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Private: Current Affairs Weekly: 1st week Feb 2015Contents

1 I. Polity

1.1 Nullify win if candidate conceals criminal past:SC1.2 Criminalisation of politics1.3 Finance Commission1.4 Quotas do not hurt efficiency, says study1.5 1.6 Election Polls

2

2.1 Most parties have no records of donors

3 4 II. Governance

4.1 PAHAL Yojana4.2 MP baggs MNREGS award4.3 MGNREGA celebrates its 10th Divas4.4 DBT can plug PDS leakages : Study

5 III. Society

5.1 Cancer cases may rise sharply: WHO

6 IV. ECONOMY

6.1 China is top foreign investment destination: UNCTAD report6.2 Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): RBI

7 V. INTERNATIONAL8 RIC forum on Convention on International terrorism

8.1 Russia, China endorse Indias inclusion in expanded APEC

9 VI. TECHNOLOGY

9.1 Three-parent babies explained9.2 Indian Space scientists working on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) systems9.3 Mitochondrial Therapy

10 VII. CULTURE

10.1 Bharat Rang Mahotsav

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11 VIII. Rights Issues

11.1 Raahgiri Day for the Persons with Disabilities

12 IX. SECURITY

12.1 Agni-V successful test-firing12.2 Indian Coast Gaurd: 38th Raising Day

13 X.ENVIRONMENT

13.1 Ground Water Overuse Sinks Riverbed13.2 For article on water management in India click here13.3 Please Share & Support Us:

I. PolityNullify win if candidate conceals criminal past:SCAs a sequel to the chain of judiciary introduced electoral reforms Supreme Court ruledthat the election of a returned candidate will be held as null and void if he/she fails todisclose complete and full details of his criminal antecedents at the time of hisnomination.It held that the non-disclosure amounted to the violation of the voters right to take aninformed choice and created an impediment in the free exercise of electoral right.Says misinformation violates voters fundamental right to know

The court held that disclosure of criminal antecedents by a candidate isacategorical imperative.- as per the Kantian philosophy.(You can quote thisruling as an example in the ethics answers)

Criminalisation of politicsThe criminalization of politics, executive & judiciary is almost complete people with criminal backgroundsbecoming politicians and elected representatives.

Components:-(1) Muscle PowerThe influence of muscle power in Indian politics has been a fact of life for a long time. . The Panchayat elections,like other elections in the recent past, have demonstrated once again that there can be no sanity in India as longas politics continues to be based on caste and(2)Unwarranted Nexus.Nexus between the politician and criminals. Many of politicians choose muscle power to gain vote bank in thecountry, and they apply the assumption that, if we are unable to bring faith in the community then we can generatefear or threat to get the power in the form of election.

(3) Money PowerThe elections to Parliament and State Legislatures are very expensive and it is a widely accepted fact that hugeelection expenditure is the root cause for corruption in India.. The expenditure estimation for an election estimatedas Rs 5 per voter as election expenditure, for 600 million voters, and calculation of all the expenses in a generalelaction estimated around Rs 2,000 crore. Then there is the period between elections. Where is this money tocome from? Only criminal activity can generate such large sums of untaxed funds. That is why you have criminalsin politics. They have money and muscle, so they win and help others in their party win as well.

Reasons Of This Criminalization:-

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(1) Vote Bank PoliticsThe political parties and independent candidates have astronomical expenditure for vote buying and otherillegitimate purposes through these criminals or so called goondas. A politicians link with them constituencyprovides a congenial climate to political crime. Those who do not know why they ought to vote comprise themajority of voters of this country. Therefore majority of the voters are manoeuvrable, purchasable. Most of themare individually timid and collectively coward. To gain their support is easier for the unscrupulous than theconscientious.

(2) Corruption:In every election all parties without exception put up candidates with a criminal background. Even though some ofus whine about the decision taken by the parties, the general trend is that these candidates are elected to office.

The first stage was the corrupting of the institutions and the second stage was the institutionalization of corruption.

(3) Loop Holes In The Functioning Of Election Commission:The Election Commission must take adequate measures to break the nexus between the criminals and thepoliticians. The forms prescribed by the Election Commission for candidates disclosing their convictions, casespending in courts and so on in their nomination papers is a step in the right direction if it applied properly. Toomuch should not be expected, however, from these disclosures. They would only inform people of the candidateshistory and qualifications, but not prohibit them from casting their votes, regardless, in favour of a criminal.

(4) Denial Of Justice And Rule Of Law:Criminalization is a fact of Indian electoral politics today. The voters, political parties and the law and ordermachinery of the state are all equally responsible for this. There is very little faith in India in the efficacy of thedemocratic process in actually delivering good governance. This extends to accepting criminalization of politics asa fact of life. Toothless laws against convicted criminals standing for elections further encourage this process.Under current law, only people who have been convicted at least on two counts be debarred from becomingcandidates.

(5) Competition to win election by any chance: Many criminal background candidates are given party tickets,due to their high winning ability. An ADR study says that, the winning changes of a criminal background candidateor a person with money power is 33% more than a normal person. This is the primary cause of criminalisation inINDIA.

(6) Unholy trinity of crime, business and politics- For partisan gains is the main reason.

(7) Lack of political will to clean up this mess is the main cause of its persistant existence.

Legal Threads:-(1) Vohra Committee:-The report by N.N.Vohra found such deep involvement of politicians with organised crime all over India that it wasbarred from publication. It coined the term criminalisation of politics. As highlighted by it, Our elections involvea lot of black money and it is this use of black money in elections which has also brought about the criminalizationof politics.

(2) Supreme Courts Judgement:-The Supreme Court judgment of May 2, 2002 mandated that candidates disclose their criminal antecedents, if any,as also their financial and educational background. The Election Commission had proposed amendment ofstatutory rules and the format of nomination papers, to give effect to this judgment of the Supreme Court. TheApex Court judgement to check corruption among public servant is a welcome step. No law should provideprotective shield to the corrupt public official and the court has rightly held that no prior sanction of competentauthority would be required to prosecute them.

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(3) Right To Information Act And Criminalization Of Politics:- The Court held that the right to information the right to knowantecedents, including the criminal past, or assets of candidates was a fundamental right under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitutionand that the information was fundamental for survival of democracy.The ECI has achieved considerable success in containing the roleof muscle power through measures such as the effectiveimplementation of the model code of conduct and the setting up ofthe expense monitoring cell. Mandatory declaration of assets andexisting criminal charges in self-sworn affidavits to the ECI prior toelections has brought in some transparency.

Supreme Court judgments disqualifying convicted MPs and MLAs(Lily Thomas vs. Union of India, 2013), barring those in jail from contesting (Chief Election Commissioner vs. JanChowkidar, 2013), directing the EC to bring the issue of election related freebies under the ambit of the Code ofConduct,The Allahabad High Court banning caste and religion based political rallies are all attempts to change the system.

Levelling the electoral field by addressing the role of money power in elections is a pressing imperative. Deeperresearch into state-funding of elections and devising a metric to quantitatively measure the performance ofindividual MPs are areas of far-reaching consequences to the criminalisation of politics.

Endless list of committes on electoral reforms

1975 Tarkunde Committee Report

1990 Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms

1993 Vohra Committee Report

1998 Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Funding of Elections

1999 Law Commission Report on Reform of the Electoral Laws

2001 National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution

2004 Election Commission of India Proposed Electoral Reforms

2008 The Second Administrative Reforms Commission

2010 Background Paper on Electoral Reforms [Ministry of Law]

2002 - Background Paper on Electoral Reforms [Dr Jayaprakash Narayan]

2011 NEW Recommendations for Electoral Reforms [submitted to Law Ministry & Election Commission of India]

(4)De-criminalisation of Politics: Morality & Integrity Essential for Public Life Ethics is imporatnt for anindividual in public and private life also. Hence ethical consideration has to be taken up while discharging theduties of an individual. (Quote this point in your ethics paper)

(5)Political Party Reforms: Bringing Transparency in their Functioning by introducing the elements oftranspaprency and responsibility in the functioning of political parties.RTI, 2005 could be a game changer in thisdirection. But even after CIC order for the parties to come under the ambit of RTI is still not being implemented.

This implies the non-serious nature of our political parties.

(6)State Funding of Elections: Setting the Stage for Level-Playing Field for Political Participation by All -This was suggested by Indrajit Gupta committee. Wider consultation and consensus has to be reached by

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ascertaining all the angles of this areas before implementing it nation wide.

Finance CommissionArticle 280 of the Constitution of India provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi judicial body. It is constitutedby the president of India every fifth year or at such earlier time as he considersnecessary.

Composition: Itconsists of a chairman and four other members to beappointed by the president. They hold office for such period as specified by thepresident in his order. They are eligible for reappointment.

The chairman should be a person having experience in public affairs and thefour other members should be selected from amongst the following:1. A judge of high court or one qualified to be appointed as one.2. A person who has specialised knowledge of finance and accounts of the government.3. A person who has wide experience in financial matters and in administration.4. A person who has special knowledge of economics.

FUNCTIONSThe Finance Commission is required to make recommendations to the president of India on the following matters:1. The distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the states, and the allocationbetween the states of the respective shares of such proceeds.2. The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the states by the Centre (i.e., out of the consolidated fundof India).3. The measures needed to augment the consolidated fund of a state to supplement the resources of thepanchayats and the municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the state financecommission.4. Any other matter referred to it by the president in the interests of sound finance.

The commission submits its report to the president. He lays it before both the Houses of Parliament along with anexplanatory memorandum as to the action taken on its recommendations.

14th Finance commission under Y.V.Reddy has submitted its report in 2014. To know the mandates of it . .clickhere

Quotas do not hurt efficiency, says studyA first-of-its-kind study of the impact of reservations in public sector jobs on productivity and efficiency hasshown that the affirmative action did not reduce productivity in any sector. In some areas it has shownupward trend.They found no negative impact on productivity and efficiency in any area, and some positive effects insome areas of work.Study was conducted on India Railways.

Reservation is a form of quota-based affirmative action governed by constitutional laws, statutory laws, and localrules and regulations to the depressed classes like Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and OtherBackward Classes (OBC) with the object of creating a level playing field for all.

Constitutional Mandate - the Constitution accords to these weaker sections of society protective discriminationin various articles, including Article 15(4). This clause empowers the state, notwithstanding anything to thecontrary in Articles 15(1) and 29(2), to make special reservation for the advancement of any socially and

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educationally backward classes of citizens or for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Is reservation policy good or bad

Positives

1. It has been praised for diminishing the gap betweenthe upper and lower castes by allowing the latter toenjoy the further increased opportunities as the formerin jobs, education and governance by allotting seatsexclusively for them.

2. Over the decades, it has created a level playing fieldfor many backward communities.

3. Being a socialist and welfare state, its the obligation ofthe state to make every one equal.

4. Even after many decades after indepenedence, thestatus of teh depressed classess havent changedmuch to their advantage.

5. It provides inclusion to all communities. By reserving a quota for them, their representation andparticipation is ensured.

Negatives

1. It has also been criticised for discouraging meritocracy and encouraging vote bank politics.2. Since constitution propounds equality, caste based descrimitaion is unwarranted.3. It has left many of the eleigible students to leave country for want of recognition of their talent based on their

skill not on their caste => brain drain.4. It has decreased productive capacity and efficiency (Its no more valid now because of the above study).5. Targeting of the reservations are ineffective . The criteria has to be changed. Income based criteria has to

be adopted.6. Caste consciousness- due to caste based political parties, caste based organisation => completely going

against constitutional mandate.7. Since resources of the country doesnt increase but decrease with time, increased reservation is leading to

deprivation of some people due to zero sum game.

Election PollsElection polling is a sampling or collection of opinions on a subject, taken from either a selected or a randomgroup of persons, as for the purpose of analysis of election.

Types of Election polling

1. Push poll- is an interactive marketing technique, most commonly employed during political campaigning,in which an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guiseof conducting a legitimate poll.

2. Straw poll- is a poll with nonbinding results. In meetings subject to rules of order, impromptu straw pollsoften are taken to see if there is enough support for an idea to devote more meeting time to it, and for theattendees to see who is on which side of a question.

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3. entrance poll- is taken directly before voters cast their votes; the voteris unlikely change his/her mind after the poll, typically making themargin of error lower than that of an opinion poll.

4. exit poll- is taken immediately after the voters have exited the pollingstations. Pollsters conduct exit polls to gain an early indication as tohow an election has turned out.

5. opinion poll- is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample.Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of apopulation by asking a series of questions and then extrapolatinggeneralities from responses in ratio or within confidence intervals.

6. benchmark poll- is generally the first poll taken in a campaign. It isoften taken before a candidate announces his or her bid for office, butsometimes it occurs immediately following the announcement, allowing some opportunity to raise funds.This poll is generally a short and simple survey of likely voters.

7. Brushfire polls- are polls taken during the period between the benchmark and tracking polls. The numberof brushfire polls taken by a campaign is determined by how competitive the race is and how much moneythe campaign has to spend. These polls usually focus on likely voters and the length of the survey varies onthe number of messages being tested

8. tracking poll- is a poll repeated at intervals generally averaged over a trailing window. A weekly trackingpoll uses the data from the past week and discards older data.

9. deliberative opinion poll- is a form of opinion poll that incorporates the principles of deliberativedemocracy. In the deliberative opinion poll, a statistically representative sample of a community is gatheredto discuss an issue in conditions that further deliberation. The group is then polled, and the results of thepoll and the actual deliberation can be used both as a recommending force and, in certain circumstances,to replace a vote.

Most parties have no records of donors

Political party funding in India is non-transparent and not open to public scrutiny Black money report prepared by the National Instituteof Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) revealed thatOnly three parties declared that they received morethan 50 per cent of their funding in amounts above Rs.20,000 during financial years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 is the testimony to this fact.Large cash amounts are being credited by parties intheir books of accounts as coupon sales or cashdonations received from anonymous/unknownsources. Since the identity of the donors is not known,there is no possibility of the names being disclosed oreven of a verification of their genuineness => sourcesof black money.

Statutory requirements: as per the Section 29C of theRepresentation of the People Act (RoPA) requires allpolitical parties to furnish an annual statement of allcontributions in excess of Rs. 20,000 to the Election Commission of India (ECI), giving the names and addressesof the donors.Recommendations of the report

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1. The black money report recommends that the Income Tax rules be amended so that exemption is availableto a political party only if it has not received any donation/contribution/fee etc exceeding Rs. 10,000 in ayear, except through account payee cheques, from a single person or entity.

2. It also recommends that rules be framed for curbing the use of opaque avenues for funding. Thealternatives could be machine numbered receipts or depositing cash collections in banks.

3. Contributions and incomes from house property, capital gains and such other sources are exempt from taxif parties maintain books of accounts and records of all contributions exceeding Rs. 20,000, giving thenames and addresses of donors, submits them to the ECI and get their accounts audited by charteredaccountants.

II. GovernancePAHAL YojanaPaHaL (Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh) yojana is the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG Subsidy.It is theworlds largest cash transfer program .

Primary Aim to reduce diversion and eliminate duplicate orbogus LPG connections.

Under this scheme, LPG cylinders will be sold at market ratesand the subsidy will be transferred direclty to beneficiariesbank account seeded through Aadhar identity

The success of the scheme is a result of an intensiveInformation Education Campaign comprising advertising through various means, direct reaching out toconsumers, and dealer level campaigns.

DBTL is designed to benefit the genuine domestic customer avoiding pilferages and diversions.

Quick stats

It is estimated that 46.7 per cent of the grains (rice and wheat), released through the PDS, did not reachthe intended beneficiaries in 2011-12.The worst-performing State was Manipur where 97.8 per cent of the grains failed to reach beneficiaries,followed by Daman and Diu where leakages were 95.8 per cent.In National Capital, 82.6 per cent of the grains were diverted.

Direct Benefits Transfer

It is a mechanism to ensure that benefits/subsidy go to individuals bank accounts electronically, minimising tiers(

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involved in fund flow thereby reducing delay in payment,ensuring accurate targeting of the beneficiary and curbingpilferage and duplication.

The entire system is run on an Aadhaar Payments Bridge(APB) and Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AEPS).

A tri-link is established between the Aadhar Card- Bank Account-Target Beneficiary identity to directly transfer the subsidy amountinto the beneficiaries bank account.

Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS), beingimplemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts, willact as the common platform for routing DBT by which consumers will now receive SMS at every stage ofenrolment in the scheme.

CPSMS can be used for the preparation of beneficiary list, digitally signing the same and processing of paymentsin the bank accounts of the beneficiary using the Aadhaar Payment Bridge of NPCI

MP baggs MNREGS awardMadhya Pradesh is awarded the 10th national award in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment GuaranteeAct (MNREGA) for its achievements.

Distinctions

It has implemented Electronic Fund Management System to ensure transparency in accountancy andimmediate payment of wages to labourers.State is top in construction of permanent assets through MGNREGA convergence.

To know more click here

MGNREGA celebrates its 10th DivasMNREGS is the worlds largest work guarantee programme and social security measure that aims to guaranteethe right to work as a Legal Right enacted in 2005.Aim: To ensure livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days ofwage employment in a year to every household whose adult members volunteerto do unskilled manual work .

Twin objectives:

1. Enhancing livelihood security in rural areas (thereby addressing chronicpoverty)

2. Creating durable assets and rural infrastructure (such as roads, canals,ponds, wells).

There is also emphasis on strengthening the process of decentralisation throughgiving a significant role to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning andimplementing these works.Key features of MNREGS:

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1. Legal right to work: the Act provides a legal right to employment for adult members of rural households. Atleast one third beneficiaries have to be women. Wages must be paid according to the Minimum Wages Act,1948.

2. Time bound guarantee of work and unemployment allowance : Employment must be provided with 15days of being demanded failing which an unemployment allowance must be given.

3. Decentralised planning: Gram sabhas must recommend the works that are to be undertaken and at least50% of the works must be executed by them. PRIs are primarily responsible for planning, implementationand monitoring of the works that are undertaken.

4. Work site facilities: All work sites should have facilities such as crche, drinking water and first aid.5. Transparency and accountability: There are provisions for proactive disclosure through wall writings,

citizen information boards, Management Information Systems and social audits. Social audits areconducted by gram sabhas to enable the community to monitor the implementation of the scheme.

6. Funding: Funding is shared between the centre and the states. There are three major items of expenditure wages (for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour), material and administrative costs. The centralgovernment bears 100% of the cost of unskilled labour, 75% of the cost of semi-skilled and skilled labour,75% of the cost of materials and 6% of the administrative costs.

It is the time to have a quick appraisal at its achievements now :

Maximizing Work opportunitiess =>Livelihood Security :Inclusive Growth => provided employment particularly for marginalized groups.Augmenting household income, savings and investment:Financial Inclusion: Over 11 crore NREGA bank and post office accounts have been opened so far andbrought under formal banking system. Workers under NREGA are provided medical and health coverinsurance.Regenerating Natural Resources: Under NREGA water and soil conservations, plantation andafforestation has been given priority. Works relating to drought proofing and flood protection are aimed toprovide resistance to climate shocks and natural disasters.Drought mitigation: NREGA has the potential to diminish the adverse impact of drought by placingpurchasing power in the hands of the peoples.ICT as a growth trigger for rural development: NREGA has used technology effectively for inclusion like theWeb enabled Management Information System (MIS)

Achievements as observed by The Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2013

1. Ensuring livelihood for people in rural areas.2. Large scale participation of women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) and other

traditionally marginalised sections of society. SCs/STs account for 51% of the total person-days generatedand women account for 47% of the total person-days generated.

3. Increasing the wage rate in rural areas and strengthening the rural economy through the creation ofinfrastructure assets.

4. Facilitating sustainable development, and5. Strengthening PRIs by involving them in the planning and monitoring of the scheme.

Key issues that the Committee raised are

Fabrication of job cards: several issues related to existence of fake job cards, inclusion of fictitiousnames, missing entries and delays in making entries in job cards.

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Delay in payment of wages: Most states have failed to disburse wages within 15 days as mandated byMGNREGA. In addition, workers are not compensated for a delay in payment of wages.Non payment of unemployment allowances: Most states do not pay an unemployment allowance whenwork is not given on demand.Large number of incomplete works: There has been a delay in the completion of works underMGNREGA and inspection of projects has been irregular.Other key challenges include poor quality of assets created, several instances of corruption in theimplementation of MGNREGA, and insufficient involvement of PRIs

Recommendations of the committe:

1. Regulation of job cards: Offences such as not recording employment related information in job cards andunlawful possession of job cards with elected PRI representatives and MGNREGA functionaries should bemade punishable under the Act.

2. Participation of women: Since the income of female workers typically raises the standard of living of theirhouseholds to a greater extent than their male counterparts, the participation of women must be increasedthrough raising awareness about MGNREGA.

3. Participation of people with disabilities: Special works (projects) must be identified for people withdisabilities; and special job cards must be issued and personnel must be employed to ensure theirparticipation.

4. Utilisation of funds: a large amount of funds allocated for MGNREGA have remained unutilised. t theDepartment of Rural Development should analyse reasons for poor utilisation of funds and take steps toimprove the same.

5. Context specific projects and convergence: . There should be more emphasis on skilled and semi-skilled work under MGNREGA. A greater emphasis on convergence with other schemes such as theNational Rural Livelihoods Mission, National Rural Health Mission, etc.

6. Payment of unemployment allowance: Dated receipts for demanded work should be issued so thatworkers can claim unemployment allowance.Regular monitoring: National Level Monitors (NLMs) are deployed by the Ministry of Rural Development forregular and special monitoring of MGNREGA and to enquire into complaints regarding mis-utilisation offunds, etc. Social audits must mandatorily be held every six months.

7. Training of functionaries: Training and capacity building of elected representatives and otherfunctionaries of PRIs must be done regularly as it will facilitate their involvement in the implementation ofMGNREGA.

The recent Air of controversy

There was a proposal to limit MGNREGA programmes within tribal and poor areas. Also to change thelabour:material ratio from 60:40 to 51:49.The new proposal the programme will be implemented in 2,500 backward blocks selected according toBackwardness Index prepared by Planning Commission using 2011 census.This backwardness index consist of following five parameters percentage of households primarilydepended on agriculture, female literacy rates, households without access to electricity, households withoutaccess to drinking water and sanitation within the premises and households without access to bankingfacilities

Aspirants are advised to analyse the impact of MNREGS on multiple fronts such as on agriculture, rural poverty,women empowerment and other social indicators since questions in prelims and mains are expected from this hot

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topic.

DBT can plug PDS leakages : StudyQuick stats

It is estimated that 46.7 per cent of the grains (rice and wheat), released through the PDS, did not reachthe intended beneficiaries in 2011-12.The worst-performing State was Manipur where 97.8 per cent of the grains failed to reach beneficiaries,followed by Daman and Diu where leakages were 95.8 per cent.In National Capital, 82.6 per cent of the grains were diverted.

Direct Benefits Transfer

It is a mechanism to ensure that benefits/subsidy go to individuals bank accounts electronically, minimising tiersinvolved in fund flow thereby reducing delay in payment,ensuring accurate targeting of the beneficiary and curbingpilferage and duplication.

The entire system is run on an Aadhaar Payments Bridge(APB) and Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AEPS).

A tri-link is established between the Aadhar Card- Bank Account-Target Beneficiary identity to directly transfer the subsidy amountinto the beneficiaries bank account.

Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS), beingimplemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts, willact as the common platform for routing DBT by which consumers will now receive SMS at every stage ofenrolment in the scheme.

CPSMS can be used for the preparation of beneficiary list, digitally signing the same and processing of paymentsin the bank accounts of the beneficiary using the Aadhaar Payment Bridge of NPCI

What is the utility of Aadhaar Number?Aadhaar number is an enabler. Aadhaar number aims to provide a softidentity infrastructure which can be used to re-engineer public services so thatthese lead to equitable, efficient and better delivery of services.

Positives of DBT

1. The electronic-Know Your Customer (e-KYC) service can be used to open bank account instantly through amicro-ATM based on Aadhaar authentication => Financial Inclusion.

2. A vast network of business correspondents can bring banking to the doorsteps of the rural poor =>Financial services penetration.

3. As authentication will be online using ones unique biometrics => location of beneficiaries is immaterial.4. For the first time, end-to-end transparency of subsidy and benefits payments from the government to the

beneficiaries provided, which does not exist today.5. Time-bound transfer of the entitlements.6. Last mile coverage is efficient and targetting of beneficiaries is foolproof.

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7. Reduced pilferages, diversions, transparency => all others you know.8. Reduced fiscal burden on the states exchequer => effective fiscal management and subsidy bill.

Challenges

1. First, Aadhaar-DBT requires different agencies to work in tandem central ministries, district officials,banks, frontline government officials => not possible in India.

2. Enrolment in Aadhaar needs to be universalised=> infrastructural bottlenecks in reaching out to the remoteareas.

3. Existing government databases need to be digitised => requires regular updation and Fool proof statisticaldata .

4. Issues with technology implementation => ensuring foolproof fingerprint recognition, especially for manualworkers and the elderly.

5. Issue of connectivity =>ensuring real-time online authentication where there is little or no mobile phonenetwork (as in several MNREGA worksites and Panchayats).

III. SocietyCancer cases may rise sharply: WHOWHO said that, The number of new cancer cases is expected to rise by about 70 per cent globally over the nexttwo decades.Quick stats

Over eight million people died of cancer in 2012, with 60 per cent of these deaths reported in Africa, Asiaand Central and South America.Cancer was among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally in 2012, and as per IndiasCancer Incidence Report (2009-2011), from 10,57,204 cases in 2012, the number went up to 10,86,783 in2013 and to 11,17,269 in 2014.According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, the estimated mortality every year is five lakh inthe country.

Causes of Cancer : WHO

1. Around one-third of cancer deaths are due to the five leading behavioural and dietary risks: high body massindex, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use.

2. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor, causing around 20 per cent of the global cancer deaths andaround 70 per cent of global lung cancer deaths.

3. It said more than 30 per cent of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key riskfactors, which include tobacco use, obesity, unhealthy diet, urban air pollution and indoor smoke from thehousehold use of solid fuels.

Global Initiatives

1. The WHO, which has launched a global drive to prevent premature deaths from non-communicablediseases by 25 per cent by 2025, has called for vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) andhepatitis B virus (HBV), reducing exposure to non-ionizing radiation by sunlight and ionizing radiation(occupational or medical diagnostic imaging) and early detection.

IV. ECONOMY

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China is top foreign investment destination: UNCTAD reportRank Country FDI($b)1 China 1282 Hong Kong 1113 United States 864 Singapore 815 Brazil 626 United Kingdom 617 Canada 538 Australia 499 Netherlands 4210 Luxembourg 36

Quick facts

India is ranked 11th in the list of the top investment destinations.Investment in China was mainly in the services sector.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent intergovernmental bodyestablished as principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, anddevelopment issues.

Goals

To maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of developing countries and assist them intheir efforts to integrate into the world economy on an equitable basis.

Objectives

To formulate policies relating to all aspects of development including trade, aid, transport, finance and technology.Functions:

1. The organization examines global economic trends and the outlook for developing countries;2. Undertakes studies on development strategies;3. Analyzes debt issues;4. Provides developing countries with technical assistance on the management of public debt; and5. Provides assistance to the Palestinian people in support of their economic development.6. Trade and commodities

UNCTAD promotes development through international trade.

Produces analyses and collects data to improve understanding of current and future problems in this area;Supports the participation of developing countries in international trade and international trade negotiationson an equitable basis;Seeks to strengthen international trade in services and promotes an integrated approach to trade, theenvironment, and sustainable development;Analyzes issues related to competition policy and consumer protection; andFocuses on the contribution of the commodity sector to development, advocating diversification and riskmanagement.Investment and enterprise

UNCTAD offers member States expertise on all issues related to investment and enterprise development .

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Conducts cutting-edge research and analysis in the field of investment for sustainable development;Informs policymakers about the structure and evolution of foreign direct investment in the world, andoutlines the main trends in investment;Provides technical assistance to enable beneficiary countries to attract more investment for sustainabledevelopment, including through investment policy reviews;Focal point for issues related to international investment agreements;Promotes entrepreneurship and enterprise creation and expansion;Participates in the setting of international accounting standards; andEncourages responsible investment through initiatives such as the establishment of principles forsustainable development in agriculture.Categories of countries that receive special attentionUNCTAD conducts research in science, technology (including information and communication technology)and innovation for development;

World Investment Report

The World Investment Report focuses on trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, at the regional andcountry levels and emerging measures to improve its contribution to development published every year.

Every issue of the Report has:

Analysis of the trends in FDI during the previous year, with especial emphasis on the developmentimplications.Ranking of the largest transnational corporations in the world.In-depth analysis of a selected topic related to FDI.Policy analysis and recommendations.Statistical annex with data on FDI flows and stocks for 196 economies.

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): RBIThe Reserve Bank of India has increased the threshold for foreign exchange remittances under LiberalisedRemittance Scheme (LRS) to $250,000 (Rs. 1.5 crore) from$125,000 per person per year .The RBI launched a Liberalised Remittance Scheme in 2004as a step towards further simplification and liberalization of theforeign exchange facilities available to resident individuals. As perthe Scheme, resident individuals may remit up to USD 250,000per financial year for any permitted capital and current accounttransactions or a combination of both.Under the Scheme, resident individuals can acquire and holdshares or debt instruments or any other assets including propertyoutside India, without prior approval of the Reserve Bank.Individuals can also open, maintain and hold foreign currency accounts with banks outside India for carrying outtransactions permitted under the Scheme.

V. INTERNATIONAL

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RIC forum on Convention on International terrorismRussia-India-China ministerial meeting has called for immediate halt in global terrorism and felt the need for acomprehensive convention on International terrorism.

1. Condemned terrorism- It condemned terrorism in all forms as there are no ideological, political, racial,ethnic or any other justification for acts of terrorism.

2. Combined efforts to end terrorism- there was a need to present a joint front under United Nations totackle terrorism.

3. Support to India- Russia and China welcomed Indias application for full membership of the ShanghaiCooperation Organisation (SCO) and greater role in UNSC.

4. Economic domain aiming to expand their cooperation in several areas including agriculture, medicalservices and disaster relief in the WTO meeting 2015.

5. Other key Issues- discussed various issues relating to counter the threat of use of information andcommunication technologies for military and terrorism purposes, preventing arms race in outer space,solution to Iranian nuclear issue, latest developments in Syria, Israel- Palestine conflict and current crisis inUkraine.

Russia, China endorse Indias inclusion in expanded APECThe foreign ministers of the Russia-India-China (RIC) grouping issued a comprehensive joint communiqu =>reform of an international system accomodating diversity of home-grown political systems.

It was decided to expand Asia Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC), a 21-nation grouping of PacificRim countries.

The Ministers also endorsed Indias impendingmembership to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)APEC

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is aregional economic forum established in 1989 toleverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.

Aim : to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable,innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

It was established in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent ofregional trade blocs in other parts of the world; to fears that highly industrialized Japan (a member of G8) wouldcome to dominate economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region; and to establish new markets for agriculturalproducts and raw materials beyond Europe .

APECs 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; Peoples Republic of China;Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea;Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America;Viet Nam.

India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011

Achievements

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1. Promoting Regional Economic Integration and Trade facilitating regional integration to promotetrade and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific.

2. Making it Easier to Trade Across Borders3. Structural Reform: APEC has been working to foster transparency, competition and better functioning

markets in the Asia-Pacific through regulatory reform, improving public sector and corporate governance,and strengthening the legal infrastructure.

4. Connecting the Region5. aligning regulations and standards across the region .6. APEC is working to connect the region through improving physical infrastructure linkages, people mobility

and institutional ties across the Asia-Pacific7. Inclusive Growth: Ensuring Everyone is On Board8. Nurturing Small Businesses

Importance of Indias entry into APEC

India is the only major country in the world which is yet to become a member of a regional free trading club=> hence its membership will make it all-inclusive.India is already a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and a member of ASEANs security forum, the ASEANRegional Forum (ARF), which is a testimony to the fact that India as an important power could no longer beignored.Indias economic reform and development could certainly benefit from looking East through APEC for moretrade and investment facilitation information, technical support and lessons learned from other APECeconomies.Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) coulod be a major driver for this step.Indias image in the world as a bureaucratic bottleneck will be removed with close association with APEC.Geo-strategically , close association with Central Asian and East Asian countries would garner support forIndias global goals towards peace and equity in the international fora.Increased trade engagements=> FDI, opening up of trade.Sharing of expertise and trade facilitation among the member countries.APEC will over-shadow G8 in near future.Security implications Major powers like US, China , India and Russia can play a close collaboration forglobal security and face the impending extremism together.Technology sharing would help India combat its socio-economic problems.Since, the USA has named India a part of Pivot to Asia-Pacific , its membership into APEC will keep theantagonizing forces at bay.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

It is a permanent Eurasian intergovernmental political, economic and military organisation .Members : the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Peoples Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the RussianFederation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan brain child of shanghai five grouping.Observers -Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, PakistanDialogue Partners Belarus, Sri Lanka, Turkey

Goals :

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1. Strengthening mutual confidence and good-neighbourlyrelations among the member countries;

2. promoting effective cooperation in politics, trade andeconomy, science and technology, culture as well aseducation, energy, transportation, tourism, environmentalprotection and other fields;

3. making joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace,security and stability in the region, moving towards theestablishment of a new, democratic, just and rationalpolitical and economic international order.

4. The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the highestdecision-making body in the SCO. It meets once everyyear to take decisions and give instructions on allimportant issues of SCO activity.

Activities

1. Cooperation on security entered on its member nations Central Asian security-related concerns, oftendescribing the main threats it confronts as being terrorism, separatism and extremism. the SCO signed anagreement with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), in the Tajik capital Dushanbe, tobroaden cooperation on issues such as security, crime, and drug trafficking

2. Military activities military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and counter terrorism.. The ShanghaiCooperation Organisation (SCO), has been holding major counter-terrorism exercises, in anticipation of thewithdrawal of the U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

3. Economic cooperation4. Cultural cooperation

VI. TECHNOLOGYThree-parent babies explainedThree-parent babies are human offspring with three genetic parents, created through a specialized form of In vitrofertilisation in which the future babys mitochondrial DNA comesfrom a third party by mitochondrial donation.Mitochondrial donation is a process whereby the genetic material ofthree people are merged into a single IVF embryo at the earlieststages of development

The procedure is intended to prevent mitochondrial diseasesincluding muscular dystrophy and some heart and liver conditions

Arguments Against this method:

1. Experts have warned that three-parent babies could be at greater risk of cancer and premature ageing, andwould need to be monitored all their lives.

2. It is controversial because it would result in babies having DNA from three people and effectively, twomothers => crisis of affinity.

3. Ethically some people are opposed on religious or ethical grounds, particularly with pro-nuclear transfertechnique which involves creating and then destroying a fertilised egg in order to treat another embryo.

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4. Others believe that there will be inevitable carry over of defective mitochondria from the affected mothersfertilised egg to the donor egg. These mutant mitochondria could multiply during embryonic development tocause disease, perhaps in way we do not yet understand.

Arguments for the method:

1. Experts say that many women could benefit from mitochondrial donation2. There are no treatments for mitochondrial diseases, which affect about 1 in 6,500 babies in the more

serious forms.Women at risk of passing them on have few options available to them if they want to givebirth to healthy children.

3. This process could mean that mitochondrial diseases are eliminated completely from future generations ofthat family.

Indian Space scientists working on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) systemsUltra wide band system is a wireless technology used for transmitting large amounts of digital data over awide spectrum of frequency bands with very low powerfor a short distance.It can not only can carry a huge amount of data over adistance up to 230 feet at very low power (less than 0.5milliwatts), but has the ability to carry signals throughdoors and other obstacles that tend to reflect signals atmore limited bandwidths and a higher power

Applications:

1. Applications involving radar, in which the signalpenetrates nearby surfaces but reflects surfaces that arefarther away, allowing objects to be detected behindwalls or other coverings.

2. Voice and data transmission using digital pulses, allowing a very low powered and relatively low cost signalto carry information at very high rates within a restricted range.

3. Used in space missions and explorations to communicate.

Mitochondrial TherapyIts medical treatment by which mitochondrial diseases can be traeted by the way of replacing affectedmitochondria with the healthy ones.

Mitochondrial Diseases

1. Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria,specialized compartments present in every cell of the bodyexcept red blood cells.

2. It is responsible for creating more than 90% of the energyneeded by the body to sustain life and support growth.

3. Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damageto cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney andthe endocrine and respiratory systems.

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4. symptoms include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders andswallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications,seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection

VII. CULTUREBharat Rang MahotsavBharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) or the National Theatre Festival, established in 1999, is the annual theatre festivalof National School of Drama (NSD).It was founded originally to show case, works of Indian theatrepractitioners and to stimulate the growth and development oftheatre across the country.National school of Drama

The National School of Drama is one of the foremost theatretraining institutions in the world and the only one of its kind inIndia. It was set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as one ofits constituent units in 1959.

VIII. Rights IssuesRaahgiri Day for the Persons with DisabilitiesPurpose

1. It provides citizens with the opportunity to reclaim their streets, connect with their community, celebratetheir city and therefore reclaim their livesit involved participation in cultural and sports activitiespredominantly by Persons with Disabilities.

2. It was an effort to create an inclusive environment by way ofshowcasing the diverse range of unique abilities of the differently-abled children/ persons at the same time involving all the peoplewitnessing the events.

IX. SECURITYAgni-V successful test-firingAgni-V is intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) , part of Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO.

Range: 5500-5800 kms (There was a question on Agni missile in prelims 2014)

It is a three stage solid fuelled missile.

The Agni missile series is a family of medium to intercontinental range surface to surface ballistic missiles withnuclear weapons carrying capable .

Geo-strategic Importance:

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1. With its induction, India will join the exclusive ICBM club of six countries including the United States,Russia, United Kingdom, China and France => prestige, signs of globalpower.

2. This will act as an effective deterrant instruments since much of theterritories of our adversaries like china is covered under its ambit.

3. India can share technical know-how with the peace loving countriesand export few to others => decrease in import bill, make in Indiarealised

4. Agni-V is indigenously made => decreased reliance on Foreignammunitions and missiles => independent foreign policy (RememberUKs reaction when India okayed Frances Rafale deal)

5. India can leverage on its achieved status and push the other ICBMclub towards global disarmament and peace.

6. It constitutes an important element of defence preparedness against our adversaries.

This missile can be launched only after a decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Indian Coast Gaurd: 38th Raising DayThe Indian Coast Guard is a multi-mission organization, protects Indias maritime interests and enforces maritimelaw, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including itscontiguous zone and exclusive economic zone established in 1978.Mission

Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals andother installationsProtection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at seaPreservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution controlAssistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operationsLaw enforcement in territorial as well as international watersScientific data collection and supportNational defence during hostilities (under the operational control of the Indian Navy)Lead Intelligence Agency (LIA) For coastal and sea borders

X.ENVIRONMENTGround Water Overuse Sinks Riverbed

For article on water management in India click hereSolutions to ground water depletion

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1. Better public and community control of water utilities2. Using less water for agriculture by using drip

irrigation, sprinklers rather than flood irrigation.3. Increasing water conservation and focusing

resources on watershed management.4. Spreading awareness among people regarding the

water table and its effects .5. Providing for water conservations efforts => rain

water harvesting, sink holes for the rain water.6. Rejuvination of river beds and check on illegal

transfer of river water.7. Community has to be included in the governmental

efforts.8. Regulation on the drilling for pumpsets in the urban

localities.

current affairs upsc civils exam, civil services guide , upsc, ssc, bank jobs guidance 2015. All Rights Reserved.

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Private: Current Affairs Weekly: 1st week Feb 2015I. PolityNullify win if candidate conceals criminal past:SCCriminalisation of politicsFinance CommissionQuotas do not hurt efficiency, says studyElection PollsMost parties have no records of donors

II. GovernancePAHAL YojanaMP baggs MNREGS awardMGNREGA celebrates its 10th DivasDBT can plug PDS leakages : Study

III. SocietyCancer cases may rise sharply: WHO

IV. ECONOMYChina is top foreign investment destination: UNCTAD reportLiberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): RBI

V. INTERNATIONALRIC forum on Convention on International terrorismRussia, China endorse Indias inclusion in expanded APEC

VI. TECHNOLOGYThree-parent babies explainedIndian Space scientists working on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) systemsMitochondrial Therapy

VII. CULTUREBharat Rang Mahotsav

VIII. Rights IssuesRaahgiri Day for the Persons with Disabilities

IX. SECURITYAgni-V successful test-firingIndian Coast Gaurd: 38th Raising Day

X.ENVIRONMENTGround Water Overuse Sinks RiverbedFor article on water management in India click here