*Click on each question to Post/upload your answer in the comment section & get it EVALUATED.
Why this question:
Coastal areas are an important topic of GS Paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the importance of coastal ecology, the threats they are facing and give measures to preserve them.
Directive:
Discuss- back up the answer by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of the given context and finally arrive at a conclusion.
Introduction:
Give a brief introduction about the coastal areas in India.
Body:
In the first part, categorically mention the importance of coastal ecology w.r.t. mangrove ecosystem, coral reefs, flora, fauna, and their economic as well as environmental significance
In the next part, mention threats that the coastal ecology has been facing- climate change, rise in sea level, deforestation, increase in construction activities, pollution, etc. also mention how coastal regulation zone rules play an important role in preserving the coastal ecology.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
The Indian Coastline runs over a distance of 7500 km distributed along nine coastal states, two groups of islands and four union territories. The coastal belt comprises a wide range of ecosystems extending from sandy beaches and mangroves to coral reefs and rocky shores.
To protect the coastal environment, the Government of India has issued a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification in 1991 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. According to it, all the coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters which are influenced by tidal action (in the landward side) up to 500 m from the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL are defined as Coastal Regulation Zone.
Importance of Coastal Ecology
- Mangroves: they show edge effects, which means that they have large species diversity in comparison to marine or terrestrial ecosystems. They act as water filters and purifiers as well. They act as shock absorbers by reducing high tides and waves and protecting shorelines from erosion and also minimizing disasters due to cyclones and tsunami.
- Corals reefs- Coral reefs are a colony of tiny animals called coral polyps. They are often compared with tropical rainforests in terms of their importance as a habitat and the biological diversity they harbour.
- Economic- coastal areas are economically one of the most important areas in any country as these are the sites of ports, harbours, tidal energy and tourism industry.
- Climate Regulator- Coastal ecosystems play a critical role in global climate and the carbon cycle by sequestering carbon. Carbon storage rates per unit area exceed those of terrestrial ecosystems.
- Flora and Fauna- Coastal ecosystems are home to a variety of floral and faunal biodiversity in mangroves, coral reefs, seas and oceans.
However, off late the coastal ecosystems have been under threat due to a variety of reasons like pollution from industrial effluents, rise in sea levels due to global warming, deforestation along the coasts and in the mangroves, increase in construction activities like hotels, resorts along the coasts, destruction of coral reefs, etc.
In the light of these threats the CRZ rules were enforced by the Government. But, only the efforts from the government will not make any difference. To preserve the coastal ecology the involvement of those living around it is most important to build trust between the government and the populations and ensure the compliance of the rules.
Why this question:
GST Compensation Cess has been a point of concern in the evolving Centre- state relations.
Key demand of the question:
Importance of GST compensation cess and issues associated with it and measures to resolve it.
Directive:
Critically analyze- The key to tackling this question is providing ample evidence to support the claims. Ensure that the analysis is balanced by shedding light on, and presenting a critique of, and alternative perspectives. Present extensive evidence taken from a varying range of sources.
Introduction:
Give a brief introduction about the GST compensation cess, why it was formed and its duration.
Body:
In the first part, mention the need for the cess and the impact it would create.
In the next part, talk about the increasing dispute between Centre and state for the cess, reasons for the dispute- late compensation, insufficient amount, etc. and the stands of Centre as well as state.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward for the resolution of the dispute.
Model Answer
The GST came into force on 1st July 2017 after the enactment of the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. With this, a large number of central and state indirect taxes merged into a single tax.
As per the GST Act, states are guaranteed compensation for any revenue shortfall below 14% growth (base year 2015-16) for the first five years ending 2022. GST compensation is paid out of Compensation Cess every two months by the Centre to states.
However, it has been reported that the Centre has failed to make payments to the states on time in anticipation of the shortfall in collections and the resultant impact on the government’s fiscal deficit. This has resulted in a rising dispute over the cess between the Centre and the states. The Union Finance Minister in a recently held 41st GST Council meeting asserted that the Centre will not be able to compensate the States. The Central Government is asserting that GST collections have sharply come down this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The GST compensation requirement is estimated to be around Rs 3 lakh crore this year, while the cess collection is expected to be around Rs 65,000 crore. Thus there is an estimated compensation shortfall of Rs 2.35 lakh crore.
The failure of Centre to deliver the GST compensation to states is mainly on the account of economic slowdown that the country has been going through and mostly owing to the crisis created by the pandemic. But the compensation is very important for the states as they no longer possess taxation rights after most taxes, barring those on petroleum, alcohol, and stamp duty were subsumed under GST. Therefore the Centre came up with alternatives for states viz. borrowing either under a special RBI window or from the market under different terms. However, a few states have raised concern over this. Hence, it is very important for the Centre to take steps to reach a consensus as soon as possible.
Why this question:
The Khap Panchayats have been playing an important part in the farmers’ protests over the Farm Laws.
Key demand of the question:
The role and Khap Panchayats in rural areas and the issues associated with them. Provide solutions for the issues.
Directive:
Critically examine - This question expects you to first present the judgment, then put forward your opinion on the judgment and substantiate it. Mention the opposite argument and highlight the drawbacks of the argument. Conclude by giving your firm opinion on the topic
Introduction:
Briefly introduce what are Khap Panchayats and areas where they are prevalent.
Body:
In the first part, mention the importance of Khap Panchayats in strengthening governance in rural areas w.r.t. quick decisions on issues, trust it has among the masses.
In the next part, highlight the issues associated with them like female foeticide, honour killings, forced marriages, gender discrimination, etc. Mention about the SC ruling that interference of Khap Panchayats in the marital choices of individuals is illegal. Also mention that currently there is a need to regulate the functioning of khap Panchayats instead of completely turning them down, reform their structure and monitor their functions.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
Khap Panchayats, which find their origin from ancient India, are the traditional social institutions engaged in dispute resolution in village communities. They are formally distinct from the lawfully elected village panchayats and their rulings have no legal sanctity in the eyes of court.
They are most prevalent in the Jat Community of Haryana and Western UP. A khap is an all male organization and its leaders are unelected but based on their social clout.
Role of khap panchayats in strengthening rural governance:
- Quick decision- certain issues require urgent attention and khap panchayats are a platform for such decisions
- Trust among the masses- since a khap is an association of elders in the village, the people have faith in them making their decisions very important
However there are certain issues associated with khap panchayats like:
- Honour killings- it has been estimated that hundreds of men and women are forced to be killed on the pretext of not adhering to the traditional norms.
- Forced Marriages- Sometimes, forced marriages are done by pressurizing one of the partners who might be an adult or minor. The victim of such marriage undergoes fear, threat, abduction and torture, sometimes resulting in suicide also.
- Female foeticide- khaps are male dominated bodies and have been responsible for forcing female foeticide in the rural areas.
The SC declared that interference of khap panchayats in marriage choices of individuals was illegal and amounted to infringement of freedom of choices. Therefore it is important for the government to make laws to regulate the functioning of khap panchayats to make sure they are used for the betterment of rural governance.
Why this Question:
Indian Oil and NDMC have signed a MoU for development of a waste to energy plant at Ranikhera.
Key demand of the Question:
Evaluation of the waste-to-energy initiative and its future in India.
Directive:
Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
Introduction:
Give an introduction about the waste-to-energy initiative of the government.
Body:
In the first part, write about advantages of the initiative and the need and impact of this initiative in a country like India where maximum of the energy demands are met from imports and mostly of the conventional sources of energy which are non-renewable.
In the next part, mention the challenges that the initiative is likely to face.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a way forward to overcome the challenges.
Model Answer
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) or Energy-from-Waste (EfW) is a form of energy recovery and the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat by processing of waste into a fuel source. They convert municipal and industrial solid waste into electricity and/or heat for industrial processing.
Apart from producing electricity, burning waste also reduces the amount of material that would probably be buried in landfills. Burning MSW reduces the volume of waste by about 80%, thereby offering a number of social and economic benefits that cannot easily be quantified.
Advantages:
- Usually waste-to-energy plants incinerate 80 to 90 percent of waste, thus helping large cities from choking due to unmanageable waste.
- Waste to energy generates clean, reliable energy from a renewable fuel source, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the combustion of which is a major contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
- Some waste-to-energy plants convert salt water to potable fresh water as a by-product of cooling processes.
- It is carbon-negative – processing waste into biofuel releases considerably less carbon and methane into the air than having waste decay away in landfills or the lake.
- They help in reducing air, water and land pollution.
- They are excellent sources of alternative sources of energy and present opportunities for diversification of energy sources in India.
Challenges for Waste to Energy Initiative
- Waste-to-Energy is still a new concept in India. Most of the proven and commercial technologies in respect of urban wastes are required to be imported.
- The cost of developing new technologies is very high.
- Segregated municipal solid waste is generally not available at the plant site, which leads to non-availability of waste for waste-to-energy plants.
- Lack of conducive policy guidelines from State Governments in respect of allotment of land, supply of garbage and power purchase / evacuation facilities.
The Waste to Energy initiative presents an excellent opportunity for India to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on imports for its energy requirements. Hence, it becomes very important for the government to make policies for the development of this vital technology and ensure their smooth compliance.
Why this question:
Recently, India has handed over mobile harbor cranes to Chabahar port.
Key demand of the Question:
Importance of Chabahar project for India and the recent issues it has been facing and key solutions for their resolution
Directive:
Discuss- back up the answer by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of the given context and finally arrive at a conclusion.
Introduction:
Give a brief introduction about the Chabahar project, its components and the Indo- Iran cooperation in this context.
Body:
In the first part, mention the significance of the Chabahar project for India- connectivity, economic, strategic and geopolitical.
In the next part, mention the recent developments over the project- Iran dropping India from the Chabahar Rail project citing funding delays from India side in beginning and funding the project. Mention the reasons for such a decision by Iran in context of US sanctions on Iran and the hesitation among India to go ahead with the project.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward in the context of change of regime in the US and chances of better relations between US and Iran.
Model Answer
In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the trilateral agreement which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar port in Iran as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation. It has two major components- development of Chabahar port and construction of railway line from Chabahar port to Zahedan.
Significance of Chabahar project for India
- Economic- India has made a significant amount of investment Both public and private in developing the chabahar port.
- Strategic it is a well known fact that China has been trying to surround India by purchasing a number of ports in different countries. for example the gwadar port in Pakistan. The Chabahar port can be a counter to this initiative of China.
- Trade the port and the railway line is a new development in increasing the trade between India and the West Asian countries.
- Security the chabahar port gives India to develop a link between itself and West Asian countries and Central Asian republics by bypassing Pakistan.
- North South transport corridor the chabahar port and the railway line is the first link from India towards the North South transport corridor
However, the recent developments in West Asia have made the progress of the project cloudy. These include The US sanctions over Iran and The US unanimously pulling out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA. These sanctions have made Indian investors apprehensive of their investments in Iran. Recently, Iran declared that India is now not a part of the Chabahar Zahedan Railway Line on grounds of untimely financing issues. Such moves can hamper India’s bilateral relations with Iran. Hence, it is important for India to find a common ground between Iran and the US and an unbiased approach towards Iran
