Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Source All India radio

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi gave its approval for restructured Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).   

Influence: Mahatma Gandhi always highlighted the importance of villages and spoke about ‘Gram Swaraj’

Objective:

To make rural local bodies

• Self-sustainable
• Financially stable
• More efficient

Address critical gaps that hinder the success of panchayats by

• Enhancing their capacities and effectiveness
• Promoting devolution of powers and responsibilities

Presence: In all States and Union territories; will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where panchayats do not exist.

Centre-State Responsibility:

• The sharing ratio for the state components will be 60:40 barring the Northeast and hilly states where it will be 90:10.
• For UTs, the central share will be 100 per cent.
• The Central component includes national level activities such as ‘National Plan of Technical Assistance’, ‘Mission Mode project on e-Panchayat’, ‘Incentivisation of Panchayats’; while the State component includes ‘Capacity Building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)’.
• The State Governments will formulate the Annual Action Plans for seeking assistance from the Central Government.

Nature of the Scheme

• The key principles of SDGs, i.e. leaving no one behind, reaching the farthest first and universal coverage, along with gender equality will be embedded in the design of all capacity building interventions including trainings, training modules and materials.
• Priority will be given to subjects of national importance that affects the excluded groups the most, e.g. poverty, primary health services, nutrition, immunization, sanitation, education, water conservation, digital transactions etc.
• The scheme is designed keeping in view programmatic convergence with Mission Antyodaya GPs and 115 Aspirational districtsas identified by NITI Aayog. As Panchayats have representation of Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and women, and are institutions closest to the grass­roots, strengthening Panchayats will promote equity and inclusiveness, along with Social Justiceand economic development of the community.

Impact:

• Help more than 2.55 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to develop governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources.
• Increased use of e-governance by PRIs will help achieve improved service delivery and transparency.
• Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function as effective institutions with social inclusion of citizens particularly the vulnerable groups
• Establish the institutional structure for capacity building of PRIs at the national, state and district level with adequate human resources and infrastructure.
• Panchayats will progressively be strengthened through incentivisation on the basis of nationally important criteria which will encourage competitive spirit among them.

Conclusion:

Individual citizens and village level institutions in rural India have the most at stake in the development of their communities. Good Rural Governance programs empower these communities by engaging citizens and members of village level institutions to actively participate in their own development. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhyaan seeks to include and expand developmental experience at the grassroots level.

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All about agriculture in J&K with PDF

Jammu & Kashmir State is predominantly an agrarian economy with about 80% of its population engaged in agriculture and allied sectors. 
The agro-climatic diversity of the State varying from sub-tropical in Jammu, temperate in Kashmir and cold arid in Ladakh, makes it ideal for varied cultivation. 
The goal before the Agriculture Production Department is to enhance the income of farmers and to generate employment in agriculture and allied sectors. The strategy adopted for this purpose is to increase production and productivity of the crops and to enable farmers to diversify their crop production so as to take advantage of market opportunities. he main role of the department is to help farmers to adopt better technology and to facilitate establishment of infrastructure for farm production and marketing. New avenues are being explored for investment. The department is also promoting diversification of agricultural crops to motivate farmers to move towards low volume-high value crops like vegetables, medicinal plants and niche products like saffron, rajmash, zeera, mushrooms etc.  Agriculture has, after a very long time, occupied centre stage in the economic and administrative discourse in the State at a time when all seemed lost due to the dwindling interest of the younger generation in agriculture activities. The concerted efforts of the Agriculture Production Department have triggered a new hope among the people, which promises profitability and dignity in the agriculture as an occupation

For full article  download Below pdf file 

PDF click here 

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Essay Paper Strategy and Resources – by Abhishesk Surana Rank 10 CSE 2017

It is one of THE Most rewarding paper in the Mains Exam.

When I first started preparing I use to wonder how would it be possible to write 1000-1200 words on two topics in 3 hours. Where would I get the content from? How would I frame the argument? My friends who had appeared in CSE before dismissed these doubts as trivial saying that it is one of the easiest paper in CSE which require least preparation compared to the marks you get.

In the hindsight I would say they were partly correct.

For any UPSC aspirant content is not an issue at all. What one study in GS is actually fodder for essay. The challenge here is to recall those ideas in first 20 minutes and frame a coherent and sensible argument. And this demands practice.But this can only take you so far. Once you get a hang of writing 1000 words on a topic you should start working on structuring your content, getting innovative ideas into your essay, giving a broad perspective to a topic, using quotes and anecdotes.

My strategy

• I used to choose a topic which has lots of dimensions to it. Usually this was the topic on which most people were going to write a essay. While there are advocates of choosing a non mainstream topic, it has inherent risk of backfiring. So I would suggest stick to the popular topic.
• Then I use to list down the random keywords and ideas that use to come to my mind as i start thinking on the topic.
• After 5 minutes I will write the questions that I want to answer in my essay- 5/6 of them – this gives structure to your content
• Now for next 10 mins I use to connect my ideas with the questions. I would try to recall any quotes, data points, anecdotes, movies, books, authors, philosophers, leaders that I could relate with the topic
• In this time I also use to frame a coherent argument along with a decent Introduction and conclusion
• Introduction
  • Hook – something catchy – a quote, data point, short story which catches attention
  • thesis – Brief outline of your argument
  • Background – you can give a historical perspective of the issue or define the topic
• Use of rhetorical questions – at times as they help in giving a structure to the essay.
• Use of headings – not more than 3 in an essay, Your essay should look like a editorial in the Hindu
• Use of diagrams – I am not in favour. An essay is test of your language and writing skills in my opinion.
• Dimensions
  • SPECLIH – Social (Education, Health, Women, Children, other vulnerable groups), Political, Philosophy, Environment, Economic, Cultural (beliefs, attitude, values, ethics ), Linguistic/Local, International, Humanistic, history, Governance, Administration
• Stakeholders to Analyse from different perspectives
  • Individual, Family, Community , Society, Nation, Humanity
• Conclusion
  • Suggestion, Reiterate your core argument, Positive, Reserve best for here
  • I would try to use parallelism if i can. For Ex – Read MLK I have a dream speech

Few More Tips

• Choose a topic where you can argue in a reasonable and balanced manner
• Find the spirit of the topic
• Argument should be coherent.
• Present opposite side
• Introductory Hook, Thesis, Background – should be positive unlike “the world is in chaos, or pollution will kill us”
• Avoid using contraction – it’s , should’ve etc
• Use as less numbers as possible. 2/3 should be used as two thirds
• Bring some originality – give your opinion,
• Substantiate each argument with a “why?”
• You can use an anecdote from a movie or a book. The more contemporary it is the better it would be

DON’T FORGET

• WHAT IS BEING TESTED – YOUR VALUE SYSTEM, YOUR CAPACITY TO ARGUE, YOUR PERSONALITY. YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS NOT BEING TESTED
• THERE IS NO RIGHT AND WRONG SIDE IF YOU CAN ARGUE COHERENTLY
• NEVER GIVE SHALLOW ARGUMENT.
• QUANTITY DOES NOT MATTER. IF YOU CAN ARGUE IN CONCISE MANNER, THAT IS EVEN BETTER

2 Essay Approach

• 80 min for each essay then. (60 min for writing + 20 min for thinking)
• First 10 min choose the topic.
• Last 10 min to revise.
• 8-9 pages for each essay
• 
  

My essay notes

• Certain keywords which can be used in essay
• Essay notes
  • There are a set of openings and ending which you can use in various essays
  • for each topic I’ve divided it into
    • Data
    • Issues
    • Importance
    • Suggestion
    • Quotes
  • Since most of the topics are covered in GS, the notes standalone are not sufficient
  • There are ample number of references from movies, philospohers, books etc
• Few articles/speeches as food for thought
• Shabbir sir class notes  – Vajiram
  • A big credit goes to him. I was able to get a decent score in essay for 3 continuous years following his template

Essay workbook I used – courtesy GS Score

Topper’s booklets from previous years

I would say that your efforts should be in the direction to get a above average score and not the highest marks. At times, many have done miserably in this paper by experimenting with topic, structure, language or content. You should adopt a risk free approach and stick to the conventional wisdom.

My best wishes.

-Abhishek

PS – My essay marks 126(2014), 136(2015), 148(2016) and 136(2017)

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Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018

Cabinet approves the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018

(Relevant for GS prelims, GS Mains Paper II)  

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018 for better protection and promotion of human rights in the country.  

Salient Features:

 1. It proposes to include National Commission for Protection of Child Rights as deemed Member of the Commission;
 2. It proposes to add a woman Member in the composition of the Commission; 
3. It proposes to enlarge the scope of eligibility and scope of selection of Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission as well as the State Human Rights Commission; and 
4. It proposes to incorporate a mechanism to look after the cases of human rights violation in the Union Territories. 

5. It proposes to amend the term of office of Chairperson and Members of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commission to make it in consonance with the terms of Chairperson and Members of other Commissions.  

Benefits: 

The Amendment will strengthen the Human Rights Institutions of India further for effective discharge of their mandates, roles and responsibilities. Moreover, the amended Act will be in perfect sync with the agreed global standards and benchmarks towards ensuring the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual in the country.  

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)  

It is an autonomous public body constituted in year 1993 under Protection of Human Rights Act. It is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the constitution or embodied in the International Covenants. 

  Composition of NHRC 

The NHRC consists of:

  • A Chairperson, should be retired Chief Justice of India though GoI mulling appointment of retired SC Judges as chairperson )

  • One member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India  

• One member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court  

• Two members to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights 

 • In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women and Minorities) serve as ex officio members.  

The sitting Judge of the Supreme Court or sitting Chief Justice of any High Court can be appointed only after the consultation with the Chief Justice of Supreme Court.  Functions of Commission

  1. Enquire suo moto or on a petition into a complaint of violation of human rights. 
2. Intervene in any proceedings involving violation of human rights pending before court but with approval of court. 
3. Review the safeguards provided by constitution or any law for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
 4. Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.   

NHRC reports to the President and Governor on matters relating to Union and State, respectively. President and Governor cause presentation of the report to respective legislatures along with ATR (Action Taken Report) by respective Council of Ministers.  

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India China Wuhan summit 2018

A two day informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in the last week of April 2018.

Background:

• Since the Doklam Standoff,there have been no high level meetings between India and China.
• An informal summit was thus called to improve bilateral tiesand to prevent another standoff at the border.
• The summit had no fixed agenda so that a wide range of issues could be covered.

Note:

• In December 2017, the two Foreign Ministers met in New Delhi followed by a meeting between China’s then state councilor Yang Jiechi and Mr. Modi’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval.
• Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited China in February 2018
• Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman went to China for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meetings.

Significance of the summit:

• The very decision by theChinese President Xi Jinping to spend two days in the cityfor talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends out amessage to Chinese business and political classes that ties with India have the highest approval.
• The summit has shown that despite bilateral and geopolitical differences, India and China can resolve differences peacefully and through prolonged dialogue.
• The summit’s outcomes may have been limited but are very valuable to stabilise the relationship.
• It has underlined the necessity of an entente cordialebetween the two countries, which have becomeincreasingly distrustful of each other.

Major Takeaways:

• Both the countries have decided to “issue strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communication”  in order to build trust and mutual understanding and enhance predictability and effectiveness in the management of border affairs, essentially to avoid another Doklam-like confrontation
• They have addressed measures to balance the ballooning trade deficit of about $52 billion (of about $84 billion bilateral trade), mostly by encouraging agricultural and pharmaceutical exports to China
• Both the countries discussed ajoint project in Afghanistan.This proposed joint economic project in Afghanistan could beinstrumental in mitigating the trust deficit between the two sides.
• They attempted to reduce the heat over unresolved issues and so-called “irritants” in the relationship, such as China’s block on India’s NSG membership bid or the UN’s terror designation for Pakistan-based groups, and India’s opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative or its use of the Tibet issue by strengthening the existing mechanisms of dialogue.

Positive changes after the summit:

• A statement was made by the Chinese vice foreign minister that China will not push India to join its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to connect countries Asia, Europe and Africa amid India’s persistent reservations on Xi’s mega project on the grounds of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and financing patterns.
• Chinese business and industrial houses could now choose India as destination for greenfield projects and not just mergers and acquisitions.

Way Forward:

• The Wuhan summit has recommitted India and China to managing bilateral relations in a manner that creates the conditions for the “Asian Century
• If China and India can cooperate in Afghanistan, they can certainly do so in other parts of the neighbourhood.
• Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi, both withstrong domestic political standing, would be able to reach an agreement, and use it to further consolidate their domestic appeal,
• The “informal summit” is being perceived as a big positive for Chinese companies investing in India as the two governments attempt to reset bilateral ties. This would give a major boost to the Make in India Campaign.

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