[Mission 2023] Insta– QUED ( Questions from Editorials ) 28 July 2022

Solution: b)

Five more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as “wetlands of international importance”.

The Ramsar Convention, which came into existence in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

With the addition of these five wetlands, the number of Ramsar Sites in India has gone up to 54, the highest for any country in South Asia.

The Indian government’s definition of wetland according to Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 excludes river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purposes.

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Solution: c)

Globally, wetlands cover 6.4 per cent of the geographical area of the world. In India, according to the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment compiled by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), wetlands are spread over 1,52,600 square kilometres (sq km) which is 4.63 per cent of the total geographical area of the country. Of the 1,52,600 sq km, inland-natural wetlands account for 43.4% and coastal-natural wetlands 24.3%.

Rivers/streams occupy 52,600 sq km, reservoirs/barrages 24,800 sq km, inter-tidal mudflats 24,100 sq km, tanks/ponds 13,100 sq km and lake/ponds 7300 sq km.

India has 19 types of wetlands. In state-wise distribution of wetlands, Gujarat is at the top with 34,700 sq km (17.56% of total geographical area of the state), or 22.7% of total wetlands areas of the country thanks to a long coastline. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh (14,500 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (12,400 sq km) and West Bengal (11,100 sq km).

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Solution: b)

Judgements related to Surveillance:

• People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs Union of India case: Supreme Court said telephonic conversations are covered by the right to privacy, which can be breached only if there are established procedures.
• Puttaswamy vs Union of India verdict of 2017: the Supreme Court reiterated the need for oversight of surveillance, stating that it should be legally valid and serve a legitimate aim of the government.

Indra Sawhney and Others vs. Union of India & Others:

The constitution recognized social and educational backwardness, but not economic backwardness. The court upheld separate reservation for OBC in central government jobs, but excluded these to the “creamy layer” (the forward section of a backward class, above a certain income). At no point should the reservation exceed 50%.

Solution: d)

What is the Collegium system?

• The Collegium of judges does not figure in the Constitution. It is the Supreme Court’s invention.
• Constitution says judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President and speaks of a process of consultation.
• Therefore, Collegium is a system under which judges are recommended by an institution comprising judges.
• Collegium also recommends the transfer of Chief Justices and other judges of High Courts. 

Solution: a)

In India, revenue deficit is one of the major reasons for a large fiscal deficit. This means that the government cannot finance its revenue operations by the resources it generates.

Undertake developmental expenditure: This is done because the internal resources of the government are not adequate to undertake development expenditure. It must borrow money from the market.

CAD is financed by external flows. If government borrows from outside it would increase our external capital deficit, but not affect the short-term CAD.