CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF NETAJI IAS 12 MARCH 2017 NETAJI IAS

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1 CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF NETAJI IAS 12 MARCH 2017 NETAJI IAS

2 NETAJI IAS 1 Elephant Census Why in news? Four States Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand which comprise India s most human-elephant conflict-prone region, have decided to count elephants synchronously. Why this census is significant? This will be the first regional synchronous elephant census with an identical set of rules for direct and indirect counting methods. The direct elephant counting method is based on sightings of elephants. In the indirect method, surveyors follow a dung decay formula for arriving at population estimation which is being used by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at present. A variation of about 8% to 9% has been noticed between the two methods. What are the advantages of synchronised census? According to the 2015 census, Odisha has 1,954 elephants, while Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal have approximately 700, 275 and 130 elephants respectively. The synchronised census will indicate the size, distribution, structure and density of the elephant population in the region. A simultaneously conducted census would eliminate underestimation, duplication. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 1

3 NETAJI IAS 2 This approach helps to produce a good map on the distribution of elephants in different landscapes, highlighting the abundance and density of elephants. Synchronisation in the elephant census will lead to better regional planning. Elephants travel long distances and an exhaustive information base on regional elephant distribution will help plan a proper intervention for their conservation in the long run. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set up a committee that is trying to prepare a strategic action plan for the region. Source: The Hindu What is the news? Political Activities Inside Universities The continued occurrence of violence inside Delhi University s (DU s) Ramjas College and in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) last year has created a debate about the relevance of political activities and political organisations inside educational institutions. The intrusion by political parties has negated the essential concept of universities as autonomous spaces, where freedom of expression, exploration of ideas and advancement of knowledge are an integral part of the learning process. When did this political intrusion started? w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 2

4 NETAJI IAS 3 It began almost five decades ago and has gathered momentum in the past 25 years, and has now reached a stage where it is difficult to disband it. Starting in the late 1960s, state governments began to interfere in universities. For one, it was about dispensing patronage and exercising power in appointments of vice-chancellors (VCs), faculty and non-teaching staff. For another, it was about extending the political influence of ruling parties. Unions of students, teachers and employees became instruments in political battles. Campuses were turned into spheres of influence for political parties. Provincial politics also played a role, with an implicit rejection of national elites and an explicit focus on regional identities. The decline of public universities in India has been an inevitable consequence of this process. Their drop in quality is alarming. Is it necessary to have political activities inside universities? It is a serious mistake to think of universities as campuses or classrooms that teach young people to pass examinations, and become employable, where research is subsidiary or does not matter. Universities are about far more. For students, there is so much learning outside the classroom that makes them good citizens of society. For faculty, apart from commitment to their teaching and their research, there is a role in society as intellectuals who can provide an w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 3

5 NETAJI IAS 4 independent, credible, voice in evaluating governments, parliament, legislatures, or the judiciary, as guardians of society. These roles are particularly important in a political democracy. What is the necessity for university s autonomy? Academic freedom is primary because universities are places for raising doubts and asking questions about everything. Exploring ideas, debating issues and thinking independently are essential in the quest for excellence. It would enable universities to be the conscience-keepers of economy, polity and society. Hence, the autonomy of this space is sacrosanct. Of course, this cannot suffice where quality is poor or standards are low. That needs reform and change within universities. What is the ground scenario? In India, there has been more and more intrusion with the passage of time. Micromanagement by governments is widespread. Interventions are purposive and partisan. These can be direct, or indirect, through the University Grants Commission and pliant VCs. The motives are political. Such interventions are characteristic of all governments, whether at the Centre or in the states, and every political party, irrespective of ideology. It is essential for governments to recognize that the provision of resources to universities does not endow them with a right to exercise control. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 4

6 NETAJI IAS 5 The resources are public money for public universities, which are accountable to students and society through institutional mechanisms that exist or can be created. Every government laments the absence of world-class universities, without realizing that it is attributable in part to their interventions and the growing intrusion of political processes. Where politics is largely kept out as in IIT, IIM or the IISc institutions thrive. What is the solution? Differences in views are natural, but these must be addressed through discussion, with open minds. There must be respect, not contempt for the other. Political organisations inside the universities have a right to disagree. It should pose questions, engage in debate, or organize events to articulate its views, but it cannot and must not seek to silence others. The best model to be followed in a university would be a board of governors, to which governments could nominate at the most one-third the total number. The other members, two-thirds or more should be independent, of whom one-half should be distinguished academics while one-half should be drawn from industry, civil society or professions. The chairman should be an eminent academic with administrative experience. Members of the board should have a term of six years, with one-third retiring every two years. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 5

7 NETAJI IAS 6 The VC, to be appointed by the board with six-year tenure, would be an ex-officio member. Except for nominees of governments, the board should decide on replacements for its retiring members. Such institutional mechanisms are necessary but not sufficient. Governments and political parties must stop playing politics in universities and stop turning them into arenas for political battles. Source: Live Mint Why in news? CAG Audit Report Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled a report in Parliament, on Environmental clearance (EC) and the progress in Border roads construction. What changed now? Of 2,898 projects that were granted EC between 2011 and 2015, the CAG chose 208 and analysed them to check if they were cleared within the prescribed 105 days. Nearly 90% of them were delayed. 86 days delay in 2011 was spiked to 316 days in After the NDA government came to power, the Environment Minister introduced a provision, whereby project developers could submit their applications online. In a reply to the CAG, the Ministry said reasons for delay were in moving documents, opening specific files for submitting to the Member w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 6

8 NETAJI IAS 7 Secretary, insufficient skilled hands and insufficient information and clarification from project developers. 62/216 projects scrutinised, had problems with the way they conducted their public consultation process with villagers or residents. What did the CAG say about border roads? In the aftermath of border war with China in 1962, India had maintained a policy to not build border roads reasoning that they could be used by the Chinese forces to make quick inroads. Later, in 2007, the policy was reversed and the Government had identified the construction of 73 strategically important roads to improve connectivity. These roads are critical for the Indian Army to quickly mobilise men and equipment to remote posts in the high altitude region. In that, 61 India China Border Roads (ICBR) were included in Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) programme and they were planned to be completed by However, only 15 roads had been completed by Out of the balance 46 roads, only 7 roads were completed by March 2016, thereby, extending the Planned Date of Completion to This means only 36% of target had been completed despite spending 98% against the estimated cost. The report also noted numerous instances of defective construction of roads. Source: The Hindu w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 7

9 NETAJI IAS 8 TN Model In Heart Attack Care Why in news? A unique model of heart attack care has brought down the time taken respond to cardiac episodes from 900 minutes to 170 minutes in Tamil Nadu. What the new study says? The yearlong study has been funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The landmark study, reduces the symptom-to-door time by effective, early and rapid reperfusion restoring blood flow through blocked arteries, typical after a heart attack. How the traditional treatment is done? Traditionally, a heart attack is treated by two strategies of re-perfusion. If a patient arrives at a hospital equipped with a catheterisation laboratory or cath lab, a procedure known as Primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) is performed an urgent balloon angioplasty. The patient is then Thrombolysed treated to dissolve clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs before being discharged. How the new model works? In the new model, STEMI India, a not-for-profit organisation, use the pharmaco invasive strategy, which can be administered in any small hospital or even in the ambulance. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 8

10 NETAJI IAS 9 The Classic STEMI India model has a hub hospital, where a cath lab is available and primary PCI is done for patients directly presented at these hospitals. These are linked to peripheral spoke hospitals, where thrombolysis is done following which the patient is shifted within three to 24 hours to the hub hospital for invasive treatment. Data was collected from the four hub hospitals and 35 spoke hospitals, before and after the implementation of the heart attack programme. The pre-implementation data collection was for an average period of 15 weeks and the post implementation period of 32 weeks. As a result of the study, there was a steep increase in the rural poor using Below-Poverty-Line (BPL) insurance schemes to access the STEMI system. Way ahead: Any heart attack treatment programme should consider the huge manpower and infrastructure deficiencies that exist in India. Blindly following the American or European system would not be feasible in this country. Source: The Hindu What is the issue? Maternity Leave In Organised Sector The enhancement of paid maternity leave for women in the organised sector to 26 weeks from 12 is a progressive step, one that should lead to w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 9

11 NETAJI IAS 10 closer scrutiny of the difficulties faced by unorganised workers who fall beyond the scope of any worthwhile labour welfare measures. Amendment of Maternity Benefit act, 1961: Such a benefit is being introduced with an amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, in line with several expert recommendations including that of the World Health Organisation, which recommends exclusive breastfeeding of children for the first 24 weeks. The amended law is expected to cover only 1.8 million women, a small subset of women in the workforce. Giving some benefits to adoptive mothers and women who get children using embryo transfers as well signals India is in step with social changes. How things going on in Unorganised sector? For many poor millions in the unorganised sector, the only support available is a small conditional cash benefit of Rs. 6,000 during pregnancy and lactation offered under the Maternity Benefit Programme. Health care for women: Providing benefits for women and children is a societal responsibility which can be funded in a large country through a combination of general taxation and contributory payments from those who have the means. Health care should be treated as a right and deliveries handled without cost to women; the income guarantees during the 26-week period can be ensured through a universal social insurance system. Such a policy would harmonise the varying maternity benefit provisions found in different laws that govern labour at present. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 10

12 NETAJI IAS 11 There would also be no discrimination against women in recruitment by employers who currently have to factor in benefit payments. Conversely, women would not suffer loss of income simply because they cannot remain in employment after childbirth. What else can be done? Beneficiaries covered by the latest amendment must be protected from discrimination through clear provisions. Mandating creche facilities to help women workers under the changed law is a forward-looking move, but it will work well only with a good oversight mechanism. Women s empowerment can be achieved through universal initiatives, not by imposing conditionalities to avail benefits. Access to welfare support has become even more critical as workers migrate frequently due to economic changes. The twin imperatives are, therefore, to create more jobs for women in a diversified economy, and to provide social opportunity through maternal and child welfare measures. Source: The Hindu Nuclear Command Authority Prelim Bits The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) of India is the authority responsible for command, control and operational decisions regarding India's nuclear weapons programme. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 11

13 NETAJI IAS 12 Organisational structure of NCA includes Political Council and Executive Council. Executive Council is headed by National Security Advisor and Political Council is headed by Prime Minister. The Executive Council gives its opinion to the Political Council, which authorises a nuclear attack when deemed necessary. This kind of organisational structure is created to prevent the accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. Strategic Forces Command SFC is a part of Nuclear Command Authority, responsible to operationalize the directives of NCA and for the management and administration of the country s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile. SFC is headed by Commander-in-chief of the rank of Air Marshal. It will have the sole responsibility of initiating the process of delivering nuclear weapons and warheads, after acquiring explicit approval from the NCA. International Vision Zero Conference The conference is being organized by Ministry of Labour and Employment. The conference aims to focus on the Occupational Safety and Health issues and challenges in the Manufacturing, Construction and Mining sector. Jeevan Praman It is computer generated digital life certificate for pensioner using their Biometric Credentials. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 12

14 NETAJI IAS 13 Digital Life Certificate is a valid certificate and recognized under the IT Act. The system benefits the pensioner from having to go before the Pension disbursing Authority to prove that he/she is alive. Pensioners of Central Government, State Government or any other Government organization can take benefit of this facility. w w w. n e t a j i i a s. c o m Page 13