Daily Practice Sheet 20 May 2021
- May 20, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPS
Daily Practice Sheet
20 May 2021
Daily Prelims Topic
- Glycolysis
- Amphotericin-B drug
- POCSO ACT
- K.Subramania Mudaliar
- FCRA amendment deadline extended
- Waves in pandemic
- Legislative Council
- Cryptocurrency
- FasTag, RFID
- UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Infrastructure status
- Independent collegium
- Haiyang 2D satellite
Daily Mapping
- Singapore
- Taiwan Strait
Daily Data
Export recovery
- Between January and April, non-petroleum exports came in at $26.3 billion a month, much better than the $23.4 billion a month between October 2019 and January 2020, before the pandemic struck.
Solid Waste:
- According to the Planning Commission Report (2014), around 377 million urban people generated 62 million tonnes of MSW a year. It is predicted that by 2031, the generation of MSW a year will be approximately 165 million tonnes and by 2050, it may be extended up to 436 million tonnes / annum.
- According to the Press Information Bureau (2016), Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, 43 million tonnes of waste is collected per annum, 11.9 million is processed and 31 million is discarded into landfills. This indicates that only near about 75-80 per cent of the MSW is accumulated and only 22-28 per cent of this waste is treated and processed for resource recovery in India.
Daily Constitution
- The 102nd Amendment (2018)
- Article 342A, through which it stipulated that the President of India may, after consultation with the State government, notify groups of persons within such a State who are deemed to be socially and educationally backward.
Daily Mains Mantra
Mains 2021
Daily Mini Practice – 30 Minutes
Topic: Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure, Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.
1. Should there be a review of subjects in the Union, State and concurrent list? [Reference: Indian Express]
Hint: Many states raising demand of abolishing concurrent list, accusing Centre of encroaching on states power has led to a demand for review and you should present argument of both sides and then take a stand. Use recommendations wherever possible or court judgements.
Introduction (I): Mention how schedule 7 in the Constitution is an important part of federalism by division of subject between the federal units. If remember mention number of subjects in each (not necessary though). Body (B): 1) Present and argument for review of subjects in changed context. 2) Present other side of the argument. Conclusion (C): Take your stand on the question which should be based on argument presented. |
Hint: Here focus has to be on evaluating the 73rd and 74th Amend act and its implementation (critically). Thus, show positive sides and focus more on the gaps, issues and challenges with supporting facts, examples, recommendations (Punchhi, 2nd ARC, Mani Shankar Aiyyar committee etc.)
Introduction (I): 7n3d and 74th amend. and its aim with goal of achieving village panchayats as enshrined in Art 40 of DPSP. Body (B): 1) Briefly talk of measure features. 2) Positives of implementation so far: Ex- Structure, constitutional status, social audit, women and marginalised empowerment etc. 3) Discuss various gaps, issues and challenges: 3Fs, corruption, lack of capacity. Infrequent elections etc.. Conclusion (C): Conclude with some suggestions (preferably commissions). |
Hint: Pretty straightforward question as the own revenue is the biggest roadblock faced by ULBs.
Introduction (I): ULBs as an outcome of 74th amendment. Body (B): 1) Highlight how ULBs suffer from lack of own source of revenue (mention also current sources of revenue) with facts (Ex- Economic survey data) and how it impacts their functioning: No autonomy to decide priority, tied funds, No responsibility as the fund transmission is from top and in absence of lack of accountability they har hardly responsible etc, ground-level requirement and plan biggest sufferer. 2) Suggest a framework: Ex- State Finance Commission to suggest revenue measures for ULBs, Municipal bonds, Better compliance mechanism (Ex- Eco Survey said ULBs not able to collect even the taxes assigned to them with full efficiency) etc. Conclusion (C): Financial autonomy is most important for any level of government to function efficiently. |
Newspaper
GS2: Polity
- Representative democracy requires strong party systems. In this context discuss the evolution and the challenges of Party system in India currently. [Reference: Indian Express]
GS2: International Relations
- Patent waiver is crucial for the fight against Covid-19. Examine the position and arguments of India and other major stakeholders on it. [Reference: Financial Express]
GS3: Economy
- Protectionist policies, rigid land/labour laws and poor infrastructure are major impediments to exports from India. Discuss and suggest how India should streamline its export market to make it driver of growth. [Reference: Financial Express]
GS3: Environment