SHORT ANSWERS FOR KAS MAINS- GENERAL STUDIES-PAPER 2
1.answer in 250 words.
a)List the recommendations of the Karnataka Knowledge commission
The Karnataka Knowledge commission is headed by G.Kasturirangan. It was established in 2008 to help transform Karnataka into a knowledge society. It has submitted 89 recommendations of which 12 are implemented. It has recommended fellowships to tap young and creative talent. It seeks to establish centres in universities to document. Acess and disseminate community wisdom, knowledge and practices.
Higher education to be made student centric with regard to design of courses. An autonomous body is to be set up to oversee institutional and academic standards of teacher training institutions. Fellowships to be instituted for professional growth of teachers.
The commission has advocated GIS for agriculture, infrastructure, rural development, urban areas, health, education and industrial development. The Karnataka GIS should work under the Dept. of IT&BT and make available services to all citizens.
It has also recommended an Independent academy for teachers dealing with recruitment, induction and capacity building. Public spending on drugs to be raised to 15% and free medicines to be made available to the poor and needy. Primary healthcare facilities for the urban poor, centralized procurement of drugs and decentralized distribution ; certification of traditional skills; setting up of community family level nutritive kitchen gardens and loans to students for higher education are some of the recommendations of the Commission.
The C omission has advocated encouragement to research and innovation, removal of geographic restrictions, flexibility to students in representation in college/university bodies.
2. Answer in 150 words.
a) Examine the role of the VITC in promoting exports.
The Visveswaraya Industrial and Trade centre under the Dept. of Industries &commerce, is the nodal authority for promoting exports. The major items of export are coffee, spices, handicrafts, engineering goods. With respect to Information and communication technology Karnataka accounts for 25% of the country”s exports. 61% of the State’s exports are electronic goods and computer software, gems and jewellery account for 12%,
The VITC conducts export awareness programmes, short term training and workshops and seminars.
Participation in national and international fairs and at the Karnataka pavilion at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi is done through the VITC.
Provision of market intelligence, export documentation, technology upgradation, export related programs for prospective and existing exporters are carried out by VITC.
The exports of agriculture and processed food products, handicrafts and leather goods have increased
Marginally.
3. Answer in 50-60 words.
a)Outline the features of Suvarna Gramodaya.
Suvarna Gramodaya is a new scheme launched by the Govt. of Karnataka. 1000 villages are to be developed every year. The scheme seeks to provide adequate infrastructure. The selected village will have potential for development. The NGOs will be involved in implementing various aspects. internal roads of the village will be paved, there will be water supply schemes for weaker sections, sites and houses under Ashraya will be provided to all; there will be separate sites for solid waste disposal; land based activities animal husbandry, water conservation schemes, agro-forestry, anganwadis to higher education, medical facilities. All these will be integrated in the village plans.
The CEO of the Zilla panchayat is the co-ordinating authority.
4. Answer in 20-25 words.
a) ANSIRD
The Abdul Nazir Sab Institute for Rural development is an institute set up by the State Govt. at Mysore to train officials and elected representatives in rural development.