04 june 2020 : The Hindu Editorials Summary & Short Notes
Mains Sure Shot
GS-3 Mains
QUESTION: Analyse India-USA relationships with reference to the rapidly changing global politics.
Editorial Topic- SEVEN TO ELEVEN
WHAT?
- Expansion of G-7 to G-11.
WHY IN NEWS?
- US President Donald Trump has called the existing G-7 a “very outdated group of countries” and he wants to add INDIA,RUSSIA,SOUTH KOREA and AUSTRALIA in group making it G-11.
KNOW ABOUT G-7:
- It was formed in 1975.
- It is an international intergovernmental economic organisation consisting of the seven major countries – CANADA, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY,JAPAN,UK and the US.
- As of 2018,these 7 nations represent 58% of the global net worth and more than 46% of the GDP based on nominal values.
OBJECTIVE:
- To discuss and deliberate on international economic issues.
- It sometimes act in concert to help resolve other global problems with a special focus.
REACTION FROM OTHER COUNTRIES:
- India has welcomed the idea to expand the format of grouping to keep up with the new realities of the post COVID-19 world.
- Australia and South Korea have also welcomed this invitation from US side.
- However, Russia that had lost its membership of the grouping in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea would attend “if treated as an equal”.
CHINA’S ABSENCE:
- The current US-China tensions, particularly over coronavirus issues, clearly played a part in the US’s decision to leave Chinese President off his summit guest list.
WHY THIS EXPANSION OF 4 COUNTRIES BY US?
- Not all countries of G-7 are among the most advance now.
- India is both a military and economic giant but is not a part of the G-7. So its expansion would open a door for India to be a permanent member of UNSC.
- Adding these four countries reflects American desire to wrest back the global leadership initiative from China.
- South Korea is technical and economical super power and US is committed to defending it against any folly.
- Australia is a natural ally for the US in the South Pacific, a region where China has been expanding its influence.
- Russia also shares a large border with China.
CHINA’S WORRY:
- On the whole, its USA new agenda to counterattack China from its trading partners from all sides and this current American push for a new organisation is an attempt to isolate China at global level.
- India has no objection in joining the new club.
WAY AHEAD:
- The proposed G-11 grouping would recognise India’s place amongst the world’s richest nations, and acknowledge its global voice.
- Even though changes have been proposed its unclear when the summit will actually be held, given the November elections in the US.
- An evaluation of the G-7 effectiveness as a multilateral forum is also needed.
- Example: In France, last year , the grouping was unable to issue joint communique due to these differences in its 45 year old history.
TAKEAWAY(Conclusion):
- India should , therefore, interpret Trump’s comments on the expansion of G7 as an opportunity , not as a curveball that should be best avoided.
- Despite India’s border tensions with Beijing, India must also consider its objectives in attending a grouping that appears aimed at fuelling a new cold war between US and China.
Short Notes
The Hindu Editorials – SEVEN TO ELEVEN
WHAT?
Expansion of G-7 to G-11.
WHY IN NEWS?
- US President called the existing G-7 a “very outdated group of countries” and adding INDIA,RUSSIA,SOUTH KOREA and AUSTRALIA .
KNOW ABOUT G-7:
- It was formed in 1975 + seven major countries – CANADA, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY,JAPAN,UK and the US + intergovernmental org. solving eco. issues.
OBJECTIVE:
- Discussing economic issues + resolving other global problems.
REACTION FROM OTHER COUNTRIES:
- Welcomed by India, Australia, South Korea and Russia would attend “if treated as an equal”.
CHINA’S ABSENCE:
- Due to current US-China tensions over coronavirus
WHY THIS EXPANSION OF 4 COUNTRIES BY US?
- For new advancement + India is both a military and eco. power + counterattacking China from back door policy + South Korea is technical and economical super power + Australia is a natural ally for the US + Russia also shares a large border with China.
CHINA’S WORRY:
- American push = is an attempt to isolate China at global level + India = no objection.
WAY AHEAD:
- India’s recognition among richest nation.
- An evaluation of the G-7 effectiveness as a multilateral forum is also needed.
TAKEAWAY(Conclusion):
- India should interpret Trump’s comments on the expansion of G7 as an opportunity + Despite India’s border tensions with Beijing, India must also consider its objectives in attending a grouping.
GS-1 Mains
QUESTION: Discuss the efficacy of DBT in power supply for farmers.
The Hindu Editorial Topic – TIME TO DISCONTINUE FREE POWER FOR FARMERS
WHAT?
– Free power supply and widespread wastage of water and electricity.
WHY IN NEWS?
- The Central Govt. wants to reform in the agricultural sector by replacing the free power supply for farmers with an idea of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
OVERVIEW OF DBT:
- (DBT – part of India’s govt.s anti-poverty prog. launched in 2013).
- Tamil Nadu was the first state to introduce free power in Sep.1984.
- DBT implementation could help targeted subsidies, incentivise behavioural change and reduce wastage of scarce public funds.
- In this, farmers will have to pay the bill for the power consumption for agricultural purposes. After that, they will get the subsidy in their bank accounts through DBT.
ARGUMENTS FOR FREE POWER:
- Apart from ensuring food security, free power provides livelihood opportunities to landless workers.
- When farmers depends on supplies through canals get water almost free of cost, it is but fair that those not covered by canal irrigation should be given free electricity.
- Small and marginal farmers are those who are outside the canal supply deserve free power with some valid restrictions.
CONCERNS WITH FREE POWER SUPPLY:
- Absence of electricity meters for connections means no accurate measurement of consumption.
- Scheme of free power supply has led to widespread wastage of water and electricity.
- As India is largest user of groundwater at 251 billion cubic metres = burden on groundwater table to be recharged.
- Extension of scheme to different states has only encouraged installations of more pumps this leads to groundwater over exploitation and some farmers are misusing water by over-irrigating their crops due to free power. KARNATAKA is a classical example we have.
SCHEME MISUSE:
- As resource-rich farmers enjoy greater power subsidy benefits than the poor ones due to pol. connections.
- Increasing carbon emissions from electricity overuse is the reason for environmental degradation.
SUBSIDIES TRANSFERS THROUGH DBT IS THE NEW PROBLEM:
- Farmers will have to pay first from their own pockets, after which they will get subsidies.
- Big question is – are our farmers in a position to pay 4,000-5,000 in advance and wait for the transfer from the govt.?
CHALLENGES:
- Delivery mechanisms often fail to account for beneficiaries choice and preferences because farmers don’t participate in the planning process.
- Lack of empirical research on the implementation of DBT programs.
- Farmers are reluctant to relinquish access to subsidized power.
- Tamil Nadu govt. is resisting this Centre’s proposal and take into account this many other states may do so.
WAY FORWARD:
- There is a need for third-party audits authorised by regulatory commissions to check if consumers are aware of these provided subsidies , if easy and affordable access should be need of the hour so that no any farmer seems to be decepted.
- Discoms, electricity regulatory commissions and state govts. Should allow different kinds of strong monitoring , evaluation and learning mechanisms.
Short Notes
Topic- TIME TO DISCONTINUE FREE POWER FOR FARMERS
WHAT?
- Free power supply + water electricity wastage.
WHY IN NEWS?
- Replacement of free power supply for farmers through DBT.
OVERVIEW OF DBT:
- (DBT – part of India’s govt.s anti-poverty prog. launched in 2013).
- Tamil Nadu-first state to introduce free power in Sep.1984 + DBT implementation- help targeted subsidies, incentivise behavioural change and reduce wastage of scarce public funds.
ARGUMENTS FOR FREE POWER:
- Free power = livelihood opportunities to landless workers + When farmers depends on supplies through canals get water almost free of cost + Small and marginal farmers outside the canal supply .
CONCERNS WITH FREE POWER SUPPLY:
- No electricity metres + water and electricity wastage + India as largest user = burden on groundwater table to be recharged.
- More water pump installation and KARNATAKA is a classical example we have.
SCHEME MISUSE:
- As resource-rich farmers + environmental degradation due to carbon emissions.
SUBSIDIES TRANSFERS THROUGH DBT IS THE NEW PROBLEM:
- Payments first before subsidies + farmers = not in position to pay.
CHALLENGES:
- Failed delivery mechanism + Lack of implementation of DBT programs + farmers reluctancy + resistance from states.
WAY FORWARD:
- There is a need for third-party audits, awareness prog. and no deception to farmers + strong monitoring, evaluation and learning mechanisms from state govt. and discoms.
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