Webinar Notes. (17 th January, 2017) 1. Effects of Endosulfan devastating: SC. 2. China deepens military ties with Malaysia

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1 Webinar Notes (17 th January, 2017) 1. Effects of Endosulfan devastating: SC Ø Endosulfan is a highly controversial but cheap agrochemical. Ø The Supreme Court described the effects of Endosulfan as devastating, Ø The Supreme Court on 10th January, 2017, directed the Kerala government to release the entire compensation to over 5,000 victims, mostly newborns, and their families in three months. Ø In the ruling, a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar said the State of Kerala can initiate legal proceedings to recover the compensation money from pesticide companies responsible for the production and sale of Endosulfan. the highly controversial but cheap agrochemical. Ø It is important to note that the state of Kerala has earmarked over 180 crore for the payment of compensation to victims, some of whom are terminally ill from the effects of the pesticide which was aerially sprayed on cashew plantations adjoining habitats where the victims are located. 2. China deepens military ties with Malaysia Ø In a recent development, for the first time, a Chinese submarine has docked at a port in Malaysia. Ø This signals a deepening of military ties between the two countries, which are already partners in the development of the Beijing-led Maritime Silk Road. Ø The four-day stopover of the submarine from January 3 at the port of Kota Kinabalu is being seen as a trigger for elevated tensions in the South China Sea (SCS). The Malaysian port has a naval base facing the SCS.

2 3. India opposed to inclusion of new issues in WTO Ø India has recently opposed attempts by some developed nations to introduce new issues including e-commerce and investment into the formal agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)-level negotiations on liberalisation of global trade. Ø This development takes place ahead of a special meeting of trade ministers on the sidelines of the forthcoming World Economic Forum at Davos. Ø It is important to note that India had on earlier occasions too rejected the attempts of the developed world to make such new issues part of the ongoing Doha Round talks saying it will dilute the development agenda of the negotiations. 4. Kiran Bedi should back off gracefully Ø In Puducherry, there appears to be a simmering discord between Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy. Background of events Ø The Lt. Governor of Puducherry had initiated WhatsApp groups earlier to pass on instructions to officials. Ø A Pondicherry Civil Services cadre official reportedly posted a lewd video on one of the WhatsApp groups. Ø The Lt. Governor then suspended the Pondicherry Civil Services cadre official. Ø The official was detained by police and later summoned to Raj Nivas for an explanation. Ø The Lt. Governor then subsequently suspended the official and also directed police to book a case under Section 67-A of the IT Act. Ø The bureaucracy then decided to exit the Lt. Governor s WhatsApp groups after a delegation of officials failed to convince Ms. Bedi to withdraw the suspension. Ø The state government then came out with a circular dated January 2, 2017, prohibiting officials from using social media for interaction with seniors bypassing the administrative hierarchy and routine official channel. Ø Though the circular cited security risks, it was a virtual no-brainer that the move was intended as a rebuff to the Lt. Governor. Ø Further, the Election Commission of India stayed the Lt. Governor s suspension order as the official happened to be serving as an Electoral Registration Officer. Ø The ECI categorically stated that the official, in his capacity as an electoral officer, is subject to control, superintendence and discipline of the Commission under Section 13CC of the Representation of People Act, Ø It went on to add that the Lt. Governor should have taken the Commission into confidence before placing the official under suspension, particularly when the publication of the final electoral rolls was imminent.

3 Ø In response to this, the Lt. Governor cancelled the government circular prohibiting the use of social media as it has been issued in contravention of guidelines, rules, and policies, etc., in force. Recent Development Ø In Kiran Bedi s latest remark, she said that she will have final say over proposals in the state budget, irrespective of what the state cabinet decides. This has created a confrontation with chief minister V Narayanasamy. Ø It is important to note that Bedi, whose role is to act as New Delhi s eyes and ears, should stick to her remit and stop meddling in governance. Brief History on Puducherry Ø Puducherry was merged into India in 1962, after its French colonisers left. Ø One year later, the government passed legislation creating Union territories (UTs), which were directly under central rule. Ø There were originally 18 UTs, whose number has steadily come down to seven, today. Of these, Puducherry and the National Capital Region, centred on Delhi, have elected governments. Ø Puducherry has had elected governments since Niti Aayog calls for review of RTE Act Background: 1. The Right To Education (RTE) Act, which aims to provide primary education to all children aged 6-14 years, stipulates that no child can be held back in a grade, regardless of his performance, all the way up to the eight grade. 2. Unfortunately, this has meant that a child is entitled to an eighth grade diploma even if he cannot recognise a single letter or a number if he has spent eight years in school. Development: Ø The Niti Aayog has called for a review of the provisions of the Right To Education Act. Ø One of the provisions of the Right To Education Act stipulate that children who don t perform well cannot be held back up to class VIII. Ø Significantly, the Niti Aayog has observed that the good intention behind the norm is detrimental to the learning process. Ø The Aayog had pointed out that the purpose behind this provision was to minimise the drop-out rate, since demoralisation resulting from failing a class led to children being withdrawn from school altogether. Ø But, in its review of the 12th Five Year Plan, the Aayog, had said that despite the good intention, the provision has had a detrimental effect on learning outcomes, since it takes away the pressure to learn and to compete. Some important statistics

4 Ø According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2014, the proportion of children aged 6-14 years enrolled in school in rural areas has been above 96 per cent for the past six years. Ø The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2014, is one of the largest nongovernmental household survey. Ø The real problem, the Aayog said, is the quality of education as measurement by student achievements. Ø The ASER report finds that more than 50 per cent of the fifth graders cannot read second standard level text. 6. Kalvari Class Submarines a Key Milestone in Self-Reliance and Indigenisation for Country: Dr Subhash Bhamre Ø Khanderi, which is the second of Indian Navy s Scorpene class stealth submarine, was launched on 12th January, 2017 by the Hon ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Dr Subhash Bhamre paving the way for her sea trials. Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and a host of other dignitaries witnessed the launch at Mazagon Dock Shipyard Limited on 12th January, Ø The submarine is expected to be delivered to Navy by the year end. She has been christened after her illustrious predecessor, an erstwhile Foxtrot class submarine decommissioned in 1989,which is as per the traditions of Indian Navy. The first of the class submarine, Kalvari is presently undergoing sea trials and likely to be commissioned into Navy by Mid These submarines, post induction, would form the core of Navy s conventional Submarine Arm. Speaking on the occasion Dr Subhash Bhamre said that Project 75 Kalvari is a key milestone in self reliance and indigenisation for the country. Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff said during his

5 address that the fact that Submarine Khanderi compares with the best in the world, speaks highly of the experience and expertise our shipbuilders have gained over the years. He added that as Indian Navy celebrates Golden Jubilee of the submarine arm in 2017, the induction of Project 75 submarines would mark the beginning of a new chapter in our submarine capabilities. Ø The launching of Khanderi also marks a critical milestone event for the Shipyard which earlier has delivered two Shishumar class submarines in the 90 s and has now strengthened its position as a submarine building yard for Indian Navy. 7. Cost of Ken-Betwa project now goes up to 18,000 crore Ø The cost of the river interlinking project to transfer water from the Ken to the Betwa river has now reached Rs. 18,000 crore. Ø This figure is nearly double the estimate used by the National Board for Wildlife to accord clearances to the project last year. Ø Since this project disturbs the habitat of resident wildlife and requires the diversion of forest land in Madhya Pradesh, the project required a wildlife, forest and environmental clearance by separate, independent committees. Features of the project: Ø The main feature of the project is a 230-km long canal and a series of barrages and dams connecting the Ken and Betwa rivers. Ø This will irrigate 3.5 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and around 14,000 hectares of land in Uttar Pradesh s Bundelkhand. Ø The key projects are the Makodia and Dhaudhan dams, the latter expected to be 77 metres high and responsible for submerging 5,803 hectares of tiger habitat in the Panna Tiger Reserve. 8. Number of unemployed in India to climb: ILO According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the number of unemployed people in India is expected to rise by 1 lakh in 2017 and another 2 lakh in It is important to note that the ILO had also predicted that the number of jobless will increase from 17.7 million in 2016 to 18 million by 2018 even though the country s unemployment rate is expected to go down from 3.5 per cent to 3.4 per cent in In its report on World Employment and Social Outlook for 2017, the ILO reckons that the number of jobless people will increase by 3.4 million in 2017.

6 9. Nurture farm sector for inclusive growth Challenges: Ø It has been suggested that the Budget should focus on revitalising the agri sector which, in spite of a healthy monsoon, has been hit by demonetization. Ø It is important to note that demonetisation impacted the agricultural marketing system where payments are largely made in cash by intermediaries, which is then used immediately for purchase of inputs. Low Productivity: India is the largest producer in the world for produce such as milk, bananas, okra, etc, and the National Horticulture Mission has resulted in crop diversification. A recent positive development is increase in agri exports to over $32 billion. However, low agricultural productivity remains a challenge, given India s increasingly fragmented land holdings, low use of technology, inadequate mechanisation and other issues. There is need for a national agriculture strategy with the farmer as entrepreneur. Corrective Measures: Ø It has been suggested that a Model Land Leasing Act is required, along with revival of the cooperative movement that can bring together thousands of farmers on the line of the Amul cooperative model. Ø Further, it has also been suggested that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, be extended rapidly to cover the entire cropped area especially by targeting States where implementation has been slow. Ø Further, in an effort to provide timely credit to farmers, there is a suggestion to enable nonbanking finance companies to provide loans coupled with availability of inputs, seeds and fertilisers. Ø It is important to note that the agriculture sector would gain tremendously from linkages to food processing. Currently, just about 2 per cent of our fruits and vegetables are processed. Ø Further, it has been suggested that the Budget must prioritise spread of digital payments in rural areas to enable a smooth transition to less cash use. Ø The Budget can also develop infrastructure schemes that would offer short-term employment opportunities to migrant workers who may have returned home temporarily. These projects should be labour- intensive such as roads, minor irrigation and water conservation works, agricultural warehousing, etc. Ø In conclusion, it must be noted that the agriculture sector is the base of the economy. Every effort should be made to strengthen this sector and enable it to emerge as the springboard for inclusive growth.