CSE Mains 2020 General Studies 3 Answers

SANTOSH SIR

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CSE MAINS 2020

General Studies 3 Answers

1. Explain intergenerational and intergenerational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable growth. (Answer in 150 words) 

Santosh Sir’s take on the question

I had predicted this in one of my DPS questions in August 2020. Actually because of corona crisis and increasing inequality the concept of equity has become very important.

Daily Practice Sheet 2^nd August, 2020

https://optimizeias.com/what-is-inter-generational-equity-explain-with-example/

OPTIMIZEIAS:

DPS – FEB 2020(6th Feb):

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-sustainable-development-discuss-how-sustainable-development-can-be-achieved/

Intergenerational equity represents a widely recognized principle of international environmental law providing for the preservation of natural resources and the environment for the benefit of future generations. It has roots in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration and forms a core tenet of sustainable development frameworks.

Inter-generational equity implies that present generation has not inherited the planet rather it is trustee of it. So one generation, should handover the planet at least in same health as it has inherited, if not with improved condition.

Intragenerational equity is concerned with equity between people of the same generation and aims to assure justice among human beings that are alive today, as reflected in Rio Principle 6, mandating particular priority for the special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable.

Issues with Intra generational and intra generational equity:

Inclusive growth as the economic growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all. It refers to ‘broad-based’, ‘shared’, and ‘pro-poor growth’. Inclusive growth includes the concept of equity.  This has two aspects

• Intergenerational equity: the growth should reduce inequality in the future generation by redistributing the wealth eg: wealth tax, inheritance tax.

Intragenerational equity: the growth should be pro –poor, thus reducing the present inequality

Equity can also be applied across communities and nations within one generation. The reason that intragenerational equity is a key principle of sustainable development is that inequities are a cause of environmental degradation.

In light of these broad goals, sustainable development encompasses a number of sub issues with Intra generational and intra generational equity:

• Poverty deprives people of the choice about whether or not to be environmentally sound in their activities.
• alleviation of poverty,
• public participation in decision making,
• technological limits to growth,
• environmental limits to growth,
• quality of life,
• precautionary decision making,
• and integration of environmental policy.

Inclusive growth is a concept that advances equitable opportunities for economic participants during economic growth with benefits incurred by every section of society. Inclusive growth is not possible without inter and intra generational equity.

Sustainable growth is a growth which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation. Thus it is based on the principle of intergenerational equity. Intergenerational equity contains inter-temporal implications in respect of the utilization of the resources, it tends to a fair utilization of resources by human generations in past, present and future, it tries to construct a balance of consumption of resources by existing societies and the future generations. Inter-temporal aspects tries to make a balance between the distribution of resources and recycling of resources to a good extend, which is a very concerning issue due to the growing degradation of environment and depletion of resources.

• One of the primary object of the concept of intergenerational equity is the development of resources by one generation enhance the opportunity of economic sustainability for the future generation
• Concept of intergenerational equity promotes socio-economic development and it makes a bridge between social and economic development with environmental protection

Sustainable growth a broader concept than inclusive growth seeks to promote human well-being, in the senses of both economic growth and social well-being, while simultaneously protecting and conserving the environment, in recognition that continued ecological health is a necessary condition of human well-being. Sustainable growth also is not possible without inter, intra generational equity and inclusive growth.

2) Define potential GDP and its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? (Answer in 150 words.)   10 Marks

Santosh Sir’s take on the question

I had predicted this question as there has been many articles on India’s inherent growth potential. I had added this in the Mains Master Notes also which I shared in the telegram channel in the last week of December.

OPTIMIZE IAS:

Directly from the Mains MASTER Notes

Potential gross domestic product (GDP) is defined in the OECD’s Economic Outlook publication as the level of output that an economy can produce at a constant inflation rate. Although an economy can temporarily produce more than its potential level of output, that comes at the cost of rising inflation.

DETERMINANTS OF POTENTIAL GDP:

1. Capital formation: High capital is a determinant of high growth and hence high growth. It needs huge investment and leads to increased productivity in economy and necessitated upgradation of skills for its utilization. Ex- Japan during its high growth phase of 1913 to 1939 saw investment rate between 16 to 20%.

2. Capital-output ratio: It is the units of capital required to produce one unit of output. It reflects the productivity of the economy.

3. Savings and investment: Savings in an economy which are productively invested is another important factor.

4. Occupational structure: Optimum distribution of occupation or labour across sectors like primary, secondary and tertiary sector determines level of growth in an economy. Ex- Transfer of Indian labour from Primary sector to manufacturing and services has also been an enabling factor for growth.

5. Technological progress: It is one of the biggest enablers and one which has been shaping the direction of growth since industrial revolution. Ex- If initial Industrial revolution led to massscale production, then Industrial Revolution 3.0 and 4.0 is powering growth through digital technology through disruptions.

6. Other factors involves institutional and policy changes:

• Competitive markets
• Stable prices
• Free trade
• Flexible capital markets
• Avoiding high marginal tax rates
• Securing property rights and land acquisition
• Political stability

What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP?

• Unskilled labour force
• Poor infrastructure
• Redundant technology
• Inequality
• High Infation.

3. What are the main constraints in transports and marketing of agricultural produce in India? (Answer in 150 words.) 10 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Directly from the Mains Master Notes

DPS JULY 2020:

1. Critically examine recent reforms in agriculture marketing. Do you think it will make Indian agriculture more resilient to natural and manmade shocks? Explain with case studies.

Agricultural marketing system is defined in broadest terms as, physical and institutional set up to perform all activities involved in the flow of products and services from the point of initial agricultural production until they are in the hands of ultimate consumers.

Issues in Agriculture Marketing

1. Skewed Risk Distribution: Globally, enhanced food production has changed the market dynamics leading to pressure on prices of our produce. Input costs are constantly on the rise, severely impacting farmers’ incomes, debt repayment capacity and their livelihood. What makes matters worse is that all the risks in the farm-to-market cycle are borne by the farmer — these include, among others, production, storage, and transport risks, outbreak of pests, and price uncertainty. Urgent steps need to be taken to minimize the risk for farmers and distribute the risk equitably across the agro-value chain.
2. Quality of Produce:After Green Revolution and with various Lab to Land Programmes we have amplified the quantity of produce but the rising income and standard of life, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, mushrooming of processing industries there is a call for enhancing the quality of produce not only quantity of produce which has restricted the potential of agriculture marketing both at national and international market.
3. Transaction and Marketing Costs: Price spread (is defined as the difference between the price paid by consumers and the net price received by the producer for an equivalent quantity of farm produce) is much higher due to traditional marketing system like APMC, though digital marketing government has been launched to minimize the price spread but in country like India it is a distant dream, as when the overall agriculture market in India would be integrated into one nation one market.
4. Price discovery:at right time and right place is not streamlined in our country, may be a consumer is paying 80/- per kg of tomato but farmer may be selling to intermediaries at 20/- per kg. So due to in efficient price discovery mechanism agriculture marketing is not efficient as it should be.
5. Poor Agriculture Logistics: Storage and transportation of bulky and perishable agriculture produce is an issue. Agriculture marketing cannot be developed until and unless agriculture logistics is developed.
6. Poor Infrastructure of Agriculture Market: Though APMC markets are decades old and every transaction is levied with tax and cess to develop the market infrastructure but still the overall infrastructure is outdated without any sound system.
7. Consumer Satisfaction: is top most priority in any marketing system, with lack of grading, sorting, standardization, hygiene farmers produce fetch less price in international market during export.

Reforms in agriculture Marketing

POLICY MEASURES

1. Digitalization of Agriculture Marketing
2. Contract Farming
3. Freedom to sale and Purchase
4. Essential Commodities and stock limits
5. Minimum Support Price

4. What are the challenges and opportunities in food processing sector in the country? How can income of the farmers can sustainably be increased by encouraging food processing? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks 

DPS – JUNE 2020{Day-30}

https://optimizeias.com/food-processing-sector-has-the-potential-to-double-farmers-income-in-this-context-discuss-the-challenges-faced-by-food-processing-sector-in-india/

Mains Master Notes

https://optimizeias.com/food-processing-industry-in-india-scope-and-significance/

Food processing sector in India is a composite sector comprising two broad segments viz. organized and unorganized segments.

There are an estimated 25-lakh micro food processing enterprises in the country, which are unorganized and unregistered. With 7% of investment in plant & machinery, the unorganized enterprises contribute of 74.3% of employment (a third of which are women), 12% of output and 27% of value addition in the food-processing sector. Nearly 66 per cent of these units are located in rural areas and about 80 per cent of them are family-based enterprises.

Bottle Necks in Growth of FPI:

Lack of efficient supply chain infrastructure and inadequate expansion of processing and storage capacity commensurate with agriculture production have been identified as the main reasons for higher wastages, higher cost of production, lower value addition in food processing sector.

Perishable commodities Meat, Fish and Fruits & Vegetables, in particular, have recorded higher degree of wastage and have a negligible share in food output. Minimization of losses in perishable segment would require huge investment in farm gate infrastructure, storage & cold chain infrastructure and expansion of processing capacities.

Lower Value addition – India despite being one of the major producer of agri-commodities, the level of food processing and value addition continues to remain low affecting our competitiveness & export performance and income of farmers.

Significant gap in Cold Chain capacity is one of the important reasons for higher wastage of agri produce particularly perishable segments. Cold Chain infrastructure involves heavy investment with long payback period which is beyond the capacity of individual food processors.

Inadequate production and availability of processable variety of raw material is a major area of concern, which arises due to inadequate emphasis on developing appropriate varieties and extension activities.

Inadequate linkage of processors, exporters and bulk purchasers with farmers resulting in mismatch between the requirements of industry and supply of agri-produce by the farmers. The problem is often compounded by legal provisions relating to restrictions on commodity storage and movement.

Lack of awareness:Processors face difficulty in availing benefits under schemes being implemented by different agencies of central and state governments in the absence of exclusive supportive forum at the state level. Lack of awareness and absence of appropriate knowledge sharing & guidance forum adds to their problem.

Poor Credit Facility –Food processing units, largely operating in MSME segment, face problem in their access to bank credit due to seasonal and perishable nature of the commodities handled by these units. High cost and inadequate credit do not attract prospective entrepreneurs choosing food processing sector for investment.

Bureaucracy – Multiple clearances are required for setting up of food processing units. The small processors are also required to go through the same processes as is applicable to larger units. Availing permission for Change in Land Use (CLU), environmental clearance, water and power connections are not only time consuming but also costly.

Labour Laws – Food processing units are required to comply with labour laws in relation to lay-off, retrenchment and closure even though these units run seasonally. Further, payment of minimum charges for electricity even though units run for few months in a year, adversely affects the commercial viability of the processing units.

Marketing of processed food is a major problem faced by food processors particularly the micro and small processors. Given the scale of operation, individual units are unable to invest in marketing and branding impacting performance of the sector.

Sector specific Entrepreneurship Development training and Incubation Services are weak areas inhibiting growth of the sector.

Co-ordination – A number of research institutes are undertaking R&D for product, process, and technology improvement & development. There is a need for coordinated action on research and dissemination of research output to the industry.

GHP & GMP -Lack of adequate emphasis on food safety along the food value chain to promote Good Hygiene Practice (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to maintain standards of food quality. Moreover, food testing, quality certification and safety issues are other weak areas which needs priority attention

Food safety culture –While awareness of food safety is rising, especially among the educated in cities, the population at large remains ignorant about basic food safety issues such as common adulterants in food, checking the freshness of food products etc. For this, large-scale behavioural change communication programmes are required to educate citizens about basic food safety issues so that they can take responsibility for their own health, create a ‘food safety culture’ and act as a check on the food processing industry for better adherence to standards

Opportunities for food processing:

Urbanization: The total urban population in the country as per Census 2011 is more than 377 million constituting 31.16% of the total population. In coming days the share of urban India will grow which has high demand for processed food, this urban demand will act as a propeller for emerging industry.

Changing Consumer Preference: There is a huge transformation in the lifestyle of consumers due to increase in disposable income and information available due to rapid evolution of the social media. Due to changing lifestyle and work culture, we also see a change in trends in consumption patterns. There is demand for not only processed food but value added healthy processed food.

Growing Working Class: With education level growing year upon year, there is growth in working class too specially in metropolitan cities contributing to demand for processed food.

How it will benefit farmers:

Operation Greens:

In the budget speech of 2018-19, a new Scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “Operation Flood”, with an outlay of Rs. 500 crore to promote Farmer Producers Organizations, agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management.

Operation Greens seeks to stabilize the supply of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops and to ensure availability of TOP crops throughout the country round the year without price volatility.

The scheme was extended during June 2020 to cover all fruits & vegetables (TOPS TO TOTAL) for a period of six months on pilot basis as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched the scheme. NAFED will be the Nodal Agency to implement price stabilisation measures.

The strategy will comprise of a series of measures as decided by the Ministry which include:

Short term Price Stabilisation Measures: MoFPI will provide 50% of the subsidy on the following two components:

• Transportation of Tomato Onion Potato(TOP) Crops from production to storage;
• Hiring of appropriate storage facilities for TOP Crops;
• Long Term Integrated value chain development projects
• Capacity Building of FPOs & their consortium
• Quality production
• Post-harvest processing facilities
• Agri-Logistics
• Marketing / Consumption Points
• Creation and Management of e-platform for demand and supply management of TOP Crops.

Agri Export Policy 2018:

Draft National Food Processing Policy -2019:

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries released the Draft National Food Processing Policy, 2019 for public comments.

Aims:

The draft policy aims for the development of the food processing sector and addressing the critical gaps hampering its growth.

It also aims to increase investment in the sector by six-fold by 2035.

Objectives:

Reducing wastage at the farmer level to increase their incomes:

• Supporting the food processing industry to create employment opportunities
• Ensuring a higher deployment of credit in the sector
• Enhancing the availability of safer, affordable, and higher quality food products for consumer, and Infrastructure and skill-building to meet the demands of the sector.

The food processing industry in India is increasingly seen as a potential source for driving the rural economy as it brings about synergy between the consumer, industry and the farmer. It will act as an engine for propelling the dream of Doubling farmers Income. Rightly said by Mahatma Gandhi “The future of India lies in its villages” and we have to carefully nurture future of India by nurturing important Rural and agro based Industries like Food processing units which has immense potential in coming days.

5. What do you understand by nanotechnology? And how its helping in health sector? (Answer in 150 words.) 10 Marks

Santosh Sir’s take on the question:

Directly from the DPS

OPTIMIZEIAS: 

https://optimizeias.com/what-are-nanoparticles-discuss-its-application-in-medical-science-especially-cancer-treatment/

https://optimizeias.com/nanotechnology-has-huge-potential-but-has-risks-as-well-what-are-the-possible-dangers-of-nanotechnology/

Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. In its original sense, nanotechnology refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products.

Nanotechnology in Medical and Healthcare Applications:

Nanotechnology is already broadening the medical tools, knowledge, and therapies currently available to clinicians.

Nanotechnology is being used in developing countries to help treat disease and prevent health issues. The umbrella term for this kind of nanotechnology is Nano-medicine.

Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, draws on the natural scale of biological phenomena to produce precise solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Below are some examples of recent advances in this area:

• Commercial applications have adapted gold nanoparticles as probes for the detection of targeted sequences of nucleic acids, and gold nanoparticles are also being clinically investigated as potential treatments for cancer and other diseases.
• Better imaging and diagnostic tools enabled by nanotechnology are paving the way for earlier diagnosis, more individualized treatment options, and better therapeutic success rates.
• Nanotechnology is being studied for both the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in arteries.
• In one technique, researchers created a nanoparticle that mimics the body’s “good” cholesterol, known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which helps to shrink plaque.
• The design and engineering of advanced solid-state nanopore materials could allow for the development of novel gene sequencing technologies that enable single-molecule detection at low cost and high speed with minimal sample preparation and instrumentation.
• Nanotechnology researchers are working on a number of different therapeutics where a nanoparticle can encapsulate or otherwise help to deliver medication directly to cancer cells and minimize the risk of damage to healthy tissue. This has the potential to change the way doctors treat cancer and dramatically reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy.
• Research in the use of nanotechnology for regenerative medicine spans several application areas, including bone and neural tissue engineering. For instance, novel materials can be engineered to mimic the crystal mineral structure of human bone or used as a restorative resin for dental applications.
• Researchers are looking for ways to grow complex tissues with the goal of one day growing human organs for transplant. Researchers are also studying ways to use graphene nanoribbons to help repair spinal cord injuries; preliminary research shows that neurons grow well on the conductive graphene surface.
• Nanomedicine researchers are looking at ways that nanotechnology can improve vaccines, including vaccine delivery without the use of needles.
• Researchers also are working to create a universal vaccine scaffold for the annual flu vaccine that would cover more strains and require fewer resources to develop each year.

NANOMICELLES:

• With the advance in nanotechnology, researchers across the globe have been exploring how to use nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery.
• Similar to nanoshells and nanovesicles, nanomicelles are extremely small structures and have been noted as an emerging platform in targeted therapy.
• Nanomicelles are globe­like structures with a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic interior.
• This dual property makes them a perfect carrier for delivering drug molecules.
• Now a multi­disciplinary, multi­institutional team has created a nanomicelle that can be used to deliver a drug named docetaxel, which is commonly used to treat various cancers including breast, colon and lung cancer.
• The nanomicelles are less than 100nm in size and are stable at room temperature.
• Once injected intravenously these nanomicelles can easily escape the circulation and enter the solid tumours where the blood vessels are found to be leaky.
• These leaky blood vessels are absent in the healthy organs. “Chemical conjugation would render the phospholipid­docetaxel prodrug to be silent in the circulation and healthy organs.
• But once it enters the cancer cells, the enzymes will cleave the bond to activate the drug, and kill the cancer cells.

As with all technologies, nanotechnology carries a significant potential for misuse and abuse on a scale and scope never seen before. However, they also have potential to bring about significant benefits, such as improved health, better use of natural resources, and reduced environmental pollution.

6. How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies?(Answer in 150 words) 10

Directly from Mains Master Notes

https://optimizeias.com/e-technology-in-aid-of-farmers/

Approach: Here in first part focus on how science has influenced all aspects of our life through one or two examples and then come to the main part i.e., changes it has led in agriculture

Introduction:

Science has been the driver of human development. It has come a long way from the find of fire to the age of digital technologies. It has penetrated all aspects of human life. For ex-

• Agriculture and food: Ex- Machines from sowing seeds to Tractor, drip irrigation, fertilisers etc.
• Education: Online and distance education, research to understand world better
• Health: Ex- Covid-19 vaccine within 1 year, Treatment for diseases like cancer
• Space: Ex- Human into space (Proposed Gaganyan mission)
• Defence: Ex- Tanks, missiles, highly sophisticated missile defence systems
• Digital technology: Ex- Artificial intelligence, 5G etc.

These are very few examples and science today influence our life from moment we wake up to everything we do till we can go to sleep. This has been the major parameter of develpment measurement of human and countries today.

Striking changes triggered by science-based technologies in agriculture:

1. Commercialization of crops: Science-based technologies have ensured high productivity leading to agriculture diving into commercialization and becoming remunerative. Ex- Bt Cotton using Genetically modified seeds.
2. Food security: Ex- High-yielding seed created using technologies has led to food security around the world like Green revolution in India.
3. Better monitoring of soil and sustainable agriculture: Ex- technologies like Soil health card, remote sensing or drones have ensured agriculture is better prepared to ensure cropping with care of soil and sustainability in times of global warming.
4. Efficient irrigation: Ex- In times of water crisis, Drip irrigation, Sprinkler irrigation is changing the way we use water with focus on “Water use efficiency”.
5. insights into trend, better monitoring as well as advances in R&D making agriculture a highly predictable and demand-aligned activity: Ex- Big data, Internet of things etc. are changing the way agriculture so far depended on climate variability.
6. Precision farming: Ex- Using new management practices and technologies (GIS, remote sensing etc.) precision farming determines inputs needed for optimum heath of soil and better productivity.
7. Intensive agriculture leading to Soil, water and air pollution: Ex- Use of fertilisers, pesticides, crop burning etc. as a result of use of these technologies have led to environmental concerns as well rising from agricultural practices.

So, science-based technology has triggered striking changes in agriculture from sowing to marketing. We need to be careful for one causing problems (pollution and decrease in soil fertility), while have to look forward to its evolution in times of climate change when land can’t increase but production has to.

7) How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (Answer in 150 words)   10 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Daily Practice Sheet

https://optimizeias.com/environmental-regulation-is-not-an-unnecessary-burden-but-an-essential-obligation-for-the-health-and-welfare-of-our-people-and-sustainable-development-in-the-light-of-the-statement-critically-examine/

https://optimizeias.com/what-is-eia-why-eia-2020-draft-has-become-controversial/

https://optimizeias.com/environment-regulations-must-strike-a-balance-between-preserving-the-environment-and-achieving-prosperity-for-the-citizens-of-a-country-in-this-context-discuss-draft-eia2020/

Mains Master Notes

https://optimizeias.com/environment-impact-assessment-3/

EIA is the management tool for identifying environmental, social and economic impacts of a project before decision-making. Thus, it seeks to ensure optimal use of natural resources within the context of sustainable development.

What is the EIA cycle proposed in EIA notification, 2006?

It talks of 4-stages of EIA to be followed in accordance with the norms. These are:

• Screening
• Scoping
• Public hearing
• Appraisal

It also talks of category of projects: Category A and Category B (B1 and B2 projects). In this category A and category B1 projects need mandatory EIA and B2 category does need EIA.

Category A projects are appraised at the national level by the Impact Assessment Agency and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

Category B projects are appraised at the state level with B1 needing EIA and B2 does not need it. State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the state level EAC are provided for clearance of the category B projects.

Draft EIA amendments and why it has become controversial?

Features and Argument for bringing in draft EIA, 2020:

Ramp up availability/production of bulk drugs: COVID-19 demand and disruption of global supply chain the government thought to bring certain sectors under B2 category (no EIA required). Ex- projects or activities in respect of bulk drugs and intermediates, manufactured for addressing various ailments

Decentralization of approval process: Recategorization will lead to clearance from state level itself thereby fastening the process.

Expeditious disposal of the proposals within given time-line and reduced scrutiny through single window online clearance

Revive project by putting an end to policy paralysis: It allows for post-facto clearances.

Controversial features:

Post-facto clearances: It will legalize operations (ongoing and closed projects) without EIA and in violation category through fines. This will weaken the sanction against violations weakening the environmental fight. Earlier courts have cracked down on such violating industries.

Ex- Environment ministry itself claimed that the LG polymer gas leak in Vishakhapatnam this year was due to violation of EIA norms (Post expansion of capability it applied for approval)

Regressive and non-transparent: It allows for projects to be declared by the government as strategic. Once notified strategic no information about project will be in public domain and no public consultation. Ex- All inland waterways and national highways are excluded from public consultation and these are one of the major causes of deforestation and displacement of people.

Disempowerment of people: Violations can only be represented by the government representatives and project proponents not citizen, public consultation initially only for 20 days (norm is 30 days), drafts only in English and Hindi and technical jargons in drafts is criticised by experts as the disempowerment of people by depriving them say in EIA.

Recategorization as B1, B2 projects: This is dilution of the environmental norms as many projects will not be assessed by the appraisal committee now.

Increased validity of the environment clearances (mining projects to 50 years from 30 years currently and river valley projects to 15 years from 10 years currently) will risk environmental, social and health consequences

Federalism concerns: B2 project not to be brought before State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) is said to weaken its role in implementing innovative/cost-efficient technologies or processes to prevent the degradation of the environment.

Protecting polluting sectors in case of modernisation and expansion: Exemption from EIA and public consultation for construction projects expansion up to 1,50,000 Sq. metres.

The draft EIA has created concerns among civil society, environmental experts, people (protest in Kerala) as well as UN special Rapporteurs criticized it against the violation of environmental laws.

Other issues in current EIA process:

Political and bureaucratic strong hold on EIA process as generally, they lack expertise from environment, social and civil society sector.

Applicability: In times of global warming, biodiversity loss we need more polluter pay principle, while phasing out sectors with most adverse impacts (Ex- Coal based plants). But EIA is increasing the exemptions and reduces applicability.

Public hearing: Mostly symbolic and public do not have access to EIA on time and largely their inputs are ignored by committee.

Lack of trained professional and Erroneous reports: Many EIA’s find copy and paste info which is violation of all EIA norms. Further preparation of EIA is done by consultants who are selected based on cost and not expertise.

Public and government authority included at much later stage unlike in developed countries where their involvement at early stage makes the process robust.

The consideration of alternatives in EIA is largely missing and process is oriented towards compensation more. (Centre for Science and Environment)

In scoping process expert committee is the decision maker and public consultation is missing as it is optional. Ex- Netherland, UK etc. takes public consultation from this stage itself.

Way ahead:

Court judgements w.r.t. public consultation in EIA:

In Hanuman LaxmanAroskar v Union of India case court held public consultations to have an intrinsic character (values in seeking views of the local and beyond – Traditional knowledge and experience in region) and instrumental character (hearing the voices of those communities that would be affected by the activity).

In this case court also recognised value of local community knowledge in EIA along with the S&T in it.

In Tirupur Dyeing Factory Owners Assn v Noyyal River Ayacutdars Protection Association case (2009) court held that the right to information and community participation is a co-terminus process in the EIA.

In Research Foundation for Science Technology National Resource Policy v UoI, (2005) case court said that the states must promote public awareness through wide and effective dissemination of information to deepen public participation.

In Centre for Social Justice vs Union of India (2001) court said that the local villagers may not understand the language and tone of EIA report. Hence, they should be made aware about it through gram panchayats, nagar panchayat etc.

Other measures:

Drafts of EIA to be made more inclusive and drafted in all scheduled languages as many high courts ordered recently.

Sustainable development approach: Though, economy might be immediate concern due to slow growth, yet, Covid-19 and existing challenges like climate change has forced us to think in terms of sustainable development. So, we rather need a EIA process based on public trust doctrine (Current draft delegated this responsibility to project proponents to assess and submit reports).

EIA is based on precautionary principle and this must not be diluted. Because our natural resources once lost can’t be replenished at same rate of consumption currently happening.

Move towards Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) by focussing on sectoral policies determined by sustainable development right from start.

8. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

OPTIMIZE IAS sources:

December 2019

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a campaign for water conservation and water security in the country.

Government of India has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a water conservation campaign, which is being implemented in 256 water-stressed districts of the country.

The Phase–I was implemented from 1st July, 2019 to 30th September, 2019 across the country and Phase–II is being implemented from 1st October, 2019 to 30th November, 2019 in the Southern States which receive retreating monsoon.

During the campaign, officers, groundwater experts and scientists from the Government of India expected to work with State and District officials in these districts to promote water conservation and water resource management by focusing on accelerated implementation of five target interventions, viz.

• water conservation & rainwater harvesting,
• renovation of traditional and other water bodies/ tanks,
• reuse and recharge of bore wells,
• watershed development and
• intensive afforestation.

 With this campaign, huge awareness has been generated and various stakeholders, viz. government departments, agencies, NGOs, officials, Panchayats, individuals, etc. have started taking steps for water conservation.

The water conservation interventions will also be supplemented with special interventions including the development of block and district water conservation plans, promotion of efficient water use for irrigation and better choice of crops through KrishiVigyanKendras.

9. Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Mains Master Notes:

https://optimizeias.com/cyber-security/

https://optimizeias.com/cybercrime-has-emerged-as-the-major-threat-to-the-economy-in-this-context-discuss-the-national-cyber-security-strategy-ncss/

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-cyber-terrorism-discuss-the-challenges-faced-by-india-in-this-regard/

https://optimizeias.com/discuss-the-various-types-of-cyber-threats-has-the-corona-pandemic-led-to-increase-number-of-cyber-attacks-how-can-we-protect-us-from-any-kind-of-cyber-attacks/

According to Defence White Paper 2009, Cyberspace is a virtual domain, different, to the physical domains of air, sea, land and space. Cyberspace refers to the virtual computer world, and more specifically, an electronic medium that is used to facilitate online communication. Cyberspace typically involves a large computer network made up of many worldwide computer subnetworks that employ TCP/IP protocol to aid in communication and data exchange activities.

CYBER THREATS:

A cyber or cybersecurity threat is a malicious act that seeks to damage data, steal data, or disrupt digital life in general.

CYBER CRIME

Cybercrime is a crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used to commit the crime and in many cases, it is also the target. Cybercrime may threaten a person or a nation’s security and financial health.

TYPES

• Identity theft – Identity theft is defined as theft of personnel information of an individual to avail financial services or steal the financial assets themselves.
• Cyberterrorism – Cyberterrorism is committed with the purpose of causing grievous harm or extortion of any kind subjected towards a person, groups of individuals, or governments.
• Cyberbullying – Cyberbullying is the act of intimidating, harassment, defaming, or any other form of mental degradation through the use of electronic means or modes such as social media.
• Hacking – Access of information through fraudulent or unethical means is known as hacking. This is the most common form of cybercrime know to the general public.
• Defamation – While every individual has his or her right to speech on internet platforms as well, but if their statements cross a line and harm the reputation of any individual or organization, then they can be charged with the Defamation Law.
• Trade Secrets – Internet organization spends a lot of their time and money in developing software, applications, and tools and rely on Cyber Laws to protect their data and trade secrets against theft; doing which is a punishable offense.
• Freedom of Speech – When it comes to the internet, there is a very thin line between freedom of speech and being a cyber-offender. As freedom of speech enables individuals to speak their mind, cyber law refrains obscenity and crassness over the web.
• Harassment and Stalking – Harassment and stalking are prohibited over internet platforms as well. Cyber laws protect the victims and prosecute the offender against this offense.

How to protect organization against cybercrime (general suggestions to private and public organization)

There are three simple steps you can take you increase security and reduce risk of cybercrime:

1. Educate all levels of your organization about the risks of social engineering and common social engineering scams like phishing emails and typosquatting
2. Invest in tools that limit information loss, monitor your third-party risk and fourth-party vendor risk and continuously scan for data exposure and leak credentials
3. Use technology to reduce costs like automatically sending out vendor assessment questionnaires as part of an overall cyber security risk assessment strategy

Companies should no longer be asking why is cybersecurity important, but how can I ensure my organization’s cybersecurity practices are sufficient to comply with GDPR and other regulation and to protect my business against sophisticated cyber-attacks.

10. For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (Answer in 150 words)10

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Security

DPS DECEMBER 2019(1^ST DECEMBER)

1. Discuss the mandate of Border Security Forces? Also analyze the challenges in Border Management.

DPS – NOVEMBER 2019(4TH NOVEMBER)

2. Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management. In this context, Comprehensive Integrated management Border management System

Border management aims at protecting against the hostile interest across the border and institutionalize a system for legitimate trade and commerce by addressing hostile interests. It includes border security, infrastructure creation as well as development of border areas to ensure their support in effective border management.

Steps required to deny local support to militants:

It is essential to cut off local support to militancy as evident in public support outpouring on social media after Burhan Wani’sjilling, role of public support in Pulwama attack, support in public funerals of militants, hiding militants and sensitive information etc. This is set to increase in areas like J&K post-political vacuum after ar7 370 withdrawal. Steps should be:

• Cordon breaking technique needs change in strategy as every time one breaks out of it, he gets more hero worship and support. Focus has to be on intelligence gathering through locals.
• Disrupt large gatherings at funerals: Deployments of forces around the residential areas of a slain militant and installing blockades and security checks after encounters along with enhanced surveillance. Ex- A study done by the J&K Police found that militant funerals were fertile grounds for new recruitments and public support
• Social media regulations and monitoring as this has emerged as biggest source of public support Post-Burhan Wani killing.
• Preventive measures to preven the radicalisation combined with recruitment of local youth.: A strong deterrence by enforcing terror laws are essential and at the same time public need to be given means whereby they can cut-off direct or indirect support without being unduly punished.
• Development: Lack of employment or oppurtunities in border areas in West and eastern part pushes youth towards such anti-state activities. Focus on infrastructure creation with new business oppurtunities can be effective in complementing security strategies.
• Elections to fill the political vacuum in absence of which people is feeling directionless.

Managing favourable perceptions among locals:

• Confidence-building measures (CBMs) – Ex- Mumbai police where “they go to the slums inhabited by minorities, interact with them and highlight the evils of terrorism and the need to not support such outfits.
• Positive efforts of armed forces need to be given publicity: EX- Indian army personnel guiding students in Kashmir valley in IITs and other exams.
• Local recruitment in policing and even armed forces deploying one with more local outreach.
• Removing corruption and addressing people’s basic issues promptly which otherwise puts administration in bad light.
• Using social media to counter misinformation campaign. Ex- PIB coming out with fact checking and providing right information.
• Winning heart and mind strategy: Government by focussing on core aspects of governance without undue use of force can help in this regard.
• A path to course correction to youths attracted to militancy through amnesty schemes, counselling sessions.

Security efforts always needs a sound strategy for winning heart and mind to counter any sort of militancy or public dissatisfaction.

Q.11Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in terms of capital formation. Discuss the factors to be considered while designing a concession agreement between a public entity and private entity. (Answer in 250 words)   15 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Daily Practice Sheet August,2020

https://optimizeias.com/daily-prelims-notes-10-november-2020/

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-human-capital-explain-the-process-of-human-capital-formation/

https://optimizeias.com/discuss-the-role-played-by-infrastructure-in-economic-growth/

https://optimizeias.com/what-is-public-private-partnership-ppp-discuss-various-advantages-and-issues-related-to-public-private-partnership-ppp-in-india/

High capital is a determinant of high growth and hence high growth. Itneeds huge investment and leads to increased productivity in economy and necessitated upgradation of skills for its utilization. Ex- Japan during its high growth phase of 1913 to 1939 saw investment rate between 16 to 20%.

Capital investment refers to a company’s acquisition of assets such as real estate, manufacturing plants, machinery, computers, vehicles, and production equipment.

Periods of high economic growth have occurred throughout history; they are usually prompted by discoveries of new natural resources or the invention of new technology. For example, the invention of the Internet in the 1980s paved the way for the invention of many other new technologies, including e-commerce, which revolutionized the way most firms conduct business. In the U.S., in the early 2000s, vast reserves of shale oil were discovered. This discovery led to the U.S. becoming the world’s largest crude-oil producer.

Without capital investment, innovation is not possible, including the discovery of new reserves of natural resources or technological advances. Capital investment occurs when businesses purchase capital goods, which are tangible assets such as buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and tools. These tangible assets are then used to produce goods or services. Capital investment is a means for a company to further its business objectives.

Creation of capital is known as capital formation.

The stages are:

1. Creation of savings: Capital formation depends on savings. Saving is that part of national income which is not spent on consumption goods.
2. Conversion of savings into investment : To accelerate the rate of capital formation it is absolutely essential to convert savings into investible resources. Thus, the second stage of capital formation is concerned with channelizing the savings of the household sector and convert these into loanable funds.
3. The actual production of capital goods : This stage involves the con¬version of money-savings into the making of capital goods, or what is known as investment. The latter, in turn, hinges on the existing technical facilities available in the country, existing capital equipment, entrepreneurial skill and venture, rate of return on investment, rate of interest, govern¬ment policy, etc.

Two reasons why capital formation is important for economic growth are:-

1) Capital accumulation is necessary to provide people with tools and implements of production. If the population goes on increasing and no net capital accumulation takes place, then the growing population would not be able to get necessary tools, instruments, machines and other means of production with the result that their capacity to produce would be seriously affected.

2) Another important economic role of capital formation is the creation of employment opportunities in the country. Capital formation creates employment as two stages. First, when the capital is produced, some workers have to be employed to make capital like machinery, factories, dams, irrigation works, etc. Secondly, more men have to be employed when capital has to be used for producing further goods.

12.Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (Answer in 250 words) 15

OPTIMIZE IAS

Daily Practice Sheet Oct,2020

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-resource-mobilization-discuss-various-sources-of-resource-mobilization-to-help-the-central-government-plug-the-gst-compensation-fund-gap/

https://optimizeias.com/take-a-stock-of-how-the-new-gst-regime-performed-in-the-last-three-years-is-gst-a-failed-experiment/

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-resource-mobilization-discuss-various-sources-of-resource-mobilization-to-help-the-central-government-plug-the-gst-compensation-fund-gap/

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-cooperative-federalism-in-the-wake-of-recent-controversy-related-to-gst-compensation-how-far-india-has-achieved-cooperative-federalism/

Daily Prelims Notes:

https://optimizeias.com/gst-council-and-compensation-cess/

The act seeks to guarantee States through compensation for any loss of revenue in the first five years of GST implementation, until 2022, using a cess levied on sin and luxury goods. The Act directs cess revenue into a separate Compensation Fund and all compensation grants to states are required to be paid out of the money available in this Fund.

Rationale behind the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017:

1. Assure for support in case of loss of revenue: To address states worry for revenue loss as they were letting go many important sources of taxation like sales tax to make them part of tax reform.
2. Origin-based to destination-based taxation which worried many manufacturing states like Gujrat, Tamil Nadu about the loss of revenue it will accompany with changed taxation approach.
3. For assurance of guarantees to all states of an annual growth rate of 14 percent in their GST revenue during the period July 2017-June 2022.

Impact of Covid-19 on GST compensation fund:

• Shortfall in compensation cess collection: Delay in collection of cesses led to cascading of delay payment of states compensation.
• States failing to get compensation as per act: It was to the extent of Rs 30000 crore.
• Centre not in position to pay: Covid-19 led to double whammy i.e., Increased spending and decreased revenue due to lockdown-imposed closure of economic activities.
• Covid-19 exposed unrealistic growth rate of 14% as mentioned in Act: Ex- In initial meetings it was put 10.5%, but negotiations put it at 14%. The slowdown exposed this gap in tax growth expectation.

Federal tension as a result:

It brought the question of fiscal federalism tensions with both states and Centre hardening their stance.

Though agreement was reached with states accepting debt from special window by finance ministry. Yet, wider issue of fiscal federalism, fiscal credibility of Centre needs to be addressed through building of institutional capacity, and discussion on reforms in GST council with states and Centre having proportionate power.

GST COMPENSATION

The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, was the law which created the mechanism for levying a nationwide GST. Written into this law was a provision to compensate the States for loss of revenue arising out of implementation of the GST. The adoption of the GST was made possible by the States ceding almost all their powers to impose local-level indirect taxes and agreeing to let the prevailing multiplicity of imposts be subsumed under the GST. While the States would receive the SGST (State GST) component of the GST, and a share of the IGST (Integrated GST), it was agreed that revenue shortfalls arising from the transition to the new indirect taxes regime would be made good from a pooled GST Compensation Fund for a period of five years that is set to end in 2022. This corpus in turn is funded through a compensation cess that is levied on so-called ‘demerit’ goods.

The computation of the shortfall — the mechanism for which is spelt out in Section 7 of the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 — is done annually by projecting a revenue assumption based on 14% compounded growth from the base year’s (2015-2016) revenue and calculating the difference between that figure and the actual GST collections in that year. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, the revenue shortfall has been anticipated at ₹3 lakh crore, with the Compensation Fund expected to have only about ₹65,000 crore through cess accruals and balance to pay the compensation to the States.

The economic slowdown, which has been on for almost three years now, began to impact GST revenue collections in August 2019. The Centre first admitted to problems on compensation payment in the 37th GST Council meeting in Goa last September – it said the amount of cess available in the compensation fund at the end of February “shall fall short for payment of compensation for loss of revenue till the bi-monthly period of December-January

The strain of slowing revenues and pending compensation payments to states under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is reflecting a worsening trend in the reliance on compensation payments as a share of the states’ overall protected GST revenues. The dependence of states on compensation payments as a share of the protected revenues, or the amount they are entitled to get as per the GST (Compensation to States) Act, has shot up to nearly 58 per cent in April-July from 24.2 per cent seen in the previous financial year, government data showed, with states such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh among worst affected.

In FY20, 24.2 per cent of protected GST revenues of states on an average was funded by compensation, while 75.8 per cent was from State GST (SGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) revenues accruing to the states, data from the Finance Ministry, presented in Parliament showed. States such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were less dependent on GST compensation in the previous financial year, constituting only 13 per cent and 11.3 per cent of its GST revenues, respectively, but for Puducherry and Punjab, compensation formed about 57.3 per cent and 47.8 per cent of their protected GST revenues, respectively.

Data on compensation deficit, when extrapolated for this fiscal, shows the share of dependence on compensation payments has now worsened, rising to over 50 per cent for 26 of the 31 states/UTs.

13. What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?(Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

OPTIMIZE IAS SOURCES:

26^th Aug DPS

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-mono-cropping-examine-the-impact-of-rice-wheat-mono-cropping-on-environment-in-this-context-discuss-the-need-for-multiple-cropping-and-crop-diversity/

Mains Master Notes:https://optimizeias.com/cropping-pattern-gs3/

https://optimizeias.com/how-do-subsidies-affect-the-cropping-pattern-crop-diversity-and-economy-of-farmers-what-is-the-significance-of-crop-insurance-minimum-support-price-and-food-processing-for-small-and-marginal-farmer/

https://optimizeias.com/changing-the-faulty-cropping-pattern-can-help-india-tide-over-impending-water-crisis-discuss/

https://optimizeias.com/what-do-you-understand-by-cropping-pattern-discuss-the-need-to-shift-towards-remunerative-cropping-pattern-to-solve-farmers-issues/

Indian subcontinent has diverse soil profile, topography, climate, weather and divided into 127 agro climatic zones (ACZ) as per ICAR. Cropping pattern is definitely being affected by these factors.

• North India adapted to wheat cultivation
• South India adapted to rice cultivation

Factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success :

Government Policies: Policies like MSP affects the type of crop chosen by farmer. Due to wide coverage of MSP in wheat and rice, farmer prefer rice and wheat over other crops.

Green Revolution Phase:

With advent of high yielding varieties of crops, development of agriculture infrastructure and announcement of MSP by government encouraged farmers to switch for subsistence farming to intensive farming. Area under Rice and wheat increased owing to better productivity and assured purchase by government by means of MSP. Cereal anxiety led the Centre to offer minimum support prices (MSPs) for the major cereals, which distorted cropping patterns into the “cerealization” of agriculture, as it is called.

Green Revolution also led to changes in the cropping patterns. Rice was introduced to Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh from traditional east and south India.

Feature: Increase in area under rice and wheat, more than one crop a year, reduction in import.

Other features include Open ended Procurement of Wheat and Rice by FCI and Robust PDS system which focussed more on Rice and Wheat.

Issues with rice and wheat Cropping System:

1. Ecological Issues

• Declining underground water table
• Ground water pollution: Excessive use of the fertilizers/insecticides pollutes the underground water quality
• Diverse weed flora
• Outbreak of disease and insect pest: The green crops with higher dose of N-fertilizers and wet conditions because of frequent irrigations are the paradise for the outbreak of insect-pest and diseases.

2. Agricultural Issues

• Degrading soil structure
• Declining soil health
• Residue management: On farm residue management be the major issue in the prevailing cropping. Among rice and wheat straw residue, wheat residue is used in the animal husbandry sector but the higher silica content in rice straw make it inappropriate to be used in the dairy sector

3. Labour shortage: Rice–wheat cropping system is water-, energy-, capital- and most importantly labour intensive as transplanting, spraying and harvesting of paddy require intense labour. Labour shortage is an emerging issue
4. Multiple nutrient deficiencies
5. Livelihood Issues.

• Decreased land productivity
• High energy requirement: Intensive cultivation of the rice–wheat sequence leads to decline of underground water levels to a serious concern and as a result submersible pumps replacing the centrifugal pumps which lifts up water from the deeper depths but they required more energy for this purpose
• Decreased water productivity
• Decreased efficiency of water use

6. Climatic Issues

• Environmental pollution: Management of the rice stubble is a major challenge. Smoldering is widely practiced by the farmers being easy and quick method of disposing off of rice residues thereby causing air pollution
• Global warming: Flaming of farm residues generates ample amount of greenhouse gases and aerosols and other hydrocarbons to the atmosphere affecting the atmospheric composition.
• India witnessed the shift in area from food grain towards horticulture crops over last five years (from 2012-13 to 2017-18). The production of Horticulture crops have outpaced the production of food grain since 2012-13.

WAY FORWARD:

“MSP has distorted cropping patterns, with excessive focus on the cultivation of wheat, rice and sugarcane in the procurement states at the expense of other crops such as pulses, oilseed and coarse grains,” the NITI Ayog said in its Three Year Action Agenda.There is a need to move towards diversification from cerealization.

With twin focus on Nutritional and Food security, government is now focusing on Horticulture too with schemes like Mission for Integrated development of horticulture (MIDH), RashtriyaKrishiVikas Yojna (RKVY), Green House Subsidy, promoting processing sector and mega food parks.

Price deficiency payment system will definitely encourage farmers to go for alternative crops instead of rice and wheat.The cropping pattern needs to be balanced keeping in view the rising population, Nutritional needs, food security, ecological balance and doubling farmers income.

14. Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Santosh Sir’s take on the question:

Water crisis was in news for last one year. I has linked the water crisis to its root problem which is misuse of water in agriculture. I has also included this in Daily Practice Sheet many times and in the Mains Master Notes.

Mains Master Notes:

https://optimizeias.com/irrigation/

A 2018 Report of the NITI Aayog has observed that currently 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress and about two lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water. This with Agriculture consuming more than 80% of available fresh water there is need for better Water storage and irrigation system.

Measures to boost storage and irrigation in India:

Need is promoting Practices which helps in conserving water and reducing the demand and on other side increasing the supply by working on efficiency and storage i.e., Overall balancing the cycle of demand and supply of water.

• Decentralised irrigation: Small-scale, storage and distribution of water for agricultural and other needs in rural as well as urban areas. ex- Farm pond, localized irrigation through schemes like PM-KUSUM
• Using technology: Ex- Drip and Sprinkler irrigation
• Participatory irrigation management: Management by irrigation users at all levels of the system and in all aspects of management and regulated at local level by Pani panchayats or Water Users’ Associations (WUAs). Ex- Pani Panchayats Act (2002) has promoted participatory irrigation management and is flourishing in Odisha.
• Watershed development to boost storage and water availability through schemes like MGNREGA. Ex- Rale Gaon Siddi model success or Mexico’s efforts at cooperative management of groundwater through Watershed development
• Laying down infrastructure for efficient use of irrigation: Current canal-based irrigation lacks pipelines network to last farmers. This needs to be taken to all while providing for a farmer cooperative to regulate its use.
• Promote water storage using natural topography and creation of small check dams and DAMs after feasible study of ecosystem. Ex- Meghalaya receives one of the highest rainfalls in India, yet, suffers from water shortfall due to lack of proper storage.
• Rainwater harvesting at all levels (Residential to agriculture) to be made mandatory. Ex- Chennai mage it legally binding in buildings
• India must educate people about the need for dams to store water. The environmentalists and other groups who oppose dams should be engaged in a dialogue to work out alternatives and build a consensus and National Perspective Plan needs for Inter-linking of river needs to be utilized by making suitable dam structure after proper Environment Impact Assessment.

India needs to invest in water use efficiency, irrigation and storage before its water stress turns it into a water crisis as it has to serve around 17% of population with mere 4% of freshwater resources.

15. COVID 19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis? Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.

Santosh Sir’s take on the question:

I has predicted this question in Daily Practice Sheet, you can see it below by clicking on the link. During the lockdown, many new technologies were getting adopted to manage the corona pandemic and I related this to the GS 3 syllabus which is science and tech in day to day life.

OPTIMIZE IAS:

Daily Practice Sheet

17^th JUNE

https://optimizeias.com/explain-various-technologies-put-to-use-during-corona-pandemic-to-contain-it/

Introduction:

COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global pandemic. With high transmissibility, a case fatality rate greater than 1%, and no effective antiviral therapy or vaccine, the mainstay of pandemic management has been containment and mitigation. Science and technology sector constituting data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence are contributing towards COVID-19 through medical image processing, disease tracking, prediction outcomes, computational biology and medicines.Countries such as South Korea have integrated digital technology into government-coordinated containment and mitigation processes—including surveillance, testing, contact tracing, and strict quarantine—which could be associated with the early flattening of their incidence curves.

How Technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic worldwide:

• A COVID-19 dashboard by WHO is available providing up to date data from around the world showing the latest information related to COVID-19.
• Leveraging AI to help identify COVID treatments:
  • European biotechnology company Nuritas is using AI to revolutionize the discovery of therapeutic antiviral peptides (short amino acids / small proteins). Nurita’s use of AI/ML to identify key peptides for testing has greatly shortened the research timeline, increased efficacy, and reduced the risk of drug development.
  • An AI-based database of X-ray scans and deep neural networks and is trained to distinguish the chest congestion differences between patients with pneumonia, tuberculosis and COVID-19. According to the researchers, the software can analyze the nature of fluid buildup in the lungs and attribute it to COVID.
  • Researchers can potentially use natural language processing to skim through scientific papers and scholarly articles to help combat information overload. Artificial Intelligence platform that makes it easier for team members to quickly find relevant studies that can potentially lead to new insights or approaches to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Blockchain technology can potentially be used to effectively manage medical data, track the supply of virus prevention materials (disinfectants, sanitizers), and consult the public.
• Chatbot tools can provide an online triage in infection diagnostics. The tool is primarily used by healthcare professionals to interact with patients via remote visits. BBDO Guerrero has partnered with the National Union of Journalists and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility to develop a Facebook chatbot that sniffs out fake news in the Philippines, where 98% of the population uses Facebook as their primary source of information.
• 3D printing can be used to help produce vital hospital supplies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A hospital in Italy was able to save the lives of many COVID-19 patients by 3D-printing valves on reanimation devices. It assisted in the production of respirators, valves, masks, etc.
• Drones can be potentially used to carry test kits and medical supplies, cutting delivery time and improving response time for medical authorities. Further, drones are being increasingly used in countries like South Korea and China to spray disinfecting chemicals in public spaces and on epidemic prevention vehicles commuting to the infected areas. Drones equipped with thermal imaging technology are being used in China to detect people with fever/flu symptoms.
• Robotics can be put to great use in checking temperatures and identifying and disinfecting people in public spaces, thus eliminating human contact. In Wuhan, the epicenter of the Corona outbreak, robots are being used to take vital signs, deliver meds and even entertain quarantined patients in a smart field hospital. The use of robots in hospitals can provide much-needed relief for medical staff and other healthcare workers as they continue to provide care for affected patients.
•  From e-commerce to “V-Commerce”: E-commerce took on new importance during the pandemic as shoppers stayed home to fight the virus’ spread. It created a unique opportunity to merge virtual reality technology with online shopping. US-based Lifestyles in 360 partnered with Whole Foods to take grocery shopping online for certain parts of the country. In this emerging “V-Commerce” solution, Whole Foods online stores had robust functionality including dynamic pricing and product selection, making online shopping more appealing for those more comfortable with the in-person experience.
• Technologies like augmented reality/virtual reality can be considered as digital alternatives to address the issue. Companies in the real estate space, such as Beijing-based China Fortune Land Development and Hong Kong-based Greentown China Holdings, have recently launched programs that allow their customers (property buyers) to take VR tours of properties for sale.
• Video conferencing solutions have been the lifeblood of companies and educational institutions. With offices closed and travel being restricted, cloud meetings have kept companies from falling apart and have helped them minimize the business impact according to media reports. Zoom, a prominent cloud conferencing solutions provider, experienced a massive spike in its user base.
• Social media platforms in recent years have been a key medium of communication during a crisis. At a time when the reach of traditional media has been limited due to social distancing measures, social media users have kept the world updated and have played a major role in dissipating credible information. Mediums such as Twitter and Facebook have taken concrete steps to ensure that only helpful and credible content is distributed on their platforms by curbing the spread of fake and misleading content.
• 5G can play an indirect role in the containment of this virus outbreak. Huge bandwidth, high speed, and low latency allow for seamless communication in hospitals and emergency command centers. It could potentially serve as a foundation that enables the implementation of the aforementioned technologies.
• Fitbit, the wearables maker partnered with the Stanford Healthcare Innovation Lab to explore whether data points collected from its devices could help researchers detect COVID-19 even before symptoms emerge.
  • Fitbit collects nearly 250,000 data points per day, including a user’s heart rate, sleep patterns, and skin temperatures. The research aimed to train algorithms to pick up abnormal patterns deviating from a user’s baseline to predict and detect possible infections.

India’s Digital Response to COVID-19:

• AarogyaSetu was designed as a ‘digital contact tracing’ app which can inform users whether they are at risk of COVID-19 infection, to help people self-quarantine and allow them to approach public health authorities.
• Seva Sindhu Portal of Government of Karnataka was used extensively to issue e-Pass for movement of persons into the state during different phases of lockdown and unlock period. The data from the Seva Sindhu app was synced to the Quarantine Watch app to help monitor and implement the isolation and quarantine process. Quarantine Watch application enabled- self-reporting by people in-home quarantine.
•  Telcos to spread public health messages:
  • With the world’s second largest population, India’s Department of Telecom asked Telco operators to play coronavirus awareness messages and prevention techniques as a caller tune instead of the normal ringtone.
  • As people made calls, they heard a 30-second message on how to stop the virus’ spread as well as healthcare center contact information. This simple solution helped leverage cheap technology to reach the millions with a phone in their pocket, including the country’s 26% illiterate population.
• Telangana Govt. used AI system of Vehicles Plate No. verification to catch violations during lockdown.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) now allows companies to channel their mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending towards helping fund new innovative technologies that will aid in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Social Impact Team at Invest India is augmenting the efforts of the MCA by collating a repository of CSR eligible innovations that can help in testing, curing and prevention of COVID-19.

The Path Ahead:

The pace of technological innovation in the past 20 years has been mind boggling, and the ubiquity and accessibility of tech are what has kept economies and human lives going. It is difficult to imagine how we could have handled such a pandemic 15-20 years ago when all of the above technologies did not exist. As with every great challenge in human history, this pandemic has and will continue to bring out the best in human ingenuity and innovation.

16. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our government for this purpose? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

OPTIMIZE IAS:

OPTIMA (Mains 2020)

Daily Practice Sheet

https://optimizeias.com/what-will-be-the-role-of-solar-energy-in-indias-vision-of-atmanirbhar-bharat/

The sun provides more than enough energy to meet the whole world’s energy needs, and unlike fossil fuels, it won’t run out anytime soon. As a renewable energy source, the only limitation of solar power is our ability to turn it into electricity in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Solar energy – a clean source:

No greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere when you use solar panels to create electricity. And because the sun provides more energy than we’ll ever need, electricity from solar power is a very important energy source in the move to clean energy production.

No fuel to burn:

After solar panels have been installed, operational costs are quite low compared to other forms of power generation. Fuel isn’t required, and this means that solar power can create large amounts of electricity without the uncertainty and expense of securing a fuel supply.

Solar power and the environment:

As a renewable CO2-free power source, the environmental impact of solar power is significantly smaller than other power generation methods. The impact is mainly related to the production and supply of the special materials and metals that are required to produce solar panels. The location and the water used to clean the solar panels also affect the environment. We are working hard to find alternative ways to clean our solar panels.

Government Initiatives:

• The target of installing 100 GW of solar energy capacity by December 2022 was announced by the MNRE under National solar Mission.
• Solar projects commissioned up to the same period shall be exempted from Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges and losses for inter-state sale of solar power. Further, up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has also been permitted under the automatic route.
• Distribution licensees would be notified about standard bidding guidelines to aid them in procuring solar and wind power at competitive rates in a cost-effective and transparent way, stated Singh. Norms for following the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to 2022.
• The Green Energy Corridor project has been put in place to support the grid integration of large scale renewable energy capacity addition.Stakeholders are being notified about the quality standards guidelines for deploying solar photovoltaic systems/devices.
• Several schemes such as Pradhan MantriKisanUrja Suraksha evamUtthanMahabhiyanYojana (PM-KUSUM), CPSU (Government Producers) Scheme – Phase II and Solar Rooftop Phase II program aimed at the improvement of the generation as well as the adoption of solar energy in the country have been introduced.

17. What are the features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the government of India? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

OPTIMIZE IAS:

OPTIMA MAINS 2020

DPS – MARCH 2020(4TH MARCH)

1. Critically examine the problem of air pollution in India. Also assess efforts to minimize air pollution in India.

Air pollution is one of the biggest global environmental challenges of today. A time bound national level strategy for pan India implementation to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner in the form of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was today launched by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

“Overall objective of the NCAP is comprehensive mitigation actions for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country and strengthening the awareness and capacity building activities.”

The tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 is proposed under the NCAP taking 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.

“Today cities occupy just 3% of the land, but contribute to 82% of GDP and responsible for 78% of Carbon dioxide emissions; cities though are engines of growth and equity but they have to be sustainable and it is in this context that NCAP being a very inclusive program holds special relevance.

Features:

• The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year. However, the international experiences and national studies indicate that significant outcome in terms of air pollution initiatives are visible only in the long-term, and hence the programme may be further extended to a longer time horizon after a mid-term review of the outcomes.
• The approach for NCAP includes collaborative, multi-scale and cross-sectoral coordination between the relevant central ministries, state governments and local bodies. Dovetailing of the existing policies and programmes including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and other initiatives of Government of India in reference to climate change will be done while execution of NCAP.
• There will be use of the Smart Cities program to launch the NCAP in the 43 smart cities falling in the list of the 102 non-attainment cities.
• The NCAP is envisaged to be dynamic and will continue to evolve based on the additional scientific and technical information as they emerge.
• The NCAP will be institutionalized by respective ministries and will be organized through inter-sectoral groups, which include, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog, CPCB, experts from the industry, academia, and civil society.
• The program will partner with multilateral and bilateral international organizations, and philanthropic foundations and leading technical institutions to achieve its outcomes.
• City specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP.
• Cities have already prepared action plans in consultation with CPCB. Institutional Framework at Centre and State Level comprising of Apex Committee at the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in the Centre and at Chief Secretary Level in the States are to be constituted.
• In addition, sectoral working groups, national level Project Monitoring Unit, Project Implementation Unit, state level project monitoring unit, city level review committee under the Municipal Commissioner and DM level Committee in the Districts are to be constituted under NCAP for effective implementation and success of the Programme.

Other features of NCAP include, increasing number of monitoring stations in the country including rural monitoring stations, technology support, emphasis on awareness and capacity building initiatives, setting up of certification agencies for monitoring equipment, source apportionment studies, emphasis on enforcement, specific sectoral interventions etc.

18.Discuss the recent measures initiated in the disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (Answer in 250 words)   15 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Mains Master Notes:https://optimizeias.com/mains-master-notes/

Daily Practice Sheet

https://optimizeias.com/discuss-the-salient-features-of-disaster-management-act-how-it-empowers-state-governments-to-manage-unpresented-challenges-during-disaster/

https://optimizeias.com/explain-how-disaster-management-act-2005-institutionalized-disaster-management-in-india/

Introduction:

India is a disaster prone country, therefore disaster management is of paramount importance in the context of sustainable development.

Recent Steps

First Asia Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) after the advent of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR

Body

1. Disaster management in India has undergone substantive changes in its composition, nature and policy. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides for setting up of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), amongst various other provisions
2. The government has brought about a change in the approach to disaster management from a relief-centric to a holistic and integrated approach covering the entire gamut of disasters encompassing prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
3. The approach is based on the conviction that development cannot be sustainable unless disaster mitigation is built into the development process. Therefore, ‘disaster management’ is not confined to ‘disaster response’ alone.
4. India has moved ahead from disaster mitigation to risk reduction. Our national policies include mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and development programmes, besides community resilience building
5. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 lays down the institutional mechanism for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the government for prevention and mitigation of the effects of disasters and prompt response to any disaster situation
6. The Act also provides for a specific role for local bodies in disaster management
7. During the British administration, relief departments were set up for emergencies during disasters. Such an activity-based setup with a reactive approach was functional only during the post disaster scenarios. The policy was relief-oriented and activities included designing the relief codes and initialising food for work programmes
8. permanent and institutionalised setup began during 1990s with the set up of a disaster management cell under the Central Ministry of Agriculture, following the declaration of the decade of 1990 as the ‘International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction’ (IDNDR) by the UN General Assembly
9. Satellite technologies are enabling countries to effectively address disasters across all scenarios (pre, during and post). They help in understanding disaster triggers, enhancing predictive analytics and forecasting to enable early warning systems, assessing pre- and post-disaster physical damages, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of response strategies and information dissemination, and increasing knowledge of economic impact and social behaviours post-disaster
10. India has developed seismic maps, cyclone maps, and hazard prone area maps. The technology, satellites by ISRO has been developed so much so that modelling based on the mapping and understanding the sort of damage is possible
11. Disasters have to be turned towards the development sector. The building codes have changed, become better and are area specific. In a recent fire accident which took place in Odisha everyone was worried about not following the safety standards
12. There is awareness among people; they ask whether the building is earth quake resistant while buying it. But the things are not to a satisfactory level.

Conclusion

With each disaster, there are numerous lessons to be learnt. India needs to document best practices that were observed during each disaster and ensure that these are captured in the form of a knowledge management platform

19. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

Mains Master Notes:

https://optimizeias.com/linkages-between-development-and-spread-of-extremism/

DPS – AUGUST 2020 (8^th Aug)

https://optimizeias.com/analyze-the-link-between-poverty-and-extremism-what-steps-are-taken-by-government-in-controlling-left-wing-extremism/

DPS – MARCH 2020(24^TH MARCH)

1. Naxalism in India is both a social issue and a security threat. Critically assess India’s response to naxalism in the past two decades.

DPS – FEB 2020(FEB 10^TH )

Discuss the root cause of left wing extremism in India. Can Development solve this problem?

Left Wing Extremism or Naxalism (as it called in India, because of its origin from a village called Naxalbari in West Bengal) is an ideology based on far left radical thoughts. It drives its thoughts from communism and emphasizes advancement of people’s social and economic life by establishing classless society through armed revolution.

Causes for spread of LWE:

Lack of development is one of the major factors for spread of LWE. It will be appalling to be told that the area has not been surveyed to date and that it has hardly any revenue or police presence on a regular basis. Even in areas which are not so much in the interior, the absence of adequate public intervention, especially in education, health and employment has allowed the non-state actors to push their agenda among the people. Let now see the other factors that causes spread of LWE

Land related factors

Below are the some of the factors that are related to land that have led the landless people to get empathized with LWEs propaganda.

• The origin of the popular slogan “land to the tiller” is in absentee landlordism, where the landlord would merely take the lion’s share of the produce without contributing anything to the production of the crop.
• The focus of the Naxalite movement is on trying to provide land, whether the land of landlords or government land, to the landless.
• In occupying landlords’ land, the Naxalites have not taken law as their reference point. It is not the ceiling-surplus land of the landlords that they have sought to put in the possession of the landless. Rather, they have targeted land holders whose holding is sizeable as they see it, or who are otherwise oppressive or cruel in their conduct, or hostile towards the Naxalite movement, even if they are not big landlords. Such landholders have in many cases been driven away from the villages and the irland sought to be put in the possession of the landless poor.
• It is a fact that in some cases the Naxalite movement has succeeded in helping the landless to occupy a substantial extent of government land whether for homesteads or for cultivation
• In the case of forest land, occupation by the adivasis with the encouragement and assistance of the Naxalites, has taken place . Properly conducted forest settlement proceedings should have protected at least the pre-existing rights, but much of forest settlement proceedings has taken place behind the back and over the head of the adivasi forest dwellers.

Displacement and forced evictions

• Internal displacement caused by irrigation / mining / industrial projects, resulting in landlessness and hunger, is a major cause of distress among the poor, especially the adivasis. It is well known that 40% of all the peopledisplaced by dams in the last sixty years are forest-dwelling adivasis. The law and administration provides no succour to displaced people, and in fact often treats them with hostility since such internally displacedforest-dwellers tend to settle down again in some forest region, which is prohibited by the law. The Naxalite movement has come to the aid of such victims of enforced migration in the teeth of the law. The victims have received that help from the Naxalites. The trauma of displacement for which the state does not provide succour creates space for violent movement.
• Displacement caused by major projects is not the only cause of migration. Landlessness, extremes of poverty and social oppression can also be causes of displacement. Through this process of forced migration, many tribals have left their villages and even State and migrated into neighbouring States. This involuntary displacement and migration has caused further distress among the tribals and created administrative problems for the host State. In the State of Bihar, through social oppression, many dalits had to move from their traditional habitat and moved Elsewhere . They were victims of upper casteatro cities. New habitats of such migrant dalits have become a source of further social tension. Often the displaced persons look on hopelessly and sometimes they seek support of the naxalite groups. Such situations create space for naxalite interventions.

Livelihood

• The Minimum Wages Act remains an act on paper in much of rural India. Agricultural labour is governed by the Act but the minimum wage rates under the Act are not implemented, except where the prosperity of the farmers and the demand for labour makes it unavoidable. In the areas of their activity, it is reported that Naxalites have ensured payment of decent wage rates. Their orientation to rights is in general not governed by statutory entitlement but what they regard as just and fair, taking all factors that they believe to be relevant into consideration.
• There are also large areas of labour not governed by the Minimum Wages Act. Since the Naxalites are in any case not bothered whether or not there is a law governing the right they are espousing, they have intervened and determined fair wage rates in their perception in all labour processes in their areas of influence.
• Enjoyment of common property resources as a traditional right by cattle-herds, fishing communities, toddy toppers, stoneworkers, has become vulnerable due to the appropriation of these resources by the dominant sections of society or by the others with their support. The Naxalites have tried to ensure the protection of this right wherever they are active. This is an area where there is in general no legislative protection at all of traditional rights, though some States have some policies which tend in that direction. Legislative protection of an umbrella nature should be considered by the Central Government

Social oppression

• The fight against the social oppression that the dalits and the lower among the OBCs have been regularly subjected to is perhaps the most significant among the issues used by the Naxalite movement.
• Apart from the concrete issues undertaken by the Naxalites against social oppression, the fact that the cadre and also most of local leaders of the Naxalite organisations consist of poor villagers of castes looked upon as lowly has endowed the oppressed with much strength.
• A sense of powerlessness is a characteristic of the psychological make up of oppressed classes. The typical Naxalite cadre, however, is a confident (most probably gun-wielding) teenager from those very classes. To see young boys and girls of their own villages and their own class/caste active in the Naxalite movement, and wielding power over the ‘big’ men of the village and the high and mighty tahsildar has given a sense of empowerment to the oppressed that has inestimable value

Issues arising out of mal-governance or non governance

• Dissatisfaction with improper and often mal-governance created anger among the suffering population. The Naxalites exploit the situation for their own political gain by giving the affected persons some semblance of relief or response. Thereby they tend to legitimise in the eyes of the masses their own legal or even illegal activities.
• In the matter of physical infrastructure like roads, school buildings, etc., the Naxalite movement has on certain occasion’s exerted pressure for its improvement, but in many places they have themselves obstructed the laying of roads for the reason that it would increase police and paramilitary raids. In Chhattisgarh they have demolished pucca buildings such as schools so that the police and paramilitary may have no shelter in the forests. All said and done, it cannot be said that there has been any general improvement in the administration in the areas of Naxalite influence.
• There is in general no administrative or judicial mechanism in our country for resolution of day-to-day conflicts and disputes. The people have been traditionally taking these disputes to local dispute-resolution mechanisms. In the best case the entire community sits and hears the dispute. Disputes between persons of different castes are decided by the two sides getting their respective caste elders (or persons they trust) to sit together. In some places disputes are commonly taken to the dominant person or persons in the village, whether or not justice is done. Sometimes there is acompulsion that all disputes must be brought to the village landlord, where the dispensation of justice is usually in favour of the strong. There is need for quick, fair and effective dispute resolution mechanism remains.
• The Naxalite movement has provided a mechanism (usually described as a ‘Peoples Court’) whereby these disputes are resolved in a rough and ready manner, and generally in the interests of the weaker party. It has the two elements of speed and effectiveness.

Policing

• Efficient and impartial policing is an important requirement of good administration .But the fact is that the weaker sections of the people do not have much faith in the police. They have no faith that justice will be done to them against the powerful. The movement does provide protection to the weak against the powerful, and takes the security of, and justice for, the weak and the socially marginal seriously.
• However, the Naxalite movement itself brings further police repression on the poor as a matter of State policy. Any agitation supported or encouraged by the Naxalites is brutally suppressed without regard to the justice of its demands. The search for Naxalite cadre leads to severe harassment and torture of its supporters and sympathisers, and the kith and kin of the cadre. What is to be pointed out here is that the method chosen by the Government to deal with the Naxalite phenomenon has increased the  people’s distrust of the police and consequent unrest. Protest against police harassment is itself a major instance of unrest, frequently leading to further violence by the police, in the areas under Naxalite influence. The response of the Naxalites has been to target the police and subject them to violence, which in effect triggers the second round of the spiral.

State’s Response:

It has been widely acknowledged that the Naxalite movement is the single biggest threat to the internal security of the country. The salient features of government policy to deal with the Naxal problem, as outlined in the Ministry of Home Affairs Status Paper brought out in May 2006, are summarized below:

1. deal sternly with the Naxalites indulging in violence;
2. address the problem simultaneously on political, security and development fronts
3. in a holistic manner;
4. ensure inter-state coordinationin dealing with the problem;
5. accord priority to faster socio-economic developmentin the Naxal affected or
6. prone areas;
7. supplement the efforts and resources of the affected states on both security and
8. development fronts;
9. promote local resistance groups against the Naxalites;
10. use mass media to highlight the futility of Naxal violenceand the loss of life
11. and property caused by it;
12. have a proper surrender and rehabilitation policyfor the Naxalites; and
13. affected states will not have any peace dialogue with the Naxal groups, unless
14. the latter agree to give up violence and arms.

To counter LWE a multi-pronged approach is needed

Effective implementation of protective legislation:

It is necessary to build up an impregnable protective shield of the State, against multi-faceted exploitation of these communities. This should be done by effective implementation of the existing constitutional provisions, protection of civil rights and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act laws and programmes in place for this purpose. National Commission of SC and ST should be made effective, they should be given power of investigation and to pass orders which they could enforce. This is because the recommendations are not carried out by different authorities. So the commission will implement.

Land Related measures

It is important to effective implement the land ceiling laws so that the ceiling surplus land thereby obtained is made available for distribution amongst the most vulnerable sections of the landless poor. The various loop holes in the respective state to ceiling legislations have resulted in bogus claims aimed at evading the law. Such loopholes should be done away with and all cultivable land, irrespective of the legal form in which it is held, should be brought under ceiling laws. The ceiling limit of lands which were earlier unirrigated but have become irrigated after the coming into effect of ceiling laws should be re-determined as per their existing status. At the same time interest of small and marginal farmers and tribal peasants would have to be protected against reverse tenancy. All types of agricultural tenancies should be recorded and rights of tenants should be secured and the rights of such tenants should be fully secured through enforced land to the tiller policy and ensure accessibility of tenants to non-land inputs

Universalization of basic social services:

The area affected by extremist’s movement in central India has concentration of tribal population, hilly topography and undulating terrain. The area has much less density of population than the plains. The failure to provide infrastructure and services as per national norms is one of the many discriminatory manifestations of Governance here. These disparities therefore result in non-available/poorly provided services. Universalisation of basic services to standards among the people in this area should be given top priority to remove this disparity.

Livelihood security:

The government should saturate the entire rain-fed and dry farming area with Participatory Watershed Development Projects for conservation of soil and water and development of natural resources with suitable changes in cropping pattern under the common guidelines issued by Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development for National Watershed Development Projects for Rainfed areas.

strengthening subsidiary and supportive activities in animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, sericulture and poultry through establishment of quality infrastructure, supportive technical services and efficient market linkages at the village or a cluster of village level.

Good governance and socioeconomic development: This would necessitate high priority being given to development work and its actual implementation on the ground for which a clean, corruption-free and accountable administration at all levels is an imperative necessity.

Respect for rule of law: Governmental agencies must not be allowed to transgress law even in dealing with critical situations caused by insurgency or terrorism. If an extraordinary situation cannot be dealt with by the existing laws, new laws may be enacted so that law enforcement agencies are not provoked or tempted to resort to extra-legal or illegal methods. Police and all other governmental forces must adhere to some basic codes of conduct.

Countering the subversive activities of terrorists: Government must give priority to defeating political subversions (e.g. by terrorists and Maoists). The emphasis should be on civil as opposed to military measures to counter terrorism and insurgency. Psychological ‘warfare’ or management of information services and the media, in conjunction with the intelligence wing of the police, can play an important role in achieving this objective.

Building capacity: The capacity building exercise should extend to the intelligence gathering machinery, security agencies, civil administration and the society at large. As was highlighted in the Report on Crisis Management, the strategy should encompass preventive, mitigation, relief and rehabilitative measures.

If the above basic countermeasure principles are built into the national strategy, the end results will be

• Government =legality +construction + results
• LWE/insurgents = illegality +destruction + promises.

• SAMADHAN doctrine is the one-stop solution for the LWE problem. It encompasses the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. SAMADHAN stands for-
  • S- Smart Leadership,
  • Aggressive Strategy,
  • M- Motivation and Training,
  • Actionable Intelligence,
  • D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas),
  • H- Harnessing Technology,
  • Action plan for each Theatre,
  • N- No access to Financing.
• Some of theameliorative measures like National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), 2005,The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, National Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy, 2007 have been introduced
• The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is a significant step in dealing with discontent, unrest and tension arising out of widespread forcible displacement. There is an urgent need to implement it justly and with empathy to all by requiring authority /agencies / bodies to remove the trauma suffered by displaced person.
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an important element in providing livelihood support and protection to the poorest of the poor. However, the experience so far suggests that in backward and remote districts with poor administrative structures the implementation is not at all satisfactory. There has been inadequate focus on systems, mechanisms and capacity in these areas, which need to be strengthened so that NREGA fulfil sits promise to enhance livelihood support.
• Transparency in the functioning of the government is an essential requirement of good governance. The initiative taken by the Government in enacting the Right to Information Act of 2005 and will go a long way in promoting transparency, provided the factors that impede its enforcement are removed, especially in so far as its use by the weaker sections is concerned.

20) Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also, discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (Answer in 250 words)   15 Marks

OPTIMIZEIAS:

DPS DECEMBER 2019(1^ST DECEMBER)

1. Discuss the mandate of Border Security Forces? Also analyze the challenges in Border Management.

DPS – NOV 2019(6^th November)

CAPF remains a crucial force in maintaining internal and border security.

https://optimizeias.com/capf-remains-a-crucial-force-in-maintaining-internal-and-border-security-explain-the-role-of-capf-in-the-same-and-what-are-the-reforms-needed/

Model Answer:

India faces myriad security challenges both external and internal. Because of the historical and geographical reasons India’s border has been

Indian –Bangladesh border

• Illegal migration
• smuggling
• trans-border movement of insurgents

India-Myanmar border

• The normality of crossing the border
• Gun running and drug trafficking across the India-Myanmar border
• Narcotics and the ‘Golden Triangle’

India –Pakistan border

• The penetration of armed mercenary terrorists from Pakistan
• Counterfeit currency
• Narcotics trade and Golden crescent

Role played by security forces

Role Played by BSF

• The role of the Border Security Force has become more important as “our neighbouring countries” are planning against India

During peace time, the BSF’s role is to

1. Promote a sense of security among people living in the border areas
2. Preventing trans-border crimes
3. Unauthorised entry into or exit from the territory of India
4. Smuggling and other illegal activities
5. Performing special tasks connected with intelligence, including raids.
6. Protection of vital installations, particularly air-fields, against enemy commandoes, para troopers.

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