24 May 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY
1. The Telangana- A.P. water dispute
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The paradox of BRICS, its new pathway
F. Prelims Facts
1. EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism
G. Tidbits
1. India-Australia ties built on trust: Modi
2. Establish links with 168 unconnected border villages: Shah
3. ‘73% Smart City projects completed’
4. India gives Bangladesh key rail infra
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

B. GS 2 Related

Category: POLITY

1. The Telangana- A.P. water dispute

Syllabus: Interstate Relations – Inter-State Water Disputes

Prelims: About Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals

Mains: Krishna water dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Context

The stalemate over sharing of Krishna water between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continues as there is no resolution in sight.

Krishna water dispute

• The origins of the dispute over the sharing of Krishna water date back to the formation of Andhra Pradesh in November 1956. 
• Before the formation of Andhra Pradesh, four leaders from different parts of the State which included the Rayalaseema Region and the Telangana region, entered into a Gentlemen’s Agreement in February 1956. 
  • One of the major provisions of this agreement was to safeguard the interests and acknowledge the needs of Telangana with respect to the utilisation of water resources and facilitate equitable distribution of water based on global treaties.
• The Andhra region already had a well-developed irrigation system as compared to the areas in Telangana which were drought-prone. This has led to the dispute over water sharing.
• In 1969, the Bachawat Tribunal or the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-I) was set up to put an end to the dispute among the riparian States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (before bifurcation). 
  • The KWDT-I allocated 811 tmcft of dependable water to Andhra Pradesh. 
  • The A.P. government apportioned it in the ratio of 512:299 tmcft between Andhra (which also comprises Rayalaseema) and Telangana, respectively.
  • The KWDT-I also recommended taking the water from the Tungabhadra Dam to the drought-prone Mahabubnagar area of Telangana. However, this was not implemented which has led to discontent among the people of Telangana.
• Further, there is no mention of water sharing between the States in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• Later in a meeting held by the then Ministry of Water Resources in 2015, the two States had agreed for sharing water in the ratio of 34:66 (Telangana: A.P.) as an ad hoc arrangement and it was specified that the ratio must be reviewed annually. 
• The arrangement in the Act led to the establishment of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), which has continued the allocation of water in the same ratio of 34:66 year after year despite the opposition by Telangana.
• Telangana, in October 2020, protested for an equal share till water shares were finalised and reiterated its stand for an equal share and displeasure over the existing arrangement in a recent meeting. 
• The KRMB after failing to convince the member States has now referred the matter to the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS).

For more information on “The Krishna River dispute”, refer to the following article:

UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 9 Feb 2022

What does each State claim?

• Telangana: The Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) of Telangana has held that “Telangana is entitled to 70% share in 811 tmc ft allocated to combined Andhra Pradesh by the KWDT-I Award, but the erstwhile A.P. had apportioned it in 512:299 tmc ft (A.P. : Telangana) ratio.
  • There have been claims that Andhra Pradesh is diverting about 300 tmc ft of water out of 512 tmc ft to the areas outside the Krishna Basin, which is a gross violation of the KWDT-I Award.
  • Telangana has thus urged the Centre to intervene and finalise a water-sharing agreement.
• Andhra Pradesh: A.P. has also been claiming a higher share of water in order to safeguard the interests of areas already developed.

Centre’s Stand

• The Central Government has already convened two meetings in 2016 and 2020 which also involved the Chief Ministers of Telangana and A.P. 
• In 2020, after a recommendation by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), the Telangana government withdrew the petition it had filed in the Supreme Court over the issue as the Ministry assured to refer this issue to a Tribunal. 
• Critics say that the Centre has been sitting over the issue for over two years and the two States are involved in constant tussle over the issue day in and day out.

Also read – Inter-State Water Disputes in India

Nut graf: Despite the completion of nine years since the bifurcation of the combined State of AP, the dispute over the sharing of water of the Krishna River between A.P. and Telangana has still remained unresolved. Experts feel that the Centre should come up with an impartial system for the allocation of water in order to put an end to this nagging issue.

C. GS 3 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

1. EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism

Syllabus: GS-3; Environment; Conservation

Prelims: About EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism

Context

On the 10th of May 2023, the European Commission signed the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). 

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods that are entering the European Union (EU) and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.
• The key objective of the CBAM is to avert “carbon leakage”.
• The EU plans a gradual introduction of CBAM from 1st October 2023 and this will translate into a 20-35% tax on selected imports to the EU nations by 1st January 2026.
• Once the CBAM is fully implemented from 2026, importers in the EU nations will have to buy carbon certificates corresponding to the payable carbon price of the import had the product been produced in the continent, under its carbon pricing rules.
• The European Commission will be responsible for reviewing, verifying declarations and managing the central platform for the sale of CBAM certificates with the help of relevant authorities of the member states.
• The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been described as a “landmark tool”.

Read more – EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism

G. Tidbits

1. India-Australia ties built on trust: Modi

• The Indian Prime Minister, while addressing the Indian diaspora at an event held in Sydney, said that the foundation of India-Australia relations lies in mutual trust and respect.
• The Prime Minister of Australia described India as a “force of global good” and a “bright spot” in the world economy.
• Also during the event, Harris Park, which is a suburb in Western Sydney where the Indian community celebrates festivals and events such as Deepavali and Australia Day, was renamed “Little India” indicating the strong bond between the two countries.
• The Prime Minister of India further noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is constantly deepening.
  • The bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to double in the next five years as the countries are working towards building resilient and reliable supply chains.
  • The two countries also signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022.

Also read – AIR Spotlight: India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. How many of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Moderate)

1. The Krishna River originates in Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
2. It is the 3rd longest river in India.
3. It flows through 4 states.
4. Bhima River is an important left-bank tributary of the Krishna River.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. Only 3 statements
4. All 4 statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, The Krishna River originates in the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in the state of Maharashtra. 
• Statement 2 is correct, The Krishna River is the third-longest river in India, after the Ganga and the Godavari.
  • The Krishna River is also the fourth-largest in terms of water inflows and river basin area in India, after the Ganga, Indus and Godavari.
• Statement 3 is correct, The Krishna River flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• Statement 4 is correct, Bhima River is a major left-bank tributary of the Krishna River.

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Moderate)

1. CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
2. CARINGS (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System) is a database of prospective children and parents maintained by CARA.
3. The Juvenile Justice Act streamlines all adoption and child safety-related rules in the country.

Options:

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 3

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• Statement 2 is correct, Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS) is an online platform designed to bring transparency to the adoption system and also curtail delays at various levels.
  • The CARINGS portal for adoption is maintained by CARA.
• Statement 3 is correct, The Juvenile Justice Act streamlines all adoption and child safety-related rules in the country.

Q3. How many of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Easy)

1. Article 123 of the Indian Constitution gives the President the power for promulgation of Ordinances.
2. Article 213 gives similar power to a state Governor.
3. The Ordinances must be presented before the Parliament/State legislatures within 6 months of their promulgation.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. All 3 statements
4. None of the statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, Article 123 of the Constitution grants the President certain law-making powers to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament.
• Statement 2 is correct, Article 213 deals with the power of the Governor to promulgate ordinances.
• Statement 3 is not correct, The maximum life of an ordinance can be six months and six weeks.
  • Ordinances passed are to be presented before the Parliament/State legislatures upon reassembling.
  • Such ordinances must be approved by Parliament/State legislatures within six weeks of reassembling or they shall cease to operate. 

Q4. Identify the correct statements: (Level – difficult)

1. The National Population Register was first prepared in 1971.
2. It was prepared under the Citizenship Act, of 1955.
3. It prepares a database of the citizens of the country.

Options:

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 3 only

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct, The National Population Register (NPR) was first prepared in 2010 and updated in 2015.
• Statement 2 is correct, The NPR was prepared under Sub-rule (4) of Rule 3 of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Statement 3 is not correct, The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive database of the total population residing in India and the total population includes both citizens and non-citizens. 
  • The category of non-citizens isn’t restricted to illegal migrants alone.

Q5. With reference to Swadeshi Movement consider the following statements: 
(Level – Easy) [PYQ 2019]

1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of the Swadeshi Movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, Swadeshi Movement focused on self-reliance thus contributing to the revival of indigenous artisan craft and industries.
• Statement 2 is correct, The National Council of Education was established by Satish Chandra Mukherjee and other Indian nationalists in Bengal in 1906 to promote science and technology as part of the Swadeshi industrialisation movement.