gs3 weekly 9th 14th feb 2015
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GS3 Weekly [9th 14th Feb 2015] [The Undercover group] (Insightsonindia.com)
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Topic: Basics of money laundering and its prevention.
Q) Indias emerging status as a regional financial centre,its large system of informal cross
border money flows,and its widely perceived tax avoidance problems all contribute to
countrys vulnerability to money laundering problems. Critically comment. (200 Words)
http://www.thehindu.com/business/black-money-in-stock-markets-sebi-to-suspend-shell-
companies/article6871176.ece
Ans- According to a CBDT Report in 2012 commercial tax evasion by under-reporting
revenues and inflating expenses by various business entities and criminal transactions
account for about 60% and 35% of the black money(BM) being generated in India
respectively. Corruption on the other hand is responsible for a meager 5% of the total
amount, even though it is the most publicized.
The major reasons behind such large-scale prevalence of money laundering activities are the
ineffectiveness of Indias tax regime alongwith its rapid economic growth. The real estate
sector is the primary destination of BM, mainly due to the large property transaction costs
and bureaucratic hassles associated with it. The relative porosity of our borders is
responsible for the smuggling of gold, fake currency etc. which eventually adds to the BM
generation.
However, the inadequacies of the financial system and border security are not the only
factors responsible. The absence of an effective monitoring mechanism, such as the USAs
Patriot Act which requires Americans to report foreign transactions above a certain limit, a
strict punitive regime and the prevalence of various amnesty measures have prevented the
creation of credible deterrence mechanisms.
The MC Joshi Committee report on BM (2012) had suggested various measures such as
strengthening the PoCA, setting up of an all-India judicial service and a National Tax
Tribunal, compulsory reporting of large global transactions etc. to curb the menace of BM.
Revamping the tax laws to encourage people to pay taxes by reducing the rates, introducing
a banking transaction tax and speeding up the process of liberalization are other measures
which can be adopted.
Topic: Security challenges & their management in border areas;;
Q) The proper management of Indias borders ,which is vitally important to national
security presents many challenges and includes coordination and concerted action by the
administrative,diplomatic,security,intelligence,legal,regulatory and economic agencies of
the country to secure the frontiers and sub-serve its best interests. Elucidate. (200 Words)
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/n-korea-fires-short-range-
missiles/article6872382.ece
Ans- National security requires concerted action of all individuals of this nation and not only
government agencies.Similarly, management of Indian borders is not only the responsibility
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of armed forces but also other administrative/diplomatic/intelligence/legal/ regulatory
agencies.
Administrative agencies like local administration and police has a great role in motivating
and influencing local public support against any illegal action across border.Unless local
support is not available, armed forces will find very difficult to manage borders.ex-
Rajasthan,punjab, UP borders
Diplomacy plays an important role in maintaining peace at international borders.ex- during
Nepal's political crisis after end of aristocracy, Indian diplomats handled situation carefully
and prevented any major effect on Indo-Nepal relations.
Armed forces along with internal and external intelligence agencies are the major factors for
stable borders.ex- militants entering from pakistan,Nepal, bangladesh,bhutan borders have
been successfully tackled by concerted efforts of central and state armed police forces,
Army, IB, RAW.
legal authority though do not have direct effect on border management but they help
armed forces in proper maintenance of disturbed region.ex-AFSPA allows immediate action
on basis of valid suspicion by armed forces in disturbed region without going into
administrative loops.This helps in immediate action and elimination of threat without
compromising security.
Frontiers are also at threat by transaction of illegal money, fake currency, drugs, arms etc
Regulatory and economic agencies provide proper guidelines to makes sure of any loop
holes being closed.ex- strong anti narcotics and smuggling law along with RBI's initiatives to
ban illegal/black money and fake currency.
India's unique feature of few not so good neighbours has resulted in growing divisive
elements along with drug addiction,fake currency and other menaces in society which can
be fought only by united efforts by all individual person and government in this country.
Topic: poverty and developmental issues (also Paper-3 planning)
Q) Write short notes on drought-prone area programme and agro-climatic planning. How do
these programmes help in the development of dryland agriculture in India? (150 Words)
http://www.ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm?legy2=9-12
Ans- DPAD is region specific developmental plan where the rain- fall is less than 75 cms and
does not has any reliable water resource, ( india's 2/3rd area comes under this i.e plateau
interiors)
its main component are-
1) promotion of region specific development i.e diversification of agricultural income for e.g-
animal husbandry etc.
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2) sustainble techniques such as rain water harvesting, water shed management are
promoted.
in the same way Agro-climatic planning was promoted by planning commission for
promotion of growing of those crops which are naturally suitable for that area. The major
objectives of this are-
1) building capacity of local resident and imparting information so that suitable crops can be
grown.
2) Providing avenues for profit maximization like diversification of agricultural income.
As our country's 75 % area is semi-arid so the need for these two can be be over-
emphasized, they help by-
1) by imparting knowledge regarding available resources and there use.
2) most importantly they promote local led development i.e demand driven.
3) success stories such as of-
a) ralegaon siddhi ,b) hivere bajar in maharastra and c) sukhomajari in haryana is e.g of
success of dry land farming due to effectiveness of the above two
Topic: Infrastructure
Q) Explain the advantages of water transport. Discuss the challenges faced by water
transport sector in India. (150 Words)
NCERT
Ans- There are 2 types of water transport. Inland(through rivers, lakes and canals) and
Ocean(coastal and overseas shipping).
Advantages of water transport :
1. cost : Rivers and oceans are natural and does not require any cost of construction. even
the maintenance cost is less as compared to roadways and airways.
2. capacity : Heavy and bulky goods can be transported easily at a little cost through water
transport.
3.Power requirement : comparatively less tractive power is required for its operation which
results in a lesser cost of operation.
4. It is indispensable to foreign trade.
5. During natural calamities like floods, etc. when rail or road transport is disrupted, water
transport alone is possible.
Challenges faced by the water transport sector in India :
-- It is the least preferred mean of transport because of the time factor.
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-- It is susceptible to ocean calamities.
-- seasonal characteristics of river - water may freeze during winter or the water level may
go down during summers. sometimes the river changes its course causing dislocation in
normal route.
-- not suitable for small businesses.
-- construction of canals reduces the volume of water in the rivers (effects peninsular rivers
as they are rain dependent)
-- government has not put too much effort in the water transport sector, hence it is lagging
in infrastructure.
India has huge scope for water transport with a large part of it covering the Indian ocean
and so many rivers in the main land. Water transport can help trade a lot and it should be
used with its full potential.
Topic: Indian economy
Q) Critically comment on the issue of black money and the efforts made by the union
government to address various aspects related to black money. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Black money(BM) generation has been one of the most persistent and destructive
problems associated with our economic growth primarily due to the inability of the
government to effective tackle the issue over the years inspite of numerous domestic and
foreign reports on the menace. This has resulted in the formation of a shadow economy
which has been estimated to be around 23-26% of the entire economy.
One of the first methods employed by the Indian government to recover unaccounted
money was the Voluntary Disclosure of Income(VDI) in 1951. In 1981 the Central
government had officially recognized the prevalence of illicit money in the Indian economy
and decided to float Special Bearer Bonds(SBB). Although the VDI Scheme has been largely
successful, the SBB scheme has been criticized for allowing BM owners to escape
punishment.
To deal with the hoarding of BM in tax-havens, the Centre has signed numerous DTAA with
foreign countries like Switzerland and Mauritius and TIEA with countries like Bahamas and
Bermuda. It has also set up various units such as the CBDT(cross-border transactions and
transfer pricing), ED(enforces FERA/FEMA), FIU(suspect transactions) etc. The Centre had
also appointed the MC Joshi Committee(2012) on BM to study the generation and curbing
of BM.
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Although these steps have been progressive and have shown results in the past year,
especially after the formation of the SIT by the new government, various roadblocks exist in
the recovery of BM from foreign countries. In addition to continuing talks with foreign
governments on this issue, the Centre should strengthen existing laws such as PoCA,
PoMLA, Whistleblowers Act etc. to deter BM generation within the country
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation,
Q) With suitable examples, critically examine the nature of threats being faced by wildlife in
India as a result of governments developmental policy measures. If a drinking water project
benefits thousand poor human beings but severely affects ten endangered crocodiles,
should this project be implemented? Justify. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Most basic and integral part of development is building up necessary infrastructure
such as roads, railways, telecom network and exploiting natural resources via mining,
fishing, timber, drinking water schemes, hydro development for the good
of people.
Recent govt's thrust on infrastructure generation threatens wildlife in following manner:
1. Genetic bottleneck: to serve irrigation & flood control needs thrust on barrage
construction will restrict free movement of Ganges River Dolphin in Ganga-Brahmaputra
river system; adversely affecting their breeding; ultimately threatening their existence.
2. Habitat loss: proposed drinking water scheme by Telangana state govt. in Adilabad
district threatens crocodile habitat in Godavari river.
3. land reclamation: from wet lands & riverine habitats for agriculture & urban
development threatens migratory and non-migratory species such as Siberian Crane & Great
Indian Bustard.
4. power generation: thrust on hydro development in north east to tap its vast hydropower
potential threatens species in eastern Himalayan foothills; Sumatran Rhino & Javan Rhino
are already extinct.
5. Union Govt.'s decision to reduce fishing ban period in EEZ on west coast; will lead to
overfishing; threatens fish species.
6. Habitat fragmentation: caused by roads & railways development; hampers breeding of
fauna.
For implementation of any developmental scheme, its pros & cons must be evaluated; if
some proposed drinking water scheme benefits millions but threatens native fauna then
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1. Efforts should be made to relocate the particular specie.
2. Increase public spending to develop requisite habitat in some other area through
afforestation & water shed management programmes etc.
If no options are available then scheme should not be implemented; it is high time our flora
& fauna is given due value.
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
Q) Developing methods for alternative delivery of drugs has gained importance considering
the large number of infections that are spread through contaminated, non-sterilised
syringes. Examine why using non-sterilised syringes is dangerous and also examine latest
developments in finding alternatives to syringes. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Responsible for the eradication of smallpox, the virtual elimination of polio, and the
dramatic drop in measles mortality rates, vaccines have made a remarkable contribution to
global public health.
In low-income countries, however, where low sanitation is the norm, they have also been a
major cause of death.
While vaccinations save two million lives per year, the unclean syringe is responsible for
30% of Hepatitis B and C infections, and 1.3 million deaths worldwide per year.
The dangers associated with use of non-sterilised syringes include:
1. can lead to spread of bloodborne diseases like Hep B, Hep C, HIV etc
2. Sterilization requires temperature of 121C for 20 minutes. However, healthcare workers
must have access to sterilization equipment and proper training since inadequate
sterilization can result in the transmission of disease.
3. It poses a threat not only to the patients but also to medical,para medical and health care
workers
However , Use of disposable syringes also is a problem since it generates a huge amount of
Biomedical waste and the disposal of sharps needs special containers and accessibility to
these may not be there. Hence the need to find alternatives to syringes. The developments
in this context include :
1. Use of Auto-disposable(AD) syringes: a one time use syringe. Eliminates the black market
that is associated with disposable syringes
2. NFIs(neeedle-free injectors): NFI drives liquid through a nozzle orifice creating a high-
velocity liquid jet that punctures the skin and delivers the drug below the skin
3. Recently, the researchers at IIS designed a biocapsule made up of a polymer spermidine
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dextran sulphate ,loaded with insulin/antibiotic and placed at the infection site and
triggered by micro-shock waves.
However, these developments are still in the pipeline and not available for all injectable
medicines. Hence proper on-site segregation,use of needle burners,cutters after use and
proper disposal is the need of the hour.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday
life
Q) Explain the principle behind functioning of space telescope. Also explain why worlds
largest telescopes are built on higher elevations. (150 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Various telescopes work by capturing a specific light in the broad spectrum of
electromagnetic radiation (visible light, infrared, x-rays, microwaves etc.) either through
reflecting or refraction. Principles of Space telescope are not different from ground
telescopes. It can be a reflecting or refracting telescope basic principle it to
collect more and more light and
converge it to the focal point
e.g. Hubble telescope which uses Cassegrain reflector, it has two mirrors, one primary
concave mirror and another convex secondary mirror. So light entering the telescope is
collected by primary mirror and reflected onto secondary convex mirror which converges it
on the sensors.
Since the earth's atmosphere distorts, scatters, absorbs and blurs the light entering it so an
ideal place to capture light would be out of earth's atmosphere or from high altitudes where
atmosphere is less dense. That is the reason why ISRO has it observatory in Himalayas to
minimise these atmospheric effects
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Q) If you are asked to advice Indias railway ministry on how to mobilize financial resources
without hiking railway fares, what suggestions will you make and why? Explain. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Ans- Railway is lifeline of Indian Economic system. On one hand it commutates millions
people everyday mostly from poor rungs and on the other hand it is mired with serious lack
of funds for improvisation in services. Some Suggestions to mobilize Financial Resources
without hiking the railway fares:
(1.) Increasing the number of trains in the routes which are very busy and overcrowded. This
will generate positive revenue from already setup infrastructure.
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(2.) After testing the safety and detailed study from various aspect, Raise the speed of all
trains by 20kms. Right now all trains are running underspeed. Raising speed will lessen,
provide leeway for newer train in tracks and decrease cost of electricity as a fuel.
(3.) Services like Railway track, station cleaning, parking maintenance, crossing operation
and other fourth grade jobs to private firms with strict instruction and penalty provision. It
will bring efficiency, save costs of operations and save energy of railway to focus on other
tasks.
(4.) Stepwise phasing out from maintaing Railway hospitals, museum, schools, colonies and
transfer its control to Government of PPP model. Because Railway spends a good financial
and man power to maintain them.
(5.) Increasing automation and computerisation toward small process like shunting, railway
line switching, announcements, teller machines etc to save man power allocated to such
services.
(6.) Better safety/security management to save ex-gratia paid during accidents mishap.
Invovling third party Insurance for such mishaps.
(7.) Introducing PPP provision in a better and more inclusive way through e-auctioning. Like
Infra bond, Railway can issue Rail-bond with fixed interest rate to invite investment. It will
peg railways liabilities and government will treat Railway as MNC rather than nations
workhorse.
This steps may seems of lesser significance but if implemented with determination, it will
bring extra funds of considerable scale
Topic: Infrastructure: ports
Q) Describe the composition of export and import trade of India and the role of ports in it.
(150 Words)
NCERT
Ans- India is a very old participant in world trade.
Export consists of Plantation Crops, Agriculture and Allied Products, Ores and Minerals,
Leather and Leather Manufactures, Gems and Jewellery, Chemical and Related Products,
Engineering Goods, Textiles, Handicrafts and Carpets, Cotton Raw Including Waste.
Import Consists of Fertilizers, Petroleum Crude and Products, Pearls, Precious and Semi-
Precious Stones, Organic and In-organic Chemical.
Importance of Ports:
1. Approximately 95 percent of Indias trade by volume is transported by sea.
2. Total sea-borne trade of India, more than 85 per centers shared by Mumbai, Kolkata,
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Cochin, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
3. The average ship-borne traffic in India is 700 million tonnes per annum
Indias 12 major ports are expected to double their annual cargo handling capacity to 1,600
million tonnes (MT) within the next five years.
Besides foreign trade, ports play an important role in internal trade. Inland water transport
in India carries about 16 million tonnes of goods each year.
With 7500 kms coastline and 14,500 kms rivers, port play most vital role in India's economic
growth.
Topic: Indian economy
Q) Critically comment why decontrol of urea prices, fewer subsidised cylinders a year and
withdrawal of kerosene from the public distribution system (PDS) are considered as
economic reforms. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Subsidies are like spoonfeeding a child. It is useful in infant stage because child is not
capable of self-developing himself, But continuing spoonfeeding a child is harmful for his all
round development and also for parents as they cant engage in other activities which are
more important. Hence, phasing out subsidies slowly is what is required as one of the
Economic Reforms.
Decontroling the price in economy means, leaving the price control to the dynamics of
market rather than artificially lowering the price by providing backdoor subsidies.
Why Decontrolling the price is required as Economic Reforms:
Urea:
(1.) Most of subsidised urea are collected by rich and bigger farmer and never reach
marginal farmer.
(2.) Major part of urea reaches to Bangaladesh, Burma and Nepal through blackmarketting.
Also, Chemical industries uses this urea as their raw material.
(3.) Over use of urea leads to Eutrophication, pollutes water bodies, deoxygenate water and
hence deplete diversity of marine life in rivers.
(4.) Urea subsidy is opposed by WHO because it distorts real price of crops.
(5.) Continous use led to depleted nutrients for what urea is not providing.
Hence Urea subsidy should phase out. NBS is a good step toward it.
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Fewer Cylinder to each family:
(1.) Many subsidised cylinder end to restaurents, hotels, LPG kit to cars and black market.
(2.) Oil companies are not achieving their potential and losing on their economic edge
against private companies.
(3.) Use of subsidized gas by gas power plant is also non scientific and ecological
unsustainable.
Hence it should be limited to 6-9 cylinders per year.
Kerosene at PDS:
(1.) Though Kerosene is an outdated fuel but still some fraction of population in rural areas
use it for lighting and cooking. But providing kerosene to everyone is not efficiency. All
kerosene ends up in blackmarket for adulterating the diesel, fueling pumps in fields,
Smuggled to neighbouring nations.
(2.) Rural populations these days are also electrified so no need to give subsidised kerosene,
instead solar lamps can be distributed.
Hence solving such basic issues and phasing out subsidy is a big step toward bridging fiscal
deficit and bringing economci reforms.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday
life
Q) Recently scientists reported that obesity should be recognised as a chronic and an
often treatment-resistant disease with both biological and behavioural causes. What do
you understand by this? Examine its implications. (150 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Around the world, the prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled in thee last decade.
Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of multiple debilitating diseases
including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure etc.
For many obese individuals, the struggle to achieve a healthy body weight becomes a
veritable battle against biology as a number of metabolic processes promote weight gain
despite genuine efforts to decrease food consumption and increase energy expenditure
Scientific investigations have shed light on the biology of weight loss in recent times. It turns
out the battle against the bulge is much more complex than the overly simplistic eat less
food to lose weight message. It is a long term phenomenon and termed as a disease
since it cannot be cured with frontline methods.
Its implications include:
1. once someone has had obesity for an extended period of time, that weight becomes
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biologically stamped in.
2. if an obese person manages to shed weight and remain trim, the obesity is said to be in a
state of remission
3. once established, the biological adaptations have an insidious way of inducing increased
calorie consumption and storage of fat to protect an individuals highest sustained weight.
Hence the solution for this problem lies in a holistic approach to weight management. The
options include use of anti-obesity drugs, surgical treatment in morbidly obese and
preventing further weight gain in overweight people to avoid obesity.
Topic: e-technology in the aid of farmers
Q) Write a note on the importance of and role played by the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) in ensuring farm mechanisation in India. (150 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous apex body responsible
for the organisation and management of research and education in the field of agriculture,
animal science, agro forestry, fisheries and allied sciences.
Mechanisation refers to improved tool and implement of machinery that supplement and
substitute human labour, enhances workers output, avoids drudgery and stresses etc.
Currently in agriculture sector of India, the production costs are rapidly increasing while
eroding the profit margin of farmers. Hence there is a need of farm mechanisation to reduce
costs, enhance productivity and efficiency. Thus in order to keep agriculture economically
viable ICAR has reorganised itself in 1965. With its success in Green revolution, it has taken
many vital steps towards a sustainable farm mechanisation in India.
1). It is working towards developing need-based and region specific engineering
technologies and is engaged in planning, co-ordination and monitoring of R&D programmes
in a national and international level.
2) It has developed many improved machinery such as laser and leveller, self-propelled
sprayers, precision seeders and planters, harvesters for cereals and sugarcane etc.
3) It has introduced gender friendly tools for reduction in the drudgery for women farm
workers.
4) With a nation-wide vast network, it is engaged with many mass awareness programme
related to new farm technologies. Ex: Lab to Land programme, recently set up of modern
mechanised farm units.
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
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Q) India considers the expanding footprint of extremist and terror organisations in Pakistan,
and their link with various terror activities in India, is a major security challenge. In this
regard, what are all the options that India has pursued to address this security challenge?
Critically evaluate them. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Intro : --1) Pak distinguishes b/w Good nd Bad terrorism. Good terrorism is considered
as a tool along with army, ISI to fight with India.
2) Many terrorist organizations based in pak (mostly operating from POK, Punjab region
prominient of them are LET, Jaish e Mohammad, Jamaat-e Islami, Jammat Ud dawa etc.)
3) Another angle:: Increasingly Taliban now expanding its footprints in Pak. which may
destabilise whole of south Asia. so again an emerging gr8 challenge for india. As Taliban is
ideologically extremist organization.
4) Link of Indian terrorist organizations like Indian Muzahiddin, SIMI to pakistan-- Training,
funds, motivation etc.
India's efforts to tackle this emerging security challenge ::
1) Stepped up Internal security especially after Mumbai(26/11) like Indian Coast Guard, NIA,
More wings of NSG, Yearly State Police chiefs meet specially discuss all these emerging
challenges so state-state cooperation is very important that's why the need of NCTC
emerges.
2) Border Area Devp. :: Border Fencing, More effective watch on infiltration,
3) Checking extremism in Natives :: -- Through special welfare progams for surrendered
native terrorists (Himayat- J&K).
4) Defence cooperation and intelligence sharing-- like US.
Criticism of India's approach in tackling the situation::
1) Even after all these measures India has failed to tackle terror incidents in country. Our
approach has been post terror mgmt instead of mitigation. Porous borders with Nepal,
Bangladesh, Myanmar provides safe passage to Pak based terrorists in India to carry out
terror operations.
2)Link of J&K Terror grps with Pak :: still 100s of terrorists are hiding in sopore, Bandipore
(South Kashmir especially) which intermittantly attack on Indian security establishment.
Recent attack on a Colonel is testimony to it. Hundreds of our jawan dies every year in such
covert operations.
Solution ::
1) More effective approach, better intelligence sharing b/w security agencies, modern tools
with security agencies.
2) International pressure on Pak to stop such covert activities.
3) More aggresive postures on border what Modi govt. is currently doing (i.e. Peace from
the position of strength :) ).
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Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday
life
Q) The recent report of the High-Level Committee for reviewing environmental laws has a
misplaced focus on speedy project clearances and wrongly attributes their delays to
environmental laws. Critically examine. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- A High-Level Committee was constituted to review a list of Environmental acts
administered by the Min. Of Environment, Forest and ClimateChange(MoEF&CC). With
proposals for amending some existing Acts so as to bring them in line with the requirements
of various pending project clearances creates a cloud over the actual purpose of the HLC.
Concerns over some Recommendations-
1. Identify and specify No Go forest areas with
70% canopy (apart from protected area)-This classification is detrimental for the effective
evaluation of any forest with low canopy as it may have dense cover earlier, thus it will
reduce the actual forest estimates.
2. Economic incentives for promoting treeland as distinct forest encourage forest
diversion.
3. Compensatory Afforestation and Net Payment Value (NPV) payment will further enhance
forest diversion which cant be restored.
4. Proposed amendment to the Schedule Tribes and The Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 to remove the precondition for approval from Gram
Sabha in case of linear projects; which is a bold move against the very existence of the
democratic decentralised system.
5. Proposed amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to dilute the mandatory
central permission into a situational one.
6. Special treatment for linear projects, Power,mining, strategic border projects and
creation of new Umbrella law Environment Laws for Management Act(ELMA) for setting
up National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and State Environmental
Management Authority (SEMA) in National and State level respectively for full time
clearance and monitoring agencies and induction of utmost good faith will induce
discontent among the forest dwellers.
Some positive aspects of the Recommendations-
-incorporation of noise pollution as an offence in EPA.
-creation of appellate tribunal for appeals.
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-Judicial review role for National Green Tribunal.
-creation of Env. Reconstruction Fund.
-Green Awareness prog. In primary and secondary schools.
-banning plastic and polythene inside sanctuaries.
With the notion of Development identified by industrial and mining project and revamped
Single Window approval procedure for ensuring time-bound and speedy clearances, the
laws will not encourage the protection of the environment, but only introduce degradation
to environments if implemented. So it should be re-evaluated before putting the ideas into
legislatures.
Topic: Indian economy employment
Q) Recent efforts made by information technology (IT) majors in India to
terminate large number of their employees in order to cut costs brings to the fore
the necessity of forming employee unions and also highlights the fact that the
growth of Indias IT industry is over. Critically analyse. (200 Words)
Frontline Ans- In the last two decades IT industry has emerged as a glamor industry for youngsters employing about 6mn people. But it has also some problems such as
a) Low pay scale for freshers
b) Job insecurity
c) Pyramidal structure of work force
Recently large number of emplyees were laid off and terminated with very short notice.
Such unethical practices are not new and worst part is lack an organization lobby to
promote employees interest often makes companies take unilateral decisions. To give
voice to these employees, trade unions could be a way; in fact many localized trade
unions have already
been formed.
But trade has its own issues:
1) Demand for unrealistic high wage and service condition will take away the competitive
edge that this industry hold globally bringing the doom.
2) The industry itself spends huge sum ( as per surveys) in employees training and skill
upgradement to keep them employed.
3) The pay scale and work condition are certainly the best among any other fields.
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Thus instead of trade unions, an effective grievance redressal mechanism established by
law
will serve the purpose well.
Regarding the growth of IT industry, I dont agree that its good days are over for
following
reasons:
1. US economy is recovering which is the major importer of our services
2. EU, especially major economies are doing well. The FTA also is in advanced stage of
conclusion
3. New methods such as providing service in other languages, focus on product rather
than service will help us explore new untapped market.
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of
technology and developing new technology.
Q) Recently researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Delhi found a drug candidate that prevented TB and
malaria pathogens from infecting human blood cells. Examine the importance and
implications of this breakthrough for India. (200 Words)
The Hindu Ans- India suffers disproportionately from the burden of infectious diseases given the confluence of existing environmental, socio-economic, and demographic factors. In the
recent past, India has seen outbreaks emerging and re-emerging diseases in various
parts of the country,malaria and TB being most important among them.
The recent breakthrough is important because:
1. Disease burden : Will reduce mortality,morbidity caused due to TB and Malaria
2. Health:
Would ease the threat of emerging forms of tb like MDR,XDR and TDR which are life
threatening
Will also benefit PLWAs since they would be less prone to co-infection
Would reduce the incidence of childhood TB and hence the vicious cycle of
malnutrition and reduced immunity
With easy availability of drugs the complications of malaria like cerebral malaria etc
would reduce.
Will aid in national vector borne diseases control programme
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3. Economic :
indigenously prepared drugs will come at a cheaper cost for the patients
will reduce indian anti-tb drug imports
the implications of such a move are multi-sectoral :
International such low cost drugs can also be used in africa and other tropical
countries to reduce mortality due to malaria and tb
Scientific community successful indigenous research will attract talent towards
research and prevent brain drain
Private sector- will get a boost for further investment in R&D
Tropical diseases researchby pharma companies will increase
It is indeed a breakthrough and similar developments in this direction will make india a
meaningful actor and partner in the global fight against infectious diseases and
promotion of global health.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in
everyday life
Q) A few days ago social media giant Facebook launched internet.org in India
with an intention of providing internet for free to all sections of population. But
this also has given rise to many concerns among various stakeholders. Critically
examine these concerns. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans
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