Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
2. Discuss the concerns in India’s newly released rules governing trade of electricity across its borders. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explains the surge of geopolitics in South Asia’s power trade.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concerns in India’s newly released rules governing trade of electricity across its borders.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with background of the question.
Body:
The guidelines place clear limits on who can buy from and sell into India. This is supposed to be because of India’s attempt to neutralize China’s influence in the South Asian region. They discourage participation of plants owned by a company situated in “a third country with whom India shares a land border” (read China) and “does not have a bilateral agreement on power sector with India.”
Discuss the key concerns with the guidelines.
Exclusive Rules on ownership, Undermines private sector partnerships, the rules establish elaborate surveillance procedures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
