MANIFEST IAS FORTNIGHTLYMANIFESTO-ARTICLES ISSUE 30 · manifest ias___ _ __ fortnightlymanifesto-articles_ ___issue 30 2 content history, art and culture.....3

MANIFEST IAS_______ ___ ____ FORTNIGHTLYMANIFESTO-ARTICLES____________________ __________________ISSUE 30

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Content

HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE .................................................................................................................... 3

POONA PACT .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

INDIAN POLITY ................................................................................................................................................ 4

DEATH PENALTY AND SHATRUGHAN CHAUHAN CASE ............................................................................................... 4 MPLAD SCHEME SUSPENDED ....................................................................................................................................... 5 SUPREME COURT AND LIMITATION ACT ....................................................................................................................... 8

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, ISSUES AND INSTITUTIONS ........................................................... 9

INTERPOL ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 US TO HOST G7 ............................................................................................................................................................ 11

INDIAN ECONOMY ........................................................................................................................................ 13

CHALLENGES TO REOPEN THE ECONOMY .................................................................................................................. 13 ELECTRICITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020 ................................................................................................................ 15 BUSINESS CYCLE ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 ECONOMIC CENSUS IN INDIA ....................................................................................................................................... 19 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DEBT FUND CRISIS .............................................................................................................. 20 WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) ............................................................................................................... 23

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 25

BIO FORTIFICATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE ............................................................................................................................................. 27

ENVIRONMENT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 29

SAARC COVID 19 EMERGENCY FUND ..................................................................................................................... 29

INTERNAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE .................................................................................................... 30

FIRE SAFETY CODE FOR BUILDINGS ............................................................................................................................ 30


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Poona Pact Manifest pedagogy: The topic focuses on the fight led by leaders like Gandhiji and Dr.Ambedkar for the

upliftment of depressed classes. As the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji was celebrated in 2019, his views on different issues are important mainly for mains.

Placing it in syllabus: Modern Indian history Dimensions: o Round table conferences o McDonald award o Poona pact o Malviya’s opposition to Communal award o Gandhi-Ambedkar differences in approach towards depressed classes

Content: Round table conferences: The three Round Table Conferences (RTC)

were organized between 1930 and 1932 by British government towards constitutional reforms in India. During the 1st conference, a demand for separate electorates for the untouchables was put forward by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who represented depressed classes in the conference.

During the 2nd conference, the British decided to grant a communal award for representing minorities in India by providing for separate electorates for minority communities. In this conference, INC took part and Mahatma Gandhi was appointed as sole representative of Indian National Congress.

Gandhi and Ambedkar differed on the issue of separate electorates for the untouchables. Gandhi was against treating untouchables as separate from the Hindu community. This issue was resolved through the Poona Pact 1932.

McDonald award: The Communal Award was made by the British

Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald on 16 August 1932.

It was announced after the failure of the Second RTC.

The separate electorate was introduced in Government of India Act 1909 for Muslims and extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by Government of India Act 1919.

Now the award provided separate representation for the Scheduled Castes.

The Scheduled Castes were assigned a number of seats to be filled by election from special constituencies in which scheduled castes could vote.

The Award was controversial as it was believed by some to have been brought in by the British to create social divide among the Hindus.

Malviya’s opposition to communal award: The Congress Nationalist Party (CNP) was a

political party in British India. In protest against the Communal Award, Madan

Mohan Malaviya and Madhav Aney split away from the Indian National Congress and started CNP in 1934.

The party contested the 1934 elections to the central legislature and won 12 seats.

The Congress and the Nationalists together formed the majority in the Central Legislative Assembly.

By 1941, it was the main opposition party in the assembly.

Poona pact: It refers to an agreement between B. R.

Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of depressed classes and upper caste Hindu leaders on the reservation of electoral seats for the depressed classes in the legislature of British India government.

However, Gandhi was not involved in signing the pact.

It was made on 24 September 1932 at Yerwada Central Jail in Poona, India.


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It was signed by Ambedkar on behalf of the depressed classes and Madan Mohan Malviya on behalf of the Upper Caste Hindus as a means to end the fast that Gandhi was undertaking in jail as a protest against the MacDonald communal award.

They finally agreed upon 147 electoral seats. Terms of the pact: Seat reservation for the SCs and STs in

provincial legislature. The STs and SCs would form an electoral college

which would elect four candidates for the general electorate.

The representation of these classes was based on the standards of joint electorates and reserved seats.

About 19 per cent of seats were to be reserved for these classes in the legislature.

The system of election to the panel of candidates in both, Central and Provincial Legislature should come to end in 10 years, unless it ends on mutual terms.

In every province, the SCs and STs should be provided with sufficient educational facilities.

Gandhi Ambedkar differences in approach towards depressed classes: Gandhi, who was opposed to the Communal Award which proposed separate SC electorates, didn’t object to similar provisions for Muslims or Sikhs. He began a fast unto death to have it repealed. In a settlement negotiated with Gandhi, Ambedkar

agreed for depressed class candidates to be elected by a joint electorate. However, on his insistence, slightly over twice as many seats (147) were reserved for the depressed classes in the legislature than what had been allotted under the Communal Award. The Poona Pact was an emphatic acceptance by upper-class Hindus that the depressed classes constituted the most discriminated sections of Hindu society. While Ambedkar preferred a rights-based approach, Gandhi’s approach was through faith and spirituality. Gandhi felt that any exploitative relationship could be rectified only when the exploiter had a change of heart. So he worked with upper castes to change their mind set. Ambedkar wanted the primary election system to terminate automatically after a decade, and reserved seats after 15 further years, conditional on a referendum on the issue among the so-called depressed classes. Gandhi was opposed to it and wanted the referendum after five years. Ambedkar’s reading of caste pivoted on seeing the Dalit question as a political issue and not only a social one as Gandhi did. To him, the idea of citizenship included depressed classes participating in the electoral process with equal voting rights and this was a way to achieve full potential of democracy. Mould Your Thoughts: What is the McDonald's communal award?

Following this, why was the Poona pact signed?

Death Penalty and Shatrughan Chauhan case Manifest pedagogy: With the delay in Nirbhaya case verdict and a central government plea for society

centric guidelines in case of death penalty, different Supreme Court decisions in this regard is important for UPSC mains.

In news: Central government had pushed for faster review of mercy petitions in Nirbhaya case. Placing it in syllabus: Death penalty in India Static dimensions: Judgement in the Shatrughan case Current dimensions: o Criticisms against the case during Nirbhaya judgement o Recommendations made to correct loopholes


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Content: Judgement in the case: The then Chief Justice P. Sathasivam had

delivered the judgement in Shatrughan Chauhan case in 2014.

The undue delay by President in rejecting mercy to a death row convict amounts to torture.

Such inordinate and unexplained delay by the President is sufficient in itself to entitle the convict to a commutation.

The court had refused to fix a certain number of years above which undue delay would amount to torture.

The crime in question is irrelevant while deciding the effects of keeping a death row prisoner waiting for a decision on his or her mercy petition.

The suffering that comes with anticipating death on an everyday basis for the judges amounted to torture, which was violative of the Right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Criticisms against the case during Nirbhaya judgement: Due to "deliberate delays" in the execution of

four Nirbhaya convicts, the Central government had moved a petition in January, 2020, before the Supreme Court to consider "victim centric" and “society-centric” guidelines.

The plea by the Ministry of Home Affairs came in the aftermath of the four Nirbhaya convicts separately and repeatedly approaching the courts for one relief or the other.

Their execution dates were kept on extended for months before they were hanged on March 20, 2020.

The guidelines laid down in the 2014 judgement of Shatrughan Chauhan case set out provisions for curative plea even after the appeal process at every judicial level and review plea in the Supreme Court.

The 2014 verdict was blamed as “accused-centric”.

Hence the government had argued that there have been several instances where the convicts "under the garb of Article 21 took the judicial process for a ride" and sought modification of the guidelines.

These guidelines did not take into account of irreparable mental trauma, agony and upheaval of the victims and their family members and the deterrent effect which the capital punishment intends to make.

Recommendations made to correct loopholes: The rules currently in place call for death

penalty to be carried out for all convicts at the same time.

This, according to the government, allows convicts to move different petitions one after the other and delay the process.

The MHA, in its plea filed through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, urged the court to fix a time limit within which the convict of death sentence should file curative petition.

The 14 day period for mercy plea should be reduced to 7 days.

If a mercy plea has already been rejected, a death warrant should be issued within the next seven days and execution carried out a week thereafter.

The pendency of review or curative petitions of his co-convicts would be of no consequence for a man whose mercy plea has been rejected.

Mould Your Thoughts: Critically analyse the guidelines laid down by

the Supreme Court on death penalty in Shatrughan Chauhan case. How can the loopholes in the judgement be corrected?

MPLAD scheme suspended Manifest pedagogy: With the growing concern of COVID 19 on one end and importance of necessary

works in MP constituencies on the other end, the suspension of MPLAD scheme has come as a deathblow to the grassroots developmental works.


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In news: The Centre has temporarily suspended the MPLAD fund scheme for the next two years (2020-22).

Placing it in syllabus: MPLADS Static dimensions: o What is the scheme about? o List of eligible and ineligible works o Criticisms against the scheme Current dimensions: Reasons for its suspension Content: It is decided to transfer the sum that members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were entitled to annually, to execute developmental projects in their constituencies, to the Consolidated Fund of India for Covid-19 related spending. A total of ₹7,900 crore of MPLADS money is to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund of India. What is the scheme about? A Member of Parliament Local Area

Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a scheme formulated by Government of India on 23 December 1993.

It enables the MPs to sanction up to Rs 5 crore per year and recommend developmental work in their constituencies with an emphasis on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

Initially, this scheme was administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Since 1994, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) has been looking into its working.

Elected Members of Rajya Sabha representing the whole of the State as they do, may select works for implementation in one or more district(s) as they may choose.

Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may also select works for implementation in one or more districts, anywhere in the country.

MPs can also recommend work of upto Rs. 25 lakhs per year outside their constituency or state of election to promote national unity, harmony and fraternity.

MPs can recommend work of upto 25 lakh for Natural Calamity in the state and upto Rs. 1 crore in the country in case of Calamity of Severe Nature (e.g. Tsunami, major cyclones and earthquakes).

The funds are held by the district collector and allocated to various development projects on the MP’s say-so.

Thus MPs can only recommend, but District Authorities have the ultimate power to sanction it.

A State level nodal department is chosen, which is responsible for supervision and monitoring and maintaining coordination with line departments.

Funds are non-lapsable in nature i.e. in case of non-release of fund in a particular year it is carried forward to the next year.

MPs need to recommend work worth at least 15% and 7.5% of their funds to create assets in areas inhabited by SCs and STs respectively.

Funds for MPLADS can be converged with MGNREGA for creating more durable assets and with the National Program for Development of Sports (Khelo India).

List of eligible and ineligible works: Key priority sectors include drinking water

facility, education, electricity, non-conventional energy resources, healthcare and sanitation, irrigation facilities, railways, roads, pathways and bridges, sports, agriculture and allied activities, self-help group development, urban development.

Other works permitted include construction of railway halt stations, providing CCTV cameras in strategic locations, installation of bio-digesters at stations, schools, hospitals, installation of rainwater harvesting systems in public spaces, construction of shelters for skill development.

Works not permitted are construction of office and residential buildings for public and private


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agencies, land acquisition or paying compensation, naming assets after individuals, grants or loans to state/central relief fund, assets for individual benefits, works on lands belonging to religious groups, execution of works in unauthorized colonies.

Criticisms against the scheme: A cumulative amount of Rs 5,275.24 crore

has remained unspent under the scheme as on March 4, 2020, as per the data given by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.

Often, the implementation of projects recommended and sanctioned in one financial

year tends to spill over into the next and the money allocated for an unfinished project reflects in the unspent balance with the district authority.

As funds are usually released in two instalments every year by the Union government into the account of nodal district authorities, the system shows funds in the pipeline for on-going works as unspent balance.

Also data analysis of reports of the Ministry on fund utilisation has shown that Lok Sabha MPs elected in 2014 have not utilised their funds as effectively as MPs who were elected in

2004 and 2009. E.g. the unspent money under the MPLAD Scheme has risen by 214.63 per cent between the 15th and 16th Lok Sabha.

Reasons for its suspension: On March 24, 2020 MOSPI issued a circular

allowing the MPs to use their entitlement for 2020-21 to purchase items like infra-red thermometers, face masks and gloves, personal protection equipment kits and ventilators for use in government hospitals and dispensaries.

On March 28th a circular was issued which stated that MPs may contribute a part of their entitlement for 2020-21 to Covid-19 specific funds of the Centre and use the balance for

activities in their constituencies. However, on April 7th, 2020 the cabinet

approved the central government order of suspending MPLADS for two years, which is one of the measures taken in preparation for a fight against coronavirus.

This suspension would help the government save a total of around Rs 8,000 crore in two years (government has allocated Rs 3,960 crore for 2020-21).

Criticisms against the move: With some states and districts more impacted

by the coronavirus outbreak, MPLADS funds


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could have filled the gaps in relief work left by the central and state governments.

Decentralised interventions are most effective when it comes to tackling disasters or epidemics. The decision to centralise these funds will immensely weaken the efforts of state governments against Covid19.

MPLADS preserved the sense of direct responsibility for the well-being of constituents

which is the hallmark of a MP's work. But now the priorities and preferences of the centre would be followed as the money will be allocated by it.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is the MPLAD scheme? Critically analyse

the recent decision of its suspension by the central government.

Supreme Court and limitation act Manifest pedagogy: The topic deals with the plenary powers of the Supreme Court as well as steps taken

by it to maintain social distancing in the judiciary. It also explains the scope of the Limitation Act. In news: SC has invoked Limitation Act Placing it in syllabus: Supreme Court powers Static dimensions: What is the Limitation Act and its provisions? Current dimensions: o Act recently invoked by the SC o Importance of the Act Content: The Supreme Court has announced a list

of measures that the court will be taking to help practice social distancing in the judiciary. The apex court will now give lawyers the option of arguing their cases through video conferencing.

What is the Limitation Act? The Limitation Act, 1963 is the legislation that

governs the period within which suits are to be filed, with relevant provisions for delay, condo nation thereof etc...

If the suit is filed after the expiration of the time period as specified in this act, it will be barred by limitation.

The first Limitation Law was established in 1859 which came into operation in 1862.

Finally it took the form of the Limitation Act in 1963 and came into force from 1st January, 1964.

The main objective of the LA,1963 is to provide a specific time frame within which a person can file a suit in a court.

It aims to protect the lengthy process of penalising a person indirectly without an offence.

Provisions: The Limitation Act contains 32 Sections and

137 Articles. The articles have been divided into 10 parts.

There is no uniform limitation for the suits under which the classifications have been attempted.

The limitation period is reduced from a period of 60 years to 30 years in case of mortgages for foreclosure or suits by or on the behalf of the Central Government or any State Government.

A period of 12 years has been prescribed for different kinds of suits relating to immovable property, trusts and us endowments.

A period of 3 years has been prescribed for the suits relating to accounts, contracts and declarations, decrees and instruments as well as movable property.

A period varying from 1 to 3 years has been prescribed for suits relating to torts and miscellaneous matters.

The Act recently invoked by the SC: The Supreme Court recently invoked its

plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to extend the limitation period of appeals from high courts or tribunals on account of coronavirus pandemic.

To obviate difficulties and to ensure that lawyers/litigants do not have to come physically to file proceedings in respective courts/tribunals across the country, the period


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of limitation in all proceedings, has been extended from March 15, 2020 till further orders.

SC has decided to resort to the digital mode to maintain social distancing and prevent spread of infection and the cases would be heard through an app called ‘Vidyo’.

Section 4 of the Act states that “where the prescribed period for any suit, appeal or application expires on a day when the court is closed, the suit, appeal or application may be instituted, preferred or made on the day when the court re-opens.

Importance of the Act: The Limitation Act, 1963 signifies that it does

not make any racial or class distinction since both Hindu and Muslim Law are now available

under the law of limitation as per the existing statute.

The major purpose of the Act is not to destroy or infringe the rights of an aggrieved person but to serve the public in a better way and to save time.

This statute is basically founded on the public policy for fixing a life span for the legal actions which are taking place and to seek remedy in time with the purpose of general welfare.

It helps in avoiding the unexplainable delay and latches in a suit.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is the Limitation Act? Explain its

importance.

INTERPOL Manifest pedagogy: This topic focuses on the functions and role played by Interpol in solving

international crimes. It also deals with different notices dealt by Interpol. Hence it is important both from prelims and mains perspective.

In news: The Interpol had issued a Blue Corner Notice against self-styled godman Nithyananda in order to locate him.

Placing it in syllabus: International organisations Dimensions: o History, origin, structure and functions o Different types of notice o Criticisms against it Content: History, structure and functions: The International Criminal Police

Organisation (INTERPOL) is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.

It is headquartered in Lyon, France. It has seven regional bureaus worldwide and

a National Central Bureau (NCB) in all 194 member states, making it the world's largest police organization.

India has been a member since 1956. India maintains a NCB which serves as the

national platform for cooperation between domestic law enforcement units and the international police community.

Note: UN member states without membership are Micronesia, North Korea, Palau, and Tuvalu History: It originated with the first International

Criminal Police Congress in 1914, which brought officials from 24 countries to discuss cooperation on law enforcement matters.

It was founded in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC).

In 1946, after the end of World War II, the organization was revived as the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) by officials from Belgium, France, Scandinavia and the UK.


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In 1956, the ICPC adopted a new constitution and the name INTERPOL.

Structure: The General Assembly is the governing body

and it brings all countries together once a year to take decisions.

The General Secretariat coordinates the day-to-day activities to fight a range of crimes.

Run by the Secretary General, it is staffed by both police and civilians.

In each country, an INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) provides the central point of contact for the General Secretariat and other NCBs.

The NCB is run by national police officials and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing.

Functions: The General Secretariat provides a range of

expertise and services to the member countries. It manages 18 police databases with

information on crimes and criminals (from names and fingerprints to stolen passports), accessible in real-time to countries.

It offers investigative support such as forensics, analysis, and assistance in locating fugitives around the world.

The expertise supports national efforts in combating crimes across three global areas including terrorism, cybercrime and organized crime.

Carry out research and development in international crime and trends.

The Interpol doesn't have law enforcement powers such as arrest. When a member nation approaches it with a specific request backed with court orders, the Interpol sends it out to other countries. The information received is sent back to the country.

The role of INTERPOL is defined by the general provisions of its constitution.

To ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities within the limits of the laws existing in the different countries.

To establish and develop all institutions which contribute to the prevention and suppression of ordinary law crimes.

It cannot undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

Different types of notices: The Interpol facilitates information exchange,

knowledge sharing and research between nations by issuing colour-coded 'notices' in four languages - English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.

Red Notice: It is a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. It is issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country or an international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant. However, the arrest of the fugitive is based on the rule of the member nation where he or she is located.

Yellow Notice: It is issued to help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves. This is highly useful in cases of human trafficking or in case of missing persons due to calamities.

Blue Notice: It is issued to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime. This does not guarantee extradition or arrest of the person.

Black Notice: It is a request to seek information on unidentified bodies in member nations.

Green Notice: It is issued to provide warnings and intelligence about persons who have


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committed criminal offences and are likely to repeat these crimes in other countries.

Orange Notice: It is issued to provide warnings about an event, a person, an object or a process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety.

Purple Notice: It is a request to seek or provide information on the modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.

The INTERPOL-United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Special Notice is issued for individuals and entities that are subject to sanctions imposed by the UNSC. Its principal function is to alert national law enforcement authorities that sanctions such as assets freeze, arms embargo and travel ban apply to designated individuals and entities. Criticisms against it: It has been criticized as its international

arrest-warrant system has been found to be

abused by countries looking to punish political opponents.

Interpol is being beholden to the nations who pay the lion’s share of its budget, even if those nations are not democratic.

The number of Red Notices has increased tenfold in the past fifteen years.

Those targeted face the risk of arrest if they travel across borders, have difficulties obtaining visas and open bank accounts and suffer reputational damage.

Interpol remains opaque and lacks accountability for its actions.

It has been blamed as being hijacked, repurposed and weapon zed by globalized authoritarian regimes.

Mould Your Thoughts: What are the functions of INTERPOL? What are

the different types of notices issued by it?

US to host G7 Manifest pedagogy: G7 and G20 are two different power blocs in the world today who have gained

significance with the growing multipolar world order. Hence it is necessary to read both from prelims as well as mains perspective.

In news: Trump to host G7 meeting via video conference Placing it in syllabus: Multilateral groupings Dimensions: o G7 history origin and headquarters o Its contributions o Criticisms against G7 and G20 as an alternative to it Content: The 46th G7 summit which was scheduled to be held through June 12, 2020, in Camp David, United States, will be conducted by video conference in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. Participants will include the leaders of the G7 member states as well as representatives of the European Union. The decision has come as nations around the world have sealed their borders and have banned travel to stop the virus' spread. G7 history origin: G7 stands for “Group of Seven” industrialized

nations.

It used to be known as the G8 (Group of Eight) until 2014 when Russia was excluded because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and West Germany formed the Group of Six in 1975 so that the non-communist powers could come together to discuss important economic issues, global security etc…

Canada joined the group in 1976. Russia joined in 1998 and signalled cooperation

between East and West after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.

The G7 is an informal bloc and takes no mandatory decisions, so the leaders’


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declarations at the end of the summit are not binding.

At present, the group includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, France and Italy.

The European Union has been involved in G7 work since 1977, and is represented at the summit by the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council.

The member country holding the G7 presidency is responsible for organizing and hosting the year's summit.

Generally every member country hosts the summit once every 7 years.

Its contributions: The G7 is composed of the seven wealthiest

advanced countries. The aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) of

G7 member states makes up nearly 50 per cent of the global economy in nominal terms and G7 represents 10% of the world’s population.

As of 2017 Credit Suisse reports the G7 (without the European Union) represents above 62% of the global net wealth.

Criticisms against G7 and G20 as an alternative to it: Though the forum’s small and relatively

homogenous membership promotes collective decision-making, it often lacks follow-through and excludes important emerging powers.

Critics have argued that without China and other emerging global powers, the group lacks relevance.

The G7’s future has been challenged by continued tensions with Russia, disagreements over trade and climate policies.

Divisions emerged within the G7 over a 2017 proposal to impose fresh sanctions on Russia (related to Syrian war), which ultimately failed.

Trump has maintained poor relationships with several G7 leaders.

Rise of a larger group, G20 as an alternative forum.

Rise of the G20: G20 is a forum for finance ministers and

central bank governors from nineteen of the world’s largest countries as well as the EU.

Though founded in 1999, as a response to the 2008 financial crisis, the G20 was upgraded to head of state level in an inaugural summit in Washington, D.C.

G20 leaders first met in Washington in 2008, after the fall of Lehman Brothers.

Gradually its power and prestige has surpassed that of the G7.

Emerging powers including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa, whose absence from the G7 was often noted, including Russia, all belong to the G20.

The group’s member states represent about 80 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.

U.S. President Barack Obama had called the G20 the “premier forum for global economic coordination.”

G20 summits have been the occasion for setting ambitious goals. E.g. in Hangzhou, China, in 2016, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping used the summit to jointly announce their accession to the Paris Agreement.

G20 v/s G7: While the G7 mainly has to do with politics, the

G20 is a broader group that focuses on the global economy.

G7 being a group of IMF- advanced economies, G20 is usually dubbed as a group of developing nations.

It’s also known as the “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy”.

It gathers leaders from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is the significance of G7? How has the

group G20 overtaken G7 in the recent past?


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Challenges to reopen the economy Manifest Pedagogy: The challenge of getting the economy back on track is paramount as we are moving

towards the end of the lockdown period. There is a problem of labour shortages and rural distress at the same time. So what is the key government strategy going to be and what impact will it have on daily life?

In news: Post COVID-19 lockdown the government is planning to reopen the economy Placing it in syllabus: COVID 19 and economy Static dimensions: Covid 19 and its economic impact

Current dimensions: What are the challenges ahead? Content: Covid 19 and its economic impact:

The pandemic and consequent lockdown have hit various sectors, including MSME, hospitality, civil aviation, agriculture and allied sectors.

The country’s core sector growth has contracted by 6.5% in March, according to the data of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Barring coal, all other sectors have witnessed a sharp output contraction.

The sharpest fall was in cement (-24.7%).

Steel, natural gas, and fertiliser sectors saw

double-digit declines due to weak demand, labour constraints and shortage of raw material.

Even before the onset of the lockdown to contain coronavirus, the core industry's growth was mere 0.6% in the financial year 2020, the lowest in eight years.


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Contraction in output in four industries - coal, crude oil, natural gas, and cement, and subdued growth in the remaining four led to lower growth during 2020.

These distress signals indicate that India’s GDP is getting trimmed.

On April 4, 2020, Crisil revised India’s GDP growth for the financial year 2021 from 3.5% earlier to 1.8%.

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) K V Subramanian has predicted the GDP growth in the first quarter (April to June) of 2020 to range between one to two per cent.

In the second quarter, the economy could pick up as industries restart their operations with the streamlining of supply chains.

The government has constituted an empowered

group headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu Chakraborty, entrusted with the task of suggesting measures that can bring the economy back on track quickly post the lockdown.

What are the challenges ahead? Despite some easing in industrial activities, the

production activities have remained muted with labour shortages and other issues.

However, it is difficult to estimate possible job losses due to lingering uncertainty.

Though the Indian government is likely to cap its overall spending on COVID related relief at $60 billion, it is speculated that the excess spending could trigger a sovereign rating downgrade.

India should be aware of these downgrades as rating agencies treat developed nations and emerging markets differently.

The global economic scenario is weak and there is bound to be an impact on Indian exports.

There are large chances that Non performing assets (NPAs) of banks may increase.

Government revenues are in a tight position due to "very weak" tax collections.


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With the widening fiscal deficit, there is limited scope for the government to spend. Hence, “One size fits all” approach should not be considered and India has to consider its own ground realities while giving economic stimulus packages to Indian industry.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is the impact of COVID 19 on Indian

economy? What are the challenges ahead to reopen the economy?

Electricity (Amendment) bill, 2020 Manifest pedagogy: The electricity amendment seeks to end the malaise in the production, distribution

and transmission. Further, it seeks to revive investments and promote growth in line with the vision of a $5 trillion economy in the near future.

In news: The Power Ministry has drafted a new Electricity Amendment Bill. Placing it in syllabus: Infrastructure Static dimensions: o Electricity Act, 2003 o Privatisation of discoms Current dimensions: o UDAY scheme o T&D losses o Need for new amendment o Important features Content: Electricity Act, 2003: The act covers major issues involving

generation, distribution, transmission and trading in power.

The Act delicenses power generation completely (except for all nuclear and hydro-power projects over a certain size).

10 per cent of the power supplied by suppliers and distributors to the consumers has to be generated using renewable and non-conventional sources of energy.

The techno-economic clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has been done away with for any power plant, except for hydro-electric power stations above a certain amount of capital investment.

The generators can sell electricity to any licensees or where allowed by the state regulatory commissions, to consumers directly.

The regulatory body can impose a surcharge to compensate for some loss in cross-subsidy revenue to the State Electricity Boards (SEB’s) due to this direct sale of electricity by generators to the consumers.

The Act licenses distribution in rural areas and brings in a licensing regime for distribution in urban areas.

No person shall (a) transmit electricity; or (b) distribute electricity; or (c) Undertake trading in electricity, unless he

is authorised to do so by a licence issued by authorised commissions.

Setting up the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has been made mandatory.

An appellate tribunal to hear appeals against the decision of CERC and SERCs.

Metering of electricity supplied was made mandatory.

For rural and remote areas, a stand-alone system for generation and distribution is permitted.

Thrust to complete rural electrification and provide for management of rural distribution by panchayat, cooperative societies, NGOs, franchisees etc.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to prepare the National Electricity Plan.


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Privatisation of discoms: Discoms are the weakest link in the

electricity value chain. They are plagued by low collection, higher

power purchase cost, inadequate tariff hikes and subsidy disbursement and mounting dues from government departments.

The tentatively-named Atal Distribution System Improvement Yojana (ADITYA) scheme will help power distribution companies (discoms) pare their losses and effectively monitor electricity consumption.

The ₹2.86 trillion scheme aims to ensure continuous power supply to all residents and it involves adopting models such as privatizing state-run discoms and having multiple supply, network and distribution franchisees.

The scheme envisages states to approve a roadmap to make discoms viable by switching to prepaid smart meters within three years and also clearing their dues.

It will specify a trajectory for loss reduction and contain incentives and disincentives for meeting targets.

States with more than 18% aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses can opt for an infrastructure support reform package.

This entails choosing an option between running discoms in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, inducting multiple supply and network franchisees, and working through input-based distribution franchisees.

It has set an ambition of reducing electricity losses to less than 12%.

UDAY scheme: The Ministry of Power launched Ujwal DISCOM

Assurance Yojana (UDAY) in 2015. The scheme envisages: o Financial Turnaround o Operational improvement o Reduction of cost of generation of power o Development of Renewable Energy o Energy efficiency & conservation It allows state governments, which own the

DISCOMs, to take over 75 percent of their debt as of September 30, 2015, and pay back lenders by selling bonds.

DISCOMs are expected to issue bonds for the remaining 25 per cent of their debt.

Maturity period of bonds is 10-15 years. Moratorium period is up to 5 years. The borrowing is not included for calculating

the fiscal deficit of the State. As of now, only Odisha and West Bengal have

not joined the scheme. T&D losses: The Transmission and Distribution (T&D) loss is

a metric to assess the health of the electricity distribution sector.

It is calculated as the difference between input in the T&D network and sales to consumers.

India's T&D losses are almost 20% of generation, more than twice the world average.

Electricity losses are the result of technical inefficiency and theft.

According to an analysis one percentage point increase in T&D loss results in a ₹200-₹400 crore annual increase in costs for the Discoms in each of the large states.

By the end of 2013, each of the country's five regional grids were interconnected to operate at a synchronous frequency in an effort to more efficiently transfer power from generation sources to load centers.

In 2014, the government initiated the Integrated Power Development Scheme to further strengthen urban distribution networks by installation of information technology-based and tamper-proof energy monitoring, metering, and accounting systems and equipment.

UDAY scheme launched has been successful to some extent in reducing T&D losses.

Need for new amendment: Some of the provisions of the Act have

become dated and archaic and needs an update.

Policy modifications are needed to address some recurring issues and to promote further commercial incentive for private players to enter the market in the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity.

Measures need to be augmented to ease the financial crunch of the Discoms.


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It is necessary to promote a legal and administrative ecosystem which harbours special attention to renewable energy.

Though the ministry had brought the first draft in 2014 which had an option to consumers to change their service providers like they do for their mobile phone service, the bill lapsed after dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

The 2nd and 3rd draft bills were brought in 2018 and 2019.

Important features of the draft: The Union power ministry has come out with

the draft of Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020. It seeks to set up an Electricity Contract

Enforcement Authority (ECEA) having power of a civil court to settle disputes related to power purchase agreements between discoms and power generation companies (gencos).

The ECEA will have sole authority to adjudicate matters related to specific performance of contracts related to purchase or sale of power, between gencos and discoms.

The decision of the ECEA can be challenged at the Appellate Tribunal For Electricity (APTEL) and subsequently, at the Supreme Court.

The draft provides that the cross (power) border trade shall cover import or export of electricity from India and any other country. The transaction related to passage of electricity through India would be treated as transit between two other countries.

The draft law provides for introduction of power distribution sub-licensee or franchisee, which would not require a separate licence from state commission.

It calls for creating a National Renewable Energy Policy by the central government in consultation with state governments.

The bill says that there would be no schedule or dispatch of electricity unless there is adequate security of payment as per the contract.

The bill enables state as well as central power regulators to specify transmission charges under open access (earlier both functions were with the central commission).

The Electricity Act would be applicable to the entire country, including the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Mould Your Thoughts: What are the important features of the draft

Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020. Why is the amendment needed?

Business cycle Manifest pedagogy: Huge disruptions and global lockdowns due to the coronavirus may cause both a

demand and supply bottleneck for the first time. This has created a fear of forthcoming post corona economy and how it would reshape the way we work.

In news: COVID-19 likely to cause global recession Placing it in syllabus: Business cycle Static dimensions: o What is a business cycle? o Recessions in the past Current dimensions: COVID 19 and recession various estimates Content: What is a business cycle? Business cycles are fluctuations in economic

activity that an economy experiences over a period of time.

Business cycles are generally measured using the rise and fall in the real gross domestic product (GDP) or the GDP adjusted for inflation.

It is also known as the economic cycle or trade cycle.

The stages in the business cycle include expansion, peak, recession or contraction, depression, trough, and recovery. Business cycles are measured by the National Bureau of Economic Research in the United States


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1. Expansion: This is the first stage. When the expansion occurs, there is an increase

in employment, incomes, production and sales. The economy has a steady flow in the money

supply and investment is booming. 2. Peak Peak is when the economy hits a snag, having

reached the maximum level of growth. Prices hit their highest level, and economic

indicators stop growing. 3. Recession This is a period of contraction. During a recession, unemployment rises,

production slows down, sales start to drop because of a decline in demand, and incomes become stagnant or decline.

4. Depression Economic growth continues to drop while

unemployment rises and production plummets. Trade is reduced, and bankruptcies start to

increase. Consumer confidence and investment levels

also drop. 5. Trough This period marks the end of the depression,

leading an economy into recovery. 6. Recovery The economy starts to turn around. Low prices spur an increase in demand,

employment and production start to rise, and lenders start to open up their credit coffers.

This stage marks the end of one business cycle.

Recessions in the past: The Post-War Recession: (November 1948 -

October 1949) - As returning veterans returned to the workforce in large numbers to compete for jobs with existing civilian workers who had entered the workforce during the war, unemployment began to rise.

The Nixon Recession: (December 1969 - November 1970) - Increasing inflation caused the US government to employ a very restrictive monetary policy.

The Oil Crisis Recession: (November 1973 - March 1975) - This long, deep recession was brought on by the quadrupling of oil prices and high government spending on the Vietnam War, which further led to stagflation and high unemployment.

The Iran/Energy Crisis Recession: (July 1981 - November 1982) - This long and deep recession was caused by the regime change in Iran, which exported oil at inconsistent intervals and at lower volumes, forcing prices higher.

The Gulf War Recession: (July 1990 - March 1991) - Iraq invaded Kuwait. This resulted in a spike in the price of oil in 1990, which caused manufacturing trade sales to decline.

The 9/11 Recession: (March 2001 - November 2001) - The collapse of the dotcom bubble, the 9/11 attacks contributed to this relatively mild contraction of the U.S. economy.

The Subprime mortgage crisis/ Great Recession: (2007) - It was a period of marked general recession observed in national economies globally. It was concluded as the most severe economic and financial meltdown since the Great Depression by the IMF. The emergence of sub-prime loan losses in the US in 2007 began the crisis and exposed other risky loans and over-inflated asset prices.

COVID 19 and recession: According to the latest United Nations

Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) analysis, the world economy will go into recession due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The commodity-rich exporting countries will face a $2-$3 trillion drop in investments from overseas in the next two years.


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This would spell serious trouble for developing countries, with the exception of China and India.

However, an explanation as to why and how India and China will be the exceptions is not given in the report.

Fiscal and forex constraints are bound to tighten further over the course of the year.

UNCTAD has hence called for a $2.5 trillion rescue package for these nations.

It has proposed the following steps to mitigate Covid-19’s economic fallout:

A $1 trillion liquidity injection for those being left behind through reallocating existing special drawing rights at the IMF.

Another $1 trillion dollars of debts owed by developing countries should be cancelled this year.

A $500 billion Marshall Plan for health recovery funded from official development assistance by development partners.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is a business cycle? How is the recent

COVID-19 pandemic likely to affect the business cycle?

Economic census in India Manifest pedagogy: Economic Census is a tool to deepen our understanding of the economic scenario and

make policies and programmes more meaningful and effective. It also helps us model future decisions better.

In news: The 7th Economic Census is being conducted nationwide through common services centres (CSCs).

Placing it in syllabus: Economic census Static dimensions: o What is an economic census? o Summary of last census Current dimensions: Latest economic census Content: What is the economic census? Indian economic census is the census of the

Indian economy through counting all entrepreneurial units in the country which were involved in any economic activities of either agricultural or non-agricultural sector, which engaged in production and/or distribution of goods and/or services.

It provides detailed information on operational and other characteristics such as number of establishments, number of persons employed, source of finance, type of ownership etc.

This information is used for micro level/ decentralized planning and to assess contribution of various sectors of the economy in the GDP.

In 1977, the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) conducted the First economic census in collaboration with the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) in the States/Union Territories.

It is conducted once in 5 years. However, the economic censuses of 1980 and

1990 were integrated with the house-listing operations of the population census.

All other economic censuses were conducted by the DES of the states under the overall guidance of the CSO.

Summary of 6th economic census: The Sixth Economic Census (EC) covered all

States and Union Territories and was conducted during January, 2013 to April, 2014 in collaboration with State/UT Governments.

The EC enumerated all establishments engaged in various agricultural and non-agricultural activities excluding crop production, plantation, public administration, defence and compulsory social security.

Data for handicraft/handloom establishments were collected for the first time.


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Enumeration Blocks (EBs) of Population Census, 2011 were used as the primary geographical units for collection of data.

Around 58.5 million establishments were found to be in operation out of which 77.6% establishments were engaged in non-agricultural activities.

Livestock was the major economic activity (86.74%) of the agricultural sector.

Around 96.4% establishments were under private ownership and the remaining 3.6% establishments reported their ownership as Government or PSU.

Proprietary establishments were 89.39%. Top five states namely Uttar Pradesh,

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh together accounted for about 50% of the total number of establishments in the country.

Around 51.71% were employed in rural areas and 48.29% in urban areas.

The growth rate of employment since 2005 was of the order of 38.13%.

Manufacturing sector was the largest employer providing employment to 30.3 million (23.1%) persons.

Total number of establishments owned by women entrepreneurs was 8.05 million (13.76%), out of which about 34.3% belonged to agricultural activities.

Among the states, the largest share in the number of establishments under women entrepreneurship was held by Tamil Nadu followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Total number of Handicraft/Handloom establishments was 1.87 million which provided employment to 4.2 million persons.

Among the States, West Bengal had the largest share in total number of

Handicraft/Handloom establishments followed by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

Latest (7th) economic census: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation (MoSPI) has tied up with CSC e-Governance Service for the 7th Economic Census.

For the first time, the entire Census is being conducted on a digital platform by the use of an application which will ensure high accuracy and data security.

The application will ensure that there is no data breach and as soon as any data is fed in the application, it is stored in the cloud and no one can access it without permission.

The work is pending in just three states - West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Over 1.5 lakh trained enumerators have been deployed for the nationwide survey who will visit 35 crore establishments and households to carry out the Census.

The fieldwork for the Census started in June 2019.

CSC e-Governance Services India Limited CSC E-governance Services India Limited is a

Non-govt company, incorporated on 16 Jul, 2009.

It is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) under the Companies Act, 1956 to oversee the implementation of the Common Service Centres (CSC) scheme.

CSC SPV provides a centralized collaborative framework for delivery of services to citizens through CSCs.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is an economic census? Highlight the

outcomes of the 6th economic census.

Franklin Templeton Debt fund crisis Manifest pedagogy: High redemption pressures in light of covid-19 have put a strain of debt funds in

India. The RBI announced special windows to cover for the liquidity crisis, but is it enough? We have to take into account both short term and long term consequences for the same.

In news: Franklin Templeton has announced the shutdown of six of its credit strategy oriented debt mutual fund schemes.


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Placing it in syllabus: Mutual funds Static dimensions: o What are debt funds? o Types of mutual fund schemes in India Current dimensions: o What is the crisis about? o How safe is your money? Content: What are debt funds? A debt mutual fund invests a significant portion

of one’s money in fixed-income securities like government securities, debentures, corporate bonds and other money-market instruments.

They lower the risk factor considerably for investors.

Benefits of investing in debt funds: Stable income: Debt Funds have potential to

offer capital appreciation over a period of time. Tax efficiency: Debt funds are more tax-efficient

than traditional investment options like fixed deposits (FDs) as tax is paid only in the year it is redeemed and not before that.

High liquidity: These funds are liquid and money can be withdrawn from the fund on any business day.

Stability: By investing in debt funds, one can adequately diversify a portfolio and bring down overall risk.

Flexibility: Debt mutual funds also offer the option of moving around money to different funds. This is possible through a Systematic Transfer Plan (STP). One can invest a lump sum amount in debt funds and systematically transfer a small portion of the fund into equity at regular intervals.

Types of mutual fund schemes in India: Based on structure: Open-Ended Funds: These are funds in which

units are open for purchase or redemption through the year. There are no limits on how much can be invested in the fund.

Close-Ended Funds: These are funds in which units can be purchased only during the initial offer period. Units can be redeemed at a specified maturity date. Unlike open ended mutual funds, once the units or stocks are bought, they cannot be sold back to the mutual fund, instead they need to be sold through the stock market at the prevailing price of the shares.

Interval Funds: These are funds that have the features of open-ended and closed-ended funds in that they are opened for repurchase of shares at different intervals during the fund tenure. The fund management company offers to repurchase units from existing unit holders during these intervals.

Based on asset class: Equity Funds: These are funds that invest in

equity stocks/shares of companies. These are considered high-risk funds but also tend to provide high returns.


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Debt Funds: These are funds that invest in debt instruments e.g. company debentures, government bonds and other fixed income assets.

Money Market Funds: These are funds that invest in liquid instruments e.g. T-Bills, CPs etc. They are considered safe investments for those looking to park surplus funds for immediate but moderate returns.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds: These are funds that invest in a mix of asset classes. E.g. Franklin India Balanced Fund-DP, where 65% to 80% of the investment is made in equities and the remaining 20% to 35% is invested in the debt market.

Based on investment objective: Diversified funds: These refer broadly to

pooled investments that build portfolios across several asset classes, regions, and/or industry sectors.

Income funds: Under these schemes, money is invested primarily in fixed-income instruments e.g. bonds, debentures etc. with the purpose of providing capital protection and regular income to investors.

Liquid funds: Under these schemes, money is invested primarily in short-term or very short-term instruments e.g. T-Bills, CPs etc. with the purpose of providing liquidity. They are ideal for investors with short-term investment timelines.

Tax-Saving Funds (ELSS): These are funds that invest primarily in equity shares. Investments made in these funds qualify for deductions under the Income Tax Act.

What is the crisis about? Franklin Templeton has wound up six of its

debt schemes - Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Fund, Franklin India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Franklin India Dynamic Accrual Fund and Franklin India Income Opportunities Fund.

The combined size of these funds is Rs 25,856 crore as on April 22, 2020. The investors who got caught in the Franklin Templeton mess are

those that had enrolled for Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).

The investors who had planned to go to equity funds, via a short halt in Templeton’s debt funds, are now stuck in these schemes badly. Not only will their money not be invested in equity funds, their equity investing plans would also go for a toss.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in foreign investors selling off equities and debt holdings massively in India as well as other emerging markets. As there were hardly any buyers and banks not willing to lend, they parked their surplus cash with the RBI.

The illiquidity in the markets, the heightened exposure to lower-rated securities made the matters worse. With no buyers for its securities and in the absence of market liquidity, Templeton wound up its schemes.

How safe is your money? Frequent downgrades in credit ratings have

taken the net asset values of debt funds down. Though debt funds continue to remain good

investments, debt fund investors should not expect anything more than 1.5 percent points over inflation.

For investors in the higher tax brackets and who wish to invest for three years or more, debt funds continue to give good tax-adjusted returns.

It would be a safer option to invest in AAA-rated and sovereign instruments such as corporate bonds and banking & PSU bond funds.

Liquid and ultra-short-term bond funds are still good for STPs if invested in one that holds only highly rated securities.

Though the Franklin Templeton debt fund crisis does not impact bond schemes of other houses, it is necessary to keep an eye on the debt fund’s portfolio quality.

Mould Your Thoughts: Define a debt fund. What is the Franklin

Templeton Debt fund crisis all about?


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World Health Organization (WHO) Manifest pedagogy: International institutions always are the prime topic for UPSC. Given the conditions

of COVID-19, WHO has gained significance both for good and bad reasons. This topic should be read more from prelims perspective.

In news: The U.S. has halted funding for the World Health Organization for 60 to 90 days. Placing it in syllabus: International organisations Static dimensions: o Origin and functions o Success of the organization Current dimensions: o Pandemic, Endemic and Epidemic classification o Public health emergency o Criticisms Content: Origin and functions: WHO is a United Nations agency created in

1948? It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded to coordinate and direct the UN’s

global health effort. It has no authority over its 194-member

countries and depends on member contributions to carry out its work.

All of the member states of the UN except for Liechtenstein, plus the Cook Islands and Niue are its members.

Several other countries like Palestine have been granted observer status.

The WHO Constitution states its main objective as ensuring "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health”.

Origin: The International Sanitary Conferences,

originally held on 23 June 1851, were the first predecessors of the WHO.

A series of 14 conferences that lasted from 1851 to 1938, worked to combat many diseases like cholera, yellow fever, and the bubonic plague.

The Pan-American Sanitary Bureau (1902) and the Office International d'Hygiène Publique (1907) were soon founded.

When the League of Nations was formed in 1920, they established the Health Organization of the League of Nations.

After World War II, the United Nations absorbed all the other health organizations, to form the WHO.

The constitution of the WHO was signed by all 51 countries of the United Nations, and by 10 other countries, on 22 July 1946.

It thus became the first specialized agency of the United Nations to which every member subscribed.

Its constitution came into force on the first World Health Day, that is, 7 April 1948.

Structure: The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the

WHO's is the legislative and supreme decision-making body.

It appoints the Director-General every five years and votes on matters of policy and finance of WHO, including the proposed budget.

The Assembly is attended by delegations from all member states and determines the policies of the organization.

It elects 34 members, technically qualified in the field of health, to the Executive Board for three-year terms.

The Executive Board and gives effect to the decisions and policies of the WHA.

WHA also reviews reports of the Executive Board and decides whether there are areas of work requiring further examination.

At present the Director General is Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, (previously Ethiopia’s foreign minister, elected in 2017 and is the WHO’s first leader from Africa and for whose election for the first time all WHO countries had an equal vote).

As of April 2020, the chairman of the executive board is Dr. Hiroki Nakatani.


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Types of contributions: Voluntary contributions are funds for specific

programme areas provided by Member States or other partners.

Assessed contributions are the dues Member States pay depending on the states' wealth and population.

Core voluntary contributions are funds for flexible uses provided by Member States or other partners.

Functions: providing leadership on matters critical to

health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;

shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;

setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation;

articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;

providing technical support, catalysing change and building sustainable institutional capacity;

monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends;

CRVS (civil registration and vital statistics) to provide monitoring of vital events (birth, death, wedding, divorce);

Success of the organization: Since 1977, it has maintained a list of

essential medicines it encourages hospitals to stock.

Its child vaccination programs contributed to the eradication of smallpox in 1979 and a 99 percent reduction in polio infections in recent decades.

The agency has the exclusive authority to declare global health emergencies, which it has done several times since its members granted it the power in 2007.

At present, the WHO’s work includes combating emergencies, such as the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and promoting refugees’ health.

The WHO identified three priorities for its work in international 2019 strategy:

providing health coverage to one billion more people;

protecting one billion more people from health emergencies such as epidemics;

Ensuring another one billion people enjoy better health and well-being, including protection from non-infectious diseases such as cancer.

The WHO’s strategic priorities are rooted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Endemic, Epidemic and Pandemic classification: Endemic: It refers to the constant presence

and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area. E.g. Chickenpox is considered endemic in the UK.

Epidemic: It is the regional outbreak of an illness that spreads unexpectedly. It refers to an sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease beyond what is normally expected in the population of an area. E.g. Outbreak of chikungunya in India.

Pandemic: It refers to an epidemic that has

spread across countries and continents, i.e. the spread of the disease is worldwide.

What is Public health emergency? The term Public Health Emergency of

International Concern (PHEIC) is defined as “an extraordinary event” which is determined, as provided in the Regulations:

o to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease;


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o to potentially require a coordinated international response;

The responsibility of determining whether an event is within this category lies with the WHO Director-General and requires the convening of a committee of experts which advises him on temporary recommendations which are to be promulgated on an emergency basis.

Temporary recommendations include health measures to be implemented by the State Party experiencing the PHEIC or by other States Parties, to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic.

At least one member of the Emergency Committee should be an expert nominated by a State Party within whose territory the event arises.

Criticisms: 1) Political friction between its headquarters and

its six regional offices. 2) Slow and poorly coordinated responses to

previous outbreaks including the 2014 Ebola outbreak, in which it waited five months before declaring a PHEIC, despite pleas from groups such as Doctors Without Borders.

3) The WHO sub-department, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has been criticized for the way it analyses the tendency of certain substances and activities to cause cancer and for misleading the public. E.g. Controversies have erupted multiple times when the IARC has classified many things as

Class 2a (probable carcinogens) or 2b (possible carcinogen), including cell phone signals, glyphosate, drinking hot beverages and working as a barber.

4) The agency’s deference to Beijing and increasing Chinese influence over the institution. E.g. Political pressure from China has led to Taiwan being barred from membership of the WHO and other UN-affiliated organizations, and in 2017 to 2020 the WHO refused to allow Taiwanese delegates to attend the WHO annual assembly.

5) Increased scrutiny over its role in the recent coronavirus crisis. On 14 April 2020, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would halt funding to the WHO while reviewing its role in “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.”

6) In 2022, the new International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, will attempt to enable classifications from traditional medicine, especially Chinese, to be integrated with classifications from evidence-based medicine. This support of WHO for such practices has been criticized by the medical and scientific community, due to lack of evidence and the risk of endangering wildlife hunted for traditional remedies.

Mould Your Thoughts: How is a Public Health Emergency declared?

Why is the World Health Organization (WHO) marred by controversy recently?

Bio fortification Manifest pedagogy: Food fortification and bio fortification are novel biotechnology solutions to fight

India's hidden hunger. If implemented across the country proactively, the child health indicators in specific and all social indicators in general will improve. The food processing and the agricultural research have to get impetus in this regard. The new fortified and bio fortified products are important for Prelims. The concept and the positive effects are important for Mains.

In news: A bio fortified carrot variety has been benefitting local farmers in Junagadh, Gujarat since 2017. Placing it in syllabus: Biotechnology Static dimensions: o What is fortification?


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o Bio fortification - Current dimensions: o Benefits of bio fortification o Current examples Content: What is fortification? Fortification is the addition of key vitamins

and minerals such as Iron, Iodine, Zinc, and Vitamins A & D to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content.

These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in the food before processing or may have been lost during processing.

Micronutrient malnutrition, also known as hidden hunger, is a serious health risk.

Sometimes due to lack of consumption of a balanced diet, lack of variety in the diet or unavailability of food one does not get adequate micronutrients.

Hence fortification of food is a safe method of improving nutrition among people as the addition of micronutrients to food does not pose a health risk to people.

It does not alter the characteristics of the food like the taste, aroma or the texture of the food.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4)

58.4 percent of children (6-59 months) are anaemic.

53.1 percent of women in the reproductive age group are anaemic.

35.7 percent of children under 5 are underweight.

In August, 2018, FSSAI introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, to regulate the provisions regarding fortified food.

Features: It prescribes the standards of addition of

micronutrients for the purpose of food fortification. The manufacturers of the fortified food have to provide a quality assurance undertaking.

Packaging and labelling has to state the food fortificant added, +F logo and the tagline “Sampoorna Poshan Swasth Jeevan”.

It should be in compliance to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011.

Fortified salt: In 1950, Indians were among the first countries in Asia to implement mandatory salt iodisation. It is fortified with Iodine. Fortified wheat: The flour is fortified with iron, vitamin A and folic acid. Fortified rice: Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12. Fortified milk: Studies suggest the intake of fortified milk by children not only increased mean serum vitamin D levels but also decreased morbidity rates. It is fortified with Vitamin A, Vitamin D. Fortified oil: Is fortified with vitamin A and D. Bio fortification: Bio fortification is the process by which the

nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding or modern biotechnology.

Bio fortification differs from conventional fortification in that bio fortification aims to increase nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during processing of the crops.

Plants are bred using any of the below methods: Selective breeding: Using this method, plant breeders search

existing varieties of crops which are naturally high in nutrients and then crossbreed these high-nutrient varieties with high-yielding varieties of crops, to provide a seed with high yields and increased nutritional value. This method is prevalent at present, as it is less controversial than genetically engineering crops.

Genetic modification: Golden Rice is an example of a GM crop

developed using genetic modification. It contains genes from a common soil bacterium Erwinia and contains increased levels of beta-carotene which can be converted by the body into vitamin A.


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Seed Priming: Seed priming before sowing maximizes the

natural potential of seed to set the plant for maximum yield potential with respect to both quality and quantity. Positive effects on the shoot and root growth of seedlings of wheat can be observed when treated with iron-oxide nanoparticles.

Benefits of bio fortification: Increasing the micronutrient levels in staple

crops can help prevent and reduce the micronutrient deficiencies in the poor. E.g. In a trial in Mozambique, eating sweet potatoes bio fortified with beta-carotene reduced the incidence of vitamin A deficiency in children by 24%.

It reaches the country’s most vulnerable people living in remote rural areas with no access or money for commercially marketed fortified foods.

It is cost effective after an initial large research investment. The recurrent costs are low and the germ plasm can be shared globally making it highly cost-effective.

Bio fortification is sustainable. It produces higher yields in an environmentally friendly way.

Current examples: Rice: CR Dhan 310, DRR Dhan 45 which contain

high protein and high zinc in polished grain. Wheat: WB 02, HPBW 01, Pusa Tejas (HI 8759),

Pusa Ujala (HI 1605), MACS 4028 (d) which are rich in zinc and iron.

Other biofortified crops are maize (which possess high provitamin-A, tryptophan and lysine), Pearl millet, Mustard (contains low erucic acid), Soybeans, Sweet potato which contains high β-carotene, Pomegranate which contains high iron, zinc and vitamin C. Recent one: Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer

scientist from Gujarat has developed Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety with high β-carotene and iron content.

(He has been conferred with a National Award by the President of India during Festival of Innovation (FOIN) in 2017 and was also conferred with Padma Shri in 2019 for his extraordinary work in this field).

Madhuban Gajar has been cultivated in over 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

It is used for several value-added products like carrot chips, juices, and pickles.

It possesses a significantly higher root yield and high plant biomass.

It has been tested by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) of India, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology during 2016-17.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is bio fortification? What are its benefits?

Hydroxychloroquine Manifest pedagogy: India's gesture of helping the USA with the drug has played a crucial role at difficult

times. The antimalarial drug has to be studied emphasising on its content, use and side effects. Also, it has to be studied from the angle of diplomacy.

In news: India has shipped hydroxychloroquine tablets to 13 countries in first consignment. Placing it in syllabus: Diseases


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Static dimensions: What is Hydroxychloroquine? Current dimensions: o HCQ for Coronavirus o India and HCQ Content: India has relaxed the ban on exports of paracetamol and HCQ, both used in Covid-19 therapies and has placed them in the licensed category. SAARC nations particularly Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are among the 30 countries who recently asked India to lift the ban on the export of HCQ. What is Hydroxychloroquine? Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) oral tablet is an

anti-malarial drug under the brand name Plaque nil.

It is used to treat malaria, lupus erythematous, and rheumatoid arthritis.

It’s also available in a generic version which usually costs less than the brand-name version.

It may be used as part of a combination therapy where it is taken with other drugs.

More common side effects include headache, dizziness,, stomach cramps and vomiting. Serious side effects include blurred vision, heart disease including heart failure, hearing loss, angioedema (rapid swelling of skin), sore throat, severe hypoglycaemia and unusual bleeding or bruising. Hydroxychloroquine for Coronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York.

The US has asked for 48 lakh tablets of hydroxychloroquine from India.

Due to high global demand for HCQ, recently India issued an order restricting the export of HCQ on a "case-by-case" basis.

But due to the US threat of retaliation in case of non-release of the stocks of the drug, India partially lifted the ban and is exporting HCQ and paracetamol.

However, scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have advised people not to take HCQ without a prescription as Chloroquine can be deadly if not dosed properly.

As only a few clinical trials have shown limited success of the drug, scientists are warning against the mass-prescribing of HCQ to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

But HCQ has shown the ability to curb the spread of the virus by preventing it from replicating.

Other researchers have stated that cough, pneumonia and fever were treated faster in patients who were given HCQ over others who were not given the drug.

Currently, two large trials are underway to study the effectiveness of HCQ and chloroquine, in COVID-19 treatment: One is a solidarity trail run by the WHO to test a common HCQ treatment protocol and the other is called the "chloroquine accelerator trial," by Welcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

India and HCQ: India is the world's largest manufacturer of

HCQ. Around 30 countries including the US have

asked India to supply them with HCQ. As its first consignment India has shipped HCQ

tablets to 13 countries which include US, Spain, Germany, Bahrain, Brazil, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Mauritius and the Dominican Republic.

India has sanctioned 35.82 lakhs tablets along with 9 metric tonne Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) as per US request.

Brazil, Canada and Germany are expected to get 50 lakh tablets each of HCQ in the second consignment.

The countries slated to receive paracetamol from India in next consignment are the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and a few African nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will process the applications and the Department of pharmaceuticals will assess those based on the supply and requirement in India.


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The commerce department will then direct customs officials to release those consignments for export.

The countries are shortlisted on a first come first serve basis.

Zydus Cadila and Ipca Laboratories are the biggest Hydroxychloroquine manufacturers in India, which have backward integrated production capacity that allows them to convert key raw materials to intermediates and

then finally to APIs that subsequently lead to the final formulations.

Intas Pharmaceuticals, McW Healthcare of Indore, Macleods Pharmaceuticals, Cipla and Lupin are the other manufacturers who can produce the drug.

Mould Your Thoughts: Is Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) a potent drug for

coronavirus? How is India helping the world in battling coronavirus using HCQ?

SAARC Covid 19 Emergency Fund In news: All SAARC nations have pledged to the SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund. Placing it in syllabus: Disaster management Dimensions: o What is the fund about? o Its importance o List of all regional Centres of SAARC o Role of SDMC during COVID Content: What is the fund? On March 15, 2020, during a video conference

of the SAARC Heads of State and Government, Indian PM Narendra Modi proposed the Coronavirus Emergency Fund.

This emergency fund was set up in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic in the South Asian region.

India announced about donating $10 million as its initial contribution to support the initiative.

However the fund from other member countries is considered voluntary.

As of 10 April 2020, the emergency fund had accumulated a sum of US$21.8 million with the pool of contributions from seven member countries.

Contributions of other countries: Maldives - $200,000 Bhutan - $100,000 Bangladesh - $1.5 million Nepal and Afghanistan - $1 million Sri Lanka - $5 million

Pakistan - $3 million (Pakistan is the last country among SAARC

members to contribute to the fund) Its importance: It has encouraged the countries in South Asia to

pledge contributions to the fund created to fight the spread of the Coronavirus in one the developing regions of the world.

It reflects the deeply shared sense of determination in the participating countries to act together in a time of crisis.

It reinforces the need for all to act in solidarity to address the challenge and mitigate its impact.

The requirements of urgent medical supplies and equipment in individual countries in the region are being met through the fund.

The website disseminates reliable information and updates on the evolving situation relating to COVID-19 in the SAARC region and best practices being followed in member countries.

List of all regional Centres of SAARC: The SAARC Secretariat is supported by the

Regional Centres established in member


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states to promote regional cooperation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising representatives from all the Member States, SAARC Secretary-General and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the host Government.

o SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC), Dhaka o SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC),

Dhaka o SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC), Kathmandu o SAARC Information Centre (SIC), Nepal o SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC), New Delhi o SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC),

India o SAARC Human Resources Development Centre

(SHRDC), Islamabad o SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Pakistan o SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre

(SCZMC), Maldives o SAARC Forestry Centre (SFC), Bhutan o SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Sri Lanka Role of SDMC during COVID: The Interim Unit (IU) of the SDMC is set up

under the premise of Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM), Village Raisan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat in November, 2016.

Aim is to provide policy advice, technical support on system development, capacity building services and training for holistic management of disaster risk in the SAARC region.

The centre will facilitate exchange of information and expertise for effective and efficient management of disaster risk.

The Centre has launched a website for information related to the coronavirus pandemic in the region.

The website shows the number of coronavirus cases in the member states, updating the numbers regularly.

The member states have reported 35,867 cases and a total of 1,027 deaths in the region (as of 22nd April, 2020).

India has reported 20,471 cases and stands in first position followed by Pakistan which has 10,076 cases.

Bhutan has registered the least number of cases.

Mould Your Thoughts: What is the SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund?

Explain its importance.

Fire safety code for buildings Manifest pedagogy: Fire incidents are on rise these days due to improper precautionary measures taken

by authorities as well as negligence. This topic deals with the measures to be taken to mitigate such ill happenings. It deals with disaster management and is important from mains perspective.

Placing it in syllabus: Disaster management Static dimensions: History of fire services in India Current dimensions: o Issues of fire safety o Measures needed to deal with it o National Building code Content: Fire poses a major threat to various occupancies

in India. Because of its peculiar nature, fire in residential buildings, high rise buildings, become more complex and the salvaging operations become more difficult.

These result in the loss of lives and injuries to many and have also inflicted heavy property

loss. The rapid modernisation of Indian industries have made the scenario more complex.

History of fire services in India: Regular fire services in India were first

established in Bombay in 1803, followed by Calcutta in 1822, Delhi in 1867 and Madras in 1908.


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Fire services in India came under the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution of India, under the provisions of Article 243W of the Constitution (under the domain of Municipalities).

Ministry of Home Affairs, in 2009, approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services at an estimated cost of Rs.200 crore during the Eleventh Plan Period.

The Scheme for ‘Modernization of Fire and Emergency Services in the Country’ (2014-2016) was launched, which has been subsumed in the State Plan Funds from 1st April, 2015 and hence no budget provision has been made thereafter.

Presently, fire prevention and fire fighting services are organised by the concerned States and Union Territories.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been assisting the State Governments to increase the fire fighting capabilities by arranging soft loans from General Insurance Corporation through the Ministry of Finance (Insurance Division).

Issues of fire safety: Poorly enforced regulations lead to thousands

of deaths in fires across India every year. Many residential areas in metropolitan cities

like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore are no longer distinguishable from planned industrial areas.

Majority of the buildings lack NoC from the fire department and continue to sustain huge populations at the risk of their lives.

The municipal corporations and local bodies are responsible for providing fire services in many states.

But due to lack of resources, fire services are ill equipped in providing adequate fire safety cover to the population.

Based on a 2011 study, 65 percent deficiency was reported in fire stations.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, in 144 towns with a population over 1 lakh, there is a huge deficiency of fire fighting infrastructure.

Laxity in following fire safety measures caused many major fires in various occupancies and some of them even resulted in catastrophes.

There are many offices, high rise buildings and religious places having firefighting equipment installed but hardly any person has the knowledge of using them and thus the lack of maintenance makes the equipment dysfunctional.

Measures needed to deal with fire incidents: A complete fire incident management is

required. In India codes and standards related to fire

safety are seldom followed. Development agencies monitoring the

construction of houses need to diligently follow the regulatory authorities’ prescribed norms of fire safety measures and implement them.

Training of employees and building awareness among citizens about fire prevention and protection measures is also of paramount importance.

Organising a firefighting workshop once in six months in localities/schools with the involvement of local elected representatives is necessary.

Mid-day meal cooking in schools should be regularly monitored by fire service departments at least once in six months.

To fasten the justice delivery in cases related to fire incidents, they should also be heard in the fast track courts so that the compensation could be awarded to the affected person at the right time.

Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) can be focused to identify potential hazards.

Fire Safety Audit (FSA) is found to be an effective tool to assess fire safety standards of an organisation or occupancy.

Hence FSA, at least once in a year by independent agencies should be made mandatory all over India.

E.g. rules framed under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 has made it mandatory for building owners and residents to conduct half-yearly


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fire safety audits and submit the report to the fire department.

National Building Code (NBC): The National Building Code is published by the

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It is the basic model code in India on matters

relating to building construction and fire safety.

The first edition of NBC was published in 1970.

The second edition of NBC was published in 2005 and the recent edition of the NBC was published in 2016 which is the third one.

As fire prevention and fire protection is a state subject, rules for fire prevention and fire protection are laid in the form of State Regulations or Municipal By-Laws.

The NBC classify the buildings into the following 9 groups: 1. Residential 2. Educational 3. Institutional 4. Assembly 5. Business 6. Mercantile 7. Industrial 8. Storage 9. Hazardous

The code broadly covers the following areas: Fire prevention: This covers aspects of fire

prevention pertaining to the design and construction of buildings. It also describes the various types of buildings materials and their fire rating.

Life Safety: This covers life safety provisions in the event of fire and similar emergencies, also addressing construction and occupancy features that are necessary to minimise danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic.

Fire Protection: Covers significant accessories and their related components and guidelines for

selecting the correct type of equipment and installations meant for fire protection depending upon the classifications and type of building.

The guidelines for fire drills and evacuations for high-rise buildings are also specified. It mandates the appointment of a qualified fire officer and trained staff for significant land uses.

(( Note: Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas formulates and coordinates the implementation of a series of self-regulatory measures aimed at enhancing the safety in the oil & gas industry in India.))

Procedure followed: The fire safety norms as per NBC states that

buildings above 15 metre in height would require a NoC from the fire safety department.

The procedure involves two stages mainly: o The first stage is prior to construction of a

building wherein building plans are approved and fire safety recommendations are issued.

o The second stage is after the construction of the building before commencing occupancy, when all the recommended fire and life safety measures have been provided.

o Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) needs to be issued after verification.

The fire safety recommendations once issued are

valid till there is no addition/ alteration or revision in approved plan. The FSC's are to be renewed after a period of 5 years for residential buildings and 3 years for non-residential buildings including hotels.

Mould Your Thoughts: Analyse the issues of fire safety in India. What is

the importance of National Building code (NBC) in this regard?

Documents

MANIFEST IAS FORTNIGHTLYMANIFESTO-ARTICLES ISSUE 30 · manifest ias_____ ___ ____ fortnightlymanifesto-articles_____ _____issue 30 2 content history, art and culture.....3

MANIFEST IAS FORTNIGHTLYMANIFESTO-ARTICLES ISSUE 30 · manifest ias___ _ __ fortnightlymanifesto-articles_ ___issue 30 2 content history, art and culture.....3