Consumer Expenditure Survey

Why in News

The Government has decided not to release the results of the all-India household Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), conducted during 2017-18, due to data quality issues.

• The Government is now examining the feasibility of conducting the next Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) in 2020-2021 and 2021-22 after incorporating all data quality refinements in the survey process.
• According to a leaked version of the 2017-18 survey, the country has witnessed the first such drop in the Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE) since 1972-73.
• Previous survey on consumer expenditure was conducted during the period : July 2011 to June 2012.

Consumer Expenditure Survey

• Time Interval: Traditionally, a quinquennial (recurring every five years) survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office - NSSO (comes under the National Statistical Office), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Scope: Collects information on the consumption spending patterns of households across the country, both urban and rural.
• Information Generated
  
  • Reveals the average expenditure on goods (food and non-food) and services.
  • Helps generate estimates of household Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE) as well as the distribution of households and persons over the MPCE classes.
• Significance in General
  
  • Helps in calculating the demand dynamics of the economy.
  • Helps in understanding the shifting priorities in terms of baskets of goods and services, thus provides pointers to the producers of goods and providers of services.
  • To assess living standards and growth trends across multiple strata.
• Significance for Policymakers
  
  • The CES is an analytical as well as a forecasting tool which helps the Government in planning required interventions and policies.
  • To spot and address possible structural anomalies that may cause demand to shift in a particular manner in a specific socio-economic or regional division of the population.
  • To rebase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other macro-economic indicators.

Findings of CES (2011-12)

• Urban and Rural Expenditure
  
  • Average urban MPCE (at ₹2,630) was about 84% higher than average rural MPCE (₹1,430) for the country as a whole.
  • The most noticeable rural-urban differences in the 2011-12 survey related to spending on cereals (urban share: 6.7%, rural share: 10.8%), rent (urban: 6.2%, rural: 0.5%) and education (urban: 7%, rural: 3.5%).
• Expenditure on Food
  
  • Food accounted for about 53% of the value of the average rural Indian household’s consumption during 2011-12.
  • In the case of urban households, it accounted for 42.6% of the average consumption budget.
• Inequalities
  
  • Sharp variations between States with better socio-economic indices and those still aiming to improve.
  • The urban-rural divide.
  • The gap between the highest spending and lowest spending groups.

Consequences of Not Releasing the Data

• Instead of a six-year gap, the next survey’s findings — depending on when the Ministry decides to actually undertake it, 2020-21 or 2021-22 — would end up coming after 9 or 10 years after the 2011-12 round.
• As the survey forms the basis of the estimation of inequality in India, and is used for adjusting the consumer price index as well as the GDP data, scrapping the survey means further delays in updating these key statistics.
• Against IMF’s Obligations
  
  • India is a subscriber to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS).
  • Thus, India is obliged to follow good practices in four areas in disseminating macroeconomic statistics to the public. These comprise:
    
    • The coverage, periodicity, and timeliness of data;
    • Public access to those data;
    • Data integrity;
    • Data quality.
  • IMF’s ‘Annual Observance Report’ for 2018 has already flagged concerns about India’s delays in releasing economic data. By not releasing the CES data, the country risks contravening its SDDS obligations.

Way Forward

• The Government can release the data while acknowledging its limitations. Suppressing data will only further erode its credibility.
• The Government should realise that reliable and timely availability of data form the bedrock of sound policy-making and any doubts over official data weaken the credibility of the entire institutional set-up.

Source: TH

Legal Framework for Illegal Migrants in India

Why in News

Recently, the Home Minister informed in the Rajya Sabha that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be implemented across India, and repeated again in Assam.

• According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the implementation of NRC is expected to keep a check on illegal migrants.
• However, India already has a number of rules and regulations in place to control illegal migration in the country.

Existing Legal Framework

• The clause for the expulsion of foreigners:
  
  • Foreigners Act, 1864
    
    • It was the first enactment made for dealing with foreigners that provided for the expulsion of foreigners.
    • It also allowed arrest, detention, and for a ban on foreigners entry into India after detention.
• Introduction of Passport:
  
  • The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
    
    • The act empowered the government to make rules requiring persons entering India to be in possession of passports.
    • It also granted the government the power to remove from India any person who entered without a passport.
• Concept of ‘burden of proof’ lies with the person, and not with the authorities:
  
  • Foreigners Act, 1940
    
    • It was enacted during the Second World War, under which the concept of “burden of proof” was introduced.
    • This meant that whenever a question arose with regard to the nationality of a person, the onus of proving that he was not a foreigner lay upon the person.
  • Foreigners Act, 1946
    
    • It replaced the Foreigners Act, 1940 conferring wide powers to deal with all foreigners.
    • The act empowered the government to take such steps as are necessary to prevent illegal migrants including the use of force.
    • The concept of ‘burden of proof’ lies with the person, and not with the authorities given by this act is still applicable in all States and Union Territories. This concept has been upheld by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
    • The act empowered the government to establish tribunals which would have powers similar to those of a civil court.
    • Recent amendments (2019) to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964 empowered even district magistrates in all States and Union Territories to set up tribunals to decide whether a person staying illegally in India is a foreigner or not.
• Increased burden of migrants because of absence of the “ burden of a proof ” clause:
  
  • Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983
    
    • The absence of any provision related to the ‘burden of proof’ in the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983 put a very heavy burden upon the authorities to establish whether a person is an illegal migrant.
    • Moreover, a number of non-Indians who may have entered Assam after March 25, 1971, without possession of valid documents, continued to reside in Assam.
    • The act was struck down by the Supreme Court in Sarbananda Sonowal v. Union of India (2005).The Supreme Court also closed all tribunals in Assam functioning under the Act.
    • The Supreme Court, then, transferred all pending cases at the IMDT tribunals to the Foreigners Tribunals constituted under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964.
• Existing Procedure for Appeal:
  
  • Assam:
    
    • Currently, any person excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) can approach the Foreigners Tribunals, established only in Assam, within 120 days of receiving a certified copy of rejection.
  • Other states and Union Territories:
    
    • In other States, a person suspected to be a foreigner is produced before a local court under the Passport Act, 1920, or the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Source: TH

Demand for Reforms in Rajya Sabha

Why in News

Recently, the members of Parliament have demanded equal representation for states and more time to speak in Rajya Sabha.

Representation for States

• The Upper House is the Council of States and thus it is expected to reflect the true spirit of federalism through the uniform representation for all states.
  
  • But, currently, the seats in Rajya Sabha are allotted on the basis of population of the particular state. Hence, the number of representatives varies from state to state. For example, Uttar Pradesh has 31 members while Tripura has 1 member only.
• Also, smaller states need to have more number of representatives in the house according to issues and needs of the state.
  
  • Currently, the northeastern states, barring Assam have only one seat each in the Rajya Sabha.
• The recent demand asks for allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha on the lines of USA.
  
  • In the USA, all states are given equal representation in the Senate, irrespective of their population. The USA has 50 states and the Senate has 100 members—2 from each state.

Time to Speak in Rajya Sabha

• Currently, the independent or nominated members and MPs from smaller parties get less time to speak in the House. The inadequacy of time to speak for the nominated members restricts the benefits from their special expertise.
  
  • The members of Rajya Sabha are given time to speak according to the strength of their party in the House.

Source:TH

Saudi Arabia Becomes First Arab Nation to Head G20

Why in News

Recently, Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation to take over the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2019.

• It has taken over from Japan and it will host the G20 Summit in its capital, Riyadh on November 21 and 22, 2020.
• The theme of Summit- "Realising Opportunities of the 21^st Century for All".
• The three key aims of the G20 Presidency, 2020 are: ​
  
  • Empowering People by creating the conditions in which all people mainly women and youth can live, work and thrive.
  • Safeguarding the Planet by fostering collective efforts to protect our global common-pool resources.
  • Shaping New Frontiers by adopting long-term and bold strategies to share the benefits of innovation and technological advancement.​

Challenges

• As the presiding nation, Saudi Arabia has to work towards mitigating global risks like climate change, demographic issues, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies which requires coordinated efforts at global level. However, rising populism and nationalism may prevent the progress at the multilateral level.
• It has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women. However, incidents like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi drew intense global criticism over human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.
• Therefore, G20 member states should exert pressure on the Saudi Arabia for its authoritative policies and hold it accountable for its human rights obligations.

G20

• About
  
  • The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
  • The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.
• Headquarter
  
  • The G20 operates as a forum and not as an organisation. Therefore, it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure.
• Origin
  
  • 1997-1999 Asian Financial Crisis: This was a ministerial-level forum which emerged after G7 invited both developed and developing economies. The finance ministers and central bank governors began meeting in 1999.
  • Amid 2008 Financial Crisis the world saw the need for a new consensus-building at the highest political level. It was decided that the G20 leaders would begin meeting once annually.
• Members
  
  • The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
  • One nation holds the Chair every year, known as 'G20 Presidency'. Argentina chaired the G20 summit of 2018 and Japan for 2019.

Source: IE

Pathalgarhi Movement

Why in News

Recently, the Union government withdrew amendments to the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 which would have diluted tribal rights over forests. These amendments evoked sustained protests by tribal and environmental activists.

• The state government of Jharkhand tried to amend the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 and Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876 to facilitate easier land acquisition norms which added to the problem. They were also withdrawn later on.
• However, these decisions gave rise to the Pathalgarhi incidents in the tribal belt demanding implementation of the FRA and provisions of the Panchayats (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996.

• Birsa Munda’s struggle against the exploitation and discrimination against tribals led to the passing of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908 which restricted the passing of land from the tribal people to non-tribals.
• The Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876 prohibits the sale of Adivasi land to non-Adivasis in Santhal Pargana region along Jharkhand's border with Bengal.

Pathalgarhi Rebellion

• It is a protest in which tribal people embed stone slabs (pathals) on the outskirts of a village or area, demarcating the limits of where their writ runs, prohibiting the entry of any institution connected to the state.
• It is mainly concentrated in the four districts in the State— namely Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum.
• In Munda tribal custom, placement of a huge stone marks the death of a person. The Pathalgadi movement draws on this tradition of honouring the community’s ancestors.

The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Area) Act, 1996

• It safeguards and preserves the traditions and customs of the people, and their cultural identity, community resources, customary mode of dispute resolution.
• PESA empowers Gram Sabha/Panchayat at an appropriate level with the right to mandatory consultation in land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons.
• It seeks to reduce alienation in tribal areas as they will have better control over the utilisation of public resources.
• It will help minimise exploitation of tribal population as they will be able to control and manage money lending, consumption and sale of liquor and also village markets.
• It promotes cultural heritage through the preservation of traditions, customs and cultural identity of tribal population.

Source: TH

INSTEX Barter Mechanism

Why in News

Six Countries - Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have recently joined INSTEX.

Key Points

• A trade mechanism ‘Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX)’ was established by France, Germany and the United Kingdom in January 2019 to allow European entities to maintain trade with Iran.
• The mechanism has been designed to circumvent U.S. sanctions against trade with Iran by avoiding the use of the dollar.
  
  • The United States imposed sanctions, after it withdrew from Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018.
• This Paris-based mechanism functions as a clearing house allowing Iran to continue to sell oil and import other products or services in exchange.
• The mechanism represents continuing commitment of France, Germany and the UK to the JCPOA.
• It has been seen that the system has not yet enabled any transactions.

Source: TH

World AIDS Day

The World AIDS Day is observed on 1^st December every year all over the world.

• Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
• The main motto behind celebrating the day is to raise public awareness about AIDS.
  
  • Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a pandemic disease caused due to the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes damage to the immune system.
• The theme for the year 2019 is ‘Communities make the difference’.

Note

• The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 (HIV/AIDS Act, 2017) to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS and creates mechanisms for redressing the complaints of persons infected with HIV and AIDS.

Source: PIB

Operation ‘Clean Art’ to Crackdown on Illegal Trade in Mongoose Hair

Why in News

Recently, there has been a widespread crackdown on factories making paint brushes with mongoose hair across the country.

Key points.

• Brushes made of mongoose hair are preferred because they are superior and hold colour better.
• Mongoose is listed in Schedule II Part 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and any smuggling or possession of its body part is a non-bailable offence.
• IUCN Red List status- Least Concerned.
• All six species are listed on CITES Appendix III with a zero quota for commercial trade.
• There are six species of mongoose found in India- Indian grey mongoose, Small Indian mongoose, Ruddy mongoose, Crab-eating mongoose, Stripe-necked mongoose and Brown mongoose.
  
  • The Indian grey mongoose is the most commonly found species and also the most hunted.

Operation Clean Art

• It was the first pan India operation to crackdown on the smuggling of mongoose hair in the country.
• It was conceived by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with the singular aim of ensuring that the mongoose hair brush trade should be closed down across the country.

Source: TH

Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News

Recently a tiger travelled 1300 km distance between Maharashtra and Telangana passing through Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary and Tipeshwar Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Dnyanganga Sanctuary is situated in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
• It is a part of the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
• It is located near the Dnyanganga River which is a tributary of the Tapti River.

Tipeshwar Tiger Reserve

• It is located in Yawatmal district of Maharashtra.
• The rivers such as Purna, Krishna, Bhima, and Tapti flow through the sanctuary.
• Due to the presence of a sufficient quantity of water, it is also popularly known as Green Oasis of Maharashtra.

Source: IE