Daily Answer Writing

Model Answer

Advantages of Commercial Coal Mining in India

1. Reducing Dependence on Imports: India currently imports about 20% of its coal requirements. The introduction of commercial coal mining is expected to reduce this import bill by at least one-third, enhancing energy security.
2. Modernization of the Coal Sector: The entry of new private players is anticipated to set benchmarks in mechanization and automation, leading to improved mining practices and efficiency.
3. Revenue Generation for States: Revenue from coal mine auctions will go directly to coal-bearing states, incentivizing them to invest in the development of backward areas. This is a significant shift from the previous captive mining model, where companies did not pay royalties to states.
4. Increased Productivity: Opening the sector to private and foreign investments will break the monopoly of Coal India Limited, fostering competition and encouraging higher production levels.
5. Economic Opportunities in Aspirational Districts: Many of the newly auctioned mines are located in aspirational districts, which will create jobs and stimulate local economies.

Challenges Faced by Commercial Coal Mining

1. Broad Eligibility Criteria: The new regime allows bidders without prior mining experience, raising concerns about non-serious bidders who may not intend to mine but rather leverage coal mines as assets.
2. Overexploitation of Resources: The absence of end-use restrictions may lead to excessive coal mining, prioritizing profit over sustainable practices.
3. Environmental Concerns: States like Jharkhand have expressed worries about potential destruction of forest cover and displacement of tribal communities due to increased mining activities.
4. Financial and Risk Management Challenges: Successful bidders must manage rehabilitation and resettlement, a task that requires significant financial resources and risk management capabilities, which many firms currently lack.

To ensure the success of the commercial coal mining regime, it is crucial to address state concerns regarding revenue sharing and establish a sustainable mining code to streamline regulatory processes.

Model Answer

Ethical Concerns 

Foreign-funded medical research in developing countries often raises ethical issues, despite its potential to advance global health and economic development. These concerns are rooted in disparities between the host country and the funding organizations.

1. Ethical Issues in Clinical Trials: In many cases, clinical trials in developing countries suffer from inadequate informed consent, where participants may not fully understand the risks and benefits. There is also the issue of unequal risk distribution, where vulnerable populations are exposed to higher risks without equitable benefits (Source: Ethical guidelines for medical research).
2. Vulnerabilities of Local Research Teams: Local research teams may feel pressured to accept research methodologies and ethical standards dictated by foreign sponsors, particularly if these investments improve the local research infrastructure. This compromises their ability to challenge unethical practices (Source: Global health research standards).
3. Cultural and Regulatory Differences: Ethical standards, such as those regarding consent and patient care, vary widely across countries. Ensuring consistent ethical practices across different jurisdictions becomes challenging when regulations differ (Source: World Health Organization guidelines).
4. Monitoring and Accountability: Limited resources in developing countries can hinder the effective monitoring of research projects, leading to potential exploitation or negligence (Source: Global health monitoring systems).
5. Benefit Sharing and Responsiveness to Local Needs: Medical research often doesn’t address the immediate health needs of the local population, while the risks of such studies disproportionately affect them. Benefits such as new treatments may not be shared equitably (Source: Ethical frameworks in international research).
6. Data Protection and Ethical Review: Data integrity, privacy, and local laws regarding data handling must be strictly followed, but there is often a lack of robust ethical review systems in developing countries (Source: Guidelines on data protection in research).

Conclusion

To address these concerns, it is critical that foreign-funded medical research adhere to ethical principles such as respect for human rights, cultural sensitivity, and non-exploitation of vulnerable populations.

Model Answer

Introduction

International institutions like the UN Security Council and the World Trade Organization aim to promote fairness in global relations. However, states often prioritize national interests, disregarding moral values and the objectives set by these institutions. This leads to a gap between stated commitments and actual practices in international relations.

Reasons for States Not Adhering to Fairness (200-220 words)

1. Sense of Insecurity and Power Politics

International relations are often driven by a balance-of-power politics, where nations act out of insecurity, focusing on maximizing their power. Even nations that pledge non-violence and peaceful conduct often pursue nuclear weapons to secure their sovereignty.

Example: Despite commitments to non-violence, countries like North Korea and India have pursued nuclear weapons for security reasons.

2. Regional Supremacy and Economic Interests

Nations often prioritize regional dominance and economic self-interest over fairness, supporting other nations or taking actions that serve their objectives.

Example: China’s support for Pakistan, including arms funding and vetoing international sanctions, highlights its regional aspirations and its disregard for the wider impact on other countries, particularly India.

3. Colonial Hangover and Interference in Internal Affairs

Despite the global commitment to sovereignty and non-interference, some states continue to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries, often out of historical legacies or geopolitical considerations.

Example: The UK’s discussions in Parliament about the abrogation of Article 370 in India demonstrated how former colonial powers continue to influence domestic affairs.

4. Distributive Justice and Climate Change

Developed nations, who are primarily responsible for climate change, often fail to contribute equitably to climate mitigation, prioritizing their own economic growth over global sustainability.

Example: Developed countries often resist providing the necessary support to developing countries in addressing climate change, despite being the major contributors to it.

5. Self-interest vs. Global Standards

States often pursue policies based on their own national interests, which may conflict with global standards of fairness and justice.
Example: India’s industrial growth, fueled by fossil fuels, conflicts with international climate change agreements that prioritize carbon reduction.

Conclusion

Although international institutions aim to ensure fairness, states often prioritize self-interest, security, and economic gains over the moral standards they publicly uphold. This discrepancy challenges global cooperation and underscores the need for ethical practices in international relations, especially in addressing global crises like terrorism and climate change.