[Mission 2022] SECURE SYNOPSIS: 19 March 2022 – INSIGHTSIAS

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NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.

Answer the following questions in 150 words:

General Studies – 1

 

 

How to Follow Secure Initiative?

How to Self-evaluate your answer? 

MISSION – 2022: YEARLONG TIMETABLE

 

Answer the following questions in 150 words:

General Studies – 1

1. Poor learning outcomes in education are rooted in poverty and various other societal factors which hinder opportunities and hamper progress of education. Analyse. (150 words).

Reference:  Livemint 

 

Introduction

Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality. Education is equally key to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global economy. A public-school system becomes highly necessary to provide, universal and quality basic education for all, in particular for the poor and rural population. This is central to the economic and social development of India.

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Poverty as a limiting factor in education

  • Poor nutrition: Poverty means poor nutrition for children. Not only does it undermine their physical and social development, including their neurological responses, it also has day-to-day implications.
    • Hungry children, which is unfortunately the state of too many, cannot concentrate in the classroom.
    • A malnourished child falls ill frequently and can’t attend school.
    • Education is not the only casualty of this tragic phenomenon. One has to just observe the wasting of our children because of poor nutrition.
  • Lack of proper adult supervision and care: Second, poverty ensures that children do not have the same kind of adult support and care at home as in middle-class families. It is simply because the adults are struggling to make a livelihoo Such adult care and contact are critical for learning.
  • Resource deficit: Third, homes in poverty do not have resources that support and create an environment for learning. Their adults themselves are often inadequately educated and they are short of books, other learning material and time.
    • Eg: Many poor households could not afford smartphone, internet or laptop to their children during pandemic.

Societal factors limiting education

  • Gender bias: Girls are often sent to government schools while a male child is sent to private school. Moreover, after intermediate school, girls are made to drop out either for marriage or to do household chores.
    • Some cultures will allow education for girls and women but limit the content of the education or skew the education to prepare them for a limited number of social roles
  • Caste discrimination: In certain villages in India, even today children are segregated based on caste.
    • Various researches reveals that the education system perpetuates and legitimizes social inequality, due to the economic, political, ideological and pedagogical practices that permeate schools.
  • Family income: Financial stress on the parents can cause a child to leave school early to work. Worries about financial hardship at home can negatively affect low-income children’s ability to learn.
  • Tribal problem: Access to education is the biggest hindrance. Most of the tribal children drop out of school or are not sent to school as their integration is low in the society.
  • Extreme inequality and decision-making power: The children of the well-to-do attend elite well-resourced schools, with access to more than enough support at home. They have no problems in learning.
    • But the vast majority of children in our unequal country go to schools that might as well be on a different planet.
    • Thus, the well-off, who control or influence the levers of power, have no personal stake in nor any exposure to the reality of most Indian lives.

Way Forward

  • Since education is a concurrent subject (both the Centre and the state governments can make laws on it), the reforms proposed can only be implemented collaboratively by the Centre and the states.
  • Thus, the Centre has the giant task of building a consensus on the many ambitious plans.
  • There is a need to strive Towards Universalisation of Education. Also, creation of ‘inclusion funds’ to help socially and educationally disadvantaged children pursue education.

Conclusion

Improvement in education requires continuity of direction and action. Most educational interventions would take 10 -15 years before they show any sign of real success. However, our governance culture is such that the priorities and directions are changed rapidly. Education, which is a matter of inter-generational change, just can’t improve with this kind of instability that prevails.

Value addition

Measures being taken

  • Digital Gender Atlas for advancing Girls’ Education: This tool is developed by Department of School Education and Literacy with support from UNICEF. It will identify low performing geographic pockets for girls, especially from marginalized groups such as scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.
  • ‘Adarsh’ integrated school system of Rajasthan is an example of a school complex system. Here one school provides classes from l to XII under one principal. There is one such school in every gram panchayat.
  • Economic Survey 2018-19 opines that BBBP(Beti Bachao Beti Padhao) has been a success and propose to extend the cause of Gender equality by coining the slogan of BADLAV (Beti Aapki Dhan Lakshmi Aur Vijay-Lakshmi) to enhance the contribution of women in the workforce and the economy.
  • Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat: Nationwide sub-program of SSA to improve comprehensive early reading, writing and early mathematics program for children in Classes I and II.
  • Teacher Competency: In line with this, MHRD and the National Council for Teacher Education launched the National Teacher Platform or Diksha in 2017. It is a one-stop solution to address teacher competency gaps.
  • Increasing focus on early childhood education as per the draft New Education Policy (under Chairmanship of Kasturirangan).

General Studies – 2

2. A permanent and sustainable solution which is mutually acceptable to both sides is needed to resolve decades long fishing issue between India and Sri Lanka. Comment. (150 words)

Reference: New Indian Express 

Introduction

In line with the “Neighborhood First” approach and the “Sagar” doctrine, New Delhi attaches “a special priority” to its relations with Colombo. However, fishermen issues are persisting since a long time. Palk Bay, a narrow strip of water separating the State of Tamil Nadu from the Northern

Province of Sri Lanka is a rich fishing ground for both countries and continues to be the disputed space. The major issue is the ongoing disagreement over the territorial rights of the island of Katchatheevu.

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Fishermen issues: Major concerns

  • Sri Lanka has accused Indian fishermen of frequent poaching in the island nation’s waters, and damaging the marine environment through frequent trawling.
    • As in the past, fishermen from Rameswaram and nearby coasts continue to sail towards Talaimannar and Katchatheevu coasts, a region famous for rich maritime resources in Sri Lanka.
    • Plenty of catch in this oceanic region had triggered a proliferation of fishing trawlers in Tamil Nadu coast in the past three decades.
    • There were many favourable reasons too for Indian fishermen as their access to Sri Lankan waters was easier at the time of Sri Lankan civil war.
  • Bottom trawling: In July 2017, Sri Lanka became the first Asian country to ban the aggressive method of fishing and declared it an offence by unanimously passing an amendment to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, attracting a fine of LKR 50,000 with two years of imprisonment.
    • Since then, many Indians were jailed.
  • Political issue: While the conflict is multi-layered, its political dimension has tended to overshadow other important factors.
    • It has been often a sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu in the past one decade.
  • Indians jailed: In particular, Indian analysts say, the trauma faced by the families of fishermen detained in foreign jails hasn’t received much attention.
    • It is pertinent that in most cases, the arrested fisher-folk have been the sole earners for their families.
    • Their incarceration in Sri Lankan jails has inflicted trauma and suffering on their families.
  • Katchateevu issue: While the unpopular truth in the entire conflict is accusations about Tamil fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters, ownership of Katchatheevu island, where Tamil fishermen had traditional fishing rights for centuries, also remains an unresolved issue.

Resolution of fishermen issues

  • The department of ocean development and ministry of agriculture have to ensure assistance to the states so that fishermen are able to find alternative livelihood to fishing in Palk Bay.
  • The Sri Lankan Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Minister appointed a three-member committee to find a lasting solution to the issue.
  • According to the minister, India had accepted a draft solution submitted by Sri Lanka in January last year, but further progress was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Sri Lanka had suggested joint patrols and operations between the two countries to guarantee effective results on illegal fishing and trespassing. There is an immediate need to sign a protocol for joint patrolling.
  • If both countries are unable to settle the dispute, then they could seek assistance from international maritime experts.
  • The Indian government has renewed the thrust on ocean economy in recent times with the PM signing MoU on ocean economy with Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives in 2015.
  • Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the issue of bona fide fishermen of either side crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.
    • Through these arrangements, it has been possible to deal with the issue of detention of fishermen in a humane manner.
  • India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.

Conclusion

Despite having met more than once since 2016, a solution is yet to be finalized. Irrespective of the circumstances, a potential solution to the dispute relies on the response from the respective governments of India and Sri Lanka. There is a glaring need for institutionalisation of fishing in Indian waters by the government of India so that alternative means of livelihood are provided. Government will have to mark up a comprehensive plan to reduce the dependence of Indian fishermen on catch from Palk Bay.

Value addition

Kachchatheevu island

  • Kachchatheevu is a small island located about 10 miles north east of Rameshwaram.
  • The fishermen used it to dry their nets and catch fish.
  • When the Zamindari system was abolished, Kachchatheevu became a part of the Presidency of Madras.
  • When India became independent and initiated a boundary negotiation at the maritime level with Sri Lanka, Kachchatheevu was a disputed territory between Ceylon and the British and there was never an agreement on boundary ever.
  • In 1947 and 1976, as per agreements, the issue was bilaterally resolved between India and Sri Lanka, and the resultant maritime agreement has allowed Indians to visit Kachchatheevu for pilgrimage for which no visa is required.
  • The Indian government has maintained that the right of access to Kachchatheevu does not cover any fishing rights.

 

3. The National Land Monetisation Corporation will not only generate revenue from the surplus land holdings of the government but also streamline management of government held land. Analyse. (150 words)

Reference: Indian Express 

Introduction

The Union cabinet recently approved the creation of a National Land Monetisation Corporation to monetise the surplus land holdings of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other government agencies. Considering that various arms of the state have considerable land holdings across the country, monetisation of their “surplus, unused and under-used non-core assets in the nature of land and buildings” is a prudent strategy as it will lead to more efficient utilisation of these “under-utilised” assets.

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Rationale behind National Land Monetisation Corporation

  • Database of land surplus and investors:A detailed and comprehensive inventory of the state’s land holding will not only help it identify the surplus land, and push for monetising it, but will also help create a database for potential investors.
  • Clarity to potential investors:A properly marked land parcels with geographical identifiers, with their boundaries clearly demarcated, and with the legality of title well established, will provide greater clarity and certainty to private investors.
  • Monetising unused land:Public sector entities hold vast tracts of land that are either unused and underused land.
    • As per reports, the total vacant land available with Railways is estimated at around 1.25 lakh acres.
    • Similarly, the defence ministry also has considerable land holdings outside of the cantonment boundaries.
    • Thus, collating them under a single entity will lead to a more efficient monetisation drive, and better utilisation of these assets.
  • Additional resources:The proceeds from the monetisation of these assets will help generate additional resources, boosting government coffers. The land in and around prime areas can possibly generate substantial returns.
  • Reduce artificial scarcity of land:Importantly, auctioning off surplus land will increase the supply of land, which may address the issue of the “artificial” scarcity of land that exists in certain areas. This could depress prices and thus have a moderating effect on costs of projects.
  • Separate entity to streamline management: Considering that land monetisation is a complex process, entrusting this work to a separate agency is the right way to go about it.
    • As the government itself has acknowledged,it requires “specialised skills and expertise” in areas such as “market research, legal due diligence, valuation, master planning, investment banking and land management.”
    • A separate entity, housed with professionals with specialised skills is better suited for this task.

Issues that exist

  • First,the estimation of surplus land may be a contentious issue.
    • Ministries, departments, and public sector entities may bereluctant to demarcate land parcels as “surplus”.
  • Second, the corporation will have to grapple with issues such as the absence of clear titles, ongoing litigation, and muted investor interest.
  • Third, there is also the issue of the encroachment of government land to contend with.
  • But while this monetisation drive should lead to more efficient outcomes, it does raise questions over the management of commons, and whether public purpose can be better looked after by more effective management of public land by the state.

Way forward

  • The success of the infrastructure expansion plan would depend on other stakeholders playing their due role.
  • These include State governments and their Public Sector Enterprises and the private sector.
  • In this context, the Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended the setting up of a High-Powered Intergovernmental Group to re-examine the fiscal responsibility legislation of the Centre and States.
  • Maintaining transparency is the key to adequate realisation of the asset value.

General Studies – 3

4. Despite its advantages, the potential of organic farming in scalability and profitability can be realised only after overcoming the limitations posed it. Examine. (150 words)

Reference: Down to Earth 

Introduction

According to FSSAI, ’Organic farming’ is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production without the use of synthetic external inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms. FAO suggested that Organic agriculture enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.

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Advantages of Organic farming

  • Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm.

Limitations of Organic farming

  • Due to relatively small volumes, the costs of organic food products are relatively high. According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, productivity on an average dips by 6.7 per cent in the first year, and the government needs to have a plan in place to support farmers during the transition.
  • The cost of cultivation increases as it takes more time and energy to produce than its chemical-intensive counterpart.
  • High demand and low supply has further created an inflationary pressure on organic food products.
  • Pest attack on organic crops is another reason cited by the farmers for low productivity and demanded education and training to deal with it.
  • Specialised farmer training costs, higher processing and inventory holding costs, and increased packaging, logistics and distribution costs add to the price of end products.
  • The absence of organic food products across all segments in the market is a concern
  • There is low awareness at the producer level on the difference between conventional farming and organic farming.
  • At the consumer level, there is confusion between natural and organic products and limited understanding of the health benefits of organic food products
  • Consumers are faced with a plethora of decisions around brands —imported or domestic, product quality, authenticity of claims and certifications.
  • Even as farmers are struggling to find a better market, the existing certification systems for organic food are making things difficult for them. The certification systems are not only cumbersome and time-consuming, but also expensive.

Way forward

  • Supply-demand mismatch can be eased fundamentally  by making organic production  mainstream with  location-specific hybrid production  strategies
  • Investments in achieving operations excellence by companies will facilitate lowering the cost of organic food products
  • In order to sustain consumer trust, maintaining an accurate audit stream, and preventing cross-contamination  with conventional  goods would  be crucial.
  • Consumers should consume responsibly and stakeholders should prevent wastage along the supply chain.
  • The Government must rope in agricultural scientists and international research institutions to develop organic herbicides.
  • It is critical for companies involved in the  organic food  business to increase awareness among consumers  in non-metro  cities
  • People across all income groups should have access to organic food.
  • Establishing community-supported agricultural farms or with “grow your own food” programmes

Conclusion

Organic agriculture is the best insurance policy that  India can have with better  performance  on productivity,  environmental  impact,  economic  viability and social well-being. Focusing only  on higher  yields at the expense of other  sustainability pillars (economics, environment  and society) is not  the food  production  system that India needs. What India needs is an integrated  system that gives equal importance  to  all sustainability dimensions across the value chain and thus helps establish a healthy and  well-fed society.

Value addition

State of organic farming in India:

  • India is home to 30 per cent of the total organic producers in the world, but accounts for just 2.59 per cent (1.5 million hectares) of the total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares, according to the World of Organic Agriculture 2018 report.
  • India is the largest exporter of organic cotton worldwide.
  • More than 30% of world’s organic producers are in India
  • India exporting over 300 products in 20 different categories.
  • India exported 1.35 million metric tons of “certified organic” food in the year of 2015-16.
  • Oilseeds comprised half of India’s overall organic food export, followed by processed food products at 25%.
  • Current Indian organic market is estimated at more than Rs. 4000 crore and it is likely to increase to 10,000 to 20,000 crore by 2020.
  • Indian organic market has a combined annual growth rate of 25% compared to 16% global growth rate.
  • Most organic farmers are struggling due to poor policy measures, rising input costs and limited market, says a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and global consultancy firm Ernst & Young.

Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming:

  • Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD). The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.
  • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Under PKVY, Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.
  • Certification Schemes:
    • Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).
    • National Program for Organic Production (NPOP
    • Soil Health Card Scheme
  • Agri-export Policy 2018
  • One District – One Product (ODOP)
  • PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)
  • Zero Budget Natural Farming

 

5. Though nuclear energy is a source of clean energy but the vulnerabilities of nuclear reactors make it prone to disasters. Examine. (150 words)

Reference: The Hindu

Introduction

Nuclear Energy plays a critical role in achieving sustainable economic and social development. Modern civilization heavily depends on energy for daily activities. Energy is like a lifeline for the sustenance and progress of the entire world. Nuclear energy plays a vital role in the world economy by generating jobs, income and facilitating trade on a massive scale.

Recently, a fire broke out near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine (Europe’s largest) during the course of a military battle between Russia and Ukraine

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Some nuclear disasters across globe:

  • In 2011, multiple reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered severe accidents after an earthquake and a tsunami.
  • The Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.
  • The Kyshtym Nuclear disaster was a radiation contamination incident that occurred on 29 September 1957 at Mayak, a Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the Soviet Union. It measured as a Level 6 disaster on the INES, making it the third most serious Nuclear disaster ever recorded behind the Chernobyl Disaster and Fukushima Daiichi Disaster (both Level 7).

Potential of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy:

  • Thorium and Uranium reserves: India has vast reserves of Thorium that can fuel India’s nuclear energy provided appropriate technology. India’s thorium deposits, estimated at 360,000 tonnes, and natural uranium deposits at 70,000 tonnes. The country’s thorium reserves make up 25% of the global reserves.
  • Energy poverty: Although India is the 3rdlargest producer of electricity, about 20 % of the population of the country does not have access to electricity today. The per capita consumption of electricity is very low at about 1,181 kWh per annum, about half of the world average and way below that of advanced countries. There exist shortages in energy and peak power in the range 10-15%.
  • Energy demand:Nuclear energy is a critical part for India’s future energy security. As we know India’s annual energy demand is expected to rise to 800 GW by 2032, it is very important to consider every source of energy in the optimum energy mix.
  • Energy efficiency: Quantities of nuclear fuel needed are considerably less than thermal power plants. For instance, 10000 MW generation by coal will need 30-35 million tons of coal, but nuclear fuel needed will be only 300-350 tons.
  • Economic growth:Rapid economic growth is also critical to achieve developmental objectives and poverty alleviation. A sustained economic growth of about 8 to 10% is needed over the next few decades. As electricity is a key driver for economic growth, it is necessary that there is a massive augmentation in electricity capacity, apart from transmissions and distribution systems.
  • Decrease in Energy Supply:Energy supply has been negatively affected by changing weather patterns. As water reservoirs decreases due to lower precipitation and increased evaporation, capacity for electricity production from hydropower and other water-intensive generation technologies may decline.
  • Climate change:Due to its emission-free nature, nuclear energy can contribute to global efforts under the Paris Agreement. India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has outlined goals to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of its economy by 33-35% by 2030 as well as increase the clean energy electricity capacity to 40% of the total installed capacity in the same period.

Vulnerabilities of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors:

  • In the case of Nuclear Reactors, there is a concern over their safety. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan is a testimony to the havoc that can be created by a nuclear leak.
  • A nuclear disaster might leave large swathes of land uninhabitable — as in Chernobyl — or require a prohibitively expensive clean-up — as in Fukushima, where the final costs may eventually exceed $600 billion.
  • Nuclear power generation is not as clean as it is often considered. This is demonstrated in the case of Kudankulam. People have been protesting for decades as they worry that the hot water dispatched from the plant will affect the marine life of the surrounding water sources and subsequently their livelihood.
  • Nuclear power plants are capital intensive and recent nuclear builds have suffered major cost overruns. An illustrative example is the V.C. Summer nuclear project in South Carolina (U.S.) where costs rose so sharply that the project was abandoned — after an expenditure of over $9 billion.
  • Also, to build nuclear reactors, it requires huge amounts of land. This would displace local communities who may not want to leave. Further, it is not easy to rehabilitate them and provide them with appropriate compensation.
  • Pursuant to this, the nuclear industry came to a standstill except in Russia, China and India. However, a revival was seen with global warming becoming ever more apparent.
  • In 2020, a windstorm caused the Duane Arnold nuclear plantin the U.S. to cease operations. The frequency of such extreme weather events is likely to increase in the future.
  • The commercial nuclear supply can lead to proliferation of Nuclear weapons. The fast breeder reactors have a risk of the turning of inert uranium to plutonium, and then using the plutonium as fuel. However, plutonium is a nuclear explosive which can be used for developing a bomb.
  • The recent reports that China is building two more fast reactors have immediately provoked international concerns about China’s possible weapons plutonium production.

Conclusion

Nuclear power can help to improve energy security. For a rapidly developing economy such as India, it can make a vitally important contribution to growth. Besides, nuclear power can also reduce the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices and mitigate the effects of climate change. India needs to come up with a durable energy strategy to meet present and future energy demands of its population and industries.

Answer the following questions in 250 words:

General Studies – 1

6. With the Gupta period India entered upon the classical phase of sculpture. By the efforts of the centuries, techniques of art were perfected, definite types were evolved, and ideals of beauty were formulated with precision. Discuss. (250 words)

Reference: New Indian Express

InstaPedia

The Gupta dynasty is an important dynasty which ruled ancient India between 4th century to 6th century. They have left amazing examples of their glorious reign which has been called the ‘Golden era’ of India’s history. During their rule art, sculpture, inventions, philosophy, mathematics and literature has flourished.

Gupta sculpture seems to belong to a sphere that is entirely different. The Gupta artist seems to have been working for a higher ideal. A new orientation in the attitude towards art is noticed in the attempt to establish a closer harmony between art and thought, between the outer forms and the inner intellectual and spiritual conception of the people.

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Salient features of Gupta Sculpture

  • The human figure, taken as the image, is the pivot of Gupta sculpture. A new canon of beauty is evolved leading to the emergence of a new aesthetic ideal.
  • This ideal is based upon an explicit understanding of the human body in its inherent softness and suppleness.
  • The soft and pliant body of the Gupta sculpture with its smooth and shining texture, facilitates free and easy movement
  • Gupta sculptures are characterized by elaborate draperies, jewellery, etc.
  • The wet or transparent clinging drapery hence became the fashion of this age. But the sensuous effect of these draperies especially in the case of female figures was restrained by a conscious moral sense, and nudity as a rule was eliminated from Gupta sculpture.
  • The magnificent red sandstone image of the Buddha from Mathurais a most remarkable example of Gupta workmanship datable to the 5th century A.D. The great Master, in all his sublimity, is here shown standing with his right hand in Abhayamudra, assuring protection, and the left holding the hem of the garment.
  • The smiling countenance with down-cast eyes is robed in spiritual ecstasy. The robe covering both shoulders is skillfullyrepresented with delicately covered schematic folds and clings to the body. The head is covered with schematic spiral curls with a central protuberance and the elaborate halo decorated with concentric bands of graceful ornamentation.

Highlights of Gupta Sculpture

  • The Gupta sculptural style probably grew out of the Kushan style that survived at Mathura.
  • The Buddha images at Sarnath reflect serenity and contentment mirroring the religious atmosphere of the age. This practice of carving images was picked up by Hinduism also.
  • A great example of Gupta sculpture created at Sarnath is that of the seated Buddha preaching the Law, carved of Chunar sandstone.
  • The Gupta craftsmen distinguished themselves by their work in iron and bronze.
  • Bronze images of the Buddha began to be produced on a considerable scale because of the knowledge the smiths had of advanced metal technology.
  • With regard to iron objects, the best example is the iron pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi.
  • A remarkable piece of Gupta metal-casting found at Sultanganj in Bihar is nearly feet high. Another metal figure but of a smaller size in bronze was found in U.P.
  • A group of small ivory images of Buddhas and Bodhisattavas founding the Kashmri area are prime examples of late Gupta art from about the eighth century.

Conclusion

The cultural creativity of the Golden Age of India produced magnificent architecture, including palaces and temples, as well as sculptures and paintings of the highest quality. The Gupta Dynasty promoted Hinduism, but supported Buddhist and Jain cultures as well. Gupta Buddhist art influenced East and Southeast Asia as trade between regions increased. The Gupta Empire became an important cultural center and influenced nearby kingdoms and regions in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Classical forms of Indian music and dance, created under the Guptas, are still practiced all over Asia today.

General Studies – 2

7. Reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is essential to avoid nuclear weapons and proliferation risks as well as promote west Asian geopolitical security and boost global economic considerations. Analyse. (250 words)

Reference: The Hindu 

Introduction

The JCPOA was the result of prolonged negotiations from 2013 and 2015 between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States). It happened due to the backchannel talks between the US (President Barack Obama) and Iran, quietly brokered by Oman, in an attempt to repair the accumulated mistrust since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Post Trump presidency, USA pulled out of the deal and made it dysfunctional.  Recently, the US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal. Once again, Russia-Ukraine war spells doom on the entire exercise of Vienna talks.

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About JCPOA and present status

  • Under its terms, Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear program and open its facilities to more extensive international inspections in exchange for billions of dollars’ worth of sanctions relief.
  • The JCPOA went into effect in January 2016. It imposes restrictions on Iran’s civilian nuclear enrichment program.
  • The deal was proposed so that it would help prevent a revival of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and thereby reduce the prospects for conflict between Iran and its regional rivals, including Israel and Saudi Arabia.
  • However, the deal has been in trouble since President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from it in 2018.
  • In retaliation for the U.S. departure and deadly attacks on prominent Iranians in 2020, including one by the United States, Iran has resumed some of its nuclear activities.

Need for revival of JCPOA

  • After the U.S.’s withdrawal, Iran started enriching uranium to a higher purity and installing advanced centrifuges at its nuclear plants.
  • Preventing nuclear weapon proliferation: Now, nuclear experts believe Iran is just months away from having enough high purity uranium to make a nuclear bomb, though the Iranian leadership has repeatedly claimed that it has no plan to make one.
  • Easing rising fuel prices: Removing sanctions on Iran and letting Iran’s oil enter the global market could also ease oil and gas prices, which shot up after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
  • Boost to Regional Connectivity: Removing sanctions may revive India’s interest in the Chabahar option, Bandar Abbas port, and other plans for regional connectivity.
    • This would further help India to neutralize the Chinese presence in Gwadar port, Pakistan.
    • Apart from Chabahar, India’s interest in the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), which runs through Iran, which will improve connectivity with five Central Asian republics, may also get a boost.
  • Energy Security: Due to the pressure linked to the US’ Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), India has to bring down oil imports to zero.

Conclusion

Nations must ensure that one nation such as Russia to not jeopardize the whole nuclear deal which has global repercussions especially in times of low economic growth and post pandemic price stability. Antagonistic relations in middle east may ease due to lifting of severe sanctions against Iran. This will also have a direct impact on India-Iran relations. Hence, success of Vienna talks has lot of leverage for India as well as the whole world.

 

8. Digitisation and computerisation of land records will play a significant role in land resource management and governance as well as resurgence of the national economy in the years to come. Discuss. (250 words)

Reference: Indian Express 

Introduction

Digitization of land records was introduced to computerize all land records including mutations, improve transparency in the land records maintenance system, digitize maps and survey, update all settlement records and minimize the scope of land disputes. This would provide clear titles of land ownership that could be monitored easily by government officials, facilitate quicker transactions, and reduce disputes. Most importantly it would reduce construction timelines and overall cost for the developer, the benefits of which can be transferred to consumer making property prices more attractive.

In her budget speech, the Finance Minister talked of land resource management. Any reform or initiative that strengthens land governance, impacts the economy positively and has a ripple effect across sectors.

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Proposed reforms in Budget 2022-23 Speech

  • Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)
    • It is an Aadhaar-like identification for a land parcel or plot. Each land parcel or plot is assigned a unique identification number.
    • Like Aadhaar, the agencies and services can use the land database from anywhere in the country to authenticate a farmer or the beneficiary’s identity for the purpose of delivery of services.
  • National Generic Document Registry System (NGDRS) — One Nation One Registration Software System
    • It is undoubtedly a major initiative for urban property registration.
    • It is a software application platform that facilitates online registration of immovable properties and documents as compared to the manual registration process used earlier.
  • Transliterating the land records in any language under Schedule VIII of the Constitution.
    • The objective is to break the linguistic barriers in land records.
    • Presently, land records are largely in regional languages.
    • These linguistic barriers need to be overcome in order to open up the national economy.

Need for digitization of land records:

  • High litigation:
    • A World Bank study from 2007 states that some estimates suggest that land-related disputes account for two-thirds of all pending court cases in the country. These land disputes include those related to the validity of land titles and records, and rightful ownership.
    • A NITI Aayog paper suggests that land disputes on average take about 20 years to be resolved. Land disputes add to the burden of the courts, tie up land in litigation, and further impact sectors and projects that are dependent on these disputed land titles.
  • Agricultural credit:
    • Land is often used as collateral for obtaining loans by farmers. It has been observed that disputed or unclear land titles inhibit supply of capital and credit for agriculture.
    • Small and marginal farmers, who account for more than half of the total land holdings, and may not hold formal land titles, are unable to access institutionalised credit.
  • Development of new infrastructure:
    • Land that was earlier used for farming, is now being used to set up industries, power plants, manufacturing units, build roads, housing, and shopping malls.
    • However, several of the new infrastructure projects are witnessing delays, with land related issues often being a key factor.
    • These delays occur because of non-availability of encumbrance free land (evidence that the property in question is free from any monetary and legal liability), non-updation of land records, resistance to joint measurement survey of land records, demands for higher compensation by land owners, and filing of large number of arbitration cases by land owners.
    • For example, obtaining a land ownership certificate can take around 60 days in Gujarat and up to 12 months in Chennai and Odisha.
  • Urbanisation and the housing shortage:
    • More recently, land use is also changing due to urbanisation and further expansion of such urban areas.
    • While census towns are places with urban characteristics (population above 5,000, at least 75% of the population engaged in non-agricultural work, and a population density of at least 400 people per sq. km.), statutory towns are urban areas with a local authority.
    • Under new schemes for urban development (Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT), cities are trying to raise their own revenue through property taxes and land based financing. This further necessitates the importance of providing a system of clear land titles in urban areas.
  • Benami transactions:
    • A Benami transaction is one where a property is held by or transferred to a person, but has been provided for or paid by another person.
    • The White Paper on Black Money (2012) had noted that black money generated in the country gets invested in Benami properties.
    • Unclear titles and non-updated land records enable carrying out property transactions in a non-transparent way.
    • The Standing Committee on Finance (2015) examining the Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2015 noted that generation of black money through Benami transactions could be pre-empted and eliminated by digitisation of land records and their regular updation.
  • Unused land:
    • A large proportion of government land lies unused. A large part of the unused land is high-value property in prime areas in major cities
    • Land hoarding by government agencies has created artificial scarcityand is one of the main drivers of skyrocketing urban real estate prices.

Challenges in digitization of land records:

  • In India, we have a system of registered sale deeds and not land titles.
  • The Transfer of Property Act, 1882, provides that the right to an immovable property (or land) can be transferred or sold only by a registered document.
  • These documents are registered under the Registration Act, 1908. Therefore, the transaction gets registered, and not the land title.
  • This implies that even bona fide property transactionsmay not always guarantee ownership, as earlier transactions could be challenged.
  • Land ownership is established through multiple documents maintained by different departments, making it cumbersome to access them
  • For example, sale deeds are stored in the registration department, maps are stored in the survey department, and property tax receipts are with the revenue department
  • These departments work in silos and do not update the data in a timely manner, which results in discrepancies. One has to go back to several years of documentation to find any ownership claims on a piece of property, which causes delays.
  • The cost of registering property is high and, hence, people avoid registering transactions
  • While registering a sale deed, the buyer has to pay a stamp duty along with the registration fee.
  • In India, stamp duty rates across states vary between 4% and 10%,compared to 1% and 4% in other countries. The registration fee is an additional 0.5% to 2%, on an average.
  • Under the Registration Act, 1908, registration of property is not mandatory for transactions such as the acquisition of land by the government, property leased for less than one year, and heirship partitions

Conclusion

A good land records system is a necessity for any harmonious and progressive society. The book would ultimately lead to an improved land governance system, reduction in land disputes, prevention of Benami transactions and a comprehensive Integrated Land Information Management System in the country, by sharing best practices.

Value addition

Government efforts towards digitization of land records so far:

  • The land digitisation efforts in India received a new boost at both the Centre and state levels after the launch of a survey of villages and mapping with improved technology in village areas under the SVAMITVA scheme last year.
  • The scheme seeks to confer land titles in so far unmapped and inhabited parts of rural India and to distribute property cards in villages.
  • The Digital India Land Records Modernization programme (DILRMP) was launched by Government of India in August 2008. The objective of the programme was to streamline and reduce the scope of land and property disputes, thereby improving transparency in the maintenance of land records. The main aim of the programme was to computerize all land records, digitize maps, upgrade the survey and settlement records and sustain the same.
  • Karnataka was the first state in India to computerize land records under the “Bhoomi Project” followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the year 2001.
  • Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha are the best performing Indian states in land record digitisation, according to an annual land records index prepared by Delhi-based think-tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
  • The NCAER’s Land Records and Services Index (NLRSI) 2020-21 released recently said nearly all states and union territories — 29 out of 32 — showed a gradual improvement in their efforts to digitise land records compared to the previous year.

 

General Studies – 3

9. Microfinance can facilitate the achievement of national policies that target poverty reduction, empowerment of women, assisting vulnerable groups, and improving standards of living. Elucidate. (250 words)

Reference: The Hindu 

Introduction

Micro financing is the delivery of financial services to poor and low income households with limited access to formal financial institutions. It can also be described as banking for the underprivileged. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) came into being in the 90s as banks’ reluctance to lend to those without credit history provided an opportunity to those willing to take risk and organize rural communities.  According to Mohammed Yunus (founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh) access to credit was a human right, essential for the poor to create self-employment and income.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently allowed microfinance institutions the freedom to set interest rates they charge borrowers, with a caveat that the rates should not be usurious.

Body

Microfinance can facilitate the achievement of national policies targeting vulnerable sections

  • Empowerment of women: About 95 percent of some loan products extended by microfinance institutions are given to women, as well as those with disabilities, those who are unemployed, and even those who simply beg to meet their basic needs.
  • Poverty alleviation: They provide easy credit and offer small loans to customers, without any collateral.
    • Microfinance disrupts the cycle of poverty by making more money available. It creates the possibility of future investments.
  • Savings in rural households: It helps the poor and marginalised section of the society by making them aware of the financial instruments available for their help and also helps in developing a culture of saving.
    • Families benefiting from microloans are more likely to provide better and continued education for their children.
  • Creating employment: Microfinance is also able to let entrepreneurs in impoverished communities and developing countries create new employment opportunities for others.

Benefits from MFIs:

  • It allows people to provide for their families. Through microfinance, more households are able to expand their current opportunities so that more income accumulation may occur.
  • It gives people access to credit. “By extending microfinance opportunities, people have access to small amounts of credit, which can then stop poverty at a rapid pace,”
  • It serves those who are often overlooked in society. About 95 percent of some loan products extended by microfinance institutions are given to women, as well as those with disabilities, those who are unemployed, and even those who simply beg to meet their basic needs.
  • It creates the possibility of future investments. Microfinance disrupts the cycle of poverty by making more money available.
  • It can create jobs. Microfinance is also able to let entrepreneurs in impoverished communities and developing countries create new employment opportunities for others.
  • It encourages people to save. “When people have their basic needs met, the natural inclination is for them to save the leftover earnings for a future emergency,”

Issues with microfinance institutions

  • According to World Bank’s Global Financial Inclusion Survey (2012), only 35% of adults in India had access to a formal bank account and only 8% borrowed from institutional and formal sources.
  • As per Census 2011, only 58.7% of households are availing banking services in the country.
    • However, as compared with previous Census 2001, availing of banking services increased significantly largely on account of increase in banking services in rural areas.
  • At present, only about 5% of India’s 6 lakh villages have bank branches.
    • There are 296 under-banked districts in states with below-par banking services.
  • In a diverse country like India, financial inclusion is a critical part of the development process. Since independence, the combined efforts of successive governments, regulatory institutions, and the civil society have helped in increasing the financial-inclusion net in the country.
    • Thus, there exists both a great need and the potential to tap into the unbanked population and bring them into the financial net.
    • Microfinance institutions are a way to do the same.

Way forward:

  • There is a need for MFIs to consider adopting more flexible operating models, providing skills training and offering services such as portability of accounts to provide greater access for a longer duration of time.
  • A diversified menu of micro loan products linked to sustainable income generation activities via micro enterprises or a creation of community-based pooled enterprise could possibly make it more attractive and compatible with the requirements of women.
  • In addition, linking such developmental initiatives to an institution to nurture, monitor and handhold those activities in the formative stages is crucial for sustainability.

Conclusion

As per the World Bank estimates, more than 500 million people have improved their economic conditions via microfinance-related entities. Strengthening the credit check and debt collection processes and educating the villagers about products and consequences is important. A model to retain and recycle within the target population could possibly lead to a sustained route for poverty alleviation.

 

 

10.Enumerate the provisions for the growth of MSME sector in India in the union budget 2022-23. Examine the potential of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) in ensuring additional working capital requirements for MSME’s. (250 words)

Reference

Introduction

The Union budget 2022-23 strives to enact economic reforms for the country that is recovering from the pandemic and pave the pathway for its robust rise in the coming years. It speaks of an outlook for India@100 in preparation for a post-Covid world order. Union budget has demonstrated commitment towards supply-side reforms. It strives to initiate a dynamic growth engine that shall sustain itself. The Budget proposals on capital expenditure, MSME sector, and digital banking will boost growth and promote job creation.

Body

Provisions for growth of MSME’s in Budget 2022-23

  • Budget continues to provide much-needed relief to the COVID-hit MSME sector. The revival of MSMEs is critical both from growth and employment perspective, and these measures are geared towards building a vibrant MSME sector.
  • There are a host of measures aimed at small business, ranging from credit guarantee schemes to improving the ease of doing business, that help MSMEs navigate economic uncertainty.
  • India’s MSME sector will be greatly benefited by the reservation of 68 per cent of the Defence Capital Budget for the domestic industry. Rs 7.5 lakh crore worth of public investment will give a new push to the economy and create new opportunities for small and other industries.
  • A Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme will be rolled out with a Rs 6,000 crore outlay spread over 5 years for MSMEs.
  • The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) that provided much needed additional credit to over 1.3 crore MSMEs will be extended till March 2023 with its guarantee cover expanded by Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 5 lakh crore.

About Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

The scheme was launched as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced in May 2020 to mitigate the distress caused by coronavirus-induced lockdown, by providing credit to different sectors, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

  • 100% guarantee coverage is being provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company, whereas Banks and Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) provide loans.
  • The credit will be provided in the form of a Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility.
  • No Guarantee Fee shall be charged by NCGTC from the Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under the Scheme.
  • Interest rates under the Scheme shall be capped at 9.25% for banks and FIs, and at 14% for NBFCs

Potential of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme

The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) will be extended to cover the next fiscal as well, with expanded guarantee cover of Rs 5 lakh crore.

  • Under ECLGS, which is for helping companies tide over liquidity crunch resulting from Covid-19 curbs, banks provide additional loans to existing borrowers without asking for extra collateral.
    • To encourage banks, these loans are fully guaranteed by the government against credit losses.
    • This scheme will be key to ensure that MSMEs impacted by intermittent lockdowns in states get funding to stay afloat.
  • The scheme is expected to provide credit to the sector at a low cost, thereby enabling MSMEs to meet their operational liabilities and restart their businesses.
  • By supporting MSMEs to continue functioning during the current unprecedented situation, the Scheme is also expected to have a positive impact on the economy and support its revival.
  • Sanctions and disbursements under the facility are relatively faster since lenders have the Central government guarantee in case of default against these loans.
  • Companies from hospitality, travel and tourism as well as leisure and sporting sectors are expected to benefit from the relaxation in the scheme.
    • Hotels, restaurants, canteens, caterers, marriage halls, tour operators, as well as amusement parks and theatres can avail the facility.

Conclusion

The success of the budget can be assessed post-facto once the schemes kick in and take off in a large-scale manner. It has been called as the AatmanirbharBharatKaBudget, which brings with it new energy and strength to our development trajectory, especially at a time when we are courageously fighting a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic. This Budget is supposed to bring more infra, more investment, more growth and more jobs taking India to newer heights.

 

 

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