{"id":16141,"date":"2018-02-21T12:46:24","date_gmt":"2018-02-21T07:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=16141"},"modified":"2018-02-21T11:46:54","modified_gmt":"2018-02-21T06:16:54","slug":"answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-20-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-20-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 February 20, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/mains-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archives<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.1)\u201cThere are huge opportunities that await both India and ASEAN to strengthen the relations which are going to be beneficial for the world in terms of security, stability and prosperity.\u201d Do you agree? With reference to the ASEAN-INDIA Summit, 2017 excavate the potential strengths and weaknesses of \u00a0India-Asean relation. (GS\u20132)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is celebrating <\/span><b>25 years of Indo-ASEAN ties <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and to mark the occasion Indiahosted the two day India-ASEAN commemorative summit in the capital.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The summit comes in the backdrop of <\/span><b>increasing Chinese economic and military assertiveness in the region.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The major takeaways from ASEAN-INDIA Summit:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaders of India and ASEAN discussed <\/span><b>ways to boost maritime security connectivity and trade.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime MinisterNarendra Modi asserted that <\/span><b>India sharesthe ASEAN vision for rule-basedsocieties and pitched for freedom of navigation in the region.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime Minister Modi underscored the <\/span><b>ever-evolving ASEAN India partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> terming the summit asthe <\/span><b>grand finale of the joint year-longcommemorative activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> organized among the nations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime Minister Modi furthertouched on the <\/span><b>religious ties that bind all the nations.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking on the diplomatic tiesthe Prime Minister stressed that <\/span><b>ASEANis at the center of India&#8217;s act East policy.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prime minister also expressedIndia&#8217;s commitment to work with theASEAN nations to <\/span><b>enhance collaboration in the maritime domain.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cooperation in regional security, counter-terrorism measures and trade tops<\/span><b>the agenda at the summit.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Potential strength and weakness of India and ASEAN:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, there are huge opportunities that await both India and ASEAN to strengthen the relations. Some of the core areas are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential is huge if India take areas whetherit is <\/span><b>trade and economic cooperation collaboration, whether it is strategic issues in terms of providing maritime security and cooperation or it is in the area of fighting counterterrorism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are a large number of areaswhere both ASEAN and India can cooperateand collaborate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One aspectthat the Prime Minister Modi made very clear is that <\/span><b>Indiamaintain the centrality ofASEAN in all the negotiations.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether itis in terms of ASEAN Regional Forum, itis ASEAN defense ministers meeting or whatever might be the format for India, ASEAN is the central pillar <\/span><b>India&#8217;s act East policyand all our engagements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inthat region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As India celebrates this relationship with ten leaders on our Republic Day from the ASEAN, <\/span><b>one should not forget how India got here<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and that is what will provide the key to the future.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going back to 1992, India had to <\/span><b>fight atevery stage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get into this relationship with the ASEAN.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was after a great effort that India becamea <\/span><b>full dialogue partner with the ASEAN to get into the air.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major challenges India and ASEAN nations are facing:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Increasing infrastructure and connectivity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the major challenge facing India and ASEAN member countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Problems in the <\/span><b>implementation of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport Project.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">China\u2019s <\/span><b>territorial claims <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the oil and gas-rich South China Sea, which is also a major international maritime trade route.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the uncertain behaviour of China, I<\/span><b>ndian Ocean has become unpredictable and it might become the next battle ground.<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.2) Bring out the significance of the recent initiative by the parliament of repealing obsolete and archive laws? How far this will bring reform in the legal system? (GS\u20132)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Parliament has passes two Bills to repeal 245 obsolete and archive laws including 158 year<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">old Calcutta Pilots Act Of 1859.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 2 member panel setup to look into archaic laws.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After consolation with various stake holders it has identified 1824 bills that need to be repealed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Significance of the recent initiative by the parliament of repealing obsolete and archive laws:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recent initiative by the parliament of repealing obsolete and archive laws will have a far reaching impact in the legal system. Its significance are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Change in socio-economic structure: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With change in time, the country has undergone major changes in value system and value in commercial litigation. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, these changes in socio-economy make the laws unproductive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example: Ganges passage Act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It required passengers to pay passage fee to some parts along river Ganga.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Old laws replaced by new ones:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The laws which are replaced by new laws are to be repealed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For it may be confusion for the public and the administration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Supreme Court judgments:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The old laws are not in tune with the Supreme Court judgments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, the judgments might be in serious contradiction with the old laws.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Laws not in tune with international treaties: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There might be existence of Laws which are not in tune with international treaties or conventions signed or ratified by India. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost of the law outweighs the benefits of having the law.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Effect on judiciary and administration: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No future litigation can start on these repealed laws.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimized laws decrease burden on judiciary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less number of laws means less number of loopholes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Effect on public: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can understand better if less number of laws.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can&#8217;t be invoked suddenly against unsuspecting and otherwise law abiding citizens.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.3)What is electronic-Human Resource Management System? Do you think that automation of processes of government offices would prove to be effective against corruption?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0<\/span><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances &amp; Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched <\/span><b>the electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a step in the direction of <\/span><b>fully automated Human Resource Management System<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It sets a target to <\/span><b>bring all employees of Government of India on employee portal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so that all <\/span><b>processes of personnel management from hiring to retiring will be on digital platform<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>manual system of handling personnel management will be dispensed with<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Salient features of electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS):<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, automation of processes of government offices would prove to be effective against corruption. Its salient features are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Single platform:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> With launch of e-HRMS, employees will be able to not only see all their details w.r.t service book, leave, GPF, Salary etc., but also apply for different kind of claims\/reimbursements, loan\/advances, leave, leave encashment, LTC advances, Tour etc. on a single platform.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>No dependency:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Employees shall not be dependant for data updating on administration, but they may themselves update the data with their login subject to verification by concerned administration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Track status easily:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They will be able to track status and match details instantly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The system is designed in a way to obtain all management related inputs\/reports through its Dashboard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Online data updating:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All pendency of data updating as well as claims will be seen online by senior authorities that will instill more responsibility and accountability among all government servants.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archives Q.1)\u201cThere are huge opportunities that await both India and ASEAN to strengthen the relations which are going to be beneficial for the world in terms of security, stability and prosperity.\u201d Do you agree? With reference to the ASEAN-INDIA Summit, 2017 excavate the potential strengths and weaknesses of \u00a0India-Asean relation. (GS\u20132) Introduction: India is celebrating&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-20-2018\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 February 20, 2018<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":2292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mains-marathon-answers","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/pen-paper-laptop.jpg?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704577961},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}