22/January/2019

10th Schedule of the Constitution

What to study?

 For Prelims: Features of 10th schedule of the constitution, dismissal,

exceptions and judicial review of the decision.
 For Mains: Significance of anti- defection law, concerns associated with its
misuse and measures to improve its transparency.
Context: The Punjab Assembly has issued notice to Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Former
rebel AAP leader and MLA from Bholath, for disqualification under the 10th
Schedule of the Constitution.

Background:

Mr. Khaira had resigned from the party on January 6, but did not resign as legislator.
Later, he floated a new political outfit.

What is the anti-defection law?

The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd
Amendment Act. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified
on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition
by any other member of the House.

 The decision on question as to disqualification on ground of defection is

referred to the Chairman or the Speaker of such House, and his decision is
final.
 The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
Disqualification:

If a member of a house belonging to a political party:

  Voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party, or
 Votes, or does not vote in the legislature, contrary to the directions of his
political party. However, if the member has taken prior permission, or is
condoned by the party within 15 days from such voting or abstention, the
member shall not be disqualified.
 If an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.
 If a nominated member joins a party six months after he becomes a member of
the legislature.
Exceptions under the law:

Legislators may change their party without the risk of disqualification in certain
circumstances. The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided
that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger. In such a
scenario, neither the members who decide to merge, nor the ones who stay with the
original party will face disqualification.

Decision of the Presiding Officer is subject to judicial review:

The law initially stated that the decision of the Presiding Officer is not subject to
judicial review. This condition was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1992,
thereby allowing appeals against the Presiding Officer’s decision in the High Court
and Supreme Court. However, it held that there may not be any judicial intervention
until the Presiding Officer gives his order.

Triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: Triple-drug therapy, lymphatic filariasis- key facts, global
concern on the disease.

Context: A pilot project to administer triple drug therapy with the long term aim of
eradicating lymphatic filariasis was recently launched in Nagpur,
Maharashtra. Nagpur is one of the five districts in the country and only one in
Maharashtra where this triple drug therapy campaign is being launched.
Triple drug therapy:

 The World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending three drug treatment

to accelerate the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis.
 The treatment, known as IDA, involves a combination of ivermectin,
diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole. It is being recommended annually
in settings where its use is expected to have the greatest impact.
 The third drug being used in this therapy will help control adult worms of
lymphatic filariasis. Micro filariasis, which is produced by adult worms, is the
cause of swollen leg. Previously the adult worms were sterilized by drugs and
remained inactive for a year. Now that period will increase to two years.
 The plan is to administer these drugs for two consecutive years. The life of
the adult worm is hardly four years, so it would die a natural death without
causing any harm to the person.
Need for and significance of the therapy:

Lymphatic filariasis poses a grave threat to India. Over 40% of worldwide cases are
found in India. Since 2004, two drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis has been in
place but the addition of the third drug now will give a boost to the overall campaign.

India has missed earlier deadlines to eradicate the disease by 2015 and 2017. The
global deadline now is 2020and the three drug approach may help the country get
there.

Lymphatic filariasis:

Caused by infection with parasitic worms living in the lymphatic system. The larval
stages of the parasite (microfilaria) circulate in the blood and are transmitted from
person to person by mosquitoes.

Manifestation of the disease after infection takes time and can result in an altered
lymphatic system, causing abnormal enlargement of body parts, and leading to severe
disability and social stigmatization of those affected.
The parasites are transmitted by four main types of mosquitoes: Culex, Mansonia,
Anopheles and Aedes.

Project ReWeave

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: Project ReWeave- features, significance and potential.

Context: Microsoft India has launched a new e-commerce platform ‘re-weave.in’

under project ReWeave to help handloom weavers.

Significance of the e-commerce platform:

 Connect artisans to the buyers directly enabling them to expand to newer

customers and markets.
 Provide a platform to showcase signature collections created by the weaver
communities, showcase traditional designs and products created from natural
dyes to a broad set of customers.
 Aid in weavers in increasing their income and earning a sustainable livelihood
while also reviving traditional forgotten Indian art.
About Project ReWeave:

Initiated by Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt. Limited in 2016 as part of its Philanthropies
efforts.

Aim: To revive the handloom weaving ecosystem in India.

Features: Under the initiative, Microsoft is working closely with NGO partner,
Chaitanya Bharathi to provide infrastructure, financing and marketing support to help
weaver families keep their weaving traditions alive by sustaining livelihoods.
 National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: Features, performance and significance of NSAP.

Context: The Rural Development Ministry has proposed to bring in the following
changes in monthly pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme
(NSAP):

1. For the elderly poor, disabled and widows pensions are to be increased from the
current ₹200 to ₹800.
2. For those above the age of 80, the proposal is to increase the pension from ₹500
to ₹1,200 a month.

What next?

The Ministry has submitted the proposal, which would have an additional annual cost
implication of ₹18,000 crore, to the Finance Ministry to be considered for inclusion in
the interim Budget to be presented on February 1.

About National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):

The NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural

Development. It came into effect from 15th August,1995.

It represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the DPSP in Article 41 of

the Constitution. In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the
State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age,
sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of
its economic capacity and development.

It aims to provide financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with
disabilities in the form of social pensions.

Coverage: It currently covers more than three crore people who are below the poverty
line (BPL), including about 80 lakh widows, 10 lakh disabled and 2.2 crore elderly.

Presently NSAP comprises of five schemes, namely:

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).

2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS).
3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).
4. National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS).
5. Annapurna
6. Arab Economic and Social Development Summit

7.

8. What to study?

9. For Prelims and Mains: About Arab Economic and Social Development
Summit, Arab League and Beirut declaration, brief overview of Syrian
refugee crisis- causes, concerns and measures in place.

10.

11. Context: Arab leaders and officials have urged the international community to
support nations hosting Syrian refugees and take steps to minimise the impact
of the refugee crisis. The call was made in the Beirut Declaration at the Arab
 Economic and Social Development Summit that concluded in the Lebanese
capital recently.

12.

13. Significance of the declaration:

14. This is the first time Arab countries have reached a consensus on
encouraging Syrian refugees to return to their country.

15. The declaration said, the refugee crisis in Arab countries is the worst
humanitarian problem since World War II. It points out that the crisis leads to
an economic slowdown, increases the expenditure and deficit, imposes
burdens on public sectors and infrastructure and poses risks to the society.

16.

17. Arab Economic and Social Development summits:

18. They are summits of the Arab League, held at the head of state level to address
issues of economic and social development among member-states.

19.

20. What is Arab League?

21. The Arab League is a regional organization of Arab countries in and around
North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Arabia.

22. It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Kingdom of
Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Currently,
the League has 22 members, but Syria’s participation has been suspended since
November 2011, as a consequence of government repression during the Syrian
Civil War.
 23. The League’s main goal is to “draw closer the relations between member
States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their
independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and
interests of the Arab countries“.

Groundwater ‘time bomb’ is ticking

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: Groundwater crisis- causes, extent, concerns, challenges
and measures by govt to save groundwater.

Context: Future generations face an environmental “time bomb” as the world’s

groundwater systems take decades to respond to the present day impact of climate
change, scientists have warned.

What’s the issue?

As per the findings by an international team of researchers, groundwater reserves are

already under pressure as the global population explodes and crop production rises
in lockstep. But the extreme weather events such as drought and record rainfall —
both made worse by our heating planet — could have another long-lasting impact on
how quickly reserves replenish.

Why is the crisis described as a time bomb?

Researchers found that only half of all groundwater supplies are likely to fully
replenish or re-balance within the next 100 years — potentially leading to shortages in
drier areas. This could be described as an environmental time bomb because any
climate change impacts on recharge occurring now, will only fully impact the
baseflow to rivers and wetlands a long time later.

The process through which rainwater is filtered through bedrock and accumulated
underground can take centuries and varies greatly by region. As climate change
delivers longer droughts and bigger superstorms, the extremes of rainfall become
more pronounced, impacting groundwater reserves for generations to come. In arid
areas took far longer — several thousand years in some cases — to respond to
alterations in climate than reserves in more humid parts.

Situation of groundwater in India:

Today, India is the largest user of the groundwater in the world with almost 90%
being used for drinking water and almost 60-70% for irrigation. Current statistics
also show that nearly 50% of urban water supply comes from groundwater. India is on
the threshold of a very serious groundwater crisis, which needs mitigation both in the
fields and at the policy corridors of the country.

The groundwater crisis is embedded at two different levels:

1. Groundwater exploitation of aquifers (where groundwater is stored) in

different parts of the India and
2. Groundwater contamination that find origins, both in geogenic source such as
Arsenic and Fluoride along with anthropogenic sources of contamination
primarily due to poor disposal of waste and wastewater.

Concern:
Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food
security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the
world. Drought afflicts some of the world’s poorest countries, worsening hunger and
malnutrition.

Need of the hour:

There is a need to modernise the regulatory framework for accessing groundwater

soon after massive expansion in mechanical pumping led to the realisation that
recharge could not keep pace with use.

23/January/2019

Article 35A and related issues

What to study?

 For Prelims: Features of Article 35A.

 For Mains: Controversies and issues associated, is it discriminatory in
nature? do we need to scrap Article 35A? other alternatives.
Context: The Supreme Court has said that it would take an “in-chamber” decision on
listing of a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which
provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

‘In-chamber’ decision refers to a process of decision making where the orders are
issued from the Justice’s chambers without a formal court proceeding.

Background:
In August last year, the top court adjourned hearing on a batch of petitions
challenging Article 35A till January this year, after taking note of submissions of the
Centre and the state government that there was a law and order problem in the state.

What’s the issue?

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court which says Article 35A was against
the “very spirit of oneness of India” as it created a “class within a class of Indian
citizens”. It said restricting citizens from other States from getting employment or
buying property within Jammu and Kashmir is a violation of fundamental rights
under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.

What is Article 35A?

Article 35A is a provision incorporated in the Constitution giving the Jammu and
Kashmir Legislature a carte blanche to decide who all are ‘permanent residents’ of
the State and confer on them special rights and privileges in public sector jobs,
acquisition of property in the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare.

The provision mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be
challenged for violating the Constitution or any other law of the land.

How did it come about?

Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution in 1

954 by an order of the then President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the
Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet.

 The controversial Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order of

1954 followed the 1952 Delhi Agreement entered into between Nehru and the
then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah, which
extended Indian citizenship to the ‘State subjects’ of Jammu and Kashmir.
 The Presidential Order was issued under Article 370 (1) (d) of the
Constitution. This provision allows the President to make certain “exceptions
 and modifications” to the Constitution for the benefit of ‘State subjects’ of
Jammu and Kashmir.
 So, Article 35A was added to the Constitution as a testimony of the special
consideration the Indian government accorded to the ‘permanent residents’ of
Jammu and Kashmir.

Critical side of Article 35A:

How Article 35A is against the “very spirit of oneness of India” as it creates a “class
within a class of Indian citizens”?

 It treats non-permanent residents of J&K as ‘second-class’ citizens.

 Non-permanent residents of J&K are not eligible for employment under the
State government and are also debarred from contesting elections.
 Meritorious students are denied scholarships and they cannot even seek
redress in any court of law.
 Further, the issues of refugees who migrated to J&K during Partition are still
not treated as ‘State subjects’ under the J&K Constitution.
 It was inserted unconstitutionally, bypassing Article 368 which empowers
only Parliament to amend the Constitution.
 The laws enacted in pursuance of Article 35A are ultra vires of the
fundamental rights conferred by Part III of the Constitution, especially, and
not limited to, Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (protection of life).
Way ahead:

This matter requires the active participation of all stakeholders. It is necessary to give
confidence to the residents of J&K that any alteration in status quo will not take away
their rights but will boost J&K’s prosperity as it will open doors for more investment,
resulting in new opportunities. Article 35A, which was incorporated about six decades
ago, now requires a relook, especially given that J&K is now a well-established
democratic State.

Mekedatu project
What to study?

 For Prelims: Key facts and location of Mekedatu dam and about the Cauvery
river and its tributaries, about CWC.
 For Mains: Controversy over the project, what’s the way out, need for a
uniform mechanism to solve river water disputes.

Context: The Karnataka Government has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) of
the Mekedatu project to the Central Water Commission (CWC). As per the DPR, the
total project cost will be the Rs 5,900 crore.

What next?

1. Now, the DPR will be placed before the Cauvery Water Management
Authority (CWMA) and after its approval, will be brought before the Advisory
Committee of the Union Ministry of Water Resources.
2. The DPR will be examined in specialised directorates of CWC including the
Inter-State Matters Directorate, and if found acceptable, will be submitted to
the Advisory Committee of Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects of the
Ministry of Water Resources, for acceptance.
3. On the basis of the note prepared by CWC and deliberations during the meeting
of the Advisory Committee, a decision on acceptance of the project will be
taken.

Why is Tamil Nadu opposing?

Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing the project and the CWC’s decision to
grant permission for Karnataka to prepare the DPR.
Arguments of TN:

1. Proposed reservoir violates the decisions of the Supreme Court and the
Cauvery Tribunal. The Supreme Court had noted that the existing storage in
the Cauvery basin of Karnataka should be taken into account for ensuring water
releases to Tamil Nadu during the period of June to January.
2. The centre says that the DPR submitted by Karnataka was subject to the
amicable resolution of connected inter-State matters. However, Kerala,
referring to the Guidelines of Submission, Appraisal and Acceptance of
Irrigation and Multipurpose Project of 2017, argued that inter-State aspects
had to be dealt with even at the stage of preparing the pre-feasibility report on
the project.

About Mekedatu dam project:

Being set up by the Karnataka government, the project is near Mekedatu, in

Ramanagaram district, across the river Cauvery from Tamil Nadu. Its primary
objective is to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and recharge the groundwater
table in the region.

About CWC:

Presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources,

River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.

Entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering

in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control,
conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of
Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power
Development.
Headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government
of India.

Facts for Prelims- Cauvery River:

 River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in south-western

Karnataka state.
 It flows in a south-easterly direction for 475 miles through the states of
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Before emptying into the Bay of Bengal south of
Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, the river breaks into a large number of distributaries.
 In the upper course, at the Krishnaraja Sagara, the Kaveri is joined by two
tributaries, the Hemavati and Lakshmantirtha, where a dam was constructed
for irrigation.
 Upon entering Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri continues through a series of twisted
wild gorges until it reaches Hogenakal Falls. There the Mettur Dam was
constructed for irrigation and hydel power.
 The Kaveri’s main tributaries are the Kabani (Kabbani), Amaravati, Noyil,
and Bhavani rivers.

‘Size India’ project

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: The project, objectives and significance, need for a
standard size.
Context: The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) will work with
the Union Ministry of Textiles in the “Size India” project, which is expected to be
launched next month.

CMAI will conduct a study across India to arrive at standard sizes.

About ‘Size India’ project:

The ‘Size India’ project will help create a India-specific size chart for the textiles
and garment industry.

Aim: To arrive at standard Indian sizes for apparels.

Significance: The project will reduce overall prices and the consumers will stand to
benefit from it.

Details of the project:

 Under the project, anthropometric data will be collected from 25,000 sample
(with men and women in equal numbers) population in age group 15 to 65
years across six major cities.
 It will create database of measurements that will result in standardized size
chart which is representative of Indian population and can be adopted by
apparel industry.

Why have standard size?

Apparel retail is one of the important drivers of modern retail in India, with its total
size estimated to be $72 billion.
  Developed countries such as the U.S. and U.K. have standard sizes for
apparels. Having standard sizes will reassure customers when they purchase a
product, both online and at outlets, and will reduce wastages for the apparel
manufacturers.
 At present, large percentage of population face difficulty in finding clothes
that fit them perfectly according to their body measurements. This is mainly
due to differences in anthropometric built of people in different geographical
regions across the country.
‘Size India’ project

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: The project, objectives and significance, need for a
standard size.

Context: The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) will work with
the Union Ministry of Textiles in the “Size India” project, which is expected to be
launched next month.

CMAI will conduct a study across India to arrive at standard sizes.

About ‘Size India’ project:

The ‘Size India’ project will help create a India-specific size chart for the textiles
and garment industry.

Aim: To arrive at standard Indian sizes for apparels.

Significance: The project will reduce overall prices and the consumers will stand to
benefit from it.

Details of the project:

 Under the project, anthropometric data will be collected from 25,000 sample
(with men and women in equal numbers) population in age group 15 to 65
years across six major cities.
 It will create database of measurements that will result in standardized size
chart which is representative of Indian population and can be adopted by
apparel industry.

Why have standard size?

Apparel retail is one of the important drivers of modern retail in India, with its total
size estimated to be $72 billion.

 Developed countries such as the U.S. and U.K. have standard sizes for
apparels. Having standard sizes will reassure customers when they purchase a
product, both online and at outlets, and will reduce wastages for the apparel
manufacturers.
 At present, large percentage of population face difficulty in finding clothes
that fit them perfectly according to their body measurements. This is mainly
due to differences in anthropometric built of people in different geographical
regions across the country.
ILO Commission’s Future of Work Report

What to study?
  For Prelims: About Global Commission on the Future of Work and ILO.
 For Mains: Highlights of the report, concerns raised, challenges and
recommendations made.

Context: The Global Commission on the Future of Work released its report on Jan
22. The document calls on governments to take steps to address the challenges caused
by unprecedented transformations going on in the world of work.

Concerns and challenges highlighted by the report:

 Due to the unprecedented transformational change in the world of work, there

are several transformational challenges that are bound to occur.
 Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics will lead to job losses, as skills
become obsolete.

Among the 10 recommendations are:

 A universal labour guarantee that protects fundamental workers’ rights, an

adequate living wage, limits on hours of work and safe and healthy workplaces.
 Guaranteed social protection from birth to old age that supports people’s needs
over the life cycle.
 A universal entitlement to lifelong learning that enables people to skill, reskill
and upskill.
 Managing technological change to boost decent work, including an
international governance system for digital labour platforms.
 Greater investments in the care, green and rural economies.
 A transformative and measurable agenda for gender equality.
 Reshaping business incentives to encourage long-term investments.
Need of the hour:

It is time for a vision for a human-centred agenda that is based on investing in

people’s capabilities, institutions of work and in decent and sustainable work.

 Countless opportunities lie ahead to improve the quality of working lives,

expand choice, close the gender gap, reverse the damages wreaked by global
inequality. Yet none of this will happen by itself.
 Governments, trade unions and employers need to work together, to make
economies and labour markets more inclusive. Such a social dialogue can help
make globalization work for everyone.

About Global Commission on Future of Work:

The formation of a ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work marks the second
stage in the ILO Future of Work Initiative.

 Its job is to undertake an in-depth examination of the future of work that can
provide the analytical basis for the delivery of social justice in the 21st
century.
 Its job also includes identifying the key challenges facing the world of work
and making practical recommendations about how these may be addressed in
the future.

Facts for Prelims:

Arrow 3 interceptor system:

What is it? Arrow 3 interceptor system was recently successfully tested.

Features:

 Arrow 3 is intended to serve as Israel’s highest-altitude missile interception

system.
 It is jointly funded, developed and produced by Israel and the United States.
 The system is designed to shoot down missiles above the atmosphere.
 Israel’s Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and
produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.
Concern: Arrow 3 may serve as an anti-satellite weapon, which would make Israel
one of the world’s few countries capable of shooting down satellites.

Global Talent Competitive Index 2019:

Context: Global Talent Competitive Index (GTCI) for 2019 has been released.

 GTCI, launched in 2013, is an annual benchmarking report that measures the

ability of countries to compete for talent.
 It is released by INSEAD business school in partnership with Tata
Communications and Adecco Group.
 The report measures levels of Global Talent Competitiveness by looking at 68
variables such as ease of hiring, gender earnings gap, and prevalence of training
in firms.
India’s performance:

 Ranked at 80.
 India’s biggest challenge is to improve its ability to attract and retain talent.
 There is a need to address its poor level of Internal Openness in particular with
respect to weak gender equality and low tolerances towards minorities and
immigrants.
Global performance:

 Switzerland followed by Singapore, the US, Norway and Denmark were in the
top five on the list.
 China emerged as the best performer among the BRICS countries, with an
overall position of 45th.