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[Burning Issue] ‘Climate Smart’ Agriculture and GHG Emissions
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Context
In the backdrop of the 2070 carbon neutrality target set by India at the CoP26 in Glasgow, the Union Budget for 2022-23 has listed “climate action” and “energy transition” as one of the four priorities for the Amrit Kaal.
Agriculture contributes 73 percent of the country’s methane emissions. India has kept away from the recent EU-US pledge to slash methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, despite the country being the world’s third-largest emitter of methane.
India’s status with respect to emissions
- World Air Quality Report 2020: 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India and Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital.
- Global Carbon Atlas: India ranks third in total greenhouse gas emissions by emitting annually around 2.6 billion tonnes (Bt) CO2eq.
- India’s per capita emission is just 1.8 tonnes, significantly lower than the world average of 4.4 tonnes per capita.
- India ranked seventh on the list of countries most affected due to extreme weather events, incurring losses of $69 billion (in PPP) in 2019 (Germanwatch, 2021).
- In India, energy sector contributes highest emission (44 %), followed by manufacturing and construction sector (18 %), agriculture, forestry and land use sectors (14 %), with remaining being shared by transport, industrial processes and waste sectors.
- Share of agriculture in total emissions has gradually declined from 28% (1994) to 14% (2016).
- But in absolute terms, emissions from agriculture have increased to about 650 Mt CO2 in 2018, which is similar to China’s emissions from agriculture.
- Agricultural emissions in India are primarily from livestock sector (54.6 %), use of nitrogenous fertilizers (19 %), rice cultivation (17.5 %), livestock management (6.9 %) and burning of crop residues (2.1 %).
Agriculture and Greenhouse gases
- Farming in particular releases significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, two powerful greenhouse gases.
- Methane is produced by livestock during digestion due to enteric fermentation and is released via belches.
- It can also escape from stored manure and organic waste in landfills. Livestock is alone responsible for 44% of methane emissions.
- 53% of Nitrous oxide emissions are an indirect product of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizers. Fertilizers rich in nitrogen pollute water and threaten the aquatic ecosystem.
Monoculture
- Monocultures along with pesticides and herbicides lead to the loss of biodiversity. Monoculture cropping systems leave soil bare for much of the year, rely on synthetic fertilizer, and plow fields regularly.
- These practices leave soils low in organic matter and prevent formation of deep, complex root systems leading to reduced water holding capacity.
- Clearing uncultivated land for farming can lead to the destruction of natural ecosystems, which may have a devastating effect on the local wildlife and biodiversity and the micro-climate.
- Many agricultural sectors need large amounts of water, which may cause water scarcity and drought.
Reasons for agricultural emissions to be so high
- Subsidies: The damage is largely a result of the various kinds of subsidies — on urea, canal irrigation and power for irrigation.
- The Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and procurement policies concentrated on a few states and largely on two crops, rice, and wheat has led to their overproduction.
- Unplanned wheat and rice production: As of 1 January 2022, the stocks of wheat and rice in the country’s central pool were four times higher than the buffer stocking requirement.
- Despite the record distribution of rice in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and exports in 2020-21, the rice stocks with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) are seven times the buffer norms for rice.
- This data not only reflects inefficient use of scarce capital, but also the large amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) embedded in these stocks.
Changing Climate Affecting Agriculture
- Extreme heat: Crops need suitable soil, water, sunlight, and heat to grow. However, extreme heat events and reductions in precipitation and water availability have hampered the crop productivity.
- Changing Rainfall Patterns: Rainfall patterns have already begun shifting across the country, and such changes are expected to intensify over the coming years.
- This is likely to mean more intense periods of heavy rain and longer dry periods, even within the same regions.
- Floods: Flooding in many agricultural regions of the country have been witnessed and these floods have devastated crops and livestock, accelerated soil erosion and have polluted water.
What is climate-smart agriculture?
- Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help the people who manage agricultural systems respond effectively to climate change.
- The CSA approach pursues the triple objectives of:
- Increased Productivity: Produce more and better food to improve nutrition security and boost incomes, especially of 75% of the world’s poor who live in rural areas and mainly rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
- Enhanced Resilience: Reduce vulnerability to drought, pests, diseases and other climate-related risks and shocks, and improve capacity to adapt and grow in the face of longer-term stresses like shortened seasons and erratic weather patterns.
- Reduced Emissions: Pursue lower emissions for each calorie or kilo of food produced, avoid deforestation from agriculture and identify ways to absorb carbon out of the atmosphere.
- Different elements of climate-smart agricultural systems include:
- Management of farms, crops, livestock, aquaculture and capture fisheries to balance near-term food security and livelihoods needs with priorities for adaptation and mitigation.
- Ecosystem and landscape management to conserve ecosystem services that are important for food security, agricultural development, adaptation and mitigation.
- Services for farmers and land managers to enable better management of climate risks/impacts and mitigation actions.
- Changes in the wider food system including demand-side measures and value chain interventions that enhance the benefits of CSA.
What are the issues raised in global negotiation on climate change?
- Nations are still quibbling about historical global emitters and who should take the blame and fix it.
- Global negotiations on climate change often talk about emissions on a per capita basis and the emission intensity of GDP.
- Per capita emission: Of the top five absolute emitters, the US has the highest per capita emissions (15.24 tonnes), followed by Russia (11.12 tonnes).
- India’s per capita emissions is just 1.8 tonnes, significantly lower than the world average of 4.4 tonnes per capita.
- If one takes emissions per unit of GDP, of the top five absolute emitters, China ranks first with 0.486 kg per 2017 PPP $ of GDP, which is very close to Russia at 0.411 kg per 2017 PPP $ of GDP.
- India is slightly above the world average of 0.26 (kg per 2017 PPP $ of GDP) at 0.27 kg, while the USA is at 0.25, and Japan at 0.21.
- In our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted in 2016, India committed to “reduce emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level.”
Way Forward
- Reward farmers through carbon credit: A carbon policy for agriculture must aim not only to reduce its emissions but also reward farmers through carbon credits which should be globally tradable.
- Focus on livestock: With the world’s largest livestock population (537 million), India needs better feeding practices with smaller numbers of cattle by raising their productivity.
- Efficient fertiliser use: Agricultural soils are the largest single source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in the national inventory.
- An alternative for better and efficient fertiliser use would be to promote fertigation and subsidise soluble fertilisers.
- Incentives and subsidies: The government should incentivise and give subsidies on drips for fertigation, switching away from rice to corn or less water-intensive crops, and promoting soluble fertilisers at the same rate of subsidy as granular urea.
- Revisiting Policies: The Economic Survey 2021-22 points out that the country is over-exploiting its ground water resource, particularly in the northwest and some parts of south India which is primarily due to paddy cultivation on 44 million hectares.
- This calls for revisiting policies to subsidise power and fertilisers, MSP and procurement and reorient them towards minimising GHG emissions.
- Three-Pronged Approach for GHG Emissions: India has the potential to cut 18% of its annual greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and livestock sector. 50% of this reduction could be achieved by implementing these three measures:
- Efficient use of fertiliser
- Adoption of zero-tillage
- Management of water used to irrigate paddy
- Carbon Pricing: According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world needs a carbon tax of $75 per tonne by 2030 to reduce emissions to a level consistent with a 2℃ warming target.
- Many countries have begun to implement carbon pricing; Sweden leads the pack with a carbon price as high as $137 per tonne of CO2 equivalent while EU is at $50/tonne of CO2 equivalent.
- It is high time for India to announce indicative carbon pricing and create a vibrant carbon market to incentivise green growth in Amrit Kaal.
- Increasing Farmer Awareness: The right approach is to give the rice-producing-farmers the right advice and incentives at the right time so that they add only as much water or fertilisers as the rice plant needs.
- Rice farming shall be made more sustainable, without having a negative impact on farmers livelihood.
- Sustainable Dairy Practices: There is a need to proactively ramp up sustainable dairy practices, which may include:
- Realising the existing potentials for GHG emission reduction through technological and farm best practices interventions and solutions.
- Reducing its demand for resources by better integrating livestock into the circular bio-economy.
- This can be achieved by recycling and recovering nutrients and energy from animal waste.
- Closer integration of livestock with crops and agro-industries at various scales to make use of low value and low-emission biomass.
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How to expand India’s forest cover
Context
The recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 shows the total forest and tree cover in India is 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62 per cent of the geographical area of the country.
Definition of forest in India
- India’s definition of forest cover is in sync with that of the Kyoto Protocol.
- A “forest” has a minimum area of 0.05 to 1 ha (India has 1.0 ha minimum), with the tree crown cover percentage being more than 10 to 30 per cent (India has 10 per cent) and with trees having the potential to reach a minimum height of 2 to 5 m at maturity in situ (in India, it’s 2 m).
- The definition thus arrived at by India assesses forests as all lands, more than 1 hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10 per cent irrespective of ownership and legal status.
- Such lands may not necessarily be a recorded forest area.
- It also includes orchards, bamboo, palm etc.
Assessment of forest cover
- The assessment of forest cover is done based on the interpretation of satellite data, which basically identifies umbrella-shaped canopies from the sky.
- The forest cover is also estimated from field inventory data, which corroborates the figures of forest cover obtained from the satellite-based interpretation.
- The environment ministry is even considering providing forest cover maps through the Web Map Service to make the analyses of researchers and agencies easier.
- Importance of plantations: The importance of plantations needs to be understood.
- For example, cashew plantations, which mainly grow along the coast, serve as the first line of defence against cyclones, which are hitting with greater frequency and ferocity.
- Mixed plantations, especially of native species, meet all the ecological functions of natural forests.
- A lot of wildlife inhabits these plantations.
- While we do not advocate equating natural forests with plantations, let us recognise their ecological functions.
Afforestation efforts
- India is on track to achieve its national commitment to land degradation neutrality.
- India is working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- Our afforestation efforts are also aligned with our wildlife conservation efforts.
- Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
- From nine tiger reserves initially, we now have 51 tiger reserves.
- These are the cornerstones of wildlife conservation and preserve natural ecosystems which support ecological processes responsible for providing various goods and services that are vital for human well-being.
Way forward
- Notwithstanding these gains, the goal of 33 per cent area under forest and tree cover as per the National Forest Policy, 1988, remains to be achieved.
- Focus on TOF: The balance of 9 per cent can be achieved through taking up plantation/afforestation outside the forests and restocking/plantation in degraded and scrub forests.
- According to the ISFR 2021, the Trees outside forest (TOF) extent comprises 36.18 per cent of the total forest and tree cover of the country.
- Given this fact, the draft NFP 2021 has focused on the promotion of TOF by including it among its objectives.
- NFP 2021: Given this fact, the draft NFP 2021 has focused on the promotion of TOF by including it among its objectives.
- The provisions in draft NFP 2021 include substantially increasing the tree cover outside forests by incentivising and promoting agro-forestry and farm forestry; managing and expanding green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas to enhance citizens’ well-being; plantation of trees outside forests in partnership with local communities, land-owning agencies, and private enterprises; creation, sustainable management and promotion of urban forests; afforestation/reforestation in public-private partnership (PPP) mode; promotion of urban forests.
Conclusion
It is with this holistic approach that India is moving towards restoring the ecological balance of the planet and ensuring sustainable development.
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Since its inception, UPSC-CSE has had toppers from various academic and socio-economic backgrounds who have cracked the exam with flying colours. It’s clear that one doesn’t have to go to Delhi or a coaching centre to crack UPSC-CSE.
If education, geographical and economic background doesn’t matter, then what does? Attitude, or precisely consistency. If you are persistent and adamant to clear UPSC- CSE and have given more than two attempts till now, then you must replace that with consistency. Because, being persistent might lead you to the door, but it’s consistency that unlocks it.
In last month’s Samanvaya 1-on-1 counselling sessions, our expert Civilsdaily mentors reached out to aspirants to address their concerns regarding UPSC-CSE preparation. These are the responses they often heard from them —
How do I start preparing after a gap of 3-4 months?
It’s easy for me to maintain consistency in GS Preparation but not Revision
I study daily, but can only remain focused for 2-3 hours. How do I improve?
My long working hours don’t allow me to study daily.
Why am I losing interest in completing a subject? It’ s easier to read a new subject everyday.
Open to All, Free Live Webinar by IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma sir
This prompted us to reach out to one of our students who is currently an IPS officer, Rishabh Sharma. He cleared the exam in 2020 with AIR 454. After his first attempt, Rishabh had enrolled in Smash Mains program under Sajal sir and also attended our free interview program. Cracking the mighty UPSC-CSE the second time, Rishabh explains what consistency means to him —
UPSC doesn’t just test your intellect. It tests your patience, mental strength, your emotions, the very character of yours . As far as the journey of CSE is concerned you might know when to start, but you never know when the journey will come to an end. So be consistent and enjoy the journey.
Every topper follows a plan, a method or strategy that makes it easier for them to study on a daily basis and complete the traget modules of the day. In this free live webinar, Rishab Sharma IPS will be explaining the many ways he ensured that he never faltered on his preparation.
What you will be learning from Rishab Sharma IPS in this webinar?
1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How did UPSC-CSE become easier for Rishab Sharma IPS due to consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How did Rishabh Sharma IPS avoid spending long hours on social media?
3. Number of ideal breaks everyday. Why is it necessary to reward yourself with a short break from time to time?
4. Did Rishabh Sharma IPS plan his timetable in advance? Why daily timetable should not be rigid but yearly timetable should be well defined?
5. How to remain consistent when you are not opting for coaching? Rishabh Sharma answers.
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies by Rishab Sharma IPS
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation? How helpful is it according to Rishabh Sharma?
8. What are the 4 factors that determine if you can remain consistent for a year? If not, then why should you work on them first before starting UPSC-CSE preparation?
Webinar Details
It’s understandable we are humans and not programmable robots who can maintain the same level of interest everyday. However, maintaining an overall consistency throughout our preparation is neccessary to clear this competitive and vast exam.
We hope this webinar by Rishabh Sharma IPS will give you a fresh and clear start to prepare for UPSC-CSE 2022-23
Date: 11 February, 2022 (Friday)
Time: 7PM
-
Free Live Webinar @ 7PM Today, Registrations Closing in 1 Hr|| What are the 5 Methods to Maintain Daily Consistency in Current Affairs, Optional & GS Preparation?|| What are the 4 Factors you Need to Work on if you can’t Study Regularly?|| Free Live Webinar by UPSC-CSE 2020 IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now
Since its inception, UPSC-CSE has had toppers from various academic and socio-economic backgrounds who have cracked the exam with flying colours. It’s clear that one doesn’t have to go to Delhi or a coaching centre to crack UPSC-CSE.
If education, geographical and economic background doesn’t matter, then what does? Attitude, or precisely consistency. If you are persistent and adamant to clear UPSC- CSE and have given more than two attempts till now, then you must replace that with consistency. Because, being persistent might lead you to the door, but it’s consistency that unlocks it.
In last month’s Samanvaya 1-on-1 counselling sessions, our expert Civilsdaily mentors reached out to aspirants to address their concerns regarding UPSC-CSE preparation. These are the responses they often heard from them —
How do I start preparing after a gap of 3-4 months?
It’s easy for me to maintain consistency in GS Preparation but not Revision
I study daily, but can only remain focused for 2-3 hours. How do I improve?
My long working hours don’t allow me to study daily.
Why am I losing interest in completing a subject? It’ s easier to read a new subject everyday.
Open to All, Free Live Webinar by IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma sir
This prompted us to reach out to one of our students who is currently an IPS officer, Rishabh Sharma. He cleared the exam in 2020 with AIR 454. After his first attempt, Rishabh had enrolled in Smash Mains program under Sajal sir and also attended our free interview program. Cracking the mighty UPSC-CSE the second time, Rishabh explains what consistency means to him —
UPSC doesn’t just test your intellect. It tests your patience, mental strength, your emotions, the very character of yours . As far as the journey of CSE is concerned you might know when to start, but you never know when the journey will come to an end. So be consistent and enjoy the journey.
Every topper follows a plan, a method or strategy that makes it easier for them to study on a daily basis and complete the traget modules of the day. In this free live webinar, Rishab Sharma IPS will be explaining the many ways he ensured that he never faltered on his preparation.
What you will be learning from Rishab Sharma IPS in this webinar?
1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How did UPSC-CSE become easier for Rishab Sharma IPS due to consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How did Rishabh Sharma IPS avoid spending long hours on social media?
3. Number of ideal breaks everyday. Why is it necessary to reward yourself with a short break from time to time?
4. Did Rishabh Sharma IPS plan his timetable in advance? Why daily timetable should not be rigid but yearly timetable should be well defined?
5. How to remain consistent when you are not opting for coaching? Rishabh Sharma answers.
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies by Rishab Sharma IPS
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation? How helpful is it according to Rishabh Sharma?
8. What are the 4 factors that determine if you can remain consistent for a year? If not, then why should you work on them first before starting UPSC-CSE preparation?
Webinar Details
It’s understandable we are humans and not programmable robots who can maintain the same level of interest everyday. However, maintaining an overall consistency throughout our preparation is neccessary to clear this competitive and vast exam.
We hope this webinar by Rishabh Sharma IPS will give you a fresh and clear start to prepare for UPSC-CSE 2022-23
Date: 11 February, 2022 (Friday)
Time: 7PM
-
Free Live Webinar @ 7PM Today, Registrations Closing in 3 Hrs|| What are the 5 Methods to Maintain Daily Consistency in Current Affairs, Optional & GS Preparation?|| What are the 4 Factors you Need to Work on if you can’t Study Regularly?|| Free Live Webinar by UPSC-CSE 2020 IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now
Since its inception, UPSC-CSE has had toppers from various academic and socio-economic backgrounds who have cracked the exam with flying colours. It’s clear that one doesn’t have to go to Delhi or a coaching centre to crack UPSC-CSE.
If education, geographical and economic background doesn’t matter, then what does? Attitude, or precisely consistency. If you are persistent and adamant to clear UPSC- CSE and have given more than two attempts till now, then you must replace that with consistency. Because, being persistent might lead you to the door, but it’s consistency that unlocks it.
In last month’s Samanvaya 1-on-1 counselling sessions, our expert Civilsdaily mentors reached out to aspirants to address their concerns regarding UPSC-CSE preparation. These are the responses they often heard from them —
How do I start preparing after a gap of 3-4 months?
It’s easy for me to maintain consistency in GS Preparation but not Revision
I study daily, but can only remain focused for 2-3 hours. How do I improve?
My long working hours don’t allow me to study daily.
Why am I losing interest in completing a subject? It’ s easier to read a new subject everyday.
Open to All, Free Live Webinar by IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma sir
This prompted us to reach out to one of our students who is currently an IPS officer, Rishabh Sharma. He cleared the exam in 2020 with AIR 454. After his first attempt, Rishabh had enrolled in Smash Mains program under Sajal sir and also attended our free interview program. Cracking the mighty UPSC-CSE the second time, Rishabh explains what consistency means to him —
UPSC doesn’t just test your intellect. It tests your patience, mental strength, your emotions, the very character of yours . As far as the journey of CSE is concerned you might know when to start, but you never know when the journey will come to an end. So be consistent and enjoy the journey.
Every topper follows a plan, a method or strategy that makes it easier for them to study on a daily basis and complete the traget modules of the day. In this free live webinar, Rishab Sharma IPS will be explaining the many ways he ensured that he never faltered on his preparation.
What you will be learning from Rishab Sharma IPS in this webinar?
1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How did UPSC-CSE become easier for Rishab Sharma IPS due to consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How did Rishabh Sharma IPS avoid spending long hours on social media?
3. Number of ideal breaks everyday. Why is it necessary to reward yourself with a short break from time to time?
4. Did Rishabh Sharma IPS plan his timetable in advance? Why daily timetable should not be rigid but yearly timetable should be well defined?
5. How to remain consistent when you are not opting for coaching? Rishabh Sharma answers.
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies by Rishab Sharma IPS
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation? How helpful is it according to Rishabh Sharma?
8. What are the 4 factors that determine if you can remain consistent for a year? If not, then why should you work on them first before starting UPSC-CSE preparation?
Webinar Details
It’s understandable we are humans and not programmable robots who can maintain the same level of interest everyday. However, maintaining an overall consistency throughout our preparation is neccessary to clear this competitive and vast exam.
We hope this webinar by Rishabh Sharma IPS will give you a fresh and clear start to prepare for UPSC-CSE 2022-23
Date: 11 February, 2022 (Friday)
Time: 7PM
-
11th February 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)
Topics for Today’s questions:
GS-1 Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
GS-2 Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
GS-3 Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
GS-4 Case Studies
Question 1)
Q.1 Regional movements are often conservative in orientation, supported by traditional social classes and religious groups and oppose social change imposed by modernity. Critically discuss in the context of India. (15 Marks)
Question 2)
Q.2 Reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has not translated into corresponding increase in women’s representation in India’s state legislatures. Bringing out the reasons for the same, discuss how under-representation of women in the state legislatures can be corrected. (10 Marks)
Question 3)
Q.3 The decision to grow a particular crop by a farmer is affected by various factors other than the yield of a crop. Discuss this statement and assess the need for bringing a change in the cropping pattern in India. (10 Marks)
Question 4)
Q.4 You are working as the Head of Ethics and Compliance in a big mobile manufacturing company that is known for its innovation and quality products. Both the customers and the shareholders are pleased with the performance of the company as they get value for their money and high returns on their investments respectively. Tin is a major component in the products manufactured by your company. It was recently brought to your attention that workers – many of them children – are working in unsafe conditions, digging tin out by hand in mines prone to landslides that could bury them alive. About 70% of the tin used in smartphones manufactured by the company comes from these more dangerous, small-scale mines. The company defends its practices by saying it only has so much control over monitoring and regulating its component sources. The justification advanced of its sourcing practices is that it is a complex process, with tens of thousands of miners selling tin, many of them through middle-men or third-party contractors. Based on the above case, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) Can customers of the company be expected to take into account such practices before buying any product of the company? (c) If the management were to seek your opinion on the matter, what course of action will you suggest? (20 Marks)
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
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Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
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A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
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Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
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If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
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If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
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Q.4 You are working as the Head of Ethics and Compliance in a big mobile manufacturing company that is known for its innovation and quality products. Both the customers and the shareholders are pleased with the performance of the company as they get value for their money and high returns on their investments respectively. Tin is a major component in the products manufactured by your company. It was recently brought to your attention that workers – many of them children – are working in unsafe conditions, digging tin out by hand in mines prone to landslides that could bury them alive. About 70% of the tin used in smartphones manufactured by the company comes from these more dangerous, small-scale mines. The company defends its practices by saying it only has so much control over monitoring and regulating its component sources. The justification advanced of its sourcing practices is that it is a complex process, with tens of thousands of miners selling tin, many of them through middle-men or third-party contractors. Based on the above case, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) Can customers of the company be expected to take into account such practices before buying any product of the company? (c) If the management were to seek your opinion on the matter, what course of action will you suggest? (20 Marks)
Mentor’s Comments-
- Present an introduction by encapsulating the broad theme of the case study.
- Highlight the ethical issues that are involved in the case.
- Explore the options available to you as the Head of Ethics and Compliance of the company.
- With your reasoning, present the course of action that you would choose.
- Conclude appropriately.
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Q.3 The decision to grow a particular crop by a farmer is affected by various factors other than the yield of a crop. Discuss this statement and assess the need for bringing a change in the cropping pattern in India. (10 Marks)
Mentor’s Comments-
- Briefly write about the concept of cropping pattern.
- Write about various factors which affect the decision of a farmer to grow a particular crop.
- Explain why the present cropping pattern in India needs to be changed.
- Conclude accordingly.
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Q.2 Reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has not translated into corresponding increase in women’s representation in India’s state legislatures. Bringing out the reasons for the same, discuss how under-representation of women in the state legislatures can be corrected. (10 Marks)
Mentor’s Comments-
- Mention some statistics related to women’s representation in state legislatures in India.
- Mention the reasons for low representation.
- Highlight the steps that can be taken in this regard.
- Conclude accordingly.
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Q.1 Regional movements are often conservative in orientation, supported by traditional social classes and religious groups and oppose social change imposed by modernity. Critically discuss in the context of India. (15 Marks)
Mentor’s Comments-
- Briefly explain the concept of regionalism.
- With the help of various examples, show how the regional movements are conservative in their
orientation. - Discuss the positive aspects of regionalism in brief.
- Conclude accordingly.
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11th February 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions
[WpProQuiz 899]
[WpProQuiz_toplist 899]
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Governor and Related issues
Last week, West Bengal CM blocked its Governor on Twitter. Days earlier, the Tamil Nadu government had taken exception to Governor’s R-Day speech articulating the benefits of NEET.
These are two of many examples of bitterness between states and Governors.
Who is a Governor?
- Parallel to President: The Governors of the states of India have similar powers and functions at the state level as those of the President of India at the Central level.
- Nominal head: The governor acts as the nominal head whereas the real power lies with the Chief Ministers of the states and her/his councils of ministers.
- Similar offices: Governors exist in the states while Lieutenant Governors or Administrators exist in union territories including National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- Non-local appointees: Few or no governors are local to the state that they are appointed to govern.
Governor-State Relations
- Acting on aid and advice: Although envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the council of ministers, the Governor enjoys certain powers granted under the Constitution.
- Discretion: He has monopoly for giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature, or determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority, or which party must be called first do so, generally after a hung verdict in an election.
- Apparatus of interaction: There are no provisions laid down for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion. The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.
Various friction points
In recent years, these have been largely about:
- Selection of the party to form a government
- Deadline for proving majority
- Sitting on Bills
- Passing negative remarks on the state administration
Recent contentious case
- J&K: In November 2018, then J&K Governor dissolved the Assembly amid indications that various parties were coming together to form the government.
- Maharashtra: In 2019, after a hung verdict in Maharashtra Governor quietly invited a party leader and administered him oath as CM at 6am early morning. This government lasted just 80 hours.
- Nagaland: Governor has criticised affairs of the state and allegedly interfered in administration.
Is such friction recent?
- Allegations of the Centre using the Governor’s position to destabilise state governments have been made since the 1950s.
- In 1959, Kerala’s government was dismissed merely based on a report by the Governor.
- Several state governments have been dismissed since then, including 63 through President’s Rule orders issued by Governors between 1971 and 1990.
Why does this happen?
- Political appointment: This is because Governors have become political appointees. Politicians become Governors and then resign to fight elections.
- Nature of appointment: In the Constitution, there are no guidelines for exercise of the Governor’s powers, including for appointing a CM or dissolving the Assembly.
- Defying constituent assembly: The Constituent Assembly envisaged governor to be apolitical.
- Nature of appointment: The CM is answerable to the people. But the Governor is answerable to no one except the Centre.
- Constitutional vacuum: Once can sugercoat it with ideas of constitutional morality and values, but the truth is there is a fundamental defect in the Constitution.
- Security of Tenure: There is no provision for impeaching the Governor, who is appointed by the President on the Centre’s advice. While the Governor has 5-year a tenure, he can remain in office only until the pleasure of the President.
- Powers in legislation: There is no limit set for how long a Governor can withhold assent to a Bill.
What reforms have been suggested?
- From the Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968 to Sarkaria Commission of 1988 and the one mentioned above, several panels have recommended reforms, such as:
- Selection of the Governor through a panel comprising the PM, Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and the CM,
- Fixing his tenure for five years
- Provision to impeach the Governor by the Assembly
- No government has implemented any of these recommendations.
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What is a Ratings Agency and why do they matter?
Finance Secretary has accused rating agencies of “double standards” when assessing emerging markets and developing economies.
What is the news?
- Fitch, a rating agency, has termed India as the most indebted emerging market.
- It claimed that the latest budget did not provide clarity on fiscal consolidation plans.
What is a Rating Agency?
- Rating agencies assess the creditworthiness or potential of an equity, debt or country.
- Their reports are read by investors to make an informed decision on whether or not to invest in a particular country or companies in that geography.
- They assess if a country, equity or debt is financially stable and whether it at a low/high default risk.
- In simpler terms, these reports help investors gauge if they would get a return on their investment.
What do they do?
- The agencies periodically re-evaluate previously assigned ratings after new developments geopolitical events or a significant economic announcement by the concerned entity.
- Their reports are sold and published in financial and daily newspapers.
What grading pattern do they follow?
- The three prominent ratings agencies, viz., Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch subscribe to largely similar grading patterns.
- Standard & Poor’s accord their highest grade, that is, AAA, to countries, equity or debt with the exceedingly high capacity to meet their financial commitments.
- Its grading slab includes letters A, B and C with an addition a single or double letter denoting a higher grade.
- Moody’s separates ratings into short and long-term definitions. Its longer-term grading ranges from Aaa to C, with Aaa being the highest.
- Fitch, too, rates from AAA to D, with D being the lowest. It follows the same succession scheme as Moody’s and Fitch.
Criticism of rating agencies
- Popular ratings agencies publicly reveal their methodology, which is based on macroeconomic data publicly made available by a country, to lend credibility to their inferences.
- However, credit rating agencies were subjected to severe criticism for allegedly spurring the financial crisis in the United States, which began in 2017.
- The agencies underestimated the credit risk associated with structured credit products and failed to adjust their ratings quickly enough to deteriorating market conditions.
- They were charged for methodological errors and conflict of interest on multiple counts.
Do countries pay attention to ratings agencies?
- Lowered rating of a country can potentially cause panic selling or offloading of investment by a foreign investor.
- In 2013, the European Union opted for regulating the agencies.
- Over reliance on credit ratings may reduce incentives for investor to develop their own capacity for credit risk assessment.
- Ratings Agencies in the EU are now permitted to issue ratings for a country only thrice a year, and after close of trade in the entire Union.
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What is Privilege Motion?
An MP from Telangana submitted a Privilege Motion against PM regarding his remarks over the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh.
What is Parliamentary Privilege?
- Parliamentary privilege refers to the right and immunity enjoyed by legislatures.
- The legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made in the course of their legislative duties.
- They are granted so that the MPs/MLAs can effectively discharge their functions.
- The powers, privileges, and immunities of either House of the Indian Parliament and of its members and committees are laid down in Article 105 of the Constitution.
- Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and immunities of the State Legislatures, their members and their committees.
What is a Privilege Motion?
- When any of the rights and immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under the law of Parliament.
- A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.
- Each House also claims the right to punish as contempt actions which, while not breach of any specific privilege, are offenses against its authority and dignity.
What are the rules governing privilege?
- Rule No 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book and correspondingly Rule 187 in Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook govern privilege.
- It says that a member may, with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a committee thereof.
- The rules however mandate that any notice should be relating to an incident of recent occurrence and should need the intervention of the House.
- Notices have to be given before 10 am to the Speaker or the Chairperson.
What is the role of the Speaker/Rajya Sabha Chair?
- The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion.
- The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.
- If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.
What is the Privileges Committee?
- In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates a committee of privileges consisting of 15 members as per respective party strengths.
- A report is then presented to the House for its consideration. The Speaker may permit a half-hour debate while considering the report.
- The Speaker may then pass final orders or direct that the report be tabled before the House.
- A resolution may then be moved relating to the breach of privilege that has to be unanimously passed.
- In the Rajya Sabha, the deputy chairperson heads the committee of privileges, which consists of 10 members.
Answer this PYQ in the comment box:
Q.With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws etc. conferred by the constitution of delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
(a) Committee on Government Assurances
(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation
(c) Rules Committee
(d) Business Advisory Committee
Post your answers here.
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Species in news: White-Cheeked Macaque
In an important discovery, scientists have recorded presence of White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys) from central Arunachal Pradesh.
White-Cheeked Macaque
- White- Cheeked Macaques are distinct from other macaques found in the region by displaying white cheeks, long and thick hairs on the neck area, and a longer tail.
- The species was discovered in 2015 by a group of Chinese scientists from the Modog region in southeastern Tibet.
- This discovery was considered a significant breakthrough as far as primates are concerned.
Existence in India
- From India, the species has not been sighted or reported after a single incidence of photographic capture from Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh in 2015.
- The number of these mammals reported from India stands at 434.
- The significance of the discovery is that it marks a new addition to mammals of India.
Protection status
- It has NOT been yet included in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.
- The potential threat to all species of macaques in the landscape is due to hunting by locals for consumption and habitat degradation due to urbanization and infrastructure development.
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[Yojana Archive] India As a Space Power
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India’s Space Program: A backgrounder
- Inception: Indian Space Programme began with the vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai that we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies for the benefit of society.
- Formation of INCOIS: It was with the formation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962.
- First rocket into space: It was followed by the first sounding rocket launch from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in 1963 that the space programme formally took off.
- Establishment of ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was formed in 1969, superseding INCOSPAR.
- Separate department: With the establishment of the Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS) in 1972, ISRO was brought under DOS.
Organizations associated with ISRO
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum: Hub for sounding rockets, solid propellants, etc.
- Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad: Payload development and related electronics
Journey of ISRO
[A] Satellites
(1) Launching of a Satellite
- India’s first satellite Aryabhata, which was launched on 19 April 1975, from a launch centre in the former Soviet Union.
- Later, Bhaskara-I and II, the two experimental earth observation satellites, provided the confidence to build complex operational remote sensing satellites.
(2) Communication satellites
- APPLE- Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment was India’s first experimental communication satellite.
- These satellites were launched free-of-cost, which reflects India’s successful international space cooperation policy.
(3) INSAT Program
- Two further significant satellite communication experiments were SITE– Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (1975-76) and STEP– Satellite Telecommunication Experimental Project (1977)
- This paved the way for INSAT (Indian National Satellite) series of satellites.
[B] Transportation Modules
(1) SLV
- In the space transportation domain, the commissioning of the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) project in the early 1970s was the first indigenous experimental satellite launch vehicle.
- As a four stage, all solid, launch vehicle, SLV-3 had its successful launch in July 1980, thrusting India into the select league of six countries with the capability to launch satellites on their own.
- The ASLV- Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle project, in the early 1980s, was the next step of evolution in launch vehicle technology.
(2) PSLV
- In mid 80s came the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project. PSLV was successfully launched in 1994.
- The vehicle has proven to be a workhorse of ISRO, logging over 50 successful missions, launching national as well as foreign satellites.
- On 15 February 2017, PSLV created a world record by successfully placing 104 satellites.
- The nation embarked upon a highly challenging quest to master the complex cryogenic technology.
(3) GSLV
- The commissioning of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in the 1990s was a step in this direction. The launch vehicle was designed with three stages.
- With the injection of Chandrayaan-2 into Earth Parking Orbit in July 2019, GSLV Mk III successfully entered into its operational phase.
(4) SSLV
- The Small Satellites Launching Vehicles (SSLVs) used for commercial launching of small satellites is under incubation.
[C] Remote Sensing Satellites
- INSAT-1B, India’s first multipurpose operational satellite was launched in 1983. It brought major revolution in
- India’s telecommunications, television broadcasting, and weather-forecasting domains.
- In 1988, IRS-1A, the first operational satellite built in India, started imaging the earth. During the 1990s, ISRO began building INSAT-2 series of multipurpose satellites indigenously.
- Today, India has a fleet of advanced remote sensing satellites.
- High Throughput Satellites (HTS) such as GSAT- 11, GSAT-29, and GSAT-19 are supporting the Digital India campaign by boosting the broadband connectivity in rural India.
Major accomplishments
(1) Chandrayaan
- The space science missions of India– Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, AstroSat, and Chandrayaan-2– have caught the attention of the world.
- With Chandrayaan-1, India became the fourth country to send a probe to the lunar surface after the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan.
- It conclusively discovered water molecules on the lunar surface, it was widely hailed as a path-breaking discovery.
(2) Mission Mangal (Mars Orbiter Mission)
- Launched by PSLV in November 2013, the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft encountered Mars in September 2014.
- With this, ISRO has become the fourth space agency to successfully send a spacecraft to Mars orbit.
(3) Others
- AstroSat: It recently made a major breakthrough by discovering one of the earliest galaxies in extreme- Ultraviolet light.
- NAVIC: ISRO has also successfully established and operationalized Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) which provides highly accurate Position, Navigation, and Time information to users.
- GAGAN: Further, through GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), ISRO is providing Satellite-based Navigation services for better Air Traffic Management over Indian Airspace.
Future Projects
- Gaganyaan Programme: It was approved by the Government of India in 2018. It has the stated objective of demonstrating human space flight capability to Low- Earth Orbit (LEO) for a defined duration and safe recovery after the mission.
- Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC): This was constituted in ISRO for implementing the vision on the human space flight programme.
Major breakthroughs: Commercialization of Space Activities
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe): The creation of the IN-SPACE to promote, handhold, and authorise Non-Government Private Entities (NGPEs) to undertake space activities shall unleash the next wave of advancements in the sector.
- New Space India Limited (NSIL): Empowering the PSU NSIL to own the operational launch vehicles and space assets of ISRO, opens up a new chapter in the management of space activities in the country.
- ANTRIX: ISRO also has a business branch called Antrix, which markets ISRO’s space products and technologies to a global audience.
Various challenges
- Security concerns from private activities: Government worries over knowledge sharing, launch methods, and satellite capabilities have led to a reluctance to allow private actors in the market due to the security concerns.
- Long gestation period: Many approval processes take a long time to complete. Approvals take around a year and a half. This comes at a time when the next three to four years are critical for the sector’s growth.
- State control: The ISRO is directly controlled by the Department of Space (DOS), which is under the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Licensing issues: Another regulatory worry is the licensing structure for satellite earth station gateways, which needs to be transformed to make it easier for any satellite operator to set one up.
- Limited indigenization: Another challenge is promoting indigenous innovation. In the new global climate, the challenge for the country is to continue to benefit from this innovation.
Way forward
- Creating a policy and regulatory framework that is predictable for both ISRO and private firms.
- Future planetary exploration and space travel should include the private sector.
- Allowing commercial enterprises to rent ISRO testing facilities for the purpose of testing their products and equipment.
- Improved regulatory clarity would result in fewer hurdles to entry for private companies and better synergy between ISRO and private partners.
- Private companies are given incentives to develop satellites or test rockets, lowering costs and increasing incentives for enterprises to build operational spacecraft.
- ISRO would assist the private sector in attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment by offering access to its satellite technology, facilities, and orbital slots (FDI).
Conclusion
- There is a need to liberalise the space sector and allow more private players to use ISRO facilities for developing, launching, and deploying a variety of applications.
- The government should take appropriate measures to enable the private sector to ensure that India remains at the forefront of the global space industry.
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