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Draft Norms Lending and Borrowing of G-secs

Prelims: Government Securities Lending Directions, 2023, Repo transactions, Fiscal Deficit, Open Market Operations.
Mains: Draft Norms Lending and Borrowing of G-secs.

Why in News?

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India released Draft Reserve Bank of India (Government Securities Lending) Directions, 2023.

• The RBI proposed introduction of securities lending and borrowing in Government Securities (G-sec) with an aim to facilitate wider participation in the securities lending market by providing investors an avenue to deploy idle securities and enhance portfolio returns.

What are the Draft Norms?

• Government Securities Lending (GSL) transactions shall be undertaken for a minimum period of one day and a maximum of 90 days.
• Government Securities issued by the central government excluding Treasury Bills would be eligible for lending/borrowing under a GSL transaction.
• Government securities issued by the Central government (including Treasury Bills) and the state governments would be eligible for placing as collateral under a GSL transaction.
• An entity eligible to undertake repo transactions in government securities, and any other entity approved by the Reserve Bank would be eligible to participate in GSL transactions as lender of securities.

What are Government Securities?

• About:
  • A G-Sec is a tradable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments.
  • A G-Sec is a type of debt instrument issued by the government to borrow money from the public to finance its Fiscal Deficit.
    • A debt instrument is a financial instrument that represents a contractual obligation by the issuer to pay the holder a fixed amount of money, known as principal or face value, on a specified date.
  • It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation. Such securities are short term (usually called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year- presently issued in three tenors, namely, 91-day, 182 day and 364 day) or long term (usually called Government bonds or dated securities with original maturity of one year or more).
  • In India, the Central Government issues both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs).
  • G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.
    • Gilt-edged securities are high-grade investment bonds offered by governments and large corporations as a means of borrowing funds.

What are the Types of G-Sec?

• Treasury Bills (T-bills):
  • Treasury bills are zero coupon securities and pay no interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value at maturity.
• Cash Management Bills (CMBs):
  • In 2010, Government of India, in consultation with RBI introduced a new short-term instrument, known as CMBs, to meet the temporary mismatches in the cash flow of the Government of India. The CMBs have the generic character of T-bills but are issued for maturities less than 91 days.
• Dated G-Secs:
  • Dated G-Secs are securities which carry a fixed or floating coupon (interest rate) which is paid on the face value, on half-yearly basis. Generally, the tenor of dated securities ranges from 5 years to 40 years.
• State Development Loans (SDLs):
  • State Governments also raise loans from the market which are called SDLs. SDLs are dated securities issued through normal auction similar to the auctions conducted for dated securities issued by the Central Government.

• Issue Mechanism:
  • The RBI conducts (Open Market Operations) OMOs for sale or purchase of G-secs to adjust money supply conditions.
    • The RBI sells g-secs to remove liquidity from the system and buys back g-secs to infuse liquidity into the system.
  • These operations are often conducted on a day-to-day basis in a manner that balances inflation while helping banks continue to lend.
  • RBI carries out the OMO through commercial banks and does not directly deal with the public.
  • The RBI uses OMO along with other monetary policy tools such as repo rate, cash reserve ratio and statutory liquidity ratio to adjust the quantum and price of money in the system.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. 1 In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to (2013)

(a) borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI
(b) lending by commercial banks to industry and trade
(c) purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI
(d) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Q.2 In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? (2020)

1. Housing loans owed by households

2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards

3. Treasury bills

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

• Debts are contractual obligations to repay monetary loans, often with related interest expenses.
• Non-financial Debt
  • It consists of credit instruments issued by governmental entities, households and businesses that are not included in the financial sector.
  • It includes industrial or commercial loans, Treasury bills and credit card balances.
  • They share most of the same characteristics with financial debt, except the issuers are non-financial. Hence, statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q.3 Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Source: ET

Underwater Noise Emissions

For Prelims: Underwater Noise Emissions, Marine ecosystem, Marine Sound Pollution, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), The London Convention (1972)

For Mains: Marine ecosystem, Marine Sound Pollution and Conservation

Why in News?

According to a News Study, “Measuring Underwater Noise Levels Radiated by Ships in Indian Waters”, the rising Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE) from ships in the Indian waters are posing a threat to the Marine Ecosystem.

• The measurement of the ambient noise levels was carried out by deploying a hydrophone autonomous system around 30 nautical miles from the Goa coastline.

What are the Highlights of the Study?

• Increased UNE Levels:
  • The sound pressure levels of UNE in the Indian waters are 102-115 decibels, relative to one microPascal (dB re 1µ Pa).
    • Scientists have agreed to use 1µPa as the reference pressure for underwater sound.
  • The East Coast level is slightly higher than that of the West. There is an increase by a significant value of about 20 dB re 1µPa.
• Factors:
  • Continuous shipping movement is identified to be a major contributor to the increase in the global ocean noise level.
  • UNE is posing a threat to the life of mammals like Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees, Pilot Whale, Seal, and Sperm Whale.
    • The main form of energy for multiple behavioural activities of marine mammals, which include mating, communal interaction, feeding, cluster cohesion and foraging, is based on sound.
• Impact:
  • The frequencies of ships’ underwater self-noise and machinery vibration levels are overlapping the marine species’ communication frequencies in the low-frequency range of less than 500 Hz.
    • This is called masking, which may lead to a change in the migration route of the marine species to the shallow regions and also making it difficult for them to go back to the deeper water.
• However, the sound that radiates from ships on a long-term basis affects them and results in internal injuries, loss of hearing ability, change in behavioural responses, masking, and stress.

What is Marine Sound Pollution?

• Marine sound pollution is the excessive or harmful sound into the ocean environment. It is caused by a variety of human activities, such as shipping, military sonar, oil and gas exploration, and recreational activities like boating and jet skiing.
• It can have a range of negative impacts on marine life, such as its interference with the communication, navigation, and hunting behaviors of marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It can also damage the hearing and other physiological functions of these animals, leading to injury or death.

Is there any Initiative to Safeguard Marine Ecosystems?

• Global:
  • Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities:
    • The GPA is the only global intergovernmental mechanism directly addressing the connectivity between terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.
  • MARPOL Convention (1973): It covers pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
    • It lists various forms of marine pollution caused by oil, noxious liquid substances, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage and garbage from ships, etc.
  • The London Convention (1972):
    • Its objective is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter.
• Indian:
  • Wild Life Protection Act of India (1972): It provides legal protection to many marine animals. There are a total of 31 major Marine Protected Areas in India covering coastal areas that have been notified under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ): The CRZ notification (1991 and later versions) prohibits developmental activities and disposal of wastes in fragile coastal ecosystems.
  • Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE): The CMLRE, an attached office of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is mandated with the management strategies development for marine living resources through ecosystem monitoring and modelling activities.

Source: TH

Chatbot

For Prelims: Chatbot, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing.

For Mains: Ethical Issues Involved with Artificial Intelligence.

Why in News?

Microsoft's new version of Bing search engine includes a chatbot that can answer questions in clear language. However, some of the answers generated by the chatbot have been inaccurate, misleading, or bizarre.

• This has led to concerns that the chatbot has become sentient or aware of the world around it.

What is a Chatbot?

• Chatbots are computer programs designed to simulate conversation with human users, usually through text-based interfaces like messaging apps or websites.
• They use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand and respond to user input in a way that mimics human conversation.
• They are used in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, finance, and entertainment, to improve customer service and automate repetitive tasks.

How Artificial Intelligence Based Chatbots Process Information?

• Some chatbots are powered by a kind of artificial intelligence called a neural network.
• A neural network is a type of machine learning algorithm that uses mathematical models inspired by the structure and function of the human brain.
  • It consists of interconnected nodes, or artificial neurons, that process information and learn to recognize patterns in data through repeated exposure.
  • As the neural network analyses large amounts of data, it can adjust its parameters to improve its accuracy in predicting outcomes or classifying objects.
• Researchers started building neural networks called large language models that learn from massive amounts of digital text, such as books, online articles, and chat logs. Example: Microsoft's Copilot and Open AI’s Chatgpt.

What are the Issues Associated with Chatbots?

• Inaccuracy: Chatbots may provide inaccurate or incomplete information if they don't understand the user's intent or the context of their question. This can lead to frustration and a poor user experience.
• Security and Privacy Concerns: Chatbots may collect sensitive information from users, such as personal details or credit card information, which can be vulnerable to data breaches or other security threats.
• Ethical Considerations: Chatbots can perpetuate bias or discrimination if they are not designed with inclusivity and diversity in mind.
  • Additionally, there are concerns around the use of chatbots in fields such as healthcare, where incorrect or misleading information could have serious consequences for patients.

Way Forward

• Ethics and Inclusivity: Chatbots should be designed with ethical considerations in mind, to ensure that they do not perpetuate bias or discrimination.
  • Additionally, chatbots should be designed to be inclusive of all users, regardless of their background or abilities.
• Collaboration: Collaboration between humans and chatbots can help to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of chatbot responses, while also providing a more human-like experience for users.
  
  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q1. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (b)

Source: IE

India’s Livestock Sector

For Prelims: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Livestock Sector, Animal Husbandry, Economic Survey-2021, Gross Value Added, Dairy, LSD, One Health Approach.

For Mains: Status of India’s Livestock Sector, Issues Related to Livestock in India.

Why in News?

Recently, the Ceremony for Distribution of Animal Breed Registration Certificates organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was concluded.

• In the address,the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, has emphasised the importance of identifying the large number of indigenous livestock breeds in India to make the agriculture and animal husbandry sector prosperous.

What is the Status of India’s Livestock Sector?

• About:
  • Animal husbandry has historically been an integral part of agriculture in India and is relevant today as a large section of society is actively engaged and dependent on it.
  • India is rich in livestock biodiversity and has developed many specific breeds adapted to various climatic conditions.
• Contribution of Livestock in the Indian Economy:
  • The livestock sector grew at a CAGR of 7.9% during 2014-15 to 2020- 21 (at constant prices), and its contribution to total agriculture GVA (at constant prices) has increased from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21.
  • Besides their monetary benefit and providing a steady stream of food and revenues for households, livestock provide employment to the rural family, act as insurance during crop failures and the number of livestock owned by a farmer determines the social status among the community.
  • Dairy is the single-largest agri commodity in India. It contributes 5% to the national economy and employs 80 million dairy farmers directly.
• Recognised Indigenous Livestock Species:
  • Recently, ICAR has registered 10 new breeds of livestock species. This has taken the total number of indigenous breeds to 212 as of January, 2023.
  • The ten new breeds of indigenous livestock species are -
    • Kathani cattle (Maharashtra), Sanchori cattle (Rajasthan) and Masilum cattle (Meghalaya);
    • Purnathadi buffalo (Maharashtra)
    • Sojat goat (Rajasthan), Karauli goat (Rajasthan) and Gujari goat (Rajasthan)
    • Banda pig (Jharkhand), Manipuri Black pig (Manipur) and Wak Chambil pig (Meghalaya).
• Issues Related to Livestock in India:
  • Lack of Transparency:
    • Nearly half of the country's livestock is still unclassified. Also, Indian livestock product markets are mostly underdeveloped, uncertain, lack transparency and often dominated by informal market intermediaries.
  • Rising Animal Diseases:
    • There has been an increase in communicable diseases among animals. Most recent is the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle across various states of India.
  • Lack of Extension Services:
    • While the role of extension services in enhancing crop production and productivity is widely recognized, livestock extension never got the attention it deserves, and this has been one of the reasons for low productivity of India’s livestock sector.

What are the Government Schemes Related to Livestock Sector?

• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Under this scheme, the Central Government provides a 3% interest subvention to the borrower and credit guarantee up to 25% of total borrowing.
• National Livestock Mission (NLM): This scheme has been restructured for 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • The scheme focuses on entrepreneurship development and breeds improvement in poultry, sheep, goat and piggery, including feed and fodder development.
• Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) Scheme: It is being implemented to supplement the State/UT governments efforts towards preventing, controlling and containing animal diseases of economic and zoonotic importance by vaccination.
• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): It is being implemented to control Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by completely vaccinating cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig populations against Foot & Mouth Disease and bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age against brucellosis.

How India can Enhance its Livestock Sector?

• Registration of New Breeds: ICAR's mission to document all animal genetic resources in the country in collaboration with State Universities, Animal Husbandry Departments, NGOs, and others is a good step in this direction.
  • Also, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) has started notifying all registered breeds in the Gazette since 2019 to claim sovereignty over these indigenous breeds.
• Veterinary Ambulance Service and Compulsory Livestock Vaccination: In order to provide immediate primary treatment for injured animals, ambulance services should be expanded in veterinary hospitals.
  • In addition, livestock primary vaccination should be made mandatory, and regular veterinary surveillance should be conducted in a time-bound manner.
• Towards One-Health Approach: There is a need to recognize One Health Approach and understand the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment and encourage collaborations in research and sharing of knowledge at multiple levels across various disciplines like human health, animal health, plants, soil, environmental and ecosystem that can help in health sustainability and tackling zoonotic diseases as well.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q.1 Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’? (2012)

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
(d) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Mains

Q.2 Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. (2015)

Source: PIB

Speaker’s Role in Defection

For Prelims: Anti Defection Law, 10th Schedule, All India Presiding Officer's Conference, 52^nd Amendment in 1985, 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, Judicial Review.

For Mains: Grounds for Defection, Speaker’s Role in Defection.

Why in News?

Hearing a case related to the Maharashtra crisis in 2022 and whether a speaker facing a notice for his removal can disqualify MLAs in his assembly, the Supreme Court (SC) on February 15, 2023 maintained that Speakers should be the first authority to decide on disqualification.

• Earlier in 2016, the SC in the Nabam Rebia case had held that a Speaker or Deputy Speaker facing notice of removal cannot decide disqualification proceedings against legislators.

What are the Debates over Discretion of the Speaker's Role?

• For the past three years, the All India Presiding Officer's Conference, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker, has been reviewing the Speaker's role as envisaged in the 10^th Schedule of the Constitution that deals with disqualification of MPs and MLAs.
• The focus of the discussions is to secure the legislative speaker's dignity in this matter. Many presiding officers have expressed views that their role should be limited and other mechanisms must evolve to decide cases of defection.
• One proposal being discussed is to leave the issue of disqualification to the respective political parties as they give tickets to the MLAs.
• During a Speaker's Conference in Dehradun in 2021, several participants voiced their concerns and pointed out loopholes that often cast a shadow on the speaker's role.

What is the 10^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

• About:
  • The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, was added by the 52^nd Amendment in 1985.
    • It was a response to the toppling of multiple state governments by party-hopping MLAs after the general elections of 1967.
  • It lays down the provisions related to disqualification of members of Parliament (MPs) and State Legislatures on grounds of defection.
• Exception:
  • It allows a group of MP/MLAs to join (i.e., merge with) another political party without inviting the penalty for defection.
    • And it does not penalise political parties for encouraging or accepting defecting legislators.
  • As per the 1985 Act, a 'defection' by one-third of the elected members of a political party was considered a 'merger'.
  • But the 91^st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, changed this and now at least two-thirds of the members of a party must be in Favour of a "merger" for it to have validity in the eyes of the law.
• Discretion:
  • The decision on questions as to disqualification on ground of defection are referred to the Chairman or the Speaker of such House, which is subject to ‘Judicial review’.
  • However, the law does not provide a timeframe within which the presiding officer has to decide a defection case.
• Grounds for Defection:
  • If an elected member voluntarily gives up his membership of a political party.
  • If he/she votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by his political party.
  • If any independently elected member joins any political party.
  • If any nominated member joins any political party after the expiry of six months.

Conclusion

The role of the Speaker in defection cases is crucial for ensuring the stability and integrity of the government and the democratic system. It is also important to note that the Speaker has to act in a fair and impartial manner while deciding such cases, and the decisions should be guided by the principles of natural justice and the provisions of the Constitution.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question:(PYQ)

Q. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection? (2014)

(a) Second Schedule
(b) Fifth Schedule
(c) Eighth Schedule
(d) Tenth Schedule

Ans: (d)

Source: HT

Mutiny Memorial tells the Story of 1857 Revolt

Prelims: Revolt of 1857, Leaders of revolt, Causes.

Mains: Causes and Impacts of revolt, Extent of mass Participation.

Why in News?

Mutiny Memorial (New Delhi) was initially built in 1863 to honour those who fought from the British side during the Revolt of 1857 but 25 years after Independence, they re-dedicated it to the memory of those Indians who lost their lives fighting the British.

• The monument has an indifferent gothic design with arched marble-backed recesses on all sides of the octagonal tower.

What was the 1857 Revolt?

• Indian Revolt of 1857-59 was a widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against the rule of British East India Company in India during Governor General Canning’s regime.
• It was the first expression of organised resistance against the company led by sepoys of the company, eventually securing the participation of the masses.
• The rebellion of 1857 is referred to by various names, including the Sepoy Mutiny (according to British historians), the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion (according to Indian historians), the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence (as per Vinayak Damodar Savarkar).

What were the Causes?

• Immediate Causes:
  • Greased Cartridges: The Revolt of 1857 was triggered by the use of new Enfield rifles whose cartridges were believed to be greased with cow and pig fat, leading to the refusal of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys to use them.
  • Repression of Grievances: Mangal Pandey's refusal to use the cartridges in Barrackpore and subsequent hanging, along with the imprisonment of 85 soldiers in Meerut for similar refusal, were among the incidents that sparked the Revolt of 1857 in India.
• Political Causes:
  • Doctrine of Lapse: The political causes of the revolt were the British policy of expansion through the Doctrine of Lapse and direct annexation.
    • The dislodgement of number of Indian rulers and chiefs and annexations including annexations of Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur and Awadh led to growing discontent against the Policy of expansion. Further many nobles, officials and soldiers were left jobless.
• Social and Religious Causes:
  • Spread of Western Civilization: The rapidly spreading Western Civilisation in India was alarming concerns all over the country.
    • An act in 1850 changed the Hindu law of inheritance enabling a Hindu who had converted into Christianity to inherit his ancestral properties, which was seen as an attempt to convert Indians to Christianity
    • Even the introduction of the railways and telegraph was viewed with suspicion.
  • Challenge to Orthodoxy: The abolition of practices like sati and female infanticide, introduction of western education and the legislation legalizing widow remarriage, were believed as threats to the established social structure.
• Economic Causes:
  • Heavy Taxes: Peasants and zamindars, both were infuriated by the heavy taxes on land and the stringent methods of revenue collection.often leading to loss of ancestral land.
  • Grievances of Sepoys: Large numbers of sepoys belonged to the peasantry class and had family ties in villages, so the grievances of the peasants also affected them.
  • Ruins of Local Industry and Handicrafts: After the Industrial Revolution in England, there was an influx of British manufactured goods into India, which ruined industries, particularly the textile industry and handicrafts of India.
• Military Causes:
  • Unequal Remuneration: Indian sepoys formed more than 87% of the British troops in India but were considered inferior to British soldiers and paid less than European counterparts.
  • Posting In Far Areas: They were required to serve in areas far away from their homes and across the seas. Crossing the sea was seen by many as losing the caste.

Who were the Leaders of Revolt?

Places of Revolt	Indian Leaders	British Officials who suppressed the revolt
Delhi	Bahadur Shah II	John Nicholson
Lucknow	Begum Hazrat Mahal	Henry Lawrence
Kanpur	Nana Saheb	Sir Colin Campbell
Jhansi & Gwalior	Lakshmi Bai & Tantia Tope	General Hugh Rose
Bareilly	Khan Bahadur Khan	Sir Colin Campbell
Allahabad and Banaras	Maulvi Liyakat Ali	Colonel Oncell
Bihar	Kunwar Singh	William Taylor

What was the British Response?

• The Revolt of 1857 lasted for more than a year. It was suppressed by the middle of 1858 through severe repression.
• On July 8, 1858, fourteen months after the outbreak at Meerut, peace was finally proclaimed by Lord Canning.

Why did the Revolt Fail?

• Limited Uprising: Although the revolt was fairly widespread, a large part of the country remained unaffected by it.
  • The Southern provinces and the large princely states, Hyderabad, Mysore, Travancore, and Kashmir, as well as the smaller ones of Rajputana did not join the rebellion
• No Effective Leadership: The rebels lacked an effective leader. Although Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope and Rani Lakshmi Bai were brave leaders, they could not offer effective coordinated leadership to the movement.
• Limited Resources: The rebels lacked resources in terms of men and money. The English, on the other hand, received a steady supply of men, money and arms in India.
• No Participation of the Middle Class: The English educated middle class, the rich merchants, traders and zamindars of Bengal helped the British to suppress the revolt.

What were the Impacts of the Revolt?

• Direct Rule of the British Crown: The Government of India Act, 1858, ended company rule in India and brought it under the direct rule of the British Crown.
  • The India office was created to handle the governance and the administration of the country.
• Religious Tolerance: It was promised, and due attention was paid to the customs and traditions of India. British support to religious reforms took a backseat.
• Administrative Change: The Governor General’s office was replaced by that of the Viceroy.
  • The rights of Indian rulers were recognised.
  • The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished.
  • The right to adopt sons as legal heirs was accepted.
• Military Reorganisation: The ratio of British officers to Indian soldiers increased but the armoury remained in the hands of the English.

Conclusion

The uprising of 1857 was a remarkable occurrence in the British era India. Despite failing in accomplishing its intended objective, it laid the foundation for Indian nationalism and brought together various segments of society to a certain extent.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q.1 What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? (2014)

1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States

2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown

3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

• To allay the fears of Princely States and to break the support group (i.e., dissatisfied Princely Rulers) of rebel sepoys – 1858 proclamation clarified the British position in relation to the Princely States. The proclamation denied any intention to annex Indian States. Hence, 1 is correct.
• The proclamation of 1858 abolished the rule of the East India Company and placed the Indian administration under the British Crown. Hence, 2 is correct.
• Proclamation sought to end the English East Company’s rule and establish a direct control of the British Crown (i.e., British Parliament). Hence, 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q.2 With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2020)

(a) The Revolt of 1857
(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60
(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

Ans: (d)

• Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was born in the Munda tribe which inhabited the Chotanagpur area Bengal Presidency (Present-day Jharkhand). He is often referred to as ‘Dharti Abba’ or the Earth Father.
• Birsa Munda led the rebellion that came to be known as Ulgulan (revolt) or the Munda rebellion against the British government-imposed feudal state system. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

---

Mains

Q.1 Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (2016)

Q.2 Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion,the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (2013)

Source:IE

Rural Tourism

Prelims: Rural Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Indian Heritage Sites, Village Clusters, Visit India Year 2023.

Mains: Rural Tourism, Significance and Challenges.

Why in News?

Rural Tourism and Rural Homestays (CNA – RT and RH) under the Ministry of Tourism has identified six niche experiences for tourists wanting to visit rural India, including agritourism, art and culture, ecotourism, wildlife, tribal tourism, and homestays.

• The Ministry of Tourism is also working on launching the State assessment and ranking criteria to help foster competition and reach the overarching objectives of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

What are the Key Points of the Move?

• Objective:
  • The push aims at sustainability, avoiding large-scale infrastructure development.
  • It aims to rope in local resources and communities to provide a unique organic experience and bolster employment opportunities in villages.
  • The Ministry of Tourism is in the process of formulating a budget, with certain training modules at district levels being 100% centrally financed, and other aspects being 60% Centre and 40% State financed.
• Village Clusters:
  • Clusters of five to seven villages will be identified in close proximity.
  • A cluster will offer more tourist attractions than rural tourism projects of individual villages separated by long distances.
  • It can also aid in the marketing of local products of a group of villages through craft bazaars.

What is the Concept of Rural Tourism?

• About:
  • Rural tourism in India is a form of tourism that focuses on exploring and experiencing the rural lifestyle and culture.
  • It involves traveling to rural areas and participating in various activities such as farming, handicrafts, and village walks, to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life.
    • For instance, Tamil Nadu’s Kolukkumalai is the highest tea plantation in the world; Kerala’s Dewalokam is a yoga centre on the banks of a river; Nagaland’s Konyak Tea retreat takes visitors on a trip through tribal culture etc.
• Scope:
  • India's rural tourism potential lies in its diverse and vibrant culture, handicrafts, folk arts, festivals, and fairs.
  • U.S.-based market research firm Grand View Research estimates that agritourism alone will develop at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2022 to 2030.
• Significance:
  • Not only can rural tourism revitalize local art and crafts and prevent viable traditional occupations from being displaced, it will also help redevelop rural areas and rejuvenate rural life, create jobs and new business opportunities.
• Benefits:
  • Reduce out-migration, Increase alternative business opportunities
  • Increase entrepreneurial scopes
  • Helps in poverty alleviation.
  • Community empowerment
  • Art and Crafts sale
  • Heritage Preservation

What are the Challenges for Rural Tourism in India

• Lack of Infrastructure:
  • Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, which can deter tourists from visiting.
  • Inadequate infrastructure can also make it difficult for local communities to provide quality services to visitors.
• Limited Awareness:
  • Lack of awareness about rural tourism among tourists and local communities can hinder its growth.
  • Many people are unaware of the potential of rural areas as tourist destinations and the benefits that tourism can bring to local communities.
• Low Income and Unemployment:
  • Rural areas often suffer from low-income levels and high unemployment rates.
  • This can make it difficult for local communities to invest in tourism infrastructure and provide quality services to visitors.
• Threat to Ecology:
  • Rural tourism has the potential to have a negative impact on the environment and local communities if not managed properly.
  • Overcrowding, pollution, and destruction of natural habitats can harm the local ecology and culture, which can deter visitors in the long run.
• Safety Concerns:
  • Rural areas can be perceived as unsafe by tourists due to a lack of proper security arrangements, which can make it difficult for them to enjoy their experience and create a negative image of the destination.

What are the Related Initiatives?

• The Government is exploring organic agriculture areas developed under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCD-NER) for development as rural tourist spots.
• Best Tourism Village Competition Portal was launched recently to select the best tourism village from across the country, and also to promote rural tourism in the country
  • The ‘Best Tourism Village Competition’ will be held in three stages, and will seek entries at district level, state level and finally at the national level.
• The Ministry of Tourism has launched Visit India Year 2023, focusing on inbound travel to India, to highlight varied tourism offerings of our country and showcase them to the global tourists.
• PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual and Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015.
  • Till date, under PRASHAD scheme, a total of 45 projects for an amount of Rs.1586.10 Crore have been sanctioned.
• Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2014-15 with focus on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
  • 76 projects were sanctioned for an amount of Rs.5315.59 Crore under various themes such as eco, heritage, Himalayan, coastal theme etc.

Way Forward

• The rural tourist destinations should be specific and near to places where people usually visit.
• Accessibility to destinations should be the first criteria for selection of destinations to be developed for rural tourism.
• Advertising the destinations will help artisans to sell their products better and proper marketing of the project is required to increase tourists.
• The income generated from tourism can be utilized in preserving ethnic forms of art, dance and folk songs. It will safeguard rural people’s interests and will reduce the pressure to earn a living miles away from their homes.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q.1 How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (2019)

Q.2 The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. (2015)

Source: TH

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