PERIYAR IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS 27-JUNE-2018
Topic:
population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues,
urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
India is still a poor country
Context: India is no longer the country with the largest number of
people living in extreme poverty as
per the latest World Poverty Clock study compiled by Brookings Institute. The
dislodging of India from the ignominious number one position is a feat that
took over fifty years to achieve.
Definition: The
study defines poverty as living
on less than $1.9 a day.
Highlights of the study:
§ India has
finally shed the dubious distinction of being home to the largest number of
poor, with Nigeria
taking that unwanted position in May 2018.
§ Nigeria
had about 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared with India’s 73
million. What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people
every minute.
§ About 44 Indians come out of extreme poverty every minute, one of
the fastest rates of poverty reduction in the world. If present trends
continue, India could drop to No. 3 later this year, with the Democratic
Republic of the Congo taking the number 2 spot.
§ The study showed global income increases in the last
decades have led to systematic decreases in poverty rates worldwide, with the
experience in India and China having played the most important role when it
comes to the overall number of persons escaping absolute poverty.
§ The study said that Africa accounts for about two-thirds
of the world’s extreme poor. If
current trends persist, they will account for nine-tenths by 2030. Fourteen out
of 18 countries in the world where the number of extreme poor is rising are in
Africa.
What the world bank says?
The
estimates of extreme poverty reduction may not match with Indian numbers
because of differences in how poverty is measured. According to the World Bank,
between 2004 and 2011 poverty declined in India from 38.9% of the population to
21.2% (2011 purchasing power parity at $1.9 per person per day).
Way ahead:
In the
last four years, Indian government initiated some structural reforms but it
must do more to achieve a double-digit growth rate, create more jobs, revamp
land and labour markets, implement the recommendations of Niti Aayog on the
ease of doing business in India and accelerate privatization.
What’s important?
§ For
Prelims: An overview of the study and India’s position.
§ For Mains:
Poverty related measures in India.
Sources:
the hindu.
Paper 2:
Topic:
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Enforcement Directorate
Context: The
Enforcement Directorate has zeroed in on some non-government organisations
(NGOs) that are suspected to have funded Naxal operatives in Chhattisgarh. The
action is being taken following several rounds of multi-agency meetings on
devising a coordinated strategy to choke funding to Naxal operatives in various
States.
About Enforcement Directorate:
What is it? It
is a law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for
enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India. It is part of the
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
Objectives: The
prime objective of the Enforcement Directorate is the enforcement of two key
Acts- the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (FEMA) and the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA). Other objectives are primarily linked to
checking money laundering in India.
Composition: It
comprises officers of the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Police Service and the
Indian Administrative Service.
Background: The
origin of this Directorate goes back to 1 May 1956, when an ‘Enforcement Unit’
was formed, in Department of Economic Affairs, for handling Exchange Control
Laws violations under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947. In the year 1957,
this Unit was renamed as ‘Enforcement Directorate’.
What’s important?
§ For
Prelims: ED- composition and objectives.
§ For Mains:
Extremism- spread, challenges, funding and efforts by security forces.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and
issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Dam Safety Bill
Context: The
Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously adopted a special resolution urging the
Centre to keep the Dam Safety Bill, 2018, in abeyance until the concerns raised
over the legislation by Tamil Nadu and other States are addressed.
What’s the issue?
§ Tamil Nadu
contended that certain clauses of the Bill affected the interests of Tamil Nadu
and could potentially affect the State’s rights on control and maintenance of
dams located in neighbouring States.
§ Tamil Nadu
is worried because the draft Bill, in the guise of facilitating dam safety,
would affect the State’s prospects in controlling the Mullaperiyar,
Parambikulam, Thoonakkadavu and Peruvaripallam dams.
Highlights of Dam Safety Bill, 2018:
§ The Bill provides
for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified
dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
§ The Bill
provides for constitution of a National
Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies
and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the purpose.
§ The Bill
provides for establishment of National
Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall
discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam
safety in the country.
§ The Bill
provides for constitution of a
State Committee on Dam Safety by
State Government.
Functions of the National Dam Safety Authority:
§ It shall
maintain liaison with the State Dam Safety Organisations and the owners of dams
for standardisation of dam safety related data and practices.
§ It shall
provide the technical and managerial assistance to the States and State Dam
Safety Organisations.
§ It shall
maintain a national level data-base of all dams in the country and the records
of major dam failures.
§ It shall
examine the cause of any major dam failure.
§ It shall
publish and update the standard guidelines and check-lists for the routine
inspection and detailed investigations of dams and appurtenances.
§ It shall
accord recognition or accreditations to the organisations that can be entrusted
with the works of investigation, design or construction of new dams.
§ It will
also look into unresolved points of issue between the State Dam Safety
Organisation of two states, or between the State Dam Safety Organisation of a
State and the owner of a dam in that State, for proper solution.
§ Further,
in certain cases, such as dams of one State falling under the territory of
another State, the National Authority shall also perform the role of State Dam
Safety Organization thereby eliminating potential causes for inter-state
conflicts.
Need for a legislation:
There are
over 5200 large dams in India and about 450 are under construction. Plus there
are thousands of medium and small dams. Due to lack of legal and institutional
architecture for dam safety in India, dam safety is an issue of concern. Unsafe
dams are a hazard and dam break may cause disasters, leading to huge loss of
life and property.
What’s important?
For
Prelims and Mains: Highlights of the Bill and key functions of the National Dam
Safety Authority, concerns expressed by states over the Bill.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic: India
and its neighbourhood- relations.
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Context: India
has again opposed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of
Beijing’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, as it “encroaches” on
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What is CPEC?
§ CPEC is
clutch of projects valued at $51 billion project which aims at rapidly
expanding and upgrading Pakistan’s infrastructure and strengthening the
economic ties between the People’s Republic of China (China) and Pakistan.
§ The 3,000
km-long China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) consisting of highways,
railways, and pipelines is the latest irritant in the India–China relationship.
§ CPEC
eventually aims at linking the city of Gwadar in South Western Pakistan to
China’s North Western region Xinjiang through a vast network of highways and
railways.
§ The
proposed project will be financed by heavily-subsidised loans, that will be
disbursed to the Government of Pakistan by Chinese banking giants such as Exim
Bank of China, China Development Bank, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank
of China.
But, why is India concerned?
§ Many
experts are not in favour of India supporting CPEC. This is so because any
Indian participation would inextricably be linked to the country’s legitimate
claims on PoK.
§ CPEC rests
on a Chinese plan to secure and shorten its supply lines through Gwadar with an
enhanced presence in the Indian Ocean. Hence, it is widely believed that upon
CPEC’s fruition, an extensive Chinese presence will undermine India’s influence
in the Indian Ocean.
§ It is also
being contended that if CPEC were to successfully transform the Pakistan
economy that could be a “red rag” for India which will remain at the receiving
end of a wealthier and stronger Pakistan.
§ Besides,
India shares a great deal of trust deficit with China and Pakistan and has a
history of conflict with both. As a result, even though suggestions to
re-approach the project pragmatically have been made, no advocate has overruled
the principle strands of contention that continue to mar India’s equations with
China and Pakistan.
Way ahead:
Only by
respecting the sovereignty of countries involved, can regional connectivity
corridors fulfil their promise and avoid differences and discord. China is a
country which is very sensitive on matters concerning its sovereignty. So it is
expected that they would have some understanding of other people’s sensitivity
about their sovereignty. Meanwhile, India must uphold its specific reservations
on the project and draft a strategy to revert suitably in case CPEC is offered
formally through official channels.
What’s important?
§ For
Prelims: CPEC- key features.
§ For Mains:
CPEC- concerns expressed by India, significance and what should India do?
Sources:
the hindu.
Paper 3:
Topic: Inclusive
growth and issues arising from it.
Board of management for cooperative banks
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has come out with draft guidelines on
constituting a board of
management (BoM) in addition to the board of
directors, for urban
cooperative banks (UCBs), with the
aim of strengthening the governance in these banks.
What you need to know?
Need: As
UCBs are accepting public deposits, it is imperative that a separate mechanism
be put in place to protect the interests of depositors.
Applicability: Existing
UCBs with deposit sizes exceeding Rs100 crore shall put in place the BoM within
one year, while others banks may take two years. UCBs with deposit sizes up to
Rs100 crore will have BoMs of a minimum of three members, while those with
deposit sizes of more than Rs100 crore will have at least five members in the
BoMs. The maximum number of members in the management shall not exceed 12.
Composition:
§ It will
consist of members with special knowledge and practical experience in banking
to facilitate professional management and focused attention to banking related
activities of UCBs.
§ The
circular also said that at least 50% of the members of the BoM should have
specialisation or practical experience in fields such as accountancy,
agriculture, law.
§ The chief
executive officer of the bank will be an ex-officio member of the BoD and BoM
and he will be under the general superintendence, direction and control of the
board.
Functions: The
BoM will be responsible for credit, risk and liquidity management of the bank.
It will be responsible for the day-to-day functions, including considering loan
proposals, recovery of bad loans, borrowings and overseeing audit and
inspection functions.
Management: The
BoM will report to the BoD, which will continue to oversee the general
direction and control of a UCB. RBI shall have powers to supersede the BoM if
the functioning of BoM is found unsatisfactory.
Facts for Prelims:
The move
follows the recommendation of a 2010 expert committee, headed by Y.H. Malegam,
on the licensing of UCBs.
What’s important?
§ For
Prelims: Board of management (BoM)- features, composition and functions.
§ For Mains:
Need for Management of UCBs.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology,
bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant
WHERE? Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant was recently
inaugurated in France. The new plant is located in Rousset,
southern France.
Key facts:
§ Waste
management firm Veolia signed a contract with solar recycling group PV Cycle
France to recycle 1,300 tonnes of solar panels this year.
§ The plant
in Rousset uses robots to take panels apart and recover glass, silicon,
plastics, copper and silver, all of which can be reused to create new panels.
Need for Solar panel recycling plant?
Solar
panels have an estimated lifespan of 25 to 30 years, meaning that many of the
first generation built in the 1990s are now being decommissioned. The huge
growth in solar power in recent years also means that finding a sustainable and
circular solution to ageing panels is of prime importance.
Way ahead:
The
International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that by 2050 there will be
between 60 to 78 million tonnes of PV panel waste around the world. China and
the US, as leaders in solar installation, will also need to establish recycling
plants to deal with this waste, but that this could unlock significant economic
benefits. At the moment, however, only the European Union has adopted waste
regulations specifically aimed at tackling future solar PV waste.
What’s important?
§ For
Prelims: Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant.
§ For Mains:
Need for solar panel recycling.
Sources:
toi.
Topic: Prevention
of air pollution.
Toxic air is causing malnutrition in trees
Context: Besides
affecting human health, air pollution is also causing malnutrition in trees by
harming Mycorrhizal fungi.
Importance of Mycorrhizal fungi:
§ Mycorrhizal
fungi is hosted by the trees in their roots to receive nutrients from the soil.
§ These
fungi provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from
soil in exchange for carbon from the tree.
§ This
plant-fungal symbiotic relationship is crucial for the health of the tree.
How air pollution affects this symbiotic relationship?
High
levels of the nutrition elements like nitrogen and phosphorus in the
mycorrhizae changes them to act as pollutants rather than nutrients.
Concerns:
§ The
characteristics of the tree — species and nutrient status — and the local
environmental conditions like the atmospheric pollution and soil variables were
the most important predictors of which species of mycorrhizae fungi would be
present and their numbers. These also proved to have a large impact on the
fungi.
§ The signs
of malnutrition can be seen in the form of discoloured leaves and excessive
falling of leaves. Ecosystem changes can also negatively affect tree health.
Way ahead:
The
results should be used to design new studies into the link between pollution,
soil, mycorrhizae, and tree growth.
Sources:
the hindu.
Facts for Prelims:
Aldabra Tortoise:
Why in
News? In a goodwill gesture, Seychelles has gifted a pair of giant Aldabra
tortoise to India. The pair will be kept at Hyderabad Zoo.
Key facts:
§ The
Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) from the Aldabra Atoll in the
Seychelles is said to be one of the largest species of tortoises on the planet.
§ It is also
one of the world’s longest living animals, with one Aldabra Giant Tortoise reaching
the age of 255 years.
§ The
Aldabra giant tortoise’s current IUCN conservation status is ‘vulnerable’.
§ The atoll
has been protected from human influence and is home to around 100,000 giant
tortoises, the world’s largest population of the animal.
World Food Prize 2018:
Context:
Dr. Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro will recieve the 2018 World Food
Prize for their individual and complementary global leadersgip in elevating
maternal and child undernutrition.
World Food
Prize:
§ The World
Food Prize is considered one of the most prominent global awards for
individuals whose breakthrough achievements alleviate hunger and promote global
food security.
§ It carries
$250,000 cash prize. The Prize is presented each October on or around UN World
Food Day (October 16).
§ Norman E.
Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in global
agriculture, envisioned a prize that would honor those who have made
significant and measurable contributions to improving the world’s food supply.
Comments
Post a Comment