Pardoning power of the governor
Pardoning power of the governor The pardoning power of the Governor under Article 161. Power of Governor to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases. The Governor of a State shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offense against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends. The Governor cannot Pardon a Death Sentence. (The President has the power of Pardon a death Sentence). Even if a state law prescribes the death sentence, the power to grant pardon lies with the President and not the governor. The power of the President to grant pardon extends in cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial but Article 161 does not provide any such power to the Governor. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Skewed Gender Ratio
Skewed Gender Ratio India’s problem of gender imbalance may be deepening, with virtually all corners of the country now affected by a skewed sex ratio at birth. Various Sex Ratio Report: ‘Status of Sex Ratio at Birth in India’ which mentioned that there has not been any change in the sex ratio at birth in India from 2001-2017–the number of girl children born is much less than what is the general or natural norm. It was brought out by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (IAPPD). The report estimated that India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) was around 2.2 in the year 2018, which is close to the replacement rate of 2.1. This clearly marks the success of government measures to bring population control. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of World Population 2020 held that sex ratio at birth in India is lower than all the countries in the world except China. Reason for Skewed Gender Ratio: Son-Preference Social Practices Counter Effect of Rising in Income Gender Bias Issues Related to Lower Sex ratio at Birth: There are concerns that skewed sex ratios lead to more violence against both men and women, as well as human trafficking. Adverse ratio results in a gross imbalance in the number of men and women and its inevitable impact on marriage systems as well as other harms to women. In India, some villages in Haryana and Punjab have such poor sex ratios that men “import” brides from other States. Gender-imbalance Government Initiatives: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Drugs Technical Advisory Board Way Forward: Stringent Enforcement of Law Bringing Behavioural Change Sensitizing Youth Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Agriculture and Changing Climate
Agriculture and Changing Climate Climate change has created challenges for the agricultural sector – and will continue to do so. Climate change-induced increases in temperatures, rainfall variation and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are adding to pressures on global agricultural and food systems. IPCC Report The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC was recently approved by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report focuses on keeping warming to under 1.5°C as compared to pre-industrial times. The world has already warmed 1°C since pre-industrial times. Hence, limiting warming to 0.5°C from now means the world can keep the ecosystems much as it is now. Adding another 0.5°C on top of that essentially means a different and more challenging Earth for people and species. Action-Plan to tackle Adverse Impact of Global Warming on Food Crops: Global Warming associated with the increase in concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere is one of the reasons for the increase in extreme weather events. Due to global warming agriculture sector is likely to be affected and climate change is expected to impact yields of agriculture crops in a business as usual scenario. Simulation studies using integrated modelling framework showed that rainfed rice yields in India are projected to reduce marginally (<2.5%) in 2050 and 2080 scenarios while irrigated rice yields are projected to reduce by 7% in 2050 and 10% in 2080 scenarios Climate change is projected to reduce wheat yield by 6-25% towards the end of the century with significant spatio-temporal variations. Climate change in 2050 and 2080 scenarios is projected to reduce the kharif maize yields by 18 to 23%. Kharif groundnut yields are projected to be increased by 4-7% in 2050 scenarios where as in 2080 scenario the yield is likely to decline by 5%. Future climates are likely to benefit chickpea with increase in productivity (23-54%). Kharif groundnut yields are projected to be increased by 4-7% in 2050 scenarios where as in 2080 scenario the yield is likely to decline by 5%. Future climates are likely to benefit chickpea with increase in productivity (23-54%). National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) one of the missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aims to evolve and implement strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to the changing climate. National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme is implemented in the identified districts across the country with the objective of increasing foodgrain production through area expansion and productivity enhancement, restoring soil fertility and productivity at individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy. ICAR has launched a flagship network project National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). The NICRA aims at strategic research on adaptation and mitigation, demonstration of technologies on farmers’ fields and creating awareness among farmers and other stakeholders to minimize the impacts of global warming on agriculture. Under this project, large number of indigenous genetic resources and improved crop varieties of pulses (black gram, green gram, pigeonpea, chickpea) and cereals (rice and wheat) are screened for major abiotic stresses like drought and heat to identify superior cultivars for large scale adoption in farmer’s fields genetic materials for cultivation at farmers field. In the process number of genetic materials including improved varieties were identified, some of which are already in the farmer’s fields. Besides, location specific NRM technologies are being demonstrated under Technology Demonstration Component of NICRA in 151 climatically vulnerable districts to achieve climate resilient agriculture. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): i) Area under organic farming, ii) Production of Bio-fertilizers, iii) Precision Irrigation, iv) SRI/ Direct Seeded Rice from Transplantation, v) Crop diversification, vi) Additional Area under plantation in Arable land, vii) Climate Resilient Varieties (CRV) Identified/ Released, viii a) Identification of genotypes of crops with enhanced CO2 fixation potential and less water consumption & Nutrients, viii b) Climate Resilient genotypes with greater adaptation to drought, flood, salinity and high temperature, ix) Coverage of milch animals under ration balancing programme and x) Establishment of bypass protein feed making unit. Climate change challenges: Negatively affect both crop and livestock production systems in most regions Resource problems Water scarcity Pollution Soil degradation Important developments are: India celebrated 2018 as the national year of millets. Moreover, India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023 has been approved by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). ICRISAT which conducts research on six highly nutritious drought-tolerant crops, recently discovered important factors for heat and drought tolerance in chickpea. Government Innitiatives: Soil Health Card Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Rainfed Area Development (RAD) National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and Sub-mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF). Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Security in Gig Economy
Security in Gig Economy A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. It is also called as “flex economy” or “mobile economy,” Workers perform “gigs,” in which they are employed for a specific task or time. This is done to achieve advantage of cost, quality, and flexibility. Once the task is complete, the worker is free to move on. Global Gig Economy Index report has ranked India among the top 10 countries. The report says there has been an increase in freelancers in India from 11% in 2018 to 52% in 2019, thanks to various initiatives including Startup India and Skill India. Significance of Gig Economy Augmenting Social Services Providing Employment In Urban Areas Enabling Jobs For All Scenario Factors aiding the rise of the gig economy: Seasonal increase in demand of the workers Technology Cost Factor Need for Protection of Platform Workers: International Experience Vulnerability of Debt Trap Arbitrary Action Platform delivery people can claim benefits, but not labour rights(eg:swiggy) New version of labour code : The three new labour codes passed by Parliament recently acknowledge platform and gig workers as new occupational categories in the making Defining gig workers is done in a bid to keep India’s young workforce secure as it embraces ‘new kinds of work’, like delivery, in the digital economy. In the Code on Social Security, 2020, platform workers are now eligible for benefits like maternity benefits, life and disability cover, old age protection, provident fund, employment injury benefits, and so on. Issues in the Security Code: Eligibility does not mean that the benefits are guaranteed. No Fixed Responsibility Labour codes Way Forward: Concerted Efforts Joint Accountability Need For Clarity Offering some basic privacy training or resources Strengthen mobile device security processes and protocols to mitigate the risks associated with many external connections. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
System of Cess In India
System of Cess In India The latest audit of the Union Government’s accounts tabled in Parliament has revealed that about 40% of all the cess collections in 2018-19 have been retained in the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI). Cess Cess is a tax levied for a specific purpose and ought to be used for the same only. A cess is usually imposed additionally when the state or the central government looks to raise funds for specific purposes. The government levies an education cess to generate additional revenue for funding primary, secondary, and higher education. Cess is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is discontinued when the purpose of levying it is fulfilled. It can be levied on both indirect and direct taxes. The government can impose cess for purposes such as disaster relief, generating funds for cleaning rivers, etc. For example, after the Kerala floods in the year 2018, the state government imposed a 1% calamity cess on GST and became the first state to do it. Types of cess in India Education Cess: Education cess was introduced to finance and provide standard quality education to poor people. Health and education cess: Proposed in Budget 2018 by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to meet the education and health needs of rural and rural and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Swachh Bharat Cess: Introduced in 2015, a 0.5% Swachh Bharat cess was imposed to fund national campaigns for clearing the roads, streets and infrastructure of India. Krishi Kalyan Cess: This cess was aimed at developing the agricultural economy, and was collected at the rate of 0.5%. Infrastructure Cess: Announced in Union Budget 2016, this cess was charged on the production of vehicles. Issues Related to Cess The report by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, submitted to the 15th finance panel, points out that the share of cesses and surcharges (a ‘tax on tax’) in gross tax revenue (GTR) increased from 7% and 2%, respectively, in 2012-13 to 11.9% and 6.4%, respectively in 2018-19. States have represented to the 15th Finance Commission that their share in gross tax revenues has fallen on account of the rising component of cesses and surcharges on which they have no rights as per the 80th Amendment to the Constitution, pertaining to Article 270. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), while 17 cesses and other levies were subsumed into the GST, 35 levies still remained in force. Tax and Cess Cess is different from taxes such as income tax, GST, and excise duty etc as it is charged over and above the existing taxes. While all taxes go to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), cess may initially go to the CFI but has to be used for the purpose for which it was collected. If the cess collected in a particular year goes unspent, it cannot be allocated for other purposes. The amount gets carried over to the next year and can only be used for the cause it was meant for. The central government does not need to share the cess with the state government either partially or in full, unlike some other taxes. The procedure for introducing cess is comparatively simpler than getting the provisions done for introducing taxes, which usually means a change in the law. Cess is also easier to modify and abolish. Way forward Absolute transparency is needed in the management of cess receipts so that Parliament and the people in order to avoid any subterfuge. Transparency and rationalism Abolition Imposition Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Kartarpur corridor
Kartarpur corridor The Kartarpur corridor connects the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district in India’s Punjab province. The corridor was built to commemorate 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism on 12th November 2019. It is hoped that the corridor would pave the way for peace and greater progress of all people. The corridor will drastically cut down the journey pilgrims have to make from more than 200 km to just 6 km. The agreement will facilitate : The highlights of the Agreement are: Indian pilgrims of all faiths and persons of Indian origin can use the corridor; The travel will be Visa-Free; Pilgrims need to carry only a valid passport; Persons of Indian Origin need to carry an OCI card along with the passport of their country; The Corridor is open from dawn to dusk. Pilgrims traveling in the morning will have to return on the same day; The Corridor will be operational throughout the year, except on notified days, to be informed in advance; Pilgrims will have a choice to visit as individuals or in groups, and also to travel on foot; India will send the list of pilgrims to Pakistan 10 days ahead of travel date. Confirmation will be sent to pilgrims 4 days before the travel date; The Pakistan side has assured India to make sufficient provision for ‘Langar’ and distribution of ‘Prasad’. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Need for MSP Reforms
Need for MSP Reforms Based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India, declares Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 22 crops before their sowing seasons. The idea behind MSP is to give a guaranteed prices and assured market to the farmers and protect them from price fluctuations and market imperfections. The guaranteed price and assured market are expected to encourage higher investment and in the adoption of modern farming practices. Evaluation Objectives To explore and analyze the effectiveness of price policy in India in the context of nationwide price support objectives set forth by the government. Impact of MSP on creating a predictable and equitable crop price regime. To identify regional and intercrop variations in the implementation of MSP and reasons for the same. d. To study and evaluate the impact of MSP on cropping patterns To evaluate the impact of MSP on long-term agricultural competitiveness. To evaluate the impact of MSP on optimal land and water use and sustainability on a nationwide basis across crops. To evaluate whether adoption of improved technology, appropriate investment and rural infrastructure has been aided by operation of MSP. To suggest policy measures related to MSP for the future. Significance: The government has increased the MSP of Kharif crops for marketing season 2020-21, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The highest increase in MSP is proposed for nigerseed (Rs 755 per quintal) followed by sesamum (Rs 370 per quintal), urad (Rs 300 per quintal) and cotton (long staple) (Rs 275 per quintal). The differential remuneration is aimed at encouraging crop diversification. The government’s strategy is one of promoting sustainable agriculture with diversified cropping pattern matching with the country’s agro-climatic conditions, towards higher productivity without jeopardizing the nation’s bio-diversity. Support is in the form of MSP as well as procurement. Besides, with the intention of giving enough policy thrust to income security of the farmers. The government’s production-centric approach has been replaced by an income-centric approach. The government is taking holistic approach towards supporting the farmers and facilitate farming-related activities in the lockdown situation due to Covid 19. Efforts are being made to facilitate the marketing of agricultural produce by the farmers Challenges: Awareness of Farmers about MSP Medium of Awareness about MSP Production, Consumption and Sale of Major Crops Mode of Payments Received by the Farmers Delays in Receiving MSP Payments Mediums adopted by farmers to sell their Produce Government initiatives: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanraks Han Abhiyan” Price Support Scheme (PSS) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on a pilot basis. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKY). Read Also Fasal Rahat Yojana Way forward: The Minimum Support Price is an important policy of the Union Government to determine floor price of major agricultural produces every year for protecting the farmers from the middlemen and fluctuating market conditions as it provides them an assured market in addition to a minimum assured return. First and foremost the awareness among the farmers needs to be increased and the information disseminated at the lowest level so that the knowledge would increase the bargaining power of the farmers. More godowns should be set up and maintained properly for better storage and reduction of wastage. The small and marginal farmers can be provided with some exemption in FAQ norms to provide them with a source of income. The Procurement Centres should be in the village itself to avoid transportation costs. The farmers should receive their MSP rate in case on the spot and in the same day, so that they will be encouraged to improve their production and create more marketable surplus. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
New Commission for air quality management
New Commission for air quality management President promulgates the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020 for better co-ordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and matter connected. Under the said Ordinance, a Commission for Air Quality Management In National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas will be constituted under Section 3. Section 11 lays down that the Commission shall have at least the following three sub-committees: Sub-Committee on Monitoring and Identification Sub-Committee on Safeguarding and Enforcement Sub-Committee on Research and Development Powers and Functions of the Commission: Shall issue directions and entertain complaints for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas and shall also have the duty to take all such measures for protecting and improving the air quality. The commission can take measures to abate air pollution and to regulate or prohibit activities that are likely to cause or increase pollution in NCR and adjoining areas. Commission or any officer authorized by it shall for the purpose of analysis have the power to take samples of air from any factory, premises or other place in such manner as may be prescribed. In regard to the discharge of functions and exercising of its authority, the Commission and the sub-committees mentioned in Section 11 will be bound by the directions and orders of the Central Government. The commission can take up matters suo motu or on the basis of complaints made by any individual, representative body or organization functioning in the field of environment. The commission shall provide the mechanism and the means to implement in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas Provide an effective framework and platform in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. Significance: Participatory Democracy Consolidated Approach Establishing a Statutory Body Empowered Body Removal of Ad-hocism Challenges: Dilution of Judicial Oversight Unrealistic Punitive Measures Federal Issue Non-Inclusive Conclusion: India has been going through a phase of accelerated industrial activities for the past three decades. The associated growth in terms of industrialization and urbanization has led to manifold increase in pollution issues, in recent years. Air pollution impacts health, restrictions imposed to control air pollution impacts laborers, and dealing with stubble-burning requires incentives in the domain of rural development. Check All Prelims Mock Questions Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Alimony in India
Alimony in India Women deserted by husbands were left in dire straits, often reduced to destitution, for lack of means to sustain themselves and their children. Women can make a claim for alimony under different laws, including the protection of women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 and Section 125 of the CrPC or under the Hindu marriage act,1955. it would be inequitable to direct the husband to pay maintenance under each of the proceedings. Supreme court guidelines: Deserted wives and children are entitled to alimony/maintenance from their husbands from the date they apply for it in a court of law. A violation would lead to punishment, such as civil detention and even attachment of the property of the latter. The plea of the husband that he does not possess any source of income ipso facto does not absolve him of his moral duty to maintain his wife, if he is able-bodied and has educational qualifications. Both the applicant’s wife and the respondent-husband have to disclose their assets and liabilities in a maintenance case. Any earlier case filed or pending under any other law should also be revealed in court. The expenses of the children, including their education, basic needs and other vocational activities, should be factored in by courts while calculating the alimony. Other factors such as “spiraling inflation rates and high costs of living” should be considered, but the wife should receive alimony which fits the standard of life she was used to in the matrimonial home. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Promoting tourism in South Asia
Promoting tourism in South Asia South Asia is highly dependent on travel and tourism, especially as a generator of jobs (estimated at 47.7 million in 2019) COVID-19 is affecting nearly 47.7 million travel and tourism jobs across South Asia, many held by women and vulnerable communities working in the informal sector. Losses of over US$50 billion in the gross domestic product in the region are expected in the travel and tourism sector alone as a result of the crisis. Challenges for regional tourism: Informal Tourism Sector Disruption Caused by Covid-19 Geo-Political Tensions Opportunities For the Regional Tourism: Niche Tourism Opportunity for India: Job, entrepreneurships, etc High Tourism Potential Job Three Types of Regional Integration Activities Relevant to Intraregional COVID-19 Response and Competitiveness Facilitating access Removing visa restrictions. Improving access infrastructure (roads, port, and rail and air, border crossings). Aviation deregulation. Easing border crossing formalities. Improving quality Attracting investment. Service and quality standards. Nature and wildlife conservation. Codes of conduct. Workforce development. Labor mobility. Communicating to consumers and policymakers Branding, marketing and promotion. Crisis management. Statistics and research. Advocacy. Stakeholder coordination. Increased awareness of destination communities (Domestic Tourism Spending Percentage of Whole Economy GDP) Way forward: SME Survival Crisis Communication Jobs, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Destination Upgrades Regional Collaboration (Intra-regional Trips by Destination) Conclusion: Despite this crisis, South Asia has a strong competitive position in the global tourism industry. The region’s enormous natural and cultural assets combined with strong pre-COVID domestic and intra-regional travel demand is indicative of future growth. The opportunity now is to seize this moment of calm to envision and build a more productive, resilient tourism sector that effectively addresses poverty and gender gaps and is based on strong regional collaboration and dialogue. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
