NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The news from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) about Anang Tal in Mehrauli did not make big headlines. It was simply reported that on August 22, the Centre issued a notification to take steps to protect this site, after which Anang Tal would be declared a monument of national importance.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons as to why heritage is under threat and the need to safeguard India’s art heritage and the steps that need to be taken for the same.
Directive word:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain about what all is included in India’s art heritage – paintings, sculpture, monuments etc
Body:
First, highlight that preserving our heritage is enshrined as a fundamental duty
Next, Examine the threats to art heritage such as Lack of public awareness -This makes the local administrator break the buildings and replace it with other structures, Duplication of paintings and art forms, Theft, Vandalism and Smuggling etc. Discuss why it is crucial to safeguard such heritage such as maintaining identity and pride of our country, tourism etc
Next, Discuss the way forward such as – Strengthening institutions – Ministry of Culture, ASI, Museums, Archives, Cultural awareness programs etc
Conclusion:
Summarize on why this issue requires attention and what needs to be done.
Introduction
India has a vast basket of living and diverse cultural traditions, traditional expressions, intangible cultural heritage comprising masterpieces which need institutional support and encouragement with a view to addressing areas critical for the survival and propagation of these forms of cultural heritage. Preserving our heritage is enshrined as a Fundamental Duty in our Constitution.
The news from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) about Anang Tal in Mehrauli did not make big headlines. It was simply reported that on August 22, the Centre issued a notification to take steps to protect this site, after which Anang Tal would be declared a monument of national importance.
Body
Threats to Indian Cultural Heritage:
- Theft: The incidents of thefts have been observed usually from unprotected monuments, ancient temples. The thefts cases have also been seen in the protected monuments and museums as well. It is due to negligence of security guards in museums, monuments etc.
- Smuggling: illicit traffic and smuggling in antiquities. Illicit traffic is motivated often by profit and sometimes by the demand for luxuries.
- Tourism: Unregulated tourism, tourist activities run by touts, private agents have affected the art heritage places.The Culture Ministry of India has reported that up to 24 Indian monuments have been declared “untraceable” or “missing” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- Issues with security of museums: Most of the museums are poorly guarded due to shortage of manpower leading to theft of artefacts, fire accidents etc.
- Lack of public awareness: This leads to poor maintenance, vandalism, spoiling the monuments artefacts. Replacing the structures or building structures close to the monuments leading to
- Duplication:Fakes of paintings and art forms leading to threat to livelihoods of artists.
- Poor Maintenance:The state of the wall paintings in Ajanta caves is continuously getting worse, which can be attributed to humidity as well as to a lack of care.
- Encroachment of monuments: Another miss from the ministry has been encroachments of monuments. Over 278 centrally protected monuments have been encroached upon or have illegal occupants, as per government data.
Rationale behind safeguarding the cultural heritage:
- Evolution of human consciousness is a continuous process: History here serves as a laboratory and the past serves as a demarcation to understand the regional laws and social structures. This understanding helps in our progress towards an ideal society.
- The art heritage is the identity and pride of our country. It is duty of every citizen to protect, preserve and perpetuate the cultural richness.
- Tourism potential for art monuments and museums is very high. Tourism generates revenue for the state as well as private artists due to the money-multiplier quality.
- Infrastructure development takes place in and around the areas. Eg. Hampi despite being a small town has excellent infrastructure.
- It creates jobs for a lot of people from art industry and tourism industry as well
- It creates a feeling of oneness and a sense of attachment by enhancing a sense of belonging to a culture or a region.
- Every historical site has an important story to tell and these stories have inspired many people to strengthen their convictions and commitment to fight injustice and oppression.
Way forward
- Strengthening Legislations and Initiatives:
- The Antiquity Act of 1947, Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972 particularly provide for the prevention of smuggling and illegally dealing in antiques.
- Recent bill to amend The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act which allowed construction within 100m of the protected monuments should be avoided.
- In 2015, the ministry launched an initiative of e-ticketing services in over 116 monuments under the ASI and launched an initiative to digitise cultural resources.
- Strengthening institutions:
- The CAG report on Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiques clearly indicates that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for this purpose needs to be more proactive and vigilant in its efforts and the ministry needs to develop an aggressive strategy for the same
- Tapping of the Public —Private Partnership models for sustenance of Arts and Crafts.
- Setting up at least one museum in each district with different chambers for visual and other forms of art, architecture, science, history and geography with regional flavour.
- Artistes from the field of architecture, sculpture, painting, handicrafts, puppetry, music, dance, theatre, and literature will be graded by the Centre on the basis of their performance.
- Cultural awareness:
- Curriculum modification – Identification and inclusion of heritage as an asset in school, Open departments of Heritage management on the lines of Ahmedabad University
- Introduction of a compulsory offline and online training for tourism purposes willing to undertake ventures.
- Heritage depiction and promotion through immersive technology & augmented reality
- Re-Classify heritage and announce awards for people with exceptional heritage sense.
- Greater involvement of universities in schemes promoting arts and culture as well as inclusion of Fine Arts as a subject in universities.
- Adaptive reuse of heritage sites:
- Restoring the historical sites in the form of festivals and inducing festivity link perceptions.
- Recognizing ‘cultural heritage tourism’ as an upcoming industry by building cultural resources with an adaptation of scientific and technological knowledge to local circumstances as well as forming partnerships between local and global bodies.
Conclusion
It is the duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. The art and culture of our nation are a vast continuum, evolving incessantly since time immemorial. Naturally, preservation and conservation of India’s rich cultural heritage and promotion of all forms of art and culture, both tangible and intangible, including monuments and archaeological sites, anthropology and ethnology, folk and tribal arts, literature and handicrafts, performing art of music-dance-drama and visual arts of paintings-sculpture-graphics is essential and assumes a lot of importance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
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 steps that are needed to improve the performances urban local bodies.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving context.
Body:
First, write about the various issues that are affecting the performance of urban local bodies.
Next, Mention about various fields in which Government services need a fresh look such as the critical role of IT infrastructure, need for a climate resilient planning of policies, citizen centric governance, smart budgeting, linkage across various departments in order to promote transparency and efficiency.
Cite examples and mention how the above can be included in the local administration.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Urban Local government implies the governance of an urban area by the people through their elected representatives. 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 provided constitutional status to local urban bodies.
Body:
Major issues with Urban Local Bodies:
- Financial condition: The first and most serious problem facing the urban local bodies is the acute scarcity of finance. City municipalities do not collect enough taxes. The Economic Survey of 2018 pointed out municipalities do not realise the full potential of property tax.
- Excessive State Control:There is also strict control exercised by the state government over urban bodies. This proves to be more of a curse than a boon, because, instead of providing guidance and support through the control mechanism, the control turns out to be negative, restricting the functioning of these bodies.
- Irregular Elections:Elections to urban bodies have suffered constant postponement for indefinite lengths of time. In some States, elections to urban local bodies have not been held for years, defeating the goal of decentralised governance.
- Poor governance: The largest reason for the poor condition of India’s cities is the failure of municipal governance. There is a lack of planning and governance at the urban local body level.
- Lack of management capacity: Indian municipalities do not have the management capacity to either plan economic activity or execute it. The system of recruitment fails to bring in the best men. Several vacancies are not filled for years and transfers are effected at the free will of the senior bureaucrats and the government.
- Multiplicity of Agencies: Formation of single purpose agencies under the direct supervision of the state government and without any accountability towards urban local government. The municipal bodies have to contribute to the budget to these agencies while having no control over them. Example: State Transport Corporation, State Electricity Board, Water Supply Department etc.
- Corruption: In these bodies corruption, favouritism and nepotism are rampant. In the case of most of the bodies, the state government is empowered to take disciplinary action and the urban body has very little control over its personnel.
- Urban planning: Urban planning is done at the state government level and municipalities have little or no role in it. There is no direct responsibility for the consequences of planning as long as the municipality completes the plan. Poor planning, poor accountability, and poor governance have led to disasters.
- Lack of coordination: Poor coordination among centre, state, and various departments at local level lead to poor implementation of urban policies. Inability to coordinate leads to administrative inefficiency and thus poor urban governance.
- Low level of People’s Participation: Despite a relatively higher level of literacy and educational standard, city dwellers do not take adequate interest in the functioning of the urban government bodies. The multiplicity of special purpose agencies and other urban bodies confuses the public about their role boundaries.
Measures to strengthen urban local bodies in India:
- Greater autonomy: The urban local bodies should be given greater autonomy. India needs to follow a devolved model that empowers urban local bodies. Municipalities should be more autonomous in their functioning, so that they can deliver quality service.
- Governance Reforms:Governance reform are needed as catalyst for change. The Government may consider the adoption of a common categorisation of urban bodies across the country so as to assist a systematic planning process and devolution of funds. All areas having population more than 10 lakhs should be defined metropolitan areas.
- Timely elections and recruitment:For strengthening ULBs, a minimum level of staffing should be provided in metropolitan areas. Elections to ULBs should not be, generally, delayed beyond six months.
- Encouraging public-private partnership: Successful PPP programs should be formulated at both state and city levels to fund city development. Role of the state should be to create an enabling environment with an aim to expand and deepen private sector investments in infrastructure.
- Planning: Government needs to coordinate at various levels with regard to implementation of various programmes. The urban local bodies should prioritise the development programmes. Any mega project envisaged needs to be developed taking into account the views of all the stakeholders.
- Holistic approach: It is important to integrate various urban development and related programs at local, state and national levels to develop sustainable city or metropolitan regions. Urban institutions should be strengthened and roles of different organisations should be fixed.
Conclusion:
Urban local government institutions are constituted for the maintenance and planned development of urban areas. The objective is to ensure that suitable levels of infrastructure and services are available to the citizens. In many parts of India, the quality of life in urban areas is miserable and the citizens lead a difficult life. To overcome this problem, a series of reforms need to be initiated by the Indian government to strengthen local-level governance.
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Difficulty level: Tough
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 shortcomings of PRI’s on fiscal and functional decentralisation and suggest measures to overcome them.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of 73rd Constitution Amendment Act.
Body:
First, write in detail about how political decentralisation has been a success with respect to PRI’s.
Next, write about various shortcomings of PRI’s on fiscal decentralisation – lack of funds, issues with CSS, lack of agency to generate own revenues etc.
Next, write about various shortcomings of PRI’s on functional decentralisation – overlapping functions with state government, absence of a proper workforce, accountability issues etc.
Next, suggest measures to overcome the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 is a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroot democratic institutions in the country. It transformed the representative democracy into participatory democracy. It is a revolutionary concept to build democracy at the grassroot level in the country.
However, after decades of this historic amendment, Panchayati Raj Institutions have remained laggard in the developmental process.
Body
Success of Panchayati Raj
Gandhiji’s dream of Gram Swaraj and Oceanic Circles of Power were realised through the Panchayati Raj System.
- The PRIs are the local self-governing bodies that ensure the opportunity for people’s participation and involvement in the formulation and implementation of rural development programmes.
- The main objective of Panchayat System in India is to strengthen the base of democracy at the grass root level.
- It was introduced as a real democratic political apparatus which would bring the masses into active political control from below, from the vast majority of the weaker, poor sections of rural India.
- They play the role of a catalytic agent in integrating development of tribal masses in rural areas.
- Plan documents of both the central and state governments and various committees have emphasised the importance of these bodies in the polity. Five-year plans have also laid special emphasis on the role of Panchayats in rural developments.
- Rural Development includes measures to strengthen the democratic structure of society through the PRIs.
- PRIs have been used to improve the rural infrastructure, income of rural households and delivery systems pertaining to education, health and safety mechanisms. These institutions are to be galvanised to become effective instruments of social and economic change at the local level.
- Reservation for women (33%) has increased their presence in the public life.
Failures of democratic decentralisation especially in Panchayats
- Overwhelming dependency on government funding: Panchayat’s own resource base to raise finances is low and the financial resources are tied to certain schemes and initiatives. When Panchayats do not raise resources and instead depend on external funding, people are less likely to enforce social audit and efficacy of the schemes.
- : In case of Urban local bodies, majority of municipalities have not increased property tax since many years and have not leveraged the municipal bonds for betterment of city infrastructure.
- Creation of Parallel Bodies: Parallel Bodies have usurped the legitimate space of local bodies. For instance, Smart City scheme is being implemented in major cities through Special Purpose Vehicles, squeezing the limited space of urban local governance in municipalities.
- Lack of adequate Devolution: Many states have not devolved the 3F’s of function, funds and functionaries, to enable local bodies to discharge their constitutionally stipulated functions.
- Excessive control by bureaucracy
- In many Gram Panchayats, Sarpanches have to spend an extra ordinary amount of time visiting block Officers for funds and/or technical approval. These interactions with the Block staff office distort the role of Sarpanches as elected representatives.
- Multiple institutions like parastatals, development authorities, public works departments, and ULBs themselves report to different departments of the state government and have been entrusted with overlapping responsibilities.
- Poor Infrastructure: It is found that nearly 25% of Gram Panchayats do not have basic office buildings. Capacity building of elected representatives is another hindrance in the grass roots democracy. In case of urban local bodies, Mayor position is merely ceremonial.
Measures Need to strengthen Panchayats
- Central Government has started the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan.The campaign is undertaken under the name of“Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas”.
- It aims to draw up Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs)in the country and place them on a website where anyone can see the status of the various government’s flagship schemes.
- Gram Panchayats have been mandated for the preparation of GPDP for economic development and social justiceutilizing the resources available to them.
- Government of India formulated E-Panchayat Mission Mode Project for e-enablement of all the Panchayats, to make their functioning more efficient and transparent.
- Social Audit: The power of social audit was proven by Jan Sunwai in Rajasthan. Transparent, third party Social Audit can enable people to hold the representatives accountable.
- Citizen Participation: In case of Gram Sabhas, their functions and roles must be clearly defined as in the PESA Act, to enable to function effectively.
Conclusion
The need of the hour is to bring about a holistic change in the lives of people among the villagers by uplifting their socioeconomic and health status through effective linkages through community, governmental and other developmental agencies. People’s demands for the sustainable decentralisation and advocacy should focus on a decentralisation agenda. The framework needs to be evolved to accommodate the demand for decentralisation.
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
On the row over the visit by a Chinese vessel, Sri Lanka’s envoy Milinda Moragoda said ship visits were earlier not taken very seriously but the two sides probably need to develop some kind of framework to ensure that “this type of incident [or] misunderstanding on security does not occur”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the challenges posed to India because of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and also the opportunities it presents.
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:
Begin by giving context of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
Body:
In the first part, write about the historical bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Next, account for the crisis in Sri Lanka and then write about the challenges it creates for India – further alignment Beijing, Strategic Interests of India in SL, Economic ties, Infrastructural investments in various projects etc.
Next, write how India can use this as opportunity to help SL tide the crisis as part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Also, mention the cautious approach India must take to offset any Chinese propaganda in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Sri Lanka is facing an economic crisis with long queues in front of petrol stations, steep rise in prices of essential commodities and frequent blackouts. Sri Lanka is in the throes of the worst economic crisis it has seen in decades, collapsing under the weight of its debt. Although the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a crisis of trade imbalance, the fundamentals of the Sri Lankan economy have always had serious issues. Debt, both domestic and foreign, has been a major problem.
On the row over the visit by a Chinese vessel, Sri Lanka’s envoy Milinda Moragoda said ship visits were earlier not taken very seriously but the two sides probably need to develop some kind of framework to ensure that this type of incident or misunderstanding on security does not occur.
Body
Background
- The island has been facing daily power cuts and double-digit inflation, which hit 17.5%in February.
- The Sri Lankan central bankallowed the local currency to devalue by 30% in a month.
- Food inflation soared to 25.7% in February. The crisis is now starting to impact Indian exporters.
- Sri Lanka, which has been heavily dependent on external debts to run its economy smoothly, has been bailed out in the past by its competing neighbours – India and China
How India is assisting Sri Lanka
- India, which has followed the “Neighbourhood First policy” to cement bonds with its neighbours, is ready to walk that extra mile to help Sri Lanka out of the current crisis.
- India has so far committed $1.9 billion to the island nation in loans, credit lines and currency swaps.
- New Delhi has expressed willingness to give an extra $2 billion in swaps and support to Colombo, even as Beijing keeps Lanka guessing over loans and credit lines.
- In the last 3 months, India has extended assistance of about $2.5 billion to Sri Lanka, including credit facilities for fuel and food.
- Since mid-March, over 270,000 metric tonnes of diesel and petrol have been delivered to Sri Lanka.
- In addition, around 40,000 tonnes of rice have been supplied under the recently extended $1 billion credit facility. This additional $1 billion will help the country to shore up the shrinking economy.
- Ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil new year, India sent a shipment of 11,000 MT of rice to help people of Sri Lanka celebrate one of their biggest festivals.
- In February, $500 billion was given to Sri Lanka by India as a short-term loan to help it purchase petroleum products through the ministry of energy and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka.
- In November 2021, India had given 100 tonnes of nano nitrogen liquid fertilizers to Sri Lanka as their government stopped the import of chemical fertilizers.
- Besides, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended a currency swap of $400 million.
India could help Sri Lanka in the following areas
- Agriculture and allied activities: India can help Sri Lanka develop its dairy sector.
- Sri Lanka imports a considerable quantity of milk powder from India and annually imports dairy products worth $315 million.
- Poultry sector: India can share its knowledge on the productivity of wheat which is largely used as the primary ingredient in domestic poultry feed.
- Energy projects: Provisional approvals for the Adani Group’s wind power projects of over $500 millionin the Northern Province.
- MSME sector: Programmes including the ‘Digital MSME’ and ‘RAMP’(Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) can provide leads to the MSME sector.
- School education: India can expand its scheme of establishing smart classrooms and modern computer labsto cover all those institutions teaching children of hill country Tamils, the most underprivileged section in Sri Lankan society.
- Higher education: Indian universities can consider setting up satellite campuses in Sri Lanka.
- Training employees of the public sector: A collaborative project can be conceived for training second and third rung employees of the public sector.
- Culture front: India can arrange for greater numbers of Buddhist monks to visit religious places.
Way forward:
- Engagement: There is enormous scope for India to engage in a constructive way with its southern neighbour, which is known for performing better than most other economies in Asia.
- Equitable distribution of developmental programmes: India can ensure that the proposed development programme is equitably distributed in coverage.
- The Northern and Eastern Provinces, where the Tamil and Muslim ethnic minorities live, should be given special attention as their contribution to Sri Lanka’s GDP is hardly 10%.
- Stability: Politically and economically stable Sri Lanka will be in India’s interest too.
Conclusion
New Delhi’s assistance might address some problems in the complex relations between India and Sri Lanka. It is important to note that in times of peril, New Delhi and Colombo have established a robust channel of communication and demonstrated an ability to act on promises quickly. Nurturing the Neighbourhood First policy with Sri Lanka is important for India to preserve its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region. The present crisis in Sri Lanka presents India an opportunity to limit Chinese influence and involvement in the island nation.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The government introduced the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 in the Lok Sabha recently, and, as expected, the proceedings were not smooth. Though the Bill has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Energy, states fear that the Centre is encroaching into their domain in power sector governance.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the pros and cons of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 and its ability to solve problems in the power sector.
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 giving aims and objectives of Electricity Amendment Bill 2022.
Body:
First, write the key features of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022.
Next, write the positives of the bill and how it will help solve longstanding issues in the power sector.
Next, write about the shortcomings on the bill and how it has raised some concerns among the states and how it can have adverse effects.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward on overcoming the above shortcomings.
Introduction
The government has tabled the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the Lok Sabha and then referred it to the parliamentary standing committee on energy for wider consultation.
Body
Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 and its welcome provisions
- Benefits for consumers:
- Allows multiple Discoms in the same area: More than one power distributor can operate in an area. This is aimed at boosting competition and giving more choice to the consumers. The new supplier can use existing supply lines.
- Regulator must decide in 90 days or the application will be deemed to be approved.
- It will end distribution monopolies and improve the viabilities of business.
- Benefit for DISCOMs:
- Fixing of Tariffs: There will be “mandatory” fixing of minimum as well as maximum tariff ceilings by the “appropriate commission” to avoid predatory pricing by power distribution companies and to protect consumers.
- It aims to ensure graded and timely tariff revisions.
- Benefits for remote areas and farmers:
- Cross-subsidy Balancing Fund: Cross-subsidy refers to the arrangement of one consumer category subsidizing the consumption of another consumer category. E.g. commercial consumers subsidies residents or farmers. The state government will set up such a fund.
- Benefit for Environment:
- Renewable purchase obligation (RPO): Under the previous act SERCs are empowered to specify renewable purchase obligations (RPO) for discoms. RPO refers to the compulsory procurement of a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources.
- As per the Bill, RPO should not be below a minimum percentage prescribed by the central government or DISCOMS may face a penalty.
- Promotion of green energy
- Improved regulation: The Bill seeks to strengthen payment security mechanisms and give more powers to regulators.
Issues with the Bill
- Violates Federal Principal: ‘Electricity’ is a state subject and any legislation on it should be in consultation with the state government. However, no consultation was done before introducing the bill.
- Inequity: Provision to encourage competition may lead to more entities entering lucrative and urban areas, while loss-making areas may continue to be underserved.
- Fear of end of subsidies by farmers may increase inequality.
- Privatization of distribution companies may result in job losses
- There is a fear that the Bill might result in the privatization of profits and the nationalization of losses.
- Only government discoms or distribution companies will have universal power supply obligations.
- Therefore, it is likely that private licensees will prefer to supply the electricity in profit-making areas – to industrial and commercial consumers.
- Once this happens, profit-making areas will be snatched from government discoms and they will become loss-making companies.
- Multiple distribution licensees may lead to a situation similar to the telecom sector where monopoly companies will destroy the public sector and smaller companies.
Conclusion and way forward
- Being a subject of Concurrent List of Indian Constitution, recommendations from states should be taken into consideration for effective implementation of the provisions of the bill.
- Provision related to subsidies should be put up in an elaborate manner to eliminate any scope of confusion/ conflict.
- Regulations for private players should be brought in to avoid differential distribution.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
6. Evaluate the morality of inaction in the face of an adversity or violation of ethics. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
to develop a link between changing your attitude and changing your behaviour.
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:
Begin by defining inaction.
Body:
Write about how bad actions can lead to evil in the society. However, also emphasise that inaction could also be lead to evil, that is, failure to stop evil despite having the means to do so. Mention that inaction is also accountable for failing to prevent evil. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by mentioning ways to develop fortitude.
Introduction
Inaction is a bigger sin than trying to act in certain situation. For instance, opponents of the use of animals in research challenge scientists and society as a whole to answer a simple question.
Body
“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.”
If we were to find a toddler drowning in a bathtub, we would feel morally obliged to act and to save her life, particularly because doing so would not require us to assume any significant risk to ourselves. Inaction in this case would be morally wrong and unjustifiable. This illustrates the fact that inaction is not morally neutral; it requires justification.
Inaction in any sector, any field or space can be very detrimental. All nations of UNSC not taking action against Russia for waging unjust war on Ukraine is a case in point. The human-kind as a whole is suffering and yet no one wants to get involved. Fighting climate change, terrorism requires active participation from all nations, yet inaction is evident as we see flash floods, droughts, heat waves etc.
Same is the case with animal testing for research purpose, it is an ethical dilemma to test drugs and cosmetics on lab rats. But certain lifesaving drugs needs to be tested on animals before human trials. However, we are violating ethics by infringing rights of animals by imposing cruelty on them.
On the other hand, if one accepts the immense benefits of the work to the health of animals and humans alike, then the only way to oppose it is by arguing the case that all living beings have the same basic rights. Certainly, if a mouse has the same rights to life and freedom as a human being, we would not experiment on the mouse for the same reasons we do not experiment on healthy humans.
Conclusion
Morality and ethics have grey areas and at times it is impossible to overcome the dilemma as either choices would lead to moral turpitude. Yet, values such as compassion, empathy, honesty and integrity help in aiding us to take the right decisions. To act or not to act is a challenge and the above values can guide one better.
Topic: role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of family in providing emotional and ethical foundation to their children.
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by mentioning the role of family in inculcating values in children.
Body:
First, write about family as an institution of socialization for a person is his/her family. Since values have an affective component, family plays a major role in an individual subscribing to certain values. Mention as to how these lay foundation to strong emotional and ethical foundation in children’s life.
Next, write about the importance of above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
If there is one cohesive, cementing force at the heart of traditional Indian society it is our family system. It is a single, powerful strand which for centuries, has woven the tapestry of our rich, social fabric replete with diversity, into a whole.
Sachin Tendulkar’s emotional farewell speech during his retirement highlighted how important the role of family, friends and teachers is in the journey to a successful career.
Body
Role of parents in transforming children
Despite changing values, the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (world is one family) is ingrained well in our minds, especially in India.
- Cohesive society:One of the main advantages of a joint family system is the strong bonding it creates among siblings and other members of the family even while providing a sense of security to the children.
- Virtues: It is believed that children who grow up in an extended family with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins will imbibe the qualities of sharing, caring, empathy and understanding.
- Emotional intelligence:The bonding and bonhomie one finds in close knit joint families has a positive impact on the emotional quotient of children.
- Caring for the old:Family values play an important role in shaping the outlook of people. Respect and care for elders are among the central principles in Indian family system.
- Unity: It should also be remembered that the family system creates a strong bond of unity at an early age, paves the way for social cohesion and in a broader sense promotes national unity.
- Morals: Adopting our age-old philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which embodies the spirit of humanism, compassion, magnanimity and tolerance, family becomes the basic building block of a harmonious, inclusive society.
- Peaceful world view:Family can shape the world view, foster and reinforce the value system of the individuals and therefore, consequently, be the warp and weft of a sustainable, peaceful, inclusive, prosperous world.
Conclusion
Children who grow up in an extended family not only imbibe qualities of tolerance, patience, democratic attitude of accepting others’ viewpoints, but also develop sportsman’s spirit while playing with siblings and cousins. Various age-old traditions, customs and ways of living are all products of family system. In fact, the family system lays the seeds for social cohesion and democratic thinking.
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