13-05-2020

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13-MAY-2020
ANAL YS I S
 13-05-2020

The Hindu News Analysis – 13th May 2020 – Shankar IAS Academy

S. Page Number*
News Articles
No C B D H T

1 Riding roughshod over State governments (OPED) 7 7 7 7 7

2 India caught in U.S.-China spat over Taiwan’s status at WHO 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8

3 Do numbers matter in Rajya Sabha ? 8 8 8 8 8

4 Aarogya Setu app mandatory for returning NRIs, migrants 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8

5 Aarogya Setu mandatory for travel, says Railways 9 9 9 9 9

6 India may miss nutrition targets 11 11 11 11 11

7 GI tag for Sohrai Khovar painting, Telia Rumal 14 14 16 14 14

8 Other Practice MCQs

@end of the video
9 Practice Mains Question
Civilspedia Team - Powered by Shankar IAS Academy *C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi ; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram
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Pg - 7  C, B, D, H, T.

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• Federalism – ‘the independence of the Union How the Centre’s move is Counter-productive?
Government and the state Governments of a
1. The Central government has classified all
Country in their own spheres’.
districts in the country as red, orange or
• Cooperative Federalism – ‘administrative green zones in a bid to lift lockdown
cooperation between the Centre and the states restrictions in an area-specific manner.
and a partial dependence of the States upon
 No need to keep economic activity on hold in
payments from the Centre’.
an entire district.
• Our Constituent Assembly has adopted the
2. Kerala – near-perfect recovery rate and a
Cooperative Federalism for India.
steep fall in the number of cases – the Centre
• Recent set of guidelines issued by the Central directed the state to refrain from relaxing
Govt. to the states to tackle COVID-19 – restrictions.
Centralised approach rather cooperative
3. Exemptions for corporations which are donating
federalism.
to PM-CARES but not to those donating
towards any Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
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How the Centre’s move is Unconstitutional? Article 248. Residuary powers of legislation

• Under 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution

(1) [Subject to article 246A, Parliament] has
1. Union list
exclusive power to make any law with respect to
2. State list
any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent
3. Concurrent list
List or State List.
• The subjects not covered under any of these are
(2) Such power shall include the power of making
in residuary list
any law imposing a tax not mentioned in either
 Residuary power of Parliament – under Article of those Lists.
248 of the Constitution and Entry 97 of Union
list.

• Executive powers of the Centre and the states

as per Article 73 and 162 respectively –
coextensive with their respective legislative
powers.
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Article 73. Extent of executive power of the Union Article 162. Extent of executive power of
State
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the
executive power of the Union shall extend— —Subject to the provisions of this Constitution,
the executive power of a State shall extend to
(a) to the matters with respect to which Parliament
the matters with respect to which the Legislature
has power to make laws; and
of the State has power to make laws:
(b) to the exercise of such rights, authority and
Provided that in any matter with respect
jurisdiction as are exercisable by the
to which the Legislature of a State and Parliament
Government of India by virtue of any treaty or
have power to make laws, the executive power of
agreement:
the State shall be subject to, and limited by, the
Provided that the executive power referred executive power expressly conferred by this
to in sub-clause (a) shall not, save as expressly Constitution or by any law made by Parliament
provided in this Constitution or in any law made by upon the Union or authorities thereof.
Parliament, extend in any State 2*** to matters with
respect to which the Legislature of the State has also
power to make laws.

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• “Disaster Management” – • Supreme Court in Godfrey Phillips v. State

 Not in Union list, State list or of U.P. & Ors (2005) judgement

concurrent list.  “In case any overlap between two or

 Under residuary list – Parliament has more entries, the specific subject
power to legislate matter contained in a particular entry
 “Disaster” – broader term which includes must be deemed to have been excluded
all disaster including pandemic. from another entry which may deal with
• ‘Public health and sanitation’ – under Entry a more general subject matter.”
6 of List II (i.e.) state list
 Authors’ view – Public Health is a
• The Centre’s guidelines to the States for specific subject of the state list and
dealing with the pandemic infringe upon a
disaster is more general subject of the
field of legislation and executive action that
Residual list.
is exclusively assigned to the States —
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Concurrent List • Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 – objective of

29. Prevention of the extension from one State to preventing “…the spread of dangerous epidemic
another of infectious or contagious diseases diseases.”
or pests affecting men, animals or plants
 The State governments have the prerogative

Authors’ view: to take appropriate measures for arresting

the outbreak or spread of a contagious or
• Both the Parliament and state legislatures are
infectious disease in their respective States.
competent to legislate on matters involving inter-
state spread of contagious or infectious diseases.  Central government’s powers are limited –
inspecting and detaining persons travelling
• Disaster Management Act 2005 – enacted under
out of or into the country.
Parliament’s residuary legislative powers, cannot
be applied to the prevention of inter-State  The Central Government would be empowered

spread of contagious and infectious diseases. to only deal with inter-State spread of the
disease.

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Pg – 1,8  C, B, D, H, T.

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Political History of Taiwan

• A colony of the Netherlands in the early to mid-
17th century.

• China’s Qing dynasty gained control in the late

17th century.

• 1895 – Japan acquired Taiwan following the

first Sino-Japanese War

 1945 – Taiwan was returned to Nationalist

Chinese control after WW-II.
• 1949 – Chinese communists defeated Nationalist
forces on the mainland and established the
People’s Republic of China
 Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek moved to
Taiwan.
• Taiwan, as the Republic of China, represented
China in the United Nations till 1971 – then the
People’s Republic of China took over. Civilspedia Team - Powered by Shankar IAS Academy
 13-05-2020

News Article
• Taiwan has urged the WHO to allow it to • Functions:
re-join as an observer  To determine the policies of the Organization.
 Denounced by China.  Appoint the Director-General.
 The US Senate passed a bill seeking the  Supervise financial policies – review and
restoration of Taiwan in WHO.
approve proposed programme budget.
• Impact on India:
 Recently, MEA, GOI attended the 7 nation virtual
 India to take over as the next Chairperson of meeting of Foreign Ministers convened by the
the WHA
Secretary of State, USA – US’s effort to gain
 Will face dilemma – to support USA or China. support.
World Health Assembly (WHA)  Will also attend a virtual meeting of the
• The decision-making body of WHO – held annually Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) led by
in Geneva, Switzerland. China and Russia – China may seek India’s
• Attended by delegations from all WHO Member support.

States – focuses on a specific health agenda

prepared by the Executive Board.

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Pg - 8  C, B, D, H, T.

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Special powers of Rajya Sabha Composition of the Rajya Sabha

1. Resolution allowing Parliament to legislate on • It is a continuing chamber.

subjects in the State List (Article 249).
• One third of its members retire every second
2. Creating All India Services under (Article 312) year – eligible for re election and re-
nomination.
3. Approving proclamations of Emergency and
President’s Rule when the Lok Sabha is • Term of office of its members as 6 years (by
dissolved. (Articles 352,356 and 360) Parliament)

4. Resolution for removing the Vice President

(Article 67)
 However, Elections to the Lok Sabha – held
every 5 years.

• However, Money Bill or Finance Bills –

introduced in Lok Sabha only.

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Numbers in the Rajya Sabha and effects • Dent in spirit of cordiality :

• The government – Majority in the Rajya Sabha 1. When Rajya Sabha members were not
only for 29 years and in minority for 39 years included in the Public Accounts Committee in
1952.
• Divergence in numbers  does not indicate any
adverse impact on the broader course of 2. Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1953
legislation except in a few cases
3. When the Lok Sabha Speaker referred the
• 3 Joint Sittings: Major Port Trust Bill, 1963 to its Select
Committee without involving Rajya Sabha
1. Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959 ,
members.
2. Banking Services Commission (Repeal) Bill,
• Rajya Sabha – as effective
1977
 Recommendations accepted:
3. Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002
1. The Union Duty of Excise(Distribution) Bill
• Regressive :
2. The Estate Duty and Taxes on Railway
1. Constitution(Twenty-fourth Amendment) Bill, 1970
Passenger Fares (Distribution) Bill, 1957
2. Constitution (Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth
3. Income Tax Bill, 1961.
Amendment), 1989 Civilspedia Team - Powered by Shankar IAS Academy
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 Checked hasty legislations : • Disturbing Trends :

1. Prevention of Corruption Bill, 1987 1998- 2005- 2014-

Parameters 1997
2004 14 19
2. Dock worker (Safety, Health and
Welfare) Bill, 1986. 100% 87% 76% 61%
Productivity
Decreasing
• Landmark legislations :
1. GST Time spent on 29% 29% 29% 29%
2. Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code legislation
Decreasing
3. Triple Talaq
4. Unlawful activities Oversight 39.5% 21.99% 12.34%
5. Reorganisation of Jammu& Kashmir function
Decreasing
6. Citizenship amendment and so on.
33.54% 41.42% 46.59%
Deliberation
Increasing
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Pg – 1,8
 C, B,
D, H, T.

Pg – 9  C, B, D, H, T.

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 13-05-2020

Practice Question – Prelims

Q1. AarogyaSetu, often seen in news, is
News
(a) A mobile app which enables people to assess
themselves for the risk of catching COVID-19 • Health Ministry made it compulsory to install
infection. AarogyaSetu app for migrant labourers and
(b) A private initiative which helps to link logistics people returning from abroad.
and hospitals for transporting COVID-19
affected people. • Railways made it mandatory to install the app

(c) An e-platform to collect geo-tagged for passengers in the special trains.

information on the nation’s critical
infrastructure.
(d) A scheme to facilitate better financial
management of Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs).

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AarogyaSetu
• A mobile app to connect health services and
people in the fight against COVID-19.

• A digital contact-tracing tool and a platform to

disseminate information regarding Covid-19.

• Uses the smartphone’s GPS, Bluetooth features,

Artificial Intelligence to track contact and
location trails.

• Ensures privacy – personal data collected is

encrypted and stays secure on the phone till it
is needed for facilitating medical intervention.

• Developed in PPP by the National Informatics

Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q2. With reference to the recently released ‘Global Nutrition
Report, 2020’, consider the following statements:
1. It focuses on country-level progress towards the
2025 Global Nutrition targets endorsed by WHO
member states to improve maternal, infant and
young child nutrition.
2. It is released by United Nations System Standing
Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Pg – 11  C, B, D, H, T.
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Global Nutrition Report, 2020 Global Nutrition Targets

• A multi-stakeholder initiative, consisting of a • Endorsed by WHO member states in 2012- aimed

Stakeholder Group, Independent Expert Group at improving maternal, infant and young child
and Report Secretariat. nutrition.

• Stakeholder Group comprises high-level members 1. 40% reduction in the number of children
of government, donor organisations, civil society, under-5 who are stunted.
multilateral organisations and the business 2. 50% reduction of anaemia in women of
sector. reproductive age.
• Focuses on country-level progress towards some 3. 30% reduction in low birth weight and No
of the 2025 global nutrition targets. increase in childhood overweight.

4. Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding

in the first 6 months up to at least 50%.

5. Reduce and maintain childhood wasting to

less than 5%.

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• Important findings of the report:  Inequalities in stunting –

 India – one of the country with highest rates - Stunting prevalence – 10.1% higher in rural
of domestic inequalities in malnutrition. areas;

 Largest disparities in stunting in India, - Uttar Pradesh with over 40% stunting
Nigeria and Indonesia. level – one of the worst affected regions.

 In India: - Rates of overweight/ obesity – 20.7% in

adult women and 18.9% in adult men.
 One in two women of reproductive age is
anaemic. - Coexistence of undernutrition and
overweight/ obesity – India faces double
 One in three children under five years of
burden of malnutrition – likely to miss the
age is stunted.
2025 nutrition targets.
 One in five children under five years is
wasted.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q3. With reference to the Geographical Indications (GI)
Tags, which of the following pairs are correctly
matched?
GI Tag State
1. Sohrai Khovar Painting Jharkhand
2. Telia Rumal Assam
3. Srivilliputhur Palkova Tamil Nadu
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Pg – 14  C, B, D, H, T.

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Jharkhand’s Sohrai Khovar painting

• To welcome their winter harvest

• To worship their cattle as the Goddess of

wealth

• To offer a thanksgiving to the forces of nature

 The tribal communities of Jharkhand and

West Bengal celebrate a festival called
‘Sohrai’ in the month of October-November

• The tribal women decorate their mud houses,

repairing it after the rains, with designs of
flowers, fruits, sparrows, peacocks, squirrels,
cows, and various other nature-inspired designs

• The art has two major stylistic divisions

1. Sohrai paintings – during winter harvest of

crops

2. Khovar art – during weddings Civilspedia Team - Powered by Shankar IAS Academy
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Telangana’s Telia Rumal

• Means ‘Oily handkerchief’ – the yarn is treated
with oil
• The treated yarn which is used for the length
and width is tied and dyed in accordance with a
predetermined geometrical design.
• Telia Rumal cloth involves intricate handmade
work with cotton loom displaying a variety of
designs and motifs in three particular colours —
red, black and white.
• It can only be created using the traditional
handloom process; otherwise, the very quality of
the Rumal would be lost.
• Puttapaka, a small, backward village of the
Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh had about
20 families engaged in handloom weaving –
patronised by rich Muslim families and the Nizam
rulers.
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Practice Question – Prelims

Q4. The Constitution of India has given special powers to
Rajya Sabha. In this context, to do which among
following Rajya Sabha is empowered?
1. It can authorise Parliament to make law on a
subject enumerated in the state list.
2. Creation of All-India Services.
3. Proclamation of National emergency.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) All are correct

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q5. The ‘World Health Assembly’, often seen in news is:
(a) The annual assembly of members of the Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM) to discuss health
situation in the third world countries.
(b) It is a specialized agency of the UN, working
directly under the UN Security Council.
(c) It is a platform under the SAARC-ASEAN
cooperation to deal with the unique diseases faced
by the region.
(d) It is the decision making body of the World Health
Organization (WHO).

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Answers
1. Option ‘a’
2. Option ‘a’ – 1 only.
3. Option ‘b’ – 1 & 3 only.
4. Option ‘a’ - 1 & 2 only.
5. Option ‘d’

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Practice Question – Mains

GS – II
Q. Elaborate the constitutional position of Rajya Sabha as
compared with Lok Sabha. In the above context,
discuss the effectiveness of Rajya Sabha in the recent
times. (250 words, 15 marks)

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