General Studies Paper 2

Context: China is constructing a new dam on the Mabja Zangbo river in Tibet, close to the tri-junction which is a matter of concern for both India and Nepal.

• The new dam is located around 16 km north of the tri-junction and is opposite the Kalapani area of Uttarakhand.
• The Mabja Zangbo river originates in Nagari county of Tibet and flows through Nepal into the Ghaghara River before joining the Ganga in India.

About

• China’s upstream actions like dams (on Brahmaputra, Indus, tributaries of the Ganga), diversion of water, hydropolitics, and power asymmetry poses a security threat to India and water scarcity downstream.
• There is no legally binding international treaty on water sharing between India and China.
• Under CPEC, China plans to build two mega-dams on the Indus, named Bunji Dam and Bhasha Dam.
• In 2021, China announced that it would construct a massive dam on the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo  (also known as Brahmaputra) to generate up to 70 GW of power, three times that of the country’s Three Gorges dam, which is the world’s largest hydropower plant in terms of installed capacity.

Impact of Building Dams on India 

• Used as a tool in Hydropolitics: China is a critical player in the hydro-politics of the region. Its hydrological position is one of complete upper riparian supremacy giving it enormous latitude in shaping larger political equations with its riparian neighbours.
  • India is an upper, middle, and lower riparian. India’s middle riparian position increases its dependency (water insecurity) on the headwaters of the rivers such as the Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra which originate in the Tibetan plateau.
  • China wants to maintain continuous pressure on India be it all along the Himalayan range or the Indian Ocean region through building dams alongside border areas.
• India and its Neighbourhood: China was one of the three countries that did not approve of the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Waterways.
  • China has built eleven mega-dams on the Mekong River, causing water levels there to fluctuate widely without prior notice in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
  • Impact on earlier signed Treaty:  Treaties have been signed to provide definite amount of water to lower riparian states like the 1960 Indus Water Treaty  with Pakistan and the 1996 Ganga Treaty with Bangladesh.
• Military threat to India from Border Infrastructure: China’s rapid build-up of infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India is alarming and adds to overall destabilising and corrosive behaviour along the entire India-China border.
  • The satellite images of the dam on Mabja Zangbo river shows the formation of an embankment type dam with a reservoir leading to a possibility of military establishment by China near the tri-junction already witnessed from Yarlung Zangbo dam.
  • From the multiple intrusions into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh, China has assiduously built and consolidated its military positions and border infrastructure along LAC as well upgraded its air bases facing India. E.g., China construction of a bridge across Pangong Tso  in Khurnak Fort Area.
• Impact on people lives Downstream: China projects alongside Brahmaputra will impact lower riparian states local economy and ecology due to future plans of water diversion and dam projects.
  • China’s construction of hydroelectricity dams in ecologically and seismically active areas shows reassertion of its aggressive ‘supply-side hydraulic’ approach of increasing storage capacity by building dams and reservoirs.
  • These steps can impact food and water security needs of people living in low riparian regions as well increase disaster risk.
• Water Resources of North-East: Even running of the river hydroelectric dams can reduce water flow downstream, especially during the dry season.
  • India is also worried about the release of water during the monsoons, when north-eastern states such as Assam experience floods.
  • Several species of flora and fauna are endemic to the North-East part of India and some of them are critically endangered. The ecosystem in the Himalayan region is already on the decline.
• Seismological Impact: The Himalayan region is vulnerable to earthquakes and other seismic activities. The sheer size of the infrastructure projects undertaken there poses a significant threat to the populations living downstream.
  • Chins building hydrological projects along geographical fault lines. E.g., Projects on Yarlung Zangbo river are along the collision boundary of Indian plate and Eurasian plate.
  • The glaciers have been retreating due to climate change. Deforestation, soil erosion and landslides are some of the other issues.
• Water as a Weapon during Standoff: Being an upstream area, China has a clear advantage in building dams and other infrastructure to store or divert the flow of the river system.
  • There is the potential to significantly change the flow rate during times of stando? between the countries.
  • During the 2017 Doklam border stando? between India and China, China stopped communication of water flow levels from its dams.

Way Forward

• By terming water resources in Tibet as a ‘commons’, India can draw international attention. China should be pressurized to reconsider signing of 1996 UN Convention on Non- Navigation Use of Water which requires watercourse states to cooperate on the equitable and reasonable use and management of international watercourses.
• India needs to strengthen agreements with China that require the latter to share hydrological data of the river during monsoon season between May and October to alert downstream areas in the event of floods.
• India to articulate its middle riparian position, first to change the perception in the neighbourhood that India is a ‘water hegemon’.
• India to draw China into the South Asian water equation through a multi-lateral basin approach, thereby sensitising China to downstream concerns and upstream responsibilities.
• Water Treaty on lines of Indus and Ganga Treaty need to be devised with China for rivers originating from Tibet region.
• India should initiate a lower riparian coalition, stretching from the Ganga Brahmaputra Meghna basin to the Mekong, in order to draw China into a water dialogue.
• Tibet has an essential influence over Asia, providing sustenance to some of the world’s most productive agricultural zones, so it is the collective responsibility of all riparian states to preserve the ecology of this region.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: A report by the World Bank, released last year, on financing India’s urban infrastructure needs, focuses on private investments ameliorating urban problems.

About

• World Bank Estimates: 
  • The World Bank estimates that nearly $840 billion (?70 lakh crore) would be needed for investment in urban India to meet the growing demands of the population, and $55 billion would be required annually.
• Revenue by Cities:
  • This report already points out that nearly 85% of government revenue is from the cities.
  • This means that urban citizens are contributing large revenues even as the World Bank report emphasises the levying of more burdens in Urban Settlements in India

Urbanization: Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. 

• Urbanisation occurs because people move from rural areas to urban areas (towns and cities).
  • This usually occurs when a country is still developing.
• Employment Factor:
  • In India, people have been attracted to move from rural to urban areas on account of improved employment opportunities.

India’s Urban Growth: India is witnessing one of the largest urban growth spurts in history.

• This presents Indian cities with an unprecedented opportunity to look at urban planning and development through a long-term strategic lens to enable economic, environmental and social impact.
• Data on Urban Settlements:
  • India is home to 11% of the total global urban population.
  • From a population of 377 million in 2011, Indian cities are projected to house 870 million people by 2050, according to the UN’s projections which is by far the highest among all nations.
  • Delhi is likely to become the world’s most populous urban agglomerationby 2030, surpassing Tokyo.
• Funding patterns:
  • Urban finance predominantly comes from the government in India.
    • Of the finances needed to fund urban capital expenditures, 48%, 24% and 15% are derived from the central, State, and city governments, respectively.
    • Public–private partnership projects contribute 3% and commercial debt 2%.
  • The flagship programmes of the government, the Smart City mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), etc., are not more than ?2 lakh crore (that too for a period of five years).

Issues & Challenges faced by Cities

• Affordable Housing: 
  • Inadequate affordable housing has meant that almost one-sixth of the urban population lives in slums.
• Water Supply & Waste Management:
  • Water supply is unreliable.
  • Mountains of solid waste sit on the fringes of our cities.
  • Poor drainage, congested roads and deteriorating air quality are other challenges.
• Poor Urban Planning:
  • The existing urban planning and governance framework is complex, which often leads to ambiguity and a lack of accountability.
  • City planning has become a highly technocratic exercise with long delays and there is a need for the demystification of the master plans.
• Lack of Coordination:
  • Lack of synergy between urban and rural planning and development. The ‘State Town and country planning acts need to be revisited to harmonise the two.
• Funding: 
  • More sources for funding are required like resources other than the public budget need to be tapped. High prices will make services unaffordable.
• Migrant Crisis:
  • Urban dwellers are ignored and unable to live, work and play safely and happily.
  • An urbanisation policy needs to take cognisance of future mobility patterns.
• Connectivity & Congestion:
• Congestion and delays in both passenger and commercial traffic are widespread in Indian cities
• Issues of Urban Slums:
  • Urban Slums are subject to insecure land tenure, lack of access to basic minimum civic services such as safe drinking water, sanitation, storm drainage, solid waste management, internal and approach roads, street lighting, education and health care, and poor quality of shelter.

Suggestions

• World Banks’s Suggestions:
  • The solutions suggested include improving the fiscal base and creditworthiness of the Indian cities.
  • Cities must institute a buoyant revenue base and be able to recover the cost of providing its services.
  • In simpler terms, it means increasing property taxes, user fees and service charges to name a few.
• Bottom-up planning:
  • For the urban context, plans must be made from below by engaging with the people and identifying their needs.
• Empowering the city governments: 
  • National task force chaired by C. Sivaramakrishnan suggested the following:
    • Empowering the people,
    • Transferring subjects to the city governments, suggesting that10% of the income-tax collected from cities be given back to them and
    • Ensuring that this corpus fund was utilised only for infrastructure building.
  • This would ensure that city governments had an advantage in ensuring rapid transformation.
• Urban governance with regular elections:
• Another important aspect of urban infrastructure is linked to urban governance, which is in shambles in most parts of the country.
• Regular elections should be held in cities and there must be empowerment through the transferring of the three Fs: finances, functions, and functionaries.
• Steps for Enhancing the Role of the Private Sector:
• These include the adoption of fair processes for
  • procuring technical consultancy services,
  • strengthening project structuring and management skills in the public sector, and
  • empanelment of private sector consultancies.
• Clarity & expertise:
• There is a need to bring in more institutional clarity and also multi-disciplinary expertise to solve urban challenges.
  • The key aspects that would need to be addressed in this effort are:
    • Clear division of the roles and responsibilities of various authorities, appropriate revision of rules and regulations, etc.
    • Creation of a more dynamic organizational structure,
    • Standardisation of the job descriptions of town planners and other experts,
    • Extensive adoption of technology for enabling public participation and inter-agency coordination.

Way ahead

• Cities should also aim to mainstream the use of spatialised social, economic and environmental data to create robust links across the urban-rural continuum.
• Adequate political will for financial inputs and enforcement of regulations will be essential for often fund-starved urban administrations.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, 2022 provides for mandatory parental consent for all data processing activities by children, defined as any person aged under 18 years.
• Background of data privacy law: Started in 2010 with the constitution of the Justice Srikrishna Committee.

Justice BN Srikrishna Committee Data Protection Report:

• The Committee was constituted by the union government in July 2017, to deliberate on a data protection framework.
• The Supreme Court in its Puttaswamy judgment, 2017: It declared privacy a fundamental right.
• Interests of citizens:The report has emphasized that interests of the citizens and the responsibilities of the state have to be protected, but not at the cost of trade and industry.
• It proposed a draft Personal Data Protection Bill.

New Data Protection Bill:

• Inclusion of the word “digital” in the Bill’s title speaks to India’s long-standing goal of being a digitally forward society.
• Bill has two major stakeholders:
• Data Principal
• Data Fiduciary.
• Data Principal: It refers to the subject whose data is being processed
• Data Fiduciary: It is an entity that processes this data.
• fiduciary” whilst referring to a data processor is significant.
• The relationship between the two is guided by:
• Trust, assurance and good faith.
• Data Fiduciary: It is responsible for safeguarding the interests of Data Principals.
• Bill describes:
• The obligations of the Data Fiduciaries towards Data Principals
• The rights and duties of the latter
• Regulatory framework through which data will be processed.
• Bill lists the “duties” of the Data Principals: these have no bearing on the realization of the rights provided by the Bill.

Important aspects of bill:

• In addition to the general obligations to prevent the misuse of the personal data of individuals
• The Bill has outlined a category of Significant Data Fiduciaries entities: that are required to comply with additional measures to safeguard the personal data of individuals.
• Only companies that process vast amounts of data or have a potential impact on the country’s sovereignty and integrity need to take such stringent measures.
• Such measures reduce the compliance cost of companies that are at a nascent stage.
• Data localisation” in the previous versions of the Bill, have been omitted:The reworked Bill permits the government to notify countries to which data transfers may be permitted.

The gaps in the Bill:

• The Bill relies on parents to grant consent on behalf of the child in all cases.
• In a country with low digital literacy, where parents in fact often rely on their children (who are digital natives)
• This is an ineffective approach to keep children safe online.
• It does not take into account the “best interests of the child”, a standard originating in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989,to which India is a signatory.
• The Bill does not factor in how teenagers use various Internet platforms for self-expression and personal development and how central it is to the experience of adolescents these days.
• Bill does allow the government to provide exemptions in the future from strict parental consent requirements, profiling, tracking prohibitions, etc
• It does not acknowledge the blurring lines between what a platform can be used for.
• For example: Instagram is a social media platform, but is regularly used as an educational and professional development tool by millions of artists around the world.
• Each platform will have to obtain ‘verifiable parental consent’ in the case of minors.
• It can change the nature of the Internet
• It is not possible to tell if the user is a minor without confirming their age, platforms will have to verify the age of every user.
• Risk for citizens: The government will prescribe whether verifiability will be based on ID-proof, or facial recognition, or reference-based verification etc
• All platforms will now have to manage significantly more personal data than before
• Citizens will be at greater risk of harms such as data breaches, identity thefts, etc.

India laws for child Protection;

• Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

Way Forward

• We need to shift our approach with respect to children’s data before this Bill is brought to Parliament.
• To avoid the folly of treating unequals equally and blocking off access to the Internet for teenagers these steps are needed.
• Move from a blanket ban on tracking, monitoring, etc. and adopt a risk-based approach to platform obligations.
• Platforms should be mandated to undertake a risk assessment for minors and not only perform age-verification-related corresponding obligations
• Design services with default settings and features that protect children from harm.
• This approach will bring in an element of co-regulation, by creating incentives for platforms to design better products for children.
• Relax the age of mandatory parental consent for all services to 13 years in line with many other jurisdictions around the world.
• It will minimize data collection, which is one of the principles that the Bill is built on.
• Experience and deliberations in the United Kingdom, and in the United States (California, New York, etc.) where age appropriate design codes have been introduced. To
• The government should conduct large-scale surveys of both children and parents to find out more about their online habits, digital literacy, preferences and attitudes.
• Design a policy in India that balances the safety and the agency of children online.
• We should not put the onus of keeping our young safe only on parents, but instead it should make it a society-wide obligation.
• Get the data protection framework right as India’s ‘techade’ cannot be realized without its youth.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• India sent written financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming the first bilateral creditor of the island nation to officially support its crucial debt restructure programme after last year’s economic meltdown.
• A bilateral agreement between India and Sri Lanka on raising the limit of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) was also signed during the India’s External Affairs Minister’s Visit.

Significance of India’s Financing Assurance

• The International Monetary Fund’s provisional USD 2.9 billion package to Sri Lanka will be cleared only after  Sri Lanka’s official creditors — China, Japan and India — have provided adequate financing assurances.
• The decision of financing assurance was also a reassertion of India’s belief in the principle of  “neighborhood first””, and not leaving a partner to fend for themselves.

How are India’s Relations with Sri Lanka?

• About:
  • India and Sri Lanka are two South Asian nations situated in the Indian Ocean region. Geographically, Sri Lanka is located just off the southern coast of India, separated by the Palk Strait.
    • This proximity has played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
  • The Indian Ocean is a strategically important waterway for trade and military operations, and Sri Lanka’s location at the crossroads of major shipping lanes makes it a critical point of control for India.
• Relations:
  • Historical Ties:India and Sri Lanka have a long history of cultural, religious, and trade ties dating back to ancient times.
    • There are strong cultural ties between the two countries, with many Sri Lankans tracing their heritage to India. Buddhism,  which originated in India, is also an important religion in Sri Lanka.
  • Economic ties:India is Sri Lanka’s third largest export destination, after the US and UK. More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports enjoy the benefits of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. India is also a major investor in Sri Lanka.
    • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)from India amounted to around USD 1.7 billion over the years from 2005 to 2019.
  • Defence:India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti)  and Naval exercise (SLINEX). 
• Issues in India-Sri Lanka Relations:
• Killing of Fishermen:Killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy is a lingering issue between these two nations.
  • In 2019 and 2020, a total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested and a total of 53 Indian boats were confiscated by the Sri Lankan authorities.
• Influence of China:   China’s rapidly growing economic footprint (and political clout as a corollary) in Sri Lanka is straining India-Sri Lanka relations.

• China is already the largest investor in Sri Lanka, accounting for 23.6% of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2010-2019 as against 10.4% from India.
  • 13^thAmendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution: It envisages devolution of necessary powers to the provincial councils to address the just demand of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka.
    • India supports its implementation but the Sri Lankan government is yet to “fully implement” the 13^th

Conclusion

• India, which has followed the “Neighbourhood First policy” to cement bonds with its neighbours, can walk that extra mile to help Sri Lanka out of the current crisis and help Sri Lanka towards realising its potential, to reap the rewards of a stable, friendly neighbourhood.

General Studies Paper 1

Context:

• Massive erosion along the banks of the Ganga river has left hundreds of people homeless in West Bengal.

Major Reasons

• Flood is the most crucial reason for river bank erosion.
• Deforestation also causes River Bank Erosion.
• Humans extract excessive amounts of soil from the bank for their uses or they extract huge amounts of sand and gravel which help to hold back the soil. By doing this they accelerate river bank erosion.
• Key factors causing the river to be extremely unstable at many reaches are ’aggradation’(raising of the river bed due to sediment deposition), intense ‘braiding’ and large water discharge.
• Other than the natural process, like storms and sea level rise, anthropogenic issues like aquaculture, port construction and other developmental activities also lead to erosion.

Implications and Concerns 

• The recurring incidents of river bank erosion have doubled the safety concerns of people.
• Apart from the loss of cropped areas, they fear that their residential areas might cave in.
• People have begun to move out of villages as erosion of the river has affected agricultural lands.
  • All these reasons are a major cause of migration
• The erosion of river banks is also having an impact on education and employment in the area.
  • Since locals have to keep shifting their homes, it has become difficult for them to continue their children’s education
• The locals are mostly farmers and agricultural labourers, and it has become difficult for them to sustain their livelihood as large stretches of farmland have been swallowed up by the river.
• Protection of river banks from erosion is a problem in flood-prone areas and involves a huge expenditure.
• Many local bodies are also reluctant to use their own funds, expecting contributions from other government sources.

Initiatives 

• The grass vetiver, whose scientific name is Chrysopogon Zizanioides, has been planted on the embankment of the Mundeswari River in the Hooghly district experimentally under the MGNREGA programme.
• The XVth Finance Commission had recommended the creation of a National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) comprising a Mitigation Fund at the National and State-levels (NDMF/SDMF), and a Response Fund at the National and State level (NDRF/SDRF) for the award period from 2021-22 to 2022-26.
  • The Commission has also made specific recommendations for ‘Mitigation Measures to Prevent Erosion’ under NDMF and ‘Resettlement of Displaced People Affected by Erosion’under NDRF.
• The projects for flood management and control are formulated and implemented by respective state governments/Union Territories from their own resources and as per their priority.
• The Central Government provides financial assistance to states/UTs for implementing some projects in critical areas. Central Govt. has been providing financial assistance through a scheme called Flood Management Programme (FMP) since XI Plan. 
  • The scheme since its inception has undergone several changes as per demands of states/UTs and also on account of various directions and policies of Govt. of India.

Suggestions and Way Forward 

• There is a need to develop suitable norms for mitigation measures to prevent erosion and for both the Union and the State Governments to develop a policy to deal with the extensive displacement of people caused by coastal and river erosion.
• The phase-wise solution is required for the mitigation of erosion by including a combination of measures including strategic dredging, and protection of erodible bank materials with anchored bulkhead or tie-back sheet piles, spurs, toe and bank revetments.
• Improvement of data quality and quantity by extending rain, flow and sediment monitoring networks using state-of-the-art equipment and considering physical modelling to study severe and potential scour sites and their control have also been suggested by the experts.
• There is a need for adopting the holistic science of river management as well as comprehensive land use plans for vulnerable areas.
• There is a need to generate awareness among the people:
  • People should understand that this is the land of the river and the river needs space to play.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• India has taken over the G20 presidency. The motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, underscores how interconnected our world is.

G20:

• The G20 is an informal group:19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
• The G20 Presidency rotates annually: according to a system that ensures a regional balance over time.
• For the selection of the presidency: 19 countries are divided into 5 groups, each having no more than 4 countries.
  • The presidency rotates between each group.
• Every year the G20 selects a country from another group to be president.
  • India is in Group 2 which also has Russia, South Africa, and Turkey.
• The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat or Headquarters.

Current Issues:

• The global food, energy, and financial crises
• Climatic crisis
• Developing countries: are facing an extended, multi-faceted shock of great magnitude.

Priorities identified by India:

• Green development, climate finance and LiFE (lifestyle for environment)
• Accelerated, inclusive and resilient growth
• Accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Technological transformation and digital public infrastructure
• Multilateral reforms
• Women-led development.

Problems that need group action:

• Problems that South Asian countries face are global in nature, transcend national borders, and necessitate group effort.
• In August 2022, inflation in Sri Lanka reached an all-time high
• Damage caused by floods and economic losses in Pakistan amount to more than $30 billion.
• Global fossil fuel prices have increased: The Government of Bangladesh hiked fuel prices by more than 50% that triggered inflation of 5(seven point five)%.

Steps India need to take:

• India needs to promote collective action at the G20 that results in economic stability and peace in the region.
• India is South Asia’s largest country with the largest economy and significant global clout
  • India is well poised to represent the subcontinent at these international fora.
• India can draw attention to issues that are significant for South Asia and the entire developing world, ensuring greater momentum for those nations not represented in the G20.

Some of the key challenges facing South Asia and the developing world:

• Post-pandemic recovery
• Surge in commodity prices following inflationary pressures
• Inclement weather induced by climate change.

Steps taken by South Asian countries:

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) used to generate 70% of the energy needs of Bangladesh, while coal used to generate roughly 70% of the electricity needed in India.
• Green energy transition is one of the top priorities for this region.
• Improving health infrastructure is quite important for South Asia and the G20 agenda.

Way Forward

• Rising debt burdens of South Asian economies represent a potential crisis that requires urgent attention.
  • India has an opportunity to effectively voice the socio-economic aspirations of South Asia’s.
• The discussion of global cooperation needs to go beyond technology transfers and financial aid to cover losses and damages brought on by climate change.
• For South Asia: It is important that multilateral organizations and development finance institutes supporting economic development and good governance are reformed as these countries are major stakeholders for these global institutes.
• India needs to prioritize all issues of South Asia not only to make the G20 an effective platform but also to be the voice of billions in the region and beyond.
• Being the only G20 member from South Asia, India has added responsibilities since many non-G20 nations (particularly those in the global South) look upon India to represent their interests at the G20.
• India should use its G20 chair to reform international governance procedures and ensure fair negotiations.
• The South Asian giant has an opportunity to initiate deliberations,discussions, and debates, resulting in policies that provide pragmatic solutions to pressing concerns affecting its immediate neighborhood and beyond.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

An up-sarpanch in Telangana died by suicide due to indebtedness.

• He had taken out a loan to undertake development works in the village and was unable to bear the burden.

Challenges faced by Panchayats:

• Failure of the State government to release funds in time: It forces them to utilize either private resources or borrow large amounts to complete panchayat activities and meet various targets.
• State governments: through the local bureaucracy, continue to exercise considerable discretionary authority and influence over panchayats.
• Gram panchayats remain fiscally dependent on grants (both discretionary and non-discretionary grants) from the State and the Centre for everyday activities.
• Their own sources of revenue (both tax and non-tax): They constitute a tiny proportion of overall panchayat funds.
  • For example: In Telangana, less than a quarter of a panchayat’s revenue comes from its own sources of revenue.
• Access to discretionary grants for panchayats remains contingent on political and bureaucratic connections.
• An inordinate delay in transferring approved funds to panchayat accounts stalls local development.
  • Delays in the disbursement of funds by the local bureaucracy have led to pressure on sarpanches leading some to end their life.
• State governments also bind local governments’ through the local bureaucracy.
  • Approval for public works projects often requires technical approval (from the engineering department) and administrative approval
• Higher-level politicians and bureaucrats intervening in selecting beneficiaries for government programmes and limiting the power of sarpanches further.
• The ability of sarpanches to exercise administrative controlover local employees is also limited.
  • In many States, the recruitment of local functionaries reporting to the panchayat, such as village watchmen or sweepers, is conducted at the district or block level.
• Sarpanch does not have the power to dismiss these local-level employees.
• Unlike elected officials at other levels, sarpanchs can be dismissed while in office.
  • Gram Panchayat Acts in many States have empowered district-level bureaucrats, mostly district Collectors, to act against sarpanches for official misconduct.
  • For example: Section 37 of the Telangana Gram Panchayat Act allows District Collectors to suspend and dismiss incumbent sarpanches.

Grounds can Collectors act against sarpanchs:

• Abuse of power, embezzlement, or misconduct
• Refusal to “carry out the orders of the District Collector or Commissioner or Government for the proper working of the concerned Gram Panchayat”.

Case Study:(Political intervention)

• Survey of sarpanches in Haryana’s Palwal district:
  • They spend a substantial amount of time visiting government offices and meeting local bureaucrats, and waiting to be seen or heard.
  • Sarpanchs reported that they need to be in the “good books” of politicians and local bureaucrats if they wanted:
    • access to discretionary resources
    • timely disbursement of funds
    • able to successfully execute any project or programme in their village.

Constraints on how panchayats can use the funds allocated to them:

• State governments often impose spending limits on various expenditures through panchayat funds.
  • This could include activities such as purchasing posters of national icons, refreshments for visiting dignitaries etc
• In almost all States, there is a system of double authorisation for spending panchayat funds.
  • Apart from sarpanchs, disbursal of payments requires bureaucratic concurrence.

Sources of funds for Panchayats:

• Their own sources of revenue: local taxes, revenue from common property resources, etc.
• Grants in aid from the Centre and State governments
• Discretionary or scheme-based funds.

Way Forward

• Sarpanchs need to have administrative or financial autonomy for meaningful decentralization.
• The situation in Telangana is a reminder for State governments to re-examine the provisions of their respective Gram Panchayat laws and consider greater devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries to local governments.
• India has limited decentralization because if local governments get genuine autonomy to allocate the monies, power will shift from the MLAs and State government-controlled bureaucracy to the sarpanch.
• The role and responsibilities of local governments should be foregrounded by normative values which have found expression, at least in some regard, in the Constitution.
• As India is undergoing a centralizing shift in its politics, economy, and culture, there’s also been a renewed assertion of federalism.

General Studies Paper 3

Context:

• In 2021, the Government of India had proposed at the United Nations for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. India’s proposal was supported by 72 countries and United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) in March 2021. To take forward this declaration, the Government of India has decided to celebrate IYM 2023 by making it a peoples’ movement or ‘Jan Andolan‘to enhance awareness regarding millets and health benefits and promoting millets as a healthy option for the food basket. Activities are also being taken up to propel demand creation of millets at both global and local levels, for better remuneration to the farmers for its production, to provide protection of sources (soil and water), and creation of direct and indirect employment.
• India produces more than 170 lakh tonnes of millets per year and is the largest producer of millets in the world; accounting for 20% of global productionand 80% of Asia’s production. India’s average yield of millets (1239 kg/hectare) is also higher than global-average yield of 1229 kg/hectare. Major millet crops grown in India and their percentage share of production are Pearl Millet (Bajra,61%), Sorghum (Jowar, 27%), and Finger Millet (Mandua/Ragi, 10%). The Prime Minister has also tried to promote millets through his various speeches. He has highlighted that millets have been part of India’s tradition, culture and ancient civilization, their relevance being cited in sacred texts like Vedas and Tolkappiyam.

What are Millets?

• Millets, popularly called ‘Mota Anaj‘ in Hindi, are a collective group of small-seeded annual grassesthat are grown as grain crops, primarily on marginal land in dry areas of temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical regions. They are one of the ancient foods dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, around 3000 BC. They are grown in almost 131 countries today. Currently, millets constitute the traditional food for 59 crore people across Asia and Africa.
• In India, millets can be clubbed into major, minor, and pseudo categories.
• Major Millets: Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandua).
• Minor Millets: Foxtail Millet (Kangani/Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet, Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/ Jhangora), Little Millet (Kutki).
• Pseudo Millets: Buck-wheat (Kuttu) and Amaranth (Chaulai).
• The top five states producing Millets are Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

Importance of Millets

• Climate-friendly Crop: Apart from health benefits, millets are: (a) Resilient to climate change as they are pest free; (b) Adapted to a wide range of temperatures and moisture regimes; (c) Demand less input of chemical fertilisers to grow; (d) Have low carbon and water footprints; (e) Require minimum rainfall for their growth, hence they can sustain in drought-prone areas. These benefits make them bio-diverse and climate-smart crops.
• Viable options for Small Farmers: Due to the low investment needed for the production of millets, they prove to be a sustainable and viable income source for small and marginal farmers.
• High in Nutrition and Health Benefits:

(a) Storehouse of nutrition : Millet are known to be a storehouse of nutrition as they are good sources of calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, vitamin, iron, folate, carbohydrates, micronutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals with nutraceutical properties. They can help provide ;

(b) Addressing Modern Lifestyle Diseases: They can help fight many modern-day, lifestyle diseases like Diabetes Mellitus & Heart Disorders, Cancer and Brain Disorders;

(c) Around 70% fatalities around the world are attributable to non-communicable diseases caused due to modern lifestyles and changed consumption patterns. Health Experts say that dietary habits are causing ‘oxidative stress‘ leading to cancer and DNA damage. Millets have antioxidants which can address the ‘oxidative stress’ and help cure these lifestyle diseases;

(d) Tackling Malnutrition: They are gluten-free and considered good for celiac patients (Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For patients suffering from celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in small intestine. Over time, this response prevents the intestine from absorbing some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia). The promotion of millets can be an effective strategy for tackling malnutrition in the country.

• Economic and Food Security: Under India’s National Food Security Mission the area and production of millets have increased. Over the years, the production of millets has increased from 14.52 million tonnes (2015-16) to 17.96 million tones in 2020- 21 (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare). Its exports are increasing exponentially as the demand for millets is increasing at a fast rate With the growing demand for millets, it is creating more business opportunities for all stakeholders.

Millet as a part of the Food basket

• The Government of India has initiated the revival of millets in the past few years and declared 2018 as the ‘National Year of Millets’ to raise awareness about its health benefits and boost millet production. They are labelled as ‘Nutri-cereals’ due to their high nutrition quotient. Millets have been included under POSHAN Abhiyanin 2018.
• The Government has also launched Mission POSHAN 2.0 in 2021 to tackle malnutrition and leverage traditional knowledge systems and popularise the incorporation of millets in local recipes in order to enhance the quality of supplementary nutrition.
• Under the POSHAN Abhiyan every year, September is celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah or National Nutrition Month across the country. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has encouraged all States and the UTs to incorporate millets in the recipes to enhance the nutritional quality of the meal provided under the Supplementary Nutrition programme of Anganwadi centres. Millets are being mandatorily supplied at least once a week.
• Balanced diets based on locally available low-cost nutritious foods and benefits of consuming millets are being shared with mothers’ groups through the Anganwadis. Millets are being incorporated in supplementary nutritionin several States and Union Territories such Odisha, Telangana, etc.

Initiatives towards making IYM 2023 a success

• The Government has embarked on a nationwide Jan Andolanto enhance awareness and highlight the nutritional benefits of millets, positioning it as a modern-day healthy food that is easy to cook and quick to prepare.
• Various creative campaigns on several forums such as radio, print, social media, offline events, and activities are being taken up to break the stigma of millet being the ‘food of the poor’ showcasing it as a superfood, combating misinformation, reviving lost recipes, thus making it as an essential part of the mainstream food basket.
• Millets have been showcased in various reputed events like India International Trade Fair, Dubai Expo and Surajkund Mela etc.
• Over 500 startups are working in millet value chain while the Indian Institute on Millet Researchhas incubated 250 startups under RKVY-RAFTAAR. More than INR 6.2 crores has been disbursed to over 66 startups while about 25 startups have been approved for further funding.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is actively spreading awareness of the health benefits of the miracle crop by celebrating ‘Recipe Ravivar‘ every Sunday on social media platforms where each month is dedicated to a specific variety of millets.
• Seven Sutras
• The Government of India has launched a set of seven sutrasin the run-up to IYM 2023 and has allocated different government departments for the same. The seven sutras outline areas in:

(a) The enhancement of production/productivity;

(b) Nutrition and health benefits;

(c) Value addition;

(d) Processing, and recipes development;

(e) Entrepreneurship/startup/collective development;

(f) Awareness creation-branding, labelling and promotion, international outreach;

(g) Policy interventions for mainstreaming.

Of the seven sutras, nutrition and health benefits will focus on:

(a) Generating awareness regarding health and nutrition benefits by developing mass campaigns such as Eat Right Campaigns;

(b) Enhancing steps to avail technology support for Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR), SAUs and others like Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), AYUSH, Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to research and collate evidence;

(c) Promoting bio-fortification of millets;

(d) Giving more focus on the digital publication of papers on millets;

(e) Encouraging commissioning of studies by National/International reputed organisations, spreading awareness among mothers through Anganwadis.

• The Government also plans to establish Centres of Excellence on millets across the length and breadth of the country and link industries with these centres.

Conclusion

• Due to various activities and efforts of different Departments and Ministries of Government of India and the States and UTs, momentum has kickstarted for popularising millets and turning it into a revolutionary movement. In line with Prime Minister’s vision for a healthier India, at a time when the country is entering ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal‘, there is a strong focus on Jan Bhagidarior people’s movement to bring the spotlight on this superfood and for bringing this ancient food to the centerstage.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: 

• The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India visited Maldives when the presidential election in Maldives is around the corner.

Background:

• The incumbent president’s (Solih) announcement to run for a second term, has been opposed within his party by former president and leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed.
• Though Solih’s foreign policy expressly roots for “India First”, he is also careful about not alienating China.
• Yameen had a pro-China tilt and has run an anti-India campaign(‘India Out’ campaign recently) alleging that the MDP government has sold out to India and permitted Indian troops to be based on Maldivian soil.

What happened during the EAM’s visit?

• Inaugurated an international airport developed by India ($ 136.6-million) at Hanimadhoo in Haaa Dahaalu atoll.
  • This is India’s second largest infrastructure project after the ($500 million) Greater Male Connectivity project, which aims to connect the Maldives capital to three neighbouring highlands.
  • Both are prestige projects for Delhi that compete in scale with the Chinese-built Male-Hulumale-Hulhule bridge and the Hulumale airport.
• Inaugurated an India-funded community centre In the Foakaidhoo island in the nearby Shaviyani atoll.
• Handed over two sea ambulances to the Maldives Defence Ministry.
• In the Manadhoo island of Noonu atoll, the two sides signed three MoUs, including –
  • A proposed collaboration between Cochin University and the Maldives National University, and
  • A $100 million grant for “high impact community development” projects.
• The focus of the discussion was on development cooperation, capacity building and people-to-people ties.

Significance of Maldives for India:

• A country crucial to India’s interests in the Indian Ocean.
• In the past five years, Delhi’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR(Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies have found expression in the improvement of ties.
• Maldives is part of the India-driven Colombo Security Conclave.

 India’s message to Maldives:

• India is a committed partner in the Maldives’s journey of progress and transformation.
• The “new disruptions” in the current geopolitics has made the collaboration even more important.

General Studies Paper 3

Context

• Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs MCA proposed a broad range of changes to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
  

Key Proposed Changes

• Empowering National Company Law Tribunal:
  • The ministry has proposed to empower the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to slap hefty fines on those that contravene IBC rules.
  • NCLT’s discretion has been increased in the new measures, so focus will be on strengthening NCLT for effective implementation.
• Fast-tracking the Process:
  • It has also explicitly clarified that the adjudicating authority must admit an insolvency case if the default is established and need not get into other specifics like the reason for the default, etc, which was delaying the admission of applications.
• Electronic Platform Minimal Human Interface:
  • The ministry has suggested developing a state-of-the-art electronic platform that can handle several processes under the Code with minimum human interface.
  • This e-platform may provide for a case management system, automated processes to file applications with the Adjudicating Authority (AA), delivery of notices, enabling interaction of IPs (Insolvency Professionals) with stakeholders, storage of records of CDs (Corporate Debtors) undergoing the process, and incentivising participation of other market players in the IBC ecosystem.
• Recasting Liquidation Process:
  • The liquidation process is also sought to be made more open, flexible and equitable to provide comfort to the creditors
• Redesigning the Fast-Track Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (FIRP):
  • The ministry has also proposed redesigning the Fast-Track Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (FIRP) to allow financial creditors to drive the insolvency resolution process for a CD outside of the judicial process while retaining some involvement of the Adjudicating Authority (AA) to improve the legal certainty of the final outcome.
  • Further, the resolution plan approved through this procedure will have the same sanctity as a regular plan approved during the CIRP (Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process).
• Special framework for real estate: 
  • The ministry has pitched for a special framework for real estate to limit bankruptcy proceedings to only insolvent projects.
• Transfer of the Ownership:
  • Another proposal is to enable a resolution professional to transfer the ownership and possession of a plot, apartment or building to the allottees with the consent of the CoC (Committee of Creditors).
• Multiple Resolution Plans:
  • It will allow multiple resolution plans for a single stressed firm (in all sectors).
  • The ministry proposed a change in the mechanism to distribute resolution proceeds.
• New Waterfall Mechanism:
  • The MCA has proposed a new waterfall mechanism under which creditors will receive proceeds up to the stressed firm’s liquidation value in the order of priority already stipulated (secured financial creditors gets precedence over usually unsecured operational creditors).
  • But any surplus over such liquidation value will be proportionately distributed among all creditors in the ratio of their unsatisfied claims.
• Extension of Insolvency Framework:
  • It extended the so-called prepackaged insolvency framework–meant for only MSMEs–to larger entities.

Significance of Changes

• The changes will streamline various processes and procedures by the introduction of technology and bringing out clarity in relevant clauses to ensure smoother implementation.
• It will help cut delays in the resolution process.
• It will prevent erosion of stressed asset value, somewhat discipline errant stakeholders.
• The recommendations on prepack and out-of-court resolution(fast track resolution) with optional moratorium and NCLT sanction will take India closer to overseas prepack regimes. 
  

Conclusion

• Based on the past hurdles faced in various provisions and clauses, the ground level issues have been identified and proposed to be rectified step by step.
• Such recommendations, once implemented properly, would result in effective resolution of insolvency.
• However, insolvency regulator Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) should be conscious that these recommendations should not pave way for further litigations, which will stall the entire process of resolution.