UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Questions on India and Indonesia relations and urban local bodies (Week 80)

QUESTION 2

India and Indonesia share a rich history of cultural and commercial interactions spanning over two millennia. Discuss the recent developments between the two countries.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has highlighted the significant challenges faced by urban local bodies (ULBs). Suggest measures to address these issues and ensure better governance in urban areas.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Local bodies are institutions of local self-government that oversee the administration of a specific area or small community, such as a village, town, or city.

— Local bodies in India are broadly divided into two groups. Local bodies formed for local planning, development, and administration in rural areas are known as Rural Local Bodies (Panchayats), while those formed for local planning, development, and administration in urban areas are known as Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities).

— Local government is a state topic under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Article 243 G of the Indian Constitution enshrines the fundamental idea of devolution of authority to local bodies.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— Concerned about the health of urban local bodies, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) discovered that city self-governments in 18 states serving 241 million residents face a 42% resource-to-expenditure gap, with only 29% of expenditure going towards programmatic and development work.

— The CAG determined that 31 years after the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which empowered urban local governments, went into force in 1993, these 18 states have yet to completely execute the provision in spirit.

— The CAG has produced a compendium of audit reports on the 74th Amendment’s implementation in 18 states. It included 393 urban local self-governments (ULSGs) from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, and Uttarakhand.

— The CAG discovered that on average, urban bodies generated 32% of their own money, with the remainder coming from the Union and state governments. The urban municipalities were able to collect 56% of their property tax demand.

— Only 29% of the present expenditure of urban local authorities was allocated to thematic and development efforts. There was an average vacancy of 37% against the sanctioned personnel strength. On the other hand, urban bodies in 16 states had little or no control over recruiting.

Conclusion:

— The 74th Amendment mandated that states delegate 18 tasks to urban local governments, including urban planning, land use and building regulation, water supply, economic and social development planning, and public health. The CAG discovered that, on average, 17 of the 18 duties had been devolved. Nine states—Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, and Tripura—had devolved all 18 duties.

— The CAG stated that the states had failed to comply with the “in-spirit reading” of the 74th amendment. Only four of the functions delegated to urban local bodies have “complete autonomy”. The CAG advised that states include urban local authorities in important functions such as planning.

(Source: What is ailing urban local bodies in 18 states: CAG flags 42% resource-expenditure gap, 37% staff vacancy)

Points to Ponder

What is the devolution of powers?

74th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992

Part IX-A of the Indian constitution

Financial resources of urban local bodies

Related Previous Year Questions

‘‘The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.’’ Comment. (2023)

Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing development projects? (2018)

QUESTION 2: India and Indonesia share a rich history of cultural and commercial interactions spanning over two millennia. Discuss the recent developments between the two countries.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— India and Indonesia have had two millennia of close cultural and trade ties. The Hindu, Buddhist, and eventually Muslim faiths travelled to Indonesia from India’s coasts. Indonesian folk art and theatre are based on stories from the classic epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

— The shared culture, colonial history, and post-independence ideals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and autonomous foreign policy all contribute to the unification of bilateral ties.

— Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1951. India and Indonesia have a vibrant and diversified relationship, marked by significant strategic and economic collaboration.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Recent developments

— Bilateral processes, together with India’s increased engagement with ASEAN, of which Indonesia is a key member, have boosted India’s economic ties with Indonesia. Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia was less than US$3 billion in 2000, rising to US$ 14.2 billion in 2010 and then to USD 38.85 billion in 2022-23.

— The Global Maritime Fulcrum program demonstrates Indonesia’s strategic goal of using its maritime geography for economic development, security, and geopolitical influence.

— The East Asian economic model, internal obstacles, economic collapse, food security issues, and regional complexity such as the East Timor movement have all had a significant impact on Indonesia’s destiny.

— Indonesia’s mineral-rich economy is among the world’s major exporters of thermal coal, rubber, palm oil, nickel (essential for EV batteries), and tin, as well as a substantial exporter of natural gas. This makes it a natural complement to India’s growing manufacturing industry. There are opportunities for stronger collaboration between Indian service providers and Indonesian businesses to assist them decrease their costs.

— In 2020, India and Indonesia discussed how to deal with the health and economic issues faced by the COVID-19 pandemic, including guaranteeing an uninterrupted supply of medical and pharmaceutical items.

Conclusion:

— The shifting geopolitics, climate change, and digital transition present numerous difficulties, making it critical for India and Indonesia to develop bilateral collaboration. Food security, seamless cross-border connectivity, climate change mitigation, inclusive digital transition, and resilient infrastructure development are just a few of the significant difficulties that Global South countries such as India and Indonesia face.

— There is enormous opportunity for collaborative efforts in infrastructure development, renewable energy, and digital innovation.

(Source: With Indonesia, India’s opportunity and Beijing’s eye, http://www.cgimedan.gov.in, http://www.ris.org.in)

Points to Ponder

Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia

How can India counter Indonesia-China developments?

Related Previous Year Questions

‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of the Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further, discuss how this relationship affects India’s maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition. (2024)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 79)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 78)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 78)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 79)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 80)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 79)

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