IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th May 2020

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(PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)

National Migrant Information System (NMIS) developed 

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Disaster Management

In News:

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed ‘National Migrant Information System (NMIS)’. 
• It is a central online repository on Migrant Workers to facilitate their seamless movement across States.

Important value additions:

National Disaster Management Authority

• It is an apex Body of Government of India, with a mandate to lay down policies for disaster management. 
• It was established through the Disaster Management Act in 2005.
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Headquarters: New Delhi. 
• The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA, who chairs a 9-member board. 
• It is responsible for: 
  • framing policies, 
  • laying down guidelines and best-practices
  • coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs). 

Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection Response Programme 

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health; Global groupings

In News:

• The Government of India and the World Bank have recently signed an agreement for $750 million of $1 billion assistance.

Key takeaways:

• Assistance is proposed for Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection Response Programme to support India’s efforts at protecting vulnerable households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• It will be implemented by the Ministry of Finance. 
• Also, $1 billion support was announced earlier in April 2020 as well by the Bank.
• The new support will be funded in two phases. 
• The first phase will be an immediate allocation of $750 million for fiscal year 2020. 
• It will be implemented countrywide through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). 
• The remaining allocation of $250 million will be made available for fiscal year 2021 in the second phase. 
• In this phase, additional cash and in-kind benefits based on local needs will be extended through state governments and social protection delivery systems. 

Important value additions:

World Bank

• It is an international financial institution. 
• It provides loans and grants to the poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
• It comprises two institutions: 
  • the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 
  • the International Development Association (IDA)
• Headquarter : Washington D.C

China teams up with Pakistan to build Diamer-Bhasha Dam

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International relations

In News:

• China has recently teamed up with Pakistan to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam in Gilgit-Baltistan region. 
• It has created some tension between India and China since India has laid claims over this region. 

Key takeaways:

• Power China, one of the biggest Chinese power companies, received a contract to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam. 
• Once completed, the dam will allow Pakistan to use the waters of the Indus for irrigation.

Important value additions:

Diamer-Bhasha Dam 

• It is a concrete-filled gravity dam, in the initial stages of construction, on the River Indus between Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan. 
• The dam site is situated near a place called “Bhasha”, hence the name.
• Its foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1998. 

Decision on Dibang Multipurpose Project postponed

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment; Biodiversity

In News:

• The Forest Advisory Committee (FEC), has once again deferred (postpone) its decision on Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh. 
• The project has been delayed for over six years because it requires diverting 1,165 hectares of forest which is rich in biodiversity.

Important value additions:

Dibang Multipurpose Project

• It is located on river Dibang, in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The project shall generate 2, 880 MW power. 
• This is the largest ever Hydro Electric Project to be constructed in India.
• The dam will be Concrete Gravity Dam. 

Forest Advisory Committee (FEC)

• It is the apex body of the Environment Ministry responsible for deciding whether forest land can be diverted for industrial projects. 

Miscellaneous 

Cyclone Amphan 

• It is a tropical cyclone formed over Bay of Bengal 
• It is likely to turn into a “super cyclonic storm. 
• It has been named by Thailand.
• West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh will be the most affected regions. 

INTERNATIONAL/ GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH

Topic: General Studies 2,3:

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors 

Diplomatic tussle at WHO

Context: A resolution is being moved at World Health Assembly seeking a probe into the origin of Covid-19 and role of WHO

Did You Know?

• The call for an international investigation was first voiced formally by the Australian prime minister.
• India is set to be elected Chair of the WHO’s decision-making Executive Board at its 73rd World Health Assembly on 18-19 May 2020

What is the resolution all about?

• Besides a scientific investigation into the origins of the virus, the resolution calls for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive” evaluation into the international response to the corona pandemic
• The resolution does not mention China by name, which is one of the key demands of US.

Critical Analysis of the resolution proposed

• Diluted: The resolution was watered down to get the maximum possible backing at the WHO
• Not powerless: The resolution is said to have enough teeth to dig deep into the issues raised by the corona crisis.
• Overrides China’s opposition: Despite the open threats of trade sanctions from China, Australia has pressed ahead working with the EU to introduce the resolution.
• Accountability: The resolution indicates that international community wants accountability from China and WHO on their handling of pandemic
• Setback for China: A unanimous approval of the resolution will be a diplomatic setback for China, since limiting the demands for an external inquiry has been a major political priority for Beijing.

What must India do at these times?

India must look at the deeper issues that have troubled the WHO

• There is the need to develop new international norms that will increase the powers of the WHO in facilitating early detection & notification of pandemics
• India must help change the funding of WHO -It depends on donations rather than membership fees, as a result, donors will set the agenda
• India must also ask if the WHO is trying to do too many things. 
• WHO’s initial successes came when it focused on a few objectives like combatting malaria and the elimination of smallpox. 
• A limited agenda will make thus WHO a more effective organisation.

Conclusion

Sustained engagement with China, then, is as important for India as deeper cooperation with the “Quad plus” nations in promoting a new global regime on preventing and managing pandemics.

Connecting the dots:

• WTO in post-COVID world and future of RCEP
• Pandemic Patent Pool

(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)

Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)

Note: 

• Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. 
• Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.

Q.1 Cyclone Amphan, recently seen in news, has formed over which of the following? 

1. Bay of Bengal 
2. Indian ocean 
3. Arabian Sea 
4. South China Sea

Q.2 Where is river Dibang located? 

1. Arunachal Pradesh 
2. Sikkim 
3. Nagaland 
4. Mizoram

Q.3 Diamer-Bhasha Dam, recently seen in news, is proposed to be constructed on which of the following river? 

1. Indus 
2. Jhelum 
3. Chenab 
4. Ravi

Q.4 Consider the following statements regarding World Bank: 

1. The International Development Association is a part of the World bank 
2. The headquarter of the World bank is in Washington DC

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.5 Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection Response Programme was recently signed between which of the following? 

1. India and WHO 
2. India and the World bank 
3. USA and India 
4. India and South Korea

Q.6 Consider the following statements regarding National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): 

1. The President of India is the ex-officio chairman of NDMA 
2. It is a non-statutory body.

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS FOR 18th May 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)

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