CURRENT AFFAIRS ORGANIC AND ORGANISED DECEMBERJANUARY 20212019
A LETTER FROM MY HEART
Dear IAS Aspirant Friends, It gives me immense pleasure to present to you the 360º Current Affairs Magazine for the month of January 2021. The dedicated team that compiles and edits Current Affairs at IAS WINNISHERS has made sincere efforts to provide to you the most relevant and important news from the point of view of Interview, Mains and especially the soon approaching Prelims.
Our mission is to build IAS aspirants into human beings who can become IAS officers. In that direction, we strive to facilitate the current affairs knowledge that is ORGANIC and ORGANISED.
The present issue carries information on two important signature programs conducted by IAS WINNISHERS, both of which have produced amazing results in the past. Get more information on GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY AND INTERVIEW GUIDANCE PROGRAM on our website and benefit immensely from them.
Wishing You Success Vinay Kumar R Founder & CEO, IAS WINNISHERS
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902 | 9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 1
Contents
1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION...... 8 1.1.FSSAI SLASHES LIMIT FOR TRANS FAT LEVELS IN FOODS ...... 8 1.2.CENTRE MERGES J&K CADRE OFFICERS WITH AGMUT ...... 9 1.3.SECTION 66A’ ...... 9 1.4.NATIONAL STARTUP ADVISORY COUNCIL ...... 11 1.5.REVIEW OF AADHAAR ORDER ...... 12 1.6.DATA PROTECTION LAW...... 14 1.7.DRAFT POLICY TO HELP GROW NANO, MICRO ENTERPRISES ...... 16 1.8.MOCK TRIALS OF REMOTE VOTING PROJECT SOON ...... 17 1.10.INDIA JUSTICE REPORT 2020 ...... 18 1.11.STATE RAISES MARATHA QUOTA, BORDER DISPUTE WITH KARNATAKA ...... 19
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ...... 23 2.1.ASIA PROTECTED AREAS PARTNERSHIP (APAP) ...... 23 2.2.ONE PLANET SUMMIT 2021 ...... 24 2.3.INDIA’S PROPOSAL TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO COMBAT TERRORISM ...... 26 2.4.INDIA, VIETNAM HOLD 13TH DEFENCE SECURITY DIALOGUE ...... 27 2.5.FIFTH UNEP ADAPTATION GAP REPORT, 2020 ...... 27 2.6.INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020 - UNDESA ...... 28 2.8.WORKING FROM HOME: FROM INVISIBILITY TO DECENT WORK - ILO REPORT ...... 30 2.9.SEVEN UN MEMBERS LOSE RIGHT TO VOTE OVER UNPAID DUES ...... 33 2.10.GLOBAL FIREPOWER INDEX 2021 ...... 34 2.11.TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (TPNW) ...... 35 2.12.INDIA ANNOUNCES PLEDGE OF USD 150,000 TO UN PEACEBUILDING ...... 37 2.13.INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA) ...... 38 2.14.CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) 2020 ...... 39 3. ECONOMY ...... 43 AGRICULTURE ...... 43 3.1.AGRI TRANSFORMATION IS NEXT GROWTH FRONTIER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP ...... 43 3.2.BRING PULSES UNDER PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ...... 44 3.3.IN AGRI-CREDIT ...... 46 3.4.FOCUS ON FARM POLICY FRAMEWORK ...... 47 3.5.AGRI FINANCING AND AGRI STORAGE ...... 49 FINANCIAL SECTOR ...... 50 3.6.RBI DEVISES INDEX TO TRACK DIGITAL PAYMENTS ...... 50 3.7.DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS ...... 50 3.8.SEBI TO ALLOW NEW PLAYERS TO SET UP STOCK EXCHANGES ...... 51 3.9.BANK INVESTMENT COMPANY ...... 52
Copyright © by Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd
All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 2
3.10.PANEL FOR LEEWAY FOR LLPs ...... 54 3.11.AADHAAR ENABLED PAYMENTS ...... 56 3.12.DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION ...... 57 FISCAL POLICY ...... 58 3.13.FACELESS TAX SCHEME...... 58 3.14.DIGITAL SERVICES TAX ...... 59 3.15.EXISTING TAX LAWS SHOULD BE LIBERALISED ...... 60 3.16.REDUCING TAX GAP ...... 62 3.17.OFF BUDGET BORROWING ...... 62 3.18.THE FLYPAPER EFFECT ...... 63 INDUSTRY &INFRASTRUCTURE...... 64 3.19.PM LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF LIGHT HOUSE PROJECTS ...... 64 3.20.EMBRACING ENERGY EFFICIENCY ...... 65 3.21.FIRST INDIA-EU IPR DIALOGUE 2021 ...... 66 3.22.NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE ON TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR ...... 67 3.23.WHAT THE BUDGET CAN DO TO HELP MSME's ...... 68 EXTERNAL SECTOR ...... 69 3.24.INDIA'S TRADE WITH CHINA FALLS IN 2020 ...... 69 4. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY ...... 71 4.1.WHY LIGHTNING KILLS ...... 71 4.2.PROTESTS OVER ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE IN NARMADA DISTRICT ...... 71 4.3.BIRD FLU (AVIAN INFLUENZA) IN INDIA ...... 73 4.4.A GRAND DAM DIVIDES AFRICAN NATIONS ...... 74 4.5.NEW SPECIES OF FRUIT FLY IN INDIA ...... 75 4.6.WHY SEAWEEDS NEED TO BE CONSERVED URGENTLY ...... 75 4.7.CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION ...... 76 4.8.FOREST FIRES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH ...... 76 4.9.BIOSECURITY ...... 77 4.10.2020 – ONE OF THE HOTTEST YEARS ON RECORD ...... 78 4.11. RED PANDA ...... 78 4.12.STEEP DECLINE IN BIRD COUNT WORRIES BIRDERS ...... 79 4.13.MINING OF RARE EARTH METALS AND ITS IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT ...... 80 4.14.FOREST RIGHTS ...... 81 4.15.BIHAR STATE BIRD FESTIVAL ‘KALRAV’ ...... 83 4.16.WOLF SANCTUARY IN KARNATAKA ...... 83 4.17.GAPS IN COMPLIANCE OF ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES ...... 84 4.18.WHY GEO-ENGINEERING IS A DANGEROUS TECHNO-UTOPIAN DREAM ...... 84 4.19.SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING ...... 85 4.20.ARCTIC WILDLIFE REFUGE...... 86 4.21.DOLPHIN POPULATION IN CHILIKA LAKE RISES TO 156 ...... 87 4.22.LOOKALIKE SNAKES BUT WITH SELF -STYLED VENOMS ...... 87 4.23.MORE FLASH DROUGHTS IN INDIA BY END OF CENTURY ...... 88 4.24.HOW SCIENTISTS ARE COUNTING ELEPHANTS FROM SPACE ...... 88 4.25.THREE SITES SELECTED IN MP FOR HOSTING CHEETAH ...... 89 4.26.GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2021 ...... 90
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 3
4.27.INDIA’S FIRST GAS TO ETHANOL PLANT IN MAHARASHTRA ...... 91 4.28.INDIA TO EXPAND TOURISM AND RESEARCH IN ARCTIC ...... 91 4.29.WORLD’S LARGEST SURVEY ON CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 92 4.30.NBWL RECOMMENDS TO DENOTIFY TURTLE NESTING SITE IN ANDAMAN...... 92 4.31.NATIONAL MARINE TURTLE ACTION PLAN ...... 93 4.32.GREEN INDIA MISSION ...... 93 5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ...... 96 SPACE RELATED ...... 96 5.1.MASSIVE STORM ON NEPTUNE ...... 96 5.2.ISRO PLANS FOR GREEN FUELS IN ROCKETS ...... 96 5.3.MOON'S BIRTH UNLOCKED BY SUPERCOMPUTER SIMULATIONS ...... 97 5.4.MARS DIGGER BITES THE DUST AFTER 2 YEARS ON RED PLANET ...... 97 5.5.DECODING A METEORITE THAT FELL NEAR JAIPUR IN 2017 ...... 98 5.6.STARDUST SPACECRAFT AND ITS MISSION ...... 99 5.7.MID-AIR ROCKET LAUNCH ...... 100 5.8.ASTROSAT’S ULTRAVIOLET IMAGING TELESCOPE SPOTS RARE ULTRAVIOLET-BRIGHT STARS ...... 100 5.9.LARGEST SEA ON SATURN’S MOON TITAN ...... 101 5.10.SpaceX LAUNCHES RECORD 143 SATELLITES ...... 102 5.11.SATURN’S TILTING AXIS ...... 102 5.12.HOW NEUTRINOS AID IN THE DEATH OF MASSIVE STARS...... 103 5.13.HAM'S 16 MINUTES OF FAME ...... 103 5.14.AXIOM MISSION 1 (AX 1) ...... 104 OTHER NEWS ...... 105 5.15.NIIST DEVELOPS ALTERNATIVE TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ...... 105 5.16.ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: APPLICATION ...... 106 5.17.NEW 2D TAGS, AI AUTHENTICATION TO SPOT COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS ...... 107 5.18.TECH FOR SECURE FACE AUTHENTICATION AT ATMS, KIOSKS ...... 107 5.19.DRONE THAT CAN SMELL OBSTACLES USING LIVE MOTH ANTENNA ...... 108 5.20.ISRO TO ADOPT 100 ATAL TINKERING LABS ...... 108 5.21.WEBINAR ON WATER PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR MSMEs ...... 109 5.22.GENERAL MOTORS UNVEILS CADILLAC FLYING CAR AND SHUTTLE CONCEPTS ...... 110 5.23.GOOGLE TO USE QUANTUM COMPUTING TO DEVELOP NEW MEDICINES ...... 110 5.24.HOW IS INDIA PREPARING TO ROLL OUT COVID-19 VACCINES? ...... 111 5.25.ALUMINIUM-AIR BATTERY ...... 112 5.26.THE THREAT OF DEEPFAKES...... 113 5.27.GOOGLE SHUTS DOWN A HIGH-PROFILE MOONSHOT COMPANY ...... 114 5.28.IISC RESEARCHERS DEVELOP SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR ‘SMART’ VIDEO TRACKING ...... 115 5.29.SSI MANTRA: A NEW SURGICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM ...... 116 5.30.NASAL VACCINE FOR COVID-19 ...... 116 5.31.NEW SUPERCOMPUTER IN WYOMING TO RANK AMONG WORLD'S FASTEST ...... 117 5.32.QUANTUM COMPUTERS ANDCLASSICAL ONES ...... 117 5.33.ROBOTS TO RETRIEVE RADIOACTIVE REMNANTS FROM FUKUSHIMA, OTHER RETIRED NUCLEAR PLANTS ...... 118 5.34.MITOCHONDRIAL DNA ...... 119 6. SECURITY ...... 121 6.1.83 TEJAS FIGHTERS CLEARED FOR AIR FORCE ...... 121
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 4
6.2.AKASH-NG MISSILE ...... 121 6.3.JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN ANDAMAN SEA...... 121 6.4.IAF AND FASF CONCLUDE EX DESERT KNIGHT 2021 ...... 122
7. SOCIAL ISSUES ...... 123 SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES ...... 123 7.1.PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA ...... 123 7.2.CHILD MALNUTRITION ...... 124 7.3.WOMEN FARMERS IN INDIA ...... 125 7.4.WAGES FOR HOUSEWORK ...... 126 7.5.ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS FOR PURCHASING /FITTING OF AIDS/APPLIANCES (ADIP) SCHEME ...... 127 7.6.NUMBER OF INDIA’S ELDERLY TO TRIPLE BY 2050 ...... 128 7.7.THE MAJHIS ...... 129 7.8.TRIFED EXCHANGES MoU WITH IFFDC ...... 130 7.9.CUSTODIAL DEATH ...... 130 7.10.SEWER WORKER DEATHS ...... 132 7.11.COVID-19 DEEPENED INEQUALITIES...... 134 ISSUES RELATED TO EDUCATION ...... 135 7.12.FOREIGN COLLABORATION IN EDUCATION ...... 135 7.13.STANDARDIZATION OF RESEARCH ...... 136 7.14.A BIG PUSH FOR EDUCATION ...... 138 7.15.STARS PROJECT ...... 139 ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH ...... 140 7.16.LUMPY SKIN DISEASE (LSD) ...... 140 7.17.OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES(OOPE) ON HEALTH ...... 140 7.18.NUCLEAR MEDICINES ...... 141 7.19.A NEW FRAMEWORK AROUND CASTE AND THE CENSUS ...... 142 URBANISATION ...... 144 7.20."INDIAN CITIES IN THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD" REPORT ...... 144
8. SCHEMES ...... 146 8.1.ICT GRAND CHALLENGE ...... 146 8.2.THIRD PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (PMKVY 3.0) ...... 146 8.3.FACELESS PENALTY SCHEME ...... 148 8.4.BABU JAGJIVAN RAM CHHATRAWAS YOJNA ...... 149 8.5.PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA ...... 149 8.6.PM SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (PMSSS) ...... 152 8.7.PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEMES ...... 153 8.8.BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO SCHEME ...... 154 8.9.SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILING OF PM SVANidhi BENEFICIARIES ...... 155 8.10.DUARE SARKAR AND PARAY PARAY SAMADHAN PROGRAMMES ...... 157 9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS ...... 159 9.1.CHENNAI TOPS THE WORLD IN CCTV SURVEILLANCE ...... 159 9.2.PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS CONVENTION 2021 ...... 159 9.3.KALARIPAYATTU ACADEMY BRACES FOR ACTION ...... 159 9.4.VANAMITRA AWARD ...... 160
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 5
9.5.JANAAGRAHA CITY GOVERNANCE AWARDS...... 160 9.6.PANDYA COINS ...... 161 9.7.KOLAM ...... 162 9.8.NATIONAL METROLOGY CONCLAVE 2021 ...... 162 9.9.DURGA ‘BHABHI’ AND MAULVI LIAQUAT ...... 163 9.10.WORLD’S OLDEST CAVE PAINTING DISCOVERED IN INDONESIA ...... 164 9.11.JALLIKATTU AND PONGAL FESTIVAL...... 164 9.12.BHAWANA KANTH...... 165 9.13.SOMNATH TEMPLE...... 166 9.14.GURAJADA APPA RAO ...... 167 9.15.KONARK SUN TEMPLE ...... 168 9.16.PADMA AWARDS 2021 ...... 169 9.17.RAM SETU ...... 169 9.18.RISA SET TO BE A NATIONAL BRAND ...... 170 9.19.THE GLOBAL RISKS REPORT 2021 ...... 171 9.20.PATHARUGHAT UPRISING OF ASSAM (1894)...... 172 9.21.‘PRABUDDHA BHARATA’ JOURNAL ...... 172 9.22.AADI MAHOTSAV ...... 172
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 6
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 7
1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION
1.1.FSSAI SLASHES LIMIT FOR TRANS FAT LEVELS IN FOODS
Why in news? The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022from the current permissible limit of 5% through an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations.
The revised regulation applies to edible refined oils, vanaspati (partially hydrogenated oils), margarine, bakery shortenings, and other mediums of cooking such as vegetable fat spreads and mixed fat spreads. Trans fats are associated with increased risk of heart attacks and death from coronary heart disease. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 5.4 lakh deaths take place each year globally because of intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids. The WHO has also called for global elimination of trans fats by 2023.
It was in 2011 that India first passed a regulation that set a TFA limit of 10% in oils and fats, which was further reduced to 5% in 2015.
About FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the administrative Ministry of FSSAI. FSS Act, 2006 consolidates various acts & orders that had earlier handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments, such as–
1. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 2. Fruit Products Order, 1955 3. Meat Food Products Order, 1973 4. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947 5. Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988 6. Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
These were repealed after commencement of FSS Act, 2006.FSSAI was consequently established in 2008 but work within the Food Authority effectively began in 2011 after its Rules and key Regulations were notified.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 8
Highlights of the Food Safety and Standard Act, Landmark cases with FSSAI: 2006 Nestle India Limited The Act aims to establish a single reference point Maggi Case: The maggi for all matters relating to food safety and noodles were reported standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- with excess lead unfit departmental control to a single line of for human command. consumption and The Act established FSSAI and the State Food FSSAI prescribed for Safety Authorities for each State. ban. Cadbury India: It was Highlights of Food Safety and Standards Rule, 2011 reported that worms was found in Cadbury’s The Rules provides for: Dairy Milk. The FSSAI The Food Safety Appellate Tribunal and the declared packaging was Registrar of the Appellate Tribunal, for not proper or airtight adjudication of food safety cases. and made it mandatory Highlights of Food Safety and Standards to change the Regulations 2011 packaging. It covers Licensing and Registration, Packaging and Labelling of Food Businesses, Food Product Standards and Food Additives Regulation. It prohibits and restricts on sales or approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients, such ingredients may cause harm to human health. It provides for Food Safety and Standards on Organic Food and regulates Food Advertising.
1.2.CENTRE MERGES J&K CADRE OFFICERS WITH AGMUT
Why in news? The Centre merged Jammu and Kashmir cadre IAS, IPS and IFS officers with that of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT), also called the Union Territory cadre, through an ordinance.
The move will allow officers posted in these states and UTs to work in J&K and vice versa. In a gazette notification, the government said the President has promulgated an ordinance to amend J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. The Act had made provision for retention of J&K cadre for existing officers and stated that new officers posted in the state would henceforth come from UT cadre. It will give the government access to a larger talent pool at a time it is trying to quicken the pace of development in the erstwhile state
1.3.SECTION 66A’
Why in news? In a bemusing revelation, at least 799 cases are still pending against people under the scrapped Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. It will be recalled that Sec
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 9
66A was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015. But the findings published by digital advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation in collaboration with Civic Data Lab, covering 11 states, show that 1,307 cases were registered even after the apex court declared the law unconstitutional.
Why was the law struck down? A provision in the cyber law which provides power to arrest a person for posting allegedly “offensive” content on websites. The apex court ruled that the section falls outside Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which relates to freedom of speech, and thus has to be struck down in its entirety.
What are the observation of court? • The provision “clearly affects” the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution. • Elaborating the grounds for holding the provision “unconstitutional”, the court said terms like “annoying”, “inconvenient” and “grossly offensive”, used in the provision, are vague as it is difficult for the law enforcement agency and the offender to know the ingredients of the offence. • “When judicially trained minds can reach on different conclusions” while going through the same content, then how is it possible for law enforcement agency and others to decide as to what is offensive and what is grossly offensive, the bench said, adding, “What may be offensive to a person may not be offensive to the other
The grounds for the challenge • While the objective behind the amendment was to prevent the misuse of information technology, particularly through social media, Section 66A came with extremely wide parameters, which allowed whimsical interpretation of the provision by law enforcement agencies. Most of the terms used in the section have not been specifically defined under the IT Act. The petitioners argued that it was a potential tool to curtail freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution and going far beyond the ambit of “reasonable restrictions” on that freedom.
What is the issue now? • The police continue to apply the statute despite it being nullified by the apex court shows legal illiteracy on the part of law enforcers. In fact, in order to please their political masters the police often blindly take recourse to draconian provisions without realising their validity or scope. • In the same vein as Sec 66A, the police have also been guilty of liberally using the draconian National Security Act and sedition charges to curb dissent and curry favour with ruling parties and social groups linked to them. • This, despite SC guidelines protecting free speech against draconian legal provisions.
What does the Information Technology Act, 2000 provide for? • The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for legal recognition for transactions through electronic communication, also known as e-commerce. The Act also penalizes various forms of cyber crime. • The Act was amended in 2009 to insert a new section, Section 66A which was said to address cases of cyber crime with the advent of technology and the internet. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 10
What does Section 66(A) of the IT Act say? • Section 66(A) of the Act criminalises the sending of offensive messages through a computer or other communication devices. Under this provision, any person who by means of a computer or communication device sends any information that is: • Grossly offensive • False and meant for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will; • Meant to deceive or mislead the recipient about the origin of such messages, etc, shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and with fine.
Over the past few years, incidents related to comments, sharing of information, or thoughts expressed by an individual to a wider audience on the internet have attracted criminal penalties under Section 66(A). This has led to discussion and debate on the ambit of the Section and its applicability to such actions.
1.4.NATIONAL STARTUP ADVISORY COUNCIL
Why in news? The government nominated 28 non-official members on the National Startup Advisory Council, including Byju’s Chief Executive Officer Byju Raveendran, Ola Cabs co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal, Kalaari Capital Managing Director Vani Kola and SoftBank India country head Manoj Kohli.
About start up council • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had constituted the council on January 21, 2020, to advise the government on measures required to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country.
Composition of the Council • Chairman:Minister for Commerce & Industry. • Convener of the Council: Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. • Ex-officio Members: Nominees of the concerned Ministries/Departments/Organisations not below the rank of Joint Secretary. • Non-official members, to be nominated by the Central Government, from various categories like founders of successful startups, veterans who have grown and scaled companies in India, persons capable of representing the interests of investors into startups, etc. • The term of the non-official members will be for a period of two years.
Functions • The Council will suggest measures to foster a culture of innovation amongst citizens and students, in particular, promote innovation in all sectors of the economy across the country.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 11
• It will also suggest measures to facilitate public organisations to assimilate innovation with a view to improving public service delivery, promote creation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property rights. • Further, it will suggest measures to make it easier to start, operate, grow and exit businesses by reducing regulatory compliances and costs, promote ease of access to capital for startups. • Mobilize global capital for investments in Indian startups, keep control of startups with original promoters and provide access to global markets for Indian startups.
1.5.REVIEW OF AADHAAR ORDER
The Supreme Court has dismissed petitions seeking a review of its 2018 judgment upholding the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act, with Justice D Y Chandrachud dissenting saying the Court should wait till a larger Bench decides the question of certification of a Bill as money Bill before deciding the review petitions.
What is the issue now? The January 11 order was given by a five-judge Bench, the majority judgment said, “We have perused the review petitions as well as the grounds in support thereof. In our opinion, no case for review of judgment and order dated 26.09.2018 is made out. We hasten to add that change in the law or subsequent decision/judgment of a coordinate or larger Bench by itself cannot be regarded as a ground for review. The review petitions are accordingly dismissed.”
In his dissenting judgment, Justice Chandrachud said two of the “critical questions” dealt with by the Aadhaar ruling were “whether the decision of the Speaker of the House of People… to certify a bill as a ‘Money Bill’ under Article 110(1) is final and binding, or can be subject to judicial review; and… if the decision is subject to judicial review, whether the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (the Aadhaar Act), had been correctly certified as a ‘Money Bill’. The issue whether judicial review can be exercised over a decision of the Speaker had arisen subsequently before another Constitution Bench in Rojer Mathew v South Indian Bank Ltd. This was in the context of whether some provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 (relating to appointments to tribunals and the conditions of service of members), could have been certified as a money Bill. That judgment had said that the Speaker’s decision was not beyond judicial review though the scope was extremely restricted. It had also said that the 2018 Aadhaar verdict had not answered conclusively the question as to what constitutes a money Bill under Article 110 (1) and had directed that it be referred to a larger Bench. The present batch of review petitions should be kept pending until the larger Bench decides the questions referred to it in Rojer Mathew.
Background: The Aadhaar bill has come under controversy due to its passage by the Lok Sabha as a ‘Money Bill’, ignoring amendments recommended by the Upper House
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 12
of Parliament and raised questions over the final role of the speaker in certifying a bill as money bill. The Aadhaar Bill was passed as Money Bills, despite it not meeting the strict criteria laid out in the Constitution. This meant that the Rajya Sabha had only a recommendatory role while discussing these Bills. This debate has also raised questions about the discretion of the speaker which requires him to certify a money bill before being passed on to the other house.
Key features of the Aadhaar Act: It seeks to provide a unique identity to residents and give legal teeth to the government in ensuring that its subsidies and services directly reach the beneficiaries in entirety. Citing away the fears related to privacy of citizens, the What is a money bill? Aadhaar Act says “no core Money bill is a term in the constitution biometric information, referring to certain class of bills which collected or created under contain taxation proposals and proposals this Act shall be shared with related to money matters etc. anyone for any reason Article 110 of the constitution deals with whatsoever or used for any the definition of money bills. It is a purpose other than money bill if it contains only provisions generation of Aadhaar dealing with all or any of the following numbers and authentication matters: under this Act”. Imposition, abolition, remission, The Act also aims at alteration or regulation of any tax providing “good governance, Regulation of the borrowing of the union efficient, transparent, and governmentcustody of consolidated or the targeted delivery of contingency funds of India, the payment subsidies, benefits and or withdrawal of money from any such services”, the expenditure fund for which is incurred from Appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of consolidated fund of India. India, to individuals residing Declaration of charged expenditure on in India through assigning of consolidated fund or increase the amount unique identity numbers to of any such expenditure. such individuals. The receipt of money on account of the The legislation also address consolidated fund of India or public the uncertainty surrounding account of India the project after the Supreme Any matter incidental to any of the Court restricted the use of matters specified above. the Aadhaar number until a constitution bench delivers If any question arises whether a bill is money its verdict on a number of bill or not the decision of the speaker of lok cases challenging the sabha is final and cannot be questioned in a mandatory use of Aadhaar in court of law or in any house of parliament or government schemes and even president. rules on the issue of privacy violation
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 13
Issues with Act The main objectives of Act are creating a right to obtain a unique identification number and providing for a statutory apparatus to regulate the entire process. The mere fact of establishing the Aadhaar number as the identification mechanism for benefits and subsidies funded by the CFI does not give it the character of a money bill. Since it was a money Bill, it could not be rejected or amended by Rajya Sabha. The Upper House can only make recommendations for amendments but those have to be agreed to by Lok Sabha to become effective. The Lok Sabha can decide not to agree to any of the recommendations. This is clearly bypassing the upper house. It is commented that the bill was passed as money bill so as to save it from the opposition in the upper house otherwise it would also have been stacked there and not passed like other bills that are pending in Rajya Sabha.
According to some experts, the reasons it could not be introduced as a money bill are: This does not deal with the custody of the CFI, etc. The moneys paid into or withdrawn from such funds are incidental. Besides,it is not an appropriation bill that appropriates money from the CFI. It does not deal with declaring any expenditure as a charge on that fund. Further, it does not deal with the receipt of money on account of the CFI or the public account, or the custody or issue of such money, or the audit of the accounts of the Union or states.
Flaws in present system which requires speaker to certify a bill as money bill This discretion is being used by the ruling parties to whistle away the legislative powers of Rajya Sabha and make it a redundant legislative house by sending crucial bills like money bills as rajya sabha doesn’t have the power over those bills. Neither the constitution nor the house rules lay down the procedure with regard to certifying the money bill making speaker’s decision discretionary. Rajya sabha can’t question the decision of the speaker even when they have a strong case for contesting speakers decision. The decision of the speaker cannot be questioned.
1.6.DATA PROTECTION LAW
Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill, 2019 is the India’s first attempt to domestically legislateon the issue of data protection.The Bill derives its inspiration from a previous draft version prepared by a committee headed by retired Justice B N Srikrishna. However, the present bill differs from what was recommended by Justice B N Srikrishna committee.
Importance of data: • Data is the large collection of information that is stored in a computer or on a network. The processing of this data (based on one’s online habits and Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 14
preferences, but without prior knowledge of the data subject) has become an important source of profits for big corporations. Targeted advertising: Companies, governments, and political parties find it valuable because they can use it to find the most convincing ways to advertise online. • Apart from it, this has become a potential avenue for invasion of privacy, as it can reveal extremely personal aspects.Also, it is now clear that much of the future’s economy and issues of national sovereignty will be predicated on the regulation of data.
Why was a Bill brought for personal data protection? In August 2017, the Supreme Court held that privacy is a fundamental right, flowing from the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court also observed that privacy of personal data and facts is an essential aspect of the right to privacy.
In July 2017, a Committee of Experts, chaired by Justice B. N. Srikrishna, was set up to examine various issues related to data protection in India. The Committee submitted its report, along with a Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in July 2018. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 states that the Bill is based on the recommendations of the report of the Expert Committee and the suggestions received from various stakeholders.
Is the Bill different from the draft Bill suggested by the Expert Committee? The Bill has made several changes from the draft Bill. • For instance, the Bill has added a new class of significant data fiduciaries, as social media intermediaries. These will include intermediaries (with users above a notified threshold) which enable online interaction between users. • Further, the Bill has expanded the scope of exemptions for the government, and additionally provided that the government may direct data fiduciaries to provide it with any non-personal or anonymised data for better targeting of services.
How is personal data regulated currently? Currently, the usage and transfer of personal data of citizens is regulated by the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2011, under the IT Act, 2000. The rules hold the companies using the data liable for compensating the individual, in case of any negligence in maintaining security standards while dealing with the data.
Key provisions of bill Bill divides data as follows: • Personal data: Data from which an individual can be identified like name, address etc.. • Sensitive personal data (SPD): Some types of personal data like as financial, health, sexual orientation, biometric, genetic, transgender status, caste, religious belief, and more. The Bill requires sensitive personal data to be stored only in India. It can be processed abroad only under certain conditions including approval of a Data Protection Agency (DPA). • Critical personal data: Anything that the government at any time can deem critical, such as military or national security data. Critical personal data must be stored and processed in India. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 15
• The Bill also requires social media companies, which are deemed significant data fiduciaries based on factors such as volume and sensitivity of data, to develop their own user verification mechanism. • The Bill includes exemptions for processing data without an individual’s consent for “reasonable purposes”, including security of the state, detection of any unlawful activity or fraud, whistleblowing, medical emergencies, credit scoring, operation of search engines and processing of publicly available data. • The Bill calls for the creation of an independent regulator Data Protection Authority, which will oversee assessments and audits and definition making • Each company will have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who will liaison with the DPA for auditing, grievance redressal, recording maintenance and more • The Bill proposes “Purpose limitation” and “Collection limitation” clause, which limit the collection of data to what is needed for “clear, specific, and lawful” purposes. • It also grants individuals the right to data portability and the ability to access and transfer one’s own data. It also grants individuals the right to data portability, and the ability to access and transfer one’s own data. • The Bill stated the penalties as: Rs 5crore or 2 percent of worldwide turnover for minor violations and Rs 15 crore or 4 percent of total worldwide turnover for more serious violations
Advantages of Bill • Instances of cyber attacks and surveillance will be checked. • Social media is being used to spread fake news, which has resulted in lynchings, national security threats, which can now be monitored, checked and prevented in time. • Data localisation will also increase the ability of the Indian government to tax Internet giants. • A strong data protection legislation will also help to enforce data sovereignty.
Criticism of Bill • Even if the data is stored in the country, the encryption keys may still be out of reach of national agencies. • Technology giants like Facebook and Google have criticised protectionist policy on data protection (data localisation). • Protectionist regime supress the values of a globalised, competitive internet marketplace, where costs and speeds determine information flows rather than nationalistic borders. • It protects the personal data of Indians by empowering them with data principal rights, on the other hand, it gives the central government with exemptions which are against the principles of processing personal data.
1.7.DRAFT POLICY TO HELP GROW NANO, MICRO ENTERPRISES
A new policy on the anvil, the Udyog Sahayak Enterprises Network (USENET), may give a major fillip to the growth-stunted nano and micro-enterprises in India’s informal sector.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 16
Advantages of the proposed Policy: • The proposed framework, whose draft was jointly put together by the Azim Premji University, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), is aimed at providing a slew of growth-driven services to over 62 million nano and micro-enterprises that currently employ over 100 million people. • By enabling scale-up, the draft claims, USENET can aid in the creation of an additional 10.3 million jobs over five years, going up to nearly 56.9 million jobs over 10 years. • Each of these small enterprises currently has one to three employees, and if given a boost, they have the potential to grow and create a large number of jobs, says the draft. • If the value-added per worker can be computed, according to the draft, it could bring in a 12% nominal growth in GVA (gross asset value), amounting to an economic value of ₹2.16 lakh crore in five years and over ₹19 lakh crore at the end of 10 years. • The draft proposes the creation of a support system that will improve Ease of Doing Business for the largely informal nano, micro and small entrepreneurs. • Udyog Sahayak Enterprises, to be set up across the country, will deliver services such as digitisation and formalisation; availing of government loans, subsidies or other benefits; ensuring compliance with local, regional and national regulation; and aiding partnership with digital marketing platforms and digital payment platforms to these enterprises
1.8.MOCK TRIALS OF REMOTE VOTING PROJECT SOON
Why in news? Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said the trials of the Election Commission’s remote voting project would be carried out soon.
The system being developed by the IIT-M uses blockchain for two-way remote voting at designated centres. Another significant change that is considered is to grant postal ballot facility to overseas electors.
About Remote Voting System: Arguments in favour of it: Remote voting may take place in person somewhere other than an assigned polling station or at another time, or votes may be sent by post or cast by an appointed proxy. There had been demands from various political parties that the EC should ensure that migrant workers who miss out on voting, as they cannot afford going home during elections to exercise their franchise, should be allowed to vote for their constituency from the city they are working in. In the way the envisioned system has been described, ‘remote voting’ would appear to benefit internal migrants and seasonal workers, who account for roughly 51 million of the populace (Census 2011), and who have, as a matter of record, faced considerable difficulties in exercising their democratic right of voting.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 17
Solution might also be useful for some remotely-stationed members of the Indian armed forces, though it should be noted that, for the most part, vote casting has not been an issue for those serving in even the remotest of places.
Some concerns about the system: At an earlier event held by the Election Commission, then Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, explained that electors would still have to physically reach a designated venue in order to cast their vote, adding that systems would use “white-listed IP devices on dedicated internet lines”, and that the system would make use of the biometric attributes of electors. Block chain solutions rely heavily on the proper implementation of cryptographic protocols. If any shortcomings exist in an implementation, it might stand to potentially unmask the identity and voting preferences of electors, or worse yet, allow an individual to cast a vote as someone else. An attacker may be able to clone the biometric attributes required for authenticating as another individual and cast a vote on their behalf Apart from lingering security issues, digitised systems may also stand to exclude and disenfranchise certain individuals due to flaws in interdependent platforms, flaws in system design, as well as general failures caused by external factors. It is important to lay stress on the point that further digitisation, in itself, does not make processes more robust. Any solution to electoral problems must be software independent and fault tolerable, where failure or tampering of one mechanism or several would not affect the integrity or transparency of the overall process.
Way forward: With some technical challenges the main purpose of secrecy of electrol process should not be compromised. Political engagement could perhaps be improved by introducing and improving upon other methods, such as postal ballots or proxy voting. Another proposed solution to this issue includes the creation of a ‘One Nation, One Voter ID’ system, though it is unclear whether such a radical (and costly) exercise would be required at all.
What is One Way and Two Way Polling? One Way Polling: One-way transmission for service voters involves sending a blank postal ballot electronically to the voter. The ballot paper is downloaded, ballot cast and then sent via normal postal service to the returning officer for counting.
Two Way Polling: Two-way electronic transmission of vote envisages that a registered voter from any location in India, once his identity is well authenticated will be able to cast his vote electronically through a secure encrypted system and the same will reach the designated returning officer for counting.
1.10.INDIA JUSTICE REPORT 2020
Highlights of report:
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 18
At 25.3 per cent, Biharleads the list of 25 states for employing most women in its police force, according to the second annual survey on police, prisons, judiciary and legal aid, India Justice Report. • The state finished ahead of Himachal Pradesh (19.2%) and Tamil Nadu (18.5%). • However, although it is the only state to have more than 20 per cent women in the police force, women account for only 6.1 per cent in the officer category. Tamil Nadu, the report says, has the highest percentage of women police officers (24.8%), followed by Mizoram (20.1%). • On diversity, Karnataka is the only state to meet its quotas for SC, ST and OBC in both officer cadre and constabulary, Chhattisgarh being the only other state that meets the diversity requirements for constabulary. • Sikkim tops the list with 33.3 per cent women – Sikkim High Court has just three judges • Overall, Maharashtra retained the top spot on delivery of justice to people among 18 large and mid-sized states, followed by Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab and Kerala. • The report also noted that an overwhelming two-thirds of all prisoners are undertrials awaiting a conviction
India Justice Report is prepared by the Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
The report has divided states on the basis of the population into two parts: • The large-medium states (Population 1 crore and above) • The small states and Union Territories (Population less than 1 crore)
1.11.STATE RAISES MARATHA QUOTA, BORDER DISPUTE WITH KARNATAKA
Why in news? In the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the tabling of the Budget in the Parliament, Shiv Sena sought that the disputed area on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border be declared an Union Territory, Centre’s intervention in Maratha reservation issue and making Covid-19 vaccine free for people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) and senior citizens.
The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute – the past and the present
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 19
This long smouldering inter-state dispute resurfaces from time to time. Maharashtra has staked claim to over 7,000 sq km area along its border with Karnataka, comprising 814 villages in the districts of Belagavi (Belgaum), Uttara Kannada, Bidar, and Gulbarga, and the towns of Belagavi, Karwar, and Nippani. All these areas are predominantly Marathi-speaking, and Maharashtra wants them to be merged with the state. The genesis of the dispute lies in the reorganisation of states along linguistic and administrative lines in 1956. The erstwhile Bombay Presidency, a multilingual province, included the present- day Karnataka districts of Vijayapura, Belagavi, Dharwad, and Uttara Kannada. In 1948, the Belgaum municipality requested that the district, having a predominantly Marathi-speaking population, be incorporated into the proposed Maharashtra state. However, The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 made Belgaum and 10 talukas of Bombay State a part of the then Mysore State (which was renamed Karnataka in 1973). While demarcating borders, the Reorganisation of States Commission sought to include talukas with a Kannada-speaking population of more than 50 per cent in Mysore. But the opponents of the region’s inclusion in Mysore have maintained that in 1956, Marathi-speakers outnumbered Kannada-speakers in those areas. Karnataka has argued that the settlement of boundaries as per the States Reorganisation Act is final. Karnataka then declared Belagavi its second capital, changed the name of Belgaum to Belagavi. The southern state holds its winter session at the newly constructed Vidhan Soudha, and also held the World Kannada Summit there. In 2004, Maharashtra approached the Supreme Court for a settlement under Article 131(b) of the Constitution. Article 131 vests the Supreme Court with original jurisdiction over any dispute arising between the states or between the centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a lower court or reviewing a lower court's judgement
Recent incidents Bus services between Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and Belgaum (Karnataka) had to be suspended for a few days following tensions that flared on both sides of the border after Chief Minister Thackeray referred to the contentious areas as “Karnataka- occupied Maharashtra” in the Assembly. Late last year, the Maharashtra government asked all ministers to wear black bands on November 1, which is celebrated in Karnataka as Rajyotsava or state Formation Day, to express support for Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka.
The Mahajan Commission Under sustained pressure from Maharashtra, in 1966, the Centre announced setting up a one-man commission under former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India Meher Chand Mahajan to look into border issues between Karnataka (then Mysore state) and Maharashtra. The commission was also asked to look into Karnataka’s demand for integration of Kannada-speaking areas in Kasargod in Kerala.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 20
The Mahajan Commission was set up by the Government of India in October 1966 to look into the border dispute. In its report submitted in August 1967, the Commission, led by former Chief Justice of India Mehr Chand Mahajan, recommended that 264 villages should be transferred to Maharashtra, and that Belgaum and 247 villages should remain with Karnataka. The commission received more than 2,200 memoranda and met over 7,500 people. Maharashtra rejected the report, calling it biased and illogical, while Karnataka welcomed it. Despite demands from Karnataka, the Centre never implemented the recommendations of the report.
What has been happening on the ground? As Maharashtra stepped up pressure for integration of Marathi-speaking areas, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) — launched in 1948 — spearheaded the movement in Karnataka. Since the formation of the State on November 1, 1956, MES observes the foundation day as a “Black Day”.
The period between the 1960s and 1980s saw violent protests and frequent lockdown of Belagavi city, and tension on the border.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 21
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 22
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2.1.ASIA PROTECTED AREAS PARTNERSHIP (APAP)
Why in news? After successfully increasing population of wild animals such as tigers, lions and leopards through protecting their habitats, India will be the co-chair of the IUCN- supported Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP) for three years and it would, in this capacity, assist other Asian countries in managing their protected areas. India will replace South Korea which held this position for three years till November, 2020. Notably APAP is chaired by IUCN Asia and co-chaired by an APAP country member. India got this opportunity after successfully increasing the population of wild animals such as tigers, lions and leopards through protecting their habitats
India’s Success Story: The number of Leopards grew 62% in 4 years. It was 7,910 in 2014 and increased to 12,852 in 2018. The highest number of Leopards are in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690). The tiger population is also doubled in 12 years from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018. India is a home to 75% of the tiger’s global population. India also recorded 29% increase in population of Asiatic Lions, living in Gujarat Gir Forest, in the past five years from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020. The number of other species such as snow leopard, Great Indian Bustard, Indian Gangetic Dolphin is also increased.
Background: Asia Protected Areas Partnership: APAP has been designed as a key platform to help governments and other stakeholders collaborate for more effective management of protected areas in the region. The partnership was initiated in 2013 at the first-ever Asia Parks Congress held in Japan, and formally launched the following year at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Australia. It is chaired by IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and co-chaired by an APAP member organisation on a rotational basis. Formally launched at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Australia in 2014, it is a platform that enables collaboration to help governments and other stakeholders for more effective management of protected areas (PA). Members: 21 from 17 countries. 17 Member Countries are – Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, China, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan.
APAP aims to: Promoting best practices and innovative solutions to the challenges facing the region’s protected areas, through knowledge sharing and capacity building; Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 23
Strengthening transboundary and regional cooperation; and Raising awareness of the multiple benefits of Asia’s protected areas, both within and outside the region.
Asia Parks Congress: APAP was initiated at the first-ever Asia Parks Congress (APC), which took place in Sendai, Japan, from 13 through 17 November 2013. The APC was held to address increasing pressures on the region’s protected areas. The theme of the APC was “Parks Connect,” emphasising the role of protected areas in connecting people, nature, cultural and values and wider landscapes. Around 500 participants from Asia and beyond gathered to collaborate on solutions for the challenges that face Asia’s national parks, wilderness areas, nature reserves and other similar sites. The APC was established with the aim to chart a course for the future of protected areas in Asia. The event highlighted the important contribution of protected areas in addressing global issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
The outcomes of the APC included the following: The Asia Protected Areas Charter, also known as the Sendai Charter; A Youth Declaration; and A message to the World Parks Congress, which took place the following year in Sydney, Australia.
2.2.ONE PLANET SUMMIT 2021
Why in news? The 4th edition of One Planet Summit (OPS) 2021 was virtually organized by France, the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank from Paris (France) to prepare negotiations for setting global biodiversity targets in order to protect nature in the next decade.The theme of the summit is “Let’s act together for nature!”.
These negotiations will be utilized at a UN conference on biodiversity to be held in China in October 2021. It was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19. The event was opened by Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, and President of the World Bank Group David Malpass. The summit was not attended by India, Brazil, Russia, and the United States (US). Notably, the US President-elect Joe Biden is a strong proponent of climate issues as he pledged to preserve 30% of American lands and waters by 2030. But the leader behind the absence of US leaders is that he does not take office until January 20, 2021.
Major Focus Topics of OPS 2021: The OPS launched initiatives for the 4 major focus areas. These are detailed as below:
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 24
1. Protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems Initiatives launched: High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People: It was initiated in 2019 by Costa Rica, France and Britain to set a target of protecting at least 30% of the planet by 2030 and already joined by the 50 countries. To make the Mediterranean an exemplary sea by 2030
2. Promoting agroecology Initiatives launched: Accelerator for the Great Green Wall*: It will bring public and private firms to restore and preserve agriculture and farming areas in the Sahara and the Sahel.
3. Increasing funding to protect biodiversity Initiatives launched: Coalition for the convergence of climate and biodiversity funding: Under this countries commit 30% of their climate finance towards favorable biodiversity. Taskforce on Nature related Financial Disclosure (TNFD)
4. Identifying links between deforestation and the health of humans and animals. Initiatives launched: PREZODE: PREZODE (PREventing Zoonotic Disease Emergence) is an unprecedented international initiative to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases (from animal reservoirs) and pandemics. Alliance for the conservation of tropical forests and rainforests
Highlights: One Planet Summit (OPS): Germany along with the United It was incepted in 2017 as a pledging platform to Kingdom (UK) and Norway has preserve oceans, climate and biodiversity. It is on set aside $5 billion over the the lines of One Planet movement founded by past 5 years to protect France, the World Bank and the UN to speed up rainforests. the implementation of international climate France is looking towards agreements by supporting specific projects at the merging the issues of climate local level. change and the preservation of biodiversity as experts as they So far there have been meetings in Paris in 2017, are interconnected. New York (US) in 2018 and Nairobi (Kenya) in Britain launched an “urgent 2019. appeal” to private sector leaders to join a new Participants: investment alliance targeting About 30 leaders, government officials and heads $10 billion by 2022 to finance of international organizations participated in the nature-based solutions. OPS including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Biodiversity is the natural British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson and capital of the world. Its Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Vice exploitation, pollution and Premier of China Han Zheng. climate change is irreversible damage to ecosystems. As per the World Economic Forum (WEF), emerging business opportunities across nature could create 191 million jobs by 2030.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 25
Other Events: There was also a side event namely “The Great Green Wall Investment Forum” which focused on investment for Africa’s Great Green Wall project, to stop the Sahara Desert from spreading further south. During the event the Accelerator for the Great Green Wall was launched (*mentioned above). The Great Green Wall project, started in 2007, consists of planting an arc of trees running 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) across Africa from Senegal along the Atlantic all the way to Djibouti on the Gulf of Aden. The OPS participants welcomed the creation of the accelerator, and are expected to release $14.3 billion over the next 5 years to finance the program.
2.3.INDIA’S PROPOSAL TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO COMBAT TERRORISM
Why in news? At the open debate on ‘International Cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of 1373’, the External Affairs Minister of India, S.Jaishankar proposed an eight-point action plan for addressing the menace of terrorism. This was also the first time that the minister made an intervention at the UN Security Council after India assumed its membership on January 1, 2021. EAM also highlighted that the delisting and enlisting of individuals and entities under the United Nations Sanctions must be done objectively and not just for religious and political considerations.
India proposes a action plan to combat terrorism: India has proposed an eight-point Action Plan to counter global terrorism and called upon the world community to ‘’walk the talk’’ and commit to the goal of ‘’zero tolerance’’ with 'no ifs and buts' against the scourge.
All the member states must fulfill their obligation in international counter- terrorism conventions and instruments. There must be no double standards in this battle, terrorists are terrorists and there is no bad or good distinction. There must be a reform in the working methods of the committees that are dealing with sanctions and counter-terrorism. The international community must firmly discourage the exclusivist thinking that results in dividing the world and harms the social fabric. Delisting and enlisting of entities and individuals under UN sanctions must be done objectively and the proposals in this regard must be examined before circulation. The links between transnational organized crime and terrorism must be completely recognized and addressed. To combat terrorist financing will only be as effective as the weakest jurisdiction. The FATF- The Financial Action Task Force must continue identifying and remedy weaknesses in anti-money laundering. Immediate attention must be given to adequate funding to UN Counterterrorism bodies.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 26
2.4.INDIA, VIETNAM HOLD 13TH DEFENCE SECURITY DIALOGUE
Why in news? The Defence Secretary of India, Ajay Kumar, and Deputy Defence Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Chi Vinh, held a security dialogue where they committed to promote armed forces engagement between the two nations under the framework of ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’. As per the statement by the Defence Ministry, during the virtual interaction, both the ministers also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation between India and Vietnam in spite of the COVID-19 limitations. In 2016, both the nations had upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership and defence cooperation has been one of the most important elements in the fast- expanding bilateral ties.
Highlights: Both India and Vietnam also reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. There was also a commitment to further promoting the engagements between the armed forces under a comprehensive strategic partnership. Expressed commitment to elevate engagements between the Armed Forces of both countries under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Reviewed the progress made in Defence Industry and Technology cooperation and agreed for greater cooperation in the field.
Maritime exercise between India and Vietnam: A four-day maritime exercise between the navies of India and Vietnam was held at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam in April 2020. It aimed at boosting operational cooperation. In December 2020, a warship of the Indian Navy also undertook a passage exercise with the Navy of Vietnam in the South China Sea. Vietnam is an important country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations- ASEAN and has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea Region.
2.5.FIFTH UNEP ADAPTATION GAP REPORT, 2020
Why in news? The 5th edition of United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Report 2020 was launched during a high-level online press event. The report was produced by UNEP in collaboration with UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP) and the World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP).
In accordance with the report the actions required by the Paris Agreement are lagging behind. Though nations have successes in planning and implementation, there is a huge gap faced by developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, in financing these planning. Notably, the annual cost of adaptation to the effects of climate change for developing countries is estimated to at least quadruple by 2050.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 27
Highlights: Adaptation Cost: It includes costs of planning, preparing for, facilitating and implementing adaptation measures. The ever-increasing adaptation cost has also outpaced the growth in adaptation finance and that is the reason for a maintained Adaptation Finance gap. Adaptation Finance: It refers to the flow of funds to developing countries to help them tide over the damages caused by weather events from climate change. Adaptation Finance gap: It is the difference between Adaptation Cost and Adaptation Finance. Adaptation costs, in actual terms, is higher in developed countries but the burden of adaptation is greater for developing countries in relation to their gross domestic product. The developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, which are least equipped to tackle climate change will also be the most impacted by it.
Global Challenges : Rising Temperature: The world is heading for at least a 3°C temperature rise this century, according to current Paris Agreement pledges. Even if we limit global warming to well below 2°C, or even 1.5°C, the poor countries will suffer. The Pandemic: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted adaptation efforts but its effect is not yet quantified. Other Challenges: Last year was not just marked by the pandemic but also by devastating natural calamities like floods, droughts, storms, forest fires and locust plagues impacting around 50 million lives globally. Global Adaptation for Climate Change: Three-quarters of all the countries have adopted at least one climate change adaptation planning instrument and most developing countries are working on national adaptation plans.
2.6.INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020 - UNDESA
Why in news? The International Migration 2020-Highlights’ report released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), In 2020, 18 Million persons from India were living outside of their country of birth thus making it the World’s Largest Transnational Community. India is followed by Mexico & Russia (11 Million each), China (10 Million) & the Syrian Arab Republic (8 Million).
The United Arab Emirates (3.5 Million), the United States of America (2.7 Million) and Saudi Arabia (2.5 Million) host the largest numbers of migrants from India. At the Global level, the number of International Migrants living outside their country of birth reached 281 Million in 2020. International Migrants represent about 3.6% of the World’s population. The Growth of International Migration has slowed by 27% or 2 Million due to COVID-19.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 28
Highlights: The Pandemic is expected to have caused a decline of 14% in remittance flowsto Low and Middle Income Countries by 2021 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Number of persons displaced across International Borders fleeing conflict, persecution, violence or human rights violations has doubled from 17 to 34 Million, which is 16% of the total increase in the number of International Migrants. Low and Middle-income countries have hosted about 80% of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers. Women & Girls comprise 48% of all International Migrants. Migrant Women are seen as important agents of Change. 73% of International Migrants worldwide were between the ages of 20 and 64 years i.e the ideal working age of an individual. Europe hosted the largest number of International Migrants in 2020 : ~ 87 Million, followed by North America (~ 59 Million) & Northern Africa and Western Asia (~ 50 Million). Majority of International Migrants originate from middle-income countries (~ 177 million, 63% of Total migrants). United States of America was the largest country of destination of international migrants with 51 Million migrants in 2020 (equal to 18% of world’s total), followed by Germany & Saudi Arabia.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 29
India: Due to Large Migrant population, India has become the main recipient of remittances worldwide, in 2019 it received USD 83 Billion in remittances from its diaspora. India’s diaspora is distributed across a number of major countries of destination. Apart from UAE, Saudi Arabia & USA other countries which host large numbers of Indians are Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Kingdom. Between 2000-2020, India’s size of migrant population abroad saw the largest gain : 10 Million. Family Reasons & Labour are the main reasons behind Migration from India.
Importance of Diasporas: Diasporas play an important role in the development of their countries of origin, they promote foreign investment, trade, innovation, access to technology and financial inclusion Returning migrants bring back the experience and knowledge acquired abroad and contribute to their societies of origin as entrepreneurs and by creating jobs. Many low- and middle- income countries are seeking to utilize their transnational populations through the development of financial instruments like “diaspora bonds”, diaspora pension schemes and the securitization of remittance flow.
2.8.WORKING FROM HOME: FROM INVISIBILITY TO DECENT WORK - ILO REPORT
Why in news? The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report titled ‘Working from home from invisibility to decent work’ has highlighted the need to adopt Global Labour Standards and improve national-level labour registries for home-based workers (Industrial home-based workers, Teleworkers, Digital Platform workers) & organisations. With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many in the world’s workforce have shifted to homeworking, thereby joining the hundreds of millions of workers who have already been working from home for decades.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 30
This report seeks to improve understanding of home work as well as to offer policy guidance that can pave the way to decent work for homeworkers both old and new.
Highlights: Prior to COVID-19 crisis i.e 2019, there were 260 Million home-based workers, which represents 7.9% of Global employment and 56% of them were women. Post COVID-19, the number of home-based workers is expected to surpass the 2019 figures. The report highlighted one of the clear dangers of home-based work is the use of children in the production process. There is a need to develop effective policies for home-based workers and ensure their proper implementation even as the practice had increased since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.As a result, those working from home, especially in low-income countries, continued to work in poor working conditions.
The 3 main types of home-based workers about which the report mentioned are: Industrial home-based workers – workers involved in production of goods like artisanal production, manufacturing of handicrafts, rolling of beedis, making of laces etc. Teleworkers – Workers who use information & communication technologies to perform their work. Home-based digital platform workers – ‘crowdworkers’ who perform service- sector tasks.
It also noted that the propensity of women to work from home — 11.5 per cent — was much higher than that of men (5.6 per cent).
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 31
On an average, homeworkers earn 13% less in the United Kingdom, 22% less in the United States of America, 25% less in South Africa and 50% less in Argentina, India & Mexico.
Ratification of the Convention on Homework: The report also stated that only 10 countries have ratified the Convention on Homework (Convention No. 177) which promotes equality of treatment between homeworkers & other wage earners. The Convention was adopted by the International Labour Conference on June 20, 1996. The 10 countries which have ratified the convention are Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, North Macedonia & Tajikistan.
Plight of women rolling Leaf Cigarettes in India: The report also highlighted the plight of 2.5 Million women rolling beedis (Leaf Cigarettes) in India. They were among the ‘Poorest workers in the world of work’, they have worked in pathetic and unsafe conditions.
ILO’s Recommendations: ILO has put forth several recommendations towards improving the plight of home- workers. They are Development and Implementation of a gender-responsive legal and policy framework, which provides equal treatment for all categories of home-based workers. Facilitating transition of informal workers to formal employment. Better recording of home-based workers to record their earnings, hours worked & other conditions of employment. Revision of labour registries to include “place of work” & count home-based workers. Better compliance, legal protection, occupational safety & social security for industrial home-based workers. Teleworkers face the risk of working overtime and hence will be recommended the “right to disconnect” on their behalf.
Way Forward: When the world was brutally hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, wide swathes of the world’s workers turned almost overnight to home work as a way of protecting both their jobs and their lives. There is no doubt that home work is likely to take on greater importance in the years to come. It is thus time for governments, in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations, to heed the guidance of the Convention and Recommendation of ILO and work together to ensure that all homeworkers – whether they are weaving rattan in Indonesia, making shea butter in Ghana, tagging photos in Egypt, sewing masks in Uruguay, or teleworking in France – move from invisibility to decent work.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 32
2.9.SEVEN UN MEMBERS LOSE RIGHT TO VOTE OVER UNPAID DUES
Why in news? Seven countries including Iran have lost their right to vote in the UN General Assembly because of upaid dues, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.an
The UN charter calls for such a voting rights suspension for countries whose arrears equal or surpass the amount of the contributions due from them to UN coffers in the previous two years. The other six countries are Niger, Libya, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan and Zimbabwe, Guterres said in a letter to the president of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir of Turkey. Three more countries – Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia – will be allowed to continue to vote despite missing dues payments, because they sufficiently demonstrated that they are incapable of paying.
Article 19: Under the article, a member-state in arrears in the payment of its dues in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions of two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly.
Iran owes USD 16.2 million, more than any other country. Meanwhile, Iran has blamed US sanctions for blocking the Islamic Republic from paying its required contribution to the UN, reported Jerusalem Post.
Background: United Nations Budget Contributions: The US is the highest contributor of the UN. The United States contributed 22% of the UN budget, China contributes 12%, Japan contributes 8.574% and Germany contributes 6.090%. These four countries together finance 49% of the entire UN budget.
India: India is one among the thirty-four United Nations members to pay the budget dues on time. In January 2020, India paid 23, 396, 496 USD to the United Nations as its contribution.
Determination of UN Budget: Every three years, the UN Members collectively decide on the formula called “Scales of Assessment”. The formula decides how much currency should each member contribute to the UN regular budget and to peace keeping operations.
The formula is highly complicated. It begins with the Gross National Income of the country. Later adjustments are applied taking account where the country is relative to average global income per head. A ceiling and a minimum floor is applied to Least Developed Countries.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 33
2.10.GLOBAL FIREPOWER INDEX 2021
Why in news? Global Firepower’s Global Firepower Nations Index 2021 -‘Military Strength Ranking’ an annually updated list of 138 modern military nations, India is ranked 4th with PwrIndx (Power Index) rating of 0.1214 where 0.0000 rating is considered as ‘perfect’. The ranking has been topped by the United States of America (USA).
Among regions the index is topped by Asia and followed by Asia-Pacific, Middle East and European Union (EU) at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively.
The list of top Countries include:
1.United States of America 2.Russia 3.China 4.India 5.Japan
South Korea was ranked sixth in the world and North Korea was ranked 28th.
Pakistan:
Pakistan was ranked the tenth most powerful country in the Global Firepower Index. Pakistan has surpassed Israel, Indonesia, Iran and Canada in terms of military power. Currently Pakistan dedicates 7 billion USD from its annual budget for defence purposes.
Background: Global Firepower: Since 2006 GlobalFirepower (GFP) has provided a unique analytical display of data concerning 138 modern military powers. The GFP ranking is based on each nation's potential war-making capability across land, sea, and air fought by conventional means.
Global Firepower Index, 2021:
The Global Firepower Index is calculated using fifty individual factors from geography to logistical capability. It also includes manpower, land forces, airpower, natural resources, naval forces, logistics and financials. Under manpower, the factors
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 34
considered are total population, paramilitary, reaching military age annually, active reserves and active services. Under equipment, the factors considered are trainer fleet, aircraft fleet strength, helicopter fleet, attack fleets, rocket projectors, tank strength, towed artillery, aircraft carriers, naval fleet strength, destroyers, submarines, coastal patrol craft, frigates, mine warfare craft, coastal patrol craft and tanker fleets. The finance factors include external debt, defence budget, reserves of foreign exchange and gold and purchasing power parity.
Notably the index does not take into account the nuclear capability of any country.
2.11.TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (TPNW)
Why in News? The ‘Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly came into force from January 22, 2021, it is the First ever International agreement which prohibits Nuclear Weapons. The Treaty was adopted in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly
The signatories of the agreement are prohibited from Development, Testing, Production, Stocking, Transferring, using & threat of using Nuclear weapons. If any nuclear armed states are joining the treaty, a time-bound framework which leads to verified and irreversible elimination of its nuclear weapons programme is provided. Until now 86 Nations have signed TPNW & 52 have ratified it. However, Nuclear-capable countries – United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea & Israel (Undeclared Nuclear Power) did not support the Treaty nor have signed it. Countries which rely on Nuclear weapons of other countries such as 27 members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Australia, Japan, & South Korea have not signed the treaty. There is no treaty or agreement which prohibits the use of Nuclear Weapons in a Comprehensive and Universal manner, unlike Biological weapons, chemical weapons, cluster munitions and Anti-personnel landmines.
Key Features: The treaty prohibits the use of nuclear weapons on national territories. The signatories should provide adequate assistance to individuals affected by the testing of nuclear weapons. They should also take required environmental remediation in areas under its jurisdiction that was contaminated as result of nuclear weapon testing. A state party joining the treaty should declare if it has eliminated its previous nuclear weapon programme. The party should also disclose if it holds nuclear weapons of other countries in its territories. In case if the party holds other countries’ nuclear weapons it must remove them before signing the treaty. The non-nuclear weapon states should have a minimum safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 35
INDIA SAYS IT DOESN'T SUPPORT TREATY ON PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
As the first-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons entered into force, India said that it does not support the treaty and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it.
Highlights: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had approved the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” in the year 2017. However, the nine countries that possess the nuclear weapons did not support it. The treaty was not supported by the NATO alliance as well. Despite that, the treaty came into force on January 22, 2021.
India’s stand: India maintains that, it will continue to provide the high priority and remain committed to the universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament. The Ministry of external affairs further said, since India did not participate in negotiations on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, it will not become a party to the Treaty. However, India showed its support to the commencement of negotiations on a “comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention in the Conference on Disarmament”. It is the only multilateral disarmament negotiating forum that works on the basis of consensus.
Rationale behind India's decision: India does not support the treaty because, India believes, the treaty does not constitute or contribute to the development of customary international law. Further, the treaty does not provide for any new standards or norms.
Way Forward: The MEA stated that India reiterates its commitment to the goal of a nuclear- weapon-free world. India believes that this goal can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment, and an agreed global and non- discriminatory multilateral framework, as outlined in the country''s working paper titled ''Nuclear Disarmament'', submitted to the UN General Assembly and the Conference on Disarmament. In this regard, India supports the commencement of negotiations on a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention in the Conference on Disarmament, which is the world''s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum working on the basis of consensus, the MEA said. India stands ready to work with all UN member states towards the objective of a world free of nuclear weapons, it said.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 36
2.12.INDIA ANNOUNCES PLEDGE OF USD 150,000 TO UN PEACEBUILDING
Why in news? India has announced a pledge of USD 150,000 to activities of the Peacebuilding Fund this year and said that 2021 provides the international community with an opportunity to look at peacebuilding in a more focused manner, especially in the context of the COVID pandemic.
• The Peacebuilding Fund is the UN’s financial instrument of first resort to sustain peace in countries or situations at risk or affected by violent conflict. • The Fund’s 2020-2024 strategy is its most ambitious yet, responding to the Secretary-General’s call for a quantum leap of support for peacebuilding and prevention. The Fund has invested over USD 1.2 billion to date in over 60 countries, with support from almost 60 member states. • UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed that he was grateful to the countries that committed to provide over $439 million in support of the UN’s work toward peacebuilding & conflict prevention through the UN Peacebuilding Fund. He stated that the scale of turmoil around the world requires deeper efforts to ease tensions & prevent escalation.
Background: UN Peacekeeping aims to mainly help countries navigate through the difficult path from conflict to peace. • The UN peacekeeping has unique strengths including legitimacy, burden sharing and an ability to deploy troops and India’s role in UN Peacebuilding: police from around the world and Currently, there are more than 6,700 integrate them with civilian troops and police from India who peacekeepers to address a range of have been deployed to UN mandates set by the UN Security peacekeeping missions, the fourth Council and General Assembly. highest amongst troop-contributing • The UN Peacebuilding fund aims to countries. mobilize support for the UN’s key • More than 200,000 Indians instrument to prevent conflict and build have served in 49 of the 71 peace around the world, as well as UN peacekeeping missions strengthen an integrated and coherent established around the world response across the UN peace and since 1948. security pillars. • India has a long tradition of
sending women on UN Functions of UN Peacekeepers: peacekeeping missions. The United Nations Peacekeepers works to • In 2007, India became the first ensure peace agreements or the peace accords country to deploy an all- are successfully implemented in war prone women contingent to a UN zones. They also help in confidence-building peacekeeping mission. measures, electoral support, improving law • Indian peacekeepers have and order and boosting the social development served in UN peacekeeping in the region to bring peace. missions around the world.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 37
Who deploys the UN peacekeepers? The United Nations Security Council empowers the United Nations Charter to take measures to maintain the international peace and security. Thus, the UN Security Council is engaged in deploying the peacekeepers to ensure stability and security in war prone regions.
2.13.INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)
Why in news? India and the International Energy Agency- IEA, signed a framework for a strategic partnership in order to strengthen cooperation and mutual trust and for enhancing global energy stability, security, and sustainability.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of International Energy Agency, and Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Power). Birol from IEA termed the signing of the agreement a historic and huge step forward for global energy governance. The International Energy Agency Secretariat will be responsible for the implementation of the cooperative activities in India under the framework. The Secretariat will also facilitate the discussion between India and IEA members for further developing the strategic partnership in the energy sector.
Contents of the Strategic Partnership: The contents will be jointly decided by the members of IEA and India. It will include: A phased increase in the responsibilities and benefits for India as a strategic partner of IEA. Focus Areas- Strategic cooperation in IEA’s Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP) – Energy Security, Stability & Sustainability, Enhancing Petroleum storage capacity in India etc. Building on the existing areas of work within Association and CETP- Clean Energy Transitions Programme, such as clean and sustainable energy, energy security, enhancing petroleum storage capacity in India, energy efficiency, expansion of the gas-based economy in India, etc.
Significance: As per the official statement by the Ministry of Power, the partnership between India and IEA will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge in the energy sector. It will also be a stepping stone for India towards becoming a full member of the Paris-based IEA. Through the framework agreement, the Indian government plans on taking essential steps to promote and encourage strategic and technical cooperation in the different areas of the energy sector.
Background: International Energy Agency(IEA): The International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organisation established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 38
The IEA was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors. The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states, but also works with non- member countries, especially China, India, and Russia. The Agency's mandate has broadened to focus on the "3Es" of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection.
Functions of IEA: The IEA was established with the objective of responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil apart from serving as information source on statistics of the international oil market. It now also acts as a policy adviser to its member states. IEA also works with non-member states like China, India, and Russia. The agency focusses on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy namely the energy security, economic development, and environmental protection. It also promotes alternate energy sources such as in renewable energy, multinational energy technology co-operation and rational Energy policies.
Criticism: IEA is criticized for providing a highly inaccurate forecasts of both fossil fuel and renewable energy. It is also criticized for failing to comply and create the 1.5°C scenario. All the members of IEA have signed the Paris Agreement that seeks to limit warming to 1.5°C but, IEA’s Sustainable Development Scenario projects for net-zero emissions in 2070 two decades later the 2050 target set by the Paris Agreement.
2.14.CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) 2020
Why in news? Transparency International released the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) where India’s rank slipped to 86th with a score of 40 from 80th rank with score of 41 in 2019 stating a low position as CPI uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 39
The index highlights the concern of persistent corruption in the health care systems and contributing in weakening of democracy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The list has been topped by New Zealand and Denmark rank at the first position with scores of 88 stating minimum corruption levels. Contrarily, Somalia and South Sudan rank lowest at 179th position with scores of 12. CPI ranked 180 countries and territories on the basis of levels of public sector corruption, 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives.
Highlights: 26 countries improved their CPI scores, including Ecuador (39), Greece (50), Guyana (41), Myanmar (28) and South Korea (61). 22 countries decreased their scores, including Bosnia & Herzegovina (35), Guatemala (25), Lebanon (25), Malawi (30), Malta
(53) and Poland (56).
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 40
Nearly half of countries remained stagnant on the index for almost a decade, indicating less government efforts to tackle the root causes of corruption.
Recommendations: As no country is free from corruption, therefore Transparency International recommends that all governments: Strengthen oversight institutions to ensure resources reach those most in need. Ensure contracting of wrongdoing, identify conflicts of interest and provide fair pricing. Promote civic space to create enabling conditions to hold governments accountable. Publish relevant data to ensure the public receives easy, accessible, timely and meaningful information.
Background: The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an index published annually by Berlin- based Transparency International since 1995 which ranks countries "by their perceived levels of public sector[1] corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys."
The CPI generally defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private benefit".
Transparency International also publishes the Global Corruption Barometer, which ranks countries by corruption levels using direct surveys instead of perceived expert opinions, which has been under criticism for substantial bias from the powerful elite.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 41
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 42
3. ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
3.1.AGRI TRANSFORMATION IS NEXT GROWTH FRONTIER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Amongst the many encouraging trends in the startup space identified by a report titled India Tech Start Up Ecosystem released in January 2021 by Nasscom and Zinnov, notable is the growth of groundbreaking startups in the agriculture sector.
The interface of agriculture with technology steered entrepreneurship is increasing competitiveness, leveraging digitisation and relying on innovation to solve varied challenges in the sector. Entrepreneurs in recent times are recognising the potential to accelerate production, ensure efficient input use, reduce post-harvest losses, intensify value addition, introduce risk mitigation and optimise ancillary activities. The realisation of these opportunities will bring escalating possibilities for farmers, raise investment in hard and soft infrastructure, advance efficiency in operation and enhance productivity. Most importantly, and consequently, there will be an acceleration of avenues for income generation and wealth creation for our farmers, ensuring enhanced quality of life.
A few Entrepreneurial Initiatives - integrating agriculture and technology Fasal’s AI and IoT platform delivers farm-specific, crop-specific and crop- stage specific actionable advisory for reducing the cost of operation and increasing quality and yield. Its operations on 20,000 acres of land across states have led to the saving of up to 3 billion litres of water from irrigation, reduced pesticide costs by 60% and increased yield by up to 40%. Tartan Sense, operating on the theme of “small robot for small farms” utilises semi-autonomous rovers named ‘BrijBot’ to capture farm images. These are analysed with the help of AI algorithms to identify weeds, following which an on- board computer sprays chemical only on the detected weeds. Weeding costs on cotton fields have reduced by 70% due to these rovers. Wingreens Farms has shifted the processing stage to the farms itself. They have developed packages for over 100 crops while simultaneously educating farmers on moving away from water-hungry crops to lucrative and water-efficient crops. Their practices have led to savings of 2.5 lakh litres of water per acre per annum and increased some farmer’s income by around 1000%. A ‘farmer mitra’ delivers analytical insights and expertise to farmers for increasing profitability by reducing the cost of cultivation, increasing yield and finding suitable marketplaces. Agricx has developed an AI-enabled software-as-a-service stack for entities across producing, trading, storing, transporting, processing or financing of agricultural commodities. Their services provide an opportunity to digitise the entire procurement process.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 43
Sourcing fruits and vegetables from small and medium farmers, they facilitate access to buyer clientele such as Taj Group of Hotels, Elior, and Sodexo for maximum revenue realisation. Cropin services are being utilised by 1.6 million farmers for risk mitigation via live tracking of farms and interpretation of market trends for sale revenue maximisation. It utilises satellite imagery to create ‘crop-signatures’ to assess crop damage, productivity and farmers’ credit-worthiness. To ensure standardisation and quality optimisation AgNext has been using AI, data analytics, internet-of-things and spectral analytics for analysing food quality to ensure effective trade, production, warehousing and consumption. Milk Mantra is working on innovative packaging formats and dairy products. They have introduced a network of Bulk Milk Coolers in villages of Odisha with more than 35,000 dairy farmers benefiting from their services. They facilitate optimum price realisation, extension services and also quality standardisation.
The technological milieu, policy environment and evolving entrepreneurship in recent times bring an opportunity for a productive shift in Indian agriculture. A shift that incorporates indigenous farmer knowledge, optimises the value chain leveraging technological efficiencies and also ensures equitable access to markets for each and every farmer. Agriculture in India needs innovation, and entrepreneurship is the best way forward.
3.2.BRING PULSES UNDER PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Context: Two back-to-back deficient monsoon years (2014-15 & 2015-16) resulted in sharp fall in production of pulses in the country—16.32 million tonnes (mt) in crop-year 2015-16, the lowest in the decade. In October 2015, tur or arhar dal retail prices rose to a record Rs 200/kg because of a huge demand-supply gap. All the other pulses, including chana, moong and urad saw a spike in prices. The government increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for pulses and stepped-up imports to control prices. India signed a MoU with Mozambique for importing pulses over the next five years. The government also created a 2 mt of buffer stock of pulses, under the Price Stabilization Scheme. The purpose was to ensure stability in prices as well as provide MSP to farmers under the Price Support Scheme (PSS)—specifically meant for pulses, oilseed and cotton growers. A buffer stock of 2.05 mt was built mainly by Nafed, along with Food Corporation of India and Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium by 2017-18. There were imports of pulses by the MMTC and STC, to the tune of 3.79 mt. Subsequent years witnessed a significant jump of pulses production by more than 55%. Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, Nafed procured 7.63 mt of pulses under MSP/PSS, from more than 38 lakh farmers. Release from buffer stocks in the open markets—Nafed has been carrying this out—have helped moderate market prices.
Problems being faced The disposal of the large volumes of procured stocks of pulses under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) by Nafed faces a significant challenge, particularly in depressed market conditions. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 44
Unlike oilseeds, pulses are prone to infestation during prolonged storage. Thus, timely disposal of stocks assumes significance. The average price recovery in the disposal of PSS stocks under OMSS by Nafed has been even less than MSP. It is established that the market price continues to prevail at a much lower level than MSP. Traders and processors, who earlier used to buy pulses directly from the farmers, now wait for the Nafed’s OMSS. Stocks of pulses and oilseeds procured under PSS have continued to pose a problem of disposal for Nafed as stocks are sold at a discounted price, well below the MSP. As a result, it depresses market prices and discourages the private sector to procure directly from farmers. CACP observed that disposal of pulses procured under the PSS by Nafed has been a challenge as the federation incurs heavy losses in the open market, and sale of stocks depresses market prices.
Previous initiatives taken More than 1.2 mt of pulses (1 kg of free pulse to each household) were distributed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to those covered under the National Food Security Act, in April-November, 2020. The department of agriculture had implemented a pilot scheme over October 2018-September 2019, where Nafed offered states pulses at a Rs 15 discount per kg over the issue price (market price of raw material). The aim was to ensure pulses to poor people at affordable rates and reduction of the sale of pulses under OMSS by Nafed, which often brings down the mandi prices of the freshly harvested crop, hurting pulse-farmers. More than a million tonne of pulses were allocated to states under this pilot scheme. Currently, pulses from Nafed’s buffer stocks are being supplied to meet requirements of the school mid-day meal, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing ICDS nutritional support Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the food stock Nafed was established on 2nd October earmarked for the army 1958. and central paramilitary It is registered under the Multi State Co- forces. operative Societies Act. With its headquarters in New Delhi, NAFED Way forward has four regional offices at Delhi, Mumbai, There is a need to Chennai and Kolkata, apart from offices in formulate a policy for the capitals of states and important cities. sale of pulses stocks like Nafed was setup with the object to promote wheat and rice. Co-operative marketing of Agricultural Distribution of pulses Produce to benefit the farmers. under PMGKAY to about Agricultural farmers are the main members 19.5 crore households is of Nafed, who have the authority to say in the a welcome step and will form of members of the General Body in the help in disposal of stocks working of Nafed. without depressing NAFED is the nodal agency to implement market prices and also price stabilization measures under address the issue of "Operation Greens" which aims to double malnutrition. the farmers' income by 2022.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 45
3.3.IN AGRI-CREDIT
Agricultural credit has become less efficient in delivering agricultural growth. Over 85% of farmers’ income remain stagnant over the years.
In 2011-12, the target was ₹4.75-lakh crore; now, agri-credit has reached the target of ₹15-lakh crore in 2020-21 with an allocated subsidy of ₹21,175 crore. The question is: where is the credit and subsidy going and are they really benefiting the farmers?
Most small farmers left out In the last 10 years, agriculture credit increased by 500% but has not reached even 20% of the 12.56 crore small and marginal farmers. Despite an increase in agri-credit, even today, 95% of tractors and other agri-implements sold in the country are being financed by non-banking financial companies, or NBFCs, at 18% rate of interest. The banks’ long-term loans rate of interest for purchasing of the same is 11%. The lowest land holding (up to two hectares) gets only about 15% of the subsidised outstanding loan from institutional sources (bank, co-operative society). The share is 79% for households belonging to the highest size class of land possessed (above two hectares), beneficiaries of subsidised institutional credit at 4% to 7% rate of interest. As in the Agriculture Census, 2015-16, the total number of small and marginal farmers’ households in the country stood at 12.56 crore. These small and marginal holdings make up 86.1% of the total holdings. As in the Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the share of institutional loans rises with an increase in land possessed — showing that the bulk of subsidised agri-credit is grabbed by big farmers and agri-business companies. A loose definition of agri-credit has led to the leakage of loans at subsidised rates to large companies in agri-business. Though the RBI had set a cap that out of a bank’s overall adjusted net bank credit, 18% must go to the agriculture sector, and within this, 8% must go to small and marginal farmers and 4.5% for indirect loans, bank advances routinely breach the limit. In 2017, 53% of the agriculture credit that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) provided to Maharashtra was allocated to Mumbai city and suburbs, where there are no agriculturists, only agri-business. It made indirect loans to dealers and sellers of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and agricultural implements undertaking work for farmers.
Many irregularities RBI’s internal working group in 2019 found that in some States, credit disbursal to the farm sector was higher than their agriculture gross domestic product (GDP) and the ratio of crop loans disbursed to input requirement was very unevenly distributed. Examples are in Kerala (326%), Andhra Pradesh (254%), Tamil Nadu (245%), Punjab (231%) and Telangana (210%).
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 46
This shows the diversion of credit for non-agriculture purposes. One reason for this diversion is that subsidised credit disbursed at a 4%-7% rate of interest is being refinanced to small farmers, and in the open market at a rate of interest of up to 36%. Subsidised credit should be the ‘cause for viable agriculture but, unfortunately, the agriculture sector’s performance has not been commensurate with the subsidised credit that it has received’.
Way Forward To empower small and marginal farmers by giving them direct income support on a per hectare basis rather than hugely subsidising credit. Streamlining the agri-credit system to facilitate higher crop loans to farmer producer organisations, or the FPOs of small farmers against commodity stocks can be a win-win model to spur agriculture growth. With mobile phone penetration among agricultural households in India being as high as 89.1%, the prospects of aggressive effort to improve institutional credit delivery through technology-driven solutions can reduce the extent of the financial exclusion of agricultural households. Farmers have been able to avail themselves of loans through mobile phone apps. These apps use satellite imagery reports which capture the extent of land owned by farmers in States where land records are digitised and they grow the crop to extend the Kisan Credit Card loans digitally. Instant, otherwise, farmers have to produce the certified land record copy from the revenue department, which is much time consuming. Reforming the land leasing framework and creating a national-level agency to build consensus among States and the Centre concerning agriculture credit reforms to fill the gap and reach out to the most number of small and marginal farmers.
3.4.FOCUS ON FARM POLICY FRAMEWORK
The aspects to be focused on to improve long-term issues of the agricultural sector.
1. Alignment of purpose and action between the Centre and states Agriculture is a State Subject, but regulatory framework is created by the central government. Alignment of these two centres of power, and all the important political parties on a progressive national agricultural strategy document, is very important for smooth functioning of the sector. All these stakeholders should agree on the objectives for agriculture by 2030, strategies to fight climate change, technologies to use to fight abiotic and biotic stresses and increase yields, improving farmers’ competitiveness in certain key crops, the country’s crop portfolio, ways to improve farmers’ profitability, policies to connect farmers to markets, best ways to channelise the agricultural subsidy amounts under different heads, and conserving natural resources while doing all this. There should be a constructive discussion between the Centre and states on these subjects, resulting in a framework that will shape all major policies on agriculture.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 47
A National Agricultural Council headed by the Prime Minister and including all chief ministers should be the backbone of such discussions and decisions.
2. Foodgrain procurement system Foodgrain procurement system has been skewed and unequal. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are the largest rice-producing states, each contributing 13% to production, but have only 3.2% and 7.4% respective shares in rice procurement. On the other hand, while Punjab contributes 9.9% to production, it has a large share of 21.2% of procurement. The other states with disproportionate share in procurement are Telangana (with 6.2% of production and 14.5% of procurement) and Haryana (with 4.1% of production and 8.2% of procurement). During the last four years, the nation grew rice production by 8%.
Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana have grown higher than the national average. On the other hand, states like Punjab, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Bihar have a lower growth than the national average. The government procured 43% of the rice production in the country, while the corresponding numbers are 92% in Punjab, 89% in Haryana, 76% in Chhattisgarh, and 59% in Odisha and Telangana. Large producers like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh suffer in this unequal bargain. Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer of wheat, contributes 31.6% to national production, but has only 10.8% share in procurement. Punjab (37.8%), Haryana
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 48
(27.3%) and Madhya Pradesh (19.7%) have a larger share in procurement than in production. While the government procured 33% of the national wheat production, the corresponding numbers are 74% in Haryana, 70% in Punjab and 40% in Madhya Pradesh, and which together contribute to 85% of the total wheat procurement in the country. This demonstrates the inequality in the system. A policy decision must to be taken to bring greater accountability for yields and conservation of natural resources amongst states and to link procurement volume to production volume in each state. This will wake up states that are in comfort zones due to government procurement and force them to look for private channels to sell or to diversify their crops.
3. The ministries that impact farmers’ lives, apart from agriculture ministry Water resources, consumer affairs and food & public distribution, chemicals and fertilisers, textiles, food processing are a few that also impact farmers' lives. Value addition to agricultural produce, farmers’ welfare and income depends on the policies of all these ministries. They have to take an integrated stance to create a positive impact on the farmer economy. There is a need for institutional mechanism for end-to-end management of each of the important crops cutting across ministries.
4. The competitiveness of Indian farmers in international markets. Increasing agricultural exports, a key objective of the government, can’t be done without making our farmers competitive. Supporting farmers with higher MSP without making them cost-competitive in the market is counterproductive. They need access to modern technology which gives them a fighting chance against farmers with access to such technologies in other countries. Also strategic view of this and a systematic improvement of farmers’ access to modern science and technology is necessary.
3.5.AGRI FINANCING AND AGRI STORAGE
Storage As per GOI data, 10% of the crop valued at a staggering 1 lakh crore is supposedly getting wasted in India due to non-availability of storage. Non availability of storage is a wrong perception according to the author. If that was the case imports of huge quantities from a host of nations like Australia, Canada, Baltic region, etc. and which gets dumped at ports for months before reaching the consumer would have been the first to rot but surprisingly it does not loose on Quality or Quantity over the period of time, but at the same time data in the public domain suggests that Indian crops that are stored in static ground weather in CAP or Godown (Warehouses) loses 10% of the quantity. This assumption in itself is an anomaly as these losses are due to Non-scientific management and not due to inadequate storage facilities. In the era of AI , remote sensing and GPS locking , solution lies in putting up scientific management companies and encouraging newer technologies which could manage the current infrastructure efficiently and help in addressing the issue of post-harvest losses.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 49
FICCI had done a study on how using scientific techniques on existing infrastructure can curtail the post-harvest losses of 10% to only 0.5%.
Agri Financing Agri financing is given priority lending status. The government gives lending targets to the banks with a provision that in case the banks don’t meet those targets they had to subscribe to GOI securities to the tune of a deficit of target at very low yield. Despite this deterrent, there are times banks don’t meet their targets NBFC'S have come up to fill this gap . But NBFCs do not have leverage available at a lower cost, unlike banks that have CASA ( current account and savings account) which gives them access to cheaper credit. These NBFCs are dependent on banks to provide them credit, which leads to a higher cost of capital which acts as a deterrent to further lending. So cheaper credit made available to such NBFCs just like credit is made available to NABARD, will go a long way in augmenting the Agri sector. The best-case scenario here would be the formation of an Agri Bank which lends to such firms with all due checks and balances, will go a long way in aiding the growth of the Agri financing NBFCs.
FINANCIAL SECTOR
3.6.RBI DEVISES INDEX TO TRACK DIGITAL PAYMENTS
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constructed a composite digital payments index (DPI) to capture the extent of digitization of payments services in India.
- The RBI-DPI has been constructed with March 2018 as the base period. The DPI for March 2019 and March 2020 work out to 153.47 and 207.84 respectively, indicating appreciable growth.
The RBI-DPI comprises five broad parameters, which measure the penetration of digital payments in the country over different time periods. Parameters are 1. Include payment enablers (weightage of 25%) 2. Payment infrastructure—demand-side factors (10%) 3. Payment infrastructure —supply-side factors (15%) 4. Payment performance (45%) 5. Consumer centricity (5%).
3.7.DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS
News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has retained State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) or banks that are considered as “too big to fail”.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 50
What are DSIB's? A bank or company that’s so entwined in the economy that its failure would be catastrophic. The methodology to be used to assess the systemic importance is largely based on the indicator based approach being used by BCBS (to identify G-SIBs. The indicators to be used to assess domestic systemic importance of the banks are as follows: 1. Size 2. Interconnectedness 3. Lack of readily available substitutes or financial institution infrastructure 4. Complexity.
The D-SIB framework requires the Reserve Bank to disclose the names of banks designated as D-SIBs starting from 2015 and place these banks in appropriate buckets depending upon their systemic importance scores (SISs). Based on the bucket in which a D-SIB is placed, an additional common equity requirement is applied. In case a foreign bank having branch presence in India is a global systemically important bank (G-SIB), it has to maintain additional CET1 capital surcharge in India as applicable to it as a G-SIB, proportionate to its risk weighted assets (RWAs) in India — additional CET1 buffer prescribed by the home regulator multiplied by India RWA as per consolidated global group books divided by total consolidated global group RWA.
Common equity Tier 1 - comprises a bank’s core capital and includes common shares, stock surpluses resulting from the issue of common shares and retained earnings.CET1 is the highest quality of regulatory capital, as it absorbs losses immediately when they occur.
3.8.SEBI TO ALLOW NEW PLAYERS TO SET UP STOCK EXCHANGES
Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has floated a discussion paper on review of ownership and governance norms to facilitate new entrants to set up stock exchanges and depositories, otherwise called as market infrastructure institutions (MIIs).
MIIs (stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations) are systemically important institutions whose failure could lead to "bigger cataclysmic collapses" bringing down the economy. The institutions should reduce the regulatory burden of the market by supporting the market regulator. A resident promoter setting up an MII may hold up to 100% shareholding, which will be brought down to not more than (either 51% or 26%) in 10 years. A foreign promoter from Financial Action Task Force FATF member jurisdictions setting up an MII may hold up to 49% shareholding, which shall be brought down to not more than (either 26% or 15%) in 10 years.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 51
Foreign individuals or entities from other than FATF member jurisdictions may acquire or hold up to 10% in an MII. Any person other than the promoter may acquire or hold less than 25% shareholding. At least 50% of ownership of the MII may be represented by individuals or entities with experience of five years or more in the areas of capital markets or technology related to financial services.
3.9.BANK INVESTMENT COMPANY
Why in news? As the RBI raises concern over the issuance of zero coupon bonds for recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSBs), the Finance Ministry is examining other avenues for affordable capital infusion including setting up of a Bank Investment Company (BIC).
Bank Investment Company (BIC) Setting up a BIC as a holding company or a core investment company was suggested by the P J Nayak Committee in its report on ‘Governance of Boards of Banks in India’. The report recommended transferring shares of the government in the banks to the BIC which would become the parent holding company of all these banks, as a result of this, all the PSBs would become ‘limited’ banks. BIC will be autonomous and it will have the power to appoint the board of directors and make other policy decisions about subsidiaries. The idea of BIC, which will serve as a super holding company, was also discussed at the first Gyan Sangam bankers’ retreat organised in 2014. It was proposed that the holding company would look into the capital needs of banks and arrange funds for them without government support. It would also look at alternative ways of raising capital such as the sale of non- voting shares in a bid to garner affordable capital. With this in place, the dependence of PSBs on government support would also come down and ease fiscal pressure.
Governments initiative in recapitalisation and the issues arising To save interest burden and ease the fiscal pressure, the government decided to issue zero-coupon bonds for meeting the capital needs of the banks. The first test case of the new mechanism was a capital infusion of Rs 5,500 crore into Punjab & Sind Bank by issuing zero-coupon bonds of six different maturities last year. These special securities with tenure of 10-15 years are non- interest bearing and valued at par. The RBI has raised some issues with regard to calculation of an effective capital infusion made in any bank through this instrument issued at par. Since such bonds usually are non-interest bearing but issued at a deep discount to the face value, it is difficult to ascertain net present value. As these special bonds are non-interest bearing and issued at par to a bank, it would be an investment, which would not earn any return but rather depreciate with each passing year.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 52
Parliament had in September 2020 approved Rs 20,000 crore to be made available for the recapitalisation of PSBs. Of this, Rs 5,500 crore was issued to Punjab & Sind Bank and the Finance Ministry will take a call on the remaining Rs 14,500 crore during this quarter. With mounting capital requirement owing to rising NPAs, the government resorted to recapitalisation bonds with a coupon rate for capital infusion into PSBs during 2017-18 and interest payment to banks for holding such bonds started from the next financial year. This mechanism helped the government from making capital infusion from its own resources rather utilised banks’ money for the financial assistance. However, the mechanism had a cost of interest payment towards the recapitalisation bonds for PSBs. During 2018-19, the government paid Rs 5,800.55 crore as interest on such bonds issued to public sector banks for pumping in the capital so that they could meet the regulatory norms under the Basel-III guidelines. In the subsequent year, according to the official document, the interest payment by the government surged three times to Rs 16,285.99 crore to PSBs as they have been holding these papers. Under this mechanism, the government issues recapitalisation bonds to a public sector bank which needs capital. The said bank subscribes to the paper against which the government receives the money. Now, the money received goes as equity capital of the bank. So the government doesn’t have to pay anything from its pocket. However, the money invested by banks in recapitalisation bonds is classified as an investment which earns them an interest. In all, the government has issued about Rs 2.5 lakh crore recapitalisation in the last three financial years. In the first year, the government issued Rs 80,000 crore recapitalisation bonds, followed by Rs 1.06 lakh crore in 2018-19. During the last financial year, the capital infusion through bonds was Rs 65,443 crore.
What is a Zero-Coupon Bond? A zero-coupon bond is a debt security that does not pay interest but instead trades at a deep discount, rendering a profit at maturity, when the bond is redeemed for its full face value. Some bonds are issued as zero-coupon instruments from the start, while others bonds transform into zero-coupon instruments after a financial institution strips them of their coupons, and repackages them as zero-coupon bonds. Because they offer the entire payment at maturity, zero-coupon bonds tend to fluctuate in price, much more so than coupon bonds. A zero-coupon bond is also known as an accrual bond. Not all bonds have coupon payments. Those that do not are referred to as zero coupon bonds. These bonds are issued at a deep discount and repay the par value, at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the par value represents the investor's return. The payment received by the investor is equal to the principal invested plus the interest earned, compounded semiannually, at a stated yield. The interest earned on a zero-coupon bond is an imputed interest, meaning that it is an estimated interest rate for the bond, and not an established interest rate.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 53
For example, a bond with a face amount of $20,000, that matures in 20 years, with a 5.5% yield, may be purchased for roughly $6,855. At the end of the 20 years, the investor will receive $20,000. The difference between $20,000 and $6,855 (or $13,145) represents the interest that compounds automatically until the bond matures. Imputed interest is sometimes referred to as "phantom interest".
3.10.PANEL FOR LEEWAY FOR LLPs
Why in news? The company law committee (CLC) set up by the ministry of corporate affairs has suggested allowing LLPs to issue debt securities, a step that would open doors for such entities to raise loans from Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) and would improve investment opportunities for “capital deficient” sectors like real estate and infrastructure.
The CLC, which was set up in September 2019, also recommended creation of a new class of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) — small LLP — to promote the ease of doing business, especially in the MSME sector. On allowing LLPs to issue non-convertible debentures (NCDs), the AIFs can invest in LLPs only through capital contribution, which is in nature of a pure equity interest. The inability of LLPs to issue NCDs, at par with companies, poses as a major impediment in their business operations, especially in sectors like real estate and infrastructure, which are capital deficient. It therefore emphasised allowing LLPs to issue NCDs to make them “more lucrative” for the debt market. Currently, LLPs can only contract loans or raise money through capital contribution. This new insertion will allow AIFs to invest in real estate and infrastructure special purpose vehicles (SPVs), which are invariably structured into LLPs due to the ease of administration. These NCDs can only be issued by LLPs to entities regulated by the RBI or Sebi to safeguard against the misuse of these instruments. On the rationale behind creating small LLPs, is to create a class of LLP which is subject to lesser compliance requirements, lesser fee or additional fee, so as to reduce the cost of compliance and further to subject such class of LLPs to lesser penalties in the event of a default as has been done in the case of firms under the Companies Act, 2013. A small LLP can be defined as a limited liability partnership in which contribution of partners does not exceed 25 lakh and turnover does not exceed Rs 40 lakh. This encourages small entrepreneurs to conduct their businesses through a legally set up entity instead of running them as proprietorship/unregistered partnership. The government would also hope that this move will encourage the large unorganised sector into its fold. Overall, the high-level panel recommended decriminalisation of 12 compoundable offences and omission of one penal provision in the LLP Act. It did not suggest any change in the serious non-compoundable offences. The 11-member committee chaired by MCA secretary Rajesh Verma, was set up to offer suggestions to decriminalise certain compoundable offences in the LLP Act, 2008, and promote ease of doing business. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 54
What is an Alternate Investment Fund ("AIF")? Alternative Investment Fund or AIF means any fund established or incorporated in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which collects funds from sophisticated investors, whether Indian or foreign, for investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors.
In India, alternative investment funds (AIFs) are defined in Regulation 2(1)(b) of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. It refers to any privately pooled investment fund, (whether from Indian or foreign sources), in the form of a trust or a company or a body corporate or a Limited Liability Partnership(LLP) which are not presently covered by any Regulation of SEBI governing fund management (like, Regulations governing Mutual Fund or Collective Investment Scheme)nor coming under the direct regulation of any other sectoral regulators in India-IRDA, PFRDA, RBI. Hence, in India, AIFs are private funds which are otherwise not coming under the jurisdiction of any regulatory agency in India.
AIFs are categorized into the following three categories, based on their impact on the economy and the regulatory regime intended for them:
1. Category I AIF: AIFs which invest in start-up or early stage ventures or social ventures or SMEs or infrastructure or other sectors or areas which the government or regulators consider as socially or economically desirable and shall include venture capital funds, SME Funds, social venture funds, infrastructure funds and such other Alternative Investment Funds as may be specified. 2. Category II AIF: AIFs which do not fall in Category I and III and which do not undertake leverage or borrowing other than to meet day-to-day operational requirements and as permitted in the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. Eg:- Private Equity or debt fund. 3. Category III AIF: AIFs which employ diverse or complex trading strategies and may employ leverage including through investment in listed or unlisted derivatives. Eg:- Hedge Funds (which employs diverse or complex trading strategies and invests and trades in securities having diverse risks or complex products including listed and unlisted derivatives).
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
LLPs are a flexible legal and tax entity that allows partners to benefit from economies of scale by working together while also reducing their liability for the actions of other partners. As with any legal entity, it is important that you check the laws in your nation (and your state) before getting too excited. In short, check with your lawyer first. The chances are good that they have firsthand experience with an LLP.
The Company Law Committee (CLC) has recommended that 12 offences under the LLP Act be decriminalised and that LLPs be allowed to issue NCDs to raise funds with the aim of improving ease of doing business for limited liability partnership (LLP) firms.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 55
Several offences related to timely filings, including annual reports and filings on changes in partnership status of the LLP, not related to fraud have been recommended for decriminalisation. The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) set up Company Law Committee (CLC) to promote Ease of Living in the country by providing Ease of Doing Business to law abiding corporates and fostering improved corporate compliance for stakeholders at large.
Limited liability partnerships LLP is an alternative corporate business form that gives the benefits of limited liability of a company and the flexibility of a partnership. The LLP can continue its existence irrespective of changes in partners. It is capable of entering into contracts and holding property in its own name. The LLP is a separate legal entity, is liable to the full extent of its assets but liability of the partners is limited to their agreed contribution in the LLP. Further, no partner is liable on account of the independent or un-authorized actions of other partners, thus individual partners are shielded from joint liability created by another partner’s wrongful business decisions or misconduct. Mutual rights and duties of the partners within a LLP are governed by an agreement between the partners or between the partners and the LLP as the case may be.
Advantages of an LLP Under “traditional partnership firm”, every partner is liable, jointly with all the other partners and also severally for all acts of the firm done while he is a partner. LLP will have more flexibility as compared to a company. LLP will have lesser compliance requirements as compared to a company.
3.11.AADHAAR ENABLED PAYMENTS
Doorstep banking services using Aadhaar Enabled Payment System Solution (AEPS) is a new technological advancement that has helped India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to bridge the digital divide. The total transaction value processed by the AePS system has crossed the Rs 8,000-crore mark, indicative of IPPB’s scale and its ability to successfully tap into latent demand for financial products amongst hitherto underserved segments. IPPB was set up by the government with a motive to take banking services to the unbanked section of the society. In rural and peri-urban areas, the average time to reach a banking access point is 1.5 to 5 hours, compared to the average of 30 minutes in urban areas. FSS Technologies has partnered with the IPPB to offer financial services at the last mile through interoperable, affordable services. This partnership aims to bring millions of unbank-ed customers into the financial mainstream. Currently, there are nearly 410 million Jan Dhan accounts in India and since launching AEPS services, the bank has become the single largest platform in the country for providing interoperable banking services to customers of any bank. IPPB has deployed FSS Integrated Payment Stack to deliver digital payments products to its customers. This includes FSS Payments-in-a-Box, Aadhaar-
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 56
enabled payments (AePS and Aadhaar Pay for merchants), bill payments, UPI payments, card payments, merchant payments (PoS and online). The current financial services delivery infrastructure created by India Post Payments Bank spans 1160,000 villages and 400,000 digital points and addresses the accessibility challenges faced by customers in the traditional banking ecosystem. The operation of FSS’ AePS solution is very simple and requires zero investment on part of the customer.
What is AePS? Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) is a system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that allows people to carry out financial transactions on a Micro-ATM by furnishing just their Aadhaar number and verifying it with the help of their fingerprint/iris scan.
Following facilities are offered through AePS: Cash Withdrawal Cash Deposit Balance Enquiry Aadhaar to Aadhaar Fund Transfer Mini Statement eKYC – Best Finger Detection/IRIS Detection
RBI has set no limit for transactions made through AePS. However, various banks have capped the transactions made through AePS to mitigate the misuse of the payment system, if any. Some banks have set a daily limit of a maximum of Rs 50,000 on total transactions.
3.12.DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Context India has been building on the momentum from JAM and DBT. The next phase of financial inclusion will be about digital delivery that is sharpened by leveraging of consent-based data sharing. Small shop owners, farmers, traders, MSME entrepreneurs, rural self-help groups, and gig economy workers are increasingly generating a digital transaction history that could be used to inform and build trust with financial institutions.Consent-based data-sharing would be the key enabler for effectively using this data. This will further integrate the marginalised, with access to a bouquet of formal financial products of credit, insurance, pension.
A framework for digital Financial inclusion India has before it an opportunity to build next-generation financial services and contribute $865 billion to the economy by 2030. Building on the heels of digital financial inclusion, a three As framework will help advance this movement to greater heights: Adequacy - Adequate availability of financial services through the formal system, covering savings, credit, remittance, insurance, etc. will foster more inclusive growth in India. Acceptability - Great products create unquestionable trust. Long lists of complex terms and conditions, arcane language disguising hidden fees and charges, confusing user Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 57
interfaces, are all hindrances in gaining a customer’s trust. Consumer experience should lead to reuse and advocacy. To achieve that, we need to accelerate financial literacy. This is also critical to the success of the fintech experience. Digital products bring the benefit of measurement and predictability, enabling a fair, transparent, consistent and rewarding experience. This must be utilised. Advocacy - With the government propelling fintech innovation via regulator sandboxes set up by RBI, SEBI, PFRDA and IRDAI, there is a growing emphasis on outcome- oriented advocacy. Fintech innovators should grab this opportunity and make best use of favourable innovation reforms.
Some measures by the government in the recent years to promote Financial inclusion The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in 2014 was the first step which made use of the JAM trinity to provide banking access to millions. It became the foundation of CoVID relief. Direct benefit transfer (DBT) enabled the Centre to disburse payments to beneficiaries of MNREGA, PM-KISAN and Svavnidhi scheme. Focusing on easing the operative ecosystem of financial inclusion, the government approved the use of e-signatures and e-KYC from 2019 DigiLocker, an exemplary digital storage mechanism for receiving, storing, self- attesting and sharing documents Unified Payment Interface (UPI), India’s biggest payment success story, pushed the transition from financial inclusion to integration.
FISCAL POLICY
3.13.FACELESS TAX SCHEME
It aims to eliminate the human interface between the taxpayer and the income tax department. The taxpayers can make submissions from the comfort of their home and save their time and resources. The National e-Assessment Center in Delhi will be governing authority for all communication with taxpayers under the faceless assessment scheme. There will be regional centres in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
Benefits An attempt to remove individual tax officials’ discretion to tax. Potential harassment for income tax payers.
Exceptions The exceptions to the Faceless Assessment includes, serious frauds, major tax evasion, sensitive and search matters. The system also excludes international taxation and Black Money Act & Benami Property.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 58
3.14.DIGITAL SERVICES TAX
Context The agenda to reform international tax law so that digital companies are taxed where economic activities are carried out was formally framed within the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting programme. Seven years since its inception, it is still work in progress. Worried they might cede their right to tax incomes, many countries have either proposed or implemented a digital services tax. Proliferation of digital service taxes (DSTs) is a symptom of the changing international economic order. Countries such as India which provide large markets for digital corporations seek a greater right to tax incomes.
Digital services tax in India ( equalization levy) India is amongst the first to have implemented an equalisation levy in 2016, which sought to tax payments made for online advertising services to a non-resident business by residents. In March 2020, it expanded the scope of the existing equalisation levy to a range of digital services that includes e-commerce platforms. Any payment made by non-residents in connection with an Indian user will now attract a 2 per cent levy. Such an approach is often viewed as contrary to the ethos of international agreements. Any company that has a permanent residence in India is excluded since it is already subject to tax in India. Intention of imposing such a levy is to create an ecosystem that fosters fair competition and reasonableness. It also aims to exercise the sovereign right of the government to tax businesses that have a close nexus with the Indian market through their digital operations.
Issues The issues of contention are the application of taxation to revenue rather than income, extraterritorial application, and failure to provide tax certainty. The US is concerned that many of its trading partners are adopting tax schemes designed to unfairly target US companies. In such regard, the recent USTR investigations pose a threat of retaliatory tariffs. In India’s case, the probe could potentially affect the outcome of a bilateral trade deal. Lack of international consensus on taxation on a digital economy. The core problem that the international tax reform seeks to address is that digital corporations, unlike their brick-and-mortar counterparts, can operate in a market without a physical presence. The current basis for taxing in a particular jurisdiction is a notion of fixed place of business. To overcome this challenge, countries suggested that a new basis to tax, say, the number of users in a country, could address the challenge to some extent. The EU and India were among the advocates of this approach. In 2018, India introduced the test for significant economic presence in the Income Tax Act. However, the proposal of a revised nexus was not supported widely. Moreover, to give effect to a new system would require bilateral renegotiation of tax treaties that supersede domestic tax laws.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 59
3.15.EXISTING TAX LAWS SHOULD BE LIBERALISED
Why in news? While there are merger/demerger corporate and tax laws, none exist for partnerships or LLPs.
Union commerce minister initiated the production-linked incentive scheme to attract investment, finance minister brought the credit facilitation and equity schemes, while MSME minister liberalised the MSME policy, raising turnover to Rs 250 crore plus unlimited exports. But NPA levels of PSBs are predicted to be 17%. Thus, the FM must strategise both for 1. Growth of healthy industries. 2. Revival of weak ones.
These recent policies can revive animal spirits to meet the twin objectives of growth and revival if certain supportive measures are taken in taxation, company law, LLP and partnership law—all within finance minister’s domain. Tax law for corporate mergers has existed since 1961. Demerger law came in the 1990s. It resulted in the acceleration of corporate demerger and restructuring activities, resulting in higher turnover and taxes than the undivided company earlier. A major policy instrument can be the encouragement of mergers and demergers in corporates and partnership. While there are merger/demerger corporate and tax laws, none exist for partnerships or LLPs. Existing tax laws should be liberalised to allow issuing a mix of equity or preference shares plus debt paper against the present stipulation of only shares in mergers/demergers. The stipulation of 75% old shareholders becoming shareholders in the merged company should be reduced to 51% in mergers, with a similar reduction from 100% to 75% in a demerger. Thus, even if 25% shareholders disagree, they can be paid out. Tax laws require 100% equity issue in a demerger. A specialised court (NCLT) approves merger/demerger schemes. A registered valuer’s report for all companies is compulsory. In listed companies, stock exchange and Sebi also conduct scrutiny. A NOC from tax authorities is also required. Hence, checks and balances are already in place. A company with mainly investment activity resulting in capital gain but no business income still earns income and regularly pays dividends and taxes. But the tax authorities do not classify it as “business”, and hence, keep it out of the definition of Sec 2 (19AA). However, if you demerge the investment division, there is no tax exemption. When A-Limited demerged its investment division of Rs 1,000 crore assets earning capital gain, the ITO opined that investment is not business and hence, cannot be tax-exempt in a demerger. Any income-earning division should be considered as an Undertaking for Sec 2 (19AA). In common parlance, investment activity is also business. Many companies have invested in subsidiaries, which need to grow faster by being spun off, while protecting the interests of the holding company’s shareholders and promoters in a demerger.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 60
Taking over of sick companies by efficiently-run firms is an alternative turnaround strategy. If the sick firm is not listed on the bourses or ceases to be so listed due to a change in shareholding, the target firm will lose its right to carry forward its business loss. This attracts tax much faster on future profits while the old liabilities have to be paid out. Internal finance available for revival depletes. Revival period and cost becomes longer. Sec 79 should be deleted. Tax Laws do not allow setting off losses of merging company in many situations even though it leads to a genuine turnaround. For example, if an engineering company in auto seat manufacturing business having losses is merged with a tractor company will lose its tax losses and unabsorbed depreciation, if the unit does not achieve production of auto seats of at least 50% capacity within three years. It can’t use these facilities for making components and has to continue the loss- making business of auto-seat production. Another absurd condition is that the merged company must continue to have 75% of the same old equipment for five years. How can such a unit then absorb new technology or diversify production? The condition is to ensure employment for 50% of erstwhile labour. The law allows only some manufacturing industries and only some services like telecom, hotels, etc, to carry forward the losses in a merger. The services sector contribute over 60% of GDP, but is mostly cut out of this exemption, even though it is high employment to investment generator. At least, think of the above measures for five years and evaluate its efficacy. MSMEs mainly operate as partnerships. While the LLP Act provides for reorganisation, merger, or demerger of LLPs inter se, there is no such law for partnerships. The government should bring in a law for inter se merger of firms & LLP with any listed or non-listed company for quick growth/turnaround. At present, the company law requires a firm to register as a single company; then merge after waiting for five years due to tax laws. This is absurd.
Way forward Two/three firms or LLPs should be merged directly into an operating company or registered as one company. Size and speed are critical. Similarly, law for demerging one division of one or more firms or LLP, as is allowed for a company, should be permitted. Let a fast track process be taken up by the regional director of companies so that equity investments can flow in faster. The LLP Act has laid down processes for such matters. This should be extended within this Act to cover Partnerships as well, but the power should be delegated to RD or a specialised NCLT bench. Inexplicably, LLP law allows merger only with an unlisted company; this should be extended to listed companies, including via a demerger. All taxation laws regarding merger and demerger should be extended to partnership firms and LLPs. A takeover financing scheme allowing healthy borrowers special loans with total moratorium up to five years for taking over or merging with weak ones should be started. Where a firm is succeeded in its business by conversion into a company, capital gains is exempted, and losses are allowed to be carried forward, subject to conditions. This should be allowed even if one division of a firm is transferred.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 61
3.16.REDUCING TAX GAP
Context India’s tax collections as a percentage of GDP have not really moved up and are lower than Thailand (15%), Singapore (13%), Japan (12%), the UK (25.5%), and the OECD countries (35%). Taxes constitute about 60% of total receipts of the government, and thus are major source of budgetary spend of the government. Tax gap - the gap between actual and potential tax collections—is quite widein India.Studies suggest that despite systematic reforms, revenue productivity of the tax system has not shown any appreciable increase. A large number of taxes do not get collected. Disputes abound. The tax gap may also include uncollected taxes, unintentional errors, underground economy and illegal activities. Issues There are many corporate taxpayers who do not get their tax refunds for years. Many times, their refunds are rolled over against the new taxes. The reason is that everyone is fixated on the budgeted tax collection. That is quite a narrow approach. In such an environment, tax officers get constrained to collect taxes even when the underlying aspect which drives growth in taxes, i.e. the economy, is not doing well. It puts pressure on the tax system, including on the taxpayer and the tax collector, without reasonable tax gains.
Way forward Quantifying the tax gap gives a picture of the total revenue due and from whom it should be collected (or in relation to what transactions), besides informing the government about the integrity of the tax system, risks to revenue buoyancy and performance of the tax department. The tax gap can be for each sector, industry-wise, geography-wise, etc. Overall impact could be the much-desired widening of tax net, a crucial aspect of any ideal tax administration. Reasonableness of the tax administration, making sure that only those who have not complied need to be chased, will urge taxpayers to voluntarily comply and instil fear amongst those who evade taxes. Even the tax department would have time and resources to concentrate on evaders.
3.17.OFF BUDGET BORROWING
What is it? Off-budget borrowings are loans that are taken not by the Centre directly, but by another public institution which borrows on the directions of the central government. Such borrowings are used to fulfil the government’s expenditure needs. But since the liability of the loan is not formally on the Centre, the loan is not included in the national fiscal deficit. This helps keep the country’s fiscal deficit within acceptable limits.
General items that constitute “off-budget borrowings” Deferred payments of bills and loans by the Centre to PSU's These Public sector banks are also used to fund off-budget expenses. For example, loans from PSU banks were used to make up for the shortfall in the release of fertiliser subsidy.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 62
Public sector oil marketing companies were asked to pay for subsidised gas cylinders for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries in the past. Loans taken for the recapitalisation of banks and capital expenditures of the Ministries of Railways and Power.
3.18.THE FLYPAPER EFFECT
Why in news? One of the pertinent questions is whether India’s finance commissions have used equalisation as an instrument for increasing forest cover and ecological sustainability.
The 14th FC is the first-ever Commission to integrate an environmental variable in the tax-transfer formula, assigning a weight of 7.5%. However, it was articulated to mitigate “cost disabilities”. Subsequently, 15th FC (interim report) also retained the criterion with an increased weightage of 10% in the unconditional fiscal transfers, using the “dense forest cover” inter-state data. As the environmental variable is incorporated in the “unconditional” fiscal transfers, the prioritisation of climate change in expenditure functions of the state government is significant to have effectiveness of such transfers on the environment. Empirically, it would be interesting to examine if there is any “flypaper effect” at the local level from such environmental fiscal transfers.
What is flypaper effect? The flypaper effect is the common empirical result that lump-sum intergovernmental grants stimulate more local government spending than increases in private income which are theoretically equivalent. The narrative of flypaper effect is “money sticks where it hits”.
The flypaper effect, in this context, examines if exogenous environmental fiscal transfers lead to significantly higher local government spending on climate change commitments than an equivalent amount of citizen income. The channels in which the flypaper effects work can be either the fiscal illusion (the median voters are unable to differentiate between the heterogeneous sources of revenue) or the bureaucratic behavioral sets, for instance, if they prioritise the climate change commitments in their expenditure functions as an outcome of political institutions and the associated incentives of elected representatives. The preliminary evidence on the relationship between the inter-state share of intergovernmental fiscal transfers and the environmental variables is slightly positive. This reiterates the efficacy of environmental fiscal transfers. With the advent of fiscal decentralisation, many countries have focused on environmental commitments at the subnational government level. The “principle of subsidiarity” says that the responsibility for providing a particular service should be assigned to the jurisdiction “closest to people”. Such decentralised decisions in climate change commitments is getting attention worldwide ex-post to Paris accord on climate change. However, the interjurisdictional competition to attract mobile capital by trading (lowering)
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 63
environmental regulations lead to “race to bottom” and “pollution havens”. Empirical evidence reveals this continuous tension between ‘principle of subsidiarity’ and the “race to the bottom”.
In the intergovernmental fiscal framework, three functions of environmental quality have been developed. 1. The first considers environmental quality as a pure “international” public good for which a global solution is required, irrespective of its location. 2. The second case considers environmental quality as a pure “local’ public good”. The ‘principle of subsidiarity’ is directly applicable to this second case. 3. The third case, which is most common in practice, deals with the effects of interjurisdictional externalities, including water and air pollution. The governments have tried to “internalise these externalities” through legal negotiations and fiscal instruments.
Way forward Climate change commitments require long-term fiscal policy instruments, such as climate-responsive budgeting within the ministry of finance; along with environmental fiscal transfers. In India, despite having Climate Action Plans at national and subnational government levels, a roadmap towards comprehensive climate-responsive budgeting as a PFM (Public Financial Management) tool for accountability has to been fully developed. As such, the public expenditure towards climate change is highly fragmented and highly sectoral in India. On the monetary policy front, the European Central Bank has started integrating climate change into monetary policy reaction function. A few experts have even proposed ‘Carbon Central Banks’. However, RBI has not yet initiated such deliberations on climate change. It is pertinent to analyse the final report of fifteenth Finance Commission to understand how the tax transfers to subnational governments for the next five years have integrated environmental variables. Equally important is how efficacious the Budget FY22 in integrating the climate change commitments.
INDUSTRY &INFRASTRUCTURE
3.19.PM LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF LIGHT HOUSE PROJECTS
Why in news? Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of six Light House Projects under the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC-India) that has given a scope to innovate and incubate with new technology.
What are LHPs? LHPs are model housing projects with houses built with shortlisted alternate technology suitable to the geo-climatic and hazard conditions of the region. This will demonstrate and deliver ready to live houses with speed, economy and with better quality of construction in a sustainable manner.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 64
The period of construction is maximum 12 months from the date of handing over of sites to the construtction agency after all statutory approvals. Approvals will be accorded through a fast track process by the concerned State Government. The LHPs are being constructed at Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).
Salient Features: LHP, shall mean a model housing project with approximate 1,000 houses built with shortlisted alternate technology suitable to the geo-climatic and hazard conditions of the region. This will demonstrate and deliver ready to live houses with speed, economy and with better quality of construction in a sustainable manner. The minimum size of houses constructed under LHP shall be in accordance with the prevailing guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Constructed housing under LHP will include on site infrastructure development such as internal roads, pathways, common green area, boundary wall, water supply, sewerage, drainage, rain water harvesting, solar lighting, external electrification, etc. Houses under LHP will be designed keeping in view the dimensional requirements laid down in National Building Code (NBC) 2016 with good aesthetics, proper ventilation, orientation, as required to suit the climatic conditions of the location and adequate storage space, etc. Convergence with other existing centrally sponsored schemes and Missions such as Smart Cities, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat (U), National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), Ujjwalla, Ujala, Make in India shall be ensured during the designing of LHPs at each site. The structural details shall be designed to meet the durability and safety requirements of applicable loads including earthquakes and cyclone and flood as applicable in accordance with the applicable Indian/International standards. Cluster design may include innovative system of water supply, drainage and rain water harvesting, renewable energy sources with special focus on solar energy. The period of construction will be maximum 12 months from the date of handing over of sites to the successful bidder after all statutory approvals. Approvals will be accorded through a fast track process by the concerned State/UT Government. For the subsequent allotment of constructed houses under LHPs to the eligible beneficiaries in States/ UTs, procedures of existing guidelines of PMAY (U) will be followed.
3.20.EMBRACING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Why in news? The Power Ministerrecently announced the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. This is partly linked to drop in payment rates, as consumers are struggling to pay their bills amid rising consumption and tight finances.
The rules lay down uniform performance standards for power distribution companies (discoms) and make them liable to compensate consumers in case of violations. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 65
India’s residential electricity consumption is expected to at least double by 2030. As households buy more electric appliances to satisfy their domestic needs. Embracing energy efficiency can be a win-win solution as this can bring down household energy bills and reduce discoms’ financial stress. India Residential Energy Survey conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water and the Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy. The survey, covering nearly 15,000 households across 21 States, found that more than 75% of air-conditioners and 60% of refrigerators used in Indian homes were star- labelled. Further, nearly 90% of Indian homes used LED lamps or tubes. However, there has been limited uptake of energy-efficient ceiling fans and televisions. While 90% of homes use fans, only 3% have efficient fans. Similarly, 60% of our television stock comprises the big old energy-guzzling CRT (cathode ray tube) models. Desert coolers, used by 15% homes, are not even covered under the labelling programme. Significant efficiency gains are also possible for other appliances like water pumps and induction cook stoves.
Way forward First, the availability and affordability of energy-efficient appliances should be improved. For instance, despite a voluntary labelling scheme since 2009, less than 5% of ceiling fans produced in India are star-rated. While the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) plans to bring ceiling fans under mandatory labelling from 2022, the high upfront cost will be another barrier. At present, the most efficient fans cost more than double the price of conventional models. Innovative business models that can attract manufacturers to produce efficient technology at scale and bring it within purchasing capacity are needed. Second, India needs a nationwide consumer awareness campaign on energy efficiency. Only a fourth of Indian households are currently aware of BEE’s star labels. While awareness levels are high among residents of metros and tier-1 cities, the majority in small towns and rural areas remain unaware. To bridge this divide, there is a need of decentralised and consumer-centric engagement strategy. State governments, discoms and retailers need to be at the forefront of our renewed efforts to create mass awareness about energy efficiency. Finally, there is a need to monitor supply quality and changing consumption pattern on a real-time basis. As discoms in India deploy smart meters, these must be used to measure actual savings and demonstrate the benefits of energy-efficient devices to build consumer confidence. The smart metering network would also be crucial to enforce consumer rights rules.
India has tasted success in recent years by embracing energy efficiency. The government’s UJALA scheme transformed the market for LED bulbs, while also helping India reduce its annual carbon emissions by nearly 82 million tonnes. A similar focus towards other energy-efficient appliances would allow India to ensure 24x7 power for all.
3.21.FIRST INDIA-EU IPR DIALOGUE 2021
Why in News?
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 66
The 1st India-EU IPR dialogue 2021 was held virtually between European Union (EU) Commission and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to discuss key Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues affecting businesses.
The dialogue saw the exchange of information in specific areas of IP.
Highlights: Indian side gave a general review on the IPR developments inclined with National IPR policy 2016 which resulted in legislative reforms to stimulate innovation and creativity among start-ups and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises). The other side also provided the overview of various activities being undertaken by them including IPRs in relation to Free Trade Agreements as well as effective enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights In order to cater the recent needs of an industry, the EU showcased its recent directive on Copyright in the digital market while Indian side provided an update on reduced pendency on trademarks. Discussions were also held on plant protection and farmer’s right and their importance for Indian economy. It was emphasized that this dialogue is an effective platform to discuss key intellectual property issues that affect business entities and to identify areas for closer collaboration for mutual benefit of both economies.
Participants: Senior government functionaries from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Health and Department of Revenue from the Indian side, and several Directorate Generals of European Commission, from EU side.
3.22.NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE ON TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR
Context Cyber security continues to be a major threat and securing critical infrastructure remains a key challenge for most nations. Securing the hardware that goes into the infrastructure along with the codes and network connectors is part of this challenge. NSDTC is meant to provide guidance in securing the telecom sector.
The NSDTS is aimed at preserving the integrity of the supply chain under which the government will declare a list of trusted sources and trusted products for installation in the country’s telecom networks. There will also be a list of designated sources from where no procurement is to be made. The methodology to designate trusted products will be devised by the designated authority, the National Cyber Security Coordinator of India, and the list of the trusted source and product decided on the basis of approval by a committee headed by the Deputy National Security Adviser and having representation from the relevant ministries, industry bodies and independent experts.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 67
It is in line with the call for Atma nirbhar Bharat as it is meant meant to support the domestic manufacturers and give preference to the domestically manufactured telecom and electronic products. It provides an opportunity for the Indian telecom industry to realise its potential as a manufacturing hub with many nations concerned with the motives of Chinese telecom companies. With the fast changing realisation around criticality of telecom networks and vulnerability to backdoor bugs and state and non-state hacking syndicates, the government’s move is prudent.
National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) Functions under National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and coordinates with different agencies at the national level for cyber security matters. NSCS. It is the apex body regarding cybersecurity issues headed by the National security advisor.
3.23.WHAT THE BUDGET CAN DO TO HELP MSME's
What should Agri policy focus on? Produce enough food, feed and fibre to the growint population. Protect the environment, achieve higher productivity and global competitiveness. Seamless movement of food keeping marketing costs low ,save on food losses in supply chain. provide safe , nutritious and fresh food to consumers with more choices. Increase the income of farmers with access to best technology and markets in India and abroad.
Challenges and suggestions to overcome them On the production front, the best policy is to invest in R&D for agriculture, and its extension from lab to land, irrigation, etc, that raise productivity. For developing countries, it is believed that they should invest in agri-R&D and extension, at least about one percent of their agri-GDP. India is hovering at about half of this number. Free electricity for pumping groundwater and highly subsidised fertilisers, especially urea, are damaging groundwater levels and its quality, more so in the Green Revolution states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. This region is crying for crop diversification, especially reducing rice area by almost half, while augmenting farmers’ incomes. In the marketing segment also, for most of our agri-commodities, our costs remain high compared to several other developing countries due to poor logistics, low investments in supply lines and high margins of intermediaries. This segment has been crying for reforms for decades to bring about efficiency in agri-marketing and lower the transactions costs. It can be done by switching from highly subsidised input price policy (power, water, fertilisers), and MSP/FRP policy for paddy, wheat, and sugarcane, to more income support policies linked to the saving of water, soil and air quality. Public Distribution of Food (PDS) that is relying on rice and wheat, and that too at more than 90% subsidy over its costs of procurement, stocking and distribution, is not helping much. It is already blowing up the finances of FCI, where its borrowing are touching Rs 3 lakh crore. Beneficiaries of subsidised rice and wheat Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 68
need to be given a choice to opt for cash equivalent to MSP plus 25%. FCI adds about 40% cost over MSP while procuring, storing and distributing food. This cash option will save some money to the FM and also encourage more diversified and nutritious food to beneficiaries.
EXTERNAL SECTOR
3.24.INDIA'S TRADE WITH CHINA FALLS IN 2020
Why in news? India’s trade with China last year fell to the lowest since 2017, with the trade imbalance declining to a five-year low on the back of a slump in India’s imports from China.
Two-way trade in 2020 reached $87.6 billion, down by 5.6%, according to new figures from China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC). India’s imports from China accounted for $66.7 billion, declining by 10.8% year-on-year and the lowest figure since 2016. India’s exports to China, however, rose to the highest figure on record, for the first time crossing the $20 billion-mark and growing 16% last year to $20.86 billion. The trade deficit, declined to a five year-low of $45.8 billion, the lowest since 2015. While there was no immediate break-up of the data in 2020, India’s biggest import in 2019 was electrical machinery and equipment, worth $20.17 billion. Other major imports in 2019 were organic chemicals ($8.39 billion) and fertilisers ($1.67 billion), while India’s top exports were iron ore, organic chemicals, cotton and unfinished diamonds. The past 12 months saw a surge in demand for iron ore in China with a slew of new infrastructure projects aimed at reviving growth after the COVID-19 slump. China’s total iron ore imports were up 9.5 per cent in 2020. While India’s imports from China declined, so did India’s imports overall with a slump in domestic demand last year. There is, as yet, no evidence to suggest India has replaced its import dependence on China by either sourcing those goods elsewhere or manufacturing them at home, and the trade pattern of the coming 12 months, as India’s economy begins to rebound, will reveal whether the past year was an exception or a turning point. China was “the world's only major economy to have registered positive growth in foreign trade in goods, with China’s foreign trade and exports in the first 10 months of the year accounting for a record 12.8% and 14.2% of the global total. Exports to ASEAN countries, China’s largest trading partner last year with $684 billion in annual trade, were up 6.7%, while exports to the EU, China’s second- largest trading partner, were also up 6.7%, with trade reaching $649 billion. Despite the trade war with the U.S. and the pandemic, two-way trade was up 8.3% to $586 billion, with Chinese exports up 7.9% to reach a record $451 billion. The trade surplus with the U.S. was $317 billion in 2020.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 69
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 70
4. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
4.1.WHY LIGHTNING KILLS
How lightning occurs? Lightning is the process of occurrence of a natural ‘electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud’, accompanied by a bright flash and sound, and sometimes thunderstorms. Inter cloud or intra cloud (IC) lightning which are visible and are harmless. It is cloud to ground (CG) lightning, which is harmful as the ‘high electric voltage and electric current’ leads to electrocution.
How deaths can be minimised? Every lightning strikes around a fixed period and almost similar geographical locations in similar patterns. As per the report, Kalbaishakhi—Norwesters, which are violent thunderstorms with lightning—claims life in eastern India; pre-monsoon lightning deaths occur mostly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and UP. So early lightning warning to farmers, cattle grazers, children and people in open areas is key. Then a local lightning safety action plan, like installing Lightning Protection Devices, is also need to prevent deaths.. Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC) has a MOU with the India Met Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), Government of India to disseminate early lightning forecasts which uses satellite observations, inputs from ‘network of Doppler and other radars’, ‘lightning detection Sensors’ among others. Government of India and most states have not notified lightning as a disaster. There has always been a large number of animal fatalities due to lightning. Although the Ministry of Animal Husbandry has an Animal Disaster Management Plan, there hasn’t been any compliance pertaining to lightning fatalities. Mapping of lightning is a major breakthrough in identifying the precise risk in terms of lightning frequency, current intensity, energy content, high temperature and other adverse impacts. With continuous mapping for at least three years, a climatology can be established. This would yield a Lightning Risk Atlas map for India which will form the basis for a lightning risk management programme.
4.2.PROTESTS OVER ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE IN NARMADA DISTRICT
Why in news? Centre has released a notification classifying 121 villages around the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Narmada district as eco-sensitive zones. Firstly, as per the provisions of the notification, land falling in the eco-sensitive zone -- including land belonging to the forest department, horticulture department, that used for agricultural use and plots reserved for parks -- cannot be transferred for non-agricultural use for commercial, industrial or
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 71
residential purposes. Any land that needs to be transferred can be done so only after approval from the state government. Second, a process has been initiated to include the state government as the co- owner of the land in the 121 villages. Third, the notification, combined with the formation of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority, or Statue of Unity Tourism Authority (SoUTA), by the Gujarat government to govern Kevadia, which now has increased administrative needs owing to the booming tourism, has left tribals in a state of mistrust and fear. Tribals feel the simultaneous implementation of the two government decisions could dilute the "power" vested with villagers under the Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, implemented in areas notified under Schedule V of the Constitution.
Shoolpneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Gujarat, located in the western Satpura Range south of the Narmada River. It shares a common boundary with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It encompasses mixed dry deciduous forest, riverine forest, few pockets of moist teakforest, agricultural fields and two water reservoirs. It was established in 1982.
What are eco-sensitive zones? Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas in India notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of "shock absorbers" to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas. They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention the word "Eco- Sensitive Zones". However, Section 3(2)(v) of the Act says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards. Besides Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986[1] states that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas. The above two clauses have been effectively used by the government to declare ESZs or EFAs.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 72
4.3.BIRD FLU (AVIAN INFLUENZA) IN INDIA
Bird flu(H5N1strain) has been reported among wild geese in Himachal Pradesh, crows in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and ducks in Kerala. Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys. There are many strains of the virus – some of them are mild and may merely cause a low egg production or other mild symptoms among chickens, while others are severe and lethal. Wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese are the natural reservoir of Influenza A viruses and the central players in the ecology of these viruses. Many birds carry the flu without developing sickness, and shed it in their droppings. Since birds excrete even while flying, they provide “a nice aerosol of influenza virus, shedding it all over the world. Bird flu outbreaks have been affecting poultry around the globe for decades, and culling of infected birds has been a common measure to contain the spread. But it was in 1997 when humans are first known to have contracted bird flu following an outbreak in a live bird market of Hong Kong. It was the H5N1strain of the virus. It was contained, but re-emerged a few years later in various other parts of the globe and caused hundreds of human deaths, particularly in Southeast Asia. Movement of infected poultry and migratory birds, and an illegal bird trade are believed to be the causes of the spread. Subsequently, several other strains of the virus such as H5N2 and H9N2 spread from animals to humans, thus becoming a global public health concern. In India, no case of bird flu in humans has been detected so far, according to the Union health ministry. Unlike in birds, where it generally infects the gut, the avian influenza attacks the respiratory tract of humans and may cause severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Antiviral drugs, especially oseltamivir, improve the prospects of survival in humans, according to the Union health ministry. The ministry advises people working with poultry to use PPEs and follow hand hygiene. In the US, the FDA approved a vaccine for the H5N1 virus in 2007.
What is culling of poultry animals? Mass slaughter of domestic poultry birds, such as chickens and ducks, to contain the spread of bird flu is called culling. During culling operations, all domestic birds in an infected area, i.e., an area in which a case of bird flu has been detected, are slaughtered and their remains buried. In India, culling is done in a radius one kilometre from the site of infection, which is called the 'infected zone'. This means all domestic birds present in commercial farms, backyard farms or live bird markets in the infected zone are culled. Culling was earlier done only to stop the viral disease from spreading to birds in other farms outside the infected zone. It is now also aimed at protecting humans, ever since the first transmission to humans in 1997. Though wild and other birds may also carry the bird flu, only domestic poultry birds are culled since they are present in close proximity with people, raising the
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 73
chances of transmission of the virus to humans, according to the central government's bird flu action plan. "The birds should be culled by a quick twisting of the neck (cervical dislocation), taking care that the process is humane,” states the Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza. This method results in death from cerabral anoxia. After culling, the bird carcasses are either burnt/incinerated or buried in deep pits which are then covered with layers of lime.
4.4.A GRAND DAM DIVIDES AFRICAN NATIONS
The Nile, Africa’s longest river, has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries that are dependent on the river’s waters. At the forefront of this dispute are Ethiopia and Egypt, with Sudan having found itself dragged into the issue. Spearheaded by Ethiopia, the 145-meter-tall Grand Renaissance Dam hydropower project, when completed, will be Africa’s largest. The construction of the dam was initiated in 2011 on the Blue Nile tributary of the river that runs across one part of Ethiopia. The Nile is a necessary water source in the region and Egypt has consistently objected to the dam's construction, saying it will impact water flow. The long-standing dispute has been a cause of concern for international observers who fear that it may increase conflict between the two nations and spill out into other countries in the Horn of Africa. Given the dam's location on the Blue Nile tributary, it would potentially allow Ethiopia to gain control of the flow of the river's waters. Egypt lies further downstream and is concerned that Ethiopia's control over the water could result in lower water levels within its own borders. Ethiopia's goal is to secure electricity for its population and to sustain and develop its growing manufacturing industry. Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt agreed on January 3rd to resume negotiations to resolve their decade-long complex dispute over the Grand Renaissance Dam hydropower project in the Horn of Africa.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 74
4.5.NEW SPECIES OF FRUIT FLY IN INDIA
A new species of fruit fly discovered from Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu is named after Siruvani, an ecological hotspot in the Western Ghats. The fruit fly ‘Euphranta siruvani’ belonging to family Tephritidae was identified by researchers from a non-forest area near Siruvani and the discovery has been published in the Zootaxa journal recently. The fairyfly feeds on eggs laid by plant feeders such as hoppers. More study is required to understand its life cycle, according to the researchers.
4.6.WHY SEAWEEDS NEED TO BE CONSERVED URGENTLY
Seaweeds, the primitive, marine non-flowering marine algae without root, stem and leaves, play a major role in marine ecosystems. Large seaweeds form dense underwater forests known as kelp forests,the herbivorous marine animals also feed on its thallus. Seaweeds, found mostly in the intertidal region, in shallow and deep waters of the sea and also in estuaries and backwaters, absorb the excess nutrients and balance out the ecosystems They also act as a bio-indicator. When waste from agriculture, industries, aquaculture and households are let into the ocean, it causes nutrient imbalance leading to algal blooming, the sign of marine chemical damage. These aquatic organisms heavily rely on iron for photosynthesis. When quantity of this mineral exceeds healthy levels and becomes dangerous to marine life, seaweeds trap it and prevent damage. Seaweed has a significant role in mitigating climate change. By afforesting 9 per cent of the ocean with seaweed, it is possible to sequester 53 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually . Hence, there is a proposal termed as ‘ocean afforestation’ for farming seaweed to remove carbon. They can be used as fertilizers and to increase fish production. Also, when livestock is fed with seaweed, methane emission from cattle may be reduced substantially. Need for conservation Mechanical dredging causes damage to the kelp forests formed by large seaweeds. Indiscriminate collection of seaweed also causes severe damage to the useful algaes.The conservation status of seaweeds is yet to be evaluated by the IUCN.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 75
Fisher folk, mostly women, collect tonnes of seaweeds daily around the islands. And while doing so, they break the corals. Some exotic, invasive Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed being cultivated this region by PepsiCo (an American multinational food, snack and beverage corporation) is posing a serious threat to the coral reefs. They have started smothering the coral reefs and slowly killing them.
4.7.CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
According to the fifth edition of United Nations Adaptation Gap Report, 2020 , the annual cost of adaptation to the effects of climate change for developing countries is estimated to at least quadruple by 2050. Adaptation costs, in actual terms, is higher in developed countries but the burden of adaptation is greater for developing countries in relation to their gross domestic product. These countries, especially in Africa and Asia, which are least equipped to tackle climate change will also be the most impacted by it, the report noted. The ever-increasing adaptation cost has also outpaced the growth in adaptation finance that refers to the flow of funds to developing countries to help them tide over the damages caused by weather events from climate change. This, in turn, has kept the adaptation finance gap from closing with the current efforts, although the fund flow has increased, the report said. Adaptation Finance Gap refers to the difference between Adaptation cost and the Adaptation finance.
About United Nations Adaptation Gap Report: UNEP DTU Partnership in collaboration withWorld Adaptation Science Programme (WASP)publishes the report since 2014. The aim of the reports is to inform national and international efforts to advance adaptation. The report series complements the emission gap report series – exploring global progress on adaptation and options for enhancing the global adaptation efforts.
4.8.FOREST FIRES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh frequently witnesses forest fires during dry weather conditions. Except for periods of precipitation in monsoon and winter, the forests remain vulnerable to wildfires. Forest fires are a recurrent annual phenomenon in the state, and most commonly occur in Chir Pine forests.
What causes the fire? Natural causes such as lightning or rubbing of dry bamboos with each other can sometimes result in fires, but according to forest officials almost all forest fires can be attributed to human factors. When the grass is dry, even a small spark, such as someone dropping a burning matchstick, torchwood or a bidi/cigarette, can cause a massive fire.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 76
The dry leaf litter on the forest ground acts as a ready fuel. Below the loose litter, decaying materials such as humus, wood, shrubs, roots, much and peat can also support the combustion. Above the surface level, dry standing trees, mosses, lichens, dry epiphytic or parasitic plants, and fallen branches trapped in the understorey can spread the fire to the upper foliage and the tree crowns.
Damage to the forest due to forest fires Moisture-loving trees such as Oaks and Deodars may give way to other species and exotic weeds. Forests help maintain aquifers and continuous flow of streams and springs, and provide firewood, fodder and non-timber produce to the local communities – all these capacities may get adversely affected in case of a fire. Forest fires may destroy organic matter in the soil and expose the top layer to erosion. They may also impact the wildlife by burning eggs, killing young animals and driving the adult animals away from their safe haven.
Prevention and control Forecasting fire-prone days using meteorological data, clearing camping sites of dried biomass, early burning of dry litter on the forest floor, growing strips of fire- hardy plant species within the forest, and creating fire lines in the forests are some of the methods to prevent fires Once a fire starts, early detection and quick action by fire-fighting squads is crucial. In 1999, the state government notified forest fire rules which restrict or regulate certain activities in and around forest areas such as lighting a fire, burning agricultural stubble or undergrowth (ghasnis) and stacking inflammable forest produce such as dried leaves and firewood.
4.9.BIOSECURITY
Why in news? A pigeon called Joe, named after US president-elect Joe Biden, was declared a biosecurity risk by Australian authorities and was facing death row last month after it was alleged he entered the country from the United States.
But why was the pigeon declared to be a biosecurity risk? As per the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, any bird from outside the country is a biosecurity risk since it could be a carrier of disease, like avian influenza, Newcastle disease, pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) infection, avian paramyxovirus type 3 (APMV-3) infection and equine viral encephalomyelitis, among others. Protecting the health of Australian bird populations against potentially devastating losses to disease remains the department’s top priority in these cases. Humane destruction of the bird is the best safeguard for Australian poultry and wildlife. One reason for this is that most countries have similar restrictions to Australia and will not allow the import of birds.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 77
Biosecurity Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach to analysing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health and associated risks for the environment. Benefits of biosecurity include early recognition of emerging pest and disease threats,ability to consider complete exposure pathways, integrated responses to threats, rationalization of controls, improved emergency preparedness and response, overall ensuring the more efficient use of available resources.
4.10.2020 – ONE OF THE HOTTEST YEARS ON RECORD
2020 has been recorded as one of the hottest years by various agencies. While NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies says that 2020 was the hottest year on record tying with 2016 (which held the previous record for the hottest year) US NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information has said that 2020 was the second warmest year on record since 1880, when it started maintaining records. According to NOAA, the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces for 2020 was 0.98 degree Celsius above the average for the 20th century and just 0.02 degree Celsius less than the average temperature for 2016. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that 2019 was the seventh warmest year for the country last year.
Its impact As per NOAA, some of the significant climate anomalies and events of 2020 include cyclone Amphan, the second super cyclone to form over the Bay of Bengal in two decades. Other events include hurricanes Eta and Iota, which made landfall as category four storms within 25 km of each other in Nicaragua. An example of extreme events in the US is of the wildfires that ravaged California.Similarly, the Australian bushfires that started in 2019 lasted into early 2020 and were unprecedented in scale. NASA has said that decades of greenhouse gas emissions set the stage for this year’s events and that human-produced greenhouse gas emissions are largely responsible for warming the Earth. Significantly, NASA notes that carbon dioxide levels have increased by over 50 percent since the Industrial Revolution began 250 years ago, while the level of methane has more than doubled. This has warmed the Earth by about 1 degree Celsius since this period.
4.11. RED PANDA
Why in news? The Scientists from the ZSI have concluded that India is home to both the (sub) species — Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) and the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh splits the red panda into these two phylogenetic species.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 78
The Himalayan red panda was relatively affected more during the Pleistocene glaciation and experienced a severe reduction in the population size when compared to the Chinese red panda. The reason for the reduction in the population size of the Himalayan red panda is due to the geological and climatic oscillations as the landscape was exposed to heavier topographic and geological changes through repeated cycles of the wet and dry periods during the last glacial maxima
About Red Panda The red panda is a mammal species native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List . The primary threats to red pandas are direct harvest from the wild, live or dead, competition with domestic livestock resulting in habitat degradation, and deforestation resulting in habitat loss or fragmentation. In India, the biggest threat seems to be habitat loss followed by poaching, while in China, the biggest threat seems to be hunting and poaching. Though it is considered an indicator species for ecological change, the red panda is shy, solitary and arboreal animal. It primarily feeds on bamboo and avoids human presence.
Conservation efforts : The study by ZSI of fine-scale landscape genetics of red panda covering the eastern Himalayas and building a reference DNA database to help in the identification of confiscated cases, under an ongoing five-year project of the government of India’s Department of Science and Technology INSPIREFaculty scheme. The scientists of the ZSI are trying to extend the scope of the research and replicate studies in collaboration of other range countries like Bhutan, Nepal and China. The results will help in proposing long term monitoring and conservation.
4.12.STEEP DECLINE IN BIRD COUNT WORRIES BIRDERS
Why in news? The annual water bird count in Kochi organised by Cochin Natural History Society in association with eBird, Birdcount India, and Wetlands International. It was part of the Asian Waterbird Census 2021. While there has been a spike in the number of bird species encountered this time when compared to those in the previous years, the number of birds has nosedived this year, says the report. As many as 108 species, including Curlew Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Pallas’s Gull, Spot-billed Pelican, and Eurasian Spoonbill were spotted in the 10 locations. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 79
Flooding, siltation, and change in weather patterns might have also influenced the bird population. Lesser Whistling Duck was the most recorded species, as 924 individuals were counted on the day followed by Whiskered Tern (363).
About Asian Waterbird census 2021 The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) takes place every January. This citizen-science event is a part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) that supports the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide. The AWC was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and since has grown rapidly to cover major region of Asia, from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. Thecensus, thus covers the entire East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a large part of the Central Asian Flyway. It’s objective is to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species (January) and also as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst citizens.
4.13.MINING OF RARE EARTH METALS AND ITS IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
Naturally abundant wind, geothermal, solar, tidal and electric energy are being hastened as the future of the planet's energy needs. And rare earth elements are used in a bevy of technolgies to generate this cleaner, renewable energy. Extraction and mining of rare earth metals involves similar land-use exploitation, environmental damage and ecological burden as any other mining operation. They are mined using extremely energy-intensive processes, spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere and toxins into the ground. A survey done by United Nations University (UNU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the impact e-waste has on child health, raised concerns around chemical burns, cancer and stunted growth. Because of ambitious renewable energy initiatives resulting from many nations pursuing renewable technologies, there is a need for caution. Especially when the largest reserves in the world, the largest users and the country which is involved in a majority of the supply chains is China. Having suitable recycling methods is a valuable contribution towards keeping the costs of the materials low and maximising the use of the rare earth elements.
About Rare earth metals Despite the name, rare earth elements are found abundantly in the Earth's crust. They were called because of widely dispersed nature and found in low concentrations that are not economically exploitable. They comprise seventeen chemical elements — 15 lanthanides (anthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium), scandium and yttrium.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 80
These are used in manufacturing wind turbine magnets, solar cells, smartphone components, cells used in electric vehicles, among others. Until 1948, India and Brazil were the world’s primary producers of rare earth metals. Now China has the largest reserves in the world followed by United States, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Australia, Russia, Myanmar, Indonesia.
4.14.FOREST RIGHTS
In a country which boasts of one of the top 10 forest covers in the world, it is ironic that the forest departments and the Union government have not followed its own law for over 90 years.
Background : Some 150 years ago, the first Indian Forest Act in 1865, promulgated by the British government, had usurped the traditional ownership and management power of forest- dwelling communities. After over six decades of coaxing, the British government in 1932 issued pattas (legal ownership documents) to the forest dwellers.
Indian Forest Act, 1927 It sought to consolidate and reserve the areas having forest cover, or significant wildlife, to regulate movement and transit of forest produce, and duty leviable on timber and other forest produce. It also defines the procedure to be followed for declaring an area to be a Reserved Forest, a Protected Forest or a Village Forest. It defines what is a forest offence, what are the acts prohibited inside a Reserved Forest, and penalties leviable on violation of the provisions of the Act.
Section 4 of Indian Forest Act (1927) Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, once the notification under Section 4 is issued, the state government has to appoint a forest settlement officer (FSO) to look into the land rights of people living within the identified boundaries of the proposed reserve forest. The officer, who is usually from the revenue department as the law forbids forest officials for the role, has the power to settle rights over both common and private lands. The claimants can also appeal against the decision of FSO in a forest court. Only when this process of land settlement is complete, including the verdicts on the appeals, can the state government issue a notification under Section 20 of the Act to finally declare a piece of land as a reserve forest. Most of the land stuck under Section 4 was announced in the 1950s and 1960s when the country was not food secure. At the time of Independence, India was short on food and had to constantly approach the US for it. So even after the issuing of Section 4, these forest lands were treated as revenue lands. Forest departments across the country treat the areas stuck under Section 4 as their own land, even without completing the process. The Indian State of Forest Report, 2019, released by the Forest Survey of India, offers a glimpse of this.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 81
It says while the total recorded forestland in the country stands at 76.74 million ha, only 51.38 million ha of it has forest cover. This means 25.37 million ha forestland is without a cover.This includes Section 4 lands, along with forestland diverted for activities like mining, hydropower projects which lack any forest cover now. The Centre passed the Schedule Tribe and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act or FRA in 2006 to undo this “historical injustice” and give rights to 300 million forest dwellers of the country. FRA was brought because of the failure of the Centre and state governments to implement the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This was despite the Union government, in 1980 and again in 1990, issuing notifications to the states, asking them to settle the rights of forest dwellers over their forest lands. Section 4 forestland is just one of the many lacunae in the way forest is governed in the country. Madhya Pradesh is the only state which has taken steps to at least understand these land disputes.
The earlier process of forest land settlement under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 has not been efficient, to say the least. So a more democratic process was laid down under FRA to help people regain their rights is required.Still, over a decade since its coming into force, the implementation of FRA remains poor.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 82
4.15.BIHAR STATE BIRD FESTIVAL ‘KALRAV’
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated ‘Kalrav’, the first ever bird festival of Bihar at Nagi-Nakti bird sanctuary in Jamui district, around 200km southeast from the state capital on Saturday.
About Nagi-Nakti bird sanctuary The pristine bird sanctuary is famous for 136 species of birds, and a sizeable population of rajhans or the bar-headed goose, which is a migratory bird. The number of this particular species touches 1,600 at times, which is around 3 per cent of its entire population in the world. Many migratory birds come here during winter. Nagi-Nakti are twin dams separated by six kilometres, and spread across 1123 hectares surrounded by hills and forests. The Nagi dam is well known for the presence of ‘tor’ or freestanding rock outcrop, making it more beautiful. Such rock outcrops are rare in the eastern India, and is the only one in Bihar.
4.16.WOLF SANCTUARY IN KARNATAKA
Chief Minister of Karnatataka B.S. Yediyurappa chaired a meeting of the State Wildlife Board and approved a proposal to set up a wolf sanctuary spread over 800 acres of forest area at Bankapura-2 reserve in Gangavathi division of Koppal district, Kalyana-Karnataka region. The forest patches falling within Bankapura and Mallapur villages comprise hillocks and thorny vegetation. The Indian grey wolves inhabit the dry grassland region in the Koppal district. It was decided to declare the Mundige Kere bird sanctuary in Sirsi as Mundige Kere bird sanctuary reserved area. The board approved a proposal to declare 1,180 hectares in Koppal’s Irakalgat region as bear reserve area. It cleared declaring Handigundi reserved forest in Ramanagaram (4,167.94 hectares) as the bear sanctuary. The Chief Minister approved a proposal declaring the backwaters of Almatti dam in Vijayapura as “Chikkasangama bird reserve area”. The meeting cleared several projects related to providing drinking water, road connectivity, electricity, and other basic amenities in villages located at different wildlife sanctuaries.
Indian grey wolves In Karnataka, the wolf is found in isolated pockets in the drier areas, including Haveri, Koppal, Tumakuru, Raichur, and Ballari. A highly endangered and threatened Indian grey wolf species mostly survives on grasslands, scrub forests, and rarely in dry deciduous forests. Though the species is distributed widely, it is threatened largely because of habitat loss and retaliatory killing.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 83
They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Almatti Dam The Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam is also known as Almatti Dam is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna River in North Karnataka, India which was completed in July 2005. The target annual electric output of the dam is 560 MU (or GWh) The Almatti Dam is the main reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project.
4.17.GAPS IN COMPLIANCE OF ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES
Huge gaps in compliance of electronic waste-management rules show authorities’ lack of concern for health of the citizens, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said in a recent order. The direction was issued to central and all state pollution control boards. In 2018, the environment ministry had told the tribunal that 95 per cent of e- waste in India is recycled by the informal sector and scrap dealers unscientifically dispose it by burning or dissolving it in acids. Data shared by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with the NGT shows India generated more than 10 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20. The Bench directed that further steps be now taken for scientific enforcement of E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the light of the reports of the CPCB.
4.18.WHY GEO-ENGINEERING IS A DANGEROUS TECHNO-UTOPIAN DREAM
Geoengineering has steadily shifted over the last few decades from the margins towards the mainstream of climate discourse. While past experiments such as LOHAFEX (an ocean iron fertilisation experiment to see if iron can cause algal bloom and trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere) and SPICE (a research project that aimed to assess the feasibility of injecting particles into stratosphere from a tethered balloon to manage solar radiation) were halted, other projects of various sizes have emerged recently. Geoengineering is a deliberate, large-scale intervention carried out in the Earth’s natural systems to reverse the impacts of climate change, These techniques fall primarily under three categories: Solar radiation management (SRM), carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and weather modification. Specific technologies include solar geoengineering or ‘dimming the sun’ by spraying sulfates into the air to reflect sunlight back into space; ocean fertilisation or the dumping of iron or urea to stimulate phytoplankton growth to absorb more carbon; cloud brightening or spraying saltwater to make clouds more reflective and more. CDR technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) that are being proposed as a means to achieve ‘net zero’ emissions by mid-century, are also a method of geoengineering as they involved deliberate intervention in the natural carbon cycle.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 84
China has been implementing one of the world’s largest weather-modification programmes to artificially enhance rain, with plans to expand capacity to cover nearly 60 per cent of the country by 2025. Australian government has been testing marine cloud brightening this year to cool water temperatures near the Great Barrier Reef.
Consequences: Some of the consequences are already known like solar geoengineering, for example, alters rainfall patterns that can disrupt agriculture and water supplies. Injecting sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere above the Arctic to mimic volcano clouds, for example, can disrupt the monsoons in Asia and increase droughts, particularly in Africa, endangering food and water sources for two billion people According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2020 Emissions Gap Report, Predicted emissions in 2030 leave the world on the path to a 3.2°C increase this century, even if all unconditional nationally determined contributions are fully implemented. The levels of ambition in the Paris Agreement must be roughly tripled for the 2°C pathway and increased at least fivefold for the 1.5°C pathway. Geoengineering cannot be treated as a magical machine to escape heightening concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
4.19.SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING
Why in news? The southern India received unusually heavy rainfall from January 1 to January 17. This winter rain may have been caused by sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) far away in the Arctic region.
About Sudden stratospheric warming A sudden stratospheric warming(SSW) is an event in which the polar stratospheric temperature rises by several tens of kelvins (up to increases of about 50°C (90°F) over the course of a few days and the winds in the stratosphere can reverse from westerly to easterly. Every winter a large difference in temperature between the high latitude stratosphere and the stratosphere at lower latitudes (a strong temperature gradient) is created. This sets up strong winds blowing in a westerly direction around the cold air over the pole. This arrangement is known as the Stratospheric Polar Vortex (SPV). On occasions, this vortex can become disturbed and the temperature can rise by up to 50 degrees Celisus in a few days (although it is still cold) and the winds can weaken, or even reverse. If the winds reverse, then a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is said to have happened. The SSWs happen around six times a decade in the northern hemisphere, but only one has ever been observed in the southern hemisphere .This is because of the different arrangement of land and sea in the two hemispheres
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 85
Effects of SSW on global weather: The rainfall and changing winds is how the SSW event impacts the weather in the tropical regions. These disturbances in the stratosphere sometimes also cause circulation anomalies in the troposphere — the atmospheric layer below which our weather is generated. One often observes a meandering and southward-shifted jet stream in the troposphere, causing colder winter weather in northern Eurasia and the northeastern United States, as well as increased storminess and precipitation in the Mediterranean region. During an SSW event in the 2019, the North Pole vortex had split into three smaller vortices releasing cold winds into the southern regions. The weather in the atmospheric layers above the stratosphere — mesosphere and thermosphere — also get affected by SSW. This is a cause for concern for satellite navigation and other space-based human endeavours.
4.20.ARCTIC WILDLIFE REFUGE
Why in news? U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration announced plans for a temporary moratorium on oil and gas leasing in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after the Trump administration issued leases in a part of the refuge considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in. Oil has long been the economic lifeblood of Alaska, and drilling supporters have viewed development as a way to boost oil production that is a fraction of what it was in the late 1980s, and to generate revenue and create or sustain jobs. Drilling critics have said the area off the Beaufort Sea provides habitat for wildlife including caribou, polar bears, wolves and birds — and should be off limits to drilling. The Gwich’in have raised concerns about impacts on a caribou herd on which they have relied for subsistence.
About Alaska’s Arctic National wildlife Refuge The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR or Arctic Refuge) is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. The refuge supports a greater variety of plant and animal life than any other protected area in the Arctic Circle. The question of whether to drill for oil in the ANWR has been an ongoing political controversy in the United States since 1977. Nearly all countries in the Arctic are rushing to claim the resources and minerals found in the Arctic. This rivalry is known as the "New Cold War" or "Race for the Arctic". People who oppose the drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge believe that it would be a threat to the lives of indigenous tribes. Those tribes rely on the ANWR’s wildlife, the animals and plants that reside in the refuge.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 86
4.21.DOLPHIN POPULATION IN CHILIKA LAKE RISES TO 156
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) conducted an annual survey on the biodiversity of the lagoon, which is the largest lake along the east-coast of India. The survey revealed that the population of dolphins has increased to 156 in 2020 against 150 in 2019. The annual survey 2021 conducted by “Transact Survey Method”, followed worldwide for population of aquatic mammals.The population estimation survey of Irrawaddy dolphin has been conducted by CDA since 2003. CDA has initiated many conservation measures for the protection and conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins in the past in close coordination with the Wildlife Wing of state Forest Department like survey and identification of dolphin habitat in the lake for proper management, formulation of dolphin watching protocol ,sensitization training of tourist boat operators ,widening and deepening of Magarmukha channel for free movement of dolphin from outer channel to the main lake.
About Irrawaddy dolphin The Irrawaddy dolphin is the flagship species inhabiting the Chilika Lake . The Chilika Lake is the world's single largest habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins. Irrawaddy dolphins in India are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, ClTES (Appendix-l) and as Endangered under IUCN red list. .Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong.
4.22.LOOKALIKE SNAKES BUT WITH SELF -STYLED VENOMS
A study of snakes in southern and western India has identified a new species of snake. Named the Romulus’ krait (Bungarus romulusi) after the ‘snake man of India’, Romulus Whittaker, the species has so far remained undetected because of its similarity in appearance to the common krait (B. caeruleus) and only a careful genetic analysis revealed that the two were distinct species. It also showed that some kraits in Maharashtra that were misidentified as the Wall’s Sind krait were actually the same as the Sind krait which is also found in parts of Pakistan and Rajasthan and has been identified as the snake with the most potent venom in India.
Significance of the study in venom analysis: According to the study the venom of the Sind krait was 12–13 times as potent as that of the common krait, whereas the venom of the Romulus’ krait was about six times as potent.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 87
When the Indian antivenoms were tested for their ability to neutralise the venoms of these cryptic kraits, they were found to be ineffective. This is because these antivenoms are made to protect against the bites of the ‘big four’ Indian snakes – the spectacled cobra , common krait, Russell’s viper and saw-scaled viper In a situation where about 58,000 people die in India every year due to snake bites and three times this number suffer permanent disabilities, it is necessary to take cognisance of the difference between the venoms of the different species and their distribution across the country.
4.23.MORE FLASH DROUGHTS IN INDIA BY END OF CENTURY
In 1979, India faced a severe flash drought, affecting about 40% of the country and taking a toll on agriculture. A new study has now pointed out that India could experience more such flash droughts by the end of this century. The top five flash droughts based on the overall severity score occurred in 1979 followed by 2009,1951,1986 and 2005. To predict the future flash droughts the team used a Community Earth System Model which simulates the summer monsoon precipitation, sea surface temperature, role of El Nino Southern Oscillation, and air temperature over India. The analysis showed a considerable rise in the frequency of extremely dry and hot years in the coming three decades. It also added that the frequency of concurrent hot and dry extremes is projected to rise by about five-fold, causing an approximately seven-fold increase in flash droughts like 1979 by the end of the 21st century.
About Flash droughts: Flash droughts are those that occur very quickly, with soil moisture depleting rapidly. Normally, developing drought conditions take months, but these happen within a week or in two weeks’ time. Several factors including atmospheric anomalies, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions play an important role in causing flash drought. The increased frequency of flash droughts can have deleterious implications for crop production, irrigation demands and groundwater abstraction in India.
4.24.HOW SCIENTISTS ARE COUNTING ELEPHANTS FROM SPACE
Why in news? A team of researchers from the University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and Machine Learning Research Group detected elephants in South Africa from space using Artificial Intelligence with an accuracy that they have compared to human detection capabilities.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 88
Before researchers developed the new technique, one of the most common survey methods to keep a check on elephant populations in savannah environments involved aerial counts undertaken from manned aircraft.However, this method does not deliver accurate results . They used satellite imagery that required no ground presence to monitor the elephants and they used the highest resolution satellite imagery currently available, called Worldview3. However , this is not the first study of its kind to initiate tracking of elephants using satellites. In 2002, Smithsonian scientists started using geographic information systems (GIS) technology to understand how they could conserve Asian elephants. At the time, scientists launched the first satellite-tracking project on Asian elephants in Myanmar.
About African Elephant and Asian elephant: The African elephant (Loxodonta) is a genus comprising two living elephant species, the African bush elephant (L. africana) and the smaller African forest elephant (L. cyclotis).Both species have been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), is the only living species of the genus Elephas .It is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Sout heast Asia, from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south, and to Borneo in the east. Since 1986, the Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
4.25.THREE SITES SELECTED IN MP FOR HOSTING CHEETAH
The Supreme Court in January 2020 had given approval to introduce African cheetahs to a suitable habitat in India on an experimental basis. Accordingly a Supreme Court- appointed committee has selected four possible sites - three in Madhya Pradesh and one in Rajasthan - for cheetah introduction in the wild. Kuno National Park, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gandhi Sagar- Chittorgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Bhainsrogarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan are suitable for translocation of cheetahs because of an appropriate geophysical feature of forests. The areas are well protected and have well-managed grassland. MP forest department will send a team of forest officials to Africa to gain expertise about Cheetah and is also preparing a special project ‘Cheetah’ to change the Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 89
physical features of the forest in Kuno National park and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Cheetah The Asiatic cheetah, was declared extinct in 1952 in India. The IUCN Red List classifies the species as critically endangered globally. In 2010, the central government set up an expert panel for reintroducing the cheetah in India. This panel recommended that the home of the fastest animal in the world could be Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, Velavadar National Park in Gujarat and Tal Chapar sanctuary in Rajasthan. Kuno Palpur was also the place prepared by Madhya Pradesh to house Asiatic lions from Gujarat, till the latter refused to share its pride. Before Namibia, India had approached Iran for Asiatic cheetahs, but had been refused. The Asiatic cheetah is believed to survive only in Iran . The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over- hunting in India in historical times. India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons.
4.26.GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2021
Highlights Climate Risk Index 2021, five African countries Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Sudan and Niger were among the global top 10 to suffer extreme weather in 2019. The index also ranked India as the country that suffered the second-highest monetary loss due to climate change in 2019 after Japan. Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi made it to the list primarily due to Cyclone Idai. The deadliest and costliest tropical cyclone in the south-west Indian Ocean. In 2019, most lives lost due to climate change were in India and it was the seventh-most affected country on the index. With eight tropical cyclones, the year 2019 was one of the most active Northern Indian Ocean cyclone seasons on record. Six of the eight cyclones intensified to become “very severe”, The long-term risk index mapped in the report for the last two decades also showed that low to lower-middle income countries had been the most affected.
About Global Climate Risk index The Germanwatch , a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Bonn, Germany. It publishes the Global Climate Risk Index annually to report on to what extent countries have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 90
4.27.INDIA’S FIRST GAS TO ETHANOL PLANT IN MAHARASHTRA
Steel Authority of India (SAIL) with the help of the Centre is planning to set up India's first gas to ethanol plant at its ferroalloy plant in Chandrapur in Maharashtra, and is said to be in line with the government's aim to reduce the country's dependence on import for crude oil besides addressing the issue of carbon emissions. This would be the fourth such plant in the world in the steel sector, and overall the first in India. As of now the bio-ethanol fuel generation technology is being used at two plants in China and one at ArcelorMittal's plant in Belgium. Through new technology, we can capture the hot gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen that emit from the ferro alloy plant's submerged arc furnace and convert these into ethanol using fermentation technology. Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), under the Ministry of Steel, is the country's largest steel-making company having an installed capacity of about 21 million tonne per annum (MTPA).
4.28.INDIA TO EXPAND TOURISM AND RESEARCH IN ARCTIC
India has unveiled a new draft ‘Arctic’ policy that, among other things, commits to expanding scientific research, “sustainable tourism” and mineral oil and gas exploration in the Arctic region. India's policy stands on five pillars: Scientific research, economics and human development; connectivity; global governance and international cooperation; and development of Indian human resource capabilities. Given the synergies between research pertaining to the Himalayas and the Arctic as well as the potential influence of changes in the Arctic to the Indian monsoon system, India’s stake in the Arctic is significant. India regards the Arctic as the common heritage of mankind. Arctic research will help India’s scientific community to study melting rates of the third pole — the Himalayan glaciers, which are endowed with the largest freshwater reserves in the world outside the geographic poles. Five Arctic littoral states — Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia and the USA (Alaska) — anSecretary d three other Arctic nations — Finland, Sweden and Iceland — form the Arctic Council. The Arctic is home to almost four million inhabitants, of which approximately one-tenth are considered as indigenous people. India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007 and set up a research station ‘Himadri’ in the international Arctic research base at Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, Norway. It has two other observatories in Kongsforden and Gruvebadet. Himadri is manned for about 180 days a year.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 91
4.29.WORLD’S LARGEST SURVEY ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The United Nations Development Programme’s ‘Peoples’ Climate Vote’ reflects views of over half the world’s population on climate change and 64 per cent of participants believe that climate change is a global emergency. . 2021 is a pivotal year for countries' climate action commitments, with a key round of negotiations set to take place at the UN Climate Summit in November in Glasgow, UK. In the survey, respondents were asked if climate change was a global emergency and whether they supported eighteen key climate policies across six action areas: economy, energy, transport, food & farms, nature, and protecting people. Results show that people often want broad climate policies beyond the current state of play. For example in four out of the five countries with the highest emissions from land-use change and enough data on policy preferences, there was majority support for conserving forests and land. Nine out of ten of the countries with the most urbanized populations backed more use of clean electric cars and buses or bicycles.
4.30.NBWL RECOMMENDS TO DENOTIFY TURTLE NESTING SITE IN ANDAMAN.
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended the de-notification of Galathea Bay Sanctuary, an important nesting site of leatherback sea turtles in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, after local authorities submitted a proposal for it to the Union environment ministry citing an international shipment project.
It has suggested the implementation of a mitigation plan to be developed through a detailed study so that marine turtles continue to nest on the beaches near the Galathea Bay during both the construction as well as operational phases of the international shipment project. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration sought to declare Galathea Bay as a sanctuary over an area covering 11.44 square km through a notification dated September 15, 1997, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Another notification was issued on October 14, 1997, for initiating its acquisition, but the final notification for the sanctuary has not yet been issued. Great Nicobar Island and Little Andaman Island host the largest nesting population of leatherback turtles in the central or northern Indian Ocean. Galathea is one of the few leatherback sites monitored over the last 30 years and is an iconic beach for leatherback nesting. Any development that impacts these nesting beaches will have an adverse impact on the population.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 92
Leatherback Turtle IUCN status – Vulnerable The leatherback turtles are the world’s largest turtles and the only species without scales and a hard shell. They are named after their tough rubbery skin and have existed in their current form since the age of the dinosaurs. They are migratory and some of them swim over 10,000 miles a year between nesting and foraging grounds. Major threats include loss of nesting beaches due to developmental plans, sea erosion and plastic pollution of the oceans.
4.31.NATIONAL MARINE TURTLE ACTION PLAN
Considering the need to have a conservation paradigm for marine mega fauna and marine turtles, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has released ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines’ and ‘National Marine Turtle Action Plan. The documents launched contains ways and means to not only promote inter- sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals and marine turtles. They also highlight actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat, , reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, rehabilitation of degraded habitats, enhancing people’s participation, advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats.
Marine turtles in India : Five species of sea turtles are known to inhabit Indian coastal waters and islands. These are the Olive Ridley , Green , Hawksbill , Loggerhead and the Leatherback turtles. Except the Loggerhead, the remaining four species nest along the Indian coast. IUCN status – Olive Ridley (Vulnerable), Green sea turtle (Endangered), Hawksbill (Critically endangered), Loggerhead (Vulnerable) and leatherback sea turtle (Vulnerable).
4.32.GREEN INDIA MISSION
According to the Economic Survey 2021, the central government’s afforestation scheme, Green India Mission (GIM), has been able to achieve only 2.8 per cent of its plantation target. The target of the 10-year scheme flagged off in 2015 is to increase forest/tree cover on 5 million hectares (m ha) of forest/non-forest land but as of March 2020, plantation under the scheme was undertaken only over 0.14 m ha land . A 2018 parliamentary committee report on GIM has found that the scheme was grossly underfunded and also that trees like eucalyptus were planted which make
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 93
environmental problems worse rather than solving it. Planting of unsuitable trees may cause drought and prevent biodiversity in the region.
Green India Mission The National Mission for a Green India or Green India Mission is one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It has the following objectives. Increased forest/tree cover on 5 m ha of forest/non-forest lands and improved quality of forest cover on another 5 m ha (a total of 10 m ha). Improved ecosystem services including biodiversity, hydrological services and carbon sequestration as result of treatment of 10 m ha. Increased forest-based livelihood income for 3 million forest dependent households. Enhanced annual CO2 sequestration of 50-60 million tonnes by the year 2020.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 94
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 95
5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SPACE RELATED
5.1.MASSIVE STORM ON NEPTUNE
One of the planets of the Solar System, Neptune, seems to be facing a giant storm, wider than the size of Atlantic Ocean, that changed its path suddenly according to Hubble Telescope's recent view. The existence of the storm, which is 4,600 miles across, was found in 2018 after NASA's Hubble Space Telescope uncovered a new mysterious dark storm on Neptune during Hubble's routine yearly monitoring of the weather on the solar system's outer planets. A year later, the telescope showed that the dark spot began drifting in the southern direction towards the equator, where such storms usually vanish from sight. However to the surprise of observers in August 2020, Hubble spotted the storm changing direction and moving back to the north. Even though the Hubble telescope has been tracking such dark spots that usually signify a giant storm for over thirty years, the recent development is something that has happened for the first time.
5.2.ISRO PLANS FOR GREEN FUELS IN ROCKETS
The Indian space rockets are set to go green as ISRO is working to replace its existing hazardous fuel with non-hazardous and environment- friendly fuels for its rockets and satellites. The space agency is looking to replace its existing liquid engine fuels with green fuel-powered ones. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is looking at green propulsion through hydrogen peroxide in its rocket that would take Indians into the space under its 'Gaganyaan' mission. Since humans will be inside the rocket, the Organisation wants only non-hazardous fuel and not the hazardous one to power the human space mission's Gaganyaan rocket. ISRO is also looking at rocket engines powered by hydrogen peroxide as a mono- propellant or as a bi-propellant along with ethanol. ISRO is also developing another green fuel - LOX/Methane- liquid oxygen as oxidiser and methane as fuel, which was tested recently and had good results. The LOX/Methane propellant has advantages in terms of specific impulse, storability, low toxicity, and cost. ISRO has also developed ISROSENE, which is a rocket-grade version of kerosene as an alternative to conventional hydrazine rocket fuel. The green option for its solid fuel-fired engines, the work towards this end is also progressing well. As regards powering the satellites, ISRO is working towards lightweight electrical propulsion in place of chemical fuel. The fuel constitutes nearly 50 per cent of the
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 96
satellite weight. On the other hand, the electrical propulsion system is much lighter, say 200-300 kg. When electrical propulsion is used, then the satellite's payload can be increased or the satellite can be put into orbit by a lightweight rocket. Presently, ISRO can put into orbit communication satellites weighing up to four tonnes with its rockets and satellites over four tonnes are orbited using European space agency Arianespace's Ariane rocket. ISRO has successfully demonstrated electric propulsion system for station- keeping operations in the South Asia Satellite, launched on May 5, 2017. In 2010, ISRO flew its communication satellite GSAT-4 with electrical propulsion and other new technologies. The satellite however did not reach its intended orbit owing to problems in the GSLV rocket's third stage.
5.3.MOON'S BIRTH UNLOCKED BY SUPERCOMPUTER SIMULATIONS
Researchers at Durham University developed supercomputer simulations that shows how ancient collision may have led to the formation of the Moon. According to most astronomers, Earth's collision with a Mars-sized planet called Theia, around 4.5 billion years ago, formed the Moon. The velocity of Theia, its angle of impact and rotational rate has affected the collision. Astronomers tested a wide range of possible conditions, ranging from no spin to a quick rotation. Collision with a non-spinning version of Theia, resulted in a satellite with around 80% of the mass of the Moon. Adding just a small amount of spin resulted in a second Moon on orbit around Earth. The researchers postulate that as the proto-Moon settled on the orbit around the Earth, it grew by collecting debris from the surrounding space. This body was seen developing a small iron core, surrounded by material from both Theia and the early Earth, similar to what we see on the Moon. They suggest that the Moon was much closer to the Earth than it is today but gravitational forces between the Earth and the Moon resulted in the Moon moving further away.
5.4.MARS DIGGER BITES THE DUST AFTER 2 YEARS ON RED PLANET
NASA has declared the Mars digger dead after failing to burrow deep into the red planet to take its temperature. Scientists in Germany spent two years trying to get their heat probe, dubbed the mole, to drill into the Martian crust. But the 16-inch-long (40-centimetre) device that is part of NASA’s InSight lander couldn’t gain enough friction in the red dirt. It
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 97
was supposed to bury 16 feet (5 metres) into Mars, but only drilled down a couple of feet (about a half metre). Following one last unsuccessful attempt to hammer itself down, with 500 strokes, the team called it quits on January 14. The effort will benefit future excavation efforts at Mars. Astronauts one day may need to dig into Mars, according to NASA, in search of frozen water for drinking or making fuel, or signs of past microscopic life. The mole’s design was based on Martian soil examined by previous spacecraft. Additional Information: InSight’s French seismometer, meanwhile, has recorded nearly 500 Marsquakes, while the lander’s weather station is providing daily reports. The lander recently was granted a two-year extension for scientific work, now lasting until the end of 2022. InSight landed on Mars in November 2018. It will be joined by NASA’s newest rover, Perseverance, which will attempt a touchdown on Feb. 18. The Curiosity rover has been roaming Mars since 2012.
5.5.DECODING A METEORITE THAT FELL NEAR JAIPUR IN 2017
On June 6, 2017, at around 5 a.m., residents of Mukundpura village near Jaipur saw a bright trail in the sky followed by a thunderous sound. They spotted a burning object with a sulphur smell on the soft agricultural land. Meteorites are broadly classified into three groups: 1. Stony (silicate-rich) 2. Iron (Fe–Ni alloy) 3. Stony-iron (mixed silicate–iron alloy). The meteorite named Mukundpura CM2 was classified to be a carbonaceous chondrite. Chondrites are silicate-droplet- bearing meteorites, and this Mukundpura chondrite is the fifth carbonaceous meteorite known to fall in India. It is a type of stony meteorite, considered the most primitive meteorite and a remnant of the first solid bodies to accrete in the solar system. The composition of carbonaceous chondrites are also similar to the Sun. Detailed spectroscopic studies revealed that the meteorite had very high (about 90%) phyllosilicate minerals comprising both Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 98
magnesium and iron. Further X-ray studies showed it also had aluminium complexes. The results of the Mukundpura CM2 study are relevant to the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids Ryugu and Bennu. Importance of Meteorites: 1. Meteorites are representative of asteroids.Asteroids are the remnant debris of the inner solar system formation process and thus offer the formation history or the building blocks of the planets. 2. Therefore, by studying meteorites in the laboratory and asteroids by exploration and sample return mission we can try to reconstruct the activity of early solar system events. 3. Also, asteroids are often rich in volatiles and other minerals and can be exploited for future planetary exploration.
5.6.STARDUST SPACECRAFT AND ITS MISSION
Stardust was a 390-kilogram robotic space probe launched by NASA on 7 February 1999.
Part- I Its primary mission was to collect dust samples from the coma of comet Wild-2, as well as samples of cosmic dust, and return these to Earth for analysis. It was the first sample return mission of its kind. En route to comet Wild 2, the craft also flew by and studied the asteroid 5535 Annefrank. The primary science objectives of the mission included: 1. Providing a flyby of a comet of interest (Wild 2) at a sufficiently low velocity (less than 6.5 km/s) such that non-destructive capture of comet dust is possible using an aerogel collector. 2. Facilitating the intercept of significant numbers of interstellar dust particles using the same collection medium, also at as low a velocity as possible. 3. Returning as many high-resolution images of the comet coma and nucleus as possible. The primary mission was successfully completed on 15 January 2006, when the sample return capsule returned to Earth.
Part-II On 19 March 2006, Stardust scientists announced that they were considering the possibility of redirecting the spacecraft on a secondary mission to image Comet Tempel 1. The comet was previously the target of the Deep Impact mission in 2005, sending an impactor into the surface. A mission extension was codenamed NExT (New Exploration of Tempel 1). The mission objectives included the following: 1. Primary objectives- a) Extend the current understanding of the processes that affect the surfaces of comet nuclei by documenting the changes that have occurred on comet
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 99
Tempel 1 between two successive perihelion passages, or orbits around the Sun b) Extend the geologic mapping of the nucleus of Tempel 1 to elucidate the extent and nature of layering, and help refine models of the formation and structure of comet nuclei. c) Extend the study of smooth flow deposits, active areas and known exposure of water ice. 2. Secondary objectives- a) Potentially image and characterize the crater produced by Deep Impact in July 2005, to better understand the structure and mechanical properties of cometary nuclei and elucidate crater formation processes on them. b) Measure the density and mass distribution of dust particles within the coma using the Dust Flux Monitor Instrument. c) Analyze the composition of dust particles within the coma using the Comet and Interstellar Dust Analyzer instrument. On 24 March 2011, Stardust conducted a burn to consume its remaining fuel. After the data had been collected, no further antenna aiming was possible and the transmitter was switched off. Stardust ceased its operations. On 14 August 2014, scientists announced the identification of possible interstellar dust particles from the Stardust capsule returned to Earth in 2006.
5.7.MID-AIR ROCKET LAUNCH
Billionaire Richard Branson’sVirgin Orbit reached space for the first time on 17th January 2021, with a successful test of its air-launched rocket, delivering ten NASA satellites to orbit and achieving a key milestone. The Long Beach, California-based company’s LauncherOne rocket was dropped mid-air from the underside of a modified Boeing 747 nicknamed Cosmic Girl some 35,000 feet over the Pacific, before lighting its Newton Three engine to boost itself out of Earth’s atmosphere, demonstrating its first successful trek to space. The test also thrusts Virgin Orbit into an increasingly competitive commercial space race, offering a unique “air-launch” method of sending satellites to orbit alongside rivals such as Rocket Lab and Firefly Aerospace, which have designed small-launch systems to inject smaller satellites into orbit and meet growing demand. The advantage is that such high-altitude launches allow satellites to be placed in their intended orbit more efficiently and also minimize weather-related cancellations compared to more traditional rockets launched vertically from a ground pad.
5.8.ASTROSAT’S ULTRAVIOLET IMAGING TELESCOPE SPOTS RARE ULTRAVIOLET-BRIGHT STARS
Astronomers exploring the massive intriguing globular cluster in our Galaxy called NGC 2808 that is said to have at least five generations of stars have spotted rare hot UV-bright stars in it.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 100
These stars whose inner core is almost exposed, making them very hot, exist in the late stages of evolution of a Sun-like star. It is not clear how these stars end their lives. Motivated by the fact that old globular clusters referred to as dinosaurs of the universe present excellent laboratories where astronomers can understand how stars evolve through various phases between their birth and death, scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, looked out for NGC 2808. With spectacular ultraviolet images of the cluster from Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard India’s first multi-wavelength space satellite, AstroSat, they distinguished the hot UV-bright stars from the relatively cooler red giant and main-sequence stars which appear dim in these images. About 34 UV-bright stars were found to be members of the globular cluster. From the data, the team derived the properties of these stars such as their surface temperatures, luminosities and radii. The properties of these stars were then used to place them on what astronomers call the Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) diagram along with theoretical models to throw light on the characteristics of their parent stars and to predict their future evolution. Such UV-bright stars are speculated to be the reason for the ultraviolet radiation coming from old stellar systems such as elliptical galaxies which are devoid of young blue stars. Hence, it is all the more important to observe more such stars to understand their properties.
5.9.LARGEST SEA ON SATURN’S MOON TITAN
Saturn’s largest of the 82 moons, Titan’s biggest water body is more than 1,000 feet deep near its centre. The Kraken Mare is so deep that its exact depth could not be measured. Seven years ago, it was believed that the depth of the extraterrestrial lake was 115 feet at least. The new findings were obtained from the data collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Cassini mission. The depth and composition of each of Titan’s seas had already been measured, except for Titan’’s largest sea, Kraken Mare, which not only has a great name, but also contains about 80% of the moon’s surface liquids. Researchers are planning to send a robotic submarine to Kraken Mare. The mission is subjected to be funded and approved by NASA. But, if it happens, by the end of the decade it will be poised to know more about Saturn’s fascinating moon. The measurement was done using echoes of radar waves sent by the Cassini spacecraft from 965 km above Moray Sinus, an estuary located at the sea’s northern end. The depth was calculated using the time it took for the radar signal to bounce back from the liquid surface of the water body and its bottom. The difference between the two was calculated keeping the factors like the composition of the lake’s liquid into account as it absorbs the energy of the signal. Also, scientists were surprised by the composition of the lake which was previously believed to be mostly ethane given the lake’s size and location. However, the new research unveils that it is a mix of methane and ethane.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 101
They also hope to find out in the future the origins of liquid methane on Titan despite being 100 times less energy than Earth and being 10 times away from it.
5.10.SpaceX LAUNCHES RECORD 143 SATELLITES
Nearly a fortnight after Elon Musk’s Tesla entered India on January 8, his SpaceX on 24th January 2021, broke a world space record by launching 143 satellites in quick succession (133 commercial and government spacecraft and 10 Starlink satellites), beating India’s record of deploying 104 satellites in February 2017. The launch vehicle for the SpaceX record-breaking flight was the Falcon 9 and the mission was designated as Transporter-1. At one point, the rocket flew over India and its signal was picked up by Isro’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru. The launch marks the first dedicated mission for SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program, which enables small-satellite customers to book a ride to orbit with SpaceX directly. The 143 satellites launched included commercial and government CubeSats, microsats, what are known as orbiter transfer vehicles and 10 Starlink satellites the maximum number of spacecraft ever to be deployed in a single mission. This batch of Starlink satellites was the first in the constellation to be placed in the polar orbit. With these satellites, SpaceX aims to provide near-global broadband internet coverage all over the world by 2021. According to sources, SpaceX offered a very low price of $15,000 per kilogram for each satellite to be delivered to a polar sun-synchronous orbit. SpaceX has previously launched to orbit more than 800 satellites of the several thousand needed to offer broadband internet globally, a $10 billion investment it estimates could generate $30 billion annually to help fund Musk's interplanetary rocket program, called Starship.
5.11.SATURN’S TILTING AXIS
The tilt of the rotation axis of the gas giant Saturn may in fact be caused by its moons, scientists have reported. The current tilt of Saturn's rotation axis is caused by the migration of its satellites, and especially by that of its largest moon, Titan. Recent observations have shown that Titan and the other moons are gradually moving away from Saturn much faster than astronomers had previously estimated. By incorporating this increased migration rate into their calculations, the researchers concluded that this process affects the inclination of Saturn's rotation axis:as its satellites move
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 102
further away, the planet tilts more and more. In fact, Saturn's axis is still tilting, and what we see today is merely a transitional stage in this shift. Over the next few billion years, the inclination of Saturn’s axis could more than double.
5.12.HOW NEUTRINOS AID IN THE DEATH OF MASSIVE STARS
Many stars, towards the end of their lifetimes, form supernovas - massive explosions that send their outer layers shooting into the surrounding space. Most of the energy of the supernova is carried away by neutrinos, tiny particles with no charge and which interact weakly with matter. Researching the mechanisms of Type II supernovas, a team from IIT Guwahati has come up with new insights into the part played by neutrinos in this dramatic death of massive stars. Mechanisms in Stars: 1. All stars burn nuclear fuel in their cores to produce energy. 2. The heat generates internal pressure which pushes outwards and prevents the star from collapsing inward due to the action of gravity on its own mass. 3. But when the star ages and runs out of fuel to burn, it starts to cool inside. This causes a lowering of its internal pressure and therefore the force of gravity wins, the star starts to collapse inwards. 4. This builds up shock waves because it happens very suddenly, and the shock wave sends the outer material of the star flying. This is what is perceived as a supernova. This happens in very massive stars. 5. In stars that are more than eight times as massive as the Sun, the supernova is accompanied by a collapsing of the inner material of the dying star - this is also known as core collapse supernova or Type II supernova. 6. The collapsing core may form a black hole or a neutron star, according as its mass. Neutrinos come in three ‘flavours’, another name for ‘types’, and each flavour is associated with a light elementary particle. 1. Electron-neutrino is associated with the electron. 2. Muon-neutrino with the muon. 3. Tau-neutrino with the tau particle. As they spew out of the raging supernova, the neutrinos can change from one flavour to another in a process known as neutrino oscillations.
5.13.HAM'S 16 MINUTES OF FAME
On January 31, 1961, a chimpanzee named Ham became the first hominid in space. During his brief spaceflight, which lasted a little over 16 minutes, Ham experienced weightlessness for around six-and-a-half minutes and proved that human beings could work and live in space. Hominids are any of a family (Hominidae) of erect bipedal primate mammals, including extinct ancestral forms. To put it simply, any member of a group that
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 103
consists of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, or an early form of any one of these is known as a hominid. So while Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin remain the buzz words when we are talking about astronauts (as they were the first to land on the moon), and Soviet Union’s Yuri Gagarin was the first human ever in space, none of them can claim to be the first hominid in space. The record goes to Ham, a chimpanzee. While other animals, including dogs, monkeys, mice, rabbit and fruit flies, had been sent to space from late in the 1940s, Ham became the first hominid when he achieved the feat on January 31, 1961. Ham (after Holloman Aerospace Medical Center), who was merely “Number 65” at that time, was one among 40 chimpanzees chosen for the space programme that was to serve as the springboard for human spaceflight. The fact that both chimps and humans are hominids and that humans share more DNA with chimpanzees than any other animal meant that they were much more closely related, and hence chosen for the task. The 40 chimpanzees chosen were put through the paces as they received their astrochimp training. These chimps too were subjected to g-forces and microgravity. Ham went to space aboard the Mercury spacecraft, boosted by a Mercury- Redstone 2 rocket. The flight didn’t go exactly as planned. Ham experienced weightlessness for 6.6 minutes during his 16.5-minute flight. Ham’s capsule splashed down in the ocean a little over 16 minutes after it was launched. Fatigue and dehydration apart, Ham was fine according to the medical examination that followed. He instantly gained celebrity status. Following his death in 1983 aged 25, his skeleton was sent for further investigation, while his other remains were buried at the International Space Hall of Fame in Alamogordo, New Mexico. A plaque at the grave site in New Mexico reads “Ham proved that mankind could live and work in space.”
5.14.AXIOM MISSION 1 (AX 1)
A former Israeli fighter pilot, an American technology entrepreneur and a Canadian investor will be part of the crew of the first entirely-private orbital space mission. The three men are paying a whopping $55 million each to fly aboard a SpaceX rocket for an eight-day visit to the International Space Station, organised by Houston-based spaceflight firm Axiom. The Axiom Mission 1 (AX 1) flight is being arranged under a commercial agreement with NASA. While private citizens have travelled to space before, the AX 1 mission will be the first to use a commercially built spacecraft, the SpaceX Dragon 2, best known for flying its first two crews to the ISS late last year.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 104
After lifting off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, the crew will take about a day or two to arrive at the ISS and will then proceed to spend eight days there. The three men will participate in research and philanthropic projects alongside the astronauts from all over the world who are already stationed at the ISS. The private astronauts will have to pass medical tests and also undergo 15 weeks of rigorous training before their trip to space. Larry Connor(American real estate investor and technology entrepreneur), Mark Pathy(CEO and Chairman of MAVRIK Corp, a privately-owned investment and financing company) and Eytan Stibbe(founder of Vital Capital Fund and a former fighter pilot, will be the second Israeli to be launched into space) are the three men flying to ISS. However private civilians have travelled to the space station before. Since 2001, Russia has been selling rides to the ISS to wealthy businessmen around the world. They travelled onboard the Russian Soyuz aircraft along with professional cosmonauts and NASA astronauts. Until 2019, NASA did not permit ordinary citizens to be launched into space from American soil. It finally reversed its stance, stating that the missions would help spur growth in the commercial space industry. Several other space companies, including Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, also plan to take paying customers to space in the near future.
OTHER NEWS
5.15.NIIST DEVELOPS ALTERNATIVE TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram, has come up with an alternative to single-use plastics. NIIST scientists have developed a technology for manufacturing biodegradable tableware - including plates, cutleries and cups - from agricultural residues and byproducts. A huge amount of agricultural residues/by-products are released into the environment from food processing sectors. The utilisation of these wastes as an alternative to single-use plastics provides immense opportunities. Primary agricultural residues are generated as a byproduct during the harvesting of agricultural crops while Secondary agricultural residues are the leftovers from post- harvest processing. Citing Central Pollution Control Board statistics, NIIST scientists pointed out that India generates around 27,000 tonnes of plastic waste per day. The country produced around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2018-2019 alone. The shocking fact is that only nine per cent of all the plastics ever produced was recycled and around 60 % of the plastics have been disposed of into the natural environment or landfills which poses serious health and environmental hazards. With recent ban imposed by various States of India for single-use plastics, there comes a huge demand for alternative to plastics which are biodegradable in nature.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 105
5.16.ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: APPLICATION
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have devised an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to predict the level of loneliness in adults, with 94% accuracy. The tool used Natural Language Processing (NLP) developed by IBM to process large amounts of unstructured natural speech and text data. It analysed factors like cognition, mobility, sleep and physical activity to understand the process of aging. This tool is an example of how AI can be used in devices to detect mental health conditions. By 2022, the personal device will know more about a person's emotional state than his/her own family members. Emotion AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that measures, simulates and reacts to human emotions, part of affective computing. Picard put forth theories of how research of emotions can be improved through new technologies. Ex: Machines can analyse images and pick up subtleties in micro-expressions on humans’ faces that might happen too fast for a person to recognise. The most common use of Emotional AI lies in virtual personal assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri, that perform tasks on command. Amazon incorporated AI in its fitness tracker Amazon Halo, that analyses the consumer's voice to determine mood and emotional state of mind. Earlier in October, laptop maker HP introduced a virtual reality (VR) headset that uses sensors to measure physiological responses like facial expressions, eye movement and heartbeat to provide user-centric gaming experiences. The benefits of emotion-sensing tech include: 1. Personalisation, especially in corporate and medical fields where user experiences are subjective. 2. In medicine, nurse-bots keep track of a patient's wellbeing in addition to reminding them to take medication. AI-controlled software can help practitioners diagnose depression and dementia via voice analysis. 3. In the workplace, AI in the form of chatbots and robots is said to provide judgment-free, unbiased and quick assistance to users. A survey conducted by technology company Oracle in October found that more than 90% respondents in India and China were more open to speaking to robots about their mental health over their managers.
Apprehensions about the Technology: 1. The use of AI in tracking human emotions has been criticised, with bias being the top concern. 2. For instance, emotional analysis technology assigns more negative emotions to black men’s faces than white men’s faces, according to a study. 3. AI is not sophisticated enough to understand cultural differences in expressing and reading emotions, making it harder to draw accurate conclusions.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 106
4. For instance, a smile might mean one thing in Germany and another in Japan. Confusing these meanings can lead to make wrong decisions, especially in businesses. Institutions need to be aware of potential AI biases that may affect the accuracy of findings. Emotion detection and recognition not only improves human and computer interfaces, but also enhances the feedback mechanism actions taken by computers from the users.
5.17.NEW 2D TAGS, AI AUTHENTICATION TO SPOT COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
A new anti-counterfeiting technique uses two dimensional (2D)-material tags along with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven authentication software, and promises to deliver faster, more accurate results even under extreme conditions. The new method called ‘DeepKey’ was developed by an international team of researchers, led by the National University of Singapore (NUS). The 2D-material secure tags have randomly generated ‘Physically Unclonable Function’(PUF) patterns, which can be categorised and validated by a deep learning model. The authentication process takes under 3.5 minutes to complete, and involves scanning the tags under an electronic microscope to obtain the PUF pattern, which is sent to the AI-driven software for validation. The 2D-material PUF tags are environmentally stable, easy to read, simple and inexpensive to make. In particular, the adoption of deep learning accelerated the overall authentication significantly. The new technology can be used with valuable products such as jewellery, and electronics as it “reaches nearly 100% validation precision.” Also, the tags can be applied on COVID-19 vaccines for authentication, including the ones that are stored at very low temperatures. The team is now working on other readout techniques to further shorten the processing time. They are also exploring the idea of securing the tags with blockchain, which will enable transparent tracking of the entire supply chain and quality control process.
5.18.TECH FOR SECURE FACE AUTHENTICATION AT ATMS, KIOSKS
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 107
Intel has launched a new facial recognition camera system aimed at bringing safe Face ID biometric system to ATMs, kiosks and smart locks. Intel said its RealSense ID provides on-device solution combining active depth sensor with a specialised neural network designed to deliver secure, accurate and user- aware facial authentication. RealSense offers depth and tracking technologies used in autonomous drones, robots, AR/VR, and smart home devices. RealSense ID adapts to users over time as they change physical features, such as facial hair and glasses. It has built the system with an anti-spoofing technology to prevent false entry attempts using photographs, videos or masks. The tech firm assures that the system processes all facial images locally and encrypts all user data.
5.19.DRONE THAT CAN SMELL OBSTACLES USING LIVE MOTH ANTENNA
Researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Maryland have developed an autonomous drone that uses live antennae from a moth to smell and avoid obstacles as it travels in the air. The “smellicopter" was developed in association with the Air Force Center of Excellence on Nature-Inspired Flight Technologies and Ideas (NIFTI), and uses antennae from the Manduca sexta hawkmoth. Moths can use their antennae to sense chemicals in the environment. Incorporating a live antenna from moth as a sensor makes this drone tune and search in rescue operations. It also helps navigate an area with unexploded devices. Researchers compared the moth antenna to an artificial sensor. They found that the moth antenna is more sensitive and reacted more quickly while flying through patchy odour plumes. Once separated from the live moth, the antenna stays active for up to four hours, which can be extended by storing the antennae in a fridge.
5.20.ISRO TO ADOPT 100 ATAL TINKERING LABS
ISRO will adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country to promote scientific temperament among students and encourage them for space education and space technology related innovations. This decision was taken by ISRO and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Through this collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organisation will facilitate coaching and mentoring of students in advanced 21st century cutting-edge technologies, including those related to space.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 108
The students will not only gain theoretical, but also practical and application-based knowledge of STEM and Space Education related concepts such as Electronics, Physics, Optics, Space Technology, Material sciences and many more. Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog have established over 7,000 ATLs across the country so far, enabling more than three million students between classes six to 12 acquire a problem solving, tinkering and innovative mindset. It said scientists and engineers from ISRO centres, in close coordination with the Capacity Building Programme Office at the space agency's headquarters, would actively mentor the children, as well as interact with teachers in these ATLs for encouraging experiments, brainstorming ideas and spreading awareness in space activities.
5.21.WEBINAR ON WATER PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR MSMEs
CSIR-CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute) has made a substantial societal impact with its Water Purification Technologies, amongst other things, for affordable and effective Purification of Water and has created a substantial interest among the MSME community”. Sixty per cent of India’s Population is dependent upon Agriculture as its primary occupation and water has tremendous Impact Factor as an Agricultural Resource. CSIR-CMERI completely focuses upon development of Green Water Purification/Treatment Innovations which is decentralised in Nature and is Effective in Outcome. The Water Purification Technologies have been incrementally developed steadily widening its Purification Profile as well boosting its Energy Sufficiency character. The innovative Biological-Chemical-Physical Filtration Media is also easily and locally source able. The technologies are modular in character and have steadily incorporated Multi-Stage Filtration Characteristics. The cost of Water Purification through the CMERI technologies ranges from 1paise/litre to 10 paise per litre and has tremendous scaling up potential. The Purification Costs are almost 1/10th compared to its predecessors. These technologies have received overwhelming feedback from the MSME partners and as per this feedback they have already influenced the lives of over a million Indians and are an effective and economic Water Purification option. There are substantial Financial Resources available for Water Purification/Treatment and Flood Management in the form of assistance from World Bank, New Development Bank, Asian Development Bank etc. and it needs to be effectively banked upon by the MSMEs. CSIR-CMERI developed Mechanized Drain Cleaning System is utilising Self- Propelling Nozzle and Robots and a Mobile Filtration Unit for Effective and Immediate Cleaning of Drainage Chokages. The Effluent Treatment Plant developed recently has an Innovative multi-layer Filtration System which Recycles Waste Water generated from the CMERI Residential Colony for Agricultural Purposes. CSIR-CMERI has also developed a Solar Powered High Flow-Rate Arsenic Removal Filter for easy deployment in far-flung areas.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 109
5.22.GENERAL MOTORS UNVEILS CADILLAC FLYING CAR AND SHUTTLE CONCEPTS
General Motors Co on 12th January 2021, presented a futuristic flying Cadillac - a self-driving vehicle which takes off and lands vertically and carries the passenger above the streets and through the air. The concept has been described as "reimagining the future of personal transportation". The single-passenger Cadillac - technically, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone will be able to travel from urban rooftop to urban rooftop at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. It is fully autonomous and all-electric, with a 90kWmotor, a GM Ultium battery pack and an ultra-lightweight body with four pairs of rotors. Other automakers, including Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor and Geely Automobile, have previously shown the concept aerial vehicles as part of their future planning.
5.23.GOOGLE TO USE QUANTUM COMPUTING TO DEVELOP NEW MEDICINES
Google’s Quantum AI division has partnered with German pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, to develop new drugs using quantum computing. They together plan to focus on implementing quantum computing in pharmaceutical research and development, including molecular dynamic simulations. While Boehringer Ingelheim will focus on computer-aided drug design and in silico modelling, Google will supply quantum computers and algorithms. The idea is to use quantum computing to solve complex challenges during the early stages of pharmaceutical R&D, which today’s computers are unable to resolve. Quantum computing has the potential to accurately simulate and compare much larger molecules than currently possible. This will create new opportunities for pharmaceutical innovation and therapies for a range of diseases. About Quantum Computers: 1. Quantum computers perform calculations based on the probability of an object's state before it is measured - instead of just 1s or 0s - which means they have the potential to process exponentially more data
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 110
compared to classical computers. 2. Classical computers carry out logical operations using the definite position of a physical state. These are usually binary, meaning its operations are based on one of two positions. A single state - such as on or off, up or down, 1 or 0 - is called a bit. 3. In quantum computing, operations instead use the quantum state of an object to produce what's known as a qubit. These states are the undefined properties of an object before they've been detected, such as the spin of an electron or the polarisation of a photon.
5.24.HOW IS INDIA PREPARING TO ROLL OUT COVID-19 VACCINES?
The Union Health Ministry has announced that the COVID-19 vaccination drive will begin on January 16, after the forthcoming festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu. The government had earlier approved emergency use authorisation (EUA) for two vaccine candidates — the Serum Institute of India’s Covishield vaccine developed jointly by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech’s indigenous Covaxin. The country is set to begin population-level immunisation for COVID-19 and finds itself facing one of the biggest logistical challenges in a long while. Challenges that are foreseen: In India, with its vast geographical spread, the sheer volume of its population, and questions of access, the vaccination drive will be fraught with challenges, and the most careful planning down to the last mile is required, not only to vaccinate and provide both the doses, but to also monitor adverse events. The Centre recently conducted dry runs of COVID-19 vaccination to check if the systems laid down for the operationalisation of vaccine delivery are in place and working well. Who is in line for a vaccine? 1. Priority will be given to the healthcare and frontline workers, estimated to be around 3 crore in number. 2. Followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities, numbering around 27 crore. 3. People who have an active COVID-19 infection or associated symptoms are advised not to come to vaccination camps, so as to avoid spreading the virus. They may seek a vaccine 14 days after the symptoms abate. 4. Taking the COVID-19 vaccine is entirely voluntary. Co-WIN 1. The dry runs were not only a step to test the operational feasibility of various States to roll out the vaccine programme effectively, but also an opportunity to see if the electronic vaccine intelligence network, eVIN, used during routine immunisation programmes, and remodelled as Co-WIN, was functional at the field-level. 2. Co-WIN aspires to be a comprehensive digital database of every COVID-19 vaccine that will be administered in India - tracking beneficiaries, intimating them about vaccine sites and dates, pre- and post-vaccination procedures, issuance of vaccination certificates, and following up through the booster dose.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 111
3. The details of healthcare and frontline workers in line for a shot had already been updated on the Co-WIN system, in bulk, by State and district health authorities. 4. It has been promised that ‘at a later stage of implementation’, Co-WIN will also be available as an application or as a website in multiple Indian languages so that beneficiaries can access it to keep track of their own progress and be connected organically to the system, if questions were to arise. 5. It will also be a tool for others to “register” for a vaccine once the first line of targeted beneficiaries is cleared. 6. Aadhaar or any accepted photo ID card may be used to verify the identity of the applicant to prevent misuse. Additionally, documents authorised by specialists to indicate co-morbidities or any other health conditions may be demanded. 7. After the second dose, Co-WIN will generate a digital certificate of completion for individuals who have been vaccinated. 8. Messaging, chatbots and helpline assistance are available on the app, and any adverse event after the vaccination may be communicated back to the authorities through one of these access points. Field-level mobilisation required for the drive: 1. The existing State and district health networks are readying themselves to set in place every nut and bolt in the elaborate systems that will be required for the vaccination drive. 2. This includes mobilising personnel, making sure transportation systems are in place to take the vaccine packs to different camps, ensuring healthcare personnel are able to reach the spot on time, making sure a cold-chain system is in place, identifying and removing hurdles that might prevent beneficiaries in the general population (at a later date) from reaching the spot, and ensuring coordination between different teams on actual vaccination days to avoid any hitches.
5.25.ALUMINIUM-AIR BATTERY
Mahindra Electric is testing out a new form of energy source metal-air batteries on its popular three-wheeler Treo. The metal-air batteries are said to match the performance of traditional fuel, can be refilled in just 5 minutes, require light-infrastructure, are weather-proof and most importantly lower the cost of EVs. In February 2020, Indian Oil (IOCL), the country’s leading oil marketing company, inked its partnership with Israel-based Phinergy to manufacture metal-air batteries for EVs. An update on this front is that the partners have announced that they have on boarded Mahindra Electric to test out the metal-air batteries. IOCL has helped to develop the e-mobility product by Phinergy for Mahindra Electric. Metal-air batteries are considered a promising technology, which can do away with the long-charging time requirement, as well as the need for expensive lithium cell technology. Phinergy’s aluminium-air technology: It is said to enable easy storage, transport and discharging of clean energy around the world. Its aluminium-air systems produce energy by combining aluminium, oxygen, and water. Oxygen is a key reactant releasing energy from metal. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 112
Unlike conventional batteries that carry oxygen within a heavy electrode, metal- air energy systems freely breathe oxygen from ambient air, making the systems significantly lighter. The company’s aluminium-air system has a lifespan of thousands of working hours, relieving the main constraints of electric transportation and clean distributed generation.
5.26.THE THREAT OF DEEPFAKES
Deepfakes are synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness. While the act of faking content is not new, deepfakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate visual and audio content with a high potential to deceive.
Recent Instance of Deepfake: The protesters who created chaos in Capitol Hill on January 6 believe that the 2020 U.S. election was stolen by the Democrats. This is largely due to misinformation and disinformation of which deepfakes are a part. Deepfakes had the power to threaten the electoral outcome of the world’s oldest democracy. AI is used for fabricating audios, videos and texts to show real people saying and doing things they never did, or creating new images and videos. These are done so convincingly that it is hard to detect what is fake and what is real. Deepfakes can target anyone, anywhere. They are used to tarnish reputations, create mistrust, question facts, and spread propaganda. In today’s world, disinformation comes in varied forms, so no single technology can resolve the problem. A Recent workshop on “How to prevent Deepfakes” identified six themes: 1. Deepfakes must be contextualised within the broader framework of malicious manipulated media, computational propaganda and disinformation campaigns. 2. Deepfakes cause multidimensional issues which require a collaborative, multi- stakeholder response that require experts in every sector to find solutions. 3. Detecting deepfakes is hard. 4. Journalists need tools to scrutinise images, video and audio recordings for which they need training and resources. 5. Policymakers must understand how deepfakes can threaten polity, society, economy, culture, individuals and communities. 6. The idea that the mere existence of deepfakes causes enough distrust that any true evidence can be dismissed as fake is a major concern that needs to be addressed.
Case of USA 1. In October 2020, the U.S. Senate summoned Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and Google’s Sundar Pichai to find out what they are doing to tackle online misinformation, disinformation and fabricated content. Senators said they were worried about both censorship and the spread of misinformation.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 113
2. According to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, a law which protects freedom of expression and innovation on the Internet, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This means that the companies are not responsible for the posts on their platforms. 3. The chief executives said they need the law to moderate content, but industry watchers and some politicians feel that the law is outdated and needs to be revisited.
Case of India 1. India also faces the same problem. So far, it has not enacted any specific legislation to deal with deepfakes, though there are some provisions in the Indian Penal Code that criminalise certain forms of online/social media content manipulation. 2. The Information Technology Act, 2000 covers certain cybercrimes. But this law and the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines (Amendment) Rules, 2018 are inadequate to deal with content manipulation on digital platforms. (The guidelines stipulate that due diligence must be observed by the intermediate companies for removal of illegal content.) 3. In 2018, the government proposed rules to curtail the misuse of social networks. Social media companies voluntarily agreed to take action to prevent violations during the 2019 general election. But reports show that social media platforms like WhatsApp were used as “vehicles for misinformation and propaganda” by major political parties during the election.
Existing laws are clearly inadequate to safeguard individuals and entities against deepfakes. Only AI-generated tools can be effective in detection. As innovation in deepfakes gets better, 1. AI-based automated tools must be invented accordingly. 2. Blockchains are robust against many security threats and can be used to digitally sign and affirm the validity of a video or document. 3. Educating media users about the capabilities of AI algorithms could help.
5.27.GOOGLE SHUTS DOWN A HIGH-PROFILE MOONSHOT COMPANY
Google’s parent company Alphabet has decided to pull the plug from its Internet balloon company, Loon, almost a decade after it was set up. The company said it failed to find a long term sustainable business model for Loon. Despite ground breaking technical achievements, the road to commercial viability has proven much longer and riskier than hoped. Founded in 2011, Loon aimed to provide internet connectivity to areas of the world where installing cell towers is expensive. However, the company hit financial roadblocks after wireless carriers questioned its viability. The project hasn’t found a way to get the costs low enough to build a long term, sustainable business.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 114
While Loon successfully provided cell coverage in Peru and Puerto Rico after natural disasters, it failed to gain significant traction from other countries and international organisations. Loon’s legacy would include finding ways to safely fly a lighter-than-air vehicle for hundreds of days in the stratosphere to anywhere in the world. It also made important technical contributions that would pave the way for more options in unlocking the full potential of the internet of things. As Loon’s service comes to a halt, the firm pledged $10M to support non-profits and businesses focussed on connectivity, Internet, entrepreneurship and education in Kenya, where it recently started a pilot project. Loon will also explore options to take its technology forward with governments, NGOs and technology companies to provide internet access to fill the blank spots in the global connectivity map.
5.28.IISC RESEARCHERS DEVELOP SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR ‘SMART’ VIDEO TRACKING
Machine learning models scour through feeds from thousands of cameras set up in many cities across the world for specific purposes, such as tracking a stolen car. These models cannot work by themselves, and have to run on a software platform. But existing platforms usually do not offer much flexibility to modify the model as the situation changes, or test new models over the same camera network. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a software platform from which, the institute says, apps and algorithms can intelligently track and analyse video feeds from cameras spread across cities, which in turn would prove to be useful not only for tracking missing persons or objects, but also for “smart city” initiatives such as automated traffic control. The team developed ‘Anveshak’, runs these tracking models efficiently, also plugs in advanced computer vision tools and intelligently adjust different parameters, such as a camera network’s search radius, in real time. ‘Anveshak’ can be used to track an object across a 1,000-camera network. A key feature of the platform is that it allows a tracking model or algorithm to focus only on feeds from certain cameras along an expected route, and tune out other feeds. It can also automatically increase or decrease the search radius or “spotlight” based on the object’s last known position. The platform enables the tracking to continue uninterrupted even if the resources ‒ the type and number of computers that analyse the feeds ‒ are limited. Anveshak could be used to control traffic signals and automatically open up “green routes” for ambulances to move faster.
Simulation Example: The platform used a machine learning model to track an ambulance on a simulated Bengaluru road network with about 4,000 cameras. It also employed a ‘spotlight tracking algorithm’ to automatically restrict which feeds needed to be analysed based on where the ambulance was expected to go. The researchers are now working on incorporating privacy restrictions within the platform, as well as ways to use Anveshak to track multiple objects at the same time.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 115
5.29.SSI MANTRA: A NEW SURGICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM
Only a few in India have access to robotic-assisted surgeries, for the simple reason that the system is expensive and its availability limited. Dr Sudhir P Srivastava, one of the pioneers in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery, has developed an SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System, which offers minimally invasive robotic surgery solutions. Robotics is the future of surgery, and the need is to create a technologically advanced system that is cost-effective, easy to use,
and can be applied to all surgical specialities. Thus, benefitting most patients around the world. Compared to conventional surgery, robotic surgery needs smaller incisions, which means less pain, few scars and faster recovery. The SSI MANTRA system was recently utilised for the first in human pilot study at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCI), where the surgeons successfully completed 18 complex Urology, Gynaecology and General Surgery procedures in less than a month. The robotic system can be utilised for all major surgical specialities, including urology, general surgery, gynaecology, thoracic, cardiac, and head and neck surgery.
5.30.NASAL VACCINE FOR COVID-19
Recently, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation recommended granting permission for phase 1 human clinical trials for Bharat Biotech’s nasal COVID-19 vaccine, BBV154. The nasal route has excellent potential for vaccination due to the organised immune systems of the nasal mucosa. Effectively, intranasal candidates have shown good potential for protection in animal studies conducted thus far. Nasal vaccine 1. An intranasal vaccine does deliver a vaccine through a spritz through the nostrils. 2. The advantages of this method of vaccine delivery over the injection and oral forms are quite apparent. The method comes with the guarantee of better compliance and the advantage of lower costs. But only clinical trials can determine whether such a vaccine with an easy delivery mechanism can be efficacious too. Clinical Trials on Nasal Variant till now (January 2021) 1. In August 2020, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine said they had developed a nasal vaccine that targets the SARS-CoV-2 virus, specifying that the vaccine could be given in one dose via the nose and was effective in preventing infection in mice susceptible to the novel coronavirus. The investigators
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 116
then revealed their plan to test the vaccine further on non-human primates and humans. 2. A study published in Science Direct in December 2020 showed the pre-clinical efficacy of a lentiviral vector, delivered nasally, as a COVID-19 vaccine. The authors said targeting the immune response to the upper respiratory tract provides critical protection, and intranasal vaccination induces protective mucosal immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 in rodents. Given that the SARS- CoV-2 virus shows a tendency to dwell in the upper respiratory tract for a prolonged period of time, a safe and efficacious nasal vaccine is well-placed to target the literal entry point of the virus into the body. 3. Early in the January month, researchers at Lancaster University working with the Biomedical Research Institute in Texas claimed they had administered two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine via a nasal spray in animals, and this had elicited robust antibodies and T-cell responses that were enough to be able to neutralise SARS-CoV-2. So far, intranasal vaccination is being used only for influenza. However, it cannot be used on certain groups of people, particularly those who have compromised immune systems. The Experts opine that the nasal route of immunisation can be used to deliver the safe antigen against which an immunological response would happen. If it does work, it can be a game-changer because it is so easy to use and easier to give. The injectable vaccine being used now is not recommended for children, and thus the nasal spray can be vital in the immunisation of the children.
5.31.NEW SUPERCOMPUTER IN WYOMING TO RANK AMONG WORLD'S FASTEST
A new supercomputer in Wyoming, U.S, will rank among the world's fastest and help study phenomena including climate change, severe weather, wildfires and solar flares. The HPE-Cray EX supercomputer will theoretically be able to perform almost 20 quadrillion calculations per second, 3.5 times faster than the existing machine at the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center. The supercomputer should rank among the world's 25 fastest after it's installed this year and goes into operation in early 2022, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA. The facility's current supercomputer, named Cheyenne, is over three times faster than its predecessor, which was named Yellowstone. A contest among Wyoming schoolchildren will decide the new supercomputer's name.
5.32.QUANTUM COMPUTERS ANDCLASSICAL ONES
Quantum computers have been in development since the 1980s. They use properties of quantum physics to solve complex problems that can’t be solved by classical computers. Quantum computers complement traditional computing machines, and the notion that quantum computers will take over classical computers is not true.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 117
Quantum computers are not ‘supreme’ against classical computers because of a laboratory experiment designed to essentially [and almost certainly exclusively] implement one very specific quantum sampling procedure with no practical applications. For quantum computers to be widely used, and have a positive impact, it is imperative to build programmable quantum computing systems that can implement a wide range of algorithms and programmes. To maximise the potential of quantum computers, the industry must solve challenges from the cryogenics, production and effects materials at very low temperatures. Quantum processors require special conditions to operate, and they must be kept at near-absolute zero, like IBM’s quantum chips are kept at 15mK. Quantum computing in India IBM researchers noted that India gave quantum technology 80 billion rupees as part of its National Mission on Quantum technologies and Applications. (The government in its budget 2020 had announced a National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA) with a total budget outlay of Rs 8000 Crore for a period of five years to be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology DST) Quantum computing is expanding to multiple industries such as banking, capital markets, insurance, automotive, aerospace, and energy. To mitigate risks associated with cryptography services, Quantum-safe cryptography was introduced. Last year, IBM said it will unveil 1121-qubit quantum computer by 2023. Qubit is the basic unit of a quantum computer.
5.33.ROBOTS TO RETRIEVE RADIOACTIVE REMNANTS FROM FUKUSHIMA, OTHER RETIRED NUCLEAR PLANTS
Scientists from the United Kingdom and Japan have come together to develop new, safer technologies to dismantle old nuclear facilities like the Fukushima Daiichi reactors, which were severely damaged by an earthquake and a tsunami in March 2011, setting off a triple meltdown in the nuclear reactors, the worst nuclear accident after Chernobyl. Long-reach robot arms used in this research collaboration called ‘LongOps’ will diminish risks to human health and also speed up decommissioning of legacy sites. Apart form Fukushima, these robots will also be deployed atSellafield in northwest England's Cumbria where nuclear fuel is reprocessed and stored. The £12 million (approximately Rs 120 crore) project will focus on innovation for fast decommissioning of legacy nuclear sites and automating parts of the nuclear fusion power generation process.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 118
The research will be equally funded over four years by UK Research and Innovation, UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), which owns the disabled Fukushima plant. Another innovation known as ‘digital twin technology’ will sophistically analyse data from the decommissioning sites and predict maintenance and operational challenges. Output from the projects will also be employed in maintaining, improving and dismantling nuclear fusion facilities such as the Joint European Torus (JET). Robotics and remote control technology is important for the success of fuel debris recovery.
5.34.MITOCHONDRIAL DNA
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis (WUSTL) have published a paper showing that a relatively simple and rapid blood test can predict — within a day of a hospital admission — which Covid-19 patients are at highest risk of severe complications or death.
About the findings The blood test measures levels of mitochondrial DNA, a unique type of DNA molecule that normally resides inside the energy factories of cells. Mitochondrial DNA spilling out of cells and into the bloodstream is a sign that a particular type of violent cell death is taking place in the body. It has been found that mitochondrial DNA levels were much higher in patients who eventually were admitted to the ICU, intubated or died. On average, mitochondrial DNA levels were about tenfold higher in Covid patients who developed severe lung dysfunction or eventually died. Further, the test predicted outcomes as well as or better than existing markers of inflammation currently measured in Covid patients. Most other markers of inflammation measured in patients with Covid-19, including those still under investigation, are general markers of systemic inflammation, rather than inflammation specific to cell death.
Mitochondrial DNA Mitochondrial DNA is the small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria. The mitochondria are organelles found in cells that are the sites of energy production. The mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA, are passed from mother to offspring. The mitochondrial DNA is critically important for many of the pathways that produce energy within the mitochondria. If there's a defect in some of those mitochondrial DNA bases(mutation),it causes a mitochondrial disease, which will involve the inability to produce sufficient energy in things like the muscle and the brain, and the kidney.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 119
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 120
6. SECURITY
6.1.83 TEJAS FIGHTERS CLEARED FOR AIR FORCE
Approving the largest indigenous defence procurement as part of measures to strengthen the armed forces amid a standoff with China on the Line of Actual Control and tensions with Pakistan over its terror infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared a deal worth nearly Rs.48,000 crore for the acquisition of 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme was started by the Government of India in 1984 when they established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to manage the LCA programme. LCA Tejas was designed and developed by India’s HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). It replaced the ageing MiG 21 fighter planes. It was in 2003 that the Light Combat Aircraft programme was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is the second supersonic fighter jet that was developed by HAL (the first one being HAL HF-24 Marut). LCA Tejas is a single-engine multirole light combat aircraft. It is the lightest and smallest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class. It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, and standoff weaponry. The idea behind the LCA programme was to expand and develop India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities. Since the 1970s, the MiG 21 planes were the mainstay of the Indian Air Force. The primary goal of the LCA programme was to replace the ageing MiGs. The secondary goal was the advancement of indigenous domestic aviation capabilities. HAL plans to deliver 123 Tejas aircraft to the Indian Air Force by 2024-25.
6.2.AKASH-NG MISSILE
DRDO conducted the successful maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile from Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha. Akash-NG is a new generation Surface to Air Missile meant for use by Indian Air Force with an aim of intercepting high maneuvering aerial threats.
6.3.JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN ANDAMAN SEA
Towards enhancing joint operational readiness, Indian Armed Forces conducted a large-scale conjoint military training exercise “KAVACH” alongwith “AMPHEX-21” in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 121
The exercise was conducted under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) with participation of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and Army Southern Command (SC) involving assets of Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. AIM: The exercise commenced with maritime strikes by Jaguar aircraft, Para Commandos and Marine Commandos carrying out Combat Free Fall at Car Nicobar with an aim to validate air dominance and maritime strike capability within the area of interest in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A ‘SAGAR KAVACH’, the operation being conducted every year to check the operational preparedness of the coastal security group and the Indian Coast Guard and the police and the coordination among them in nabbing ‘terrorists’ trying to infiltrate the district via sea. Operation “AMPHEX-21”: The exercise was aimed at validating India’s capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity of its island territories. It also sought to enhance operational synergy and joint war fighting capabilities amongst the three Services.
6.4.IAF AND FASF CONCLUDE EX DESERT KNIGHT 2021
The Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force participated in Ex Desert Knight 2021 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. A first of its kind bilateral exercise (Ex DK-21), Rafale aircraft from both sides along with Su-30 MKI and Mirage 2000 aircraft of the IAF undertook complex missions including Large Force Engagements. Both Air Forces exercised in realistic settings with an aim to enhance operational capabilities and interoperability. The exercise provided an opportunity to share best practices and evolve operational concepts; particularly for effective combat employment of the Rafale fleet.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 122
7. SOCIAL ISSUES
SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES
7.1.PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA
News Indian women and children are overwhelmingly anaemic, according to the National Family Health Survey 2019-20 released in Janusary 2021, and the condition is the most prevalent in the Himalayan cold desert.
Anaemia : The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity of hemoglobin. It can make one feel tired, cold, dizzy, irritable and short of breath, among other symptoms. A diet which does not contain enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 is a common cause of anaemia. Some other conditions that may lead to anaemia include pregnancy, heavy periods, blood disorders or cancer, inherited disorders and infectious diseases. The proportion of anaemic children and women is comparatively lower in Lakshadweep, Kerala, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, and higher in Ladakh, Gujarat, J&K, and West Bengal, among others. Anaemia among men was less than 30 % in a majority of these states and UTs.
Why is anaemia so high in the country? Iron-deficiency and vitamin B12-deficiency anaemia are the two common types of anaemia in India. Among women, iron deficiency prevalence is higher than men due to menstrual iron losses and the high iron demands of a growing foetus during pregnancies. Lack of millets in the diet due to overdependence on rice and wheat, insufficient consumption of green and leafy vegetables, and dominance of packaged and processed foods which are low in nutrition could be the reasons behind the high prevalence of anaemia in India. Anaemia levels in India have consistently remained high in the post-independence period and not dropped significantly during this period, even following the green revolution when diet patterns changed. There could be genetic or environmental factors, but such a study has never been conducted. Also, the current haemoglobin norms are based on western populations. In India, the normal standards could be different. There are women whose haemoglobin drops to six or eight sometimes but they remain healthy and well.
High prevalence of anaemia in the cold desert region : This could be due to short supply of fresh vegetables and fruits during the long winter each year. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 123
Crops here are generally only grown in summer and during winter, residents fail to get a regular supply of green vegetables and fresh produce from outside, as connectivity becomes restricted due to harsh weather and snowbound roads.
7.2.CHILD MALNUTRITION
Indian scenario In India, 37.8 % of children under 5 years of age are stunted. This is 16 % higher than the average for Asia (22 per cent). The situation of wasting is no better, with 20.8 % of children under 5 years of age affected, which is higher than average for Asia (9 %). The Global Nutrition Report, 2020, highlights that 68 % of under-5 mortality in India is due to malnutrition. As per the latest NFHS 5 report, over 35 % of children under 5 are stunted and over 20 % are wasted in 18 out of the 22 states for which data is released. That amounts to 47 million children, the largest in any part of the world.
As per WHO, stunting can be attributable to medical and socio-economic factors : The medical factors include genetics (parents’ height), access to nutrition and mother’s health (anaemia, BMI). The economic factors — income, poverty, access to healthcare, mother’s education and labour force participation. Social factors — caste, race, women status and place of residence etc.
In popular parlance, poverty is synonymous with stunting. Poor households and poor states are expected to have stunted children. But what could explain significantly higher stunting rates in middle-income states?
1. Women’s educational status : especially secondary and above, along with female labour force participation partly resonates with high stunting rates. Maternal literacy is an important determinant of a child’s nutritional status. Literate mothers are expected to be aware of their health, nutrition and breastfeeding practices. This finding, however, reflects the tragic reality of women bearing the undue burden of childcare.
2. The mother’s health, the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age:
India is one of the most anaemia-prone countries in the world. Children under age 5 and women of productive age are particularly vulnerable. Several studies have explored the strong association between stunting and the presence of anaemia in women of childbearing age. For instance, women of low BMI had greater odds of developing anaemia and the children of anaemic mothers are at greater risk of being stunted.
3. Urban slums and lack of sanitation: Despite claims, India still lags behind sub-Saharan African countries in terms of safely managed sanitation services.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 124
States like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka have a significant population living in urban slums who do not have access to improved sanitation facilities.
4. A typical factor that has an impact on the prevalence of stunting is genetics - The height of children is closely associated with the height of mothers.
HAZ Score As per WHO, the golden rule of measuring stunting in children is the height for age Z score (HAZ). A child is considered stunted if the HAZ score is two standard deviations below the median of WHO child growth standard.
7.3.WOMEN FARMERS IN INDIA
State of women farmers in India: According to the agricultural census, 73.2% of rural women are engaged in farming activities but only 12.8% own landholdings. Due to cultural, social and religious forces, women have been denied ownership of land. This stems from the perception that farming is a man’s profession. The India Human Development Survey reports that 83% of agricultural land in the country is inherited by male members of the family and less than 2% by their female counterparts. Thus, women are mostly left without any title of land in their names and are excluded from the definition of farmers. 81% of women agricultural labourers belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, so they also contribute to the largest share of casual and landless labourers. Problem of non-recognition and conveniently labels them as ‘cultivators’ or ‘agricultural labourers’ but not ‘farmers’. Without any recognition, women are systematically excluded from all the benefits of government schemes. Moreover, they are not guaranteed the rights which they would otherwise be given if they were recognised as farmers, such as loans for cultivation, loan waivers, crop insurance, subsidies or even compensation to their families in cases where they commit suicide.
The Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM) Report : There is gendered access to support systems such as storage facilities, transportation costs, and cash for new investments or for paying off old dues or for other services related to agricultural credit. There is also gendered access to inputs and markets. Despite their large contribution to the sector, women farmers have been reduced to a marginal section, vulnerable to exploitation. Concerns with Farm laws : 1. Lack of any mention of MSP (minimum support price) that protects farmers from exploitation. 2. Women are barely in a position as empowered agents who can either understand or negotiate (written) agreements with traders and corporate entities who are seeking to enter into agreements with the farmers to purchase their produce or for other services. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 125
3. Farmers will have no bargaining power in the corporatisatisation of agriculture, where corporates will decide the price with no safety net or adequate redressal mechanism for the farmers. Consequently, the small marginal and medium farmers will be forced to do sell their land to big agro-businesses and become wage labourers.
7.4.WAGES FOR HOUSEWORK
News: Kamal Haasan recently announced through his political party Makkal Neethi Manram’s political promise that he was in favour of paying women for household chores.
ILO defines unpaid work as non-remunerated work carried out to sustain the well-being and maintenance of other individuals in a household or the community, and it includes both direct and indirect care. Women in India spend more than nine times the time spent by men on unpaid care work.
Origins of the demand : The demand for ‘wages for housework’ arose in the context of struggle and consciousness-raising associated with the Second Wave of the women’s movement in North America and Europe. Alongside other demands for social and political equality, women’s rights campaigners made visible and also politicised women’s everyday experience of housework and child care in the ‘private’ realm of the household. In doing this, they challenged the assumption that a ‘natural’ affinity for housework was rooted in the essential nature of women who were performing a ‘labour of love’. For leading women’s rights activists of the 1960s and 1970s, it was important to bust the myth that women’s work at home was a personal service with no links to capitalist production. In a concrete sense, this meant linking the exploitation of the worker in the factory to women’s work at home. For decades, many Indian women have sought recognition of the inherent economic value that lies in house work from both the state and society. Probably the earliest recognition of this need was illustrated in a 1940 report titled ‘Women’s Role in Planned Economy’ (WRPE) prepared by a sub-committee for women under the National Planning Committee (NPC). The NPC was a body that undertook the process of devising India’s future economic developmental plans as the country marched towards Independence. It was set up by the Indian National Congress in 1938 at the joint initiative of Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Disparities worldwide: India is not the only country where this disproportionate shouldering of housework exists. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that women perform about three quarters, or 76.2%, of the world’s unpaid household work, 3.2 times more than men. Scandanivian countries come closest to gender parity, with men performing over 40% of the total volume of unpaid care work. At the other end of the scale, men in Mali, Cambodia, Pakistan and India do less than 10%.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 126
Benefits of monetization of Housework : Wage that the state ought to pay women would make them autonomous of the men on whom they were dependent. Recognition of household work is one of the most central processes in empowerment. It gives them a claim to equality within the patriarchal Indian household that only recognises the work done by men. Once recognised as work, this arena of unpaid domestic labour that is dominated almost entirely by women can become one where women can demand some degree of parity in terms of the time and energy expended on it. Many women have to share the bulk of unpaid domestic work even when they are employed—a significant number report productivity erosion in the professional sphere because of domestic work.
Issues with paying for domestic work : Asking men to pay for wives’ domestic work could further enhance their sense of entitlement. It may also put the additional onus on women to perform. There is a risk of formalising the patriarchal Indian family where the position of men stems from their being “providers” in the relationship.
7.5.ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS FOR PURCHASING /FITTING OF AIDS/APPLIANCES (ADIP) SCHEME
Why in news? Minister of for Social Justice and Empowerment of Punjab recently e-inaugurated a Distribution camp for free distribution of Aids & Assistive devices at Block level. It was done among the identified Senior citizens under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and Divyangjans under ADIP Scheme of Government of India.
Aim: To empower them and bring them into the main stream of the society. Spreading the awareness about the welfare schemes run by central government for Divyangjan.
Eligibility of the Beneficiaries: A person with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme through authorized agencies:
He/she should be an Indian citizen of any age. Should be certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner that he/she is disabled and fit to use prescribed aid/appliance. Holds a 40% Disablement Certificate. Person who is employed/self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month. In case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 127
Persons who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies and Non-Official Organisations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age this limit would be 1 year.
After implementation of Rights to Persons with Disabilities Act , 2016: The categories for disability has increased from for 7 to 21. Increased reservation for Divyangjan in government jobs from 3% to 4%. Reservation in higher education is now increased to 5%.
7.6.NUMBER OF INDIA’S ELDERLY TO TRIPLE BY 2050
According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), there will be over 319 million elderly by 2050, threefold the number identified by the Census in 2011. In 2011 census, the 60+ population accounted for 8.6% of population, accounting for 103 million elderly people. While 75% of them suffer from one or the other chronic disease, 40% have one or the other disability and 20% have issues related to mental health.
About the report The report prepared by the International Institute for Population Sciences, (IIPS), Mumbai in collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Southern California, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Institute on Ageing. The report was commissioned by the Health Ministry. It will provide base for national and State-level programmes and policies, said the Ministry. It is India’s first and the world’s largest-ever survey that provides a longitudinal database for designing policies and programmes for the older population in the broad domains of social, health and economic well-being. The evidence from LASI will be used to further strengthen and broaden the scope of National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly and also help in establishing a range of preventive and health care programmes for older population and most vulnerable among them.
Problems of the Elderly Though ageing is the natural stage of human life, it brings with it innumerable problems for the people who have grown old. A detailed analysis of the major problems of the aged in the light of the findings from various studies is explained below:
Economic Problems: With superannuation, a person has to retire from the service, which not only results in loss of employment and social status but also a substantial reduction in his income level. Majority of the elderly face acute financial problems, which makes older persons economically insecure. Physiological Problems: With growing age, older persons experience various anatomical and physiological changes. These changes bring many psychological,
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 128
behavioral and attitudinal changes in them. Consequently, they have to suffer varied sorts of physiological problems such as loss of physical strength and stamina, which become more acute as a person grows older. Housing related Problems: Housing for the aged should be suitable not only to the living pattern which they have established in optimum health, but also to conditions of failing health and illness, commonly associated with later years of life such as, failing eye sight of hearing, slowing and unsureness of step, diminishing energy and more acute disabilities, such as blindness, forgetfulness etc. On this pattern, the housing available to a majority of the senior citizens may be found inappropriate and unsuitable to their requirement. The sizeable populations of older widows as well as the older males have been facing the problem of “where to live peacefully”. Problem of Elder Abuse: Elder abuse is usually defined as any ill treatment to an older person. It refers to “infliction of physical, emotional or psychological harm on an older adult”. Around 81 % of the elderly persons face the problem of verbal abuse, while 53 % of them face neglect followed by material abuse (37 %) and physical abuse (23 %).
7.7.THE MAJHIS
Why in news? The number of Nepali-speaking communities in Sikkim seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status has gone up to 12 with the addition of the Majhis whose population is less than 1000 in the state.
About Majhis: The Majhis, who are a community of boatmen, are mostly concentrated at two villages on the banks of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers in South Sikkim. Majhis apart, other communities seeking tribal status are Gurung, Mangar, Rai, Sunwar, Mukhia, Jogi, Thami, Yakha, Bahun, Chettri and Newar. The inclusion of Mahjis in the list of communities seeking ST status was also endorsed by Sikkim chief minister P.S. Tamang. The Majhis of Sikkim had been granted the Scheduled Caste status a few years after the state’s merger with India , but waged a long campaign to opt out of it because of the social stigma associated with the SC tag. The Centre eventually de-listed the Majhis from the SC category a few years ago. The Gorkhas of the neighbouring Darjeeling hills, too, have been demanding ST status for 11 communities living in the area. Unlike in the hills, the Sikkimese are demanding the tribal status on the basis Article 371F of the Constitution, which provides special status to the Himalayan state that merged with India in 1975.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 129
7.8.TRIFED EXCHANGES MoU WITH IFFDC
Why in news? TRIFED and Indian Farm Forestry Development Co-operative Ltd (IFFDC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together for tribal livelihood generation.
About: The two organizations have agreed to partner with each other to organise training programmes for tribal artisans in the area of entrepreneurship skill and business development. They will also collaborate further to identify and implement CSR initiatives and tribal development efforts. Other areas of association have been identified through which IFFDC promoted Primary Farm Forestry Cooperative Societies(PFFCS)/Self Help Group(SHGs)/Community Based organisation (CBOs) will be linked with TRIFED for collection and marketing of Non-timber forest products(NTFPs)/minor forest produce (MFPs).
Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) : It is a national level cooperative body under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It was established in 1987 under the Multi- state co-operative societies act 1984 under the former Ministry of Welfare. It's basic mandate of bringing about socio-economic development of tribals of the country by institutionalizing the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) & Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected/ cultivated by them. As a market developer and service provider, the objective of TRIFED is socio- economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income. The philosophy behind this approach is to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner.
7.9.CUSTODIAL DEATH
Why in news? The annual reports of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) from 1996-97 to 2017-18 have revealed that 71.58% of the custodial deaths in India were of people from poor or marginalized sections of society. For instance, Chakmas with 3% of the total population constituted about 20% of the deaths in police custody in Assam . These custodial deaths expose the non-existent criminal justice system for the targeted and discriminated groups like the Chakmas. Custodial death: Custodial death is one of the worst crimes in a civilized society governed by Rule of Law. Neither a citizen sheds off his fundamental right to life, moment a policeman arrests him nor the right to life of a citizen be put in abeyance on his arrest.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 130
Issues :
1.Custodial deaths are underreported : The NHRC guidelines say that custodial deaths should be reported within 24 hours of their occurrence, and a “failure to report promptly would give rise to presumption that there was an attempt to suppress the incident”. However, the law does not provide for punishment for failure to report. The filing of a first information report is mandatory in the case of custodial deaths, but compliance is rare. The NHRC has issued guidelines that a magisterial inquiry be completed in two months and must determine the circumstances of death; manner and sequence of incidents; the cause of death, and so on.
2.Poor health facilities in prisons : The conditions in jails pose a health risk for prisoners. There should be at least one medical officer for every 300 prisoners and in central prisons one doctor should always be available, as per the Model Prison Manual 2016. Twelve of the 20 states and union territories (UTs) studied in the report had a shortfall of 50% or more medical officers. Across India, the prison occupancy rate was 117%, according to 2018 prisons data. Uttar Pradesh had the highest rate, at 176.5%.
3. Role of Governance and cultural issues The issue of custodial deaths is a combination of governance [issues] and a legacy of police administration Kerala has the incidence of custodial violence is relatively low, because of greater public awareness about rights. In Tamil Nadu, in the case of Thoothukudi for example which witnessed the death of a father and son due to alleged custodial torture , local cultural and caste issues were at play.
4.Marginalised, poor more vulnerable : Two in three prisoners (69%) and undertrials (65%) in India are from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backwards Classes. In most places a poor person is more likely to get tortured compared to someone who has financial or political influence. Of the 125 deaths in police custody documented by the NCAT in 2019, 60% belonged to poor and marginalised communities.These included 13 victims from Dalit and tribal communities and 15 Muslims. Often, the victims have little or no access to legal support or ability to follow up on cases.
5.Legal hurdles and lack of anti-torture laws : Conviction in case of custodial torture is difficult because government permission is required to prosecute public officials. Under Section 197 of the CrPC, no government official or member of the armed forces alleged to have committed a criminal offence while acting or purporting to
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 131
act in the discharge of their official duty can be prosecuted except with the prior sanction of the central or state government. Even if it reaches the stage of prosecution when chargesheets are filed, the permission for prosecution [of a public servant] may not be given. Section 132 of the CrPC also protects police, armed forces and even civilians who engage in activities to help disperse crowds from prosecution without prior sanction. Although India signed the UN’s Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in October 1997, it is yet to ratify it despite the Law Commission’s recommendation.
7.10.SEWER WORKER DEATHS
“In India, a man is not a scavenger because of his work. He is a scavenger because of his birth irrespective of the question whether he does scavenging or not.” – Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Why in news? The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has asked the Delhi government to share the status of payment of compensation to families of those who died while cleaning septic tanks in the city. • According to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), 44 people died in Delhi between 1993 and 2019 while cleaning septic tanks and sewers.
As per The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC): The Supreme Court had directed that payment of compensation of ₹10 lakh be made to persons who died in sewage work since 1993. It is advised that the pending payments be made as early as possible. The status of such deaths and payment of compensation be updated to the commission. The details of one-time cash assistance for rehabilitation of manual scavengers and skill training provided to such persons should also be provided to the The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). The NCSC has also asked the city government to share data related to the coverage of SC households under the Centre's schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. It has also sought information about action taken to improve the health and education parameters of the SC population in the city. The commission has suggested dropping "caste-indicated" words from the names of colonies and schools, if any, in Delhi.
About The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
Evolution of the Commission : Originally, Article 338 of the Constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the SCs
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 132
and STs and to report to the President on their working. He was designated as the Commissioner for SCs and STs and assigned the said duty. In 1978, the Government (through a Resolution) set up a nonstatutory multimember Commission for SCs and STs; the Office of Commissioner for SCs and STs also continued to exist. In 1987, the Government (through another Resolution) modified the functions of the Commission and renamed it as the National Commission for SCs and STs . Later, the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990 provided for the establishment of a high level multi-member National Commission for SCs and STs in the place of a single Special Officer for SCs and STs. This constitutional body replaced the Commissioner for SCs and STs as well as the Commission set up under the Resolution of 1987. Again, the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies, namely, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (under Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (under Article 338-A). The separate National Commission for SCs came into existence in 2004. It consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.
The Functions of the Commission are: a) To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the SCs and to evaluate their working. b) To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the SCs. c) To participate and advise on the planning process of socioeconomic development of the SCs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union or a state d) To present to the President, annually and at such other times as it may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards e) To make recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or a state for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the SCs. f) To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the SCs as the president may specify.
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis(NCSK) : It was constituted in1994 for a period of 3 years under the provision of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 to promote and safeguard the interests and rights of Safai Karamcharis. This commission continued till February 2004, when the relevant Act expired. Thereafter, the tenure of the commission has been extended from time to time, as a non-statutory body, the last such extension being up to 31 March 2022.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 133
7.11.COVID-19 DEEPENED INEQUALITIES
Why in news? A new report - 'Inequality Virus Report' by Oxfam has found that the Covid pandemic deeply exacerbated existing inequalities in India and around the world.
Report's findings: On Wealth: Indian billionaires increased their wealth by 35% during the lockdown to $422.9 billion, ranking India sixth in the world after U.S., China, Germany, Russia and France. The wealth of just the top 11 billionaires during the pandemic can easily sustain the MGNREGS or the Health Ministry for the next 10 years, underscores the deepening inequalities due to COVID-19 where the wealthiest escaped the worst impact of the pandemic while the poor faced joblessness, starvation and death. It recommends re-introducing wealth tax and effecting a one-time COVID-19 cess of 4% on taxable income of over Rs 10 lakh to help the economy recover from the lockdown. According to its estimate, wealth tax on the nation’s 954 richest families could raise the equivalent of 1% of India’s GDP.
On Employment front: Data has shown that 1,70,000 people lost their jobs every hour in the month of April 2020. Informal sector had been the worst hit, out of a total 12.2 crore people who lost their jobs, 75% , which accounts for 9.2 crore jobs, were lost in the informal sector.
On Health front: The mass exodus on foot triggered by the sudden lockdown and the inhuman beating, disinfection and quarantine conditions the informal workers were subjected to turned a health emergency into a humanitarian crisis. Only 6% of the poorest 20% has access to non-shared sources of improved sanitation, compared to 93.4% of the top 20%. It added that 59.6% of India’s population lives in a room or less. Just 37.2 % of SC households and 25.9 % of ST households had access to non- shared sanitation facilities, compared to 65.7 % for the general population.
Women specific concerns: 1.7 crore women lost their job in April 2020 and unemployment for women rose by 15% from a pre-lockdown level. Beyond income and job losses, poorer women also suffered healthwise because of the disruption in regular health services and Anganwadi centres. It is predicted that the closure of family planning services will result in 2.95 million unintended pregnancies, 1.8 million abortions (including 1.04 million unsafe abortions) and 2,165 maternal deaths. The pandemic also fueled domestic violence against women. As of November 30, 2020, cases of domestic violence rose by almost 60% over the past 12 months.
On Education front: Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 134
Long disruption of schooling risked doubling the rate of out of school, especially among the poor. Only 4% of rural households had a computer and less than 15% rural households had an internet connection.
ISSUES RELATED TO EDUCATION
7.12.FOREIGN COLLABORATION IN EDUCATION
Why in news? Indian universities and colleges with the Institutions of Eminence (IOEs) tag, which include several IITs, will now be able to set up campuses in foreign countries with the University Grants Commission (UGC) issuing fresh guidelines on the same.
About IOE Scheme: The Education Ministry had launched the IoE scheme in 2018 as per which 20 institutions were to be selected — 10 public and 10 private ones — that would enjoy complete academic and administrative autonomy. In the first lot, Indian Institutes of Delhi, IIT Bombay and the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) were awarded the IoE status in the public sector, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education and BITS Pilani in the private sector, while the Jio Institute by Reliance Foundation was given the tag in Greenfield category. In 2019, five public institutions including Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, University of Hyderabad, IIT-Madras and IIT-Kharagpur were granted the status. A Letter of Intent for granting the IoE status was also issued to five private universities — Amrita Vidyapeetham and Vellore Institute of Technology in Tamil Nadu, Odisha’s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Jamia Hamdard University in Delhi and Satya Bharti Foundation's Bharti Instiute in Mohali. While the government will provide funding upto Rs 1,000 crore to public institutions with IoE tag, in case of the private institutions proposed as Institutions of Eminence, there will be no financial support. But they will be entitled to more autonomy as a special category Deemed University.
As per the new guidelines on foreign collaboration: The new guidelines have been issued in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) as per which foreign universities will be allowed to set up campuses in India and top Indian institutes in foreign countries. According to the norms, IoEs shall be permitted to start a maximum of three off- campus centres in five years, but not more than one in an academic year. They will, however, require approval from as many as three ministries — education, home and external affairs — before they can venture out. An institution willing to establish an off-campus centre shall have to submit an application to the Ministry of Education containing its 10-year ‘strategic vision plan’ and a five-year ‘rolling implementation plan’ which would include the plans Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 135
for academics, faculty recruitment, student admissions, research, infrastructure development, finance and administration, etc. A proposed off-campus centre is expected to achieve a teacher-student ratio of 1:20 initially, and 1:10 by the end of five years. It adds that at least 60 per cent of the appointed faculty members should be on permanent basis. The institute should also have enrolled a minimum of 500 students on its rolls under regular classroom mode with one third PG/research students.
Importance of international collaborations: Indian students can study contemporary and globally recognised courses from the comforts of a home environment, widening the reach of such courses and world- class pedagogy at almost a quarter of the costs to getting students access to cutting-edge virtual learning tools. But it is the larger value addition to the education system that is more exciting. It provides foreign institutions with a cost-effective method to study the new market and accordingly bring in modifications to their course curricula if required. The enhancement in pedagogical skills for the Indian teaching community. The more comprehensive collaborations will not only see Indian faculty conducting such courses but also being trained and certified for it. Foreign institutions had flexibility woven in to their curricula long ago. Therefore, the subject combinations that they provide are in keeping with current career requirements. So, besides opening up a world of opportunities, this also helps set the base for what the NEP envisions. Application-oriented education not only results in them adding substantial value to their work, but also helps them grow faster. One key limitation may be the acceptance of such courses in local government- related careers but, in most cases, this will be a mere technicality that can be easily overcome by opting for a simultaneous course that is accepted. However, the knowledge and exposure gained from such collaborative courses remain and can never be taken away.
7.13.STANDARDIZATION OF RESEARCH
Why in news? The recent case of Elsevier, Wiley, and American Chemical Society(ACS) filing lawsuits against pirate websites such as Scihub and Libgen which allows access to millions of research papers can help us understand the issue of control and governance over knowledge in academia.
Why standardization of research can be harmful? Applying “global” standards based on the practices of American and European institutions to higher education in the global south as well. This system has many issues. Such Precise point-based measurements of knowledge production is often incompatible with the educational systems in countries like India. Moreover, there is no clarity of the relevance of such knowledge in societies, even in Europe and America. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 136
How the UGC mandated “standardization” process has particularly impacted social sciences and humanities research in Indian universities?
In India, UGC has been the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in higher education. The UGC is using an objective criterion to evaluate institutions which is creating many issues.Institutional funding has been linked to ranking and accreditation systems likeNAAC and NIRF. In faculty research, Universities are being ranked based on citations in global journal databases like SCOPUS. Moreover, ranking of universities based on citations fails to distinguish between the various disciplines like STEM (science, technology, engineering and management) and social sciences. In STEM disciplines, research is often highly objective and quantified, and conclusions can be published more easily as reports. The same in the case of social sciences and humanities research is difficult as it is subjective, analytical and argumentative. It impacts research in social sciences and humanities by devaluing books as authentic forms of research as, social science disciplines like history, sociology, politics researchers are more confined to writing books rather that publishing articles in journals.
Peer Review can be detrimental: The issue of Peer review is affecting scholars research since the continuous publication of research has been linked to the growth of Teachers. They spend less time in pedagogy and research and most time on getting their articles published. A large surplus of articles has surfaced on the same topic due to that, competing with each other for citations. Moreover, the Peer review process itself is subjective and depends upon the knowledge and inclination of the particular reviewer. For example, there are many instances where the same article received two opposite reviews.
Issue of Ghettoization: The issue of ghettoization(segregating) of research in journal databases. The paid subscription makes research inaccessible to all. Students and teachers, access articles through pirated sites like Libgen and Scihub, prone to be shut down at any point of time as evident from the litigations. Clearly, access to knowledge is structurally made inequitable in favour of the elite and/or moneyed institutions and their constituents.
Way forward: “Regulating” research needs to be replaced with “facilitating” research. Regulations without facilitation will merely bureaucratize the governance of knowledge without generating any path-breaking research. To improve the research potential of teachers and to raise the Indian education standards to global levels, issues impacting scholars research must be resolved which are - Uncertainty in employment, longer teaching hours accompanied by a dismal student-teacher ratio, Lack of sabbatical (study/travel leave), research and
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 137
travel grants , Lack of access to research facilities and office space, decreasing expenditure on public institutions, including education.
7.14.A BIG PUSH FOR EDUCATION
Why in news? On January 24 , the third edition of the International Day of Education was celebrated, a day proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to honour education and its value to humanity and sustainable development. This day provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of education for citizens around the world, and to find ways to advocate for inclusive quality education.
Disruption of Education due to the pandemic : The theme for 2021, ‘Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation’, places an emphasis on the way the pandemic has negatively affected learning outcomes for students globally and how we should innovate and combine resources to invest more in education. About 1.6 billion students from some 190 countries were affected by the shutdown of schools caused by COVID-19, reversing years of progress in education. In India, more than 1.5 million school closures affected about 286 million schoolchildren. This added to the six million girls and boys who were already out of school prior to the crisis. According to UNESCO estimates, schools worldwide were closed for an average of three and a half months since the onset of the pandemic. Because of dire fiscal challenges and the overwhelming need to prioritise public health and social safety spending, global education financing has been significantly reduced. UNESCO estimates that of the $11.8 trillion global COVID-19 fiscal response, a mere 0.78% (or $91 billion) was allocated to education, with $73 billion spent in high-income countries.
Governments of South Asia have fared better: The governments of South Asia have made some real progress towards protecting education funding. On average, it is estimated that South Asia allocated 0.85% of its fiscal package to education, compared to 0.73% for Europe and North America and 0.69% for Latin America and the Caribbean. These shifts in public expenditures were mainly driven by Information and Communication. Technology measures to support the delivery of education through a mix of radio, television, and mobile technology, as well as the home delivery of printed learning materials for the most vulnerable students who are excluded from technology. In India, inspired by the release of the National Education Policy (NEP), the Education Ministry has made significant efforts to develop courses to reach all learners via the Internet and the airwaves. The introduction of the NEP and the counter-effects of the pandemic have in fact provided a groundswell of change on which true reform is riding.
Way Forward:
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 138
The learning crisis brought about by the pandemic therefore represents a clarion call to governments, development partners and businesses to increase funding and make education systems more resilient, inclusive, flexible, and sustainable. Now is the time to step up collaboration and international solidarity and place education at the centre of the recovery and the transformation towards more inclusive, safe, and sustainable societies. The pandemic has been devastating but we can also see it as an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to a big push for education across South Asia.
About the International Day of Education The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. The global event for the Day will be planned along three main segments: learning heroes, innovations, and financing. It will be organized in partnership with the UNESCO New York Office, UNHQ, the Global Partnership for Education and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CRI), and feature the participation of partners from the Global Education Coalition. Capturing the spirit of the International Day of Education, CRI and UNESCO have spearheaded a Learning Planet Festival to celebrate learning in all contexts and share innovations that fulfill the potential of every learner, no matter what their circumstances.
7.15.STARS PROJECT
Why in news? Ministry of Education, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and World Bank have signed an agreement for the financial support worth Rs 5718 crore towards the implementation of the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project.
About The project aims at improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian school education system through interventions in selected states. STARS will draw on the existing structure under Samagra Shiksha. At the state level, the project will be implemented through the integrated state Implementation Society (SIS) for Samagra Shiksha. The proposed World Bank support under STARS is primarily in the form of a results-based financing instrument called Program for Results (PforR). This will ensure major reforms at the state-level through a set of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A State Incentive Grant (SIG) will be used to encourage states to meet desired project outcomes. An Independent Verification Agency (IVA) will verify each result before disbursement of funds.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 139
STARS will support India’s renewed focus on addressing the ‘learning outcome’ challenge and help students better prepare for the jobs of the future through a series of reform initiatives which include focusing more directly on the delivery of education services at the state, district and sub district levels by providing customized local-level solutions towards school improvement. It will also support India's goal 'Education for All'. For this vision, the World Bank has earlier assisted with more than $3 billion.
ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH
7.16.LUMPY SKIN DISEASE (LSD)
Why in news? A strange but familiar fear has prevailed over the village of Kammana in Kerala’s Wayanad district since the beginning of the year. It was much like what the residents experienced around the same time last year, when the state reported India’s first novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case. This time the virus is different and so is the host, but the disease is equally contagious, unknown, stealthy and debilitating.
About LSD Lumpy skin disease is an infectious, eruptive, occasionally fatal disease of cattle characterized by nodules on the skin and other parts of the body caused by virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as Neethling virus. The virus has important economic implications since affected animals tend to have permanent damage to their skin, lowering the commercial value of their hide. Additionally, the disease often results in chronic debility, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, abortion, and sometimes death.
7.17.OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES(OOPE) ON HEALTH
Why in news? According to Economic Survey 2020-21 , India has one-of-the highest level of Out-Of- Pocket Expenditures (OOPE) contributing directly to the high incidence of catastrophic expenditures and poverty.
According to the Economic Survey: About 65% of deaths in India are now caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with ischemic heart diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stroke being the leading causes. The health of a nation depends critically on its citizens having access to an equitable, affordable and accountable healthcare system. The OOPE, as a share of total health expenditure, drops precipitously when public health expenditure increases. The OOPE for health increases the risk of vulnerable groups slipping into poverty because of catastrophic health expenditures. The life expectancy in a country correlates positively with per capita public health expenditure, it notes.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 140
Private hospitals charge much higher than government hospitals for treatment of same ailment and higher charges do not assure better quality.
The Economic Survey 's recommendations: It has backed the 2017 National Health Policy’s pitch for more than doubling public spending on healthcare, arguing that it can halve the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure on healthcare for Indians. The Survey has also proposed the establishment of a regulator to mitigate the market failures stemming from “information asymmetry” that leads to “suboptimal” quality of care in the healthcare sector. Comparing India’s spend on healthcare with countries like Indonesia, China and Thailand, the Survey concluded the country could “substantially” reduce the OOP share of overall healthcare spends to 30 % from 60-65 % currently. This would happen if it increased its public spending on healthcare from 1 per cent of GDP, at present, to 2.5-3 percent.
7.18.NUCLEAR MEDICINES
Why in news? Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the premier research organization of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has evolved a design for the first PPP Research Reactor for production of Nuclear Medicines.
About In the proposed partnership, the private entities will get exclusive rights to process and market the isotopes produced in the research reactor, in lieu of investing in the reactor and processing facilities. In May 2020, Union Finance Minister announced establishment of a Research Reactor in PPP mode for production of medical isotopes as a part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiatives for DAE. This project will be a major step towards making India self-reliant in key radio isotopes used in medical and industrial applications. Globally, nuclear medicine is a USD 6 Billion market and is expected to grow rapidly to reach USD 30 Billion by 2030. India produces all major isotopes in the country under the aegis of BARC. India also imports some of the isotopes to fulfil the growing demand of the country from Europe, Australia and other Asian countries. The planned PPP has an opportunity to completely transform India's stature in the global nuclear medicine industry.
What is nuclear medicine? Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess bodily functions and to diagnose and treat disease. The patient will inhale, swallow, or be injected with a radiopharmaceutical. This is a radioactive material. After taking the substance, the patient will normally lie down on a table, while a camera takes pictures.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 141
The camera will focus on the area where the radioactive material is concentrated, and this will show the doctor what kind of a problem there is, and where it is. Types of imaging techniques include positon emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) which can provide detailed information about how a body organ is functioning.
7.19.A NEW FRAMEWORK AROUND CASTE AND THE CENSUS
Enumerating, describing and understanding the population of a society and what people have access to, and what they are excluded from, is important not only for social scientists but also for policy practitioners and the government. In this regard, the Census of India, one of the largest exercises of its kind, enumerates and collects demographic and socio-economic information on the Indian population.
About the Census: The synchronous decennial Census going back to the colonial exercise of 1881 has evolved over time and has been used by the government, policy makers, academics, and others to capture the Indian population, its access to resources, and to map social change.
Census: Not sufficient As early as the 1940s, W.W.M. Yeatts, Census Commissioner for India for the 1941 Census, had pointed out that, “the census is a large, immensely powerful, but blunt instrument unsuited for specialised enquiry”. The above point has also surfaced in later critiques offered by scholars who consider the Census as both a data collection effort and a technique of governance, but not quite useful enough for a detailed and comprehensive understanding of a complex society. While the usefulness of the Census cannot be disregarded, for instance with regard to the delimitation exercise, there is a lack of depth where some issues are concerned. With demands to conduct a full-scale caste census gaining traction over time, some have seen the inclusion of broader caste information as a necessity to capture contemporary Indian society and to understand and remedy inequalities, while others believe that this large administrative exercise of capturing caste and its complexities is not only difficult, but also socially untenable.
The main concerns: There have been concerns that counting caste may help solidify or harden identities, or that caste may be context-specific, and thus difficult to measure. The other concern is whether an institution such as caste can even be captured completely by the Census. Questions remain on whether the SECC is able to cover the effects of caste as an aspect of Indian social structure in everyday life, or at least to illuminate our understanding of its impact at varying scales — from the local, to the regional and to the national scale. Can the SECC take into account the nuances that shape caste and simultaneously the ways in which caste shapes everyday life in India?
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 142
The Census and the SECC have different purposes : Since the Census falls under the Census Act of 1948, all data are considered confidential, whereas according to the SECC website, “all the personal information given in the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) is open for use by Government departments to grant and/or restrict benefits to households”. The Census thus provides a portrait of the Indian population, while the SECC is a tool to identify beneficiaries of state support. This difference is significant since it influences not only the methods of collection but also the use and potential for misuse of data.
Way forward: Linking and syncing aggregated Census data to other large datasets such as the National Sample Surveys or the National Family Health Surveys that cover issues that the Census exercises do not, such as maternal health, would be significant for a more comprehensive analysis, enabling the utilisation of the large body of data that already exists. Census operations across the world are going through significant changes, employing methods that are precise, faster and cost effective, involving coordination between different data sources. Care must however be taken to ensure that digital alternatives and linking of data sources involving Census operations are inclusive and non-discriminatory, especially given the sensitive nature of the data being collected. While the Census authorities present documents on methodology as part of a policy of transparency, there needs to be a closer and continuous engagement between functionaries of the Census and SECC, along with academics and other stakeholders concerned, since the Census and the SECC are projects of governance as well as of academic interest. Before another SECC is conducted, a stocktaking of the previous exercise, of what has been learnt from it, and what changes are necessary, beyond changing exclusionary criteria for beneficiaries of state support, are crucial to enable the Census to facilitate effective policy work and academic reflection. Concerns about methodology, relevance, rigour, dissemination, transparency and privacy need to be taken seriously if this exercise is to do what it was set up to do.
About Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011: SECC 2011 has three census components which were conducted by three separate authorities, but under the overall coordination of Department of Rural Development in the Ministry of Rural Development. Census in Rural Area has been conducted by the Department of Rural Development , Census in Urban areas is under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Caste Census is under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs: Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. This is the first time such a comprehensive exercise has been carried out for both rural and urban India. It is also expected to generate information on a large number of social and economic indicators relating to households across the country. It was not conducted under 1948 Census of India Act,which in turn made information disclosure voluntary for citizens, and not a mandatory disclosure.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 143
It was the fourth exercise conducted by Government of India to identify households living below the poverty line (BPL) in India that would get various entitlements, after three censuses in 1992, 1997 and 2002.
The SECC, 2011 has the following three objectives: To enable households to be ranked based on their Socio- Economic status. State Governments can then prepare a list of families living below the poverty line To make available authentic information that will enable caste-wise population enumeration of the country To make available authentic information regarding the socio economic condition, and education status of various castes and sections of the population.
URBANISATION
7.20."INDIAN CITIES IN THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD" REPORT
As economic powerhouses, cities drive growth and innovation, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and advance prosperity.
As per the Report: Cities have borne the maximum brunt of the Covid-19 outbreak but they will also be key to India’s post-pandemic growth as they account for nearly 70% of the country’s GDP and an average of 25-30 people migrate to cities from rural areas every single minute, a new study has shown. About 25 million households in India—35% of all urban householdscannot afford housing at market prices and it is time to create a new urban paradigm that enables cities to be healthier, more inclusive and more resilient. It highlights the country’s most pressing urban challenges that were exacerbated by the pandemic. The report also provides insights for translating the lessons learned from the pandemic into an urban reform agenda. The impact of the pandemic has been profoundly uneven on different population groups. Vulnerable populations, including low-income migrant workers, have suffered the dual blows of lost income and weak social-protection, while the pandemic has also laid bare gender-based imbalances in public and private life in India’s urban areas.
About the Report: The report by World Economic Forum(WEF) is produced in collaboration with IDFC Institute in Mumbai, India, provides insights for translating the lessons learned from the pandemic to an urban reform agenda across seven thematic pillars: planning, housing, transport, environment, public health, gender, and vulnerable populations.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 144
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 145
8. SCHEMES
8.1.ICT GRAND CHALLENGE
Ministry : Ministry of Jal Shakti in partnership with Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
About ICT Grand Challenge. Jal Jeevan Mission will be the user agency . Implementing agency: C-DAC Bangalore It is launched as a pilot programme in 100 villages. It aims to create innovative, modular, and cost-effective solution to develop a ‘Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System’ to be deployed at the village level. The ambitious mission focuses on service delivery rather than mere creation of infrastructure. This kind of technological challenge offers a great opportunity to ensure long-term sustainability of water supply systems in rural areas. It will harness the vibrant IoT eco-systems of India for creating smart rural water supply eco-system. It will provide opportunity to work for cause of Jal Jeevan Mission and to assure potable water supply through Functional Household Tap Connections to every rural household. It will provide support at ideation Stage, prototype development stage and deployment stage This will boost the idea and thrust of initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India and Make in India.
About Jal Jeevan Mission Union Government’s flagship programme- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented in partnership with States for providing Functional Household Tapwater Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024. The programme focuses on service delivery at the household level, i.e. water supply regularly in adequate quantity and of prescribed quality, on long-term basis.
8.2.THIRD PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (PMKVY 3.0)
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
About PMKVY 3.0: In a bid to empower India’s youth with employable skills, the MSDE launched PMKVY 3.0, in nearly 600 districts making 300+ skill courses available to the youth, making skill development more demand-driven and decentralized in its approach
This phase will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills. Skill India Mission PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over a scheme period of 2020-2021 with an outlay of Rs. 948.90 crore.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 146
The 729 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), empanelled non-PMKK training centres and more than 200 ITIs under Skill India will be rolling out PMKVY 3.0 training to build a robust pool of skilled professionals. PMKVY 3.0 will be implemented in a more decentralized structure with greater responsibilities and support from States/UTs and Districts. The new scheme will be more trainee- and learner-centric addressing the ambitions of aspirational Bharat
PMKVY 2.0 v/s PMKVY 3.0 PMKVY 2.0 focused in bolstering the skilling ecosystem and PMKVY 3.0, ensure in a new paradigm with focus on demand-driven skill development, digital technology and Industry 4.0 skills. The Government’s growth agenda is guided by ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ vision. PMKVY 3.0 is a progressive step towards achieving this vision by establishing increased connect at state, district and block level. PMKVY 2.0 broadened the skill development with inclusion of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and focus on training. PMKVY 3.0, the focus is on bridging the demand-supply gap by promoting skill development in areas of new-age and Industry 4.0 job roles. While the National Educational Policy puts focus on vocational training for a holistic growth and increased employability, PMKVY 3.0 role will be a propagator of vocational education at an early level for youth to capitalize on industry-linked opportunities.
About PMKVY: Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) implements it with the help of training partners. Under this Scheme, Training and Assessment fees are completely paid by the Government. Skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards Launched in 2015
The objectives: To mobilize youth to take up skill training with the aim of increasing productivity and aligning the training and certification to the needs of the country To enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood. Individuals with prior learning experience or skills will also be assessed and certified under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skill India Mission “Skill India Mission” has gained tremendous momentum through launch of its flagship scheme PMKVY to unlock the vision of making India the ‘Skill Capital’ of the world Launched in 2015 with an aim to train over 40 crore people in India in different skills by 2022. It includes various initiatives of the government like Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 147
National Skill Development Mission National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Skill Loan scheme
8.3.FACELESS PENALTY SCHEME
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
The government scheme is likely to reduce the chances of error in the penalty orders against taxpayers Bringing objectivity in the penalty proceedings may smoothen the experience of the taxpayer To further digitize the interaction between the taxpayers and the income tax authorities Scheme is supplementary to the faceless assessment and the faceless appeal scheme Under the scheme national and regional centres will be set up to facilitate conduct of faceless penalty proceedings in income tax cases. All communication between units and assessees will be done either via email or through mobile app, while physical hearing will be allowed only with approval from CBDT.
It will be centrally managed through the National Faceless Penalty Center (NFPC) Under the said scheme, various aspects of the penalty proceedings, pertaining to the exchange of communication, including issuing the show cause or initiating the penalty proceedings, obtaining any information or evidence from the assesse taxpayer or tax department or any other person and conducting verification of the same, etc., would be only via electronic mode
About Faceless tax scheme: In the Union Budget 2019, the Finance Minister proposed the introduction of a scheme of faceless e-assessment. All provisions introduced under Faceless Assessment, under the Income Tax Act, 1961, are introduced to It is an attempt to remove individual tax officials’ discretion and potential harassment for income tax payers. The main objective is to remove physical interaction as much as possible Optimize the utilization of resources through the economies of scale and functional specialization Introduce a team-based determination of arm’s length price with dynamic jurisdiction. The taxpayer may also benefit from the overall objective of fairness in the penalty orders due to the enhanced degree of transparency, efficiency and accountability in the final order Penalty proceedings may smoothen the experience of taxpayers and may help in achieving better compliance in the long term
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 148
8.4.BABU JAGJIVAN RAM CHHATRAWAS YOJNA
Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Objective (i) To attract implementing agencies for undertaking construction of hostels, especially for SC girls, towards the broader vision of containment and reduction of their dropout rate. (ii) Having a girls hostel with a capacity of 100 seats, in every block headquarters of low literacy districts not having one as of now, by way of priority (iii) Repairing and proper maintenance of hostels (iv)Having an effective mechanism for monitoring, review, etc.
Central assistance is provided to the implementing agencies viz. State Governments/UT Administrations/ Central and State Universities/ Non- Governmental Organizations/Deemed Universities in private sector, for construction of fresh hostels/expansion of existing hostel facilities for Scheduled Castes students. Maintenance of the hostels would be the responsibility of the concerned implementing agencies. Details Residential schools for SC girls are proposed to be set up for class VI to XII students in the educationally backward districts of States having large SC population. The State Governments will provide adequate land free of cost for construction of school complex mandatorily. The Central Government will provide capital cost for construction of school complex and eligible recurring cost for the first three years. In addition, one-time grant for procurement of essential and non-recurring items like furniture, recreation, garden, etc. is proposed to be provided by the Central Government. The primary objective of the Scheme is to attract implementing agencies for undertaking hostel construction programme with a view to provide hostel facilities to SC boys and girls studying in middle schools, higher secondary schools, colleges and universities.
8.5.PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA
Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Why in news? As many 94% of the 800 million beneficiaries of free food grain scheme during Covid-19 have been found satisfied with the government in a survey conducted by an independent agency.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 149
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and poor.
Salient features of the scheme Objective: During the period April - November 2020, more than 80 crore people will be provided 5 kg free wheat/rice per person / month along with 1 kg free whole chana to each family per month. Wheat has been allocated to 6 States/UTs, - Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi and Gujarat and rice has been provided to the remaining States/UTs. The Prime Minister also underlined that the country is moving towards the institution of ‘one nation, one ration card’, which will be of immense benefit to the poor who travel to other states in search of work. Distributing to all beneficiary households of States/UTs claiming under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
Eligibility PHH are to be identified by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them. AAY families are to be identified by States/UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government: Households headed by widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support. Widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more or single women or single men with no family or societal support or assured means of subsistence. All primitive tribal households. Landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, slum dwellers, and persons earning their livelihood on daily basis in the informal sector like porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, snake charmers, rag pickers, cobblers, destitutes and other similar categories in both rural and urban areas. All eligible Below Poverty Line families of HIV positive persons.
NOTE: One Nation One Ration Card: Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, about 81 crore persons are entitled to buy subsidized foodgrain — rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg — from their designated Fair Price Shops (FPS) of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Under the ONORC system, the beneficiary will be able to buy subsidised foodgrains from any FPS across the country. The new system, based on a technological solution, will identify a beneficiary through biometric authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices installed at the FPSs.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 150
By 31st March 2021 all remaining States will be added to One Nation One Ration Card scheme and the scheme will be operational all over India.
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) The National Food Security Act, 2013 was enacted to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity. Public Distribution System (PDS) is now governed by provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). Coverage under PDS is de-linked from the erstwhile 'poverty estimates'. The Act provides coverage for nearly 2/3rd of the country's total population, basis Census 2011 population estimates 75% of Rural and 50% of Urban population is entitled to receive highly subsidised foodgrains under two categories of beneficiaries – Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). State/UT-wise coverage is determined by the erstwhile Planning Commission (now NITI Ayog) on the basis of 2011-12 Household Consumption Expenditure survey of NSSO. The Act entitles 35 kg of foodgrains per AAY Household per month, whereas 5 Kg of foodgrain per PHH Person per month. Identification of beneficiaries/households under NFSA is done by respective State/UT Government, which is required to frame its own criteria. The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 kgs of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious "take home ration" of 600 Calories, 18-20 grams of protein and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months. The eldest women of the household of age 18 years or above will be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards. Children 6 months to 14 yearsof age are to receive free hot meals or "take home rations". States are the implementing agencies and the Central Government will be responsible to provide funds to states in case of short supplies of food grains. Grievance redressal mechanism, through State Food Commissions, DGROs, and Vigilance Committees at different levels are provisioned for Women Empowerment. No reduction in foodgrains allocation to any State/UT under NFSA. Allocation gaps if any, are covered with Tide-Over allocation Provisions for disclosure of records relating to PDS operations, placing of beneficiaries' list in public domain/portals, for enhanced transparency Assistance to States/UTs for meeting expenditure on intra-State transportation & handling of foodgrains and FPS Dealers' margin.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 151
8.6.PM SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (PMSSS)
Why in news? The Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) instalment has been released to support J&K and Ladakh students
Implemented by: J&K Cell of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi.
About Scheme was started in 2011 and modified from time to time to make the scheme student friendly. The scheme envisages to build capacities of the youth of J&K and Ladakh to enable them to compete in the normal course. Scholarship is awarded to meet the expenditure towards Academic Fees and Maintenance Allowances (for hostel, mess, cost of books and other incidental charges) to candidates who are admitted through AICTE’s counseling process.
Objectives Building capacities of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. Educating, enabling and empowering them to compete in the normal course. Enhancing and formulating employment opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir. Boosting employment potential of students of Jammu & Kashmir. Making the Scheme student friendly.
Eligibility Students having domicile of Jammu & Kashmir and ladakh Passing 10+2 examination from J&K Board or CBSE located in J&K and Ladakh. Only those willing to study outside the UT of J&K and UT of Ladhak. Whose family Income is Rs. 6.00 Lakh or below per annum. Fulfilling minimum age and other eligibility criteria as prescribed by the colleges. Aadhar Card is essential for smooth disbursement scholarship through direct benefit transfer.
Advantages of PMSSS Complete course fee and maintenance fee paid by the government Fee directly get deposited in the financial account of the institute which will include all type of fees, like tuition fee, exam fee etc The academic fee is paid to the institution where the student is provided admission after on-line counselling process conducted by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education). The academic fee covers tuition fee and other components as per the ceiling fixed for various professional, medical and other under-graduate courses. In order to meet the expenditure towards hostel accommodation, mess expenses, books & stationery etc., a fixed amount of Rs.1.00 Lakh is provided to the beneficiary and is paid in instalments of Rs. 10,000/- pm directly into students account.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 152
About All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) It was set up in November 1945 as a national-level apex advisory body to conduct a survey on the facilities available for technical education. It aims to promote development in the country in a coordinated and integrated manner. The AICTE Act was constituted to provide for the establishment of an All India Council for Technical Education with a view to proper planning and coordinated development of a technical education system throughout the country. The purview of AICTE (the Council) covers programmes of technical education including training and research in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Town Planning etc. at different levels
8.7.PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEMES
Why in news? Government given approval to drug firms including Aurobindo Pharma & Pharmaceuticals under the PLI Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical bulk drugs.
Implemented by: by the concerned ministries/departments About It is aimed at promotion of domestic manufacturing and to make India a manufacturing hub Initially introduced for 1. Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components--Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 2. Critical Key Starting materials/Drug Intermediaries and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients-- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. 3. Manufacturing of Medical Devices
Later expanded to:
Sectors Implementing Ministry/Department Advance ChemistryCell (ACC) Battery NITI Aayog and Department of Heavy Industries
Electronic/Technology Products Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Automobiles& Auto Components Department of Heavy Industries Pharmaceuticals drugs Department of Pharmaceuticals Telecom & Networking Products Department of Telecom Textile Products: MMF segment and Ministry of Textiles technical textiles Food Products Ministry of Food Processing Industries High Efficiency Solar PV Modules Ministry of New and Renewable Energy White Goods (ACs & LED) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Speciality Steel Speciality Steel
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 153
While doing investment in the sector procedure was Replaced the criteria of ''minimum threshold'' investment with ''committed investment'' by the selected applicant. To encourage efficient use of productive capital as the amount of investment required to achieve a particular level of production depends upon choice of technology and it also varies from product to product. The provision which restricts the sales of eligible products to domestic sales only for the purpose of eligibility of receiving incentives has been deleted, bringing the scheme in line with other PLI schemes and encouraging market diversification. The eligibility criteria of minimum sales threshold in line with projected demand, technology trend and market development, for the purpose of availing incentive under the scheme. The tenure of the scheme has been extended by one year keeping in view the capital expenditure expected to be done by the selected applicants in FY 2021-22. On Electronic/Technology Products scheme would give incentives of 4-6 per cent to electronics companies which manufacture mobile phones and other electronic components such as transistors, diodes, thyristors, resistors, capacitors and nano-electronic components such as micro electromechanical systems. Accordingly, the sales for the purpose of availing incentives will be accounted for 5 years starting from FY 2022-2023 instead of FY 2021-2022
8.8.BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO SCHEME
Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
Relevance: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes.
Why in news? Out of 640 Districts Covered Under BBBP 422 Districts Show Improvement in SRB (sex ratio at Birth) Gross Enrolment Ratio of Girls at Secondary Level Improves from 77.45 to 81.32
About: The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme, launched on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat in Haryana
Objective: To bring behavioral change in the society towards birth and rights of a girl child. To increase awareness and sensitization of the masses regarding prevalence of gender bias and role of community in eradicating it.
Progress in terms ofmonitorable targets
1. Sex Ratio at Birth:
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 154
SRB has been observed at National level and hasimproved by 16 points from 918 (2014-15) to 934 (2019-20), as per the HMIS data of MoH&FW Out of 640 districts covered under BBBP 422 districts have shown improvement in SRB from 2014-15 to 2018-2019 Some Districts which had very low SRB in 2014-15 have shown huge improvement : Mau (Uttar Pradesh), Karnal (Haryana), Mahendergarh (Haryana), Rewari (Haryana), and Patiala (Punjab)
2. Health : Percentage of Institutional Deliveries has shown an improving trend from 87% in 2014-15 to 94% in 2019-20 ( As per HMIS, MoH&FW).
3. Education : Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls in the schools at secondary level has improved from 77.45 (2014-15) to 81.32 (2018-19-provisional figures) as per UDISE-data. Percentage of schools with functional separate toilets for girls has shown improvement from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 95.1% in 2018-19 (2018-19 provisional figure, as per UDISE-data )
4. Attitudinal change: The BBBP scheme has been able to bring the focus on important issue of female infanticide, lack of education amongst girls and deprivation of their rights on a life cycle continuum. The scheme has successfully engaged with Community to defy the age old biases against the girl child and introduce innovative practices to celebrate the girl child. The BBBP logo has been much appreciated and accepted by people. People are using theBBBP logo on their own volition at various places such as school buses, building, stationeries, transport vehicles etc. to affirm their commitment to the cause. Logo has also been mentioned in popular Indian festivals i.e. Lohri, KalashYatra, Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturdashipandal, festival of flowers etc. Collaborating at the level of community for celebrating the birth of girl child i.e. Kuwapoojan, Thalibajana etc. Now mothers and girl child are being felicitated at community level and in hospitals by Administration to establish the relevance of the girl child. BetiJanmotsav is one of the key programme celebrated in each district.
8.9.SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILING OF PM SVANidhi BENEFICIARIES
Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Implementing partner: Quality Council of India (QCI)
About MOHUA launched a programme of Socio-Economic Profiling of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families as an additional component of PM SVANidhi Scheme.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 155
A complete profile of each PM SVANidhi beneficiary and their family members will be prepared. The profiled data will identify potential eligibility of beneficiaries and their family members for select Central Government schemes and facilitate linkages. In the first phase, 125 cities have been selected for the programme. Besides this, the States/ UTs would also have an option to extend their respective State/ UT specific welfare schemes to them.
AboutQuality Council of India (QCI) An autonomous body set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, jointly with ASSOCHAM, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Registered as a non-profit society and is governed by a Council with equal representations of government, industry and consumers To establish and operate national accreditation structure and promote quality through National Quality Campaign Pivotal role at the national level in propagating, adoption and adherence to quality standards in all important spheres of activities including education, healthcare, environment protection, governance, social sectors, infrastructure sector
About Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
Objective : to provide affordable working capital loan up to Rs 10,000 of 1-year tenure to Street Vendors for facilitating resumption of their livelihoods adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is for the first time that street vendors from peri- urban/rural areas have become beneficiaries of an urban livelihood programme Eligibility: beneficiaries of Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 The duration of the scheme: June 1, 2020 to March 2022 Targets: 50 lakh Street Vendors. Implementation agency: SIDBI The loans would be without collateral. On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on quarterly basis. There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan. The scheme promotes digital transactions through cash back incentives up to an amount of Rs. 100 per month. The vendors can avail the facility of escalation of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loan. Government launched the PM SVANidhi mobile App
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 156
8.10.DUARE SARKAR AND PARAY PARAY SAMADHAN PROGRAMMES
Why in news? West Bengal’s flagship Duare Sarkar and Paray Paray Samadhan programmes were lauded by global bodies. Bringing government close to the people is a big challenge and the Bengal government turned it into a reality
About programmes While Duare Sarkar was for individuals and families, Paray Paray Samadhan Scheme was more community-centric The Duare Duare government is a person-oriented program, while the West Bengal Paray Paray Samadhan Scheme will address the problems of neighbourhoods
About Duare Sarkar A massive outreach programme called "Duare Sarkar" programme on December 1, 2020 for doorstep delivery of 11 government schemes The state government had decided to grant one-time tiffin allowance of Rs. 5,000 to staff for the two months they worked in Duare Sarkar camps. Duare Sarkar Scheme has already had over 1.5 crore people enlisting for state schemes in 573 camps state-wide. . 11 government schemes 1. Kanyashree(a cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and preventing their early marriage) 2. Khadya Sathi( for ensuring that almost 90 per cent of the population comes under food security) 3. Sikshashree(one time grant given to SC and ST students from class 5 to class 8 to go to schools). 4. Rupashree (one-time financial grant of ₹25,000 for economically stressed families at the time of their daughter's marriage) 5. Jai Johar (for the betterment of ST people) 6. Taposili Bondhu (pension scheme for SC people) 7. Akhyashree (a scheme that provides scholarships to students of minority communities in the state) 8. Swastha Sathi (health scheme) 9. KrishakBandhu (The financial support i.e., Assured Income scheme to every farmer) 10. Caste Certificate Application- ( Fresh Applications) 11. MGNREGS
About: Paray Paray Samadhan programmes Aim: to end the issue by providing immediate solutions so that the residents do not have to suffer loss. In this scheme, the state govt. officials would provide instant solution to all the local problems faced by people in their daily livessuch as constructing culverts, adding a schoolroom or even repairing water pipelines. The campaign begin on 2 January and will run till 15 February.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 157
a principal secretary-level officer will lead a dedicated task force to resolve all issuesthese issues that would be resolved in a time-bound manner The complainees are not required to visit any government office to register their complaints Under this scheme, people can directly address their problems or complaints to the officials then and there The chief minister’s office (CMO) – 10,000 issues had been found that could be solved at the local level. The primary focus of the scheme is on issuing the caste certificates to people of the backward classes. For this, the principal secretary will hold a camp in the residential areas where most SC/ST Community people live. The initiation mitigates the gap between the people and the government.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 158
9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS
9.1.CHENNAI TOPS THE WORLD IN CCTV SURVEILLANCE
Chennai has the maximum CCTV coverage per square kilometre and per 1,000 population among the 130 cities studied worldwide, according to a recent report published in South Asia Journal. According to the report, the world’s first CCTV camera was installed in Germany in 1942, and now there are nearly one billion devices. The report maps out how prevalent the CCTV cameras are in 130 of the world’s most populous cities. “China and India are the countries with the highest densities of CCTV surveillance cameras in urban areas. Chennai, India, has 657 cameras per sq km, making it the number one city in the world in terms of surveillance.
9.2.PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS CONVENTION 2021
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs and provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians. In view of the sentiments of our vibrant diaspora community, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, is being organized on 9th January 2021, despite the ongoing Covid pandemic. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915. The theme of 16th PBD Convention 2021 is "Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat". The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards are conferred to select Indian diaspora members to recognize their achievements and honour their contributions to various fields, both in India and abroad.
9.3.KALARIPAYATTU ACADEMY BRACES FOR ACTION
Kalaripayattu, considered the oldest surviving martial art of the country, with a legacy of more than 3,000 years, is set to see a surge in popularity with the establishment of an academy in the Kerala capital. Lessons in one of the most famous combat styles in the world will now be taught to the new generation at the facility which will come up at Kerala Tourism’s Vellar Crafts Village en route to Kovalam.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 159
The academy is intended to impart training in the true spirit of the ancient martial art that is based on sound scientific principles.
About Kalaripayattu Kalaripayattu, also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art that originated in modern-day Kerala, a state on the southwestern coast of India. Kalaripayattu is known for its long-standing history within Indian martial arts. It is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India. It is also considered to be among the oldest martial arts still in existence, with its origin in the martial arts timeline dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE. Kalaripayattu is mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a collection of ballads written about the Chekavar of the Malabar region of Kerala. Kalaripayattu is a martial art designed for the ancient battlefield (the word "Kalari" meaning "battlefield"), with weapons and combative techniques that are unique to India.
9.4.VANAMITRA AWARD Vanamitra award instituted by the Forest and Wildlife Department for contribution to biodiversity conservation. The award comprises a purse of Rs.25,000 and a plaque. There will be one award for every district for protection of mangroves, sacred groves, medicinal plants, farming, and biodiversity. Individuals, educational institutions, voluntary organisations and farmers can apply for the award.
9.5.JANAAGRAHA CITY GOVERNANCE AWARDS
Odisha Bags 2 National Awards - Best State Award For JAGA Mission, Best Civic Agency Award For Piped Water Universal Access. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UDD) won the Best State Award for JAGA Mission for enactment of laws, drafting of policies, setting up of institutional mechanisms, programmes or schemes to successfully foster urban decentralisation in the cities and State. The JAGA Mission was selected basing on the historic Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2017 and for transforming urban slums into liveable habitats with intensive community mobilisation and empowering slum dwellers through Slum Development Associations (SDAs). The Mission provides slum dwellers with secure tenure and access to liveable habitat with infrastructure and services and covering 3,000 slums benefiting over 1.8 million population. The Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO), H&UDD won the Best Civic Agency Award for universal access to piped water supply scheme through demonstrable inter-agency coordination and decentralisation in practice.
About the award The Awards have been instituted in the memory of Mr V Ramachandran, a doyen of decentralization, to recognize ground-breaking work in decentralization in urban context by institutions across government.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 160
Formerly known as V Ramachandran Awards for Excellence in Urban Decentralization, the awards celebrate initiatives and efforts based on five broad categories- Best State, Best Municipality, Best Civic Agency, Best State Election Commission and Best State Financial Commission. One winner and two runners- up will be awarded under each category, and selected initiatives will receive honorable mention.
9.6.PANDYA COINS
Why in news? Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Madurai chapter is trying to generate academic interest in the significance of ancient Tamil coinage among the people here. Antiquated coins contain a lot of history and are a means to understand how civilisations flourished in the past. But due to the lack of a widely understood script, we tend to ignore the importance. This is perhaps the first time that an INTACH chapter has replicated a coin, in the size of a tablet that also makes a nice souvenir for locals and tourists alike.
About Pandyas The Pandyas reigned over the Southern region of modern-day Tamil Nadu. Madurai was the capital of Pandyas and Epic poem Silappatikaram mentions that the emblem of the Pandyas was that of a fish. King Neduncheliyan was also called Aryappadai Kadantha Neduncheliyan. According to mythology, the curse of the Kannagi, wife of Kovalan, burnt and destroyed Madurai. The socio-economic condition of the seaport of Korkai was mentioned in Maduraikkanji which was written by Mangudi Maruthanar.
About INTACH The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a non-profit charitable organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. INTACH was founded in 1984 in New Delhi with the vision to create a membership organisation to stimulate and spearhead heritage awareness and conservation in India. Since 1984, INTACH has pioneered the conservation and protection of India's natural and cultural heritage and is today the largest membership organisation in the country dedicated to conservation. In 2007, the United Nations awarded INTACH a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 161
9.7.KOLAM
Why in news? Nao Yamashita , a graduate of Fine Arts from Musashino Art University, Tokyo has been organising workshops for ‘kolam’ enthusiasts in Japan since 2018.
About Kolam Kolam (Tamil) or also known as Muggu (Telugu) is a form of drawing that is drawn by using rice flour, chalk, chalk powder or rock powder, often using naturally or synthetically colored powders, in Sri Lanka, the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and some parts of Goa, Maharashtra as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries. A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. In South India and Sri Lanka, it is widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses. Kolams are regionally known by different names in India, Raangolee in Maharashtra, Aripan in Mithila, Hase and Rangoli in Kannada in Karnataka.
9.8.NATIONAL METROLOGY CONCLAVE 2021
Recently, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave 2021. He dedicated National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali to the Nation and laid the Foundation Stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory through a video conference. The Conclave was organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, on its 75th year of inception. The theme of the conclave is ‘Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation’. Metrology is defined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) as "the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology".
National Atomic Time Scale: The National Atomic Time Scale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanoseconds.The longitude of 82°30' E has been selected as the ‘standard meridian’ of India against which the Indian Standard Time is set. Now Indian Standard Time is matching the International Standard Time with the accuracy range of less than 3 nanoseconds. CSIR-NPL is the National Measurement Institute of India and authorized (by an act of Parliament) to realize and maintain the Indian Standard Time (IST). IST is realized at CSIR-NPL through the National Primary Time Scale consisting of a bank of ultra-stable atomic clocks.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 162
CSIR-NPL is on a mission to synchronize all the clocks in the nation to IST for securing digital infrastructure and reducing cyber crime. Benefits: This will be a big help for organizations like Indian Space Research Organisation who are working with cutting edge technology. Banking, railways, defense, health, telecom, weather forecast, disaster management , Industry4.0 and many similar sectors will be benefited greatly from this achievement.
Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali (BND): These are Indian reference materials developed by CSIR-NPL. It is committed to ensure the quality of products in every manufacturing and consumer sector by providing SI traceable measurements and enhancing quality life of citizens through metrology. Reference materials (RM) play a pivotal role in maintaining the quality infrastructure of any economy through testing and calibration with precise measurements traceable to SI units. NPLI has recently released two very important certified RMs as Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) for purity of gold and for Bituminous coal. Recently, the Govt of India (GoI) has supported NPLI to strengthen its BND program by developing BNDs in the area of AYUSH, Materials, Nanotechnology, Medicine, Food & Agriculture and Biologics. The availability of SI traceable BNDs are poised to boost the “Make in India” program and harmonize the quality infrastructure of the country.
9.9.DURGA ‘BHABHI’ AND MAULVI LIAQUAT
From the spirit of the Ghadarites to the sacrifice of Durga ‘Bhabhi’, a section of historians and the political class feel that the contribution of revolutionaries to the Indian freedom movement has not been well-documented. Allahabad Museum is in the process of creating a “one of its kind” Azad Gallery, where the story of the revolutionary struggle of the Indian freedom movement would be told through artefacts and interactive displays. Named after Chandra Shekhar Azad, who attained martyrdom at about 300 metres from the museum, the gallery is expected to be complete by July 23, 2021, the 115th birth anniversary of the revolutionary.
About Durgawati Devi Durgavati Devi (Durga Bhabhi) (7 October 1907 – 15 October 1999) was an Indian revolutionary and a freedom fighter. She was one of the few women revolutionaries who actively participated in armed revolution against the ruling British Raj. She is best known for having accompanied Bhagat Singh on the train journey in which he made his escape in disguise after the Saunders killing. Since she was the wife of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) member Bhagwati Charan Vohra, other members of HSRA referred to her as Bhabhi (elder brother's wife) and became popular as "Durga Bhabhi" in Indian revolutionary circles.
About Maulvi Liaquat Ali
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 163
Maulvi Liaquat Ali was a Muslim religious leader from Allahabad (Prayagraj), in the state of Uttar Pradesh in present-day India. He was one of the leaders in the revolt against the British in 1857, in what is now known as the Indian Mutiny, or the Sepoy Mutiny. This war was also known as the First War of Independence.
9.10.WORLD’S OLDEST CAVE PAINTING DISCOVERED IN INDONESIA
A team of archaeologists has discovered what may be the world’s oldest known cave painting dating back to more than 45,000 years. The cave painting depicts a wild boar endemic to the Sulawesi island of Indonesia, where the painting was found. The central Indonesian island, which occupies an area of over 174,000 sq. km, is situated between Asia and Australia and has a long history of human occupation, the archaeologists note in their findings that have been published in the journal Science Advances.
So what is the significance of the cave painting? The archaeologists note that the dated painting of the Sulawesi warty pig seems to be the world’s oldest surviving representational image of an animal. The painting was made using red ochre pigment and depicts a pig with a short crest of upright hairs and a pair of horn-like facial warts in front of the eyes, who is likely observing a social interaction or fight between two other warty pigs. The book, “The Archaeology of Sulawesi”, published by the Australian National University press in 2018 mentions that the Sulawesi island contains some of the oldest directly dated rock art in the world and also some of the oldest evidence for the presence of hominins beyond the southeastern limits of the Ice Age Asian continent. Hominins include modern humans, extinct human species and our immediate ancestors. Homo sapiens are the first modern humans who evolved from their hominid predecessors between 200,000-300,000 years ago. It is estimated that these modern humans started migrating outside of Africa some 70,000-100,000 years ago.
How did the archaeologists date it? While dating rock art can be challenging, for this painting archaeologists used a method called U-series isotope analysis, which uses calcium carbonate deposits that form naturally on the cave wall surface to determine its age.
9.11.JALLIKATTU AND PONGAL FESTIVAL
Jallikattu Jallikattu is a bull-taming sport that has traditionally been part of the festival of Pongal. The festival is a celebration of nature, and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, of which cattle-worship is part. The elite Jallikattu breeds test the strength and guile of farm hands in especially- constructed arenas. It is a violent sport, and there is only one winner, man or bull.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 164
Why is Jallikattu important in Tamil culture? Jallikattu is considered a traditional way for the peasant community to preserve their pure-breed native bulls. At a time when cattle breeding is often an artificial process, conservationists and peasants argue that Jallikattu is a way to protect these male animals which are otherwise used only for meat if not for ploughing.
Why has Jallikattu been the subject of legal battles? In India, legal battles surrounding animal rights issues emerged in the early 1990s. A notification from the Environment Ministry in 1991 banned the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs, which was challenged by the Indian Circus Organisation in the Delhi High Court. In 1998, dogs were excluded from the notification. Jallikattu first came under legal scrutiny in 2007 when the Animal Welfare Board of India and the animal rights group PETA moved petitions in the Supreme Court against Jallikattu as well as bullock cart races. The Tamil Nadu government, however, worked its way out of the ban by passing a law in 2009, which was signed by the Governor. Except in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where bull-taming and racing continue to be organised, these sports remain banned in all other states including Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra due to the 2014 ban order from the Supreme Court.
Pongal (festival) Pongal is also referred to as Thai Pongal is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival of South India, particularly in the Tamil community. It is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, the Surya, and corresponds to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival under many regional names celebrated throughout India. The three days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Maattu Pongal.Some Tamils celebrate a fourth day of Pongal as Kanum Pongal. According to tradition, the festival marks the end of winter solstice, and the start of the sun's six-month-long journey northwards when the sun enters the zodiac Makara (Capricorn). The festival is named after the ceremonial "Pongal", which means "to boil, overflow" and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery (raw sugar).
9.12.BHAWANA KANTH
Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth is set to become the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day parade. She will be a part of the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) tableau that will showcase mock- ups of the light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and the Sukhoi-30 fighter plane. She is currently posted at an airbase in Rajasthan where she flies the MiG- 21 Bison fighter plane.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 165
Kanth is also one of the first women fighter pilots in the IAF. She, along with Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, was inducted into the IAF as the first women fighter pilots in 2016.
Women officers in three forces The Air Force has 13.09 % of women officers, the highest among all three forces. The Army has 3.80 % of women officers, while the Navy has 6% of women officers.
9.13.SOMNATH TEMPLE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected new chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust (SST), the religious body which manages and maintains the famous Somnath temple near Veraval in Gujarat. The post of chairman of the trust had fallen vacant following the death of Keshubhai Patel, former chief minister of Gujarat, in October 2020. The Central government and the Gujarat government have powers to nominate four trustees each on the board of trustees of SST.
About The Shree Somnath Trust (SST) The Shree Somnath Trust (SST) is a religious charitable trust registered under the Gujarat Public Trust Act, 1950. The Trust is governed by a deed that lays down the terms of its settlement with the then government of Saurashtra state. The Trust is the sole authority to manage and maintain the Somnath temple and 64 other temples in Prabhas Patan, its guesthouses, and the 2,000 acres of land it owns. The SST is different from the committees that manage other major temples like the Dwarkadhish temple, in that governments do not get any share of the temple revenue. The Trust is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees, including a chairman and a secretary. Member Trustees vote in elections to the post of chairman every year. The secretary’s tenure is not fixed. Membership of the Board of Trustees is for life.
About Somnath temple The Somnath temple (also known as the Deo Patan) located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several invaders and rulers, the present temple was reconstructed in the Chaulukya style of Hindu temple Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 166
architecture and completed in May 1951. The reconstruction was started under the orders of the Home Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel and completed after his death.
9.14.GURAJADA APPA RAO
Why in news? Addressing the nation on the day his government rolled out the COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted the great Telugu poet, scholar and social reformer Gurajada Appa Rao (1862-1915) Prime Minister quoted his famous quote : “Give up some of your own welfare/profit, to lend support to your neighbour. / Soil does not make a country, but it is people who do so.” The first two lines of the stanza quoted by Modi also have relevance for India’s approach to her neighbourhood. Gurajada’s advice to “give up” something in favour of one’s neighbour has been an aspect of Indian policy towards some of her neighbours. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s policy of non-reciprocal and unilateral trade liberalisation with respect to the less developed countries (LDCs) in the neighbourhood is one example. Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy has also tried to reach out to some, not all, of India’s neighbours. Securing one’s own welfare by ensuring the prosperity of one’s neighbour is a good principle for a prosperous family and a large country to adopt.
About Gurajada Venkata Apparao Gurajada Venkata Apparao (21 September 1862 – 30 November 1915) was a noted Indian playwright, dramatist, poet, and writer known for his works in Telugu theatre. Rao wrote the play Kanyasulkam in 1892, which is often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language. Kanyasulkam is about the deplorable condition of widows in traditional Brahmin families in the Andhra region of India during the 19th century. One of the pioneers of Indian theatre, Rao holds the titles Kavisekhara and Abyudaya Kavitha Pithamahudu. In 1910, Rao scripted the widely known Telugu patriotic song "Desamunu Preminchumanna". Gurajada was not just a poet and a writer. He was a social reformer who wrote in support of gender equality and against caste and communal prejudice. It is one of the great legacies of the national movement that progressive intellectuals like Gurajada, Tagore, Premchand and so on not only instilled patriotism in the minds of a colonised people but also encouraged them to adopt liberal and secular values. They wrote against casteism and propagated Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 167
gender equality, they respected all religions and found value in modernity and science.
9.15.KONARK SUN TEMPLE
Why in news? The Odisha government announced that it would soon undertake beautification work at the centuries-old Sun Temple at Konark in Puri, for which a draft plan has already been prepared.
About Under the proposed project, the 3.5 km-long corridor around the 13th century Sun Temple at Konark will be turned into a six-lane road. All roads in the state leading to the temple will be developed, while dedicates points with transport facilities will be set up between Bhubaneswar and Konark for the convenience of visitors A state-of-the-art plaza will be constructed at the entrance of the temple complex to welcome tourists, while plans are also afoot to construct a multi-modal hub for car parking.
About the Konark Sun Temple Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE(year 1250) Sun temple at Konark about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE. Also called the Surya Devalaya, it is a classic illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture. This temple was called the "Black Pagoda" in European sailor accounts as early as 1676 because it looked a great tower which appeared black. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the "White Pagoda". Both temples served as important landmarks for sailors in the Bay of Bengal. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984, it remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February. The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life all its wondrous variety. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 168
There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months. The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week. Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konarak, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.
9.16.PADMA AWARDS 2021
The Union Home Ministry on the eve of Republic Day announced the recipients for Padma awards. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been awarded Padma Vibhushan for his achievement in the field of public affairs. Other recipients include noted singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who passed died in a Chennai hospital last year after almost two months of treatment. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former Principal Secretary to PM Modi Nripendra Misra, former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan (posthumous), former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (posthumous) are among the ten recipients who have been awarded with Padma Bhushan this year.
9.17.RAM SETU
The central government has approved an underwater research project to ascertain the origins of the Ram Setu — a 48-km-long chain of shoals between India and Sri Lanka. Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge or Nala Setu, holds religious significance because of the Ramayana. The central advisory board on archaeology, which functions under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has approved the proposal for this underwater exploration project. The study — to be conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa — will focus on the process behind Ram Setu’s formation and also whether there are any submerged habitations around the structure. Ram Setu’s age will be ascertained through the study of fossils and sedimentation to see if it correlates with the Ramayana period, sources in the Ministry of Culture told. In it’s proposal note, NIO said: “The historicity and the date of ‘Ramayana’ remain a debatable subject among historians, archaeologists and scientists. It is proposed to carry out scientific and underwater archaeological studies to understand the nature and formation of the Ram Setu and its surrounding area.”
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 169
The agency’s research vessel named Sindhu Sadhana will be deployed to collect samples of sediment from 35-40 metres below the water level. Sindhu Sadhana is an indigenous exploration vessel which can stay underwater for up to 45 days.
Background Ram Setu has been at the centre of debate since 2005 when the UPA government proposed the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, to build a shipping canal to link the Arabian Sea with the Bay of Bengal. For this, a channel passing through the limestone shoals of Ram Setu was to be dredged in the Sethusamudram sea, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. However, the project was opposed by environmental groups as well as by the BJP as they said that the project would damage the Ram Setu. At the time, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa had demanded from the-then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Rama Setu be declared a national monument, even as then DMK chief M Karunanadhi had come down heavily on “communal forces” for using the “myth” of Ram Sethu to stall the Sethusamudram project.
9.18.RISA SET TO BE A NATIONAL BRAND
Tripura Chief Minister and his government have been promoting the traditional risa, a handwoven cloth used by the state’s indigenous communities, as a signature identity of the state. The risa is being branded under the India Handloom Brand, Chief Minister of Tripura announced recently.
About Risa The traditional Tripuri female attire comprises three parts — risa, rignai and rikutu. Risa is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment, and also as headgear, a stole, or a present to express respect. As an upper garment, it is wrapped around the torso twice. Rignai is primarily worn as the lower garment and literally translates into ‘to wear’. It can be understood as an indigenous variety of the sari of mainland India. Rituku is mainly used as a wrap, or like a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’ of the Indian saree. It is also used to cover the head of newly married Tripuri women. These garments were traditionally handwoven. Handloom remains an integral part of the Tripuri household, even with the advent of powerloom-manufactured garments.
How long has the risa been part of Tripura’s traditions? The complete Tripuri attire is claimed to have originated even before the time of the Manikya kings, who ruled Tripura for over 500 years starting from the 15th century. Although the history is contested, Maharaj Trilochana, aka Subhrai Raja is said to have Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 170
invented nearly 250 designs of rignai during his time for his 250 wives. Today, the risa is undergoing changes due to competition with powerloom- manufactured products available at cheaper rates. The garment is made in handloom or loin looms at homes, usually not more than one or two pieces in a month. Most of this art is handed down through generations. However, many of the designs were lost with the passage of time, and only a few remain.
9.19.THE GLOBAL RISKS REPORT 2021
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2021 lists infectious diseases as the top global risk, displacing climate change.
Report states that: Among the highest impact risks of the next decade, infectious diseases are in the top spot, followed by climate action failure and other environmental risks; as well as weapons of mass destruction, livelihood crises, debt crises, and IT infrastructure breakdown, The WEF, in its report, states that risks of job losses, a widening digital divide, disrupted social interactions, and abrupt shifts in markets could lead to dire consequences and lost opportunities for large parts of the global population. These consequences, which could manifest in the form of social unrest, political fragmentation, and geopolitical tensions, will shape the effectiveness of responses to other key threats of the next decade, climate change being paramount among them, along with cyberattacks and weapons of mass destruction, it points out. Among the highest likelihood risks of the next ten years are extreme weather, climate action failure, and human-led environmental damage; as well as digital power concentration, digital inequality and cybersecurity failure. Out of these, employment and livelihood crises, widespread youth disillusionment, digital inequality, economic stagnation, human-made environmental damage, erosion of societal cohesion, and terrorist attacks are the most imminent threats to the world that could become critical in the next two years, the foundation says. Talking about the economic impact of COVID-19, WEF notes in the report that the pandemic led to working hours equivalent to 495 million jobs being lost in the second quarter of 2020 alone, which in turn will immediately increase inequality. The response to COVID-19 offers four governance opportunities to strengthen the overall resilience of countries, businesses and the international community: 1. Formulating analytical frameworks that take a holistic and systems-based view of risk impacts. 2. Investing in high-profile "risk champions" to encourage national leadership and international co-operation. 3. Improving risk communications and combating misinformation. 4. Exploring new forms of public-private partnership on risk preparedness.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 171
9.20.PATHARUGHAT UPRISING OF ASSAM (1894)
Twenty-five years before the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, more than a hundred peasants fell to the bullets of the British on January 28, 1894, in Patharughat, a small village in Assam’s Darrang district.
Patharughat uprising After the British annexation of Assam in 1826, surveys of the vast lands of the state began.On the basis of such surveys, the British began to impose land taxes, much to the resentment of the farmers. In 1893, the British government decided to increase agricultural land tax reportedly by 70- 80 %, until then the peasants would pay taxes in kind or provide service in lieu of cash. Across Assam, peasants began protesting the move by organising Raij Mels, or peaceful peoples’ conventions. On January 28, 1894, when the British officers were refusing to listen to the farmers’ grievances, things heated up.There was a lathi charge, followed by an open firing which killed many of the peasants present.
9.21.‘PRABUDDHA BHARATA’ JOURNAL
News :Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 125th Anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ on 31st January. Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India is an English-language monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896. It carries articles and translations by monks, scholars, and other writers on humanities and social sciences including religious, psychological, historical, and cultural themes. The journal ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ has been an important medium for spreading the message of India’s ancient spiritual wisdom. It is edited from Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Uttarakhand, and published and printed in Kolkata. Prabuddha Bharata is India's longest running English journal.
9.22.AADI MAHOTSAV
News: The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate “Aadi Mahotsav”, a National Tribal Festival being organized by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs on 1st February, 2021. The Aadi Mahotsav – A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Crafts, Cuisine and Commerce – is a successful annual initiative that was commenced in 2017. The festival was an attempt to familiarise the people with the rich and diverse craft, culture of the tribal communities across the country, in one place.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 172
About TRIFED The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) was established in August 1987 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 by the Government of India as a National level Cooperative body. TRIFED, as the nodal agency under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has been working to improve the income and livelihoods of the tribal people, while preserving their way of life and traditions. TRIFED is mandated to bringing about socio-economic development of tribals of the country by institutionalising the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) & Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected/ cultivated by them. TRIFED plays the dual role of both a market developer and a service provider, empowering them with knowledge and tools to better their operations in a systematic, scientific manner and also assist them in developing their marketing approach.
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 173
Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 174