March 2020 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS ORGANIC AND ORGANISED DECEMBERMARCH 2020 2019

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 March 2020. I am proud of the dedication and attention to the details which the team that compiles and edits Current Affairs at IAS WINNISHERS has put in to bring out a very comprehensive compilation. Our mission is to facilitate the current affairs knowledge that is ORGANIC and ORGANISED.

We have made an effort to provide you the most relevant and important news from the point of view of Interview, Mains and especially the soon approaching Prelims.

Due to the ongoing unfortunate situation, with many of you confined to your homes, we fully empathize your anxiety related to the exam. This compilation gives you the right direction and helps you to counter all the current affairs related challenges faced during the preparation.

Wishing You Success Vinay Kumar R Founder & CEO, IAS WINNISHERS

CONTENTS

1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION ...... 8 1.1 DELIMITATION FOR JAMMU & KASHMIR ...... 8 1.2 WHITHER TRIBUNAL INDEPENDENCE ...... 9 1.3 SC,ST RESERVATION...... 10 1.4 VIVAD SE VISHWAS ...... 10 1.5 FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 ...... 11 1.6 SUSPENSION OF MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ...... 13 1.7 PARLIAMENTARY PANEL ON EDUCATION...... 14 1.8 HIGHER EDUCATION ...... 15 1.9 HEALTH BUDGETARY ALLOCATION ...... 17 1.10 NOMINATION TO RAJYA SABHA ...... 18 1.11 ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ...... 19 1.12 UNDERUTILISATION OF FUNDS ...... 21 1.13 FILM CERTIFICATION ...... 26 1.14 INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE ...... 27 1.15 TECH FOR TRIBALS ...... 28 1.16 CENSUS AND NPR ...... 29 1.17 INTERVENTION APPLICATION AGAINST CAA ...... 31 1.18 PAROLE TO THOSE FACING UP TO 7-YEAR TERM ...... 32 1.19 VIRTUAL COURT FACILITY ...... 33 1.20 SERVICES AT DOOR STEP...... 34 1.21 MERGER OF DAMAN AND DIU, DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI UTS ...... 34 1.22 PUBLIC SAFETY ACT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR ...... 36 1.23 STANDING WITH THE NEEDY: ON CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN PACKAGE ...... 37 1.24 SAFEGUARDING THE VULNERABLE AMONG US ...... 38 1.25 STATUTORY STATUS TO DGCA ...... 39 1.26 ‘MY LORD OR YOUR LORDSHIP ...... 40 1.27 VIOLATION OF MINORITY RIGHTS ...... 42 1.28 LISTS OF COVID NAMES ...... 43 1.29 OSSIFICATION TEST & BAIL...... 45 1.30 ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANT WORKERS ...... 46

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2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ...... 48 2.1 US – TALIBAN PEACE DEAL ...... 48 2.2 CLMV CONCLAVE ...... 49 2.3 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) ...... 49 2.4 COVID 19 EMERGENCY FUND FOR SAARC ...... 51 2.5 NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT) ...... 52 2.6 NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP ...... 53 2.7 UK’S STRATEGY TO CONTAIN CORONA VIRUS ...... 55 2.8 GLOBAL IMPACTS OF CORONA VIRUS ...... 56 2.9 INDIA-PAKISTAN NON-ATTACK AGREEMENT ...... 56 2.10 LAHORE DECLARATION ...... 57 2.11 STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TALKS (SALT) ...... 59 2.12 STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TREATY (START I) ...... 60 2.13 G20 VIDEO SUMMIT ...... 63 2.14 G20 on COVID 19 ...... 64 2.15 WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ...... 65 2.16 THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) (PART 1) ...... 71 3. ECONOMY...... 74 3.1 TIER-1 BONDS ...... 74 3.2 DBOD & DFS ...... 75 3.3 UNIVERSAL ELECTRIFICATION ...... 76 3.4 MARKET WIDE CIRCUIT BREAKERS ...... 77 3.5 BHOOMIRASHI PORTAL ...... 78 3.6 SHORT SELLING ...... 79 3.7 PLAN FOR ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING ...... 79 3.8 TOPIC MOST AIRLINES MAY FLY INTO BANKRUPTCY ON COVID-19...... 80 3.9 RELIEF TO RENEWABLE ENERGY...... 81 3.10NIDHI COMPANIES...... 82 3.11TRIFED ...... 83 3.12MSP MECHANISM ...... 84 3.13CREDIT TO STATES ON FOOD GRAINS ...... 85 3.14TOURISM SECTOR COMES TO HALT DUE TO COVID-19 ...... 86 3.15INVEST INDIA BUSINESS IMMUNITY PLATFORM...... 87 3.16RECAPITALIZATION OF REGIONAL RURAL BANKS ...... 88 3.17ECONOMIC PACKAGE AGAINST COVID-19...... 89 3.18PM CARES FUND...... 92 3.19PAYMENT NORMS FOR DISCOMS RELAXED...... 93 3.20SHIFT TO UPSCALING FOOD RATIONING NOW ...... 94 3.21GOVERNMENT ALLOWS WITHDRAWAL OF EPF ...... 97 3.22TIME TO ISSUE CORONA BONDS? ...... 98

3.23 MBiT INDEX 2019...... 99 3.24 MARKET INTELLIGENCE AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (MIEWS) PORTAL...... 99 3.25 PURCHASING MANAGERS' INDEX (PMI) ...... 100 3.26 JUNKING MINIMUM BALANCE REQUIREMENT ...... 101 3.27 NCLAT...... 101 3.28 RBI RATE CUTS AND LOAN MORATORIUM ...... 102 3.29 DEBT EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS ...... 103 3.30 STAR LABELING PROGRAMME ...... 104 3.31 PROJECT MONITORING GROUP (PMG), INVEST INDIA ...... 105 3.32 FISCAL SLIPPAGE ...... 105 3.33 D-SIB & G-SIB ...... 106 3.34 SAMRUDHI-ODISHA’s NEW AGRI-POLICY ...... 107 3.35 SOME IMPORTANT INITIATIVES OF MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS ...... 109 3.35.1 MCA-21 ...... 109 3.35.2 “RESERVE UNIQUE NAME” (RUN) ...... 109 3.35.3 Central Registration Center (CRC) ...... 109 3.36 SOME TERMS IN ECONOMICS ...... 109 3.36.1 DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION TAX ...... 109 3.36.2 VIX INDEX- INDIA ...... 110 3.236.3 BEAR AND BULL MARKETS ...... 110 3.36.4 BLUE CHIP COMPANY ...... 110 3.36.5 ANCHOR INVESTOR:...... 111 4. ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY ...... 113 4.1 FLAGSHIP MARSHLAND SPECIES ...... 113 About Fishing Cat ...... 113 4.2 WILD GAUR ...... 114 4.3 CONSERVATION OF VULTURE ...... 115 4.4 WHITE GIRAFFE ...... 115 4.5 MULTI-CRORE TOURISM VILLA PROJECT IN LAKSHADWEEP ...... 116 4.6 PAKKE/PAKHUI TIGER RESERVE...... 116 4.7 BLACK CARBON LEVELS SPIKE IN HIMALAYAN GLACIERS ...... 117 4.8 SNOW IN ANTARCTICA IS TURNING BLOOD-RED ...... 117 4.9 UPDATED CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES LIST OF INDIA ...... 118 4.10 EVOLUTION OF CRZ RULES IN INDIA...... 118 4.11 CLIMATE CHANGE & THREATS TO GENDER EQUALITY ...... 122 4.12 CORAL BLEACHING AT GREAT BARRIER REEF...... 122 4.13 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MONETISING WEATHER DATA ...... 123 4.14 HUBBALI-ANKOLA RAILWAY LINE ...... 123 4.15 RELOCATION OF DESAL PLANT PROJECT SITE ...... 124

5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ...... 128 5.1 COVID – 19 – HOW IT STANDS DIFFERENT FROM A FLU ...... 128 5.2 BIOFUEL ...... 129 5.3 MACHINE LEARNING...... 130 5.4 MERKEL CELL POLYOMAVIRUS ...... 131 5.5 SC ORDER ON CRYPTOCURRENCY ...... 132 5.6 MAC-BINDING ...... 132 5.7 PSYCHE MISSION- A JOURNEY TO METAL WORLD ...... 133 5.8 AYUSH GRID ...... 134 5.9 AYURVEDIC CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES ...... 134 5.10 PERSEVERANCE ...... 135 5.11 NEWSPACE INDIA LIMITED...... 135 5.12 WIFI ON PLANES ...... 136 5.13 SUPERCOMPUTER...... 136 5.14 SUPERCOMPUTER’S ROLE IN DETECTION OF CORONA ...... 138 5.15 MINI NEPTUNE ...... 139 5.16 NEW VARIETY OF GRAPE...... 140 5.17 SIRT1 ...... 140 5.18 SUPERHYDROPHOBIC COATING ...... 141 5.19 TORREITIS SANCHEZI ...... 142 5.20 HEMOSTAT MATERIAL ...... 142 5.21 HUNTINGTON DISEASE ...... 143 5.22 DRIVEBUDDYAI ...... 144 5.23 PEST-RESISTANT COTTON VARIETY ...... 145 5.24 ENZYME SPRK1 ...... 146 5.25 HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE ...... 146 5.26 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR COVID-19 ...... 147 5.27 FISH FOSSIL SHOW HOW FINS EVOLVED INTO HUMAN HANDS ...... 148 5.28 BIO-FORTIFIED WHEAT VARIETY MACS 4028 ...... 148 5.29 HOW WOUNDED PLANTS HEAL, SURVIVE ...... 149 5.30 FUEL EFFICIENCY OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES...... 150 5.31 DEEPEST BLUE HOLE ...... 151 5.32 ‘CORE CATCHER’ IN A NUCLEAR PLANT ...... 151 5.33 TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD ...... 152 5.34 HACKERS MAY HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR SMART DEVICE ...... 153 6. SECURITY ...... 155 6.1 RAIDER-X ...... 155 6.2 DEFENCE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE 2020 ...... 155 6.3 JOINT AIR EXERCISE WITH MYANMAR...... 156 6.4 DEFENCE CORRIDORS ...... 156

6.5 INDIA-FRANCE JOINT PATROLS ...... 156 6.6 RELAXATION OF FDI NORMS IN DEFENCE SECTOR ...... 157 6.7 DEFENCE EXPORT OF THE COUNTRY ...... 158 6.8 RED FLAG EXERCISE ...... 159 6.9 MILITARY EXERCISES ...... 160 7. SOCIAL ISSUES ...... 163 7.1 USAGE OF MODERN CONTRACEPTIVES ...... 163 7.2 KOLIS/KABBALIGAS ...... 164 7.3 POVERTY ...... 165 7.4 KURZARBEIT SCHEME ...... 167 7.5 EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS(EMRS) ...... 168 7.6 GALO TRIBE ...... 169 7.7 NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING(IYCF) ...... 169 8. SCHEMES ...... 172 8.1 NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION ...... 172 8.2 PRAGATHI...... 173 8.3 MAHATMA GANDHI BUNKAR BIMA YOJANA ...... 174 8.4 SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA ...... 175 8.5PRADHAN MANTRI MATRU VANDANA YOJANA ...... 176 8.6 MPLADS ...... 177 8.7 KUDUMBASHREE MISSION ...... 179 8.8 FIGHT CORONA IDEAthon ...... 180 8.9 PRIME MINISTER’S EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME ...... 181 8.10 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN URJA SURAKSHA UTTHAN MAHABHIYAN (PM KUSUM) ...... 182 8.11 INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE ...... 183 8.12 INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (IM-PDS) ...... 184 8.13 MGNREGA (MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT, 2005) ...... 185 9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS ...... 188 9.1 TRIBAL ART OF MADHYA PRADESH ...... 188 9.2 MARAKKAR FILM ...... 189 9.3 FESTIVALS ...... 190 9.3.1 NAVROZ ...... 190 9.3.2 SHIGMO FESTIVAL ...... 190 9.3.3 ARAKU UTSAV ...... 190 9.4 INK DEVELOPED TO STOP COUNTERFEIT RUPEE NOTES, FAKE PASSPORT ...... 191 9.5 GLOBAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020 ...... 191 9.6 FREEDOM IN THE WORLD ...... 192 9.7 MAHUA-BASED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE...... 193 9.8 CRI_MAC ...... 193

9.9 COCOON PRODUCTION ...... 193 9.10 UNITED NATIONS’ POLITICAL DECLARATION ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS ...... 193 9.11 COUNTRY’S FIRST WOMEN-ONLY MEDICAL COLLEGE ...... 194 9.12 GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND GOLDEN CRESCENT ...... 195 9.13 #STAYHOMEINDIAWITHBOOKS INITIATIVE ...... 196 9.14 KIMONOS AND BANDHINI...... 196 9.15 UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF OXYGEN ...... 197 9.16 HUMSAFAR MOBILE APP ...... 198 9.17 CoNTeC ...... 198 9.18 GOND TRIBES ...... 198 9.19 PROJECT ISSAC...... 199 9.20 LALIT KALA AKADEMI AWARDS ...... 199 9.21 MISSION SOLAR CHARKHA ...... 200 9.22 UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE (UPEACE) ...... 200 9.23 NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS...... 201 9.24 THE PYRAMID OF DJOSER ...... 202 9.25 INTERNATIONAL DAYS ...... 202 9.25.1 THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ...... 202 9.25.2 WORLD PUPPETRY DAY...... 203 9.25.3 WORLD POETRY DAY...... 203 9.25.4 Pi DAY...... 203 9.26 PERSONS IN NEWS ...... 204 9.26.1 RAM MANOHAR LOHIA ...... 204 9.26.2 SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN...... 204 9.26.3 TANHAJI : THE UNSUNG WARRIOR...... 205 9.27 WORLD HERITAGE SITES ...... 205

1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION

1.1 DELIMITATION FOR JAMMU & KASHMIR

Why in news? The newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will be the only one in the country to undergo a delimitation exercise based on the population figures recorded in the 2011 census. 2031 census will be the basis for the entire country after 2026.

 The latest readjustment of boundaries of constituencies in other States and UTs has been done on the basis of 2001 census and in future it will be carried out according to the 2031 census.  Delimitation was last done in J&K in the year 1995.  Section 63 was introduced in the J & K Reorganisation Act so that delimitation exercise can be conducted smoothly without overlapping with other provisions of Delimitation Commission Act, 2002. It is a saving clause and since J&K is a UT, it now has constitutional safeguards. The provision did not require any separate legislation as it was incorporated in the primary Act.  Section 63 (Special provisions as to readjustment of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies) says that “until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published,” it shall not be necessary to readjust the constituencies and any reference to the “latest census figures” in shall be construed as a reference to the 2011 census figures  On February 17, on a request by the Department of Legislative Affairs of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora nominated Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra as his nominee to the proposed Delimitation Commission for J&K.

About  The Act says that the number of seats in the Assembly of J&K would be increased from 107 to 114. The full delimitation commission for J&K is yet to be appointed.  The delimitation will be done for 90 seats as 24 seats fall in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The exercise will take at least a year to complete. Till then no elections can be held.  In rest of India, Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times -– in 1952, 1963 1973 and in 2002.  Last year, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha that J&K was not included within the purview of the Delimitation Act, 2002 as Article 170 of the Constitution of India that deals with delimitation of constituencies of State Assemblies had not been extended to J&K owing to its special status under Article 370.

1.2 WHITHER TRIBUNAL INDEPENDENCE

Why in News? The reframed Tribunal rules are in contempt of several Constitution Bench decisions of the Supreme Court

Background:- 1. Finance Act 2017 introduced various provisions governing tribunals. They provided that the central government may make rules to provide for the qualifications, appointments, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal, and other conditions of service for the Chairpersons and other members of the Tribunals. 2. Supreme Court (SC) struck down Rules framed by the government under the Finance Act of 2017 to alter the appointments to 19 key judicial tribunals, including the Central Administrative Tribunal. 3. In November 2019, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in Rojer Mathew, declared the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities (Qualification, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules, 2017 as unconstitutional for being violative of principles of independency of the judiciary and contrary to earlier decisions of the Supreme Court in theMadras Bar Association series.

SC on violations by the Government:-  The common thread in the Madras Bar Association series and Rojer Mathew decisions is that judiciary must have an equal say in the appointment of members of the tribunals Ex:- court ordered to have two judges of the Supreme Court to be a part of the four-member selection committee.  In Madras Bar Association (2010), the Court explicitly held that only judges and advocates can be considered for appointment as judicial member of the tribunal and that persons from the Indian Legal Service cannot be considered for appointment as judicial member. Recently, in Revenue Bar Association (2019), the Madras High Court, while dealing with selection and composition of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), declared Section 110(1)(b)(iii) of the CGST Act, 2017 as unconstitutional for allowing members of Indian Legal Service to be judicial members in GSTAT.  In Madras Bar Association (2010), the Court had held that the term of office “shall be changed to a term of seven or five years”. 2020 rules, the tenure of members has been increased from three years to four years, thereby blatantly violating the directions of the Supreme Court.  An advocate can no longer apply to the post of judicial member of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) etc. The exclusion of advocates was first judicially noticed in Revenue Bar Association (2019) wherein the Madras High Court merely proceeded to recommend to Parliament to reconsider this proposal. By eliminating chances of

bright advocates applying for the post of judicial members, the government surely intends to fill them with candidates from the Indian Legal Service.

1.3 SC,ST RESERVATION

Why in News? Government has rightly requested the Supreme Court to reconsider a Constitution bench decision on the issue of creamy layer within the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, pronounced in the 2018 case of Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narayan Gupta, by referring it to a larger bench.

Background  The creamy layer concept was first applied in the Indra Sawhney case, or the Mandal case, as a facet of the larger equality principle. Eight members of a nine- judge bench had then agreed that the creamy lawyer must be identified and excluded from the backward classes.  In 2006, in what is known as the Nagraj case, the court said the creamy layer concept would be applied to SCs and STs as well. The concept involves application of a means test or imposition of an income limit, for the purpose of excluding people whose income is above the limit from the backward class.It called for Quantifiable data.  These were ‘quantifiable data’ to show the backwardness of a community, the inadequacy of its representation in service, and the lack of adverse impact on “the overall efficiency of administration”. This placed a question mark on the continuance of quota policies of various State governments due to non-compliance with these parameters

Arguments against  By applying the same equality principle to both OBCs and ST/SCs, the Supreme Court has been unfair to some of the most marginalised groups in India.  The problem is that these judgments had conflated the OBC issue with that of the SC/STs – the creamy layer principle that was invoked for the OBCs was applied to the question of SC/STs.

1.4 VIVAD SE VISHWAS

Why in News? The Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 received the assent of the President on the 17th March, 2020, it will give taxpayers a chance to settle tax disputes by paying their dues without any interest or penalty till March 31.

Background  The tax disputes resolution Act states that as many as 4.83 lakh tax disputes are pending in various appellate fora such as Commissioner (Appeals), Income Tax

Appellate Tribunal, High Courts and Supreme Court and as much as ₹9.5 lakh crore is locked in these disputes.  Under the proposed scheme, a taxpayer would be required to pay only the amount of the disputed taxes and will get complete waiver of interest and penalty provided the amount is paid by March 31.  The Act defines an appellant as the income tax authority, or the person, or both, whose appeal is pending before any appellate forum as on January 31, 2020.  These appellate forums are the Supreme Court, the High Courts, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals, and the Commissioner (Appeals).  Under the Vivad se Vishwas scheme, taxpayers willing to settle disputes shall be allowed a complete waiver of interest and penalty if they pay the entire amount of tax in dispute by March 31,2020. Beyond this date, a 10 per cent additional disputed tax shall have to be paid over and above the tax liability.  Further, where arrears relate to disputed interest or penalty only, then 25 per cent of disputed penalty or interest shall have to be paid if the payment is made by March 31, 2020, beyond which the same shall be enhanced to 30 per cent.  The Vivad se Vishwas scheme would remain open till June 30, 2020

PIL filed in Supreme Court on exclusions in Vivad se Vishwas scheme:

 The petition, filed argues that Section 9 of the Act seeks to exclude from the scheme tax arrears relating to an assessment year where an assessment has been made under Section 153A or Section 153C of the Income-tax Act and also cases where prosecution has been instituted on or before the date of filing of declaration of over ₹5 crore.  Sections 153A and 153C of the IT Act deal with search and seizure.  The petition further notes that the exclusion shall cause avoidable hardships to the assessee without there being commensurate revenue to the government. It has sought that the scheme be amended to cover all tax arrears irrespective of the sections under which they have been raised.

1.5 FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020

Why in News? Freedom in the World report ranks India among least free democracies  India has become one of the world’s least free democracies, according to a global survey, which warned that “the Indian government’s alarming departures from democratic norms .  The Freedom in the World 2020 report ranks India at the 83rd position, along with Timor-Leste and Senegal.  This is near the bottom of the pile among the countries categorised as “Free”, with only Tunisia receiving a lower score.  India’s score fell by four points to 71, the worst decline among the world’s 25 largest democracies this year..  The annulment of autonomy and the subsequent shutdown of Kashmir, the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, as well as the crackdown on mass protests have been listed as the main signs of declining

freedom in the report, released on March 4th by Freedom House, a U.S.-based watchdog, which has been tracking global political and civil liberties for almost half a century.  India scored 34 out of 40 points in the political rights category, but only 37 out of 60 in the civil liberties category, for a total score of 71, a drop from last year’s score of 75.

About The Freedom in the world report ;

 Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based non- governmental organization Freedom House that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world.  The report derives its methodology from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.  It covers 195 countries, awarding scores based on political rights indicators such as the electoral process, political pluralism and participation and government functioning, as well as civil liberties indicators related to freedom of expression and belief associational and organisational rights, the rule of law and personal autonomy and individual rights.  Each pair of political rights and civil liberties ratings is averaged to determine an overall status of “Free” (1.0–2.5), “Partially Free” (3.0–5.0), or “Not Free” (5.5–7.0).

1.6 SUSPENSION OF MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Why in News? Seven Congress members were suspended on March 5 for unruly behaviour in the Lok Sabha. The motion was passed by a voice vote.

What is the reason for suspending an MP?  The general principle is that it is the role and duty of the Speaker of Lok Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly. This is a daunting task even at the best of times.  In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker is empowered to force a Member to withdraw from the House (for the remaining part of the day), or to place him/her under suspension.

What are the rules under which the Speaker acts? Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business says: “The Speaker, if is of the opinion that the conduct of any Member is grossly disorderly, may direct such Member to withdraw immediately from the House, and any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall remain absent during the remainder of the day’s sitting”.  To deal with more recalcitrant Members, the Speaker may take recourse to Rules 374 and 374A.

Rule 374 says: (1) The Speaker may, if deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof. (2) If a Member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the Member (naming such Member) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated. (3) A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House. According to Rule 374A:

1)Notwithstanding anything contained in rules 373 and 374, in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a Member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such Member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.

“(2) On the Speaker announcing the suspension under this rule, the Member shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.”

What is the procedure for revocation of a Member’s suspension?

While the Speaker is empowered to place a Member under suspension, the authority for revocation of this order is not vested in her. It is for the House, if it so desires, to resolve on a motion to revoke the suspension

What happens in Rajya Sabha?  Like the Speaker in Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is empowered under Rule Number 255 of its Rule Book to “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately” from the House.  The Chairman may “name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by persistently and wilfully obstructing” business. In such a situation, the House may adopt a motion suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.  The House may, however, by another motion, terminate the suspension.  Unlike the Speaker, however, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a Member.

1.7 PARLIAMENTARY PANEL ON EDUCATION

Why in News? Almost half of government schools in the country don’t have any electricity or playgrounds, according to a parliamentary panel on education. It identified shortfalls in both budgetary funding and utilisation, resulting in critical infrastructure gaps.

Background In its report on the 2020-2021 demand for grants for school education submitted to the Rajya Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD) expressed concern that budgetary allocations saw a 27% cut from proposals made by the School Education department.

Stark deficits  Only 56% of schools have electricity, with the lowest rates in Manipur and Madhya Pradesh, where less than 20% have access to power.  Less than 57% of schools have playgrounds, according to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2017-18 survey.  Almost 40% of schools did not have a boundary wall, endangering the safety of students and school property.

Dismal progress’ The parliamentary panel also slammed the government for its “dismal” rate of progress in building classrooms, labs and libraries to strengthen government higher secondary schools.  Out of 2,613 sanctioned projects for 2019-20, only three had been completed in the first nine months of the financial year, said the panel, warning that such delays would alienate students from government schools.  For the core Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the department had only spent 71% of revised estimates by December 31, 2019.

Suggestions by the Panel:-  The panel recommended that the HRD Ministry collaborate with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to construct boundary walls, and work with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to provide solar energy and other renewable energy sources so that schools have access to power  Centre should replicate the model of States which have done well in creating and maintaining such facilities.

About UDISE:  Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) initiated in 2012-13 integrating DISE for elementary education and SEMIS for secondary education is one of the largest Management Information Systems on School Education covering more than 1.5 million schools, 8.5 million teachers and 250 million children.  UDISE+ (UDISE plus) is an updated and improved version of UDISE.  The entire system will be online and will gradually move towards collecting data in real time

1.8 HIGHER EDUCATION

Why in news? In the recent subject-wise ranking of world universities by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Indian institutions improved with 26 departments or schools placed in the top 100 of their respective disciplines.  Science, technology and business studies were the fields in which our universities showed their mettle. While this is a reason to celebrate, not even a single Indian university features in the QS ranking of the world’s top 150 in overall parameters.  The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) of Bombay and Delhi are at the 152nd and 182nd places in the overall rankings, while IISc Bangalore appears at the 184th position

Reasons for results of top Global Universities: 1. One common factor behind the success of the topmost universities is the freedom with which they operate. 2. They have been major centres of innovation in teaching and research thanks to independence from bureaucratic or corporate meddling and political intervention by parties of the day. 3. All the great universities of the world are ideologically pluralistic, with a mix of right, left and centre among their faculty and students. 4. No one is penalised for holding a pro- or anti- view on social, economic, political, cultural or scientific matters. 5. The top universities are also excellent at attracting and retaining talent. 6. Top universities incentivise publication and citation of research in an unforgivingly rigorous way.

7. Big universities also inculcate critical thinking, debating and writing abilities in their students. They encourage students to look at issues through interdisciplinary lenses and to challenge their own professors 8. The world’s best universities are known for involving their own alumni in governance and reforms.

Problems with Indian universities 1. In India, the government is cash-strapped and lacks the resources. 2. Politicisation, ideological rigidity and nepotism. 3. Lack of experts 4. Excessive interference and over-regulation.

Measures to be taken 1. Our only viable path to world class universities are in the form of enlightened private philanthropy and borrowing best practices from established iconic universities. 2. Avoiding politicisation, ideological rigidity and nepotism, and freeing our universities from excessive interference and over-regulation, are prerequisites for success. 3. Ingrained mediocrity and laid-back culture which result in inadequate training of students in theories and methodologies have to be overcome. 4. A nationalistic passion for India to be recognised as a top educational hub must underpin the strategies and activities of our universities.

What has been done?  The government’s decision to identify 20 Institutes of Eminence (IOEs) which will get maximum autonomy from bureaucracy in order to climb up the world rankings is a step in the right direction.  With long-term vision and selfless leadership, our universities can eventually make it.

For prelims : 1. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a British company specialising in education. The company was founded in 1990.

2. Institutes of Eminence scheme Institutes of Eminence (IoE) is a recognition scheme for higher education institutes in India, set by the University Grants Commission in 2017. The plan encompasses twenty institutions, 16 of which have already been declared Institutes of Eminence as of August 2019.

 These institutions will not be subject to UGC inspections, and are free to set their own courses and curriculum, fee structure and merit-based admission systems.  Each university will be required to sign a MoU with the Ministry of HRD, laying out its plan to achieve the objective of becoming a world-class institution.  They will have complete academic, administrative and financial autonomy.

 The public institutions on the list will then be eligible for a government grant of ₹1,000 crore.  This scheme under the Union HRD ministry aims to project Indian institutes to global recognition.  The selected institutes will enjoy complete academic and administrative autonomy.  Only higher education institutions currently placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are eligible to apply for the eminence tag.  The private Institutions of Eminence can also come up as greenfield ventures provided the sponsoring organisation submits a convincing perspective plan for 15 years.

What will be the benefits for such institutions? 1. It will ensure complete autonomy to the selected institutions and facilitate them to grow more rapidly. 2. They will get more opportunity to scale up their operations with more skills and quality improvement so that they become World Class Institutions in the field of education. 3. To achieve the top world ranking, these Institutions shall be provided with  greater autonomy to admit foreign students up to 30% of admitted students.  to recruit foreign faculty up to 25% of faculty strength; to offer online courses up to 20% of its programmes.  to enter into academic collaboration with top 500 in the world ranking Institutions without permission of UGC.  free to fix and charge fees from foreign students without restriction.  the flexibility of course structure in terms of number of credit hours and years to take a degree.  complete flexibility in fixing of curriculum and syllabus.

1.9 HEALTH BUDGETARY ALLOCATION

Why in news? Health budgetary allocation must go up if India is to prepare for an unpredictable epidemic It is an incontrovertible truth that material resources are finite. Demand in most sectors will continue to exceed supply in times of a pandemic. With the number of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases on the rise, and the number of deaths going up as well, the question is whether national and state health systems will be able to cope with ever-rising demands — for testing kits, for hospital beds, ventilators, why, even masks and hand sanitisers

Challenges of health sector in India While there are many challenges, the five “A's” must be conisdered: 1. Awareness or the lack of it: Why is the level of health awareness low in the Indian population? The answers may lie in low educational status, poor functional

literacy, low accent on education within the healthcare system, and low priority for health in the population, among other. 2. Access or the lack of it 3. Absence or the human power crisis in healthcare:  A 2011 study estimated that India has roughly 20 health workers per 10,000 population, In general, the poorer areas of Northern and Central India have lower densities of health workers compared to the Southern states.  While the private sector accounts for most of the health expenditures in the country, the state-run health sector still is the only option for much of the rural and peri-urban areas of the country. 4. Affordability or the cost of healthcare:  It is common knowledge that the private sector is the dominant player in the healthcare arena in India. Almost 75% of healthcare expenditure comes from the pockets of households, and catastrophic healthcare cost is an important cause of impoverishment.  Lack of regulation in the private sector and the consequent variation in quality and costs of services. 5. Accountability or the lack of it

Measures to be taken 1. For years India’s health expenditure as a percentage of GDP is absymal at about 1per cent need to be increased to 2.5 per cent by 2025. 2. Initiate transparency by accreditation of Hospitals and health care providers. 3. Regulating distribution and sales of drug. 4. Incentives for professionals. 5. Improve infrastructure.

1.10 NOMINATION TO RAJYA SABHA

Why in news? President Ram Nath Kovind nominated former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha according to Article 80 of the Indian Constitution.

For Prelims : Composition of Rajya Sabha  The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which, 238 are to be the representatives of the states and union territories (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the president.  At present, the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Of these, 229 members represent the states, 4 members represent the union territories and 12 members are nominated by the president.  The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories.

 Nominated Members: The president nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service.  The rationale behind this principle of nomination is to provide eminent persons a place in the Rajya Sabha without going through the process of election.  Article 80 : As per Article 80 (Part V) of the Constitution, President can nominate 12 members in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). These persons should have special knowledge or practical experience in the field of Art, Science, Literature and Social Service.

It should be noted here that the American Senate has no nominated members.

Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi will be the first former Chief Justice of India to be nominated to Rajya Sabha. Former Chief Justice Ranganath Misra was also a Rajya Sabha member but he was elected on a Congress party ticket.

1.11 ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

Why in news? Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare masks (2 ply & 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitizers as Essential Commodities up to 30th June, 2020 by amending the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Need for such a declaration : In view the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and concern of the logistics for COVID-19 management particularly during last couple of weeks and that masks (2 ply & 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitizers have been noted to be either not available with most of the vendors in the market or are available with great difficulty at exorbitant prices.

For prelims :

ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955 : Ministry: Ministry of consumer affairs  Under the Act, the government can fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”.  It is important to note that the designation of masks and hand sanitisers as “essential commodities” does not mean that the government considers them to be ‘essential’, in the literal sense, in the fight against COVID-19.  The Act defines an “essential commodity” as simply “a commodity specified in the Schedule”.  The Act empowers the central government to add new commodities to the list of Essential Commodities as and when the need arises, and to remove them from the list once the crisis is over or the situation improves.

 The list of items under the Act includes drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.

How it works?  If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period.  The States act on this notification to specify limits and take steps to ensure that these are adhered to. Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity, be it wholesalers, retailers or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity.  A State can, however, choose not to impose any restrictions. But once it does, traders have to immediately sell into the market any stocks held beyond the mandated quantity. This improves supplies and brings down prices.  As not all shopkeepers and traders comply, State agencies conduct raids to get everyone to toe the line and the errant are punished. The excess stocks are auctioned or sold through fair price shops.

Why is it important?  The purpose of designating any commodity as “essential” is to prevent profiteering at a time of extraordinary demand.  Violators are, therefore, termed as illegal hoarders or black-marketers who can be prosecuted. Besides penalties, the violation may lead to imprisonment for a maximum period of seven years.  The ECA gives consumers protection against irrational spikes in prices of essential commodities. The Government has invoked the Act umpteen times to ensure adequate supplies. It cracks down on hoarders and black-marketers of such commodities.  But given that almost all crops are seasonal, ensuring round-the-clock supply requires adequate build-up of stocks during the season. So, it may not always be possible to differentiate between genuine stock build-up and speculative hoarding. Also, there can be genuine shortages triggered by weather-related disruptions in which case prices will move up. So, if prices are always monitored, farmers may have no incentive to farm.  With too-frequent stock limits, traders also may have no reason to invest in better storage infrastructure. Also, food processing industries need to maintain large stocks to run their operations smoothly. Stock limits curtail their operations. In such a situation, large scale private investments are unlikely to flow into food processing and cold storage facilities.  Without the ECA the common man would be at the mercy of opportunistic traders and shopkeepers. It empowers the government to control prices directly too.  The amendment to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 is linked to the ECA. The Government can fix the retail price of any packaged commodity that falls under the ECA.

1.12 UNDERUTILISATION OF FUNDS

Why in news? Labour Ministry yet to spend ₹2,053.59 crore of 2019-20 Budget.

 ‘Utilisation percentage has been 70% and above in most schemes, while NCS recorded a low of 60.88%’  Ministry had utilised 81.64% of the ₹11,184.09 crore allocated to its in the revised estimates.  The report noted that utilisation of funds for the National Career Services (NCS) scheme of the Ministry, which facilitates job-seekers, was the worst compared to other schemes.  The Committee said the while the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana, which gives employers incentives to generate new employment, recorded 100% utilisation compared with the revised estimate, in “most other Schemes, utilisation percentage has been to the extent of 70% and above while NCS recorded low of 60.88%”.  The committee added that it was satisfied with the fact that physical targets for the NCS and welfare of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe job-seekers through coaching etc. had been met for the last three years.

FOR PRELIMS :

1. NATIONAL CAREER SERVICE (NCS) SCHEME :

National Career Service (NCS) aims to bridge the gap between those who need jobs and those who want to hire them, between people seeking career guidance and training and those who can provide the counselling and training.  NCS brings jobseekers, employers, counselors, trainers and placement organisations together on one platform by offering convergence of information that enlightens minds and empowers people.  National Career Service aims at reaching out to people across the country, in particular the youth, through a well-designed structure that comprises an ICT- based portal, a countrywide set-up of career centres, a multilingual call centre, and a network of career counsellors.

Componets of NCS 1. NCS PORTAL - Job opportunities at the click of a button  The NCS Portal links job-seekers, employers, counsellors and training providers, all through Aadhaar-based authentication.  Registration is online and free of charge. The portal provides information on over 3000 career options from 53 key industry Sectors - from IT to Textiles, Construction to Automobiles, Pharma and much more.  Job-seekers also have access to industry trends in a user-friendly way.

2. Career centres - Hubs of Career related Services  In case people are unable to register online, they can register themselves by visiting the nearest Career Centre and get notifications on all kinds of jobs, career counseling, job fairs and various other employment-related services.  The Government is transforming Job Fairs Employment Exchanges and University Placements Employment Information Guidance Bureaus into Career Centres.

3. Call Centre - A helpline to get started on the NCS platform  A multilingual call centre to cater to the needs of those who face difficulty in registration or have other queries.

Stakeholders involved Job seekers Job-seekers can now make an informed decision by going through the 3000+ career options available to them from as many as 53 industry sectors on the NCS platform. All they have to do is register online on the portal or offline at Career Centers or CSCs. They can avail the following services: 1. Search and apply for jobs. 2. Find information on training/skill programs- Those who have completed schooling or are fresh graduates can browse through the courses offered by the training providers to enhance their skills, including IT skills and soft skills. With skill enhancement, they can look for better employment. 3. Search and book appointment with career counsellor- Should a job-seeker be confused about which career to choose, or what job to move to for better prospects or whether a skill upgradation is needed to land a better job, he or she can now turn to one of the Career Counsellors of the NCS. They are a part of a countrywide network of experts who can provide valuable guidance. Job-seekers can view their profiles, contact numbers and book appointments online to get going. The mode of counselling - telephonic, in-person or video conferencing is up to the job-seeker. 4. Participate in events and job fairs 5. Finding contact information of nearest local help 6. View Reports

Employers Employers can now locate the talent most appropriate for their organisations by looking through a countrywide database of workforce from blue-collar workers to white-collar staff. They simply need to register, at no charge, online or offline to avail the following services. 1. Post new Jobs

2. Search suitable candidates 3. Send Interview Invites 4. Participate in events and job fairs 5. Finding contact info of nearest Local help 6. View Report

Counsellors A counsellor is a trained professional who can help you to resolve problems in a positive way by helping you to clarify an issue, explore options, develop strategies and increase self - awareness.  The portal will also be equipped to provide psychometric and other similar tests which can help job seeker to identify his/her area of interest and strength.  The results of the test will be uploaded alongside the profile of the job seeker.  This will also aid counsellors to do a skill gap analysis of their client. This will help them in guiding the job seeker with appropriate career guidance depending upon his/her requirement. Counsellors who have signed in at NCS portal can access the following services: 1. Publish counselling calendar 2. Schedule counselling session 3. Approve/Cancel session bookings 4. Update profile, services 5. Apply for jobs, set job preferences 6. Participate in events and job fairs 7. Find contact info of nearest Local help

Career centres The Career Center offers a variety of professional development services and programs to explore job seekers' interests, discover paths to opportunities, and prepare for professional interactions. Career centres can avail the following services on registration- 1. Manage users and roles 2. Register Jobseeker, employer, local help counsellor and placement organization 3. Search Candidates based on Criteria 4. Search/download candidate profile 5. Discussion forum for career center 6. Create job fairs and events 7. View internal counselling calendar

Skill providers For those who provide specialised training to enhance the capabilities of job seekers to get better jobs, the NCS platform provides the following services- 1. View and Update profile of skill provider 2. Access to a large database of training seekers 3. Information on various skill training and placement programs 4. Find contact info of nearest local help 5. View Reports

Placement organisations

A Placement Organisation is a person who runs a private business. The NCS portal helps a placement organisation to search for jobseeker matching their requirements and hire them. The following services can be accessed on registration- 1. Post new Jobs (or on behalf of employers) 2. View/update job postings 3. Search/download suitable candidate profiles 4. Send Interview Invites 5. Participate in events and job fairs 6. Finding contact info of nearest Local help 7. View status of jobs posted

Government departments The NCS portal helps Government Departments to search for jobseeker matching their requirements and hire them. To do so, the Government Department has to register themselves on the portal. The following services can be accessed on registration. 1. Post new Jobs 2. Search suitable candidates 3. Send Interview Invites 4. Participate in events and job fairs 5. Finding contact info of nearest Local help 6. View Reports

Other services offered Local services  A unique service on the NCS Portal brings together the households with those who offer specialised services for homes like drivers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and others, all of whom are local area service providers.  On one hand this helps the small needs in the household to be addressed smoothly while on the other hand it generates employment for people at the grassroots.  These service providers are Aadhaar authenticated to ensure security of the household.

Information for entrepreneurs  With better access to finance, technology and open markets, the self-employed workforce has a huge potential for to grow and become entrepreneurs who could provide employment opportunities to others.  Towards this aim of encouraging entrepreneurship, NCS brings a collation of material and helpful links to facilitate entrepreneurs on their entrepreneurship journey.

2. PRADHAN MANTRI ROJGAR PROTSAHAN YOJANA :

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY), the flagship scheme of the Central Government for employment generation, PMRPY was announced on August 07, 2016 and

is being implemented by Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).  Under the scheme, Government is paying full employers’ contribution of 12% (towards Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ Pension Scheme both), for a period of 3 years in respect of new employees who have been registered with the EPFO on or after 1st April 2016, with salary up to Rs. 15,000 per month.

Duration of the scheme  The Scheme will be in operation for a period of 3 years and the Government of India will continue to pay the full contribution to be made by the employer for the next 3 years. That is, all new eligible employees will be covered under the PMRPY Scheme till 2019-20.  The entire system is online and AADHAR based with no human interface in the implementation of the scheme.

Objectives  The (PMRPY) is a scheme to incentivise employers registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for job creation by the Government paying the full contribution of employers to the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in respect of new employees having a new Universal Account Number (UAN).

PMRPY has a dual benefit i.e.  The employer is incentivised for increasing the employee base in the establishment through payment of EPF contribution of 12% of wage, which otherwise would have been borne by the employer.  A large number of workers find jobs in such establishments. A direct benefit is that these workers have access to social security benefit through Provident Fund, Pension and Death Linked Insurance. The terminal date for registration of beneficiaries through an establishment under the PMRPY is March 31, 2019.

Necessary conditions for eligibility of employees under PMRPY  New employee should have joined in the establishment on or after 01.04.2016 and should not have been a regular employee in any EPF registered establishment prior to this.  Employer should ensure that the new employee has a valid UAN which is Aadhaar linked. In case it is not available, it may obtained from the EPFO website ,The mobile number and other contact details are to be captured by EPFO.  The monthly wages of the new employee should be less than Rs. 15,000

The EPS contribution for the new employee will be available for 3 years. In case an establishment eligible for a Scheme has a drop/fall in employment from the reference base, the establishment will not be eligible for the scheme in the months where employment is below this reference base.

Achievements so far Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana has achieved one crore milestone.

The number of establishments who have benefitted during the implementation of the scheme is 1.24 lakh.

3. MARCH RUSH:  According to the "rule of lapse," any part of the grant (expenditure from India's consolidated fund) not spent during the financial year (April 1 to March 31) expires at the end and goes back to India's consolidation fund because it is not spent for the allocation purpose.  The money unused can’t be used for the next financial year.  To use this money again statutory authorization is required.  Hence usually there will be rush to absorb this extra expenditure and there will be irrelevant,heavy spending at the end of financial year (march). This is called march rush.

1.13 FILM CERTIFICATION

Why in news? A Parliamentary panel pulled up the union government for dragging it’s feet on overhauling the archaic film certification and censorship mechanism, bringing only incremental changes to the Cinematograph act 1952.

The Cinematograph amendment bill 2019 is a belated measure by government to tackle issue of piracy Two sections it seeks to introduce 1)Prohibiting illegal recording in cinema halls to make a “ pirate copy” 2)Prescribing punishment of up to 3 years or fine of 10 lakh rupees .

Limitations of bill 1) The bill only tackles piracy at cinema halls. 2) Punishment is too little when compared to loss for the film maker.

For Prelims The Mudgal committee  To update the Cinematograph act 1852 in 2013  Also to study the IPL match fixing scandal

Shyam Benegal Committee The Shyam Benegal committee was constituted to lay down a holistic framework for certification of films that incorporates best practices in various parts of the world and provides sufficient space for artistic and creative expressions

About central board of film certification

 The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory fil-certification body in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India.  It is tasked with "regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952”.  Films screened in cinemas and on television may only be publicly exhibited in India after certification by the board.  The CBFC board is headed by central government appointed chairperson and 12-45 non-official members.  The members are eminent persons from social science, education, law, arts or films background appointed.  Its headquarters are in Mumbai, Maharashtra.  Films are certified under 4 categories. o “U” (unrestricted public exhibition) o “A” (restricted to adult audiences] o “U/A” (unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of twelve) and o “S” (restricted to specialized audiences such as doctors or scientists).  In addition to these certifications the board may also refuse to certify any film.

1.14 INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

Why in news? The Lok Sabha, on Friday, passed a bill which seeks to confer the status of Institute of National Importance (INI) on five more Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, proposes to bring the five institutions under the IIIT (Public-private Partnership) Act, 2017, similar to the other 15 IIITs established under the scheme in Public-private Partnership (PPP) mode.

About INI  Institute of National Importance (INI) is a status that may be conferred on a premier public higher education institution in India by an act of Parliament of India, an institution which "serves as a pivotal player in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state".  There are 4 subdivisions in INI 1. Indian institute of technology (IITs) 2. National institutes of technology ( NITs) 3. All India institute of medical science (AIIMS) 4. Indian institute of Information technology (IIIT)

Advantages of INI :  The five IIITs which are proposed to be given the INI status are located in Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur.

 These five IIITs along with 15 others which are also build in PPP mode will now be able to use the nomenclature of Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or Master of Technology (MTech) or PhD degree.  It will also enable the institutes to attract enough students required to develop a strong research base in the country in the field of information technology.  Institutes of National Importance receive special recognition and funding from the Government of India.

1.15 TECH FOR TRIBALS

Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Why in news? TRIFED launches transformational “Tech For Tribals” , a game changing and unique project aimed to transform 5 crore Tirbal in partnership with Institutes of National Importance (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.

 It was launched by TRIFED and IIT-Kanpur along with IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, Kalinga Institute of Social Science, Bhubaneshwar and SRIJAN, Jaipurin the first phase of organising tribal entrepreneurship and skill development program.  Tech for Tribals, an initiative of TRIFED supported by Ministry of MSME, aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri VanDhan Yojana (PMVDY).  This initiative will impact over three lakhs Tribals. TRIFED has drawn out a Five Year strategy for 10X impact in Tribal development and is working towards greater convergence of various schemes under key Ministries of Government of India, leading national Institutions, Social sector and most of all Industry leaders, and work towards this singular goal of promoting tribal produces in a big way.  Under the Tech for Tribals program, the Partners will develop course contents relevant to Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces.  The Tech for tribals capacity building program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.  VanDhan products will be marketed through all available distribution channels. TRIFED over the last three years has revamped itself as a network of 120 outlets across the country of which 72 are owned and operated by TRIFED themselves.  TribesIndia outlets are already operational at the airports of Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Pune, Goa, Kolkata.  TRIFED also has aggressively pursued their eCommerce strategy with their own website and is also available on other major e-com portals such as Flipkart, Snapdeal,Paytm, Amazon India, Amazon Global etc.  To push Government institutional purchases, TribesIndia has a presence in Government eMarket Place (GeM).

 National Level Tribal Festivals namely Aadi Mahotsavs, along with other exhibitions, are being organised in various cities all over the country are other efforts being taken to expand the marketing opportunities for Tribes India products and country’s tribal heritage.

1.16 CENSUS AND NPR

Why in news? The Centre looks all set to postpone the house-listing Census and updating of the National Population Register (NPR), which was scheduled to kick off in certain States on April 1, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For prelims

What is Census?

Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs

 Population Census is the total process of collecting, compiling, analyzing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specific time, of all persons in a country or a well-defined part of a country.  As such, the census provides snapshot of the country's population and housing at a given point of time.

 Arthashastra by 'Kautilya' written in the 3rd Century BC prescribed the collection of population statistics as a measure of state policy for taxation.  A systematic and modern population census, in its present form was conducted non synchronously between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of the country.  However, the first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.  India's last census was carried out in 2011 when the country's population stood at 121 crore.  The Indian Census is one of the largest administrative exercises undertaken in the world.

What is NPR? The NPR is a register of the usual residents of the country. It contains information collected at the local (village/sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national level under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

Who is usual resident of India?

 A usual resident is defined, for the purposes of the NPR, as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more, or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months.  The law compulsorily seeks to register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card.

Who will conduct NPR? The process of updating NPR will be carried out under the aegis of the Registrar General and ex-Officio Census Commissioner, India.

How is NPR different than census?  While the process of NPR and Census will begin simultaneously, the two databases are not same.  The decennial census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on different characteristics of the people of India.  While NPR only contains demographic information, more details are required for census like information on demography, economic activity, literacy and education, and housing and household amenities besides others.  The census is the basis for reviewing the country's progress in the past decade, monitoring the ongoing schemes of the government and plan for the future.  The census provides detailed and authentic information on demography, economic activity, literacy and education, housing and household amenities, urbanisation, fertility and mortality, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, language, religion, migration, disability besides others.  The enumerators also collect data related to cultivators and agricultural labourers, their sex, occupational classification of workers in the non-households industry, trade, business, profession or service by class of worker and sex.  There will be a detailed survey on gender and literacy rate, a number of towns, slum households and their population.  Information is also collected on sources of potable water, energy, irrigation, method of farming, whether a house is a concrete, thatched or others.  The census, 2021 will be done in two phases. In the first phase, the work of house-listing or housing census will be conducted from April to September 2020. In the second phase, the enumeration of the population will be done from February 9 to February 28, 2021, with reference moment as 00:00 hours of March 1, 2021.  For snow-bound areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2020.  With a history of more than 130 years, this reliable, time tested exercise has been bringing out a veritable wealth of statistics every 10 years, beginning from 1872 when the first census was conducted in India non-synchronously in different parts.

1.17 INTERVENTION APPLICATION AGAINST CAA

Why in news? The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, filed and application seeking to intervene as amicus curiae in the pending litigation in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. That the case has attracted the attention of the international human rights agency is a matter of concern for the Indian government. On the other hand, the intervention may enable the Supreme Court to read in public international law principles in determining the constitutionality of CAA.

The advantages of this move by High commissioner  Intervention will provide the Court “with an overview of the international human rights norms and standards with respect to the state’s obligations to provide international protection to persons at risk of persecution in their countries of origin”.  This is a voluntary application rather than at the invitation of the Supreme Court.  She accepts that India is a state party and signatory to various international conventions including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights which contain important non-discrimination clauses, including on the ground of religion. India is obliged, under international law, to ensure that migrants in its territory or under its jurisdiction receive equal and non-discriminatory treatment regardless of their legal status or the documentations they possess.  This intervention, if permitted, would serve as a precedent for a number of future applications.  Provide an opportunity for the Supreme Court to lay down the law on whether such applications interfere with national sovereignty.  This intervention make India to guarantee fundamental rights of equality to migrants as well according to International commission on intervention and sovereignty  Article 14 extends the right to equality to all persons, which is wider than the definition of citizens. Even illegal immigrants shall, consequently, be treated by the government in a manner that ensures equal protection of Indian laws.  This intervention help the Courts to decide with public international law principles

For prelims

1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2200A (XXI)

on 16 December 1966, and in force from 23 March 1976 in accordance with Article 49 of the covenant  The covenant commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial. As of September 2019, the Covenant has 173 parties and six more signatories without ratification.  The ICCPR is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  The ICCPR is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (a separate body to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which reviews regular reports of States parties on how the rights are being implemented.  The Committee normally meets in Geneva and normally holds three sessions per year.

2. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights

1. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966 through GA. 2. It commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to the Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories and individuals, including labour rights and the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living. 3. As of January 2020, the Covenant has 170 parties. 4. A further four countries, including the United States, have signed but not ratified the Covenant. 5. The ICESCR (and its Optional Protocol) is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the latter's first and second Optional Protocols. 6. The Covenant is monitored by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 7. The ICESCR has its roots in the same process that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1.18 PAROLE TO THOSE FACING UP TO 7-YEAR TERM

Why in news? Supreme Court said prisoners convicted of or charged with offences having prison terms up to seven years can be given parole to decongest the jails in the wake of spread of COVID-19.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde ordered each State and Union Territory (UT) to constitute a high-powered committee of the chairman of State Legal Services Committee, Principal Home Secretary and Director General of Prisons to determine the class of prisoners who can be released on parole or interim bail after considering the nature and severity of offence, the number of years of imprisonment, etc.

Measure taken to protect prisoners

1) Release on interim bail 2) Allowing visitors to meet through visor conference or telephonic calls 3) Establishment of special task force to track the released prisoners 4) Transferring prisoners to other jails to avoid congestion 5) Identifying alternate places to avoid spread of infection 6) Stopping physical presence of under trial before court

Even the Supreme Court on 24th march decided to further restrict its functioning on account of the COVID-19 scare and resort to the digital mode to maintain social distancing and prevent spread of infection. The court premises would be completely shutdown Facts : There were 1339 prisons with approximately 4,66,084 inmates. The court said the National Crime Records Bureau showed the occupancy rate of Indian prisons at 117.6%.

What is parole?  Parole is conditional freedom for a prison inmate.  The prisoner (called a "parolee") gets out from behind bars, but has to live up to a series of responsibilities. A parolee who doesn't follow the rules risks going back into custody.  Once out on parole, a parolee enjoys the privilege of relative freedom in return for abiding by certain conditions.

Some common parole conditions are that the parolee:  maintain employment and a residence  avoid criminal activity and contact with any victims  refrain from drug—and sometimes alcohol—use  attend drug or alcohol recovery meetings, and  not leave a specified geographic area without permission from the parole office.

1.19 VIRTUAL COURT FACILITY

Why in news? The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday turned the concept of virtual court into reality by digitally reaching out to an advocate in a remote location, straight from the court hall, for live hearing of arguments in a case.

1) For the first time, digital connectivity was used not for hearing a case live from a court hall but also to connect to an advocate in a remote location. 2) The High Court regularly uses its in-house videoconference facility in its three Benches at Bengaluru, Dharwad and Kalaburgi for hearing arguments when the judges and the advocates are present at different Benches or judges of a division Bench are at different locations.

1.20 SERVICES AT DOOR STEP

Examples of other countries The ‘ferrymen’ of Wuhan, who have been providing groceries, food and medicines to citizens isolated in their homes, have been the backbone of cities that have been most hit by the novel coronavirus. In China, ride-hailing company Didi and others have a dedicated workforce and resources to provide free transport to health workers.

How about India ?  Major delivery players in India have responded by publicising consumer awareness, restricting dynamic pricing (Amazon and Flipkart) and contact-less delivery protocols.  Ola offers Rs 1,000 a day for lost income for up to 21 days for drivers or their family members who contract the virus.  Flipkart is reportedly mapping impacted areas to ensure that delivery agents are aware and least affected as they continue to offer relief to elite and middle- class households who have been the first-wave of likely infected citizens.

Issue with theses companies :  Company follow-through is in question. Reports show that delivery platforms have not yet implemented some of these protocols.  Indian mobility platforms have not yet offered to extend or waive loans and rental fees for lease drivers like Didi did for China in the month of February

Way forward  Mix of delivery personnel and app-based delivery companies as infrastructure rather than the sole mandate of private companies can deliver better outcomes for personnel  Bringing private food delivery players into public control  Door delivery than dining in restaurants  Supply of essential services to customers through app based technology.

1.21 MERGER OF DAMAN AND DIU, DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI UTS

Why in news? Parliament passed the bill to merge Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli UTs.

 Plans for the proposed merger were announced by the Government of India in July 2019 and the necessary legislation was passed in the Parliament of India in December 2019 and came into effect on 26 January 2020. The territory is made up of four separate geographical entities Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman and the island of Diu.  It is the amendment outside of Article 368 that is by simple majority.

Advantages of move  The measure will help in strengthening administrative efficiency and fast track the development of the two union territories.  Move will help in cutting down administration cost  Enable better monitoring and implementation of scheme  It would not only increase the administrative efficiency, bring uniformity in policies but also improve service delivery, reduce paperwork and ensure better management of cadre of various employees.  merged UTs would officially function in the same language in which they were working.  Moreover, it would also continue the reservation provided to people in the two union territories and the Bombay High Court will continue its jurisdiction over the merged UTs.  Name of union Territory will be Dadra Nagar haveli and Diu and daman.

Important aspects of bill

 Amendment of the Constitution: The First Schedule to the Constitution specifies the territories that come under various states and UTs. The Bill amends the First Schedule to merge the territories of the two UTs:  (a) Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and (b) Daman and Diu.  The merged territory will form the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. This will come into effect from the day notified by the central government.  Article 240(1) of the Constitution allows the President to make regulations for certain UTs, including the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The Bill amends the Article to replace these two UTs with the merged UT.  Representation in Lok Sabha: The First Schedule to the Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides one seat in Lok Sabha to each of the two UTs. The Bill seeks to amend the Schedule to allocate two Lok Sabha seats to the merged UT.

 Jurisdiction of High Court: The Bill provides that the jurisdiction of the High Court of Bombay will continue to extend to the merged UT.

1.22 PUBLIC SAFETY ACT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

Why is news? Former Jammu & Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were booked under the stringent PSA by the administration on February 6, 2020. National Conference general secretary and former minister Ali Mohammed Sagar, senior PDP leader Sartaj Madani was booked under the PSA. Earlier, on September 16, 2019, ex-CM Farooq Abdullah was detained under the provisions of PSA. Ironically, the Act was first promulgated in 1978 during the chief ministerial tenure of Sheikh Abdullah, father of Farooq Abdullah. Many political leaders and parties have condemned their detention and termed the PSA as a ‘draconian Act’.

The Public Safety Act, 1978 of Jammu and Kashmir is a defensive detention law that allows taking a person into custody to prevent him or her from acting in any matter that is prejudicial to “the security of the state or the maintenance of the public order”.

 This is a preventive detention law that allows the State government to detain a person up to two years without a trial.  It is similar to the National Security Act, but this was enacted two years before the NSA came into being.  The only way the administrative preventive detention order can be challenged is through a habeas corpus petition filed by relatives of the detained person.  The High Court and the Supreme Court have jurisdiction to hear such petitions and pass a final order seeking quashing of the PSA.  However, if the order is quashed, there is no bar on the government passing another detention order under the PSA and detaining the person again.  There can be no prosecution or any legal proceeding against the official who has passed the order

About NSA:  The similarity to the National Security Act (NSA) that is used by other state governments for preventive detention.  The NSA empowers the Centre or a State government to detain a person to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial to national security.  The government can also detain a person to prevent him from disrupting public order or for maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.  The maximum period for which one may be detained is 12 months. But the term can be extended if the government finds fresh evidence. Preventive Detention and Constitutional Provisions  Preventive detention involves the detainment (confinement) of a person in order to keep them from committing future crimes and/or from escaping future prosecution.

 It is different from ‘being arrested’. 'Arrest' is done when a person is charged with a crime but the same is not the case for preventive detention.

Punitive detention is punishment for illegal acts done.  Article 22(1) of the Constitution states that no person who is arrested shall be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.  However, under Preventive Detention Laws like the PSA, the detained person does not have the right to move a bail application before a criminal court, and cannot engage any lawyer to represent him or her before the detaining authority.  When a person is arrested he/she has to be produced before a magistrate within the next 24 hours. However, in the case of 'preventive detention', a person can be detained for three months.  Article 22(2) states that every person arrested and detained shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of 24 hours (excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court) and no such person shall be detained beyond this period without the authority of a magistrate.  Article 22(3)(b) allows for preventive detention and restriction on personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order.  Article 22(4) states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless  An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention.  Such a person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by the Parliament

1.23 STANDING WITH THE NEEDY: ON CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN PACKAGE

Why in news? The ₹1,70,000-crore relief package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26 — Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) — is a good first step towards alleviating the distress caused to vulnerable sections of the population by the 21-day lockdown imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Merits of the package  Noteworthy about the package is not the amount but the innovative ways in which the government is seeking to offer relief.  It covers various sections of the vulnerable, ranging from farmers and women Jan Dhan account holders, to organised sector workers, to the most important of all — healthcare workers, who will now get a sizeable insurance cover of ₹50 lakh.  The doubling of food grain allocation offered free is a good idea that privileges the hungry poor over rodents and pests devouring the stocks in Food Corporation of India godown.  The offer to pay both employer and employee contributions to the Provident Fund for very small business enterprises is welcome and will offer relief to those businesses that have been forced to shut down operations, and also to employees earning small salaries for whom the PF deduction may hurt at this point in time.

1.24 SAFEGUARDING THE VULNERABLE AMONG US

Why in news? The human dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic reach far beyond the critical health response. All aspects of our future will be affected — economic, social and developmental. Our response must be urgent, coordinated and on a global scale, and should immediately deliver help to those most in need.

Consequence of the present health crisis  The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that as many as 25 million people could become unemployed, with a loss of workers’ income of as much as $3.4 trillion.  Enterprises of all sizes have already stopped operations, cut working hours and laid off staff.  Many are teetering on the brink of collapse as shops and restaurants close, flights and hotel bookings are cancelled, and businesses shift to remote working  Often the first to lose their jobs are those whose employment was already precarious — sales clerks, waiters, kitchen staff, baggage handlers and cleaners.

Steps to avoid it  Government to prioritise the worst hit first , ensuring business continuity , preventing lay offs and protect vulnerable sections .  tailored measures will be needed for the most vulnerable workers, including the self-employed, part-time workers and those in temporary employment, who may not qualify for unemployment or health insurance and who are harder to reach.  As governments try to flatten the upward curve of infection, we need special measures to protect the millions of health and care workers (most of them women) who risk their own health for us every day.  Truckers and seafarers, who deliver medical equipment and other essentials, must be adequately protected.  Government should work with the employee's organisation and trade unions for practical solutions to protect the employees  strong domestic measures, decisive multilateral action must be a keystone of a global response to a global enemy.

Conclusion ILO’s Constitution: “Poverty anywhere remains a threat to prosperity everywhere”. It reminds us that, in years to come, the effectiveness of our response to this existential threat may be judged not just by the scale and speed of the cash injections, or whether the recovery curve is flat or steep, but by what we did for the most vulnerable among us.

For Prelims :

About ILO

The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.

Mission of the organisation The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues

Origin and history  The ILO was founded in 1919, in the wake of a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice.  The ILO became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

Reports of ILO 1. The World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO): is the ILO’s flagship report on world of work issues, focusing on a different theme each year. It undertakes evidence-based analysis of indicators and policies that achieve high employment and balanced incomes. 2. The Global Wage Report database is probably the most comprehensive worldwide database on wages and wage inequality currently available. 3. The World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends is published every year in January. It examines the current state of the labour market, assessing the most recent developments and making global and regional projections of employment and social trends. 4. The World Social Protection Report takes a comprehensive look at how countries are investing in social security, how they are financing it, and how effective their approaches are.

1.25 STATUTORY STATUS TO DGCA

Why in news? The Lok Sabha on March 17 passed a Bill that will provide statutory status to regulatory institutions, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and seeks to improve India’s aviation safety ratings as suggested by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 1. The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 provides for statutory backing to the DGCA, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). 2. The Bill also proposes to increase the fine amount for violations of new rules from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for aviation industry players.

For prelims :

About ICAO

1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It changes the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. 2. Its headquarters is located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 3. The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation. ICAO defines the protocols for air accident investigation that are followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. 4. The Air Navigation Commission (ANC) is the technical body within ICAO.

2) About DGCA: 1. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the Indian governmental regulatory body for civil aviation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 2. This directorate investigates aviation accidents and incidents 3. It is headquartered at Safdarjung Airport, in New Delhi. 4. The Government of India is planning to replace the organisation with a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), modelled on the lines of the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Functions:  Registration of civil aircraft  Certification of airports  Licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers and flight engineers, and conducting examinations and checks for that purpose  Carrying out amendments to the Aircraft Act, the Aircraft Rules and the Civil Aviation Requirements for complying with the amendments to ICAO Annexes, and initiating proposals for amendment to any other Act or for passing a new Act in order to give effect to an international Convention or amendment to an existing convention.  Formulation of standards of airworthiness for civil aircraft registered in India and grant of certificates of airworthiness to such aircraft.  Promoting indigenous design and manufacture of aircraft and aircraft components by acting as a catalytic agent.

1.26 ‘MY LORD OR YOUR LORDSHIP

Why in news? Avoid ‘My Lord or Your Lordship’ — Justice Muralidhar tells Punjab and Haryana HC bar.

 Justice Muralidhar, who was transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court last month, had made similar requests during his tenure in Delhi HC too.  The Rajasthan High Court had also asked all lawyers to stop addressing judges as ‘My lord’ and ‘Your lordship’. The decision was taken unanimously in a full court meeting to “honour the mandate of equality enshrined in the Constitution.  While hearing a PIL in 2014, the Supreme Court had said judges should be addressed respectfully and in a dignified manner, but it was not compulsory to call them ‘My lord’, ‘Your lordship’ or ‘Your honour’  On its part, the Bar Council of India (BCI) had in 2006 said addressing judges as ‘My lord’ or ‘Your lordship’ was a “relic of India’s colonial past”. Despite the BCI resolution, the practice of addressing judges as such has continued in most high courts across the country as well as in the Supreme Court.

For prelims

1.Transfer of judges 1. The President can transfer a judge from one high court to another after consulting the Chief Justice of India. 2. On transfer, he is entitled to receive in addition to his salary such compensatory allowance as may be determined by Parliament. 3. In 1977, the Supreme Court ruled that the transfer of high court judges could be resorted to only as an exceptional measure and only in public interest and not by way of punishment. 4. Again in 1994, the Supreme Court held that judicial review is necessary to check arbitrariness in transfer of judges. But, only the judge who is transferred can challenge it. 5. In the Third Judges case (1998), the Supreme Court opined that in case of the transfer of high court judges, the Chief Justice of India should consult, in addition to the collegium of four senior most judges of the Supreme Court, the chief justice of the two high courts (one from which the judge is being transferred and the other receiving him). 6. Thus, the sole opinion of the chief Justice of India does not constitute the ‘consultation’ process

2) Bar council of India 1. The Bar Council of India is a statutory body created by Parliament to regulate and represent the Indian bar. 2. The Bar Council of India was established by Parliament under the Advocates Act, 1961. 3. It perform the regulatory function by prescribing standards of professional conduct and etiquette and by exercising disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar. 4. It also sets standards for legal education and grants recognition to Universities whose degree in law will serve as qualification for enrolment as an advocate. 5. In addition, it perform certain representative functions by protecting the rights, privileges and interests of advocates and through the creation of funds for providing financial assistance to organise welfare schemes for them.

1.27 VIOLATION OF MINORITY RIGHTS

Why in news? The recent decision by a two-judge bench takes away autonomy of madrasas in West Bengal.

 Accordingly, special safeguards were guaranteed to the minorities and incorporated under Article 30 with a view to instil in them a sense of confidence and security. However, due to recent developments in Delhi and elsewhere, this confidence stands eroded even though, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), minority rights were held to be the part of basic structure of the Constitution.  In the last one year, a new trend has emerged in the Supreme Court. Smaller benches now do not hesitate to overrule larger benches’ decisions. Increasingly, judicial discipline is losing its charm.  In the latest judgment on minority rights, a two-judge bench of Justice U.U. Lalit and Justice Arun Mishra upheld the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education Act, 1994, and the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act, 2008, both of which take away the autonomy of madrasas in the State. The appointment of teachers in these theological institutions shall now be made by a board nominated by the government.

For prelims About minorities and constitutional provisions to protect minorities right

The following communities have been notified as minority communities by the Government of India, Ministry of Minority Affairs;  Sikhs  Muslims  Christians  Zoroastrians  Buddhists  Jains

Who are the minorities?  The Constitution of India uses the word ‘minority’ or its plural form in some Articles – 29 to 30 and 350A to 350B – but does not define it anywhere.  Article 29 has the word “minorities” in its marginal heading but speaks of “any sections of citizens… having a distinct language, script or culture”. This may be a whole community generally seen as a minority or a group within a majority community.  Article 30 speaks specifically of two categories of minorities – religious and linguistic.  The remaining two Articles – 350A and 350B – relate to linguistic minorities only.  “Linguistic and religious minorities are covered by the expression "minority" under Article 30 of the Constitution. Since reorganization of the States in India has

been on linguistic lines, therefore, for the purpose of determining the minority, the unit will be the State and not the whole of India. Thus, religious and linguistic minorities, who have been put on a par in Article 30, have to be considered state wise”.

Other constitutional safeguards The other measures of protection and safeguard provided by the Constitution in Part III or elsewhere having a bearing on the status and rights of minorities are:

1. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion (Article 25); 2. Freedom to manage religious affairs (Article 26) 3. Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion (Article 27); 4. Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions (Article 28) 5. Special provision relating to language spoken by a section of the population of a state (Article 347); 6. Language to be used in representations for redress of grievances (Article 350); 7. Facilities for instruction in mother tongue at primary stage (Article 350A); 8. Special officer for linguistic minorities (Article 350B).

1.28 LISTS OF COVID NAMES

Why in news? A list of 722 names with purported passport numbers, cellphone numbers, addresses and travel history of each, is doing the rounds on social media. These are individuals “suspected of COVID-19 and are quarantined at home.” Similar lists for Bhopal, Bengaluru are being circulated, warning citizens to avoid contact with them.

Such disclosure has led raise concern over balancing public health and private information.  Some States have put information in public domain to make people to be well informed and on the other some states are protecting the data to avoid people getting panic and to respect privacy.  Code of medical ethics bars the disclosure of information relating to patient during treatment except in certain cases.

These exception cases are 1) when there is a serious and identified risk to specific person and community 2) in case of notifiable diseases

 MOH issues guidelines to share information to state government and district surveillance units under integrated disease surveillance program

 But under these guidelines there is no provision to make data public or even naming patients.  This shows there is no law backing for disclosure of information under health emergency, but  The Epidemic act 1897 and disaster management act 2005 provide legal immunity to take action in “good faith” during such time.

Criticism for disclosing information  Sticking of stickers on doors of home to show the people quarantined in home like Gujarat will create physical or emotional distress on families.  This is a clear case of misuse of personal information.  There was no need to disclose information rather it could have been used by public officials for tracking.  The legal backing given by above two acts need to be sanctioned by legislation enacted by parliament.  It’s a violation of right to privacy a fundamental right of citizens.

Justification for disclosure  The Epidemic Act, under Section 4, exempts filing suits or legal proceedings against any action taken “for anything done or in good faith intended to be done under this Act”.  Similarly, the Disaster Management Act, under Section 73 also exempts “action taken in good faith” from all legal proceedings and under Section 74 gives legal immunity to government servants.  If a data protection law like the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 was in force at this point in India, these activities could have been examined in a different light,  Under the data protection bill ,the government can process data of person to act to such emergency situations.

About the epidemic act 1897:  The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 is a law which was first enacted to tackle bubonic plague in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) in former British-occupied India.  The law is meant for containment of epidemics by providing special powers that are required for the implementation of containment measures to control the spread of the disease.  The Act has been routinely used to contain various diseases in India such as swine flu, cholera, malaria and dengue.  In 2018, the Act was enforced as cholera began to spread in a region of Gujarat.  In 2015, it was used to deal with dengue and malaria in Chandigarh and in 2009 it was invoked in Pune to combat swine flu.  Starting in March 2020, the act is being enforced across India in order to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.

1.29 OSSIFICATION TEST & BAIL

Why in news? After Ossification tests, court grants bail to a minor.

Age determination is of paramount importance for ascertaining whether an accused comes within purview of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 or not. The 2015 Act gives some special privileges to juveniles accused of committing a crime. Importance of age determination has further increased after the introduction of “judicial waiver” system which allows treatment of juvenile offenders as an adult if they are accused of committing a heinous crime (between 16-18 years of age).

 The provisions for age determination lean heavily in favour of juvenile offenders.  The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has been given wide powers in this aspect. If an accused, by his appearance, appears to be child below 18 years, then the committee shall record the approximate age and proceed without any further inquiry. If there are reasonable grounds for doubting the age, then the committee relies upon matriculation certificate or birth certificate.  Only in the absence of birth certificate or relevant school documents, the committee decides to go ossification test or other medical test for determination of age.

Importance of age determination  Age determination is a crucial aspect since the benefits enshrined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 are available only to a person who has not completed the age of eighteen years.  Sec 2(35) of the 2015 Act defined juvenile as a child below the age of eighteen years.  Under the 2015 Act, the importance of age determination has further due to the creation of an exception under which a child above sixteen years of age may be tried as an adult if he is accused of committing a heinous offence.

Reliability of Medical Opinion (1) In the absence of birth certificate or matriculation certificate, age is determined based upon medical opinion. (2) The primary test for age determination is the ossification test. (3) Human bones are remodelled and new layer of bone material is laid by a process called ossification (or osteogenesis). (4) Based upon this phenomenon, ossification test is carried out. (5) Courts have held that medical opinion based upon ossification test is merely an expert opinion under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Therefore, it cannot be binding upon courts.

Flaws in ossification test  One of the major flaws with the ossification test is that it only tells the ‘estimated’ age of a person and not the exact age. It only estimates the ‘biological’ age of a person which differs from ‘legal’ age.

 Ossification test leaves a margin of at least six months on either side even if the test is conducted upon multiple joints.  At times, it shows a variation of four years. If test is conducted upon single bone, it may leave an error of up to two years on either side.  If it is conducted upon multiple joints with overlapping age of fusion, the margin may be reduced up to six months on either side.  Still, the possibility of an error cannot be ruled out.  Ossification test leaves much room for speculation and does not give a sure indication as to the age of a person, particularly when it is in the border region.  Another major flaw is that the test is not useful when a person has crossed 25-27 years of age. This is primarily because nearly all the bones are completely ossified and the skeletal growth ceases by the age of 25 years.

Correct approach  There are better techniques available and are used for determination of age across the world. For example, the U.S. immigration department uses “wisdom teeth” technique for determination of age. Under this technique, doctors examine the third molar which usually erupts between 17 to 25 years of age. The average error is in this technique is also significantly lower than the ossification of any other bone.  Another technique is the “epigenetic clock” technique. Epigenetic clock is DNA clock which measures DNA methylation levels to estimate age of a tissue or an organ.

1.30 ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANT WORKERS

Why in news? It has been nearly a week since the Centre’s lockdown measures to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2 came into force. But what was done as a means to address a public health challenge has now transformed itself into a humanitarian crisis for many among the poorer segments of India’s urban population. The most affected section has been the inter-State migrant workers community, thousands of whom have been leaving cities such as Delhi, even on foot, for their towns in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and elsewhere.

Reasons for this situation of migrants 1. As India is having majority population involved in unorganised sector ,this lock down has led to major Crisis for their lock down. 2. Not having readiness to address this issue before announcing lock down has led to this major problem. 3. Unforeseen situation by government regarding the Labourers 4. The actions taken across the country to address this issue are not being unique, on one side the relief camps are set up, on the other hand disinfectant have been sprayed to migrants itself at the borders. 5. Lack of coordination and transparency between states and centre has led to this situation because of unpreparedness

Why migrants movement is continuing ? 1) Poor implementation of meal programmes 2) Low awareness 3) The standing rabi crop waiting to be harvested 4) Fleeting possibility of transportation 5) Pull of home, feel to spend time with family members at home in this crisis situation 6) Distrust in the government

What need to be done to address this crisis? 1. Promise from the government side to assure them that arrangements will be made to take them to their homes. 2. Using public schools, community halls for providing them temporary relief camps and making PDS efficient. 3. Creating trust that is lost from long in the people about government is major need of the hour. 4. Local Government to be delegated with the work to test sample of migrants once they reach their places. 5. Panchayats needs to be prepared to fight the epidemic. 6. With the digital recording of information of migrants and Digital ticket system , migrants can be given the transportation facilities. Buses should leave from the shelters where migrants are staying to avoid crowding. 7. Using technology may address this issue.

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.1 US – TALIBAN PEACE DEAL

Why in news? The United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.

 Cease-fire:Negotiators agreed to a temporary reduction in violence and said that a lasting cease-fire among U.S., Taliban, and Afghan forces will be part of intra- Afghan negotiations.  Withdrawal of foreign forces:The United States agreed to reduce its number of troops in the country from roughly 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days. If the Taliban follows through on its commitments, all U.S. and other foreign troops will leave Afghanistan within fourteen months.  Intra-Afghan negotiations: Throughout the negotiating process, the Taliban had resisted direct talks with the government, calling it an American puppet. But the Taliban has more recently indicated that talks are possible to resolve intra-Afghan disagreements.  Counterterrorism assurances. The United States invaded Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks largely to eliminate the threat of terrorism, so it seeks to halt terrorist activities in the country, including by al-Qaeda and the self- proclaimed Islamic State. As part of the agreement, the Taliban guaranteed that Afghanistan will not be used by any of its members, other individuals, or terrorist groups to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.  Prisoner Release: The US-Taliban pact says up to 5,000 imprisoned Taliban and up to 1,000 prisoners from “the other side” held by Taliban “will be released” by March 10.

Impact of the deal on the other stakeholders:-  Pakistan: The deal provides the strategic advantage to Pakistan, who is a long- time benefactor of the Taliban.  China: After the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan is seen as more of a protectorate state of China. Thus, China may leverage Pakistan's influence on the Taliban, to propel its strategic projects like the Belt and Road Initiative

India:-  India has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan. India has invested considerable resources in Afghanistan's development.  India has a major stake in the continuation of the current Afghanistan government in power, which it considers a strategic asset when it comes to Pakistan.

 An increased political and military role for the Taliban and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a protégé of Islamabad.  As Afghanistan is the gateway to Central Asia, the deal might dampen India’s interest in Central Asia.  Withdrawal of US troops could result in the breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed.

2.2 CLMV CONCLAVE

The CLMV conclave is an annual feature which provides an opportunity for Indian business leaders to interact with government and business stakeholders representing the four countries.  The conclave facilitates to create and provide a platform for the decision makers from CLMV countries to interact with a range of Indian business companies involved in trading, manufacturing, processing, engineering, consultancy, construction etc.  The business conclave provided opportunity for developing better understanding of CLMV economies which have untapped potential for development and offer more scope for enhancement of economic engagement with India.  It sees participation of ministerial and business delegations from India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos consisting of about 400 delegates.  The 5th India-CLMV CLMV Conclave) Business Conclave was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2018. It was jointly organised by Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is institutional partner of the event.

CLMV:  Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam collectively, is the third largest economy in ASEAN, followed by Indonesia and Thailand.  India’s trade with the CLMV countries has grown from USD 1.5 billion to more than USD 10 billion in the last 10 years.  This country association within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises its newest, lowest income, and formerly closed-economy members. One of the ways in which the association operates is through CLMV Economic Ministers’ Meetings.

2.3 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

About The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.  It is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

 Headquartered in Singapore, APEC is recognized as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs and oldest forums in the Asia-Pacific region, and exerts a significant global influence.  APEC has three official observers: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. APEC’s Host Economy of the Year is considered to be invited in the first place for geographical representation to attend G20 meetings following G20 guidelines.  India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join for various reasons, considering that India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do. However, India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011.

Aim: To create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

Functions:  APEC works to help all residents of the Asia-Pacific participate in the growing economy.  APEC projects provide digital skills training for rural communities and help indigenous women export their products abroad.  Recognizing the impacts of climate change, APEC members also implement initiatives to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable management of forest and marine resources.  The forum adapts to allow members to deal with important new challenges to the region’s economic well-being. This includes ensuring disaster resilience, planning for pandemics, and addressing terrorism.

Members:  APEC’s 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.  APEC Members account for approximately 40% of the world’s population, approximately 54% of the world’s gross domestic product and about 44% of world trade.

Recent Summits 2019  APEC Chile 2019 would have been an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) series of meetings in Santiago, Chile. The meetings supposed to focus on the digital economy, regional connectivity, and women’s role in economic growth.  Chile previously hosted an APEC meeting in 2004. The 2019 summit was cancelled on 30 October due to ongoing protests.

2020  APEC Malaysia 2020 is the year-long hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Malaysia starting from December 2019 until November 2020.  Motto : Optimising Human Potential Towards A Future Of Shared Prosperity  Malaysia previously hosted an APEC meeting in 1998.

2.4 COVID 19 EMERGENCY FUND FOR SAARC

Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the leaders of the SAARC countries through video conference to chart out a common strategy in order to combat COVID-19 in the region.  Prime Minister said the guiding mantra for India has been “prepare, but don’t panic”. He laid down the proactive steps taken, including a graded response mechanism, screening those entering the country, public awareness campaigns on TV, print and social media, special efforts to reach out to the vulnerable groups, ramping up of diagnostic facilities and developing protocols for each stage of managing the pandemic.  Those others who attended were Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Pakistan’s minister of state for health Zafar Mirza.

Proposals by India  In the spirit of collaboration, Prime Minister Modi proposed creation of a COVID- 19 Emergency Fund based on voluntary contributions from all the countries, with India making an initial offer of US $10 million for the fund. The fund can be used by any of the partner countries to meet the cost of immediate actions.  He informed that India is assembling a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists, along with testing kits and other equipment, which will be on stand- by, to be placed at the disposal of the countries, if required.  Prime Minister also offered arranging for online training capsules for the emergency response teams of the neighbouring countries and sharing of software behind India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to help trace possible virus carriers and the people they contacted. He suggested that existing mechanisms like SAARC Disaster Management Centre can be used to pool in best practises.  He also suggested creation of a common Research Platform to coordinate research on controlling epidemic diseases within the South Asian region. He suggested further brainstorming by experts on the long-term economic consequences of COVID-19, and how best to insulate internal trade and local value chains from its impact.  Prime Minister also proposed evolving common SAARC Pandemic Protocols which can be applied on the borders as well as within the countries in such

situations to prevent such infections from spreading across the region, and to allow free internal movements.

Proposals of the members  President Ashraf Ghani proposed modelling diffusion patterns, creation of common framework for telemedicine and greater cooperation amongst the neighbouring countries.  President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih proposed closer cooperation between the health emergency agencies of the countries, formulation of economic relief package and long term recovery plan for the region.  President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recommended establishment of a SAARC Ministerial level group to share best practises and coordinate regional matters on combating COVID-19.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed continuance of the dialogue at technical level through video conference between Health Ministers and Secretaries of the region.

2.5 NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

About The NPT is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.  It represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States.  Nuclear-weapon states parties under the NPT are defined as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967.  The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is the successor of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commissionverifies the compliance with the treaty. The compliance, in turn, is enforced by the United Nations Security Council.  The treaty is reviewed every five years in meetings called Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Non - Signatories  There are a total of nine nations who possess nuclear weapons.  Five of the nations namely – US, UK, France, Russia and China have signed the treaty. The remaining four nations namely – India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea have not signed the treaty and thus not a party to the treaty.

India and NPT  India did not sign it as the treaty was discriminatory. India argued that treaties like NPT were selectively applicable to only non-nuclear powers and legitimized the monopoly of nuclear power by a few.  Consequently India conducted nuclear explosion test in May 1974, all along maintaining that it was committed to peaceful use of atomic energy.

 In 1998, India again conducted a nuclear explosion tests, and acquired the capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.  To alleviate the fears of a world community, India formulated a comprehensive nuclear doctrine. The major tenets of this doctrine are: o Maintenance of a credible minimum nuclear deterrence. o Professes no first use policy.  Commitment to global veritable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear weapons free world.  India has abided by both NPT and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) even though it is a non-signatory. This along with its commitments on nuclear non-proliferation under NSG waiver in 2008 provides India with a strong basis for membership in NSG.

Drawbacks  The main drawbacks of the treaty are that it never held accountable the 5 nations who possessed nuclear weapons at the time when the treaty was signed. At the same time, the enforcement of the treaty is also a serious cause for concern.  Despite the threat of economic sanctions and other serious consequences, North Korea detonated its first bomb in 2006. Now even Iran is poised to go down the same route.  The treaty even has serious loopholes which can be exploited by other nations in order to have their own nuclear weapons program.

2.6 NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multilateral export control regime and a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.

 The NSG was founded in response to the Indian nuclear test in May 1974 and first met in November 1975. The test demonstrated that certain non-weapons specific nuclear technology could be readily turned to weapons development.  Nations already signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) saw the need to further limit the export of nuclear equipment, materials or technology. Another benefit was that non-NPT and non-Zangger Committee nations, then specifically France, could be brought in.

Formation - 1974 Purpose - Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; Controlling transfer of nuclear energy The grouping has 48 participating governments whichinclude the five nuclear weapon states US, UK, France, China, and Russia. It is not a formal organization, and its

guidelines are not binding. Decisions, including on membership, are made by consensus. The European Commission acts as an Observer.

India and NSG India refused to sign NPT because : 1. The NPT defines “nuclear weapons states” as those that tested devices before 1967, which means India cannot ever be one. 2. No fixed timelines have been mentioned for disarmament. 3. NPT is unfair treaty as nuclear weapon states have no obligation to give them up while non-nuclear states are not allowed to have them.

Since 2008, India has sought membership in the NSG. The same year, the NSG granted India a "clean waiver" from its existing rules, which forbids nuclear trade with a country which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  The waiver paved the way for India to engage in nuclear trade and led to the Indo- US Civil Nuclear Deal. India has since signed civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with the U.S., U.K., France, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Namibia, and South Korea.  However, being out of the elite NSG group has kept India still out of latest technologies as it is the NSG members that have the latest and the most efficient technology.  In 2016 India applied for NSG membership. Pakistan and Namibia followed the suite.  The drive for India's membership got a decisive boost when U.S declared support for India joining the quartet of multilateral export control regimes.  U.S proposed case for a country-specific rather than a criteria-based approach rested on the argument that India's nuclear record and commitment to nonproliferation norms qualified it as a "like minded country" to join the NSG.

China’s Opposition  While a majority of the 48-member group backed India’s membership, China along with New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria were opposed to India’s admission.  China insisted that India should sign NPT for NSG membership. It wants a non- discriminatory criterion for the admission of countries who have not signed NPT.  China sees India’s membership to elite group as India elevating to P5 Status.  China wants to include its all weather friend Pakistan as well because India may block its entry after getting membership.

Importance of NSG membership to India  Membership to the NSG will essentially increase India’s access to state-of-the-art technology from the other members of the Group.  Access to technology and being allowed to produce nuclear equipment will give a boost to the Make in India program. That will, in turn, boost the economic growth of our country.  As per India’s INDC under the Paris Climate agreement, we have committed to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring that 40% of its energy is sourced from renewable and clean sources. In order to achieve this target, we need

to scale up nuclear power production. This can only happen if India gains access to the NSG.  Namibia is the fourth-largest producer of uranium and it agreed to sell the nuclear fuel to India in 2009. However, that hasn’t happened, as Namibia has signed Pelindaba Treaty, which essentially controls the supply of uranium from Africa to the rest of the world. If India joins the NSG, such reservations from Namibia are expected to melt away.

Background Pelindaba Treaty (African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty)  It establishes a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa.  The treaty was signed in 1996 and came into effect in July 2009.  It aims at preventing nuclear proliferation and preventing strategic minerals of Africa from being exported freely.  This treaty prohibits member parties to come into bilateral agreement with countries who are non signatories of NPT.  In 2016, Namibia criticized the Treaty of Pelindaba for disallowing Namibia to trade uranium to India because India is not a member of the NPT.

2.7 UK’S STRATEGY TO CONTAIN CORONA VIRUS

Why in news? The United Kingdom Government under the PM Boris Johnson has adopted” “Herd Immunity” strategy to contain Corona Virus. With India declaring COVID-19 as “notified disaster”, Italy, Spain and France locking down completely, UK is adopting herd immunity strategy. The United Kingdom recently gained wide criticism for adopting the strategy.

What is the strategy?  UK has adopted the strategy hoping that 60% of its population will develop immunity against it.  The country has neither cancelled mass gatherings nor locking down public places to contain the virus. Rather, it is focusing on building immunity against the disease.  In simple worlds, UK is trying to run a normal routine while fighting the disease.  Herd Immunity  Herd immunity is achieved through vaccinations and also gaining immunity. When a considerably bigger population is vaccinated, those that are not vaccinated also gain immunity. Even in epidemics, over the period of time, when the majority of population gain immunity against the disease, the level of its transmitting reduces. This is the strategy being adopted as “Herd Immunity” in United Kingdom.

2.8 GLOBAL IMPACTS OF CORONA VIRUS The Global Economy has been badly hit due to Corona Virus. With countries imposing travel ban and business meets and industrial summits being postponed, the global market is hit badly. After China, Spain has shut down its communication with the external world.

Global Economic Slowdown The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development downgraded world GDP growth. Earlier its was predicted that GDP growth for the year 2020 will be 3%. Now it has been reduced to 2.5%

Manufacturing Sector The Purchasers Managers Index that was between 45 and 55 for the global powers has reduced to 40 and 50. Of all the China’s manufacturing powers were hit hard. This has affected Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore.

Oil Prices With OPEC’s unable to succeed its deal in cutting oil production, the oil prices have lowered. This has hit oil industries greatly all around the world.

2.9 INDIA-PAKISTAN NON-ATTACK AGREEMENT

Signed: 31 December 1988 Entered into Force: 1 January 1991  The India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement is a unique bilateral agreement that expands, in a sense, the scope of Articles 56 and 15 of the first and second protocols to the Geneva Convention.  These articles state, "Works or installations containing dangerous forces, namely dams, dykes and nuclear electrical generating stations, shall not be made the object of attack, even where these objects are military objectives, if such attack may cause the release of dangerous forces and consequent severe losses among the civilian population."

Provisions  The agreement provides for refraining from undertaking, encouraging, or participating in, directly or indirectly, any action aimed at causing destruction or damage to any nuclear installation or facility in each country.  It describes a nuclear installation or facility and requires each party to inform the other of the precise locations (latitude and longitude) of installations and facilities by 1 January of each calendar year and whenever there is any change. The agreement does not provide for detailed disclosures of nuclear-related activities.  The agreement defines nuclear installation or facilities against which attack is prohibited as "nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotopes separation and reprocessing facilities as well as any other

installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form and establishments storing significant quantities of radioactive materials."  India has consistently proposed extending the agreement to include non-attack on civilian and economic targets, but Pakistan has continuously rejected these proposals. However, India's recent draft nuclear doctrine involves a deterrent capability based on unacceptable damage to an opponent; thus, the likelihood of expanding the agreement to include counter-value (non-military) targets may now be small.  Starting in January 1992, India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of their respective civilian nuclear-related facilities. However, each side has questioned the completeness of the other's list.

Verification and Compliance  The Agreement requires an annual exchange of lists detailing the location of all nuclear-related facilities in each country. The measure further pledges both sides not to attack listed facilities. Though lists of nuclear facilities have been exchanged each year, the definition of nuclear facilities to be declared is unclear. There are no compliance measures in this Agreement.  The agreement does not include specific compliance and verification measures beyond the exchange of lists by both countries. The precise criteria for what may be included and excluded on these lists is not specified; it is generally assumed that the list of nuclear-related facilities is unlikely to be exhaustive, given incentives for both New Delhi and Islamabad to conceal certain facilities relevant to their respective nuclear weapon programs.

Recent developments  India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Sites Pursuant to Their Non-Attack Agreement on New year's day 2020. The exchange of lists is the 29th consecutive one between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.  The 2020 exchange of lists followed a tense year in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. In February 2019, the two countries sparred in a major skirmish after the Indian Air Force struck what the Indian government said was a terrorist camp on Pakistani soil. The Pakistani Air Force retaliated, but the crisis did not escalate after the capture of a downed Indian pilot by the Pakistani side.  In the second of 2019, tensions between India and Pakistan remained high amid sharp criticism from Islamabad of the Indian government’s decision to change the internal status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir by bifurcating it into two centrally administered union territories.

2.10 LAHORE DECLARATION Signed: 21 February 1999 Parties: India and Pakistan

Provisions The Lahore Declaration reaffirms India and Pakistan's commitment to find a peaceful resolution to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Each side pledged to "take immediate steps for reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons and

discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for confidence building in the nuclear and conventional fields, aimed at prevention of conflict."

The Lahore Declaration signed by the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan on 21 February 1999, inter alia:  recognizes that the nuclear dimension of the security environment of the two countries adds to their responsibility for avoidance of conflict between them;  commits both to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and the universally accepted principles of peaceful co-existence;  reiterates the determination of both countries to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit;  commits both countries to the objectives of universal nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation;  recognizes the importance of mutually agreed confidence-building measures for improving the security environment; and  recalls their agreement of 23 September 1998, that an environment of peace and security is in the supreme national interest of both sides and that the resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, is essential for this purpose.

The Prime Ministers agreed that their respective governments:

 shall intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir;  shall refrain from intervention and interference in each other's internal affairs;  shall intensify their composite and integrated dialogue process for an early and positive outcome of the agreed bilateral agenda; and  shall take immediate steps for reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons and discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for confidence building in the nuclear and conventional fields, aimed at prevention of conflict.

Background The Declaration was signed during the meeting of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, in Lahore (Pakistan) on 20-21 February 1999. The two leaders discussed the entire range of bilateral relations, regional cooperation within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and other issues of international concern. In a joint statement they decided that:  their Foreign Ministers will meet periodically to discuss all issues of mutual concern, including nuclear-related issues;  the two sides shall undertake consultations on World Trade Organization (WTO)- related issues with a view to coordinating their respective positions;  the two sides shall determine areas of cooperation in information technology, in particular for tackling the problems of Y2K;

 the two sides will hold consultations with a view to further liberalizing the visa and travel regime; and  the two sides shall appoint a two-member committee at the ministerial level to examine humanitarian issues relating to civilian detainees and missing prisoners of war. The Declaration is considered a foundation for the ongoing Composite Dialogue process of talks between the two sides. Started in 2004, the renewed dialogue utilizes multiple diplomatic channels and levels. It aims at stabilizing relations over a range of issues, including water, cross-border trade, as well as the Jammu and Kashmir region.

2.11 STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TALKS (SALT)

 The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were two rounds of bilateral conferences and corresponding international treaties involving the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War superpowers, on the issue of arms control. The two rounds of talks and agreements were SALT I and SALT II.  Negotiations commenced in Helsinki, Finland, in November 1969. SALT I led to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and an interim agreement between the two countries.  Although SALT II resulted in an agreement in 1979, the United States Senate chose not to ratify the treaty in response to the Soviet war in Afghanistan, which took place later that year. The Soviet legislature also did not ratify it. The agreement expired on December 31, 1985 and was not renewed.

SALT I Treaty SALT I is the common name for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Agreement signed on May 26, 1972.  SALT I froze the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers at existing levels and provided for the addition of new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launchers only after the same number of older intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and SLBM launchers had been dismantled.  SALT I also limited land-based ICBMs that were in range from the northeastern border of the continental United States to the northwestern border of the continental USSR.  In addition to that, SALT I limited the number of SLBM capable submarines that NATO and the United States could operate to 50 with a maximum of 800 SLBM launchers between them. If the United States or NATO were to increase that number, the USSR could respond with increasing their arsenal by the same amount.  Both sides were also permitted to increase their number of SLBM forces, but only after disassembling an equivalent number of older ICBMs or SLBM launchers on older submarines.  One clause of the treaty required both countries to limit the number of deployment sites protected by an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system to one

each. The idea of this system was that it would prevent a competition in ABM deployment between the US and the Soviet Union.  Negotiations lasted from November 17, 1969, until May 1972 in a series of meetings beginning in Helsinki, with the US delegation headed by Gerard C. Smith, director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.  Subsequent sessions alternated between Vienna and Helsinki. After a long deadlock, the first results of SALT I came in May 1971, when an agreement was reached over ABM systems.  Further discussion brought the negotiations to an end on May 26, 1972, in Moscow when Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev signed both the Anti- Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Interim Agreement Between The United States of America and The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Certain Measures With Respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.  The two sides also agreed to a number of basic principles regrading appropriate conduct. Each recognized the sovereignty of the other and agreed to the principle of non-interference while at the same seeking to promote economic, scientific, and cultural ties of mutual benefit and enrichment.

2.12 STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TREATY (START I)

Signed: 31 July 1991 Lisbon Protocol: Signed 23 May 1992 Entered into Force: 5 December 1994 Duration: 15 year duration with option to extend for unlimited five year periods, if all parties agree Expired: 5 December 2009 Parties: United States, Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine

 The U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START I, was signed 31 July 1991 by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.  START I was the first treaty to provide for deep reductions of U.S. and Soviet/Russian strategic nuclear weapons. It played an indispensable role in ensuring the predictability and stability of the strategic balance and serving as a framework for even deeper reductions.  START I entered into force on December 5, 1994. The break-up of the Soviet Union in December 1991 and the need to make arrangements with regard to its nuclear inheritance contributed to a three-year delay between the signing of the treaty and its entry into force. Principles for adapting START I to new political realities were agreed upon in May 1992 in the Lisbon Protocol.  According to that agreement, four post-Soviet states — Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine — were recognized as parties to START I in place of the Soviet Union, but only Russia was designated a nuclear weapon state, while the other three assumed an obligation to join the NPT as non-nuclear states and

eliminate all START I accountable weapons and associated facilities within seven years (the period of reductions mandated by the treaty). Whereas Belarus and Kazakhstan quickly joined the NPT and ratified START I "as is," Ukraine experienced intense domestic debates over how to deal with its nuclear inheritance that dragged on for more than two years; its first START I ratification resolution was rejected by the United States and Russia.  START I had a duration of 15 years. Reductions mandated by the treaty were to be completed no later than seven years after its entry into force. Parties were then obligated to maintain those limits during the next eight years. In fact, both the United States and Russia continued reductions after reaching START I mandated limits. By the time of the treaty's expiration, their strategic nuclear arsenals were significantly below those stipulated in the treaty.  During the 1990s, the United States and Russia undertook several attempts to replace START I with a new treaty that would have provided for deeper reductions. The 1993 START II treaty never entered into force due to what Russia perceived as serious deficiencies of that treaty. Consultations on another treaty, sometimes referred to as START III, were conducted from 1997-2000 but ended without result. The Moscow Treaty provided for significantly lower limits on strategic weapons, but lacked verification and transparency provisions.  START I remained in force until December 5, 2009. It contained the option of extending the treaty for five-year periods, but Washington and Moscow decided against extension — negotiations were already underway on a new, replacement treaty, and START I was allowed to expire.

Treaty Obligations START I established an aggregate limit of 1,600 delivery vehicles and 6,000 warheads for each party (a reduction from 10-12,000 warheads in 1991). Within that limit, the Treaty established three sub-limits: 4,900 warheads for ICBMs (land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles) and SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), 154 heavy ICBMs (defined as having a launch weight greater than 106t or a throw-weight greater than 4,350kg), 1,540 warheads for these heavy ICBMs (Only the Soviet Union possessed this type of missile), and 1,100 warheads for mobile ICBMs (de facto applied only to the Soviet Union and Russia because the United States, shortly after the signing of START I, decided to forego deployment of such missiles). The Treaty also established a limit of 3,600 metric tons (t) for the throw-weight of ballistic missiles.  The construction of new types of heavy ICBMs and SLBMs is banned, although modernization programs and, in exceptional cases, new silo construction, are permitted.  The treaty bans the testing of missiles equipped with a greater number of warheads than established in the treaty, and bans any new ballistic missiles with more than 10 warheads. Parties to the treaty may also reduce the number of warheads attributed to a specific missile. However, no more than three existing missile types may have the number of warheads reduced, and the total reduction may not exceed 1,250 warheads.

 While the treaty counts each ICBM and SLBM reentry vehicle as a single warhead, counting rules for warheads attributed to heavy bombers are more complicated. Each Russian heavy bomber equipped to carry long-range nuclear ALCMs (defined as having maximum range of 600km or more), up to a total of 180 bombers, counts as eight warheads toward the 6,000 warhead limit, even though existing Russian heavy bomber types can carry between six and 16 ALCMs. Each Russian heavy bomber above the level of 180 has its actual number of ALCMs counted toward the 6,000 warhead limit.  Similarly, each U.S. long-range nuclear ALCM-carrying heavy bomber, up to a total of 150 bombers, counts as 10 warheads toward the 6,000 warhead limit, and each bomber in excess of 150 has the actual number of ALCMs it can carry counted toward the warhead limit. Bombers not equipped to carry long-range nuclear ALCMs are counted as one warhead.

Verification and Compliance START I contains extensive provisions for verification. These include: 1. National Technical Means (NTMs), together with a ban on actions that impair the effectiveness of NTMs of the other party; 2. Data exchange: Accompanying the START I treaty is a Memorandum of Understanding drafted by the two parties, which contains an extensive set of data, including numbers and locations of all strategic delivery vehicles, both deployed and non-deployed, as well the locations and diagrams of all facilities associated with strategic delivery vehicles, such as bases, storage and production facilities, etc. Each party is required to provide notification about any change in that data shortly after it occurs. In addition, parties must exchange the entire set of data contained in the Memorandum every six months; 3. On-site inspections to verify the accuracy of data contained in the Memorandum of Understanding. Some of those inspections are short-notice (baseline data, data update, reentry vehicle, etc.) while others are "planned" (verification of technical data, the right to observe elimination of missiles and facilities, etc.). The treaty also provides for a special verification regime for mobile ICBMs. During the first seven years (the period of reductions), the United States conducted 335 inspections; Russia conducted 243. 4. Perimeter and portal monitoring of plants that produce mobile ICBMs. Because the United States decided not to deploy such missiles, this measure only applies to Russia: the United States established monitoring at the Votkinsk plant (or, rather, continued, because its monitoring began under the INF Treaty). 5. A ban on encryption of telemetry transmitted from ballistic missiles during test launches and exchange of all such telemetry.

A "Joint understanding for a follow-on agreement to START-1" was signed by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev in Moscow on 6 July 2009. This will reduce the number of deployed warheads on each side to 1,500–1,675 on 500–1,100 delivery systems. A new treaty was to be signed before START-1 expired in December 2009 and the reductions are to be achieved within seven years.After many months of negotiations, Presidents Obama and Medvedev signed the successor treaty, Measures to Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, in Prague, Czech Republic on 8 April 2010.

2.13 G20 VIDEO SUMMIT

Why in news? The Saudi Arabian King Salman is to chair the G20 summit on Corona Virus through a video conference. The Summit is to be held on March 26, 2020. The summit becomes significant as several international organizations are to participate in the summit. India is a member of G20.

International Organizations  Several worldwide international organizations are to participate in the summit. It includes WHO (World Health Organization), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), WTO (World Trade Organization), IMF (International Monetary Fund), ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Gulf Cooperation Council and NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development).  IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has welcomed the fiscal and monetary steps taken by some countries, but said more would be needed, especially in the fiscal arena. Surveys show the pandemic is battering the global economy.  The World Bank and International Monetary Fund want the G20 to agree immediate bilateral debt relief to any of the world’s 76 poorest countries that make such a request. The UN has made a separate appeal for a £2bn humanitarian response fund to help the world’s poorest countries.

Significance  From India, PM Modi is to attend the summit. The leaders will strategize methodology to combat virus. The global growth for the year is negative according to IMF. The recession is to bring about the biggest financial crisis in history. G20 suggests “A Moment for Solidarity” in this situation. The finance ministers of G20 had already held a meeting under this theme virtually.  The summit will be complicated by an oil price war between two members, Saudi Arabia and Russia, and rising tensions between two others, the United States and China, over the origin of the virus, which has infected nearly 400,000 people globally and killed more than 17,200.  The G20 has no power to bind its members, and largely works by securing pledges for this kind of funding initiative.

What is G20?  The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.  The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.

Origin

 1997-1999 ASIAN Financial Crisis: This was a ministerial-level forum which emerged after G7 invited both developed and developing economies. The finance ministers and central bank governors began meeting in 1999.  Amid 2008 Financial Crisis the world saw the need for a new consensus building at the highest political level. It was decided that the G20 leaders would begin meeting once annually.  To help prepare these summits, the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors continue to meet on their own twice a year. They meet at the same time as the International Monetary Fund and The World Bank.

G20 Members  The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.  Spain as a permanent, non-member invitee, also attends leader summits.

Structure and Functioning of G20  The G20 Presidency rotates annually according to a system that ensures a regional balance over time.  For the selection of presidency, the 19 countries are divided into 5 groups, each having no more than 4 countries. The presidency rotates between each group. Every year the G20 selects a country from another group to be president. India is in Group 2 which also has Russia, South Africa, and Turkey.  The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat or Headquarters. Instead, the G20 president is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy.  TROIKA: Every year when a new country takes on the presidency (in this case Argentina 2018), it works hand in hand with the previous presidency (Germany, 2017) and the next presidency (Japan, 2019) and this is collectively known as TROIKA. This ensures continuity and consistency of the group’s agenda

2.14 G20 on COVID 19

PM Narendra Modi called for measures to strengthen and reform WHO to allow it to adapt to new challenges in a special G20 summit video conference.

Highlights  G20 countries committed to injecting over $5 trillion into the global economy to counter the social and economic impact of Covid-19.  Even as the US and China continue to quarrel over the origin of the novel coronavirus, the conference was held in the most cooperative manner and that there was no reference to the origin of the crisis. It was the best illustration of global cooperation. The focus was purely on efforts to deal with the challenge and there was no attempt to ascribe motives.

 PM made the point that the UN agency responsible for international public health did not have the mandate to deal with pandemic of this sort, which is why empowering of WHO was necessary, be it in terms of its "capacity of early warning or development of effective vaccines, or capacity building".  The G20 leaders supported strengthening of the WHO’s mandate in the fight against pandemics, including delivery of medical supplies, diagnostic tools, treatments, medicines and vaccines, said the Indian government.  The 4 key areas which the summit focused on were identified as

1. Fighting the pandemic, 2. Safeguarding global economy, 3. Addressing international trade disruptions and 4. Enhancing global cooperation.

 At the meeting, G20 Leaders agreed to take all necessary measures to contain the pandemic and protect people. Leaders also committed to use all available policy tools to minimize the economic and social cost of the pandemic and to restore global growth, market stability and strengthening resilience. Leaders also agreed to contribute to the WHO led Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund on a voluntary basis.  90% of the Covid-19 cases and 88% of deaths were in G20 countries even as they share 80% of world GDP and 60% of world population.  PM called on the leaders to help usher in a new globalization, for the "collective well-being of humankind and have multilateral fora focus on promoting the shared interests of humanity".  At the end of the Summit, statement was issued which called for a coordinated global response to fight the pandemic, adopting measures to safeguard the global economy, minimising trade disruption and steps to enhance global cooperation.

2.15 WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Quick Facts

 WHO is a specialised agency of UN.  It is concerned with international public health  It acts as coordinating authority on international public health.  Established in 1948.  It succeeded the Health Organization, which was an agency of the League of Nations.  HQ : Geneva, Switzerland  India is a founder member of WHO.  WHO flag features the Rod of Asclepius as a symbol for healing.  It is part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Group.  It has six semi-autonomous regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide.  Its main objective as ensuring "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.  Parent organization - United Nations Economic and Social Council

 The WHO was established in 7 April 1948, which is commemorated as World Health Day. The first meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the agency's governing body, took place on 24 July 1948.  The WHO's broad mandate includes advocating for universal healthcare, monitoring public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, and promoting human health and well being. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards and guidelines, and collects data on global health issues through the World Health Survey. Its flagship publication, the World Health Report, provides expert assessments of global health topics and health statistics on all nations. The WHO also serves as a forum for summits and discussions on health issues.

Origin  At the 1945 United Nations Conference on International Organization, Szeming Sze, a delegate from the Republic of China (modern-day Taiwan), proposed the creation of an international health organization under the auspices of the new United Nations. Alger Hiss, the Secretary-General of the conference, recommended using a declaration to establish such an organization.  The constitution of the World Health Organization was signed by all 51 countries of the United Nations, its affiliates and by 10 other countries, on 22 July 1946. It thus became the first specialized agency of the United Nations to which every member subscribed.

Objectives  To act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.  To establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and such other organizations as may be deemed appropriate.  To provide assistance to the Governments, upon request, in strengthening health services.  To promote cooperation among scientific and professional groups which contribute to the advancement of health.

Governance World Health Assembly 1. The Health Assembly is composed of delegates representing Members. 2. Each Member is represented by not more than three delegates, one of whom is designated by the Member as chief delegate. 3. These delegates are chosen from among persons most qualified by their technical competence in the field of health, preferably representing the national health administration of the Member. 4. The Health Assembly meets in regular annual session and sometimes in special sessions as well.

Functions  The Health Assembly determines the policies of the Organization.

 It supervises the financial policies of the Organization and reviews and approves the budget.  It reports to the Economic and Social Council in accordance with any agreement between the Organization and the United Nations.

The Secretariat  The Secretariat comprises of the Director-General and such technical and administrative staff as the Organization may require.  The Director-General is appointed by the Health Assembly on the nomination of the Board on such terms as the Health Assembly may determine.

Membership and Associate Membership  Members of the United Nations may become Members of the Organization.  Territories or groups of territories which are not responsible for the conduct of their international relations may be admitted as Associate Members by the Health Assembly.

WHO's Health Policy The WHO addresses government health policy with the following two aims:  To address the social and economic determinants of health through policies and programmes “that enhance health equity and integrate pro-poor, gender- responsive, and human rights-based approaches”  To promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and influence public policies in all sectors so as to address the root causes of environmental threats to health”

Members  As of 2016, the WHO has about 194 members, who in turn are also members of the United Nations with the exception of Liechtenstein, Cook Islands and Niue. Full membership of the WHO is only guaranteed with the ratifying of the treaty known as the Constitution of the World Health Organization.  The member states of the WHO appoint delegates to the World Health Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body. The World Health Assembly is attended by delegations from all Member States and determines the policies of the Organisation.

WHO and India  The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) – India has been jointly developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) of the Government of India (GoI) and the WHO Country Office for India (WCO). Its key aim is to contribute to improving health and equity in India. It distinguishes and addresses both the challenges to unleashing India’s potential globally and the challenges to solving long-standing health and health service delivery problems internally.  The National Strategic Plan for Elimination of Malaria (2017-2022) was launched by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare. Its main goal is to totally eliminate Malaria by 2027. The National Strategic Plan has formulated year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country. It is formulated with the

support of the World Health Organization’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016-2030).

WHO’s Contribution to World The country offices are WHO’s primary contact points with governments.  They provide technical support on health matters, share relevant global standards and guidelines, and relay government requests and requirements to other levels of WHO.  They also inform and follow up with the host government on reports of disease outbreaks outside the country.  They provide advice and guidance on public health to other UN agency offices in- country.  In addition to governments, WHO also coordinates with other UN agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.  The benefits of WHO's international health work are reaped by all countries, including the most developed.  For example, all nations have benefited from their contributions to the WHO programs that led to the global eradication of smallpox and to promote better and cheaper ways of controlling tuberculosis.  The organization believes that immunization, which prevents the six major communicable diseases of childhood—diphtheria, measles, poliomyelitis, tetanus, tuberculosis, and whooping cough—should be available to all children who need it.  WHO is leading a worldwide campaign to provide effective immunization for all children in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

During the first decade (1948-58), the WHO focused major attention on specific infectious diseases afflicting millions of people in the developing countries. These included malaria, yaws, tuberculosis, and venereal diseases. There was also a high priority for maternal and child health services, for environmental sanitation (especially safe water), and for standardization of drugs and vaccines. In these years, WHO developed close working relationships with other UN agencies.

The period (1958 to 68) was much influenced by the national liberation in Africa of several former colonies, which became voting members of the Organization. In 1960, the departure from the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo of nearly all foreign doctors created a massive emergency. Working with the international Red Cross, WHO recruited 200 physicians and other health workers, and established a new fellowship program to enable scores of Congolese “medical assistants” to become fully qualified doctors. In this period, fellowships for health-personnel development became a major WHO strategy in almost all countries. WHO stimulated and even collaborated with the world chemical industry in the 1960s to develop new insecticides for fighting the vectors of onchocerciasis (“river blindness”) and for treating schistosomiasis. Demonstration that tuberculosis could be effectively treated, without expensive sanatorium care, was a great breakthrough of the late 1950s.

Even the mundane standardization of the nomenclature of diseases and causes of death was an important contribution of WHO to international health communications.

The third decade (1968–78) of WHO included the great victory of eradicating smallpox from the earth.  In 1967, smallpox was still endemic in thirty-one countries, afflicting between 10 and 15 million people.  The work was done by teams of public health workers in all the countries affected, with WHO serving as leader, co-ordinator, and inspiration.  Millions of dollars were saved worldwide by this achievement, which overcame various national rivalries and suspicions.  The momentum of this great campaign added strength to another drive, for expanding the immunization of the world’s children against six once-ravaging diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis (with BCG vaccine).  After long hesitation for political reasons, in this period WHO finally entered the field of family planning by promoting worldwide research and development on human reproduction.  New efforts were also put into the control of malaria and leprosy.  WHO also promoted the training of auxiliary health personnel, such as China’s “barefoot doctors” and India’s traditional birth-attendants.  Such training was a sounder investment in most developing countries than preparing physicians for predominantly urban medical practice.

The fourth decade (1978–88) was ushered in by a great world conference of WHO and UNICEF in Alma Ata, a city of the Asiatic part of the Soviet Union.  In reaction against excessive attention to high-technology, the Alma Ata conference emphasized the great importance of primary health care, preventive and curative, as the best approach to national health policy.  This approach, stressing community participation, appropriate technology, and intersectoral collaboration, became the central pillar of world health policy.  Thirty years after its birth, 134 WHO member-states reaffirmed their commitment to equality, as embodied in the slogan “Health for All.”  The provisions of the safe drinking water and adequate excreta disposal for all were the objectives of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-90) proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1980 and supported by WHO.  In this period, every country was encouraged to develop a list of “essential drugs” for use in all public facilities, instead of the thousands of brand-name products sold in world markets.  The WHO’s condemnation of the promotion of artificial infant-formula products in developing countries also attracted widespread attention.  The worldwide control of infantile diarrhea with oral rehydration therapy was another great advance, based on very simple principles.

Networks: A 1995 outbreak of Ebola virus in the Congo, which raged for three months unbeknownst to WHO, revealed a startling lack of global public health surveillance and notification systems.  So in 1997, WHO (in collaboration with Canada) rolled out the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), which took advantage of information on the Internet to function as an early warning system for potential epidemics.  The WHO supplemented this (GPHIN) in 2000 with the Global Outbreak Alert Response Network (GOARN) to analyze events once they were detected.  GOARN linked 120 networks and institutes with the data, laboratories, skills and experience to take action swiftly in a crisis.  According to the WHO, most of the estimated 500000 maternal deaths each year are preventable through family planning—to avoid illegal abortions—and hygienic education of traditional birth-attendants.  The WHO has also mounted increasing efforts against cancer, which now takes as many lives in the developing countries as in the affluent ones.  The fight against tobacco, the largest single cause of preventable death in both men and women, is part of WHO effort in every country.  Disseminating the simple rules of diet, exercise, nonsmoking, prudent use of alcohol, and hygienic working conditions are major objectives of health education in WHO everywhere.  The worldwide epidemic of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) has presented another challenge to WHO in mounting global efforts to stem the spread of this lethal sexually transmitted virus disease.  The WHO is working for the introduction of self-testing so that more people living with HIV know their status and can receive treatment.

Goodwill Ambassadors The WHO operates "Goodwill Ambassadors"; members of the arts, sports, or other fields of public life aimed at drawing attention to WHO's initiatives and projects. There are currently five Goodwill Ambassadors (Jet Li, Nancy Brinker, Peng Liyuan, Yohei Sasakawa and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) and a further ambassador associated with a partnership project (Craig David).

Challenges As an international organisation, WHO has its fair share of challenges. Some of them are as follows:  The WHO is largely dependent on funds from donors – usually from economically well-developed countries and organisations such as Melinda Gates Foundation – rather than a secured channel of funding.  As a result, most of WHO’s funding for crucial programmes remain on the back burner as some of these programmes also clash with the interests of the donors.  The effectiveness of the organisation has come under question especially due to its disastrous handling of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the very recent corona virus outbreak in 2019-20 Consequently, WHO’s role as a leader in global health has been supplanted by other intergovernmental bodies such as the World Bank, and increasingly by big foundations.

2.16 THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) (PART 1)

Why in News? North Macedonia is set to officially become the 30th member of NATO with the deposit of its “instrument of accession” at the U.S. Department of State.

 Macedonia’s accession to NATO is a milestone for the alliance, the end of a decades-long dispute with Greece over its northern neighbor’s official name, and the successful culmination of U.S. leadership supporting the nation’s NATO aspirations.  North Macedonia is now the fourth nation from the western Balkans to join NATO (Albania, Croatia, and Montenegro are the others), a region which retains significant ethnic, religious, and cultural differences, along with historical grievances, and which has benefited greatly from the stability NATO has engendered.  North Macedonia’s joining of NATO leaves only two official candidate countries left: Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia. U.S. leadership will remain the critical element for ensuring that NATO’s open door remains accessible to deserving European nations.

NATO  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance, the Western Alliance, is a military alliance. It was established by the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and it was signed in Washington, D.C., USA, on April 4, 1949. Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium. Its other official name means the same in French, Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord (OTAN).  Motto - Animus in consulendo liber (A mind unfettered in deliberation)  Formation - 4 April 1949  Type - Military alliance  Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium  Headquarters of Allied Command Operations — Mons, Belgium.  Significance: It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.

History  The founding members of NATO signed the North Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949. It worked in conjunction with the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The organizations were created during the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.  NATO's primary purpose was to defend member nations from threats by communist countries. The United States also wanted to maintain a presence in Europe. It sought to prevent a resurgence of aggressive nationalism and foster political union. In this way, NATO made the formation of the European Union possible. U.S. military protection gave European nations the safety needed to rebuild after World War II's devastation.

 After West Germany joined NATO, the communist countries formed the Warsaw Pact alliance. That included the USSR, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. In response, NATO adopted the "Massive Retaliation" policy. It promised to use nuclear weapons if the Pact attacked. NATO's deterrence policy allowed Europe to focus on economic development. It didn't have to build large conventional armies.  The Soviet Union continued to build its military presence. By the end of the Cold War, it was spending three times what the United States was with only one-third the economic power. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, it was due to economic as well as ideological reasons.  After the USSR dissolved in the late 1980s, NATO's relationship with Russia thawed. In 1997, they signed the NATO-Russia Founding Act to build bilateral cooperation. In 2002, they formed the NATO-Russia Council to partner on shared security issues.  The collapse of the USSR led to unrest in its former satellite states. NATO got involved when Yugoslavia's civil war became genocide. NATO's initial support of a United Nations naval embargo led to the enforcement of a no-fly zone. Violations then led to a few airstrikes until September 1999. That's when NATO conducted a nine-day air campaign that ended the war. By December of that year, NATO deployed a peace-keeping force of 60,000 soldiers. That ended in 2004 when NATO transferred this function to the European Union.

Objectives:  Political – NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.  Military – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO’s founding treaty – Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organisations.  Alliances NATO participates in three alliances. They expand its influence beyond its 28 member countries. The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council helps partners become NATO members. It includes 23 non-NATO countries that support NATO's purpose. It began in 1991.  The Mediterranean Dialogue seeks to stabilize the Middle East. Its non-NATO members include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. It began in 1994.  The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative works for peace throughout the larger Middle East region. It includes four members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. They are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It began in 2004.  NATO cooperates with eight other countries in joint security issues. There are five in Asia. They are Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and New Zealand. There are two in the Middle East: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

3. ECONOMY

3.1 TIER-1 BONDS

Why in News? The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has written to RBI and SEBI to allow fund houses a temporary write down of additional tier 1 bond of Yes Bank to avoid a huge hit on net asset value (NAV) of schemes that hold such bonds.

What is a bond? A bond is a fixed income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or government). A bond could be thought of as a document between the lender and borrower that includes the details of the loan and its payments. The investor receives interest income at a predetermined rate (the coupon rate) and at predetermined times (the coupon date). The bond has an expiration date (the maturity date) at which point the stated par value of the bond must be returned.

What are Additional Tier 1 bonds? AT-1 or Additional Tier 1 bonds are the type of unsecured, perpetual debt instruments which bank issues to shore up the capital buffers to meet Basel 3 norms of global banking standards. But RBI can write down these bonds in case of a restructuring of the bank as per the rules.

Importance:  These bonds are perpetual and carry no maturity date. Instead, they carry call options (contract between the buyer and the seller to exchange a security at a set price) that allow banks to redeem them after five or 10 years. But banks are not obliged to use this call option and can opt to pay only interest on these bonds for eternity.  Banks issuing AT-1 bonds can skip interest payouts for a particular year or even reduce the bonds’ face value provided their capital ratios fall below certain threshold levels. These thresholds are specified in their offer terms.  If the RBI feels that a bank is tottering on the brink and needs a rescue, it can simply ask the bank to cancel its outstanding AT-1 bonds without consulting its investors.

What does Basel Norm-3 prescribe? Under Basel Norms-3, India brought in rules that banks must maintain capital at a minimum ratio of 11.5 per cent of their risk-weighted loans. Of this, 9.5% needs to be in Tier-1 capital and 2% in Tier-2. Tier-1 capital refers to equity and other forms of permanent capital that stays with the bank, as deposits and loans.

Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)  The AMFI is an industry standards organisation in India in the mutual funds sector which was formed in 1995.

 Most mutual funds firms in India are its members. The organisation aims to develop the mutual funds market in India, by improving ethical and professional standards.

3.2 DBOD & DFS

Why in News? The recent crisis of Yes Bank has questioned the functioning of overseeing departments of Banking Sector like Finance Committee of the bank, DBOD, DFS, etc.

Department of Banking Operations & Development (DBOD) The Department of Banking Operations & Development is entrusted with the responsibility of regulation of commercial banks under the regulatory provisions contained in the Banking Regulation Act-1949 and RBI Act-1934 besides enunciation of banking policies.  Its functions broadly relate to prescription of regulations for compliance with various provisions of Banking Regulation Act on establishment of banks such as licensing, branch expansion, maintenance of statutory liquidity, management and operations, amalgamation, reconstruction and liquidation of banking companies and issue of guidelines on Prudential Norms relating to Capital Adequacy, investments and loans.  In order to achieve its objective, it has to maintain a flexible organizational setup with activities in tune with the time.

Department of Financial Services (DFS): The mandate of the Department of Financial Services covers the functioning of Banks, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies and the National Pension System.  The Department is headed by the Finance Secretary.  The Department of Financial Services (DFS) oversees several key programs/initiatives and reforms of the Government concerning the Banking Sector, the Insurance Sector and the Pension Sector in India.  Initiatives and reforms relating to Financial Inclusion, Social Security, and Insurance as a Risk Transfer mechanism; Credit Flow to the key sectors of the economy/farmers/common man are some of the key focus areas being dealt by the Department.  Some of the key flagship schemes being currently run/managed by the Department are Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Stand Up India Scheme etc.  The Department provides policy support to the Public Sector banks (PSBs), Public Sector Insurance Companies (PSICs) and Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) like NABARD, SIDBI, India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (IIFCL), National Housing Bank (NHB), EXIM Bank, Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).  This Department deals with legislative and policy issues pertaining to the concerned regulatory bodies i.e. RBI, Insurance Regulatory and Development

Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).  Matters relating to International Banking relations are also dealt by the Department.

3.3 UNIVERSAL ELECTRIFICATION

Why in news? 7.28 lakh households ‘unwilling’ to take electricity connections remain unelectrified: Govt in Lok Sabha

 As many as 2.63 crore households were electrified across the country by FY19 since launch of Saubhagya in September 2017.  As on February 28, the largest number of such un-willing households are in Uttar Pradesh (5.82 lakh), followed by Jharkhand (68.1 thousand) and Assam (45.4 thousand),  Under the Saubhagya scheme, all states have declared electrification of all households on March 2019, except 18,734 households in left wing extremism affected areas of Chhattisgarh.

Reasons for status of unelectrified :  According to informed sources, most of the unwilling households use illegal power connections.  Some areas highly prone to power theft These anomalies are often the result of infrastructure deficits and administrative inefficiency.

Way forward:  Government should endeavour to lay underground cabling on priority basis in the areas which are highly prone to power theft.  Augmenting conventional sources of electricity, with a clear emphasis on rooftop solutions for cities could be taken up.  Cheaper renewables will enable differential pricing for households in remote areas.

For prelims :

1. Saubhagya scheme:

 Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana –“Saubhagya” a new scheme was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas on 25th September, 2017.  The objective of the ‘Saubhagya’ is to provide energy access to all by last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas to achieve universal household electrification in the country.

 The electricity connection to households include release of electricity connections by drawing a service cable from the nearest electricity pole to the household premise, installation of energy meter, wiring for a single light point with LED bulb and a mobile charging point.  Poor households would be provided electricity connections free of cost. Other households would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs.500 only which shall be recovered by the DISCOMs/Power Departments in ten (10) instalments along with electricity bills.  There is no provision in the scheme to provide free power to any category of consumers. The cost of electricity consumption shall have to be paid by the respective consumers as per prevailing tariff of the DISCOM/Power department .  The cost of Saubhagya scheme i.e. Rs. 16,320 crore is over and above the investment being made under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).

2. Definition of electrification and it’s demerits  The existing definition to declare a village electrified is coverage of a mere 10% of households.  This is, along with the common facilities such as schools, panchayats and health centres.  However, these broad-based statistics fail to bring out several disparities. These include: o the actual number of households in villages that have power connections o number of hours they get reliable power o the per capita power that rural and urban Indians consumers

3.4 MARKET WIDE CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Why in News? Most recently, the circuit breakers were triggered after the Nifty hit the first limit of 10% soon after the start of the trading session.

What is it?  Market-wide circuit breakers refer to the daily limit — both on the upside and the downside — that the benchmark indices can move in a single day before a trading halt is initiated.  The circuit breaker mechanism was introduced in July 2001 as a measure against significantly huge swings in the Sensex or Nifty.  As per regulations, trading is suspended in both the BSE as well as the National Stock Exchange (NSE), if either of the benchmarks hits the circuit breaker.

What are the circuit limits?  The limits have been pegged at three levels — 10%, 15% and 20% — and the duration of the trading halt has been linked to the time at which the triggers are

hit. If any of the benchmarks move 10% before 1 p.m., then trading is halted for 45 minutes.  Such a movement between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. entails a 15-minute halt, while a 10% swing after 2:30 p.m. does not call for any trading halt.  A 15% movement in the Sensex or Nifty before 1 p.m. leads to suspension of trade for 1:45 hours while a 15% swing between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. brings trading to a halt for 45 minutes. If the Sensex or Nifty hits the 15% limit after 2 p.m. then trading is suspended for the rest of the day.  The maximum market-wide circuit breaker limit has been fixed at 20% and if this trigger is hit at any point of time during the trading session, then trading is halted for the rest of the day.

Are circuit limits revised often?  Earlier, when the concept of ciruit breakers for indices was introduced, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) made it mandatory for exchanges to translate these trigger limits in absolute points on a quarterly basis. At the end of each quarter, these absolute points were revised and made applicable for the next quarter.  From 2013 onwards, the regulator directed stock exchanges to introduce daily calculation of circuit breaker limits based on the previous day's closing level of the index.  Additionally, a pre-opening session of 15 minutes was mandated after trading resumed post the compulsory halt.

3.5 BHOOMIRASHI PORTAL

Why this portal? While the physical processing of acquisition of land for construction of highways usually took considerable time, ranging from weeks to even months, and there were errors whose rectification caused further delays. In order to overcome these issues, to cut short delays and avoid parking of public funds with the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), Ministry has developed a web based Utility – BhoomiRashi to fully digitize and automate the entire process of land acquisition.

Bhoomi Rashi Portal  The Bhoomi Rashi Portal launched on 2018 as a major e-Governance initiative of the Ministry of the Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), has expedited significantly the process of land acquisition for National Highways, making it error-free & more transparent with notifications at every stage being processed on real time basis.  The processing time using this portal has been reduced to less than two weeks in a majority of cases and even a few days in some cases.  The portal has been integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for depositing the compensation in the account of affected/ interested persons on real-time basis. This integration has resulted in avoiding the parking of

huge public funds in the account of Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA).  The Bhoomi Rashi portal model is replicable and can be used by state governments as well as by Ministries which directly acquire land under their relevant legal provisions.

3.6 SHORT SELLING

Why in news? The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has clarified that there was no proposal regarding ban on short selling to curb the ongoing volatility and equity sell-off. Indian indices have fallen of 25% from their record highs reached in January.

What is Short Selling? The short sale is made in expectation of decline in the price of a security, which would allow the investor to then purchase the shares at a lower price in order to deliver the securities earlier sold short. In other words, short selling is an investment or trading strategy that speculates on the decline in a stock or other securities price.

Why short selling creates volatility? In simple terms, in short selling, investor borrows a stock, sells the stock, and then buys the stock back to return it to the lender by earning the change in price of stock. Mechanism: When a trader or speculator engages in a practice known as short selling— or shorting a stock—they are essentially borrowing the shares. The short trader borrows shares from an existing owner through their brokerage account. They will then sell those borrowed shares at the current market price. Here, the objective is that they believe the share's market price will decrease before they are forced to pay back the borrowed shares allowing the trader to pocket the difference in the two share prices. It is an advanced strategy that is generally undertaken by experienced traders and investors.

Add on: Countries like Spain, South Korea, and Italy have banned short selling amid huge volatility and fall in stock prices due to COVID-19.

3.7 PLAN FOR ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING

Context: The schemes under the plan are expected to attract new investments worth at least Rs 50,000 crore in the sector, while generating more than five lakh direct and 15 lakh indirect jobs.

Production-linked Incentive Scheme  The production-linked incentive scheme aims to attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components, including

assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) units, at a budgetary outlay of Rs 40,995 crore for five years.  The scheme will offer an incentive of 4-6% on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India and is expected to create a total of 8 lakh jobs.  Domestic value addition for mobile phones is expected to rise to 35-40% by 2025 from the current 20—25% due to the impetus provided by the scheme.

Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronics Components and Semiconductors  For this scheme the outlay has been kept at Rs 3,285 crore over eight years and is expected to create about 6 lakh jobs.  The scheme will help offset the disability for domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors in order to strengthen the electronic manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) 2.0  Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) 2.0, aims at creating quality infrastructure with a minimum area of 200 acres along with industry-specific facilities such as common facility centres, ready-built factory sheds/ plug-and- play facilities at an outlay of Rs 3,762.25 crore over eight years.  The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme would support setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centers (CFCs).  The scheme is expected to create about 10 lakh jobs

3.8 TOPIC MOST AIRLINES MAY FLY INTO BANKRUPTCY ON COVID-19

Why in News? As 145 countries have been affected by coronavirus, most airlines in the world will go bankrupt by this May end owing to restrictions put in place to prevent its spread, said the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a leading aviation consulting group in a report. Coordinated government and industry action was needed if catastrophe is to be avoided.

Why it Matters?  As the impact of the coronavirus and multiple government travel reactions sweep through our world, many airlines have probably already been driven into technical bankruptcy, or are at least substantially in breach of debt covenants. Cash reserves are running down quickly as fleets are grounded and what flights there are operated much less than half full.  More important, raising funds, if required, may be very challenging. Reducing Goods & Services Tax (GST) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) may be critically required but this may not be enough to compensate for a sharp demand slump.

CAPA  CAPA - Centre for Aviation, part of the Aviation Week Network, is one of the world's most trusted sources of market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry.  Since its establishment in 1990, CAPA has developed a formidable global network of aviation researchers and analysts located across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.  In addition to the series of global summits, they also capture insights straight from the source on CAPA TV channel and produce a bi-monthly journal, Airline Leader, that provides airline CEOs and senior executives with insights on the latest trends, challenges and changes facing the industry.  As a global leader in aviation knowledge, their aim is to make a difference by providing news, analysis and data that businesses need to stay ahead of the competition.

CAPA India Aviation Summit  Established since 2004, the CAPA India Aviation Summit is a must-attend event for any company with an exposure to Indian aviation.  CAPA estimates that up to USD45 billion of investment will be required for airport expansion and construction in India by 2030, to keep pace with the projected growth in airport traffic.  The growth of the sector will also create significant opportunities for associated activities including ground and cargo handling, duty free, retail and other non- aero activities.  With multiple airport-related business opportunities and tenders being launched in India over the next year, this event will provide attendees with a clear picture of the outlook for the sector.

3.9 RELIEF TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

Why in News? In a relief to upcoming renewable energy projects worth about Rs. 3.5 lakh crore, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that “delay on account of disruption of the supply chains due to spread of coronavirus in China or any other country” would be considered as a force majeure event. Force Majeure refers to unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract.

What is this about?  The move means that the project developers will not have to pay any penalty for missing commissioning deadlines, if they can prove their consignments were delayed by global restrictions on freight movements stemming from the pandemic.  As on February, the installed renewable energy capacity was 86.8 GW. Further, an additional 35.1 GW is under various stages of implementation and 34.5 GW under different stages of bidding. Every GW requires investments of about Rs 5,000

crore. Solar capacity has gone up by more than 13 times to 34.4 GW since March 2014 and more than 80% of equipment has been imported, mostly from China, where panels are substantially cheaper.  Though gradually falling since the imposition of the safeguard duty in July 2018, China remained the largest source of solar cells in April-December FY20, with imports worth $1.2 billion. Overall, in the first nine months of FY20, solar equipment of $1.5 billion was imported. Total such imports in FY19 were $2.2 billion. Currently the safeguard duty stands at 15%.  However, the sector already reeling under the impact of demand slowdown, reneging of power purchase agreements (PPAs) and irregular payment by discoms, might face another blow in the form of restricted access to funds due to the ongoing crisis.  The renewable energy industry is one of the major FDI earners. From 2014 to the end of 2019, the sector attracted $6.1-billion foreign capital, when total investment in this business has been around $75 billion.  The other major challenges being faced by developers are land acquisition, evacuation infrastructure, non-conducive state policies, curtailment and unwillingness of discoms to purchase renewable energy.  When asked about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the country’s ability to increase clean energy capacity, Union power minister informed that “the solar industry is under no compulsion to import solar cells, modules and other equipment from China”, adding that “they are free to meet their requirements either from domestic market or alternative sources”.

3.10NIDHI COMPANIES

Why in News? The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has tightened compliance norms for Nidhi companies, a kind of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), which are created to borrow and lend money among its members. An official source said the idea is to make regulatory regime for Nidhi companies more effective as well as to accomplish the objectives of transparency and investor friendliness.

What is this about?  The ministry has advised investors to verify the status of a Nidhi company from the notification issued by the Centre in official gazette before making any investment or deposit. Although there is no updated data on the number of such entities registered with the MCA, sources say there are around 350 such companies. A major part of them are in the southern part of the country.  The government has amended the provisions related to Nidhis under the Companies Act, which now requires Nidhi companies to apply to the Centre for updation of their status and declaration as a Nidhi company in Form NDH-4.  The time frame for this exercise is restricted to one year from the date of incorporation or within nine months of the Nidhi Amendment Rules — August 15, 2019, whichever is later.

 Nidhi being a company incorporated with the objective of cultivating the habit of thrift and savings among its members, receiving deposits from and lending to its members only for their mutual benefit, these stringent measures would lead to greater transparency and will be a step forward in invoking investor friendliness in the economy,” he noted.

Nidhi Company  A Nidhi company is a type of company in the Indian non-banking finance sector, recognized under section 406 of the Companies Act, 2013.  Their core business is borrowing and lending money between their members.  They are also known as Permanent Fund, Benefit Funds, Mutual Benefit Funds and Mutual Benefit Company.  They are regulated by Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Reserve Bank of India is empowered to issue directions to them in matters relating to their deposit acceptance activities.  It has been incorporated with the object of developing the habit of thrift and reserve funds amongst its members and also receiving deposits and lending to its members only for their mutual benefit.  They are so popular in South-India, and 80% of them are located in Tamil Nadu  A Nidhi company can be started with an initial capital of Rs.5 lakh and requires at least seven peopletostart with (minimum 7 members).  Every Nidhi company must ensure within a period of one year from the commencement that it has not less than 200 members.

3.11TRIFED

Context: Tribals are known to be the autochthonous people of the land. Tribals are often referred to 'adivasi', 'vanvasi', 'pahari', 'adimjati', 'anusuchit janjati', etc. India has the second largest tribal population in the world, the first being Africa and tribal Communities are the integral segment of Indian society.

About:  The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987.  It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.  TRIFED has its registered and Head Office located in New Delhi and has a network of 13 Regional Offices located at various places in the country.

Minor Forest Produce Development  An important source of livelihoods for tribal people are non-wood forest products, generally termed 'Minor Forest Produce (MFP)' means all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and will include bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves,

gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, Honey, Lac, Tusser etc.  The Minor Forest Produces provide both subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests. They form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sale.  Minor Forest Produce has significant economic and social value for the forest dwellers as an estimated 100 Million people derive their source of livelihood from the collection and marketing of Minor Forest Produce (Report of the National Committee on Forest Rights Act, 2011)  Tribals derive 20-40% of their annual income from Minor Forest Produce on which they spend major portion of their time. This activity has strong linkage to women's financial empowerment as most of the Minor Forest Produces are collected and used/sold by women. Minor Forest Produce sector has the potential to create about 10 million workdays annually in the country.

MFPNET MFPNET is a network of stakeholders in the trade of MFPs which includes individuals, agencies, institutions etc. interested in MFP. It is to be a one stop destination for information about MFP trade scenario in India. The main objective of establishing this network is to bring in public domain trade information for use by different stakeholders.

3.12MSP MECHANISM

Why in News? Government intervention to reimburse on the losses due to MSP mechanism.

About:  The Centre approved expenditure of Rs 748.08 crore for Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Maharashtra State Co-operative Cotton Growers Marketing Federation (MSCCGMFL) towards reimbursement of losses on sale of cotton procured under MSP operations during cotton years 2014-15 and 2015-16.  The Centre also approved an additional expenditure of Rs 312.93 crore for reimbursing the losses to CCI and MSCCGMFL on sale of cotton procured under minimum support price (MSP) operations during cotton years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The cotton year is from October to September.  The decisions were taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which also accorded ex-post facto approval for engaging Maharashtra State Co-operative Cotton Growers Marketing Federation Ltd (MSCCGMFL) to undertake MSP operations in the state of Maharashtra as sub-agent of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited during the cotton years 2017-18 and 2018- 19.  The approval will help in price support operations of cotton which helps in stabilizing cotton prices and is primarily aimed to safeguard the interests of the farmers and controlling any distress sale.

Minimum Support Price:  Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices.  The minimum support prices are announced by the Government of India at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).  MSP is price fixed by Government of India to protect the producer - farmers - against excessive fall in price during bumper production years. The minimum support prices are a guarantee price for their produce from the Government.

Crops covered under MSP:  Governmentannounces minimum support prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane.  The mandated crops are 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and two other commercial crops. In addition, the MSPs of toria and de-husked coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively.  The list of crops under this are as follows. o Cereals (7) - paddy, wheat, barley, jowar, bajra, maize and ragi o Pulses (5) - gram, arhar/tur, moong, urad and lentil o Oilseeds (8) - groundnut, rapeseed/mustard, toria, soyabean, sunflower seed, sesamum, safflower seed and nigerseed o Raw cotton o Raw jute o Copra o De-husked coconut o Sugarcane (Fair and remunerative price) o Virginia flu cured (VFC) tobacco

3.13CREDIT TO STATES ON FOOD GRAINS

Why in News? To cope with potential demand for higher quantities of food grain in the wake of a lockdown in several states and confinement of people at their homes because of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Centre announced supply of food grain to states for three months in credit from the Food Corporation of India.

Why does it matter?  To ensure adequate supply of food grains to the public and financially assist the state governments, department of expenditure has agreed to the Food & Public Distribution Department’s proposal that food grain for 3 months can be lifted by States/UTs on credit from FCI.

 This will ensure that the states do not face any cash constraint in distributing food to those in need. The measure to augment supply of food grains will help government check prices of grains in open market.  The actual lifting may not happen by states, except in NE region as storage, transportation and handling of the extra quantity is not that easy in this lockdown period.  Currently, the states deposit in advance (amount calculated at NFSA issue prices) with FCI for the grains allotted by food ministry.

Food Corporation of India (FCI)  The Food Corporation of India is an organization created and run by the Government of India and also run by state Governments.  It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.  Its top official is designated as Chairman. It was set up in 1965 with its Initial headquarters at Chennai. Later this was moved to New Delhi. Its first District Office was at Thanjavur – rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.  It was constituted to implement the following objectives of the National Food Policy : o Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the poor farmers. o Distribution of foodgrains throughout the country for Public Distribution System (PDS). o Maintaining a satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure National Food Security. o Regulate market price to provide foodgrains to consumers at a reliable price.

Add on: (On Contract Workers)  The finance ministry also announced that there won’t be any pay cut for contractual workers employed with central government ministries and departments if they don’t come to work due to the requirement to stay at home to check spread of coronavirus.  It would also apply to contractual workers in autonomous bodies and statutory entities, would be effective till April 30 and benefit 15 lakh workers.

3.14TOURISM SECTOR COMES TO HALT DUE TO COVID-19

Why in News? As 32 states and UTs of India have declared lockdown after nine deaths so far due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism sector has come to a standstill. Since the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic was China, the travel restrictions on Chinese nationals in India were announced days before the present lockdown was declared and it laid the foundation of the Indian tourism sector’s turmoil

Why does it matter?  The sector that provides employment to thousands of people in organised and unorganised sectors, with Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) of nearly $30 billion a year, has faced the direct impact of coronavirus scare.  Even before the lockdown, India hosted 72,000 fewer tourists in the month of February, according to the data provided by the Ministry of Tourism.  Tourism in India is primarily concentrated in five states that account for nearly 65 per cent of the country’s overall tourism. These states are Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Hence, these states may face the maximum negative impact of lockdown and travel restrictions.

How India has boosted tourism sector?  To boost tourism in the country, the government has extended the e-visa facility to 167 countries.  China stands third after the United Kingdom and the United States in availing e-tourist Visa facility to India. 2.29 lakh Chinese nationals availed e-tourist visa facility during 2019 to travel to India.  Meanwhile, India’s position in the world in terms of ITAs during 2017 was twenty-sixth, according to the figures of International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) compiled by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

UNWTO:  The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It was formed in the year 1974.  Its HQ is located in Madrid, Spain.  It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, which promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.  It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to maximize the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development, while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards eliminating poverty and fostering sustainable development and peace worldwide.  UNWTO’s membership includes 158 countries, 6 territories and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

3.15INVEST INDIA BUSINESS IMMUNITY PLATFORM

 Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched The Invest India Business Immunity Platform.  The platform, hosted on the Invest India website, is designed as a comprehensive resource to help businesses and investors get real-time updates on India’s active response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This dynamic and constantly updating platform keeps a regular track on developments with respect to the virus, provides latest information on various central and state government initiatives, gives access to special provisions, and answers and resolves queries through emails and on WhatsApp.  The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is the active platform for business issue redressal, operating 24/7, with a team of dedicated sector experts and responding to queries at the earliest.  Invest India has also announced a partnership with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) for responding and resolving queries for MSMEs.  This Business Immunity Platform shall help people get access to all the information they require while staying in their comfort of their homes. With this platform, Invest India aims to bring facilitation at your doorstep.

3.16RECAPITALIZATION OF REGIONAL RURAL BANKS

Why in News? The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval for continuation of the process of recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) by providing minimum regulatory capital to RRBs for another year beyond 2019-20, that is, up to 2020-21 for those RRBs which are unable to maintain minimum Capital to Risk weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 9%, as per the regulatory norms prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.

The CCEA also approved utilization of Rs.670 crore as central government share for the scheme of Recapitalization of RRBs (i.e. 50% of the total recapitalization support of Rs.1340 crore), subject to the condition that the release of Central Government’s share will be contingent upon the release of the proportionate share by the sponsor banks.

Background: 1. Consequent upon RBI’s decision to introduce disclosure norms for Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of RRBs with effect from March 2008, a committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty. 2. Based on the Committee’s recommendations, a Scheme for Recapitalization of RRBs was approved by the Cabinet in 2011 to provide recapitalization support as contingency fund to meet the requirement of the weak RRBs, particularly in the North Eastern and Eastern Region. 3. Based on the CRAR position of RRBs, as on 31st March of every year, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) identifies those RRBs, which require recapitalisation assistance to maintain the mandatory CRAR of 9%.

4. Post 2011, the scheme for recapitalization of RRBs was extended upto 2019-20 in a phased manner. So far, amount of Rs. 1,395.64 crore has been released to RRBs, upto 2019-20. 5. The Government has initiated structural consolidation of RRBs in three phase, thereby reducing the number of RRBs from 196 in 2005 to the present 45.

What are RRBs  RRB was set up by Regional Rural Banks Act of 1976. They are scheduled commercial banks operating at regional level in different states of India.  The area of operation of RRBs is limited to the areas notified by government of India. However, it has also set up its branches in urban areas as well.  RRBs are owned by Central Government, State Government and sponsored Bank at the ratio of 50:15:35 respectively. Presently SBI is the biggest sponsor of RRB’s.

Benefits  A financially stronger and robust Regional Rural Banks with improved CRAR will enable them to meet the credit requirement in the rural areas and semi-urban areas.  As per RBI guidelines, the RRBs have to provide 75% of their total credit under PSL (Priority Sector Lending). RRBs are primarily catering to the credit and banking requirements of agriculture sector and rural areas with focus on small and marginal farmers, micro & small enterprises, rural artisans and weaker sections of the society.  RRBs also provide lending to micro/small enterprises and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio CRAR also known as Capital adequacy Ratio, is the ratio of a bank's capital to its risk. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) is a measurement of a bank's available capital expressed as a percentage of a bank's risk-weighted credit exposures.

3.17ECONOMIC PACKAGE AGAINST COVID-19

Why in news? Finance Minister announces Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against Corona Virus.

Highlights:  Insurance cover of Rs 50 Lakh per health worker fighting COVID-19 to be provided under Insurance Scheme  80 crore poor people will to get 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month for the next three months  20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders to get Rs 500 per month for next three months

 Increase in MNREGA wage to Rs 202 a day from Rs 182 to benefit 13.62 crore families  An ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 to 3 crore poor senior citizen, poor widows and poor disabled  Government to front-load Rs 2,000 paid to farmers in first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 8.7 crore farmers  Central Government has given orders to State Governments to use Building and Construction Workers Welfare Fund to provide relief to Construction Workers

Components of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

 Insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19 in Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres, Safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered by a Special insurance Scheme.  Any health professional, who while treating Covid-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he/she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50 lakh under the scheme.  All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of Centre as well as States would be covered under this scheme. Approximately 22 lakh health workers would be provided insurance cover to fight this pandemic.

1. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

 For the next three months, 80 crore individuals, i.e, roughly two-thirds of India’s population would be covered under this scheme and provided foodgrains which is totally free of cost.  Each one of them would be provided double of their current entitlement over next three months.  Pulses of 1 kg per family would be provided according to regional preferences for next three months for free of cost.

2. Benefit to farmers:  The first installment of Rs 2,000 due in 2020-21 will be front-loaded and paid in April 2020 itself under the PM KISAN Yojana.  It would cover 8.7 crore farmers

3. Cash transfers to Poor  A total of 20.40 crores PMJDY women account-holders would be given an ex- gratia of Rs 500 per month for next three months.

4. Gas cylinders:  Under PMGKY, gas cylinders, free of cost, would be provided to 8 crore poor families for the next three months.

5. Help to low wage earners in organised sectors:  Wage-earnersbelow Rs 15,000 per month in businesses having less than 100 workers are at risk of losing their employment. Under this package, government proposes to pay 24 percent of their monthly wages into their PF accounts for next three months.

6. Support for senior citizens (above 60 years), widows and Divyang:  There are around 3 crore aged widows and people in Divyang category who are vulnerable. Government will give them Rs 1,000 to tide over difficulties during next three months.

7. MGNREGA  Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, MNREGA wages would be increased by Rs 20 with effect from 1 April, 2020. Wage increase under MNREGA will provide an additional Rs 2,000 benefit annually to a worker. It will benefit approximately 13.62 crore families.

8. Self-Help groups:  Women organised through 63 lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs) support 6.85 crore households. Limit of collateral free lending would be increased from Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakhs.

9. Organised Sector

 Employees’ Provident Fund Regulations will be amended to include Pandemic as the reason to allow non-refundable advance of 75 percent of the amount or three months of the wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts.  Families of four crore workers registered under EPF can take benefit of this window.

10. Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Fund:  Welfare Fund for Building and Other Constructions Workers has been created under a Central Government Act.  There are around 3.5 Crore registered workers in the Fund.  State Governments will be given directions to utilise this fund to provide assistance and support to these workers to protect them against economic disruptions.

District Mineral Fund The State Government will be asked to utilise the funds available under District Mineral Fund (DMF) for supplementing and augmenting facilities of medical testing, screening and other requirements in connection with preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic as well as treating the patients affected with this pandemic.

3.18PM CARES FUND

Context: To have a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like the current COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, the Union government has set up a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’.

About:  Prime Minister will be the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.  To donate to this fund citizens and organisations can go to the websitepmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES Fund.  Donations to PM Cares Fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G).  Citizens can also donate micro donations to PM Cares Fund. The PM-CARES Fund accepts micro-donations.  Contribution by corporates to PM-CARES Fund will be considered as social welfare spending under the companies’ law. The Corporate Affairs Ministry, which is implementing the companies law, has issued a memorandum clarifying that money donated by corporates to the fund would be considered as CSR expenditure.  Government has promulgated an ordinance and amended the provisions of the Income Tax Act to provide the same tax treatment to PM-CARES Fund as available to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

 The donation made to the PM CARES Fund shall be eligible for 100 per cent deduction under section 80G of the IT Act. Further, the limit on deduction of 10 per cent of gross income (as per 80G) shall also not be applicable for donation made to PM CARES Fund

What is 80G?  Section 80G of the I-T Act allows donations made to specified relief funds and charitable institutions as a deduction from gross total income before arriving at taxable income.  Deduction under Section 80G is limited to a maximum of 10% of the Gross Total Income. The balance income after deductions of donations would be taxable as per the income tax slabs of the taxpayer.  There are donations eligible for 100%, 50% deductions (of total deductions amount) which are subject to 10% of Adjusted Gross Total Income.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 1. The concept of CSR rests on the ideology of give and take. Companies take resources in the form of raw materials, human resources etc from the society. By performing the task of CSR activities, the companies are giving something back to the society. 2. Under the companies law, certain classes of profitable entities have to shell out at least 2% of their three-year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in a particular fiscal. 3. Section 135 of the Companies Act provides the threshold limit for applicability of the CSR to a Company i.e. a. net worth of the company to be Rs 500 crore or more b. turnover of the company to be Rs 1000 crore or more c. Net profit of the company to be Rs 5 crore or more.

3.19PAYMENT NORMS FOR DISCOMS RELAXED

Why in News? To assure uninterrupted power supply in the middle of the country-wide lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Union power ministry has relaxed payment norms for electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). The Central government has asked the state-run power generating companies such as NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) to not curtail supply to the states even if the discoms do not clear payments to them on time.

Why it matters?  The lockdown is seen to take a toll on the finances of the state-run discoms which are finding it difficult to continue meter reading exercises and collect payments from consumers. To make matters worse for discoms, their revenues are seen to decrease on account of lower usage by high paying consumers such as the railways, industrial and commercial users.  Though the household sector consumes more than a third of electricity supplies, it is cross-subsidised by industrial and commercial users of electricity.

Tariffs on domestic consumers is on an average around 40% lower than that for industrial users of power.

What is the measure?  The power ministry has also directed the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission to provide a moratorium of three months to discoms to make payments to power plants, and not to levy late payment surcharges.  State governments have been requested to issue similar directions to state power regulators.  Additionally, the quantum of advance payment that discoms need to furnish as security has been reduced to half till June 30.  The Union power ministry had implemented the letter of credit (LC) mechanism since August 2019, which made it mandatory for discoms to issue advance LCs worth the total value of power to be supplied. Now the LCs can be 50% of the worth of electricity.  The relaxation of the payment security norms is seen to hinder the gradual improvement recorded in the discoms’ payment discipline since the implementation of the LC mechanism. Without timely payment, the generating companies are not able to buy coal, which can be procured only on advance payment under Coal India Ltd’s cash and carry policy.

Letter of Credit (LC):  A letter of credit or "credit letter" is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. In the event that the buyer is unable to make a payment on the purchase, the bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount of the purchase.  Banks collect a fee for a letter of credit service, typically a percentage of the size of the letter of credit.

3.20SHIFT TO UPSCALING FOOD RATIONING NOW

Why in news? The burden of the current lockdown is borne disproportionately by the large unorganised workforce, comprising hundreds of millions of casual daily wage-workers and self-employed workers.  India already holds the record for the largest number of malnourished persons in the world. As their ability to purchase food diminishes, a growing population of working people and their families will soon enter a phase of hunger and undernourishment. The answer to this looming and very real scenario of food insecurity lies in a massive programme of food rationing.  To ensure that all people have access to adequate food in the midst of this unprecedented health and economic crisis with potentially high levels of mortality, we must immediately expand our food security system.

Lessons provided by the experience rationing in times of scarcity in United Kingdom

 In the United Kingdom in the 1940s, rationing or a policy of "fair shares" was introduced in a period of war and scarcity. Starting in 1939, each and every person was issued a ration book, with a weekly entitlement that could be collected at a local grocery store.  Rationing encompassed many commodities, starting with butter, bacon and sugar, and later augmented by eggs, biscuits, tinned food, meat, cereals, etc.  A remarkable outcome of the war years was, as Amartya Sen has demonstrated, a significant improvement in vital statistics including a rise in life expectancy and a decline in the mortality rate. Despite heavy war casualties and a decline in consumer expenditure per capita, life expectancy actually improved.  In the first six decades of the 20th century, the decade from 1941 to 1950 saw the largest increase in life expectancy in England and Wales.

Evolution of India’s rationing programme:  In India, the British introduced rationing in six cities in 1942, mainly to supply industrial workers with adequate food. Following demands from a strong political movement, Malabar became the first rural area to implement rationing in 1943.  In the mid-1960s, the system of rationing or the Public Distribution System (PDS) was made a national universal programme, which steadily expanded till 1991.  In the 1990s, the policies of liberalisation led to the withdrawal of universal rationing and its replacement by a policy of narrow targeting. Differential entitlements were provided for BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line) households.  In 2013, the landmark National Food Security Act (NFSA), ensured legal entitlement to rations and other food-based schemes (such as mid-day meals in schools).  Around 75% of rural households, and 50% of urban households, that is, a total of two-thirds of all households, were eligible for inclusion (now termed priority households) in the NFSA.  The implementation of the NFSA — notably the PDS, the Mid-day Meal Scheme, and the Integrated Child Development Services scheme — varies significantly across States; nevertheless, the infrastructure for distribution of food is in place in all parts of the country.

China's strategy 4. In China, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), a planning body, was the key coordinator along with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in ensuring supplies of basic foods and price stability to the poor, especially in Wuhan province, the epicentre of the current pandemic, which was under lockdown since January 23, 2020. 5. Key commodities were supplied to Wuhan through various institutions. This included 200 tonnes of rice, 50 tonnes of flour and noodles, and 300 tonnes of edible oils each day during the peak of the pandemic in February 2020.

6. The National Grain Trade Centre has to date supplied 155,000 tonnes of corn and 154,000 tonnes of soyabean to Wuhan. Special delivery trucks for transport of vegetables were arranged, and the local government organised open-air markets.

Initiative from states: 7. Kerala was the first State in India to announce a package with income support measures and in-kind measures including free rations of 15 kg (grain) and provision of cheap meals. 8. The government of Tamil Nadu announced free rations of rice, sugar, cooking oil and dal to all ration card holders. The supply of rations for unorganised workers is to be through Amma canteens. 9. The Delhi government will give 1.5 times existing entitlements at no cost to all ration card holders.

Key proposals: In India a system of expanded rations must have the following components.  For all rural households, free rations of rice and wheat at double the normal entitlement must be distributed. The current entitlement is about half the quantity of daily cereal intake recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research: the new quantities should be the actual minimum requirement per person per day.  The provision of rations must be universal: this is not the time to demarcate households by type of ration card or whether they have a ration card or by any form of biometrics. This upscaling is feasible as the country has stocks of 58 million tonnes of rice and wheat; and the wheat harvest is currently underway in north India.  For all rural households, additional rations of cooking oil, sugar, salt and lentils should be provided on a regular basis. Soap must also be included in this list. As supplies have to be arranged, the distribution could be weekly or fortnightly in order to ensure smooth availability.  Third, if milk, eggs and vegetables (or one or more of them) can be supplied, we can not only ensure basic food security at the time of a major health crisis, but actually address our burden of malnutrition.  For urban areas, we need a combination of provision of dry goods and of cooked food. All households with ration cards can be given the same entitlements as proposed for rural households.  For the vast numbers of workers and migrants in towns and cities, however, we must set up arrangements for preparation and delivery of cooked food. The large numbers of closed community kitchens (schools and colleges, company and office canteens, for example) and restaurant workers now sitting idle or laid off can be brought together to undertake a massive programme of provision of cooked meals at subsidised rates.  All the measures proposed must continue for at least three months, and be reviewed afterwards.

Conclusion: An imaginative massive exercise of expanded rations could not only provide succour in this pandemic but also bring in a policy shift that will help sustain a nourished and healthy population.

3.21GOVERNMENT ALLOWS WITHDRAWAL OF EPF

Why in news? The Labour Ministry has allowed over 6 crore subscribers of retirement fund body EPFO to withdraw an amount not exceeding their three months basic pay and dearness allowance from their EPF account in view of the lockdown to fight COVID-19.

About: 10. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced online claim settlement facility without manual intervention for all KYC complaint subscribers during the lockdown. 11. The notification permitted non-refundable withdrawal not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowance for three months or up to 75 per cent of the amount standing to the credit of their EPF account, whichever is less. 12. Following the notification, EPFO has issued directions to its field offices for promptly processing any applications received from members to help them fight the situation. 13. IT (information technology) division of the EPFO has devised a system of auto settlement of claims through centralized server in respect of all such members whose KYC (know your customer) data is fully updated and compliant.

Why it matters? 14. The COVID-19 has been declared pandemic and therefore employees working in establishments and factories across entire India, who are members of the EPF Scheme, 1952 are eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance. 15. In its communication, EPFO has stated that officers and staff must process claims of EPF subscribers promptly so that relief reaches the worker and his family to help them fight with COVID-19.

EPFO:  The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is an organization tasked to assist theCentral Board of Trustees, Employees' Provident Fund a statutory body formed by the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.  It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. 16. EPFO assists the Central Board in administering a compulsory contributory Provident Fund Scheme, a Pension Scheme and an Insurance Scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.

17. It is also the nodal agency for implementing Bilateral Social Security Agreements with other countries on a reciprocal basis. The schemes cover Indian workers as well as International workers (for countries with which bilateral agreements have been signed. 18. The EPFO's apex decision making body is the Centrald of Trustees (CBT). 19. In 2014, GOI launched Universal Account Number (UAN) for Employees covered by EPFO to enable PF number portability.

3.22TIME TO ISSUE CORONA BONDS?

Context: With the 21-day lockdown expected to shave 4% off FY21 GDP and economists forecasting a 0.5-3% growth, it is clear the government needs to do all the heavy-lifting. RBI can start subscribing to bonds in the primary market, the practice which was discontinued as it amounted to automatic monetising of the deficit.

How to issue these bonds? Under FRBM Act,  Section 5: Borrowing from Reserve Bank. 1. The Central Government shall not borrow from the Reserve Bank. (3)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Reserve Bank may subscribe to the primary issues of Central Government Securities due to ground or grounds specified in the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 4.  Section 4 (2): the Act provides that exceeding annual fiscal deficit target due to ground or grounds of national security, act of war, national calamity, collapse of agriculture severely affecting farm output and incomes, structural reforms in the economy with unanticipated fiscal implications, decline in real output growth of a quarter by at least three per cent points below its average of the previous four quarters,may be allowed for the purposes of this section. (Escape Clause)

Implications:  Announcing a Corona Bond which RBI can subscribe to in the primary market, on one hand, will allow the government to raise funds while, at the same time, making it clear that this is a one-off to deal with extenuating circumstances.  The slippage in revenues could be at least 2-2.5% of GDP, or roughly Rs 4 lakh crore which can be compensated by issue of these bonds. The government may need to pump in close to Rs 4 lakh crore to take care of welfare schemes for the under-privileged and reboot the economy.

(More about Escape Clause: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/02/18/daily-current- affairs-feb-17/ )

3.23 MBiT INDEX 2019

Nokia Mobile Broadband India Traffic Index (MBiT) is a report on mobile broadband performance in India. It aims to provide valuable insight, data and analysis on mobile broadband and traffic growth in India, by co-relating these trends with various demand and supply-side drivers of the connectivity ecosystem such as handsets and devices, content, subscriber usage patterns and network investments by mobile operators.

Findings:  Overall data traffic in India increased purely on the back of exponential increase in 4G consumption, while 3G data traffic decreased in 2018 with 2G being negligible.  4G constituted 92% of total data traffic consumed across the country; Category B circles witnessed the highest increase in 4G payload.  Overall average data usage per month registered a growth rate of 69% in 2018 with average data usage per month reaching ~10GB in Dec 2018.  Driven by migration of data users from 3G to 4G devices, 3G and 4G device base grew 1.2 times and 1.5 times respectively; VoLTE handsets grew to 277 Million.  Surge in video consumption has been led by cheaper data plans coupled with unlimited video streaming packages and the emergence of regional OTT apps.  5G use cases in the field of manufacturing, utilities, public safety and healthcare could drive the adoption of 5G across industries in India.  According to the study, India data traffic recorded a growth of 44 times in the last four years (2015-19), which is one of the highest in the world. The number of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) smartphones grew to 43.2 crore, while broadband penetration is at 47 percent, significantly lower than China's 95 percent and other European nations at 95-115 percent.

It analyses mobile broadband traffic trends only at a consolidated level and does not intend to provide any comparative analysis of data growth of different operators.

3.24 MARKET INTELLIGENCE AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (MIEWS) PORTAL

Why in news? Union Minister of Food Processing Industries launched the– Market Intelligence and Early Warning System (MIEWS) Web Portal - http://miews.nafed-india.com.

About:  MIEWS Dashboard and Portal is a 'first-of-its-kind' platform for 'real-time monitoring' of prices of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) and for simultaneously generating alerts for intervention under the terms of the Operation Greens (OG) scheme.  The portal would disseminate all relevant information related to TOP crops such as Prices and Arrivals, Area, Yield and Production, Imports and Exports, Crop Calendars, Crop Agronomy, etc in an easy to use visual format.

 As per the terms of the OG Scheme, during a glut situation, evacuation of surplus production from producing areas to consumption centers will be undertaken as determined by the following: o When the prices fall below preceding 3 years' average market price at the time of harvest; o When the prices fall more than 50% compared to last year's market price at the time of harvest; o When the prices fall less than the benchmark, if any, fixed by the State / Central Government for a specified period.  MIEWS system is designed to provide advisories to farmers to avoid cyclical production as well as an early warning in situations of gluts. For decision makers, the MIEWS system will help in o Monitoring of supply situation for timely market intervention. o Assist in rapid response in times of glut to move produce from glut regions to deficit/consuming regions. o Providing inputs for export/import decision making.

The salient features of the MIEWS portal include:  A dashboard that would indicate low price and high price alerts as well as price forecasts for 3 month forward.  Prices and arrivals of TOP crops across the country including interactive charts and comparisons with previous seasons.  Area, Yield and Production of TOP crops.  Crop Agronomy and Trade Profile of each of the TOP crops.  Regular and special reports on the market situation of the TOP crops.

3.25 PURCHASING MANAGERS' INDEX (PMI)

Why in News? The country’s manufacturing sector activity eased in February from a near eight-year high in the previous month (January at 55.3) and business sentiment took a hit amid the impact of coronavirus outbreak on exports and supply chains, reported by monthly Survey of PMI. PMI Index:  It is an index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors. It consists of a diffusion index that summarizes whether market conditions, as viewed by purchasing managers, are expanding, staying the same, or contracting.  The PMI is based on a monthly survey of supply chain managers across 19 industries, covering both upstream and downstream activity.  The three principal producers of PMIs are, o Institute for Supply Management(ISM), which originated the manufacturing and non-manufacturing metrics and which produces them for the United States. o Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) which produces the Singapore PMI

o IHS Markit Group, which produces metrics based on ISM's work for over 30 countries worldwide including India.  This is the 31st consecutive month that the manufacturing PMI has remained above the 50-point mark (54.5 in February).  In PMI parlance score above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.

3.26 JUNKING MINIMUM BALANCE REQUIREMENT

Why in news? SBI, the largest public sector bank, has announced that account holders will no longer be required to hold a minimum balance.

Why it matters?  To makebanking services cheaper for the masses Government made easy path by slashing charges from the customers’ accounts for non-maintenance of minimum balance. With that condition gone, the penalty that the bank used to charge for breach also goes. The bank has alsowaived off SMS charges.  Few months’ earlier government has pushed banks to bear offering UPI services free to users by removing the MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) charges.  These are all services where the bank incurs a cost that was being passed on to users who could afford it. Given SBI’s reach in the country’s financial system, any bank that wishes to compete—be it private sector or public—will have to follow suit. This means, with banks having to bear the cost of services, very low-balance accounts could even be deprioritised for services.  SBI has reduced interests on savings accounts to 3%, and the lower interest burden may help defray service costs. But, the reduced interest rate may also disincentivise savings, and thus compound the problem of very-low balance accounts.  Despite MDR costs, UPI picked up because of incentives, and better customer experience. If the government wants this momentum to sustain, it must think of innovative ways to lower the costs for banks.

3.27 NCLAT

Why in News? Abench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) is being constituted in Chennai to handle matters arising from Southern states. The government has notified the constitution of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Chennai Bench, which will come into effect from March 18, 2020.

NCLAT:  The NCLAT was constituted under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013 for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT), with effect from June 1, 2016.

 It is also appellate tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by NCLT under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).Besides, it is also the Appellate Tribunal to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction issued or decision made or order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).  The Chennai-based bench would hear the appeals against the orders of the benches of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) having jurisdiction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.  The Bench of the NCLAT at New Delhi shall be known as the Principal Bench of the NCLAT which shall continue to hear appeals other than those in the jurisdiction of Chennai Bench of the NCLAT.

(To know more about CCI, IBC Code and NCLT December and January Current Affairs Documents)

3.28 RBI RATE CUTS AND LOAN MORATORIUM

Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened up the liquidity floodgates for banks even as it reduced the key interest rate sharply by 75 bps and allowed equated monthly instalments (EMIs) to be deferred by three months in a move to fight the economic impact of the countrywide lockdown to check the spread of novel coronavirus. The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which was scheduled for March 31 and April 1 & 3, was advanced to March 27 due to the unprecedented crisis.

What did RBI do?  The repo rate was reduced to by 75 bps to 4.4% while the reverse repo rate was cut by 90 bps point to 4% - 15bps more than normal phenomenon. The higher reduction in the reverse repo rate was aimed at prompting banks to lend more rather than keeping their excess liquidity with the RBI.  Consequently the Marginal Standing Facility rate (banks to borrow from RBI over and above repo rate at penal charges – usually 25bps more than repo rate) was reduced to 4.65%.  RBI has also allowed banks to defer payment of EMIs on home, car, personal loans as well as credit card dues for three months till May 31. Since non- payment will not lead to non-performing asset classification by banks, there will be no impact on credit score of the borrowers.  The minimum daily requirement of maintaining CRR balance has also been reduced to 80% from 90%, from March 28, 2020 to June 26, 2020  Banks do not earn any interest for maintaining CRR balance. With this reduction, they can deploy the liquidity in interest-earning assets.  RBI also increased liquidity available to banks under the marginal standing facility from 2% of the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) to 3% with immediate effect. This measure will be applicable up to June 30, 2020.  Observing that large sell-offs in the domestic equity, bond and forex markets had intensified redemption pressures, the central bank decided to infuse Rs 1 lakh

crore through targeted long-term repo operations (TLTRO). This repo operation at policy rate injects supply of money to the economy for a longer period of time by accepting government securities which has tenure of more than one year (1-3 years).

How to infuse Rs 3.74 lakh crore into the banking system?  Bulk deposit rates were reduced by 50 bps to 100 bps across tenors.  The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) requirement by 100 bps, increased the cap for liquidity available under the marginal standing facility. The cash reserve ratio — the proportion of liabilities which a bank has to set aside as cash — has been reduced from 4% to 3%. The 100 bps reduction in CRR will free up Rs 1.37 lakh crore liquidity for the banks.  It auction long-term repo operations of Rs 1 lakh crore.

Consequences:  Together with the Rs 2.8•lakh crore pumped in through various market interventions since February, the RBI’s liquidity injection amounts to a whopping 3.4% of GDP including Rs 3.74 lakh crore of liquidity measure. To be sure, there will be consequences of heightened liquidity but that is a problem for another day.  The moratorium on term loans and deferment of interest on working capital loans will reduce anxiety among businesses and individuals who will see a fall in income/cash flows.  The central bank has also done the right thing by widening the policy rate corridor — the reverse repo rate cut is 15 basis points more than that in the repo rate. This will hopefully push banks away from their ‘lazy banking’ practices and force them to lend more.

3.29 DEBT EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Why in News? The Budget announcement for G-Secs issuances through Debt Exchange Traded Fund route will be operationalized in second half of 2020-21.

About:  Debt Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are simple investment products that allow the investors to take an exposure to the fixed income securities.  These debt ETFs combine the benefits of debt investments with the flexibility of stock investment and the simplicity of mutual funds.  These Debt ETFs trade on the cash market of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), like any other company stock, and can be bought and sold continuously at live market prices.  Debt ETFs are passive investment instruments that are based on indices and invest in securities in same proportion as the underlying index. Because of its index mirroring property, there is a complete transparency on the holdings of an ETF.

 Further due to its unique structure and creation mechanism, the ETFs have much lower expense ratios as compared to mutual funds.

What is an ETF?  An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a type of security that involves a collection of securities—such as stocks—that often tracks an underlying index, although they can invest in any number of industry sectors or use various strategies.  ETFs are in many ways similar to mutual funds; however, they are listed on exchanges and ETF shares trade throughout the day just like ordinary stock.

3.30 STAR LABELING PROGRAMME

The Star Labeling Programme has been formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), as part of its mandate, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

About:  Under this Programme, BEE has covered 24 appliances till date wherein 10 appliances are under mandatory regime. On the occasion of 19th foundation day, BEE has expanded the coverage by including Energy Efficient “Deep Freezers” and “Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC)”.  The Star Labeling Programme for Deep Freezer has been launched on a voluntary basis and the energy consumption standards will be effective up to 31st December 2021. Thereafter it will be made mandatory.  The performance benchmarks/ energy consumption standards are based on Annual Energy Consumption (kWh/year) of Deep Freezers.  This initiative is expected to save around 6.2 Billion Units by FY2030, which is equivalent to Green House Gas (GHG) reduction of 5.3-million-ton of Carbon Dioxide.  LCAC (Light Commercial Air Conditioners) is split ACs having cooling capacities in excess of 10.5kW and upto 18.0 kW. The existing BEE star labeling program for Air Conditioners is based on cooling capacities upto 10.5kW.

Add On: Urja Dakshata Information Tool (UDIT) (www.udit.beeindia.gov.in)  First ever initiative taken by BEE with World Resources Institute (WRI), to facilitate a database on energy efficiency.  UDIT is a user-friendly platform that explains the energy efficiency landscape of India across industry, appliances, building, transport, municipal and agriculture sectors.  UDIT will also showcase the capacity building and new initiatives taken up by the Government across the sectors in the increase energy efficiency domain.

Importance: Energy Efficiency has the maximum GHG abatement potential of around 51% followed by renewables (32%), biofuels (1%), nuclear (8%), carbon capture and storage (8%) as per the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2010). India can avoid building 300 GW of new power

generation up to 2040 with implementation of ambitious energy efficiency policies (IEA – India 2020).

3.31 PROJECT MONITORING GROUP (PMG), INVEST INDIA

The Project Monitoring Group (PMG), Invest India is an institutional mechanism for the expedited resolution of issues and regulatory bottlenecks in projects with investments upward Rs. 500 Crores in India.

About:  It was setup in 2013 under Special Cell, Cabinet Secretariat. Currently it is situated at Invest India, Department of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce.  The PMG seeks to enlist the unresolved project issues in respect of all mid and large sized Public, Private and 'Public–Private Partnership' (PPP) Projects and takes up fast-tracking of approvals, sectoral policy issues and removal of bottlenecks in expeditious commissioning.  There are several projects from key sectors for which the PMG undertakes issue resolution. The projects are largely from the infrastructural nature; however PMG accepts projects from all sectors, as long as they meet the threshold requirement. These projects typically emanate from sectors such as: o Road Transport & Highways, Railways, Civil Aviation o Inland Waterways, Ports and Shipping o Chemicals, Fertilizers and Petrochemicals o Power, Coal and Mines o Cement, Construction and Steel o Urban Development, Health and Family Welfare o Textiles o Tourism, Telecommunication and IT Services  It has till date resolved more than 3500 issues in 809 projects and has unlocked anticipated financial investment of more than Rs 32 lakh crores. At the moment, PMG and Invest India are handling 588 issues in 260 projects, with total anticipated investment of Rs 10 lakh crore.

3.32 FISCAL SLIPPAGE

Meaning? Fiscal slippage in simple terms is any deviation in expenditure from the expected. Fiscal Slippage refers to the difference between the expected expenditure of a budget estimate to the expenditure at which the budget is executed.

On a larger level, say the central government when the government's expenditure surpasses the expected or estimated levels it is the fiscal slippage threat that the country then reels in.

Difference between Fiscal Slippage and Fiscal Deficit Fiscal Deficit in comparison to fiscal Slippage is a broader term. The measure provides a broader outlook than the slippage. Slippage doesn’t take into account any kind of borrowings. For Example, if the government had failed to maintain fiscal deficit at 3.3% of GDP and had slipped to 3.4% in the fiscal year ending March 2020, so this slippage of 0.1% from 3.3% to 3.4% is known as fiscal slippage. Fiscal Deficit is the difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government. It is an indication of the total borrowings needed by the government. While calculating the total revenue, borrowings are not included.

Fiscal Deficit = (Total Expenditure – Total Revenue) + Borrowings

3.33 D-SIB & G-SIB

Background: SBI, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank continue to be identified as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), under the same bucketing structure

Domestic – Systematically Important banks (d-sib)  D-SIB means that the bank is too big to fail.  According to the RBI, some banks become systemically important due to their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity and lack of substitute and interconnection. Banks whose assets exceed 2% of GDP are considered part of this group.  The RBI stated that if such a bank fails, there would be significant disruption to the essential services they provide to the banking system and the overall economy.  The too-big-to-fail tag also indicates that in case of distress, the government is expected to support these banks. Due to this perception, these banks enjoy certain advantages in funding. It also means that these banks have a different set of policy measures regarding systemic risks and moral hazard issues.  The concept of D-SIB emerged after the global financial crisis. Whether your bank is in the D-SIB list or not, your fixed deposits are insured up to Rs1 lakh under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). This means, in case of default, DICGC will pay you up to Rs1 lakh. Also, so far, there hasn’t been an incident where the government has not rescued depositors during a crisis in commercial banks. The government has also come to the rescue of large co-operative banks.  The Reserve Bank had issued the Framework for dealing with Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) on July 22, 2014. 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 has to be applied to it.

 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 i.e. additional CET1 buffer prescribed by the home regulator (amount) multiplied by India RWA as per consolidated global Group books divided by Total consolidated global Group RWA.  Further the D-SIB framework requires that “The assessment methodology for assessing the systemic importance of banks and identifying D-SIBs will be reviewed on a regular basis. However, this review will be at least once in three years.” Current review and analysis of cross country practices do not warrant any change in the extant framework at present.

Bucket Banks Additional Common Equity Tier 1 requirement applicable from April 1, 2019 5 - 1% 4 - 0.80% 3 State Bank of India 0.60% 2 - 0.40% 1 ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank 0.20%

G-SIB (Global - Systematically Important Banks)  A global systemically important bank is bank whose systemic risk profile is deemed to be of such importance that the bank’s failure would trigger a wider financial crisis and threaten the global economy.  The Financial Stability Board (FSB), in consultation with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and national authorities, has identified global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) since 2011.  The list of G-SIBs is divided into ‘buckets’ corresponding to required level of additional loss absorbency. The list of G-SIBs is updated annually each November, together with information on the application of policy measures to G- SIBs under the integrated set of policy measures to address the systemic and moral hazard risks associated with systemically important financial institutions published by the FSB in 2011.

Systemically Important NBFCs NBFCs whose asset size are of Rs 500 Cr or more as per last audited balance sheet are considered as systemically important NBFCs. The rationale for such classification is that the activities of such NBFCs will have a bearing on the financial stability of the overall economy.

3.34 SAMRUDHI-ODISHA’s NEW AGRI-POLICY

Context Odisha’s agricultural GDP has nearly doubled in real terms between 2002 and 2016. It has clocked an average annual growth rate of about 4.5%, compared to an all-India average of 3.1%. The average income of an Odisha farmer grew at a CAGR of 8.4%,

compared to the all- India average of 3.7%. Farmer incomes in Odisha grew the fastest in the country, even faster than the growth in agricultural GDP, indicating an orientation towards improving farmer income. However, there have been challenges.

New Agri-Policy  To accelerate the growth trend set by previous policies, the state government launched its new State Agricultural Policy (SAP) 2020-SAMRUDHI—focused on the social and economic well-being of farmers, sharecroppers and landless agriculture households.  It aims to actualise the untapped potential of agriculture, while ensuring growth process is environmentally, economically and technologically inclusive. SAMRUDHI is based on an 8-pillar strategy focused on simultaneous reforms.  The policy lays emphasis on diversification, market linkages and use of technology. The policy also identifies and suggests mechanisms to orient governance reforms towards farmer-centricity, which is in alignment with the flagship programmes - “5T”(aim to ensure better service delivery to public in Higher Education sector) and “Mo Sarkar” (initiative attempts to bring in professionalism and behavioral change in public offices through a direct random feedback system from citizens.).  The policy recommends the creation of agriculture production clusters. It paves the way for the creation of an agro-ecological map, which will help in identify an ideal cropping pattern. The policy also suggests that these clusters should be linked to the market aggressively by removing all the existing barriers. Innovative market reforms like the eNAM portal, Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAM), creation of market information system for disseminating current and forecasted prices have been laid down in SAMRUDHI.  Special focus has been given to the adoption of model acts like the Model Contract Farming Act, etc, with suitable changes necessary for the implementation in Odisha. The policy also emphasises development of warehousing and quality testing infrastructure for better marketing of the crops.  Through data analysis, it was found that livestock and fisheries have contributed the most to the growth of farmer incomes. SAMRUDHI provides recommendations for developing these. It includes elements like protection of animals from diseases, artificial insemination, conservation of indigenous species and encouraging the private sector to create value chains. For fisheries, the focus is on the promotion of inland fisheries and digitization of Odisha’s assets like ponds and lakes.  The imprints of technology are increasing in agriculture with major advancements in data science (machine learning, artificial intelligence etc.), remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), etc. The agriculture policy pushes for widespread usage and adoption of new-age technology to increase the quality of farming and farm products.  The process followed for the creation of SAMRUDHI has been participative with the involvement of various government departments, policy experts, NGOs working within Odisha and outside it.  To create the policy, relevant data for the last 15 years was analyzed and specific opportunity areas for policy interventions were identified. This policy is a time- bound, action-oriented document which clearly lists outcome targets the state

should achieve over the next five years. As such, Odisha has publicly declared the targets the government should achieve within a specific time frame.

3.35 SOME IMPORTANT INITIATIVES OF MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

3.35.1 MCA-21 It is an end-to-end holistic e-Governance project which has been running successfully and has enabled the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to achieve very high standards of service delivery, besides providing the Government with a comprehensive National Corporate Information Database. MCA21 system is also integrated with registration of EPFO, ESIC, GST, PAN and TAN at the time of incorporation of companies.

3.35.2 “RESERVE UNIQUE NAME” (RUN) It is a web service facility for name reservation for companies & LLPs which dispenses with the need for filing a detailed six page application form, (erstwhile e-form INC-1) and replaces it with a simple web service wherein only three fields are required to be filed after login.

3.35.3 Central Registration Center (CRC) A Central Registration Centre is been set up at Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Manesar, Haryana for processing applications for name reservation and incorporation of companies & Limited Liability Partnership(LLPs), within 1-2 days as opposed to an average of an average of at least 15 days earlier.

3.36 SOME TERMS IN ECONOMICS

3.36.1 DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION TAX The Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) is a tax levied on dividends that a company pays to its shareholders out of its profits. The Dividend Distribution Tax, or DDT, is taxable at source, and is deducted at the time of the company distributing dividends.

Dividend: A dividend is the distribution of reward from a portion of the company's earnings (profits) and is paid to a class of its shareholders.

DDT Provisions in India:  The government in the recent Budget has abolished DDT and now it has to be paid by the shareholders (the receiver of dividend) instead of the dividend distributing company (the payer of dividend). The dividend will be taxed as the income earned by the investor (tax payer) along with his other incomes.

 The Finance Bill 2020 presented alongside the Union Budget on February 1, 2020 abolished the imposition of Dividend Distribution Tax w.e.f. FY 2020-21.

3.36.2 VIX INDEX- INDIA

Volatility Index (VIX) is a measure of market’s expectation of volatility over the near term.  Volatility is often described as the “rate and magnitude of changes in prices" and in finance often referred to as risk.  Volatility Index is a measure, of the amount by which an underlying Index is expected to fluctuate, in the near term, (calculated as annualised volatility, denoted in percentage e.g. 20%) based on the order book of the underlying index options.  “VIX” is a trademark of Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated ("CBOE") and Standard & Poor’s has granted a license to NSE, with permission from CBOE, to use such mark in the name of the India VIX and for purposes relating to the India VIX.

3.236.3 BEAR AND BULL MARKETS

The terms bull and bear market are used to describe how stock markets are doing in general—that is, whether they are appreciating or depreciating in value. At the same time, because the market is determined by investors' attitudes, these terms also denote how investors feel about the market and the ensuing trends.

Bull Market A bull market refers to a market that is on the rise. It is typified by a sustained increase in price, for example in equity markets in the prices of companies' shares. In such times, investors often have faith that the uptrend will continue over the long term. Typically, in this scenario, the country's economy is strong and employment levels are high.

Bear Market A bear market is one that is in decline. Share prices are continuously dropping, resulting in a downward trend that investors believe will continue, which, in turn, perpetuates the downward spiral. During a bear market, the economy will typically slow down and unemployment will rise as companies begin laying off workers.

3.36.4 BLUE CHIP COMPANY

A blue chip company is a nationally recognized, well-established, and financially sound company.

 Blue chips generally sell high-quality, widely accepted products and services. Blue chip companies are known to weather downturns and operate profitably in the face of adverse economic conditions, which helps to contribute to their long record of stable and reliable growth.  The term 'blue chip' originates from the round of poker where the blue betting chips hold the most noteworthy incentive on the table.  During recessionary periods, a blue-chip organization is regularly less affected to unfavorable financial conditions.  Some of the Blue chip companies in India are, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, SBI etc.

3.36.5 ANCHOR INVESTOR: Anchor Investors are institutional investors like sovereign wealth funds, mutual funds and pension funds that are invited to subscribe for shares ahead of the IPO(Initial Public Offering) to boost the popularity of the issue and provide confidence to potential IPO investors. The benefit for institutional investors applying in anchor quota is that they get guaranteed allotment. Anchor Investors, however, cannot sell their shares for a period of30 days from the date of allotment as against IPO holders who can sell on listing day (that is on the day of the trade itself) Globally they are also called as Cornerstone Investors

For Example: Recently SBI Cards and Payment Services has allotted Rs.2,769 crores in shares to anchor investors like Government of Singapore, HDFC Mutual Fund, Goldman Sachs, etc. The IPO which gets boosted with these anchor investors is open to the public 2 days from then.

4. ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

4.1 FLAGSHIP MARSHLAND SPECIES

Why in news? 3 flagship marshland species found in Odisha's Chilika Lake – Fishing cat, Smooth- coated otter and Eurasian otter.

 The Fishing Cat Project recently found the presence of the fishing cat in India’s oldest Ramsar site, Odisha’s Chilika lake. It is the only wetland cat in India.  By-catch data from the project survey also revealed the presence of two otter species here — smooth-coated otter and Eurasian otter  The fishing cat is ‘Vulnerable’ according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. So is the smooth-coated otter. The Eurasian otter is ‘Near Threatened’.  All three are facing threats of habitat loss and especially the loss of wetland vegetation throughout the world.  At present, the Irrawady dolphin and migratory birds are the focus of research and management interventions in Chilika. The Irrawady dolphin signifies deep waters.

About Fishing Cat  It is a globally endangered species that in elusive and found in very few places in South and South-East Asia.  This fishing cat hunts in water.  It has specialized features like – partially webbed feet and water resistant fur that helps it to thrive in wetlands.  The ﬂat-headed cat of south•east Asia is the only other feline (relating to cats or other members of the cat family) that shares similar features. This makes them unique among all 39 extant cat species. Another globally endangered species, smooth•coated otter, both the species are supposed to enjoy conservation measures of the highest accord in India, much like the tiger and elephant.

The study has also recorded presence of Eurasian otter in Chilika. “This is significant. Despite being a widely•spread and common species globally, very little is known of the species distribution and abundance in India and especially along eastern coast,” The project was a collaborative eﬀ ort between 1) The Fishing Cat Project 2) Chilika Development Authority, 3)Wild Orissa, 4)Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samity 5) Chilika Wildlife Division, Forest Department of Odisha Further steps : Science and conservation efforts by initiating a census on ﬁshing cats this year in collaboration with TFCP.

What are extant species? Study of the species, genera, families with members still alive.

4.2 WILD GAUR

Why in news? Gaur (BosGaurus), the largest extant bovine in the world, have not only returned to Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), but are also breeding there due to an increase in grassland cover, officials have said.

 Gaur have been attracted to VTR due to the increase in grassland cover.  Gaur are grassland specialists and their main food is grass.  The species is listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species since 1986.  It is herbivores, which big cats such as tigers prey on, depend on such grassland.  An increase in their cover thus helps in supporting the prey population, in turn increasing the chances of the carnivores’ survival.

About Valmiki Tiger Reserve VTR was set up in the early 1990s. It is spread over 899 square kilometres in Bihar’s West Champaran district, bordering Nepal’s Chitwan National Park to its north and Uttar Pradesh to its west.

4.3 CONSERVATION OF VULTURE

Why in news? The South India Vulture Conservation Group has come up with a blueprint for the conservation of vulture population in five South Indian States, which are home to six of the nine vultures species found in the country.  Strategies discussed included a plan for a synchronously coordinated survey in five States, need to press the governments to restrict availability of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) for veterinary use and to create a vulture safe zone in each south Indian State.  Out of nine vulture species in India, four namely — white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, slender-billed vulture and red-headed vulture — are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and all are in the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, the highest category of endangerment.  Except slender-billed vulture, the three other critically endangered species are found in the Moyar valley in the Nilgiris, whose population has seen a slight increase.  NSAIDs had wiped out about 90 % of vulture population and disposal of cattle waste in forest peripheries was still rampant. It has appealed to the Forest Department that National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines should be implemented for carcass disposal by not burying or burning it.

4.4 WHITE GIRAFFE

Why in news? Poachers have killed 2 extremely rare white giraffe in northeast Kenya, leaving just one such animal in the world.  The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had classified giraffes as vulnerable in the Red List in December 2016, when it noted that their population had dropped by over 40 percent since 1985.  The white appearance of the giraffe is due to leucism, a genetic condition that causes skin cells to have no pigmentation.  The condition leucism, which leads to the white colour of these giraffes, is different from albinism, because of which animals lack melanin throughout their body.  Leucism, on the other hand, is partial and leads to pale or patchy colouration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticles, but not the eyes

4.5 MULTI-CRORE TOURISM VILLA PROJECT IN LAKSHADWEEP

Why in news? An ambitious multi-crore project has been proposed by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Home Affairs involving constructing of beach and water villas offering 370 rooms on Lakshadweep’s fragile lagoons posing great threats to inshore reefs and underwater grasslands.  More than 30 universities and research institutes urged the Lakshadweep administration to reconsider the project, fearing the possible ecological impact it could have on the islands’ sensitive lagoons and beaches.  In the 36-island archipelago of the Lakshadweep, this proposal has been earmarked for the islands of Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli.  The vision appears straightforward and grand: create job opportunities for locals, and world-class, ‘Maldives-like’, carbon-neutral tourism facilities that will also give India its first-ever water villas.

What ecological impact it may pose?  The shallow lagoons are protected from the open sea by an outer coral reef; this reduces the impact of wave action, preventing beach erosion and protecting the islands’ limited freshwater supply.  The healthy seagrass meadows in lagoons, crucial nurseries for many reef fish, also have high soil-binding capacities.  Human activity, such as construction, is bound to impact the lagoon’s corals which act as 'insurance sites'.  Lagoon fish are also the backbone of Lakshadweep’s famous sustainable and indigenous tuna fishery industry.  In Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for instance, studies show how inshore corals can confuse microplastics for food and these microscopic pieces then get embedded in coral structures, impacting their health.

4.6 PAKKE/PAKHUI TIGER RESERVE

Why in news? The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to “keep in abeyance” the survey work for a road through the Pakke Tiger Reserve .  The project had attracted criticism from wildlife activists, film personalities and political leaders.  A 40km stretch of the ‘East-West Industrial Corridor’ road proposed to connect Seijosa in Pakke Kessang district and Bhalukpong in West Kameng district of the State passes through PTR, a biodiversity hotspot of the Eastern Himalayas.  The CM said “We cannot afford to destroy our planet’s natural wealth. All survey work for the proposed road through PTR is kept in abeyance following an initial review meeting with the Chief Secretary, and Commissioner-Public Works Department (PWD)”.

4.7 BLACK CARBON LEVELS SPIKE IN HIMALAYAN GLACIERS

Why in news? Black carbon concentrations near the Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricultural waste, and triggered glacial melt, says a study by scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG).  Black carbon results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. The fine particles absorb light and about a million times more energy than carbon dioxide. It is said to be the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2  But unlike CO2, which can stay in the atmosphere for years together, black carbon is short-lived and remains in the atmosphere only for days to weeks before it descends as rain or snow.  India is the second largest emitter of black carbon in the world, with emissions expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades  Black carbon absorbs solar energy and warms the atmosphere. When it falls to earth with precipitation, it darkens the surface of snow and ice, reducing their albedo (the reflecting power of a surface), warming the snow, and hastening melting.

4.8 SNOW IN ANTARCTICA IS TURNING BLOOD-RED

Why in news? Snow around Ukraine's Vernadsky Research Base, located off the coast of Antarctica's northernmost peninsula, has started to take on a red tinge, courtesy of an algae that thrives in freezing weather. Because of the red tinge, the snow is often dubbed "watermelon snow".  The red snow raises concerns about the rate at which the glaciers will melt away and eventually affect sea-level rise.  According to a 2016 report in The New York Times, such algae as found around the Ukrainian research base grow well in freezing temperatures and liquid water. During the summer, when these typically green algae get a lot of sun, they start producing a natural sunscreen that paints the snow in shades of pink and red.  The algae produce the tinted sunscreen to keep themselves warm. The report mentions that because the snow becomes darker from the tinge, it absorbs more heat, as a result of which it melts faster.  These algae, that are not uncommon in other polar settings around the world, change the snow's albedo, which refers to the amount of light or radiation the snow surface is able to reflect back.

4.9 UPDATED CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES LIST OF INDIA

With new additions to the wildlife list put out by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), scientists say that the total number of migratory fauna from India comes to 457 species. Birds comprise 83% (380 species) of this figure.  The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had for the first time compiled the list of migratory species of India under the CMS before the Conference of Parties (COP 13) held in Gujarat recently.  Six species were added later. They are the Asian elephant, great Indian bustard, Bengal florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and smooth hammerhead shark.  Globally, more than 650 species are listed under the CMS appendices and India, with over 450 species, plays a very important role in their conservation  Birds make up the bulk of migratory species.  The bird family Muscicapidae has the highest number of migratory species. The next highest group of migratory birds is raptors or birds of prey, such as eagles, owls, vultures and kites which are from the family Accipitridae  The country has three flyways (flight paths used by birds): the Central Asian flyway, East Asian flyway and East Asian–Australasian flyway.  The Asian elephant was added to Appendix I and the urial to Appendix II.  Seven reptiles, which include five species of turtles and the Indian gharial and salt water crocodile, are among the CMS species found in India. There was no addition to the reptiles list.

4.10 EVOLUTION OF CRZ RULES IN INDIA

Regularising population and commercial pressure on the active play zone of the sea waves was at the heart of the notification, when it was first issued in 1991 under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.  It demarcated an area up to 500 metres from the high tide line (HTL) all along the coast as CRZ, classified it into four categories depending on their land use or sensitivity and regulated developmental activities in the areas.  In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, which killed 10,000 people along the eastern coast, CRZ Notification 2011 was brought in to beef up coastal zone.  But over the period, CRZ has been more violated than protected. By opening up 6,068 kilometres (km) mainland coastline for more commercial activities, it has put at risk the ecology and communities vulnerable to extreme weather events and sea level rise.  In fact, over the last 27 years, the notification has been iterated twice and modified 34 times, making it the most amended law in the history of India.  as per the 2011 notification CRZ-1 includes the most ecologically sensitive areas like mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes, and intertidal zones. It was off-limits for tourism activities and infrastructure development, except for defence, strategic and rare public utility projects.

 The latest notification further categorises CRZ-1. It allows “eco-tourism activities such as mangrove walks, tree huts, nature trails, etc” in eco-sensitive areas, demarcated as CRZ-IA.  Sea links, salt harvesting and desalination plants and roads on stilts are also allowed in CRZ-IA.  The controversial land reclamation, in which new land is created from oceans or lake beds and is known to have strong impacts on coastal ecology, has been allowed in intertidal or CRZ-IB areas, for ports and sea links.  In CRZ-II, a substantially built-up area, project developers can now increase the floor area ratio or floor space index, and build resorts and other tourism facilities. A large part of South Mumbai falls in this category.  The latest notification drastically shrinks NDZ to 50 m from HDL in densely populated areas (where population exceeds 2,161 per sq km as per the 2011 Census). This technically allows resorts, hotels and tourism facilities to be built right up to HTL.  the committee under MS Swaminathan, set up in the aftermath of the tsunami, went as far as suggesting a land rights recognition law along the lines of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 for the communities who subsist on the coastal areas based on their customary rights  The suggestion was never implemented, and now the precarious nature of their customary ownership makes them easily dispensable to make way for tourism and other development  The notification comes at a time when India’s coastal zone is teeming with activities.  The most ambitious of all is the Sagarmalaprogramme. Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Shipping, it “aims to promote port-led development” by harnessing the “7,500 km long coastline (including offshore islands governed under Island Protection Zone Notification since 2011)  To boost industrial and exports growth, Sagarmala also envisages setting up 14 coastal economic zones (CEZs), each housing a industrial clusters, ranging from petrochemical, cement, leather to power, electronics and food processing.  Coastal and port connectivity roads, stretching 2,000 km, under the Bharatmala project of road and national highways are also being planned.  In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report warning that global temperatures have already risen by 1.2°C; mean rate of sea level has risen by 1.7 millimetres a year between 1901 and 2010, resulting in a rise of 0.19 metres.  CRZ notifications right from 1991 have stressed on planned phase out of untreated sewage and waste disposal in the water. But this provision is rarely implemented despite the fact that all states, barring Goa and Kerala, have their Coastal Zone Management Plans in place.  the best way to protect the coastal zone has probably been answered in the European Commission’s 2004 study, “Living with coastal erosion in Europe”. It says just leave the beach intact!

4.11 CLIMATE CHANGE & THREATS TO GENDER EQUALITY

Why in news? Recent study by IUCN shows us that the damage humanity is inflicting on nature can also fuel violence against women around the world — a link that has so far been largely overlooked.  According to the study, girls in Ethiopia and South Sudan are also being sold off in marriage during extreme droughts, in exchange for cattle.  The rate of child and forced marriages demonstrably increases in crisis situations. "It's simply a survival strategy: to get rid of a daughter to relieve the pressure on the family, or it's the only way to generate income  Growing resource scarcity also increases the risk that women and girls will be victims of violence. With increasing drought and desertification in the global south, more and more water sources and wells are drying up. Fetching water is often a woman's job, and if they're forced to walk farther for that water the risk of sexual assault also increases, especially in regions characterized by armed gangs.  Women living on many of Africa's coasts and lakes have also suffered as fish have become scarcer. Fishermen peddling their wares are now not only expecting money as payment — they're also demanding sex. According to the IUCN study, this practice is now so common in western Kenya that it has a name: the Jaboya system.  Environmental crimes, such as poaching and illegal resource extraction, can also lead to gender-based violence. According to the IUCN study, threats and sexual violence such as rape are often used to target environmental activists to undermine their status within the community, and to prevent other women from working to preserve the environment from the construction of a new mine or dam, for example.  At the most recent summit in Madrid(COP 25) in December participating states agreed on the second Gender Action Plan, with the goal to put women on an equal footing on all levels of climate policy — in institutions, but also in individual climate protection projects. The aim is to reduce structural gender inequalities around the world.

4.12 CORAL BLEACHING AT GREAT BARRIER REEF

Why in news? The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which spreads across a length of over 2,300 km and is roughly the size of Italy, is home to about 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 1,625 type of fish, 133 varieties of shark and rays and 600 types of soft and hard corals.

What is Coral Bleaching?  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or

nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.  Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida Keys caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths.  Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality.

Why Great Reef is under Threat?  The Great reef is a Marine Park and World Heritage Area and supports a range of activities and contributes over AUD $5.6 billion each year to the Australian economy and is also responsible for creating over 70,000 jobs.  In the 2019 Outlook Report prepared by the Australian government, it said that climate change was the greatest threat to the Reef. Other threats included coastal development, land-based run-off and direct human use, such as activities like illegal fishing.

4.13 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MONETISING WEATHER DATA

Why in news? Parliamentary committee on Science, Technology and Environment, headed by former Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, has recommended that government must explore ways to make money out of the weather data it generates.  The India Meteorological Department, an organisation under the MoES, is tasked with gathering, analysing and disseminating meteorological data.  The Committee said that while the MoES was providing a “public service”, it could charge private users such as insurance companies that rely on data and information put out by the Ministry. This could be used to help weather agencies tide over the “financial crunch” that the Ministry annually faced and restricted it from financing projects.  Raw data from radar or lightning detectors is what would be valuable  MoES didn't have funds to acquire a Polar Research Vessel, as well as kickstart the Deep Ocean Mission

4.14 HUBBALI-ANKOLA RAILWAY LINE

Why in news? The Karnataka government cleared the controversial project at State wildlife board meeting.  The state government, which cleared the proposed Hubballi-Ankola railway line, appears to have underestimated the total number of trees that would be felled in the process while ignoring the biodiversity of the region.

 Railways claims that the project involves felling of 1.78 lakh to 2.2 lakh trees. But according to a report submitted by an expert committee, these figures are a gross underestimation given the high canopy density along the track alignment extending to 168 km.  The report pointed out that the alignment of the track passes through the Western Ghats forests and the region is part of the Bedthi Conservation Reserve (at Yellapur), closer to Dandeli Hornbill Conservation Reserve and located in the buffer region of Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve, which is about 6.5 km from the track alignment.  The railway line passes through different types of forests, including evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous forests with a high canopy density.  They have pointed out that the forests along the proposed project zone is rich in fauna represented by 29 species of mammals, 256 species of birds, 8 species of reptiles, and 50 species of butterflies.  “Majority of mammals belong to IUCN Red List and most of them are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” says the report.

For Prelims Kali Tiger Reserve  The Kali Tiger Reserve (previously known as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve) comprises of two important protected areas of the region, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park which are contiguous to each other in the Western Ghats.  The Kali River flows through the reserve and is the lifeline of the ecosystem.  Connected to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve through important wildlife corridors.

4.15 RELOCATION OF DESAL PLANT PROJECT SITE

Why in news? The Ministry of Environment and Forests’ Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has directed the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD) to shift its project site for setting up a 60 MLD (Million litres of Sea water a day) Sea and Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant in Ramanathapuram district away from the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.

 Alternatively, the EAC asked the Board to look at the possibility of 100% reuse of the brine water by giving it to authorised salt pan agencies, instead of

discharging it into the sea, or set up a salt industry/allied facilities that could consume all the brine generated in case.  Once the project is up and running, it would generate 94.52 MLD of brine that would be let out into the sea.  The EAC noted that the project site is within the eco-sensitive zone of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and approximately only about 25 metres from its boundary.  The Committee noted that the justification cited by the project proponent is unacceptable.  It was observed that fishermen are dependent on the Gulf of Mannar for their livelihood and the release of brine certainly will impact not only the fish catch but also reefs, seaweeds, seagrass and the overall ecosystem of the area.

Gulf of Mannar  The Gulf of Mannar is a large shallow bay forming part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean.  It lies between the west coast of Sri Lanka and the southeastern tip of India, in the Coromandel Coast region.  The chain of low islands and reefs known as Ramsethu, also called Adam's Bridge, which includes Mannar Island, separates the Gulf of Mannar from Palk Bay, which lies to the north between Sri Lanka and India.  The Malvathu Oya (Malvathu River) of Sri Lanka and the estuaries of Thamirabarani River and Vaipar

River of South India drain into the Gulf.  The dugong (sea cow) is found here.

Biopshere Reserve, Marine Sanctuary and National Park  Located on the southeastern tip of the subcontinent, the Gulf of Mannar is known to harbour over 3,600 species of flora and fauna, making it one of the richest coastal regions in Asia.  117 hard coral species have been recorded in the Gulf of Mannar.  Sea turtles are frequent visitors to the gulf as are sharks, dugongs, and dolphins.  Dugong, a vulnerable marine mammal is the flagship mammal of the park.  In 1986, a group of 21 islets lying off the Tamil Nadu coast between Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi was declared the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. The park and its 10 km buffer zone were declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.  The National park has a high diversity of plants and animals in its marine, intertidal and near shore habitats. Public access inside the Park is limited to glass bottom boat rides.

 The park includes estuaries, mudflats, beaches and forests of the near shore environment. It also includes marine components such as coral reefs, seaweed communities, sea grasses, salt marshes and mangroves.  Flora – Mangroves dominate the intertidal zones of the park islands.  However, the combined effects of 47 villages, with a total population of around 50,000 has meant that overharvesting of marine species has become a problem. The decline of fish populations has been accompanied with reducing numbers of pearl oyster, gorgonian coral, and acorn worm.

5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5.1 COVID – 19 – HOW IT STANDS DIFFERENT FROM A FLU

 Flu is an Viral infection caused by Influenza virus (Eg: H1N1) which is known to cause seasonal epidemics to pandemics  Both the coronavirus and influenza are most dangerous to people who are older than 65, or have chronic illnesses or a weak immune system.  The flu is also especially dangerous for pregnant women, who can become severely ill from it. Whether the new coronavirus poses as serious a threat to pregnant women is not known.  The first symptoms, fever and cough, are similar to both Coronavirus and flu, so the diseases can be hard to tell apart without a test to identify the virus.  There is no approved antiviral drug for the coronavirus, though several are being tested. Doctors can recommend only the usual remedies for any viral illness: rest, medicine to reduce pain and fever, and fluids to avoid dehydration.  Flu has four prescription medicines along with vaccination for prevention.

What are the various types of infections by a flu?  Sporadic refers to a disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly  Endemic refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.  Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area.  Outbreak carries the same definition of epidemic, but is often used for a more limited geographic area.(ex: Hostels, Dormitory, Colony, etc)  Pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

5.2 BIOFUEL

Why in news? A team from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology have successfully engineered a marine cyanobacterium called Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, which showed a higher growth rate and sugar (glycogen) content.  When grown on air, the growth was doubled and the glycogen content of the cells increased by about 50%.  Department of Biotechnology sponsored the research.

What is Biofuel?  Biofuel, is any fuel that is derived from biomass-plant or algae material or animal waste.  Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.  Biofuel is commonly advocated as a cost effective and environmentally benign alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels, particularly within the context of rising petroleum prices and increased concern over the contributions made by fossil fuels to global warming.  However many critics express concerns about the scope of the expansion of certain biofuels because of the economic and environmental costs associated with the refining process and the potential removal of vast areas of arable land from food production.

Biofuel from Cyanobacteria  Most biotechnological processes, including biofuel production, are dependent on the availability of low-cost and sustainable supply of sugars and a nitrogen source. The sugars typically come from plants.  However, some bacteria, such as the cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae), too can perform photosynthesis and produce sugar by fixing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  The yield of sugars from cyanobacteria could potentially be much higher than that of land-based crops.  Further, unlike plant-based sugars, cyanobacterial biomass provides a nitrogen source in the form of proteins.  Cyanobacteria are found in both fresh and marine waters. Using marine cyanobacteria could be better as freshwater is increasingly getting scarce.  However, there is a need to significantly improve their growth rates and sugar content in order to improve the economic feasibility of marine cyanobacteria-based sugar production.

The team also said that there were other Synechococcus species or related organisms where this work can be extended right away.

5.3 MACHINE LEARNING

Why in news? NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based module for Indian school students. The AI Base Module will be implemented across 5,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, and will be available to 2.5 million students  Aimed at bridging the skills gap in India—as per government data, less than 5% of the workforce is formally skilled, compared to, say, 28% in China and 75% in Germany—the initiative is, indeed, a commendable step forward.  In keeping with the government’s efforts to democratise technology. AI and machine learning touted to form the basis of the future of work—it is estimated that within a decade, the global market for AI is likely to be upwards of $15 trillion, with India’s share in this being close to $1 trillion—and this initiative, by providing young minds a hands-on method to learn AI, is a first step toward preparing a workforce that is ready for the digital era.  This, however, cannot be the end of the road. The government must focus not only on expanding this, as well as other digital literacy initiatives, to every district in India but also on strengthening its skill development infrastructure at the graduate level—addressing the shortcomings of the Industrial Training Institutes.

5.4 MERKEL CELL POLYOMAVIRUS

Why in news? A team from National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, has developed a diagnostic system to detect the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus in Merkel cell carcinoma tumours.  Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer. The researchers have developed a test using the CRISPR-CAS12 technology that can identify the virus in the tumour and give off a fluorescence to indicate the presence of the virus. This is an important development, both, from the point of view of diagnostics and giving a prognosis for the condition.  Merkel cell carcinoma is associated with old age, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light and a weak immune system.  A virus that is part of the normal skin flora – the Merkel cell polyomavirus – can get integrated in the human genome and undergo a mutation which causes it to promote the cancer.  Earlier studies have shown that the Merkel cell carcinoma caused by the virus is less aggressive and progresses slower than that caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.

DETECTR system  The team adapted a system named DETECTR (DNA endonuclease-targeted CRISPR trans reporter) to help them in this endeavor.  The system consists of three components: identifier, switch and reporter.  The identifier is a “guide RNA” which can recognise and bind to a section of the Merkel cell polyoma virus. The switch is a DNA-cutting enzyme known as Cas- 12a which gets attached to the guide RNA after it finds its target DNA. The reporter consists of a single stranded DNA tagged with a fluorescent molecule.  When the guide RNA attaches itself to the viral DNA segment, the attached Cas- 12a enzymes get activated and start cutting the “target” virus DNA.  They also are enabled to cut the single-stranded DNA tagged with fluorescent molecule.  This then causes the fluorescent molecules to glow, which can be detected. Also, the strength of the glow depends on the number of activated Cas-12a molecules, which in turn depends on the number of virus DNA copies recognised in the tumour DNA.  This therefore gives a measure of the number of viruses in the tumour.

Future plans include developing this as a diagnostic test and hopefully in a colourimetric format. A colourimetric test would use an indicator that is visible to the naked eye, hence, it will eliminate the need for a fluorescence reader to see the test results.

5.5 SC ORDER ON CRYPTOCURRENCY

Why in news? The Government’s draft framework for regulating the cryptocurrenciesproposed to ban all cryptocurrencies outright except a state-issued one.  Supreme Court’s order could be a temporary relief for the investors and intermediaries. All intermediaries and banks, which were forced to shut down platforms providing the trading of cryptocurrencies, are free to operate in India.  Even as virtual currency investors and businesses welcomed the Supreme Court’s order on cryptocurrency, the relief for such players may be only temporary  IAMAI was among entities that had approached the Supreme Court in 2018 over the RBI circular prohibiting regulated entities from “providing any service in relation to virtual currencies, including those of transfer or receipt of money in accounts relating to the purchase or sale of virtual currencies.”  Centre may introduce the bill in the Parliament to permanently ban the cryptocurrencies and to set up the basic infrastructure required to issue state- owned cryptocurrency and the digital rupee.  India is the second largest user of Pundi X’s blockchainwallet.

5.6 MAC-BINDING

Why in news? After seven months, the use of social media was allowed in Jammu and Kashmir on March 3, 2020, with an order laying down the latest rules for the use of Internet in the Union Territory. Among various conditions, the order, issued by the Principal Secretary, Home, ShaleenKabra, says Internet connectivity will be made available “with mac- binding”.  Every device has a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identification number that is unique to it. While accessing the Internet, every device is assigned an IP address.  Mac-binding essentially means binding together the MAC and IP addresses, so that all requests from that IP address are served only by the computer having that particular MAC address.  In effect, it means that if the IP address or the MAC address changes, the device can no longer access the Internet. Also, monitoring authorities can trace the specific system from which a particular online activity was carried out.

Only 2G permitted  Internet speed in Jammu and Kashmir is still restricted to 2G. This means very slow services — pictures will take a long time to be sent or downloaded, videos will be nearly impossible to share, and there will be a long loading time for most websites

 It also means that although in theory, the “whitelist system” — where people could only access some websites pre-approved by the government- has been removed, some sites designed for a 4G Internet experience will hardly work.

Permitted connections  The Internet can be accessed on all postpaid devices, and those using Local Area Networks (LAN).  On pre-paid networks, theservices shall not be made available unless verified as per the norms applicable for postpaid connections. Also Special access terminals like e-terminals, Internet Kiosks provided by the government will continue to run. Also the special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc shall continue.  Stating that “an order suspending Internet services indefinitely is impermissible”, the SC ruled that “freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practise any profession or carry on any trade, business or occupation over the medium of Internet enjoys constitutional protection” under Article 19 of the Constitution.

5.7 PSYCHE MISSION- A JOURNEY TO METAL WORLD

Why in news? NASA and SpaceX are coming together for a space mission that involves a journey to a unique metal-rich asteroid called Psyche, which is orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. The space agency has contacted Elon Musk’s aerospace manufacturing company to provide launch services for the Psyche mission.  The Psyche mission is targeted to launch in July 2022 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.  The US space agency also saidthat the total cost to launch Psyche and the secondary payloads is approximately $117 million, which includes the launch service and other mission-related costs.

Psyche asteroid mission  The Psyche asteroid is considered unique because it appears to largely be made of the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet.  Metallic cores are believed to be present deep within rocky, terrestrial planets like our Earth. However, since these lie unreachable far below the planet’s rocky mantles and crusts, we are unable to reach there.  So, while we cannot see or measure Earth’s core directly, the mission to Psyche asteroid offers a unique window to scientists. It may even reveal the violent history of collisions and accretion that created terrestrial planets in the first place.  NASA said that the launch of Psyche will include two secondary payloads– Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE) and Janus.  While EscaPADE will study the Martian atmosphere, the Janus will study binary asteroids.

5.8 AYUSH GRID

Why in news? The Ministry of AYUSH has initiated steps to set up a nationwide digital platform called “AYUSH GRID” which aims to bring onboard all AYUSH facilities including hospitals and laboratories and to promote traditional systems of healthcare.  Ministry of AYUSH has conceptualized AYUSH GRID Project for digitalization of the entire AYUSH Sector.  Currently, Ministry has launched Pilot Projects like AYUSH Hospital Information Management System (A-HMIS), Tele-Medicine, Yogaloctaor Application, Bhuvan Application, Yoga Portal, Case Registry Portal, etc. and these projects will be co- opted in AYUSH GRID Project in future.  Ministry of AYUSH has also proposed to establish 12,500 AYUSH centres across the country for traditional system of healthcare and medicines.12,500 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) are proposed to be established by up gradation of existing State Government AYUSH dispensaries and Sub Health Centres by the year 2023-24. Total financial allocation proposed for the scheme is Rs. 3399.35 crores over the time period of five years.

5.9 AYURVEDIC CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES

Why in news? The Ministry of AYUSH has developed National Ayurveda Morbidity Codes (NAMC), a comprehensive classification of diseases described in Ayurveda as well as Standardized Ayurveda Terminologies.  These have been made available on National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE Portal) developed by the Ministry which is available to the public on the URL http://namstp.ayush.gov.in.  For standardization of Ayurvedic diagnostic and treatment protocol, the Central Council of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken a project on Reliability testing and Validation of Ayurveda diagnostic methods in June 2018. Under this project, some common disease condition have been identified and accordingly the Proforma and manual of selected disease conditions is being drafted and validated through scientific methods in phased manner.  In the first phase, the disease conditions which have been identified one Kushtha (skin diseases), Kasa, Shwasa and Jwara. The first draft of Kushtha (skin diseases) manual as clinical series-I has been published and for other three disease conditions inter-rator reliability has already been completed and second phase validity is under pipeline in collaboration with the academic institutes of national repute. Further, the development ofproforma of various other disease conditions has been initiated.

5.10 PERSEVERANCE

Why in news? NASA’s Mars rover for the 2020 mission finally has an official name: Perseverance. Alexander Mather, a seventh-standard student, submitted the winning entry to NASA’s “Name the Rover” essay contest. A total of 28,000 entries were received from students across the United States as part of the contest.  NASA’s last rover sent to Mars was Curiosity, back in 2012. Other Mars rovers have also been named by school children, which includesSojourner in 1997 and Spirit and Opportunity rovers (landed in 2004).  As a winner, Mather will also be invited to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to witness the launch of the rover in summer.  Further as a reward for all the semifinalists, their rover names and essays have been stenciled onto a silicon chip with lines of text smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair and will be flown to Mars aboard the rover, announced NASA.

NASA Perseverance rover: Key facts  The rover has is a robotic scientist and weighs just under 1,043 kilograms. The Perseverance rover will be managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL) and will hunt for signs of past microbial life on Mars.  Perseverance will also characterise the planet’s climate and geology, and collect samples of Martian rocks and dust. NASA has plans for a future mission which could bring these samples back to Earth.  The rover is currently is undergoing final assembly and checkout at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rover is targeted to land on Mars’ Jezero Crater a little February 18, 2021.  The Mars 2020 is part of a larger program that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the planet. NASA plans to put the next man and first woman on the moon by 2024 and wants a sustained human presence on the Moon by 2028 with its Artemis program.

5.11 NEWSPACE INDIA LIMITED

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of Government of India. It was established on 6 March 2019 under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS), India. The main objective of NSIL is to scale up industry participation in Indian space programmes.  NewSpace India Ltd., the Department of Space’s second commercial arm, was formed to market products and services of the Indian Space Research Organisation. NSIL’s new Chairman and Managing Director is Narayanan.  NSIL’s mandate is to work with Indian industry and create a high technology manufacturing base, especially for space activities. It must realise ISRO’s two satellite launch vehicles, the PSLV and the new SSLV [Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, due for its first launch in a couple of months], through the industry.

NSIL was setup with the following objectives:  Transfer of Small Satellite technology to industry: NSIL will obtain license from DOS/ISRO and sub-license the same to Industry  Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with Private Sector  Production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian Industry  Production and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application  Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS  Marketing of spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad

5.12 WIFI ON PLANES

Why in news? The central government has permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight WiFi services to passengers. WiFi in airplanes lets the use of gadgets with an internet connection just like on ground, but with the flight mode turned on.  There are two systems of connectivity for inflight WiFi: Air-to-ground and Satellite.  Air-to-ground system is a ground based system that works similar to mobile data network on cell phones. There are towers that project signals upwards unlike mobile data towers that projects downwards. Antennae fitted beneath the airplanes receive signals from these towers and send them to an onboard server. The server has a modem that converts these signals, thereby providing WiFi to passengers. These towers are connected to operation centres run by service providers.  In Satellite based WiFi system, antennae are fitted on the top of airplanes. Antennae receive signals from satellites orbiting the earth. The antennae need to constantly adjust their position to receive signals as both the satellite and the airplane are constantly moving. These satellites are linked to ground stations that are connected to operation centres run by service providers.  The air-to-ground system works seamlessly, unless the airplane is flying over a space with no towers. In that case, satellite WiFi systems can be utilised.  Even though airlines all over the world are rushing to provide inflight WiFi services, WiFi in airplanes are slower and expensive than on the ground.

5.13 SUPERCOMPUTER

Why in news? India has produced just three supercomputers since 2015 —less than one a year on average — under the National Supercomputer Mission (NSM), a dedicated programme aimed at boosting the country’s overall computing facilities and launched that year, according to information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

 The MeitY and DST handle the National Supercomputer Mission, and the mission’s nodal agencies are the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. According to the RTI reply, monetary grants to the tune of Rs 750.97 crore, or just 16.67 per cent of the total budget of Rs 4,500 crore, was disbursed during the last four-and-a-half years to these two agencies. The NSM was conceived as a seven-year mission ending in 2022.  The NSM envisaged setting up a network of 70 high-performance computing facilities.  These were to be installed at many of India’s top academic institutions and scientific establishments like IITs, the Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research (IISERs), National Institute of Technology (NITs) among others.  It was also an effort to improve the number of supercomputers owned by India viz- a-viz the global leaders.  Globally, China continues to lead the supercomputer race. It added eight more supercomputers in the last six months taking its existing numbers to 227. This giant leap helped China retain its top position, followed by the US (119 supercomputers), as per the TOP500 report of November 2019.  Other countries in this league are Japan (29), France (18), Germany (16), The Netherlands (15), Ireland (14) and the United Kingdom (11). All other countries, including India, own only one top performing supercomputer, the report said.

India’s Supercomputers  NSM’s first supercomputer — PARAM Shivay installed in IIT-BHU, Varanasi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019, nearly four years post the mission-launch. This 837 TeraFlop capacity HPC was built at a cost of Rs 23.50 crore.  The second supercomputer with a capacity of 1.66 PetaFlop was installed at IIT- Kharagpur, and cost Rs 47 crore.  The third system, PARAM Brahma, installed in September last year at IISER- Pune, has a capacity of 797 TeraFlop, and cost Rs 23.50 crore. There will soon be 11 supercomputers, expected to be installed by 2020 or latest by March 2021. All will be indigenously manufactured. Besides, the next phase will involve developing capability building, which is an ongoing process. Three supercomputers are expected to be installed in the near future, one each in IIT-Kanpur; Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru and IIT-Hyderabad.

What are Supercomputers?  A Supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance as compared to a general-purpose computer.  The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating- point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS).  Since 2017, there are supercomputers which can perform over a hundred quadrillion FLOPS (petaFLOPS).  Since November 2017, all of the world's fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux- based operating systems.

 Additional research is being conducted in China, the United States, the European Union, Taiwan and Japan to build faster, more powerful and technologically superior exascale supercomputers.  Supercomputers play an important role in the field of computational science, and are used for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks in various fields, including quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties of chemical compounds, biological macromolecules, polymers, and crystals), and physical simulations (such as simulations of the early moments of the universe, airplane and spacecraft aerodynamics, the detonation of nuclear weapons, and nuclear fusion).  They have been essential in the field of cryptanalysis.  Supercomputers were introduced in the 1960s, and for several decades the fastest were made by Seymour Cray Data Corporation (CDC), Cray Research and subsequent companies bearing his name or monogram. The first such machines were highly tuned conventional designs that ran faster than their more general- purpose contemporaries

5.14 SUPERCOMPUTER’S ROLE IN DETECTION OF CORONA  The world's fastest supercomputer identified chemicals that could stop coronavirus from spreading, a crucial step towards the treatment.  The novel coronavirus presents an unprecedented challenge for scientists: The speed at which the virus spreads means they must accelerate their research.

About Summit  Summit, IBM's supercomputer equipped with the "brain of AI," ran thousands of simulations to analyze which drug compounds might effectively stop the virus from infecting host cells.  The supercomputer identified 77 of them. It's a promising step toward creating the most effective treatment.  Summit was built to solve the world's problems. Summit was commissioned by the US Department of Energy in 2014 for the purpose it's serving now - solving the world's problems.  It's got the power of 200 petaflops, which means it has the computing speed of 200 quadrillion calculations per second, i.e. It's 1 million times more powerful than the fastest laptop.  Summit, the world's most powerful supercomputer, modeled how different drug compounds might prevent the coronavirus from spreading to other cells.  At its station in Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Summit has identified patterns in cellular systems that precede Alzheimer's, analyzed genes that contribute to traits like oploid treatment and predicted extreme weather based on climate simulations.

How Summit fights coronavirus  Viruses infect host cells by injecting them with a "spike" of genetic material. Summit's job is to find drug compounds that could bind to that spike and potentially stop the spread.  The supercomputer ran simulations of over 8,000 compounds that could bind to the spike protein of the virus, which could limit its ability to spread to host cells. Summit identified 77 of them and ranked them based on how likely they were to bind to the spike.

What's next  The team will run the simulations on Summit again, using a more accurate model of the coronavirus' spike.  For all its power, though, Summit can only do so much. It provided the first step in analysis: identifying promising compounds. Experimental studies are required next to prove which chemicals work best.

5.15 MINI NEPTUNE

Why in news? ‘Mini Neptune’, twice the size of Earth, could possibly support life. In a recent development, astronomers have found a potentially habitable exoplanet, which is more than twice the size of Earth.  The planet, named K2-18b, is located 124 light-years away from Earth and measures 2.6 times the radius and 8.6 times the mass of our planet. It orbits its star within the habitable zone where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist.  To establish the prospects for habitability, it is important to obtain a unified understanding of the interior and atmospheric conditions on the planet – in particular, whether liquid water can exist beneath the atmosphere.  The K2-18b had been in the news last year as well when two different teams reported the detection of water vapour in the planet’s hydrogen-rich atmosphere.  However, the extent of the atmosphere and the conditions of the interior underneath remained unknown at that time.  Now, a team from the University of Cambridge used the mass, radius, and atmospheric data of the exoplanet to determine that it’s possible for the K2-18b to host liquid water at habitable conditions beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

Why the discovery is crucial?  Because of its size, the K2-18b looks more like a smaller version of Neptune than a larger version of Earth. This study opens the search for habitable conditions to exoplanets that are significantly larger than Earth, beyond Earth-like exoplanets.  The atmospheric constraints obtained in this study can be refined using future observations with large facilities such as the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope.

5.16 NEW VARIETY OF GRAPE

Why in news? Researchers at the Agarkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune have developed a new hybrid variety of grape suitable for making a wide range of food products, including juice, raisin, jam and red wine.  ARI-516 is a multi-purpose grape variety with a musky flavour and is moderately resistant fungal diseases. It is also an early maturing variety that yields about 16 to 20 tonnes per acre (40 to 50 tonnes per hectare), said Sujata Tetali, the scientist who developed the variety by interbreeding of two species from the same genus – Catawba variety of Vitis labrusca and Beauty seedless variety of Vitis vinifera. The current average productivity of grapes in India is around 25 tonnes per hectare.  ARI, an autonomous institution funded by the Department of Science and Technology. It developed the new variety in collaboration with the Maharashtra Association for Cultivation of Science. The work was recently published in the proceedings of the International Symposium on Grape Production and Processing.  India, which produced a little over 3 million tonnes of grapes in 2018-19, is the world’s 12th largest producer of grapes. Maharashtra accounts for nearly 81 percent of grapes produced in the country.  ARI-516 grape variety has been recently identified for release by the Varietal Identification Committee of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruit (ICAR-AICRPF), for cultivation in Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.  Currently, about 78 percent of grapes produced in the country are used for table consumption, 17-20 percent for raisin production, 1.5 percent for winemaking and about 0.5 percent for juice production. Only a negligible share of grapes is used for juice production, even though juice making is a better option to reduce the post-harvest losses. Grapes suffer up to 16 percent of post-harvest losses.  The fungal resistance of ARI-516 has been derived from Catawba, which is an American grape variety. The new variety has superior quality fruits and higher yield per unit area. An early ripening hybrid, it matures in 110-120 days after pruning. The variety has elongated bunches and bears pleasant musky flavoured berries and performs well in Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal.  It is tolerant to downy and powdery mildew diseases as well as to anthracnose disease, a group of fungal diseases that affect a variety of plants in warm, humid areas.

5.17 SIRT1

Why in news? TIFR study reveals the role of glucose in regulating liver functions, ageing.

 An enzyme that goes by the name SIRT1 is known to be associated with regulation of metabolic activities and also ageing and hence has become a target of therapeutics.  A study by researchers from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) shows that glucose controls the function of SIRT1 directly.  A shortage or absence of this control can lead to a diabetic-like state, while excess feeding and sustained low levels of SIRT1 can lead to obesity and enhanced ageing.  Studies have shown that metabolic diseases are associated with the wrong feeding regimen, even in humans.  Every organism has evolved to feed and then alternately fast, so it becomes important to understand this cycle. This cycle, known as the feed-fast cycle is a basic pattern and the metabolism related to this is largely taken care of by the liver.  It has been discovered that glucose controls the functions of a protein SIRT1 which in turn maintains everyday feed-fast cycles and is also associated with longevity.  In normal healthy individuals, SIRT1 protein levels are known to increase during fasting and decrease during the feed, which is essential to maintain a balance between glucose and fat metabolism.

5.18 SUPERHYDROPHOBIC COATING

Why in news? The team from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, and Ohio State University used polyurethane and silicon dioxide nanoparticles to create the coating which can be easily spin-coated on steel.  The coating can be done on other metallic surfaces, such as aluminum, copper, brass. We have also successfully developed superhydrophobic coatings for glass, cloth, paper and wood.  Before applying the coating, the team created a roughness on the steel using a chemical etching process to improve the adhesion strength. Without this, the coating tends to easily peel off due to the smoothness of steel.  Spin coating was advantageous and cost-effective compared to immersion coating and spray coating. Spin coating dried quickly and the thickness of the coat could be controlled easily.  The coating was also chemically stable in both acidic (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 8) conditions for more than six weeks. It also exhibited thermal stability up to 230 degrees C.  The mechanical stability of the coating was tested with water jet, floating, bending, sand abrasion tests and was found to be highly stable.  Another useful property exhibited by the coating was of self-cleaning.  The chemicals used to make the coating are easily available in the country and they are environmentally friendly too.  When mass-produced on a commercial scale, the cost of coating will further reduce.

5.19 TORREITIS SANCHEZI

Why in news? Towards the end of the time when dinosaurs ruled Earth, a little mollusc lived for nine years in a shallow seabed. Seventy million years later, scientists picked up its fossil from what is now dry land in the mountains of Oman. Their analysis provided new clues about the behaviour of a much warmer Earth.

 Earth spun 372 times a year 70 million years ago, compared to the current 365. This means the day was 23½ hours long, compared to 24 today. This new measurement, in turn, informs models of how the Moon formed and how close it has been to Earth over their 4.5-billion-year gravitational relationship.  The ancient mollusc, Torreites sanchezi, belonged to an extinct group called rudist clams. At 70 million years ago, it belonged to the Late Cretaceous — it was around the time this epoch ended, some 65 million years ago, that dinosaurs went extinct  Torreites sanchezi grew very fast, laying down daily growth rings. Using lasers on a single individual, scientists sampled tiny slices and counted the growth rings accurately. This allowed them to determine the number of days in a year 70 million years ago, and more accurately calculate the length of a day.  It is important to note that the period of Earth’s orbit has remained the same. In other words, one year 70 million years ago was as long as one year today. However, if there were a calendar then, the year would have been 372 “days” long, with each “day” half-an-hour shorter than one day today.  Today, Earth’s orbit is not exactly 365 days, but 365 days and a fraction, which is why our calendars have leap years, as a correction. In the new study, the most accurate estimate that can be made is in a whole number of days a year.  Friction from ocean tides, caused by the Moon’s gravity, slows Earth’s rotation and leads to longer days. And as Earth’s spin slows, the Moon moves farther away, at 3.82 cm per year.

5.20 HEMOSTAT MATERIAL

Why in news? Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, have developed a starch-based ‘hemostat’ material that concentrates the natural clotting factors in blood by physically absorbing excess fluid.

 The product has increased absorption capacity, improved absorption,inexpensive, biocompatible as well as biodegradable.  Hemostat materials absorb excel fluid by concentrating the natural clotting factors in the blood that are critical for stopping the blood flow.  The micro are prepared by modifying some of the chemical hydroxyl groups on starch to carboxymethyl groups while also incorporating the beneficial calcium ions, which encourages the aggregation of red blood cells and platelets and their activation to generate the fibrin protein network that forms a stable blood clot. This modification increases the ability of the molecules to interact with water. This is the basis of its impressive ability to absorb fluid from the blood and hence concentrate the clotting factors.

5.21 HUNTINGTON DISEASE

Why in news? A team of scientists from National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) in Pune led by Dr. Amitabha Majumdar have been working to gain insights into abnormal huntingtin protein and whether they influence the key process in the formation of other proteins in the cell by studying the HTT gene in fruit flies.

Huntington Disease  Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive genetic disorder affecting the brain that causes uncontrolled movements, impaired coordination of balance and movement, a decline in cognitive abilities, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, mood swings and personality changes.  It is caused by a mutation in a gene called HTT.  The HTT genes are involved in the production of a protein called huntingtin. They provide the instruction for making the protein. When the genes mutate, they provide faulty instructions leading to production of abnormal huntingtin proteins and these form into clumps.  The clumps disrupt the normal functioning of the brain cells, which eventually leads to death of neurons in the brain, resulting in Huntington disease.  While it is known that the clumps formed by the abnormal huntingtin protein disrupt several cellular processes, it is not known whether they also influence the key process in the formation of other proteins in the cell.

Key observations  They observed that the pathogenic Huntingtin protein causes a decrease in the overall protein production in cells and that the Huntingtin clumps collect together (sequester) molecules of another protein called Orb2, which is involved in the process of protein formation.  They speculated that the Huntingtin clumps were possibly making molecules of Orb2 unavailable to carry out their normal function associated with protein formation, leading to the observed reduction in proteins in the cell. To gain clarity on this, they induced the cells to produce Orb2 in excess, and found that this did indeed reduce the adverse effects of the faulty Huntingtin protein, which supported their speculation.  In humans, a family of proteins called CPEB is equivalent to the Orb2 protein in fruit flies. The scientists conducted further studies and found that CPEB proteins are also sequestered by the pathogenic Huntingtin clumps, similar to the Orb2 protein molecules. This suggests that the insights gained through the studies carried out by this group in fruit flies are relevant to and valuable in understanding HD in humans.  Orb2 protein is also crucial for maintenance of memory in fruit flies. Therefore, sequestration of Orb2 by Huntingtin clumps may hold relevance to the memory- related issues associated with HD as well. The findings of Dr. Majumdar are expected to pave the way for further exploration to understand this disease better.

5.22 DRIVEBUDDYAI

Why in news? Artificial intelligence-based auto-tech start-up drivebuddyAI for commercial vehicle segment wants to improve road safety and reduce life-critical accidents in India.

 It is working towards making use of artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies to solve the problem of driver distraction, which is the reason for 84% of accidents happening in the world, the start-up says.  It has developed a camera-based IoT device that can be retrofitted inside any vehicle to provide active safety, i.e. alerts, while driving.  To provide active safety in transport fleets, it has a solution—installing camera- based and GPS-enabled driver assistant device called the DRISHTI (Driver Safety Harness with Telematics & Intelligence), “which not only monitors driver behaviour, but also help drivers in avoiding possible dangers by providing collision-avoidance and driver-distraction alerts.  The device captures the video data of driving and helps fleet managers get clarity on driver performance and human challenges of driving.  The cloud-based platform called the DOPE (Driver Observation & Profiling Interface) helps optimise operations by using intelligent insights/analytics from the pool of drivers.  India has one of the highest rates of road crashes in the world. Every year, about 1.5 lakh people lose their lives on Indian roads, and more than five times that number are injured or maimed for life, as per the recent report titled ‘Delivering

Road Safety in India’, released at the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm by the World Bank.  The national highways alone claim one life a year for every 2-km. This is 10 times higher than the developed country threshold. Road crashes also impact economic growth, costing the economy between 3-5% of GDP a year.  In India, 34.5% of fatalities in 2016 resulted from crashes on the national highways alone, which comprise merely 1.79% of the country’s total road network.  Currently, the start-up is running pilot projects in state buses of UPSTRC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) and is in talks with other state transport departments.

5.23 PEST-RESISTANT COTTON VARIETY

Why in news? National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) Lucknow has developed a pest-resistant variety of cotton field trials this year from April to October.

Need In 2007 the institute decided to work on insect pest- whiteflies. It not only damages cotton but many other crops too with this it transmits disease viruses too.

 Whiteflies are one of the top ten devastating pests in the world that damage more than 2000 plant species and also function as vectors for some 200-plant viruses.  Cotton is one of the worst hit crops by these, in 2015 two third of the cotton crop was destroyed by the pest in Punjab.  As Bt cotton is also a genetically modified cotton and present in the market for farmers usage then why this variety was needed. Bt cotton is resistant to two pests only, it is not resistant against white flies.  To develop the pest-resistant variety researchers explored 250 plants from lower plant biodiversity to identify novel protein molecules that are toxic to whitefly. Out of the 250 plants, the leaf extract of an edible fern Tectariamacrodonta causes toxicity to the whitefly.  This fern is known to be used as salad in Nepal and as a concoction for the gastric disorders in many regions of Asia goes in favour for the possibility of the insecticidal protein that is found in the fern. It works against whiteflies but being safe for application on the crop plants and provides protection from them.  When whiteflies feed on sub-lethal doses of insecticidal protein, it interferes with the life cycle of insect that in turn resulted with very poor egg laying, abnormal egg, nymph and larval development and extraordinary poor emergence of the fly. However, this protein was found to be un-effective on non-target insects like butterfly and honeybee.

5.24 ENZYME SPRK1

Why in news? Scientists unlock enzyme that reorganises paternal genome during fertilization.

 A person’s genome is inherited from the parents — during fertilisation, half of the father’s genome is mixed with half of the mother’s.  A sperm carries half as much genetic material as a regular cell and needs to be folded and packaged in a way that it fits in the egg. While the information was well-known, what led the first step in the process wasn’t.  It is the enzyme SPRK1 that makes way for this first step - by reorganising paternal genome during the first moments of fertilisation. The enzyme does it in a matter of few hours, according to scientists.  According to the study, the paternal genome undergoes an exchange of proteins histone with protamine for compaction into sperm. Upon fertilisation, this process is reversed, which is how parental genome is reprogrammed and subsequently activated. SRPK-1 initiates this process.  The discovery could help study infertility in certain cases.  Until now, enzyme SPRK1 was studied for its ability to splice ribonucleic acid (RNA) — an important step that enables translation of genes to proteins. But SRPK1 leads a double life — swapping protamines for histones once the sperm meets egg.

5.25 HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE

 Hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has existed for several decades, could see a resurgence of demand, after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended its use as a post-exposure prophylactic (preventive medicine) against the novel coronavirus disease.  US President Donald Trump had said a hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin combination could be a “game changer” in the fight against COVID-19.

What is known about hydroxychloroquine’s efficacy in COVID-19 patients?  Hydroxychloroquine (not to be confused with anti-malaria drug chloroquine) is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.  An article in The Lancet Global Health explored its therapeutic and prophylactic properties and said, the drug shows antiviral activity in vitro against coronaviruses, and specifically, SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-2].  The CDC says both hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have in vitro activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses, with hydroxychloroquine having higher potency against SARS-CoV-2. “A study in China reported that chloroquine treatment of COVID-19 patients had clinical and virologic benefit versus a comparison group, and chloroquine was added as a recommended antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in China.

What has India recommended?  The National Taskforce for COVID-19 has recommended hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis in case of asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases.

So should you stock the drug?  The short answer is, no. If you suspect you have contracted the infection, you should visit a doctor. You must not attempt to self-medicate. Even the government’s guidelines on hydroxychloroquine say the drug has to be given only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

What combination did Trump speak of?  The combination is hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic.  While the roles of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in management of COVID- 19 are still open questions for the scientific community, the azithromycin- hydroxychloroquine combination is part of an upcoming multicountry trial anchored by the WHO in the fight against COVID-19.  The azithromycin-hydroxychloroquine combination has sometimes been administered to COVID-19 patients in the US. The combination did reduce the viral load but the size of the study is too small to draw a definitive conclusion.

5.26 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR COVID-19

Why ion news? Scientists have developed a portable device powered by artificial intelligence (AI) which can detect coughing and crowd size in real time, then analyze the data to directly monitor trends in flu-like illnesses such as COVID-19.

 The researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in the US said the device called FluSense is envisioned for use in hospitals, healthcare waiting rooms and larger public spaces.  The cutting edge-computing platform may expand the arsenal of health surveillance tools used to forecast seasonal flu and other viral respiratory outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or SARS.  The researchers noted that models like these can be lifesavers by directly informing the public health response during a flu epidemic.  These data sources can help determine the timing for flu vaccine campaigns, potential travel restrictions, the allocation of medical supplies and more.  The FluSense platform processes a low-cost microphone array and thermal imaging data with a Raspberry Pi and neural computing engine. It stores no personally identifiable information, such as speech data or distinguishing images. The researchers first developed a lab-based cough model. They then trained the algorithm to create thermal images representing people, and then to count them.

5.27 FISH FOSSIL SHOW HOW FINS EVOLVED INTO HUMAN HANDS

Why in news? Researchers have revealed new insights into how the human hand evolved from fish fins based on their analysis of an ancient fossil found in Miguasha, Canada.

 Paleontologists, including those from Flinders University in Australia, said the fish specimen has yielded the missing evolutionary link in the transition from fish to four legged animals.  They said this happened during the Late Devonian period, millions of years ago, as fish began to foray in habitats such as shallow water and land.  The study noted that the 1.57 m long fossil shows the complete arm — pectoral fin — skeleton for the first time in any elpistostegalian fish.  Using high energy X-Ray CT-scans, the scientists assessed the skeleton of the pectoral fin, revealing the presence of a humerus (arm), radius and ulna (forearm), rows of carpus (wrist) and phalanges organized in digits (fingers).  This is the first time that an unequivocally discovered fingers locked in a fin with fin-rays in any known fish.  The finding pushes back the origin of fingers in vertebrates to the fish level. They said it also reveals that the patterning for the vertebrate hand was first developed deep in evolution, just before fishes left the water.  The evolution of fishes into four-legged vertebrates was one of the most significant events in the history of life, the study noted.  With this adaptation, the scientists said, vertebrates, or back-boned animals, were then able to leave the water and conquer land.

5.28 BIO-FORTIFIED WHEAT VARIETY MACS 4028

Why in news? Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, have developed a biofortified durum wheat variety MACS 4028, which shows high protein content.

Efforts for the development of high yielding, early maturing varieties with good quality and disease resistance for rainfed conditions are carried out at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune under All India coordinated Wheat and Barley improvement programme, coordinated through Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal governed by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. The MACS 4028 is an outcome of such intervention for the farmers.

 The wheat variety developed by the ARI scientists group on Wheat improvement, shown high protein content of about 14.7%, better nutritional quality having zinc 40.3 ppm, and iron content of 40.3ppm and 46.1ppm respectively, good milling quality and overall acceptability.  MACS 4028, the development of which was published in the Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, is a semi-dwarf variety, which matures in 102 days and has shown the superior and stable yielding ability.  It is resistant to stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and brown wheat mite.  The MACS 4028 variety is also included by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) programme for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to alleviate malnutrition in a sustainable way and can boost the Vision 2022 “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat”, the National Nutrition Strategy. An endeavor to tackle the hidden hunger in the rural areas of India is being continued using traditional plant breeding approach to achieve “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat.”  The wheat variety MACS 4028 has been notified by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops (CVRC) for timely sown, rainfed condition of Peninsular Zone, comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has also tagged this variety under the Biofortified category during the year 2019.  Wheat crop in India is grown under six diverse agroclimatic zones. In the peninsular zone of India (Maharashtra and Karnataka states), wheat cultivation is majorly done under rainfed and limited irrigation conditions. Under such conditions, the crop experiences moisture stress. Hence, there is a high demand for drought-tolerant varieties.

5.29 HOW WOUNDED PLANTS HEAL, SURVIVE

Why in news? An international team of researchers have been studying the process of how the wounded plants heal for over ten years and have found some answers.

 Plants are often injured by pathogens, herbivores or unfavourable weather conditions. Their sessile lifestyle makes them vulnerable to such situations more often.  Ability to repair : Plants contain a protein named Plethora,which helps in the regeneration process. It also binds and activates the expression of another gene called CUC2. Together, plethora and CUC2 help increase the production of a plant growth hormone called auxin at the wound site. The protein-hormone combination thus improves the plant's ability to repair wounds.  Regenerating veins :

Researchers noted that the injury healed not just at the surface but the veins regenerated too. Vein regeneration is crucial for the transport of food, hormone and water. Any disruption after an injury will hinder the plant's growth.  Another interesting find was that these proteins do not play any role in the general development of plants vascular system, but stepped into action only during the time of injury. Researchers also found out that the nature of repair changes as the size of the wound changes.  They also noted that the size of the injury determines whether the plant will be able to heal or not.

5.30 FUEL EFFICIENCY OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Why in news? International Advanced Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed ultrafast laser surface texturing technology, which can improve the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines.

 Laser surface micro-texturing, which offers precise control of the size, shape and density of micro-surface texture features has gained momentum as a way to control friction and wear.  In this technology, a pulsating laser beam creates micro-dimples or grooves on the surface of materials in a very controlled manner. Such textures can trap wear debris when operating under dry sliding conditions and sometimes provide effects like enhancing oil supply (lubricant reservoir) which can lower friction coefficients and may enable reduced wear rate.  The texture surfaces were created on automotive internal combustion engine components, piston rings and cylinder liners. The micro dimples of 10-20 μm diameter and about 5-10 μm deep which have been created with laser beams had a regular pattern.  The created textures were tested in an engine test rig under different speeds and temperatures of coolant and lubrication oil, and it was observed that there was a 16% reduction in the lube oil consumption with the use of texture on the piston rings.  Fabrication of a pattern of micro dimples or grooves on the surface of materials results in a change in surface topography which generates additional hydrodynamic pressure, thereby increasing the load-carrying capacity of the surfaces. Hence these become useful for trapping wear debris when operating under dry sliding conditions and sometimes provide effects like enhancing oil supply (lubricant reservoir) which can lower friction coefficients and may enable reduced wear rate.

Fig. 1: Femtosecond laser surface texturing (a) dimples, (b) grooves and (c) cross-hatches

5.31 DEEPEST BLUE HOLE

Why in news? Carbon more than 8,000 years old has been found inside the world's deepest blue hole - the Yongle Blue Hole (YBH) - which was recently discovered in the South China Sea.

 Blue holes are marine caverns filled with water and are formed following dissolution of carbonate rocks, usually under the influence of global sea level rise or fall. What distinguishes them from other aquatic caverns is that they are isolated from the ocean and don’t receive fresh rainwater.  They are generally circular, steep-walled and open to surface.  Researchers found low levels of dissolved organic carbon and high levels of dissolved inorganic carbon in YBH, both with radiocarbon ages of more than 6,000 years.  Such concentrations of carbon, usually found in deep marine holes like YBH, provide a natural laboratory to study carbon cycling and potential mechanisms controlling it in the marine ecosystem.  Low oxygen environments are an area of wide research in the aquatic ecosystem. Like most blue holes, it is anoxic i.e. depleted of dissolved oxygen below a certain depth. This anaerobic environment is unfavorable for most sea life. such anoxic ecosystems are considered a critical environmental and ecological issue as they have led to several mass extinctions.  YBH has a depth of 300 metres, far deeper than the previously recorded deepest blue hole, Dean’s Blue Hole in Bahamas, which had a depth of 202 metres.

5.32 ‘CORE CATCHER’ IN A NUCLEAR PLANT

Why in news? The Moscow-based Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division has installed a core melt localisation device (CMLD) or “core catcher” at Unit 3 of Tamil Nadu’s

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). The device is designed to localise and cool the molten core material in case of a meltdown accident.  Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the KKNPP are operational, and were connected to the power grid in 2013 and 2016, respectively. The civil work for Units 3 and 4 began in June 2017.

What is the protective “core catcher” device installed at Kudankulam Unit-3? 1. Molten core material, or corium, is lava-like material that gets formed in the core of a nuclear reactor in the event of a meltdown accident. Such an accident occurs when the nuclear fission reaction taking place inside a reactor is not sufficiently cooled, and the buildup of heat causes fuel rods to melt down. The corium so formed can remain radioactive for several decades, even centuries. 2. In the past, meltdown accidents have occurred at Chernobyl in Russia in 1986 and at Fukushima in Japan in 2011. 3. The core catcher is a cone shaped metal structure that weighs about 800 tonnes. The structure is double walled, with the gap between the two walls filled with FAOG (ferric and aluminium oxide granules). The core catcher is filled with a ceramic mixture also including ferric oxide and aluminium oxide, called ‘sacrificial material’. 4. The sacrificial material prevents the corium from trickling through and also acts as a cooling mechanism. 5. The core catcher device is installed at the bottom of the nuclear station’s protective shell, and is designed to save the latter as well as exude radioactive emission in the environment in case of a serious accident.

Where has a core catcher device been used before?  In 2011, the device was first installed at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China, which is of Russian design.  In 2018, a 200-tonne core catcher was installed Rooppur 1 Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.  At Kudankulam, it has been installed in the design position under the reactor pit of Unit 3, and has been adapted to the relevant site conditions and safety requirements.  The device has improved seismic resistance, hydro-dynamic and shock strength as well as equipped with flood protection and simplified installation and assembly technology.

5.33 TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Why in news? The Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under Department of Science & Technology invited proposal applications from Indian companies and enterprises to address protection and home-based respiratory intervention for COVID-19 patients. The proposal may include technologically innovative solutions like low-cost masks, cost-effective scanning devices, technologies for sanitization of large areas as well as for contactless entry, rapid diagnostic kits and oxygenators, and ventilators.

 In the last few decades, various viral diseases have spread across continents and caused massive fatalities. The latest in the list is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put the healthcare system of various countries out of gear. Protection of the general population needs efficient clinical masks and sanitizers, suitable devices for screening and detection, home-based ventilator systems to complement healthcare facilities and other products and technologies to monitor and control the spread of diseases.  The Board provides financial assistance by means of soft loans (up to 50% of project cost @ 5% simple interest per annum), Equity participation (up to a maximum of 25% of the project cost) or grant in exceptional cases, for encouraging the commercial application of indigenously developed technology and for adapting imported technology to wider domestic application.

5.34 HACKERS MAY HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR SMART DEVICE

Why in news? ESET, a Slovak cybersecurity firm, has for the last one year been working in collaboration with manufacturers of two specific WiFi chips, which were found to have been vulnerable to attack by hostile parties.  The manufacturers have since released for all the vulnerable devices security patches that users can install to address the vulnerability.  According to a report released by ESET, the vulnerability named Kr00k was discovered while the firm was conducting research into KRACK, a series of attacks on WiFi devices that was detected last year. In subsequent investigations, ESET discovered that WiFI chips manufactured by Broadcom ad Cypress had the Kr00k vulnerability. Chips from both these companies have a high market share and are used in a wide range of WiFi-enabled devices.  ESET said the devices that tested positive for the vulnerability include the Amazon Echo (2nd generation), Amazon Kindle (8th generation), Apple iPad mini 2, Apple iPhone 6, 6s, 8 and XR, Apple MacBook Air Retina 13-inch 2018, Google Nexus 5, 6, and 6s, Raspberry Pi 3, Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-19505, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Xiaomi Redmi 3s, as well as some WiFi access points by Huawei and Asus.  Simply put, any device with a WiFi chip manufactured by these two companies is vulnerable to attack, as long as the device is connected to a WiFi network and the hacker is within the range of the same network. Once a hacker gets access to any device for even a short period of time, they can do anything, including planting a malware or intercepting sensitive information that is being sent or received via the Internet.  Indian cybercrime agencies are currently trying to gauge the number of devices featuring these two chips in circulation in the country to get a sense of the magnitude of the problem.  The Slovak firm states that the Kr00k vulnerability is triggered when the device in question experiences a disconnection with the network, called a “dissociation” in technical terms. The more concerning factor, according to officials, is that a dissociation can also be triggered manually.

 It is only a matter of sending a high energy pulse to the server, which can cause temporary dissociation, while the user thinks that this happened due to a weak signal. A suitably designed malware can easily find its way to the user’s online storage space, like the Cloud, after which multiple possibilities, including data theft and financial crimes open up.

6. SECURITY

6.1 RAIDER-X

Why in news? A new explosive detection device, RaIDer-X has the capability to detect explosives from a stand-off distance.  RaIDer-X has been co-developed by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

What is HEMRL?  HEMRL is a premier laboratory of DRDO.  It provides a platform to scientists, technocrats and users to share knowledge, experience and updated information on the technological advancements made in the recent past.  It will help in the further development of explosive detection devices and keep abreast on the recent development and advancements in the field of explosive detection.

6.2 DEFENCE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE 2020

Why in news? Defence minister unveils draft of Defence Procurement Procedure 2020

Several measures planned are as follows : Boost to ‘Make in India The aim is to make India self-reliant and a global manufacturing hub. The government is constantly striving to formulate policies to empower the private industry including MSMEs in order to develop the eco-system for indigenous defence production.

Indigenous Content ratio hiked  Use of raw materials, special alloys and software incentivised as use of indigenous raw material is a very important aspect of ‘Make in India’ and Indian Companies are world leaders in software.  New Category Buy (Global – Manufacture in India) has been introduced with minimum 50% indigenous content on cost basis of total contract value. Only the minimum necessary will be bought from abroad while the balance quantities will be manufactured in India.

Leasing introduced Leasing is permitted under two categories i.e,  Lease (Indian) where Lessor is an Indian entity and is the owner of the assets  Lease (Global) where Lessor is a Global entity. This will be useful for military equipment not used in actual warfare like transport fleets, trainers.

6.3 JOINT AIR EXERCISE WITH MYANMAR  A Table Top Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) was conducted at Prayagraj on the theme of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief).  The objectives of the exercise include planning of HADR operation in a given scenario, learn best practices, executing mission during HADR disasters, understand Search and Rescue Mission procedures.

6.4 DEFENCE CORRIDORS

Defence Industrial Corridors in the Country are  Uttar Pradesh has six nodes viz. Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakookt, Jhansi, Kanpur and Luchnow have been identified.  Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor, five nodes viz. Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli

6.5 INDIA-FRANCE JOINT PATROLS

Why in news? India and France have conducted joint patrols from the Reunion islands for the first time.

The flashback India has so far carried out coordinated patrols only with maritime neighbours and had rejected a similar offer by the U.S.

What all happened? The Indian Navy conducted a joint patrol with the French Navy from the Reunion Island in February. The patrol was conducted by a P8I aircraft.

Some Imporant facts  France was the first country selected to conduct joint patrols.  France is also the first country to deploy a liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFCIOR) as part of efforts to improve maritime domain awareness (MDA). Other deals with France  The Indian Navy is currently inducting French Scorpene conventional submarines being built in India under technology transfer.  Indian Airforce will soon get the first batch of its 36 Rafale fighter jets.

6.6 RELAXATION OF FDI NORMS IN DEFENCE SECTOR

Why in news? Defence sector has opened upto 100% for Indian private sector.

 In May 2001, the Defence Industry sector, which was hitherto reserved for the public sector, was opened upto 100% for Indian private sector participation, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) upto 26% both subject to licensing.  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry has allowed FDI under 2 routes  Automatic route upto 49%  Above 49% through government route, wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.  FDI in defence industry sector is subject to industrial license under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and manufacturing of small arms and ammunition under the Arms Act, 1959.  As per the data furnished by 79 companies in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far, FDI inflows of over Rs. 3155 crores have been reported in Defence and Aerospace sectors. Further, FDI inflows of over Rs. 1834 crores have been reported in Defence and Aerospace sector after 2014.

6.7 DEFENCE EXPORT OF THE COUNTRY

Why in news? Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) Category 6 titled “Munitions List” that was hitherto “Reserved” has been populated and now it stands rescinded (revoke, cancel, or repeal).

 The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified Department of Defence Production (DDP) as the Licensing Authority for export items in Category 6 of SCOMET.  The export of items specified in Category 6 (Munitions List) except those covered under Notes 2&3 of Commodity Identification Note (CIN) of the SCOMET is now governed by the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence.  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the export of munitions list items has been modified and placed on the website of the DDP.  A completely end-to-end online portal for receiving and processing authorisation permission has been developed. The applications submitted on this portal are digitally signed and the authorisation issued is also digitally signed.  In repeat orders of same product to the same entity, consultation process has been done away with and permission is issued immediately. For the repeat order of same product to different entity, the consultation earlier done with all stakeholders is now limited only with MEA.  In Intra-Company business the earlier requirement of getting End User Certificate (EUC) from the Government of importing country has been done away with and ‘Buying’ Company is authorized to issue the EUC.  The legitimate export of the parts and components of small arms and body armour for civil use are now being permitted after prior consultation with MEA.  For export of items for exhibition purposes, the requirement of consultation with stakeholders has been done way with (except for select countries).  Powers have been delegated to DRDO, DGOF and CMD’s of DPSUs for exploring export opportunities and participation in global tenders.  New End User Certificate Format for Parts & Components has been provided in SOP.  Validity of Export Authorization has been increased for 02 years to date of completion of order/component whichever is later.  A new provision for re-exporting parts and components for undertaking repair or rework to provide replacement for a component under warranty obligation is inserted in the SOP as a sub-classification of repeat orders.  MHA has delegated its powers to this Department to issue export license under Arms Rules 2016, for parts & components of small arms. With this the Department of Defence Production becomes the single point of contact for exporter for export of parts and components of Small Arms & Ammunitions.  The Government has notified the Open General Export License (OGEL) - a one time export license, which permits the industry to export specified items to specified destinations, enumerated in the OGEL, without seeking export authorisation during the validity of the OGEL..

Based on the export value during the last three years is as under:

2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Total Export 1521.91 4682.36 10745.77 (in Rs crore)

6.8 RED FLAG EXERCISE

What is RED FLAG EXERCISE?  Exercise Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise held several times a year by the United States Air Force. It aims to offer realistic air- combat training for military pilots and other flight crew members from the United States and allied countries.  The U.S. Air Force has cancelled Phase-I of its flagship multilateral air exercise, Red Flag, scheduled in Alaska from April 30.  The Indian Air Force (IAF) was to take part in the exercise with its Sukhoi Su- 30 fighter jets.  Red Flag Alaska 20-1, scheduled from April 30 to May 15, has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The U.S. Pacific Air Fleet said on its website that the exercise was cancelled owing to the travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of Defence.  In the past, the IAF deployed Su-30MKI and Jaguar strike aircraft, the Il-78 tankers and the C-17 strategic airlift aircraft.  The IAF joined Red Flag for the first time in 2008 in Nevada. However, it had said it would not take part in every edition of the biennial exercise because of the high cost involved. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise meant to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment over the Joint Pacific Alaska range complex, according to information on the U.S. Pacific Air Force website

6.9 MILITARY EXERCISES

7. SOCIAL ISSUES

7.1 USAGE OF MODERN CONTRACEPTIVES

Why in news? India’s modern contraceptive usage is 47.8% as per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) IV (2015-16).

Measures taken by the Government to increase the availability, awareness and usage of modern contraceptives:  Mission Parivar Vikas: Launched in 2016 for substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services in146 high fertility districts with Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 3 and above in seven high focus states. These districts are from the states of Uttar Pradesh (57), Bihar (37), Rajasthan (14), Madhya Pradesh (25), Chhattisgarh (2), Jharkhand (9) and Assam (2) that itself constitutes 44% of the country’s population.  New Contraceptive Choices: Injectable contraceptive (Antara program) and Centchroman (Chhaya).  A new method of IUCD insertion immediately after delivery i.e. post-partum IUCD (PPIUCD) has been introduced in 2010 and became operational from 2014.  Emphasis on Post pregnancy Family Planning services which includes promotion of Post-Partum and Post-Abortion contraception.  Redesigned Contraceptive Packaging - The packaging for Condoms, OCPs and ECPs has been improved and redesigned since 2015 in order to increase the demand for these commodities.  Family Planning Logistic Management and Information System (FP-LMIS): A dedicated software launched in 2017, to ensure smooth forecasting, procurement and distribution of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.  Appointment of dedicated RMNCH+A counselors at high case load facilities since 2013.  Improved Demand generation activities through a holistic media campaign.  Observation of World Population Day & fortnight from July 11 - July 24 to boost Family Planning efforts all over the country.  Observation of Vasectomy Fortnight from November 21 - December 4 in an effort to enhance male participation and revitalize the NSV programme.  Scheme for Home delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries launched in August 2011.  Scheme for ASHAs to Ensure spacing in births launched in 2012.  Scheme for provision of Pregnancy Testing Kits in the drug kits of ASHAs for use in communities. The Scheme was introduced in 2013.  National Family Planning Indemnity Scheme (NFPIS) introduced in 2005 under which clients are insured in the eventualities of death, complication and failure following sterilization.

 Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors - Under the scheme MoHFW provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider (& team) for conducting sterilizations.  Clinical Outreach Teams (COT) Scheme - The scheme has been launched in 146 Mission Parivar Vikas districts wef December 2017 for providing family planning services through mobile teams from accredited organizations in far-flung, underserved and geographically difficult areas.  Ensuring quality of care in Family Planning services by establishing Quality Assurance Committees in all states and districts.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)  It is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a representative sample of households throughout India. Three rounds of the survey have been conducted since the first survey in 1992-93.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, designated the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) Mumbai, as the nodal agency, responsible for providing coordination and technical guidance for the survey.  IIPS collaborated with a number of Field Organizations (FO) for survey implementation. Each FO was responsible for conducting survey activities in one or more states covered by the NFHS.

7.2 KOLIS/KABBALIGAS

Why in News? CM-led delegation from Karnataka is set to seek inclusion of Koli /Kabbaligas into STs list.

About Kolis/Kabbaligas :  Kabbaliga community is also known as Koli community,Ganga Matha(Group of Ganga),Gangeya Makkalu(Childrens of Ganga),Gouri Matha,Ambiga(Rowers), Meenugaararu(Fishermen) and such other brotherhood communities, which contributed much to the nation as many of the people of the community protected the kingdoms in India including Karnataka.  Kabbaliga community is having fourth biggest strength in terms of population in Karnataka after Vokkaliga, Veerashaiva Lingayats and Kuruba communities. Still the community is backward in terms of education, socio-economic and political aspects.  D.K. Naiker Sub-Committee of Government of Karnataka (Report of recommendations sent to Central Government) to enjoin these communities to Scheduled Tribes List recognized total 39 synonyms of Kabbaliga community.  The term Koli is derived from the English word Coolie since the latter's work of carting official goods coincided with the profession of Koli.  Kola in Sanskrit means a hog and also a boat. It is said that Koli term meaning hog, might have been used to refer to this tribe by the Aryans in contempt for their aboriginal status.

 The Koli in Maharashtra still profess traditional profession of fishing and their seafaring expeditions.  During the 1857 mutiny,the soldier like qualities of the Kolis were turned to account and a corps was formed under Captain Nuttall,which proved very useful and serviceable.  In Koli community, there are popular warriors like Tanaji Malasura.  During British raj, in order to meet the threat posed by militant Bhil tribe the British Colonials raised an army of Koli since the latter were arch rivals of the former tribe.

7.3 POVERTY

Why in news? India was recently praised for having lifted “over 270 million people out of poverty” in “a single decade”, and the fact that “12 Indian citizens are lifted out of extreme poverty every single minute of every single day”.

Ways to measure poverty in India Poverty can be defined as a condition in which an individual or household lacks the financial resources to afford a basic minimum standard of living.

 The official poverty line is the expenditure incurred to obtain the goods in a “poverty line basket” (PLB).  Poverty can be measured in terms of the number of people living below this line (with the incidence of poverty expressed as the head count ratio). The “depth” of poverty indicates how far the poor are below the poverty line. Official committees so far estimated the number of people living in poverty in India:

 Working group of 1962  V N Dandekar and N Rath in 1971  Y K Alagh in 1979  D T Lakdawala in 1993  Suresh Tendulkar in 2009  C Rangarajan in 2014. Poverty is measured using the Tendulkar poverty line. As per this, 21.9% of people in India live below the poverty line.

What does the basket of goods include?  The PLB comprises goods and services considered essential to a basic minimum standard of living — food, clothing, rent, conveyance and entertainment. The price of the food component can be estimated using calorie norms or nutrition targets.  Until the 1990s, the calorie norms method was used — it was based on the minimum number of calories recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a household of five members. However, this method does not

consider the different food groups that are essential for health — this is why the Tendulkar Committee targeted nutritional outcome.  The Lakdawala Committee assumed that health and education is provided by the state .Therefore, expenditure on these items was excluded from the consumption basket it proposed. Since expenditure on health and education rose significantly in the 1990s, the Tendulkar Committee included them in the basket.

Why are poverty numbers important? Expenditure on health and education were not considered until the Tendulkar Committee. But even this was criticized for setting the poverty line at just Rs 32 per capita per day in urban India and at Rs 27 in rural India.

 Rangarajan Commission was criticized for selecting the food component arbitrarily — the emphasis on food as a source of nutrition overlooks the contribution of sanitation, healthcare, access to clean water, and prevalence of pollutants.  Poverty numbers matter because central schemes like Antyodaya Anna Yojana (which provides subsidized foodgrains to households living below the poverty line) and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (health insurance for BPL households) use the definition of poverty given by the NITI Aayog or the erstwhile Planning Commission. The Centre allocates funds for these schemes to states based on the numbers of their poor. Errors of exclusion can deprive eligible households of benefits.

Other ways of poverty estimation Multidimensional poverty index (MPI) captures poverty using 10 indicators:  Nutrition  child mortality  years of schooling  school attendance  ownership of assets  access to proper house  access to electricity  access to drinking water  access to sanitation  access to clean cooking fuel.

While the overall headcount multidimensional poverty ratio in 2015-16 was 27.9%, the number was 36.8% for rural and 9.2% for urban India.  There were wide variations across states — poverty was the highest for Bihar (52.5%), followed by Jharkhand (46.5%), Madhya Pradesh (41.1%), and Uttar Pradesh (40.8%). It was the lowest for Kerala (1.1%), Delhi (4.2%), Punjab (6.1%), Tamil Nadu (7.3%) and Himachal Pradesh (8.1%).  The MPI is a more comprehensive measure of poverty because it includes components that capture the standard of living more effectively.

Current “level” of poverty in India  The National Statistical Office (NSO) Report on Household Consumer Expenditure for 2017-18 and the recent updates are not available.  Even the MPI report published by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative used data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey, figures for which are available only until 2015-16.

7.4 KURZARBEIT SCHEME

Why in News? Because of Novel coronavirus outbreak, a concern across the world is the possibility of loss of jobs. Kurzarbeit, Germany’s existing scheme that provides for partial compensation for a worker’s earnings in such situations comes into picture.

How the Scheme Works ?

 Kurzarbeit is German for “short-work”. The policy provides for a short-time work allowance, called kurzarbeitgeld, which partially compensates for lost earnings during uncertain economic situations.  The policy was rolled out during the 2008 economic crisis while its origins date back as far as the early 20th century, before and after World War I.  The workers can apply for short-term work benefits under the scheme, with the government stepping in to pay employees a part of their lost income. This helps the companies retain their employees instead of laying them off, and allows the latter to sustain themselves for a period of up to 12 months.  The German cabinet is planning to extend the benefit of short-time work allowance by the first half of April through legislation.  As of now, if a company sees a decline in orders as a result of the current economic situation, it can announce short-time work, provided that a minimum of 30% of its workforce will be affected by lack of work. With the new legislation, the ceiling will be revised to 10 % of the workforce.

Quantum of payment

 Payment under Kurzarbeit is calculated on the basis of net loss of earnings.  As per Germany’s Federal Agency for Work, short-time employees generally receive about 60 % of the flat-rate net wage, In case there is at least one child in the house of the short-time worker, he/she receives 67 % of the flat-rate net wage.

7.5 EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS(EMRS)

Why in News? 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools being set up by Ministry of Tribal Affairs upto year 2022.

 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been setting up Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) since 1998-99 for imparting quality education to tribal children in their own environment. An EMRS has the capacity of accommodating 480 students.  As per the budget announcement 2018-19, every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 ST population is to have an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) by 2022.  Ministry has identified 462 such blocks across the country.  As per existing guidelines, the total number of EMRSs being set up upto the year 2022 is 740.  As per the extant guidelines of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), the number of seats for boys and girls are equal in each EMRS. During 2019-20, enrollment of tribal girls in EMRSs across the country is 36,567.  Besides imparting quality education to tribal students, fund is also released for construction of hostels, laboratories, libraries, sports equipment, coaching/trainings etc.  The objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.  Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.  The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Constitutional provisions for Tribal education

 Article 46 lays down that, the state shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.  Article 29(1) provides distinct languages script or culture. This article has special significance for scheduled tribes.  Article 154(4) empowers the state to make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizen or for SCs or STs.  Article 275(1) provides Grants in-Aids to states (having scheduled tribes) covered under fifth and six schedules of the constitution.  Article 350A states that state shall provide adequate facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary stage of education.

7.6 GALO TRIBE

Why in News? A Galo tribal lockdown ritual has staged a comeback in Arunachal Pradesh, the State geographically closest to China’s Hubei province where the COVID-19 outbreak began.

Arr-Rinam: ▪ The West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh ceremonially entered the Arr-Rinam phase. ▪ It is the Galo equivalent of lockdown imposed by consensus for 48 hours whenever an epidemic strikes.

About Galos :  Galos are one of the 26 major communities of Arunachal Pradesh, and dominate West Siang, Lepa Rada and Lower Siang districts.  They belong to the Tani group inhabiting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, besides Tibet .and can trace their common origin to a primeval ancestor, Abotani.  They have been recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in the Amendment to the Constitution (ST), Order, 1950, Part-XVIII.  Members of the Galo community in Arunachal Pradesh can recall the name of their ancestor from 20 generations ago , and this is made possible by their system of naming.

Galos maintain genealogy through given names : They have a system of prefixing the second syllable of a father’s name to that of a son, who passes on the suffix in his name to his son. Hence ,they can trace the names of ancestors from the first syllable or prefix of our names.

Culture : Mopin is the main festival in Galos which is celebrated for the prosperity of the villages and they perform Popir dance.

7.7 NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING(IYCF)

Why in news? As per the National Guidelines on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health and thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.  The objectives of the National Guidelines on IYCF are to bring about improvement in optimal feeding practices for infants and young children and raise awareness for achieving optimal feeding practices.  The following steps have been taken by Government to ensure Infant and Young Child Feeding:

1. Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production,Supply and Distribution)Act, 1993, as amended 2003, has bee n enacted in the country to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and ensure proper use of infant foods. 2. Under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, counselling is provided to Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers on infant and young child feeding practices. 3. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY), which is a centrall y sponsored Conditional Maternity Benefit scheme of the Government for pregnant and lactating women, under which cash incentives are provided partly compensating for their wage loss to improve health seeking behaviour amongst the Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers. Recent amendment in Maternity Benefit Act is another important step in strengthening the IYCF practices. 4. The POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on social and behavioural change communication and thus explicitly paving the way for a mass movement to promote a transformative change, to address the malnutrition related challenges and create awareness on holistic nutrition including promotion of optimal infant and young child feeding practices. 5. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted under Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA) in convergence with Ministry of Women and Child Development. 6. Home Based Care for Young Children (HBYC) has been initiated as an extension of Home Based New born Care (HBNC) to provide community based care by ASHA workers with focus on improvement in child rearing practices, nutrition counselling and breastfeeding promotion till 15th month of life. 7. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) are observed for provision of maternal and child health services and creating awareness on maternal and child care in convergence with Ministry of Women and Child Development. Health and nutrition education through mass and social media is also promoted to improve healthy practices and to generate demand for service uptake. 8. Revised Mother and Child Protection Card is the joint initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Woman and Child Development. It is an effective counselling tool for use of front line workers to address the nutrition concerns and improving IYCF practices in children.

8. SCHEMES

8.1 NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION

National Supercomputing Mission: a transformative approach in supercomputing.

The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing of supercomputers indigenously in India.

Objective:- The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.

Implementation:-

 A first of its kind attempt to boost the country’s computing power, the National Super Computing Mission is steered jointly by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.  This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large and complex computational problems.  With the revised plan in place, the first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param Shivay, was installed in IIT (BHU) and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. It uses more than one lakh twenty thousand compute cores (CPU + GPU cores) to offer a peak computing power of 833 TeraFlops. Similar systems Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune.  They are equipped with applications from domains like Weather and Climate, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Bioinformatics, and Material science.  The Mission connects national academic and R&D institutions with a grid of over 70 high-performance computing facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 4,500 crore in which Rs 2,800 crore will come from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the rest, about Rs 1,700 crore, from Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).  These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN).  It supports the government's vision of 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives.

National Knowledge Network (NKN) The NKN is another programme of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network. Academic and R&D institutions as well as key user departments/ministries would participate by using these facilities and develop applications of national relevance.

Note:- India recently awarded French technology firm Atos the contract to build a network of 70 supercomputers across India under the National Supercomputing Mission. The performance capabilities of supercomputers are expressed using a standard rate for indicating the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations systems can perform on a per-second basis. The rate, floating-point operations per second, is abbreviated as FLOPS.

8.2 PRAGATHI

PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation), as the name suggests, is aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e- accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.

About PRAGATI:  It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.  With this, the Prime Minister is able to discuss the issues with the concerned Central and State officials with full information and latest visuals of the ground level situation.  It was launched in 2015 and has been designed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC).

Key features:  It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States).  The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.  It also offers a unique combination in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States.  Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals; The programme will be held once in every month on Fourth Wednesday at 3.30 PM-to be known as PRAGATI Day.  Issues to be flagged before the PM are picked up from the available database regarding Public Grievances, on-going Programmes and pending Projects.

 The system will ride on, strengthen and re-engineer the data bases of the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for grievances, Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. PRAGATI provides an interface and platform for all these three aspects.  It will take into consideration various correspondences to PM’s office by the common people or from high dignitaries of States and/or developers of public projects.  The issues flagged are uploaded seven days prior to the PRAGATI day (i.e. on third Wednesday of every month). These issues can be viewed by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries after entering into the application.  Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have to put their comments and updates about the flagged issues within three days (i.e. by next Monday).  The design is such, that when PM reviews the issue he should have on his screen the issue as well as the latest updates and visuals regarding the same.

8.3 MAHATMA GANDHI BUNKAR BIMA YOJANA

About: The Government of India had introduced the “Bunkar Bima Yojana‟ in December, 2003 which was a combination of Jan shree Bima Yojana and Add-on Group Insurance Scheme being implemented in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India. Since, 2005-06 this scheme was revised and has been implemented revised with title Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Yojana. The Ministry of Textiles is implementing the converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY).

Objective: To provide social security benefits like life, accidental & disability insurance coverage to handloom weavers/workers .

Implementation: The claim benefits are provided by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) directly into the bank account of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility Criteria:  The weaver’s income must earn at least 50% of his income from handloom weaving.  All weavers must be between 18 to 59 years of age which includes minorities, women weavers and weavers belonging to North East Region are eligible to apply for this insurance scheme.  The scheme is applicable to the weavers those who are belonging to the State Handloom Development Corporations/Apex/Primary Handloom Weavers and Cooperative Societies will be covered under the Scheme.  Outside co-operative weavers are also covered under the scheme when they provide an eligibility certificate from the State Directorate of Handlooms.  The State Director in charge of Handlooms is responsible for checking the eligibility of the weavers who are intended to be covered under this scheme.

NOTE: “Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana” also provides scholarship to the children of parents who are covered under it under “Shiksha Sahyog Yojana”.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE: 1. The scheme will be administered by the LIC of India. 2. The authority in-charge of Handlooms in the State shall finalise insurance coverage of the weavers with the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

The annual premium of Rs.470/- is shared as under: Government of India : Rs.290/- Weaver :Rs.80/- Implementing Agency :Rs.100/- Total Premium : Rs.470/-

8.4 SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA

About: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a scheme initiated by the Government of India which literally means Girl Childs Prosperity Scheme.It was launched as a part of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign, which would fetch an attractive interest rate and provide income tax rebate.

Recent changes brought in the scheme:-  ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account’can be opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she attains the age of 10 years, with a minimum deposit of Rs 250. A maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be deposited during a financial year.  The account can be opened in any post office or authorized branches of commercial banks.  Higher interest rate: In your SSY scheme, if account holders do not deposit even the minimum amount of Rs 250 in a financial year, it will be termed as an account in default. Till the maturity date of the account, such a ‘default account’ will then earn the interest rate applicable to the scheme. o As per the old rules such as ‘default accounts’ only earned the post office savings bank interest rate  Operation of account:The SSY account cannot be operated by the girl child till she attains the age of 18 years, as per the newly notified rules. Earlier this was set as 10 years as per old rules.  Account Opening: Changes have also been made in the additional documentation required for opening an SSY account in case of more than two girl children. If a guardian or parent wants to open SSY account for more than two girl children, according to the newly notified rules, an individual is required to submit an affidavit, along with the birth certificates. Earlier, the parent/guardian had to submit a medical certificate.

8.5PRADHAN MANTRI MATRU VANDANA YOJANA

ABOUT :- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit programme being implemented in all districts of the country with effect from 1st January, 2017. It is a centrally sponsored scheme being executed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The scheme is in accordance with the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Target Beneficiaries: All Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or PSUs or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force.

All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have their pregnancy on or after 1st January 2017 for the first child in the family.

Benefits under the Scheme: Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme: Cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss.

Each instalment is paid after the mothers meet certain conditions —

 the first instalment after early registration of pregnancy;  the second instalment after six months of pregnancy on the completion of at least one ante-natal check-up; and  the third instalment after the registration of child-birth and the first cycle of immunization of the child.

The government has clubbed this with the Janani Suraksha Yojana, which provides a benefit of ₹700-₹1,000, to claim that women will get “on an average” ₹6,000 for every first child.

Funding: The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which cost sharing ratio between the Centre and the States & UTs with Legislature is 60:40 while for North- Eastern States & three Himalayan States; it is 90:10. It is 100% Central assistance for Union Territories without Legislature.

Limitations:-

 The PMMVY is targeted only at women delivering their first child.  It is found that only 50% of pregnant women and 57% of nursing women surveyed were eligible for the scheme. It also throws light on the need for higher

awareness among the pool of beneficiaries — only 66% of pregnant women and 69% of nursing women knew about the scheme.  Several factors impeded proper implementation of the programme that aims to fight malnutrition among children. These include an application form of about 23 pages, a slew of documents such as mother-child protection card, Aadhaar card, husband’s Aadhaar card and bank passbook aside from linking their bank accounts with Aadhaar.  The requirement to produce the husband’s Aadhaar card results in excluding women who may be living with men they are not married to, single mothers and those who may be staying at their natal home.

Note :-Odisha, which decided to not implement PMMVY because it has its own State- sponsored scheme called ‘Mamata’ that includes two births, has a few lessons to offer through its near universal coverage. However, there were long delays in transferring the cash amount to the beneficiaries resulting in only 35% of all women who were pregnant and 67% of all nursing women receiving some benefits.

Way Forward

We need to pay greater attention to the special needs of pregnancy — good food, extra rest and health care. The scheme should not be lost in a maze of bureaucracy.

8.6 MPLADS Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

Why in news?

Proposal to use MPLADS funds for COVID-19

As a part of Government’s efforts to contain spread of COVID – 19, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has taken several preventive measures. It issued a circular granting one-time dispensation for utilizing funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) to address the challenges in the fight against COVID-19.The guidelines are relaxed which allow purchase if medical equipment costing above Rs 5 lakh.

As per the amendments to MPLADS Guidelines, Members of Parliament can now utilize funds under MPLADS for the following:-

 Infra-Red thermometers (Non-contact) to enable doctors and medical personnel to record and track a person’s temperature.

 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Kits to keep the medical personnel well- protected and enable them to function efficiently by minimizing the risk of transmission.  Thermal imaging scanners or cameras for railway stations, airports and other points of entry which allow detecting of temperature from a safe distance.  CORONA testing kits approved by M/o Health and Family Welfare  ICU Ventilator and Isolation/ Quarantine Wards within their approved facilities.  Face masks, gloves and Sanitizers for medical personnel.  Any other medical equipment recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.

About:

 It is an ongoing Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 1993-94.Under the scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs.5 Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency.  The Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected.  The Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may select any one or more Districts from any one State in the Country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.  The emphasis is on creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs in the arenas of roads, electricity, drinking water, health and education etc.  Initially the MPLADS was under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development, which was later transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Implementation:

 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has been responsible for the policy formulation, release of funds and prescribing monitoring mechanism for implementation of the Scheme.  The works are executed by District Authorities in accordance with the respective State Government’s financial, technical and administrative rules and also keeping in view the recommendation of the Parliamentary committees on MPLADS, observations made by Comptroller and Auditor General of India, suggestions received from Members of Parliament & other stakeholders.  A Department in each State/UT is designated as the Nodal Department with the overall responsibility of supervision, monitoring and coordination of the MPLADS implementation with the districts and other Line Departments.  The Government of India informs the State Nodal Department about the MPLADS funds released to the District Authorities. The District Authorities report the status of MPLADS implementation to the Government of India and State Nodal Department.

Recent issues regarding MPLADS Scheme:

 Recently Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the government to proactively disclose on its website the details of works undertaken under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in every constituency.  The directive came after the CIC was told by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) that it releases the MPLADS funds, but does not keep a record of the works done, except statistics.  The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman to come up with a legal framework for to ensure transparency and accountability amongst lawmakers and make MPs answerable under RTI for MPLADS.

8.7 KUDUMBASHREE MISSION

Why in News? As part of Kerala's economic package announced to protect the livelihoods of people affected by lockdown during to Corona ,loans worth ₹2,000 crore will be distributed through the Kudumbashree Mission.

Kudumbashree – An Introduction

 Kudumbashree, the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission was launched on 17th May 1998 inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The name Kudumbashree in Malayalam language means ‘prosperity of the family’.  The Mission launched by the State Government with the active support of Government of India and NABARD has adopted a different methodology in addressing poverty by organizing the poor in to community-based organizations.  The Mission follows a process approach rather than a project approach

Implementation:  Kudumbashree was set up following the recommendations of a three member Task Force appointed by the State government.  Its formation was in the context of the devolution of powers to the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Kerala.  Kudumbashree has a three-tier structure for its women community network, with Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) at the lowest level, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the middle level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local government level.  It is this network that brings women to the Grama Sabhas and helps them bring the needs of the poor to the attention of the local governments.  Kudumbashree membership is open to all adult women, limited to one membership per family.

 In 2011, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India recognised Kudumbashree as the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission(NRLM).  It is arguably one of the largest women’s networks in the world. While the community network is formed around the central themes of poverty eradication and women empowerment.  Its main features include democratic leadership, and support structures formed from the ‘Kudumbashree family’.

How is it unique? There are two distinguishing characteristics to Kudumbashree which set it apart from the usual SHG model of empowerment. These are, 1.The universality of reach – from its very inception Kudumbashree has attempted to bring every poor woman in the state within its fold, as a consequence of which today Kudumbashree is present in every village panchayat and municipality, and in nearly every ward, colony and hamlet. The sheer spread is only because the local community of women drive the system that it has managed to persevere. 2.The scope of community interface in local governance – the functioning of Kudumbashree is tied up to the development initiatives of the local government be it for social infrastructure, welfare or right based interventions or for employment generation. It is using these opportunities that Kudumbashree strives to convert a microfinance led financial security model into a more comprehensive model of local economic development.

8.8 FIGHT CORONA IDEAthon

Why in News?

2-day online ideathon to mitigate the uncertainties arising in light of the rampaging Pandemic is being held by Ministry of Human Resource Development.

What is it? Fight Corona IDEAthon, a 2-day online ideathon, is an initiative jointly organised by MHRD Innovation Cell, AICTE, MEITY Startup Hub, InnovatioCuris and other institutions of global and national prominence offering support in terms of Technology, Knowledge, Outreach, etc.,withForge Accelerator as the Partner incubator, in the endeavour to scout for accessible and affordable technological solutions that can contain the rapid spread of infection, ease the mounting pressure and ensure a quick return to normalcy. Includes high magnitude soliciting innovative technological solutions like  the design of reusable/washable masks,  a system that can disinfect currency notes/coins,  mobile applications with an ability to provide right,reliable and authentic information to curb infection and the spread of panic,

 a non-invasive diagnostic kit, alternate solutions for ventilators to treat patients who face chronic breathing problems,  Storage Kits to collect test samples from homes and transport them to laboratories, etc. Ideas and solutions that demonstrate a proof of potential shall be awarded cash prizes up to Rs. 7 lakhs (sponsored by AICTE and AWS) and shall be offered innovation grants up to Rs. 40 lakhs to enable them to accelerate further development of their ideas and prototypes. Few international agencies like worldstartup.co, United Nations Technology and Innovation lab, and Crowdera have also come forward to support the participants.

8.9 PRIME MINISTER’S EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME

About the Scheme Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. Who implements it ? The scheme is implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) functioning as the nodal agency at the national level. At the state level, the scheme is implemented through State KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs), District Industries Centres (DICs) and banks. Who can apply?  Any individual, above 18 years of age. At least VIII standard pass for projects costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business / service sector.  Only new projects are considered for sanction under PMEGP.  Self Help Groups (including those belonging to BPL provided that they have not availed benefits under any other Scheme), Institutions registered under Societies Registration Act,1860; Production Co-operative Societies, and Charitable Trusts are also eligible.  Under the scheme, beneficiary can avail loan up to Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector, with the subsidy of 15% to 35% for different categories.

8.10 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN URJA SURAKSHA UTTHAN MAHABHIYAN (PM KUSUM) Objective

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) .The scheme aims to provide energy security along with financial and water security to farmers. It targets to add decentralised solar power capacity of 25,750 megawatt by 2022.

The scheme comprises three components:

o Setting up of 10,000 MW of decentralised ground / stilt-mounted grid- connected solar or other renewable energy based power plants o Installation of 17.5 lakh standalone solar agriculture pumps o Solarisation of 10 lakh grid-connected solar agriculture pumps.  State Nodal Agencies(SNAs) of MNRE will coordinate with States/UTs, Discoms and farmers for implementation of the scheme.  Components A and C of the Scheme will be implemented in Pilot mode till 2019- 20. The Component B, which is a ongoing sub-programme, will be implemented in entirety without going through pilot mode.

Funding  The Centre will provide financial support of Rs 34,422 crore. Full-fledged implementation of components A and C is subject to the successful implementation of pilot projects.  Under components B and C, central financial assistance of 30 per cent of the benchmark cost or the tender cost — whichever is lower — of the standalone solar agriculture pump will be provided.  The respective state governments will subsidise another 30 per cent, while the remaining 40 per cent will have to be borne by the farmer. Note : Farmers would be able to earn livelihood through their baron land also (by generating solar power on that).This is in the lines of doubling Farmer’s income by 2022.

Recent Changes

As part of Union budget for 2020-21 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme was expanded under which:

o 20 lakh farmers would be provided funds to set up standalone solar pumps. o 15 lakh farmers would be provided funds to set up grid-connected 15 lakh solar pumps.

8.11 INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE

Why is it important ? The UGC, in its 542ndmeeting held on 02nd August 2019 has considered the reports of the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) appointed by Government under the Chairmanship of Shri N Gopalaswami recommending (15) Public institutions and (15) Private institutions for considering to give status of Institutions of Eminence.

What is Institutions of Eminence scheme?  The institutes of eminence scheme under the Union Human Resource development (HRD) Ministry aims to project Indian institutes to global recognition.  Eligibility: Only higher education institutions currently placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are eligible to apply for the eminence tag.  The private Institutions of Eminence can also come up as greenfield ventures-provided the sponsoring organisation submits a convincing perspective plan for 15 years.

How do the institutes benefit after getting the tag of 'Institute of Eminence'?  Government Institutions to get additional funding upto 1000 Cr.  The selected Institutions under IoE shall have complete academic,financialandadministrative autonomy.  Academic collaborations with foreign higher educational institutions (in top 500) would be exempt from government approvals.  Freedom to recruit faculty from outside India (limit of 25% of its faculty strength for public institution).  Freedom to admit additionally foreign students on merit subject to a maximum of 30% of the strength of admitted domestic students.  Freedom to fix and charge fees from foreign students without restriction.  Freedom to determine the domestic student fees, subject to the condition that no student who gets selected admission is turned away for lack of finance.  Freedom to have the flexibility of course structure in terms of number of credit hours and years to take a degree, after approval of their Governing Council and conforming to the minimum prevailing standards.  Flexibility in fixing of curriculum and syllabus, with no UGC mandated curriculum structure.  Freedom to offer online courses as part of their programmes with a restriction that not more than 20% of the programme should be in online mode. Certificate courses can entirely be through online mode.  Students enrolment capacity to be 10,000 in 15 years. (Lower figure permitted with justification)  Faculty Student Ratio should be 1:20 at the time of Notification and should increase to 1:10 in five years.  UGC Inspection shall not apply to Institutions of Eminence.

8.12 INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (IM-PDS)

To sustain the reforms brought in by the ongoing scheme of ‘End to End Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations’ the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India has launched a new scheme namely "Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)” w.e.f 1st April 2018 for implementation in all States/UTs.It is a Central Sector scheme

Ministry : Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

Objective:

 The main objective of the scheme is to introduce nation-wide portability of ration card holders under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), to lift their entitlement food grains from any FPS of their choice in the country without the need of obtaining a new ration card, by integrating the existing PDS systems/portals of States/UTs with the Central systems/portals under Central Repository of all NFSA ration cards/beneficiaries.  The creation of a Central Repository of all ration cards/beneficiary data of all States/UTs shall ensures that no duplicate ration card/beneficiary exist in any State/UT under NFSA.  Presently, intra-State level portability is operational in 10 States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura for the benefit of ration card holders to lift the food grains from any FPS within the State. 3 States of Utter Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have introduced intra-State level portability partially in few FPS areas/districts. Other key focus areas of the IM-PDS scheme: i. National level de-duplication of all ration cards/beneficiaries’ data. ii. Integration of States/UTs PDS systems/applications with Central PDS systems/applications. iii. Use of advanced data analytics techniques to bring about continuous improvements in PDS operations. iv. Development of advanced web and mobile based applications. v. Facilitation of cross-learning and sharing of best practices between States/UTs, etc.

8.13 MGNREGA (MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT, 2005)

Why in News? The Centre has released Rs 4,431 crore to clear pending wages under the rural job scheme MGNREGA and will pay all dues by April 10,2020 to combat corona virus . With this rise in wages, the national average wage under MGNREGA will increase to Rs 202 per person per day from Rs 182.

Objectives: MGNREGA, was enacted in 2005 with the primary objective of guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households. Secondly, it aims at addressing causes of chronic poverty through the 'works' (projects) that are undertaken, and thus ensuring sustainable development. Finally, there is an emphasis on strengthening the process of decentralisation through giving a significant role to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and implementing these works.

Key features:

 The Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.  The central government bears the full cost of unskilled labour, and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).  It is a demand-driven, social security and labour law that aims to enforce the ‘right to work’.  Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India in association with state governments, monitors the implementation of the scheme.  Agriculture and allied activities constitute more than 65% of the works taken up under the programme. Legal right to work:

1. Unlike earlier employment guarantee schemes, the Act provides a legal right to employment for adult members of rural households. 2. At least one third beneficiaries have to be women. 3. Wages must be paid according to the wages specified for agricultural labourers in the state under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, unless the central government notifies a wage rate. 4. At present, wage rates are determined by the central government but vary across states.

Time bound guarantee of work and unemployment allowance: Employment must be provided with 15 days of being demanded failing which an ‘unemployment allowance’ must be given.

Decentralised planning: Gram sabhas must recommend the works that are to be undertaken and at least 50% of the works must be executed by them. PRIs are primarily responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the works that are undertaken.

Work site facilities: All work sites should have facilities such as crèches, drinking water and first aid.

Transparency and accountability: There are provisions for proactive disclosure through wall writings, citizen information boards, Management Information Systems and social audits. Social audits are conducted by gram sabhas to enable the community to monitor the implementation of the scheme.

Funding:

Funding is shared between the centre and the states. There are three major items of expenditure – wages (for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour), material and administrative costs.

The central government bears 100% of the cost of unskilled labour, 75% of the cost of semi-skilled and skilled labour, 75% of the cost of materials and 6% of the administrative costs.

However there are big variations in the revision to the MGNREGA wages, notified on March 23 and announced by FM on March 26. The increase varies between 7-16 per cent, with wages for MGNREGA workers in Maharashtra rising by 16 per cent. In contrast, the increase in Kerala, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and some north-eastern States was only 7 per cent.

The MGNREGA wage revision is linked to the changes in the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Workers (CPI-AL). A committee set up by the government had recommended using CPI-Rural (CPI-R) instead of the existing CPI-AL for revising MGNREGA wages every year.

9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS

9.1 TRIBAL ART OF MADHYA PRADESH

1) Gond art  The Gondwana region of Madhya Pradesh, which includes Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Seoni and Shadol, has held the status of being a cultural hub for years.  It is from this region that the matchless and popular Gond art originates. For an art this unique, the role of the canvas is often played by walls and doors.  Artists use geru for walls, over which they use yellow and black clay for patterns. These patterns are a signature identity of the Gond art.

2) Pithora paintings  Co-existing with this is another ancient and popular art form – the Pithora paintings. Pithora paintings with their bright colours and animated figures often reflect the joyful sentiments of the tribe and the artists.  The uniqueness of Pithora art lies in the fact that the artists use horses to represent Gods and Goddesses.

3) Mandana Art  It is a form of folk painting created by one of the oldest tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh called ‘Meena’.  The art is created on walls and floors of houses and usually done by women.  This artistic form of illustration is considered a representation of good luck and a method to ward off evil spirits.  The painting marks the beginning of auspicious occasions such as marriages, festivals and childbirth.  The term Mandana is derived from the word ‘mandan’ which means decoration and in the regional language, ‘Mandana’ denotes ‘drawing’.

4) Dhokra - An embodiment of tribal beliefs  Dhokra is an attractive art form which is quite popular in Madyapradesh. It is widely practised in the Betul district by the local tribal community.  It’s a non- ferrous (other than iron or steel) metal moulding craft, created using the lost-wax casting technique.

5) Bagh Print - A timeless art!  Printing is prevalent in the town of Bagh in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. It is the same village which houses the popular Bagh cave paintings.  The age-old tradition Block printing evolved and becomes Bagh printing.

6) Batik print –2000 years of great art and still counting!

 It’s an age-old craft of wax-resist dyeing and printing which is believed to have been practised in the countries like Egypt, Japan and India for over 2000 years.  Batik, the art of antiquity, knocked on the doors of handloom and craft industry in Madhya Pradesh during the Mughal times.

9.2 MARAKKAR FILM

Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (Marakkar: The Lion of the Arabian Sea)

Why in news? Last month, a petition was filed in the Kerala High Court against the film, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (Marakkar: The Lion of the Arabian Sea) will release in Kerala and elsewhere, alleging ‘distortion of history’ and demanding a stay on the release. The court declined.

What is the film about? It is a war film depicting the heroics of the Marakkar clan, whose leaders were naval chieftains of the Zamorin of Calicut during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Zamorin, Samoothiri in Malayalam, was the title given to rulers of the Calicut kingdom on the Malabar coast. The Marakkars fought against Portuguese invaders for nearly a century.

Who were the Marakkars?  By some accounts, they were of Arab origin and had migrated from Tunisia to Panthalayani near Koyilandy in present-day Kozhikode, and later moved to the region around present-day Kottakkal and Thikkodi near Payyoli. By other accounts, the Marakkars were descendants of affluent businessman from the Cochin kingdom who migrated later to Calicut.  Historian M G S Narayanan said the name ‘Marakkar’ could have originated from maram or marakkalam, meaning ship, as these families lived along the coast and used ships. Alternatively, it could have originated from the Arabic word markaba, meaning those who migrated via ships. “The Marakkars were mostly Muslims, but in some parts, they have been found to be Hindus as well,” Narayanan said.

What was the war against the Portuguese about?  Faced with invading Portuguese ships, the Zamorin reached out to the Marakkars to defend the coast. They were led in succession by four Marakkars, chief admirals who were appointed by the Zamorin with the title of Kunjali.  “Their strategy was similar to guerrilla warfare. The Portuguese had massive ships which could not make easy manoeuvres in the sea. The Marakkars used small ships which could easily surround the Portuguese ships, enabling the fighters to attack at will,” Narayanan said.  In the span of 100 years, the exploits of the Kunjali Marakkars are said to have improved the naval fleet of Calicut as well as other kingdoms, stretching from Saurashtra to Ceylon along the Indian coast. War technologies and ammunition greatly improved as well.

9.3 FESTIVALS

9.3.1 NAVROZ Navroz, the Iranian New Year, Persian New Year or the Parsi New Year will be celebrated on March 20 in India. While the festival is a holy festival for the Zoroastrian, some Muslim and Iranian communities, it is celebrated by several faiths across the world.  Navroz marks the first day of spring, and while it usually takes place on March 21, the date may vary by a day before or after depending on where it is celebrated. Navroz marks the first day of the month of Farvardin on the Iranian calendar.  Navroz comes from the Persian words ‘Nav’ meaning new and ‘roz’ meaning day, so it literally translates to New Day.  Interestingly, while Navroz in March is celebrated throughout the world, in India, people celebrate it twice a year. The first according to the Iranian calendar, and the second according to the Shahen Shahi calendar, which is followed by people in India and Pakistan.

9.3.2 SHIGMO FESTIVAL Shigmo festival is the spring festival in Goa celebrated by the Konkani diaspora of Goa, with a lot of pompous and splendour.  This festival takes place in the Phalguna month, according to the Saka calendar of the Hindu community living in Goa.  This festival is celebrated around March every year.  It is related to the Hindu lunar calendar and hence its date according to the Gregorian calendar varies.  The festival also depicts the Goan life in traditional folk dances like Ghode Modni, Goff, and Fugdi, performed in troupes along the procession, passing through the streets that are lit up with colorful décor.  It was traditionally celebrated as the homecoming of the warriors who had left their homes and families at the end of Dusshera to fight invaders.  The festival also marks celebration of harvesting of crop and also coincides with Holi.

9.3.3 ARAKU UTSAV  A two-day festival — Araku Utsav 2020 —held at Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district Andhra Pradesh.  Araku Valley is a hill station and valley region in the southeastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.  It is surrounded by the thick forests of the Eastern Ghats mountain range.

9.4 INK DEVELOPED TO STOP COUNTERFEIT RUPEE NOTES, FAKE PASSPORT

Why in news? Scientists from (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) CSIR-National Physical Laboratory have come with a security ink which can prevent fake printing of passports and counterfeiting of currency notes.

 National Physical Laboratory has developed a bi-luminescent security ink which glows in red and green colours when illuminated by two different excitation sources at 254 nano meters (nm) and 365 nm, respectively.  The formulation can be used to check the authenticity of passports, Government documents, tamper evident labels, identity cards, etc.  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had released the new currency notes with added security features. Despite the added security features, there were reports of new fake notes that have come in circulation. The RBI on its website enumerates a number features which could help people distinguish the real notes from the fake ones.  During 2018-19, out of the total Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) detected in the banking sector, 5.6% were detected at RBI and 94.4% were detected by other banks, said RBI's annual report 2019.

9.5 GLOBAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020

Why in news? The Global Migration Report 2020 was recently released by the UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration (IOM). The flagship publication series of the International Organization for Migration, the World Migration Report presents key data and information on human migration together with balanced, evidence-based analysis of complex and emerging migration issues.

Key findings of the report:

 Of the 272 international migrants worldwide (3.5% of the global population), India accounts for the highest share with 17.5 million Indians living outside the country. India is followed by Mexico (11.8 million) and China (10.7 million).  Roughly two-thirds of

international migrants are labour migrants.

 India is the leading recipient of remittances. International remittances in 2018 (2020 report) reached $689 billion, out of which India received $78.6 million from the 17.5 million living abroad. India is currently followed by China ($67.4 billion) and Mexico ($35.7 billion).  The top destinations for international migrants is the USA followed by Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russian Federation and the UK.  The top migration corridors for Indians are the United Arab Emirates, the US and Saudi Arabia.  The highest number of migrants entering India come from Bangladesh.  Oceania is the region with the highest proportion of international migrants and the UAE is the country with the highest proportion of international migrants. More than half of all international migrants (141 million) live in Europe and North America.  The proportion of female international migrants has only marginally changed between the two reports, from 47.5% in 2000 to 47.9%.  The share of international migrants who were children has dropped from 16% in 2000 to 13.9%.

9.6 FREEDOM IN THE WORLD

Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based non-governmental organization Freedom House that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world.  The Freedom in the World 2020 report ranked India at the 83rd position along with Timor-Leste andSenegal.  This is near the bottom of the pile among the countries categorised as “Free”, with only Tunisia receiving a lower score.  India’s score fell by four points to 71, the worst decline among the world’s 25 largest democracies this year.  India scored 34 out of 40 points in the political rights category, but only 37 out of 60 in the civil liberties category, for a total score of 71, a drop from last year’s score of 75.  The report treats “Indian Kashmir” as a separate territory, which saw its total score drop precipitously from 49 to 28 this year, moving it from a status of “Partly Free” to “Not Free”. The annulment of autonomy and the subsequent shutdown of Kashmir, the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act,

as well as the crackdown on mass protests have been listed as the main signs of declining freedom in the report.

9.7 MAHUA-BASED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

Why in news? The Government of India is set to launch a mahua-based alcoholic beverage in the market for the first time. Called Mahua Nutribeverage, it will be available as early as next month for Rs 700 for a 750 ml bottle, and will come in six fruit-based flavours. Beverage has a high nutritional value and relatively low alcohol content, at 5%.

 It has been developed by IIT-Delhi after two years of research in collaboration with TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India). The marketing is being undertaken under the Tribal Affairs Ministry’s Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram.  Mahua (Madhuca indica) is a prominent forest tree in tribal areas of Bastar (district of the state of Chhattisgarh )and plays an important role in the rural economy. The mahua flowers are a rich source of sugars and are said to contain vitamins, minerals and calcium.

9.8 CRI_MAC

Union Home Minister launched Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC). A Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) aims to share information between various police forces on heinous crimes . The Cri-MAC is meant to share information on heinous crimes and other issues related to inter-state coordination.

9.9 COCOON PRODUCTION  Cocoon production in Karnataka , which had been hit by a mulberry disease , appears poised to pick up just in time to meet the growing demand for indigenous silk.  The leafroller insect , which eats the shoots of mulberry plants, had affected the production in the State.

9.10 UNITED NATIONS’ POLITICAL DECLARATION ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Why in news? The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women has adopted a political declaration to reaffirm the 1995 Beijing Declaration to achieve gender equality.  The declaration was adopted during the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which has been drastically reduced from a two-week affair to a single hours-long meeting because of the global coronavirus outbreak.

 The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.  It is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

About Beijing Declaration:  The Beijing Declaration was a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.  It sets strategic objectives for the advancement of women and gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern like women and health, women in power and decision-making, the girl-child, women and the environment.

9.11 COUNTRY’S FIRST WOMEN-ONLY MEDICAL COLLEGE

Why in news? The Medical Council of India has granted Symbiosis International University (SIU) permission to establish the country’s first women-only medical college from the academic year 2020-21.  Inspired by the biographic movie about India’s first woman doctor, AnandibaiJoshi, the idea of establishing a medical college with the objective of women empowerment and contributing to the requirement of more women doctors exclusively for women, was born.  The Symbiosis University Hospital & Research Centre (SUHRC), with a strength of 900 beds, is the attached hospital.  The SUHRC provides clinical services, which are protocol driven and evidence based. All theatres are ‘modular’ with two-way data transfer facilities. The hospital caters to the population in a radius between 25-50 km from SUHRC. It also provides healthcare services to the large community of students and faculty currently residing at the University campus (around 4,000).

About Anandibai Joshi: Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first woman from the erstwhile Bombay presidency of India to study and graduate with a two-year degree in western medicine in the United States.

Appreciations and honors she received:  Queen Victoria sent her a congratulatory message. The Philadelphia Post wrote, “Little Mrs Joshee who graduated with high honors in her class, received quite an ovation.”  Dr Joshi lived a mere 21 years but achieved so much in that brief span that a crater on Venus has been named in her honour.  The Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a non-governmental organization from Lucknow, has been awarding the Anandibai Joshi Award for Medicine in honour of her early contributions to the cause of advancing medical science in India

 On March 31, 2018, Google honored her with a Google Doodle to mark her 153rd birth anniversary.

9.12 GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND GOLDEN CRESCENT

About Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent are the Asia’s two largest principal illicit opium producing areas.

The Golden Crescent

 The Golden Crescent is located in Southwest Asia and consists of three contiguous countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran from East to West.  Iran is the largest country, Afghanistan the only land locked country and Pakistan shares the maximum land boundaries in this region.  This is the world's leading illicit opium producing region with the potential production of 5,020 metric tons, out of which Afghanistan alone has 4,950 metric tons of illicit opium production, followed by Pakistan with meagre 70 metric tons in 2005 (UNODC, INCSR, 2006).  Iran is not an opium producing country in this region but is more that of a trans-shipment country.

The Golden Triangle

 The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers.  Myanmar is the largest country; Laos is the only landlocked country not only of the Golden Triangle but also of that of the entire Southeast Asia and Thailand has the largest coastline in the region.

The Golden Triangle is the world's second largest illicit opium producing region with a potential production of 5,020 metric tons out of which, Myanmar itself has 30,900 metric tons followed by 10,000 metric tons in Laos and Thailand having the least

production of 128 metric tons in 2005 (UNODC, INCSR, 2006). Laos is more that of trans-shipment country. Thailand and Myanmar are money laundering countries.

Comparative Geospatial Profile Golden Crescent is territorially larger than Golden Triangle. Both Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle are similar regarding the major coastal features such as seas, gulf and deltas. The coastally neighbouring countries to Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent make trans-boundary narco-trafficking an international concern.

Concerns for India  India is vulnerable to narcotic drug trafficking as it is located between two largest Opium producing regions of the world i.e. Golden Crescent in the west and Golden Triangle in the east.  India is also vulnerable to human trafficking, smuggling and cross-border illegal immigration due to proximity to Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent.  Trafficking of women and human smuggling in general have also become quite rampant across the India–Bangladesh and India-Nepal borders.  It has become a challenge for India’s security.

9.13 #STAYHOMEINDIAWITHBOOKS INITIATIVE

Why in news? In the wake of Preventive Measures of the Government of India to contain the spread of Covid-19, and to encourage people to #StayIn and #StayHome, the National Book Trust of HRD Ministry, in its efforts to encourage people to read books while at home, is providing its select and best-selling titles for FREE Download as part of its initiative of #StayHomeIndiaWithBooks!  The 100+ books, in PDF format, can be downloaded from the NBT's website https://nbtindia.gov.in. Available in Hindi, English, Asamiya, Bangla, Guajarati, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Kokborok, Mizo, Bodo, Nepali, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu and Sanskrit, the books cover all genres of fiction, biography, popular science, teacher's handbook, and majorly books for children and young adults.  In addition, there are books by Tagore, by Premchand, and books on Mahatma Gandhi -- all in all there are books for everyone in the family to read and enjoy. More titles will be added to the list.

9.14 KIMONOS AND BANDHINI

Why in news? Australia-born Caroline Sato kimonos brings her knowledge to Chennai, and explains bandhini’s influence on the Japanese garment.

She get a lot of interesting information on the Shibori art, a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique that was predominantly used on fabrics used for making kimonos, specializing in kimono fashions for her post-graduation degree. She also says that shibori technique travelled to Japan from India.

What is bandhini?  Bandhini is a type of tie-dye textile decorated by plucking the cloth with the fingernails into many tiny bindings that form a figurative design.  The term bandhini is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root bandh ("to bind, to tie").Today, most Bandhini making centers are situated in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sindh, Punjab region and in Tamil Nadu where it is known as Sungudi.  Earliest evidence of Bandhani dates back to Indus Valley Civilization where dyeing was done as early as 4000 B.C. The earliest example of the most pervasive type of Bandhani dots can be seen in the 6th century paintings depicting the life of Buddha found on the wall of Cave 1 at Ajanta.

What is a kimono?  Literally meaning an outfit or clothes, kimonos can only be made by custom- tailoring to suit an individual. It is never one-size-fits-all, and is traditionally made of silk  It is a T-shaped tubular garment, with layers of detailing, made from 12.5 meters of fabric.  Simpler versions, called Yukata, are made of cotton and more suited to summers.

9.15 UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF OXYGEN

Why in news? Government announces steps to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen to hospitals.

These steps were taken by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), which is an arm of the Commerce and Industry Ministry. It has taken various measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen to hospitals and also to address the problems faced by petroleum, explosives, fireworks, and industrial gas companies due to nationwide lockdown for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.

About PESO  Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) is a department formed by Government of India under Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to administer Explosives Act 1884,Explosive Substance Act, Petroleum Act 1934, Inflammable substance Act 1952 and Environment Protection Act 1986 to control import, export, transport, storage and usage of explosive materials,flammable materials, pressure vessels, cryogenic vessels, design and installation of all necessary and relevant infrastructure etc.

 PESO is a regulatory authority with autonomous status. The Department is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives and is headquartered at Nagpur in the State of Maharashtra in India  It was established during the British India in 1890s as Department of Explosives and later expanded to various other activities.

9.16 HUMSAFAR MOBILE APP

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Santosh Gangwar has launched a mobile application named ‘Fuel Humsafar’ for delivery of diesel at doorsteps of Housing societies, hotels and hospitals in the national capital region. The app will be used for the fuel delivery services to housing societies, hotels, hospitals, malls, construction sites, industries, banquets and other bulk buyers of diesel in various NCR cities, including Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, Hapur, Kundli, Manesar, and Bahadurgarh.

9.17 CoNTeC

Why in news? The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC) today and also interacted with Nodal Officers of Medical Colleges of States and other AIIMS of the country and reviewed the COVID-19 preparedness.  The project CoNTeC, an acronym for COVID-19 National Teleconsultation Centre, has been conceptualised by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and has been implemented by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.  The CoNTeC is a Telemedicine Hub established by AIIMS, New Delhi, wherein expert doctors from various clinical domains will be available 24x7 to answer the multifaceted questions from specialists from all over the country. It is a multi- modal telecommunications hub through which 2 way audio-video and text communications can be undertaken from any part of the country as well as the world at large. The modes of communication will include simple mobile telephony as well as two way video communications, using WhatsApp, Skype and Google Duo.  The CoNTeC is also fully integrated with the National Medical College Network (NMCN) to conduct a full fledged Video Conference (VC) between the 50 Medical Colleges connected through the NMCN with its National Resource Centre located at SGPGI, Lucknow.

9.18 GOND TRIBES

The Gondi (Gondi) or Gond or Koitur are an Indian ethnic group.  Gonds are one of the largest tribal groups in the world. They are one of the largest tribal groups in India.

 Gonds are mostly found in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha. Their main occupation is agriculture or agricultural labourer. They also go for fishing and hunting for supplementing their income.  Gond has been notified as a Scheduled Tribe.  Gonds are subdivided into four tribes: Raj Gonds Madia Gonds Dhurve Gonds Khatulwar Gonds  Kodo and kutki (millets) are their staple food. Rice is mostly consumed during festival feasts.  Gonds believe that earth, water, and air are ruled by Gods. They speak Gondi which is an unwritten language of the Dravidian family.

9.19 PROJECT ISSAC

Why in news? Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN) has launched Project ‘Isaac’ to engage its students in creative projects to enhance their critical skills while they are confined to their homes because of Corona virus.  The project is inspired by Sir Isaac Newton, who was similarly sent home by Trinity College, Cambridge , because of the Great Plague of London in 1665. During this year, Newton, then a 22-year-old college student developed some of his most profound discoveries, including early calculus, as well as his theories of optics and gravity .  As part of the project, four different competitions are being organized by IIT, Gandhinagar to cultivate new skills among students regarding writing, painting, coding, music, creative expression so on-Students can take part in competitions online. Project Isaac is a model for academic institutions worldwide , and to explore ways to engage students in the midst of the pandemic.

9.20 LALIT KALA AKADEMI AWARDS

Why in news? President of India to confererred National Lalit Kala Akademi Awards to 15 artists in New Delhi.

About Lalit Kala Akademi  Lalit Kala Akademi, National Academy of Art, New Delhi was set up by the Government of India as an autonomous body, on 5th August, 1954. The Akademi was given statutory authority in 1957, under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

 Lalit Kala Akademi the National Academy of Arts is an institution that has rendered service to the arts in the nation long before the world woke up to the global impact of Indian Art.  As a cultural body that hovers above the entire Indian subcontinent, it plays a role in inter-linking the diverse cultures of India to weave an aesthetic spread that is noted for its colourful threads of creative genius and brilliant designs that delineate fascinating features of Indian life.

9.21 MISSION SOLAR CHARKHA

The scheme Mission Solar Charkha is enterprise driven scheme and envisages setting up of ‘Solar Charkha Clusters’ which will have 200 to 2042 beneficiaries (Spinners, Weavers, Stitchers and other skilled artisans). Each spinner will be given two charkhas of 10 spindles each.  As part of the scheme no subsidy is given, however subsidy to the tune of Rs.9.60 crore is provided for procurement of charkha and looms to the Implementing or Promoting Agency for a full-scale Solar Charkha Cluster involving a total investment of about Rs.38.625 crore.  Based on the success of a pilot project on Solar Charkha, set up at Khanwa village, Nawada District, Bihar in 2016 which benefitted about 1180 artisans, Government of India accorded approval to set up 50 such clusters.

9.22 UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE (UPEACE)

 University for Peace (UPEACE) is an intergovernmental organisation with the status of a ‘university’, established by a UN General Assembly resolution 34/111 of December 14, 1979.  University for Peace is an intergovernmental organization with university status, established by treaty at the United Nations General Assembly in 1980 and having its main campus in Costa Rica.  Every year, around five students from India are selected to pursue their master’s from the UPEACE and later work around the world tackling various development challenges.  Students pursue diverse discipline in International Law, Environmental Studies, Peace Studies and Gender Studies. These courses are taught by top experts and UN officials, and students are encouraged to engage with the material and are also given the opportunity to network with people around the world.

9.23 NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS The details of projects under construction and new projects accorded sanction are

Project Location and Type Capacity (MW) State

Projects under Construction

KAPP 3&4 Kakrapar, Gujarat PHWR 2 X 700

RAPP 7&8 Rawatbhata, 2 X 700 Rajasthan

GHAVP 1&2 Gorakhpur, 2 X 700 Haryana

KKNPP 3&4 Kudankulam, LWR 2 X 1000 Tamil Nadu

PFBR Kalpakkam, Tamil FBR 1 X 500 Nadu

New Projects accorded Administrative approval

KKNPP 5&6 Kudankulam, LWR 2 X 1000 Tamil Nadu

Chutka-1&2 Chutka, Madhya PHWR 2 X 700 Pradesh

Kaiga-5&6 Kaiga, Karnataka 2 X 700

MahiBanswara- MahiBanswara, 2 X 700 1&2 Rajasthan

GHAVP– 3&4 Gorakhpur, 2 X 700 Haryana

MahiBanswara- MahiBanswara, 2 X 700 3&4 Rajasthan

PHWR – Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor LWR – Light Water Reactor FBR – Fast Breeder Reactor

The Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) are fuelled by Natural Uranium while Light Water Reactors (LWRs) are fuelled by Low Enriched Uranium. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) being implemented by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) is fuelled by Mixed Oxide (MoX) Fuel.

9.24 THE PYRAMID OF DJOSER

Why in news? Last week, Egypt reopened the Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid ever built, after a 14-year restoration. The structure is believed to be designed by Imhotep, described by some as the first architect of the world.  The pyramid had sustained serious damage during an earthquake in 1992, and was on the verge of collapse when renovations started in 2006

About The Pyramid of Djoser:  The 4,700-year-old pyramid is 60 meters tall, and consists of six stacked steps over a burial shaft tomb 28 meters deep and seven meters wide.  It is located at the Saqqara archaeological site, 24 km southwest of Cairo, outside the royal capital of Memphis. A complex of halls and courts is located around the pyramid.  It is the world’s oldest monumental stone building.  Today, a UNESCO world heritage site, the pyramid was constructed during the era of Pharaoh Djoser, the second king of Ancient Egypt’s Third Dynasty (2650 BC– 2575 BC).  The Pharaoh’s 19-year reign saw significant technical innovations in stone architecture.  The pyramid’s architect, Imhotep, was also a physician and astrologer, and served as Djoser’s minister.

9.25 INTERNATIONAL DAYS

9.25.1 THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Proclaiming the day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. This year, the

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is focused on the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent undertaken by the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

9.25.2 WORLD PUPPETRY DAY World Puppetry Day comes every March 21. The idea came from the puppet theatre artist Javad Zolfaghari from Iran. The first celebration was in 2003. Union Internationale de la Marionette (UNIMA) proposes World Puppetry Day on March 21, 2020 to be as a first step in the celebration of the XX World Peace Day of UNESCO, which will take place on September 19, 2020 in Tolosa, Spain. UNIMA is affiliated to UNESCO and it is a member of the International Theatre Institute.

9.25.3 WORLD POETRY DAY World Poetry Day is Held every year on 21 March, World Poetry Day celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms cultural and linguistic expression and identity. Practiced throughout history –in every culture and on every continent –poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values of , transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace-UNESCO first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999 , with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.

9.25.4 Pi DAY MARCH 14 is Pi Day, a celebration of the beloved constant pi.

What is Pi Day?  It is dedicated to pi, whose value up to five decimal places is 3.14159. The idea originated in the United States, where the convention is to write dates in a format that expresses March 14 as 3/14.  These three digits match the value of pi up to two decimal places, at 3.14. Coincidentally, March 14 is also Albert Einstein’s birthday.  The late Larry Shaw, a physicist with the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, came up with the idea of Pi Day in 1988. The Exploratorium launched celebrations on 3/14, at 1:59, to correspond with 3.14159.

But why pi, in particular?  The concept is introduced to schoolchildren when they are taught to calculate the area and circumference of a circle. They usually work with the fraction 22/7, which gives an approximate value for pi.  By definition, pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle — any circle — to its diameter. It is remarkable because the ratio is always constant. Pi is also the area of a circle divided by the square of its radius — again a constant ratio for any circle.

9.26 PERSONS IN NEWS

9.26.1 RAM MANOHAR LOHIA

Why in news? PM Modi pays tributes to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary on 23rd March.

About :  Ram Manohar Lohia(23 March 1910 – 12 October 1967) was an activist in the Indian independence movement and a socialist political leader.During the last phase of British rule in India, he worked with the Congress Radio which was broadcast secretly from various places in Bombay until 1942.  Lohia lost to Nehru in 1962 general election, but entered Lok Sabha in 1963 by winning a by-poll.  Lohia was one of the founders of the Congress Socialist Party and editor of its mouthpiece Congress Socialist. In 1936, he was selected by Jawaharlal Nehru as the secretary of the Foreign Department of the All India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C), the highest body of the Congress Party.

9.26.2 SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN

Why in news? Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the centenary celebrations of the birth of ‘Jatir Pita' Bangabandhu, Sheik Mujibur Rahman through a video message today. About Sheik Mujibur Rahman

 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), shortened as Sheikh Mujib or just Mujib. Sheikh Mujib was a Bangladeshi politician and statesman. He is called the father of Nation in Bangladesh.  He served as the first President of Bangladesh and later as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 17 April 1971 until his assassination on 15 August 1975. He is considered to be the driving force behind the independence of Bangladesh. He is popularly dubbed with the title of "Bangabandhu" (Bôngobondhu "Friend of Bengal") by the people of Bangladesh.  He became a leading figure in and eventually the leader of the Awami League, founded in 1949 as an East Pakistan-based political party in Pakistan.  Mujib is credited as an important figure in efforts to gain political autonomy for East Pakistan and later as the central figure behind the Bangladesh Liberation Movement and the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.  Thus, he is regarded "Jatir Janak" or "Jatir Pita" (Jatir Jônok or Jatir Pita, both meaning "Father of the Nation") of Bangladesh. His daughter Sheikh Hasina is the current leader of the Awami League and also the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

9.26.3 TANHAJI : THE UNSUNG WARRIOR

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language biographical period action film, Set in the 17th century, the story revolves around the life of Tanaji Malusare, depicting his attempts to recapture the Kondhana fortress in the battle of Gondavana, once it passes on to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who transfers its control to his trusted guard Udaybhan SinghRathore.

The Battle of Sinhagad  The Battle of Sinhagad took place during the night on 4 February 1670 on the fort of Sinhagad (then known as Kondhana after the sage Kaundinya), near the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India.  The battle was fought between Tanaji Malusare, a Koli Commander of Maratha Empire under Shivaji and Udaybhan Singh Rathore,a Rajput fortkeeper under Jai Singh I.

Tanaji Malusare Tanaji Malusare was a military assistant of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji; he came from a Hindu Koli (ethnic Indian group) family. A local poet Tulsidas, wrote a powada describing Tanaji's heroics and sacrifice of life in the Battle of Sinhagad, which has since made him a popular figure in Marathi folklore.

9.27 WORLD HERITAGE SITES

A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area, selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, which is legally protected by international treaties. The sites are judged to be important for the collective and preservative interests of humanity.  Under certain conditions, listed sites can obtain funds from the World Heritage Fund. The programme began with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972.  In 1978 the city of Quito(Capital of Ecuador) earned the distinction of being the first city in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the same year, Kraków in Poland was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  As of July 2019, a total of 1,121 World Heritage Sites (869 cultural, 213 natural, and 39 mixed properties) exist across 167 countries. China and Italy, both with 55 sites, have the most of any country, followed by Spain (48), Germany (46), France (45), India (38), and Mexico (35).

WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA (38)

CULTURAL SITES: 30

Under Protection of Archaeological Survey of India (22)

1. Agra Fort (1983) - Uttar Pradesh 2. Ajanta Caves (1983) -Maharashtra 3. Ellora Caves (1983) -Maharashtra

4. Taj Mahal (1983) -Uttar Pradesh 5. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) -Tamil Nadu 6. Sun Temple, Konarak (1984) -Odisha 7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) -Goa 8. Fatehpur Sikri (1986) -Uttar Pradesh 9. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) -Karnataka 10. Khajuraho, Group of Temples (1986) -Madhya Pradesh 11. Elephanta Caves ( 1987) -Maharashtra 12. Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (1987 & 2004) -Tamil Nadu 13. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) -Karnataka 14. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) -Madhya Pradesh 15. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993) -Delhi 16. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993) -Delhi 17. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) -Madhya Pradesh 18. Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004)- Gujarat 19. Red Fort Complex, Delhi (2007) -Delhi 20. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts) (2013) (Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums) - Rajasthan 21. Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan (2014) -Gujarat 22. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda (2016) - Bihar

Under Protection of Ministry of Railways (2)

23. Mountain Railways of India ( Darjeeling,1999), Nilgiri (2005), Kalka-Shimla(2008) West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh 24. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004) -Maharashtra

Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (1)

25 Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, (2002) -Bihar

Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums (1)

26. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010) -Rajasthan

Under Protection of Chandigarh Administration (1)

27. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016) -Chandigarh

Under Protection of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (1)

28. Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017) -Gujarat

Under Protection of Bombay Municipal Corporation (1)

29. Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (2018) -Govt of Maharashtra

Under Protection of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (1)

30. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019) -Govt of Rajasthan

NATURAL SITES: (7)

Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes

31. Kaziranga National Park (1985) -Assam 32. Keoladeo National Park (1985) -Rajasthan 33. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) -Assam 34. Sunderbans National Park (1987)-West Bengal 35. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005) -Uttarakhand 36. Western Ghats (2012) -Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu 37 Great Himalayan National Park (2014) -Himachal Pradesh

MIXED SITE: (1)

Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes

38. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) –Sikkim