9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 15th, 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• The bifurcation bugbear
• Incorrect diagnosis, wrong remedy
• The significance of the Indo-Pacific for India
• Denial of access to Swift is a blunt tool for geopolitics
• Governance breakdown

GS Paper 3

• The myth of the trickle-down
• Niti versus Nyaya: When policy provisions deny people justice
• LIC disinvestment: Right and wrong
• Zooming in on the potential of India’s geospatial sector
• Our stimulus should act on consumer confidence

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• ISRO puts 3 satellites into orbit aboard PSLV C-52
• Explained: What is Lassa fever, and what are its symptoms
• Explained: India-Australia interim trade agreement and FTA
• Maharashtra may become 8th state to opt out of Centre’s flagship crop insurance scheme
• Union Minister says Snow Sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a big way from winter season as a tourist attraction
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs helps rekindle Telangana’s State Festival of Medaram Jathara with added vigour
• India ranked 46th in EIUs Democracy Index

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

The bifurcation bugbear

News: Recently, Central government instituted a committee to resolve the bilateral issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

What are the pending issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?

Complaints over Centre’s inaction in exercising powers conferred upon it in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014

– Dispute over distribution of goods: The two states have been complaining about the lack of action by Central Government on the Section 48. According to this, the central government should settle any dispute on distribution of goods or class of goods by a mutual agreement with the governments of the successor states. Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi is a perfect example of this, where Centre hasn’t taken any action or initiatives so far.

– Section 108 (1): The act says that If any difficulty arises in implementing the provision of the act, the President can issue an order if it’s necessary and not inconsistent with the provisions. But no such order has been made till date.

– Delimitation of the Assembly constituencies: Section 26(1) of the Act says that the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the successor States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shall be increased from 175 and 119 to 225 and 153. But, still no action on it by the centre.

Infrastructure projects: Several infrastructure projects assured to the two successor States in Schedule XIII of the Act remain on paper. Some of these are setting up of steel factories in both the States by SAIL, a port at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in phases, and a rail coach factory in Telangana.

Incorrect diagnosis, wrong remedy

News: The Union Government proposal to amend Rule 6 (Deputation of cadre officers) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954 has attracted the opposition of many states.

What are the causes of the shortage of IAS officers in the centre?

Annual recruitment of IAS officers after 1991: There was a drastic reduction in the annual recruitment of IAS officers after 1991 (from 140-160 to just 50-80). This was due to a misguided notion, that the government will have a reduced role because of the economic liberalisation. It didn’t happen. It took nearly 20 years for the Centre to restore the annual recruitment to pre-1991 levels. Presently, the shortage of IAS officers at the all-India level was 23%.

Cadre review: Centre and the States jointly conduct exercises to designate certain strategic posts in the States as “cadre posts” and earmark them exclusively for IAS officers. There is a need for proper cadre review in all the States to release many IAS officers from non-strategic posts and reduce the shortage. For instance: In Tamil Nadu, it is unfair that posts like Commissioner of Archaeology, and Commissioner of Museums has been designated as cadre posts.

Discontinuance of direct recruitment of officers: Direct recruitment of officers to the Central Secretariat Service Group B has been discontinued since 2000. Also, there are undue delays in the regular promotions of officers from the ranks in the Central Secretariat due to protracted litigation since 2011.

Non-utilisation of the services: Centre is not utilizing the services of officers who are appointed to the IAS by promotion or selection from the State Civil Services. This large pool of around 2,250 officers, usually in the age bracket of 35-55 years, who have immense field experience, remains State-bound.

Numerous administrative barriers: Centre has imposed numerous administrative barriers to Central deputation in the form of highly restrictive conditions, annual lapsing of offer lists, long debarment periods, compulsory cooling-off periods, etc.

What are the solutions to solve the problem?

Recruitment of state officers: There is a need to make mandatory provisions for the state officers to work for at least two years on Central deputation as Deputy Secretaries/Directors immediately after their appointment to the IAS and their training in Mussoorie.  Their next promotion in their State cadre should be accordingly to the completion of this mandatory period of Central deputation. This can solve the problem of shortage of Deputy Secretary/Director-level officers at the Centre in one stroke.

Mandatory provisions: It should be made mandatory for directly recruited IAS officers to serve at least three years on Central deputation between nine and 25 years of service. Their promotion to Principal Secretary grade in their State cadre (usually after 25 years) should be subject to their completing this mandatory period of Central deputation.

Selection of officers: The centre is being criticised for adopting opaques measures in the selection of IAS officers for the posts of Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary and Secretary. The centre should adopt a fair process and similar measures as it chooses Deputy Secretaries/Directors.

What is the way forward?

The centre can solve the problem by holding constructive dialogue with the respective states. The Inter-State Council constituted under Article 263 of the Constitution is the institution meant specifically for handling such Centre-State situations.

The significance of the Indo-Pacific for India

News: USA recently released its policy document on Indo-Pacific.

What does the recent USA document say about India?

The USA seeks free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient in Indo-Pacific. It says that it cannot accomplish it alone and needs the cooperation of other countries that share a similar vision.

USA seeks to work with India through regional groupings to promote stability in South Asia; collaborate in new domains like health, space, cyberspace, and deepen economic and technology cooperation.

How USA strategy is different from the past?

Earlier, USA worked bilaterally and through military alliances. Now the USA is encouraging allies and partners to strengthen their ties with one another. The USA is ready for more networked regional architecture.

How has Indian diplomacy changed?

India is working through two important pillars.

First, strengthening regional and bilateral relations through political interactions, regional groupings like ASEAN.

Second, renewed military diplomacy by encouraging military sales like the sale of the three missile batteries to the Philippines.

How does India need to shape its regional diplomacy further?

India’s decision to walk out of RCEP and emphasis on Atma Nirbhar Bharat raise doubts about a return to the protectionist regime. It needs to liberalize trade relations with strategic partners like Australia.

India has intensified trade talks with the UAE, Israel, and UK. But it needs to focus more on ties to the USA and EU.

In terms of military diplomacy, India needs to strengthen its domestic military production and technological base.

Denial of access to Swift is a blunt tool for geopolitics

News: NATO has threatened to cut-off Russia from the international SWIFT payment network if Russia attempts to invade Ukraine.

What is Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT)?

It provides a network to send and receive instructions on international money transfers accurately and securely. It itself doesn’t hold any cash. The network is used by 11,000 financial institutions in 200 countries. Each week, transfer instructions for about $100 trillion are issued on SWIFT.

SWIFT has 3,500 shareholders who elect a 25-member governance board.

Russia and China are represented on the governance board, but India is not.

Why SWIFT is prone to cyber-terrorist attacks?

Using SWIFT as a tool of economic sanctions has resulted in the network itself becoming a target for cyberterrorist attacks. In 2016, Lazarus Group from North Korea infiltrated the network of Bangladesh Bank using malware, took control of Swift terminals within the bank and initiated transfers to multiple locations in the Philippines.

The same group also hacked the emails of Sony Pictures in retaliation for the release of the 2014 spoof called The Interview that portrayed North Korea in a bad light.

Why, Russia and China are building their own international payment system?

China launched China’s Cross-Border International Payment Systems (CIPS) in 2019.

In 2014, during the time when Russia annexed Crimea and was threatened of SWIFT sanctions, it launched a messaging system, the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS).

Both the countries are in advanced stages of linking the two systems and various countries like Turkey and India are willing to join the system.

Governance breakdown

News: Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued the final order on the “Algo scam” at the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

The article reveals the multiple layers of the scam in the securities market and suggests that the regulator must ensure that scams like this should never occur.

What is the “algo scam”?

The regulator has formally accused five individuals and the NSE of several violations and acts of misgovernance. The entities received price information in advance using co-located servers on the NSE premises and profited by front-running. There were multiple violations of the SEBI Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2012.

This happened between 2013-16, with the first whistleblower complaint in 2015. SEBI indicted the then managing director (MD), then vice-chairman, then executive director in charge of compliance, group operating officer and adviser to the MD, and then chief regulatory officer.

The NSE board has also failed to inform SEBI of the governance issues. Hence, SEBI has fined the NSE and barred the stock exchange from launching any new product for six months.

What does the case reflect?

It shows that India’s premier financial exchange, which is one of the largest in the world and host over $3 trillion worth of listed companies, lacks internal checks and balances.

The board was aware of the exchange of confidential information, but decided to hide the matter. It shows a complete collapse of governance at the exchange, which had the potential to risk financial stability.

GS Paper 3

The myth of the trickle-down

News: This article says trickle-down is a flawed approach and that’s why Indian policymakers must discover India’s own model of development and shed defunct economic theories.

How budget 2022-23 is aligned towards a trickle-down theory?

The budget has not announced any populist measure, and taxes on incomes and wealth have not increased. Also, economists believe that investments in physical infrastructure will benefit the economy in the long run due to trickle-down and in the short run by creating more employment. Also, the allocations for health and social security are inadequate.

Why the “trickle down” approach is not suitable for India’s economy?

One, the budget presumes that large wealth creators will create wealth that will trickle down to the masses. Evidence shows that the approach of increasing the overall size of the pie by reducing taxes at the top and then “redistributing” the wealth has not delivered benefits to people.

 Also, current policies are making it easier for investors to do their business of making more profits for themselves in an uncontrolled manner.

Two, Gandhiji was not against wealth creators. But according to him, wealth creation should not be at the cost of workers and welfare. Wealth creators must be trustees of the wealth, not its exclusive owners.

Three, the Indian economy is suffering from a “demand-side” problem. The new generation with better education and vocational skills are not able to find decent jobs.

For instance, the CMIE estimates that in UP, the number of persons of working age who have a job has decreased in the last five years from 43 percent to 33 percent. Since there is no earning, that’s why investments in businesses will not be able to increase the demand.

Four, there is a growing reaction against globalization. In May 2007, the Prime Minister had said that the time has come for the better-off sections of society to understand the need to make the growth process more inclusive.

 However, business feared that he was going against the “Washington Consensus” of “minimum government”, “ease of doing business” and lower corporate and wealth taxes.

Five, due to Davos Man’s theory, the wealthiest people have influenced economic policies in democratic countries from the 1990s to make themselves wealthier. Wealth has accumulated at the top with regressive tax policies along with deregulation. Government expenditure on social reforms has been reduced.

Six, when inequalities increase without any control, governments divide to rule, and persecution of minorities increases with politics of national identities.

Seven, Neo-liberal Indian economists say that until the economy grows, there will be no resources to invest in human development. But China invested in human development before its economic take-off.

 Also, Davos Man’s theory says global free trade and competition will help the unprepared industrial sector to grow. But the UK, USA, Japan, and China grew their industrial sectors under protection and then demanded that the rest open their markets.

Niti versus Nyaya: When policy provisions deny people justice

News: A recently released paper titled Jailed for Doing Business by Gautam Chikermane of Observer Research Foundation and Rishi Agrawal of Teamlease Regtech has documented the jail provisions faced by Indian entrepreneurs.

This article discusses the difference between Niti and Nyaya while discussing the over-regulation in Indian economy.

What does the research paper reveal?

There are around 1,536 laws in seven categories to jail the employers. Around 843 laws are consequential and they have 26,134 criminal provisions. Also, one law has 700 ways in which a business person can end up in jail.

How the disagreement between Niti (policy) and Nyaya (justice) grew?

One, Mahatma Gandhi had pleaded guilty to sedition charges in 1922. He said that the mere existence of a procedurally legitimate law is not enough. It must have the moral authority to rule.

Two, in the late 1940s, US Supreme Court Justice Felix counselled B.N Rau (constitutional advisor) that India would be best served without a clause for “due process”.

Hence, India adopted “procedure established by law” from the Japanese Constitution. This has resulted into over-regulation and over-emphasis on Niti. For example, 26,134 criminal provisions for employers in India.

Three, Indian Constitution lack a due process clause. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states that “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”.

Supreme Court interpreted it in A.K. Gopalan in which he challenged his detention under Article 32.

He argued that he had a fundamental right under Article 21 not to be deprived of his personal liberty except “according to procedure established by law”.

However, the Supreme Court rejected Gopalan’s arguments. The court said that only the legislature can decide the adequacy of procedures, and courts would not go into reasonableness and fairness. Hence, it gave preference to the legislature’s wisdom.

How this difference is narrowed down?

One, the Supreme Court overruled the Gopalan case verdict in 1978. It held that the procedure established by law should not be unfair, fanciful, or arbitrary.

Two, after 2017 the test of constitutionality includes, whether Parliament has the legislative competence to enact a law on the subject, whether the law violates fundamental rights or any other provision of the Constitution and whether the legislation passed by Parliament is arbitrary.

What is the way forward?

First, India will soon become third in the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) rankings, but due to low productivity, it stands at 138th in per capita GDP. So there is a need to change how land, labour, and capital combine to create well-paying jobs, livelihoods, and businesses.

Second, entrepreneurship is growing in India, but regulatory cholesterol (Niti) ensures that most employers remain dwarfs. It shows that cost of Niti is poor economic Nyaya which manifests itself in the form of corruption, low wages, and low productivity. Hence, they must be relooked.

Three, Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara was inspired by Telugu political theorist Badenna, who believed “Justice is the way to make the people prosper and the people’s prosperity is the way to wealth”. Hence, emphasis should be given to Nyaya over Niti.

LIC disinvestment: Right and wrong

News: The Government of India (GoI) is disinvesting 5 per cent of the shares of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). However, the GoI will retain control of the company.

Why LIC should be privatized rather than disinvested?

First, the previous experience shows outcome of disinvestment in public sector banks has not been good for the taxpayer or for the economy. On the other hand, in case of proper privatization experience has been better.

Second, LIC has grown substantially over time and has a monopoly. That’s why it is suggested that GoI should privatise LIC, and it should give up the control to the private sector at the right price.

Third, it is said that it is not the business of the government to be in business. But it is very much the business of the government to provide public goods and services, which the private sector fails to provide. The proceeds of privatization can be utilized to improve public service delivery.

How proceeds of privatization can help in providing public goods?

First, there are several public goods and services that need to be expanded and improved.

For example, the police, judiciary, and tax administration. The policing system is small considering the population of the country. Also, more spending is needed on the infrastructure and the human capital in the judiciary. And, the tax administration, because the tax-gross domestic ratio (GDP) ratio is low in India.

Second, the public authorities have not over time invested adequately in research, planning, and the administrative machinery for the purpose of collecting more taxes. A higher tax-GDP ratio can pave the way for larger public spending on education and health. The spending on these merit goods will enhance equity and productivity.

Third, better public services enable more people to carry out an economic activity, which leads to an increase in GDP. There will be social return also. Hence, the GoI and the public at large can benefit more from spending on public services rather than spending on highways.

For example, disinvestment proceeds of LIC will be used in highways construction, but actually highways are not always public goods because a toll can be charged by a private player to cover the costs and even make some profit.

What is the way forward?

Instead of mere disinvestment, it is important to privatize LIC and use the sale proceeds for expanding and improving basic public services that are effectively productive. It will benefit the common person much more than those who are well-placed.

Zooming in on the potential of India’s geospatial sector

News 

It has been one year since the new guidelines for the geospatial sector were introduced and there have been many positive developments due to this. The investment in the geospatial sector has increased significantly and there is a positive response from the private industry as well. 

What is the status of geospatial sector in India? 

India has a robust ecosystem in geospatial, with the Survey of India (SoI), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), remote sensing application centres (RSAC)s, and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in particular, and all ministries and departments, in general, using geospatial technology.  

What have been various initiatives in the sector both public and private? 

The Geospatial sector finds mention in the Union Budget. There also have been private initiatives like MapmyIndia. City mapping programme by Genesys International. 

What are the limitations that remain? 

Despite this progress the full benefits have yet to percolate to the public and there is not much contribution to the nation’s GDP.  

Absence of a sizeable geospatial market in India – The demand for geospatial services and products is very low as compared to India’s potential and size. This is mainly due to the lack of awareness among potential users in government and private. 

There is lack of skilled manpower across the entire pyramid. 

There is unavailability of foundation data especially at high-resolution. 

There is lack of ready-to-use solutions especially catering to the problems of India. 

What is the way forward? 

Need for culture of data sharing, collaboration and cocreation– Entire policy document should be published and government and private users should be made aware of things.  

Data sharing should be encouraged and facilitated-This can be done by unlocking data available with government departments and having open data sharing protocol. There is also a need to establish a geo-portal to make all public-funded data accessible through data as a service model, with no or nominal charge. 

Need to generate foundation data across India -While different types of data is produced on a project-to-project basis, there is a need to generate foundation data across India. For example-data layers for cities and data of natural resources.  

Local geospatial cloud– As the new guidelines prevent high-accuracy data being stored in overseas clouds, there is a need to develop a geospatial data cloud locally and facilitate a solution as service. For example- Different organisations can handle different kinds of data like National organisations like SoI and ISRO can handle data related to the nation’s security and scientific significance.  

Academic Programme-India lacks a strata of core professionals who understand geospatial end-to-end. There is a need for a bachelor’s programme in geospatial and also a dedicated geospatial university. Such programmes will propel research and development efforts which are crucial for the development of technologies and solutions locally. 

Our stimulus should act on consumer confidence

News 

There has been a lot of emphasis on Infrastructure development for reviving economic growth, however the more potent tool that is consumer demand has not got much attention. 

How is consumer demand tracked and what are its recent statistics? 

Reserve Bank of India’s Survey-based index tracks consumer demand. Its latest round shows an increase for January month as compared to the data from November but it is still below its pre-pandemic level as was in March 2020. Any reading above 100 indicates net optimism but it is still below RBI’s expectations. 

Why should focus also be laid on Consumer demand while making macroeconomic strategy? 

Since past two years consumer demand and the global health crisis have been moving parallel. 

Government’ huge capital expenditure of ₹5.5 trillion in 2021-22 will take some time to have some noticeable impact on index readings because of a typical lag. Though infrastructure creation is valuable for long term growth but government must also support consumer confidence. As this will help Centre in its strategy of ‘crowding in’ private investment.  

Consumer demand will lead to an increase in private investment due to increased capacity utilisation and set off a self-reinforcing cycle of income generation across the country.  

Large outlays on public projects are known to have major multiplier effects on the earnings of people at large, but much depends on the pace at which this is done as these projects take very long to execute.  

What is the way forward? 

Although Economic Survey this year cited record corporate profits and raising of risk capital which are positive signals but it would be advisable that the government should keep a track on RBI’s index.  

If consumer demand does not pick up as expected even in the coming year, Government may need to give some direct stimulus for strengthening the supply side measures.  

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

ISRO puts 3 satellites into orbit aboard PSLV C-52

What is the News?

Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has successfully launched three satellites onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52.

What are the three satellites launched by ISRO?

EOS-04: It is a radar imaging satellite with a mission life of 10 years.It is designed to provide high-quality images in all weather conditions for applications such as agriculture, forestry, plantation, flood mapping, soil moisture and hydrology.The satellite will collect earth observation data in C-band.

INS-2TD: It is a precursor to the India-Bhutan joint satellite [INS 2-B] and will assess land and water surface temperatures, delineation of crops and forest and thermal inertia.

INSPIREsat-1: It is a student satellite from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in association with the University of Colorado, U.S. It is aimed at improving the understanding of ionosphere dynamics and the Sun’s coronal heating processes. Taiwan and Singapore universities were part of the development team of the INSPIREsat.

Note: This is the first time Taiwan has collaborated with an international team to launch a satellite from India.

Source: This post is based on the article “ISRO puts 3 satellites into orbit aboard PSLV C-52” published in The Hindu on 15th Feb 2022.   

Explained: What is Lassa fever, and what are its symptoms

What is the News?

One of the three persons diagnosed with Lassa fever in the UK has died. The cases have been linked to travel to west African countries.

What is Lassa Fever?

Lassa fever-causing virus is found in West Africa. It was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria. The Lassa virus is named after a town in Nigeria where the first cases were discovered.

Transmission: The virus spreads by rats.

Human Transmission: 

– A person can become infected if they come in contact with household items or food that is contaminated with the urine or faeces of an infected rat.

– It can also be spread if a person comes in contact with a sick person’s infected bodily fluids or through mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

– Person-to-person transmission is more common in healthcare settings.

Symptoms: Symptoms typically appear 1-3 weeks after exposure. Mild symptoms include slight fever, fatigue, weakness and headache and more serious symptoms include bleeding, difficulty breathing, vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back and abdomen and shock.

Deaths: The death rate associated with this disease is low, at around 1%. But the death rate is higher for certain individuals such as pregnant women among others.

Treatment: The antiviral drug ribavirin seems to be an effective treatment for Lassa fever if given early on in the course of clinical illness

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What is Lassa fever, and what are its symptoms” published in Indian Express on 15th Feb 2022.   

Explained: India-Australia interim trade agreement and FTA

What is the News?

India and Australia have announced that they are set to conclude an Early Harvest Agreement and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement(CECA) thereafter.

What is an Early Harvest Agreement?

An interim or early harvest trade agreement is used to liberalise tariffs on the trade of certain goods between two countries or trading blocs before a comprehensive FTA (Free Trade Agreement) is concluded.

What will the India-Australia Early Harvest Agreement likely cover?

The interim agreement will cover most areas of interest for both countries including goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and customs procedures. 

Under the agreement, India is likely to seek easier visa access for both students and professionals visiting Australia. 

On the other hand, Australia is likely to seek market access for wines and agricultural products which are not produced on a large scale in India.

However, Australia would likely not seek market access for products in dairy, beef and wheat categories as they are sensitive sectors for India.

What is the current Bilateral Trade between India and Australia?

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at about $12.5 billion in FY21 and has already surpassed $17.7 billion in the first 10 months of FY22. 

Key imports from Australia include coal, gold and LNG while key exports to the country from India include diesel, petrol and gems and jewellery.

How has the Quad impacted trade relations between India and Australia?

India and Australia are both members of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with the US and Japan. 

The Quad has given impetus to increasing trade relations between all members. Australia already has FTAs with both the US and Japan.

Australia has said that all four countries could start building a framework for economic cooperation within the countries of the Quad after they announced a deal with India.

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: India-Australia interim trade agreement and FTA” published in Indian Express on 15th Feb 2022.      

Maharashtra may become 8th state to opt out of Centre’s flagship crop insurance scheme

What is the News?

Maharashtra may follow several other big states and opt-out of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY).

What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY)?

Click Here to read about it

Which States have opted out of PMFBY?

States such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and West Bengal — all predominantly agriculture states — have opted out of the scheme. Some of these states have their own insurance schemes. 

Why is Maharashtra planning to opt-out of the scheme? 

The two major issues on which the Maharashtra government is thinking of opting out are a) denial and delay of claims, b) huge subsidy burden on state governments. 

What Central Government is planning to stop states from opting out of PMFBY?

The central government has set up a panel to suggest suitable working models for PMFBY. It is specifically studying Gujarat’s Beed Model of Crop Insurance.

Source: This post is based on the article “Maharashtra may become 8th state to opt out of Centre’s flagship crop insurance scheme” published in Down To Earth on 15th Feb 2022.   

Union Minister says Snow Sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a big way from winter season as a tourist attraction

What is the News?

The Union Minister has announced several initiatives for the Ladakh region.

What are the initiatives announced for the Ladakh region?

Firstly, Snow Sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a big way from the winter season as a tourist attraction.

Secondly, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) is promoting “Leh Berry” which is an exclusive food product of the cold desert and also a means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as self-livelihood.

Thirdly, Commercial cultivation of three medicinal plants will begin this spring season at a height of above 15,000 feet. This also includes “Sanjeevani Booty”, locally known as “Sola” which has very high life-saving and therapeutic properties.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister says Snow Sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a big way from winter season as a tourist attraction” published in PIB on 14th Feb 2022.   

Ministry of Tribal Affairs helps rekindle Telangana’s State Festival of Medaram Jathara with added vigour

What is the News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned funds for various activities pertaining to Medaram Jathara 2022.

What is Medaram Jathara?

Medaram Jatara also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is a tribal festival held in the state of Telangana. The festival is conducted in honour of the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. 

It is celebrated once in two years in the month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day. It is the second-largest fair in India, after the Kumbh Mela.

It is organised by Koya Tribe in collaboration with the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana. 

Who is the Koya Tribe?

​​Koya is a tribal group found in southern India, especially Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Koyas speaks the Koya language, also known as Koya Basha and is a member of the Dravidian language family. 

The Koyas are mainly settled cultivators and artisans expertise in making bamboo furniture including mats for fencing, dustpans, and baskets. They grow Jowar, Ragi, Bajra and other millets.  

Source: This post is based on the article “Ministry of Tribal Affairs helps rekindle Telangana’s State Festival of Medaram Jathara with added vigour” published in PIB on 14th Feb 2022.   

India ranked 46th in EIUs Democracy Index

What is the News?

The Economist Intelligence Unit has released the Democracy Index,2021.

What is the Democracy Index?

The Democracy Index was started in 2006. It provides a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide in 165 independent states and two territories.

The index is based on 60 indicators grouped into five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

Each country will be provided with a score of 0 to 10. These scores are decided based on the above indicators. Based on their scores, each country is then classified into any one of the four types of regime such as a) full democracy, b) flawed democracy, c) hybrid regime and d) authoritarian regime.

What are the key findings of the Democracy Index?

Norway has topped the index. It has been classified as a full democracy.

India is ranked 46th on the 2021 index with an overall score of 6.91. It has been classified as a flawed democracy. (In 2020, India was ranked 53rd in the index).

Less than half (45.7%) of the world’s population now live in a democracy of some sort, a significant decline from 2020(49.4%). 

Even fewer countries(6.4%) reside in a “full democracy”. Further, more than a third of the world’s population (37.1%) live under authoritarian rule, with a large share being in China. 

About the Economist Intelligence Unit(EIU)

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) was created in 1946. It is the research and analysis division of The Economist Group and the world leader in global business intelligence.

Source: This post is based on the article “India ranked 46th in EIUs Democracy Index” published in Deccan Herald on 15th Feb 2022.