10August 2020
The United States under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the early 1940s once pressed Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill to free India and co-opt India as a formal ally in World War II.
But Britain firmly and obstinately refused to agree despite the writing on the wall — that Indians had stood up and would achieve freedom sooner rather than later.
India stabilised after a bloody Partition in 1947, declared its commitment to democracy, fundamental rights, free press and non-violence in a written Constitution which came into force on January 26, 1950.
The UN and China
India thus appeared to the U.S. as worthy of replacing China in the most important body of the United Nations, namely the Security Council, as a Permanent Member with a Veto in view of the Communist overthrow of the Chiang Kai-shek-led government.
According to a recent study by Dr. Anton Harder, “Not at the Cost of China: New Evidence Regarding US Proposals to Nehru for Joining the United Nations Security Council” Working Paper #76”, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Washington, DC, USA, March 2015” (https://bit.ly/3fOXY0N), the author states that the U.S.’s offer for India to join the UN Security Council was conveyed by India’s Ambassador to the U.S. then, viz., Ms. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister.
In late August 1950, Mrs. Pandit wrote to her brother from Washington DC that: “One matter... in the State Department should be known to you. This is the unseating of China as a Permanent Member in the Security Council and of India being put in her place.”
“Nehru’s response to his sister within the week was unequivocal: ‘In your letter you mention that the State Department is trying to unseat China as a Permanent Member of the Security Council and to put India in her place.
‘So far as we are concerned, we are not going to countenance it. That would be bad from every point of view. It would be a clear affront to China and it would mean some kind of a break between us and China.
‘We shall go on pressing for China’s admission in the UN and the Security Council. India because of many factors, is certainly entitled to a permanent seat in the security council. But we are not going to at the cost of China’.”
Nehru not only declined the U.S. offer to India to become a UNSC Permanent Member with Veto but instead campaigned for China to take up that seat.
The U.S. however resisted that campaign till 1972, when in a turnaround the U.S. supported Communist People’s Republic of China and entered into “strategic partnership” in the 1970s onwards with the reform-minded new leadership of Deng Xiaoping.
Subsequently what China did to Nehru for this generosity at India’s expense is history from which we must learn. No use is served by crying about China’s betrayal or perfidy.
The shift to Pakistan
In 1953 after India’s tilt to the Soviet Union and China in the Korean war, the U.S. turned to Pakistan as a possible counterweight in South Asia against the Soviet Union and China. The U.S. made Pakistan a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), and liberally gave aid and armaments.
Pakistan which was no match in military, economic development, and ancient and continuous culture that ensured democracy, began to dream of equality with India in the international domain.
As a consequence, India had to go to war with Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and 1999, losing precious lives defending our own territory. The U.S. even sent a Seventh Fleet Task Force with nuclear weapons on board to threaten us on the dismemberment of Pakistan.
The rest is history. We have to learn from our past mistakes. Today there is a new opportunity with the U.S. but it is not on a clean slate.
America’s November poll
The success of our new bonding with the U.S. will first depend on the outcome of the U.S. Presidential elections this November. The Democratic party rival and Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, has already taken a hostile stand against our government, with the Left wing and liberals in the U.S. highly critical of the Narendra Modi government, such as rubbishing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act passed by India’s Parliament with a two-thirds majority.
In inner U.S. circles our purchase from Russia of the S-400 air defence missile system and the refusal to agree to America’s request to send Indian troops to Afghanistan have mostly browned off U.S. officials. U.S. policy makers know Indians love atmospherics and melas, but not substantive issues which concern the U.S.
Therefore, we need to build trust with the U.S. that we will give to the U.S. as good as it gives us, and not give us lectures instead. The U.S. will then respond more than what we concede.
In 1991 when then Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar told me to find out if we can get a policy-conditions free loan at a concessional interest rate from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), I told him that the IMF would never agree, but since a large size of the voting power in the IMF was directly or indirectly controlled by the U.S., we should placate the U.S.
Thereafter, Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar spoke to the U.S. that India would agree to a pending American request with the Prime Minister’s Office for permission to refuel their air force planes flying from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia for the first Gulf War when Iraq occupied Kuwait.
I thereafter told the U.S. Ambassador in New Delhi about this but I said it was conditional on getting $2 billion (1991 prices). Over the weekend that loan arrived and India was saved from a default.
In synchrony
Today, thus, the new or fresh paradigm should be on how to structure India-U.S. understanding and which is in sync with common India-U.S. perspectives. For this structuring we must: first realise that India-U.S. relations require give and take on both sides.
What India needs to take today is for dealing with the Ladakh confrontation on our side of the Line of Actual Control by China. Obviously, India needs U.S. hardware military equipment. India does not need U.S. troops to fight our battles against China on our border.
Third, the U.S. needs India to fight her enemies in the neighbourhood such as in Afghanistan. It is my view that India should send two divisions gradually to Afghanistan and relieve U.S. troops to go home.
India needs the support of the U.S. and its ally, Israel, in cyberwarfare, satellite mappings of China and Pakistan, intercepts of electronic communication, hard intelligence on terrorists, and controlling the military and the Inter-Services Intelligence in Pakistan.
India needs the U.S. to completely develop the Andaman & Nicobar, and also the Lakshadweep Islands as a naval and air force base, which the U.S. can share along with its allies such as Indonesia and Japan.
India must be firm in two areas which are not amenable to give and take. One is that economic relations must be based on macroeconomic commercial principles. Free, indiscriminate flow of U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) is not in India’s national interest.
Look at technologies
Thus, India needs technologies such as thorium utilisation, desalination of sea water, and hydrogen fuel cells, but not Walmart and U.S. universities to start campuses in India, as proposed in the new National Education Policy draft.
Eighth, the U.S. must allow India’s exports of agricultural products including Bos indicus milk, which are of highly competitive prices in the world.
FDI should be allowed into India selectively from abroad, including from the U.S., based on the economic theory of comparative advantage and not on subsidies and gratis.
Tenth, tariffs of both India and the U.S. should be lowered, and the Indian rupee should be gradually revalued to ₹35 to a dollar. Later, with the economy picking up, the rupee rate should go below 10 to the dollar.
The other firm constraint is that India should not provide the U.S. with our troops to enter Tibet, or be involved in the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues because there is always a possibility of a leadership change in China, as what happened when Deng Xiaoping replaced Mao Zedong’s nominees in 1980. Thus, China’s policy changed very favourably towards India. In the cases of Tibet, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, we have made explicit agreements. In the case of Tibet, two formal treaties were signed by Nehru (1954) and A.B. Vajpayee (2003).
In the last point, in the long run, India, the U.S., and China should form a trilateral commitment for world peace provided Chinese current international policies undergo a healthy change.
Dr. Subramanian Swamy is an economist from Harvard and a Rajya Sabha MP, now on his sixth term.
Forecasts of ‘good’ or ‘normal’ monsoons are often beguiling and belie the ominous. This year, the annual floods that upend the Brahmaputra Valley have been followed by intense spells along the Konkan coast and Mumbai, and now Kerala, which until the end of last month recorded a slight deficit. The landslip in Idukki, that has so far claimed 22 lives and rendered several homeless, follows from a continuing spell of heavy rains in Kerala. Most districts have received three or four times more rain than what is normal. Last year too, neighbouring Wayanad saw multiple hamlets wiped out and the year before, the devastating floods in the State forced a debate on the need for new models of development. Landslips, or landslides, in the Western Ghats have a history. Following the 2018 floods, data from the Geological Survey of India showed that Kerala had experienced 67 major landslide events and several minor ones from 1961-2013. As part of a National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) programme, the agency mapped several States in the Western Ghats, North-eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand to assess how vulnerable their districts were. Nearly 13,000 square kilometres were mapped until 2018 and 6,000 were to be covered in 2019-20 in Kerala, according to the programme website. Nearly 13 of the State’s 14 districts were prone to landslides and what made Kerala particularly vulnerable was the high population density — over 800 per square kilometre — compared to other States that also faced high landslide risk.
The objective of the NLSM maps is to help State and district authorities incorporate the risk of landslides into zoning laws. However, just as in the case of earthquake zonation maps, or for that matter, any exercise to scientifically ascertain the risk from natural hazards to a region, these laws are barely implemented in the right spirit. And this is not unique to Kerala. The details might vary but it is now beyond contestation that India is living in a new climate normal. Frequent high intensity bursts of rain will co-exist along with long dry spells. It has emerged from studies of Kerala’s topography that quarrying and the unscientific cutting of slopes into hills aggravates the risk of soil erosion. Operationalising the State’s disaster management apparatus and allocating funds for preparedness are key policy responses, but Kerala also must double down on enforcing regulations and observing zoning laws as well as ensuring that slopes carved into hilly terrain have adequate provisions for draining water. A lack of compliance with such principles is often a key reason why natural hazards end up causing a significant number of avoidable casualties. There is a cost to pursuing development goals without paying attention to environmental constraints.
INSIGHTS:
8 aug
INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY- 8 August 2020
InstaLinks help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 1:
GS Paper 2:
1. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
2. Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra.
3. Italian marines case: will close trial only after victims’ kin get ‘hefty’ compensation, says SC.
GS Paper 3:
1. Food System Vision Prize 2020.
2. Delhi government launches electric vehicle policy.
Facts for Prelims:
1. V. KAMATH COMMITTEE.
2. Business confidence index.
3. Loya Jirga.
4. Kavkaz 2020.
GS Paper : 1
Topics Covered: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Pingali Venkayya:
Context:
- Birth Anniversary- 2nd August.
- He was born on August 2, 1876, in Andhra Pradesh.
- He is also known as ‘Jhanda Venkaiah’.
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
Pingali Venkayya was a freedom fighter and the designer of the Indian National Tricolour. The national flag that we see today was based upon his design.
The evolution of Indian National Flag:
- Between 1918 and 1921, Venkayya raised the issue of having an own flag in every session of the Congress. Back then, he was working as a lecturer in the Andhra National College in Machilipatnam.
- He met the Mahatma once again in Vijayawada and showed him his publication with the various designs of the flag. Acknowledging the need for a national flag, Gandhi then asked Venkayya to design a fresh one at the national congress meeting in 1921.
- Initially, Venkayya came up with saffron and green colours, but it later evolved with a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour-white. (LALA HANS RAJ SONDHI SUGGESTED ADDING A SPINNING WHEEL — SHOWING THE INDEPENDENT INDIANS WHO CAN SPIN THEIR OWN CLOTHING FROM LOCAL FIBRES.)
- The flag was officially adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1931.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Anglo Boer war.
- When was the flag designed by Venkayya was officially accepted by the Indian National Congress?
- Adoption of National Flag by the Constituent Assembly.
- Flag Code of India- overview.
- Manufacturer of the national flag in India.
Mains Link:
Discuss the key provisions of Flag Code of India, 2002.
Sources: pib.
GS Paper : 2
Topics Covered: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED):
Why in News?
33rd Foundation Day of TRIFED was observed on 6th August 2020.
About TRIFED:
It is the national level cooperative body mandated to bring about socio-economic development of tribals of the country by institutionalising the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) & Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected/cultivated by them.
- It was established in 1987.
- It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Important Functions:
- It plays the dual role of both a market developer and a service provider, empowering the tribals with knowledge and tools to better their operations in a systematic, scientific manner and also assist them in developing their marketing approach.
- It is involved actively in capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization and the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
- The organisation also assists them in exploring and creating opportunities to market the developed products in national and international markets on a sustainable basis.
Recent initiatives by TRIFED:
- Launched Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan, which is aimed at educating Tribals engaged in gathering NTFPs in forest areas, on covid-19 response, key preventive behaviour like social distancing, home quarantine, hygiene tips.
- Initiated steps to provide the Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs) with protective masks and hygiene products (Soaps, Disinfectants, etc.) that are necessary for carrying out their operations in a safe manner.
- Focus on revamping the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP to enhance tribal livelihood in these testing times and to ensure that they get the benefit of an equitable market price for their produce.
- TRIFOOD Scheme is a joint initiative of Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.
- Tech for Tribals, an initiative of TRIFED supported by Ministry of MSME, aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri VanDhan Yojana(PMVDY).
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Tech for Tribals- aims and objectives.
- About Pradhan Mantri VanDhan Yojana(PMVDY).
- TRIFOOD scheme.
- MSP for MFP scheme.
- Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan- objectives.
- About TRIFED.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra:
Context:
Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra was inaugurated recently.
What is it?
A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra (RSK) was first announced by the Prime Minister on 10th April 2017, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Gandhiji’s Champaran Satyagraha.
- It is an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission.
- The installations at RSK will include audio visual immersive shows, interactive LED panels, hologram boxes, interactive games etc.
Roles and functions of RSK:
- It will introduce future generations to its successful journey as the world’s largest behaviour change campaign.
- It will showcase the core elements of the mission and anecdotes on the journey of the country from Satyagraha to Swachchagrah.
- It will impart information, awareness and education on Swachhata (sanitation) and related aspects.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Swachh Bharat Mission and its objectives.
- Targets achieved under SBM- Urban.
- About Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra.
- ODF status of various states and UTs.
Mains Link:
Discuss the objectives and significance of Swachh Bharat Mission.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Italian marines case: will close trial only after victims’ kin get ‘hefty’ compensation, says SC:
Context:
The Supreme Court has refused to pass any order on the Centre’s plea seeking closure of cases against two Italian marines, who are facing charges of killing two Indian fishermen in February 2012.
What has the Court said?
- The court said it would not pass any order without hearing the victims’ families who should be given adequate compensation.
- The Court insisted that it will close their criminal trial in India only after the victims’ families are heard and paid a “hefty” and “adequate” compensation.
Background:
On July 3, the Centre moved the top court seeking closure of judicial proceedings in India against the two Italian marines, arguing that it has accepted the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at the Hague, which held that India is entitled to get compensation in the case but can’t prosecute the marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them.
What had the tribunal held?
In a close 3:2 vote, the tribunal ruled that the Italian marines enjoyed diplomatic immunity as Italian state officials under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea.
- Taking note of the “commitment expressed by Italy” to resume its criminal investigation into the incident, the tribunal said India must cease to exercise its jurisdiction.
What’s the issue now?
The award passed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration is in conflict with the Supreme Court judgment in 2013. This verdict upheld the authority of the Union of India to prosecute the Marines.
- So, an international award which is in conflict with a domestic law, notwithstanding India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, can be implemented only if it is made into law under Article 253 of the Constitution”.
What next?
- The court asked the Centre to negotiate a “hefty” compensation with Italy.
- The court ordered the Centre to implead the victims’ families in the case within a week.
Overview of the marines’ case:
In 2012, two Italian marines fired shots while on-board an Italian vessel, Enrica Lexie killing two Indian fishermen aboard an Indian vessel, St. Anthony.
But, the fishing vessel was within the country’s Contiguous Zone and it was quite clear that the offence warranted arrest and prosecution under domestic law.
- Eventually, the marines were arrested. But, further the marines were released from India and sent to Italy.
- At that time, India had set up a specially designated court, as ordered by Indian Supreme Court, to determine the applicability of jurisdiction.
- Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency invoked the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002.
- The dispute between the two countries as regards which country will try the two marines went before the PCA.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- PCA- composition, functions and members.
- What is UNCLOS?
- Articles 87, 90 and 100 of UNCLOS are related to?
- About International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
- What is NIA?
- About the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
- Article 253 of the Indian Constitution.
Mains Link:
Discuss the functions and significance of PCA.
Sources: the Hindu.
GS Paper : 3
Topics Covered: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Food System Vision Prize 2020:
- It is an invitation for organizations across the globe to develop a Vision of the regenerative and nourishing food system that they aspire to create by the year 2050.
- The prize awards a cash incentive of USD $200,000.
- It was launched by the USA-based ‘The Rockefeller Foundation’, in partnership with the other two organisations – SecondMuse and OpenIDEO- in 2019.
What is a Food System Vision?
It is really a story about the future that addresses the following six interconnected themes:
- Environment
- Diets
- Economics
- Culture
- Technology
- Policy
Why in News?
- The Rockefeller Foundation has selected Naandi Foundation (a Hyderabad based non-profit organisation), as one of the top 10 ‘Visionaries’ in the world for the Food System Vision 2050 Prize.
- Naandi was recognised for its Arakunomics
What is Arakunomics?
It is a new integrated economic model that ensures profits for farmers, quality for consumers through regenerative agriculture.
This model is a tribute to the tribal farmers of Araku region for the world-class coffee produced and launched in Paris in 2017 as well as for the high carbon landscape transformation they did in over 955 villages there by planting 25 million trees.
Why Naandi was chosen?
- The success of Arakunomics in Araku region led to Naandi replicating the model to support the livelihood of farming communities in the villages of Wardha, Maharashtra, and later in New Delhi.
- Naandi hopes to expand its “food-print” by creating thousands of farm livelihoods by transforming their agriculture over one million acres spread across India.
- Also, Arakunomics model leads to Food Vision 2050 that follows an “ABCDEFGH” framework centering on:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Compost
- Decentralised decision-making
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Global Markets
- Headstands or turning current approaches on their head.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is Arakunomics?
- About the Food System Vision Prize.
- The prize is announced by?
- Which Indian Organisation was recently selected for this prize?
Mains Link:
Write a note on Arakunomics.
Sources: the Hindu.
Topics Covered: Infrastructure- roadways.
Delhi government launches electric vehicle policy:
Context:
- Delhi government has launched the Electric Vehicle Policy for the national capital.
- With this policy, the government aims to generate employment to give a boost to Delhi’s economy and reduce pollution levels in the national capital.
Highlights of the policy:
- The policy aims to constitute 25% electric vehicles by 2024, which is currently just 0.29% in the in the national capital.
- The government will waive registration fee and road tax.
- It will give incentive of up to ₹30,000 for two-wheelers, autos, e-rickshaws and freight vehicles while for cars, it will provide an incentive of up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- The government will also give low-interest loan on electric commercial vehicles.
- An ‘EV Cell’ will be established to implement the Policy.
- The government will also set up a ‘State Electric Vehicle Board’.
- 200 charging stations will be set up in a year to ensure that people driving these vehicles can get a charging station within the radius of three kilometers.
- The Delhi government will give a ”scrapping incentive” under the electric vehicle policy, which will be first-of-its-kind in the country.
- Youth will be trained so that they get jobs as electric vehicle sector will need them at a large scale after implementation of this policy.
Sources: the Hindu.
Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.
TRAFFIC study on leopards:
Context:
TRAFFIC India has released a paper titled ‘‘SPOTTED’ in Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Peek into Ongoing Poaching and Illegal Trade of Leopards in India’.
- It is a study on the seizure and mortality of ‘common leopards’ (Panthera pardus fusca).
Highlights of the report:
- Of the total of 747 leopard deaths between 2015-2019 in India, 596 were linked to illegal wildlife trade and activities related to poaching.
- The highest numbers of poaching incidents were reported from the States of Uttarakhand and Maharashtra.
- Among all the derivatives found in illegal wildlife trade, skin remained the most in-demand product, accounting for 69% of all seizures, while derivatives like claws, teeth and bones were also traded.
Background:
- The last formal census on India’s leopards was conducted in 2014, which estimated the population between 12,000 and 14,000.
- The results of a recent census of leopard sightings are likely to be released soon by the Wildlife Institute of India.
Conclusion:
The plight of leopards in illegal wildlife trade has been highlighted from time to time through investigative reports and studies, and through various wildlife enforcement actions across the country.However, this has not deterred wildlife smugglers, who are lured by high profits and low risk of detection, to target the species.
Therefore, experts suggest that more emphasis should be given to the conservation of leopards.
About TRAFFIC:
TRAFFIC, the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network, is the leading non-governmental organisation working globally on the trade of wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity and sustainable development.
It was founded in 1976 as a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Insta Facts- Leopard:
- Scientific Name- Panthera pardus.
- Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Included in Appendix I of CITES.
- Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- Nine subspecies of the leopard have been recognized, and they are distributed across Africa and Asia.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- IUCN status of Leopard.
- What is CITES?
- Subspecies of leopard.
- Various Schedules under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Tiger census in India is conducted by?
- IUCN red list categories.
- About TRAFFIC.
Sources: the Hindu.
Facts for Prelims
V. KAMATH COMMITTEE:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted an expert committee under the chairmanship of veteran banker K.V. Kamath to make recommendations on norms for the resolution of COVID-19 related stressed loans.
- The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) will function as the secretariat to the committee and the committee will be fully empowered to consult or invite any person it deems fit.
Business confidence index:
- India’s leading economic think tank, National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) conducts a quarterly survey and releases Business confidence index (N-BCI).
- It tracks the business sentiments of around 600 Indian companies to compute the composite index.
Loya Jirga:
- It is a mass national gathering that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in Afghanistan.
- It is a highly respected centuries-old consultative body that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues.
- According to the Afghan Constitution, a Loya Jirga is considered the highest expression of the Afghan people. It is not an official decision-making body and its decisions are not legally binding.
Why in News?
A three-day Loya Jirga-grand assembly has been called in Afghanistan to decide on freeing about 400 Taliban fighters convicted for serious crimes including murder and abductions.
Kavkaz 2020:
It is the Russian strategic command-post exercise.
Why in News?
- India will take part in the Russian Kavkaz 2020 strategic command-post exercise next month.
- The invitees for the exercise also include China and Pakistan apart from other member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY- 7 August 2020
InstaLinks help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 1:
2. Japan marks 75th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing.
GS Paper 2:
1. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
2. EWS quota challenge referred to Constitution Bench.
GS Paper 3:
1. Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
2. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Facts for Prelims:
1. National Handloom Day 2020.
2. Kisan Rail.
3. Pangolin
GS Paper : 1
Topics Covered: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Abanindranath Tagore:
Context:
National Galary of Modern Art, New Delhi is organising the virtual tour titled “The Great Maestro | Abanindranath Tagore” to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Abanindranath Tagore on 7th August 2020.
About Abanindranath Tagore:
Abanindranath Tagore, the nephew of Rabindranath Tagore, was one of the most prominent artists of Bengal school of art in India. He was the first major supporter of swadeshi values in Indian art.
The contribution of Abanindranath Tagore towards Indian art and culture are:
Bengal School of Art:
- He first created the ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art’ and later went on to establish Bengal school of art.
- He believed that Indian art and its art forms gave importance to spirituality as opposed to the West which stressed on materialism, thus rejecting it.
- His idea of modernizing Mughal and Rajput paintings eventually gave rise to modern Indian painting, which took birth at his Bengal school of art.
- Most of his works revolved around Hindu philosophy.
- In his later works, Abanindranath started integrating Chinese and Japanese calligraphic traditions into his style. The intention behind this move was to construct an amalgamation of the modern pan-Asian artistic tradition and the common elements of Eastern artistic and spiritual culture.
Famous paintings are:
Bharat Mata, The Passing of Shah Jahan (1900), My Mother (1912–13), Fairyland illustration (1913), Journey’s End (circa 1913).
Literature:
- Abanindranath is also regarded as a proficient and accomplished writer.
- Most of his literary works were meant for children. Some of his books like ‘BudoAngla’, ‘KhirerPutul’ and ‘Rajkahini’ are best examples of Bengali children’s literature.
- William Rothenstein helped Rabindranath Tagore to publish his work ‘Gitanjali’ in English.
- Arabian Nights series was one of his notable works.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Indian Society of Oriental Art- objectives.
- About Bengal School of Art.
- Subjects of his paintings.
- His literary works.
- His famous paintings.
Mains Link:
Examine the evolution and salient features of Bengal School of Art.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
Japan marks 75th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing:
Context:
Japan, on 6th August, marked 75 years since the world’s first atomic bomb attack, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing a scaling back of ceremonies to remember the victims.
What happened on August 6th?
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, and three days later, on August 9, it dropped another bomb on Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of people and affecting many more who would suffer the effects of the radiation from the blast and the “black rain” that fell in the aftermath of the explosions.
Why did the US bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
After the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the relations between Japan and the US worsened, especially after Japan forces decided to take an aim at Indochina with the intention of capturing the oil-rich areas of the East Indies. Therefore, US president Harry Truman authorised the use of atomic bombs in order to make Japan surrender in WWII, which it did.
Who developed the bomb?
The atomic bomb was a result of British and American scientific knowledge and was built at two plants in the US, while a scientific laboratory was maintained separately, all of which came under the ambit of the Manhattan Project, which was the codename for this research effort.
Insta Facts:
- Atomic bomb dropped on the city of Hiroshima was called “Little Boy”.
- Atomic bomb dropped over Nagasaki was called “Fat Man”.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Who were the Allies and the axis powers?
- Causes for the world war 2.
- Manhattan project is related to?
- Outcomes of the war.
- Important events and battles during WW2.
- What is the battle of midway?
- What led to attacks on pearl harbour?
Mains Link:
The Second World War gave a great incentive to the nationalist movements in colonies. Analyse.
Sources: the Hindu.
GS Paper : 2
Topics Covered: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG):
Context:
Former Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu was recently appointed as the new Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
About CAG:
- The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in chapter V under Part V.
- The CAG is mentioned in the Constitution of India under Article 148 – 151.
- He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
- He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels- the centre and state.
- His duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration.
Appointment and Term to Constitutionals Posts:
- The CAG is appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal.
- He holds office for a period of six years or upto the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Duties:
- CAG audits the accounts related to all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, Consolidated Fund of each state and UT having a legislative assembly.
- CAG audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state.
- CAG audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments.
- CAG audits the receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities substantially financed from the Central or State revenues; government companies; other corporations and bodies, when so required by related laws.
- He ascertains and certifies the net proceeds of any tax or duty and his certificate is final on the matter.
Reports:
- He submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of the Centre and State to the President and Governor, who shall, in turn, place them before both the houses of Parliament and the state legislature respectively.
- He submits 3 audit reports to the President: audit report on appropriation accounts, audit report on finance accounts and audit report on public undertakings.
CAG and PAC:
He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
CAG along with its mandatory regulatory and compliance audit performs the performance as well as efficiency audit to question executive’s wisdom and economy in order to identify cases of improper expenditure and waste of public money.
Constitutional provisions which ensure the independence of CAG are:
- CAG is provided with the security of tenure. He can be removed by the president only in accordance with the procedure mentioned in the Constitution. Thus, he does not hold his office till the pleasure of the president, though he is appointed by him.
- He is not eligible for further office, either under the Government of India or of any state, after he ceases to hold his office.
- His salary and other service conditions are determined by the Parliament. His salary is equal to that of a judge of the Supreme Court.
- Neither his salary nor his rights in respect of leave of absence, pension or age of retirement can be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment.
- The administrative expenses of the office of the CAG, including all salaries, allowances and pensions of persons serving in that office are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus, they are not subject to the vote of Parliament.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Differences between Consolidated and Contingency funds of India.
- About Public Accounts Committee.
- Reports submitted by CAG to the President.
- CAG is appointed by?
- Appointment and removal of CAG.
Mains Link:
CAG is instrumental in securing accountability of the executive to the parliament in the sphere of financial administration. Explain. List the constitutional provisions to ensure the independence of the CAG.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
EWS quota challenge referred to Constitution Bench:
Context:
The Supreme Court has referred to a five-judge Bench the “substantial question of law” whether grant of 10% reservation to economically weaker sections of the society is unconstitutional and violates the 50% ceiling cap on quota declared by the court itself.
What does the reference mean?
A reference to a larger Bench means that the legal challenge is an important one.
- As per Article 145(3) of the Constitution, “the minimum number of Judges who are to sit for the purpose of deciding any case involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of this Constitution” shall be five.
- The Supreme Court rules of 2013 also say that writ petitions that allege a violation of fundamental rights will generally be heard by a bench of two judges unless it raises substantial questions of law. In that case, a five-judge bench would hear the case.
What are the grounds of challenge?
The law was challenged primarily on two grounds.
- First, it violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution. This argument stems from the view that the special protections guaranteed to socially disadvantaged groups are part of the Basic Structure and that the 103rd Amendment departs from this by promising special protections on the sole basis of economic status. Although there is no exhaustive list of what forms the Basic Structure, any law that violates it is understood to be unconstitutional.
- Second, it violates the SC’s 1992 ruling in Indra Sawhney & Ors v Union of India, which upheld the Mandal Report and capped reservations at 50%. In the ruling, the court held that economic backwardness cannot be the sole criterion for identifying backward class.
What’s the issue?
The economic reservation was introduced in the Constitution by amending Articles 15 and 16 and adding clauses empowering the state governments to provide reservation on the basis of economic backwardness.
- The validity of the Constitutional Amendment was challenged, saying the 50% quota limit was part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
- A three-judge bench had refused to stay the implementation of the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, which provides the 10% quota.
How centre defends this move?
The Centre had argued that it was every State’s prerogative to provide 10% economic reservation in State government jobs and admissions in State-run education institutions. Whether or not to provide reservation to the economically weaker section (EWS) of the society for appointment in State government jobs and for admission to State government educational institutions, as per provisions of the newly inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) of the Constitution, is to be decided by the State government concerned.
- The government also argued that under Article 46 of the Constitution, part of Directive Principles of State Policy, it has a duty to protect the interests of economically weaker sections.
- Countering the claims that the amendment violates the Indra Sawhney principle, the government relied on a 2008 ruling— Ashok Kumar Thakur v Union of India, in which the SC upheld the 27% quota for OBCs. The argument is that the court accepted that the definition of OBCs was not made on the sole criterion of caste but a mix of caste and economic factors, to prove that there need not a sole criterion for according reservation.
What is a constitution bench?
Article 145(3) says at least five judges need to hear cases that involve “a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution, or any reference under Article 143, which deals with the power of the President of India to consult the Supreme Court.
- But this doesn’t mean constitution benches can’t be larger. For example, nine judges were on the bench that unanimously declared privacy to be a fundamental right in August 2017. There have also been seven and 13-judge benches.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Articles 143 and 145(3) are related to?
- Articles 15(6) and 16(6) of the Constitution- overview.
- Ashok Kumar Thakur v Union of India case is related to?
- What is basic structure of the constitution?
- Supreme Court judgment in Indira Sawhney case.
Mains Link:
Is the reservation policy earmarking a 10% quota for the economically weaker sections of the “general category” empirically founded and justifiable? Critically analyse.
Sources: the Hindu.
GS Paper : 3
Topics Covered: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Priority Sector Lending (PSL):
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India has assigned priority sector lending (PSL) status to India’s startup sector.
Significance of the move:
RBI opening up more funds for lending to startups is a very positive step. Startups have not had easy access to debt, stymied by traditional lender metrics of creditworthiness. This is a huge booster as sufficient funding and user adoption are two primary challenges for Indian entrepreneurs.
Besides, Startups have mostly relied on expensive venture debt. This move will help startups free up their equity and raise low cost debt.
What is Priority Sector Lending?
It means those sectors which the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India consider as important for the development of the basic needs of the country and are to be given priority over other sectors. The banks are mandated to encourage the growth of such sectors with adequate and timely credit.
RBI guidelines for PSL for scheduled commercial banks:
40% of the total net bank credit should go to a priority sector advances.
- 10% of the priority sector advances or 10% of the total net bank credit, whichever is higher should go to weaker section.
- 18% of the total net bank credit should go to agricultural advances. Within the 18 percent target for agriculture, a target of 8 per cent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher is prescribed for Small and Marginal Farmers, to be achieved in a phased manner.
- 5 of ANBC or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher should go to Micro enterprises.
Priority Sector includes the following categories:
- Agriculture
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
- Export Credit
- Education
- Housing
- Social Infrastructure
- Renewable Energy
- Others
Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs):
Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) are a mechanism to enable banks to achieve the priority sector lending target and sub-targets by purchase of these instruments in the event of shortfall. This also incentivizes surplus banks as it allows them to sell their excess achievement over targets thereby enhancing lending to the categories under priority sector.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What are PSLCs? Who issues them?
- Priority sector includes? Latest additions.
- What is Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC)?
- RBI guidelines on PSL.
Mains Link:
What are the objectives of Priority Sector Lending (PSL)? Recently, RBI permitted the issue and trading of PSL certificates. Discuss the significance of this initiative for PSL.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana:
Context:
Ministry of Agriculture funding start-ups under the innovation and agripreneurship component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in 2020-21.
Background:
A component, Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in order to promote innovation and agripreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem.
- These start-ups are in various categories such as agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries etc.
The following are the components of this scheme:
- Agripreneurship Orientation – 2 months duration with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- per month. Mentorship is provided on financial, technical, IP issues etc.
- Seed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees – Funding upto Rs. 25 lakhs (85% grant & 15% contribution from the incubatee).
- Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs – Funding up to Rs. 5 lakhs (90% grant and 10% contribution from the incubatee).
About Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana:
RKVY scheme was initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.
The scheme incentivizes States to increase public investment in Agriculture & allied sectors.
- The Cabinet has approved (as on 1st November 2017) for the continuation of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (State Plans) – Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR).
The main objective of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is to develop farming as a main source of economic activity. Some of the objectives also include:
- Risk mitigation, strengthening the efforts of the farmers along with promoting agri-business entrepreneurship through the creation of agri-infrastructure.
- Providing all the states with autonomy and flexibility in making plans as per their local needs.
- Helping farmers in increasing their income by encouraging productivity and promoting value chain addition linked production models.
- To reduce the risk of farmers by focusing on increasing the income generation through mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, etc.
- Empowering the youth through various skill development, innovation and agri-business models.
Funding:
RKVY-RAFTAAR will continue to be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the ratio of 60: 40 (Government of India and State Share respectively) except in the case of northeastern and hilly states where the sharing pattern is 90:10. For UTs the grant is 100% as Central share.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- When was the scheme launched?
- Funding under the scheme.
- Objectives of the scheme.
- Various components under the scheme.
Mains Link:
Write a note on the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Sources: pib.
Topics Covered: Disaster management.
Tsunami Ready:
Context:
Odisha has achieved another milestone in disaster management. Venkatraipur in Ganjam and Noliasahi in Jagatsinghpur have been recognised by UNESCO-IOC as Tsunami-Ready Communities.
About Tsunami Ready:
Tsunami Ready is a community performance-based programme.
Initiated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to promote tsunami preparedness through the active collaboration of public, community leaders, and national and local emergency management agencies.
Objectives of the programme:
- To improve the coastal community’s preparedness for tsunami emergencies.
- To minimize the loss of life and property.
- To ensure a structural and systematic approach in building community preparedness.
About the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC):
- IOC-UNESCO was established in 1960 as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO and is the only competent organization for marine science within the UN system.
- The purpose of the Commission is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity-building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States.
- The IOC is recognized through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the competent international organization in the fields of Marine Scientific Research and Transfer of Marine Technology.
Sources: pib.
Facts for Prelims
National Handloom Day 2020:
Sixth edition of National Handloom Day to be celebrated on 7th August.
First National Handloom Day was organised in 2015.
Why August 7?
This day is celebrated on August 7 as a way to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement.
- Swadeshi Movement was officially proclaimed on August 7, 1905 at the Calcutta Town Hall, in Bengal.
The movement had been launched in 1905 on the same date and now, it is used to create awareness and acceptance towards this sector and their exquisite work.
CKisan Rail:
- Indian Railways will introduce “Kisan Rail”, a special Parcel Train from Devlali (Maharashtra) to Danapur (Bihar).
- It is in pursuance of announcement made by Finance Minister in Union Budget 2020-21.
- It is expected that the train will provide seamless supply chain of Perishable produce, will be a great help to the farmers.
Pangolin:
- Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the planet.
- According to CITES, it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia).
- Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin, mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin.
Protection Status:
- Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.
- Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) has been listed as “endangered”.
- It is also a Schedule I category protected animal, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
Articles covered previously
(Note: This section helps you have a brief overview of articles which are frequently in news and are repeated with no significant developments. This will also help you reduce unnecessary burden.)
EIA 2020 to make polluter pay heavy penalty: Javadekar:
Context:
Union Environment Minister responds to Jairam Ramesh’s series of public letters castigating the proposed Environment Impact Assessment Notification.
Various criticisms:
- The draft saw environmental regulation as “an unnecessary burden and not an essential obligation to be met for sustainable development”.
- A clause in the draft allowed illegal projects to be approved post-facto. That is, it could have been set up in contravention of existing laws but managers of the project could later on approach a dedicated Expert Appraisal Committee, called a “violations committee”.
A detailed article on the topic has already been published. Please refer:
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/27/draft-eia-notification/.
Rajasthan HC dismisses plea against merger of 6 BSP MLAs in Congress:
Context:
Rajasthan High Court has disposed off a petition filed in the case regarding the merger of six BSP MLAs with the Congress.
This topic was recently covered in depth. Please go through:
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