30 Aug 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

August 30th, 2021, CNA:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India, Russia to expand Central Asia ties: envoy
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. ‘Oil palm plan is a recipe for disaster’
2. NITI bats for tax breaks to achieve monetisation goal
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GOVERNANCE
1. Towards a more humane police force
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
1. A fine line
F. Prelims Facts
1. Hurricane Ida strikes U.S.
G. Tidbits
1. China to require foreign vessels to report in ‘territorial waters’
2. Rape and insensitivity
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. NITI bats for tax breaks to achieve monetisation goal

Context:

  • In the light of the recently unveiled National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), the NITI Aayog has come up with a list of prescriptions to make the NMP a success.

For detailed information on the provisions of the NMP, refer to the following article:

CNA dated Aug 24, 2021: FM unveils Rs. 6 lakh-cr. asset monetisation plan

Details:

  • The government plans to use the Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) route to monetise public assets under the NMP given the suitability of the InvITs and REITs model.
    • InvITs give investors an opportunity to invest in infrastructure assets with predictable cash flows, while the asset owners can raise resources from those assets, which in turn can be deployed in new assets or used to repay debt.

Prescriptions made by NITI Aayog:

  • Appropriate policy and regulatory changes to scale up InvITs and REITs need to be focussed upon. This would provide an impetus to expand the investor base of InvITs and REITs.
  • Tax-efficient and user-friendly mechanisms like allowing tax benefits in InvITs will help attract investors to these instruments.
  • The government should give Income Tax breaks on capital gains to attract retail investors into InvITs And REITs. Though this will entail a cost in the form of loss of revenue for the exchequer, the long-term benefits of infrastructure development and economic growth may outweigh the cost.
  • Investment instruments like InvITs should be included under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. This will give added comfort to investors planning to invest in InvITs as extending IBC provisions to InvITs would help lenders access a faster and more effective debt restructuring and resolution option.
    • Currently, InvIT structures are not considered a ‘legal person’ and cannot be brought under IBC proceedings.
  • Provisions for a robust resolution process would be crucial to ensure retail investor safety in NMP.

For more related information on measures to be taken to ensure proper implementation and effectiveness of the NMP, refer to the following article:

CNA dated Aug 29, 2021: Why is there a push for asset monetisation?

G. Tidbits

1. China to require foreign vessels to report in ‘territorial waters’

  • In a move that could have ramifications for the free passage of both military and commercial vessels in the South China Sea, Chinese authorities have stated that a specified range of vessels will have to report specified information when passing through China claimed territorial waters of the South China Sea.
    • Indian commercial vessels, as well as ships of the Indian Navy, regularly traverse the waters of the South China Sea. About 55% of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea waters and the Malacca Straits.
  • The “nine dash line” based on which China claims vast tracts of the South China Sea is deemed by most countries as being inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which only gives states the right to establish a territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles.
  • Also, the new announcement would be inconsistent with UNCLOS, which states that ships of all countries enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

2. Rape and insensitivity

  • The gang-rape of an MBA student in Mysuru and the subsequent events have brought to light not only the issue of violence against women but also the sexist and misogynist attitude of society.
    • According to the latest records available with the National Crime Records Bureau, a rape occurs every 16 minutes in India.
    • Sexist, misogynist, survivor-blaming remarks have invariably followed instances of violence against women in Indian society. The victims are often blamed for wearing supposedly improper clothing and staying out late.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. POSHAN Abhiyaan is the Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional 
outcomes for which of the following sections of the society?
  1. Adolescent Girls
  2. Children
  3. Disabled
  4. Pregnant women and lactating mothers
  5. Senior Citizens

Options:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1, 2 and 4 only
  3. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • The Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition or POSHAN Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission is the Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent girls and pregnant women and lactating mothers.
  • The POSHAN Abhiyaan directs the attention of the country towards the problem of malnutrition and addresses it in a mission mode.
Q2. India entered into Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) with which among 
the following countries?
  1. Japan
  2. Australia
  3. USA
  4. Russia
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • As part of the efforts to further deepen the defence cooperation between India and Russia, India and Russia are expected to conclude the bilateral logistics agreement, Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) during the upcoming Russian Defence Minister’s visit to India.
  • This means Indian ships or aircraft can now use Russian ports or airfields without having to take permission or make immediate payments. India has already signed a similar agreement with the USA. The LEMOA or the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement between India and the United States was signed in 2016.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): 
  1. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  2. CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
  3. The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure, by the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating agency of India. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  • The CBI is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
  • The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure in office by the CVC Act, 2003.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the South China Sea:
  1. It is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  2. It is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.
  3. The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by the Philippines, China, and Taiwan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • The South China Sea is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  • The South China Sea is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.

South China Sea

  • The Scarborough Shoal located in the disputed South China Sea is claimed by the Philippines, China, and Taiwan.

Scarborough Shoal

Q5. Who among the following Mughal emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts 
to the album and individual portraits? [UPSC 2019]
  1. Humayun
  2. Akbar
  3. Jahangir
  4. Shah Jahan
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • During Akbar’s reign, many manuscripts were illustrated, the prominent being Razmnamah, the Persian translation of Mahabharata. It was during Jahangir’s reign that manuscripts became less important and individual portraits became more prominent.
  • Jahangir shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. Infrastructure development and eco-conservation should go hand-in-hand. Discuss in the context of proposed infrastructure development in the Himalayan region. (15 marks, 250 words)(GS Paper 3/Environment and Ecology)
  2. Women’s security must not be predicated on restrictions of their rights and freedoms. Comment. (15 marks, 250 words) (GS Paper 2/Governance)

Read the previous CNA here.

August 30th, 2021, CNA:- Download PDF Here

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