week - 2 (february, 2019)

WEEK - 2 (FEBRUARY, 2019)

DisclaimerThe current affairs articles are segregated from prelims and mains perspective, such separation is maintained in terms of structure of articles. Mains articles have more focus on analysis and prelims articles have more focus on facts.However, this doesn’t mean that Mains articles don’t cover facts and PT articles can’t have analysis. You are suggested to read all of them for all stages of examination.

3

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


CONTENTSSection - A: Mains Current Affairs

Area of GS Topics in News Page No.

EnvironmentCentre relaxes environmental clearance norms for sugar mills 05

E-waste as Treasure 09

Ethics Temple entry and ethics 07

International Relations

Relations between India and United Arab Emirates 11

USA pulls out of INF treaty 13

Polity Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) issue 16

Section - B: Prelims Current Affairs

Area of GS Topics in News Page No.

Environment

Black soft shell turtle 19

Global Tiger Recovery Program 20

Goa State Biodiversity Board’s Tag 21

Wetland Day 21

Economy INSTEX – Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges 23

Indian Economy

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade 24

Input Tax Credit 24

Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System 26

Governance

DAMan Initiative 26

Jan Shikshan Sansthan 27

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) 28

Serious Fraud Investigation Offi ce 28

Science & Technology

Communication Satellite GSAT-31 29

Zearalenone, a fungal toxin 30

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN NEWS 32

**********

CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSTWEEK-2 (FEBRUARY, 2019)

4 www.iasscore.in


CURRENT AFFAIRS

SECTION: A (MAINS)

5

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


CENTRE RELAXES ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE NORMS FOR SUGAR MILLS

CONTEXTThe Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notifi ed a special provision that relaxes norms for getting prior environmental clearance (EC) to sugar manufacturing and distillery projects.

ABOUT:

The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notifi cation of 2006 had made it mandatory to get an EC for all new projects, their expansion, modernization and change in product mix.This implies that EC had to be acquired before beginning construction work or preparation of land by the project management, except for securing the land.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA):The EIA notifi cation has three categories — A, B1 and B2.The projects under category A require EC from MoEF&CC.Category B1 projects get the EC from the state/ union territory Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Projects under category B2 also get EC from the SEIAA. But, B2 category projects do not require an EIA report and are exempted from holding public consultation.

Why did the government opt for “special provision?”

The latest notifi cation allows all sugar manufacturing and distillery expansion projects to be treated as B2 category under the EIA notifi cation 2006.This provision was made to produce ethanol for blending with petrol under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) programme.

Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) programme:

EBP programme was launched by the government in 2003 to promote the use of alternative and environmental friendly fuels.This intervention also aimed to reduce import dependency for energy requirements, and give boost to the agriculture sector (supply of straw, additional income to farmers).Oil marketing companies (OMCs) were mandated to sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to 10 per cent. The government allowed procurement of ethanol produced from non-food feed stocks, like cellulosic and ligno-cellulosic

materials, including petrochemical route.Ligno-cellulosic materials: It describes the main constituents in most plants, namely cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Lignocellulose is a complex matrix, comprising many different polysaccharides, phenolic polymers and proteins. Cellulose, the major component of cell walls of land plants, is a glucan polysaccharide containing large reservoirs of energy that provide real potential for conversion into biofuels. It is the non-starch based fi brous part of plant material

Linkages between Sugar Industry and EBP:The sugarcane and sugar production in sugar season is generally very high leading to dampening of sugar prices. Consequently, sugarcane farmers’ dues have increased due to lower capability of sugar industry to pay the farmers.The realization from ethanol is also one of the components in revenue of sugar mills/distilleries, Government has decided to review the price of ethanol derived out of C heavy molasses.

Some elucidations:“A” molasses is an intermediate product obtained upon centrifuging the A masecuite (a semi-solid mixture obtained from the juice of sugar cane after several round) in a raw sugar factory. Approximately 77% of the total, available, raw sugar in clarifi ed/concentrated sugarcane juice is extracted during this fi rst centrifugation process.“B” molasses is also known as “second” molasses. It, too, is an intermediate product, obtained from boiling together “seed-sugar” and A molasses to obtain a B masecuite, which is then centrifuged to extract an additional 12% of raw sugar. At this point, approximately 89% of the total recoverable raw sugar in the processed cane has been extracted.The last molasses is known as “C”, molasses. It is the end product obtained upon combining “virgin” sugar crystals obtained from syrup crystallization and B molasses to form a C masecuite, which after boiling and centrifuging produces C sugar and C molasses. Even though C molasses is considered the end or fi nal product in a raw sugar factory, it still contains considerable amounts of sucrose (approximately 32 to 42%) which to date has not been recovered by an economically viable method.

6 www.iasscore.in


ANALYSIS:

Relaxed environmental clearance norms for sugar mills

The current notifi cation clarifi es that the exception has been made to increase the production of ethanol. The cabinet committee on economic affairs in 2018 had increased the price of ethanol to be supplied to OMCs under the EBP to help reduce the arrears of sugarcane farmers.

Sugar mills in India cumulatively owe Rs 22,000 crore to farmers for cane supplied in 2017-18.

The idea is that the monitory gains made by the mills through ethanol sale would be used to clear dues of farmers.

Ethanol blending with petrol is practiced in other countries also. In Thailand, this is as high as 85 per cent.

If the 10 per cent target was achieved (of EBP), the government would have saved Rs 4,000 crore that the country spends on importing petrol. Moreover, it would have reduced 3 million tonnes of carbon emission, says the new National Policy on Biofuels 2018.

National Policy on Biofuels 2018:

Background: Biofuels in India are of strategic importance as it augers well with the ongoing initiatives of the Government such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill Development and offers great opportunity to integrate with the ambitious targets of doubling of Farmers Income, Import Reduction, Employment Generation, Waste to Wealth Creation.

Biofuels programme in India has been largely impacted due to the sustained and quantum non-availability of domestic feedstock for biofuel production which needs to be addressed.

Salient Features: The Policy categorizes biofuels as “Basic Biofuels” viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and “Advanced Biofuels” - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate fi nancial and fi scal incentives under each category.

The Policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of Sugarcane Juice, Sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, Starch containing materials like Corn, Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten Potatoes, unfi t for human consumption for ethanol production.

Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price for their produce during the surplus production phase. Taking this into account, the Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.

With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refi neries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.

The Policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops.

Would Benefi ts outweigh “harm” caused to the environment?

Relaxing the standards (norms) for sugar industries to increase ethanol production will result in higher degree of pollution.

Distilleries are among the most water-intensive industries, and will end up putting more stress on the water resources of the local area.

Ethanol blended petrol, although less polluting, has a much shorter shelf life than normal petrol.

By adopting EBP technologies, agricultural residues/waste which otherwise are burnt by the farmers and mill owners can be converted to ethanol and can fetch a price for these waste if a market is developed for the same. Also, conversion of surplus grains and agricultural biomass can help in price stabilization. One 100 klpd (Kilo Litres per Day) 2G bio refi nery can contribute 1200 jobs in Plant Operations, Village Level Entrepreneurs and Supply Chain Management.

Relaxing the standards for sugar manufacturing and distillery projects to increase ethanol production will result in higher degree of pollution from these industries. Critically evaluate the statement while basing it on India’s irm INDC commitments.

Practice Question

7

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


ABOUT

What is e-waste?E-waste is the electronic product that has become unfi t for the originally intended use or has crossed the expiry date. It includes the discarded electronic items and equipment comprising of electric cord, battery or plug. It is merely 2% of total solid waste, however, it forms 70% of the total hazardous waste that sooner or later ends up in landfi lls.

How does e-waste impact us?Presence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, nickel, chromium and others and parts like cathode ray tubes of old TVs and circuit boards are harmful for the human health.

Workers indulged in recycling these products are exposed to toxic metals though ingestion, skin contact and inhalation of carcinogenic fumes.

E-waste can pollute the water sources and gradually enter into the food chain which adversely affect both human and animal.

FactsThe United Nations University’s Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, placed India at the fi fth place in annual generation of e-waste at 2 million tonnes.

One can fi nd 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than a tonne of gold ore itself.

Around 7% of global gold may be lying unutilized and underutilized by being considered e-waste.

By 2040, the e-carbon emissions from the production and use of electronic products would reach 14% of the total emissions.

Informal sector does 95% of e-waste recycling in India.

$62.5 billion is the global valuation of e-waste, which surpasses the GDPs of several nations.

ANALYSIS:

Why do we need to be worried? Around 20-50 million tonnes of e-waste is annually generated across the world, and this

fi gure is expected to rise by 3-5% annually.

Recycled e-waste forms only 20% of the total e-waste generated which means that around 80% of e-waste is burned, sent to landfi lls or illegally shipped and treated through sub-standard techniques. Improper disposal leads to the release of carcinogenic brominated pollutants.

Landfi lls are already being exploited beyond their capacities, which leave few other options than recycling the electronic products.

Issues with e-waste management Poor and ineffi cient recycling methods are a two- fold blow for the reason that more than 70% of this e-waste eventually lands up in various landfi lls, thus, losing the precious metals, which ultimately results in increased mining.

The abysmal recovery rate of the metal from the e-waste is another consequence of ineffi cient extraction methods. For instance, recovery rate for cobalt is a paltry 30%. Cobalt is in huge demand for various electronic items like laptops, car batteries and mobile phones. If we could get it through recycling e-waste, it will ease the unnecessary mining pressures.

Even though e-waste is regulated under “Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal”, but it still continues to be illegally shipped to the developing countries (e.g. India, China, Brazil) from developed countries (e.g. USA, Japan, Australia, Western Europe and others).

Quantifi cation of e-waste is another obstacle in the management of e-waste. The lack of updated inventory of e-waste generated makes the collection, recycling and disposal a diffi cult task.

Informal sector is the only community that has recognized the treasure in e-waste. However, the sector extracts the metal by burning plastic, which only complicates the issue given the environmental as well as the health concerns of the workers. In addition to that, the methods used by them are very fundamental with low recovery rates.

Although, India has rules in place under E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 but poor implementation

E-WASTE AS TREASURE

CONTEXTA latest UN-WEF report titled ‘A new circular vision for electronics’ highlighted that a Tsunami of e-waste would hit the shores of mankind if sustainable solutions of the problem were not worked out. As part of better management of e-waste it underlines the importance of extracting precious metals found in the e-waste such as gold, cobalt, platinum, silver, rare earth metals like neodymium and others.

8 www.iasscore.in


makes it ineffective. Apart from this, lack of awareness about existing collection centres for old electronic products under extended producer responsibility (EPR) making the problem worse.

Silver lining of e-wasteIf processed scientifi cally, precious metals like gold, platinum, silver and copper can be recovered.

Recycling of e-waste is energy effi cient in comparison to extraction of metals from virgin ores. The report says that this energy effi ciency is to the tune of 2-10 times. Shortening the product development lifecycle saves signifi cant amount of consumption energy.

The additional mining for metals is a burden by virtue of it being energy intensive activity. The report highlights that around 7% of global energy consumption is directed towards mining operations. It also limits the consumption of fresh raw material by making available metals for re-use.

Furthermore, mining from ore emits 80% more carbon dioxide per unit of gold in comparison to mining from e-waste. Thus the smaller carbon footprint of recovery of metals from e-waste in comparison to the ores facilitates sustainable development.

The valuable metals extracted from the e-waste can be used to reduce the nation’s dependence on imports from other countries for these metals.

Apart from saving energy, reducing pollution and green house gas emissions, the scientifi c extraction of precious metals also saves natural resources.

Electronics’ recycling is the cornerstone of solid waste diversion and realization of zero landfi ll nations.

Developing nations can take advantage of the situation of being the global dumping grounds of e-waste though formalizing the waste management that would result in more economic opportunities for the population such as professional recyclers, refurbishers as well as newer markets for the dismantled valuable components.

SolutionsThe UN-WEF report suggests that kick-starting circular electronic economy can be the panacea for e-waste. It espouses multi-pronged approach that takes into account all the stakeholders. Eventually, it would also reduce the cost of the electronic items for the end consumers by around 7% by 2030.

The electronic products must be designed and manufactured in an environmentally sustainable manner, which makes them reusable and recyclable sans any threat to the health of those engaged in the supply chain.

The producers should also have buy-back policies for old electronic products and offers that incentivize the customers fi nancially on returning old equipment.

The report also accentuates on ‘urban mining’ that augments the extended producer responsibility (EPR). This emphasizes on producers establishing more designated collection centres in the city where the customers can sell their old products.

The recirculation of resources, or ‘circular economy’, can be the basis for urban mining as an alternative to mining virgin ores. This can offset the subsidies given by the government for promotion of scientifi c e-waste management.

The producers can be given annual targets for recycling which is proportionate to the weight of the annual production of the electronic products.

The producers would have to ensure that these products are recycled as per the global safety SOPs. This would also include making sure that the old products reach designated recycler.

The producers must provide the postal address and helpline numbers of collection centres along with the products.

It has the potential to generate more employment and provide safe working conditions for the workers in informal sector.

A monitoring system must be in place to check the implementation of EPR and other rules under E-Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The government should put in place measures to check the illegal import of e-waste. Also, proper updated inventory of e-waste can assist in ensuring that the nation does not receive e-waste more than it can manage.

Awareness campaigns about the central role of customers in managing the e-waste must be taken. They must be told about the health hazards and the need to sell the used products in the formal sector. Also, the government can incentivize the customers to recycle the End of Live (EOL) products.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Discuss the statement in the light of the possibilities and concerns of extracting precious metals from e-waste.

Practice Question

9

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


TEMPLE ENTRY AND ETHICS

CONTEXTThe Supreme Court is hearing the review petitions on its September, 2018 order allowing entry to Hindu women of all age-groups in the Sabarimala Temple. Subsequent to the court’s verdict, the entry of two women into the shrine in December, 2018 had led to massive protests in Kerala by religious groups and a tussle between political parties in the State and at national level.

During the hearing of review petition, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) supported the entry of women of all ages in the Temple which was earlier against it.

ABOUT

Sabarimala and women entry issue:Sabarimala Temple is a famous Hindu temple in India, located in Kerala. The temple houses the deity, Lord Ayyapam and is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The presiding deity is believed to be celibate and hence, women belonging to the reproductive age-group (10-50 yrs.) are denied entry into the temple premises. The devotees have to follow a 41-day austerity period or Vratham prior to entry into the temple which women in menstruating age-group cannot carry out.

Supreme Court caseIn September, 2018, Supreme Court gave its 4-1 verdict in favour of allowing women entry into the temple, across all age-groups. The court observed that disallowance of women entry into the temple shrine due to physiological reasons is discrimination based on gender. Equality in devotion is of fundamental import and patriarchy cannot be allowed to dismantle it.

One dissenting note- By Justice Indu Malhotra stating that court must not follow an interventionist role in case of religion, except social evils like Sati and should avoid tinkering in religious connotations to maintain secular ethos of the country. She also said that doctrine of equality cannot override Article 25 and notion of rationality cannot be always brought in the matters of religion.

ANALYSIS:

Arguments for women entry:The restrictions are based on and promote patriarchy & inequality.

Ban on women entry goes against Articles 14, 15, 19, and 25 of the Indian constitution, which deal with the right to equality, the right against discrimination, freedom rights, and freedom of

religion.

Right to manage its own religious affairs under Article 26 cannot override the right to practice religion under Article 25.

Successful reforms such as abolition of Sati, temple entry proclamation, abolition of untouchability, etc. have come from judiciary or legislature.

Another temple, Shani Shingnapur temple, which had earlier barred women from entering the sanctum sanctorum for over 400 years, allowed women entry following the court’s orders.

Arguments against women entry:Women are barred to promote the gender-based discrimination but to maintain the 41-day purity Vratham which mensurating women cannot carry out.

Women during their menstruation period are not supposed to enter places of worship as per Hindu religious belief system.

The basis of the practice is the celibate nature of the deity and not misogyny.

Article 25 provides freedom to practice religious belief and the proviso under Article 25(2) pertains to only secular aspects and to social issues, not gender or religious-based issues.

Ethics of women entry:The issue of restriction on entry of women in places of worship like Sabarimala, Shani Shingnapur, and Haji Ali have brought the debate of ‘religious tradition versus gender equality’ in public discourse. Such exclusion of women is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to equality, non-discrimination, practice religion, etc. given under Articles like 14, 15 & 25 of Indian Constitution and form the basics of Civil and Human Rights under United Declaration of Human Rights. The equal treatment in entry has material and symbolic equality as well.

The judiciary follows the ‘Essential Practices’ test when it comes to giving verdict on the sanctity of religious practices. The Indian State, also, follows a positive connotation of secularism and takes up an

10 www.iasscore.in


interventionist role to bring about socio-religious reforms in the society.

However, religious beliefs, traditions, and customs cannot be changed through a judicial or legislative process entirely but long-lasting reforms should come from within the society itself. As the cultural beliefs are passed on from generations and are inherent parts of socialisation process. Religious beliefs also provide a glue to hold the society together and act as moral compass for the society to distinguish right from wrong. Yet, the belief system undergoes the process of change with changing times.

Moreover, the pace of change decides the degree of resistance to it. Sudden and enforced change from outside at times is met with large scale resistance as it seeks to alter the inherent values of a society (e.g. protest against entry of two women in Sabarimala). The gradual change has a long-lasting impact upon the mindset of people. Education and socialisation process have an important role to play to bring out such long-lasting reforms in the society.

The diverse and complex nature of Indian society is also one hurdle in taking up equal approach in

dealing with social issues wherein one section/value-system is often pitted against the other. The present verdict, also, talks about allowing entry to ‘Hindu women’ which in itself becomes an unequal approach. Also, the conservatives have right to practice their belief system too. Hence, the ethics of social reforms are of complex nature in India.

Best practice:

The temple belonging to Lord Kartikeya in the town of Pihowa, Haryana, follows a gradual approach towards women entry. The legend surrounding the temple speaks of a curse of widowhood to a woman entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple by the presiding deity. The temple authorities have put up a warning on the entrance of the temple only and do not actively disallow women from entering. This leaves the matter to the agency of women who wish or do not wish to enter the temple. A via-media of this sorts can be followed in other temples as well which balances the fundamental rights of equality and non-discrimination with that of right of religion under the Indian Constitution while maintaining the social peace.

**********

11

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

CONTEXTRecently Christian Michel, a British National, wanted in Agusta Westland Chopper scam, was extradited to India from Dubai.

Deepak Talwar and Rajiv Saxena were also extradited to India from UAE. Rajiv Saxena is a co-accused in AgustaWestland Scam. Deepak Talwar is a lobbyist accused of economic offences in India.

UAE offered to provide fi nancial assistance to India during the Kerala fl oods in August last year.

ABOUT:

India-UAE relationship:UAE is India’s third largest foreign trading partner with bilateral trade at around 53 billion USD.

India is UAE’s largest trading partner.

UAE is the second largest export destination of Indian Goods and Services.

Indians form the largest Foreign Diaspora in UAE with over 3 million people. It is also largest population of Indian expatriates anywhere in the world. They form the soft power of India and the most important element in bilateral relationship – people to people tie.

UAE is one of the important crude oil suppliers to India and important for India’s energy security.

Recent Attainments:Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest of 2017 Republic Day of India.

India was designated as the Guest of Honour country at Abu Dhabi Music and Art festival 2018.

India and UAE signed an MOU for cooperation in Africa.

India UAE had their fi rst bilateral Naval exercise in March 2018 named ‘Gulf Star 1’, which took place off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

India UAE signed a currency swap agreement in December last year which will boast trade and economic relationship between two countries and reduce India’s dependence on US Dollar.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed agreement to explore storing Crude oil in Indian Strategic Reserve in Padur.

ADNOC also fi lled up 1.5 million tonnes of crude oil in Mangalore strategic reserve, the only foreign and private player so far to have invested in storing in Indian strategic reserve.

Abu Dhabi government allotted land for construction of fi rst Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. There are two Hindu temples in UAE, both in Dubai.

UAE and India signed an MOU in fi eld of manpower exploring the possibility of linking their respective e-platforms for the benefi t and welfare of Indian workers going to UAE.

India and UAE is fast-tracking food corridor. This will entail investment by UAE in Indian agriculture sector benefi tting farmers and creating additional jobs in food processing logistics etc. It will also help in food security for UAE.

The UAE is one of the biggest overseas markets for Indian cinema apart from the UK and USA.

Why is relation with UAE important to India?

UAE is geographically located at Strait of Hormuz. This is world’s most important oil artery and strategically important for India’s energy security.

Over 3 million Indians live in UAE. This is the biggest Indian Diaspora anywhere in the world. They contribute to Indian economy through large remittances.

Safety of Indians is priority of Indian government for which it needs support of UAE government.

UAE has one of the largest Sovereign Fund in the World. UAE wish to invest fund in India particularly in National Infrastructure and Investment fund (NIIF). India needs fund for its infrastructure sector.

India needs UAE to contain Terrorism and Radicalization. UAE is infl uential nation in Middle East and Muslim World. Of the 24 extraditions from Middle East in last few years, 18 had been from UAE and Saudi Arabia.

With US sanctions on Iran, India needs to import crude oil from other sources to meet its energy need. UAE and Saudi Arabia have offered India with additional crude oil supplies to meet India’s growing needs.

12 www.iasscore.in


UAE has a substantial infl uence over Pakistan. It deposited 3 billion USD in account of Pakistan’s central bank. India can use this infl uence to bring Pakistan to negotiating table for talks on terrorism and bilateral relations.

Crisis in Middle East:War in Yemen for last 5 years, between government (backed by Saudi and UAE) and Houthi rebels (backed by Iran). This has created the largest humanitarian crisis in recent times.

Diplomatic tensions between Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain on other side. Qatar has recently left OPEC. There are nearly seven hundred thousand Indians living in Qatar.

There has been escalation in tensions between Iran and other nations in the region.

Murder of USA based Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, has again put spotlight on human rights violation and authoritarian regimes of the region.

Tight Rope for India:India has robust defence and energy ties with Qatar. Qatar is the largest long term Natural Gas exporter to India. With diplomatic relationship between Qatar and other countries in Middle East coming to a boil; and the former leaving OPEC recently, India will have to tread a very diffi cult line. UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar. Given India’s expanding economic political and strategic interests, it will have to engage more vigorously in developments of the region.

Deposit from UAE sovereign fund to State Bank of Pakistan shows that former’s relation with Pakistan are not based on India’s concerns only. While UAE envoy has clearly stated that UAE’s relation with India are not dictated based on third country,

India needs to make sure that these funds are not used for anti-India activities.

India has strategic relations with Iran which is locked in a kind of existential battle with Saudi Arabia and UAE led Gulf Cooperation Council and USA. A World order where India cannot afford to choose sides, it has to walk on a very tightrope skillfully without a miss.

Recently, UAE hosted Taliban-US talks for political solution in Afghanistan. Though the talks have moved to Qatar, this indicates UAE still holds infl uence over Taliban. With USA, openly advocating its diminished role in Afghanistan and an eventual withdrawal of force, and Pakistan still trying to call shots, if India wants to protect its interest in Afghanistan, it has to coordinate with friendly countries like UAE.

What lies ahead in India-UAE relation?

With India’s growing economic, political and strategic interests, it cannot stay aloof for long with current geopolitical environment in Middle East, whether it is war in Yemen to strained ties of UAE and others with Qatar and Iran. India will have to engage more vigorously with developments in the region.

Any kind of extended crisis in region will not just affect India’s energy security but also create insecurity among large Indian Diasporas. This has to be a priority for India’s foreign policy makers.

Indian Diasporas has been an important driver of UAE’s economy, from labour force to investments. India should use them as soft power for furthering Indian interests.

India UAE relationships are indeed going through golden phase but the former needs to maintain an incremental approach in furthering the interest of both. Short-term and long-term interest should form a proper mix in this approach.

In the changing World order and constantly evolving geopolitical environment, can India afford not to choose sides while furthering its strategic interests?

Practice Question

13

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


BACKGROUND

On December 4, 2018, the United States announced that the Russian Federation is in material breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, an assessment shared by all NATO Allies.

The United States also provided notice that unless Russia returned to full and verifi able compliance in 60 days, the United States would suspend its obligations under the Treaty as a consequence for Russia’s material breach.

Russia has not taken the necessary steps to return to compliance over the last 60 days. It remains in material breach of its obligations not to produce, possess, or fl ight-test a ground-launched, intermediate-range cruise missile system with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

The United States fi rst alleged in its Compliance Report 2014 that Russia is in violation of its INF Treaty obligations.

ABOUT:

Intermediate-Range Forces TreatyThe treaty was signed in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and led to the destruction of more than 2600 missiles by 1991.

It originally banned only the U.S. and the Soviet Union (later Russia) from deploying all ground-launched nuclear and conventional missiles with a range of 500 to 5500kms. After 1991, treaty also covered Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine under it.

Through the treaty, the superpowers for the fi rst time, agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, eliminate an entire category of nuclear weapons, and utilize extensive on-site inspections for verifi cation.

ANALYSIS:

Why to pull out from treaty?Since the treaty came into force, both Russia and the US have alleged each other for violating the treaty.

Russia In the past, Russia has raised the possibility of withdrawing from the INF Treaty. It contended that the treaty unfairly prevents it from possessing weapons while its neighbors, such as China, are developing and fi elding weapons.Proposed U.S. deployment of strategic Anti- ballistic Missile Systems in Europe might trigger a Russian withdrawal from the accord, presumably, to deploy missiles targeting any future U.S. anti-missile sites.

United States The present context of US pulling out of the INF treaty is based on the allegation that Russia has developed and deployed Novator 9 M 729 missiles, also known as the SSC-8, that could strike Europe at short notice. However, Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations. Further, noncompliance has jeopardized the United States’ supreme interests, and the United States can no longer be restricted by the Treaty while Russia openly violates it. If Russia does not return to full and verifi able compliance with the Treaty by eliminating all 9M729 missiles, their launchers, and associated equipment in this six-month period, the Treaty will terminate.

Other motives for USA Cold War-era treaty did not address new missile threats from countries such as China, Iran and North Korea, therefore, it’s redundant.In the recent past, China’s growing military might has become the strategic centre point of US nuclear strategy. A withdrawal will allow the U.S. to have new weapon options, which are not bound by the INF treaty, in the Pacifi c region where China is challenging its dominance. The existence of the INF Treaty creates hindrance in establishing complete domination and supremacy of U.S. across the world.

Previous ExamplesFormer President George W. Bush withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM), 1972

USA PULLS OUT OF INF TREATY

CONTEXTUSA has suspended (Not terminated the treaty) its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, effective from February 2 and will withdraw from it in six months.

14 www.iasscore.in


Former President Jimmy Carter withdrew from the Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan.

SIGNIFICANCE

With increased military and economic infl uence of China; Russia’s reassertion as powerhouse meddling equally in Middle East Crisis; and emergence of regional alliance systems based on close proximity such as Shangai Cooperation Organisation; United States is no more a lone super-power in the world to reckon with. For USA, to re-impose its dominance and reassert its hegemony over Indo-pacifi c and Middle East would need its nuclear weapons and arms industry to counter the infl uence of China, Russia and Iran.

Implications of US pulling out

US may deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe to counter Russia and in the retaliation Russia may deploy in its exclave of Kaliningrad. This could once again turn Europe into one of the potential nuclear battlefi elds.

It will adversely affect embattled U.S.-Russia arms control enterprise. The U.S.-Russia New START

treaty, governing strategic offensive nuclear weapons, was concluded on the assumption that Washington and Moscow would refrain from deploying systems of intermediate range. Any change to the nuclear balance would destabilize the strategic calculations that underpin New START, potentially placing that treaty in jeopardy.

US may deploy ground-based missile system in Asia and the Indo-Pacifi c region. This could embolden China to speed up its missile installation in the strategic areas of the region including South China Sea.

It would be a bad precedent for the nuclear power countries like North Korea, Pakistan, Iran and Israel. These countries may accelerate the process of acquiring more nuclear weapons by resorting to an excuse that responsible nuclear powers like US and Russia do not even adhere to their own treaties of non-proliferating of nuclear weapons.

The abrogation of treaty will further accelerate the nuclear armed race. INF abrogation will raise questions regarding the United States’ commitment to arms control in general, lending further weight to the sense that the 21st century will be an era of arms racing rather than negotiation.

Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), 1963 It bans nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water. It does not ban tests underground, but does prohibit explosions in the environment if the explosions create debris outside the territory of the responsible state.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), 1970

It is the only multilateral treaty with a binding commitment of disarmament by nuclear-weapon states. It seeks to promote cooperation in the fi eld of peaceful nuclear technology and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

More states have ratifi ed the NPT than any other treaty on arms limitation and disarmament. IAEA verifi es compliance with the Treaty.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I), 1972

The United States and the Soviet Union negotiated agreements on limits and restraints of their strategic armaments.

Attempts to reach an agreement failed on the ABM systems and more proposals were made. After over two years of negotiation, SALT I ended, but an Interim Agreement for fi ve years was established for certain major aspects of strategic weaponry.SALT II never came into being.

Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, 1972It restrict and locate only two ABM deployment areas in such a nature that they cannot become the basis for developing a nationwide ABM defense.Every fi ve years, the United States and the Soviet Union/Russian Federation would hold meetings in Geneva to review and modify the Treaty arrangements.In 2001, U.S. President George Bush submitted a formal notifi cation of intent to repeal the treaty and in 2002, the United States withdrew from the ABM Treaty.

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 1975

It is the fi rst multilateral disarmament treaty that bans the development, production,

Important Arms Control Treaties

15

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


and stockpiling of this category of weapons of mass destruction.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), 1987

It is an informal association of governments with common interests in missile, unmanned air vehicle, and related technology of non-proliferation.Its goal is to limit risks of proliferation by controlling transfers to delivery systems capable of weapons of mass destruction. States must follow laws and procedures which include information-sharing. There is no formal mechanism to ensure compliance.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I (START I), 1994

It was the fi rst treaty that required U.S. and Soviet/Russian reductions of strategic nuclear weapons. It was indispensable in creating a framework that ensured predictability and stability for deep reductions.The dissolution of the Soviet Union caused a delayed the treaty, as the classifi cation of states as nuclear or non-nuclear had to be determined, among other things. START II ceased START I.

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), 1997

It is the fi rst multilateral framework that seeks to eliminate chemical weapons as a category of weapons of mass destruction.

The Preparatory Commission for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was established in 1997 as the entry-into-force of the CWC in order to lay out standard operating procedures and implement the regime of the CWC.

The provisions of the CWC create a transparent regime that can verify the destruction of chemical weapons, prevent the re-emergence in any party, and provide protection against chemical weapons. It also encourages cooperation on the peaceful uses of chemistry.

Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (Yet to come into force)

It is composed of three parts: Part I details the International Monitoring System (IMS), Part II focuses on the On-Site Inspections (OSI) component, and Part III is on Confi dence-Building Measures (CBMs).

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is an international organization with two organs: the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) which coordinates with countries to develop and maintain an international network of monitoring stations and radionuclide laboratories, and the Preparatory Commission which is designed to help achieve the object and purpose of the Treaty.

***********

16 www.iasscore.in


ABOUT:

Out of 120 democratic countries only 25 have experimented with or used electronic voting machines to elect their governments. It indicates that EVM is not a dominant choice globally for recording votes in elections.

BACKGROUND:

India is the world leader in the use of EVMs.

The Election Commission has been conducting all elections through EVMs since 2001.

The Indian EVM is a direct recording device, which is a stand-alone machine.

The Election Commission has clarifi ed several times that Indian EVMs don’t talk to any machine outside its own system - be it through wired network, internet, satellite, and WiFi or bluetooth.

The EVM is not connected to server, so cyber hacking of Indian EVMs is not possible unless an authorised person acts with malafi de intention.

In 2014, a whopping 55.38 crore people cast their votes in EVMs in the parliamentary elections.

ANALYSIS:

EVM challenge: Forensic Lab test for EVMsThroughout these years, the Election Commission has denied all the claims of EVM tampering and in 2017, it got a scientifi c proof to back up its claim.

In May, the Bombay High Court had ordered an examination of EVMs from the ‘Parvati constituency in Pune’.

The order was issued to rule out tampering during elections to Maharashtra legislative assembly in 2014.

One control unit, one ballot unit and two batteries were sent to the lab. An EVM comprises a control unit and a ballot unit.

As per the report received from the lab, the machine is a stand-alone, non-networked, one-time programmable unit, which is neither computer controlled externally nor could be connected internally or to any network.

The report was made public after being submitted to the high court.

The Election Commission had also thrown open EVM hackathon challenge to prove that the machines are incorruptible. But no political party showed interest.

How the world has dealt with EVMs:

USA: The US is the oldest modern democracy in the world but it does not have a uniform voting system.

Several states continue to use ballot papers, while others have shifted to electronic voting.

A critical point in electronic voting experiment in the US has been that its voting machines are connected to a server and operate using the internet. This makes them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

In the last presidential election, some invisible Russian hand was suspected in infl uencing voters’ choice.

Germany: Electronic voting was introduced in 2005 in the largest democracy of Europe.

Germany imported voting machines to conduct its elections from a private company in the Netherlands.

The machines were later reported to have several layers of defi ciencies.

In 2009, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany held that the use of electronic voting machines in elections was unconstitutional and observed that such a practice lacked transparency.

Estonia: Became the fi rst country to enact a law making electronic voting using the internet mandatory in 2005.

Estonia claims to have conducted the fi rst internet-based national election in 2007. It went for three days.

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE (EVM) ISSUE

CONTEXTRecently, opposition parties discussed future course of action on the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs. They raised their concern regarding EVMs with Election Commission.

Credibility of EVMs were questioned in the previous General elections of Parliament and State Assemblies.

17

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


Latin America: Brazil and Venezuela have been using electronic voting on a large scale quite successfully.

Methodology for selecting EVMs:The Election Commission puts in place a multi- layered security protocol to ensure that EVMs record the actual vote.

The fi rst-level check of the machines is done by the Election Commission, months before the actual voting.

All political party representatives are present to observe the exercise. Faulty machines are removed.

The EVMs are selected by computers on the principle of randomisation. This process does not allow a prior knowledge or planned setting for a particular EVM in a particular constituency or at a particular polling booth.

There is a double randomisation process for pairing of the ballot unit and control unit of the EVM.

This step makes it impossible for a person to know how the machines would be paired and which machine will be used in which constituency.

The fi nal order of the candidates is not placed on the ballot unit of the EVM till the last day of withdrawal of names.

When this is done, usually 13 days ahead of the polling, EVMs are again tested for proper functioning.

The representatives of political parties and candidates are present during this exercise.

They sign a certifi cate, saying that the EVMs are in order after the process completes to their satisfaction.

Before being fi nally dispatched to the polling booths, the EVMs are sealed with a unique security number. At this stage too, the representatives of the parties or candidates are present and sign on the seal.

The Election Commission places the names of the candidates in an alphabetical order for each constituency to wipe out the possibility of predictability.

On top of it, the Election Commission has stated that all future elections would be held with VVPAT, making it possible for every voter to see that his/her vote goes to the chosen candidate only.

When the solution became the problem: The controversy over failing VVPATs –

Reports emerged of large-scale malfunctioning of the voter-verifi able paper audit trail machines during by-elections to four Lok Sabha and ten State Assembly seats.The malfunctioning was so widespread that the Election Commission ordered re-polls in 73 booths of the Kairana parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh, 49 booths in the Maharashtra seat of Bhandara-Gondiya and one booth in the Nagaland Lok Sabha seat.The chief election commissioner blamed the malfunction of the VVPAT machines on excessively hot weather and exposure of sensors to light. This is rather worrying, because when the trials for VVPATs were conducted in 2011 and 2012, they were subjected to extreme weather conditions. The second reason provided by the CEC—the inexperience of the staff, who were handling these machines for the fi rst time—seems more plausible.It is important to mention that it was precisely to remove the last remnants of doubts regarding EVMs that VVPAT machines were introduced, after an all-party meeting in 2010. In fact, in 2013, the Supreme Court of India appreciated the EC’s initiative to introduce VVPATs and directed the government to provide adequate funds for the same. However, the government delayed sanctioning the funds for over three years, which has almost jeopardised the production of the required number of VVPAT machines to fulfi l the EC’s commitment last year in an affi davit to the Supreme Court that it would provide the machines at every polling station during the 2019 general election.

Corrective measures taken by EC:The new VVPATs are to have sensors with hoods over them to protect from direct exposure to light. Humidity resistant paper will be obtained for use in humid areas. The decision was made by the Electronics Corporation of India, one of the two state-owned companies that manufacture VVPATs.

The EC’s role in ensuring the people’s faith in democracy is paramount. The loss of public faith in democracy and its protector institutions spells nothing but disaster. But one must have no doubt that EVMs have made India the proud global leader in the fi eld of elections. After the introduction of VVPATs, our system is now full proof.

The loss of public faith in democracy and its protector institutions spells nothing but disaster. Within the light of this statement, analyse recently blown EVM controversy and suggest corrective actions.

Practice Question

18 www.iasscore.in


CURRENT AFFAIRS

SECTION: B (PRELIMS)

19

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


BLACK SOFT SHELL TURTLE

CONTEXT • Recently, black softshells hatchlings were released into the Haduk Beel (wetland) of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.

The rare turtle species are being bred in the ponds of various temples and shrines of the State.

ABOUT Black soft shell turtleIt is a freshwater turtle that is found in India and Bangladesh. Of the 29 species of freshwater turtles identifi ed in India, 20 are found in Assam, and temple ponds are known to house a dozen species.It is omnivorous, with a diet ranging from aquatic plants to aquatic insects and carrion. Indian black turtles may sometimes be seen to aggregate alongside the carcass of a large dead animal.The black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) fi gures in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List as “extinct in the wild” since 2002.Consumption of turtle meat and eggs, silt mining, encroachment of wetlands and change in fl ooding pattern have had a disastrous impact on the State’s turtle population.

Pobitora Wildlife SanctuaryThe sanctuary is situated in the fl ood plains of river Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon.

It has the second highest concentration of rhinos in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.

It also serves as a birder’s heaven in winters with thousands of waterfowls thronging the wetlands. Other animals found in the region are, leopard, wild boar, barking deer, wild buffalo, etc.

SIGNIFICANCE • Turtles occupy a unique position within the food web. They consume an assortment of prey, including puffer fi sh, crustaceans, sponges, tunicates, sea grasses, and algae. The unusual life cycle of the animal plays a vital role in transportation of nutrients from the highly productive marine habitats such as sea-grass beds to energy-poor habitats like sandy beaches. This helps reverse the usual fl ow of nutrients from land to sea.

They further help to maintain healthy fi sh stocks in the water bodies. Unhatched eggs, eggshells and fl uids help foster decomposes and create much needed fertilizer.As turtle populations in general decline, so does their ability to play a vital role in maintaining the health of the world’s aquatic ecosystems.

20 www.iasscore.in


GLOBAL TIGER RECOVERY PROGRAM

CONTEXT 3rd Stocktaking Conference on the Global Tiger Recovery Program held in New Delhi, January 2019, highlights the world to fall short of its targets of doubling the tiger population.

ABOUT • St. Petersburg Declaration on doubling the tiger population was signed in 2010 under which all 13 tiger range countries in Asia and partner organizations of the Global Tiger Initiative agreed to a Global Tiger Recovery Program, the fi rst-ever coordinated, range-wide and international effort to save the world tigers.

The tiger range countries that are part of the Global Tiger Recovery Program are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, China and Indonesia were not present at the conference.

The Declaration in turn established 29 July as the International Tiger Day (also known as Global Tiger Day) to be observed annually to raise awareness for tiger conservation.

Major concerns

Nearly a decade has passed since the governments of these 13 tiger home range countries came together to double the global tiger population (T X 2) by 2022 as envisaged by the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation issued at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit. However the progress on the targets envisaged by the declaration has not been at par.

Moreover, over one-third of tiger conservation sites in the world are severely at risk of losing their wild tigers — the majority of which are in Southeast Asia.

Known hot spots for illegal trade in tiger parts include the Indo-Nepalese border, South India, Central India, Mekong-China, Indonesia-China and Russia-China

As per the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) survey of tiger sites done in 2018 many of these areas lack basic plans for effective management, with over 60 per cent of the sites facing several limitations in anti-poaching.

It is has been founded that in the last century 97% of all wild tigers had disappeared, with only around 3,000 left alive.

Tigers are on the brink of extinction. Many factors have caused their numbers to fall, including habitat loss, hunting and poaching, climate change. Only 12.5 percent of the tiger conservation areas meet the globally agreed upon science-based standards.

However, countries like India, Nepal and Russia have shown that tiger recovery is possible, despite challenges in poaching, funding and sustaining community livelihoods, which can be overcome with strong political commitment.

The efforts to step up global commitment to protect the remaining wild tiger populations should therefore be assisted by centralized data bank of all tiger range countries, stringent law enforcement and enhanced cross-country cooperation between countries where there is high demand for tiger parts as well as countries which are home to tiger populations. Nepal has already proved that zero poaching is possible with a professionalized approach to wildlife protection. Effective management is thus the single most important action and to achieve this, long-term investment in tiger conservation areas is absolutely essential.

21

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


GOA STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD’S TAG

CONTEXT Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) issued a tagging system to ensure communities residing within the biodiversity zone get Access Benefi t Share (ABS) from their profi ts.

ABOUT • This product tagging is a new system however, paying ABS has already been a part of the Biodiversity Act 2002.

The tag indicates that the ingredients used therein are sourced from the nature.

The sellers are supposed to pay 0.01% of their annual profi t to the GSBB and the board will then use this amount to protect the habitat from where the ingredients are.

The amount sourced from the biodiversity zones by the organization will be submitted annually along with payments. The industries will pay profi ts obtained from only those products which have been sourced from that zone.

More than 300 industries were approached to join the scheme, but currently only three organizations Tanshikar Spice Farm, Krishna Plantation and Raika Honey have agreed for the same.

Tanshikar Spice Farm, a restaurant in Goa, collects pollens from bee hives for making pollen smoothies.

Raika Honey produces lip balms and soaps using honey and bee wax.

SIGNIFICANCE • The initiative will further enhance the credibility of the product and boost the products’ sale.

Help generate revenue for the sellers as well as the GSBB.

WETLAND DAY

CONTEXT The World Wetlands Day was celebrated on February 2, in Alappuzha, home to the country’s largest wetland system, the Vembanad Lake.

ABOUT What is Wetland? It is a place where the land is covered by water, either fresh or salt. Low-lying areas like marshes and ponds, edges around the lakes or oceans, and the delta at the mouth of a river.

Theme For 2018- Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future.

For 2019- Wetlands and Climate Change

Why celebrated on 2nd February?The day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

It commemorates the need to maintain wetlands and to plan for their sustainable use. It has been chosen to initiate action against the drainage of wetlands.

Role of wetlands:Wetlands store water and ensure its quality, providing resilience against drought.

22 www.iasscore.in


They provide diverse habitats which support genetic, species, and ecosystem biodiversity and play key roles in the life cycles of many species and in annual migration patterns.

They protect against fl ooding and the impacts of storms.

They provide food and other services such as transport and recreation.

What is the convention on Wetlands?

It provides the framework for international cooperation and national action for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Almost 90% of UN member states are Ramsar “Contracting Parties”.

The Convention uses a broad defi nition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal fl ats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human made sites such as fi sh ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

The Convention has fi ve formally recognized “International Organization Partners”, which provide expert technical advice and assistance in line with Convention principles:

BirdLife International

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Wetlands International

WWF International

Ramsar sites in India

India currently has 27 sites designated as ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ (Ramsar Sites).

From North to South

1. Wular Lake (JK) 2. Hokera (JK) 3. Tsomoriri (JK) 4. Surin-Sar-Mansar (JK) 5. Chandertal (Himachal) 6. Pong Dam (Himachal) 7. Renuka (Himachal) 8.Kanjili (manmade Punjab) 9. Harike (Largest wetland of North India Punjab) 10. Ropar (Punjab) 11. Upper Ganga River Wetland (Uttar Pradesh) 12. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) 13. Sambar Lake (India’s Largest Inland Salt water lake Rajasthan) 14. Deepor Beel (Assam) 15. Loktak Lake (Manipur) 16. Rudrasagar Lake (Tripura) 17. Bhoj Wetland (Madhya Pradesh) 18. Nalsarovar (Gujarat) 19. East Calcutta Wetland (West Bengal) 20. Sundarban Wetland 21. Bhitarkanika (Odisha) 22. Chilka Lake (Odisha) 23. Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh) 24. Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu) 25. Vembanad Kol (Kerala) 26. Sasthamkota (Kerala) 27. Ashtamudi (Kerala)

State with largest Ramsar sites ---Jammu and Kashmir (4 in number)

States having three Ramsar Sites -----Himachal, Punjab and Kerala

States with at least two Ramsar sites ----West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha

Latest wetland : SunderbanIndia has designated Sundarban Wetland as a Wetland of International Importance.

23

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


It is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans that encompasses hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers, rivulets and creeks, in the delta of the Rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra.

The Indian Sundarban, covering the south-westernmost part of the delta, constitutes over 60% of the country’s total mangrove forest area and includes 90% of Indian mangrove species.

INSTEX – INSTRUMENT IN SUPPORT OF TRADE EXCHANGES

CONTEXT Germany, France and Britain (E3) have offi cially set up a European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran called INSTEX – Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges.

ABOUT • INSTEX will allow trade between the EU and Iran without relying on direct fi nancial transactions.

It will focus on humanitarian trade. It has been registered in France and will be run by German Commerzbank manager Per Fischer.

The E3 reaffi rm that their efforts to preserve the economic provisions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) are conditioned upon Iran’s full implementation of its nuclear-related commitments, including full and timely co-operation with the IAEA.

Why such a mechanism?The move will allow the European Union to circumvent U.S. sanctions in an effort to continue humanitarian trade with Iran.

It will uphold what is left of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Recent U.S. sanctions halted a signifi cant portion of trade between Iran and its European partners.

Features of INSTEXIt will support legitimate European trade with Iran, focusing initially on the sectors most essential to the Iranian population – such as pharmaceutical, medical devices and agri-food goods.

It aims in the long term to be open to economic operators from third countries who wish to trade with Iran and the E3 continue to explore how to achieve this objective.

The operationalisation of INSTEX will follow a step-by-step approach: The E3 together with INSTEX will continue to work on concrete and operational details to defi ne the way the company will operate

The E3 will also work with Iran to create an effective and transparent corresponding entity that is required to be able to operationalise INSTEX.

It will function under the highest international standards with regards to anti-money laundering, combating the fi nancing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and EU and UN sanctions compliance. In this respect, the E3 expect Iran to swiftly implement all elements of its FATF action plan.

The new special purpose vehicle will have a supervisory board consisting of diplomats from all three countries: Miguel Berger of Germany, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne of France and Simon McDonald of Britain.

24 www.iasscore.in


DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

CONTEXT • Government has notifi ed renaming the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to meet the demand of ‘Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT)’ for forming a separate ministry for internal trade.

It will function under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

ABOUT • Apart from the previous responsibilities of DIPP relating to general industry policy, Administration of the Industries (Development and regulation) act, 1951, industrial management, productivity in industry, and matters related to e-commerce; the newly-named department will take care of new responsibilities and matters related to:

Promotion of internal trade including retail trade (matters related to internal trade were earlier under the domain of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs).

Welfare of traders and their employees

Facilitating ease of doing business and start-ups

SIGNIFICANCE • With this new mandate, both internal and external trade has been brought under a single Ministry (Ministry of commerce and industry). This will ensure better coordination and help in promoting the growth of both segments of the trade.

INPUT TAX CREDIT

CONTEXT • Concerned over a decline in GST revenues, tax offi cials are likely to examine the high usage of input tax credit (ITC) to set off tax liability by businesses.

The E3 underline their commitment to pursue the further development of INSTEX with interested European countries to make this instrument in support of trade exchanges with Iran operational by following the steps set out above.

SIGNIFICANCE • The key component of the new SPV is sovereign participation of the shareholders and senior offi cials involved with management.

The France, Germany and Britain “sharing risk exposure” could help reduce the likelihood of further U.S. sanctions, pointing out that INSTEX has sovereign backing and therefore, may not be liable to U.S. pressure like private counterparts.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): It is a detailed agreement with fi ve annexes reached by Iran and the P5+1 (China France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in July 2015.

The nuclear deal was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted on July 20, 2015. Iran’s compliance with the nuclear-related provisions of the JCPOA will be verifi ed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) according to certain requirements set forth in the agreement.

Recently, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the JCPOA and reinstate U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime and subsequently did the same.

25

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


The issue of high ITC was fl agged at the meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) which was set up by the GST Council to look into the reasons for revenue shortfall being faced by a large number of states.

Availing ITC ideally should not result in loss of revenue but there could be possibility of misuse of the provision by unscrupulous businesses by generating fake invoices just to claim tax credit.

ABOUT What is Input Tax Credit (ITC)?ITC is the tax that a business pays on a purchase and that it can use to reduce its tax liability when it makes a sale. In other words, businesses can reduce their tax liability by claiming credit to the extent of GST paid on purchases.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an integrated tax system where every purchase by a business should be matched with a sale by another business. This makes fl ow of credit across an entire supply chain a seamless process.

How does ITC WORK?When a trader sells a good to consumers he collects GST based on the HSN of the good sold and the place of destination. Let us assume that the MRP of the good is INR 1000 and the rate of applicable GST is 18%. The consumer will therefore, pay a total of INR 1180 for the good which includes a GST of INR 180. Without ITC, the trader will have to pay INR 180 to the government. With input tax credit or ITC, the trader can reduce the total tax that it will have to pay the government. This is how it works.

Who can claim Input Tax Credit? ITC can be claimed by a person registered under GST only if he fulfi ls all the conditions as prescribed.

The dealer should be in possession of tax invoice

The said goods/services have been received

Returns have been fi led.

The tax charged has been paid to the government by the supplier.

When goods are received in installments ITC can be claimed only when the last lot is received.

No ITC will be allowed if depreciation has been claimed on tax component of a capital good

A person registered under composition scheme in GST cannot claim ITC.

What can be claimed as ITC?ITC can be claimed only for business purposes. ITC will not be available for goods or services exclusively used for: Personal use; Exempt supplies; Supplies for which ITC is specifi cally not available

Reversal of Input Tax CreditITC can be availed only on goods and services for business purposes. If they are used for non-business (personal) purposes, or for making exempt supplies ITC cannot be claimed. Apart from these, in the following situations ITC will be reversed:

Non-payment of invoices in 180 days– ITC will be reversed for invoices which were not paid within 180 days of issue.Credit note issued to ISD by seller– This is for ISD. If a credit note was issued by the seller to the HO then the ITC subsequently reduced will be reversed.Inputs partly for business purpose and partly for exempted supplies or for personal use – This is for businesses which use inputs for both business and non-business (personal) purpose. ITC used in the portion of input goods/services used for the personal purpose must be reversed proportionately.

26 www.iasscore.in


Capital goods partly for business and partly for exempted supplies or for personal use – This is similar to above except that it concerns capital goods.ITC reversed is less than required- This is calculated after the annual return is furnished. If total ITC on inputs of exempted/non-business purpose is more than the ITC actually reversed during the year then the difference amount will be added to output liability. Interest will be applicable.

SRINAGAR- ALUSTENG - DRASS- KARGIL – LEH TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

CONTEXT The 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System was dedicated to the nation on February 3, 2019 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With this, Ladakh now connected to the National Grid.

ABOUT • It is a fl agship project of the Union Government under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) which was aimed to improve reliability and quality of power supply in Ladakh.

Under this project, four new modern Gas Insulated Sub-stations of 220/66 Kilovolt (kV) were built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh to help ensure 24x7 quality power in all weather conditions.

The total funding of Rs 2266 crore to complete the project was provided by the Central Government and Jammu & Kashmir Government in the ratio of 95:05, respectively.

The National Grid is the high-voltage electric power transmission network in India, connecting power stations and major substations and ensuring that electricity generated anywhere in mainland India can be used to satisfy demand elsewhere.

The National Grid is owned, operated, and maintained by state-owned POWERGRID. It is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines, with 238 Sub-stations and transformation capacity of 351,106 MVA.

The union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are not connected to the National Grid.

SIGNIFICANCE • The project will result in minimizing the massive use of diesel generating sets during winters, and thus will help in protection of clean environment of the region.

It will provide grid connectivity and reliable and stable, quality power supply to the Ladakh region including defence establishments in the area at economical rates.

Hospitality industry and tourism sector will get a boost, as their reliance on diesel sets will reduce; resulting into the socio-economic development of Ladakh.

DAMAN INITIATIVE

CONTEXT Odisha has emerged as an inspiration in the global fi ght against malaria, through its DAMaN initiative.

ABOUT DAMaN InitiativeIn recent years, Odisha has dramatically scaled-up efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria through its Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) initiative, which has produced impressive results in a short span of time.

27

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


DAMaN aims to deliver services to the most inaccessible and hardest hit people of the State. The initiative has in-built innovative strategies to combat asymptomatic malaria. It has been accorded priority in the State’s health agenda.

In 2017, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) helped distribute approximately 11 million bed nets, which was enough to protect all the residents in areas that were at highest risk. This included residential hostels in schools. As a result of its sustained efforts, Odisha recorded 80% decline in malaria cases and deaths in 2017.

There is fi nancial commitment for a fi ve-year period to sustain and build on the impact created by the initiative.

Malaria Prevention in IndiaThe WHO’s World Malaria Report of 2018 highlighted India’s recent strides against malaria. India is the only country among the 11 highest-burden countries that saw substantial progress in reducing disease burden: it saw a 24% decrease in 2017 compared to 2016. This shows that India has assumed a leadership role in advancing global efforts to end malaria. The country’s success provides hope to the other highest-burden countries to tackle malaria head-on.

India’s progress in fi ghting malaria is an outcome of concerted efforts to ensure that its malaria programme is country-owned and country-led, even as it is in alignment with globally accepted strategies.

The turning point in India’s fi ght against malaria came at the East Asia Summit in 2015, when it pledged to eliminate the disease by 2030. Following this public declaration, India launched the fi ve-year National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination. This marked a shift in focus from malaria “control” to “elimination”. The plan provides a roadmap to achieve the target of ending malaria in 571 districts out of India’s 678 districts by 2022.

JAN SHIKSHAN SANSTHAN

CONTEXT • The government recently unveiled new guidelines for Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) aligning them to the National Skills Qualifi cation Framework with an aim to providing standardised training across sectors.

Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Jan Shikshan Sansthan was transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018.

ABOUT Jan Shikshan SansthanJSSs are established to provide vocational training to non-literate, neo-literate, as well as school drop outs by identifying skills as would have a market in the region of their establishment.

JSS guidelines have been reformed keeping in mind the diverse stake-holders engaged in running these institutions, and will bring in greater fl exibility, transparency and uniformity.

Key highlights of the guidelines:Alignment of JSS course and curriculum to National Skill Qualifi cation Framework (NSQF) to standardize training

Decentralization of powers for JSSs- giving more accountability and independence to district administration

To identify and promote traditional skills in the district through skilling / upskilling

Evidence based assessment system

Easy Online certifi cation

28 www.iasscore.in


Linking JSS to PFMS (Public Finance Management system) maintaining transparency and accountability of the ecosystem Creating livelihood linkages Training of Trainers to develop the capacity through NSTIs (National Skills Training Institutes)

Scope of Jan Shikshan Sansthans: Develop/ Source appropriate curriculum and training modules covering vocational elements general awareness and life enrichment components. Wherever possible, JSS are encouraged to undertake Training equivalent to courses designed by the Directorate of Adult education, National Institute of Open Schooling and Director General Employment & Training. Provide training to a pool of resource persons and master trainers for conducting training as also availability of infrastructure and training – specifi c equipment. Administer simple tests and award certifi cates Network with employers and industries for trainees to get suitable placements.

PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI (PM-KISAN)

CONTEXT Recently, Government has launched “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)” programme to provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers.

ABOUT Why it is neededDeclining prices of agricultural commodities in the international market and fall in food infl ation in India since 2017-18, relative to non-food sector, therefore reduced the returns from farming.To increase the income of farmers as small and fragmented land holdings and their further divisions has contributed in declined income.To provide structured income support for procuring inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, equipment, labour and other needs.

Features of the programmeVulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be provided direct income support at the rate of Rs 6,000 per year.Income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of benefi ciary farmers, in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. This programme will entail an annual expenditure of Rs 75,000 crore and will be funded by Government of India. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to benefi t from this. It came into effect on 1st December 2018 and the fi rst installment for the period upto 31st March 2019 would be paid during this year itself.

SERIOUS FRAUD INVESTIGATION OFFICE

CONTEXT • In a bid to prevent big economic offenders like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi from fl eeing the country, the government has empowered PSU banks to request Lookout Circulars (LOCs) against wilful defaulters and fraudsters.

29

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


The Home Ministry has also authorised the Serious Fraud Investigation Offi ce (SFIO), a statutory corporate fraud investigation agency, to request LOCs if it feels the suspect may escape from India.

ABOUT Serious Fraud Investigation Offi ce

It is not a statutory body, as it was established through an executive resolution, which inter alia stated the responsibilities and functions of the SFIO.

It is under the ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The SFIO makes investigations under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 and also forwards the investigated reports on violations of the provisions of other acts to the concerned agencies for prosecution/appropriate action.

The SFIO is a multi-disciplinary organisation consisting of experts in the fi eld of accountancy, forensic auditing, law, information technology, investigation, company law, capital market and taxation for detecting and prosecuting or recommending for prosecution white collar crimes/frauds.

The SFIO normally takes up only such cases for investigation, which are characterized by:

complexity and having inter-departmental and multi-disciplinary ramifi cations;

substantial involvement of public interest to be judged by size, either in terms of monetary;

the possibility of investigation leading to or contributing towards a clear improvement in systems, laws or procedures.

SFIO may also take up cases on its own, it investigates serious cases of fraud received from Department of Company Affairs.

Whether an investigation should be taken up or not, is decided by the Director SFIO, who will be expected to record the reasons in writing. This decision is further subject to review by a coordination committee.

It was set up in 2003, on the recommendation of Naresh Chandra Committee, and in the backdrop of stock market scams resulting in huge fi nancial loss to the public.

COMMUNICATION SATELLITE GSAT-31

CONTEXT European launch services company Arianespace launched India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-31 successfully from French Guiana.

ABOUT • GSAT-31 is the country’s 40th communication satellite which is confi gured on ISRO’s enhanced ‘I-2K Bus’.

GSAT-31 separated from the launch vehicle in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee – the nearest point to Earth – of 250 km and an apogee – the farthest point from Earth – of 35,850 km, inclined at an angle of 3 degrees to the equator.

The launch vehicle for GSAT- 31 was Ariane 5 VA-247.

GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.

It is confi gured on ISRO’s enhanced I-2K Bus, utilizing the maximum bus capabilities of this type.

30 www.iasscore.in


Salient Features of GSAT-31Launch mass : 2535 kg

Spacecraft power : 4.7 kW

Payload : Ku-band transponders

Coverage area : Indian mainland and island

Mission life : Around 15 years

Key facts-The satellite will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.

GSAT-31 has a unique confi guration of providing fl exible frequency segments and fl exible coverage.

Two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground tracking purpose.

Researchers will undertake phase-wise orbit-raising manoeuvres to place the satellite in geostationary orbit – 36,000 km above the equator – in the coming days using its on-board propulsion system.

SIGNIFICANCE • GSAT-31 will provide DTH Television Services, connectivity to VSATs for ATM, Stock-exchange, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance applications.

This satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in geostationary orbit and will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.The satellite also provides wide beam coverage using a wide beam transponder to facilitate communication over large oceanic region, comprising large parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.GSAT -30 is another geostationary satellite to be lofted soon by Arianespace for ISRO.

ZEARALENONE, A FUNGAL TOXIN

CONTEXT • A Journal of Food Science study detected Zearalenone a fungal toxin in wheat, rice, corn and oats from markets in Uttar Pradesh.

Recent study by Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), found the substance Zearalenone in 70 of the 117 samples tested.

Twenty-four of the U.P. samples exceeded the EU regulatory limits of 100-200 mcg/ kg of cereals.

ABOUT What is Zearalenone? Zearalenone is a fungal toxin infesting cereals such as wheat, maize and barley. It attacks crops while they are growing, but can also develop when cereals are stored without being dried fully. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India does not impose maximum limits for Zearalenone. This study highlighted that India should set limits on Zearalenone in cereals.

More on Zearalenone Grains represent a signifi cant source of food-borne contaminants, the main ones being; mycotoxins including (A) afl atoxin B1; (B) ochratoxin A; (C) fumonisin B1; (D)

31

WEEK - 1 (1 - 6 NOVEMBER, 2018)

www.iasscore.in


deoxynivalenol; (E) zearalenone; toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead; as well as process contaminants such as acrylamide.

Whole grains usually contain more contaminants than refi ned products. However, whole grains also provide more nutrients that may reduce the impact of these contaminants.

Strict regulatory thresholds aim to minimize the risk of contaminants to public health. The consumer can further impact on the mitigation of any risk by eating a healthy diet fi lled with nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains and probiotics.

The risks posed by contaminants from whole grains do not outweigh the known nutritional benefi ts of whole grain consumption.

Globally, there are over 50,000 edible plants. Just three of these (rice, maize and wheat) provide about 60 per cent of the world’s food energy intake.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) forecasts that world grain utilization in 2018/19 will reach a record level of 2646 million tonnes.

Fungal toxins are commonly found in food, and can be a public health concern. India regulates the levels of some of these, including afl atoxin, deoxynivalenol, ergot and patulin. The fi rst three infest cereals, while patulin is found in apples.

Each of these toxins has been associated with disease outbreaks. For example, in 1974, a hepatitis outbreak in Rajasthan and Gujarat, which made 398 people sick and killed 106, was linked to afl atoxin in maize.

Meanwhile, chronic afl atoxin consumption has been shown to cause liver cancer. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifi es afl atoxin as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is enough evidence for its carcinogenicity.

In Zearalenone’s case, there is no strong evidence of toxicity in humans so far, though several research groups are investigating. As a result, the IARC classifi es it as a Group 3 carcinogen, which means evidence is not suffi cient for an evaluation yet.

Why does it matter?Zearalenone behaves like oestrogen, the female sex hormone, and could cause endocrine disturbances in humans. Its nasty effects in animals, such as pigs, are documented. When fed with mouldy corn, pigs develop infl amed vaginas, infertility and other symptoms.

This is why countries like Brazil regulate Zearalenone levels in animal feed. In humans, the data are fuzzier.

Some experiments suggest its ill-effects: in one, when oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells were exposed to the chemical in a lab, they proliferated.

In 2014, a Tunisian case-control study found a correlation between a Zearalenone metabolite in urine and breast-cancer risk in women. But other studies did not fi nd similar links

What next?More data are needed from cereals in other States, and from other storage conditions, before India decides to set limits.

Since Zearalenone favours cool climates, such contamination could be limited to a few States. Also, strong epidemiological data linking human Zearalenone levels with diseases such as breast cancer are important.

***********

32 www.iasscore.in


SECIENCE & TECHNOLOGY in NEWS

A Japanese company plans to stage the world’s fi rst artifi cial meteor shower after a rocket carrying its technology was blasted into space. This micro satellite will be able to shoot tiny meteors like balls into the sky which contains secret chemical formula and will appear like glowing lights into the sky. This satellite is solely for entertainment purpose and contains 400 tiny glowing balls which can be unleashed to light up skies in as many as 30 space entertainment shows.

Japan satellite off to deliver artificial meteors1

India ranks third in the world in terms of high quality research publications in artifi cial intelligence (AI) but is at a signifi cant distance from world leader China, according to an analysis by research agency Itihaasa. The agency computed the number of ‘citable documents’— the number of research publications in peer-reviewed journals — in the fi eld of AI between 2013-2017 as listed out by Scimago, a compendium that tracks trends in scientifi c research publications. China has emerged as the world leader in this fi eld.

India ranks third in research on Artificial Intelligence2

Astronomers from Kyung Hee University, Korea using ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) have detected various complex organic molecules around the young star V883 Ori. A sudden outburst from this star is releasing molecules from the icy compounds in the planet forming disk. The chemical composition of the disk is similar to that of comets in the modern solar system. Sensitive ALMA observations enable astronomers to reconstruct the evolution of organic molecules from the birth of the solar system to the objects we see today.

Retreating snow line reveals organic molecules around young star3

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to study some of the oldest and faintest stars in the globular cluster NGC 6752 have made an unexpected fi nding. They discovered a dwarf galaxy in our cosmic backyard, only 30 million light-years away. The aim of their observations was to use these stars to measure the age of the globular cluster, but in the process they made an unexpected discovery. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA.

Hubble fortuitously discovers a new galaxy in the cosmic neighborhood

4

Neuro engineers have created a system that translates thought into intelligible, recognizable speech. This breakthrough, which harnesses the power of speech synthesizers and artifi cial intelligence, could lead to new ways for computers to communicate directly with the brain. It also lays the groundwork for helping people who cannot speak, such as those living with as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or recovering from stroke, regain their ability to communicate with the outside world.

Engineers translate brain signals directly into speech5

week - 2 (february, 2019)

Documents