UPSC_2018
https://t.me/upsc_18

Water bodies: A good and effective solution to water problem. The solution can be used all over India for solving water problems and to counter effects of climate change on water bodies.
News
Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (JSA) 
It is a programme of Rajasthan Government
It has turned out to be a success in Pratapgarh district
In the district
(1) the groundwater table has increased
(2) green agricultural fields have expanded and
(3) no tankers with drinking water had to be sent to as many as 94 villages this year
NGT hails efforts
The National Green Tribunal lauded the efforts made under the programme.
The NGT’s Bhopal declaration has described the JSA as a massive climate change adaptation programme
The JSA is praised as an initiative which would make every village of the State self-reliant in water by using scientific tools for rejuvenating traditional water bodies.

Mains Paper 2: Governance | Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Issues with Manufacturing sector
According to NITI Aayog’s report, the sector’s growth rate has remained constant for the past 25 years
Whereas countries such as Taiwan and China recorded more than double the rate of expansion in India
Example of other countries
In Taiwan and South Korea in the 1960s and 1970s and in China in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, manufacturing grew at rates approaching or exceeding 15 per cent
It lead to transformation of these economies from primarily agrarian and rural character to modern urban ones in around three decades
India’s situation
The fast-growing sectors in India have been automobile and its parts, two-wheelers, machinery, chemicals, petroleum refining, telecommunications, software and pharmaceuticals
None of these sectors employs low-skilled workers in large numbers
As a result, the vast majority of Indian workers remain concentrated in agriculture, unorganised industry or low-paying services
Challenges in front of India
To achieve rapid growth in manufacturing sector
Ensuring healthy growth in labour-intensive sectors such as clothing, leather manufactures, food processing and electronic assembly
Growth in these sectors would help create good jobs for workers with limited skills
Suggestions by the Niti Aayog in its three-year action plan
Suggestions include
Easing entry barriers and reducing duties on synthetic fibres to make India’s apparel industry competitive in global market
Reducing custom duty on gold
Increasing investment in skill training
Expediting creation of integrated mega food parks and lower duties on key inputs of final electronics products.

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Ground water problems

Mobilization of resources
The news card has details on the GST Rate Schedule of solar power systems and its modules and panels. The article talks in detail about the implications of the tax and is an important read from UPSC point of view.Know about the impact of the difference in the taxes on solar energy, how the cess is utilized to write a critical answer on GST.
Context
• The GST Rate Schedule for goods has put ‘solar power generating systems’ and ‘photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled into modules or made into panels’ into different tax brackets
Tax on solar power
• GST rate schedule suggested that all solar power generating systems will be taxed at 5%
• This will be similar to the tax on wind systemsThis would put solar and wind in the same tax bracket as coal
• Coal was previously taxed at 11.69%Nuclear fuel too will be taxed at 5%
The state of confusion
• Another chapter of the GST rate schedule noted that semi-conductor devices including PV cells, which may or may not be assembled into modules or panels, would be taxed at 18%
• The council has put solar panels in the 5% category
• The issue of tax on the remaining components of solar systems remains unresolved even on the eve of the rollout of the new fiscal regime
What will be the impact?
• In the first scenario, utility scale solar (panels and parts), along with other renewable energy sources of electricity as well as coal, is taxed at 5%
• Analysis suggests that GST would result in a minor rise of 1.6% in solar tariffs
• In a thriving solar market, this is unlikely to create any setback for the sector
• While 5% doesn’t seem a mammoth figure, the rise in price of solar power is not insignificant when seen in conjunction with the decline in taxes on coal
• 60% decline in taxation on coal is likely to make thermal power cheaper by as much as Rs 0.15
• This would set back some of the rapid advances made in recent times to close the price gap between the prices of solar power and thermal power
• The cumulative result, with a lower tax bracket for coal and higher (effective) tax implication for solar, would do little to incentives already apprehensive utilities to purchase more solar power
What about the cess?
• The change in the tax regime would be accompanied by a
change in use for the coal cess
• The cess is currently contributing to the National
Environment Fund (NEF), with a mandate to finance and
promote clean energy initiatives
• It is a carbon tax that will now be redirected
Use of cess:
• Collections from the cess on coal are now expected to be
used to compensate states for the loss of revenue due to
the GST regime
• Between 2010 and 2017, this cess has been used to
make budgetary allocations to the ministries of New and
Renewable Energy; Environment, Forests, and Climate
Change; Water Resources, etc.
• The GST Rate Schedule for goods has put ‘solar power
generating systems’ and ‘photovoltaic cells whether or
not assembled into modules or made into panels’ into
different tax brackets
Tax on solar power
• GST rate schedule suggested that all solar power
generating systems will be taxed at 5%
• This will be similar to the tax on wind systemsThis would
put solar and wind in the same tax bracket as coal
• Coal was previously taxed at 11.69%Nuclear fuel too will
be taxed at 5%
The state of confusion
• Another chapter of the GST rate schedule noted that
semi-conductor devices including PV cells, which may or
may not be assembled into modules or panels, would be
taxed at 18%
• The council has put solar panels in the 5% category
• The issue of tax on the remaining components of solar
systems remains unresolved even on the eve of the
rollout of the new fiscal regime
What will be the impact?
• In the first scenario, utility scale solar (panels and parts),
along with other renewable energy sources of electricity
as well as coal, is taxed at 5%
• Analysis suggests that GST would result in a minor rise of
1.6% in solar tariffs
• In a thriving solar market, this is unlikely to create any
setback for the sector
• While 5% doesn’t seem a mammoth fig

ure, the rise in
price of solar power is not insignificant when seen in
conjunction with the decline in taxes on coal
• 60% decline in taxation on coal is likely to make thermal
power cheaper by as much as Rs 0.15
• This would set back some of the rapid advances made in
recent times to close the price gap between the prices of
solar power and thermal power
• The cumulative result, with a lower tax bracket for coal
and higher (effective) tax implication for solar, would
do little to incentives already apprehensive utilities to
purchase more solar power
What about the cess?
• The change in the tax regime would be accompanied by a change in use for the coal cess
• The cess is currently contributing to the National Environment Fund (NEF), with a mandate to finance and promote clean energy initiatives
• It is a carbon tax that will now be redirected
Use of cess:
• Collections from the cess on coal are now expected to be used to compensate states for the loss of revenue due to the GST regime
• Between 2010 and 2017, this cess has been used to make budgetary allocations to the ministries of New and Renewable Energy; Environment, Forests, and Climate Change; Water Resources, etc.

👑👑 India's Rank In Different Indexes Released In 2017👑👑
🌞World’s Men’s Football teams -101st(Brazil-1st)
🌞Tourism rankings - 40th(France- 1st)
🌞Bribery and corrupt practices in businesses - 9th(Ukraine- 1st)
🌞ICC Test rankings - 1st
🌞Human Development Index-131st(Norway- 1st)
🌞World Happiness Report -122nd(Norway- 1st)
🌞Global Ranking- Mercer's Quality of Living Rankings -144th (Vienna, Austria- 1st)
🌞World Bank’s Ease of “Doing Business” Rankings-130th(New Zealand- 1st)
🌞Kearney Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index- 8th(United States of America- 1st)
🌞Green energy spending- 5th(China-1st)
🌞 Milk Production - 2nd(United States of America-1st)
🌞 Global hunger index- 97th(Zambia- 1st)
🌞 Global talent competitiveness-89th(Switzerland-1st)
🌞Corruption perception Index - 76th(Somalia- 1st)
🌞Nuclear material security - 23rd(Australia- 1st)
🌞FDI confidence- 9th(United States- 1st)
🌞Intellectual property (IP) index -43rd(United States - 1st)
🌞Remittance Index -1st
🌞Crony Capitalism-9th(Hong Kong- 1st)
🌞World Press freedom index -136th(Norway- 1st)
🌞Defense Expenditure- 4th(United States - 1st)
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Can Rainbows be full circles?

Yes! Rainbows can be full circles. However, the observer normally sees only an arc formed by illuminated droplets above the ground, and centred on a line from the sun to the observer's eye.
In a primary rainbow, the arc shows red on the outer part and violet on the inner side. This rainbow is caused by light being refracted when entering a droplet of water, then reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.
In a double rainbow, a second arc is seen outside the primary arc, and has the order of its colours reversed, with red on the inner side of the arc.

Can Rainbows be full circles?

Yes! Rainbows can be full circles. However, the observer normally sees only an arc formed by illuminated droplets above the ground, and centred on a line from the sun to the observer's eye.
In a primary rainbow, the arc shows red on the outer part and violet on the inner side. This rainbow is caused by light being refracted when entering a droplet of water, then reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.
In a double rainbow, a second arc is seen outside the primary arc, and has the order of its colours reversed, with red on the inner side of the arc.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Finance and Banking
Post GST Launch:

Effects of GST on different sectors of the economy.

India’s manufacturing activity in July slumped to its lowest level since February 2009, dragged down by disruptions to business activity following the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 47.9 in July, down from 50.9 in June, and highlighted the first deterioration in business conditions in 2017 so far
July also marked the biggest month-on-month decline since November 2008, just after the collapse of Lehman Brothers triggered the global financial crisis
This contraction is likely to put pressure on the Reserve Bank of India to lower interest rate at its policy meet.

GST Effect

The GST launch, the survey said, affected demand.
The reductions in output, new orders and purchasing activity were all the steepest since early 2009.
However, foreign demand for India-manufactured goods improved in July as new export orders continued to rise.
While some business segments have protested against the GST, many are struggling with the new compliance requirements that require them to file at least three returns every month.

Back2basics

What is the ‘Purchasing Managers’ Index – PMI’

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector.
The PMI is based on five major indicators: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries and the employment environment.
The purpose of the PMI is to provide information about current business conditions to company decision makers, analysts and purchasing managers.

Impact of flood on India's GDP

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

⭕ Prepare urban floods, causes, solutions etc.


From Assam in the north-east to Rajasthan and Gujarat in the west, floods are taking a heavy toll on lives and property this year.

As per latest reports, 82 and over 100 flood-related deaths have been recorded in the states of Assam and Gujarat, respectively.

⭕ Has flood-related damage increased in India over time?

Flood-related loss of both human and cattle lives and economic damages have come down over time.
However, there has been a significant change in the nature of flood-related losses in India.

⭕ What changes?

Central Water Commission (CWC) gives detailed estimates of economic loss and loss of human and cattle lives due to floods from 1953-2016
The 1970s was the worst decade in terms of loss human and cattle lives due to floods in India. These losses have come down since then.

Although absolute economic losses have been increasing, the relative economic damage has come down

⭕ Flood related losses?

Floods resulted in loss of 86% of the total GDP in the 1970s and 1980s.

In the present decade, this share has come down to 1% of the GDP.

Until the 1970s, damage to crops was the biggest component of economic loss due to floods. Over time, damage to public utilities has acquired the biggest share in flood-related losses.

A 2015 World Resources Institute study had shown that expanding cities and worsening climate challenges can significantly increase flood-related risks in India.
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How does fastag work ?

RFID tag called FASTag is mounted on the vehicle's windscreen. As the vehicle reaches the toll plaza, a unique identification number that is embedded on the tag is read by road side RFID reader. Applicable toll amount is deducted from a prepaid account that is linked to that particular FASTag.

Timeline for Environment
1971: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance ("Ramsar Convention")

1972: Stockholm Declaration

1973: Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild flora and fauna (CITES)

1982: Nairobi Declaration

1985: Vienna convention for the protection of ozone layer

1987: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

1987: Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development ("Brundtland Report")

1992: Agenda 21

1992: Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

1992: Convention on Biological Diversity

1997: Protocol to the UNFCCC ("Kyoto Protocol")

1998: Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade ("Rotterdam Convention")

2000: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety ("Cartagena Protocol")

2001: Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants ("Stockholm Convention")

2010: The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (‘Nagoya Protocol’)

2012: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – RIO +20

2015: Paris Agreement (To replace Kyoto Protocol)
Most recent : Donald Trump US president walked out of Paris Accord on Environment.

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Important Days in July with Themes
DateDay2017 theme if any
1 July National Doctors’ Day–
1 July Chartered Accountants’ Day–
1st Saturday International Co-operative Day ---Co-operatives ensure no one is left behind
2 JulyWorld Sports Journalist Day–
3 JulyInternational Plastic Bag Free Day–

6 JulyWorld Zoonoses Day–
7 JulyGlobal Forgiveness Day–
7 JulyWorld Chocolate Day–

11 JulyWorld Population DayFamily Planning ---- Empowering People, Developing Nations
12 JulyMalala Day –
15 JulyWorld Youth Skills Day -------- Skills for the Future of Work
17 JulyInternational Justice Day --------Preventing conflict and sustaining peace through decent work
18 JulyNelson Mandela International Day–

23 JulyNational Broadcasting Day–
24 JulyIncome Tax Day–
26 JulyKargil Vijay Diwas–
27 JulyMinistry of Earth Sciences foundation day–

28 JulyWorld Hepatitis Day----------Eliminate Hepatitis

28 JulyWorld Nature Conservation Day–
29 JulyGlobal Tiger DayFresh Ecology For Tigers’ Protection
30 JulyWorld Day against Trafficking in PersonsAct to protect and assist trafficked persons.