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EDITORIAL
[1]. Letting Nepal be
Context:- Author states that India should treat Nepal as a separate sovereign state with a right to carve out its own national policy on important issues, rather than considering it just a playground for its diplomatic adventures.
Meddling with Nepal’s affairs
Author says that,
- The attention of India seems focused entirely on ‘correcting’ Nepal’s new Constitution & how to affect changes in it.
- Due to a lack of active interest of Indian polity, academia and civil society; interference of Indian diplomats and intelligence operatives in Nepal have increased rapidly.
- Present government, a coalition of Maoists and Nepali Congress is also a product of Indian interference in Nepalese politics. Previous government headed by KP Oli had signed trade and transit pacts with Beijing thereby annoying Delhi
An Opportunity
Despite all this, the visit of Prime Minister Dahal to India is important to get the relationship back on track.
Renewed policy
Author says that
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs should deepen its study of Nepal. An understanding of the geography, demography, economy, the citizenry, as well as the history of the oldest and non-colonized nation-state of South Asia will help India tread carefully so as not to alienate Nepal.
- The entire Himalaya and the plains of the Ganga make up one ecosystem, requiring geophysical even more than geopolitical sensitivity.
- India should not get stuck in petty labelling like pro or anti-Chinese in case of Nepal. Nepal is a landlocked country and for it to grow it would be beneficial for it to utilize help from North (read China)
- Instead of focusing solely on constitutional changes to suit Madhesi people of Indian origin living in Nepal, India should ensure that a solution emerges from within and is not forced by it
Beyond the constitutional amendments
Author points out that there are many areas apart from constitutional amendment to which both India and Nepal must pay grave attention to, like
- Need to plan cross border resource utilization in terms of building dams or reservoirs
- The environmental dangers to both sides from excavation of the Chure (Shivalik) hills; or from the receding of glaciers (mainly the result of the South Asian ‘brown cloud’)
- Closer border co-operation: Kathmandu needs to consider social security of the uncounted but more than three million Nepali citizens working in India, while New Delhi must address the vulnerabilities of Indian citizens of Nepali origin, as well as Indians working north of the border. How will the introduction of biometric ID cards in India impact the status of Nepali citizens working legally under the umbrella of the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and can Nepal’s own upcoming national ID card help in the managing the movement of citizenry?
- Co-operation along the border areas of UP and Bihar will help in economic development through trade. Closer economic ties with Nepal will help Indian side on the border to develop in equal measure.
Conclusion
Author ends the article by stating that there are multiple fronts on which both India and Nepal can engage bilaterally rather than solely focusing on the constitutional amendments. Close proximity to one another is a shared advantage that must be utilized to its fullest by both sides. Economic development and regional integration will go a long way in ensuring prosperous Nepal, an objective worth pursuing for India too.
[2]. Sapping India’s vitality
Context:- Article points out that inadequacy of India’s current national Public health programs resulting spread of vector-borne diseases time and again. This time it is Chikungunya, Dengue & Malaria which have claimed lives, that too in India’ capital.
Chikungunya
- Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
- Joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration.
- The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
- There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
Dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
Severe dengue (previously known as dengue haemorrhagic fever) was first recognized in the 1950s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. Today it affects Asian and Latin American countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults in these regions
Malaria
- Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths.
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors.” There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
- falciparum is the most prevalent malaria parasite on the African continent. It is responsible for most malaria-related deaths globally.
- vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
What do numbers say?
- Chikungunya: There was a sharp increase in the incidence of chikungunya in the country in 2015 over the previous year.
- Dengue: Dengue cases have also steadily risen, from 75,808 in 2013 to 99,913 last year, with the death toll rising from 193 to 220 during this period.
- Malaria: The footprint for malaria has grown, with over 1.1 million cases last year, although the number of people dying from the infection has shown a recent decline, going by official statistics. Cases of under reporting of malaria have been reported too thereby making the exact impact of this disease unknown
Author criticizes the failure of India’s long-running vector control programmes while pointing out to its small neighboring country Sri Lanka that was recently declared Malaria free.
Lessons to be learnt from Sri Lanka
Better results were achieved by the island nation through integration of different approaches. This includes
- Concentrating on mosquito control in irrigation and agriculture
- introducing new classes of insecticides for residual spraying within houses
- Scaling up distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets even in areas caught up in conflict
- Mobile centers for access to diagnostics and treatment also helped halt disease transmission
Conclusion
India needs to do take up a pro-active approach to eradicate the problem of vector borne diseases. It will take active surveillance and close collaboration with local governments to eliminate the hotspots of such diseases. Mobilising the community to participate in sanitation campaigns holds the key, although families that live in deprived neighborhoods will need generous municipal assistance, improved civic facilities and access to free health care.
[3]. No Hyderabad Blues
Context:- Andhra Pradesh has received assistance package which is more than what a special category status could have brought in, says the author.
Main topic in this article that is important from examination point of view is the “Special Category states (SCS)”.
Special Category States
The Constitution does not include any provision for categorisation of any State in India as a Special Category Status (SCS) State.
Historical background
The concept of a special category state was first introduced in 1969 when the 5th Finance Commission sought to provide certain disadvantaged states with preferential treatment in the form of central assistance and tax breaks.
- Initially three states Assam, Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir were granted special statusbut since then eight more have been included (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand).
Criteria
The rationale for special status is that certain states, because of inherent features, have a low resource base and cannot mobilize resources for development.
Classification into a special category state is done on flowing parameters,
- Geography: Hilly and difficult terrain
- Population: Low population density and /or sizeable share of tribal population
- Location: Strategic location along borders with neighboring countries
- Economic condition: Economic and infrastructure backwardness
- Non-viable State finances
Who grants the Special category status?
The decision to grant special category status lies with the National Development Council, which composed of the Prime Minster, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and members of the erstwhile Planning Commission, who guided and reviewed the work of the Planning Commission (PC).
Note: – PC has been abolished. NITI Ayog has taken its place now. Similarly, Centre is planning to scrap NDC and transfer its powers to the governing council of NITI Ayog.
Why Andhra Pradesh is asking for Special category status?
Following the bifurcation of A.P., Andhra lost a large volume of its revenue due to Hyderabad remaining the capital of Telangana.
- In a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the A.P. Reorganisation Act on February 20, 2014, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that SCS would be “extended to the successor State of Andhra Pradesh … for a period of five years.”
- This oral submission by the then PM has been the basis for A.P.’s claim to the status.
Why AP should not be granted a SCS Status?
A major benefit to SCS is the income tax and excise duty exemptions on investments. This is meant to reduce the cost to the prospective investors who owing to the remoteness of the markets, lack of transport and infrastructure would have to bear huge expenses.
In case of Andhra Pradesh none of these conditions hold & if SCS is granted it will create trade distortions with undue benefit to AP resulting in flight of investment from surrounding states like Tamilnadu, Karnataka & Maharashtra.
What other States are seeking SCS status?
Apart from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha had recently demanded SCS status but they have not been granted the same as they did not meet the criteria.
Gadgil-Mukherjee formula
After the Report of 5thFinance Commission, a formula was fixed for the distribution of resources between the states. This formula was named after the then deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr. Gadgil Mukherjee.
- The Gadgil-Mukherjee Formula adopted by consensus in 1991 was made the basis for the distribution of tax revenue and grants during 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97)
Major benefit of Special category status
Under the revised Gadgil formula,
Central Assistance given to all the states
Normal central assistance: Normal central assistance is divided into SCS & general category states as per ratio of 30:70.
- Further, Special Category States’ were entitled to get such assistance in the grant-loan ratio of 90:10 as compared with 30:70 ratio for other States.
Assistance for externally-aided projectsà90:10, whereas such assistance to other States is on back-to-back basis.
Under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP),
- ‘Special Category States’ get 90 per cent of the project cost as grant as compared with 25 per cent grant for others.
- The matching contribution in respect of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) is usually lower for ‘Special Category States’, more particularly, for those in the Northeastern region
Central assistance given only to Special category states
- Special Plan Assistance: 90:10àGrant-Loan
- Untied special central assistance: 100% Grant
Special category status not beneficial anymore
Over the years benefits of special category states have been diluted gradually,
- 12th Finance commission recommended that centre should stop lending to states and states should borrow funds from the market which led to a reduction in funds for special category States
- Normal plan assistance: The loan component of normal plan assistance was dispensed with in 2005-06 and since then such assistance is being given only in the form of grants to all States, including those in the general category.
- Following the increase in tax devolution to States from 32 to 42 per cent of divisible pool of central taxes, the Centre has dispensed with normal plan assistance, special central assistance and special plan assistance from 2015-16 onwards.
- AIBP has already been merged with PMKSY (PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana) with states having to make a higher matching contribution now
- The benefit of lower matching contribution for ‘Special Category States’ for CSS is unlikely to be substantial with the reduction of assistance to State plans by over 40 per cent to Rs.1,96,743 crore in 2015-16.
- Following the demand for Special Status by Bihar, a committee was appointed under Dr. RaghuramRajan in 2013. This committee suggested that States classified as ‘Special Category States’ and those seeking inclusion in that category, would find that their need for funds and special attention more than adequately met by a basic allocation to each State and the categorisation of some as ‘least developed’
Only benefit that remains for SCS
The only attraction that remains is the benefit of assistance for externally aided projects (90 per cent grant). But even this will be of limited benefit if any new state is accorded special category for a limited period of five years or so as disbursal of external assistance cannot be substantial in such a limited period.
A profitable deal
Author says the offer made by the centre is more generous and profitable for Andhra Pradesh than what a SCS status would be,
- Centre has given Rs.3,979 crore as revenue gap grant (grant to bridge the revenue gap owing to the bifurcation), which is more than three times the amount recommended by the Fourteenth Finance Commission for 2016-17 (Rs.1,293 crore). Similar facility to cover revenue gaps in the future too has been promised.
- Centre has already given Rs.2,500 crore for building the new capital and has promised an additional Rs.1,000 crore.
- The Central government has agreed to meet the entire expenditure of the Polavaram project on the Godavari river which at 2011 prices was expected to cost Rs.16,010.45 crore.
- The package includes the establishment of several educational institutes
- Proposals to set up units of Steel Authority of India and Indian Oil Corporation.
- A port has also been approved in-principle in Dugarajapatnam on public-private partnership basis
- Proposals for the expansion of the international airport at Visakhapatnam and airports at Vijayawada and Tirupati
- The National Highways Authority of India and Railways too have been directed to improve road and rail connectivity.
Conclusion
With a considerable erosion of benefits linked to SCS status, the current package being offered by the centre is a profitable one for Andhra Pradesh. Rather than relying on rhetorical arguments for obtaining the SCS status, it should take a hard look at the ground realities and weigh in for itself the benefits that it is getting in center’s special package vis-a-vis the benefits it would miss out if granted a special category status.
[4]. Competing for an equal world
Context:- Author states that although we have given differently abled persons a separate platform for showcasing their talent and skills in the form of Paralympics but still they are not considered as equal. The battle for the ‘Equal’ needs to go on.
Genesis of the Paralympics
The 2nd world war left many survivors with horrific injuries. In order to ensure that they do not feel left behind and still feel contributive as a member of the society, a neurosurgeon Ludwig Guttmann, organized a small sports competition for 16 World War II veterans, who had injured their spinal cords, at Stoke Mandeville hospital in July 1948.
- The competition was run parallel to the Olympics in order to attract attention
- In 1964, the term ‘Paralympics’ was officially used
- At the 1988 Seoul Games, the organizing committees, for the first time ever, saw to it that the Olympic and Paralympic athletes competed in the same venues and participated in similar opening and closing ceremonies.
- In 1989, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was formed
- From 1992 (Barcelona) onwards, IPC has closely worked with the International Olympic Committee.
- Post 2008, in an attempt to place both on an equal pedestal, it was decided that all cities which bid to host the Olympics will also have to host the Paralympics
Despite global appeal of Paralympics, following questions still remain
Do they exist to display what a “disabled” person can do or they are a spectacle of elite sport? Is the emphasis on the disability or the sport?
In the words of Sharath M. Gayakwad, an Indian Paralympic swimmer who won six medals at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon. “It’s both ways,” “They look at me as an achiever and sportsman. But otherwise it’s the deformity that’s looked at.”
People, in general, believe that a differently-abled person who has won a medal has achieved an extraordinary feat despite being not complete in some respect. Such a belief system has been proliferated by media. This is known as “Supercrip Model”
Supercrip Model
This Model highlights the achievements of few differently-abled persons and tries to extrapolate it to entire gamut of PWDs (Persons with disabilities). It is a kind of stereotype associated with media portrayal of differently-bodied athletes. Under this model, achievements of such athletes are showcased in such a manner that they only serve as an inspiration to able-bodied part of the society.
Author points out that if Paralympics can secure an equal footing with Olympics movement, it would benefit athletes all around the world as their talents would be recognized at par with the able-bodied athletes.
NATIONAL
[1]. Cash flows to NGOs need regulatory law: Apex Court
Context:- SC noted that NGOs in the country are getting mind-boggling funds and it has become a major problem. It has directed Law commission to come up with a law to effectively regulate the flow of money to 29.99 lakh NGOs functioning the country
Shady stats
CBI records show that only around 2 lakh NGOs file their annual financial statement out of around 29 lakh registered under the Societies Registration Act.
New Delhi has the highest number of registered NGOs among the UTs but none of these organisations submit returns
UP has the highest number of NGOs (around 5 lakhs) among 26 states in the country. Only about 1 lakh file their returns
Why such a regulation is necessary?
Regulating the inflow of funds to NGOs is necessary because,
- Money donated to NGOs can be used to stall the developmental process in our country by creating movement against proposed projects citing environmental concerns, when there are none actually.
- Money laundering is also another problem area wherein money can be channeled through such NGOs for illegal activities. It is an easy escape route for black money.
- Terrorist activities can also be financed through the money that a fraudulent NGO raises
[2]. ‘India wastes 15-20% of its renewable energy’
Context:- The natural variations in wind, solar energy and lack of adequate electricity storage facilities, result in 15-20% of all renewable energy generated in India going waste
Grid management
15-20% of energy generated from renewable sources is wasted because grid can’t manage the variations in the electricity drawn from these sources. Changing wind speeds, directions result in variability of electricity generated thereby creating problems for state-specific grids.
National grid vs state-specific grid
Contribution of electricity generated from renewable sources to the National grid is still low so it is not affected much. Only in state-specific grids such variations create problems
Currently, such problematic energy is being discarded resulting in a loss.
Storage devices
Storage technology can be used to our advantage here. Storage technology can ensure that no matter the wind or solar generation, what you get out of the generator-cum-storage unit is a uniform output, which is highly beneficial for a grid
Mode of storage: Lithium Ion batteries have emerged as technology of choice since they outperform all other existing technologies in term of size, capacity, efficiency, and environmental impact
Government is moving slow vis-à-vis storage technologies as compared to its hard push for renewable energy. It can take following steps to boost the storage technology sector,
- Announce tax incentives for storage manufacturing technology
- Viability gap funding can also be utilized
- Recognition of energy storage devices as service providers. Currently, government only considers gas-based plants as service providers
Conclusion
Government needs to stress equally on the storage technology otherwise we will only be wasting a precious resource of which India is in dire need of.
INTERNATIONAL
[1]. BRICS meet in New Delhi to focus on security issues
Context:- China has stated that it would like BRICS nations to play a larger role in international and regional security issues, ahead of the BRICS meet in New Delhi
Participants to the meet shall discuss
- Counter-terrorism
- Cyber-security
- Energy-security
- Situation in West Asia and North Africa
What are analysts saying?
Analysts are of the view that in the recent meet,
- BRICS countries will decided a common approach to tackle IS in its breeding grounds in Syria, Iraq and its spread to other parts of the world including South Asia and China’s Xinjiang province
- Terrorism generated from Afghanistan-Pakistan border
[2]. India raises Balochistan, PoK at UN; hits out at Pak
Context:- For the 1st time India raised the issue of Balochistan before UN
Occasion
At 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council at Geneva, India accused Pakistan of human rights violations in Balochistan as well as Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
India said that
- Main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.
- Pakistan has territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found expressions time and again through repeated armed aggressions
- Pakistan’s record is dismal with respect to ending cross-border infiltration as many countries have asked it time and again to put an end to it. On the contrary, India’s credentials as a deeply democratic &pluralistic society have been well established
With Pakistan time and again raising the issue of Kashmir in UN, it was high time that India too reciprocated. Moreover, with a less than peaceful situation in the valley, India should clearly bring out to the world Pakistan’s role in it, lest it be misconstrued as a villain itself.
[3].Afghanistan situation not civil war: Ghani
Context:- During the visit of Afghanistan president, India said it would extend $ one billion in development assistance to Afghanistan.
Key highlights of Afghan President’s visit
- The $1 billion development assistance,
- Shall focus on capacity building in social sector (health, education, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women) as well as clean energy projects of hydel-power and solar energy.
- It will add to $2 billion that India has already committed in Afghanistan in the past decade
- Supply of medicines and flights between India and Afghanistan
- Both countries reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence co-operation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement
- No reference was made to military assistance in the form of helicopters, tanks, artillery and ammunition, that Afghanistan has requested from India
- India and Afghanistan signed an extradition treaty to facilitate exchange of wanted terrorists and criminals
- Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance was also signed
Conclusion
India cannot choose to ignore Afghanistan fearing that talks with Pakistan will derail. Strong relation with Afghanistan will help India pressurize Pakistan indirectly. Moreover, a stable Afghanistan is an asset not only to India but also to the entire Asia.
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