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Countries which are endowed with natural resources like oil, gas, minerals etc. have huge revenue inflows which give them as many options to use them for development and growth. These countries have a windfall of funds which are used to attain a sustainable economic growth and invest in populist measures like promotion of education of infrastructure development. The flip side of the coin is that these revenues are highly volatile and dependent on international markets. The economies completely dependent on them are more prone to economic instability caused by so-called Dutch disease. (Dutch disease is basically a situation where huge incomes from natural resources trigger higher real interest rates and significantly weakens the competitiveness of domestic tradable factors). This also leads to Voracity Effect which means booming economic situation resulting in disproportionate and discretionary expenditure. The latter at times also means transfer to private sector which in turn doesn’t contribute much to the overall growth.  All this considerably reduces the competitiveness of domestic trade. As a result the non-resource linked current account deteriorates, thus exposing the economies to price shocks and sharp declines in prices.

A Stabilization fund is a fiscal instrument employed by countries of oil-rich (natural resource-rich) nations to ride against any economic shocks caused by international fluctuations in resource prices and related revenues.  It is a sum of revenues which is kept aside by economies to smoothen public expenditures and consumptions during period of growth and stability. These funds provide stability in times of economic turmoil and contractions thus keeping the economy afloat. The efficiency of these funds to provide a cushion against any economic shocks is under scanner. It has been concluded by experts that the instrument alone if resorted is not sufficient to tide over adversities. The economy has to be properly buffered and well-prepared by setting clear regulations on asset management, design, transparent and accountable institutional arrangement.   It has been also found that formation and maintenance of Stabilization funds is not essential. It has been seen that government expenditures are relatively less volatile in countries with these funds. The relation between presence of stabilization funds and spending volatility is in inverse proportion.

Also, there are many other factors which come into play to decide the volatility. It is also known as ‘the rainy day’ fund and countries usually allocate 10 percent of their budgets to this. A majority in legislative bodies of the country is required to appropriate funds for this.

Indian economy is not dependent on natural resources and thus Government of India decided to form a morphed version namely National Investment Fund. NIF was constituted in 2005 when it was kept aside from Consolidated Fund of India. It was in 2013, the fund was given place in public account and was to be used for specific purposes.

Countries which are endowed with natural resources like oil, gas, minerals etc. have huge revenue inflows which give them as many options to use them for development and growth. These countries have a windfall of funds which are used to attain a sustainable economic growth and invest in populist measures like promotion of education of infrastructure development. The flip side of the coin is that these revenues are highly volatile and dependent on international markets. The economies completely dependent on them are more prone to economic instability caused by so-called Dutch disease. (Dutch disease is basically a situation where huge incomes from natural resources trigger higher real interest rates and significantly weakens the competitiveness of domestic tradable factors). This also leads to Voracity Effect which means booming economic situation resulting in disproportionate and discretionary expenditure. The latter at times also means transfer to private sector which in turn doesn’t contribute much to the overall growth.  All this considerably reduces the competitiveness of domestic trade. As a result the non-resource linked current account deteriorates, thus exposing the economies to price shocks and sharp declines in prices.

A Stabilization fund is a fiscal instrument employed by countries of oil-rich (natural resource-rich) nations to ride against any economic shocks caused by international fluctuations in resource prices and related revenues.  It is a sum of revenues which is kept aside by economies to smoothen public expenditures and consumptions during period of growth and stability. These funds provide stability in times of economic turmoil and contractions thus keeping the economy afloat. The efficiency of these funds to provide a cushion against any economic shocks is under scanner. It has been concluded by experts that the instrument alone if resorted is not sufficient to tide over adversities. The economy has to be properly buffered and well-prepared by setting clear regulations on asset management, design, transparent and accountable institutional arrangement.   It has been also found that formation and maintenance of Stabilization funds is not essential. It has been seen that government expenditures are relatively less volatile in countries with these funds. The relation between presence of stabilization funds and spending volatility is in inverse proportion.

Also, there are many other factors which come into play to decide the volatility. It is also known as ‘the rainy day’ fund and countries usually allocate 10 percent of their budgets to this. A majority in legislative bodies of the country is required to appropriate funds for this.

Indian economy is not dependent on natural resources and thus Government of India decided to form a morphed version namely National Investment Fund. NIF was constituted in 2005 when it was kept aside from Consolidated Fund of India. It was in 2013, the fund was given place in public account and was to be used for specific purposes.

Passive resiatance

Passive Resistance and Active Resistance

Fact Box: Passive Resistance and Arubindo Ghosh

The concept of passive resistance washighlighted by Arubindo Ghosh. Arubindo was against the Moderates’ theory of “politics of petition” and along with Tilak belonged to the Extremist section. In place of prayer, petition, protest and “please”, he advocated the more radical policy of boycott. Arubindo visualized that other nations had won the precious prize of liberty by ‘intense suffering, humiliations and martyrdom’, than ‘merely by spending the ink of the journalist and petition-framer and the breath of the orator’. In view of Arubindo, the politics of petitioning was “the dream of timid inexperience, the teaching of false friends who hope to keep us in perpetual subjection, foolish to reason, false to experience“. In view of Arubindo, the Moderates displayed only sentimental enthusiasm.

Fact Box: Difference between Passive Resistance & Active Resistance

The essential difference between passive or defensive and active or aggressive resistance is that, while the later is to do something by which one can bring about positive harm to the government, but the former is to abstain from doing something by which he would be helping the government. The concept of passive resistance was suitable to India because – British government had depended mainly for their continuance of administration with the help and acquiescence of the local people. The idea of adopting passive resistance was to jam the administration machinery without doing any harm to it, so that the conditions may be created that the Government accepts the demands. Thus, the core principle of passive resistance was to put pressure on government. Please note that the moderates believed that Passive Resistance was either impractical or injurious political weapon.

GKToday

Seismic zone

The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank and United Nations report shows estimates that around 200 million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050.

National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal agency of Government of India dealing with various activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines. The major activities currently being pursued by the National Center for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7 basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of national seismological network and local networks c) Seismological data centre and information services, d) Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f) earthquake processes and modelling, etc

The MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less), VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

earthquake zoning map of India divides India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5) unlike its previous version, which consisted of five or six zones for the country. According to the present zoning map, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is associated with the lowest level of seismicity.

Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater is referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone. The region of Kashmir, the Western and Central Himalayas, North and Middle Bihar, the North-East Indian region, the Rann of Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands fall in this zone.

Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are prone to earthquakes

Zone 4.

This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone factor of 0.24 for Zone 4 Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, the parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (North Punjab, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, Terai, North Bengal, Sundarbans) and the capital of the country Delhi fall in Zone 4. I

Zone 3.

This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. 

Zone 2

This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. 

Zone 1

Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed as Zone

Bharat net

Bharat Net Project

Bharat Net Project is the new brand name of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) which was launched in October, 2011 to provide broadband connectivity to all 2.5 Lakh Gram Panchayats.  It was renamed Bharat Net in 2015. The rebranding was based on the previous experience gained from the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) that had aimed at connecting 2,50,000 Gram panchayats of the country with a speed of 100 Mbps connectivity to each. The bandwidth was created with the existing fibres of PSUs and additional fibres. The new project takes this aim a little further to the national level.

Contents

Features of Bharat NetObjectiveDescriptionFundingImplementationProgress So FarPhase 1Phase 2Comment

Features of Bharat Net

The project has the following general features:

Objective

The project has the underlying objective of providing high-speed broadband to all the panchayats in the country by March 2019. It will further expedite the roll-out of the fibres under the NOFN. The target includes 1.5 lakh Gram panchayats with additional optical fibre across 10 lakh kilometers. The telecom players will be given bandwidth at 75% cheaper price.

Description

It may be regarded as a highly scalable network infrastructure, giving net accessibility to every person without any discrimination. On demand, a connectivity of upto 2 to 20 Mbps for every household. As per the capacity of demand the same facility will be extended to the institutions there too.

Funding

The project is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). This fund was established with the object of improving telecom services in the remote and rural areas of India.

Implementation

The plan for the project is to be implemented in three phases with the first phase providing broadband connectivity through optic fibre cable to one lakh gram panchayats. The deadline for this phase was fixed for December 2017. The second phase will extend the cables to 2, 50,000 gram panchayats. This time a mix of underground fibres, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media are to be used. March 2019 has been set up as its deadline. Instead of the OFC underground, the aerial mode of connectivity is being used.  The third phase involves providing state of the art and future proof network between the districts and blocks. In order to provided some redundancy ring topology is being used.

Cost of project-The total project requires an expenditure of Rs 45,000 crore with Rs 11, 200 crore for the first phase.

Progress So Far

Phase 1

Under the first phase the government has established 15,000 wifi hotspots in semi-rural and rural areas (11,000 in rural areas). This has increased the number of wifi hotspots to 38,000.

Phase 2

This is the final stage for laying the foundation. In order to implement this phase, the government has collaborated with several companies and states. In eight states (Assam, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and West Bengal) BSNL has taken the responsibility of laying out the optical fibres, for three states (Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand) Powergrid Corporation was awarded the contract. More companies like Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio have also volunteered for collaboration. Other than these, the ministry of telecom also signed agreements with seven states that have agreed to roll out the optical fibres themselves with partial financial help from the Central Government. These states are Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telengana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jharkhand. It is estimated that this phase will be completed by December 2018, three months before the expected deadline.

Around 1,09,926 GPs of OFC has been laid with the optical fibre cable covering an area of 2,54,895 km. Initiative is being taken to add around 6-7 lakh hotspots with 2-5 in each panchayat. An additional Rs 3600 crore is being given to the telecom operators to make some hotspots that are not initially viable, to a commercially viable condition after a time lag.

Comment

The project, with its huge outreach and relatively quicker implementation can be called a ‘game changer’ for India. It is one of the largest projects ever undertaken and has several benefits. Along with promoting net neutrality, it will give a boost to the public welfare schemes run by the government like e-banking, e-health, e-governance, etc. Moreover, since only domestically manufactured products are being used, it gives a huge boost to the manufacturing industry and increases self-reliance of this developing country. As per a study, about 10 per cent internet usage in India generates a GDP growth of 3.3%, which indicates that Rs 4.5 lakh crore can be added to the national gross domestic product each year once the project becomes functional.

The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank and United Nations report shows estimates that around 200 million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050.

National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal agency of Government of India dealing with various activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines. The major activities currently being pursued by the National Center for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7 basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of national seismological network and local networks c) Seismological data centre and information services, d) Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f) earthquake processes and modelling, etc

Zones

Pocket pocket pocket

The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank and United Nations report shows estimates that around 200 million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050.

National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal agency of Government of India dealing with various activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines. The major activities currently being pursued by the National Center for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7 basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of national seismological network and local networks c) Seismological data centre and information services, d) Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f) earthquake processes and modelling, etc

The MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less), VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

earthquake zoning map of India divides India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5) unlike its previous version, which consisted of five or six zones for the country. According to the present zoning map, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is associated with the lowest level of seismicity.

Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater.

is referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone. The region of Kashmir, the Western and Central Himalayas, North and Middle Bihar, the North-East Indian region, the Rann of Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands fall in this zone.

Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are prone to earthquakes

Zone 4

This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone factor of 0.24 for Zone 4 Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, the parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (North Punjab, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, Terai, North Bengal, Sundarbans) and the capital of the country Delhi fall in Zone 4. I

Zone 3

This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. 

Zone 2

This region is liable to MSK VI or less and is classified as the Low Damage Risk Zone

Zone 1

Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed as Zone

Earthquake zones india

The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank and United Nations report shows estimates that around 200 million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050.

National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal agency of Government of India dealing with various activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines. The major activities currently being pursued by the National Center for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7 basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of national seismological network and local networks c) Seismological data centre and information services, d) Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f) earthquake processes and modelling, etc

The MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less), VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

earthquake zoning map of India divides India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5) unlike its previous version, which consisted of five or six zones for the country. According to the present zoning map, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is associated with the lowest level of seismicity.

Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater.

is referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone. The region of Kashmir, the Western and Central Himalayas, North and Middle Bihar, the North-East Indian region, the Rann of Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands fall in this zone.

Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are prone to earthquakes

Zone 4

This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone factor of 0.24 for Zone 4 Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, the parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (North Punjab, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, Terai, North Bengal, Sundarbans) and the capital of the country Delhi fall in Zone 4. I

Zone 3

This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. 

Zone 2

This region is liable to MSK VI or less and is classified as the Low Damage Risk Zone

Zone 1

Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed as Zone

Earthquake zones india

The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank and United Nations report shows estimates that around 200 million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050.

National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal agency of Government of India dealing with various activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines. The major activities currently being pursued by the National Center for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7 basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of national seismological network and local networks c) Seismological data centre and information services, d) Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f) earthquake processes and modelling, etc

The MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less), VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

earthquake zoning map of India divides India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5) unlike its previous version, which consisted of five or six zones for the country. According to the present zoning map, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is associated with the lowest level of seismicity.

Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater.

is referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone. The region of Kashmir, the Western and Central Himalayas, North and Middle Bihar, the North-East Indian region, the Rann of Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands fall in this zone.

Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are prone to earthquakes

Zone 4

This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone factor of 0.24 for Zone 4 Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, the parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (North Punjab, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, Terai, North Bengal, Sundarbans) and the capital of the country Delhi fall in Zone 4. I

Zone 3

This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. 

Zone 2

This region is liable to MSK VI or less and is classified as the Low Damage Risk Zone

Zone 1

Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed as Zone

Dowry

Dowry Laws in India: Review of Legal Framework & Recent SC Verdict

Dowry is the money, goods or estate that a woman brings to a marriage. Dowry is illegal in India under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, under which both giving and accepting dowry is offence. The punishment for violating the law is 5 years imprisonment + Rs.15000/- fine or the value of the dowry given, whichever is more.

Contents

The Dowry Prohibition (DP) Act 1961Dowry and Indian Penal CodeThe Supreme Court 2014 and 2017 Judgements on Dowry Law

The Dowry Prohibition (DP) Act 1961

This legislation prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a dowry, “as consideration for the marriage”. Here “dowry” is defined as a gift demanded or given as a precondition for a marriage. Gifts given without a precondition are not considered dowry, and are legal.  Asking or giving of dowry can be punished by an imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs. 15000 or the amount of dowry (whichever is higher), or imprisonment up to 5 years.

Dowry and Indian Penal Code

Apart from the Dowry Prohibition (DP) Act 1961, the menace of dowry has been covered in three sections of Indian Penal Code viz. Section 406 {recovery of the Streedhan}, Section 304-B {Dowry deaths} and Section 498-A {cruelty on the basis of demand of dowry}. However, there are some major issues with these laws as discussed under.

The issue of differentiation between the Dowry and Streedhan

Section 406 of the Indian Penal code is usually applied in investigation of stridhan recovery from the husband and his family. Stridhan is what a woman can claim as her own property within a marital household. It may include her jewellery (gifted either by her family), gifts presented to her during the wedding or later, and the dowry articles given by her family. Offences under this section are Non-bailable and cognizable.

The issue with this section of IPC is that it hardly demarcates the boundary between the Dowry and Streedhan. Streedhan belongs to the woman while dowry is something which is given by either party to another.

Issues with IPC Section 498A

Section 498A is considered to be most draconian provision of the IPC with respect to dowry. It says that if the husband or a relative of the husband of a woman, subjects the woman to cruelty, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Here, the offence of cruelty is considered to be non-compoundable and non-bailable. This means that once a case is lodged, there cannot be compromise. This is seen as a big loophole in the Indian law because being a non-compoundable offence; the dowry laws have been misused to harass the groom’s family.

In 2002, the Law Commission had recommended watering down the anti-dowry law to make it less stringent by allowing the woman involved in the case to withdraw the case with the permission of the court provided she is not under any pressure. The commission, headed by Justice PV Reddi, has also recommended to the government to make Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Similarly, Justice Malimath Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System, 2003 observed the following and gave the recommendation to amend the law immediately.

The less tolerant impulsive woman may lodge an FIR even on a trivial act. The result is that the husband and his family may be immediately arrested and there may be a suspension or loss of job.The offence alleged being non-bailable, innocent persons languish in custody. There may be a claim for maintenance adding fuel to fire, if the husband cannot pay.The woman may change her mind and get into the mood to forget and forgive. The husband may realize the mistakes committed and come forward to turn a new leaf for a loving and cordial relationship. The woman may like to seek reconciliation. But this may not be possible due to the legal obstacles. Even if she wishes to make amends by withdrawing the complaint, she can not do so as the offence is non compoundable. The doors for returning to family life stand closed. She is thus left at the mercy of her natal family.

It is often seen that some women have turned the tables and are using these laws as weapon to unleash personal vendetta on their husbands and innocent relatives. So far, the amendment of the law has been largely ignored.

The Supreme Court 2014 and 2017 Judgements on Dowry Law

We have studied above that the section 498-A is considered to be most draconian provision of the IPC with respect to dowry. It has come under Supreme Court scrutiny several times and two verdicts, one of 2014 and another recent in 2017, are worth discussion here and to analyze if these make this law more effective or dilute it.

2014 Judgment

In the Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar, a wife had alleged that her father in-law and mother-in law had demanded Rs 8 lakhs, a car, an air conditioner etc. in the form of dowry. When her family failed to pay this, she was threatened by her husband for second marriage and drove her out of the house. The Supreme Court however observed that there were several frivolous complaints lodged by women to falsely implicate their in-laws and thus laid down a checklist of nine criteria which must be complied with before arresting a person under Section 498A of IPC.

2017 Judgement

In the recent Rajesh Sharma and Ors. v State of UP case also, a woman had complained of dowry demand by her in-laws subsequent to which she was dropped at her matrimonial home when she was pregnant. She had to go through trauma and had a miscarriage followed by her in-laws taking away her stridhan. The Court in this case gave further stringent criteria for determination of case under Section 498A.

It mandates the setting up of a family welfare committee in every district for scrutinizing the dowry harassment cases.The members of this committee shall be social workers or persons interested in the subject.The members shall be paid an honorarium.The police has to look into the recommendations of these committees before making any arrests.

While some groups consider these judgements as a positive move towards preventing false implications using the Section 498A route, it has raised serious concerns among the women activists groups. The judgements have been accused of promoting the patriarchal viewpoint of the society, ignoring the sentiments of the victims. There are claims that no legislations has drawn in so much controversies in India’s history since independence like the Section 498A. The purpose of the provision to provide relief to the women facing harassment in their matrimonial homes including dowry deaths or cruelty has been overlooked. The Court drawing conclusion from the 2012 data that since 47,951 women have been arrested, observed that the complaints were trivial or frivolous. But the true picture is that only issues found worthy of charge sheeting by the police are recorded. The slow judicial process has also forced many women to go for settlement than justice. Comparison has also been drawn with laws like that of penalizing dishonor of cheques. These groups have raised the question that while the misuse of these laws is not given that due attention, laws relating to the offences that empower women always cause huge debate and consequently loopholes in them are identified. The focus here is thus mainly the accused and not the women who may genuinely seek relief from the court. In this way, the court has overlooked the main objective of a penal provision to give full protection to the victim while reviewing it. The provision has not been able to control 

MRTS

Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India predicts an average city very low-speed of around 6 to 8 kmph by 2030, which is the speed of a morning walker. The question is simple, is it acceptable to us. It was during 1850’s that over 750000 commuters entered and left London daily, either by mainline railways or by Road. The streets of London were literally blocked for miles by the great variety of iron-tired vehicles of the day, all taking their toll on the frayed nerves and tempers of the frustrated London commuter. The London press of the day featured front page articles telling of the “scandalous state of London’s transportation facilities”. It was learnt during 1950’s itself that mass transportation and personal transportation cannot mix together. The same situation is prevailing on most of the roads all over Indian cities and many a time people get down from their car and prefer to walk, a better speed than crawling.  Mass transportation is the responsibility of State Government and MRTS is a better option as compared to any other mode. The other modes like bus, auto-rikshaw, share taxi to assist  as a feeder service to MRTS and has equal importance to improve the catchment area.

The Mass Rapid Transit System is popularly called MRTS and is  highly in demand for development of Metropolitan cities all over the world. MRTS on date is a  network of 10641 Km, 9349 stations and 573 lines covering 184 cities worldwide.  What does MRTS means; Mass is defined as a  large amount or number, such as a great body of the people and Rapid means quick transport  from one place to another. MRTS, therefore,  transports  large number of human beings from one place to another as quickly as possible stopping at almost every 2-3 minutes. The journey time is to be made small even when the transport system stops frequently. The characteristics of MRTS are

Meant for transport of large number of passengers at quick intervals.High carrying capacity of the transport system. Capacity is  measured in terms of PHPDT i.e. Peak Hour Per Direction Traffic.Quick acceleration and maximum speed attained  for rapid transportHigher standing capacity as compared to sitting capacity. The average standing time during the  journey is less than 20 minutesComfortable environment either by natural or forced ventilation, control of CO2  along with  air conditioningFrequent service or less waiting time at Railway Station

There are two different features of MRTS namely Urban and Suburban. The difference is basically in journey time, acceleration level,  distance between adjacent stations etc. Urban MRTS is underground, elevated or surface whereas suburban is surface only.Both the transport system is having importance in urban development. Suburban network eases the pressure on urban settlement.  MRTS-Sub-urban started in India by Indian Railways in Mumbai and Kolkata, the most populous cities and met the public demand and very soon became the lifeline of the city. Suburban network, limited to the existing rail network under the charge of Indian Railways, is not enough to meet the growing public demand of these two cities as well as other growing metropolitan cities.

Kolkata Metro Rail

MRTS-Urban was introduced for the first time in Kolkata, with  highest priority  given to the busy north-south axis between Dum Dum and Tollygunze over a length of 16.45 km, and the work on this project was sanctioned on 1 June 1972. The construction work started in 1973-74. Since the commencement of construction, the project has had to contend with several problems such as non-availability of sufficient funds till 1977-78, shifting of underground utilities, court injunctions, irregular supply of vital materials, political instability and others. But overcoming innumerable hurdles and crossing all barriers of disbelief, Calcutta Metro, India’s first and Asia’s fifth, became a reality on Oct 24, 1984 with the commissioning of partial commercial service covering a distance of 3.40 km with five stations between Esplanade and Bhowanipur, a joy ride for Kolkatians and tourist place for anyone visiting Kolkata. Finally the section of 15.74 Km totally underground network of 750 V DC third rail was commissioned on  Sep 27, 1995.



Driving Console – Kolkata Metro Rail



Kolkata Metro Train

A test of patience, learning, budget bursting many times, lack of support from the State Govt. and  IR   finally  deciding not to venture in MRTS – Urban projects any more. Presently, IR continue to  operates and maintain Kolkata Metro Rail created by it with huge operating losses. Reason for the losses is simple, the tariff is governed by IR tariff structure with no separate tariff mechanics similar to newly coming up Metro Rails.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

MRTS study projects for Delhi started in 1969-70 and continued by different agencies up to the year 1990. With IR not taking any lead for MRTS  projects, a decision was taken to make it a State subject with support from Central Govt. The first right  step in this direction was the creation of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation registered on May 3, 1995 and work started on Oct. 1 1998; and  just within 4 years, the first section between Shahadara – Tis Hazari opens to the public on Dec. 25, 2002. Phase I (65 Km) and II (126 Km) of Delhi Metro completed in record time and opened to the public on 31 March 2005 and 10 March 2008 respectively. It is this success story which generated confidence. And now Phase III (112 Km) and Phase IV (108 Km) are also sanctioned.

 The success of this project with hassle free and before time completion opened immense possibility for Metro planner.

At present, there are  twenty Metro cities either decided or serious to bring in  MRTS in their cities. Delhi Metro is also very much in demand to give consultancy to new Metros.  The funding agencies like JICA ( Japan International Cooperation Agency) is having full confidence of proper usage of funds and prompt execution of Metro Projects, if monitored by DMRC.



Crowd to board Delhi Metro Train



.present, there are  twenty Metro cities either decided or serious to bring in  MRTS in their cities. Delhi Metro is also very much in demand to give consultancy to new Metros.  The funding agencies like JICA ( Japan International Cooperation Agency) is having full confidence of proper usage of funds and prompt execution of Metro Projects, if monitored by DMRC.

Power discoms

Power Discoms of India

Most of us get electricity in our houses and offices via the power distribution companies run by central and state governments. In India, the share of private sector in power generation has risen substantially over the past few years, but state electricity boards continue to own nearly 95% of the distribution network. Thus, the entire value chain of the power sector in India is dominated by the state owned companies.

These State Electricity Boards or SEBs are in existence for last 5 decades. Over the period of time, they have become unviable and unprofitable due to heavy accumulated losses and liabilities.

The T&D Losses and AT&C Losses

Inefficient planning, lack of investments, inadequate maintenance, low plant load factor, high transmission and distribution losses, erratic supply to consumers and other issues resulted in pathetic services and perennial financial losses. India’s power distribution segment is plagued by two types of losses:-

Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Losses: These losses are due to inefficiency in transmission sector and has mainly occurred due to feeder metering in the past. Please note that a substantial portion of T&D loss, including theft of electricity gets attributed to agricultural consumption.Aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses: These losses refer to the difference between units input into the system and the units for which the payment is collected.

Here we should note that while the T&D Loss do not capture losses on account of non-realisation of payments. As the T&D loss was not able to capture all the losses in the net work, concept of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) loss was introduced. AT&C loss captures technical as well as commercial losses in the network and is a true indicator of total losses in the system. AT&C Loss is the clearest measure of overall efficiency of the distribution business as it measures technical as well as commercial losses.

Thus, the reasons of the T&D and AT&C losses are:

Power Theft

Non-billing

Incorrect billing

Inefficiency in collection

Leakage in transmission and distribution system

Lack of investment

Sasec

SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program (SRCIP)

The SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program (SRCIP) is an effort by the Asian Development Bank for improving road connectivity and efficiency in the international trade corridor shared with the SASEC (South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation) member countries. The program aims at expanding roads upto 500 kilometres in the North Bengal and Northeastern region for greater connectivity with this corridor. This project has a key strategic importance in terms of expanding relations between South and South East Asia which borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. It will provide route for safe transport of goods and people within India from these SASEC and ASEAN member countries.

Aims of the Project

The project has mainly two purposes:

Promoting inclusive economic growth andEnhancing regional integration through overcoming the problems of last mile connections between main in-country road network and neighbouring countries.

Stages of the Project

The Project has been undertaken in two stages: Tranche 1 and Tranche 2.

Tranche 1

Part of this stage is two national highways in West Bengal and state roads in Manipur that will be extending to Manipur. A total of US $300 million loan has been sanctioned for this.

Tranche 2

This stage involves upgrading and widening the NH-39 situated in Manipur upto 65 kms in the Imphal-Moreh section. It will increase connectivity with the landlocked state of Maipur in which 90% of the area has a difficult terrain. This section is regarded as a key strategic area providing link with Thailand and Malaysia. This has received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in July, 2017 and shall provide impetus to trade, commerce and tourism in the region.  It also includes the setting up of an Integrated Custom Post at Moreh. It will create a market for the bamboo and wood based handicraft items of Manipur in Myanmar. Along with this road safety features like vehicular underpasses, crash barriers, road signs and and markings, service roads for segregation of slow and high moving traffic, truck lay-bys, bus-bays will also be set up.

Significance

This project has a crucial importance for India as it is regarded as a part of its ‘Look East’ Policy. It is necessary to provide a gateway for trade and other relations with the South East Asian nations. The project corridor is also a part of Asian Highway No. 1(AH01).

Psf

Price Stabilization Fund Scheme

The Rs. 900 crore fund under ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution tries to contain the prices of essential commodities especially of pulses. This fund was earlier under agriculture ministry but was transferred to Consumer Affairs Ministry in February 2016. Under agriculture ministry, this fund was used to support market interventions for managing prices of perishable agri-horticultural commodities by procuring directly from farmers and later supplying at reasonable rates to consumers.

The scheme was aimed to provide relief to consumers but was mainly used to provide relief to farmers. Since farmers are already protected by Minimum Sport Price scheme, the Price Stabilization Fund was rightly moved to Ministry of Consumer affairs.

This shifting was in response to the steep hikes in prices of Dal early this year

Read Vedanta

Vedanta means Veda end or the purpose or goal of the Vedas. It was given by Badrayana or Maharishi Vyasa, who is one of the 7 chiranjivis and wrote “Mahabharta”.

Contents

Advaita

Its proponent wes Adi Sahnakara and his Guru Gaudapada. The essence of this Vedanta is that “Brahman is the only reality, and the world, as it appears, is illusory.”

Vishishtadvaita

Its proponent was Rāmānuja. The basic theory is that “jīvātman is a part of Brahman, and hence is similar, but not identical. Brahman, matter and the individual souls are distinct but mutually inseparable entities”. Vishishtadvaita advocates Bhakti to attain God.

Dvaita

The proponent of the Dvaita was Madhwāchārya. This theory is also known as Tatvavādā – The Philosophy of Reality. It identifies God in the Brahman (Universe) and its incarnations such as Vishnu and Krishna. It says that all individual souls (jīvātmans) and matter as eternal are mutually separate entities.

Dvaitādvaita

The theory of Dvaitādvaita was given by Nimbarka. It is based upon the early school of Bhedābheda of Bhaskara. It says that jīvātman is at once the same as yet different from Brahman. The jiva relation may be regarded as dvaita from one point of view and advaita from another. This school identifies God in Krishna.

Shuddhādvaita

The proponent of Shuddhādvaita was Vallabha. It says that World is Leela of God that is Krishna and he is Sat-Chid-Aananda. It identifies Bhakti as the only means of liberation. Vallabha was also a famous saint of Pushti Marg. He won the famous debate of Brahmavad over Shankars.

Achintya Bhedābheda

The proponent of Achintya Bhedābheda was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a follower of the Dvaita vedanta of Sri Madhwacharya. The doctrine of Achintya Bhedābheda or inconceivable and simultaneous one-ness and difference states that the soul or energy of God is both distinct and non-distinct from God and he can be experienced through a process of long devotion. It identified God in Krishna. This Philosophy is followed by ISKCON.

Purnādvaita or Integral Advaita

The proponent of Purnādvaita was Shri Arubindo. He propounded this doctrine in his “The Life Divine”. synthesized all the exant schools of Vedanta and gave a comprehensive resolution integrating cues from the Western metaphysics and modern science. Sri Arubindo is known to be one, who restored the umbilical cord of the Vedantic exegesis with the Vedas.

Modern Vedānta

The proponent of Modern Vedānta was Swami Vivekananda. His phislosophy says that the conditions of abject poverty should be removed; only then will people be able to turn their minds toward God

Vedanta

Hi all

Vedanta means Veda end or the purpose or goal of the Vedas. It was given by Badrayana or Maharishi Vyasa, who is one of the 7 chiranjivis and wrote “Mahabharta”.

Contents

Advaita

Its proponent wes Adi Sahnakara and his Guru Gaudapada. The essence of this Vedanta is that “Brahman is the only reality, and the world, as it appears, is illusory.”

Vishishtadvaita

Its proponent was Rāmānuja. The basic theory is that “jīvātman is a part of Brahman, and hence is similar, but not identical. Brahman, matter and the individual souls are distinct but mutually inseparable entities”. Vishishtadvaita advocates Bhakti to attain God.

Dvaita

The proponent of the Dvaita was Madhwāchārya. This theory is also known as Tatvavādā – The Philosophy of Reality. It identifies God in the Brahman (Universe) and its incarnations such as Vishnu and Krishna. It says that all individual souls (jīvātmans) and matter as eternal are mutually separate entities.

Dvaitādvaita

The theory of Dvaitādvaita was given by Nimbarka. It is based upon the early school of Bhedābheda of Bhaskara. It says that jīvātman is at once the same as yet different from Brahman. The jiva relation may be regarded as dvaita from one point of view and advaita from another. This school identifies God in Krishna.

Shuddhādvaita

The proponent of Shuddhādvaita was Vallabha. It says that World is Leela of God that is Krishna and he is Sat-Chid-Aananda. It identifies Bhakti as the only means of liberation. Vallabha was also a famous saint of Pushti Marg. He won the famous debate of Brahmavad over Shankars.

Achintya Bhedābheda

The proponent of Achintya Bhedābheda was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a follower of the Dvaita vedanta of Sri Madhwacharya. The doctrine of Achintya Bhedābheda or inconceivable and simultaneous one-ness and difference states that the soul or energy of God is both distinct and non-distinct from God and he can be experienced through a process of long devotion. It identified God in Krishna. This Philosophy is followed by ISKCON.

Purnādvaita or Integral Advaita

The proponent of Purnādvaita was Shri Arubindo. He propounded this doctrine in his “The Life Divine”. synthesized all the exant schools of Vedanta and gave a comprehensive resolution integrating cues from the Western metaphysics and modern science. Sri Arubindo is known to be one, who restored the umbilical cord of the Vedantic exegesis with the Vedas.

Modern Vedānta

The proponent of Modern Vedānta was Swami Vivekananda. His phislosophy says that the conditions of abject poverty should be removed; only then will people be able to turn their minds toward God

Read Vedanta

Vedanta means Veda end or the purpose or goal of the Vedas. It was given by Badrayana or Maharishi Vyasa, who is one of the 7 chiranjivis and wrote “Mahabharta”.

Contents

Advaita

Its proponent wes Adi Sahnakara and his Guru Gaudapada. The essence of this Vedanta is that “Brahman is the only reality, and the world, as it appears, is illusory.”

Vishishtadvaita

Its proponent was Rāmānuja. The basic theory is that “jīvātman is a part of Brahman, and hence is similar, but not identical. Brahman, matter and the individual souls are distinct but mutually inseparable entities”. Vishishtadvaita advocates Bhakti to attain God.

Dvaita

The proponent of the Dvaita was Madhwāchārya. This theory is also known as Tatvavādā – The Philosophy of Reality. It identifies God in the Brahman (Universe) and its incarnations such as Vishnu and Krishna. It says that all individual souls (jīvātmans) and matter as eternal are mutually separate entities.

Dvaitādvaita

The theory of Dvaitādvaita was given by Nimbarka. It is based upon the early school of Bhedābheda of Bhaskara. It says that jīvātman is at once the same as yet different from Brahman. The jiva relation may be regarded as dvaita from one point of view and advaita from another. This school identifies God in Krishna.

Shuddhādvaita

The proponent of Shuddhādvaita was Vallabha. It says that World is Leela of God that is Krishna and he is Sat-Chid-Aananda. It identifies Bhakti as the only means of liberation. Vallabha was also a famous saint of Pushti Marg. He won the famous debate of Brahmavad over Shankars.

Achintya Bhedābheda

The proponent of Achintya Bhedābheda was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a follower of the Dvaita vedanta of Sri Madhwacharya. The doctrine of Achintya Bhedābheda or inconceivable and simultaneous one-ness and difference states that the soul or energy of God is both distinct and non-distinct from God and he can be experienced through a process of long devotion. It identified God in Krishna. This Philosophy is followed by ISKCON.

Purnādvaita or Integral Advaita

The proponent of Purnādvaita was Shri Arubindo. He propounded this doctrine in his “The Life Divine”. synthesized all the exant schools of Vedanta and gave a comprehensive resolution integrating cues from the Western metaphysics and modern science. Sri Arubindo is known to be one, who restored the umbilical cord of the Vedantic exegesis with the Vedas.

Modern Vedānta

The proponent of Modern Vedānta was Swami Vivekananda. His phislosophy says that the conditions of abject poverty should be removed; only then will people be able to turn their minds toward God