Describe what gender budgeting is. What relevance does this idea have in India? Has the government made any efforts to put this idea into effect?
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Anil BhargavBegginer
What does GDP (gross domestic product) mean to you? How is the computation made? Additionally, set it apart from the GNP, or gross national product.
Anil BhargavBegginer
What are direct and indirect taxes, in your opinion? Explain why indirect taxes are viewed as regressive and direct taxes as progressive, using examples.
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Direct tax is a type of tax where the incidence and impact of taxation fall on the same entity. In the case of direct tax, the burden cannot be shifted by the taxpayer to someone else. Income tax, corporation tax, property tax, inheritance tax and gift tax are examples of direct tax. Indirect tax isRead more
Direct tax is a type of tax where the incidence and impact of taxation fall on the same entity. In the case of direct tax, the burden cannot be shifted by the taxpayer to someone else. Income tax, corporation tax, property tax, inheritance tax and gift tax are examples of direct tax. Indirect tax is a levy where the incidence and impact of taxation do not fall on the same entity. The burden of tax can be shifted by the taxpayer to someone else. It is usually imposed on a manufacturer or supplier who then passes on the tax to the consumer. It is imposed on a product or service. Indirect tax has the effect of raising prices of products on which they are imposed. Goods and Services Tax (GST), customs duty etc. are examples of indirect taxes. Direct taxes are considered progressive because the government can impose a lower tax rate on low-income earners compared to those with a higher income. That means in direct taxes, it is possible to impose higher taxation rates for the rich and lower tax rate for the poor. It reduces the tax burden on people who can least afford to pay them and takes a larger percentage from high- income earners. For example, personal income tax in India has a higher tax rate for higher income slab. Indirect taxes are considered regressive in nature as they are applied uniformly to all taxpayers, regardless of their income level. For example, same rate of taxation is applied in case of GST, an indirect tax, on the same amount of goods or services purchased. If two individuals buy the same amount (say a packet of biscuits), both have to pay the same amount of tax. The GST, in effect, constitutes a higher percentage of the lower-earning individual’s wages and a lower percentage of the higher-earning individual’s wages. In this way, direct taxes facilitate higher burden of taxes on the rich acting as a tool of redistributive justice while indirect taxes affect the poor more. Therefore, increasing the indirect taxes is considered as a regressive step while imposing direct taxes as per income level of the taxpayer is considered as progressive tax.
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Talk about the potential for virtual assets to be abused for money laundering purposes. Furthermore, outline the corrective actions that can be done to lessen the risks associated with using virtual assets.
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A virtual asset (VA) is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, or transferred, and can be used for payment or investment purposes. In recent years, the virtual asset space has evolved to include a range of new products and services, business models, and activities and interaRead more
A virtual asset (VA) is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, or transferred, and can be used for payment or investment purposes. In recent years, the virtual asset space has evolved to include a range of new products and services, business models, and activities and interactions. While, such new technologies, products, and services have the potential to spur innovation, they also create new opportunities for criminals and terrorists to launder their proceeds or finance their illicit activities.
Vulnerabilities of VA’s in terms of misuse for money laundering
- Borderless nature of technologies: existence outside the formal financial system The borderless nature of virtual assets and their makes them a tempting option for criminals to conceal proceeds of corruption and other crimes, evade tax or fund terrorism.
- Obfuscation of transactions: New illicit financing typologies including the increasing use of virtual-to-virtual layering schemes have the capability to further obfuscate transactions in a comparatively easy, cheap, and secure manner. For example- hackers used virtual assets to receive payment during ransomware attacks- “wannacry”.
- Rise in the use of virtual assets: The use of virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies, for legitimate as well as illicit purposes, is exploding. In January 2021, there were an estimated 106 million cryptocurrency users globally.
- Limited data on their use for illegitimate purposes: There is very limited information and data on the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal purposes. According to a 2021 report by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, of the estimated USD 21.4 billion in cryptocurrency transactions in 2019, criminal activity represented around 2.1 percent (USD 450 million).
- Rise of newer technologies/business models: The virtual asset ecosystem has witnessed a rise of anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies (AECs), mixers and tumblers, decentralized platforms and exchanges. These technologies enable reduced transparency and increased obfuscation of financial flows.
Corrective steps for mitigation of risks emanating from virtual assets
Authorities should apply a risk-based approach to ensure that measures to mitigate money laundering are commensurate with the risks:
- Licensing and Registration: Licensed or registered Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) should be required to be in the jurisdiction where they are created.
- Preventing criminal involvement: Authorities should take the necessary legal or regulatory measures to prevent criminals or their associates from holding, or being the beneficial owner of VASPs
- Implementing FATF recommendations: Authorities should ensure that VASPs are effectively implementing the relevant FATF Recommendations.
- Setting up systems for monitoring and compliance: VASPs should be subject to effective systems for monitoring and ensuring compliance:
- VASPs should be supervised or monitored by a competent authority, which should conduct risk-based supervision or monitoring.
- Supervisors should have adequate powers to supervise or monitor and ensure compliance by VASPs, including the authority to conduct inspections, compel the production of information, and impose sanctions.
- Originator Information: Authorities should ensure that beneficiary VASPs obtain and hold accurate originator and beneficiary information on virtual asset transfers, and make it available on request to appropriate authorities.
- International cooperation: Countries should rapidly, constructively, and effectively provide the widest possible range of international cooperation in relation to money laundering and terrorist financing relating to virtual assets.
Countries must recognise the need to adequately mitigate the money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) risks associated with virtual asset activities, and implement FATF requirements for effective regulation and supervision/monitoring of virtual asset services providers.
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Talk about the concepts that led to the creation of various armed forces stationed along international borders. Emphasize these troops’ role in maintaining India’s security as well.
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Presently, there are seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) which come under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Four CAPFs along with the Indian Army are entrusted to guard the 15,106.7 Km long international land border which India shares with seven different countries. TRead more
Presently, there are seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) which come under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Four CAPFs along with the Indian Army are entrusted to guard the 15,106.7 Km long international land border which India shares with seven different countries. The reasons for the conceptualization of different Central Armed Police Forces for guarding the international borders are:
- Non-uniform borders: The International borders are not uniform in character and have different physical features, terrain, and climatic conditions. Different specialized forces are needed to cater to the needs of different terrain. For example, the Indo-China border is guarded by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is a specialized mountain force.
- Different threat perceptions: The nature of threats varies across the international border. For example, the western front of India which faces the challenge of infiltration and terrorism is guarded by BSF, ITBP guards the North-Eastern borders against external aggression etc.
- Diverse cultural regions: These forces needed an in-depth understanding and familiarity of the culture and ethos of the border populations as they are entrusted with promoting a sense of security and integration among these populations.
Guarding the international borders, preventing trans-border crimes such as smuggling, conducting counter-insurgency operations, gathering intelligence, preventing unauthorized entry or exit from the territory of India, aid to the civil administration, and support during disaster management are some of the similar roles performed by these four CAPFs on the international border. The specific contributions of each force for ensuring the security of India are as follows:
- Assam Rifles (AR): Which guards the Indo-Myanmar border was formed in 1835. After independence, it performed a conventional combat role during the Sino-India War 1962 and as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka in 1987, it participated in Operation Pawan. This force has played a stellar role in integrating the tribal population with mainstream India. It is the highest awarded and decorated Para Military Force of the Republic of India.
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): This force provided security along the entire stretch of the India-China border. Its contributions are diverse and many such as providing security cover to sensitive installations, VPs, and during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. It is also mandated to perform wartime roles with the Indian Army.
- Border Security Forces (BSF): Deployed on the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, the force was raised in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war. Contributions of BSF include assistance to the Army during the India-Pak war in 1971 and the Kargil conflict in 1999. It was also instrumental in controlling militancy in Punjab and fighting militancy in Kashmir.
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): This force is deployed on the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. SSB is instrumental in generating a sense of national belonging, security, and vigilance. It trains villagers in the art of self-defense to develop a spirit of resistance. Its contributions include achieving ‘Total security preparedness’ in the remote border areas.
Though the CAPFs perform multiple crucial roles, these forces are sometimes forced to work in poor working conditions with several operational bottlenecks. The Joshi Committee, 2018 highlighted modernization of CAPFs, training, and capacity building reforming the promotion and cadre management policies, etc. as the urgent and impending reform to improve the functioning of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Migration represents the desire of people for safety, respect, and a better future. Examine the complex nature of internal migration in India in light of this, and talk about how it is inextricably linked to development. (Answer in 250 words)
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Migration is a truly global phenomenon, with movements both within nations and internationally across borders. As per the 2011 census, India had around 45 crore migrants in 2011 (38% of the population) compared to 31.5 crore migrants in 2001 (31% of the population). Migration in India has often beenRead more
Migration is a truly global phenomenon, with movements both within nations and internationally across borders. As per the 2011 census, India had around 45 crore migrants in 2011 (38% of the population) compared to 31.5 crore migrants in 2001 (31% of the population). Migration in India has often been considered as an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety, and a better future due to its multidimensional nature as given below:
- Economic dimension: It includes factors like the labour market of a place, the employment situation, and the overall state of the economy. Favourable economic conditions at the destination and the desire to escape the domestic social and political situation of their home region can draw migrants to their destination.
- Socio-political dimension: Factors like family conflicts, the quest for independence, ethnic, religious, racial, and cultural parameters, political instability, warfare, or the threat of conflict in the area of origin contributes to migration.
- Ecological dimension: It includes environmental factors, such as climate change and the availability of natural resources etc. that cause individuals to migrate in search of more favourable ecological conditions.
These dimensions play a key role in deciding the pattern of internal migration in India. Apart from this, migration also has an inherent relationship with development, which is given below:
- Economic development:
- Internal migration results in a more efficient allocation of human resources to sectors and regions where they are better utilized.
- Migration boosts the working-age population. Migrants arrive with skills and contribute to human capital development of the receiving area.
- Migration leads to economic development of both origin and destination areas. While migrants spend most of their wages in their destination areas, boosting demand there, they also tend to send money to support families back home.
- Socio-cultural development:
- Migrants make the destination place more culturally diverse as they bring new languages, new foods, new religions, new styles of music etc.
- The tendency to live among one’s own group is pronounced and responsible for establishing enclaves within cities. Enclaves offer advantages of community and social support, greater availability of ethnic goods and food, centres of worship and other community institutions.
Despite these development implications of migration, there are some issues, which compromise people’s aspiration for dignity, safety, and a better future as follows:
- Migrant workers at the destination area live in a deplorable condition, mostly in slums, open spaces, or makeshift shelter.
- Migration is perceived negatively, with locals fearing loss of jobs to migrants. This often leads to social tension and migrants face issues like xenophobia and discrimination and are subjected to harassment/violence in workplaces etc.
- Migration of women is associated with various kinds of exploitation like low wages, gender-based violence like trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution or forced marriage.
- Migrants are also deprived of their access to political participation as they stay away from their home and hence are unable to practice their voting rights leading to a concern of political voicelessness.
Like urbanization, migration is a trend and forms an integral part of economic development and social transformation. By dealing with and encouraging the diversity inherent in migration, development can be ensured for both the places of origin and the destination. So, there is an imperative need for a coherent and holistic migration policy in order to address the aforementioned challenges and reap the benefits of migration.
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Describe how the dynamics of family size, structure, and relationships have been shaped by globalization in contemporary Indian culture. (Answer in 250 words)
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Globalization is a transnational phenomenon which allows the free exchange and movement of ideas, technology, labour, capital and goods encouraging nations, businesses and individuals to become integrated into the global market. As individuals, families, communities, and societies increasingly becomRead more
Globalization is a transnational phenomenon which allows the free exchange and movement of ideas, technology, labour, capital and goods encouraging nations, businesses and individuals to become integrated into the global market.
As individuals, families, communities, and societies increasingly become integrated into new complex globalized systems, their values, traditions, and relationships change and it directly and indirectly affects family life in the following ways:- Size and structure: With globalization, the family size has shrunk into independent and smaller households with couples having one or two children away from the traditional bigger joint family system. The changes in the family structure have resulted in growing adoption of nuclear families.
- Further, a modified extended family structure is emerging where individual nuclear families retain considerable autonomy while maintaining relations with other individuals and joint families.
- Empowered status of women: The increased influx of women into the formal and informal labour force and their rising educational levels have had profound implications for family life.
- While there is rising family incomes and decreased dependence on men, it has also accompanied conflicts with traditional values about the roles of women and men resulting in rising divorce rates, increased age of marriage, etc.
- Changing demographics: Lower fertility rates correlated with the rising age of marriage in much of the industrialized and developing world including India threatens the rise of ageing population and redistribution of demographic composition of the country in near future.
- Growing individualism: The younger generation is investing in the primacy of their individual interests and freedom with respect to family interest, which is leading to individualism increasing even within the family structure.
- Changing definitions of Marriage: Marriage is changing in nature and there is emergence of new forms of relations, which are replacing traditional marriages. For instance, live-in relationships, same sex marriages etc.
- Weakening bonds: The fast-paced life, increased mobility and increased aspirations of young working couples has rendered physical distance and attention lag in their nurturing of children resulting in loose family bonding, deprived emotional connection between them and their children and elderly.
- Most of the socializing functions like child raising, care for elderly, and education have been outsourced to agencies, crèches, training centres which were once done exclusively by the family.
While globalization has had positive and negative implications on family life, decisions about employment, migration, marriage, gender roles, and caretaking are still subject to family life and local culture.
See less - Size and structure: With globalization, the family size has shrunk into independent and smaller households with couples having one or two children away from the traditional bigger joint family system. The changes in the family structure have resulted in growing adoption of nuclear families.
Anil BhargavBegginer
The potential of natural resources in the Arctic region as catalysts for economic growth should be examined, taking into account the ecological and societal consequences of their utilization. (Answer in 250 words)
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The natural resources of the Arctic are the mineral and animal resources within the Arctic Circle, which include major reserves of oil and natural gas, large quantities of iron ore, copper, nickel, zinc, phosphates and diamonds. Potential of the Arctic natural resources: Marine resources: The ArcticRead more
The natural resources of the Arctic are the mineral and animal resources within the Arctic Circle, which include major reserves of oil and natural gas, large quantities of iron ore, copper, nickel, zinc, phosphates and diamonds.
Potential of the Arctic natural resources:- Marine resources: The Arctic has a a significant stock of living marine resources and is one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. For example, the Bering Sea contains numerous fish including shrimp, scallops and many more.
- Oil and gas reserves: The Arctic supplies the world with roughly 10 percent of its oil and 25 percent of its natural gas mostly from onshore sources. It is also estimated to hold 22 percent of the Earth’s undiscovered oil and natural gas reserves.
- Rich minerals: The Arctic is rich in minerals, such as coal, iron ore, nickel and copper ore. Mineral resources also include gemstones and rare earth elements, which are key to the electric vehicle and renewable energy revolutions.
- Ecosystem services: The Arctic region supports a wide array of ecosystem services that are necessary for the well-being of people living in the Arctic as well as globally. For example, the Arctic tundra supports reindeer populations, which in turn provide food and income for hunters and their families.
Due to the availability of vast natural resources, the economic potential of the Arctic is enormous. If exploited and utilised optimally, it could create significant economic opportunities for the nations having access to the Arctic as well as the local communities of the region. It would further enhance job creation owing to the development of infrastructure as well as industries such as mining. However, exploitation of these resources can lead to various impacts, such as:
- Environmental impacts:
- Oil exploration, mining and deep-sea drilling are cost-intensive and may pose environmental risks, such as air and marine pollution, particularly from oil spills, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, radioactive substances, etc.
- Increase in economic activities in this region will further speed up the process of melting of the Arctic ice. This will lead to release of GHGs stored under permafrost regions resulting in more extreme weather, flooding, drought and poor health.
- Social impacts:
- Indigenous populations of the Arctic heavily depend on the resources provided by their environment for their subsistence. The receding ice sheets may impact the livelihood and food security of the region.
- Economic development will generate increased competition between the outsiders and the indigenous population for access to resources, as well as geo-political conflicts among the Arctic nations. For example, there is competition between subsistence fishing and offshore oil and gas extraction in Alaska.
On a positive aspect, Arctic trade routes will decrease global GHG emissions from shipping because these routes would be much shorter than the current routes. However, the sustainability factor would depend on the actual choices made by the Arctic countries and industries for economic development.
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Despite the fact that there are many causes of land subsidence, it is crucial to assess the potential impact and develop a long-term strategy to reduce any negative effects. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
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Land subsidence, or the progressive sinking of land, can be caused by a number of things, such as mining, groundwater extraction, natural sediment compaction, and seismic activity. It presents serious concerns, including the potential for building structural damage, unstable infrastructure, an increRead more
Land subsidence, or the progressive sinking of land, can be caused by a number of things, such as mining, groundwater extraction, natural sediment compaction, and seismic activity. It presents serious concerns, including the potential for building structural damage, unstable infrastructure, an increased danger of flooding, and environmental deterioration. Therefore, evaluating its possible influence is essential to reducing these negative impacts. First off, precise information on subsidence patterns can be obtained by extensive monitoring systems that make use of GPS, satellite photography, and other technologies. Understanding the amount and rate of subsidence as well as forecasting future trends depend heavily on this data. Second, over-extraction-related subsidence can be lessened with the aid of sustainable water management techniques like controlling groundwater extraction and fostering the use of alternate water sources. Sinking regions can also be stabilized by artificially replenishing groundwater. Land subsidence, the gradual sinking of land, can result from various causes, including groundwater extraction, mining, natural compaction of sediments, and seismic activities. It poses significant risks such as structural damage to buildings, infrastructure instability, increased flood risk, and environmental degradation. Hence, assessing its potential impact is critical for mitigating these adverse effects. Thirdly, evaluations of the danger of subsidence must be incorporated into infrastructure development and urban planning. Construction methods and materials that endure the effects of subsidence should be mandated by building regulations and land-use policies. Finally, encouraging community participation in subsidence management programs and increasing public knowledge of the problem can help to unite efforts to resolve it. The negative effects of land subsidence can be successfully reduced by using a comprehensive strategy that incorporates scientific, governmental, and community-based tactics, guaranteeing safer and more resilient landscapes.
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Anil BhargavBegginer
Examine how climate change can affect the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). What actions can be performed to lessen it? (Answer in 250 words)
Gender Budgeting refers to integrating gender perspective in preparation, analysis and assessment of budgets and policies and translating gender commitments into budgetary operations. It is put into use by embedding gender-specific goals in fiscal policies by emphasizing on reprioritization rather tRead more
Gender Budgeting refers to integrating gender perspective in preparation, analysis and assessment of budgets and policies and translating gender commitments into budgetary operations. It is put into use by embedding gender-specific goals in fiscal policies by emphasizing on reprioritization rather than an increase in overall public expenditure or creation of a separate budget. It aims to achieve gender mainstreaming in legislation, policies and programmes to ensure that benefits and development reach women.
Significance of gender budgeting in India:
The Centre and states have taken various steps to adopt gender budgeting, such as:
Apart from these, there is a need to significantly increase the budgetary allocation for women, as funds allocated for Gender Responsive Budgeting are approximately 5% of the public expenditure and less than 1% of GDP. Further, careful analysis of gender-oriented schemes before launching and post implementation would go a long way in curbing gender inequalities and contributing to the overall development.
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