A hole in Pain : POPULATION

ANWAR ALI

One of the most serious problems that India faces today is the problem of overpopulation. In our country, a baby is born every two seconds i.e., more than 40,000 children are born everyday. If the present tread continues, our population might touch the fantastic figure of a thousand million at the turn of the century. The uneven distribution of population in the world has severely affected the fragile ecological balance in many countries. The unbridled growth of human population has also brought problems like unemployment, urbanization, pollution, etc. Here, in India, it is necessary that the problem of population growth is attacked on a war-footing. The masses have to be motivated and not coerced to adopt family planning. And the best method to motivate is to educate. The education of women, in particular, should receive greater attention of our planners.
Television can play a very useful role in this area. Living standards of the people should be raised and health care and educational institutions should be actively involved in the family planning drive to supplement the efforts of the Government. We should not spare any attempt to educate our people and convince them of the benefits-both social and individual-about the check in growth of population as well as calculated steps towards health and prosperity. The statement that our teeming lions have set at naught decades of developmental efforts, overcrowded our cities and rendered living conditions appalling has become trite. Yet, the fact remains that in the face of such obvious chaos all around, population growth continues to be unrelenting.
Therefore, any development policy in a developing country must encompass the problem of population growth as also the social, environmental and technological phenomena. This could be done in respect of a country as a whole or on an inter-regional basis within the country.
So far, demographic issues have not yet been integrated in our scheme of life. To most of us, vitalism is dominant and life is sacred. It is not yet appreciated that any population strategy will serve in a more effective manner if it is combined with achieving a better quality of life.
For the economic planners, an understanding of the socio-economic determinants of population trends is essential in the formulation of appropriate measures and strategies to raise the levels of living.
In the primitive societies, where resources were abundant, the rearing of many children into healthy and useful adults was not overtly difficult. The community and the family did not have to count the cost of institutionalized health care and education, for instance. On the other hand, the child contributed to the welfare of the family and community by the work he or she learnt to do at an early age. This still holds good in some parts of the world. In India too it is not easy to counter the poor peasant's argument that the more children he has. The better-off he is. But as we move inexorably towards more development, the investment per child inevitably becomes much greater both for the family and the community. By and large, the biggest increase will be in the poorest countries which are the teast able to support them. As a result of this increase, the availability per person of critical resources such as water, fuel wood and crop land will drop at an unprecedented rate. Even without increased per capita consumption in developing countries, the projected doubling of world population in the next century is likely to further degrade the critical-support systems of the planet. In many areas, population densities by far exceed the carrying capacity of the physical environment and could ultimately threaten the very eco-system on which human survival and economic development depend. Even though the number of children per woman has decreased, the number of women of child-bearing age has increased more rapidly.
On a national scale, the age structure of a country's population is crucial to development planning efforts. On an international scale, the implications of this rapid population growth are enormous for regional and global environmental issues such as climate change. A very youthful population such as in most developing countries or an aging population like in many industrialized countries has different implications for future population growth and for social needs.
The youthful age structure of the population in much of the developing world would mean that the absolute number of births and the total population will continue to rise rapidly for the next 20 or 30 years, if present trends continue.
There is hardly any issue on the global environmental: agenda unaffected- by population growth- Poverty, demographic dynamics, human settlement, fragile ecosy6tehis. Agriculture, biodiversity, pollution of rivers and oceans, and others. Just to survive, burgeoning populations place ever-larger burdens on water, farmland, forests and coastal habitats. As those natural resources deteriorate, "environmental refugees" flee to urban areas, where sanitation and other basic services are overloaded. Already, the beginnings of environmental disasters are being felt. They range from air pollution, faecal contamination of drinking water and hazardous waste pollution, to depletion and degradation of freshwater resources, occupation of high-risk land, and damage to eco-systems and cultural property.
Family planning has played an integral role in reducing fertility throughout the world. At present, the total fertility rate (TFR) is thought to stand at 3A children born to the average woman.
The situation is worse in India, which has had a family planning programme since 1951. Its population of about 882 million is growing at about 2 14 percent per year, compared to 1.5 per cent per year for China's population billion. India is expected to replace China as the most populous country by 2035.
It has a new model plan for improving family planning services, but still has to convert it into action in hundreds of thousands of villages. Its official goal is to reduce the TFR by 50 per cent by the year 2000.
In India, due to rampant illiteracy and widespread ignorance a large majority disbelieve that less children are hindrances to their economic interests because, for them it means less work hands. However the reality is that high population growth rates have a negative effect on economic growth rates, especially in developing countries.
But there is also the more significant plane at which the output itself is affected by the rate of population growth. This is essentially because of a reduction in savings for investment and diversion of larger amounts of resources to welfare and to indirectly productive investments such as health and education needed to support a shooting population.
The Indian state has to sponsor and heavily subsidies these projects not only because it is a welfare state, but also because, if some of these investments are withdrawn, the speed and structure of economic expansion could be impaired by the resultant lower productivity of an uncared labour force. India being a democratic welfare state is committed to provide jobs for as many people as it can. This has lead to over staffing and thereby under employment. Both together synergistically lead to gross inefficiency. This has contributed to both the public sector and the government being in the red.
Health conditions around the world have improved more over the past 40 years than in all of previous human history. However the conditions are still bad in the developing countries and they have an adverse impact on family planning (FP).
Complications of pregnancy and childbirth claim the lives of about 400,000 women each year in developing countries where maternal mortality ratios are up to 30 times higher than in the high-income nations.
According to the World Development Report, while India spends $ 18 billion on health against $ 13 billion in China with a much larger population, health in China is better than in India. While the IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) is 29 per thousand in China, it is as high as 90 per thousand in India. Even the under-five mortality rate is as high as 142 per thousand in India while in China it is just 42 per thousand. In countries with a high IMR couples do not tend to accept contraceptive or sterilization methods, as there is no guarantee for their children surviving. This is one of the three health challenges before the world now, the other two being AIDs and drug resistant strains of disease. It has been estimated that the world will he inhabited by 1.2 billion people above 60 years of age by 2020 AD. And 71% of these are likely to be in the developing world. The older elderly (80 years of age and above) will increase twice as fast as the younger elderly (between 60-8( years. This has happened in Thailand and in Kerala India). In Kerala, the number of people who will be 70 years old in 2020 AD. Is expected to rise to 5.8 per cent from the present 3.2 percent. Indeed, Kerala has the largest number of old age homes in the country. At the national level the figure will jump from 3.3% in 1980 to 5.3% in 200() AD; and 13.3% in 2025 A.D.
The basic point that needs to be made is that we are in a disaster situation a far as population is concerned and, therefore, have to make urgent and concerted efforts to bring down the increasing rate of population. The first thing that is needed is a breakthrough in contraceptive technology. If we can put up our own satellites, if we can develop missies that can carry various elements with them, why have our scientists not been able to affect a break-through in contraceptive technology? Western pharmaceutical companies seem to have lost interest in contraceptive technology. This is an area where we must have a major break-through. What we really need is either an anti-pregnancy vaccine, on which Professor Pran Talwar has been working for the last 20 years or a pill which is available like a pill of aspirin.
We are still dependent very largely on operative techniques, on vasectomies and tubectomies which are very effective. But they do impinge physically and psychologically upon the most sensitive elements of the human anatomy. If we can get a break-through in non-invasive techniques, it could make a vital difference. The welfare of children, maternal and child health care are absolutely essential for ensuring lower fertility. It may appear to be a contradiction in terms, but the lower child mortality rate, the lower is the growth rate. Where the mortality rate is high, the family tends to have many more children because they are not sure how many are going to survive.
Wherever children are well looked after and the mortality rate of the child falls, the fertility rate also falls. Therefore, the integrated child health care programme is extremely important.
This involves immunization to pregnant and nursing mothers; nutritional inputs to infants; and a whole gamut of medical and child care facilities up to the age of five. Thirdly, we have to develop some kind of old age insurance or pension. It is all very fine for intellectuals sitting comfortably in cities to say that everybody should have only two children, whether it includes a boy or not.
But when we talk of the villages and of poor people, when the girls get married and go away who is actually going to look after those people when they are old?
This may not be a fashionable question to ask, but is a valid question, not something which can be dismissed as an outmoded form of thinking.
The only way one can deal with it is to develop gradually some kind of an old-age pension for people who, after 60 to 65 years, cannot work, so that they are convinced that there is some sort of a 'safety net' even if they do not" have a male issue.
The fourth point is that population control is not something than can be done merely by government or by adopting policies in Parliament. What is required is a mass movement, a National Movement for Population Control. This must involve the Central government. State governments, local bodies, corporations, municipalities, Zila Parishad, and panchayats, because unless these bodies are deeply associated, the nation is not going to get the desired results. It is no use simply talking in urban areas, because in any case small family norms are much more popular there. It is the rural population which must be involved. We should involve not only the Chambers of Commerce and Industry but also the entire industrial sector, the working class sector and organised labour. Labour could be an extremely effective instrument for motivating the working class in view of the concentration of people who can be easily reached. Some progressive and enlightened industrial houses have already started paying attention to population control. We must also invoice non-governmental organizations, particularly women organizations. For example, the Family Planning Association, of India, which has not branches all over the country, could play a very meaningful role in this context.
Women are the key to the whole problem. Apart from these, youth organizations. Trade unions and co-operatives must be associated. We should also put population values into our educational system. Indeed we should not leave anybody out, including religious leaders. One of the problems faced in the earlier experiment was that a feeling developed, rightly or wrongly, that some communities were deliberately opting out of the family planning process. That feeling, unfortunately, had a very negative impact on others. Actually, the statistical figures did not prove that conclusively, but nonetheless there was a feeling.
So if we are really now going to have a second try at the population policy, we have to involve the religious leaders of all communities together.
Even in a Roman Catholic country like Italy, the growth rate has fallen despite the strong attitude taken by religious leaders of a certain community there therefore once you get to the people and explain to them that it is in their own interest that they should adopt the small family norm, and if we can go through the religious leaders, the message will be result oriented.
In the first few decades since Independence, the slow pace of economic growth ironically ensured a fast rate of population growth. However, in the eighties, there was it significant upswing in growth rates, poising the economy on the threshold of a higher rate of growth in the Eighth five year plan. The acceleration of economic growth has also been accompanied by the launching or fruition of a whole series of programmes of direct poverty alleviation and social development.
A Minimum Needs Programme, Rural Employment Guarantee Programmes and family asset creation programmes for those below the poverty line have resulted in a sensible decrease in absolute and relative levels of poverty. In fact, population control should be a subject of national consensus. The damange that has been -done to the national interest by making population control a subject of political controversy is absolutely impossible to compute. Hundreds of billions of rupees have gone to create all the infrastructure that is necessary, but we have already reached such a huge figure that even if our population growth rate begins to fall, it will at least take 25 years before our population begins to stabilize. So the country must realise that it is facing a disaster situation. It is a difficult path, but there are no soft options. We are going through a multi-dimensional crisis in India today. It is an economic crisis, a social crisis, a political crisis, a spiritual crisis.
It seems that the great vision of those who led our freedom movement is disappearing, and we seem to be caught in a welter of negative thinking.
Many people have virtually given up hope. They may be right, but if we lose hope, then any chance of making it is also lost. We need not only a renewal of interest in population control but also a renewal of faith in ourselves, in our cultural heritage and in the capacity of democracy. The whole world is moving towards democracy, and in our country we find democracy itself is under tremendous pressure.

Places in News: Hindu November Month

Places in News: Hindu November Month
1 nov Upto24 nov

placedetailscategory

Myitkyina- Recently here meeting of ethnic minorities+ govt held . Situated on the banks of river Ayeyarwady cult.foreign

Kuthanur-Palakkad dist. Mega lithic burial site has been found Kayarampara in kuthanur (kerala). In past it was known for learned men & scholars.What is Mega lithic a very large stones that has been used to constriet a str/monuments.cult.local

Namphake (Assam)- On the bank of Burhidihing & One of the oldest and most respected Buddhist monastery of Assam . here Tai Phake community which has its roots in China (Yunan province )and Myanmar.Language spoken- Tai Pnake and Assamese both.Thai Phake- Also shares their cultural similarties with thai people in northern Part of Thailand. cult.local

Periyar Tiger Reserve and Mudumalai tiger reserve:Periyar Tiger Reserve here long billed vultured sighted after a long time .Long billed are good scaverger and having indangered status. Long Billed Vultured- till now their population servived only in ram Nagaram /near banglore.EnB.

Hamad International Airport- (Doha)Worlds first airport which has unrestricted operation for all commercial aircrafts. It is high tech upgraded Airport. But Missed official opening dates-Reason civil defence issue . Now will be open in 2014GK

Myitkyina- Capital of Kachin. (Myanmar)Myanmars largest non state armed force ethnic kokang armed groups and Kuki.Demands (i) Withdrawl of army froms ethnic minorities territory(ii) Granting such teritory autonomous status.(iii) If we surrender will gove. Absorb our armed groupsinto feudal armies.IR

Cauvery basin(North) and mannar basin(west of Sri Lanka) Oil blocks of Sri Lanka. ONGC videsh with Crain India will bid for this blocks.Importance :- China has its interest over these blocks. After CHOGM incidence , India want to strengthen its ties (but Indian local politics dominates over national interest). oil



counter insurgencyCounter insurgency & Anti terror school Three such school at : Ranchi (rural)LateharHazari bagh security

Doyang area of Wokha dist of NagalandMigratory birds amur falcons came here from Siberia. Later there locations were also tagged by satellite in Africa.Doyang river is famous here.Nagaland birds are killed so govt spread awareness to save amur falcons ENB

DARJLEELING TOY TRAINDARJEELING HIMALYAN RAILWAY- UNESCO STATUS IN 1999Routes- Kuseong- Darjeeling and siliguri- rongtong.Tracks were damaged due to land sliding so chances to loose UNESCO status.Ghoom is the highest point on route . It is 1st highest station in asia and 2nd in the worldENB

Kuril islandsDisputed island bw RUSSIA AND JAPANIR

MIAOENGANG (CHENGDU , SICHUAN PROVINCE ) CHINAJoint military exercise bw India and China , known as HAND IN HAND 2013IR

PAMBAN BRIDGE or Indra gandhi bridgeCONNECTS Rameshwarm to Pamban mainland. Now IIT/Madras team is looking into its strength.Indias 1st cantilever bridge. completed 100 years. 2nd longest sea bridge after Bandra worli sea link (Rajeev Gandhi sea link)(So Rajeev is larger than Indra)GK

Karwar port (Karnatka)Here INS vikramditya will come on jan 2014Security

BMEC (BANGLORE MUMBAI ECONOMIC CORRIDOR)U.K. +INDIA JOINT project. Investment bu UKIR

Sangdo (south korea)HQ. Of Green Climate fund. ENB

mumbaiAustralian consulate office open hereGK

Gurgaon11th (ASEM) Asia Europe meeting of foreign ministersGK

AMAZON regionWorlds biggest rain forest .Loosing its forest cover much faster due to-Soyabean production, extensive farming ENB

Central island of samar and leyte (Phillippines)Typhoon Haiyan damaged mostly in Tacloban (Leyte province of Phillippines)GK

MedogClose border with Arunanchal Pradesh. China opened a new high way to connect various cities of china.IR

AYNI Airbase of TajikistanStrategic location. Russia has airbase here. It is now refurbish by India. Actually Farkhor is Indias airbase in Tajikistan. It is counter attack on Chinas string of pearl diplomacy.IR

Hokersar wetland (Srinagar J&K India)Protected bird sanctuary. It is only ramsar site of J&K. Due to political nexus - illegal construction - its wetland area is shrunken.Other wetlands of J&K-Shallabugh, Hygan, wullar and MirgundENB

Coorg block (in Kerala and karnatka) 3000km^2 areaAncient microcontinent discovered here. Broken off from Madagascar or Africa.Geography

Manfouha (S. Arabia)Violence against migrant workers of Africa. Reason- Notaqat policy, which expanded employment opportunities of Saudi nationals.IR

Andhra PradeshPrakasham, Guntur,Krishna, Nellore- affected by Cyclone HELEN. (dont confuse with Haiyen (Phillippines) and Phalin (orrisa)National

Kadur Chikmagalur (Rail line)Connect chikmagalur with Hubli Banglore main line.Rail line broad gauge. Govt new policy all railway lines should be converted into broad gauge.National

Senkaku or DiaoyuThis is a disputed island in East china sea. Dispute bw China and Japan.Called Senkaku by japan and Diaoyu by china.Now china set up air defence zone over it.IR

Krishna dist of Andhra P.Planning to consider it as new capital of AP. Other choices- Guntur- But here problem is land and water.VZK- not have central location
* Guntur is famous for red Chilli.national

Gulf of Mannar+ Gulf of Kutch+A& NicobarHere coral reef ecosystem is threaten by soft coral (carijoariisei). It is growing very fast + monopolised the food and space of original coral reefs. They are translocated through ships.1st reported in Kundol island of nicobar.*Mahatma Gandhi marine national park- AndamanENB

Qatar2022 FIFA world cup organiser. Abusement of migrant workers and complains of forced labour reported by AMNESTY.IR

Tokyo5th Indo-US- japan trilateral meet.Discussion over- Reconstruction of Afganistan.India+ japan-- Fright corridor and Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor (Assistance from Japan)IR

Jalandhar attari gas pipelineIndia will export gas to Pakistan . Gas provided by GAILIR

India Vietnam - 7 new oil blocks offered to India.one block allotted in Uzbekistan (Kossar block).In return India will train 500 vietnames sub marines + $100 million credit line (includes 4 naval boats)Previous allotted blocks to india in South china sea-Block 6.1- no objection by chinaBlock 127--- Yes, Objection by chinaBlock 128--- Again objection.India returned 127 and 128 blocks with pity excuses like- No oil or financially not viable.But Everyone knows the reality.oil

Priya vihar Hindu templeNear border area of Thailand and Cambodia
* UNESCO world heritage status. 900 years old temple .Now dispute is not over the temple but the land nearby area of temple.ICJ- favoured Cambodias claim.cult.foreign

Chandra Deo

Important Organizations

Important Organizations
OPCW - The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
-Director General: Ahmet zmc (Turkish diplomat)
-Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the OPCW was formed in 1997 to enforce the 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention, the first international treaty to outlaw an entire class of weapons.
~The convention prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons. It came into force in 1997 and has been ratified by 189 states. Of those, seven Albania, India, Iraq, Libya, Russia and the United States, along with a country identified by the OPCW only as "a State Party" but widely believed to be South Korea have declared stockpiles of chemical weapons. These include mustard gas and nerve agents like sarin and VX.
~ Non-signatories to the treaty include North Korea, Angola, Egypt and South Sudan. Israel and Myanmar have signed but not ratified the convention.
-The organization has 189 member states,Syria is recent member.
-The OPCW has conducted more than 5,000 inspections in 86 countries. It says 100 percent of the declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been inventoried and verified.
-OPCW statistics released this year showed that 81.1 per cent of the worlds declared chemical weapons had already been destroyed, and specifically that the US had destroyed about 90 per cent of its stock while Russia had done away with roughly 70 per cent.
-Albania, India and "a third country" believed to be South Korea have completed destruction of their declared stockpiles.


ICC - International Criminal Court (ICC)
-Article 16 of Rome Statute allows the UN Security Council allow such a deferment, Article 27 expressly rules out immunity for Heads of State, elected representatives and government officials, and Article 64 requires the trial be conducted in the presence of the accused.
-Thirty-four African countries, and 122 nations, are ratified signatories to the Rome Statue, the framework that unpins the ICC, but India, China, Israel and the United States have not signed on.
- The court has opened eight investigations thus far, all targeted at African nations Uganda, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Kenya, Libya, Coite dIvoire, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. {All African countries therefore AU intend to withdraw from it}
G 20
The G20 accounts for 90 per cent of the global economy, 75 per cent of global trade and two-thirds of the world population. Its members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and European Union.



BRICS
Brazil, India, Russia, China and South Africa grouped in the BRICS bloc seen as an alternative economic powerhouse all go into the meeting experiencing slowing growth, embattled currencies and huge capital outflows.
On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg summit, the BRICS leaders are expected to work for a consensus on creating a $100 billion currency reserve fund to help ease short-term liquidity pressure and safeguard financial stability of major emerging economies.
The BRICS bloc is also reported to have agreed on the capital structure for a proposed development bank that aims to reduce their reliance on Western financial institutions. The bank is likely to have $50 billion as initial capital.



ASEM



AT A GLANCE:

ESTABLISHED: 1996

MEMBERSHIP: 51

COORDINATORS:ASIA - Malaysia, MongoliaEUROPE - European External Action Service, Lithuania



The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing together the 27 European Union member states, 2 European countries, and the European Commission with 20 Asian countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. The ASEM dialogue addresses political, economic and cultural issues, with the objective of strengthening the relationship between our two regions, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.
The initial ASEM partnership in 1996 consisted of 15 EU member states and 7 ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, Korea and the European Commission.
ASEM saw the first enlargement during the 5th ASEM Summit in 2004 in Hanoi (Vietnam), where the 10 new EU Member States (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) and three new ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) became officially part of the ASEM process.
The second round of enlargement in 2008 during the 7th ASEM Summit in Beijing (China) brought in Bulgaria, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Romania and the ASEAN Secretariat, increasing total ASEM membership to 45 partners.
In October 2010, the 8th ASEM Summit of Heads of Government and State in Brussels (Belgium) welcomed three member states to the ASEM process: Australia, New Zealand and Russia. This third round of enlargement increased total ASEM membership to 48 partners.
During the 9th ASEM Summit of Heads of Government and State in Vientiane (Laos) in November 2012, ASEM was joined officially by Bangladesh, Norway, and Switzerland. This latest round of enlargement brings the total ASEM membership to 51 partners.


India is venue for 10th ASEM Summit


RIC Meet
The foreign ministers of India, Russia and China met in Bangalore to discuss regional issues of mutual concern, with a special focus on bringing stability to Afghanistan. This was the 9th meeting of the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral forum, where member countries convened to discuss shared interests on the core issues of regional security - terrorism, religious extremism, political separatism, etc - and coordinate their policies


Regards
Sumeet Mahendra

Distribution of non-metallic minerals and energy resources

Distribution of non-metallic minerals and energy resources
Prologue:
Last article is about metallic resources only as time was less for whole topic. Sources dont allow me to gather much information on non-metallic distribution, please update whenever you find relevant information.
Non-Metallic resources minerals

* Mica
Features:

* mainly used in electric industry

* great insulating property

* can withstand high voltage

* low power loss factor

* can be split into very thin sheets which are tough and flexible

Formation/occurence:

* obtained from muscovite, biotic and phlogopite ores.

* occurs inigneous,metamorphicandsedimentaryregimes

* typically mined fromgraniticpegmatites.

Distribution:


CountriesLocation

ChinaLiaoning

RussiaSakha, Buryatia, Petrozavodsk

FinlandNorthern Karelia

UsNew Hamsphire, Connecticut, Maine

CanadaOntario


Other countries : Spain, France, South Korea.


* Limestone:
Features:

* Aggregate of calcium carbonate, carbonate of calcium and magnesium of a mixture of two.

* contain small quantity of silica, alumina, iron-oxides, phosphorus and sulphur.

* used in cement, iron-steel, chemical industries and as building material

* limestone with high silicon content preferred in cement industry

Occurence/Formation:

* Limestone deposits are of sedimentary origin

* exists almost in all geological formation from Pre-Cambrian to recent except Gondwana

* Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such ascoral.

CountryLocation

China In all states except Sanghai

USAIndiana: major source of limestone

FinlandKainuu, Southern Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, Tavastia proper, Kymen Laakso, South Savonia, Northern Karelia

Other countries : Sweden, Ireland, Mexico.

* Diamond:
Features:

* known for its brilliance, luster, transparency and hardness.

* highest hardness and thermal conductivity; have high optical dispersion; chemically stable;

* used as cutting and polishing tools; precious stone, used in jewelry


CountryLocations

South AfricaBaken mines (along Orange river), Cullinan mines (gauteng), Finsch mines (Northern Cape), Koffiefontein mines (Free State), Venetia mines (Largest - in Limpopo)

RussiaMir mines (in Eastern Siberia), Udachny mines, Jubilee mines, Aikhal mines, Komsomolskaya mines, Zarnitsa mines ( all in sakha)

AustraliaArgyle mines (East Kimberley), Merlin mines (Northern Territory), Ellendale mines (Western Australia)

CanadaNorthern Territory : Daivik mines, Ekati mines, Jericho mines, Sanp Lake mines, Gahcho Kue minesOntario: Victor mines

BotswanaJwaneng mines (Kweneng), Damtshaa mines, Latehakane mines , Orapa mines, Karowe mines (all in Central Botswan)

AngolaCatoca mines (Lunda Sul), Facuma mines (Lunda Norte), Luarica mines (Luanda)

BrazilAmazons, Mato Groso, Para, Roraima, Maranhao, Bahia, Mina Gerais, Parana

NambiaNamdeb, Afri-Can Marine-along coastline of Atlantic Ocean

GhanaWestern Ghana, Central Ghana, Eastern Ghana , Greater Accra



Distribution of Energy Resources

Conventional Energy Resources:


* Coal
Types :
1. Peat :

* contains highest percentage of moisture

* give more smoke

* has less tahn 40% of carbon

* inferior quality

* represents first stage of coal formation

2. Lignite (brown coal):

* superior to peat coal

* under increasing pressure and heat : Peat -> Lignite

* contains 40-60% of carbon

3. Bituminous (black-coal):

* When coal is buried very deep, moisture gets expelled. Increased temperature = Bituminous coal.

* Dense, compact and black in color

* Traces of original vegetation (from which it has been formed) found in it

* 60-80% of carbon

* most popular in commercial use

* used in making coking coal (mainly used in iron and steel industry), gas coal, steam coal

4. Anthracite (Hard coal) :

* highest quality of coal

* 80-90% carbon

* very little volatile matter and insignificant proportion of moisture

* short blue color

* more expensive

Features:

* Used in generation of thermal energy and smelting of iron ore

* used as raw material in chemical and fertilizer industries

* used as fuel



CountryLocation

South AfricaLimpopo - Northern Transvaal; Mpumalanga- Waterberg coalfield, Highveld coalfield, Witbank coalfield, Ermelo coalfield; Kwazula Natal - Ultrecht coalfield, Klip River coalfield

ChinaHeilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi

USPennsyluania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado, Wyoming, Raton Basin, Harrisburg coal field, Southern Illinocs coal field, Appalachian Mountain, Montana

GermanyBergwerk Ibbenburen, in Ibbenburen; Zeche Auguste Viktoria, in Marl; Bergwerk Prosper-Haniel, Bottrop: Bergwerk West , Kamp Lintfort; Bergwerk Saar, Saarlouis

AustraliaBowen Basin in Queensland , Hunter region in New South Wales, Latrobe valley in Victoria

RussiaFar eastern - Chukotka, Magadan, Sakha, Amur; Siberian - Zakaykalsky Krai, Tuva, Altai, Kemerovo; Northwestern - Nenetsia; Central - Tver, Kostroma

CanadaBritish Columbia, Aberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward, Nova Scotia

Other countries : Venezuela, Brazil, Mongolia, UK, France, Zimbawe


* Petroleum:
Features:

* Fuel resource; provide lubricants and raw material for chemical industries

* Its products: kerosene, diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, synthetic rubber, synthetic fiber, thermoplastic resins, benzene-methansol, polystertene, acrylates, detergents, aromatics, gasoline, carbon black, dyes, colors, food-colors, pigments, explosives, printing ink, film photography, greases, cosmetics, paints, lubricant oils, parafiin and wax.

Occurence/Formation:

* consists of hydrocarbons of liquid and gaseous states

* mainly obtained from sedimentary rocks of marine origin

* Living organisms and vegetal matter got buried under sediments of mud, silt and sand, etc -- due to pressure and heat - undergoes chemical changes -- form crude oil and natural gas.



CountryLocation

Saudi ArabiaNorthern Borders, Eastern province, Persian Gulf

IraqDahuk, As Sulaymaniyah, Al Bas Rah

IranAzarba Yjan-E Khavari, Kermanshah, Llam, Khuzestan, Bushehr

RussiaNorthwestern, Urals, Southern

NorwayNorweigien Sea, North Sea

CanadaAlberta, Saskatchewan, offshore areas of Newfoundland

VenezuelaFalcon, Zulia, Sucre, Gaurico, Trujillo, Barinas, Anzoategui

Other countries : UAE, US, Russia, Algeria, Libya, China, Mexico, Kuwait


* Natural Gas:

Features:

* used for heating ,cooking, energy generation

* used as fuel for vehicles

* also used as chemical feedstock in the manufacture of plastics and other commercially important organic chemicals.

Foramtion/Occurence:

* naturally occurringhydrocarbongasmixture

* consisting primarily ofmethane, but commonly includes varying amounts of other higheralkanesand even a lesser percentage ofcarbon dioxide,nitrogen, andhydrogen sulfide.

* found in deep underground rock formations or associated with other hydrocarbon reservoirs incoal bedsand asmethane clathrates


CountryLocation

IranKermanshah, Lorestan, Golestan, Razavi Khorasan, Bashehr, Hormozgan, Fars, Esfahan

RussiaSouthern, Northwestern, Urals

Saudi ArabiaNorthern Borders, Eastern province, Persian Gulf

QatarJamayliyah

NorwayNorweigien Sea, North Sea

IndonesiaAceh, Riau, Kalimantan Barat

Other countries : Algeria, Canada, US, Venezuela, China, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Australia, Libya


* Hydro-Electricity:
-generated from water: production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water

Generating methods :
1. Conventional (dams):
-Most hydroelectric power comes from thepotential energyofdammedwater driving awater turbineandgenerator.
-The power extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water's outflow.
-This height difference is called thehead.
-The amount ofpotential energyin water is proportional to the head.

2. Pumped-storage:
-produces electricity to supply high peak demands by moving water betweenreservoirsat different elevations. At times of low electrical demand ->excess generation capacityis used to pump water into the higher reservoir.
- When there is higher demand, water is released back into the lower reservoir through a turbine.

3. Run-of-the-river

4. Tide
5. Underground
-Anunderground power stationmakes use of a large natural height difference between two waterways, such as a waterfall or mountain lake.
-An underground tunnel is constructed to take water from the high reservoir to the generating hall built in an underground cavern near the lowest point of the water tunnel and a horizontal tailrace taking water away to the lower outlet waterway.

List of some dams (list is not exhausted):


CountriesNameRiver

ChinaThree Gorges Dam Longtan DamLaxiwa DamXiaowan DamErtan DamPubugou DamGoupitan DamGezhouba DamJinanqiao DamLiyuan DamGuandi DamLijiaxia DamYangtzeHongshuiYellowMekongYalongDaduWuYangtzeJinshaJinshaYalongYellow

CanadaRobert-BourassaChurchill FallsW. A. C. Bennett DamLa Grande-4Manic-5 and Manic-5-PARevelstoke DamLa Grande-3La Grande-2-ALa GrandeChurchillPeace RiverLa GrandeManicouaganColumbiaLa GrandeLa Grande

BrazilItaipu DamTucuruIlha Solteira DamXing DamPaulo Afonso IVItumbiaraParanaTocantinsParanaSao FranciscoSao FranciscoParanaba

USAGrand CouleeChief Joseph DamNiagara Falls (US)John Day DamHoover DamColumbiaColumbiaNiagaraColumbiaN. Platte

RussiaSayanoShushenskayaKrasnoyarskBratsaUst IlimskayaVolzhskaya (Volgogradskaya)Zhiguliovskaya (Samarskaya)Bureya DamYeniseiYeniseiAngaraAngaraVolgaVolgaBureya




* Nuclear Energy:
-important minerals used are : Uranium and Thorium
-exothermic nuclear processes

Some nuclear energy plants in world : (only main producers)


CountryName (not exhausted)

France
* Belleville Nuclear Power Plant -
* Blayais Nuclear Power Plant
* Bugey Nuclear Power Plant
* Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant
* Chinon Nuclear Power Plant
* Chooz Nuclear Power Plant
* Civaux Nuclear Power Plant
* Cruas Nuclear Power Plant
* Dampierre Nuclear Power Plant
* Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant
* Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant
* Golfech Nuclear Power Plant
* Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant
* Nogent Nuclear Power Plant
* Paluel Nuclear Power Plant
* Penly Nuclear Power Plant
* Phnix Nuclear Power Plant
* Saint-Alban Nuclear Power Plant
* Saint-Laurent Nuclear Power Plant
* Tricastin Nuclear Power Center

Japan
* Fukushima I
* Fukushima II
* Genkai
* Hamaoka
* Higashidori
* Ikata
* Kashiwazaki-Kariwa
* Mihama
* Monju
* Oi
* Onagawa
* Sendai
* Shika
* Shimane
* Takahama
* Tokai
* Tomari
* Tsuruga

Germany
* Biblis Nuclear Power Plant
* Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant
* Brunsbttel Nuclear Power Plant
* Emsland Nuclear Power Plant
* Grafenrheinfeld Nuclear Power Plant
* Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant
* Nuclear Power Plant Landshut Isar I + Isar II;
* Krmmel Nuclear Power Plant
* Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant
* Philippsburg Nuclear Power Plant
* Unterweser Nuclear Power Plant

USA
* Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station
* Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Generating Station
* Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant
* Ginna Nuclear Generating Station
* Indian Point Energy Center
* Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station
* James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant
* Millstone Nuclear Power Plant
* Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
* Shippingport Atomic Power Station
* Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating
* Catawba Nuclear Station
* H. B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station
* North Anna Nuclear Generating Station
* Surry Nuclear Power Plant
* Byron Nuclear Generating Station
* Point Beach Nuclear Plant

Russia
* Balakovo
* Beloyarsk (BN-600)
* Bilibino
* Kalinin
* Kola
* Kursk
* Novovoronezh
* Smolensk
* Leningrad (Sosnovy Bor)
* Volgodonsk (Rostov)

Canada
* Pickering- A,B
* Darlington
* Bruce -A,B
* Nuclear Power Demonstration
* Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station
* Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station
* Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station

China
* Daya Bay (Guangdong )
* Hongyanhe
* Ling'ao (Lingao)
* Ningde
* Qinshan (formerly Qinshan)
* Tianwan (Lianyungang)



Distribution in India


Non-metals :


Name ofNon-metalStateLocation

MicaAndhra Pradesh -Nellore mica belt, Dudur, Khamma, Krishna, West Godavari, Vishakhapatnam

Rajasthan-Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Dungarpur, Sikar and Tonk

Jharkhand-Hazaribagh plateau , Dhanbad, Palamau, Ranchi

Tamil Nadu-Coimbatore, Triuchirapalli, Madurai, Kanyakumari

West Bengal- Purulia, Bankura

LimestoneMadhya Pradesh- Balaghat and Chhindwara

Meghalaya-Khasi and Jainti hills

Karnataka-Bijapur, Belgaum, Shimoga

Andhra Pradesh-Vishakhapattnam, Guntur, Krishna, Karimnagar, Adilabad

Orissa-Sundargarh

Bihar-Shahabad

DiamondMadhya Pradesh-Panna, Bundekhand

Andhra Pradesh -Kurnool, Anantapur

Karnataka-Raichur

Cutting and polishing -in Surat, Ahmedabad, Navasari, Palanpur, Bhavnagar, Mumbia, Khambat, Jaipur, Trichur, Goa



Distribution of Energy resources :
Conventional resources:



StateLocation

Jharkhand-Dhanbad, Dumka, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Auranga, Bokaro, Daltenganj, Giridih, Hutar, Jharia, Karanpur and Ramgarh

Odisha-Dhenkanal, Sambalpur, Sundargarh

Chhattisgarh-Bilaspur, Raigarh, Surguja

West Bengal-Raniganj, Bankura, Bardhman, Birbhum, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Puruliya

Madhya Pradesh-Rewa, Betul, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Sidhi, Shahdol, Singrauli, Muhpani, Satpura, Sohagpur, Pench-Kanhan

Andhra Pradesh-Godavari valley, Adilabad, Khammam, Nellore, Warangal, Singareni, Kottagudam

Other states -Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland



* Petroleum and Natural Gas :
Basins form where petroleum and natural gas recovered:
1. The Upper Assam Basin
2. The Western Bengal Basin
3. The Western Himalayan Basin
4. The Rajasthan Saurastra-Kachchh Basin
5. The Northern Gujarat Basin
6. The Coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala Basin
7. The Ganga Valley Basin
8. The Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Basin
9. Offshore of Khambat, Bombay High and Bassein


Crude oil producing regions :


RegionsOilfields

Western Coast Offshore Oilfields- Bombay High Oilfields-Bassein Oilfields-Aliabet Oilfields

The Gujarat Coast-Ankheshwar-Cambay-Luni-The Ahmadabad-Kalol

The Brahmaputra Valley-Digboi Oilfield-The Naharkatiya oilfield

The Eastern Coast oilfields-marine delta regions in Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri rivers

Other regions- Uttar Pradesh: Bilaspur in Rampur-Punjab : Jawalamukhi -Rajasthan : Barmer


Distribution of natural gas:

* Bombay High

* Bassein oilfields

* Gujarat : Ankleshwar and Gulf of Khambat

* Andhra Pradesh

* Assam

* Tamil Nadu: Thanjavur and Shingleput

* Godawari and Krishna Basin

* Rajasthan: Barmer

* Himachal Pradesh: Kangra

* Punjab : Firozpur


* Hydro-Electricity :


StateHydro-Electricity Power plants

Andhra Pradesh-Machkund, Nagarjun-Sagar, Nizam-Sagar, Sileru, Srisalem

Bihar- Kosi

Gujarat-Akrimota, Sardar-Sarovar, Ukai (tapi), Hathmati (sabarmati), Bhadra (Kathiawad)

Jammu & KashmirDool-hasti, Lower Jhelum, Salal, Baghliar

Jharkhand-Maithon, Panchet, Tilaiya, Mayurakshi

Karnataka-Mahatma-Gandhi (Jog falls), Sivasamudram (Kaveri), Bhadra, Munirabad, Saravati, Tungbhadra, Krishnaraja-Sagar

Kerala-Idikki , Kallada, Kuttiaddy, Pallivasal, Parambikulam, Poringal, Panniar, Sabarigiri, Periyar

Madhya Pradesh-Jawaharsagar and Pratap-Sagar on Chambal, Twa

Maharashtra-Bhola, Bhatnagar-Beed, Girna, Khopali, Koyna, Purna, Paithon, Vaiterna

North-Eastern States-Dikhu, Doyan (both in Nagaland); Gomuti (Tripura); Loktak (Manipur); Kopali (Assam); Khandong and Kyrdemkulai ( Meghalaya); Sirlui and Barabi (Mizoram); Ranganadi (Arunachal Pradesh)

Odisha-Hiradud(Mahanadi), Balimela, Rengali (Brahmani), Indiravati

Punjab and Himachal Pradesh-Bhakra-Nangal on Satluj, Dehar on Beas, Giri-Bata, Harike Binwa, Andhra, Chamera, Pong, Siul, Bassi

Rajasthan-Ranapratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar on Chambal River

Tamil Nadu-Bhavanisagar, Mettur, Periyar, Aliayar, Kodayar, Moyar, Suruliyar, Papnasam

Uttarakhand-Tehri-dam and Koteshwar-dam on Bhagirathi

Uttar Pradesh-Rihand, Ramganga , Chibro on tons

West Bengal -Panchet




* Nuclear Energy :


StatePower station

Maharashtra-Tarapur, Jaitapur

Rajasthan-Rawatbhata

Tamil Nadu-Kundakulam, Kalpakkam

Uttar Pradesh-Narora

Gujarat-Kakrapara, Maithi-Verdi

Karnataka-Kaiga

West Bengal-Haripur

Madhya Pradesh-Bargi-Chutka

Haryana-Kumharia




Non-Conventional Energy Resources: (in next article)


* Solar Energy:

* Wind Energy:

* Ocean energy:

* Geothermal Energy:

* Bio-Energy:
Nisha Vats

Multilateral Export Control Regimes

1. Nuclear Suppliers Group
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials.

* Established: 1975; also called the London Club

* Comprised of: 48 nuclear supplier states, including U.S., Russia, China, European Union countries and some others

* The Permanent Mission of Japan in Vienna serves as the NSG point of contact.

* Voluntary agreement for export controls; not bound by a treaty; no formal mechanism to enforce compliance (Because the regime is voluntary, NSG members may ultimately make a political calculation to proceed with a transfer that violates the guidelines. Russia transferred nuclear fuel to India in January 2001 even though majority of NSG members declared it contradictory to NSG)

* NSG decisions are made by consensus.

* Aim is to prevent nuclear exports for commercial and peaceful purposes from being used to make nuclear weapons

* Two parts guidelines that cover: i) Trigger List Goods - materials and technology designed specifically for nuclear use For e.g. fissile materials, nuclear reactors and equipment, reprocessing and enrichment equipment ii) dual-use goods -- non-nuclear items with legitimate civilian applications that can also be used to develop weapons. For e.g. Machine tools and lasers

* NSG members periodically review the Guidelines to add new items that pose proliferation risks or to eliminate goods that no longer require

* An annual plenary, which is chaired on a rotating basis among members, is held

* The IAEA is charged with verifying that non-nuclear-weapon states are not illicitly pursuing nuclear weapons.

* IAEA also safeguards to prevent nuclear material or technology from being stolen or misappropriated for weapons include inspections, remote monitoring, seals, and other measures.

* Members are supposed to report their export denials to each other

* NSG states are expected to refrain from making exports identical or similar to those denied by other members.
Indias waiver

* On 6 September 2008, at an NSG meeting in Vienna, India was granted a waiver from the NSG guidelines that require comprehensive international safeguards as a condition of nuclear trade.

* The waiver came after three years of intense US diplomacy

* In 2006, US Congress had amended US law to accommodate civilian nuclear trade with India

* Consensus was achieved after overcoming concerns expressed by a number of countries, but especially by Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand

* The NSG agreed to several minor changes to the waiver text proposed by the United States.

* The most important was the incorporation of a reference to statement made by India's Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighting India's moratorium on nuclear testing and its no-first-use policy.

* A number of countries stated that their understanding of the waiver was that they would not transfer ENR (enrichment and reprocessing technology) equipment to India and that all members of the NSG would take India's compliance with its commitments into account before agreeing to any nuclear transfers.

* This has diluted Indias waiver significantly

* Safeguard Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2009

* Already put 12 out of [the] 14 nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards. Only two reactors are required to be notified by 2014

* India has now signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with France, the U.S., Russia, Canada, Argentina, the U.K., Namibia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Negotiations taking place with Japan on a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement
Indias Membership

* US, UK, France, Russia support Indian membership in the NSG

* In May 2012, Australia also publicly supported Indian membership in the NSG

* China & smaller European states such as Ireland, Netherlands & Switzerland have reservations

* China stresses need for equal treatment in South Asia, an apparent reference to its ally Pakistan (also Israel?)

* China has helped Pakistan in setting up & operating Pakistans Chashma I & II civil nuclear plants. Plans to build 2 more. (THE BASTARDS!)

* Similarly, Russia had in the 90s helped Indias civil nuclear energy programme despite NSG objections (THE AWESOME GUYS! )

* Those for India joining the group say it is better if the country is inside than outside the NSG as it is already an advanced nuclear energy power and will in future become a significant exporter as well

* Those countries which are sceptical argue the move could undermine the NPT, which is a cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament efforts.

* If India joins, it will be NSGs only member outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
New Members

* Any state that conducts exports appearing on the Guidelines may apply for NSG membership.

* A potential member is evaluated on its proliferation record, adherence to international non-proliferation treaties and agreements, and national export controls.

* All existing members must approve an applicant for it to join the regime.

* Countries with nuclear programs who are outside the NSG: India, Pakistan, Israel & NK
June 2013: 23rd Plenary Meeting in Prague, Czech Republic

* Chaired by Czech Republic

* adopted 28 amendments to the NSG Control List

* Mexico and Serbia attended as NSG Participating Governments for the first time

* NSG noted the proliferation implications of the DPRKs nuclear program, the DPRKs 12 February nuclear test, and Irans nuclear program with grave concern

* considered implementing the 2008 Statement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India

* agreed to launch a new and revised NSG public website, and discussed NSG outreach efforts
June 2012: 22nd Plenary Meeting in Seattle

* Chaired by Netherlands

* Mexico and Serbia attended as observer states

* NSG noted concerns regarding the nuclear proliferation programs of Iran and the DPRK, approved a paper to outline outreach to non-party states, discussed the NSGs relationship with India, and reiterated the importance of keeping its lists updated in accordance with technological developments.
Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT)

* Negotiated in 1968, the NPT granted non-nuclear-weapon states access to nuclear materials and technology for peaceful purposes as long as they committed not to develop nuclear weapons.

* Signed by 189-nations. Not signed by India, Israel & Pakistan all 3 atomic states

* To determine what specific equipment & materials & conditions under which to be shared NPT supplier states formed the Zanger Committee in 1971

* States outside the NPT were reqd to institute IAEA safeguards before allowed imports

* These items were collectively referred as the Trigger List.

* NSG had accepted and incorporated the Zanger Committees Trigger List
Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)
P.S. Indias nuclear tests in 1974 were one of the main reasons for NSG to come into existence. Hehe, who says we dont exert enough influence in world polity


1. Missile Technology Control Regime

* informal and voluntary association of countries which share the goals of non-proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (Nuclear, Chemical and Biological)

* seek to coordinate national export licensing efforts

* Category I and II items: i) Rocket and unmanned aerial vehicle systems (including ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, sounding rockets, cruise missiles, target drones, and reconnaissance drones) ii) less-sensitive and dual-use missile related components

* Originally for stopping proliferation of nuclear-capable missiles to non NPT countries: able to travel at least 300 km with a 500-kilogram payload. Later agreed (in 1993) to also apply to missiles & related tech designed for chemical & biological weapons

* NOT a treaty; NO legally binding obligations

* originally established in 1987 by the G-7 Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US

* Now comprises of 34 countries all have equal standing in the regime

* Holds annual policy-level Plenary meeting; No formal secretariat; France serves as formal point of contact; Chairmanship rotates on an ad hoc basis

* China is NOT a member (Phew!); nor is India of course and Pakistan (Lol )

* MTCR members spearheaded a voluntary November 2002 initiative, the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (formerly known as the International Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation), calling on all countries to show greater restraint in their own development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction and to reduce their existing missile arsenals if possible.

* The Hague Code of Conduct has 134 member states, including all MTCR members except Brazil. Brazil has expressed concerns about how the initiative might affect its space program.
How does MTCR achieve its objectives?

* Export Controls common export policy; applied to a common list of items

* Meetings Regularly exchange info about relevant missile non-proliferation issues

* Dialogue and Outreach to keep non-Partners informed about groups activities & provide assistance in non-proliferation efforts
INDIA and MTCR

* In 2008 India voluntarily committed to following the MTCR export control guidelines

* Since that time the United States has been working to secure India's membership in the regime
China (the bitch!) and MTCR

* key contributor to Pakistan's missile development

* provided sensitive technology to countries like North Korea and Iran

* In 2004, China applied for MTCR membership, and, at the time, voluntarily pledged to follow the regime's export control guidelines (Hahahahaha..)

* its membership was rejected due to concerns that Chinese entities continued to provide sensitive technologies to countries developing ballistic missiles, such as North Korea

* China says it no longer sells complete missile systems and has tightened its export controls


1. Australia Group for Chemical and Biological Controls

* Established in 1985, the Australia Group is a voluntary, informal, export-control arrangement

* Comprises of: 40 countries as well as the European Commission

* Yes, yes to coordinate their national export controls (boringggg)

* to limit the supply of chemicals and biological agents-as well as related equipment, technologies, and knowledge

* To who? - countries and non-state entities suspected of pursuing chemical or biological weapons (CBW) capabilities

* All participants are members of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

* Yes, yes, it establishes "control lists," and its members are expected to deny export license requests for items on the lists

* Each year meet in Paris to coordinate these export control policies, discuss revision of lists, share intelligence etc.

* No charter or constitution, and each country uses its own discretion when implementing national export controls (LOL!! ); though of course the control lists are the baseline

* Accepts new members only by consensus

* New members should meet certain criteria, including proven compliance with the CWC and the BWC, established, effective national export control and enforcement mechanism for control lists items
Control Lists
Can be divided into 5 categories (unlike the 2 categories in the NSG and MTCR):

* Chemical weapons precursors-chemicals used in the production of chemical weapons.

* Dual-use chemical manufacturing facilities, equipment, and related technology-items that can be used either for civilian purposes or for chemical weapons production, such as reactors, storage tanks, pumps, and valves.

* Biological agents-disease-causing microorganisms, whether natural or genetically modified, such as smallpox, Marburg, foot-and-mouth disease, and anthrax.

* Dual-use biological equipment-items that can be used for both peaceful research and biological weapons production, such as fermenters, containment facilities, freeze-drying equipment, and aerosol testing chambers

* Toxins-poisonous substances either made by living organisms or produced synthetically that adversely affect humans, animals, or plants, such as botulinum toxin and ricin
Criticism

* criteria for membership are excessively strict

* Denying a country membership implicitly accuses that applicant of pursuing chemical or biological weapons

* at odds with the BWC provision for the "fullest possible technical exchange" for the advancement of peaceful scientific endeavours

* Countries in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), for instance, have repeatedly asserted that they already made legally binding commitments not to acquire CBW by signing the biological and chemical weapons conventions

* Participants of the Australia Group, however, maintain that the group complements CWC and the BWC and serves the same goals



1. Wassenaar Arrangement

* Established in 1996, is a voluntary export control regime

* 41members. Usual suspects: US, UK, France, Germany, Japan. Lots of European Countries. Australia, NZ, , South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Argentina. NO CHINA.

* calls on states to make a series of voluntary information exchanges and notifications on their export activities related to weapons and items appearing on the arrangement's two control lists

* aims to promote "greater responsibility" among its members in exports of weapons and dual-use goods and to prevent "destabilizing accumulations."

* not targeted at any region or group of states, but rather at "states of concern" to members
Control Lists

* Conventional Weapons:

* eight broad weapon categories: battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles (ACVs), large-caliber artillery, military aircraft/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), military and attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems, and small arms and light weapons

* Every six months, members exchange information on deliveries of conventional arms to non-Wassenaar members

* Dual-use goods and Technologies:

* Basic Items, Sensitive Items and Very Sensitive Items eg. Stealth technology and advanced radar systems
Problems/Criticisms

* No consensus among members on which countries are "states of concern" or what constitutes a "destabilizing" transfer

* And because Wassenaar operates by consensus, a single country can block any proposal

* In earlier years, a few members consistently refused to fully participate in voluntary information exchanges and notifications on dual-use goods

* Some major arms exporters, such as Belarus (who? ), China, and Israel are not members
Relevance for modern times (even after the days of cold war)
Apart from the obvious points on world peace and arms race and hunger, blah blah..

* Important to prevent non-state actors (terrorist groups and individuals) from acquiring conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies

* "responsible export policies" needed even for small arms and light weapons in the wake of civil wars in Africa and middle east
P.S./ Fun Info During Cold War days, there was a Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), which was created to restrict exports to the former Soviet Union and Eastern bloc. Wassenaar arrangement is kind of successor to that though not aimed at any particular region or state.

Now. Perhaps the most important part:
Indias stand on all the export control regimes

* Let us in please!!! Wants full membership of all the four export-control regimes

* Will apply for membership when the necessary preparations have been completed, and the ground has been prepared

* Engages with all the four groups via outreach meetings

* India has always demonstrated responsible non-proliferation and export control practices for all the pertinent control lists and is confident of fulfilling all requirements

* Has the ability to produce, manufacture or supply a vast majority of items controlled by these regimes

* Ability and considerable experience in enforcing a legal export control system

* NSG via its waiver has already recognised our impeccable non-proliferation record and the Safeguard Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2009

* Already put 12 out of 14 nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards. Only two reactors are required to be notified by 2014

* Non-proliferation: As a responsible state, we continue policy of refraining from transfer of enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technologies to states that did not possess them

* remain committed to a voluntary and unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosive testing

* commitment to complete, universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons in a time-bound manner
by Ashish Sheoran
Reference:

1. The Hindu articles and news reports

2. Websites of these regimes

The manufacturing sector is crucial for employment generation and development

The manufacturing sector is crucial for employment generation and development of an economy. Historically, the development processes have witnessed a trend of people shifting from agriculture to non-farm activities such as manufacturing and services. This renders manufacturing crucial for Indias development and employment objectives. However, the current share of manufacturing in GDP has halted at 15%, much below its potential, thwarting India from fully leveraging the opportunities of globalisation. Recognising this, Government of India (GoI) has announced the National Manufacturing Policy, 2011 which inter alia envisages the rise of manufacturings share in Indias GDP to 25% by 2022 and creation of an additional 100 million jobs in this sector by the same time.
Need to Boost Manufacturing
Known economist A.G.B. Fisher has remarked, In every progressive economy, there has been a steady shift of employment and investment from the essential primary activities to secondary activities of all kinds and to a still greater extent into tertiary production.


Let us juxtapose the following two aspects:








* Figures as per Economic Survey 2012-13
The above imbalance resulting into diminishing returns can only be cured by diverging the extra workforce to remaining sectors i.e. secondary and tertiary. Since the service sector requires more educated and skilled manpower as compared to other sectors, therefore, manufacturing sector can only play vital role in seizing our demographic dividend. And above all, service sector in India has already played its part by giving a handsome sectoral contribution of 64.8% of GDP (including construction activities).
Moreover, every job created in manufacturing has a multiplier or ripple effect through indirect creation of two to three jobs in the industries/ sectors that supply (primary sector) and service (tertiary sector) the manufacturing activity. For China, South Korea, Taiwan and for most of our more successful Asian neighbours, it was the manufacturing expansion that ameliorated the lives of millions of workers and delivered growth dividends, lifting entire economies into a new hemisphere.
The Current Signs of Distress
A. Burgeoning Current Account Deficit (CAD): Indias CAD widened to a record 5% of GDP in 2012-13 fiscal, mainly due to sluggish exports. In the quarter ending December 2012, it reached an all time high level of $33bn i.e. 6.7% of GDP.
B. Abysmal Performance: Indias GDP growth has hit a decade low of 5% with HSBC manufacturing Purchase Mangers Index (PMI) at a 50- month low in May 2013, indicating that Indias industrial recovery is moving sharply into reverse.
C. Mediocre Rankings: World Bank in its Doing Business 2013 Report has ranked India on 173rd position out of 185 countries in starting a business and 132nd in case of doing a business. On Goldman Sachs Growth Environment Score (GES) 2012, India with a meager score of 3.92/10 is ranked 151 out of 183 countries.
D. Inordinate Delays in Land Acquisition: Following long delay in land acquisition, two steel majors- POSCO and ArcelorMittal have scrapped their 6 million and 12 million tonnes steel plant respectively, leaving behind the impression of unconducive economic climate in the country.
E. Depressing Index of Industrial Production (IIP): IIP contains 682 items clubbed in 399 groups: 1 in mining sector, 1 in electricity sector and 397 in manufacturing sector and their respective sectoral weightage stand at 14%, 11% and 75% approximately.
On account of flop show by manufacturing sector, IIP contracted by 1.6% in May 2013, lowest in the past 11 months, indicating the urgency of manufacturing reforms.
Its the time to address the issues
India seriously needs to look on the following aspects to uplift overall business sentiments and to give fillip to investment in manufacturing sector:
1. World Class Physical Infrastructure
In World Competitiveness Report 2013, India finds a dismal 40th rank out of 60 nations, mainly due to red-tapism involved in getting environmental and forest clearances, land acquisition and other hurdles faced by India Inc and foreign entrepreneurs. Recently constituted Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) for speedy clearances of big ticket projects involving investments of `1000 crores or more in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, etc. and the success stories of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in various backward states are a step forward in this direction.
2. Flexibility in Labour Laws
Indias archaic and rigid labour laws are a big hurdle, with 45 laws and 16 associated rules at the national level and close to its four times at the state level to monitor the functioning of the labour market. The possible solution lies in harmonizing these various rules so as to make them flexible and create greater private sector demand for labour.
3. Attracting Foreign Direct Investments
In 2012-13, FDI inflows in India amounted to $22.4bn, almost 5 times less than China. Arent we suffering from Policy Paralysis? Because even after lot of hullabaloo, cap on FDI in multi brand retail sector was raised to 51% in Sept. 2012, but any encouraging response is yet to be seen. Japanese companies which invested heavily in China during last 3 decades are now feeling overexposed. India needs to ensure that it emerges as an alternative destination for such companies.
4. Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
MSMEs have been defined in MSMEs Development Act, 2006 based on the investment limit in plant and machinery or equipment as under:

CategoryManufacturing SectorService Sector

Micro Up to 25 lacs Up to 10 lacs

Small Up to 5 croresUp to 2 crores

Medium Up to 10 croresUp to 5 crores

(Amount showing investment in`)
MSMEs account for 8% of GDP, 45% of manufacturing output and 40% of exports. Albeit MSME sector falls in the category of Priority Sector Lending, only 8% of total bank credit, find its way into this sector. Thus, there is a dire need of financial inclusion in form of microfinance, venture capital funding, etc. Being labour intensive, MSMEs have the potential to absorb the growing surplus of unskilled labour, particularly in BIMARU states.
5. Diversification of Export Markets
If the manufacturing sector has to grow in the range of 12-14% over the medium term, exports have to register a growth rate of 20-25% in real terms. Our main export destinations are Western Europe and the US. However, growth centers in the coming decades are expected to be economies of Africa and Latin America. It is pertinent for Indian manufacturing companies to grab the first movers advantage and look at tapping these markets.
6. Development of Business Clusters
India needs to really focus on development of business clusters to create an eco-system of supply-chain responsiveness and lower logistics cost. These clusters will converge the advantages of higher innovation and employment generation for smaller firms with scale and cost advantage of larger organisations and can potentially help in eliminating the Bullwhip effect to some extent. Their advantages are clearly visible in pharma clusters in Andhra Pradesh and knitwear clusters in Ludhiana.
7. Harnessing the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Productivity is a function of innovation and technology. But due to Indias miniscule spending in R&D i.e. 0.9% of our trillion dollar GDP, we have failed in culminating the global best business practices. To add fuel to the fire, researches reveal that our thinking power has been hijacked. India is on 66th position in Global Innovation Index, 2013. The best fit solution is to make hi-tech applications affordable. Learning from the example of Malaysian Industrial Development Finance which offers 75% financing at 3% interest over 5 years for SMEs to buy ICT applications, we have to incentivize any action in this direction.
8. Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish
We need to explore all the plausible ways to ensure that our unexplored core strengths wont turn out to be the Achilles Heel. Hand-in-hand, unorganised manufacturing sector should also be given priority with regard to its development and recognition. Appropriate tax holidays, more SEZs, enhancing single window clearance facility, etc. can also attract mega investments.
Highlights of some recent Government Initiatives
Since the crisis is systemic and, therefore, it needs a systemic response. Following is the gist of some recent responses from GoI:
i) National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011: As mentioned earlier, its prime objective is to enhance the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% and to create additional 100 million jobs over a decade or so. It also lays emphasis on promotion of clusters and aggregation, especially through the creation of 12 National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs).
ii) FDI Policy Initiatives: On recommendation of Mayaram Panel, FDI norms in 13 sectors have been liberalised, indicating that reforms are underway. 100% FDI is allowed in single brand retail trading, 49% of it can come through automatic route and the balance through approval of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Currently, 51% FDI is allowed in multi brand retail trading subject to certain restrictions.
iii). E- Biz Project: It is a mission mode project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) for promoting an online single window for business users.
iv) Invest India: It is a joint venture company between the DIPP and FICCI. It will act as a structured mechanism to attract investment by providing inputs on all aspects of doing business in India to prospective overseas investors.
The Way Ahead.
As wages rise and China evolves into a high-cost economy, India need to fill the vacuum to become the global centre of manufacturing. A Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) report reveals that India may become 5th largest manufacturing nation if it can accomplish the targets set out by NMP, 2011. We are still the beacons of light and not the temples of doom since our demographic dividend is our biggest asset. Showing concerns over the economic growth of the nation, Honble President Shri Pranab Mukherjee has recently said ....Indian economy has resilience to overcome the problems. We arose, we arise and we will arise, provided we must- Think Global, Act Local.
References
1. Article on For a manufacturing Revolution by Amitabh Kant in Times of India dated July 11, 2013
2. Economic Survey 2012-13
3. Indian Economy 67th Revised Edition by Gaurav Datt and Ashwani Mahajan
4. Book entitled Chanakyas New Manifesto: To Resolve the Crisis within India, authored by Pavan K. Verma
5. Mrunals Analysis of Chapter- 9 of Economic Survey 2012-13:
http://mrunal.org/2013/05/economic-survey-ch9-industrial-performance-e-biz-invest-india-manufacturing-policy-obicus-asi.html
My Details:
Name: Prateek Loonkar



















-The Arthashastra

Manmohan Singh visit to China (23rd Octber,2013): Deals, Implications, Concerns

Manmohan Singh visit to China (23rd Octber,2013): Deals, Implications, Concerns for India


* Prologue

* The Pacts

* Border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA)

* Deal on trans-border rivers

* Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China


* Missed deals

* Stapled visa issue

* Brahmaputra Row

* Ever burgeoning bilateral trade deficit

* Economic corridor BMIC

Prologue:
India and China are the two most populous nations on earth, with 1/3rd of world population living here. Despite ups and downs in relation between the two countries, the bilateral ties are unique in nature. Neighbours with a long history of cultural, spiritual and economic ties, both nations are engaged in a process of socio-economic transformation of the people on a scale and at a pace unprecedented in human history.
Manmohan Singh said, When India and China shake hands, the world notices.
Chinese Premier Li Kequiang said, A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.

India signed 9 new agreements for a much better and improved relationship with China.

The Pacts:
Important Deals signed are,

* BDCA.

* Strengthen co operation on Trans Border Rivers.

* Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China.

* Establishment of Nalanda University at Rajgir (Bihar), China is a participating country in the project.


* Strengthen mutual cultural ties.

* Improve road transport and highways, for mutual communications.

* To hold counter-terrorism joint training in China + discussion on Pakistans role in nurturing terrorism.

* MOU allowing China to establish a service and maintainence center, for power plants sold by it to India.

* In an innovative move, India has offered to allow Chinese companies to modernise two Indian Railway stations + seeking Chinese involvement in speed and freight management in India.


* Border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA)


* Possibly most important of all issues.

* Considering the fact of recent Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) transgressions of LAC at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), and Chumar in Ladakh, when around 30 PLA soldiers came within 18 km of Indian Territory and raised tents.

* Indian army personnel also raised tents facing Chinese ones, and situation became worse with each passing day.

* Later the standoff came to an end after the PLA soldiers returned on the other side of LAC.

* There was a huge hue and cry from India to review the issues along LAC. While some experts in India believed that it might be a new tactic from the newly selected Chinese leadership to coerce India on signing the new BDCA, and defuse tensions along LAC on their terms.

* But what we see in the newly signed BDCA is quite different. The aim is to improve communications between the 2 armies.

Important points include:

1. Outlines of new Confidence Building Measures (CBM)s, like a hotline between the military Head Quarters of both nations.
NB: India has expressed to connect her DGMO to a top PLA general in Beijing, and not to the Commander-in-Charge of local PLA responsible for manning borders.

1. NO TAILING of each others patrols.
Significant because in recent instances, local patrols would follow patrols of rival armies to disputed areas. Thus triggering a face-off.

1. Both armies will exercise maximum self restraint, if a face- to-face situation happens.


1. Also a right to seek Clarifications from the other side if a doubtful situation arises.



1. Additional border personnel meeting points, and meeting to be more frequent.
Also telephone contacts and telecommunication links at mutually agreed locations along the line of actual control (LAC).


1. Exchange of information including information about military exercises, aircrafts, demolition operations and unmarked mines.
Take consequent measures conducive to the maintenance of peace, stability and tranquility along the line of actual control (LAC).


1. Jointly combat smuggling of arms, wildlife items, contraband etc.


1. Assist each other in locating personnel, livestock, and means of transport, aerial vehicles that may have crossed LAC or on the verge of crossing.

4057 km long LAC separates Jammu and Kashmir from Chinese territory, and Mcmohan Line marks national boundaries of India from Chinese in Arunachal Pradesh.
In a nutshell, this BDCA provides a robust protocol to reduce tensions amongst mutual armies of both sides and focus on building trusts.


1. Deal on trans-border rivers

An important step to resolve disputes between the two nations, arising out of damming of Brahmaputras upper reaches and some of its tributaries in China.
India has always been wary of this move that it wud hurt the natural flow of Brahmaputra waters, thus depriving India of its waters and also increased instances of floods in north-east India.
The important steps signed are :

1. Strengthen cooperation on trans-border rivers.

2. China to provide richer hydrological data on Brahmaputra (Yaluzangbu), during flood season from May-October. Previously it was supposed to provide data from June-October.

3. Assurance from Beijing, that its dams are run of the river project, and not designed to hold water.



1. Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China

China has been asking this for past several years.
3 Indian and Chinese cities have been paired under a sister city programme. They are-

* Delhi & Beijing

* Bangaluru & Chengdu (Both pairs are connected through air service and major Wipro investment destinations)

* Kolkata & Kunming (connected through air, travelling time only 2.5 hours)
This will allow them for more easy mutual connections and learn from each other.

Missed deals:


1. Stapled visa issue
People of Arunachal Pradesh still to get stapled visas instead of original ones.
No specific commitment made by China. Instead, Chinese said the situation had improved a lot from the past, when no people from Arunachal was supposed to get Chinese visa!


* What is Stapled visa?
In 2008, China began to issue visas on loose sheets of paper, instead of issuing on passport.
It was for residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir > drawing Indias anger.
Later in 2012 it stopped the same for people of Jammu, but continues it for Arunachal residents.




* Why in news recently?
Two young archers from Arunachal Pradesh were set to travel to Yuxi in Southern China, for a youth world championship tournament. They were issued stapled visas, and were not allowed to board their flight from New Delhi.
Although, Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed regrets, but also said they wouldnt change their position in this matter.
India has always protested such Chinese moves, which violates her sovereignty. Thus India has decided not to allow any of her citizens, who is issued stapled visa travel to China.


1. Brahmaputra Row -
The huge number of dams being built on Brahmaputra and on smaller rivers that flow into India from Tibet > concern forIindia, but China reluctant to even share minimum data on such construction.
India fears of downstream flooding during rains, thus both civilian and military risks in north-east India.



1. Ever burgeoning bilateral trade deficit -

* Bilateral trade value in 2012 was 66 bn USD

* Indias exports to China declined 23% in 2012.

* Thus trade deficit was 28bn USD.

* Indias major imports from China are machinery, Power and Telecom equipment, Sound Equipment, iron & steel, Organic chemicals etc.

* While Chinas major imports from India are iron ore, slag & ash, Cotton yarn, plastic, salt, few machineries, fabric, copper and precious stones.


1. Economic corridor BMIC(Bangladesh Myanmar India China)
India sought more time from Chinese, to study the prospect more closely.


1. Beijing wants to establish infrastructure parks for businesses in India.
India seemed agreeable, but still wants to examine the issue, instead of diving in haste.

by NEELANJAY SARKAR
References:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-hails-Manmohans-three-day-visit-as-great-success/articleshow/24667128.cms
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/india-china-not-to-use-force-in-case-of-faceoffs/article5266608.ece
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=100218
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_you_mean_by_stapled_visa
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/china-defends-stapled-visa-move-regrets-athletes-couldnt-come/article5233945.ece

Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure

Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
What is Federalism?

* Dynamic theory of nation and state building

* Institutionalised political co-operation and collective co-existence

* Grand design of living together

* Self rule plus shared rule Daniel Elazar

* Unity of polity and plurality of society Rasheeduddin Khan

3 essential components

1. Formation of states and territorialisation of federal local administration to promote closer contact between people and govt.

1. This means creation of institutions of self rule

2. States at macro level and local self governance at micro level

2. Distribution of federal powers on a non centralised basis

3. Division of federal powers and functions on a relatively autonomous basis

4. Each unit has sufficient legislative competence, executive authority and financial resources

5. To perform its function in the allotted domain efficiently and effectively.

3. Creation of institutions of shared rule

6. Collective governance on matters of translocal importance and mutual concern.

7. Shared rule institutions may take variety of institutional shapes like zonal council, ministerial council, inter-state council, and independent constitutional authorities like boards, commissions, planning and other regulatory bodies.

Essence of Indian federalism


* Important roles with centre

* Nation building and nation preserving

* Maintaining and protecting national unity and integrity

* Maintaining constitutional political order throughout union of India

* States assigned only local subjects
Salient features of Indian federalism
Unionisation

* This allows Indian federalism to assume Unitarian features or centre rule over whole country

* Situation During internal or external threat to sovereignty and maintenance of constitutional political order in the states

* Union govt has added responsibility of securing balanced economic growth and social change across the regions and social segments
Regionalisation

* Valid principle of nation building and state formation
Meaning of Union

* Implies indestructibleness of union and unity.

* No unit possesses right to secede

* Only centre can form states by division, merger or altering existing boundaries

* Union also possess right to admit any new territory in union of India

* It is not compacting federalism between 2 pre-existing sovereign entities

* The union has come out in existence only through the unified will of the people of India, nourished during the National movement.

* Thats why (Rajya Sabha), expected to represent the interests of the units of federation, does not have symmetrical representation.

* A large state like UP has 31 seats whereas smaller states like Manipur and goa have only 1 seat
Working of Indian federalism

* During 1st 4 decades federalism in India exhibited a strong centralising tendency

* Union govt. Accumulated powers beyond its constitutional competence

* Constitution permits circumstantial concentration of federal powers in union. But not in normal times

* Centre legislating upon subsidiary subjects

* Encroached upon subjects originally assigned to states

* Acts passed under entries 52 (Industries) and 54 (Regulation of mines and mineral development) under union list

* Under entry 52 parliament passed industries development and regulation act, 1951

* So union now controls large number of industries mentioned in schedule 1 of act

* By way of omission, addition and transfer, the union government through different amendment acts has brought changes in the distribution of competences mentioned under seventh schedule of the constitution, between centre and states.

* State list now has only 61 subjects compared to 66 originally.

* Planning commission centralised planning. This is an e.g. of how union has extended into areas like agriculture, fisheries, soil, water conservation, minor irrigation, area development, rural construction, housing etc.

* Article 356 has been used, abused, misused, and overused to settle political scores.

* Reservation of state bills by governor

* Financial allocation of resources between union and states

* Growing politicisation and subjectivity of institution of governor

* Deployment of Para-military forces

* Very recently - The efforts of the Union government to divide Andhra Pradesh irrespective of the State legislatures views, pose a grave danger to federalism and unity.

* This is the first time in India that a state is sought to be divided without the consent of the State legislature, and without a negotiated settlement among stakeholders and regions, and in the face of public opposition.
Sarkaria Commission recommendations


* Set up in June 1983

* To examine relationship and balance of power between states and union govt.

* Headed by justice rajinder singh sarkaria

* Made 230 recommendations

* 108 implemented, 35 rejected and 87 are still in implementation stage

* Union govt. Constituted interstate council - 1990

Council decisions

* Residuary list subjects to be transferred to concurrent list

* Consultation with states for concurrent list legislations

* Consultation in appointment and selection of governor

* Person should not have any political link

* Person should not return to active politics after tenure

* Time bound clearance of state bills

* Article 356 amendment

Federal democracy has decentralised to village self-governance

* Perceived as instrument of peoples empowerment

* States allowed to negotiate for FDI

Present Issues due to federal structure


* Political issues relating to a state have begun impinging on Indias foreign and security policies.
E.g.

* SL Tamil issue,

* Water sharing with Bangladesh

* Left parties against nuclear deal in UPA I

* NCTC Issue


* With union govt. taking the form of coalitions, they have become vulnerable to pressure.

* This sometime results in pure blackmail

* Sep 2011 Mamta banerjee opposed river water agreement with Bangladesh and forced govt. To call off signing of teesta water sharing formula


* 2013 Gujarat election Modi became a surprise entrant to this club by raising sir creek issue

Implications of these issues


1. SL Tamil issue

* Govt. Had to balance its policies to ensure Colombo doesnt drift towards China or Pakistan

* Resolution on HR issues are double edge swords in our context

* Our record is shoddy in dealing internal insurgency


1. Teesta Issue

* Expectation was that, in return Dhaka will give transit rights to land locked N-E states

* Increased commerce would have resulted


1. Nuclear deal

* India was the only gainer in this

* It was US who had to abandon its sanctions.

* This was a deal which only US could pilot Balance of power in international system

* All china, Russia, France put their stamp through NSG


1. Sir Creek

* In this case, both countries are gross losers

* No one invest in exploiting natural resources

* Losing out on extended exclusive economic zone they get under UN convention


1. NCTC Issue

* Role of NCTC to be carefully examined without any political colour.

* NCTC is for curbing terrorism only.

* It will not be construed as a violation of federalism.

Some other recent cases


* Italian marines case and Kerala govt.

* J&K complains about river water sharing due to Indus water treaty with pak

* Bihar, Assam have issues of water sharing with Nepal, China


* Only US is the country where interest of federal constituents are taken into consideration into account in formulation of policies

* It is difficult to graft US like structure.

* But time has come when Mizoram, Nagaland have a say in Myanmar Policy

References

* The Hindu Articles

* Indian Express Articles

* IGNOU Notes
Pushpender singh