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General Studies – 1
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on Indian
Why the question:
Over 20 people have been killed in destruction caused by cloudbursts and flash floods in different parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the last three days. Isolated areas in these two states have reported heavy rainfall during this time, triggering landslides and flash floods that have disrupted rail and road traffic, and resulted in house and wall collapses.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about cloudbursts, reasons for their rising instances and its consequences.
Directive:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining a cloudburst. Cite examples.
Body:
First, in brief, explain the mechanism of cloudburst and how they are different from regular rainfall.
Next, write about its reasons for the rising instances of cloudburst across India. Cite facts and statistics to substantiate.
Next, write about the short term and long-term consequences of cloudburst of various aspects of Ecology, economy, livelihoods etc.
Next, write about the ways to mitigate the impact of cloudbursts.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Cloudbursts are sudden and extreme rainfall events over a limited area in a short span of time. India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as any event where 100 millimetres of rainfall have fallen in a span of an hour over a region that is 20-30 square kilometres in area.
Over 20 people have been killed in destruction caused by cloudbursts and flash floods in different parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand & Ladakh over the last three days. Isolated areas in these two states have reported heavy rainfall during this time, triggering landslides and flash floods that have disrupted rail and road traffic, and resulted in house and wall collapses.
Body
Reasons for rising instances
- Several studies have shown that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts in many cities across the globe.
- In May 2022, the World Meteorological Organization noted that there is about a 40% chance of the annual average global temperature temporarily reaching 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level in at least one of the next five years.
- While the hilly terrain and other conditions fuelling cloudbursts have caused such incidents even in the past, the frequency of events such as cloudbursts, flash floods, urban floods are increasing due to climate change and global warming of the planet.
- Rainfall depends on temperature which impacts wind pattern and cloud formation. With increasing temperatures, such events are on the rise.
- According to experts with rise in temperature, the atmosphere becomes capable of holding more and more water resulting in a short but very intense rainfall in a region.
- High temperatures result in increased moisture levels, this moisture content then manifests itself in the form of either pre-monsoon thunderstorms in the Indo-Gangetic Plains or cloud bursts or hailstorms in mountainous regions like Uttarakhand.
Consequences
- Cloudburst results in flash floods in area.
- Landslides & land cavings in hilly areas.
- Intense rainfall events not only lead to disasters like floods and extreme damage but also leads to intense soil erosion, leaching and poses huge problems in recharging of the water table.
- Sudden outbursts of clouds also harm the standing crop and green vegetation along with resulting in long periods of no rainfall.
- Households will be affected with loss of lives of humans and animals.
- Loss of buildings and property damage.
- Loss of forests and cultivable land.
- Loss of infrastructure like bridges and flyovers.
Way forward & Conclusion
- There is no satisfactory techniquefor anticipating the occurrence of cloud bursts because they develop over a small period of time.
- A very fine network of radars is requiredto be able to detect the likelihood of a cloud burst and this would be expensive.
- Only the areas likely to receive heavy rainfall can be identified on a short range scale.
- Much of the damage can be avoided by way of identifying the areas and the meteorological situations that favour the occurrence of cloud bursts.
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the features of presidential form of government, its merits and demerits.
Directive:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by describing presidential form of government and giving examples of it.
Body:
First, in detail, write about the features of presidential form of government
Next, write about limitations of parliamentary form of government.
Next, explain the pros of presidential form of government over parliamentary form of government and then evaluate its limitations. Next, Mention the measures that are needed to remedy this situation.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.
Introduction
Modern democratic governments are classified into parliamentary and presidential on the basis of nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs of the government. The parliamentary system of government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts. This type of model is prevalent in Britain, Canada, India and Japan. The presidential system of government on the other hand is one in which the executive is not responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts, and is constitutionally independent of the legislature in respect of its term of office. USA, Brazil and Russia are examples of this type of model of government.
Body:
Features of presidential system:
- President is both the head of the state and the head of the government. As the head of the state he/she occupies a ceremonial position and as the head of the government he/she leads the executive organ of the government.
- The President is elected by an electoral college for a fixed tenure. He/she cannot be removed by the legislature except by the impeachment for the grave constitutional act.
- The President governs with the help of a cabinet or smaller body called ‘Kitchen Cabinet’. It is only an advisory body and consists of non-elected departmental secretaries. They are selected and appointed by him/her, are responsible only to him/her and can be removed by him/her any time.
- The President and his/her secretaries are not responsible to the congress for their acts. They neither possess membership in the legislature nor attend its session.
- The President cannot dissolve the legislature.
- The doctrine of separation of power is the basis of Presidential system. The legislature, executive and judicial powers of the government are separated and vested in the three independent organs of the government.
Merits of presidential system:
- Stable government: The Presidential system provides a stable government. There is surety that government would survive for its tenure unless the President commits grave constitutional act and is impeached.
- Definiteness in policies:The Presidential system is conducive for the formulation and implementation of long-term policies due certainty of the tenure of the government.
- Based on separation of powers: There is complete and rigid separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial organs of the state. This prevents the despotic tendencies of any one organ and balances the distribution of power.
- Government by experts: The Presidential system is conducive to the administrative efficiency as ministers or secretaries are the experts in their fields. The President is free to choose his/her secretaries from the wide range of candidates and experts in their respective fields.
Demerits of Presidential system-
- Conflict between Legislature and Executive:It is biggest drawback of the Presidential system as conflict between legislature and executive can arose due to rigid separation of powers. This may stall the functioning of government and defeat the very purpose of governance.
- Non-responsible government: In Presidential system executives are not responsible to the legislature for their acts and policies. Thus it is difficult for elected representatives or legislative organ to exercise control over executives.
- Autocratic tendencies:In this system executive authority is vested in single person that is President and when President enjoys support in legislature, could lead to dictatorial tendencies.
- Narrow representation:In Presidential system secretaries are not elected members of the legislature but they are appointed by President. This restricts the scope of the wide representation and is limited to President’s favour.
Need for a shift from Parliamentary to Presidential system:
- The disgraceful political shenanigans the nation has witnessed, most recently in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and the horse-trading of MLAs to switch allegiances for power and pelf, are not merely an occasion for breast-beating about morality in politics or the opportunism of the cash-rich ruling party.
- For 25 years till 2014, our system has also produced coalition governments which have been obliged to focus more on politics than on policy or performance. It has forced governments to concentrate less on governing than on staying in office, and obliged them to cater to the lowest common denominator of their coalitions, since withdrawal of support can bring governments down. The parliamentary system has distorted the voting preferences of an electorate that knows which individuals it wants but not necessarily which parties or policies.
- Besides, India’s many challenges require political arrangements that permit decisive action, whereas ours increasingly promote drift and indecision. We must have a system of government whose leaders can focus on governance rather than on staying in power.
- Our parliamentary system has created a unique breed of legislator, largely unqualified to legislate, who has sought election only in order to wield executive power.
- It has produced governments dependent on a fickle legislative majority, who are therefore obliged to focus more on politics than on policy or performance.
- It has distorted the voting preferences of an electorate that knows which individuals it wants to vote for but not necessarily which parties.
- It has spawned parties that are shifting alliances of selfish individual interests, not vehicles of coherent sets of ideas.
- It has forced governments to concentrate less on governing than on staying in office, and obliged them to cater to the lowest common denominator of their coalitions.
- The parliamentary system has failed us.
- Pluralist democracy is India’s greatest strength, but its current manner of operation is the source of our major weaknesses.
Should India adopt the Presidential system?
- A presidential system centralizes power in one individual unlike the parliamentary system, where the Prime Minister is the first among equals. The surrender to the authority of one individual, as in the presidential system, is dangerous for democracy.
- The over-centralization of power in one individual is something we have to guard against.
- Those who argue in favor of a presidential system often state that the safeguards and checks are in place: that a powerful President can be stalled by a powerful legislature.
- But if the legislature is dominated by the same party to which the President belongs, a charismatic President or a “strong President” may prevent any move from the legislature.
- On the other hand, if the legislature is dominated by a party opposed to the President’s party and decides to checkmate him, it could lead to a stalemate in governance because both the President and the legislature would have democratic legitimacy.
- A diverse country like India cannot function without consensus-building. This “winner takes it all” approach, which is a necessary consequence of the presidential system, is likely to lead to a situation where the views of an individual can ride roughshod over the interests of different segments.
- Thus India is performing well on the scale of Parliamentary system and needs to strengthen it.
Conclusion:
India’s constitutional makers adopted the Parliamentary system due to factors like familiarity of the system, preference to more responsibility, need to avoid Legislative-Executive conflict and nature of Indian society. These factors still stand relevant at present for Indian polity. In fact, the matter whether to change for Presidential system was considered in detail by Swaran Singh Committee appointed by the congress government in 1975. The committee opined that the parliamentary system has been doing well and there is no need to replace with Presidential system.
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about nature of Indian federation and relationship between centre and states.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by describing quasi federal nature of India.
Body:
First, in detail, write about the ways in which how India is federation with a unitary bias. Substantiate with examples.
Next, write about nature of relationship between centre and states in regards to the nature of Indian federation. Cite recent developments in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. The Constitution of India establishes a federal structure to the Indian government, declaring it to be a “Union of States”. Indian model of federalism is called quasi-federal system as it contains major features of both a federation and union
Body
The Indian nation is a federation with a unitary bias:
- A strong centre – The Union Government becomes all powerful in certain times like emergencies. Article 200 of the Constitution of India demands that the States must comply with the central laws.
- Single Constitution
- Single citizenship
- Flexibility of Constitution
- Integrated judiciary
- Appointment of the Centre. E.g.: Governor
- All India Services
- Emergency provisions
The nature of the relationship between the centre and the states in the Indian Constitution
- The following four characteristics highlighting the fact that the Indian Constitution is not a “traditional federal Constitution”:
- Firstly, being that there is no provision of separate Constitutions for each Stateas required in a federal state. The Constitution of India is the supreme document, which governs all the states.
- Secondly, the Constitution can be altered only by the Union Parliament; whereas the States have no power to alter it.
- Thirdly, in contradiction to a federal Constitution, the Indian Constitution renders supreme power upon the Courts to invalidate any action which violates the Constitution.
- Fourthly, the distribution of powers facilitates local governance by the states and national policies by the Centre.
- The main forms of administrative units in India are the Centre and the States. But there are other forms, too, all set up to address specific local, historical and geographical contexts. Besides the Centre and the States, the country has Union Territories with a legislature, and Union Territories without a legislature.
- Just as the Centre and the States do not have matching powers in all matters, there are some differences in the way some States and other constituent units of the Indian Union relate to the Centre. This creates a notable asymmetry in the way Indian federalism works
- The Indian constitution splits all legislative, executive, and financial authorities between the centre and the states.
- For the federal system to function effectively, there must be maximum harmony and coordination between the centre and the states.
- Centre-state relations can be better understood under the following three heads:
- Legislative relations
- Administrative relations
- Financial relations
Conclusion
The Indian Constitution is neither purely federal nor purely unitary, but it’s a combination of both. Indian Constitution is mainly federal with unique safeguards for enforcing national unity and growth. Also, federalism is not dead in India, as evidenced by the fact that new regions are demanding statehood and union has yielded, thus states like Manipur, Tripura, Goa, etc. have been created
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
China wanted to anchor its spy warship in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port for a few days. Following India’s objections, Sri Lanka stated in the beginning that it would not allow the warship, but its tone quickly changed. Yuan Wang-5 not only arrived on 11 August, but Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to give its crew members a red carpet welcome.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about challenges in India’s neighbourhood and steps to overcome them.
Directive:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give a brief about India and its neighbourhood.
Body:
First, begin by mentioning the various dynamics of India with respect to its neighbours such as Chinese aggressions, Nepal issues, Taliban control over Afghanistan, Sri Lanka & associated concerns for India, Role of Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir, security issues etc.
Next, deliberate upon the need for a strategic custom-made approach with each neighbour such as economic aides, socio-cultural engagements and exchanges, military drills, regional groupings etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Recurrent political or economic crises in neighbouring countries draw India back into the subcontinent and constrain its ability to deal with larger regional and global issues. Moreover, adversaries like China seek to keep India tethered in the subcontinent.
“Neighbourhood First” has been a cardinal component of India’s foreign policy. Unless India manages its periphery well in the subcontinent, its pursuit of a more significant role in the Asian region and the world will remain suboptimal.
Body
Developments affecting India’s neighbourhood
- Bangladesh: The domestic political rhetoric in India about illegal Bangladeshi migrants and their alleged involvement in communal riots has had a negative resonance in the country and cast a shadow on our relations.
- It is essential to ensure that the compulsions of domestic politics do not affect India’s foreign policy adversely.
- Pakistan: With Pakistan too, India has historical adversity dating back to Independence and Partition and also the four wars that the former lost.
- Even more critical to the restoration of normalcy in bilateral ties is terrorism.
- Fuelling separatist tendencies in Kashmir and state sponsored terror attacks (Pulwama, Uri) have led to nonstarter of diplomatic relations.
- Nepal: In the Indo-Nepal ties, the Kalapani boundary dispute is a major issue.
- In 2019, Nepal released a new political map claiming Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand and the area of Susta (West Champaran district, Bihar) as part of Nepal’s territory.
- Sri Lanka: Despite India’s protests against anchoring of Chinese war-spy ship in Hambantota, Sri Lanka allowed them to anchor. This is a serious breach of trust from Sri Lanka.
- Killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy is a lingering issue between these two nations.
- In 2019 and 2020, a total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested and a total of 53 Indian boats were confiscated by the Sri Lankan authorities.
- China: After the Galwan valley clash, relations deteriorated including banning Chinese apps, measures to halt Chinese FDI and so on.
- Other issues: In Myanmar, military coup overthrew the democratic government.
- Afghanistan’s Taliban takeover will mark one year this August 2023.
The recent political instability in Pakistan, the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the ’India Out’ campaign in Maldives and China’s growing footprint in Nepal are other major challenges for India.
India’s response to shift in geo-politics
- A Revised Foreign & Security Policy: Being the largest and most powerful country in the subcontinent, India’s security perimeter goes beyond its national borders, a strong Indian foreign and security policy must ascertain that its neighbourhood remains peaceful, stable, and benign, and no hostile presence can entrench itself anywhere in the subcontinent and threaten India’s security.
- The challenge for Indian foreign policy lies in creating effective and enduring incentives for our neighbours to remain sensitive to India’s security interests and use India’s more powerful economy to become an engine of growth for them.
- India shall emerge for its neighbours as a net security provider for the region.
- Lesser Interventions: To deal with the increasing engagement of the smaller neighbours with external partners India should not clearly articulate red lines with each country as it would openly invite charges of disrespect of the sovereignty of neighbours.
- A better way would be to intervene less in the internal political affairs of its neighbours and subtly make it known that what India will never accept is the physical presence of a hostile foreign power in a manner that would adversely impact its security especially in a case of open borders.
- Taking Advantage of Political Shifts: There are significant shifts taking place in the neighbourhood. There is a leadership change in Pakistan, which offers the prospect of reviving the India-Pakistan engagement.
- The objectives should be modest, these include the resumption of bilateral dialogue in a format similar to the earlier comprehensive dialogue template.
- It is in India’s interest to promote regional economic integration, and SAARC is the one important available platform for that purpose.
- BIMSTEC should not be looked upon as an alternative to SAARC but should pursue it on its own merits.
- Cross-Border Connectivity: To bring into use its proximity with the other countries, India requires efficient cross-border connectivity both in terms of infrastructure and procedures to allow the smooth and seamless transit of goods and peoples.
- Opening More to Trade: The economic and technological power of India is a vast and expanding market.
- Even if this market were opened up fully to whatever our neighbours can produce and sell, this would constitute only a small fraction of India’s market but would mean a great deal for them.
- Transportation: Given its much more developed land and maritime transport system, India should develop its role as the partner of choice for trade and transportation.
Conclusion
India’s immediate neighbourhood directly impacts it geopolitically, geo-strategically and geo-economically because of its vicinity. Thus, working with them is important for India to rise as a superpower. Emphasis must be on sustainable and inclusive development. India’s neighbourhood first policy, SAGAR initiative etc. are critical for this.
General Studies – 3
Topic: 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.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
As we celebrate 75 years of Independence and enter the Amrit Kaal toward 2047, it is time to salute our freedom fighters, soldiers, farmers, scientists, and all those who have contributed to the development of this country. The famous slogan of late Lal Bahadur Shastri, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” was extended by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to include “Jai Vigyan”. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended it to, “Jai Anusandhan”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential of producing solar energy in farms in order to have clean energy and improve farmers’ incomes.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the context of solar energy in farms.
Body:
First, write about the present scenario of solar energy in India.
Next, write the potential of including solar power generation in agricultural farms. Write about its scope and the advantages associated with it.
Next, write about the challenges associated with the above – investment, power tariff with discoms, food security issues etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
There is an increasing renewable energy demand across the globe in the wake of climate crisis and shift to clean and green energy. Solar-cum-agricultural farms will be one such solution to cater it.
Carrying out expansion of solar power capacity as well as for crop farming together is known as solar-cum-agricultural farm. The power produced by the photovoltaic modules installed in the fields can help meet energy needs of the farm operations besides selling the remaining power.
The rainwater falling over the photovoltaic panels can be collected for irrigation, turning it into solar-cum-agriculture-cum-rainwater harvesting farm. Various designs and models of solar farming have been conceived abroad to suit local conditions, particularly the availability of sunlight.
Body
Scope and potential of solar power generation in Indian farms
- In India, the most suitable and scientifically tried and tested model of agri-photovoltaic system has been evolved by the Jodhpur-based Central Arid Zone Research Institute (Cazri).
- This system, is ideally suited to the country’s vast western arid zone spanning west Rajasthan, northwest Gujarat and parts of Haryana and Punjab, covering an area of around 32 million hectares.
- This zone receives copious solar radiation in most part of the year.
- The crops which do not grow too tall or require too much water are advised to be planted in such a farm.
- It promotes crop diversity as pulses, vegetable crops can be farmed below the solar panels.
- Solar-Farming can resolve land availability constraints for setting up solar farms.
- This model allows gainfully utilising the synergies between the two to boost net returns from the same piece of land.
- It can contribute to achieving the much-hyped objectives of doubling farm incomes by 2022.
- The crop cover in between the rows of the solar panels helps check soil erosion to reduce the dust load on the panels.
Challenges associated with solar farming
- Setting up of such integrated agri-photovoltaic farms is typically a cost-intensive proposition, heavy investments may be unaffordable for most Indian farmers.
- It is advisable to encourage the solar energy entrepreneurs to consider joining hands with the farmers on mutually agreed terms, instead of going in for solo photovoltaic units.
- This will be mutually beneficial for both of them otherwise, agri-solar farms may not proliferate.
- Government must incentivise farmers to produce solar energy on field and bringing the majority of farmers who are small and marginal will be herculean task. Hence the proposition must be attractive to small farmers.
- Operation and maintenance also can be considerably high which may not be viable in the long run for the farmers. Thus, such solar farms must be sustainable by earning revenue to farmers through selling power to the grid.
Conclusion
Therefore, the production of crop by using the method “inclusive growth, green growth” model needs to supplement the solar parks model being developed by entrepreneurs which will help in better utilisation of social capital and powers of mobilization. And it will lead to double and stabilize farmers’ incomes which will help in achieve the purpose of slogan of “Jai Anusandhan” .
Value addition
Case Study
- A pilot in Najafgarh KVK area revealed that farmers can earn additional income of upto `1 lakh/acre, when the capital cost is incurred by another entrepreneur.
- This concept needs wider validation in different states with good sunshine.
- This is the ‘inclusive growth, green growth’ model that needs to supplement the solar parks model being developed by big entrepreneurs.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Amid calls for aggressive privatisation—a policy that the present government has very much pursued—an advice to go slow on privatisation of PSU banks comes as a surprise, if not anything more.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about pros and cons of the complete privatisation of public sector banks (PSBs).
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by stating objectives of privatisation.
Body:
First, write about the positive role played by public banks in the Indian economy.
Next, write about the various issues plaguing the state-owned banks in India. Cite statistics to substantiate.
Next, write about positives of complete privatisation of state-owned banks.
Next, write about the negatives of complete privatisation of state-owned banks.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion for way ahead.
Introduction
The new privatisation policy envisages that in each strategic sector, no more than four state-owned companies will exist. Currently, after the latest round of consolidation, there are 12 public sector banks (PSBs). This means having four mega PSBs will either come through further mergers of PSBs or privatisation. Privatisation is often considered a solution for poor management in public sector banks.
However, former governor of RBI Raghuram Rajan held that privatisation is not a panacea for the ills of the banking sector unless accompanied by reforms in banking regulation.
Background:
- Bank nationalisation ushered in arevolution for India’s banking sector.
- Areas that had so far been neglected, including agriculture, employment-generating productive activities, poverty alleviation plans, rural development, health, education, exports, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, became priority sectors for these banks.
- The move also helped in promoting more equitable regional growth, and this is evident from RBI data.
- There were only 1,833 bank branches in rural areas in the country in 1969,which increased to 33,004 by 1995 and continued to grow over the next decades.
- Banking services also reduced the dependence on moneylenders in rural regions.
- Nationalised banking improved the working conditions of employees in the banking sector, as the state ensured higher wages, security of services, and other fringe benefits.
Need for privatisation
- Years of capital injections and governance reformshave not been able to improve the financial position of in public sector banks significantly.
- Many of them have higher levels of stressed assets than private banks, and also lag the latter on profitability, market capitalisation and dividend payment record.
- Privatisation oftwo public sector banks will set the ball rolling for a long-term project that envisages only a handful of state-owned banks, with the rest either consolidated with strong banks or privatised.
- This will free up the government, the majority owner, from continuing to provide equity support to the banks year after year.
Critical Analysis: Privatisation may not address the issues faced by PSB’s
- In the context of privatisation and efficiency, it is unfair to blame PSBs alone for the alarming rise of NPAs. On the contrary,stringent measures are required to recover large corporate stressed assets, which is a key concern for the entire banking sector.
- This must include strong recovery laws and taking criminal action against wilful defaulters.
- So far, the government has not exhibited a firm willingness to implement these measures.
- Wilful default by large corporate borrowersand subsequent recovery haircuts, imposed through the ill-conceived Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, has resulted in a heap of write-offs, putting a big dent on the balance sheets of PSBs.
- This has not only affected the profitability of the banks, but has also become anexcuse to allege inefficiency.
- Unlike the mega-merger exercise among PSBscarried out last year, the privatisation of PSBs is a politically sensitive move.
- Bank employee trade unions have already raised objectionsagainst the proposed privatisation move.
- Trade unions continue to have a say in the running of these institutions, which will force the government to convince the trade unions about the merit of the privatisation agenda.
Way forward:
- If the government exhibits strong political will (convincing the influential trade unions) to proceed with the privatisation agenda, it will have to first implement thebad bank plan to address the problem of NPAs in PSBs and clean up their balance sheets.
- If the books are healthy, there could be potential takers for these banks among NBFCs and business houses for these banks.
- The government, along with the RBI, will have to then work out reasonable terms for the privatisation of these banks.
- Buyers will be more interestedin taking over healthier, well-run banks rather than taking up the burden of weak, poorly governed banks. PSB privatisation has been a long-pending promise.
- The PJ Nayak panel had recommended this way back in 2014 and government must scrutiny it once more.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
7. Which moral philosophers teachings do you relate to the most? Why? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write the about the moral philosophers teaching you relate to the most.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In the introduction, given brief of moral philosopher you relate to the most.
Body:
First, give a brief of major tenets of his/her moral philosophy.
Next, write about as to why you resonate the with philosophy of the aforementioned philosopher. Ethically reason and justify using examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Gautama Buddha is one of the moral philosophers to whom I relate the most. The Buddhist philosophy and doctrines, based on the teachings of Buddha, give meaningful insights about reality and human existence. It teaches the Middle Path renouncing extreme steps like indulgence and strict abstinence. According to him everyone was responsible for their own happiness in life, stressing upon the individualistic component of Buddhism.
Body
The middle path is the core of Buddha’s teaching and can be adopted in all walks of life.
- It essentially implies avoiding extremes, such as what we are witnessing today-narrow nationalism and unbridled liberalism, religious bigotry and decrying religion, obsession with a glorious past and justifying all things considered modern. :blindly targeting a section of people of a particular faith over dress, food etc.
- In short, blind faith in what one considers right without consideration for the other’s point of view.
- Buddha’scall to avoid extreme ways of practice and walk the middle way of reasonableness is the need of the hour. For instance, the ongoing Ukraine war where Russia and NATO are trying to achieve their own ends.
- Buddhism inculcates a lofty system of ethics and what is enunciated in the eight-fold pathis a simple yet powerful guide for all individuals including those in high places-political and business leaders, religious seers, bureaucrats and professionals.
- In today’s world of bitter religious and political conflicts, increasing inequalities and inequities, and unscrupulous commercial competition, the ‘middle path’ laid out by the Buddhais the only way to save mankind from the evils of hatred, vituperation and violence.
- One of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations to be achieved by 2030 is ‘Peace and Justice’.
- As peace and sustainable development are interlinked, the Buddha’s prism can be the guiding lights to every single stakeholder from local to global institutions and leaders, to work together for promoting dialogue, harmony, and justice based on compassion and wisdom.
Conclusion
The Buddhist teachings inculcate compassion, calmness & composure, joy among humans and they can help maintain a sustainable balance between man and nature. Buddha’s teachings can transform the societies into their better and more humane forms as reflected by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama “the 20th century was a century of war and violence, now we all need to work to see that the 21st century is of peace and dialogue.’
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