Current Affair 1:

Integrated farming system approach

 

A “whole-farm” approach or integrated farming systems that supplement traditional crops with farming vegetables, fruits, poultry or fish is re-emerging as a nature-based solution to boosting productivity in climate-stressed regions.

We will learn about IFS.

At present, the farmers concentrate mainly on crop production which is subjected to a high degree of uncertainty in income and employment to the farmers. In this contest, it is imperative to evolve suitable strategy for augmenting the income of a farm.

Integration of various agricultural enterprises viz., cropping, animal husbandry, fishery, forestry etc. have great potentialities in the agricultural economy. These enterprises not only supplement the income of the farmers but also help in increasing the family labour employment.

1. The integrated farming system approach introduces a change in the farming techniques for maximum production in the cropping pattern and takes care of optimal utilization of resources.
2. The farm wastes are better recycled for productive purposes in the integrated system.
3. A judicious mix of agricultural enterprises like dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery, sericulture etc. suited to the given agro-climatic conditions and socio-economic status of the farmers would bring prosperity in the farming.

IFS is a farming practice meant for all-round development of agriculture with animal husbandry and other occupations related to core agricultural practices.

Current Affair 2:

Zika Virus

 

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Current Affair 3:

Referendums and The Indian Constitution

 

Very important article for Prelims and Mains both. You won’t find anywhere. Please read.

Earlier this month, Russia voted on an important referendum that brought significant changes to its Constitution. The Russians decided to grant President Putin the option of leading the country until the year 2036, by limiting a President's Rule to two six-year terms in total rather than two consecutive terms. They also voted to effectively ban same-sex marriages in the country

What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy?

Majority of democratic nations across the world, follow the system of an indirect democracy, wherein the citizens elect their representatives, who in turn make laws, determine policies and carry-on administrative work. On the other hand, in some countries citizens directly take part in the administration of the country, decide on policy issues and make laws as well. This form is called a direct democracy and a referendum is a facet/means of it. In a referendum, the citizens are called to vote in person (rather than through their elected representatives) on a policy decision to be taken by the government (for instance, United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union) or an amendment to their Constitution. Several nations have incorporated provisions for referendums in their Constitution.

Here we will discuss the position of referendums in India, starting from the discussions in the Constituent Assembly.

a. Constituent Assembly and Referendums

The Constituent Assembly while debating upon the provisions of the Constitution, witnessed a lengthy discussion on the position of a referendum. We will not go in detail, just we will see statements put up by leaders during discussion.

1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (President of the Assembly) responded to this demand, by stating that any discussions on a referendum would be futile, since there is no provision for one in the Constitution
2. Dr. Ambedkar cited the examples of the Irish Constitution, Swiss Constitution and the Australian Constitution, to argue that a referendum involves an elaborate and difficult procedure and hence, has not been included in our Constitution.
3. Shri Brajeshwar Prasad during debate in Assembly advocated for referendums. Vey important for you people if you want to write something supporting referendum. Read below.

b. Independent India and Referendums

The Constitution as adopted by the Constituent Assembly, did not have any provisions for a referendum. However, the nation witnessed referendums on five key occasions.

1. First, during the incorporation of Chandernagore within the territory of India
2. Incorporation of princely state of Junagadh, wherein the citizens voted to accede to India rather than Pakistan in the year 1948
3. Pondicherry (a former French territory) voting to join the Indian Union in the year 1954.
4. Incorporation of Goa, Daman and Diu. It should be noted that the government did not call the this exercise a 'referendum' but an Opinion Poll. However, in effect it was a referendum.
5. The last referendum happened in the year 1975, wherein the inhabitants of Sikkim decided on their merger with India

Note: It should be noted that while the Constitution does not allow for referendums, the tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, recognised under the Sixth Schedule have incorporated provisions allowing referendums in election matters [For instance, United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chief and Headman) Act, 1959]. These areas have been given such autonomy so as to protect their distinct culture.

Current Affair 4:

Departmentally Related Standing Committee

Source Link

 

Link: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/parliament-and-its-panels/article32613874.ece

If you learn about basic about anybody, you will never forget. Read now.

These DRSCs replaced the earlier three Subject Committees constituted in August 1989. The 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees were formally constituted with effect from April 1993.  After experiencing the working of the DRSC system for over a decade, the system was re-structured in July 2004 wherein the number of DRSCs was increased from 17 to 24.

Ok, one thing you remember here, that DRSC, are mentioned in the Rules of House of both Lok Sabha (331C) and Rajya Sabha (268).

Composition:

Till 13th Lok Sabha, each of these Standing Committees used to consist of 45 members—30 nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 15 members nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from amongst the members of Rajya Sabha. However, with re-structuring of DRSCs in July 2004 each DRSC consists of 31 members—21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.

Minister not to be a Member of the Committee:

A Minister is not eligible to be nominated as a member of any of the Standing Committees and if a member, after her/his nomination to any of the Standing Committees, is appointed a Minister, she/he ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such appointment.

Term of Office:

The term of office of the “members” of the committees shall not exceed one year. Thus, it is the term of office of the members and not that of the committees per se that is one year. Remember this small thing

 

The Committees do not consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the concerned Ministries/ Departments. The Committees also do not generally consider the matters which are under consideration by other Parliamentary Committees.

 

 

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