A brief of newspaper articles for the day bearing
relevance to Civil Services preparation
National
[1]. Shadows in the city of light
What has happened?
On the evening of 13th Nov 2015 a series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks took place in Paris and its northern suburb Saint Denis. The places these attacks targeted – the Stade de France where a football match was on, some popular bars in central Paris, and the famous Bataclan concert hall – were centres of popular culture and recreation.
France had been on high alert since the Charlie Hebdo shooting incident and a series of related terrorist incidents in January 2015.
The silent questions
This terrorist act has given rise to many silent questions, like,
- Will this incident spur racial hatred and divide the French society on racial lines? – As of now the people of Paris have stood in unison with the each other and not allowed the spread of irrational fears over a specific religion.
- Will the French concept of secularity be weakened? – French concept of secularism sees church and state to be separate. Under this concept only in 2004, French government had passed a law to reassert its right to ban the use of religious symbols like headscarves, skullcaps and crosses in the schools
- Will this incident give an opportunity to the far right National Front in the French politics to propagate fears over Islam, terrorism and immigration?
The reality
Day after the incident, political divisions and fault lines began to emerge concerning the issue of terrorism which may further give rise to social division. French society though unified in its response to terror acts stands divided if observed closely.
French society has a long history of immigration with the Muslim world. The truth is that the French immigrant Muslims have low educational and employment skills resulting in an unemployment rate of over 17% as compared to national average of 9%.
Such a situation gives opportunity to radical elements to capitalise on the feeling of alienation that this part of the society feels.
Emergency measures
French government’s new constitutional changes to beef up internal security have also elicited a strong sense of concern.
French president has received a parliamentary approval for an extension of national emergency by 3 months. He is hoping that changes once passed will give a constitutional backing to several emergency measures like, anyone suspected of being a threat to public order can be placed under house arrest.
Search operations can be conducted by the police without a magistrate’s warrant; websites and social media can be blocked; and organisations banned.
This has prompted reactions from various quarters. Fears of the dilution of the founding values of French republic namely, Liberty, equality and fraternity, are being aired.
How this incident shapes the French politics and the future international anti-terrorist strategy are the few things which one should observe carefully
[2]. An expected raise
What has happened?
The 7th Pay commission has recommended a 23.55% overall increase in the salary of the government employees. This increase in the salary will result in an additional expenditure of Rs 1.02lakh crore. The 6th pay commission had recommended a 40% increase in the salaries as at that time the economic condition was much better and stronger than today.
What is Pay commission?
The central government constitutes the pay commission every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often these are adopted by states after some modifications.
Performance Related Pay (PRP)
7th pay commission has suggested the inclusion of Performance Related Pay (PRP) mechanism for all central government employees. Under PRP employees shall be paid performance incentive on basis of some preset guidelines. This has been suggested to inculcate a result oriented mindset amongst government employees.
New pension schemes
The 7th Central Pay Commission has also suggested remove the parity between the pensions of the past retirees and the new ones by implementing new pension scheme on lines of one-rank-one-pension (OROP) model.
Impact on the States
In the past, states have tended to implement the recommendations of the 7th pay commission. Doing so will put a burden on State’s fiscal resources.
Impact on the economy
With increase in salaries government expects that people shall spend more, which will give a much needed boost to the manufacturing sector.
On the other hand side, increased flow of money can also give rise to inflation(increase in prices). Infact, an increase in pay after the implementation of recommendations of the pay commission in the past has almost always resulted in a simultaneous increase in inflation
[3]. Why India should join the war against IS
What has happened?
In the wake of terrorist strike in Paris by the IS, there are signs of major re-alignments in the interests of the global powers. U.S is considering the possibility of joining Russia in the efforts to eliminate IS.
What India should do?
As per author, India has been fighting the battle against terror long before the 9/11 attacks made terrorism a household name in the west. To effectively deal with terrorism India need to join hands with the global powers and be a part of the global alliance that is taking shape in the wake of recent international terrorist attacks.
What India is doing?
Our PM has proposed an action plan to deal to with terror. It revolves around the strategy of isolating and containing sponsors and supporters of terrorism & delinking terrorism from religion.
The agenda
- Isolation of anti-India elements: Isolate the staunchly anti-India elements in Pakistan’s army and the ISI by making India an economic powerhouse and a magnet for foreign investment for countries like China and some in East Asia.
- Joining the global anti-terror alliance: Use the opportunity presented by the IS attack to be part of a powerful coalition of nations against terror, and use the goodwill and support generated to further put pressure on Pakistan.
[4]. SC to decide if exotic pet birds have a right to fly
What has happened?
In 2011, Gujarat High court had passed an order declaring that caging of birds amounted to illegal confinement and curbing of their fundamental right to move. The High Court had ordered to release all caged birds. This meant that anyone could file complaints against bird sellers and pet shop owners and have them booked under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Wildlife Protection Act.
This High court order has been challenged in the SC and SC has admitted the challenge.
The other side
- Safeguards exist: Those who have challenged the Gujarat High court order believe that adequate safeguards have already been provided under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, to protect these birds. There was no requirement for any kind of licence or permission for keeping exotic birds.
- Role in improving health: They also argue that birds play an important role in improving health problems and are psychologically comforting to human beings
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The core issue
The major issue involved here is the right to livelihood of the pet owners all over the country and on the other hand, the right of the birds to live freely.
[5]. Here comes the Agribot
What has happened?
A mechanical engineering graduate from Telangana has created an Agribot to help farmers and ease their work while tilling the land.
What is a bot?
A bot is a robotic device which can perform automated tasks. In this case the bot has been designed to help farmers in their agricultural activities, hence the name Agri-bot.
What can Agribot do?
The ‘Agribot’ can,
- Plough the field – The Agribot can plough a field in half an hour. Normally, a farmer takes half a day to plough his field. Thus, Agribot will save lots of time and effort on the part of farmers.
- Water the field
- Sow seeds for a fixed period of time, with the help of a timer
- Predicts weather
- Move on any type of soil
[6]. Geographic Information System (GIS)
What is GIS?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. GIS can show many different kinds of data on one map. This enables people to more easily see, analyze, and understand patterns and relationships
Data and GIS
Data in many different forms can be entered into GIS. Data that are already in map form can be included in GIS. This includes such information as the location of rivers and roads, hills and valleys. Digital, or computerized, data can also be entered into GIS. An example of this kind of information is data collected by satellites that show land use—the location of farms, towns, or forests
GIS maps
Once all of the desired data have been entered into a GIS system, they can be combined to produce a wide variety of individual maps, depending on which data layers are included. For instance, using GIS technology, many kinds of information can be shown about a single city. Maps can be produced that relate such information as average income, book sales and voting patterns
Past instances where GIS has been successfully used
- Prevention of spread of viral disease in Kerala: The images of coconut trees in Kerala, obtained from remote sensing satellites, helped tackle the spread of a viral disease a few decades ago.
- Addressing epidemic outbreaks: In light of recent rains in Chennai, tools like GIS would be very useful in addressing the outbreak of post-flood epidemic. The breeding space for diseases can be identified through GIS and necessary healthcare measures can be taken
International
[1]. Mali battles gunmen in Capital as Islamists hit Iraq, Yemen
What has happened?
A week after the IS militants killed 129 people in Paris, terrorists have attacked Mali. They attacked Radisson Blue hotel in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. The hotel was hosting guests and diplomats when heavily armed gunmen started shooting indiscriminately.
Why the attack happened?
The terrorist group which claimed responsibility said that these attacks were carried out in retaliation for government aggression in Northern Mali. The group also demanded the release of prisoners in France.
Connection with France
In 2012, France had launched a military campaign against Islamic extremists in the northern Mali. The campaign, Operation Serval, was widely considered a success in driving jihadists from Mali’s northern towns. Mali was a French colony previously (it became independent in 1960) and it was on its request that above operation was launched.
Operation Barkhane: The U.N. deployed a peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, and the French mission was succeeded in August 2014 by Operation Barkhane, a broader French anti-terror mission targeting Islamists in the Sahel, with a 3,000-strong force headquartered in Chad.
IS militants in Syria said that the French intervention in Mali in 2012 was another reason they attacked Paris.
More info:
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/20/africa/mali-terror-seven-things/index.html
Opinions & Editorials
Nothing Over Here Today
Economic Digest
[1]. Centre committed to boost public spending on infrastructure
Context: Centre is committed to boosting public spending on infrastructure in the coming years so that allied sectors get a boost, leading to greater employment generation.
What are Allied sectors?
Sectors or industries which are dependent or connected to each other are termed as Allied sectors. Cement and steel are allied sectors and an investment boost in the infrastructure would invariably boost these sectors as they both are connected.
Example: We need cement to build infrastructure like buildings, bridges etc. Similarly, these infrastructural activities cannot be carried out without making use of steel. So, a boost in one boosts another sector.
What do analysts think?
Analysts are sceptical regarding such a commitment because,
- Increase in wage bill: 7th pay commission recommendations of increased pay would lead to an increase in wage bill of centre.
- Reduction in corporate taxes: There have been talks of expected reduction in corporate taxes.
Both of the above factors will pressurise the government to reduce public spending (including infrastructure) to reduce the fiscal deficit.
What is fiscal deficit?
When a government’s total expenditures exceed the revenue that it generates (excluding money from borrowings), it is termed as fiscal deficit.
[2]. Indian Cess service
What has happened?
Government has implemented a Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5% on all the taxable services. It will result in an increase of service tax rate from the current 14% to 14.5 %. Eating out, telephony and travel will become expensive due to this cess. The proceeds from this cess will be exclusively used for Swachh Bharat initiatives.
What is a cess?
Cess is a form of tax.
The problem with cesses
Unlike the taxes collected by the central government, cesses and surcharges are not shared with the states. That goes against the principle of co-operative federalism.
Also, once a cess is imposed it never gets withdrawn like The Salt Cess of 1953 still continues though it earned a meagre R3.85 crore in FY15.
What is co-operative federalism?
One important question or issue before a nation is how to distribute the powers amongst itself and the states so as to create an equitable arrangement. This is termed as federalism.
One method of dividing this power is through cooperative federalism, in which the national government (often the legislature) enjoys almost unlimited authority to force the smaller parts of government (typically the states) to administer and enforce national policies. Central government can influence behaviours and policies of the state government through financial aids and funding.
Cesses are not shared with the states, thus violating the principles of sharing as envisaged in Co-operative federalism.
By: ForumIAS Editorial Team
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