproachtobreakthisnexus,bycooperationandcoordinationbetweenlocal,nationalandinternationalpolicymaking.
Bestanswer:Mudrarakshas
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49.Howdoesterrorismaffectthesocio-economicecosystemofacountry?Discuss.
Introduction:
Terrorismcanbedefinedastheunlawfuluseofforcestopeopleanddamageofpropertiestocoercegovernmentandsocietyasawholeforavestedsocialorpoliticalinterest.TerrorismisaconcernforthewholeworldincludingIndia.ItaffectseverysectionofaNationimpactingit’ssocioeconomicscenario.
Body:
Socio-Economicimpactofterrorism:
>Terrorledwarcausehugelossoflifeandproperty(ex:inSyriacivilwar,Iraqwaretc.)
>HugefundingtopreventterroractreducesfundatdisposaloftheGovernmentimpactingsocialwelfareschemes
>Terrorledunrestimpactsbasicserviceslikehealth,educationclosureofshopsetc.
>HugeburdenoneconomichealthofaNation.
>CrossborderterrorismimpactsrelationwithotherNationimpactingTrade,tourism,internationalprestigeetc.(e.g.Pathankotattack,UriattackinIndiaincreasedtensionbetweenIndiaandPakistan)
>Radicalisationofyouthandcreationofunrestamongpeople(North-Eastinsurgency,Kashmirissuesetc.)
>Spreadofcommunaldisharmonyfore.g.Muslims&JewsinPalestine
>Paralysedemocraticprocessesinelectionse.g.Afghanistan,Pakistan
>Increasingunemploymentamongyouthduetolackofinvestmentandindustrialactivity
>Increasedtensioninbilateralrelationsforex:India-Pakistan.
>Securityissueofwomenandchildrenfore.g.sexslavesofISISyajidiandKurdwoman
>HugerefugeesputtingpressureonaNation’sresources(e.g.RohingyasinBangladesh)
>Children’s,women’sandelderlypeopleareworsteffectedleavingthemwithlessopportunity.Ex:RohingyarefugeesinBangladesh,IndiaandMyanmaretc.)
Conclusion:
Terrorismisacommonenemytoallandworldleadersshouldcomeforwardtosomeupwithaconcreteframeworktodealwithit.TheCCIT(comprehensiveconventiononinternationalterrorism)proposedbyIndiainthisregardisastepinrightdirection.
FurtherIndiashoulduseleveragevariousplatformlikeSCO,UN,BIMSTECetc.tospreadawarenessoftheterrorthreatandstrengthsit’spreparednesstodealwithdomesticterror.
Bestanswer:Swapnil
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50.WhatisCERT-In?Howdoesitfunction?Discuss.
Introduction:
CERT-Inisanacronymfor‘IndianComputerEmergencyResponseTeam’.AsperInformationTechnologyAmendmentAct2008,CERT-InistheNationalIncidentResponseCentreformajorcomputersecurityincidentsinitsconstituencyi.e.Indiancybercommunity.CERT-In’sprimaryroleistoraisesecurityawarenessamongIndiancybercommunityandtoprovidetechnicalassistanceandadvisethemtohelpthemrecoverfromcomputersecurityincidents.ItfunctionsundertheMinistryofElectronicsandInformationTechnology.
Body:
ObjectivesofCERT-In
• Preventingcyber-attacksagainstthecountry’scyberspace.• Respondingtocyber-attacksandminimizingdamageandrecoverytime.• Reducing‘nationalvulnerabilitytocyber-attacks.• Enhancingsecurityawarenessamongcommoncitizens.
Functioning:
TheInformationTechnology(Amendment)Act2008designatedCERT-Intoserveasthenationalagencytoperformthefollowingfunctionsintheareaofcybersecurity
• Reports-Itservesasacentralpointforreportingincidents• Repository-Itisthenationalrepositoryforcyberintrusions,asitmaintainsa
databaseofincidents’.• Analyse-Analysisoftrendsandpatternsofintruderactivity,developingpreventive
strategiesforthewholeconstituencyandtakinganin-depthlookatanincident
reportoranincidentactivitytodeterminethescope,priorityandthreatoftheincidentarefewofthemajorfunctionsofthebody.
• Response-Itsendsoutrecommendationsforrecoveryfrom,andcontainmentofdamagecausedbytheincidentsandhelptheSystemAdministratorstakefollowupactiontopreventrecurrenceofsimilarincidents.
• Advise-ProvidestechnicaladvicetoSystemAdministratorsanduserstorespondtocomputersecurityincidents.
• Assistandco-ordinate-Itworkswithothersimilarinstitutions&organisationstoresolvemajorsecurityissues,anddisseminatesinformationtotheIndiancybercommunity.
• Awareness-Itenlightensitsconstituentsaboutthesecurityawarenessandbestpracticesforvarioussystems;networksbypublishingadvisories,guidelinesandothertechnicaldocuments.
Conclusion:
CERT-InthushelpsstrengthensecurityrelateddefenceofIndianinternetdomain,whilealsorespondingtothecyberthreats.
Bestanswer:DazyRani
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51.Whatdoyouunderstandbyparamilitaryforces?WhatroledotheyplayinIndia’sinternalsecurity?Examine.
Introduction:
Paramilitaryforcesarekeyplayersininternalsecurityandintegrityofacountry.InIndia’ssevenparamilitaryforcesarecollectivelycalledasCentralArmedPoliceForces.Theseare:
• AssamRifles(AR)• BorderSecurityForce(BSF)• CentralIndustrialSecurityForce(CISF)• CentralReservePoliceForce(CRPF)• IndoTibetanBorderPolice(ITBP)• NationalSecurityGuard(NSG)
• SashastraSeemaBal(SSB)
Body:
WhatisParamilitaryForce?
Aparamilitaryisasemi-militarizedforcewhoseorganizationalstructure,tactics,training,subculture,and(often)functionaresimilartothoseofaprofessionalmilitary,butwhichisformallynotpartofagovernment’sarmedforces.
RolePlayedbyParamilitaryForces:
• AssamRiflesremainsdeployedinsomeofthemostremoteandunderdevelopedareasandprovidessecuritytolocals.Thehumane,justandeverhelpfulapproachofthemenofAssamRifleshastrulymanagedtowinheartsandmindsearningtheAssamRiflesthesobriquetof‘FriendsoftheNorthEast’.
• TheBorderSecurityForce(BSF)isaBorderGuardingForceofIndia.Theyarerightlydeclaredas“FirstWallofDefence”forIndia.
• CentralIndustrialSecurityForce(CISF)ismandatedtoprovidesecuritytomajorcriticalinfrastructureinstallationsofthecountryindiverseareas.CISFiscurrentlyprovidingsecuritycovertonuclearinstallations,spaceestablishments,airports,seaports,powerplants,sensitiveGovernmentbuildingsandeverheritagemonuments.AmongtheimportantresponsibilitiesrecentlyentrustedtotheCISFaretheDelhiMetroRailCorporation,VIPSecurity,DisasterManagementandestablishmentofaFormedPoliceUnit(FPU)oftheUNatHaiti.
• ToenablethegovernmenttomaintainRuleofLaw,PublicOrderandInternalSecurityeffectivelyandefficiently,toPreserveNationalIntegrityandPromoteSocialHarmonyandDevelopmentbyupholdingsupremacyoftheConstitution,arepartofthemissionofCentralReservePoliceForce(CRPF).TheyaredeployedalmostalloverIndiawithwidemandateofinternalsecurity.TheCRPFhadtobeinductedinstrengthnotonlytomaintainlawandorderbutalsotokeeplinesofcommunicationfreefromdisruption.ThecommitmentsoftheForcecontinuetobeveryhighintheNorth-Eastindealingwiththeinsurgency.
• Indo-TibetanBorderPolicewasraisedforreorganizingthefrontierintelligenceandsecuritysetupalongtheIndo-Tibetanborder.Theyarealsoentrustedwithtasksofborderguarding,counterinsurgencyandinternalsecurityroles.
• NationalSecurityGuard(NSG)isaFederal,Contingency,WorldClass,ZeroErrorForcetodealwithanti-terroristactivitiesinallitsmanifestations.TheNSGisaforcespeciallyequippedandtrainedtodealwithspecificsituationsandistherefore,tobeusedonlyinexceptionalcircumstancestothwartseriousactsofterror.
• SashastraSeemaBal(SSB)ismandatedwithsignificantroleofguardingandintelligenceacrossborders,especiallyIndia-NepalandIndia-Bhutan.Theirrolesalsoinclude;SafeguardthesecurityofassignedbordersofIndiaandpromotesenseof
securityamongthepeoplelivinginborderareas.Preventtrans-bordercrimes,smugglingandanyotherillegalactivities;PreventunauthorizedentryintoorexitfromtheterritoryofIndia;Carryoutcivicactionprogrammeintheareaofresponsibility;PerformanyotherdutyassignedbytheCentralGovernment.(SSBisbeingdeployedforLaw&Order;CounterInsurgencyOperationsandElectionduty)
• DisasterManagement:Mostofthese(butnotall)paramilitaryforcesalsoplaytheirroleindisastermanagement,notonlyinsidethecountrybutalsoalongthebordersduringdisastersinneighbouringcountriessuchasNepalearthquakeof2015.
• UNpeacekeepingforce:CRPF,CISF,ITBPandsuchotherforcesaresentoverseasaspartofUNpeacekeepingmissionsacrosstheglobe.
Conclusion:
AfterobservingabovespecificandcommonfunctionsofIndia’sparamilitaryforces,itcanbesaidthat,paramilitaryforcesplaytheirroleinalmostallthecriticalmattersofinternalsecurity,fromriotsandinsurgencytoterrorismandsmuggling.TheyarealsoanimportantpartofdefenceintelligencerequiredforinternalsecurityandintegrityofIndia.
BestAnswer:GurpreetSingh
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GargiGupta
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52.DiscusstheinstitutionalframeworkofdisastermanagementinIndia.
Introduction:
IndiahasbeentraditionallyvulnerabletonaturaldisastersonaccountofitsuniqueGeo-Climaticconditions.Floods,Droughts,Cyclonesarerecurrentphenomenon.Developmentcannotbesustainedunlessdisastereventsareeffectivelymanaged.
Body:
TheDisasterManagementAct,2005dealswiththemanagementofdisasters.ThisactenvisagedathreetierDisasterManagementstructureinIndiaatNational,StatesandDistrictlevels.Undertheact,theNDMA,SDMA,NEC,NDRF,NIDManddisasterrelatedfundswereestablished.
Institutionalstructurefordisastermanagementishierarchicalandfunctionsatthreelevels–centre,stateanddistrict.Itisamulti-stakeholdersetup,i.e.,thestructuredrawsinvolvementofvariousrelevantministries,governmentdepartmentsandadministrativebodies.
NationalDisasterManagementAuthority(NDMA)
• IsaNationalAuthorityresponsibleforlayingdownthepolicies,plansandguidelinesfordisastermanagementandforensuringtimelyandeffectiveresponseafterdisasters.
• Itconsistsofninememberswithprimeministerasitsex-officiochairperson.
NationalExecutiveCommittee(NEC)
• NECisresponsibleforassistingNDMAinexecutionofvariousfunctionsfordisastermanagementlikeImplementingtheplansandpoliciesofNDMA;EnsuringcompliancewiththedirectivesofCentralGovernment;Toactasacoordinatingandmonitoringbodyfordisastermanagement;PreparetheNationalPlantobeapprovedbytheNDMA;Prepareguidelinesfordifferentministrieswithrespecttodisastermanagement.
StateDisasterManagementAuthority(SDMA)
• AstateDisasterManagementAuthorityisestablishedbyeverystategovernment.• TheChiefMinisterofthestateisthechairpersonofSDMA.Therearemaximum9
membersotherthanthechairperson.
StateExecutiveCommittee(SEC)
• ThestategovernmentalsocreatesaStateExecutiveCommitteetoassisttheStateAuthorityintheperformanceofitsfunctionsandtocoordinateactioninaccordancewiththeguidelineslaiddownbytheStateAuthorityandensurethecomplianceofdirectionsissuedbytheStateAuthority.
• ItspowersandfunctionsarealmostareplicaoftheNECatstatelevel.
DistrictDisasterManagementAuthority(DDMA)
• TheDDMAaresetupbystategovernmentviaanotificationinthestatebudget.ItconsistsofChairpersonandsevenmembers.ThecollectororDistrictMagistrateorDeputyCommissionerwouldbethechairman.
• TheDDMAworksasadistrictplanning,coordinatingandimplementingbodyfordisastermanagement.
• Itwillcoordinatewiththeuppertwotiersofthestructureandwillplantheimplementationoftheprevention,mitigationandpreparednessatlocallevel.
NationalDisasterResponseForce(NDRF)
• Forthepurposeofspecialistresponsetoathreateningdisastersituationordisaster.Thegeneralsuperintendence,directionandcontroloftheForceshallbevestedandexercisedbyNDMA.
NationalDisasterResponseFund
• Formeetinganythreateningdisastersituationordisaster.Thecentralgovernmentwillbeabletousethemoneyfromthisfundtomeetexpensesforemergencyresponse,reliefandrehabilitation.
NationalInstituteofDisasterManagement(NIDM)
• Itisresponsibleforplanningandpromotingtrainingandresearchintheareaofdisastermanagement.
• Itisapremiernationalorganizationworkingforhumanresourcedevelopmentatnationallevelintheareaofdisastermanagement.
Conclusion:
Ineffectivenessinpreparednessandcoordination,lackofimplementationcapacityatstatelevel,notconstitutingDisasterMitigationFund,inadequatetechnologyandmanpowerremainaschallengeinDisasterManagement.Challengesneedstobeaddressedtoreducevulnerabilityandachievedisasterresilience.
Bestanswer:Krishnakant
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53.HowcanNATGRIDhelpinsecuringapeacefulterritory?Comment.
Introduction:
NATGRIDisapostMumbai26/11attackmeasure.Itaimstomitigateavitaldeficiency—lackofrealtimeinformation,whichwasconsideredtobeoneofthemajorhurdlesindetectingUSterrorsuspectDavidHeadley’smovementacrossthecountryduringhismultiplevisitsbetween2006and2009.
Body:
RoleofNATGRIDinsecuringterritory
• NATGRIDisanambitiouscounterterrorismprogramme,whichwillutilisetechnologieslikeBigDataandanalyticstostudyandanalysethehugeamountsofdatafromvariousintelligenceandenforcementagenciestohelptracksuspectedterroristsandpreventterroristattacks.
• Itwillconnect,indifferentphases,dataprovidingorganisationsandusersbesidesdevelopingalegalstructurethroughwhichinformationcanbeaccessedbythelawenforcementagencies.
• NATGRIDwillbecomeasecurecentraliseddatabasetostreamsensitiveinformationfrom21setsofdatasourcessuchasbanks,creditcards,visa,immigrationandtrainandairtraveldetails,aswellasfromvariousintelligenceagencies.
• Thedatabasewouldbeaccessibletoauthorisedpersonsfrom11agenciesonacase-to-casebasis,andonlyforprofessionalinvestigationsintosuspectedcasesofterrorism.
• NATGRIDisessentiallyatoolthatenablessecurityagenciestolocateandobtainrelevantinformationonterrorsuspectsfrompooleddataofvariousorganisationsandservicesinthecountry.Itwillhelpidentify,captureandprosecuteterroristsandhelppre-emptterroristplots.
• NATGRIDwouldalsohelpthepoliceandtheIntelligenceBureaukeepatabonpersonswithsuspiciousbackgrounds.Thepolicewouldhaveaccesstoallhisdataandanymovementbythispersonwouldalsobetrackedwiththehelpofthisdatabase.
• ThedangerfromnothavingasophisticatedtoolliketheNATGRIDisthatitforcesthepolicetorelyonharshandcoercivemeanstoextractinformationinacrudeanddegradingfashion.Aftereveryterroristincident,itgoesaboutroundingupsuspects—manyofwhoareinnocent.If,instead,apatternsearchandrecognitionsystemwereinplace,theseviolationsofhumanrightswouldbemuchfewer.
Criticisms:
• NATGRIDisfacingoppositiononchargesofpossibleviolationsofprivacyandleakageofconfidentialpersonalinformation.
• Itsefficacyinpreventingterrorhasalsobeenquestionedgiventhatnostateagencyorpoliceforcehasaccesstoitsdatabasethusreducingchancesofimmediate,effectiveaction.
• Accordingtofewexperts,digitaldatabasessuchasNATGRIDcanbemisused.Overthelasttwodecades,theverydigitaltoolsthatterroristsusehavealsobecomegreatweaponstofighttheideologiesofviolence.
• TheSnowdenfileshavealreadyrevealedthewidespreadmisuseinrecentyearsofsurveillancecapabilitiestocompromiseindividualprivacyandevenviolatenationalsovereignty.
Conclusion:
Initspresentform,NATGRIDsuffersfromfewinadequacies,someduetobureaucraticredtapeandothersduetofundamentalflawsinthesystem.Ifthegovernmenttakesenoughmeasurestoensurethatinformationdoesnotfallthroughthefirewallsthatguardit,NATGRIDhasthepotentialtobecomeIndia’sgo-togridfora360-degreeperspectivetopreventandcontaincrises
Bestanswer:Amit
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