Good Morning Friends,
Following are today’s Mains Marathon Questions.
About Mains Marathon – This is an initiative of ForumIAS to help/aid aspirants in their writing skills, which is crucial to conquering mains examination.
Every morning, we post 2-3 questions based on current affairs. The questions framed are meaningful and relevant to the exam.
Write your answers in the comment box, given below.
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Questions
1) The concept of a centralized electricity market sounds sensible in theory but is likely to be unworkable in practice. Discuss in the light of the One Nation, One Grid initiative.
2) After a decade of eschewing free trade deals, India has embarked on an FTA-signing spree that is quickly transforming the country into one of the most FTA-engaged countries in the world. Elaborate and discuss the factors promoting FTAs in India.
Wrote it as a 15 marks answer.
You have to address the issues with One Nation One Grid e.g., long term power purchase agreements mean that it is not possible to lower cost (or renegotiation is reqd.). Simultaneously there is concern of federal relations, e.g., States provide subsidies for electoral benefits, they’ll be reluctant to accept.
Thankyou, I will keep that in mind.
Good attempt! You have elaborated the benefits and issues with FTAs. However, there is a need to tweak the approach based on question statement. The question is about India’s change in approach, so briefly mention that India has been a little wary of FTAs after experience with earlier FTAs, India walked out of RCEP.
The change has come because of need to diversify supply chains (post COVID), need to enhance exports to achieve US$ 5 trillion economy status, boosting service exports etc.
After this You can also include suggestions e.g., The Government must involve stakeholders, industry bodies like CII, FICCI in the negotiation process so that their concerns are addressed in FTAs and FTAs work in India’s favor etc.
You can add some trade related keywords like tariff and non-tariff barrier to get extra credit.
Try to answer based on question statement.