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This kind gesture of yours will boost our morale to work even more harder and to get such many more amazing videos. Before starting today's news analysis, as we all know, yesterday is a very unfortunate day as 20 of our soldiers have attained martyrdom. Let us pray for strength and support to their families. Let us start today's news analysis. This article appeared in opiate page of today's newspaper. It talks about member of parliament local area development scheme or insured MP lads and why the suspension of this program is not a good move. In this context, know that the union government has suspended this program that is MP lads program for two years. It is one of the many measures taken by center in preparation for a fight against coronavirus and its adverse impact on the economy. The suspension of MP lads would help government save a total of around 8000 crores in two years. However, the move to suspend this program has evoked a strong criticism from many quarters especially from opposition MPs. Firstly, let us discuss MP lads in brief. See this program was initially announced by prime minister in parliament in the year 1993. Then the scheme was under the control of ministry of rural development. Later in 1994, the scheme was transferred to ministry of statistics and program implementation. Even now, this ministry coordinates this program. Here know that the objective of scheme is to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature in their constituencies. This program has main emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs of the people. Here the role of MP is limited only to recommendation of works. The fund is directly released to district authority which has responsibility to sanction, execute and complete the works. Here so it means MP can only recommend the works. All the execution is taken care by the bureaucracy that is district authorities. In addition know that right from the inception of scheme that is in 1993, durable assets of national priorities for example drinking water, primary education, public health are being created under this MP lads program. So when the program was started, only an amount of rupees 5 lakh was allotted to each MP. Now this amount has been increased to 5 crores per each MP for each financial year. This MP lads is a scheme and this 5 crore rupees is completely or fully funded by the government of India that is union government and state government need not share any expenses. On coming to recommendation of works in their constituencies, Lok Sabha members can recommend works only within their constituencies while Raj Sabha members can recommend works in the state from which they have been elected. Unnominated members in both Lok Sabha and Raj Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country. This is because the scheme undergoes an impartial and meticulous auditing. This is because the second instalment of funds is released only when the first instalment is fully utilised with no audit objections. Other says that this procedure leaves no place for corruption. The author says that the scheme undergoes an impartial and meticulous auditing. This is because the second instalment of funds is released only when the first instalment is fully utilised with no audit objections. Other says that this procedure leaves no place for corruption. The author further states that this MPL scheme has enabled members of parliament to play a leadership role in the developmental process of his constituency and sort out its day-to-day problems. Specifically here, author notes that the suspension of this programme for two years has dented the vital role being played by members of parliament. On talking about the development in states, the author notes that generally the ruling party channels the public money to particular constituencies based on political considerations. This often leads to skewed development and regional imbalances. This type of funding by the state government to appease people and for vote-bank politics affects the opposition MLS. This is because generally the ruling party develops the constituencies only where they have one or elector. So in this scenario, this MPL scheme acts as a means to an antidote to this favouritism by state governments. This is because the scheme provides opposition MPs some chance to cater to the developmental needs of their constituency. Here author notes that the suspension of this scheme has snatched away this limited opportunity. Next, there is a greater need to develop areas inhabited by scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people in order to give special attention for the infrastructure development in such areas. Under MPL scheme, MPs have to recommend every year works costing at least 15% of five crores for the areas inhabited by scheduled caste and 7.5% of five crores for the areas inhabited by the ST population or scheduled tribe population. It means 75 lakhs for scheduled caste areas and 37.5 lakhs for scheduled tribe areas. Further, around Rs. 20 lakhs of these five crores per annum should be allotted for the welfare of differently abled people. So author says that by suspending this programme, the developmental aspirations of all these marginalised communities, that is scheduled caste people, scheduled tribe people and differently abled people are undermined. In conclusion, author says that this MPL scheme should be restored as early as possible in order to cater to the developmental aspirations of local people and to iron out regional imbalances caused by political appeasement policies of the government. This is all about this news article in which we have discussed about MPLAT's programme and why it is suspended and what are the consequences of such suspension. Let us move on to next news article. This news article is about India's election to UN Security Council. See, we all know that India is likely to be elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council for 2021 and 2022. If you recollect, we have elaborately explained about UNSC on 6th June in the news analysis. In today's discussion, let us discuss in brief UNSC importance of India's membership and what is coffee club. The syllabus is given here for your reference. So coming to UNSC composition, it has 15 members out of which 5 are permanent, which are called P5 members and 10 non-permanent members. And also know that UNSC is one of the main organs of United Nations and all the member states of UN are obligated to comply with UNSC decisions. The UN Charter, which was adopted in 1945, vested the primary responsibility for the maintenance and international peace and security with Security Council. Further, the UNSC calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or settlement. In extreme cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. Further, note that the Security Council has a presidency which rotates and changes every month. This presidential post is held by both permanent and non-permanent members in the English alphabetical order of their names. As we just said, the UNSC has 5 permanent members which are China, France, Russia, UK and USC. And coming to 10 non-permanent members, know that 5 are elected every year by General Assembly for a two-year term and for this non-permanent membership, India is expected to be elected for a two-year term that is 2021 to 2022. And these non-permanent members are elected on the base of geographical representation, which means out of 10 non-permanent members, 5 come from Africa and Asian states, 1 from Eastern European states, 2 from Latin America and 2 from Western European and other states. So this geographical representation and permanent membership was designed based on the global order post-World War that is in 1945. But if you see, over a period of time, the global order has changed and there has been a demand for reforming the structure and membership of UN Security Council. This is essential mainly because the current UNSC does not reflect the present day geopolitics. Here note that 4 major countries which are aspiring a permanent seat in expanded UNSC are India, Japan, Germany and Brazil. These 4 countries often support each other's bid to expanded UN Security Council. In this context, it is imperative to know about Coffee Club. See, this is an informal club comprising more than 40 members and has been holding back reforms in UN Security Council. The prime movers of this club are Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Argentina and our neighbor, Pakistan. While Italy and Spain are opposed to Germany's bid and Pakistan is opposed to India's bid. Similarly, Argentina is against Brazil and Australia is opposing Japan's bid to Security Council membership. Now this Coffee Club has reinvented themselves into a group called Uniting 4 Consensus. These countries favor increasing the number of non-permanent members without expanding the permanent members of UNSC. In this context, the news article says that India served as a non-permanent member in UNSC 7 times and for the upcoming 2021-2022, India remains unopposed for the Asia-Pacific seat. Even though there is no opposition, India needs two-third of votes of 193 members of UN General Assembly i.e. 129 votes. Further, the article says that Mexico is also unopposed in its bid for Latin American seat. And coming to African seat, there is a straight contest between Kenya and Djibouti. The main contest is between Canada, Ireland and Norway for the two seats in Western European and other states. Here the article says that India will have to make a tough diplomatic decision as all these countries happen to be good friends of India and expect India's vote in their favor. Next, let us discuss what is the significance of India's membership here. Here, one important thing to note is welcoming a non-permanent member for eight times will reinstate the India's claim for permanent membership in UNSC. This will also help us to push forward our agendas such as upholding multilateralism, demand for transparency in mandates for UN peacekeeping missions and pushing for UNSC expansion. Further, India will also highlight its long-term concern i.e. addressing international terrorism by pushing India-led Comprehensive Convention for International Terrorism i.e. CCIT. India's overall objective during this tenure will be to achieve norms. Here, norms stand for a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system. With this, we come to the end of this news article. We have discussed about UNSC, India's membership and coffee club. Let us move ahead with this news article. This article was written by former ambassador of India to Nepal. He talks about the changing Nepal ties with India and consequences. The syllabus is given here for your reference. If you recollect in the recent past, we have discussed many articles regarding Indo-Napal ties where we have seen how Nepal is aflating towards China and how it is affecting India-Napal relations. Further, we also discussed how Nepal is claiming Indian territory and even approving new maps claiming Indian land as their territory. In this context, the former ambassador of India to Nepal writes how Nepal's global ties evolved in the recent past. If you see, India and Nepal share unique ties of friendship and cooperation as close neighbors which can be identified by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people context of kinship, relationship and culture. Here, other feels that due to globalization and other factors, Nepal is changing and so is the relationship with India also. It means the change in attitude of Nepal is affecting the Indian-Napal ties. Firstly, others says that the Benaras or the new Varanasi was a keystone of Indian-Napal ties for centuries. This is because many political leaders of Nepal were resident of Benaras and also many Nepalist bureaucrats and politicians had studied at Benaras Hindu University. However, with changing times, this equation has changed now. Now, instead of Varanasi or Benaras, Bengaluru is most preferred because Nepali programmers work for Indian tech companies in Bengaluru. This has made Kathmandu-Bengalore sector as one of the most profitable sectors for Nepal Airlines. Second, Nepal has become a democratic country after 240 years of monarchy. But in 2015, when Nepal government adopted a new constitution, they ignored concerns of a few sections of Nepal which is contrary to their democratic assertions. Even India also tried to explain Nepal and expressed its concerns over new constitution. Here, India's concern was the violent reaction to constitution in the low-lying southern plains of Nepal which are adjoining India, which we call as Terai region. So, what was the concern? See, the people inhabited in Terai region who are Madesis and Tharu ethnic minorities expressed their concern about proposed boundaries of new provinces according to new constitution. The new boundaries could lead to their political marginalization in their own country. Here, India's concern was very genuine because the violence in Terai region could have spilled over to India. But Nepal ignored India's concerns which affected Indian-Napal relations. So, third major change is, in the name of nationalism, Nepal's politicians use anti-India sentiments for their personal gain. If you see in the recent border dispute between India and Nepal, Nepal government has approved a map depicting disputed areas as Nepal territories. In this issue, the political parties used anti-Indian sentiment for their personal gain to hide their incapacities of administration. Further, the Nepal's parliament has also approved the changes in the constitution approving the new borders that is claiming Indian territory. So, there exists a suspicion that this newfound confidence of Nepal is because of Chinese backing. It shows how China's presence in Nepal's politics is increasing. Next, there is lack of progress on 5000 megawatt Pancheshwar multi-purpose project. If you see, this is a bi-national hydropower project to be developed on Mahakali river bordering India and Nepal. Here, both sides will develop infrastructure for mutual benefit. This project is seen as a game-changer for Nepal because Nepal's viable hydro-electric potential is somewhere around 40,000 megawatts. But it generates only 1,000 megawatts and imports 600 megawatts from India to match their domestic needs. So, these are all the changes discussed by the author while talking about Indo-Napal relations. Here, author compares Nepal's attitude as angst or anxiety or fear of a small state. But to India, Nepal appears incorrigible or unreformable. We all think that what Nepal is doing is completely wrong and it cannot be reformed. Next, the author talks about the prevalent societal change in Nepal due to globalization. This societal change happened due to globalization is also affecting India-Napal relations. First, as a landlocked nation, Nepal depended on Indian imports for many years and as a result, India played an active role in Nepal's affairs. But what happened in the recent years is China has gradually gained influence in Nepal by increasing investments, aid, and loans. So, one side, China's influence is increasing on the other side, India's influence is decreasing. Here, importantly, China considers Nepal as a key partner in Belt and Road Initiative and wants to invest in Nepal's infrastructure. Second, post-1990, Nepalists began looking for work opportunities globally beyond India. As a result, West and Southeast Asia became major destinations for labour migration. Because of this, nearly one-fifth of Nepal's population were reportedly staying overseas. They account for nearly $8 billion of global remittances to Nepal. Interestingly, this is equal to 30% of Nepal's nominal GDP. In addition, Nepali students began moving to Europe, USA, Australia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea and not just India. This outward movement of students creates a lack of common collegiate roots between India and Nepal. So, the emerging Nepali leaders in politics, business have not studied in India and as a result, they won't have any personal connection with India. This removed a natural bond of previous generations which provided for better understanding between the both countries. So, these reasons contributed to the societal change in Nepal and as a result, affected or weakened India and Nepal people-to-people relations. Now, a question may arise in your mind that what India and Nepal are moving apart? Here, author says no because Nepal's linkages with India remain robust. As Nepal's trade with India has grown and according to author, it continues to account for more than two-thirds of Nepal's external trade. This reflects the advantages of both physical and societal geography. Secondly, India continues to be the largest aggregate investor in Nepal. In addition, know that the massive under construction Aarun-3 hydroelectric project is slated to singly produce as much power what Nepal produces today. This project is a 900 megawatt project expected to be completed in five years. Next, author talks about how Nepali rupee is pegged with Indian rupee. The pegging of Nepali rupee with Indian rupee provide a unique stability to the Nepali currency. Moreover, the Nepal's relationship with India with open borders and Nepal is being allowed to live and work freely provides Nepal a unique advantage and an economic cushion. This economic cushion provided by India is particularly important in the current context of COVID-19 pandemic. See, this COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the remittances of Nepal. See, we have just discussed that 30% of Nepal's GDP is dependent on the remittances from other countries. So, due to COVID-19, these remittances have severely decreased and is affecting Nepal's economy. Here, author notes that neither China or any major economy is going to help Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic. Here, you can infer that India and Nepal relations are unique and robust and should be maintained as such for the benefit of both the countries. In this context, author provides a few certions for re-strengthening of ties with Nepal. According to author, first India should focus on developing its border areas with Nepal. It means better roads, better amenities, etc. This will improve the people-to-people relations as well as economic advantage to both the countries. Here, author notes that India must not forget the past and unique relationship with Nepal. Instead, it must be mindful of realities of changing India and a changing Nepal. So, with this, we come to end of this news article. In the last 20 to 25 days, we covered Indian-Napal relations extensively. We talked about geography, history of Indian-Napal relations, the current border dispute, and our unique ties. In this news article, you might have understood how India and Nepal has unique ties of friendship and cooperation. Let us take up this question, which is based on these two news articles. One of them is about the huge biodiversity in the city of Gauhati of Assam. Although Gauhati is relatively an urban area, it is unique as the people of Gauhati live with several hundreds of flora and fauna. The article has mentioned the term urban jungle for Gauhati. So, urban jungle refers to the existence of human beings and free-ranging fauna in the same space. Here, it is important to note that Gauhati is ecologically rich with almost 18 hills, 8 reserve forests, 2 wildlife sanctuaries, and resides the river Brahmaputra flowing past its northern edge. In addition, the city also has a Ramsar site at Deepore Bill. Here, know that the Ramsar Convention or the Convention on Wetlands is an inter-governmental treaty. This treaty provides framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. In this context, let us see what Montrex Record is. Montrex Record is a selected wetland site on the list of wetlands of international importance. The wetlands where changes in ecological character has occurred or occurring or likely to occur are included in this Montrex Record. Know that this record is maintained as a part of Ramsar List. So, we can simply say that Montrex Record is a list of wetlands which need special attention from the authorities to minimize or prevent ecological changes. At present, two wetlands from India are under Montrex Record. They are Kheoladio National Park in Rajasthan and Loktak Lake of Manipur, which we are going to discuss in the next news article. So, coming back to current discussion, know that the Deepore Bill is a permanent freshwater lake in a former channel of Brahmaputra River. It is of great biological importance and is only major storm water storage basin of Gaukati. In the bill, we can see some of the largest concentration of aquatic birds of Assam. In Prelim's point of view, and for the benefit of people who are appearing for Prelim's 2020, we have tabulated the important species, along with their conservation status, present in the news articles. You can see Ganges River Dolphin here, Chinese Pangolin, Leopard, Black Hooded Oriole, Asian Elephant, Gaur are Indian Bison. The first column denotes IUCN Red List, second one Sites and third one India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. With this information, let's get back to the question. Here, four pairs of different species, along with their IUCN status, is given and we are supposed to identify the correctly matched pairs. First one, Ganges River Dolphin, Endangered, Chinese Pangolin, Critically Endangered, Leopard, Vulnerable and Indian Bison, Vulnerable. As you can see, all the four pairs are correctly matched. So the correct answer for this question is Option D, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Let us take up this question. This question is based on this news article, which talks about Lonor Lake and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and Geological Survey of India. According to news article, the Bombay High Court has asked for the reports of Environmental Impact Assessment of Lonor Lake. This is because the color of the lake turned to pink. If you recollect on 13th of this month, we discussed in detail about this lake and possible reason for color change. Here, know that Lonor Crater Lake is a lake of lagoon in Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra. This lake is a saline and alkaline lake created by meteorite impact about 52,000 years ago. So what is a crater or a crater lake? See, crater means a circular depression in the surface of a planetary body. Mostly these are created as a result of impact of meteorites or of volcanic explosion. In this context, a NASA expert has found that there is a glass formation over the surface of the bedrock of Lonor Crater. Here, know that the bedrock is basalt rock. This type of glass formation is a new future not found anywhere else on the earth. So far, it is found only on the beds of craters existing on moon. So, court ordered the expert team from Neere that is National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and Geographical Survey of India to examine glass formation also. Here, know that Neere is a constituent body of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research that is CSIR. Here, the mandate of Neere is given here for your reference. Kindly have a look. So let's get back to the question. Here, three pairs of lakes, along with the places where they are located, is given. We are supposed to identify the correctly matched pairs. The first one, Loctac Lake, situated in Assam. See, this pair is incorrect because Loctac Lake is in Manipur and not in Assam. This lake is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India. This is also the only floating lake in the world. In addition, know that this lake has been designated as a wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention in 1990. Further, it was also listed under Montrex Record in 1993. So coming to second pair, it is Lonar Lake. This pair is correct as we have just seen that Lonar Lake is in state of Maharashtra. Coming to third pair, that is Sambar Lake. This pair is also correct since the Sambar Lake is in Rajasthan. Here know that this is India's largest saline wetland and also a designated Ramsar site. So the correct answer is option D 213 only. Let us take up this news article which appeared in page number 7 of today's newspaper. This article talks about the plight of migrant labour and the importance of cooperative societies. As we know, the pandemic COVID-19 has affected almost all the sections of society but the migrant labour are one of the most affected of all the sections because they lost their employment and many migrant labour lost their lives and most of them came back to their native place. If you recollect, in the last one month we have discussed multiple articles regarding the plight of migrant labour. For example, on 15th May we have discussed about the announcements made by central government for migrant labour. On 20th May we talked about flawed stimulus which also talks about migrant labour and on 1st June we talked about universal basic income which would help the migrant labour followed by on 10th June we talked about Jaljeevan mission and how migrant labour can be used in Jaljeevan mission. We have also talked about expanding Mignorega to agri-activities as well as small-scale industries. We also talked about urban employment guarantee scheme. If you combine all these points you can write a very beautiful main answer regarding the plight of migrant labour. This article would help one more perspective or one more solution to the plight of migrant labour. The author of this article says that migrant workers can form co-operatives and unions. She also talks about the advantages of forming co-operative societies. For example, the co-operatives can do collective bargaining which empowers the workers. It stops the exploitation of workers. In addition, co-operatives can give collective services if they are given a chance to expand. For example, a group of tailors can come together and form a contract with a government factory. And if these co-operatives are funded and assisted by the government, a lot of co-operatives are formed by the migrants. In addition, author also says that so far, Mignorega offered a way of alleviating the problems of migrant workers. But this is only a short term occupation for labour and provides only seasonal employment. So author suggests that the Mignorega should be restructured and the funds of Mignorega can be used to enable women or artisans to market their domestic products. So this is all about this news article. So one novel point discussed in this news article is forming of co-operatives by migrant workers. Now let us move to the last segment of today's news analysis that is Practice Questions Discussion. The first question is based on MPLATS program that is Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Three statements about MPLATS are given and we are supposed to identify incorrect statements. The question says with reference to MPLATS Scheme consider the following statements. Statement one, it is fully funded by Government of India. Yes this statement is correct. Coming to statement two, it comes under the control of Ministry of Rural Development. No, this statement is incorrect since the scheme is administered by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Statement three, under the scheme the MPs must recommend works that give special attention for infrastructure development of areas inhabited by schedule cost and schedule tribes. Yes this statement is also correct. As we discussed MPs have to recommend every year works costing at least 15% of MPLATS fund for schedule cost areas and 7.5% for schedule tribe areas. So the correct answer for this question is option B, two only since we are supposed to identify incorrect statements. Next let us take up this mains question. This is a previous year mains question appeared in GS2 paper of 2015 UPSC exam. The question says discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council. Then it was a 12.5 marks question and word limit is 200 words. We request you to write this question in 150 words if possible or within 200 words. So in intro you can talk briefly about UNSC or permanent members or you can talk about why India is entitled to a permanent seat in UNSC. Then you can write all the points we have discussed in today's news article. For example you can talk about G4 countries followed by coffee club or uniting four consensus group which are holding the reforms in UNSC. You can talk about China acting as an obstacle and add your own viewpoints and end with a proper conclusion. Let us take up one more mains question. This is a practice question. The question says India and Nepal must act according to the changing scenarios keeping in mind the past and the future. Discuss. This is a 10 marks question and word limit is 150. First you can talk about changing scenarios like Nepal embracing globalization and border disputes. Nepal tilting towards China etc. and importance of Nepal amidst rising tensions between India and China. You can also talk about unique types of friendship and cooperation and people to people links and open borders etc. But main focus of the question should be how India and Nepal should act. Today we have talked about how India and Nepal can move ahead even in the changing scenarios and you can end with a proper conclusion. Dear viewers kindly answer these mains questions and post them in the comment section. We will get back to you with appropriate feedback within short time. With this we conclude today's news analysis. 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