[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 15 August 2023

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

General Studies – 1

Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

1. The Quit India Movement was a turning point in India’s struggle for independence due to its intensity, the involvement of a wide cross-section of society, and its role in shaping the British approach toward India during and after World War II. Evaluate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express  , Insights on India

Why the question:

Matangini Hazra was 73 when she fell to British bullets, leading a march during the Quit India movement of 1942, in Tamluk in West Bengal.

Key Demand of the question:

To write how Quit India movement was different from the previous mass movements and its role in India’s independence.

Directive word: 

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: 

Give the context of political scene of the country that led to the launch of Quit India movement

Body:

Write about the factors that made the movement stand apart from other struggles or movements against the Imperial rule, on lines of, Gandhi’s strategy, emergence of new leaders, Violence, Princely States, new developments and mass involvement etc and the way it aligned the local interest with that of national interest. 

Next, write about to what extent the quit India movement influenced Indian independence.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a balanced opinion the role of quit India in Indian independence.

Introduction

The failure of the Cripps Mission in April 1942 made it clear that Britain was unwilling to offer an honourable settlement and a real constitutional advance during the War. Consequently, Gandhiji drafted a resolution for the Congress Working Committee calling for Britain’s withdrawal and nation edged towards Quit India Movement or August Kranti. Mahatma Gandhi’s clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ inspired thousands of party workers but also created frenzy among the British who rushed to imprison the entire Congress leadership.

Body

Quit India Movement stands apart:

• Social radicalism of Gandhi:
  • In a sharp contrast to Non-cooperation movement, where Gandhi withdrew after Chauri Chaura incident, in Quit India movement he not only refused to condemn the people’s resort to violence but unequivocally held government responsible for it.
  • Though the need for non-violence was always reiterated, Gandhi’s mantra of Do or Die represents the militant mood of Gandhi.
  • Gandhi also gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong.
  • This  indicates Gandhi’s social radicalism and shift in the philosophy of the Congress, by now people with the goals of socialism and communism have become a part of the broad-based Congress organization.
• Violent at some places:
  • The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places.Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.
• Leaderless movement:
  • Even before the formal launching of the movement, the government in a single sweep arrested all the top leaders of the Congress. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders. 
  • The spontaneous participation of the massesin the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.
• Demand for independence:
  • This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agendaof the national movement.
  • The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose. After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain.
  • It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.
• Establishment of Parallel Governments:
  • Parallel governments were established at many places.
  • Balliaunder Chittu Pandey, got many Congress leaders released.
  • In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnaporein West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing Jatiya Sarkar, which undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc.
  • In Satara (Maharashtra), “Prati Sarkar”,was organised under leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised
• Underground Activity:
  • Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities.
  • The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi.
  • The main personalities taking up underground activity were Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani and R.P. Goenka.
  • Usha Mehtastarted an underground radio in Bombay.
  • This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition
• Strong women participation:
  • Quit India movement was unique in the sense that it saw women participation where they not only participated as equals but also led the movement.
  • Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta.
  • There was Matangini Hazra, who lead a procession of 6,000 people, mostly women, to ransack a local police station.
• Extent of Mass Participation
  • The participation was on many levels.
  • Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront.
  • Workerswent on strikes and faced repression.
  • Peasantsof all strata were at the heart of the movement.
  • Even some zamindars
  • Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty.
  • Muslimshelped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.

Role of QIM in India achieving Independence

• The movement was carried forward without the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, or any other leader, all of whom were jailed on its commencement.
• All sections of people participated in huge numbers.
• Decentralized command was the prime significance of this movement.
• The British began to seriously think about the issue of Indian independence after seeing the upsurge among the masses.
• It changed the nature of political negotiations with British Empire in 1940s which ultimately paved the way of India’s independence.
• The Quit India movement for the first time saw the active engagement of women and students.
• The movement showed the British that their hold on India was weakening and they began to explore options to quit the country.
• The slogan of ‘Do or Die’ remains the most Kranti Kari slogan to this day.

Conclusion

Despite its failure, the Quit India movement is considered significant as it made the British Government realize that India was ungovernable in the long run. Post the Second World War, the question that was most prominent for the British was on how to exit India peacefully.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent);

2. Livestock plays a significant role in India’s farmers’ economy as a source of livelihood, income diversification, nutritional security, and employment generation. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To examine the role of livestock in India farmers’ economy and ways to further augment it.

Directive word: 

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving the statistic related to livestock as part of agriculture in India. 

Body:

First, explain the contributions of livestock in ensuring better returns to Farmers, additional income, giving choice and security in the period of distress.

In the next part, write about the various measures taken by promote livestock in the country and further measures that are required so that it yield maximum returns.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.

Body

Trends in livestock population: (Source: 20th Livestock Census)

• Total Livestock population is 535.78 million- an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012.
• Total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak)-79 Million in 2019- an increase of about 1% over the previous census.
• A decline of 6 % in the total Indigenous/ Non-descript cattle population over the previous census.
• The population of cows in the country has risen by 18 per cent in the last seven years, while that of oxen dipped by 30 per cent, according to the latest census of livestock.
• there was a spectacular 16.8 per cent increase in the poultry population in the country to 851.81 million, mainly on account of a 46 per cent rise in backyard poultry birds, whose numbers have gone up to 317 million.
• The number of female cattle is 145.12 million, which is 18 per cent over the 122.98 million in 2012. The number of male cattle, on the other hand, dropped to 47.4 million as against 67.92 million in 2012.
• While cattle accounted for 35.94 per cent of total livestock in the country, goats accounted for 27.80 per cent, buffaloes: 20.45 per cent, sheep: 13.87 per cent and pigs: 1.69 per cent.

Role of livestock in socio-economic life of India:

The livestock plays an important role in the economy of farmers. The farmers in India maintain mixed farming system i.e. a combination of crop and livestock where the output of one enterprise becomes the input of another enterprise thereby realize the resource efficiency. The livestock serve the farmers in different ways.

• Income:
  • Livestock is a source of subsidiary income for many families in India especially the resource poor who maintain few heads of animals.
  • Cows and buffaloes if in milk will provide regular income to the livestock farmers through sale of milk.
  • Animals like sheep and goat serve as sources of income during emergencies to meet exigencies like marriages, treatment of sick persons, children education, repair of houses etc.
  • The animals also serve as moving banks and assets which provide economic security to the owners.
• Employment:
  • A large number of people in India being less literate and unskilled depend upon agriculture for their livelihoods.
  • But agriculture being seasonal in nature could provide employment for a maximum of 180 days in a year.
  • The land less and less land people depend upon livestock for utilizing their labour during lean agricultural season.
• Food:
  • The livestock products such as milk, meat and eggs are an important source of animal protein to the members of the livestock owners.
  • The per capita availability of milk is around 355 g / day; eggs is 69 / annum;
• Social security:
  • The animals offer social security to the owners in terms of their status in the society.
  • The families especially the landless which own animals are better placed than those who do not.
  • Gifting of animals during marriages is a very common phenomenon in different parts of the country.
  • Rearing of animals is a part of the Indian culture. Animals are used for various socio religious functions.
  • Cows for house warming ceremonies; rams, bucks and chicken for sacrifice during festive seasons;
  • Bulls and Cows are worshipped during various religious functions. Many owners develop attachment to their animals.
• Gender equity:
  • Animal husbandry promotes gender equity.
  • More than three-fourth of the labour demand in livestock production is met by women.
  • The share of women employment in livestock sector is around 90% in Punjab and Haryana where dairying is a prominent activity and animals are stall-fed.
• Draft:
  • The bullocks are the back bone of Indian agriculture.
  • The farmers especially the marginal and small depend upon bullocks for ploughing, carting and transport of both inputs and outputs.
• Dung:
  • In rural areas dung is used for several purposes which include fuel (dung cakes), fertilizer (farm yard manure), and plastering material (poor man’s cement).

Measures to strengthen Livestock sector

• Increase in the market share depends on how dairy firms’ capabilities and their resources are utilised given the opportunities and threats emanating from emerging markets economies.
• Contract/corporate dairying and emerging global dairy trade are required to rope in dairy supply chains stakeholders in order to expand their outreach and “on-the-go” product positioning into the target segment.
• Digital technology-enabled dairy firms need to identify their compatible partners and competitors for co-creation through product-process innovation via relationship/value-based marketing.
• Freshness in milk, and convenience to store milk or milk products can be a technology innovation brought in by large dairy firms in association start-ups.

• Education and Training at Panchayat level for small and medium size farmers
• Subsidizing cattle production and encouraging cattle markets
• Facility of logistics for produced milk
• Improved Veterinary facility specially in artificial insemination of cattle
• Encouraging private sector firm to procure dairy produced at rural level
• Low interest loans for small and medium scale farmers for cattle purchase
• Encouraging rural women to take up animal husbandry
• Insurance of cattle against diseases like Anthrax, Foot and Mouth, Peste des Ruminantes, etc.
• Nurture dairy entrepreneurs through effective training of youth at the village level coupled with dedicated leadership and professional management of farmers’ institutions.
• Agricultural practices, sanitation, quality of drinking water & fodder, type and quality of pipelines – all of these need to be aligned to the goal of healthy milk

Conclusion

With increasing population, persistent rise in food inflation, unfortunate rise in farmer’s suicide and majority of the Indian population having agriculture as the primary occupation, the practice of animal husbandry is no more a choice, but a need in contemporary scenario. Its successful, sustainable and skilful implementation will go a long way in ameliorating the socio-economic condition of lower strata of our society.  Linking the animal husbandry with food processing industry, agriculture, researches & patents has all the possible potential to make India a nutritional power house of the world. Animal husbandry is the imperative hope, definite desire and urgent panacea for India as well as the world.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent);

3. India’s geological diversity has endowed the country with a wide range of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources. These minerals play a pivotal role in various industrial sectors, infrastructure development, and energy production, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about to diversity of minerals in India and distribution of major metallic and non-metallic minerals.

Directive word: 

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by mentioning about minerals profile of India and their importance.

Body:

First, with a neat illustrative map, highlight the distribution of major non-metallic minerals such as coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite and copper etc

Next, with a neat illustrative map, highlight the distribution of major non-metallic minerals such as Mica, Limestone, Dolomite, Asbestos, Magnesite, Gypsum and Kyanite etc.

Next, write about vertical distributions of Salinity – increases with increasing depth, draw a small diagram to show the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising the importance of the above.

Introduction

    Metals are material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Non-metals are minerals (Non-metallic minerals) which, as a rule, do not serve as raw material for the extraction of metal. The group of non-metals, which is widespread amongst the variety of minerals, is of great economic significance.

Body

Distribution of major metallic minerals in India

• Iron Ore
  • It is a metal of universal use, and backbone of modern civilization
  • Haematite has around 70% of metallic content
    • Found in Dharwad and Cuddapah rock systems of peninsular India
    • Most of it is found in states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh
    • In western section, major concentration is in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa
  • Magnetite is the second best ore, with metallic content varying from 60-70%
    • These have magnetic quality, and occur in Dharwad and Cuddapah systems
    • Most reserves are found in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu and Kerala
  • Limonite are inferior ores, which contain 40-60% iron metal
    • These are found in Raniganj coal field, Garhal in Uttarakhand, Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh
  • Siderite contain concentration less than 40%. It contains many impurities and hence mining not economically viable
• Manganese
  • It is an important mineral for making iron and steel; and it acts as a basic raw material for manufacturing alloys
  • The total Manganese ores are distributed in Odisha(44%), Karnataka(22%), Madhya Pradesh(13%), Maharashtra(8%), Andhra Pradesh(4%) and Jharkhand & goa(3% each),
• Copper
  • Copper ore is found in ancient as well as in younger rock formations and occurs as veins, as dissemination and as bedded deposits
  • Rajasthan has around 50% of total copper ore in the country; followed by Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand
  • The rest are accounted for by Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamilnadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal
• Nickel
  • It doesn’t occur free in nature and is found in association with copper
  • The important occurrences of Nickiliferous limonite are found in Jajapur district of Odisha
  • Nickel is found in Sulphide form in Jharkhand
  • Other important occurrences of Nickel are in Karnataka, Kerala and Rajasthan
• Lead and Zinc
  • Lead is a widely used metal due to its malleability, softness, heaviness and bad heat conductivity
  • Rajasthan is endowed with the largest resources of lead-zinc ore, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra
  • Resources are also established in Gujarat, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal
• Bauxite
  • This is an important ore for making Aluminium
  • Among states, Odisha accounts for 52% of country’s resources of bauxite followed by Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya pradesh and Jharkhand
  • When it comes to production, Odisha is the largest producer followed by Chattisgarh
• Gold
  • It is a valuable metal, used for making ornaments and is an international currency due to universal use
  • In term of metal content, Karnataka has the highest reserves followed by Rajasthan, reserves followed by Rajasthan, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand
• Silver
  • The chief ore mineral of silver are agentine, stephanite, pyargyrite
  • The main production comes from Zawar mines in Udaipur district of Rajasthan
  • Some silver is produced in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well

Distribution of major non-metallic minerals in India

• Mica
  • India is one of the foremost suppliers of mica to the world.
  • Andhra Pradesh (41 per cent), Rajasthan (21 per cent), Odisha (20 per cent), Maharashtra (15 per cent), Bihar (2 per cent), Jharkhand (Less than 1 per cent)
• Limestone
  • Limestone deposits are of sedimentary origin and exist in all the geological sequences from Pre-Cambrian to Recent except in Gondwana.
  • Over three-fourths of the total limestone of India is produced by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.
• Asbestos
  • Two states of Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh produce almost the whole of asbestos of India.
• Magnesite
  • Major deposits of magnesite are found in Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
  • Tamil Nadu is the largest producer [three-fourth] of magnesite in India.
  • The largest in India are found at Chalk Hills near Salem town.
• Salt
  • Rock salt is taken out in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh and in Gujarat. It is less than 1 per cent of the total salt produced in India.
  • Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan produces about 10 per cent of our annual production.
  • Sea brine is the source of salt in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
  • Gujarat coast produces nearly half of our salt.

Conclusion

Mineral resources of a country and the extent of its utilization are important determinants of growth and prosperity of a nation and its people. Though the actual value of mineral production accounts for only a small percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country, it plays a vital role in world economy, as it has a direct bearing to the industrial growth and developments in the frontiers of science and technology.

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.

4. Both cooperative federalism and competitive federalism have their own merits and can be relevant in different contexts within a diverse country like India. The choice between the two depends on the specific challenges, goals, and dynamics of the country. Critically analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

Cooperative federalism emphasizes collaboration and coordination between the central government and state governments for policy formulation and implementation and the Ministry of Education to negotiate better terms must with the dissenting States, respecting the essence of cooperative federalism.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about which form of federalism – competitive or cooperative that suits India better.

Directive word: 

Critically analyze – 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining cooperative federalism and competitive federalism. 

Body:

First, explain the differences between both. Discuss how the spirit of competitive federalism is seen in the various inter-state ranking metric derived such as for ease of business, environmental pollution etc. Discuss how the spirit of cooperation is being enhanced by sharing experiential learnings etc

Next, Discuss the pros and cons of one over the other – competitive federalism requires States to reform their programmes and provide goods and services that they can self-fund, disciplines the states, accelerates growth. Discuss the advantages that cooperative federalism offers.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.

Introduction

Competitive federalism is a concept where centre competes with states and vice-versa, and states compete with each other. It refers to relations between regional governments (horizontal competition) and between central and regional governments (vertical competition).

Cooperative federalism is the concept which reflects the relationship between centre and state where they both come together and resolve the common problems with each other’s’ cooperation. With the collaborative efforts and cooperation, different level of governments in an amicable manner, contributes towards the growth of the country.

Body

Spirit of cooperative federalism in India

• Separation of Power: Schedule 7 of Constitution provides strict delineation of powers between center and state. (Except during emergencies which comes under judicial review)
• Article 131 of the Constitution, which gives the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases between states and the Centre. Ex: Chhattisgarh moved SC against NIA Act in Jan 2020
• Coalition governments: It has increased states’ bargaining power.
• GST Council: Majority decisions have been based on consensus till now, while states gave 2/3^rd of votes.
• Since 10^th FC, state’s share has been continuously increasing till 14^th FC by devolving 42%.
• NITI Aayog: Replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission, the Aayog is promoting bottom-up approach to development planning.
• Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas involves State’s as equal partners of development

Spirit of competitive federalism in India

• The concept of competitive federalism is driving the Indian states to rush in for reforms to make an easy way for doing business in their state and expediting the pending project clearances. Ex: Vibrant summits conducted by various states, easing of compliance related laws in states to attract FDI etc
• In this scenario, Centre government is only responsible to frame rules in this kind of free market as generally states compete with each other to attract funds
• Union government devolves funds to the states on the basis of usage of previously allocated funds. Thus, funds and investments flow in greater amount (both from central government and private investors) to those states which have shown optimum use of previously allocated funds.
• This system ensures minimum wastage and maximum use of resources as it strives for Healthy competition to improve physical and social infrastructure within the state.
• Competitive federalism is also welcomed by industry because healthy competition among states will pave the way towards more investment destinations in future. In turn it should lead to significant job creation and economic development.
• Some of the steps taken in India in recent times to give effect to this form of federalism are:
  • Greater allocation of funds or favorable terms to states that perform better on certain indices. Ex: Implementation of ‘One Nation, One Ration card scheme’
  • Ranking states based on development parameters. Ex: Swachh Bharat rankings, Ease of doing business ratings for states, selection of cities to be included under smart city programme etc
  • Andhra Pradesh has come up with their own brand name at Davos integrated and emulated the same elements of the nation brand India campaign with Make Andhra Pradesh Your Business
  • States have been given more freedom to plan their expenditure

Critical analysis

Competitive federalism

• Some states have better infrastructure and expertise. This could further add fuel to the inequality that exists between the regions
• A race towards motivated by competition might not be in the best interests of the states vis-à-vis tribal displacement, greater level of pollution etc
• The ranking framework of the central government has also been put to question by some over the alleged bias towards some states.
• An institutional mechanism must be evolved where important decisions are appropriately discussed with states.

Cooperative federalism

• Several issues such as trust deficit and shrinkage of divisible pools plague Centre-State relations. Together, they make total cooperation difficult.
• On one hand the Centre has increased the States’ share of the divisible pool but in reality States are getting a lesser share.
• For instance, as per the 15th FC recommendations, many south states are on the losing side of their share of tax resources.
• The allocation towards various social welfare schemes has also come down, affecting the States’ health in turn
• Inter-State water disputes like the Mahadayi issue between Goa and Karnataka, Mahanadi water disputes (Odisha and Chhattisgarh) requires cooperation from all quarters (centre and riparian states).

Way forward

• There needs to be a mix of competitive and cooperative federalism for India to move ahead.
• The future for India is cooperative and competitive federalism. Competitive federalism provides the dynamism that needs to be unleashed.
• We need cooperative federalism to balance competitive federalism.
• Constitution needed to catch up with economics to “favour integration over granting sovereignty” to promote Indian internal integration.
• GST which seeks to introduce the concept of one nation-one tax, in order to economically unify the country for the first time, is described this as “pooled sovereignty”, which would bring a big change in the working of federalism in the country.

Conclusion

Competition alone cannot give the best results it is competition with cooperation that will drive the real change. There has to be a balance between cooperative and competitive federalism.

In this regard an institutional mechanism must be evolved where important decisions are appropriately discussed with states to ensure no states is left behind in the development paradigm.

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.

5.The legal processes for resolving inter-state water disputes, such as setting up tribunals and courts, can be time-consuming due to procedural complexities. Examine. Suggest measures to resolve them. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The Tamil Nadu government on August 14 moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to Karnataka to forthwith release 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water from its reservoirs, at Biligundlu for the remaining period of the month,

Key Demand of the question:

Discuss in detail the causes of Inter-State Water Disputes in India; also state the reasons for delay in resolving river water disputes.

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 giving context.

Body:

Start by writing constitutional provisions; Entry 17 of State List deals with water i.e. water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, water storage and water power. Entry 56 of Union List empowers the Union Government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be expedient in the public interest. And talk about Article 262.

Then list down the causes of Inter-State Water Dispute with examples.

State the reasons for delay in resolving river water disputes.

Conclusion:

Conclude with possible solutions.

Introduction

India has seen protracted river water sharing disputes in recent years. Depleting groundwater, drying rivers and increasing demand for water have led to long legal wrangles between warring states. But very soon, India might have a single national tribunal — the Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal — to arbitrate inter-state water disputes. Its recommendations will be binding on the competing parties. Over the years, there have been several tribunals hearing disputes between states on river water sharing, but they have not been effective in resolving disputes in a time-bound manner. While there are suggestions for reconsidering and reviewing the structuring and functioning of the tribunals, there is also a need to look for an alternative mechanism, based on environmental thinking, to resolve such disputes effectively, amicably and sustainably. 

The Tamil Nadu government recently moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to Karnataka to forthwith release 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water from its reservoirs, at Biligundlu for the remaining period of the month,

Body:

Provisions related to interstate river water disputes:

• Entry 17 of State List deals with water i.e. water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, water storage and water power.
• Entry 56 of Union List empowers the Union Government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be expedient in the public interest.
• Article 262: In the case of disputes relating to waters, it provides
  • Clause 1: Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley.
  • Clause 2: Parliament may, by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as mentioned above.
• The Interstate (River) Water Disputes Act 1956: provides for the resolution of disputes. Under its provisions, the disputes are to be adjudicated by ad-hoc, temporary and exclusive tribunals.

Causes of Inter-State Water Dispute: 

• Water is a finite resource and its demand has increased several times in agricultural, industrial and domestic sector than what is available at present as the country is growing and lifestyle is changing such as increased urbanization.
• The moment water is accumulated at a large scale, it gives rise to dispute where commissions come into play and this goes on.
• This is also more of a political issue because when these disputes are used as emotive issues, all parties jump in, several vested interest are created which leads to further problems like bandhs and strikes.
• There is a huge debate on development/growth versus environment as well. Problems are also related with the storage of water such as dams, using it for production of electricity etc. which lead to disputes.
• There is an administrative system at present which is in conflict with what people want.

Reasons for delay in resolving river water disputes:

• The Centre takes years to decide whether a matter needs to be heard by a tribunal in the first place—for example, the Godavari and Krishna disputes started around 1956 but the matter was referred to a tribunal only in 1969.
• After the tribunal has been formed, it again takes many years to pronounce its award—it took nine years from reference in the case of the Narmada tribunal.
• Adjudication by tribunals involves long-drawn adversarial litigations causing chronic delays.
• The arrangement deprives the states of an avenue to redress their grievances after the tribunals are dissolved.
• There is an institutional vacuum for implementing tribunal awards. The law entrusts the Central government with the responsibility of framing institutions for implementing tribunal awards. The government is at a loss as there are no proven institutional models for interstate coordination.
• Disputes have become sites of political mobilisation in our multi-party democratic setting. Political parties often ride on the emotive associations and notions of identity to animate and escalate disputes. The disputes offer opportunities for grandstanding, and engaging in vote bank politics.
• This nexus between water and politics often subverts and sabotages the resolution. Finally, realising water allocations in monsoon deficit years is the most contentious issue between states.
• There has not been any instance of satisfactory and successful distress sharing practices. At the centre of the Cauvery dispute lies this major difficulty.
• The states have disagreed with the tribunal’s recommendation for a proportional reduction of shares during distress times.

Way forward:

• The Centre’s proposal to set up a single, permanent tribunal to adjudicate on inter-state river water disputes could be a major step towards streamlining the dispute redressal mechanism. However, this alone will not be able to address the different kinds of problems—legal, administrative, constitutional and political—that plague the overall framework. To strengthen the cooperative federalism, disputes must be resolved by dialogue and talks and the political opportunism must be avoided.
• The need to work at the basin level for which River Basin Organization should be created.
• The Centre’s proposal to set up a single, permanent tribunal to adjudicate on inter-state river water disputes could be a major step towards streamlining the dispute redressal mechanism.
• There should be cooperation and consensus among the states.
• However, this alone will not be able to address the different kinds of problems—legal, administrative, constitutional and political—that plague the overall framework
• Environment is a huge challenge in coming days on which increasing water needs and industrialization requirements to address it serious policy reforms should be done.
• Centre’s proposal to set up an agency alongside the tribunal, which will collect and process data on river waters, can be a right step in this direction.
• To strengthen the cooperative federalism, parochial mindset making regional issues superior to national issues should not be allowed.
• Awareness level between the states.
• So disputes must be resolved by dialogue and talks and the political opportunism must be avoided.
• A robust and transparent institutional framework with cooperative approach is need of the hour.

Conclusion:

The Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is a step towards the cooperative federalism and will promote a prompt decision making in case of the various interstate water disputes. The solutions on water disputes will help in the socio economic development of stakeholder states. The implementation of the proposed steps in the bill in its true spirit will develop an integrated regime of river water utilisation.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Major crop cropping patterns in various parts of the country

6. While natural farming might not replace conventional farming entirely, a combination of both approaches, along with innovations and supportive policies, could pave the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in India. Examine (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

In his book “Sixty Harvests Left,” Philip Lymbery explores the economic consequences of ignoring planetary boundaries in food production. He highlights the conflict between short-term corporate profits and environmental sustainability. 

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the potential of natural farming and its limitations as compared to conventional or chemical farming.

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: 

Define natural farming and its principles. Briefly, provide an overview of the concept of natural farming and its growing popularity as an alternative to conventional farming practices.

Body:

Write about the potential of natural farming: e.g – Environmental sustainability, Biodiversity conservation and Resilience to climate change etc.,

Next, write the limitations of natural farming: E.g., Lower productivity, Knowledge and skill requirements, Market demand and scalability etc.,

Briefly compare natural farming with conventional farming practices and give your opinion on whether Natural farming is possible or not.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a balanced opinion

Introduction

Natural farming can be defined as a “chemical- free farming and livestock based”. Soundly grounded in agro-ecology, it is a diversified farming system that integrates crops, trees and livestock, allowing the optimum use of functional biodiversity. It holds the promise of enhancing farmers’ income while delivering many other benefits, such as restoration of soil fertility and environmental health, and mitigating and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Body

Some success stories of Natural farming

As per a new study, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh has led to significantly higher crop yield compared to organic or conventional (synthetic fertilisers and pesticides) farming under the state’s APCNF programme.

According to a recent research study conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), natural farming supplemented with farmyard manure (FYM) has been found to yield higher crop yields compared to conventional farming practices.

Potential of Natural Farming

• Minimized Cost of Production:
  • It is considered as a cost- effective farming practicewith scope for raising employment and rural development.
• Ensures Better Health:
  • As Natural Farming does not use any synthetic chemicals,health risks and hazards are eliminated. The food has higher nutrition density and therefore offers better health benefits.
• Employment Generation:
  • It generates employment on account of natural farming input enterprises,value addition, marketing in local areas, etc. The surplus from natural farming is invested in the village itself.
  • As it has the potential to generate employment, thereby stemming the migration of rural youth.
• Environment Conservation:
  • It ensures better soil biology, improved agrobiodiversity and a more judicious usage of waterwith much smaller carbon and nitrogen footprints.
• Livestock Sustainability:
  • The integration of livestock in the farming system plays an important role in Natural farming and helps in restoring the ecosystem.Eco Friendly bio-inputs, such as Jivamrit and Beejamrit, are prepared from cow dung and urine, and other natural products.
• Resilience:
  • The changes in soil structure with the help of organic carbon, no/low tillage and plant diversity are supporting plant growth even under extreme situations like severe droughts and withstanding severe floodand wind damage during
  • NF impacts many farmers positively by imparting resilience to the crops against weather extremities.

Limitations of Natural Farming

• Lack of readily available natural inputs is a barrier to converting to chemical-free agriculture. For profitable farming this delay and shortage in natural inputs are detrimental.
• It is a well-built-up capital-intensive industry. It naturally discourages any efforts towards natural farming.
• Natural farming was perceived to be more labour intensive & regular monitoring by farmers was required.
• Sikkim, the first organic state in India has seen a decline in yield following conversion to organic farming. Many farmers have switched back to conventional farming after this decline.
• The farmers also expect higher prices for the natural farming produce, considering it is free from chemicals. Hence, the non-availability of designated markets for natural farming produce (as in the case of organic produce) has driven reluctance towards natural farming adoption

Comparison between Conservation Agriculture (CA) and ZBNF:

Conclusion

There is a substantial reduction in input cost of natural farming as compared to non-natural farming due to non-use of expensive agro-chemicals. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the cost of cultivation of all the crops for better profitability natural farming practitioners.

General Studies – 4

Topic: challenges of corruption.

7. By intensifying efforts to improve governance frameworks and enhance actions against corruption, societies can create an environment where transparency, accountability, and integrity prevail, leading to more sustainable and equitable development. Discuss. (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about improving efforts at combating corruption.

Directive:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining corruption.

Body:

First, write about the major implications of corruption on political and social progress for countries at all levels of development. Write about the steps that are place to check and prevent corruption.

Next, write about the improvements needed in the governance frameworks to eliminate corruption in the country.

Conclusion:

Complete by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Corruption is dishonest behavior by those in positions of power. It starts with the tendency of using public office for some personal benefit. Moreover, it is unfortunate that corruption has, for many, become a matter of habit. It is so deeply entrenched that corruption is now considered a social norm. Hence, corruption implies the failure of ethics.

Body

Importance of fighting corruption:

• Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines rule of law, leads to violations of human rights and allows organized crime to flourish.
• Corruption in India is not limited to collusive high-level scams.
• Petty corruption, which affects the delivery of basic services and rights to people, is rampant.
• Corruption impacts societies in a multitude of ways. In the worst cases, it costs lives. Short of this, it costs people their freedom, health or money. The cost of corruption can be divided into four main categories: political, economic, social and environmental.
• On the political front, corruption is a major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law. In a democratic system, offices and institutions lose their legitimacy when they’re misused for private advantage. This is harmful in established democracies, but even more so in newly emerging ones. It is extremely challenging to develop accountable political leadership in a corrupt climate.
• Economically, corruption depletes national wealth. Corrupt politicians invest scarce public resources in projects that will line their pockets rather than benefit communities, and prioritise high-profile projects such as dams, power plants, pipelines and refineries over less spectacular but more urgent infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals and roads. Corruption also hinders the development of fair market structures and distorts competition, which in turn deters investment.
• Corruption corrodes the social fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in the political system, in its institutions and its leadership. A distrustful or apathetic public can then become yet another hurdle to challenging corruption. This especially impacts the poor and marginalized, who are most dependent on public provisioning of rations, pensions, health, and education. Serious cases of several big corruptions have surfaced in the last five years, including banking frauds and the Rafale deal. The popular sentiment that helped the incumbent Government in the 2014 general election was resentment against corruption in public life.
• Environmental degradationis another consequence of corrupt systems. The lack of, or non-enforcement of, environmental regulations and legislation means that precious natural resources are carelessly exploited, and entire ecological systems are ravaged. From mining, to logging, to carbon offsets, companies across the globe continue to pay bribes in return for unrestricted destruction

Measures to curb corruption:

The solution to the problem of corruption has to be more systemic than any other issue of governance. Merely shrinking the economic role of the state by resorting to deregulation, liberalization and privatization is not necessarily the solution to addressing the problem.

• Adopting effective and coordinated policies against corruption

• Developing a coherent anti-corruption policy which identifies the causes of corruption and commits to practical, coordinated and effective measures to address these causes is a prerequisite for success.

• Fair and transparent system of public procurement

• Establishing a procurement system, built on the principles of objectivity, transparency and competition, is important to both saving public money and to ensuring that the policy and developmental objectives of the government are met.
  • : GeM Government E-market Placeis a step in the right directions. With this, Public Finance Management System also helps in tracking the real-time usage of funds.
• Strengthened transparency and public reporting
  • An informed society with free access to information is a strong deterrent to corruption.
  • This underlines the importance of transparency, public reporting and access to information in preventing corruption.
  • Right to Information needs to be strengthened to make the public officials and governments more accountable to the citizens.
  • Citizens must be Vigilant: Otherwise, like Plato said “The punishment suffered by the wise who refuse to take part in government, is to suffer under the government of bad men”
• Institutional monitoring and legislative reforms
  • Prevalent institutional arrangements have to be reviewed and changes made where those vested with power are made accountable, their functioning made more transparent and subjected to social audit with a view to minimize discretionary decisions.
  • Napoleon who said, ‘Law should be so succinct that it can be carried in the pocket of the coat and it should be so simple that it can be understood by a peasant’.
  • The2^ndARC recommended that The Prevention of Corruption Act should be amended to ensure that sanctioning authorities are not summoned and instead the documents can be obtained and produced before the courts by the appropriate authority.
• E-governance
  • The focus should be on e-governance and systemic change. An honest system of governance will displace dishonest persons.
• Other Reforms
  • All procedures, laws and regulations that breed corruption and come in the way of efficient delivery system will have to be eliminated.
  • The perverse system of incentives in public life, which makes corruption a high return low risk activity, need to be addressed.
  • In this context, public example has to be made out of people convicted on corruption charge

Second ARC guidelines to prevent corruption

• Vigilance and Corruption:
  • Strengthening pro-active vigilance to eliminate corruption and harassment to honest civil servants including, wherever necessary, limiting executive discretion.
  • Addressing systemic deficiencies manifesting in reluctance to punish the corrupt.
  • Identify procedures, rules and regulations and factors which lead to corruption.
• Relationship between Political Executive and Permanent Civil Service: Improvements in the institutional arrangements for smooth, efficient and harmonious relationship between civil service and the political executive is needed.
• Code of Conduct for different organs of Government: This includes Political Executive, Civil Services, etc.

Conclusion

“Rivers do not drink their waters themselves, nor do trees eat their fruit, nor do the clouds eat the grains raised by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others.”

Corruption needs to be rooted out from the very core of our nation, so that there is justiciable distribution of resources in the country leading to inclusive growth and ‘Sabka Vikas.’

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