Researchers have developed and commercialized a rice variety that is resistant to arsenic.
Muktoshri
The new rice variety, Muktoshri — also called IET 21845 —, was developed jointly by the Rice Research Station at Chinsurah coming under West Bengal’s Agriculture Department and the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.
A gazette notification for the commercial use of Muktoshri was made by West Bengal last year.
During our multilocational trials, it was found that this variety uptakes very less amount of arsenic from soil and water in comparison to other varieties of rice.
The rice is long and thin, and aromatic. Across the State, thousands of farmers have started cultivation, even in areas where arsenic in groundwater is not an issue, because of the aroma and the yield.
Significance
West Bengal is among the States with the highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater, with as many as 83 blocks across seven districts having higher arsenic levels than permissible limits.
Several studies have shown that arsenic from groundwater and the soil can enter the food chain through paddy.
According to the WHO, long-term exposure to arsenic, mainly through drinking water and food, can lead to poisoning. Skin lesions and skin cancer are the most characteristic effects.
Fermentation, the chemical breakdown of a substance by microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts, results in some of the most delicious foods and beverages, including cheese, chocolate and wine. Now, research has shown it can result in music, too.
Fermentophone
The chemical processes of fermentation can be used to create spontaneous tunes.
Researchers has built multiple art exhibits called Fermentophone to showcase how fermentation can make music.
First, different fruits and veggies are placed in glass jars and fermented.
As the fermentation kicks off, the yeast — or bacteria — present in the food chows down on the foods’ sugars, which results in the release of carbon dioxide bubbles.
The release of these bubbles creates a tiny sound, which is picked up by underwater microphones.
A computer processes the sounds and, with the help of algorithms plugged in, electronic music is created.
The landmark Agartala-Akhaura railway line to connect the northeastern region with Bangladesh is expected to be ready by the end of 2021.
About Agartala-Akhaura Link
MoU for Indo-Bangla Railway connectivity project viz. Agartala-Akhaura new Broad Gauge line (15.06 Km) was signed on 16.02.2013 between India and Bangladesh.
The link will connect Gangasagar in Bangladesh to Nischintapur in India and from there to Agartala.
The Project was at standstill because of the sharp increase in the cost of land for the sections in India.
The Railway Ministry would bear the cost of laying the 5.46-km track on the Indian side and the cost of the 10.6-km track on the Bangladesh side was being borne by the Ministry of External Affairs.
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India’s international trade posture appeared to turn protectionist in the past week, with two indicators the government sent out.
What were the two indicators?
The first-Signal sent out in the Budget: The first indicator, which played out live on television was contained in the Union Budget.
Laying out the Budget for the year, the finance minister made several references to the problems with free trade and preferential trade agreements (FTAs and PTAs).
Raise in tariffs, changes in the act: The Budget raised tariffs on the import of more than 50 items and changed the Customs Act provisions substantially to penalise imports suspected to originate from third countries.
The second- India declined negotiations: The other indicator was that India declined to attend a meeting of trade negotiators in Bali that was discussing the next step in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement.
Issues with the Free Trade Agreement
What the FM told Parliament: It has been observed that imports under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are on the rise.
Undue claims of FTA benefits have posed a threat to the domestic industry.
Such imports require stringent checks, adding that the government will ensure that all FTAs are aligned to the conscious direction of our policy.
What could be the consequences of the Govt. policy?
Discouragement to imports: While the Govt. motive may be to protect Indian markets from dumping-primarily by Chinese goods-
The consequence of the changes will be to put Indian importers on notice and discourage imports in general.
Even as the government reserves the right to modify or cancel preferential tariffs and ban the import or export of any goods that it deems fit.
The rise in the trade deficit and decision to walk out of FTA
The trade deficit with FTA partners: The government’s problem with FTAs was a key theme in its decision to walk out of the RCEP negotiations (of 16 countries) the rise in trade deficits with FTA partners.
Review of all agreements: The government says it will now review all those agreements and wants to “correct asymmetry” in negotiations with new partners. The agreement that would be reviewed includes-
TAs signed with the 10-nation ASEAN grouping (FTA).
Japan (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA).
And South Korea (CEPA).
Why it would not be easy to negotiate bilateral treaties
The bilateral agreement would not be a priority for other countries: If India makes a complete break with RCEP, negotiating the bilateral trade agreements (TAs) will not be a priority for the other countries until RCEP is done.
The process of legal scrubbing is likely to take most of the year, and any talks with India will probably only follow that.
Difficulty in getting better deal: It is also hard to see any of them being able to offer India a better deal bilaterally once they are bound into the multilateral RCEP agreement.
India’s pending talks on bilateral treaties
Negotiations of CECA with Australia: The case of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) being negotiated with Australia, will be a difficult task, not the least due to its history.
India and Australia began CECA talks in 2011.
However, talks hit a dead-end in September 2015. With the focus on RCEP, no progress has been made since then.
Negotiations of FTA with the UK: A similar scenario awaits the announcement of the India-United Kingdom FTA talks.
It is unlikely that the U.K. will actually be able to talk until next year after terms for the K.’s full withdrawal from the European Union (EU) are completed.
Negotiation of BTIA with the EU: Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiation are also unlikely to make headway until the UK’s complete withdrawal from the EU.
Both sides will have to decide how to revive from where they left off in 2013.
Why the negotiations are pending? Making the negotiations harder is the government’s decision to scrap all bilateral investment treaties with 57 countries including EU nations, and bringing in a new Bilateral Investment treaty (BIT) model in 2015.
Only Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and most recently Brazil have agreed to sign a new investment treaty based on that model.
The US-India trade issue: Finally, there is the much-anticipated resolution of U.S.-India trade issues ahead of the visit of U.S. President.
The talks in that visit could also include talks on an FTA.
At present, there have only been some non-paper talks on the issue.
And given that the U.S. has expressed deep misgivings about India’s BIT model, these talks will also take several years to come to fruition.
Why India should rethink its stand on FTA
First-Prospect of no dispute settlement mechanism: The decline of multilateralism, accelerated by the retrenchment of the U.S. and China’s intransigence have all meant the World Trade Organization (WTO) has lost steam as a world arbiter.
This leaves states that are not part of arrangements without a safety net on dispute settlement mechanisms.
The second-trade deficit of other countries with India: The government has invoked the massive $57-billion trade deficit with China to explain protectionist measures, but it forgets its own trade surpluses with smaller economies.
Particularly in the neighbourhood, where Indian exports form more than 80% of total trade with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, respectively.
Third- The rise of regional agreements: It is clear that most of the world is now divided into regional FTAs, for example-
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for North America.
The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials) for South America.
The EU, the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia and neighbours).
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA in West Asia.
And now the biggest of them all, RCEP, which minus India, represents a third of the world’s population and just under a third of its GDP.
Fourth- Finally, the trend across the world does not favour trade in services the way it does in goods.
India’s strength in the services sector and its demand for more mobility for Indian employees, is thus becoming another sticky point in FTA negotiations.
Conclusion
India’s demographic might is certainly attractive for international investors, but only if that vast market has purchasing power and is not riven by social unrest and instability. India’s demographic might is certainly attractive for international investors, but only if that vast market has purchasing power and is not riven by social unrest and instability.
Starts 20th February 2020. First lecture on February 20th
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Dear Students,
Before we jump into the finer details of our crash course for IAS Prelims 2020, let’s take you to a quick re-cap on the changing trends of the IAS Prelims from 2015 to date.
There was a time when aspirants were coaxed to prepare for IAS Mains and let Prelims be taken care of as a by-product of that preparation. This is not that time.
There was a time when in-service officers aspiring to improve their ranks and get the coveted IAS, IPS, IFS used to fine-tune their optional and interview strategies and cruise through the IAS Prelims with a month’s worth preparation. This is not that time either.
Here’s how IAS Prelims evolved over the last 4-5 years:
IAS Prelims 2015
Equal emphasis on traditional and current affairs based questions. a combination of logical understanding and factual clarity.
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic? a) Khangchendzonga National park b) Nandadevi National Park c) Neora Valley National Park d) Namdapha National park
With reference to art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
IAS Prelims 2016:
Heavily based on CA and mostly one-liners: a major digressed from the earlier pattern
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as a) G20 b) ASEAN c) SCO d) SAARC
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’? a) Arunachal Pradesh b) Himachal Pradesh c) Karnataka d) Maharashtra
IAS Prelims 2017:
Paper was difficult in terms of understanding and clarity in concepts. Polity more based on conceptual clarity, questions were little twisted
Which one of the following statements is correct? a) Rights are claims of the State against the citizens. b) Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State. c) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State. d) Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.
Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels. b) Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes. c) Reserving some skilled jobs to rural and urban poor in some public sector undertakings. d) Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.
IAS Prelims 2018:
The questions based on the broader perspective of any topic; Current affairs were very indirect; History questions required logic rather than just facts; Polity questions were more analytical
The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were: a) Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium b) Sugar, salt, zinc and lead. c) Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea d) Cotton, silk, saltpeter and opium
Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty? a) If there are more laws, there is less liberty. b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty. c) If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people. d) If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.
IAS Prelims 2019:
More common sense (Tikdam) based questions in CA and Polity; in-depth analysis to be done in Science and Technology and this is a stark departure from how easy S&T used to be!
In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:
1) The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions. 2) H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions. 3) Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses. 4) H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
44. Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night? (a) Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface. (b) Clouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation. (c) The Earth’s surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights. (d) Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
We have been following this space very closely and we were among the first ones who called out the pitfall of over reliance on traditional sources for IAS Prelims. We have been advocating smart study and calculated risks via our score boosting techniques (Tikdams/ तिकड़म) right from 2016.
February signalled a new dynamic-Monetary policy is no longer driven by MPC.
What changed after December MPC review
Pause in the rate cut by MPC: In its December policy, the Reserve Bank of India suddenly paused on cutting rates, putting the ball in the government’s court to support growth.
Conservative union budget: With last week’s Union Budget belying expectations of short-term growth boosters, the ball was back in the RBI’s court.
The Budget opted for fiscal conservativism over activism, consolidating the fiscal deficit to 3.5 per cent of GDP in 2020-21 from 3.8 per cent in 2019-20– bypassing any ambitious expenditure boost or significant tax cuts.
Rise in the inflation in Dec-Feb interval: Meanwhile, the policy arithmetic turned more complicated for the MPC.
At the time of the December policy meeting, CPI inflation was trending close to 5 per cent (the October reading was 4.6 per cent).
Since then a combination of supply-side shocks, which led for example to unseasonally high vegetable and protein prices, buoyed inflation to over 7 per cent, nearly 140 basis points above the RBI’s upper bound comfort zone of 6 per cent.
As a primarily inflation-targeting central bank, this effectively stopped the MPC from easing further.
Key takeaways from February MPC meeting
The February policy meeting removed two key uncertainties in the current policy scenario.
First, the RBI is still very concerned about growth and the burgeoning negative gap between the current growth trajectory and potential growth.
Second, monetary policy is no longer strictly limited to the MPC’s decision-making.
Because of the risk of supply-side shocks hitting inflation, it is understandable that the RBI has summarised its outlook on inflation as “highly uncertain”.
Hence, of the policy measures that the RBI has at its disposal, the MPC’s “conventional” arrow of rate cuts was left unused.
Instead, the RBI has opted for macroprudential intervention, unveiling two other “unconventional” policy arrows.
RBI opting for macroprudential intervention in two ways
Policy transmission via LTRO-the first arrow: The primary macro challenge has been transmission via the credit channel — banks are not lowering their deposit rates.
Why? This is due to competition from the small savings rate and to protect saver, and in turn are keeping lending rates high.
How it impacts economy: Sectors considered higher risk (real estate, MSMEs) find themselves credit-starved.
In a move that seems inspired by the European Central Bank’s quantitativeeasing in 2011, the RBI’s announcement on long term repo operations (LTROs) has been aimed at promising banks longer-duration liquidity at the repo rate, which is cheaper relative to their current deposit rates.
The aim is to nudge them to kick-start the credit cycle.
The exemption of cash reserve ratio for incremental loans to MSMEs and the retail sector is also aimed at lowering costs for banks, which ideally should be passed onto these sectors.
Managing the stress in financial system-the second arrow: It is aimed at managing the looming stress in the financial system from bad loans, especially as deleveraging becomes more difficult during an economic slowdown.
Extension to restructuring durations: The extension of the restructuring scheme on MSME loans and projects in the commercial real estate sector is aimed at releasing capital for banks in the short term.
Though banks will ultimately need to recognise loans that are non-performing.
Easing guidelines on the classification of loans: Similarly, easing guidelines on the classification of loans for projects in the commercial real estate sector that have been delayed is essentially designed to provide some breathing space to banks.
What does this mean for the macro outlook?
Recovery in demand is a must: The RBI’s new macroprudential measures, its “unconventional” policy arrows, while well-meaning, are ultimately supply-side measures.
For the RBI to attain its goals, be it on asset quality or transmission, there eventually needs to be a recovery in demand conditions.
ECB’s LTRO experience: To be fair, even the ECB’s LTRO programme has had mixed success — a central bank can flood the market with liquidity, but the ultimate onus on releasing it to the real economy rests with banks.
So far, excess liquidity has not benefitted segments considered high risk (real estate developers, MSMEs).
Conclusion
The ECB introduced the LTRO programme when growth was weak and the euro area was struggling with a severe sovereign debt crisis. With the RBI embarking on something similar, albeit on a smaller scale, the niggling concern is if there is more financial instability lurking around the corner but not yet evident in the current data.
Campaign for the Delhi Assembly election in which the development debate was overshadowed by hate-mongering and outpouring of communal vitriol underscores need to do more.
Understanding the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
Behavioural guidelines: It is a set of behavioural guidelines for political parties and candidates for-
The peaceful conduct of elections.
To prevent hate speech.
Malpractices.
Corruption and
Misuse of government machinery by the ruling party.
Not judicially enforceable: Since it is not an Act passed by Parliament, the Code is not judicially enforceable.
The action against a violator usually takes the form of an advice, warning or censure.
No punitive action can be taken.
No wonder, many consider the Code as toothless.
Moral authority: It is not toothless though. Its moral authority far outweighs its legal sanctity.
Political leaders worth their salt are scared of inviting a notice for a violation, as it creates negative public opinion.
Besides, unlike the legal processes, its impact is instant.
The legality of the MCC
Test of legality in the courts: The legality of the code has been judicially tested.
First legal acceptance: Its first judicial acceptance came in 1997 when the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave the EC the power to enforce the code.
“Such a code of conduct when it is seen that it does not violate any of the statutory provisions can certainly be adopted by the Election Commission for the conduct of free and fair election, which should be pure as well,” the Court said.
The SC has repeatedly held that this must be enforced strictly.
Parallels between the MCC and other legal provision
The first section of the MCC lays down that-Part 1 (1) “ No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.”
“…Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.”
Parallels with RPA: The Representation of the People Act (1951) categorically defines the above two as corrupt practices in Section 123 (3A) and Section 123 (4) respectively.
Section 125 of RPA provides for punishment for similar violations.
Parallels with IPC: It is important to note that Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code has a similar provision:
Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
Refreshing change
Prompt action: It must be appreciated that the EC was prompt in its action against the leaders accused of hate speech in Delhi election campaign.
While it instantly, suo moto, deprived the two leaders of their star campaigner status, it also punished them with a gag order, using the ultimate weapon provided by Article 324.
The EC flexing its muscle outside the so-called “toothless” MCC and invoking Article 324 is indeed a refreshing change.
In earlier instances, it often had to let the culprits go with a mere “warning, caution or censure”.
In its notice to a leader, the EC cited Sections 123 and 125 of the RP Act.
Conclusion
Historically, the EC has always taken simultaneous action under the Model Code of Conduct and the other two provisions. While the MCC produces instant results, the penal provisions involve endless judicial processes. Not taking action under the IPC encouraged violators to commit repeat offences.
Two days of heated exchanges in Parliament have brought back recurring questions around “unparliamentarily” speech and conduct.
No absolute privilege
Article 105(2) of the Constitution lays down that “no Member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof”.
However MPs do not enjoy the freedom to say whatever they want inside the House.
Checks on MPs’ speech
Whatever an MP says is subject to the discipline of the Rules of Parliament, the “good sense” of Members, and the control of proceedings by the Speaker.
These checks ensure that MPs cannot use “defamatory or indecent or undignified or unparliamentary words” inside the House.
Rule 380 (“Expunction”) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha regulates the speech of MPs.
It says: “If the Speaker is of opinion that words have been used in debate which are defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified, the Speaker may, while exercising discretion order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House.”
Rule 381 says: “The portion of the proceedings of the House so expunged shall be marked by asterisks and an explanatory footnote shall be inserted in the proceedings as follows: ‘Expunged as ordered by the Chair’.”
What are Unparliamentary expressions?
There are phrases and words, literally in thousands, both in English and in other Indian languages that are “unparliamentary”.
The Presiding Officers — Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha — have the job of keeping these bad words out of Parliament’s records.
For their reference and help, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has brought out a bulky tome titled ‘Unparliamentary Expressions’, the 2004 edition of which ran into 900 pages.
The list contains several words and expressions that would probably be considered rude or offensive in most cultures; however, it also has stuff that is likely to be thought of as being fairly harmless or innocuous.
The state legislatures too are guided mainly by the same book, which also draws heavily from unparliamentarily words and phrases used in the Vidhan Sabhas and Vidhan Parishads of India.
Examples of unparliamentary
Among the words and phrases that have been deemed unparliamentary are “scumbag”, “shit”, “badmashi”, “bad” (as in “An MP is a bad man”), and “bandicoot”, which is unparliamentary if an MP uses it for another, but which is fine if he uses it for himself.
If the Presiding Officer is a “lady”, no MP can address her as “beloved Chairperson”.
The government or another MP cannot be accused of “bluffing”. “Bribe”, “blackmail”, “bribery”, “thief”, “thieves”, “dacoits”, “bucket of shit”, “damn”, “deceive”, “degrade”, and “darling”, are all unparliamentary.
MPs or Presiding Officers can’t be accused of being “double minded”, having “double standards”, being of “doubtful honesty”, being “downtrodden”, indulging in “double talk”, being “lazy”, “lousy”, a “nuisance” or a “loudmouth”.
No Member or Minister can be accused of having “deliberately concealed”, “concocted”, of being of a “confused mind”, or being “confused and unintelligent”.
An illiterate MP can’t be called “angootha chhaap”, and it is unparliamentary to suggest that a member should be sent to the “ajayabghar” (museum).
